Greece Privatization may miss its target

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece may miss its target for privatization revenues next year because of the worsening economic climate in Europe, the head of the agency responsible for selling state assets said in an interview to be published on Sunday.

Greece's repeated failure to meet budget targets including for privatization revenues has angered international lenders, raising questions about whether they will continue indefinitely to keep the country afloat with bailout loans.

Costas Mitropoulos, head of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, told the Kathimerini newspaper the privatization revenue target of 9.3 billion euros ($12.3 billion) for 2012 was "achievable," based on the draft budget assumptions.

"But reality will show whether these assumptions were right. In order to be able to sell, there should be buyers," he said, noting that even Germany failed this week to sell all its bonds at an auction.

"If this (difficult economic) situation continues, then it is certain that it will be difficult for us to find buyers for our assets."

Greece initially agreed with its international lenders to raise five billion euros from state asset sales this year. But government delays in setting up the privatization fund and imploding market values on the Athens bourse forced the government to cut the target to 4 billion euros.

Now Greece is seen raising only about 1.8 billion euros this year.

Under the terms of last year's 110 billion euro bailout, Greece is meant to sell state assets worth 50 billion euros by 2015 to convince its lenders it is serious about reforming its uncompetitive economy and also to shoulder part of the cost.

Stephano Barberis - Bravo sou !!

(November 21, 2011) - Stephano Barberis has collected his 13th consecutive BCCMA for Video Director Of The Year last night at The Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam, BC.  The win was based on music videos for Doc Walker, Melissa Rae Barrie, Adaline, and Marlee Scott. 

This award makes the director's buckling mantle look like a small glass mountain range.  Barberis' total hardware of 21 Video and Directorial awards out of over 50 nominations further crystallizes his reputation of being one of the most, if not the most, winningest music video directors in Canadian history.

Stephano has just finished a cinematic music video for Default frontman Dallas Smith, and is in pre-production for three more in the next month, including ones for newcomers Samara Yung and Josh Macumber.  Of special note, Samara Yung's video will be the director's 100th.

Papademos - Souvlaki on a stick

By Markos N. Kaminis
www.WallStreetGreek.blogspot.com
http://www.wallstreetgreek.blogspot.ca/

It seems Greeks are coming to grips with the reality that their new leader, Lucas Papademos, may offer a different face to watch on television, but he comes with even stauncher support of the troika’s austerity medicine than the embattled George Papandreou. Indeed, the European Union’s man and once #2 at the European Central Bank (ECB) has openly stated that exit from the euro zone is not an option. Well, Greeks are learning that this means the austerity forced down their throats is also not clearing out. So, it seems, it may not be long before the popular support for Papademos turns out to actually be a sort of marinade.

Political jockeying ahead of a likely February election has Greece’s new Prime Minister, Lucas Papademos, being held out on a stick like a souvlaki cooking over the fires of Greek rioters, the IMF and Greece’s European brothers. Papandreou’s referendum concession was either a show of pure stupidity, unequivocal ethical heart or political genius. From the political perspective, Papandreou’s calling on the Greek people to decide whether to go forth with the European plan, and thus accept austerity and also ongoing euro zone membership, forced Greeks to take a second look at the situation and also at the PASOK Party. His stepping back has placed PASOK into a position that allows for potential reconciliation come election time.

New Democracy, not missing a beat and with its eye on February, has been publicly promoting an idea to ditch the digging austerity plan and to instead take a sort of American Republican approach to promote economic growth and trust in trickle-down economics; though the Greek version might look more like Chios mastic’s slow and painful ooze down a dry bark. The other, more radical parties are of course offering more radical solutions.

http://www.greeknewsonline.com/?p=18219
http://www.wallstreetgreek.blogspot.ca/

Minoan-era stone seal in Hania Crete

Hania.- An inscripted Minoan-era stone seal is the most important archaeological find made during this year’s excavations at the Minoan peak sanctuary on Mt. Vryssinas, south of the Cretan port city of Hania.

The deep red-coloured jasper quadrangular seal is the only — up to the present day — evidence of the presence of hieroglyphic Minoan script in western Crete.

This year alone, during the last excavation conducted on the north and northeastern slope of Vryssinas from July 4 to 15, a total of 820 figurines and a large quantity of clay items were discovered. These finds led to the designation of a wider area surrounding the sanctuary as an archaeological site.

Excavations in the area began in 2004, and the extended archaeological site now covers an area of 672 stremma (168 acres).

During the Geometric and Daedalian period (1100-620 BC) important cities such as Eleftherna and Axos (Oaxos), in the Mylopotamos area, flourished, while at the same time a settlement existed on Mount Vryssina, on the plateau of Onythe.

Peak sanctuaries are widespread throughout Crete, and were used for religious rites. In all the peak sanctuaries, most of which are found in eastern and east-central Crete, human and clay figurines have been found, while clay body parts, also called votive body parts, have been found in most of these open-air sanctuaries.

Mt. Vryssina was the most important peak sanctuary in western Crete, and dates from the Proto-palatial period (1900-1700 BC) to the end of the Minoan era (1450-1050 BC).

http://www.greeknewsonline.com/?p=18230

Will Samaras stop playing "Political games"

Nov. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Antonis Samaras, head of Greece’s New Democracy party, was told by the president of the European Commission to quit playing “political games” and drop his refusal to pledge written support for Greek budget cuts as a condition for the next installment of international aid.

“For the European Union and IMF to support, they need to be sure that this is for a sustainable effort,” commission President Jose Barroso said yesterday in a joint press conference with Greek Premier Lucas Papademos. “What we have to do now is to concentrate on implementation -- less politics and more commitment. It’s not just a sprint; it’s a marathon.”

The comment underscores mounting pressure on Samaras, whose party is a member of Greece’s unity government and who has balked at the demand for a written endorsement of budget cuts. He says he has told officials from the EU, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank that he has already taken five actions that show his full commitment to the austerity program, state-run Athens News Agency said on Nov. 19.

Greece needs a sixth disbursement of loans under last year’s 110 billion-euro ($148 billion) rescue and a planned second package of 130 billion euros to avoid economic collapse. The euro area and IMF, which are funding the two packages including the next payment of 8 billion euros, want Greece’s main political leaders including Samaras to commit to spending cuts beyond the life of the Papademos-led unity government.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-21/greece-s-samaras-told-to-quit-political-games-to-ensure-eu-aid.html

http://electionsmeter.com/polls/antonis-samaras?title=Greece

I Said A Prayer For You Today

I said a prayer for you today,

And know God must have heard.

I felt the answer in my heart

Although He spoke no word.

I didn't ask for wealth or fame,

I knew you wouldn't mind.

I asked Him to send treasures

Of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He'd be near you

At the start of each new day,

To grant you health and blessings

And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you

In all things great and small,

But it was for His loving care

I prayed the most of all.

Author Unknown
http://www.zazzle.ca/i_said_a_prayer_for_you_today_card-137295861254594085

In my life , I'll love you more - Beatles

There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I'll love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I'll love you more

Otan agapao agapao - Stanisi

Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival

Located 90 minutes east of Vancouver and just minutes from Harrison Hot Springs, the Harrison River is a short but major tributary of the Fraser River. It drains from Harrison Lake, just west of Harrison Hot Springs, passing by the communities of Chehalis and Harrison Mills before entering the Fraser just north of Chilliwack. But what makes the river a nature lover’s dream is its biodiversity and its ease of access to unique wildlife experiences.
The Harrison River also holds the impressive title of being the first officially designated Salmon Stronghold in Canada, with over 1.1 million Sockeye returning in 2011. As a result of this abundance of salmon, the Harrison River is a hotbed of bald eagle watching opportunities.
Every fall, thousands of bald eagles congregate at the Harrison River, making it one of the most spectacular bald eagle watching opportunities near Vancouver. In fact, it’s considered the third largest bald eagle gathering in all of North America! But the bald eagles wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the salmon.

For a truly incredible experience, visit the Harrison River this month. On November 19 and 20, the 16^thAnnual Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival will be happening at various participating venues throughout the Fraser Valley from Mission to Harrison Mills.

This two day family-friendly event celebrates the annual return of the bald eagles to the region where they can be seen feasting on the millions of spawning salmon. In 2010 there were 7000 bald eagles in an area that covers about 2 square miles, so you can only imagine the kind of abundance we’re talking about!

http://www.604pulse.com/2011/11/09/harrison-river-salmon-stronghold-wildlife-paradise/

One of my favorite groups multi talented - Ithikon Akmeotaton - AFIEROMENO

Greece’s new interim government comfortably won a vote of confidence

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/world/europe/interim-greek-government-wins-confidence-vote.html?_r=1
http://www.ekathimerini.com/

ATHENS — Greece’s new interim government comfortably won a vote of confidence on Wednesday, though the unity of the coalition, which must secure crucial rescue financing and save the country from default, appeared tenuous.

The government of Prime MinisterLucas Papademos, a former vice president of the European Central Bank, secured 255 votes in the 300-seat Parliament. In a poll conducted by roll call, 38 lawmaker voted against the government and seven were absent. Only three members in the three-party coalition — two from the Socialist party, Pasok, and one from a conservative party, New Democracy — voted against the government.

Speaking before the vote, Mr. Papademos appealed for the widest possible support for his administration’s bid to put the country’s fiscal house in order. “Each vote corresponds to a vote of responsibility to ensure that the effort to rescue the economy continues,” he said.

Planet Waves FM : Centaurs in the Fog

Planet Waves FM : Centaurs in the Fog
Today’s podcast is ready. Our current astrology is happening in two dimensions — many planets aspecting centaurs (Pholus, Chiron, Nessus) and then the Sun square Neptune. One is a wake up influence, the other is a fog over influence. Which one will win the day? There are other clues. Mars in Virgo is also saying pay attention to the details. Mars will be retrograde in Virgo fairly soon.
Free Weekly Audio Update - by Eric Francis

Welcome to Eric's weekly astrology audio, which updates every Wednesday.
It's part of the Daily Astrology & Adventure blog written by Eric and the
Planet Waves writing team. Check out Eric's other audio reports including birthday reports for each sign here. 

http://planetwaves.fm/current_sky/

"War Horse" is one of the great stories of friendship and war 


War Horse is the big screen adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's best selling children's novel of the same name. Previously adapted as an international hit theatrical play, Steven Spielberg has teamed up with DreamWorks Pictures to bring this epic adventure to a whole new audience of moviegoers.
War Horse is scheduled to be release in the United States for the Christmas season, 2011.

This is a tale of loyalty, hope and tenacity set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War. "War Horse" begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets—British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter—before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land.
The First World War is experienced through the journey of this horse—an odyssey of joy and sorrow, passionate friendship and high adventure. "War Horse" is one of the great stories of friendship and war - a successful book, it was turned into a hugely successful international theatrical hit that is currently on Broadway. It now comes to screen in an epic adaptation by one of the great directors in film history.

Anger is a sign of weakness

Many people think that patience is a sign of weakness. I think this is a mistake. It is anger that is a sign of weakness, whereas patience is a sign of strength. Dalai Lama

Anger is a sure sign of weakness. It’s a moment where you lost your awareness. It is also temporary madness.

Anger is a sign of your struggle with the present moment. You are angryWhen you fight against acceptance of the present moment . Anger is also a sign that you are helpless. Anger is a moment where you refuse to go with the flow and fight against the reality.

Anger is a sign of your inability to accept Insecurity or unpredictability of the situation. In-fact most of the times when you are angry it is not the situation which makes you angry – You get angry because of the deep fear to accept present situation. You get angry because somewhere your ego has been tremendously hurt.

Anger is also a sign of carrying past. Your inability to let go accumulates hurt points within you. Nobody has to do anything. You are already prepared to get hurt and get angry. When you start living from moment to moment in deep acceptance of the present moment there is very little chance of anger. When you start fighting with situations and existence you are preparing yourself for an angry energy.

Relax, accept and rejoice. Anger is a beautiful energy use it. Let me give you an exercise. If possible start recording for next 7 days your reasons for getting angry. List down all the situations and events which made you angry. You will be surprised to know that none of these situations demanded your anger. Also you will notice that irrespective of the situations you have cultivated habit of getting angry at the routine stuff for years. You have been addicted to the Anger, It has become necessary addiction for your survival. Without anger you feel impotent, weak and inferior.

You can’t do anything directly with anger. It’s an energy. All you can do is to watch it with awareness. The day you can catch anger is arising in you then you have learnt to master the anger. Till then you are just a slave to Anger

http://sureshg.wordpress.com/2006/09/01/anger-sign-of-weakness/

SRK you are an eagle........you were born to fly

Waiting to fly....that's all I have always wanted to fly.


Twitter post by SRK

2012 Neptune in Pisces

Forget the Armageddon-style Hollywood hype about 2012. The kinder, gentler spin on this much-discussed year is that it will be a time of spiritual enlightenment, compassion and elevated consciousness. Much of this has to do with the presence of healing, karmic and mystical Neptune’s presence in its home sign of Pisces. In February 2012, Neptune settles in for a 13-year journey, but guess what? Today we get a sneak preview! Neptune visits Pisces from April 4 through August 4, 2011, signaling an urgent need for L-O-V-E to heal our planet. 

As the ruler of compassion and the soother of suffering, Neptune also points out societal injustices. In fact, the last time Neptune was in Pisces was in 1848, when the Communist Manifesto was born and the second French Revolution began. We’re seeing echoes of these uprisings in the Middle East already. 

Sustainable and communal living, a less extreme version of the original Marxist philosophy, is on the rise, too. Check out the Slow Movement (www.slowmovement.com) for ideas on how to turn down the manic pace of modern life and reconnect with natural rhythms. Whole communities are actually implementing ideas like slow food, slow travel, and so on. Neptune in Pisces also reminds us of the wisdom of cyclical living, which civilization practiced for eons before our industrialized, high-tech world kicked into overdrive. 

Both Neptune and Pisces rule the sea, and indeed, issues like oil spills, tsunamis and the earth’s water supply have become pressing concerns. Check out the documentary “Blue Gold” for an Al Gore—style look at how bottled water and the water supply is becoming shady big business. (Neptune, help!) 

Human rights, animal rights, protecting Mother Earth … these will all be hot topics in the next 14 years. One of the major news stories over the past couple of days has been a horrifying (and heartbreaking) video of a corporate CEO killing an elephant in Africa for sport, which spurred a call for a boycott of his company. He’s unwittingly become the poster child for everything that Neptune in Pisces will radically reform. Both Neptune and Pisces dissolve boundaries, and this gruesome incident also reminds us of our interconnection to all living things. If you’ve never read “A Course in Miracles,” make it your Neptune-in-Pisces “book club pick.” Much of its philosophy is that human pain comes from feeling separated from each other spiritually. It argues that separation is a myth and that we are all one, whether we acknowledge it or not. 

One thing’s clear: the world’s “lightworkers” and “earth angels” are needed more than ever. (Side note: If you see 11:11 or 1:11 on the clock or in random places frequently, some believe that’s a sign that you’re a lightworker, here to heal humanity.) In fact, if you’re reading this blog, you’re probably an earth angel, too — you’ve got enough interest in the deeper meaning of life, your purpose and other people to be drawn to astrology. 

Between now and August, find ways that you can give back, even if that means doing just one small action for the good of humanity and the planet each day. Neptune reminds us: No matter how much you may be suffering, there’s always someone suffering more. Be proactive and compassionate wherever you go.
http://www.mylifetime.com/astrology/astrology-blog/neptune-in-pisces-2012-s-sneak-preview

Neptune has entered Pisces and represents our need to merge with something greater and trust in something bigger than seen in our reality. The connection with a more powerful source is found in nearly all cultures and spiritual beliefs. Seeking and trusting in a power beyond ourselves has a transforming impact on our lives.



Many of the alcoholic groups, practice this belief as part of their twelve step programme. Neptune in Pisces asks us to surrender, admitting powerlessness and unmanageability and break out of a self-defeating cycle of repeated patterns and habits. Some people seek relief through an ideology, love, and others seek this oblivion through substances such as alcohol or heroin, for the illusory state of oneness. 

When Neptune transits through Pisces we long to transcend our sense of limitation and individual separateness. The planet puts us in touch with the fact that we need to have faith, to take us through changing states of doubts and confusion. The last transit of Neptune occurred in 1847-1861 and spiritualism was born along with a growing interest in the occult, and the afterlife. The welfare of the poor and sick became a public concern. 

Neptune’s transit through Pisces occurred just after its discovery on 23 September 1846 at 26 degrees Aquarius conjunct Saturn on the same degree. When Neptune was at 0 degrees of Pisces in 1847 The American Medical Association was founded and is the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States. The AMA’s mission statement was to promote the art and science of medicine for the betterment of public health. 

We sometimes see ourselves as separate from other people and their suffering and with Neptune in Pisces we are asked to be more compassionate and imagine ourselves in the same position, we need to ‘feel’ we have an identification with the human race. Neptune represents the compassionate part of ourselves who wants to help those in need. http://theastrologyplace.blogspot.com/2011/04/neptune-in-pisces-2011-2025.html

Anastasia Fontaines

Anastasia Fontaines has worked in casting with Kirsten De Wolfe Casting located at Shoreline Studios as well as contributing to Eco Divas T.V., Pink Elephants, various organizations, foundations and causes. CEO of Angel Era Productions CEO and partner of Contrast United with Long time friend Lindsay Maxwell. Anastasia is currently (2010) developing and producing films as well as continuing her work as an actress, voice over artist and diverse performer.  Look for Anastasia playing the disturbed Ms. Dora in cult film Director Gregory Hatanaka’s “Violent Blue” Current Film in Development “Three Women Talking” where Anastasia plays lead role of Rachel (a role that was written for her)

Guys! It never ceases to amaze me how often the women's equality schtick is used in order for y'all to be LAZY and not be held accountable. 

I will insert a HUGE "For your information" before I continue with this. the FYI is I LOVE MEN. Now having said that I will continue


You have done a CRAP job of running our planet or governments our eco system and your short term memory and thinking does not serve the Greater Good of the Whole. So, really. Can you find it in yourselves to face this obvious truth and start empowering the Women Leaders in your world to take over and clean up absolute mess you have created. Guys, it is not in your MAKEUP to run countries and governments functionally. Get the girls out of cleaning the Kitchen and IN to cleaning up our WORLD. We know what we are doing in this department. It is time y'all came to terms with that.

SO, when your FEMININE and I don't mean (Margaret Thatcher) powerhouse, leader or politician comes to town or rises to the occasion to take over. SUPPORT her and move out of the way. Hand her the reigns. Let her do it.

If your company is a MESS, appoint the girl you know will do the job and do it right. Donate to women who are behind movements for your worlds children, environment, humanity for the Greater Good of the Whole. EMPOWER your Female Leaders. 

BUCK UP BOYS, then sit and watch things get better. 

Give Credit where credit is due and leave ego's at the door. This is now become about our existence and it is time you just cut the crap out and let the women do their thing.

Said with love.


well said Anastasia :-) We love you 2


"Step out of neurtic Love.Love someone how they are asking & really needing.JUST for them.Then step back and allow" Anastasia
http://www.anastasiafontaines.com/blog.html

Taurus Full Moon, 11/11/11 and Eclipse

http://www.astrograph.com/free-horoscope/configurations.php

The Full Moon of Thursday, November 10th – taking place at roughly noon on the West Coast – while intense, is almost deceptively quiet as well. So much is happening beneath the surface. It is in any case the nature of this phase to represent a flowering plateau of the driving vigor from the very beginning of the cycle, a balance point between the various forces surging around in support and in contrast to the originating impulse from the New Moon time. The push of that onrushing energy finds a comforting moment of calm. 

This particular configuration also has Mars opposed to Neptune, reminding us of a more laid back and cosmic perspective on all our experiences. Mars is at the same time also contra-parallel to Neptune, so that their brief opposition – lasting about a week – is quite potent. Mars with Neptune brings idealism very much to the fore, and heightens our ability to align compassionately to others, with also the possibility in working that out of deception or self-deception. 

The latent intensity comes from Uranus and Pluto, still square to each other and triggered by the Full Moonwhich makes minor aspects to each. Jupiter is also trine Pluto and in forming semi-sextile to Uranus. These powerful archetypal energies remind us that there are obviously still important changes that we need to make in our lives, and in the life of the surrounding society. The idealism that Neptune brings might enable a relatively peaceful transition in the direction that your Higher Self feels sure that it needs to go. 

Mars is opposed to Chiron during this week also, and we may find that old patterns are rising up to haunt us, impeding our own confidence, self-worth and self-assertion, until and unless we can accept these wounded places within us at deep levels. We might need to integrate the driving force behind them, namely ancient trauma from the long-dead past; dead but not forgotten, or in many cases not forgiven either. 

At some point it pays to recognize that we have a powerful ally in that wounded and split-off disobedient child, however disenfranchised it might seem to feel much of the time. When we can accept all our parts, and by implication some of the more difficult parts of others as well, we are enabling greater forward motion in our own best interest, and greater joy along our way.

How to Interpret 11/11/11 aka 11-11-11; Friday, November 11, 2011. + Eclipse Schedule. + Metaphysics Experiment

Most predictions and opinions concerning 11/11/11 are based on or rooted in its mathematical uniqueness as a number.

11*11*11: There are three possible scenarios:

1. Something good happens— There is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. There are no known logical premises for this belief. The belief that something good will happen is based solely on spiritualism, faith, and/or innate optimism. This belief is not necessarily a bad thing; we don’t know everything; the probability is not zero.

2. Nothing happens— This is the most likely scenario. Just because an unusual date number sequence occurs doesn’t mean that something extraordinary will happen. Usually it’s a non-event.

3. Something bad happens— There is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. There are no known logical premises for this belief. The belief that something bad will happen is based solely on pessimism of reality. This belief is not necessarily false; after all, things are generally/usually a mess. The probability is not zero.

http://paradigmsearch.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Interpret-111111-Friday-November-11-2011-And-a-Metaphysics-Experiment-111111

Solar eclipse of November 25, 2011

A partial solar eclipse will occur on November 25, 2011. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partially obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A partial solar eclipse occurs in the polar regions of the Earth when the center of the Moon's shadow misses the Earth.

This eclipse will be visible across Antarctica in its summer 24 hour day sunlight, and New Zealand near sunset with less than 20% of the sun obscured. Parts of the western Antarctic Peninsula will experience nearly 90% obscuration of the sun.

This will be the last of four partial solar eclipses in 2011, with the others occurring on January 4, 2011, June 1, 2011, and July 1, 2011. Wikipedia

Greek Crisis Analyzed

To most observers, the current Greek crisis has primarily been a fiscal one. There is by now an impressive number of accounts about the deficits and public debt accrued by successive Greek governments, the conditions of the bailout package offered the country, the bond spreads in Greece and elsewhere. Such a focus is of course understandable when taking into account both the enormity of the problem the Greek economy is faced with and the possibility of a spill-over in other Eurozone economies or, indeed, the world economy. But what has caused the crisis? Was that a matter of disastrous economic management or did the crisis originate in the malfunctioning of the country’s political system? The question is not inconsequential. For, if the crisis were simply due to economic mismanagement, then an economic prescription, no matter how bitter the pill, should be enough for putting the house in order. But if, as I am going to submit, the crisis has its origins in grave pathologies of the political system over the last three decades, recovery will require much more than wise economic management. It will in fact require the remaking of Greece’s whole political and institutional system.
http://www.opendemocracy.net/openeconomy/takis-s-pappas/causes-of-greek-crisis-are-in-greek-politics

The impact of the global economic crisis on Greece has been devastating. Greece would have defaulted on its debt back in May 2010 had it not been for the joint EU-IMF-ECB (the so-called troika) bailout of 110 billion euro. The bailout itself came with a long list of prerequisites relating to the adoption of strict austerity measures.

This regime proved to be a failure as the Greek economy went into a deeper recession while the fiscal situation of the Greek state never improved. Thus the Greek government was forced to adopted a second pack of stricter austerity measures coupled with a massive plan of privatizations of state property. The privatizations would include ports, roads, tax collection powers and others that are essential for the well-being of a state. With respect to the privatizations plan Jean-Claude Juncker, the Eurogroup's chairman, said that Greece will have limited sovereignty.

After the adoption of the second pack of stricter austerity measures, the so-called medium-term programme, the markets reacted positively. However as I explained in an article, market relief would be short-lived over the new measures which proved to be the case.

Now Greece is in need of a second bailout from the troika otherwise default or restructuring of the debt will be the natural consequence. The EU stuck in its complex bureaucracy, has so far failed to reach a consensus over this issue.

The factors that have shaped the Greek crisis in this way are four as I explained in my article about the four dimensions of the Greek crisis. In short those dimensions are the global economic crisis, the systemic flaws of the euro, the endogenous factors that made the internalization of the crisis very severe and last the nature of the policies to deal with the crisis (the bailout with its austerity regime).

Adding to these four dimensions of the Greek crisis, I explained the reasons why Greece cannot avoid default as things currently stand (if course the EU does not come up with another "safety" pack) in my article about the dual nature of the Greek crisis, where I explain that Greece faces two crises in one. On the one hand it has to deal with a non-sustainable sovereign debt together with a non-viable budget deficit and on the other hand it has an uncompetitive, non-expanding economy. To cope with these issues, measures towards different directions need to be adopted. http://protes-stavrou.blogspot.com/2011/07/full-review-of-greek-crisis-video.html#.TrrZ3_TnP1g

Karma and Eating off People

Torch Bistro
Punta Gorda, FL

The Art of Eating Off People

Sushi bars and even tables themselves sometimes seem so passe -- so it's only natural that food lovers seek out adventurous alternatives to conventional dining. Enter the Nyotaimori dining experience at Torch Bistro. As a well-accepted Japanese tradition, Nyotaimori has been part of the Geisha culture for hundreds of years. At this Torch, you can try it ... but you'll have to make sure you abide by the rules. So, no speaking to the models and always use chopsticks to take food off their bodies. After all, it's the polite thing to do.

Karma Kitchen
Berkeley, CA

Wait, there is such a thing as a free lunch?

As a volunteer-driven experiment in generosity, Karma Kitchen takes place at three separate restaurants across the country: Taste of Himalayas (San Francisco), White Tiger Restaurant (Washington, D.C.) and the Klay Oven Restaurant (Chicago). Whereas the D.C. and Chi-town locations only operate on select Sundays each month, the Berkeley location operates each week. The concept? You receive a delicious lunch and a check that reads $0.00. The caveat? Since they're self-sustaining through cash donations, they hope you'll contribute something for your anonymous gift to keep the chain of peer-to-peer generosity alive. Now that's karma.

Dalai Lama

Smugmug.com

http://si.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Portfolio/footprint-sunset-landings-st/781608190_NYuNk-Ti

Love me and I may be forced to love you

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you. - William Arthur Ward


http://shuttercolour.deviantart.com/art/Hug-You-53152554

Ti mou'xeis kanei - Natassa Theodoridou