40% of households in Iceland are bankrupt

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

While Americans were watching the historic inauguration of Barack Obama ... thousands of Iceland's citizens were fighting riot police around the Icelandic parliament building Althingi to try to prevent the world's oldest parliament from meeting.

"We are calling on the world to help us get rid of this corrupt government," Sturla Jonsson, one of protesters said in a midnight phone call from downtown Reykjavik where a crowd of about 2,000 still surrounded the Althingi House, in front of which a bonfire continued to burn. The protesters pounded drums and other instruments, shouted slogans against the government and parliament and threw eggs and food items, even old shoes at the house of parliament. The protest was nowhere close to slowing down despite it being close to midnight. The parliament postponed meeting until tomorrow afternoon, but protesters, whom police fought all day with teargas, pepperspray, and clubs, vowed to stay downtown all night, "and as long as we have to" Jonsson said. "And I want to tell you that the people gathered here are not "activists" or "militants," he added, "they are just ordinary adults of all ages."

One year ago, Iceland was named the most desirable country in the world. Today, its economy has been devastated by the catastrophic collapse of its three largest banks. Unemployment rose 45% between November and December, and a recent survey indicated that 40% of households and 70% of businesses were technically bankrupt.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/iris-lee/ice...g_b_159552.html

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Iceland's capital rocked by protests

Published: Tuesday 20 January 2009 21:29 UTC

Last updated: Tuesday 20 January 2009 21:29 UTC

Anti-government protests in Iceland's capital Reykjavik have ended in rioting. The police used pepper spray to disperse about 1,000 demonstrators who were massed outside the parliament building. Twenty protesters were arrested and a further 20 needed medical attention.

Reykjavik has for weeks been the scene of demonstrations targetting Prime Minister Geir Haarde's government for its handling of the financial crisis. Iceland's economy is under huge pressure following the collapse of its financial system. Its major banks have been nationalised, and the Icelandic currency, the króna, has lost nearly three-quarters of its value against the euro over the last 12 months.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Get up off your wallet and help them.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

[MrsCat 6]

that's the same thing that happened to me today when I asked hubby for some $$$ for new shoes. We're broke like iceland too.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Ain't it the truth.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

riots in iceland? don't they have something better to do, like keeping the fireplace well stocked?

[Sprailenes 47]

Maybe Bjork can help them.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Maybe Bjork can help them.

hopefully, since bobby fischer can't

[pedroh 21]

that's the same thing that happened to me today when I asked hubby for some $$$ for new shoes. We're broke like iceland too.

lol that is a promising new phrase to use..

I'm broke like Iceland..

[msu17 0]

that's the same thing that happened to me today when I asked hubby for some $$$ for new shoes. We're broke like iceland too.

If this had to happen I'm glad it's happening while I'm young. We're already poor, so no real difference for us

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

riots in iceland? don't they have something better to do, like keeping the fireplace well stocked?

Few trees. They have cheap geothermal though. My BIL is Icelandic. He says greed caught up with them.

[SAT 9,609]

While Americans were watching the historic inauguration of Barack Obama ... thousands of Iceland's citizens were fighting riot police around the Icelandic parliament building Althingi to try to prevent the world's oldest parliament from meeting.

"We are calling on the world to help us get rid of this corrupt government," Sturla Jonsson, one of protesters said in a midnight phone call from downtown Reykjavik where a crowd of about 2,000 still surrounded the Althingi House, in front of which a bonfire continued to burn. The protesters pounded drums and other instruments, shouted slogans against the government and parliament and threw eggs and food items, even old shoes at the house of parliament. The protest was nowhere close to slowing down despite it being close to midnight. The parliament postponed meeting until tomorrow afternoon, but protesters, whom police fought all day with teargas, pepperspray, and clubs, vowed to stay downtown all night, "and as long as we have to" Jonsson said. "And I want to tell you that the people gathered here are not "activists" or "militants," he added, "they are just ordinary adults of all ages."

One year ago, Iceland was named the most desirable country in the world. Today, its economy has been devastated by the catastrophic collapse of its three largest banks. Unemployment rose 45% between November and December, and a recent survey indicated that 40% of households and 70% of businesses were technically bankrupt.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/iris-lee/ice...g_b_159552.html

It is my personal observation that Iceland is not doing so good...........