A group of protesters this morning gathered outside the Central Bank of Iceland in order to block the bank chiefs’ access to the building as they arrived for work. Two of the bank’s three chairmen, David Oddsson and Eirikur Gudnason have refused to yield to the new Prime Minister’s demand that they resign. The remaining chairman, Ingimundur Fridriksson, does intend to resign.
At Saturday afternoon’s protest meeting in front of parliament, the singer/songwriter turned firebrand rabble-rouser Hordur Torfason encouraged attendees to meet again at the Central Bank this morning at 08.00.
Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir last night expressed her disappointment with David Oddsson for his refusal to resign and for his harshly worded reply to her initial letter.
This is just incredibly shameless: the director of a governement institution refusing to obey the head of governernment! I hate to say it but this is bananarepublic politics.
The police should finally make itself useful , kick out Oddsson of his office and he should be detained for disobeying orders, undermining the government and insulting the head of government.
if my boss fires me and I refuse to leave my office , the police would kick me out too.
Who does he think he is GODDSSON??
Mr. Oddsson’s response to the P.M.’s letter is a model of contempt for her personaaly and for her office. It offers no compromise and admits of no further dialog. Confrontation is now unavoidable, and it is almost certain that violent demonstrations will result. Mr. Oddsson appears to inhabit an alternate universe.
Come on Dave, save what little dignity you have left and leave, preferably by the back door, gracefully ..
bob.
What’s the problem? The krona strengthens day by day. This should be reflected in lower prices for goods and services, increased inventories, lower unemployment, increased spending… Or what?
To all my creatures:
With this letter I just want to tell you that you make me laugh, I do what I want and when I want and nobady tell me what to do. This country is mine, mine and forever will be mine, you can protest as much as you want and belive that you can change something, but this conrty still be mine, do you really think that somebody in this contry is above me and can actually tell me what to do? ha,ha,ha. I’m not going, will never go any were, I’m your king you are my servants, the sooner you accept it the happier you’ll be, I own this contry I build it my self with my bare ugly hair, if it wasn’t for me you’ll be ridding horses, and living in mudd houses, you owe me everything have you forgoten i gave you your pride and joy: PERLAN, I should be your god, just like few years ago, remember you belonge to me. I go if I want and when I want. And if I go I take My contry with me. you have to remember that this contry is MINE.
Atte. D.O.
I knew I had heard this somewhere before!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7791574.stm
Odsson insists ‘Iceland is mine’
“I will never, never, never surrender,”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7791574.stm
Any similarities is pure coincidence.
oh!! wait, its says Mugabe, and Zimbawe, sorry my bad.
You people make me laugh, what were you saying? that you had changed something? hahaha new goberment new what? this is just a show, they just put a little caramel on their finger and are now just shakeing it in your mouths. They are all in bed togather, but giveing the people a litle mexican soap opera. A little drama, plain and simple “give the people some circus and they will be happy”
Niels said:
“This is just incredibly shameless: the director of a governement institution refusing to obey the head of governernment! I hate to say it but this is bananarepublic politics.
The police should finally make itself useful , kick out Oddsson of his office and he should be detained for disobeying orders, undermining the government and insulting the head of government.
if my boss fires me and I refuse to leave my office , the police would kick me out too.”
—————————————————–
AFAIU, the PM has requested his resignation.
That is different than the PM removing him from his appointment, ordering his resignation.
A difference which can probably also be measured in the compensation involved.
Oddson’s reply to a request to resign is entirely predictable.
I would be astounded if the PM did not expect and calculate fort his response.
As they say about a lawyer in court, don’t ask a question that you are not sure what the reply will be.
Imo this is a suitable first step and a politically sound strategy for the PM to take.
You’re right Knowless, I missed this subtlety which does have juridical consequences.
Off course Oddsson will have to go but he prefers to do so in style: with a lot of pomp, show and spectacle….which nobody (perhaps himself excepted) enjoys.
MOSSBACK “:What’s the problem? The krona strengthens day by day. This should be reflected in lower prices for goods and services, increased inventories, lower unemployment, increased spending… Or what?”
THE KRONA IS UP AND DOWN AROUND 150 ISK FOR ONE EURO… PROBABLY ODDY HAS BEEN DOING HIS BEST TO KEEP IT AROUND 145 DURING THESE DAYS… BUT THE ISK HAS DEPRECIATED AGAINST THE EURO AND OTHER NORDIC CURRENCIES TODAY…
WHAT WE ALL CAN PREDICT NOW IS THAT, DUE TO THE HIGH DEBTS THIS COUNTRY IS IN, THE TOTALLY RUINED BANK SYSTEM AND INDUSTRY, AND WITH THE HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEYS THAT HAVE BEEN STOLEN FROM THE COUNTRY…
WHEN ODDY GOES, IF HE GOES… AND ALSO IF HE DOES NOT GO.. WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE EURO AROUND 250 ISK….
IN QUESTIONS OF WEEKS THIS COUNTRY WILL CRACK COMPLETELY, THE KRÓNA IS GOING TO GET TO 300= 1 EURO… AND THE PRICE OF THE KRÓNA WE ARE GOING TO SEE FOR YEARS TO COME IS THAT, AROUND 200-300 ISK PER EURO… THIS IS A REALITY…
SO ICELANDERS, GET READY, BECAUSE THIS COUNTRY IS NOT ONLY BECOMING A BANANA REPUBLIC, BUT ALSO ONE OF THE POOREST COUNTRIES IN EUROPE.
IS ANYONE INTERESTED IN HELPING ME OPENING A FEEDING HOUSE FOR POOR ICELANDIC CHILDREN WHOS FAMILIES HAVE NO MONEY TO FEED THEM??
THIS IS SERIOUS REALLY, TODAY I SAW A FAMILY ON TV WHOS NEIGHBORS HAD TO RESCUE THEM BY GIVING FOOD TO THEIR CHILDREN, BECAUSE BOTH PARENTS HAVE NO JOBS AND THEY HAVE NO MONEY TO FEED THE CHILDREN…
THE IDEA OF THE FEEDING HOUSE IS A PLACE WHERE VOLUNTEERS, MAINLY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED AND ARE RECEIVING A PENSION, CAN HELP.
-ALL THE VOLUNTEERS GET FREE TO EAT FOR THEIR HELP.
-WE CAN HELP CHILDREN DO HOME WORK AND KEEP HEALTH AND SAFE.
-WE CAN TALK TO FOOD COMPANIES, SLAUGHTERING HOUSES AND FISHERIES AND WE CAN GET BREAD, MEAT AND FISH TO FEED THOSE CHILDREN.
-IF WE CANNOT GET ENOUGH HELP IN ICELAND WE WILL ALSO REACH FOR HELP FROM OTHER ONG´S IN OTHER COUNTRIES, ASSOCIATIONS OF ICELANDERS IN USA AND CANADA, AND THE LIKE.
WE NEED TO START DOING SOMETHING.. TO GUARANTY THE CHILDREN TO GROW HEALTHY, KEEP THE AWAY FROM DRUGS AND USE OF ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO AND TO HELP THEM DO WELL IN THE SCHOOLS.
BY DOING THIS WE CAN ALSO HELP THE FAMILIES TO FEEL BETTER AS THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE.
PARENTS MAY ALSO BE WELCOMED TO EAT AT THE CENTER WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
THE CENTER WOULD OFFER 3 MEALS, ONE AROUND 4 O´CLOCK, AFTER SUCH CHILDREN WOULD DO THEIR HOMEWORK WITH HELP FROM VOLUNTEERS. THEN ANOTHER MEAL FOR DINNER, AND THEN CHILDREN WILL GO HOME WITH ANOTHER MEAL WICH IS THE BREAKFAST BEFORE THEY GO TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING.
IN THE FEEDING CENTER WE WILL ALSO COLLECT SCHOOL MATERIALS SUCH AS PENCILS, CRAYONS, WAXCOLORS, ETC… SO CHILDREN CAN USE THEM…
WE COULD ALSO PLAN ACTIVITIES LIKE THEATER OR DANCING CLASSES FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAS NO MONEY FOR PAYING EXTRA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES…
LETS MAKE THIS A REALITY… LETS DO IT FOR THE CHILDREN.
@GUS
you are doing and saying the right thing.
before people EXPECTED the GOVERNMENT to FEED them…. the CHURCHES and neighborly Christians came to their aid.
( Of course other religions help as well, I am speaking of what I know )
There is no shame in getting help from your neighbors, but there is shame in seeing someone in need and only wishing them well and sending them on their way.
(For example, Obama and his bosses have decided not to help people that are in need, by setting up help for mortgate default loans, or by granting money to reputable organization… but they are only continuing the previous presidents (Bush, Clinton, etc) policies of bankrupting the nation, which is what the global bankers want, through the most disgusting example of pork-barrel politics seen this decade.
We need food and jobs Mr. President…. we don’t need to send hundreds of millions of dollars overseas for abortions to satisfy the evil demands of the global eugenicists….)
@GUS
Perhaps I didn’t inject enough sarcasm in my comment. The point I was trying to make is that as the krona is artificially propped up, prices for goods and services remain the same.
As I peruse foreign exchange rates on the net, I find most reflect the CBI numbers, others, notably UBS, list the krona at 182 USD and 230 EUR… Others don’t list the ISK at all.
It would appear, if and when the krona truly floats, it will suffer an immediate 50% devaluation. Nasty in the short term but what does it mean in the long term?
Gus, I’ve lived here about 35 years. I find your posts entertaining, albeit a bit melodramatic, but children begging for dollars and euros on the streets of Reykjavik? That’s a bit of a stretch!
Regards.
> Mugabe, and Zimbawe, sorry my bad.
In recent postings about countrys there is new phenominum — comparing to Zimbabwe.
Now it used to be calling some Nazi but now it seems it is comparing to Mugabe and Zim.
It is insulting to people dying in Zim to compare something unless it is valid comparision. There is very few places — maybe Yemen, etc –.
Idiots who compare Iceland to Zimbabwe need learn to read.
Zimbabe started off OK 29 year ago when Ian Smith hand over with aiblity to feed its people and export earnings, etc. and restrained for 10 years then as Mugabe policies implemented into place where government own property and resdistribute property, hyper inflate currency, rule of law and courts ignored, and voilance against minority and opposition.
With exception of rule of law and courts ignored and violance against minoritys and opposition, exact opposite of where Iceland has come from 29 years ago which went from government own property, hyper inflate currency towards private property, stable inflation, etc.
And to compare Davið ideas to Mugabe when know they are exactly opposite, just makes look like a dishonest fool.
But have to say, way Green-Red coalition going, do wonder about rule of law and courts ignored coming up. Violence against minoritys and opposition and others lets hope never.
@ Fisy
>Idiots who compare Iceland to Zimbabwe need learn to read.
The comparison was satirical – lighten up! :)
Terry, in Zim people are being abducted and killed.
It is not funny.
Satire would be to compare Davið to the Dalai Lama, “he can do no wrong”.
MOSSBACK SAID: “Perhaps I didn’t inject enough sarcasm in my comment. The point I was trying to make is that as the krona is artificially propped up, prices for goods and services remain the same.”
LOOK MOSSBACK, THE KRÓNA HAS LOST MORE THAN 60% OF IT VALUE IN JUST MONTHS. IT IS TOTALLY CRAZY TO SAY THAT PRICES FOR GOODS AND SERVICES REMAIN THE SAME. YOU ARE JUST TOTALLY UNAWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON.
JUST TO NAME AN EXAMPLE. I BOUGHT AN APPLE COMPUTER FROM APPLE.IS ( WICH IS IN BANKRUPT NOW) IT COSTED 204.000 IKS, THREE DAYS AFTER COSTED 267.000, ONE WEEK LATER MORE THAN 300.000…
ALL THE FOOD HAVE INCREASED THE PRICE, EVEN MILK AND MEAT PRODUCTS.
YOU CAN STILL PURCHASE LOTS OF THINGS THAT HAVE NOT SUFFERED INCREASE OF PRICE. BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BOOKS OF THE LAST YEAR, CLOTHES OUT OF SEASON AND THE LIKE..
IF YOU WANT TO BUY NEW CLOTHES YOU CAN SEE, ALL THE PRICES ARE BEING PUTTING UP.
FOR THE SPRING, ALL THE NEW THINGS YOU GET TO ICELAND WILL COST ALMOS THE DOUBLE (SHOES, CLOTHES, ANYTHING) IT WILL GET TWO OR THREE MONTHS UNTIL YOU CAN SEE PRICES CHANGED IN ALMOST ANYTHING…
YOU CAN SEE THAT COMPANIES HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SELL WHAT THEY HAVE NOW BECAUSE THEY NEED MONEY DESPERATLY TO PURCHASE NEW PRODUCTS THAT ARE AT A HIGHER PRICE.
THE IMPORTING OF NEW CARS IS ALMOST 0, AS THE PRICES HAVE ALMOST DOUBLED. YOU CAN SEE HOW THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL THE CARS THEY HAVE… IT HAS GONE VERY BAD. AND SO ON…
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT PRICES HAVE CONSIDERABLY INCREASED IN THIS COUNTRY AND ARE STILL INCREASING.
I KNOW, FOR SOME PEOPLE LIKE YOU IT WILL TAKE MONTHS, MAYBE YEARS, TO ACCEPT THIS IS HAPPENING. THE SOONER YOU ACCEPT IT THE BETTER. THIS COUNTRY IS TOTALLY RUINED… WHATEVER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.
AS YOU CAN READ IN NEWSPAPERS AROUND THE WORLD, PEOPLE HERE DRIVE CARS THAT CANNOT PAY ANYMORE, HOUSES THAT CANNOT AFFORD AND THEY WORRY ABOUT THE NEXT MEAL AS THEY HAVE NO JOBS, NOR SAVINGS.. JUST ONLY DEBTS.
HUGE DEBTS+NO JOBS= ??? YOU TELL ME MOSSBACK??
AND YES, PEOPLE SELLING THEMSELVES IS BECOMING NORMAL. IT IS JUST A GENERAL AND COMMON ATTITUDE OF HUMAN BEINGS WHEN THEIR STOMACHS START MAKING STRANGE NOISES… I AM NOT TELLING THAT THIS IS LIKE IN INDIA, BUT, IT IS TRUE THAT SOME GROUPS OF CHILDREN HAVE ASKED FOR MONEY, AND THAT IS ALSO GROWING, YOU WANT TO BELIEVE IT OR NOT
WHO WOULD SAID THAT THIS COUNTRY (SUPOSSEDLY VERY RICH) WOULD HAVE TO BEGG CAP IN HAND FOR MONEY TO ALL COUNTRIES AND THE IFM??
WHO WOULD SUPPOSE THAT AN EXAMPLE OF DEMOCRACY WOULD TURN OUT TO BE THE CAVE OF ALI-BABA AND THE 40 PIRATES??
WHO WOULD SUPPOSE THAT PEOPLE DRIVING EXPENSIVE CARS AND LIVING IN FANCY HOUSES WOULD NOT HAVE JOBS AND NOTHING TO PUT ON THEIR TABLES??
I KNOW, IT IS INCREDIBLE, BUT IT IS HAPPENING…
GO AND ASK THE STUDENTS HERE AND SPECIALLY ABROAD HOW THEY ARE SURVIVING… YOU KNOW IF YOU WATCH TV THAT STUDENTS ABROAD WHERE EVEN CRYING BECAUSE THE LOANS THEY GOT FROM THE ICELANDIC GOVERN ARE NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO PAY THE RENT AND THE FOOD… SO IT IS TRUE THAT MANY ICELANDIC STUDENTS ABROAD HAVE REACHED TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES OF DENMARK, SPAIN, ITALY AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO BE ABLE TO EAT!!!
THIS IS TRUE!! AND THEY TOLD THAT THEMSELVES ON TV!!
I ALSO KNOW OF A WOMAN WHO HAD A VERY NICE COAT AND SHE LOOKED VERY RICH IN IT, BUT SHE WAS TRYING TO SELL IT IN THE STREET AS SHE HAS NOTHING TO EAT AND HER FRIGERATOR IS EMPTY!!!
WAKE UP MOSSBACK!! MANY PEOPLE IS HUNGRY…!!
DON´T TRY TO DENIE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTRY!!
LOOK MOSSBACK, THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE HERE WHO IS AWARE OF WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING:
FROM MICHAEL HANNES:
“@GUS
you are doing and saying the right thing.
before people EXPECTED the GOVERNMENT to FEED them…. the CHURCHES and neighborly Christians came to their aid.
( Of course other religions help as well, I am speaking of what I know )”
SO I ENCOURAGE YOU MOSSBACK TO BE REALISTIC AND CHECK HOW YOU CAN HELP IN YOUR COMMUNITY. I AM SURE THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO NEED YOUR HELP. CHECK AT THE CHURCH IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THE CHURCHS TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET FOOD FOR THE CHILDREN AND OTHER NECESSARY THINGS. THEY WONT TELL YOU WHO THEY ARE AS THEY FEEL SHAME AND ARE EMBARRASSED. REMEMBER THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL LOOK JUST OK BUT THEY REALLY ARE IN NEED.
MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE A GOOD LIVE AND GOOD CLOTHES DO NOT HAVE JOBS OR MONEY ANYMORE. SO YOU COULD SEE THEM IN WEARING WELL BUT THEY ARE IN REAL NEED. YOU WILL SEE IT MORE CLEARLY MAYBE NEXT YEAR AS PEOPLE IS NOT ABLE TO BUY THINGS AS BEFORE…
MOSSBACK, GET REALISTIC, THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NEED IN ICELAND, AND IF YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 35 YEARS YOU SHOULD SHOW SOME SOLIDARITY TO THE COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN FEEDING YOU FOR ALL THIS TIME. GIVE SOMETHING BACK!!
Great Blog, but can’t seem to figure out how to subscribe to your RSS feed, can you help? Thanks. :)
hey, is there a section just for latest news