Unsolicited Advice for the IOC from a Bostonian

A fresh coat of paint?  It could work. (Courtesy of/imagesdaily.blogspot.com)

Hopes for Boston 2024 have fallen through

Because local opposition to it only grew.

It became apparent that the city can't afford

Hosting the Olympic Games (despite claims from their Board.)

I believe the I.O.C. has got to reassess,

Sparing hosts, in future, from a huge financial mess.

Why not give the Games to Greece in perpetuity?

They could help to bolster up the Greek economy.

Winter Games on Mount Olympus* - Summers' on the isles...

Marathoners could retrace Pheidippides' long miles.

If the Games stayed in one place, a profit could be made

Which is not the case most times the modern Games are played.

*(Okay, not on Mount Olympus - but you get my point.)

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.

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.

Boston 2024?

Boston 2024's a possibility

But not everyone is greeting that idea with glee.

Not sure that they want to see Olympic Games played here;

Worried at the massive costs, and that's well-founded fear.

New Olympic Villages and stadiums aren't cheap...

Have a look at London's Games before we take the leap.

Boston sees itself as Athens but just ask the Greeks

If their debt is worth the fun they had for those few weeks.

I would love the honor and excitement of the Games

But, if anything goes wrong, guess who the country blames.

We will have to foot the bill; Olympic Games ain't free...

Never mind the I.O.C., start by convincing me.

Across the Pond - Birthplace of Democracy (Yikes!)

A supporter of Golden Dawn, the Greek Neo-Nazi party; just one of the losers who were winners in recent elections...  In the end, everyone lost.  (Photo credit: Reuters)

Greeks, who'd like to have their cake and also get a taste,

Failed to reach a compromise; election was a waste.

Have to do it all again; their coalitions failed.

Want restructured bail-out terms... That ship's already sailed.

When a Neo-Nazi party looks for common ground

With some far left radicals, the only thing - I've found -

Both sides can agree upon is that the other guys

Are a bunch of lunatics and, thus, it's no surprise

That (with their economy contracting by the day,

And a massive debt the country's still obliged to pay)

Citizens of Greece are angry... But, I find it sad;

Birthplace of democracy - elections went so bad.

hmmm...

Maybe I should take a lesson. We are in a mess;

And I'm also guilty of some bias, I confess.

Wonder if the FOX and Friends and I could get along

If I just ignored the fact they're almost always wrong?

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.

Across the Pond - Europe

 

European Union's having troubles of their own;

Looks as if the folks in Greece might need another loan.

Italy is also shaky. Germany's not thrilled.

Former warm relations between countries growing chilled.

Greeks are feeling put upon - Italians up in arms.

Having common currency has clearly lost its charms.

Germany may force reforms; they have a lot of clout.

Sadly, they're not making friends by bailing these 2 out.

As the unemployment rises Germany gets blamed.

Fiscally they're in the right but passions are inflamed.

Wouldn't want to be the guy who has to tell the Greeks

They aren't finished cutting. They've been rioting for weeks.