Who Needs OWS? We've Got Papandreou...

(Originally published November 2, 2011)

This year’s final harvest is over. Trish and I spent some time over the weekend tearing out old, spent plants and vines, and gathering what tangible fruit that was left: tomatoes, squash (zucchini, acorn, and blue), an assortment of beans, and a pumpkin. I suppose the pumpkin is technically a squash as well, but this time of year they feel like they ought to have their own category.

We also turned a little earth and planted winter vegetables: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, chard, lettuce, garlic and onions. We’re surrounding the winter beds with a ring of diatomaceous earth; it is a fine, silicone powder used in pool filtration systems. Word is that snails and slugs will not crawl over the sharp powder. So far it seems to be working fine, but it’s too early to qualify that experiment as a raving success just yet.

There is more to plant, but I think we’re off to a good start.

Forget OWS, We’ve got Greece

The protesters are still occupying Wall Street, as well as venues across the country; including right here in the Chico downtown plaza. After this week though I’d say the protesters can wrap it up and go home – it looks like Greece is going to single-handedly bring the Wall Street banks to their knees. This is really an incredible story.

Greece has been teetering on the brink of economic collapse for years now, but because they are part of the European Union, there is a real vested interest in righting their listing ship. As a result, the countries in the European Union convened a summit and, amazing, arrived at, at least a framework, for a solution to Greek’s problems. It was a huge, complicated deal, and entailed major sacrifices from a number of countries and investors. It also required continued “austerity measures” on the part of the Greek government – meaning basically that the government can’t spend a dime. This has caused major civil unrest – but the feeling is that, while it is a bitter pill to swallow, the deal will eventually allow Greece to get out of debt and eventually prosper economically in a way the country never has before.

Enter Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou. After praising the overall framework for the deal, and applauding the generosity of other countries involved, Papandreou has made a political move described by experts as: “bizarre,” “schizophrenic,” and “mystifying.” The Prime Minister has decided to hold a public referendum on the overall bail-out package and, ultimately, whether or not Greece should remain in the European Union.  The announcement has completely scuttled all the hard work of those involved in structuring the bail-out package, and may end up costing Papandreou his job. The citizens of Greece will vote later this week on whether or not they continue to have confidence in their government. If the current government survives that confidence vote, then the aforementioned referendum on the bail-out will go forward. If the government does not survive the confidence vote, and judging from the Prime Minister’s latest maneuver, they may not, then new election s will have to be held.

Ah well, get used to it. The winds of change are howling.

Madbob@madbob.com