Argentina is a lovely place. The inflation is a little high, but economically it’s actually one of the better parts of South America – if only they’d get a handle on the inflation. Have I mentioned the inflation? Seriously, the inflation in Argentina is really, really bad.
The last riots ( I know about ) were in January, following a series of power black outs, but it was relatively mild and not so much “riots” as it was just opportunistic looting. It’s otherwise a fairly democratic country with a very high rating on the human development index and after a series of interesting reforms by the last president (Nestor Kircher? Husband of the current president, anyhow) they began prosecuting Junta related crimes again (and I believe there was a “purge” of military officers with questionable human rights records), which I find pretty commendable on a sort of looking-back-at-the-past-and-dealing-with-it-level.
Seriously, they haven’t had really bad riots for a long time. It’s a very stable country. I think the current president has been in power for… 10 years? 11?
The fun thing is the “debt” crisis is not technically a debt crisis – they’ve actually paid back the IMF in full, so what’s left is government bonds that they can’t match because of the rising inflation and them being at a pretty high monetary mark compared to their perceived value. The economy crashed in 2002-ish, people bought the suddenly almost worthless government bonds, they recovered, and now the bonds are worth more than the country is willing to pay. Technically, they’ve already solved it for a fairly large part of the holders by restructuring the government bonds system in… 2006? 2005? I swear, I read a paper on this at some point. Anyway, that meant that instead of the vastly increased money pay outs for the government bonds, they settled it a really reduced price that was argued as “more fair” (ie, not a result of buying the bonds after a crash where they were technically undervalued).
Only you have a bunch of hedge funds that argue that, well, that’s bad luck for Argentina and they should pay the full current price for the bonds, and if they can’t, they should find some other way. So they are literally seizing assets. There was a navy ship in Ghana ( Not really military, it was a three masted training vessel for sailors ) that was siezed and held by repo men while stopping for restocking.
I just… Think about that for a bit. Because of the workings of hedge fund, what is technically a military vessel of a sovereign nation was impounded. I swear I’ve read terrible dystopic cyberpunk stories about corporate dominance that starts like that.
Howard Bannister
10 years ago
Hilariously bad reporting, or reporting angled in such a way as to serve the vested interests of the monied elite?
(this sounds like a rhetorical question, but it is not; although it’s what I expect, since said monied elite owns most of the media, I try not to just assume such without evidence… no, really, I try not to be cynical, I really try)
Marie
10 years ago
@Ally
that sucks 🙁 I hope you can manage to see your siblings away from your dad sometime
@pallygirl
Now I’m scared I’m going to basically be seen as a wimp from the fucking aching and pain. I had few pain issues in the first week after surgery, having this start in the second week has been an unexpected and horrible experience.
Idk, I don’t have any advice, but I don’t really think being in pain makes you a wimp?
Sadly, the surgery wasn’t good news and I am waiting to hear if I need chemo. It’s another three weeks of waiting for an appointment for that.
Oh, that really sucks 🙁 Sending all the internet hugs you want and good thoughts your way.
@fatman
I don’t have any advice, sorry, but sending good thoughts to both you and the16 year old girl you know.
Argenti Aertheri
10 years ago
Pallygirl — best wishes!
Ally — sounds like your brother is at least sorta on your side, given what he said to your sisters.
Fatman — try googling “Pandora’s Aquarium” — I think they have a section on how to support survivors.
Contrapangloss — “I like you as a friend, and I wouldn’t want to risk endangering that by becoming more than friends” — gets across that you value the friendship, that he’s done nothing wrong, and you like things just the way they are // were pre-awkwardness. And congrats!
My 55g tank died yesterday, three surviving cories. They spent the day in quarantine and are now settling into the 29g. 29’s fine, Puff is fine, no FUCKING clue wtf happened to kill ~30 fish overnight.
I’m attempting to console myself with the thought that 55g is big enough for some of the more exotic fish I’ve long wanted. But then I feel like a jerk — like I’m replacing them instead of mourning.
Lea
10 years ago
I’m sorry your fish died, Argenti. You aren’t a jerk.
I’m attempting to console myself with the thought that 55g is big enough for some of the more exotic fish I’ve long wanted. But then I feel like a jerk — like I’m replacing them instead of mourning.
I don’t think you’ll be replacing them. I usually get more pets after mine die, not because I want to replace them, but because I like having pets. I think it’s very possible for you to both get more fishies and be sad that the old tank died.
Lea
10 years ago
The kids are in the wading pool with our lab mix and I’m sitting here with my laptop and an iced coffee watching them be adorable. They’re all going to smell of wet dog, but it’s worth it.
marinerachel
10 years ago
The neighbour children and a couple of their friends were in the creek, catching frogs the other day. Usually they’re welcome to come over as they provide many rofls. When I saw stomp in the dining room from the back patio, smelling of frogs I shouted “NOPE!” I made a “STOP” sign with my hands and then pointed them back out the door. Hell no are they coming in for carbonated beverages smelling like frogs, all mucky. They sprayed each other off in the backyard and then forgot they’d come over to visit and ran back to their house, leaving the hose running. My feels. They were shattered.
Speaking of hilarious, I think I could have been clearer before. I’m actually born, raised and resident of Argentina (and this feels awkwardly like “coming out” as Argie or something?)
This also causes me an instinctive feeling of kinship every time I read Argenti’s name (also sorry about your fishies, hugs if you want them).
Since this was a ruling in the US, I wanted to know if it was heard of at all in the news or anywhere. And, well, what is the general view of those who do cover the subject.
However, I’m really glad I failed to express it because I really enjoyed your description and gave me exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for: proof that reasonable information still reaches reasonable people and not all hope is gone 😀
I agree with most of your statements (I LOLed about inflation) and as for the “debt crisis”, the most common version around is: the potential crisis would be that, if a payment is made for the full price of the bond to anyone (say, 1.300 million to the holders which are on trial), then everyone else is entitled to an equal arrangment and that would be sort of out of control.
That clause expires on december 2014 (mere coincidence?)
Hilariously bad reporting, or reporting angled in such a way as to serve the vested interests of the monied elite?
Hell yeah, I think it’s a bit of of both. The spot I saw was obviously financial lords propaganda.
Like MRAs, it’s hilarious in its dark, soulless way.
My problem is that monied elites here are in possession of the vast majority of media (now it has been partially dismantled but only got so far). So the most common media are a hostile echo chamber in which Fox News guys would feel totally at home and the story goes the country is on fire and in perpetual risk of collapsing (a reasonable fear considering the past, but exploited to ridiculous extremes).
So it’s refreshing to know it’s not so bad that anyone from the outside can’t see through it.
I just… Think about that for a bit. Because of the workings of hedge fund, what is technically a military vessel of a sovereign nation was impounded
Yes! The legendary Fragata Libertad! They kidnapped our own floating Lady Liberty, the bastards!
And the media here (and many political figures too, sadly) applauded them and blamed everything on the Presidenta. So it gets disheartening from time to time.
Thank you everyone, I felt more at home than ever at Mammoth today <3
Oh, Blockquote Mammoth, I missed you too! *blows a kiss*
Argenti Aertheri
10 years ago
Thanks everyone! Hugs are welcome, most of the fish in that tank were nearly literally my babies — born and raised in my tanks.
Luzbelitx — as much as I appreciate the feeling of kinship, it’s misplaced. Argenti is silver in Latin, I’m one of the many US folks around here (from the pics I’ve seen, your country is lovely)
Hahaha I didn’t mean I felt kinship for you personally, but that it arose every time I read your name.
Thanks for the clarification, I always liked my country’s name because of its origin in Latin (although it got is name because that’s where the Spanish stole the silver… but even that, is part of our story).
Sorry in advance if anything else I said comes off wrong, I feel I can’t English brain good today.
Marie
10 years ago
@mildymagnificent +katz
thanks guys. I’m not actually sure how to ask this as advice, but basically I’ve been having work-ish troubles.
Long story short: I was going be working be working for someone this summer (I worked for her lasst spring but she cancelled the thing which was both good and bad cuz bad i need money but good cuz I’ve been so depressed I dn’t even knwo if I could work
she tried to txt me monday night, asking if I could be over there the very nxt day and I didn’t even see it until this afternoon, which means shes probably already mad at me for not responding.
I’m super stressed out. I don’t even know if she wants me to come back wendsday, dont even wkno if I can be around two kids (its babysitting) without freaking out,, feeling bad b/c I said I could be back up. but also like she gave me no warning whatsoever.
I just don’t know what to do.
@Luzbelitx
you didn’t come of bad to me, if you’re worrying.
hellkell
10 years ago
You guys had no definite plans and she’d already cancelled you? She gave you no warning, I wouldn’t feel too bad. It sucks that something may come up leaving her in the lurch, but you’re not psychic.
hellkell
10 years ago
And I doubt she’s pissed unless she’s a totally unreasonable person who expects you to be around whenever on the off chance she might need you.
pallygirl
10 years ago
@Marie: I don’t think that people have any right to be cross if someone misses a text message from them. If it’s important – ring the person and talk to them. Just let her know that you don’t check texts routinely, and you’re sorry you missed her’s until now. That way, you apologise for missing it but don’t apologise for how you handle text messages. Does that seem an okay way to approach her?
@Argenti: thanks, and sorry to hear about the fish. I don’t think you’re being unfeeling with how you want to move on with the fish. Their deaths were completely unexpected, and you mourn them, which is what most people wouldn’t do. Whatever way you feel like going is the best way for you to go. I don’t think there is a correct way to proceed, other than what makes you feel better. Does that help?
We Hunted The Mammoth
Hi everyone, I wanted to know if any of you heard about the US Supreme Court ruling regarding Argentina’s debt crisis.
I was watching the news yesterday and they showed a TV spot for the US depicting Argentina as a country in flames and constant riots.
Since I know a few of us are interested in politics and certain international issues, I wanted to check what’s the general knowledge on the subject.
General knowledge zip here, Luzbelitx. (For me, I mean, in Australia: I’d be surprised if it was covered outside financial pages here, if that.)
But that’s hilarious(ly bad reporting)
Argentina is a lovely place. The inflation is a little high, but economically it’s actually one of the better parts of South America – if only they’d get a handle on the inflation. Have I mentioned the inflation? Seriously, the inflation in Argentina is really, really bad.
The last riots ( I know about ) were in January, following a series of power black outs, but it was relatively mild and not so much “riots” as it was just opportunistic looting. It’s otherwise a fairly democratic country with a very high rating on the human development index and after a series of interesting reforms by the last president (Nestor Kircher? Husband of the current president, anyhow) they began prosecuting Junta related crimes again (and I believe there was a “purge” of military officers with questionable human rights records), which I find pretty commendable on a sort of looking-back-at-the-past-and-dealing-with-it-level.
Seriously, they haven’t had really bad riots for a long time. It’s a very stable country. I think the current president has been in power for… 10 years? 11?
The fun thing is the “debt” crisis is not technically a debt crisis – they’ve actually paid back the IMF in full, so what’s left is government bonds that they can’t match because of the rising inflation and them being at a pretty high monetary mark compared to their perceived value. The economy crashed in 2002-ish, people bought the suddenly almost worthless government bonds, they recovered, and now the bonds are worth more than the country is willing to pay. Technically, they’ve already solved it for a fairly large part of the holders by restructuring the government bonds system in… 2006? 2005? I swear, I read a paper on this at some point. Anyway, that meant that instead of the vastly increased money pay outs for the government bonds, they settled it a really reduced price that was argued as “more fair” (ie, not a result of buying the bonds after a crash where they were technically undervalued).
Only you have a bunch of hedge funds that argue that, well, that’s bad luck for Argentina and they should pay the full current price for the bonds, and if they can’t, they should find some other way. So they are literally seizing assets. There was a navy ship in Ghana ( Not really military, it was a three masted training vessel for sailors ) that was siezed and held by repo men while stopping for restocking.
I just… Think about that for a bit. Because of the workings of hedge fund, what is technically a military vessel of a sovereign nation was impounded. I swear I’ve read terrible dystopic cyberpunk stories about corporate dominance that starts like that.
Hilariously bad reporting, or reporting angled in such a way as to serve the vested interests of the monied elite?
(this sounds like a rhetorical question, but it is not; although it’s what I expect, since said monied elite owns most of the media, I try not to just assume such without evidence… no, really, I try not to be cynical, I really try)
@Ally
that sucks 🙁 I hope you can manage to see your siblings away from your dad sometime
@pallygirl
Idk, I don’t have any advice, but I don’t really think being in pain makes you a wimp?
Oh, that really sucks 🙁 Sending all the internet hugs you want and good thoughts your way.
@fatman
I don’t have any advice, sorry, but sending good thoughts to both you and the16 year old girl you know.
Pallygirl — best wishes!
Ally — sounds like your brother is at least sorta on your side, given what he said to your sisters.
Fatman — try googling “Pandora’s Aquarium” — I think they have a section on how to support survivors.
Contrapangloss — “I like you as a friend, and I wouldn’t want to risk endangering that by becoming more than friends” — gets across that you value the friendship, that he’s done nothing wrong, and you like things just the way they are // were pre-awkwardness. And congrats!
My 55g tank died yesterday, three surviving cories. They spent the day in quarantine and are now settling into the 29g. 29’s fine, Puff is fine, no FUCKING clue wtf happened to kill ~30 fish overnight.
I’m attempting to console myself with the thought that 55g is big enough for some of the more exotic fish I’ve long wanted. But then I feel like a jerk — like I’m replacing them instead of mourning.
I’m sorry your fish died, Argenti. You aren’t a jerk.
Poor fishies.
@Argenti
Sorry about your fishies 🙁
I don’t think you’ll be replacing them. I usually get more pets after mine die, not because I want to replace them, but because I like having pets. I think it’s very possible for you to both get more fishies and be sad that the old tank died.
The kids are in the wading pool with our lab mix and I’m sitting here with my laptop and an iced coffee watching them be adorable. They’re all going to smell of wet dog, but it’s worth it.
The neighbour children and a couple of their friends were in the creek, catching frogs the other day. Usually they’re welcome to come over as they provide many rofls. When I saw stomp in the dining room from the back patio, smelling of frogs I shouted “NOPE!” I made a “STOP” sign with my hands and then pointed them back out the door. Hell no are they coming in for carbonated beverages smelling like frogs, all mucky. They sprayed each other off in the backyard and then forgot they’d come over to visit and ran back to their house, leaving the hose running. My feels. They were shattered.
Argenti – So sorry about your fishes. 🙁
guys can I ask for some advice here?
Marie: Of course.
Just ask, Marie. If we can help, we will.
And even if we can’t, there are hugs and fluffy, furry things aplenty.
@Fibinachi
Thank you so much for your answer!
Speaking of hilarious, I think I could have been clearer before. I’m actually born, raised and resident of Argentina (and this feels awkwardly like “coming out” as Argie or something?)
This also causes me an instinctive feeling of kinship every time I read Argenti’s name (also sorry about your fishies, hugs if you want them).
Since this was a ruling in the US, I wanted to know if it was heard of at all in the news or anywhere. And, well, what is the general view of those who do cover the subject.
However, I’m really glad I failed to express it because I really enjoyed your description and gave me exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for: proof that reasonable information still reaches reasonable people and not all hope is gone 😀
I agree with most of your statements (I LOLed about inflation) and as for the “debt crisis”, the most common version around is: the potential crisis would be that, if a payment is made for the full price of the bond to anyone (say, 1.300 million to the holders which are on trial), then everyone else is entitled to an equal arrangment and that would be sort of out of control.
That clause expires on december 2014 (mere coincidence?)
Hell yeah, I think it’s a bit of of both. The spot I saw was obviously financial lords propaganda.
Like MRAs, it’s hilarious in its dark, soulless way.
My problem is that monied elites here are in possession of the vast majority of media (now it has been partially dismantled but only got so far). So the most common media are a hostile echo chamber in which Fox News guys would feel totally at home and the story goes the country is on fire and in perpetual risk of collapsing (a reasonable fear considering the past, but exploited to ridiculous extremes).
So it’s refreshing to know it’s not so bad that anyone from the outside can’t see through it.
Oh, Blockquote Mammoth, I missed you too! *blows a kiss*
Thanks everyone! Hugs are welcome, most of the fish in that tank were nearly literally my babies — born and raised in my tanks.
Luzbelitx — as much as I appreciate the feeling of kinship, it’s misplaced. Argenti is silver in Latin, I’m one of the many US folks around here (from the pics I’ve seen, your country is lovely)
Hahaha I didn’t mean I felt kinship for you personally, but that it arose every time I read your name.
Thanks for the clarification, I always liked my country’s name because of its origin in Latin (although it got is name because that’s where the Spanish stole the silver… but even that, is part of our story).
I meant “stole the silver from”.
Sorry in advance if anything else I said comes off wrong, I feel I can’t English brain good today.
@mildymagnificent +katz
thanks guys. I’m not actually sure how to ask this as advice, but basically I’ve been having work-ish troubles.
Long story short: I was going be working be working for someone this summer (I worked for her lasst spring but she cancelled the thing which was both good and bad cuz bad i need money but good cuz I’ve been so depressed I dn’t even knwo if I could work
she tried to txt me monday night, asking if I could be over there the very nxt day and I didn’t even see it until this afternoon, which means shes probably already mad at me for not responding.
I’m super stressed out. I don’t even know if she wants me to come back wendsday, dont even wkno if I can be around two kids (its babysitting) without freaking out,, feeling bad b/c I said I could be back up. but also like she gave me no warning whatsoever.
I just don’t know what to do.
@Luzbelitx
you didn’t come of bad to me, if you’re worrying.
You guys had no definite plans and she’d already cancelled you? She gave you no warning, I wouldn’t feel too bad. It sucks that something may come up leaving her in the lurch, but you’re not psychic.
And I doubt she’s pissed unless she’s a totally unreasonable person who expects you to be around whenever on the off chance she might need you.
@Marie: I don’t think that people have any right to be cross if someone misses a text message from them. If it’s important – ring the person and talk to them. Just let her know that you don’t check texts routinely, and you’re sorry you missed her’s until now. That way, you apologise for missing it but don’t apologise for how you handle text messages. Does that seem an okay way to approach her?
@Argenti: thanks, and sorry to hear about the fish. I don’t think you’re being unfeeling with how you want to move on with the fish. Their deaths were completely unexpected, and you mourn them, which is what most people wouldn’t do. Whatever way you feel like going is the best way for you to go. I don’t think there is a correct way to proceed, other than what makes you feel better. Does that help?