marshy

It's not the Euro itself that has caused the problems in Southern Europe, its their lack of ability to manage the currency in a manner suitable to their particular monetary problems. If you're German, or to a lesser extent Dutch or French, the Euro has been exceptionally well managed, the problem is with the concept of distinct economies sharing a centrally managed currency

So therefore it is the Euro that is the problem. They are stuck within the straitjacket of what is, in effect, a fixed exchange rate system. History teaches us that all fixed rate systems are ultimately doomed to fail.

How would you suggest to Portugal or Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, increasingly France I'm afraid, that they manage the currency in a better way ? They are denied the release valve of external devaluation which only leaves internal devaluation. The riots and demonstrations across Europe over the past couple of weeks in Italy, France, Greece, and Cyprus seem to suggest that the people have had a bucketfull of internal devaluation, austerity if you like, and they are now stuck in a deflationary spiral. I'm recently back from a trip to Portugal where the local rag for ex-pats informs us that 56% of the population is in receipt of state benefit and youth unemployment is approaching 40%. In other countries I believe the latter figure is even higher.. Things cannot continue like that, it is an impossible situation to sustain. The Chief of Police in fact has just resigned following a demonstration in which some of his own officers joined in a demo which stormed the building which houses the office of the Ministry of Finance.

The Euro can only succeed as a single currency if  Europe becomes a single country. However, having said that, it is clear that the political elite across Europe (as it stands at present ) is so determined to see this monetary experiment succeed that they will no doubt try all sorts of convoluted schemes to keep the currency on track. Unfortunately, as I said in a previous post, their experiment is causing havoc to a whole generation of young people, many of whom are having to uproot to the UK to find work. 300 000 French in London now apparently, making it France's seventh largest city. Staggering.

Well, unlike our esteemed Chancellor he actually has an degree in Economics, not sure about Maths, Physics or Bionics.

Proof, if any were needed, that a degree in economics is not a necessary requirement for the job.  The unelected Olli Rehn, European Commisioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Euro is also well qualified academically in Economics I believe and the Euro is bringing devastation to a generation throughout Southern Europe.

One of the shyte things that pissed me off when I worked there was the way you'd write all the scripts, do all the hard work, yet some Ron Burgundy type would mouth your words and get paid 5 times what you did. And be called "talent"! If you were off-camera you are obviously "talentless" in the corporation's eyes.

 

That's not just the BBC though, same at Sky and elsewhere. And when you get onto the budget for entertainment shows - wow! - it makes news look like paupers.

 

Edit: I have to say the Italian protests look tiny compared to the mass Ukrainian ones, however still worth carrying something I'd say. Reuters have filed on them. Probably too many staff tied-up writing gushing Mandela copy still!!

I get most of my news on this via Agence France Presse (AFP). This latest report courtesy of Yahoo News. Further riots in Rome, Venice, and Turin by the 'Pitchforks'. The anti-EU, anti-austerity protests are now gathering support from right and left alike across Southern Europe. We face the bizarre prospect next year of a European Parliament full of members who don't believe in its very existence.

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/clashes-break-italy-anti-austerity-151305929.html

Only on Breakfast, Marshy, and who watches that?! It's a kids' programme.

So they need two people to read the news to a bunch of kids. Unbelievable. Must be something to do with the concentration span of the target audience.

Daily Fail?

Nope.

I think you'll find that this not limited to the BBC.  Independent broadcasters are doing exactly the same.

BBC sent 100 to cover the event, ITV sent 9 apparently. Can't remember where I read that.

Thought I'd do some ratings.

Parish.......6..Didn't have a lot to do but had me feeling jittery a few times

Moloney...7..competent performance and put in some good crosses

Flint..........8..solid and had the attributes required for today's game

Williams...8..read the game well and one superb challenge.

Cunningham.6.should have made better use of the possession he had, and of course one bad mistake that could have been costly.

Wagstaff..6..put in a good shift but for me some poor decision making, and missed a good opprtunity.

Elliott.......8.5..outstanding, difficult to see how some can criticise that perfomance

Emm-Thom..9..desevedly mom, some good defensive stuff too.

Bryan......7.... similar comment to Wagstaff, a good shift marred by some poor decision making at times

Taylor.....6.5...not at his best but some good work

Baldock..7.5..took his goal well and put in a good shift

subs.

Pack........6..didn't really make an impact

Carey......didn't put a foot wrong.

Manager; good team selection and lots of positive energy. Well done.

Not before time. His record with us is was truly appalling.

I felt in need of cheering up after the Nicky hunt "performance", so I toodled over to the sadsags forum, and what a chortle I had. Everything we've bitched about in the last five years is alive and well there....

Agents Akinde and Phillips had the desired effect.

the sad bastards know they get shit gates and a shit ground..poor singing, bitching about which stand is better blah blah. And they took the piss out of us when we went through the same arguments. Oh yes the true fans stuff came up as well

Ahhh thats cheered me day up no end, and I cant even be bothered to wind them up, they're doin' such a great job among themselves.

all I can say is Paul Trollopes Blue and White Army!!! :whistle2:

SUPURB JOB YOUR DOING TROLLS!!!! fair play to ya....:w00t:

g'aaarn cheer yerselves up lads n lasses!

Made me laugh.