Comments on: Black is white and white is black

By: The Other Katherine Harris

The Other Katherine Harris — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:30:43 +0000

Oh, and — after reading the interview with Björk, there bursts the full dazzle of clarity. In my prior naïveté, I’d hoped Russia was trying to be a pal and keep Iceland from suffering as it did at the hands of the IMF/ World Bank wrecking crew. With their aluminum oligarch in the picture, it’s clear they were also in on the bear-raid. You guys never had a chance.

By: The Other Katherine Harris

The Other Katherine Harris — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:46:17 +0000

This is a rift we’ve seen a whopping lot of in post-9/11 America. Especially in a crisis (real or imagined), authoritarian personality types are easily bamboozled by whatever pontifications emanate from the “top” — and they can turn with horrifying fierceness against those who challenge extant leadership, no matter how boneheaded it is. They aren’t given to rational observation and analysis, these folks.

According to what I’ve read, this sort of gullible fascist-fodder constitutes about 30 percent of any given populace. This is why roughly that many die-hards in the US still support Shrub and His Thugs.

For a long while, their numbers are amplified by those disinclined to pay attention, whom a worsening personal situation eventually brings around. That’s where we are now, with 70 percent of us clamoring for change — and yet the bullies are making away with another fortune on taxpayers’ backs.

I hope Iceland’s general clamor comes sooner, not later. Those who profited from your troubles should be the ones made to pay.

By: maja

maja — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:29:51 +0000

I can see that the point of David Oddson resigning is about accountability. The change is in regards to a change in the way people are held accountable for their actions. If these people actually did have to pay for their mistakes, maybe they would think a bit harder about the consequences of their decisions. Good on you for trying to do something about the situation, Alda.

By: Gray, Germany

Gray, Germany — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:39:26 +0000

“Black is white and white is black”

But Gray stays gray! Thank the Lord.

By: hildigunnur

hildigunnur — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:18:16 +0000

I’m very afraid that they mean for Davíð Oddsson to be able to quit “for reason of failing health” or some such 1st of January :@

By: PJ

PJ — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:51:53 +0000

Reporters have mentioned Jante Law. Maybe it applies in Iceland. If so, perhaps YEN considered that you protestors were breaking it ?

By: Zoe

Zoe — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:20:07 +0000

Segðu af þér auli means resign, idiot. (Other translations for auli could be jackass, fool, looser, lame-o... you get the picture.) Normally I'm wary of change for change's sake, or resignations without a clear alternative, but in this case I would really really like Doddson to resign. But, he won't; he's had such a long history in politics and I just can't see him as someone who would let his career end that way. But, in a mess this catastrophic, I can't believe that no one except for one person on the central bank governing board, has resigned. I say let the government stay for now but have elections in few months time, but change central bank governors. Get some actual economists in there.

By: Roger Wiseman

Roger Wiseman — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:57:01 +0000

And what does this “Segdu per auli” mean?

By: Roger Wiseman

Roger Wiseman — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:55:55 +0000

Your old lady neighbor has a point. Who would you put in charge of the Central Bank?

By: alda

alda — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:16:06 +0000

Thanks, Jessica. I’ve signed it already and encourage all the Icelanders and Brits in the crowd to do so.