Greek Protests Prompt Soul-Searching

Greece is politically and economically bankrupt. Unemployment is 25% and destined to get much worse with the latest round of austerity measures. Worse yet, Greece is still encumbered by massive layers of bureaucracy that makes it difficult to get anything done. Yesterday, in a massive breach of security, Greek citizens stormed the defense ministry. This has German chancellor Angela Merkel willing to take a chance on a trip to Greece next week.

Imagine you are asked to sign a document but three pages were missing. Further imagine the documents you were asked to sign were written in English but you only speak Greek. Would you sign? That is exactly the predicament Greek officials were placed in by the Troika. Here is the story sent to me by Demetri Kofinas at Capital Account. Hello Mish

German chancellor Angela Merkel is visiting Greece this week in an alleged show of solidarity. Reuters notes it will take 6,000 police to protect her. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will tell Greeks she wants to keep their country in the euro when she visits Athens this week, but she faces a hostile reception from a people worn down by years of austerity and recession.

Unionists from Greece's militant power workers' union, Genop, staged a series of protests around the country as they prepare for a two-day strike to protest the Greek government's latest austerity measures.

Unionists from Greece's militant power workers' union, Genop, staged a series of protests around the country as they prepare for a two-day strike to protest the Greek government's latest austerity measures.

When Europe's politicians boldly said a few weeks ago what they have been repeatedly saying every year for the past three, namely that "Europe is fixed" usually just before it breaks all over again, what they meant was that the various stock markets were up. Because if they were actually referring to the European economies, Europe just broke (no pun intended) once more, with the Greek economy once again back to its "new normal" baseline state: a near complete halt as the cold of winter dissipates, and protests and strikes return.

Three thousand Greeks gays and lesbians marched through the centre of Athens on Saturday to demonstrate gay pride and protest against discrimination."We're everywhere" declared the banner at the head of the parade.In a city that has recently seen more protests against the Greek government's austerity measures, another banner proclaimed: "Fighting discrimination and the economic crisis is the same battle!"The country approved a form of civil unions in 2008 especially for homosexuals, but the gay community has been seeking the approval of full gay marriages.