European governments tremble as anger spreads

European governments tremble as anger spreads
Ian Traynor, London
February 1, 2009

Police fight with demonstrators in Paris at the end of France's first major strike triggered by the global financial crisis. Photo: AFP

FRANCE paralysed by strikes, the boulevards of Paris resembling a battlefield. The Hungarian currency sinks as unemployment rises. Greek farmers block the road into Bulgaria. New figures show the three Baltic states face the biggest recessions in Europe …

It's a snapshot of a single day in a Europe sinking into the bleakest of times. And while the outlook may be dark in the big, wealthy democracies of western Europe, it is in the young, poor, vulnerable states of central and eastern Europe that the trauma of meltdown looks graver. Twenty years ago, in revolutionary rejoicing, they ditched communism to put their faith in a capitalism by which they now feel betrayed. The result has been the biggest protests across the former communist bloc since the days of people power.

Europe's governments are trembling. Revolt is in the air.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/european-governments-tremble-as-anger-spreads-20090131-7ufm.html

If only they were as tough as Americans, theyd be at home playing their playstation while their jobs were being shredded.

there is so much disenchantment and (not so) latent hostility right now, that nothing short of aliens landing is going to change it.