The grassroots New Iceland political pressure group was very busy on Saturday, holding mock auctions of property owned by Iceland’s ‘Outvasion Viking’ businessmen and making house calls.
In a statement the group described what happened when they gathered outside the home of former Landsbanki boss and owner of West Ham, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson: when group members knocked the door a woman answered the door-phone saying that Bjorgolfur is innocent and “it is all propaganda by the Icelandic government. It was them who led us up the creek without a paddle”.
Group members also mock-auctioned off the large house at Frikirkjuvegur 11 which is owned by Gudmundsson’s son, Bjorgolfur Thor Bjorgolfsson.
Next, New Iceland’s so-called ‘wake-up train’ of supporters wound its way to Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir’s house to encourage her to go and vote in the Icesave referendum; but she was not home at the time and had already stated publicly that she would not be voting.
New Iceland describes itself as an organisation open to anyone, both left wing and right wing, who wants to regain the best and most beautiful land in the world from the clutches of all the political parties which currently plague it.
I am an immigrant in Iceland and have written a big NO. A unison decision has been made. Do be calm. Redress is for the Courts to do the job and lets hope this time it will be transparent and fair. Changes must be made in legal and banking procedure. As we live in a civilized society lets observed decorum. A disturbance will aggravate the problems and cause more hardship. Lets not dwell on the past but look forward to a better future. It is a long, very long road to recovery but lets be optimistic. The burden will be lighter.
God help us…. New Iceland sounds a lot like Old Iceland…
In reply to dem: “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. One must let others know what is and what is not acceptable – are we not allowed free speech? Wsa there any violence? These educated and experience people were “led up the creek without a paddle”. Ha. What a joke. Simply GREED. Have you lost your job recently? The banking collapse in Iceland is horrendous and those of us that still have jobs are wondering when ours will go. Of course we want safety and security and calm and optimism. Most ordinary folk are working hard under extreme pressure to ensure this. The new and old banks must pay for the mistakes, not the ordinary people. Take the burden caused by others off you and me.
Jonathan I understand your point. As it is, I am still working in the hospital which is greatly affected by this economic problem.
Also, the investigation of the bank is not yet finished, awaiting for Joly’s report and other related investigations, the proposal from two (2) years to four (4)years the recovery of those fraudulent earnings from nefarious transactions,150 to 200 cases under investigation and for proper filling, hopefully asset recovered will also be utilized and lastly, those members of the inner circles politicians and bankers be held responsible for the collapsed of the banks.
I have compared this case to a crime of passion whereby the offender is held resposible for the crime committed.
Yes it is politician that are the problem in our country just like it is any other country.
If at the very least we do get more referedums on important subject — more like Swiss system — then that alone will be worth while.
But the biggest problem right now is the Red-Green coalition that does want us to add a new level of politicians above our current useless ones.
That’s right, I mean the EU commission and EU parliament. The most undemoractic and corrupt institutions that exist in the Western World.
Fisy vents: “That’s right, I mean the EU commission and EU parliament. The most undemoractic and corrupt institutions that exist in the Western World.”
Well said Fisy!
I too notice the uncanny similarity between Brussels and downtown Pyonggyang. The cowed, huddled masses. The crumbling monuments to false ideals. The street vendors’ suspicious food. The drunks vomiting into their shoes. The masses throwing yogurt at…
Oh, wait. My mistake. That’s downtown Reykjavik.
That’s it then. No more postings before my morning vodka.
AFRAM!
Gummi
Hmmm. I have noticed in the past that Icenews runs a lot of stories about pharmaceutical company Acatavis. And Adctavis is owned, surprise, surprise, “by Novator Partners, an investment vehicle of the chairman Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson”.
Any comments, Icenews?
Fisy said
“If at the very least we do get more referedums on important subject — more like Swiss system — then that alone will be worth while.”
Well Fisy, the Swiss perhaps don’t have much to worry about given recent referenda…..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8385069.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8554012.stm
: )
There is checks and balances on how the referendums are put onto the sheet.
What matters is that they are a check on those in government seats ignoring issue that is important to they voters.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8385069.stm
” >In a statement, the government said it accepted the decision.
>It said: “The Federal Council (government) respects this decision. Consequently the construction of new minarets in Switzerland is no longer permitted.” ”
..
>Amnesty International said the vote violated freedom of religion and would probably be overturned by the Swiss supreme court or the European Court of Human Rights.
They may not like it but the people sitting in the government seats do have listen to people referendums decisions in Switzerland.
The many refernendums that make it are sign that an issue is being ignored by government in policies or it has passed a law ( occasionally ) that majority people do not agree with.
The check on this like it should be for all is then the appeals court system.
Gray Germany did write :
>Any comments, Icenews?
This article clearly propoganda for ” New Iceland ” hooligans, not for Björgólfur Guðmundsson.
“That’s right, I mean the EU commission and EU parliament. The most undemoractic and corrupt institutions that exist in the Western World.””
I take it that you haven’t been to Las Vegas then? :)
On a more serious note, you are absolutely right that if you are going to have popular referenda more frequently, then a system of checks and balances needs to be worked out. It will be interesting to see how your democratic system evolves. You also might want other triggers for a referendum other than the opinion of President.
“You also might want other triggers for a referendum other than the opinion of President.”
The President’s opinion is not sufficient nor was it sufficient in this case.
The substance of the basis for the President’s opinion was supplied by the public and by basic considered legal advice. The President has the legislative power to reject a bill passed by parliament and by automatic process it goes to a plebiscite. It is not a move the President would ever make lightly and not one taken just based on his opinion.
There are checks and balances in the constitution.
For instance, Parliament can also call for a plebiscite, eg one to get rid of the President :)
“The substance of the basis for the President’s opinion was supplied by the public and by basic considered legal advice”.
Quite so, but what has not been defined yet is the number of people against a law which trigger a presidential veto. In the present case, it was obviously sufficient, but suppose a petition of say only 10% of the population is presented, would the President have to act or not. The decision is still with the president, so it is the President’s opinion on the strengths of the opposition which counts. Once you have been though the process a lot, then precedents would be set.
I’m not criticising your constitution, or the actions of the President, I was just commenting on the delicate balancing act between the various arms of government. I have no problem with popular referenda at all.