This image has been floating around the internet for a few days, and while it expresses one problem with the coverage of the Greek issues, it’s missing an even more absurd distortion.
Living in Germany has afforded me an interesting perspective on the Greek problem. As chief financiers of the bailouts, such as they were, the Germans feel taken advantage of. And based on media coverage of the process here in Germany, it’s a pretty reasonable conclusion. But it’s still incorrect.
Germans have been told that the Greek situation is analogous to the Irish one, in which they received a bailout and made austerity cuts without rioting. But, leaving aside the very real and significant differences in GDP per capita between Ireland and Greece and the relative depth of sacrifices made, the presentation of austerity cuts as the only solution to a debt crisis is incredibly misleading, and in fact an example of Morton’s Fork (Interestingly, and perhaps tellingly, a concept most commonly referenced when discussing taxation).
First the German government bails Greece out a couple times without asking their own population, allowing the media to push the narrative that Germans are paying for Greek laziness. And of course that makes Germans angry. Now Germany is telling the Greeks to pay up or get out, which is obviously incredibly popular here because of Merkel’s earlier decisions. It’s a pretty good game they’re running.
Meanwhile Greece languishes under an unelected triumvirate of European officials, who enact crushing austerity measures. 30% reduction of minimum wage. Schools running out of books. 20% of public sector workers being fired. Public health budget being reduced by more than 40%. There’s no vision of what Greece might look like after 5 or 10 years of this, but I have an idea.
CLUE 1: “went to short dogs house, they was watching Yo MTV RAPS” Yo MTV RAPS first aired: Aug 6th 1988 CLUE 2: Ice Cubes single “today was a good day” released on: Feb 23 1993 CLUE 3: ”The Lakers beat the Super Sonics” Dates between Yo MTV Raps air date AUGUST 6 1988 and the release…
- Megaupload spent $2.4 million on yacht rentals in June 2011 alone.
- The US government is after $175 million in assets, including 59 different bank accounts. Many of them Chinese. Two are from Citibank.
- The US is looking for at least 14 Benzes, a Predator statue, two 108 inch TVs, a Seadoo, a 1957 Cadillac, a Maserati, and a Mini Cooper.
-Kim owned a Rolls Royce Phantom with a license plate that read “GOD.” Some of the tags on his other cars included: GUITLY, STONED, GOOD, CEO, MAFIA, and HACKER.
I went with my friend Michael to explore some of Neukölln’s dingiest döner offerings. He ate five sub-€2 döner in 90 minutes, a feat that, while not necessarily being heroic, is certainly noteworthy.
I enjoyed this “Shit X People Say” video meme when I saw the first couple examples, but I think it takes a lot of skill to turn a simple funny video idea into nuanced social commentary. Shit White Girls Say to Black Girls did that, and addressed one of the most lingeringly irritating social issues that facing post-civil rights movement America today, that is, the absurd sense of self-righteousness that people like Offended White Lady have when discussing racism. It’s like she deserves a pat on the back for not being a KKK member. How does she presume to understand racism?
Good job, Franchesca, you’re infinitely more patient, tactful, and understanding than I am (also your video is really funny)
YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU DON’T THINK THERE’S ENOUGH SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE?
BASICALLY, YES. I THINK THERE ARE TOO MANY CONFLICTING OPINIONS WITHIN THE GENERAL ‘CONSENSUS’ AND THAT IT’S FOOLISH TO TRY TO FORCE EVERYONE TO ACCEPT SOMETHING THAT EVEN ‘THE EXPERTS’ CAN’T AGREE ON, LET ALONE CHANGE THE WAY WE LIVE, JUST BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE TRUE. YOU CAN’T ASK EVERYONE TO BASE THEIR ENTIRE LIVES AROUND A HUNCH. IF YOU BELIEVE IT’S HAPPENING, FINE. DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS NECESSARY TO HELP, BUT DON’T START PREACHING TO ME ABOUT IT UNTIL YOU’VE GOT SOME COLD, HARD, IRREFUTABLE FACTS.
THAT’S INCREDIBLE. YOU JUST SUMMED UP MY ENTIRE OUTLOOK ON RELIGION IN TWELVE SECONDS.
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