The “anti-austerity” riots in Greece
Last March, I spotlighted the rule of the mob in Britain and the spread of left-wing vigilantes across Europe. Big Labor bosses in the U.S. have expressed solidarity for their union brethren’s “struggle” and helped foment chaos. May Day mayhem took hold here — and abroad.
Greece is still under siege.
Rioting over drastic spending cuts and taxes in the debt-ridden country has now left three bankers dead:
Riots over harsh new austerity measures left three bank workers dead and engulfed the streets of Athens on Wednesday, as angry protesters tried to storm parliament, hurled Molotov cocktails at police and torched buildings. Police responded with barrages of tear gas.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in a nationwide strike to protest new taxes and government spending cuts demanded by the International Monetary Fund and other European nations before heavily indebted Greece gets a euro110 billion ($141 billion) loan package to keep it from defaulting.
The three bank workers — a man and two women — died after demonstrators set their bank on fire along the main demonstration route in central Athens. As their colleagues sobbed in the street, five other bank workers were rescued from the balcony of the burning building.
“A demonstration is one thing and murder is quite another!” Prime Minister George Papandreou thundered in Parliament during a session to discuss the spending cuts he announced Sunday — measures even the IMF has called draconian. Lawmakers held a minute of silence for the dead — the first deaths during a protest in Greece since 1991.
Think it couldn’t happen here? We’re getting closer. Reminder: SEIU Purple Shirts threw a city-wide tantrum in San Francisco last fall over budget cuts and layoffs. The teachers’ union in New Jersey wishes austerity crusader GOP Gov. Chris Christie dead. The anarchist riots in Santa Cruz caused massive property damage to more than a dozen businesses and a similar rampage in Asheville, NC involved more than 20 black-clad thugs — for whom a Denver anarchist group is now raising legal funds. Reminder: SEIU and little ACORN knock-offs launch banking shakedown campaign.
When Ponzi schemes crumble, European welfare state dependents take to the streets and demand that the same old schemes be propped up again. Tom at Radio Free NJ says what needs to be said overseas — and at home (h/t Derbyshire):
Morons,
There is no money. There is no one else’s pocket left to pick. You can’t borrow anymore, you can’t print anymore, and you can’t steal anymore from anyone else. The people who will be paying the bill to keep you from reentering the 15th century are, unlike you, working very hard. They deserve better than you spoiled pampered children are giving them.
…Socialism always was (and frankly – still is) a horrible idea. It’s the reason you’re in this embarrassing position in the first place. In the eyes of the world you all look just as stupid and spoiled as can be. You could be protesting in diapers and demanding that ‘the state’ wipe your behinds and it would only marginally affect your public image. You need to accept the fact that there are no circumstances under which politics can arrange for nothing to be equal to something. You can not make a contribution of zero and expect to get a benefit greater than that.
You’ve thrown your bottles, burned your flags, waved your signs and had your fun. Now it’s time for you to learn the lessons of history and abandon this idiocy before we finally lose our patience with you. Grow up – and get back to work.
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This is what is happening in pur yard and it is not a coincidence.
“NPA, together with SEIU and the AFL-CIO, is organizing a series of angry marches against Wall Street and capitalism.”
From the article:
http://biggovernment.com/amarcus/2010/05/05/is-president-obama-using-executive-powers-to-organize-angry-anti-capitalist-protests-on-the-streets-of-america/
Thinking back to images of Nork supporting students rioting in Seoul and throwing Molotovs- a gasoline filled fire bomb is a potentially deadly weapon and a person about to throw one should be shot dead on sight.
3 dead now because the Greek police didn’t shoot the buttholes.
OT
Obama biggest recipient of BP campaign cash in last 20 years, and Obama regime exempted BP from safety precautions in the Gulf.
Are you sure the police even carry firearms in Greece. The first thing a liberal country does is enact gun control.
This line of reasoning relies on the faulty assumption that such people are susceptible to reason.
Sometimes, there’s no alternative than to let people hit rock bottom and stay there for a while. The modern left is full of such people. Our main problem is that they insist on taking the rest of us along with them.
Just like Katrina and those drinking at the government trough in New Orleans – Once the nanny state takes over, when the house is burning down, the occupants refuse to leave until a fireman carries them out.
[Socialism is] the reason you’re in this embarrassing position in the first place.”
I guess that line works with people unwilling to do any research.
Greece’s socialist party was only voted in late last year, after the preceeding conservative govt. created a massive financial mess:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-10-18-Greek-socialists-win_N.htm
But facts like that don’t play well here. The ‘socialism’ game is always a hit, however!
Remember, conservativism is relative and normally doesn’t come close to resembling conservatives in the USA.
AS Greece goes, so goes the US
Actually, I was going to reference this yesterday in one of the threads on this blog, but changed my mind. Actually when I read these words:
I thought to myself that it is coming here too. People are fine until things cost them and they have to do without “stuff.” We’ve had a lot of “stuff” in this country and we will be giving it up. Like it or not.
tettes said:
I lived in a country that was Socialist. Over 60% of the people were employed by the government. Every private company was owned 51% by the government. The remaining 48% of the company was taxed at over 60%. All foreign exchange was tightly controlled by the government. The country relied on handouts from the IMF and whatever country wished to donate – IE The ex Soviet Union, China, Libya, North korea etc. As of late last year the people there were told to start growing their own food because the country was broke.
You don’t catch a fish by giving it bait.
It strikes because it’s angry you tried to take it away.
Just wait until the the government teat dries up.
I’m curious if the ‘morons’ are ethnically Greek or hordes of their angry recent immigrants? I’ve known, and even worked for, several Greek families. They were all such hard workers and always found a way to make the money needed to support their families, never asking for a handout from anyone. Unless decades of socialism can actually change DNA – this is a new side I’ve not seen before.
For those who do not watch Glenn on Fox, he has been telling us what these unions could be getting ready for our nation. These people want control of our Republic and this bho and team are right in the middle of it! Why do you think so many people are employed by the government and the unions? MONEY, and they want all they can get from us.
L
To those who fear the USA is headed for the same thing, I think there’s a pretty substantive difference. To wit, our populace can still own guns. When leftist thugs come for my money, my house, or my other property, I’ll let my M1911 supply the proper response.
….California in 6 months. There is no more money.
If anyone thinks this Greek tragedy can’t happen here, think again – and please read this from a few months ago – another bullseye from Mark Steyn:
STEYN: Our own Greek tragedy
Obamanomics hastens the day of reckoning
Comment from another blog. “I resent people saying that Obama and congress are spending like drunken sailors. Speaking as a former drunken sailor, we stopped spending when we ran out of money.” ‘Nuff said.
It’s frightening to think of..but unless something drastic happens here soon, we are looking at this. It won’t be pretty. But by all means, let more illegals in whom we can no longer support. They can’t go to California any more..or Michigan…those democrat run states are broke!
Hwy not just have a law that no government worker can make more money than the national average, nor no pension that is more than Social Security.
Perhaps Bill Clinton will now speak out against the hateful anti-bank and anti-Wall Street rhetoric of Obama and the other class warfare spewing dimocrats.
Have you tried to purchase ammunition lately?
I got a Sig Sauer for Christmas – we could only find 2 boxes of ammo for it.
I can see tettes is Greek. They are always very defensive. Greece has been rolling in the raging paroxysms of Marx for… ever it seems. The name on their bureaucrats’ doors mean nothing. It has always been a basket case. What do they produce actually? Feta? Ouzo? Olive oil? Sardines? By now the farmers are probably eating their own over-priced fare because they can’t find anyone who wants to buy it.
Michelle,
Thank you for telling the dummycrats and their liberal buddies the truth.
However, must you hold back, why don’t you just let the dems and unions have it with both barrels.
(Oops firearms reference inserted on purpose, I will not be PC!)
David
After self-defense weapons, my advice to people is to invest in tools of production like plows, tractors, fuel, oil, building materials, fertilizer, hand tools and seed. Those, not gold, will be the coveted commodities of real value. Don’t forget land.
The craven appetites of the Marxian Socialists know no bounds. They will not rest until the worst is provoked.
Better to light upon a bear with her cubs than catch a fool in his folly. (or in this case take away his folly…cubs = folly…see what I did there?)
But, but, but, that wouldn’t be fair!
Let us HOPE we are of sterner stuff. Greece is neat country to visit-except for the whining, complaining Greeks.
He Lads: Alexander is dead.
Picking on the Chicago Cubs again?
I’ll go with my Benelli 12ga, full choke, 00 shot, no mag plug. It’s a real eye opener.
Our standard of living is going to fall regardless. Being a participant of the one world ecomony guarantees it. 3rd world standard of living increase, ours decrease.
Bankers are evil. The Democrats have told me that time and timme again. Ask the lamestream media. They will tell you that too.
gun control for it’s citizens not law enforcement/military…otherwise they wouldn’t be able to control them…ya think??
“Madness? This is S P A R T A !!!!“
You assume they EVER worked to start with.
Greece is the poster child for a socialist utopia when entitlements overwhelm the wealth producing capability of the nation. The cradle of democracy and a republic has long ago lost its history, and it is now nothing but a small useless country entangled with socialists and their union thugs.
Cheaper than dirt
J&G Sales-Arizona
From one Bitter Clinger to another darlin’
My Christmas present to me so many years ago.
===
Let your sidearm be like Master Card:
Don’t Leave home without it.
Thank you honey
It is coming down to that…reloaders unite!
I visited Greece in 1992. As much as I enjoyed visiting, I was surprised that place was the Cradle of Western Civilization. The Greeks make the Italians look like the Swiss.
And the Swiss will shower upon occasion-a concept that seems to be lacking in the Greek and Italian. I do envy the womens’ 5 o’clock shadow.
I’m almost giddy with anticipation…
Did the final version of the health care act contain the provision that enacted siphoning off money from every single real estate transaction and putting it into the pockets of “local, community organizations”? You know, like the recently reincarnated ACORN offices?
Given the ties between ACORN and SEIU I can see those funds used to finance street protests and “social justice” actions by mobs. Oops, I mean community organizing. Like Alinsky encourages…
The Dems running the CA state legislature are working to create a new state commission that would have control over whether cities within CA can declare bankruptcy. The outrageous public worker salaries, benefits and retirement packages are killing cities up and down the state. The only way out of these union strangleholds is for the cities to file bankruptcy. Under the proposed scheme any city contemplating bankruptcy must get the approval of this commission before it could legally proceed. Did I mention that the proposed commission would be manned by Democrats and union leaders?
As citizens we are so screwed by public worker unions it is scary. Even today they are demanding wage increases and no layoffs.
Translation: It’s Bushs fault.
My favortie part of Tettes linked article. Spending will fix everything or we will spend even if we can’t afford it. Sounds like when Nancy met Harry and had an Obama.
Despite the dire state of public finances, the socialists promised several extra spending measures, some with immediate effect: these include an emergency aid package to low-income people, with a first installment to be paid before the end of the year; an increase in farmers’ pensions, with retroactive effect from October 1, an extra billion euros on education in the 2010 budget, the hiring of over 3,000 health care personnel in public hospitals and a boost in spending on infrastructure projects.
Additionally, the new government announced that it would repeal a law raising retirement age for working mothers, allowing them once again to retire at 50.
We are closer to this kind of violence than I would have ever imagined even a few years ago. The left gins up political violence constantly (while claiming conservatives are “violent”).
There isn’t much difference from SEIU thugs beating a couple of people in the streets to leftist groups beating and killing lots of people in the streets. And violence tends to get out of hand pretty quickly once it starts.
Right now, my main concern is whether to buy Ruger or Smith and Wesson. When I will need it is just a matter of time…
Violence and destruction broke out at nearly every single MayDay/Che Day anti AZ Bill 1070 rally across the world – that this occured tells us absolutely everything we need to know about who they are and what they stand for.
Mossberg 930 SPX – Why waltz, when you can rock and roll?
PS: there have been no incidents to speak of at Tea Party Rallies
Could be either.
That’s because the ones you knew, like the ones that came a century ago, came here to the USA to work.
Am I correct in saying that that would be an example of “self-selection bias”?
I can’t disagree with much of anything he says – except for the part about going back to work. Odds are none of them has ever had a real job in the first place. It would be a completely new experience to actually GET A JOB da-dada-da, dadadada dada.
News flash to Bho: We can’t spend our way to prosperity. We can’t blame our way to success. We can’t demand our way to job creation. Rioting in the streets takes very little talent. Socialism teaches the public to be lazy.
Granite – wink, wink! I was waiting for you to show up…
The Europeans who weren’t well off but wanted opportunity came to America. They still do. Many legally. Not just Europeans.
I think Granite’s #50 has a strong element of truth
Oh, shut up, Papandreou.
Ultimately, you and your fellow socialists are the cause of all this.
If you are surprised or outraged now, you are either a fool, or a hypocrite…likely both.
All I can say is, Thank God my four grandparents came here to America.
Exactly. What did the politicans expect would happen? They got their constiuents hooked on government like a methhead and when the source dissapeared the welfare-addicts couldn’t handle their withdrawl syndroms, so they have done what any addict does…they look for their fix anyway they can get it. If politicans in this country don’t wake up and realize that getting the citizens addicted to government programs soon they could be facing the same issue when those of us that work hard for what we earn and live within our means decide to go Galt!
Coming soon to a city near you?
I’m short of cash. I have to settle for the old 1911A and Jap 7.7
An M1911A is a true thing of beauty. When I get a sidearm, that will be my choice. 9MM is for sissies.
P.S. 8 rounds is enough.
I agree that an M1911A is a beauty of a sidearm. But they don’t come cheap!
8 rounds used to be enough but we are facing a “target rich environment” in the near future. There are a lot of bandits in the boonies…
9MM = Squat to urinate.
I have an M1911A1, .45 caliber because there is no .46 caliber!
So how far behind Greece are we, actually? This is where the United States is headed under BHO (MMM, MMM, MMM) pbuh, thanks to profligate spending, unbridled borrowing and craven politics.
I like Ruger-made in Prescott, Arizona. My wife still carries her father’s 1947 S&W Military and Police Model 10. Either is a rock solid choice.
There is 480 Ruger, the Smith & Wesson Model 500 fires the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge.
But shot placement is everything so I will stick with the tried and true .357. I carried a 9mm Tupperware for awhile but it clashed with my cowboy boots.
What we need here is an audit of the Federal Reserve. Under Federal Law, if they find the books are cooked the American Taxpayers would not have to pay the debt off that the Federal Reserve has created.
We could start over and never allow another bank to coin our currency and create a fiat money supply.
I know I am dreaming but at least I can hope.
Hey guys, This talk of firearms and what you will do with them is not well thought out. If you ever have to use your weapons, you can bet you’re a$$ that anything you’ve ever written in any forum will be produced in court to show premeditation for what you thought was self defense.
The talk by Bill Clinton and the other leftists is a warning that something really violent is coming soon. You can bet that it will be blamed on “right wing extremists”. The “crisis” will happen before the elections and be used to insure that the loud voices will demand that the powers that be take emergency measures. At that point, what you’ve written may be proof that you are too dangerous to be allowed to have anything as threatening as a knitting needle.
Possibly, probably but I will not let my enemies define the argument. Since getting in the RKBA community and meeting many people using a gun for self defense I did learn one thing: Keep quiet and let your lawyer do the talking.
This is not going to end well, burglars are the least of our problem. But yes, younger people with dependent children should keep a lower profile.
I Concur; Why give up the element of surprise? Also, why quibble over the caliber when you can have one of each?
Which is good because sissies is what you’ll be up against.
Go with Ruger, if you talking about Revolvers. I just had my GP100 4″ barrel .357 Mag refurbished parts-wise free of charge (after the cost of shipping it back to Ruger) back in August 2009. Ruger does look out for their customers.
That’s when you need an AR-15, especially and exclusively for targets under 200 yards/meters.
If you buy a gun, be able to fix it and reload ammo for it.
People always make this so hard when it is really very simple.
Socialism does NOT WORK! EVER!
Once the money and trust of the people is gone, a new government will emerge.
Greece has reached that point. It is only a matter of time, measured in weeks, until their government fails. Then we will see how they handle it.
The Christmas Rifle is zeroed, clean, and has plenty of loaded magazines available in the event it is needed to defend Casa Elm Creek. That’s right, I said I would defend myself and my family. Not looking for trouble, but if I’m in my own home, car, city, county, or state, I have every right to defend myself,…and I will.
ECS
My sentiments exactly.
God Bless America where too much is not enough.
Very appropos, John Deaux!
This is where socialism eventually ends – all the wealth is consumed and there is nothing left to fund the entitlements. Every country in the world that thinks in terms of an ever expanding government with ever expanding welfare has this fate in store for it. The truth is that, like it or not, individuals create wealth not governments — and that is the great success story that has for 2 centuries underpinned the American nation. Individual liberty is the anecdote to the horrors of the socialist progressive people’s republic. Who knows? Maybe Greece will return to its Republican and democratic roots once the communist menace is gone.
I just bought the last 2 boxes at my local gun shop for 9MM and they had no target rounds
Did anyone blame Bush yet?
There is a least a possibility that Germany will not sign off on the deal to bail out Greece. Merkel is calling for “orderly defaults” which could cause major upheavals in Europe and the rest of the world. Many people believe Japan and China are going to experience their own “bubble” problems in the next 12 to 18 months.
The problem is that every economy is spending at unsustainable levels and it will have to end at some point. Mises said it best:
I was just wondering if I should move into a more liquid position. I thought I had 3 to 6 months to decide and I might have been wrong…
The pictures of the riots in Greece can’t be good for their large tourism industry.
Tourism could actually help the Greek economy recover, if the Socialists didn’t scare all of the potential tourists away.
The more these hard working folks riot, the TREES grow more money.
These fools should be paid 3-4 Billion (Zimbabwean)Dollars a month.
They will be happy to support their local Bakery brethren by paying 3-5 Million (Zimbabwean)Dollars for a loaf of bread.