The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Central Banks across the globe have looked into their toolboxes and seen they've only got hammers. Unfortunately that means you and I are all seen as nails. Joining me to discuss the macroeconomic policy that is wreaking havoc, the weak politics and the crash to come, is Russian-Irish Economics Professor in Denver, Constantin Gurdgiev.

We also discuss the US midterm elections, the hope in the "non-aligned" countries, immigration as untapped potential and the war in Ukraine.

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This week we read, with some dismay, a factually inaccurate and legally dubious article about the plight of refugees in Ireland and the State's response. One of the people who called it out was Irish Immigration and Human Rights lawyer, Wendy Lyon, and she kindly joined us to talk all about it.

We discussed Ireland's obligations under international and EU law, the "war-torn countries" red herring and the insanity of charging rent to people living in our inhumane Direct Provision system.

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This week join us as we have our weekly girly catch up/group therapy session. We review new movie releases like the Woman King before getting into the glorification of serial killers. We share our opinions on the true crime genre and whether we’re desensitised as a society. Follow us on Instagram & TikTok @BuiltDiffPod

TW: Sensitive topics, true crime

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In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to James O Toole, a resident of Tathony House, where over 30 apartments with up to 100 people, including families and children have been served with an eviction notice by their landlord.

This is a mass eviction that has echoes of the famine evictions in Ireland. James explains the residents are terrified about where they will go - as there is no where affordably to rent. There are vital workers here including people who work in St James' hospital.

What have we become as a country when working people cannot get a secure home? The council should buy up the units and keep tenants in their homes. Support the Tathony House residents. Stop the evictions. Enough is Enough.

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They said it couldn't be done and that is unconstitutional. And yet here we are. We talk with barrister and legal officer with Threshold, Gavin Elliott, about the eviction winter moratorium and what is good in it and what might be not so good.

We look at how overcrowding is both measured and not counted and we ask if the IPOA might do us all a favour by taking a case against the temporary eviction ban.

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack - there's lots of extras all in one place and you'd be helping keep shows like this on air.

This week's guest Danielle Roberts is currently researching a PhD on barriers to political participation among women from a Protestant, unionist and loyalist background. Her work focuses on feminist activism and she is involved with Belfast Feminist Network and Reclaim the Night.

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Thanks to Sam Mcilwaine, Shamim Malekmian, Harry McEvansoneys and Lynn Boylan for joining me this week to get stuck into the events of the week.

We talk Homelessness now at 11k, Mother and Baby Home Redress flaws, the ECB going full Bank of England, the UVF and UDA making very worrying statements, the State failing to act on its own laws, a Sinn Féin Cllr's divisive comments, more delays for people stuck in the asylum process and can Elon Musk make the hellsite twitter even worse.

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Mother and Baby Homes link:https://www.iccl.ie/take-action/standwithsurvivors/

Shamim's piece we discussed:https://dublininquirer.com/2022/10/19/people-whose-asylum-claims-have-been-rejected-and-turn-to-the-courts-for-help-face-familiar-delays

Joining us to discuss the ongoing issues people affected by the Mother and Baby Homes and the Govts redress scheme and the tracing system is Social Democrats TD, Holly Cairns.

She outlines the gaps and penny-pinching structures that the current coalition are calling "the biggest redress scheme in the history of the State".

Note: It falls way short given the wrongs done and still been covered up. Raise your voice here:https://www.iccl.ie/take-action/standwithsurvivors/

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It's been quite an eventful day and around here we are used to eventful days, but this one stood out a bit.

We have had statements from every quarter, we have had recalls and deadlines.

But what we don't have is a working Executive or election date (not quite yet).

We chat about the de ja vu of Northern Ireland politics, the need for constructive ways of dealing with the situation and the current mood.

You'll probably here frustration and a tone of resignation in our voices.

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(Note: Ep11 with Danielle Roberts is out now for members)

This weekend Brazil heads back to the polls and it's not unfair to say that there's a lot at stake. Supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro and his opponent Lula Da Silva have clashed and people have been murdered as the world looks on wondering which way the scales will tip. Inflation, inequality and food insecurity are all on the ballot, as well as the neoliberal autocrat Bolsonaro versus the Workers Party's legacy in Brazil.

Joining me to discuss all of this, the impact it can have on the Region and what is potentially ahead this weekend is journalist and our regular Latin American contributor, Nicholas Dale Leal.

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