While I never want anything bad to happen to any country

just what happens when a country defaults on their debts?

Greece Nears the Precipice, Raising Fear

So many countries are having economic problems so serious that there is a risk that the countries themselves will have to declare bankruptcy. What can actually happen when a country declares bankrupty? There's a few things that intrigue me about this.

First, the countries are in the situation their in due to the financial system, which is tied to the political system. In the words of so many people, 'Hello?'.

Next is the problem of personal debt. Greece has tried to institute austerity measures only to be greeted with protests from people who want all the luxuries they're used to. Of course. So would we, probably. Besides, governments always 'talk the talk' but they never get serious themselves about austerity. Take a look to see if any member of a government in any country is doing without. And to see how much of the people's tax money they're wasting for their own gratification. I can't blame the people for protesting.

Third, I'd really like to see what would happen if China called in the U.S. debt that they carry for them. Now THAT would be interesting!  (Sorry. I guess that's just mean-spiritedness on my part. But I'd still like to see what would happen and how it would play out.)

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And so it goes...


Many Poisoned Rivers

"When a Billion Chinese Jump: How China Will Save Mankind - Or Destroy It"

" This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper. "

We do it to ourselves, and wallow in our smugness and self-congratulatory hypocrisy...

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Tonight.

8:30 p.m.

Earth Hour.

Stop using electricity for an hour.

Help everyone to become more aware.

Earth Hour 2010

(Disclaimer: Except for those of you out there who believe that God gave you the earth to rape and pillage and that He'll take care of you. I'd hate to suggest something your deity would disagree with...)

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Be sure to read

the comments as well, for a more full discussion...

The Global Crisis: Lessons from the Middle Ages

<cynicism>Personal opinion? No system will work. It can't, as long as human greed and self-interest are allowed to hold sway. What we need to do is to find the one that works the best within the confines of those parameters...</cynicism>

Capitalism,

in an age of globalization...

The Meltdown Goes Global: It is time to rethink capitalism.

How insane is that?


2 US Navy vessels collide in Strait of Hormuz

"Still, the unusual collision between members of the same navy sparked a sudden rise in oil prices — which had been declining on the day — even though the strait remained open."

No, not the collision, though that is odd enough in its own right, but the increase in the price of oil because... well.. because nothing happened to affect it! What better reason to raise the price?

Bah!

Did Jesus really want to make us one

in the sense of globalization?

One World, Under God

"For all the advances and wonders of our global era, Christians, Jews, and Muslims seem ever more locked in mortal combat. But history suggests a happier outcome for the Peoples of the Book. As technological evolution has brought communities, nations, and faiths into closer contact, it is the prophets of tolerance and love that have prospered, along with the religions they represent. Is globalization, in fact, God’s will?"