Political, financial turmoil in Greece

Well, it would appear to be a dictatorship from where we are sitting?

So goes all the rest after this?

I genuinely shudder to think, Lily. The implications of this are horrifying.

They really are, Bonny.  I don't think we have seen anything like this before?

Not in recent European history, no, we haven't, Lily.

http://news.sky.com/story/1518992/greek-pm-debt-deal-amounts-to-blackmail

Greek PM: Debt Deal Amounts To 'Blackmail'
Alexis Tsipras claims European creditors left him with no choice but to agree to the terms of the financial bailout package.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-14/imf-may-walk-away-greek-bailout

What?

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-14/greeks-can’t-tap-cash-gold-silver-bank-safety-deposit-boxes

Well, they have pillage what next?

Should the Fund threaten to pull its support, Germany would face a tough decision: remain belligerent in the face of pressure from IMF (and tacitly from the US), or concede to writedowns which could open the door for Italy, Spain, and Portugal to demand debt relief.

I shudder to think what is going to happen, Lily. One mis-step by anyone is likely to start a cascading, global financial disaster. To say nothing of democracy being trampled underfoot and the most basic premises of the EU having been wrecked.

So, it is the proverbial house of cards?

Something dreadful is going to happen, it's almost inevitable, IMO.

I hate to say it but given what has already happened, it will not be good.

Trainwreck still rolling on:

http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/jul/15/greek-crisis-mps-bailout-imf-debt-relief-alexis-tsipras-live

Demos in Athens, which are peaceful - so far - ahead of the vote later today. Frankly, if the Greek parliament votes to accept this, they all deserve whatever the irate public has planned for them. The IMF has made it crystal clear that this stitch up isn't going to help, so WTF are Merkel and co playing at?

Perhaps Merkel should show the same understanding to Greece as Greece did to Germany in 1953? Then, Greece and others wrote off a huge chunk of Germany's WAR DEBTS to help them get back on their feet.

And look how they've been repaid for their forgiveness. Germans are boo-hooing over #boycottgermany and telling Greeks they are being 'ungrateful'.

How very dare those Greeks not want their nation asset stripped by Germany to ensure Deutsche Bank and others stay afloat!

Guardian:

Back in Athens, deputy finance minister Nadia Valavani has resigned.

According to reports, Valavani told Tsipras early on Monday that she couldn’t accept the terms of the bailout.

It's all down to internal politics now. The money is just the trigger. We see Europe breaking into warring tribes, as it has always done. The Germans, Greeks, French, Brits, Italians and the rest of the smaller bit players have all retreated into "do what's good for me" mode. The Eurozone is on the brink of dissolution, and The EU itself is in serious trouble. Tsipras is history. Merkel is on the brink of following him and Cameron, Hollande and others are scrambling to shore up their internal domestic support. The Americans are stirring the ants nest with a very long stick and Putin is thankful for the distraction from his own problems. Interesting times!

I think that comment in the Guardian just about sums it up?

Agreed, Bonny.   Reading that article.....

On the plus side, assorted European nations can now stop pretending that they like each other, and there is a whole new audience for things like...



Filly Azzaro ‏@FillyAzzaro 3h3 hours ago
A French civilian cries in despair as Nazis occupy Paris,World War II. They still want to rule the world #ThisIsACoup

and

Gaidouristas ‏@Gaidouristas 4h4 hours ago
Save the world from the Nazis #BoycottGermany



--------

All in all, it's a complete disaster. Seventy years of diplomacy and, We've changed, honest, it's safe to tear down that Wall, we won't ever try to bully the rest of Europe again right down the toilet.

I am afraid Merkel has sounded the death knell for the very concept of the EU.

It would appear so......

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-15/presenting-greek-terms-surrender-annotated-yanis-varoufakis

Presenting The "Greek Terms Of Surrender" As Annotated By Yanis Varoufakis

Appalling. Greece is, in effect, going to cease to exist as an independent nation - is it really worth staying in the eurozone, when it is going to destroy your country?

And what kind of 'economist' thinks that making holidays in Greece MORE expensive is going to help?

I am mystified as to why Tsipiras didn't have some kind of Plan B worked out when he went into that meeting at the weekend - even the threat of Greece renting a warm water port to Uncle Vlad would have concentrated minds nicely.

Am approx halfway through the article, Bonny.  Am stunned at the depth of their cruelty.  It is chilling.  Now it is possible to understand more of the psyche that allowed millions to be killed.

Apologies, as I never thought it possible to even think that in this day and age.  I also know that most Germans are really good and kind people. 

This is their lesson not only for Greece but for Spain, Italy and all the other EU countries who have serious financial troubles?

Spain, Italy, France and Portugal appear to be the next countries on the list, Lily.

That is a horrifying document - it's glaringly obvious that they intend to seize people's homes and other assets, and sell them to bidders that will doubtless come from Germany, with finance from Deutsche Bank.

I am utterly sickened by this - and thank God the UK didn't join the euro. I don't think anyone grasped the sheer evil underneath all those Odes to Joy.

Bonny, those EU people setting up the rules must have ice water in their veins. IMO. Their focus is solely on the EU project succeeding no matter the cost?


One thing I also don't understand is why no Plan B as you mentioned earlier?  Did the Fin min resign because he knew he could not accept the conditions but that someone else might?

Meant to say that in a previous post where I mentioned Beethoven's 9th in a Clockwork Orange was because of the parallels in unforgivable behavior.  


Kubrick had the most wonderful choices in music.......

Their focus is solely on the EU project succeeding no matter the cost?

That would seem to be the case, Lily. Merkel needs to get herself a catchy slogan to motivate Greeks, Work will set you free, something like that.

Why not remind the little people of some history?