Ice, bling & bobby

We've been witnessing the world wide financial meltdown triggered by the American mortgage crisis, but how is it affecting you and me, and the English Bobbies?
In this week-end's New York Times, Friedman takes a look at the effect of the Icelandic meltdown (no pun intended) and how some 120 English municipalities, universities and police departments can no longer access their savings... :

"So think about it: Some mortgage broker in Los Angeles gives subprime “liar loans” to people who have no credit ratings so they can buy homes in Southern California. Those flimsy mortgages get globalized through the global banking system and, when they go sour, they eventually prompt banks to stop lending, fearful that every other bank’s assets are toxic, too. The credit crunch hits Iceland, which went on its own binge. Meanwhile, the police department of Northumbria, England, had invested some of its extra cash in Iceland, and, now that those accounts are frozen, it may have to reduce street patrols this weekend."

Florida comes up to talk to Montreal

Richard Florida published an editorial in the Gazette about Montreal a couple of days ago.

The author of "The Rise of the Creative Class" and "Who's Your City?" praised our metropole for its resourcefulness in this time of financial crisis. If you're lazy, you can also skip to Spacing Montreal's article on Florida's piece. The Montreal Mirror also wrote an interest piece about Richard 3 years ago, it's still up on the net if you want to check it out.

Demonstration – No to Harper and the Conservatives!

October 5 2008 | 12h30 | Square Dorchester - metro Peel

A march followed by guest speakers.

When: Sunday October 5 at 12h30
Start: Gathering at Square Dorchester (métro Peel; angle rue Peel et boulevard René-Lévesque), in Montréal
Finish: Place des arts
Speakers: Emmanuel Bilodeau and other guest speakers

This event is organized by the following groups: Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA), Collectif Échec à la guerre, Conseil central des syndicats nationaux de Montréal, Conseil national des chômeurs et chômeuses, Conseil régional FTQ Montréal métropolitain, D'Abord Solidaires, Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU), L'R des centres de femmes du Québec, Syndicat des professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ), Table régionale des organismes communautaires et bénévoles de la Montérégie (TROC-M), Table des regroupements provinciaux d'organismes communautaires et bénévoles (TRPOCB)

Click on the links below for more information (in French only):
Les coupures, ca tue la culture
http://cybersolidaires.typepad.com/r/2008/09/appel-une-grand.html
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/arts/nouvelles/200809/23/01-22899-les-artistes-de-concert-contre-les-coupes.php

Manifestation - Non aux politiques conservatrices!

5 octobre 2008 | 12h30 | Square Dorchester - metro Peel

Grande marche suivie d'un spectacle et de déclarations engagées pour faire avancer la société!

Quand : Dimanche le 5 octobre à 12h30
Départ : Rassemblement au Square Dorchester (métro Peel; angle rue Peel et boulevard René-Lévesque), à Montréal
Arrivée : Place des arts
Animation : Emmanuel Bilodeau et d'autres artistes invités surprises

Un événement organisé par une large coalition de groupes sociaux, culturels et syndicaux : Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA), Collectif Échec à la guerre, Conseil central des syndicats nationaux de Montréal, Conseil national des chômeurs et chômeuses, Conseil régional FTQ Montréal métropolitain, D'Abord Solidaires, Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU), L'R des centres de femmes du Québec, Syndicat des professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ), Table régionale des organismes communautaires et bénévoles de la Montérégie (TROC-M), Table des regroupements provinciaux d'organismes communautaires et bénévoles (TRPOCB)

Click on the links below for more information:
Les coupures, ca tue la culture
http://cybersolidaires.typepad.com/r/2008/09/appel-une-grand.html
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/arts/nouvelles/200809/23/01-22899-les-artistes-de-concert-contre-les-coupes.php