Jack's Crazy Thought of the Week - Greece Trap

It's been in the headlines lately how the financial problems of Greece are spreading to the entire European Union.

I lived in Greece for three months back in 1986, so I know a little about Greek culture.  In a nutshell, the Greeks are very fiscally irresponsible.  Their government has historically failed on a whopping 50% of their debt.

When the EU tells the Greek government to shape up, cut costs, cut services, act responsibly - the Greek population riots and burns buildings.  Like a spoiled child throwing a fit after being told to quit playing and come to dinner.

By contrast, the Germans are ultra responsible.  What needs to happen is for the Germans to start acting like the Greeks and the Greeks to start acting like the Germans.  However, that is impossible, so I suggest the following:

This will be very unpopular, but I see it is the only solution - Greece has 11 million citizens.  The European Union has over 500 million citizens.  Germany has 81 million citizens.  Up til now Greece has been trying to tell the EU to send more money (the tail trying to wag the dog).  The only way to get the Greeks to act more like the Germans is for 1 million Germans to move to Greece...and 1 million Greeks to move to Germany.  They can keep their cars, but they will have to trade houses/apartments/flats.  I would imagine some Germans would like to move to the warmer climate.  Not to mention some Greeks are tired of the chaos, strikes, and unemployment and would like a better life for their children.

There are two precedents for this - one very good one and one very bad.  First, Germany has experience in helping poor countries.  West Germany was an economic powerhouse and East Germany was a joke of a police state.  Obviously, East Germany became much more like West Germany...not the other way around.

Second precedent:  The last time Germany sent a lot of Germans to Greece was in WWII.So, let's not call them Germans.  Let's call them "Europeans"  - the "Million 'Mensch' March"!  [a 'mensch' is a Yiddish word for a person of honor and integrity].  Although 2 million really....as 1 million moving southeast and 1 million moving northwest.

And if 1 million doesn't do it then trade another million!  I think the Greeks would go for it.  They would like all the Mercedes, Audi's, and Beemers that come with the Germans.  If the Greeks don't go along with it, give their EU membership to the Turks.  Turkey has been wanting to get into the EU for the last 25 years...

=j=

OLD DOGS

One day an old German Shepherd starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he's lost.  Wandering about he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch. 

The old German Shepherd thinks, "OH, oh!! I'm in deep s*** now!!"

Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat.  Just as the panther is about to leap the old German Shepherd exclaims loudly,

"BOY! That was one delicious panther!  I wonder if there are anymore around here?"

Hearing this the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike. Terror came over him and he slinked away into the trees.

"Whew!", says the panther, "That was close...that old German Shepherd nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther.  So, off he goes.

The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans, and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.

The young panther is furious at being been made a fool of and says, "Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!"

Now, the old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running he sat down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old German Shepherd says,

"Where's that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!"

MORAL OF THIS STORY:

Don't mess with the old dogs.  Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery.  BS and brilliance only come with age and experience.

If you don't send this to five "old" friends right away there will be five fewer people laughing in the world.

Of course, I am in no way insinuating that you are old....just 'youthfully challenged'.

You did notice the size of the print, right?

An Update

    I've been in Omaha for three months now and we finally got some snow.  I've settled into a good little routine - my family and friends are taking good care of me.  I get to go to the pool three times a week, and I'm spending more time in the wheelchair.

    Misery loves company.  Almost everyday I talk with two ALS patients.  One guy is about six months ahead of me in his illness.  Hard to watch as I am right behind him, but I would rather know than not know...

He is facing it with humor and dignity.  He has the family kind of ALS.  Hereditary.  Six people in his family have died from ALS - including his mother two years ago.

    I haven't posted much on Facebook - I don't know what to say.  I guess mentally I'm good.  Physically, I am still deteriorating.  I am at peace, though.

    I have found the rest home I like and it is near the pool.  I am waiting on approval.  I don't know if I'll be there in one month or six.  I'll keep you posted.

Until next time,

Cheers,

Jack

    

Angry, But.....

    "I have a lot of questions and the longer I sit here in my house, in my wheelchair, and stare at my computer screen, the longer those questions brew, the angrier I get.

    I do not want to die an angry man.  I do not want to die a bitter man.  I do not want to die at all.  But if I must, then I want truth to be my companion on that journey, not regret."  - Michael Donnelly from 'Falcon's Cry - A Desert Storm Memoir'

    I love that quote.  It gives me peace...  I am not as angry as him because I got ALS at age 51.  He got it at age 35.