"The coercion and consequences of a common currency are beginning to divide European peoples permanently," said the statement. "Not every means is permitted to save the euro - and those who want to save the euro at any price risk the price being Europe."

Given that the ESM was the only reason the Irish were persuaded to vote for the Stability Treaty, a failure by Germany to ratify the ESM would be regarded as a breach of trust of the highest order.

But for German firms to lobby against the ESM seems like turkeys voting for Christmas, given that they have been the primary beneficiaries of the Euro.

operative words: 'have been'

the glory days of local rich(ly indebted) local consumer markets are done, kaput... on to the new bric frontier!

we're tapped out for now, and will be until/unless we put finance back in the padded cell again, and change the energy paradigm.

they could lend us more fake money to buy more audis, but they have seen the writing on the wall, the payback will be too amortised, too far off into the future horizon to be even remotely virtual.

party's over, best to leave before the cops arrive to mop up the blood and glass shards.

The power of knowledge is in mortal combat with the knowledge of power. It really is that simple... That's the Edenic apple we are all munching on.