The Greek legislative rules seem to be very party-centric, since the folks resigning from the ruling PASOK party in protest over tough austerity measures can't stop things "as the seats are automatically allocated to the next Socialists in line." In other systems, the MPs could sit as independents until the next election.
A Greek default on debt, which would be likely if the bill isn't passed, would be uncharted territory for a developed country, but Greece is one of the least developed European countries, at least of the ones that didn't find themselves on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain for two generations. The crowds seem more Third World that First.
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Hold your cards, we have a Weiner.... resignation. It's more sad than anything, where a guy who was in line to be NYC mayor had such warped tastes. However, we've seen powerful folks do strange things before and will likely do so again.
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One would think that Vancouver was more civilized than this, but any big city seems to have its share of yahoos; Vancouver seems to have a radical side to go along with the Pacific NW cool.
Vancouver could have used the win; while the Bruins hadn't snagged a title since the Orr/Espo era, all the other teams in town are routinely good.
One of the key questions people watching the riots unfold last night asked themselves was, "is this as bad as the 94 riot?
Since it become apparent early it was far worse, the blame game started.
It was naive to assume the Olympic crowd control success would be replicated.
You'll enjoy Rex Murphy's take.
While people showed up to clean up, a public shaming and naming is going on at Facebook and replicated on Tumblr for those who don't Facebook.
Vancouver Riot Pics: Post Your Photos has the riot tourists and others, posting photos and video, Facebook screenshots to identify the criminals. 150 people were injured, 9 police hurt, 15 vehicles burned, 120 people arrested by morning, millions in property damage.
Vancouver isn't more civilized than this.
Posted by: Bene D | June 17, 2011 at 12:08 AM
Greece: I will never question the appropriateness of Obama's Greek columns.
Weinerdammerung: (apologies to Richard Wagner) Congressmen have pulled tacky sexploits before. But this one is just so juvenile. I suggested in another comments forum that it reeks of a Porky's plot device. (Someone else suggested Amiercan Pie).
Posted by: Alan K. Henderson | June 21, 2011 at 01:24 AM