Northern Ireland politicians dither, American capitalism delivers!

[financeguy]

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2005/05/31/story205048.html

I have long believed that the solutions to Northern Ireland's problems of sectarian strife and conflict lie in more investment and capitalism, and not in the bankrupt socialist policies of parties such as Sinn Fein (policies which have failed in practically every other country they have been tried), while their closely linked henchmen in the IRA get involved in all kinds of mischief and prey on their own communities.

As per the above link, a top New York investment fund has now pledged a multi-million investment in Belfast.

Seed capital which will hopefully yield benefits for the future.

Back in the early 80's, American entrepreneur/visionary John DeLorean offered hope to depressed communities in Belfast by setting up a sportscar factory there. Sadly, his idealism wasn't matched by his financial acumen and the project collapsed some years later (At least you tried, John)

Meanwhile, I predict/hope that anyone who takes the decision to still involve themselves in terrorist activity in Northern Ireland will shortly feel the meaning of President Bush's pledge to protect freedom and democracy.

Watch this space, folks.

 

[pax]

Back in the early 80's, American entrepreneur/visionary John DeLorean offered hope to depressed communities in Belfast by setting up a sportscar factory there. Sadly, his idealism wasn't matched by his financial acumen and the project collapsed some years later (At least you tried, John)

If only the Irish had been interested in time travel...

 

[financeguy]

Re: Re: Northern Ireland politicians dither, American capitalism delivers!

If only the Irish had been interested in time travel...

Indeed

I think very few of the cars were sold on the Irish market. Most were sent to the US. I do see the occasional one on the roads over here though and there is even an owner's club. Have yet to see one depart into the stratosphere strangely enough.

 

[financeguy]

More detail here:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4595865.stm

Not huge money but welcome all the same.

 

[verte76]

Good news, I'm glad that Northern Ireland has landed another big shot investment.

 

[nbcrusader]

Perhaps they are catching up to what Ireland has done for decades - provide economic incentives to draw in capital.

 

[VertigoGal]

Go capitalism!

Yeah, isn't the Irish economy doing extremely well in recent years? I read it was the country with the highest standard of living for 2005 (US was 10th I think, "joie de vivre" France was in the 30's I believe).

 

[A_Wanderer]

Ireland is at 10 on the 2004 UN human development index, the USA is at 8 and Australia comes in at 3, France sits "back" (relatively speaking) at 16.

Surpisingly the top three countries in Asia are Japan (overall number 9), Israel (number 22) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC.

Australia beats NZ 3 versus 18, more than Canada and the USA at 4 versus 8.

 

[VertigoGal]

oh...I don't know how official the thing I read was. At any, number 10's pretty damn good. As are numbers 8 and 3. lol

 

[financeguy]

Go capitalism!

Yeah, isn't the Irish economy doing extremely well in recent years? I read it was the country with the highest standard of living for 2005 (US was 10th I think, "joie de vivre" France was in the 30's I believe).

Republic of Ireland/"26 Counties" (depending on point of view) is doing well certainly, Northern Ireland/"6 Counties" less so.

Nothern Ireland would not be included for the purposes of the stats cited above, but would be incorporated into the UK stats (I assume).

Northern Ireland has high unemployment and the cancer of sectarianism is still alive, unfortunately. With greater investment, hopefully these problems will diminish in the future.

 

[VertigoGal]

hmm...I have a sneaking suspicion that if NI were to become more economically prosperous, many of the sectarian problems would mysteriously become much less prominent. hmm....

 

[financeguy]

hmm...I have a sneaking suspicion that if NI were to become more economically prosperous, many of the sectarian problems would mysteriously become much less prominent. hmm....

Exactly.

 

[oby]

Personally I don't like the tone of the article, NI has taken a lot of positive strides in improving the quality of life, jobs etc over the past few years.

Why do Americans always feel they are the angels of mercy?

Re Sectarianism, we have it here in Scotland too but my experience is that decent, ordinary people can see past this and don't get involved.

 

[ZeroDude]

I have noticed the arrival of three Starbucks in Belfast, indeed this is even more disturbing than sectarian violence

 

[ZeroDude]

Capitalism woooooooo..............

 

[melon]

hmm...I have a sneaking suspicion that if NI were to become more economically prosperous, many of the sectarian problems would mysteriously become much less prominent. hmm....

You could probably say this about Palestine as well. 75% unemployment certainly doesn't help keep the peace.

Melon

 

[VertigoGal]

You could probably say this about Palestine as well. 75% unemployment certainly doesn't help keep the peace.

Melon

yeah, I should have added that sure as hell applies to more than just NI. 75%? damn.

zerodude- you guys only have 3 starbucks?!?! i can think of 3 within 5 miles of where I live.

 

[Laura M]

Re: Re: Re: Northern Ireland politicians dither, American capitalism delivers!

Indeed

I think very few of the cars were sold on the Irish market. Most were sent to the US. I do see the occasional one on the roads over here though and there is even an owner's club. Have yet to see one depart into the stratosphere strangely enough.

I saw one last week when I was walking to my exam centre

Zerodude

The frightening thing is those Starbucks also appeared within like a week of each other. They have also opeend a Quiznos in Botanic. I find that a little sad.

VertigoGal, Northern Ireland is becoming a lot more economically prosperous

 

[VertigoGal]

hey, it's better than subway. I personally think quiznos subs are much tastier than subways.

just wait until wal-marts start popping up everywhere

(or do you guys have em? i honestly dont know if theyre international or just here)

 

[bonoman]

At the end of the day the North will always be at a disadvantage geographically. They are seperated from South and dont border Britian, Its bad logic!

If the North couldnt have seen huge gains like the south did then i atribute that fully on Tony Blair and the English gov't. How in God's name did Westminster not relize this and open things up for the north? There are many things that Blair could have done to pick up the steam of the south.

 

[financeguy]

just wait until wal-marts start popping up everywhere

(or do you guys have em? i honestly dont know if theyre international or just here)

Wal-marts? NO! (thank heaven)

 

[financeguy]

If the North couldnt have seen huge gains like the south did then i atribute that fully on Tony Blair and the English gov't. How in God's name did Westminster not relize this and open things up for the north? There are many things that Blair could have done to pick up the steam of the south.

Blaming Blair and Westminister for everything - see this is precisely the problem I would argue.

I know from other posts you have made here that you are a Sinn Fein supporter and you are entitled to your point of view - but since when has Sinn Fein done anything for the ecomony of Northern Ireland?