Sometimes it seems like we are not in 2008 anymore. Like we are back in time when knowledge and empathy were at a much lower level than of 2008.
Like back in the days of the French kings Louis XV and Louis XVI, who literally made their country bankrupt, but still maintained a conspicuous great consumption of luxury items, parties and rather unnecessary things, while the country and its normal population were suffering harshly.
In Dubai the new luxury hotel Atlantis opened up with a gigantic party, at a cost of not less than £ 20 million… this is the price thrown out on the party, fireworks etc., not the price for the hotel, which has a building price tag of not less than staggering £ 1 billion…
Recession and unemployment are showing their ugly face most places, like a plague, but the self proclaimed ruling class of the world are throwing a party, in a hotel where the 1 539 rooms cost from £ 400 to £ 25 000 per NIGHT…!
See article from MailonSunday.
Can this really be 2008? At the same time we are seeing depression everywhere, and the suffering that it is causing, as well as all the “usual” suffering going on, especially in Africa. But I guess that we have heard too much of suffering and gone immune from it. Let us party instead and forget about the ugly plague.
I cannot help thinking though, about how much good could have been done for the £ 20 million whereof a large part were burned up in fireworks… and also if it really is necessary to have hotel accommodation with prices exceeding £ 10 000 per night…
I may be a dull person, not much for partying like that, however I was not invited, so I guess that must be why I criticise the utterly gluttony there…
Another information came up and caught my attention.
Latvian journalist arrested for speaking of devaluation
Read following article from Baltic Bussiness News:
Also a Latvian University professor detained for destabilizing financial system, according to article in The Baltic Times
Is this really 2008. Latvia has since a year back, a law that makes it illegal to spread rumours about devaluation of the local currency.
I do understand that rumours can be dangerous on many things, including all that has happened during the ongoing financial crisis. Perhaps all countries should pass laws making it illegal to comment on the situation of any company or financial institution, thus avoiding big changes in stock and interest rates.
But this is 2008, and Latvia is part of the EU, and claims to be some kind of democracy. How can this be, that one cannot discuss whether the local currency will devaluate without risk of being thrown in jail.
And, today, in the Iraqi parliament the session ended with physical fights between the representatives there.
I have a feeling that somehow today, time went back three hundred years. Perhaps it is some cosmic phenomenon, and we will start to think and act better and wiser come Monday.
