Jim Buba's Open Salon Blog

CYPRUS: Overview to accompany the crisis

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:04:49 -0400

by Jim Buba, 11 April 2013

In response to a Cypriot’s comment labeling Germany as the evil conqueror

I can disagree with the 'German part', since of all the EU member states, it was only Germany that knuckled under, went to work and saved money. The rest just threw a party on borrowed money and Cyprus is no different.

The most popular sport during the recent hey-days before the crash (2007) was for EU nationals to invest in real estate on the various Sun Coasts of the Mediterranean. Everyone borrowed money from EU banks and contracted builders and developers on the promise of great returns. While I usually agree that real estate well managed is a good investment, the craze in the EU turned foundations of bombed-out barns in Albania into estates at the quarter million euro level.

Cyprus was well managed and well financed, but its banks sympathetically backed similar loan arrangements for property in the occupied north. Certainly it was a sign of good faith, that the hand be extended, but without properly arranging for the title and deed issues, a much greater loss was incurred when one considers the cash that just packed its bags and headed to Ankara where the Greek stretch of the EU law could not reach.

Cyprus' banks also failed to properly value and forecast the return on their investment into Greek banks. Rather foolish of those who made millions in 'shady deals' to be taken in by shady dealers. It would be polite to think that Cyprus bankers were fooled by Greek bankers, backing huge loans in bad and bogus programs for the above stated real estate issue (scam) for starters, but I would rather think of it as honor among thieves since both Greek and Cypriot bankers were hoping to reap massive returns, which would bring huge bonus payments.

To make the illusion greater, they made conciliatory loans at wonderful rates to both the Greek and Cypriot governments. Despite the fact that I cannot believe anyone would consider Socialism or Communism a sound investment (without the oil and gas of course which changes everything) OR that socialists or communists are trustworthy for that matter.

In the end, PASOK (Greece) and AKEL (Cyprus) lived up to their reputations by filling their bank accounts faster than anybody else FIRST. Both governments engaged in reckless programs that gave away borrowed money, for which now the innocent people of both countries are being held responsible.

Since Cyprus rightfully protested the levy against ball bank accounts, they will be doubly charged to pay all of the debt, which by the way includes not only 7.6 billion Euro (advertised, though it appears double that amount) principle loaned (invested) in Athens, but the interest revenue stream that was forecast income for the banks against which Cyprus' government has been spending money it had never intended to collect from anyone but the casual investor, depositor and EU pensioner.

That was compounded as horrible management and decision making when Cyprus banks also sought to protect the customers who naturally are accused of laundering money because they chose to hide it in Cyprus.

In the end, all of these were made worse by the Communists who hardly supported the Cypriots or Cyprus as evidenced by the mishandling of the Mari blast, failure to support Cyprus Air, failure to support Cyprus Farmers (cheese), failure to the public trust in dealing with the United Nations to resolve the partition problems; each choice to enrich themselves and when not getting that payoff, abandoning their (euphemistically) own people.

Cyprus is too small, divided, to be a nation and has no industry until the gas discovery is exploited. There AKEL has cast a place in perpetuity for themselves, to the detriment of all Cyprus and without regard for which side might eventually win in the end.

For this, Cyprus is paying for all of it and AKEL has the nerve to pretend they deserve to run the country again. They should be strung up along the streets of Paphos, Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca, every water desalinization plant an, every farm and especially at Mari.

Doing this seems extreme, but it demonstrates to the world that Cyprus will no longer stand for the machinations that have brought larger nations to their knees, some of them with far deeper cash and energy reserves.

The current ECB/IMF bailout plan is unsustainable and does enslave Greek Cyrpus to the German banks of the EU as managers. The only alternative to this, aside from hanging the communists and bankers, is to default and withdraw. When you fully consider paying through the nose for everything as contrast to paying through the nose as slaves to the EU or Germany (both one in the same for the time being), you will see that defaulting and withdrawing are far more acceptable… even for the communists.

If it weren’t for those pesky Turks in the north and the total lack of trained a military with a couple of good allies such as Israel and/or Russia. Indeed, development of the gas will cost 10-20 billion Euro over five years, but that would be a far better investment than paying forever to the EU and/or Germany. Doing this would spawn industry and business, creating jobs from which would flow the natural tax revenues to build and maintain the sustainable conditions for the next century. This would provide the missing stability upon which the sovereigns or crowns, bankers otherwise and the collective United Nations prey as national weakness for the common good.

Francis I: Another Historic First?

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:03:28 -0400

The Holy Roman Catholic Church selected the successor to Pope Benedict XVI yesterday and it was, as Dickens wrote, “… the best of times … worst of times.” In this, the Twenty-First Century, I’m sort of wondering if I can take any more ‘historic firsts’. Nonetheless, we have a few more and while it remains to be seen of what value, let me chime in with a few cents worth.

Pope Francis I is the most obvious. Being ‘Number One’, ‘Numero Uno’ or ‘I’ does have advantages. Generally, it makes life easier for today’s poorly-educated media and journalists and editors since they won’t have to rummage around for their ‘Roman to Arabic Number Thesaurus’ to be certain. They can easily write ‘Pope Francis’ when they can’t remember to capitalize the ‘i’ making it ‘I’ as it should be. I’ve learned a bit of restraint when it comes to all things grammar, though I make mistakes from time to time, I at least can remain calm in my imperfect humanity unlike some who should know better. Despite the title or education, there are very few good writers or reporters. There are lots of hacks, but they are the best the lunatic left can bring to bear when it is ideology they seek rather than skill with prose.

Pope Francis I is also the very first non-European Pope. I don’t know about you, but it has always bothered me a little that for all the good non-European men of cloth, it took two thousand years for the College of Cardinals to choose one. Amen, it’s about time. Perhaps the Cardinals took special note of the direction of the Church and of nations and understood they could have done worse, but didn’t have to this time around.

The Two Hundred and Sixty-Sixth Pope is an immigrant’s son; or something like that, tracing his roots through his Italian father. Some might think; as did my wife, that although non-European, he is at least Italian and with a chortle feigned a complaint about having one’s feet stuck in someone’s mud.

Francis I is a Jesuit. Those in the know regard the Jesuit Order as the more liberal or left-leaning Order. If it is non-traditional in the Catholic Church, there is a Jesuit behind it all. One might also think that without success as a Catholic, Jesuits who disagree deeply with Rome become Methodists, just for the chance to wear red without having been chosen or promoted.

Ah, but knowing that this Pope was chosen by the Cardinals in the traditional, orthodox two-thirds majority is not a first, but to those who cast their support on the fifth ballot in March 2013 for the Cardinal from Buenos Aries thinking him a traditional Jesuit, they too are about to get a hefty dose of what was good for the goose for so very long. It is payback time and I’m hot to watch it play out on the world stage.

Obama comes to mind; briefly and without regard or honor, to be displaced in media around the world as so much the also-ran he always has been. There is comfort here that more questions will be asked and more ink scribbled (do we do that still?) over Francis I than the shameless huckster dressed up as President of the United States. I can’t wait for the first-ever Catholic Vice President; sent to Rome as a dignitary stand-in, to get what’s coming to him from the Higher Power; should that come to pass. I can wish and I try to do so without hate, but I have been slipping in the patience department for the last few years and cannot guarantee anything at this point.

The new Pope is a plant among Jesuits then, set there by Pope John-Paul II who elevated him to Archbishop in Argentina, in essence saving him from the government-imposed exile by de Kirchener at the direction of the not-dearly departed, but indeed gone, Hugo Chavez. This edict came in retribution against him for speaking out and daring to defy the government, which was his job. For all time, most thought the Jesuit would easily cave and sell his people short on behalf of the indignity of imposed socialism.

Now, in March 2013, Pope Francis I was selected by the Cardinals in the Conclave; that system of which was of special note to the United States Founders as a blueprint for what used to be our Senate. Francis emerged in Papal garb on the balcony, as all of his predecessors did and waved. He smiled and asked the people to pray with him… and for him, as it should be. He then attended the reception in his honor, changed his clothes and drove himself to his hotel to fetch his own bags and return.

There is no telling what lessons in humility Francis I will impart upon the Vatican and all the world’s leaders, but in these ‘worst of times’, it is both welcome and a comfort to witness a man lead by example in God’s Name emphasizing the Rock upon which the Church was built is still solidly Conservative and True.

As it should be, you see, this last bit a lesson for the RINOs who have come in many shapes, sizes and colors to subvert what they believed to be the end of resistance to temptation for the benefit of the few, on behalf of the fewer, for no good whatsoever. The people go to vote and deserve a choice between two distinct sides.

There is much work to be done. Get busy!

Massachusetts Special Election Straw Poll

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 17:03:16 -0500

2 Mar 13, Danversport Yacht Club, Danvers, MA

An invitation was published for Massachusetts Republicans to come out, enjoy some coffee, network and listen to the three GOP candidates for U.S. Senate in the special election ordered by law. Not two weeks ago, the opposition was trying to paint the GOP as a dead issue, or so they wish. Instead, we have a primary and on April 30 will choose which of these Three Amigos will face off against the Liberal Left.

It was encouraging to mill about the crowd and see that the invitation got sufficient response from all corners of the state. On the North Shore, in the heart of the criminal Congressman’s territory, the caucus would be lucky to draw thirty or forty people. Nearly 230 showed up to participate and that doesn’t count the five or six from each candidate’s campaigns nor the GOP executives all paying homage to the newly-minted State Chairwoman. Since it is likely her idea, I wish to extend my congratulations for a job well done towards her, though in private quarters, a little less of the high-pitched screaming meemees is in order.

The three candidates were introduced by the Emcee; State Senator Bruce Tarr of Gloucester. Senator Tarr had entertained the idea of running for the open seat and did well to terminate consideration with all the grace and aplomb befitting an elected official. Hearing Mr. Tarr’s introductions; offered in his no-foolin’ style, makes me proud in a way to have him on our side. He has that special something that voters look and listen for during debate and delivery and that is a rare and admirable quality.

In alphabetical order then, the field was introduced to give the crowd what-for and in all of these affairs I have attended in the past, it is generally a boring rendition of all the stuff I have read about the candidates as they came out of woodwork and worm-holes to give it a go. The field of five became three, when two others seemed to fail to meet the requirements by the deadline, though anything can happen and it will be 6 March to officially determine that there are only three.

Mr. Gomez took the microphone and introduced himself to the crowd. The son of immigrants, Gabriel became a Navy officer; graduating from Annapolis and then volunteered to attempt a try-out to become a Navy SEAL. I have double the maximum respect for any person who succeeds at both, but that extra notice does not cloud my judgment for it is the meaning and the words that indeed say it all. Oh, the delivery is important to me because I project my first impression against the plebeians who will decide on Election Day. Gomez’ delivery was barely adequate even for a first-timer, though in private he admits that speaking before a crowd is a weakness he must conquer.

Mr. Sullivan, former U.S. Attorney with a pedigree to match his stature is renowned for putting away crooked politicians in Massachusetts. That is a difficult feat in any state, but to slam-dunk a pair of Democrats on their home court is akin to any sports team winning on the road against any division leader or champion. Sullivan is true to his word, which makes him an odd-fit as a politician, but in all things politics his run is a natural progression on the career ladder and could not easily be ignored. I came away with the sense that Mike was accustomed to the ‘friendly crowd’ aspect of the gathering and was focused upon introducing or re-introducing himself as the case may be.

State Representative Dan Winslow rounded out the field. Well read and represented, Mr. Winslow’s time on the bench served him well. An avid reader and dedicated people’s servant, Dan hearkens back to the good old days when the rare combination of support loyalty, dedication and capability was used by Republican Governors to appoint people to places of authority and responsibility. This of course contrasts with the Leftists who appoint the only class of supporter they know; anyone and/or anyone that donated to their campaign.

There was an annoying humm in the crowd as Gomez and Sullivan were speaking. Generally, when everyone in the room is familiar with the speakers or topic there is a tendency for boorish behavior to prate among themselves in the belief they are speaking in low-tones that go ignored. However, when several groups are all humming, the din is a distraction to some. To others, it is an indication of the quality of the speaker’s inability to command their attention. This may be important to note; or noteworthy if you prefer to extend the sentiment to the undecided of swing voters who may not remember what’s-his-name when it comes time to fill in the circle.

This distinction makes Dan Winslow all the more prominent. His delivery and mannerism, coupled with a timely humorous anecdote or two had nearly everyone gripped. If I didn’t know any better, I would suggest that Winslow has successfully cloned Ronald Reagan, though that wasn’t his goal. Dan is a natural in that regard and his speech was delightfully and powerfully delivered. I believe as well that many attendees who came on a whim or at an agent’s insistence or were justifiably on the fence, undecided if you will, heard every word of Winslow’s speech.

Perhaps that is notable in concert with the fact that when the vote was counted, Dan came away the winner of the non-binding poll. I feel compelled to say it that way because it will make Winslow the man to beat and cause the others to be more pronounced when they next meet on the trail to the Primary or in debates, where unprepared and low-key are qualities that former Senator Brown learned found insurmountable last November.

Of course, Brown did not lose because of that alone. He lost because of his voting record on all counts. The people are neither stupid nor fickle when it comes to a vote. They seemingly do strange things, like elect Elizabeth Warren to the Senate, when clearly Brown was a much better choice. But when challenged to decide between a Leftist and a Leftist, the people will choose the Leftist every time. Mr. Brown’s position was that of a centrist, which for a Rightist is a Leftist, but remarkably Right of Center-Left if you know what I mean.

The people wanted a Rightist to combat the Leftist where compromise in negotiation finds the center, which is where the people want to be. No sense in electing a centrist which will produce a leftrist-center result when you can easily depend upon the Leftist to be so far out that anyone would take pride in making phone calls to the numerous offices filled with uncaring staff to complain. That certain security is a difficult trait to describe, so I can only hope and pray it rings true when the other two men on the stage this past morning will be voting for the April winner in June.

Jim Buba

Lowell, MA

MA-GOP: Special meeting to discuss inconsistencies in the ru

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 17:03:20 -0500

I took enough notes to write a two-thousand word essay, but either the Cliff Note or 'Robert's Rules for Dummies' version might better serve the day. First things first:

http://www.quincyma.gov/government/CITYCOUNCIL/

is the Quincy City Council website, which prominently and factually states that the Council meets on the first and third Mondays every month. It is quite obvious, without notable objection, that Chairwoman Hughes; tasked with scheduling the Special Meeting, either never intended to attend. Of course, she may have been counseled to do so and given Committee Legal Counsel DeVito's et al propensity for control, it is most likely to be the case.

There is a slim chance that it was a simple oversight... NOT!

The meeting called to order with fifty-six committee members answering the first call and two arriving late for fifty-eight. Without free food, it punctuates the need for replacing sixteen or twenty (16 or 20) of the members that did not attend. Those with legitimate reasons may well point back to the 'simple oversight' mentioned above... NOT!

The plain truth is that they don't care. For that reason, they must be evicted and replaced.

The imbroglio Mike mentioned was almost a snoozer. If it weren't for the raucous exchange, it would have been just that. I suppose being on the side of Truth, Justice and the American Way helped to keep me awake.

The Vice Chair remained calm, that bit of the 'seasoned and experienced attorney' showing through well enough. However, she erroneously permitted distraction and interruption, in a feigned attempt to maintain order, which was sorely lacking. I can say this because her permissiveness was one-sided; in favor of the Old Guard if you will. They want no part of any rules or by-laws change or amendment, because it would cede power.

Can’t have any of that, now can we?

They bickered, they diced, they sliced, parry and thrust, but the opposition came up losing every time. The kudos to Mr. Gilchrest for hanging tough. Awards for Best Supporting Member goes to Mr. Aylward and a cast of fives helping to stifle by rule, the opposition’s complaint. The funniest parts included a reading of the By-Laws and Rules by the Vice Chair and Parliamentarian, which were quite clear against their cause, but that did not stop them from trying to bamboozle the Committee.

The Award for Best Supporting Committeewoman goes to Dracut’s Sheila Richardson, who almost single-handedly silenced the opposition’s female tyrants with her matter-of-fact acknowledgement of the solution; offered by Committeeman Green, on the table. Surely nobody wanted to have to hold a Special Meeting, but once done; and by rule, it should have been quite easily navigated even by the most inexperienced Rules monkeys.

It was easily done, with deference to the ‘legality according to the By-Laws’ still hanging in the breeze, but I believe I understood the reading of the By-law by the Vice Chair and found nothing in Mr. Green’s motion or the intent of the committee so formed in those words. Thus, Strike Two goes towards Ms. Kangas. It was a cherished moment when she was joined at the podium by the former Congressman to read a passage of Robert’s Rules. However, that was quickly set aside by Mr. Gilchrest’s insistence over the prevailing and correct rule in question.

Nearly everyone was having a ‘WTF’ moment by then. For me, Ms. Richardson’s mention of her outrage and insult over the Massachusetts National Committeeman’s and Woman’s endorsement of newly minted Chairwoman, Kirsten Hughes prior to the January vote. It seems that Healy and Kauffman were joined by Republican National Chairman, Priebus, in this effort and wanted to know who the hell paid for it as well as what the hell it was they were thinking as they signed their names.

Soon, there will be a neutral Counsel of Seven to discuss the items on the agenda and recommend changes, re-writes and modifications to the Committee post haste.

I’m still wondering why openness, clear and honest elections and election processes would bring about such a stiff opposition from the Old Guard. I have one of them in Lowell, who attempted to explain her offense over my use of the label ‘Old Guard’. You see, she claims that the Old Guard knows how to run campaigns and win elections.

Really? From where I sit, the Old Guard is responsible for the near elimination of the GOP from the Massachusetts Legislature. Top-down politics does not work. Even the new Chair admitted that during her campaign. Perhaps that is why some of the Old Skeptical Guard didn’t go the extra mile when they cast thief vote for Hughes in January.

There you have it. In summary, it will become the next campaign slogan: ‘Sixteen in Sixteen’ to represent those left or hold-overs that must be replaced before they drop their GOP pacifiers into the toilet of political doom and flush.

Jim Buba

Lowell, MA

Christmas 2012

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 06:12:06 -0500

Over century scored and double that prior, no One has so influenced so many by presence of thought or deed as recorded by others for the benefit of all.

Indeed, many have sought what is given unto Him so freely and have fallen beneath icons erected in their honor so quickly leaving them void. In that void, rarely but not without improbability, an explosion of Faith may rise bringing the Salvation promised. Perhaps this is what science calls the ‘Big Bang’, but cannot see the molecule for the atoms.

His story begins nestled in woe. What is Mary to do? With child at the time when custom frowned greatly upon the unwed. Certainly without witness to any crime, Mary was in need and God provided her with comfort, means and protection of a man who knew nothing but kindness in alternative to human cruelties of banishment, hunger, rejection as they covet possessions of others. It is written that Joseph took Mary with Child far away from those who would spurn Her and into the unknown with nothing more than the skill of a carpenter, gave unto Her that which ordinary men denied.

Nearly the same time, it is thus spake, a Star exploded into its super-nova state bringing great light as a beacon unto Earth. There, men ordinary and not looked to the heavens and found Hope upon memory of a promise long ignored and nearly forgotten. Three of them gathered what they had and made way, following a route promised by legend. What is it they sought or found when by night, beneath the sparkles of wonder, they found the Child in the ramshackle and ruin called stable.

They found a man and a woman tending to a Child under impossible condition and extended the compassion of man each of them not long prior a stranger with only the wealth of their intellect and good fortune of mind. I imagine them talking along the way of their journey into the unknown following starlight on a whim and amazed all at once by the simple thing we now call life.

Imagine walking a great distance navigating only by a distant beacon. You occasion to meet along your path, two others who might ask; Where are you going? You reply unto each; I do not know, but that Light tugs upon me, it beckons like no other and the legend promises a Savior. Imagine then the joy of finding friends who would go along with you, even if it were only for a short distance and how that feeling of camaraderie might grow each day they stayed with you, in Faith, your numbers now protecting each other.

Imagine then, what it is you would feel when the entourage happens upon the only sliver of light not in the heavens to find, on Earth, the Miracle of Birth.

That is only the beginning. It gets better.