Never Underestimate How Well A Greek Politician Can Surprise.

He's getting tired. He hates being questioned. His majority is hanging on three seats. He has had to deal with riot after riot in the form of strikes and protests. He's afraid of another election.

He's latest agreement with the EU has resulted in a potential aid package that comes with heavy demands on Greeks. So, what does he do? He calls for a referendum (the legality of which some are questioning). He's giving the people a chance to say "yea" or "nay" to the deal.

He's taking a big risk -- for himself, his party, the people, and the country. If he wins the referendum, he will look real good but he'll be doing something that he could have done and decided with the vote. If he loses the referendum, even though he is appealing to the honor and wisdom and fairness of Greeks -- well, if he loses -- all bets are off as to what happens next.

Will he resign? Will the riots and protests grow? Will the EU walk away and let Greece hang? It's anybody's guess.

You can be sure the "nays" will be more out for this vote than the "yea" voters. No date set yet to my knowledge. The attached article and video from the link below give you an excellent perspective of what's going on -- in a word, "confusion".

As a true Greek, the Prime Minister has chosen the path of "true democracy" very conveniently.

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Greece to hold referendum on EU aid package - Europe - Al Jazeera English

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Helga & Her Bar Help To Explain the Mess We're In

This is a wonderfully easy little story to follow -- but it explains the whole mess we're in economically -- it explains the U.S., Greece (in a way), and our general global economic disaster. It may even cause you to start drinking if you don't -- after all, it seems to me reading this story that the winners were Helga's unemployed patrons. It was a good ride for them while it lasted.

http://freedombrotherhood.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/63/

[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

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Ford TV Ad Slams Auto Bailouts - Big Business Speaks Out Creatively

You have to love this ad. Okay, if you're a Democrat, you probably don't -- but even a Democrat can give this one full marks for creativity. Oh wait, to Democrats creativity is only good when it promotes the goals of the left.

Anyway, you have to see this advertisement. It's amazing in two ways: First, the company is willing to have someone say that and secondly, they likely know they may lose some potential buyers -- like the union members who build their cars. But then again, I doubt very much that union members will give up the great discounts they get in buying one of their employer's automobiles just because the employer is taking a shot at their idol President -- no, no that's idol, not idle.

Take a look and enjoy. Then comment please.

Ford TV Ad Slams Obama Auto Bailouts - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)

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This Will Make Many Europeans Who Bailed Greece Out Very Happy

So much for separation of church and state.  Clearly not the case in Greece.  And no, we're not talking about the Greek Orthodox faith.   Take a look.   This is the country that didn't recognize my parents Protestant marriage as legitimate and declared me illegitimate many years ago, because we weren't Greek Orthodox.  Oh well, these days they'll even spend up to 15 million dollars of the money they don't have (or the money they recently got from their European bailout) to help any religion out.   That's pretty wise thinking from the cradle of democracy.  Not.

Sorry, my Greek friends and relatives -- you guys should be causing a "Greek Spring" over this.

Building To Be Reconstructed Into Mosque For Muslim Community In Athens | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

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The Nitty-Gritty Details of the Greek Bailout

A well written article on the details. Well worth it for getting a rounded understanding of what is going on and why and the possible implications. Things look much better for now. Europeans can breathe for the rest of the summer.

BBC News - Eurozone agrees new 109bn euros Greek bailout

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Greece: Mixed . . . and Very Serious . . . Messages . . .

Yes, George Papandreou's re-shuffled government received a vote of confidence in the Greek Parliament gaining 155 out of 300 votes.  Nothing to write to the New York Times about.  But still, it works for now.  Next Wednesday comes the big vote in the Parliament about the very austerity measures themselves.

There is still controversy (and I haven't been able to determine for sure) on the issue of whether the Greek members of Parliament have actually taken a personal financial hit themselves to lead the way.  So far, the overwhelming informal poll of people and internet sites I've checked with seems to indicate, "no, they have not".  As long as this continues, you can force people to follow the laws, but they'll continue to work to defeat the system you have set up.  (If you know of contrary evidence, please share it with us here.)

Anyway, yesterday's vote is a small move in the right direction for Greece to get its next bailout and keep it from defaulting.  Still, one just doesn't know if a) that will ever happen and b) how long it will last if it does.

Meanwhile, as you will see from the link to today's blog, some of the "smart money" and the experts are basically saying, "no way, Greece is bound to default"  and others will join them.  Those are strong predictions from some influential people.

The good news is that the same people are also saying it won't be the end of civilization as we know it if Greece defaults.  But they haven't said that won't be the case if some other countries in Europe (which they haven't named) also follow Greece's suit and default themselves.  Anyway, while Greece's impact may be minimal, we need to keep in mind the "elephant in the room" that just may cause a bigger stir if it defaults soon and that's the United States.  But hey, we have a few more weeks before that scenario is finalized by either congress lifting the debt ceiling or not.  Yes, they're working on the nitty-gritty right now and very little room for politics is left.

Keep on watching.   For those that are Christians, it's all interesting but not alarming.  Just keep on trucking in the course you've been led to follow as you read scripture and utilizing the knowledge, skills, passions, and values that God has instilled in your heart.  That's the safest non-financial advice I can give you or anyone else, including myself.

http://business.financialpost.com/2011/06/22/smart-money-says-greek-default-inevitable/

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