Greek riots...Live...

Splottboy
Splottboy Posts: 3,694
edited May 2010 in The Crudcatcher
Seems like the Greeks not too happy bout the Euro Zone-loan.
The home of Democracy, and 20,000 people trying to storm their Government HQ.

Police in full Riot Gear, Tear Gas, Stun Granades, Water Cannons etc.
Not good...

Last time I was in Athens, the guards were wearing slippers with Pom-Poms on.
How Times change, eh?

Comments

  • Thewaylander
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,593
    It's pretty bad out there, But the greeks are never ever shy to share there opinions with anyone, including there goverment :s
  • Fantastic Mr Fox
    Fantastic Mr Fox Posts: 848
    They're rioting about the cuts to there social security are they not? When your country has no money, it has no money to give you!
    <hr noshade size="1"><font color="purple"><center><i><b><font size="2"><font face="Times New Roman"> "Boggis and Bunce and Bean. One fat, one short, one lean. These horrible crooks. So different in looks. Were none the less equally mean."</font id="Times New Roman"></b></font id="size2"></i></center></font id="purple">
  • Ho hum
    Ho hum Posts: 236
    Fantastic Mr Fox wrote:
    They're rioting about the cuts to there social security are they not? When your country has no money, it has no money to give you!

    Yes, I believe they are rioting about the austerity measures that are being imposed by the government that are required to get their debt under control.

    They have been living beyond their means for the last 10 years and the SHHTF!
  • Splottboy
    Splottboy Posts: 3,694
    They saying that their USUAL way to do Business there, is to give "backhanders" and avoid Tax at all costs. This allegedly, has stopped incomes to the Govt, hence it's skint !

    Rioters saying the Rich the most Guilty, and feel victimised.

    Don't know, but having holiday'd there 5 times, feel it's a real pity. Except for the N.West USA, its the country I'd have chosen to live in.

    Oh, until I was FORCED to watch "Mama Mia" that is, LOL!
  • Ho hum
    Ho hum Posts: 236
    In the last 10 years the average salary in the public sector has doubled and from the sound of it tax receipts remained static or fell due to the "backhanders".

    They borrowed huge amounts of short term debt to finance the economy, but did not count on the recession.

    They have no-one to blame but themselves really and I bet they have had one helluva a party for the last 10 years as well!
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    I can understand the feelings off the individual people, think how shafted we all feel thanks to Gorden Brown and that's nothing in comparison to what's happened to the Greeks. On the other hand rioting isn't really going to solve anything is it (unless a few of the more culpable politicians get strung up as a warning to others). I have to say this is the first time I've been glad we're not part of the Euro although I heard on the telly that even then this will impact us.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    Splottboy wrote:

    I was FORCED to watch "Mama Mia"!

    I think that's forbidden under the Geneva Convention! :lol:
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    3 dead in a burned out bank.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Splottboy wrote:
    Rioters saying the Rich the most Guilty, and feel victimised.

    Sad to say it's absolutely true, the reason they've been "living beyond their means" is largely because of tax evasion and corruption from the higher taxed. But the cuts to pay for it aren't going to affect them at all, while the poorer people who paid their tax are getting the shaft because of the actions of others. Capitalism in action ;)
    Uncompromising extremist
  • rubins4
    rubins4 Posts: 563
    Good to see they are standing up for themselves, bad news about the dead people tho, thats not necessary.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12613038
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    Anyway, fk dis, I iz off 4 a ride innit. l8rz peepz
  • agg25
    agg25 Posts: 619
    Standing up for themselves!? Those idiots are the only ones to blame for their mess and the fact that they're rioting because they don't want to carry the burden for their dodgy ways and laziness portrays them as infantile and irresponsible. Let the country go down the gurgler if thats what they want, I don't blame (the parents) Germany one bit for not wanting to give (their kids) Greece money when they obviously haven't learned their lesson.
  • rubins4
    rubins4 Posts: 563
    Sounds like the rich have taken the piss for years, and now the rest of the country are paying the price, non? TBH, i'm not too spammed up on the situation. :oops:

    The point i'm making is...its usually the politicians/top of the food chain that screw things up and the everyone else that pays the price. Its nice to see people no longer standing for it.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12613038
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    Anyway, fk dis, I iz off 4 a ride innit. l8rz peepz
  • agg25
    agg25 Posts: 619
    Well as far as I know it was mostly the low paid workers who did most of their business cash in hand. So, now comes time to pay up.
  • rubins4
    rubins4 Posts: 563
    Ah fair play.

    I suspect the olympics cost them a few quid too, and now the venues are abandoned.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12613038
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    Anyway, fk dis, I iz off 4 a ride innit. l8rz peepz
  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    Ho hum wrote:

    They borrowed huge amounts of short term debt to finance the economy, but did not count on the recession.

    As have the UK.

    I wouldn't be surprised to similar scenes in the UK over the course of the next parliament.

    Cut backs need to be made but from where, public sector? Are we going to be seeing Teachers and Nurses on strike? We already have a the Post Office union up in arms over cut backs.

    There's currently a lot of hostility towards petrol prices, throw in some other cuts backs and I don't think it would take much for things to boil over here.

    Mervyn King has been quoted as saying whoever gains power in the elections will not be electable again for at least another generation, sounds ominous to me.

    Its not what politicians tell you that's important, its what they don't tell you.
    Kinesis Maxlight XC

    Orange 5 AM Custom
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    agg25 wrote:
    Well as far as I know it was mostly the low paid workers who did most of their business cash in hand. So, now comes time to pay up.

    Rubbish tbh, there's corruption at all levels but most tax revenue comes from higher earners.If you earn under $13000 you pay no tax at all so the really low paid aren't going to be evading much. Almost 10% of the country's entire GDP is estimated to be lost to corruption, 30 billion dollars, that's a lot of cash in hand deals.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • Smile
    Smile Posts: 5
    Its not what politicians tell you that's important, its what they don't tell you.

    Exactly.
    Which is why the next riots will be taking place in London.

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