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Originally Posted by roachboy
right ace. your simplistic take on things--which can't even get by the self-evident fact that economic relations are not separable from other forms of social relations on the one hand, and that the economy is only *one* of the issues that's driving the revolts happening in north africa now, and bubbling in the middle east---is a "me" problem.
got it. my problem that i can't get with your simple-minded viewpoint.
right.
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You see, your problem is you think it is just me. Anyone who has read anything from the sources I have shared knows better. Even what you may consider liberal organizations and people agree with the causes if not the solutions. Here is another example:
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Unlike the 2008 global food crisis, when 37 countries faced food riots, ousting the Haiti president in the process, spiralling fuel and food prices, especially since September 2010, have been more piercing this time resulting in a strong political tsunami. It all began when Russia, faced with extended drought and widespread wildfires, brought in an export ban till the next year’s wheat harvest, thereby propelling global prices to an unreasonable hike.
Deadly food riots were witnessed in September in Mozambique, killing at least seven people. According to news reports, anger was then building up in Pakistan, Egypt and Serbia over rising prices. In the first week of January, Algeria faced food riots. A few days later, Tunisia sounded the first bugle, ousting its president, and Egypt followed.
As early as in September, Financial Times had reported that wheat futures had taken advantage, and that wheat prices internationally had gone up by 70 percent since January 2010. This happened at a time when there was neither shortfall in production nor any appreciable rise in demand. Egypt, which imports nearly 50 percent of its food requirement, was hit badly when Russia decided to ban wheat exports. Many believe that the Switzerland-based food major Glencore actually forced the Russian government, which had enough wheat reserves, to impose a ban on exports thereby sparking a killing in the futures market.
The social and political unrest that has swept the Arab hinterland is a pointer to a grave crisis ahead. Although Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agrees that the rising food and fuel prices in recent months are the major factors behind the massive anti-government protests, he suggests more of the same prescription: “As tensions between countries increase, we could see rising protectionism – of trade and of finance.”
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Caught in the food pirates? trap | Environment/Nature |Axisoflogic.com
Do you acknowledge the statement from the head of the IMF?
I repeat the same themes because you want what I post to be about me and not the issue. You want to pretend there is some grand conspiracy at the root of these revolts and that people are responding to the conspiracy - when all they really want is 3 squares, a place to call home and a thing called opportunity to improve their lives (or as we capitalists pigs think, make excessive profits and get rich from the fruits of our labor, property and intellect). As Clinton says, open economic opportunity to all, including women, and see big improvements in society.