Saturday, October 17, 2015

"Getting Their Irish Up" is Not a Greek Phrase,


Jeff—Saturday

Happy Seven Months Anniversary since St. Patrick’s Day!

I say that because I think the Greeks could use a little pluck of the Irish about now.

I’ve been distracted for the last few weeks with Bouchercon and preparing for my book release and tour, thereby allowing my finger to slip off the pulse of events in Greece. 

In my experience, so much of what I read in foreign reports of what’s happening in Greece misses the essence of that nation’s dilemma.  Greece is not predictable in a Western way, for its people accept the inevitable corruption of its public servants, have a penchant for believing in macho demagoguery over reality (e.g., the Prime Minister was elected by reason of rhetoric glorifying his efforts, not the abysmal results), and will suffer endlessly as long as there are others than themselves to blame for their circumstances (after all, the Greeks did create the Fates).

Fates

I had put all that out of my mind over these past weeks, and even begun to imagine that a stoic calm had fallen over the land, despite the raging conflagration with its EU brethren and Turkey over the horrific Syrian immigrant situation, and a pervasive dread hovering in the air over quid pro quo draconian reforms surrounding the third bailout. 

But with my first glance at the in-country Greek news, all thoughts of a better disposition vanished.

Greece's Prime Minister

Unemployment still exceeds Great Depression levels, Parliament has only passed 30% of the reforms mandated by the bailout agreement, Europe is not happy with Greece’s progress, protectionist lobbies are invoking centuries old prejudices in efforts to protect their sacred cows, sitting ministers are facing charges of graft, Greece’s Revenue Chief has been asked to step down amid claims of corruption….  On and on.  Same old, same old.

As for the substantive pain about to be borne through new revenue generating measures, there’s something for tourists and Greeks alike. The price of admission to historical sites is slated to go up by multiples, and among the many potential VAT increases currently on Parliament’s agenda is a 23% VAT on private education.  And, oh yes, let’s not forget that financial controls are still in place limiting bank withdrawals to 420 euros ($477) per week, and don’t bother trying to get around them easily.


But there is a breath of good news out there.
Fifteen Thousand people are expected to take part in the 19th Annual Athens Fun Run on Sunday.  It will turn a number of Athens central roadways into a runners’ paradise free of vehicles.


I bet the government wishes it could figure out a way to keep the streets free of demonstrators, too. 

Hmm, that gives me an idea for my new book.  Something else I better get back to paying attention to.


—Jeff

24 comments:

  1. Hmm... 15,000 runners, times $150 VAT per runner, that would bring in another $2.25 million ($1.5 million after the graft deduction). I don't think Greece is REALLY trying hard enough. Maybe they could add an additional tax for each article of clothing the runners wear (including shoes)? Let's be creative, folks.

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  2. Hey! Today's Kindle Daily Deal is our very own Cara Black's "Murder on the Champ de Mars"! You can find it on Amazon for $1.99 all day Saturday (Oct 17, 2015) at:
    http://tinyurl.com/pycrpjs
    It's the 15th book in Cara's Aimée Leduc series.

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    1. Thanks, EvKa, I can use the money I save toward paying the additional taxes the Greek government will impose by reason of your thoughtful suggestion for putting the Greek economy into the black. Uhh, bad choice of words, it's already into "black money." I should have said out of the black. But that would be confusing...hmmm, though come to think of it what about the situation isn't confusing?

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  3. Speaking of which: HEY CARO! Why aren't your earlier books available on Amazon as e-books? Just wondering (there's more GERMAN versions available than English. Sigh. Inquiring minds want to know... (And paper is SO old media, don't you know?)

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  4. Oh Jeff!
    At least you can go on tour, knowing that not much in your chose homeland will change.

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    1. Or that you'll be able to withdraw much more from the banks than "change." :)

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  5. Hi Jeff- if Greece wants a change of government, we have one here they can try as we don't want it.

    And EvKa, all books available on Amazon UK on Kindle!! In English, well Scotti English. Nae Botha.

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    1. The requirements are rather stringent, Caro, so in order to determine whether your government qualifies, please forward any criminal records.

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    2. Alas, alak, amazon.co.uk will not sell e-books to non-UK citizens (at least, not to this one). Sigh.

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    3. Does it count if we know the person's guilty but he doesn't have a criminal record because the President cancelled the prosecution? That's the South African model.

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    4. That might work, depending upon how very guilty he was...as expressed in euros.

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    5. Didn't know you still needed a criminal record to become a politician, Jeff ...?

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  6. Everett, the Penguin UK website directs buyers to a list of E book suppliers inc google world play. You could try there....if that doesn't work let me know.

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  7. I tried to find the e-book version, but couldn't, so gave up and ordered a paper copy. Sigh.

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  8. Unemployment is about 25%, right? Poverty rate about the same, i think. Youth employment is about 50%, i think. Worried about pensioners, who are to be hit hard again, the unemployed and youth.
    And what's happening with that brilliant idea discussed in the negotiations with the European financiers to sell off historic sites? I would be quite worried if the Koch brothers could purchase the Acropolis or Parthenon.
    Then visitors' fees would go right to them.

    And blame the Fates? Women weren't involved in the bailout deal negotiations! Schnaubel, Tsipris, etc.

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    1. Your numbers are right. LOL on the Fates, BUT what many westerners do not know or realize is that the power behind Tsipras rise is very social, very rich, WOMAN.

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    2. That's what they ALWAYS say: it's the woman who's ambitious. Perhaps it is the opposite. Perhaps his ambition drove him to marry her for her wealth and social connections. Oh, no. I must be wrong. No one ever thinks such a thought. It is well known that men are the noble and high-minded gender and women are the source of all duplicity and evil.

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    3. I'm glad to see you're finally seeing the light, AmA! It takes a big woman to admit when she's wrong. :-)))

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    4. And why does "it takes a big man to..." sound like a compliment, while "it takes a big woman to..." somehow sounds like an insult??? Inquiring minds want to know...

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    5. I am actually pretty little, EvKa, especially compared to you and my BIG brother Jeff. But I am glad to admit it when I am wrong. The next event on that calendar is scheduled for April 29, 2024.

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  9. Oh my God, Sis and EvKa, I doin't even know where to begin to address the stereotypical assumptions in your back and forth. First of all, who ever said the woman is his Wife! Or that she's ever been dismissed as "ambitious" by anyone who knows her. I guess that whenever someone says a "woman is behind a man" the assumption is there's more to it that if a man is said to be behind a man...in a man-ner of speaking.

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  10. Groan.

    Tsipras has a long-time partner and young children. But he's making decisions that affect the entire country. He's the one in the hot seat, so to speak.

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    1. The woman is not his wife or partner but from the very aristocracy he came to power assailing. As for who's doing his thinking ... well, you'll just have to wait for Kaldis #8. :)

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  11. I'm not sure who you mean. Tsipras has a partner of more than 20 years with whom he has a family and she has opinions. The aristocratic woman? Mysterious
    We'll have to figure this one out.

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