Ugly Scenes as Protestors Clash with Polilce in the Bulgarian capital Sofia

Meatpie

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There was chaos in the centre of the Bulgarian capital Sofia today as thousands took to the streets to protest against the worsening fiancial situation in the country.

The tram and bus service stopped and cars were jammed for hours. Police clashed with protestors and tried to clear the streets.

As factories close, workers and their families are left with nothing, the central heating company is in debt and more and more families are facing forclosures.

Protests will continue through the night and tomorrow.

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That a great shot...How everyone just paused...liking it =)
 

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Did it start peaceful? What are the laws like in Sofia in regards to assembly and free speech?
Meat - I've been meaning to ask - What is your impression of the fall of communism? I know you weren't old enough (neither was I) to remember it, but how is the overall feeling there - is Bulgaria better or worse after? I know what the media says, but I'd like your interpretation.


Right Here, Right Now - Jesus Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtYBQXIeLRw

The current presidential race brought this song back to mind for me, and on November 4, 2008, we will see the racial (or gender) barriers in this country begin to fall just like the Berlin Wall. I look forward to the day when describing a person as "black" or "white" is as benign as commenting on their eye color.

Watch the guy playing keyboard - that's my kind of guy!
 
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Did it start peaceful? What are the laws like in Sofia in regards to assembly and free speech?
Meat - I've been meaning to ask - What is your impression of the fall of communism? I know you weren't old enough (neither was I) to remember it, but how is the overall feeling there - is Bulgaria better or worse after? I know what the media says, but I'd like your interpretation.

I remember it very well. People were really sick and tired of the state iterfering with everyday activities and there were scray stories about people being taken to prison camps because they spoke against the authorities.

Also, under communism the first thing they did when you got into school was to check whether you have clean hair, nails and clean clothes and shoes.

Once I didn't cut my nails and the teacher punished me by beating me on the hands with a stick.

Then all students were forced to work out for an hour beforer studies began. We started at 7 am. If you were late they won't let you and call your parents and even fine them.

We were all dressed in uniforms - boys in blue, girls in red. I have pics with my sister.

No plastic was allowed and everything was recycled. Milk, soft drinks was in bottles and after use you should return them to the store.

Thats the part I liked best. Now its all plastic bottles and plastic bags that damage the environment and pollute urban areas.

Also streets were washed every morning with shampoo.

Unfortunately there were lots of problems. Like if you wanted to move to another city you should have get permission from the government :(

Also it was difficult to leave Bulgaria at that time, esp behind the Iron curtain. And worst of all was they chased all gypsies and muslims into ghettos and muslims were send to Turkey.

Also, every citizen was employed - it was government policy. Even you were unskilled they will find you a job.

I also remember the day Chernobyl blew up. It was the scariest day of my life and mom and dad wouldn't let us out and we didn't drink tap water, eat vegies from our garden and no milk was allowed too.

I that point I considered this the end of the world. It was especcially terrible for my parents with two kids - I was three and my sister a baby of several months.

In 1989 I also took part in mass rallies, even though I was a kid - everyone was in the streets marching against communism.

Well it fell but no one was prepared for what was to come.

Under communism as I said employment was forced on you, Bulgaria was number 4 exporter of steel in the world, produced machinery, cars, electricity, had a nuclear power plant, highways were constructed, big cities cropped up, railways carried millions of passangers, people travelled easily to Moscow and it was considered a great advantage if you get your education in Moscow.

I remember how they burnt the parliament bulding, it was a huge fire and I remember this huge building looking like charcoal all black with windows blown up. Its still there.
------------- AFTER THE FALL --------------

Society collapsed soon after the fall of communism. Factories closed and there was inflation and starvation.

Healthcare was free for everyone during communism now it collapsed too and you had to pay doctors privately.

In 1990 many left for the US or Western Europe.

Organized crime came to prominence. Bulgaria had no mafia before that, now it had.

In 1996 there was no bread and no electicity, no jobs. Many died. I remember how we stayed on candles for long hours at home, like in the Middle Ages.

I remember we had no bread so mom would put some in the freezer in case the next day we couldn't buy a fresh one.

Then she would put it in the microwave and serve it.

I experienced societal collapse first hand.

The next day all shops were closed because inflation was more than 200% percent and prices had to be raised daily. Money lost their value and we all had millions....worth nothing.

Then people stormed the government building and broke directly into parliament through the policy.

Ministers were blocked and held inside like hostages by citizend that gatherd in huge numbers outside the building.

Since 1998 the situation has gradually improved. Bulgaria is now in the EU and NATO.

Hope you like this first hand experience, its only a fraction of what really happened and distorted through my point of view.

You can read more on the web.
 
:sm (35):Thank you SO much! My dad was a Russian linguist in the Air force, and served in Berlin in the 60s, then he was on a business trip im BERLIN in 1989 when the wall fell. Americans never realize what other countries have to put up with. Thank God our Meat survived -:sm (35):
 
I survivied. Now is your turn. Hope America doesn't slip into deep recession.

We will see what happens in six days.

Now my turn to ask you a personal question.

Who are you gonna vote for?
 
I survivied. Now is your turn. Hope America doesn't slip into deep recession.

We will see what happens in six days.

Now my turn to ask you a personal question.

Who are you gonna vote for?


Already voted - Obama.
 
you did?
wow.

Can you explain why some people vote early than others?

I don't understand that.
 
You can sign up for absentee balloting - say if I was going on a trip, and needed to vote early, since I wouldn't be here Nov 4 - I receive the ballot in the mail, vote, and mail back. They wait until the 4th to count them, but it beats having to go out and vote in crowds on Election Day. The whole state of Oregon does this, also. All by mail.

Who would you have voted for?
 
Thats insane, they won't allow anything like that here for fear the election might be rigged.

Where ae eyou gonna be on Nov 4?

Although I am not American I watched both candidates on CNN out of curiosity and to tell you the truth they both fail to convince me.

Politics is a dirty business and the way they speak once against the other is disturbing. McCain said on CNN he didn't know where Obamma gets the money for such campaign, Palin says the media work against them

I mean WTF, it this civilised? and many many other instances.

I absolutely love how the BBC report on the US election campaign, sometimes poking fun of both candidates.

For me Obamma is not ready for President, McCain is old and experienced but not energetic enough to bring that big change you need.

Gov Palin is funny but should be on a comedy show not in the white house.

So I would refuse to vote in such a situation.

But then again I am Bulgarian and my view and perspective is limited. All I know about the US is mainly from CNN and the BBC, and some of your posts.
 
Thats insane, they won't allow anything like that here for fear the election might be rigged.

Where ae eyou gonna be on Nov 4?

Although I am not American I watched both candidates on CNN out of curiosity and to tell you the truth they both fail to convince me.

Politics is a dirty business and the way they speak once against the other is disturbing. McCain said on CNN he didn't know where Obamma gets the money for such campaign, Palin says the media work against them

I mean WTF, it this civilised? and many many other instances.

I absolutely love how the BBC report on the US election campaign, sometimes poking fun of both candidates.

For me Obamma is not ready for President, McCain is old and experienced but not energetic enough to bring that big change you need.

Gov Palin is funny but should be on a comedy show not in the white house.

So I would refuse to vote in such a situation.

But then again I am Bulgarian and my view and perspective is limited. All I know about the US is mainly from CNN and the BBC, and some of your posts.

On Nov 4 I am going to a Madonna concert - can't wait. And to clarify, anyone - no matter whether you are going to be out on the day or not can sign up for absentee balloting - in fact the Controller's Office (where they count) encourages it. I think Obama's proven he is ready - but we will see - they use the first 100 days as a test over here to rate a new President.
 
You could have had better candidates.

Al Core was excellent for example, he talked about the enivronment etc

thats what you need to take care off.

enough of war, nuclear weapons

makes me sick
 

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Totally agree, Meat- It's choosing the lesser of the two evils.
 
well, it sometimes beat the unlimited party system we have here.

We have about 15 to 20 political parties from all ends of the political spectrum. There are 150 seats for our 2nd chamber, the place where laws are made and passed through.

We have social democrats, Christian democrats, liberal democrats, left wing socialism, communist parties, left wing christians, the party for animals, and many, many more. Yes, we even hae extreem right wing socialist and liberals!

So, it sometimes can be very...annoying to choose yer side ;)
 

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Totally agree, Meat- It's choosing the lesser of the two evils.

That is why I like the write-in option. Mickey Mouse would be a better option than what we have a choice of this time around. And no Meatpie, your views on the quality of our candidates is pretty spot on. I think it takes looking at things from an outsiders point of view to truly gain a clearer picture of just how messed up things are here right now. I heard on the radio that now there is concern that if Obama is elected, they are worried about the chain of command and who is line to take over the reigns as the feeling is there will be an attempt on his life, and this time it will not be caught in time. We say we are ready for an African-American or a woman to be President, but there are some folks that do not see it that way. To them, the Presidency is a job for only a white man. In this day and age, there are parts of this country I travel to that I can not mention my religion or ethnic background because I would find myself on the bad end of a lynching. It is funny how we, the US, can try the right the world's wrongs but yet can not get control of or take care of our own people within our own borders. Sometimes, I think we need an attitude adjustment or a swift kick in the pants to get us to change our perspective and see what is actually important.
 
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