All-purpose news and politics thread

**Charles RB** · 02-10-2012, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by the4thpip

But not cuts in pensions and politicians' salaries.

We're all in this together.

Except them.

**Cavemold** · 02-10-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by the4thpip

But not cuts in pensions and politicians' salaries.

Eh the president only makes 250k just off being the president. Politicians salaries is a tad lower.. Or at least should be.

**Cavemold** · 02-10-2012, 08:37 AM

http://www.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.ht...42.proteus.fma

Should we arm the Syria rebels???

**Jeff Brady** · 02-10-2012, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Cavemold

http://www.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.ht...42.proteus.fma

Should we arm the Syria rebels???

1) Not trusting a link to Fox News to be at all factual.

2) Arming the Taliban in the 80s worked so well for us.

**Charles RB** · 02-10-2012, 11:35 AM

And they already have backing from Turkey anyway.

**Charles RB** · 02-10-2012, 12:01 PM

Syria's conflict has spilled over into Lebanon again: pro-Assad and anti-Assad demonstrators got into a fight, with gunfire being heard and rocket-propelled grenades fired on an Alawite neighbourhood (Assad is an Alawite).

Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati has told the army to "take necessary measures" to stop this.

**Iangould** · 02-10-2012, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Arvandor

They may not have much choice. With 20% unemployment - nearly 50% for under 30s - and Greece being threatened and blackmailed into even deeper cuts. The people are rioting over decisions that their own Government no longer has any say over.

Yeah, they're being "threatened and blackmailed" with a cheque for E130 billion and a E100 billon write-down on their debt.

I'm usually against the sort of austerity measures being taken in Greece, Italy and Portugal. Circumstances are not "usual", a situation where a government is effectively borrowing to pay interest on past borrowing is not sustainable.

**Iangould** · 02-10-2012, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by the4thpip

The right wing party in the coalition is now signaling they will sabotage it.

LAOS doesn't have the numbers to sabotage it unless there''s a major rebellion in Parliament on the part of both PASOK and New Democracy members.

**Iangould** · 02-10-2012, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Arvandor

Ironic, since many of the austerity measures - public sector cutbacks, relaxing union laws, cutting minimum wage, etc, - are right wing.

LAOS isn't the mainstream right-wing party. They're the local equivalent of the BNP.

**Cavemold** · 02-10-2012, 02:20 PM

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/0...aception-plan/

It's seems to be a mix here.

**Cavemold** · 02-10-2012, 06:27 PM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobile...n_1268782.html

A postive news feed for once.

**Iangould** · 02-10-2012, 09:27 PM

The Greek Cabinet has passed the austerity package.

LAOS has resigned from the government and will vote againt the measures in Parliament.

New Democracy and Pasok control 250 of 300 seats in Parliament so, as I said there would need to be major defections from both parties to prevent the measures passing.