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Occupy Wall Street movement reopens foreclosed homes
From Reuters Dec 10, 2011:
Empty homes were the target of this latest protest by the Occupy Wall Street Movement. In this case their attention was focussed on four homes abandoned or foreclosed in an area of New York they say is among the worst hit by the financial crisis. SOUNDBITE: Senia Barragan, protest organiser, saying (English): “The foreclosure and underwater rates in this particular community is three times higher and any other region of Brooklyn and five times higher than New York state and so really we’re bringing the Occupy movement to ground Zero.” Alfredo Carrasquillo and his family were among the protesters. They’ve taken up residence in one of the district’s vacant properties. The protesters threw a housewarming party to press home their demands for fewer repossessions and more affordable housing. SOUNDBITE: Alfredo Carrasquillo, protester, saying (English) “We took matters into our own hands and claimed back property that was taken away from the community.” Some of the residents in this Brooklyn neighbourhood were happy to see the protesters. SOUNDBITE: George Herivaux, resident, saying (English): “I think it’s great, I love it, I think it’s great. Yes, more often because we need it out here. People are losing their homes, the cops are out here dogging us, we need it out here.” The Occupy Wall Street movement began staging demonstrations in September in a backlash against the billions of dollars given to banks. They say the banks are raking in huge profits again while average Americans have no relief from high unemployment and a struggling economy. Paul Chapman, Reuters
Tween a rock and a hard place
Nine-year-old Noah Cyrus? Had anyone actually heard of her until a tidal wave of righteous indignation engulfed the recent launch of her clothing range? Miley Cyrus’ (of Hannah Montana fame) kid sister and her parents allegedly signalled clear clothing line intent at a Halloween party last year when Noah appeared decked out in a black [...]
Writing in clear English: top ten tips
Want to write clearly, right from the start? Then you need to plan, write and edit in equal measure. Here are Clear Ink’s top tips for getting your message across. www.clearink.ie Writing and speaking are tools for communicating a message. That’s it. Yet so many things – jargon, legalese, academic-speak, overly formal or informal language, [...]
Tainted language
Old fashioned legalese isn¹t just frustrating to read, it can also lead to some pretty serious misgivings on the part of the people it is meant to serve. Surely it¹s time plain English made its way into our legal and political system.
Frustrated customer speaks out
Dear Strong Language, No one understands me! What can I do? I’m a good customer, really I am, but sometimes when my bank, solicitor and other service providers contact me, I feel like they’re talking another language. My post-box is jammed with letters that say things like: “I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September [...]
Welfare as tragi-farce
Friday, July 13, 2007 Scene: A social welfare office in Ballythisis- progress. Ten staffed customer-service hatches line the far wall. The first person in the queue, a very nervous, bald, middle-aged man, looks down at his wet, scuffed shoes. Behind a shiny glass partition, two Government ministers sit back-to-back to ensure a full view of [...]
‘Generation Text’ and the skills gap
The Irish Times Business This Week, May 4th 2007 Businesses have identified a significant deficit among employees and are struggling to remedy it, writes Margaret E.Ward Bertie is trying to tell me something. Every time I walk along a street or drive my car, his gaze follows me from those election posters. At home, Bertie [...]
Paying for jargon
If you remember the first time you received pocket money, or had a warm coin pressed into your palm by a relative, you’ll remember the thrill of spending it, writes Margaret E. WardIf, like me, you blew it all on sweets down the corner shop, you may also remember the tummy ache that followed. That [...]
Paying for jargon
If you remember the first time you received pocket money, or had a warm coin pressed into your palm by a relative, you’ll remember the thrill of spending it.
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