Greek-Inspired Demonstrations Spread (to Spain, Denmark and France)

[tekisui]

Source: AP

MADRID, Spain (AP) — As Greece suffered through its sixth day of violence Thursday, there were troubling signs of unrest spreading across Europe.

Angry youths smashed shop windows, attacked banks and hurled bottles at police in small but violent protests in Spain and Denmark, while cars were set alight outside a consulate in France.

Authorities say the incidents have been isolated so far, but acknowledge concern that the Greek riots — which started over the police killing of a 15-year-old on Saturday — could be a trigger for anti-globalization groups and others outraged by economic turmoil and a lack of job opportunities.

"What's happening in Greece tends to prove that the extreme left exists, contrary to doubts of some over these past few weeks," French Interior Ministry spokesman Gerard Gachet told The Associated Press. "For the moment, we can't go farther with our conclusions and say that there's a danger of contagion of the Greek situation into France. All of that is being watched."

As Europe plunges into recession, unemployment is rising, particularly among the young. Even before the crisis, European youths complained about difficulty finding well paid jobs — even with a college degree — and many said they felt left out as the continent grew in prosperity.

At least some of the protests appear to have been organized over the Internet, showing how quickly a message can be spread, particularly among tech-savvy youth. One Web site that Greek protesters have been using to update each other claims there have been sympathy protests in nearly 20 countries.

more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hOJuFJaHKzesQ2L6lRnfBKvHouiAD950J0VG0

[T Wolf]

1. When are we Americans going to get off our asses and join the rest of the world in (at least)

protesting the actions of our police state government?

Answer - Never will happen here because we are too comfortable and complacent as long as we can still buy shit and watch Amerikan Idle.

[Occam Bandage]

2. Probably when we get a police state. nt

[nichomachus]

5. Looks like you haven't been paying attention

We're a lot closer to a police state than Spain is. Spanish police are actually pretty laid back. They would rather talk to someone than smash heads. US police will smash heads, taser, and gas people with the slightest provocation -- and sometimes no provocation at all.

If the events surrounding the RNC weren't those of a police state, I don't know what is.

[Occam Bandage]

7. Gotta love the blogosphere. OMG WE R TEH FACIST/COMMUNEST ALWAYS.

:eyes:

[High Plains]

8. Yeah, keep whistlin' past the graveyard.

We have 2.3 million in prison.

The Fourth Amendment has been shredded, mostly thanks to the drug war, but also with the anti-terrorism impetus.

Emails, phone calls, etc subject routinely surveilled.

Surveillance cameras popping up everywhere.

The Patriot Act.

Perhaps we're not quite in an Orwellian wonderland yet, but we're working on it. I hear it pays well, too.

[glowing]

3. We're not connected to the European movements.. and OUR media

will never show what's going on. Will our youth rise, I don't think they will have a choice not to. Most of us will be joining them.. there are few jobs left anymore.. how do you live when your economy is based on people working and recieving money for their work.. When the work goes, so does the breakdown of "norm" in society. I would think that ours will begin next year.. but there is still some hope that things will turn around. I don't think they will turn fast enough. These banks will be dead.. the Big 3 will be turned into manufacturing for mass transit. AND we may actually get some worker reforms.

[Kalyke]

10. The Big 3 will be turned into manufacturing for mass transit?

:rofl:

I'm sure Ford would have something to say about that since they're not in dire straights... and are doing better than, oh, say Toyota and Nissan and Honda - and the same as Mazda, which they own.

(all figures compare November 2008 sales with November 2007)
Chrysler -47%
GM -41%
Ford -31%
Toyota -34%
Nissan -42%
Honda -32%
Mazda -31%
Hyundai/Kia -39%
Volkswagen Group -22%
BMW Group (including Mini) -27%
Mercedes-Benz (including Smart) -30%

:eyes:

Facts, people. Deal in facts.

Besides, it will take a long, long, long time to redirect the American love of the freedom that a personal vehicle allows them into the love of mass transit for their pocketbook's sake. Europeans don't work as many hours, have longer vacations and take things at a much slower pace than do Americans.

And, while I'd love to live that way, we don't. That's why the personal vehicle isn't going anywhere until American business realizes that both parents have to work, take the kids places, commute and need more vacation/days off time.

[tekisui]

4. I think the root of the protests in Europe is a generation of unemployment.

Globalization has driven the jobs away. Many people have never had a job, no opportunity and nothing to look forward to. It creates an unstable situation when so many go so long without work.

[hedgehog]

6. So, setting random cars on fire brings about universal health care, how?

:eyes:


Sometimes revolution is called for, but in most cases there are more effective ways to change government, IMO.




Not to mention, but if Americans are comfortable, why would they protest?

[Mike Daniels]

9. Most of the countries with rioting populations have their equal of American Idol as well

Incidentally, American Idol is effectively an import from the United Kingdom.

But keep it up with your cultural superiority arguments if it makes you happy.