A Cautionary Tale

I am not the first to see a cautionary tale

In the recent British vote in which they chose to bail

On the European Union... Donald Trump does, too.

He hopes it's exactly what Americans will do.

Donald wants to close our borders; claims he'll build a wall,

Preying on the prejudice and fears that plague us all.

And, just like in England, he makes up whatever facts

Motivate the populace which, knee-jerk like, reacts.

Now that "Leave" has won, its leaders started walking back

Promises those politicians made for which they lack

Any hope of keeping.  Voters found out much too late.

Now they're learning anger's not what makes a country "Great." 

Let's hope that Americans will notice parallels;

Realize that what the Donald's full of's brown and smells.

Let the UK be a warning; do our research first...

Not after we've voted to let Donald do his worst.

Unsolicited Advice for E.U. Leaders re: Greece

(Image/Courtesy of www.bu.edu)

Greece needs bail-out funds to meet a payment on their loan;

And, if they don't get them, Greeks may leave the eurozone.

They'll be forced into default unless the terms are changed...

Now they're running out of time to get a deal arranged.

The Greek GDP is shrinking - it's down by a third -

Thus, you do not have to be an economics nerd

To see more austerity's unlikely to reverse

Greece's situation and, in fact, could make it worse.

Have to reach a compromise which gives the Greeks the time

To save their economy or you won't see a dime

For, although the Europeans won't be overjoyed,

Can't get blood from stones - nor taxes from the unemployed.

Dear EU; Good Luck With That

(Photo/Courtesy of english.ahram.org.eg)

As the thousands try to flee the hell holes where they live;

Put to sea upon a boat that's leaking like a sieve,

Drowning by the hundreds...  Know the dangers - do not care.

Willing to risk anything to get away from there.

If you were in their position, you would flee as well.

They've come from a situation that's a living hell.

Half the region's population is a refugee.

Many leave from Libya and try for Italy.

The Italians say they need more help from the E.U.

They're now meeting, trying to decide what they should do.

Nothing that the E.U. does will change the basic fact;

Staying in the region's the more death-defying act.

No one wants to see more over-crowded boats go down.

We can't stand aside and watch more desperate people drown.

We might stop the traffickers exploiting human prey,

But we won't persuade those refugees to want to stay.

I Respectfully Disagree

 A most excellent blog. (Photo: Courtesy of/Infidel753)

There's a blog I like to read; a recent topic: Greece

And how its new government announced that it will cease

Efforts at austerity imposed by the E.U.

Author felt that was the sanest thing the Greeks could do.

Mounting unemployment; their economy's a wreck...

Greeks feel like the E.U.'s hung a noose around their neck.

Article blames Germany (who finances the debt)

But, though I respect this blogger - whom I've never met,

That seems too simplistic to me; see the Germans' side.

Why are they responsible for stopping Greece's slide?

Germans work and save and squeeze a Deutschmark 'til it squeaks;

They don't want to finance better lifestyles for the Greeks.

Puts the German Chancellor, Frau Merkel, in a bind;

Can't ignore her voters or they'd fire her behind.

I agree austerity is not the way to go

But, do I believe it's fair to blame the Germans? No.

Google Won't Forget This

People throughout history have tried to leave their mark,

Hoping we'll name streets for them, or schools...  Perhaps a park.

Something that survives us after we are in our grave,

Yet we all  have made some marks that we don't want to save.

It might be a drunken photo or a careless tweet;

Information you don't want to share with folks you meet.

Something you don't talk about with people from your church...

Things that they can learn about you with a Google Search.

In the state of Denmark though, if you did something rotten,

European Union passed the Right to be Forgotten.

You can have those links removed - you only have to ask.

Google says complying is a monumental task.

If you're an American you do not have this right

So, if you're debating if it is or isn't bright

To do something that you'll later wish you could forget,

Just remember - what you do stays on the internet.

Kiss Crimea Good-bye

Situation in Ukraine is getting out of hand;

Ethnic Russians in the East have started to demand

That Kiev should look to Russia over the E.U.

Putin sent in Russian troops to help enforce that view.

All of Russia's Black Sea fleet is anchored in Ukraine;

Port was part of Russia, once, and so it might remain.

Residents are demonstrating; flying Russian flags.

Tearing down and ripping the Ukrainian's to rags.

Putin says his troops have only come to keep the peace.

So, he keeps on sending more as tensions there increase.

I don't think that I'd feel safe with soldiers in the street,

Knowing Russia's never gonna move its Black Sea fleet.

Not a lot Ukraine can do if Putin wants a fight.

He's a strong believer in the adage; "Might makes right."

Ask the folks in Georgia how much safer they feel now

8 years after Putin's troops invaded...  Yet, somehow,

All those Russian troops in Georgia didn't end the threat...

Surely that's the reason why they've not withdrawn them yet.

So, I wouldn't be surprised if Putin finds that he

Thinks Crimea faces threats in perpetuity.

Unsolicited Advice for the 113th Congress

(Photo/WesternFreePress)

Here it is; the day this lunacy has got to end.

Last chance for the Congress to agree that they'll extend

Full faith and the credit to the debts our country owes.

All the world is watching us to see which way it goes.

Europeans can't believe it's ever come to this.

Such a stupid spectacle is one they'd rather miss.

Congress on the precipice and fighting at the edge.

(I would bet, in future, our investors choose to hedge.)

Credit rating's teetering and will be going down,

Causing repercussions that you'll feel in your hometown.

All of this uncertainty already took a toll.

Speaker Boehner needs to prove he hasn't sold his soul

Does he want his job so badly that he will allow

Damage even worse than what the country's feeling now?

Will he let our Treasuries become a worthless note?

Find a Senate compromise and let the Congress vote!

Across the Pond - Elections

French voters celebrate François Hollande's victory. (Photo credit: BBC.com)

 

Very busy weekend for our European friends;

Several key elections that reflect disturbing trends.

Nicolas Sarkozy lost in France, across the pond;

President's now Socialist.  The first since Mitterrand.

Greece has also voted and they're facing quite a mess.

Parliament's divided so there's no chance of success

Implementing anything.  They'll have to try and make

Allies out of enemies... Won't be a piece of cake.

Putin's Russia's President - again.  He took the oath.

Germany and England held elections where they both

Saw that parties now in charge are losing their support.

E.U. is in trouble, I am sorry to report.

British do not like the cuts their government has made.

Merkel's in hot water for extending German aid.

Seems that Europe isn't thrilled with being so austere.

Worried 'cause what happens there effects what happens here.

Markets will not like this news, I bet... You wait and see.

They believe that those across the pond want lunch for free.

Can't blame hungry Europeans voting for a break;

But I'm still afraid they've made a terrible mistake.