BABY ANGELINA

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Another beautiful Key West morning! A calm one. Nothing moving. Water still. No breeze. Birds chirping. I stepped out on the deck. I felt the whole world was mine.

President Obama’s eulogy at Reverend Pinckney’s service moved me. My emotions got involved. Tears filled my eyes. I thought it was one of man’s great orations. The feeling apparently mutual. Media persons over the weekend have expressed themselves in a similar fashion.

Amazing Great was part and parcel of the eulogy. In fact, part and parcel of the service.

Several years ago, I wrote an article for Amazon Kindle titled Amazing Grace. The story/history behind the Amazing Grace of today. Several times I have reprinted the article. I did again yesterday. Called it Amazing Grace Revisited.

I was motivated by President Obama’s singing of the classic during the eulogy.

Amazing Grace Revisited is this week’s column in KONK Life. Publishes wednesday.

Love Publix! The crossroads of Key West!

Yesterday afternoon ran into Albert and his family. Albert was my trainer at WeBeFit. A terrific guy. Special. Albert was pushing his cart accompanied by his wife. Inside sat Angelina. Their eight month old daughter.

First time I had seen her. A beauty! The face, the hair, the eyes. The eyes especially. Reminded me of the Gerber baby.

God bless!

A week ago on June 23, this blog was titled Cuban Hemingway House. Hemingway’s Cuban home called Finca Vigia. Run down. Filled with Hemingway books, letters and photos. Beat up from the humidity over the years. The home is closed. No tours, etc. as here in Key West.

My article was motivated by the news that an American foundation was providing a not for profit Cuban group with just under $900,000 to save the items. An example of little things beginning to happen because of warming relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

This morning’s Key West Citizen retold the story. With much more detail and photographs.

The Citizen article revealing. Dink Bruce is a local. Everyone knows Dink. A warm sociable guy. The article reveals that Dink’s father Bruce was a good friend of Hemingway. Bruce did the renovations to Finca Vigia when Hemingway acquired the property. Dink still has some of the renovation drawings.

A small world. One way or another, we all seem to be connected.

Lest I forget, two of Hemingway’s greatest works were written while he lived at Finca Vigia. For Whom The Bells Toll and The Old Man And The Sea.

Greece. WOW days ahead! Greece and the Eurounion are split. Greece is on its own. Unbelievable money problems ahead for Greece. Perhaps also the Eurounion.

Greece has already announced that banks will be closed for six days. Only 60 euros a day may be removed from ATM accounts. The problem is that there are only enough euros left to supply the ATM machines for 3 days. Then, what? Will the drachma return? Or as far fetched as it sounds, will Greece adopt the American dollar as its currency?

My friend Anna telephoned from Novara yesterday. She is scheduled to fly to Greece for a month’s vacation tomorrow. She is fearful of going. I e-mailed her this morning and told her to go somewhere else. Greece will be uncertain for a while.

I would love to be in Greece at this time. Athens and the islands. It will be exciting! Protests, demonstrations. Who knows what else. A moment in history. Not in my plans however.

Have to hustle. Anti-gravity treadmill later this morning.

Enjoy your day!

 

CUBAN HEMINGWAY HOUSE

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Key West loves Ernest Hemingway. He is part of Key West’s history. His home on Whitehead has become sort of a shrine. The lines run down the block to Truman with people waiting to get in. Sloppy Joe’s, the six toed cats, and more contribute to Key West folklore..

Hemingway called Cuba his home for 20 plus years. 1939-1960. He wrote Old Man and the Sea while living in Cuba. His Cuban home palatial.

Castro took over in 1959. Castro and Hemingway were not the best of friends. Castro immediately confiscated all property. In addition to land and homes was included books and papers. Hemingway personally asked Castro not to take his home. Castro paid him no attention.

Hemingway left Cuba within a year of Castro taking power. Leaving behind his home, books, letters and photos. The books, letters and photos number in the area of 9,000.

Time and the elements have taken their toll re the books, letters and photos. Steps are being taken to repair and maintain them. Cuba has never had the money to do so.

When Obama announced that Cuba and the U.S. were discussing becoming friends again, he shortly  thereafter issued a list of exemptions to the embargo. Note, the embargo is still in effect. The reunion apparently is going to take some time.

The exemptions included the exportation to Cuba of supplies whose purpose was historical preservation. Note, not money. Money still cannot be exchanged. Supplies paid for however in the U.S. can.

National Trust is a U.S. foundation. Cuba has a National Cultural Heritage Council. The Council operates Finca Vigia.  Finca Vigia is Hemingway’s Cuba home and personal property left there. Known also as Lookout Farm.

National Trust is sending just under $900,000 in supplies to the Cuban Council to repair and preserve Hemingway’s books, papers and photos. In addition, a special facility will be attached or built anew to hold the Hemingway materials. None of the money will be used to renovate the Hemingway home itself.

All good! If we are going to be friends, let’s be. Personally, I am not happy that it is going to take time for the reconciliation. Fifty years is punishment enough. The U.S. should be in Cuba now with both feet. It did not take the U.S. very long after World War II to kiss and make up with the Germans and Japanese.

My congratulations to the National Trust for getting things started. Lets do more and soon. Lets get rid of the embargo completely and move forward as old friends reunited.

My blog talk radio show tonight at 9 my time. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Two topics to be discussed are my slant on Charleston and the Josephine Baker story.

Re Charleston, this peaceful reaction to the killings will not work. The Connecticut school children killed changed nothing. Charleston will change nothing. More is required. Such will be discussed tonight.

The thrust of my comments…..I am not Jesus!…..I cannot be expected to turn the other cheek!

Enjoy your day!

INSANITY

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Insanity continues to prevail in Key West. As regards the actions of the Key West City Commission.

I am beginning to think the City Commission considers itself omnipotent. That every issue is one for their consideration. No limits exist.

Every time the City Commission steps out of the box, time, energy and cost is wasted on an issue that is none of their business.

Road construction, trees, parking, contracts, the Police Department…..examples of what should be on their plate.

Not their most recent trip into never never land. I refer to the resolution that will be voted on regarding smoking in public places and parks. The resolution is scheduled for a vote tomorrow night.

As I understand the situation, the City Commission watched a movie regarding the dangers of second hand smoke. They were appalled. Decided a local law was required to prohibit smoking in public places and parks. Then found out they did not have the authority to do so. Smoking bans are the exclusive province of the State.

Not to be dismayed, the City Commission decided to pass a resolution instead. You can wipe your behind with a resolution. It has neither power nor effect.

The resolution asks the people of Key West to please not smoke in public places and parks…..to have consideration for others. Simultaneously, the City Commission is seeking a way to get the State to permit municipalities to rule on the issue. Not the State.

The City Commission is not elected to tell me or anyone else that smoking is prohibited in public places. It is a step too far as regards the smoking issue. Especially by a City Commission that assumes more power than it has.

Drums tonight! Not Drums Along the Mohawk as was written a few miles outside Utica. Near La Te Da Christopher’s home town also.

Tonight, it is Drums for Peace in Key West. At the corner of Truman and Duval. From 6-10. People can participate or listen. Whatever their pleasure. Drums will be provided.

I spent the better part of yesterday writing this week’s KONK Life column. It took a while for me to decide on a topic. I zeroed in on a political fray. As Tom Cruz stopped the government, so too did Washington ladies during Andrew Jackson’s Presidency. An interesting story. Shades of David and Bathsheba. Titled The Petticoat Affair.

KONK Life and the column hit the stands wednesday.

Michelle Obama is not going to the World’s Fair in Milan alone. Daughters Malia and Sasha are accompanying her. Together with grandmother Marian Robinson. The two day trip includes in addition to Milan, stops in London and Venice.

Michelle has responsibilities at each stop. Speaking in support of women’s education, health issues, and visiting American troops. A full plate for a 48 hour visit.

The Greece situation is reaching the boiling point. Perhaps one from which there is no turning back. Discussions sunday ended in 45 minutes. Nothing decided. Both sides adamant.

The unknown awaits. A European recession? A world wide one?

All interesting. Proving to the world that global activity is not necessarily in the best interests of those involved. The proposed Asian pact being another.

Today is the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. No man above the law. Not even a king. The right to justice and a fair trial spelled out.

A freedom recognition document.

These freedoms are being trampled upon in the United States today. By Congressional decisions and Supreme Court opinions.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

TIME AT SLOPPY JOE’S

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Pleasant morning yesterday. The anti-gravity treadmill to start. Then the Cuban Coffee House for lunch. I am becoming a regular customer. The reason, parking. The public parking lot behind Antonia’s has reopened. Cuban Coffee Queen part way up the alley leading to Duval.

Peter Diamond was walking by. He came over and sat with me. I enjoyed a long conversation with him. Peter is popular in the Key West music world. He performs weekly at Little Palm Island, the Gardens, and Grunts. Married to Holly. A unique personality. Currently in Connecticut visiting family.

My afternoon was spent doing background research for one of the books I never seem to complete.

Last night was Sloppy Joe’s!

I am in Sloppy Joe’s 2-3 nights a week. I never mention it because it is merely a walk through. There is never a bar spot available to me. There was not one last night either. However, a tall table was empty against the wall beneath the large photo of Hemingway.

It has been well over a year since I ate at Sloppy Joe’s. Not gourmet cooking/dining. Food good for the soul, however. I enjoyed french fries buried in a red sauce with melted mozzarella on top. Delicious!

My diet is out the window.

The visit gave me time to observe the tourists. Primarily tourists at Sloppy Joe’s. Drinking and dancing. The drinking I can handle, the dancing I cannot. It’s the music. Not for me.

Key West born Manuel “Pete” Fernandez was an ace during the Korean War. He is credited with 14.5 kills. The third highest number of kills of any ace.

Fernandez’s time in Key West was limited to the few years following his birth. The family moved to Miami where Fernandez was educated. He grew up in a working class environment.

His grandparents emigrated from Spain. First to Cuba. Later to the United States. Fernandez is remembered as the Hispanic ace and Latino fighter ace.

I heard from a blog reader who lives in Athens. An American expatriate. E-mailed me. He was aware from my blogs of my love for and interest in Greece. Recently, I have been telling people to vacation there this summer. A cheap vacation. The dollar stronger than the euro. Greek’s economic problems make for an inexpensive trip.

He wrote not to be concerned re the Eurobank problem. He believes it will be worked out. Consistent with my recollection of Greek thinking. They let nothing bother them. Kumbaya all the time.

He also wrote Athens was filled with tourists. The cheapest Athens has been in years.

Athens has a special place in my heart. Hard to describe. Everything there. New and old. Plus, the people themselves. A joy!

It is back to the heart doctor this morning for two tests. I remembered to fast this time. Then a haircut with Lori. Between the doctor and haircut, I plan on breakfasting at the Cuban Coffee Queen.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

A GOOD SUNDAY NIGHT

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The good book says Sunday is a day of rest. I agree. I do as little as possible.

Last night was a stay at home one. Planned. The Tonys and the Cleveland/Golden State game. Both at 8. I kept flipping back and forth. Both outstanding! The Tonys a bit better.

The finest Tony show I have ever seen. Pure pleasure to watch. The basketball game a war. Last night, not a sport. Went to overtime with Cleveland winning by 2.

I went out for a couple of hour in the afternoon. No Name Pub. Put the top down, my cap on backwards, and away I went!

No Name Pub is always packed. Even off season. I sat at the bar and did some people watching.

The building the restaurant is in is a story unto itself. It was a house of ill repute in the late 1930s and through World War II. The ladies worked upstairs.

The promiscuous nature of the building is reported on the back cover of the No Name Pub menu.

This morning unique. Looks like a perfect day in the making. Blue sky, sun bright. Mangroves and buildings all lit up, birds chirping. An added feature this morning is the water. When I went outside, I could immediately smell it. That by the ocean taste which one gets on rare occasions.

I continue to live and learn. Somehow Keith and I got in to sponge fishing Saturday night. I have always been under the impression that they were dived for. Men with air tanks on their backs. Not so! Keith said the sponge fisherman stands on a small boat with a long pointed pole in hand. When he sees a sponge, he shoves the pole down and snares the sponge.

I did a little homework.

There are two methods to collect/fish sponges. Hooking and diving.

Hooking involves a long wood handled pole with three steel curved teeth on the end. Two or 3 men in a small boat. The fisherman standing. Looking into the water. When a fisherman sees a sponge, he shoots the pole down, stabs the sponge and brings it onto the boat.

The diving method involved a hard hat and suit filled with air. Like you see professional divers wearing in the movies.

Sponge diving  is prohibited by Florida law. Only the hooking method may be utilized.

There is much more to the Key West sponge industry. Much too much for a blog. Perhaps someday, a column.

Greece. My beloved Greece. At war with the Eurounion over payments. The Eurounion pressing like a hard assed banker. The Greeks not giving an inch. They are sick and tired of being pushed around by Germany and other members of the Eurounion.

There is a next payment deadline in the very near future. Unless the Eurounion suggests a much more lenient pay back, Greece is going to say…..Up yours! What is the Eurounion going to do? Sue them? To get what? Greece has no money.

I suspect that if Greece defaults, it will immediately create its own money or make the U.S. dollar its currency. The U.S. dollar approach provides a better chance for economic survival.

I cannot understand why the Eurounion is standing so tough. If Greece defaults, the Eurobank takes a big hit. A Europe wide recession could occur. One which would affect the United States.

Enjoy your day!

 

AMERICAN PHAROAH

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Yesterday was a special day! D-Day and the Belmont.

People everywhere were thrilled with American Pharoah’s victory. I watched the race at Tavern ‘n Town. You could sense everyone was pulling for American Pharoah. There was a roar when he won.

Keith and I were at Tavern ‘n Town to watch the race and have dinner. We were seated at the bar with a large TV screen nearby. Mary Ann Westerlund appeared. I rarely see her and husband Roger these days. It was a hug and kiss. Kind words exchanged. We watched the race together.

Seated next to me for the race only was a gent from Big Pine. I did not catch his name. He had just returned from a one month trip to Russia.

Some ladies from Roostica were at a nearby table. A former waitress, Michelle and another lady. We talked a bit. It was good to seem them. The former waitress was my exclusive waitress for at least a year. A good waitress and good company.

I wrote this week’s KONK Life column yesterday. Got it out a day early. Don’t know where the energy came from.

The title is Portugal The Blueprint.

Portugal legalized drugs in 2001. All drugs. Even the real bad stuff like cocaine and heroin. Fourteen years later, the results are amazing. Drug problems significantly down in every area. Jails closing because there are not enough criminals to occupy them.

You will find the article interesting. Perhaps something the U.S. should consider. Read the column before you criticize my comment.

Sloan was with me later in the afternoon. My Skype was screwed up. No one could see or hear me. Took an hour to correct.

There is a little old lady who it seems has always worked at Publix. As a bagger. I am not offending her by the old description. She lives alone. Has taken care of herself the past 20 years. She immigrated from Poland 20 years ago.

We became friends over the years. Even though her English was poor and my Polish non existent.

Her name Helena. She retired from Publix recently. She earned a Publix pension. She is also eligible for Social Security. She has to wait two months for her first check. Then she is returning to Poland to spend the rest of her years. She has family there.

You may wonder why Helena came to the U.S. in the first place. Twenty years ago, she entered a Polish lottery. The winner would get a U.S. green card. she won.

God bless, Helena! I wish you well!

Anna is still visiting the Milan World’s Fair every day. Yesterday, the U.S. pavilion. She said the U.S. had one of the best looking pavilions from the outside. However, she thought the inside left something to be desired. Amusingly, she reported the pavilion contained a small Walgreens.

I wrote yesterday was of particular significance. The Belmont and D-Day. There was a third item I forgot. To wish Anne Larsen a happy birthday. Yesterday was her birthday.

Anne is an old friend from Ithaca, NY. We have been friends more than 25 years. We met face to face only once. However, she reads my blog daily, my KONK Life columns and listens to my blog talk radio show.

She has become one of those who is quick to criticize if I misspell, use poor grammar, am factually incorrect, etc. She has become my conscience! Sometimes her comments are overbearing. However, I know her heart is in the right place.

Happy birthday one day late, Anne!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

CHARLOTTE IS BACK

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I generally can be found at the Chart Room at cocktail time. Last night was different. I did not arrive till 9:30. Emily was shocked to see me.

I am glad I decided to stop in for a late night drink. Seated at the bar was the lovely vivacious Charlotte. Charlotte from the Carolinas. Charlotte who has lived on a boat for years. Charlotte worked for United Health Care. I used to beat her up with my United Health Care complaints.

The same Charlotte who is and has been in love with Skip. Skip is well known to Key West. He is a premier radio announcer and entertainer. Charlotte was with Skip at the bar.

Turned out they were visiting Key West last night. Sort of. Skip is now affiliated with an Islamorada radio station. They are living in Islamorada. Charlotte is looking for a job. She has an interview monday with the local Chamber of Commerce.

Charlotte runs. A marathon runner. Travels all over the country to participate. Oh, were I she. My body would look terrific.

A month from now Charlotte is running in a 50 mile marathon. From Marathon to Key West. She figures it will take her about 12 hours. It would take me 12 days! I admire her.

Prior to my Chart Room visit, I went to the movies. Saw Woman in Gold at the Regal Cinema. An excellent movie! I recommend it. Helen Mirren was her usual outstanding self.

I had a distasteful experience before the movie started. Buy pop corn, soda and candy was on the screen. I was chatting with the person next to me. There were a total of six of us in the theatre.

All of a sudden, I hear a voice yelling at me. A gentleman two rows behind and on the other side was upset that I was talking. I was talking quietly. However, apparently too loud for him.

I turned around and immediately apologized. He continued his ranting and raving. I politely said I apologize a second time. The guy would not stop. I was ready to say…..Asshole, go f–k yourself! I bit my tongue instead and turned around. He kept mouthing off another 30 seconds.

There is poetic justice in this world. Just before the movie started, about 10 ladies of senior vintage came in. They sat in two rows ahead of the bellower. They talked from the minute they sat down and throughout the movie. Bozo said nothing. He was screwed!

Lunched at Geiger Key. A beautiful setting!

Gasoline prices perplexed me. The Shell station on the boulevard was $2.75 per gallon. The Shell station at Key Haven $2.80. The Shell station at Geiger Key $2.65. Does not make sense.

Sheila Cullen’s brother died. Sad. Sheila is in Indiana for services. I feel bad for Sheila. I can’t wait for her to return so I can wrap my arms around her for a few moments.

The casserta I received is becoming a problem. I love the stuff! It is killing my diet, however. I ate it three times yesterday.

The casserta received was huge. I have only consumed 25 percent so far. I intend to freeze the rest to make it more difficult for me to get at it.

Today is memorable in history. On this day in 1942, Doolittle led American bombers over Japan. Our first significant retaliation of World War II. A dangerous…..you might not return…..type mission.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

SIBERIAN EXPRESS GONE

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The Siberian Express has left the Key West station. Hopefully not to return this year.

Last night was not one to go out. Cold!!! I did.

The temperature will return today to 76 degrees.

Supposedly Jenna and I were to meet at Tavern ‘n Town at 7:30. I got there at 7:20 and waited till 8:45 when I reached her on her cell phone. She thought it was for 7 and left at 7:15 thinking i had forgotten. How could I forget an evening with Jenna?

I said I would drive into town and pick her up. We would go to the Hot Tin Roof. I drove home first to get a jacket. I had gone out with only a sweater. I parked in the Marriott parking garage and had all of 50 feet to walk to the entrance. However the walk to the Hot Tin Roof would be longer from where I would park.

I hurried home to get my trusty leather jacket. A 15 minute trip. It was just after 8. I thought why hurry downtown and then walk in the cold to Hot Tin Roof. I called Jenna and told her we would not be going out and why. She understood.

I ate oatmeal and watched TV. My exciting saturday night in Key West.

I have never seen Tavern ‘n Town as crowded as it was last night. Another sign the season is in full swing. The bar was four deep. The wait for a table an hour.

My time at the Marriott was enjoyable. Met Audette and Darrell from Atlanta. They had just arrived for the weekend at the Marriott. We had a nice chat. Darrell attended Syracuse, also. When they were early married, they lived together in Syracuse while Darrell was going to school.

Audette proudly told me about their daughter Erika who lives in Chicago. She does a blog, also. A food blog.

I suggested some places to go. One was La Te Da after 10. Told them about Debra and Patrick. They were going to try it last night.

Some quick observations.

Forty eight years ago this month, David Wolkowski started building the Pier House Motel. The beginning of what today is  The Pier House, one of Key West’s premier venues.

There is a cohabitation law in Florida. Has been on the books for decades. Two unmarried people cannot cohabit. A misdemeanor. A bill was introduced this week in the Florida Senate to repeal the law. You would think it would pass in a rush. Not so. Florida is ultra conservative. The bill was before the Senate in 2011 and failed to pass.

Gasoline has risen in price 25 cents a  gallon in the past two weeks. Still cheaper than last year. However the upward creep worries me.

The media was talking yesterday about the three American girls who have gone to Turkey and will soon enter Syria. Two are 15 and the third 17. Their goal is to marry ISIS fighters. What is the attraction? What is the motivation?

Yesterday was D-Day for Greece and  the Eurounion. One had to blink. The Eurounion did. The Eurounion extended the euro loan for four months. They had no choice at the end. If Greece walked away from the table, all Europe would enter one of the largest recessions ever.

I am curious as to what happens in four months. In the end, Greece cannot lose. The recession hangs over the Eurounion’s head.

Syracuse/Pitt today at noon. I hope I can get it on my home TV. Syracuse a 4 point favorite. Pitt beat Syracuse earlier in the season.

Enjoy your day!

 

WOE IS SYRACUSE

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Syracuse basketball has been under investigation by the NCAA for a couple of years. No findings reported yet. Yesterday, it was announced by Syracuse that it was self imposing a ban on playing in any post season tournaments this year. The NCAA, the NIT, and the ACC.

The investigation goes back as far as 12 years ago and as recent as 3 years ago. Word is that it primarily involves academics. Drug use by players in the earlier years may also be involved.

The NCAA’s report will be revealed soon.

As a most interested basketball fan, if Syracuse has to be punished this is the best year. The team’s record is bad. I doubt we would have been invited to the NCAA.

Syracuse will stand tall, take the hit and move on.

Visited Lisa yesterday. Jake, too. Jake is amazing! He now respects me as one of the family. We get along well. Which was not always the case.

I stopped at Walgreens to pick up a prescription. As most seniors, I take a lot of pills. I have a complaint. Co-pays are dramatically higher this new year.

The drug companies have had a free ride too long. It is time they were reined in.

I dined at Ibis last night for the first time. It has been open about three years. Stone crabs item #1 on Ibis’ menu.

I did not enjoy stone crabs. After the lobster roll the other night, it would have been too much in one week. Someone in my party did, however. Five large stone crabs. Looked smaller than large actually. $50. If my recollection is correct, the catch has not been good again for the third straight year. Restaurants are paying a high price for the delicacy. It has to be passed on to customers.

Sharon was waitressing. She bartended at Don’s Place for years before moving onto Ibis. It was hug and kiss time.

The weather yesterday was a warm 77 degrees. Rain is predicted off and on today. It is raining at the moment. I am sitting at the kitchen counter. The glass sliding doors are open. I can smell, taste and hear the rain.

The circus has come to Key West! Every year at this time. It starts today and ends sunday. I hope to get to watch it again with Robert and Ally.

My KONK Life column was published in the paper yesterday. I posted it on my Facebook site this morning. The topic interesting and timely. Greece In The Driver’s Seat.

In line with the substance of the column, it was reported in the international news this morning that the European Central Bank is taking a tough stance regarding Greece. The Bank is refusing to loan money to Greece’s commercial banks. The economic war has begun. The gauntlet thrown.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

GREECE IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT

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The Greek election on January 25 was revolutionary. In overwhelming numbers, the Greek people swept into office the Syriza Party. Syriza is an acronym for Coalition of the Radical Left.  The party is led by a 40 year old firebrand, Alexis Tsipras. Tsipras will shortly be elected by Parliament as the new Prime Minister.
Greece has been led in recent years by the conservative side of the electorate. The group has failed to extract Greece from its problems with the Eurounion. The people have gone way to the left in selecting the Syriza Party. It is as if Republican tea party members had been elected. Except from the liberal side of the aisle.
Greece has been in the worst economic shape of any Eurounion member. The debt overwhelming. The Eurounion consistently demanded repayment. Austerity was forced on the Greek people. They have had enough. They opted to be led by the extreme left. The Syriza Party would have had no chance of being elected if economic conditions had been stable.
Austerity was imposed by the Eurounion on Greece. Germany leading the Eurounion group. The Eurounion became the banker. In reality, Germany. The cry…..Pay! Pay! Pay!
Greece tried. Unsuccessfully. Since 2010, unemployment has grown to 27 per cent. Fifty per cent of that number being college graduates between 20 and 30. Three million people are living at the poverty line or below.
Parents cannot feed their children. The farmers cannot sell food to the stores because there is no one who can afford to buy what they grow. The stores shut down because no one is buying. A wicked cycle.
Following is a perfect example of what has been occurring in Greece. Many women are desperate for work. They beg the brothels to hire them. They need to earn money to put food on the table for their children. Greek law prohibits married women from working in brothels. Prostitution is legal. These women end up working the streets in desperation.
Things are so bad that those who work the brothels are coming up short. Services that cost 50-70 euros, are now going for 10 euros.
During the campaign, Tsipras promised the world so as to be elected. It was not difficult for him. He promised everything to those who had lost everything.
He promised an end to austerity which he described as a return to democracy. He promised that the rich would pay their fair share of taxes. He promised to write off the national debt, raise the minimum wage, rehire all public workers who had been laid off, reduce taxes, provide free electricity and food to those without, free medical care for the uninsured, return to real property taxpayers all rent increases paid since 2008, reduce taxes overall, and more.
The big thing was his promise to either renegotiate the debt owed the Eurounion to a more favorable level or pay the Eurounion nothing.
Germany is going crazy. A rich Germany loaned much of the money to Greece through the Eurounion. Things have changed. Germany is on the brink of a recession. If Germany is not paid, it could fall over the edge
Italy and Spain are sitting back and smiling. They are in the same position that Greece has been. They are making noises that if Greece gets a better deal or does not pay, why should they.
I keep mentioning Germany because Germans has been running the show. The Germans, as well as the Eurounion, have not been fair to Greece. In 2010, the Eurounion loaned Greece 240 billion euros in bailout money. The money was of no use to Greece. Ninety percent had to be paid back immediately to cover unpaid interest and fines. The Eurounion, and especially Germany, were hard assed bankers as they continue to be to this day.
Lets assume Greece does not pay back the Eurounion  and Germany, what happens? Greece will leave the Eurounion and create a new currency. The Eurounion will press for payment. Sue Greece? What Greek court would enforce any judgement. Germany would fall into recession. All this triggering what could be a world wide depression.
Even worse, I can see a situation where Germany would go to war with Greece over the money. Remember, Germany is in bad shape. It might be the only alternative left for Germany. Such a war would include other Eurounion nations and who knows who else. Already Tsiprashas met with Russian and Chinese representatives.
There is also an undercurrent by the Greeks regarding Germany. World War II wounds still fester. The Greek people recall that Germany occupied Greece and treated the Greek people poorly.
That is the story. The world is watching.
What is going to happen?