Hard Times Ahead

By Maidhc Ó Cathail. Published in Kansai Time Out, February 2009.

2008 was the worst year for the Japanese economy for a long time. Exports were down 27 percent from the previous year, and the country experienced its largest trade deficit in nearly three decades. Industrial production fell by 8.1 percent from October to November last year, the greatest ever monthly drop since such data was first recorded in 1953. Unemployment increased by 100,000 to 3.9 percent, a figure which is deceptively low since it doesn’t include those who have already given up looking for work. Will 2009 be any better? Or might it be even worse?

Wall Street – The Real Government

By Maidhc Ó Cathail. Published in Beo! January 2009.

The events on Wall Street since September 2008 have taken many by surprise, not least the “experts” in the mainstream media. It was all too predictable, however, if people knew the nature of the financial system, whom it benefits, and how they shape the political process.

No Change for the Palestinians

By Maidhc Ó Cathail. Published in Beo! December 2008.

“Change we can believe in” – whatever is meant by “change” – was the marketing slogan of Barack Obama’s successful presidential election campaign. The next president of the United States quickly let it be known, however, that there would be no change in American policy toward Israel, with his first appointment as White House Chief of Staff – Rahm Emanuel.