As you know I'm still a committed Trades Unionist although retired...I still do the odd Conference and Seminar when asked.

Bullying and intimidation are NEVER sanctioned by Trades Unions. Violent acts on marches, demos and picket lines are nearly always the responsibility of ultra-left groups who latch on to such events as they are too insignificant themselves.

This could be the case here...I don't know.

We get the occasional post talking about 'revolution' and 'bloodshed'. Every Spanish person I've spoken to abhors the violence that has accompanied demonstrations here. Memories of Civil War are strong and restrain sensible people from such talk and from lawless acts. So any responsible person has to condemn this act of looting, whatever the motive behind it.

Interesting to note that in spite of everything, the PP still commands the support of the majority, albeit with lower percentage points.
PSOE and IU still on the same level, IU with under 9% and only UPD scoring higher.

Disorder frightens people and encourages them to welcome a crack-down by the forces of law'n'order...

What does the OP think of these actions? Approve or disapprove?

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'The Owl of Minerva spreads her wings only at the onset of dusk'.

The story refers to SAT which is a left wing (how extreme, I don't know) "workers" ' organisation. The alcalde referred to (Juan Manuel Sanchez Gordillo, mayor of Marinaleda) is a Communist and recently visited the Communist regime of Venezuela and to show his solidarity with the repressed stayed in a five star luxury hotel!

Just as I suspected. Thanks for that information, Baldy.

It's probably one of those extreme revolutionary socialist organisations which tries to 'big itself up' with such actions. The 'legitimate left' will dissociate itself from these actions.

AS for the Mayor's luxury hotel......when I was in the CPGB every single member in my branch was very wealthy....but it was North London..

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'The Owl of Minerva spreads her wings only at the onset of dusk'.

It was Mercadona in Éciica. Carrefour in Arcos.

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Read about life in the pueblo: La Vida Alcalaina

The main aim of the action was to gain enough publicity to persuade the supermarkets to do just that. Sadly, asking nicely doesn't always work.

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Read about life in the pueblo: La Vida Alcalaina

Its not the supermarkets responsibility and if they are forced to act as the countries welfare and aid agency, then they'll up their prices accordingly or, certainly in the case of Carrefour, pull out of Spain altogether

Jo xxx

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Or you could say that cutting long-term unemployment benefit by 10% and then removing the €400 monthly payment to families whose benefit has run out will lead to looting, rioting and civil unrest.

The responsibility for these desperate acts lies squarely with the government, who continue to get their pensions for life and claim their generous expenses while the people they are supposed to represent are going hungry.

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Read about life in the pueblo: La Vida Alcalaina

So...does that mean you approve?

Asking nicely means you should be prepared to accept a refusal. If you're not, then 'asking nicely' is intimidation in a velvet glove by people who think their daft ideology puts them above the law.
Am I entitled to refuse to give my spare room to a homeless person if they 'ask nicely'? Is there a law or principle that says businesses should hand out free items just because they are 'asked nicely'? No doubt you will say 'Ah..but these are the evil beasts 'big business'. So at what size level is this kind of theft justified? Would an unemployed person have had the right to refuse to pay for an MOT test at our garage, for instance?

What exactly has this action achieved apart from upsetting law-abiding people?
Since when has 'asking nicely' and being refused justified theft?

The next time I'm asked 'nicely' by a robber on the street to hand over my watch and cash should I do so if s/he is poorer than I am?
I think you could provide a better justification than that..

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'The Owl of Minerva spreads her wings only at the onset of dusk'.

Venezuela isn't a communist regime.

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Read about life in the pueblo: La Vida Alcalaina

I dont disagree with that, but its not fair to expect supermarkets to shoulder the burden. I hate to think how this will end, but damage limitation is needed otherwise there will be a civil uprising. I think those who lived thru Francos regime are now too old to pass their memories on to the younger generation who need some help and fast from what I can see????

I never understood why spain hasnt taken advantage of their huge land mass, central and coastal position, their weather and their resources and become some kind of european manufacturing centre. encouraging all international businesses to set up there??

Jo xxx

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