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athinaios

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Posts posted by athinaios

  1. 17 hours ago, tantra129 said:

    but.... wasn't it you that said it's not the end of the world...checks & balances?

     

    Hmmm, I don't know if I said that....because:

    ..In a system whereas the checks and balances actually work, I'd say, OK, Congress and the courts could curtail presidential power. But, I don't think this system works today in the US when the same party controls both the executive and legislature. I'm amazed that only 2 Repubs (both retiring) are clearly critical of Trump when others keep mostly mum.

    I also know that presidential power is ..powerful, so there's only so much the other 2 branches can do. Presidents can sign executive orders (instructing the bureaucracy), appoint people to important positions, start (not declare, but this is a detail) a war, etc.

    A test of the checks and balances will (?) be if Trump fires special counsel Muller or violates the constitution... .let see if a Republican Congress would act.

     

    PS>Just yesterday, VP Pence broke a 50-50 tie in the Senate to pass a law that reduces consumer protection, in that if you're screwed by a bank you can't sue!

  2. In the group stage, PAO defeated Anagenisi Karditsa today, 1-2 and will advance to next stage. Many subs played but from what I read they didn't do all that well.  However, this is the first game PAO wins away from home in ages.  The cup is the only thing this team can vie for this season, and possibly next since it seems PAO will be out of Europe and not good enough to compete for the league title.

    The next big game is this coming Saturday when we play Oly at home.

  3. All of our intelligence agencies agree that Russia interfered with the last US election and helped Trump. There lots of indications that Trump, his family and businesses, and his campaign have had ties to Russia. This, by the way, will be resolved one way or another. I'm waiting to see what special counsel Muller (former FBI chief) will find.  Of course, Trump may fire him like he fired Comey, but this will be an obstruction of justice offense.

    Trump is such an irresponsible person, a dangerous moron, who's totally unqualified for the important job ..Russians helped him get. It beats me why so many people don't see this.

  4. I would not allow Trump to define what the national anthem means. It's not about "his country" but about mine too. The flag represents freedom of expression, including the right to protest the flag, the president, the whole damn country if one chooses. And, don't tell me, leave politics out of a sport, because it's already politicized. The Pentagon has given money to the NFL to display patriotism, have jets fly over stadiums, etc.

    Before 2009, the national anthem wasn't televised, many players stayed in the locker room, and there wasn't too much fuss about standing, kneeling, or running to the bathroom or buy a hot dog and a beer.

    But, that's what Trump does to rally his base. He is not going to help them get better jobs, have health insurance (good coverage), consumer protection, etc. But, he gets involved with an issue for which he has no authority to do anything about, and his supporters say, "yeah, that's my guy!" 

  5. I don't remember if right after the mass shooting at the Orlando club done by Muslim man whether anyone tried to politicize the event...

    Do you recall?

    'Cause every time there's a mass shooting in the US, I hear many voices that instruct us not to politicize such event and give time to the victims and families....  Thoughts and prayers are what's needed during those times we're told.

  6. The problem with all plans that ask for PAO fans (rich and poor) to contribute and help save the club is the uncertainty!  You may want to put your hand deep in your pocket to buy tickets, donate, etc, but if you're not sure this would help, you may not do so.

    Someone may shell out $25/month for next year's tickets, but they'd probably want to know if PAO plays in div 1 or 3....

  7. ^^^^

    is that money enough for the team to complete the season without being relegated? how about UEFA? I heard the penalty can be up to 3 year ban from euro play.

    now, if they sell everyone, they may pay their bills but they still have to earn enough points not to fall to div 2...:confused:

  8. Many who oppose the new law made similar statements that the gov is trying to redefine the Bible, morality, Greek tradition, etc. In other words, God made Adam and Eve.... so I guess this defines traditional and heterosexual relations as the only appropriate and moral condition. If some persons feel trapped in a body whose gender doesn't suit them, it's their problem.... so it would seem.

    But, even though Greece is still very traditional, including very religious compared to western European countries, a lot of changes have taken place in my lifetime. I think it was until the 1980s that adultery was a criminal offense. Divorce was rather rare and it was the male that got custody of kids (unless he agreed to pay child support to mother). No civil/secular marriages were possible. Remember the huge fight about the "Orthodox Christian" designation on the national ID cards?

     

     

  9. Today, the PAE revealed the numbers, but everybody is not on the same page.. DY said he'll reveal everything on Monday if PAE doesn't come clean about the numbers.

    Keeper Vlaho is signed by Benfica and PAO will get much needed cash. But, does anyone know what money must be in the club's possession and by what date so the team isn't penalized or worse relegated?

     

  10. I read that Greece is trying to redefine the story of Adam and Eve, because a new law allows transgender persons to self-determine their gender, legally now.

    Do you think that Greece's traditions and identity have been altered too much, enough, not enough enough?  Membership in the EU and greater integration in Western Europe had an undeniable effect on the laws of the country, but it seems that Greece is being brought forward often kicking and screaming.

  11. This doesn't look good at all. If PAO isn't relegated would be the best outcome right now.

    I really don't get Alafouzos, he approved the transfers in the summer, he knew the situation, and to basically pull out after the season has started is unethical, stupid, vindictive, and anything else bad you can say.   I don't know why the new people at the helm aren't telling us what's going on. Karagounis said "no" to joining the effort to save the club, and the veterans of the team issued a similar statement why the current management isn't more transparent...

  12. In my conversation with people who don't want any restrictions to gun ownership and use, they say 2 things, after they mumble that "more education" is needed...

    1. A bad guy with a gun is stopped by a good guy with a gun, meaning all the good people should be armed.

    2. We need to have guns to defend our freedom, especially from the government.

    In my judgement both those arguments aren't valid. For #2, good citizenship and democratic institutions is the best defense against authoritarian government. If we get to the point of the government coming after the people, it's too late. Gov. has overwhelming firepower nowadays.

    As for #1, see this video:

     
  13. On 9/28/2017 at 7:36 AM, jvc said:

    This is what I'm hearing after reading that.....   You're in prison, so the rapes and beatings will continue but there's a promise of good ..food.  Excuse me, but the club has an existential crisis and they're now discussing a new development about the γηπεδο?!! 

  14. On 9/28/2017 at 1:18 AM, tantra129 said:

    It is a journey and we have yet to reach our destination. He brainwashed a few and he hit a nerve because no matter his actions there are many following blindly.  I thought W was bad.  This guy just created a new class. 

    Trump was always a snake-oil salesman, bullshitting his way through life, but a successful con artist. This we knew way before he entered politics. He lived in NY so we got to know him very well over the decades. The most surprising thing for me was that he would get so many people to buy into whatever he's saying, because he never had thought about any issue deeply or has good knowledge of it. But, once he got the flag of the Republican party the tribe closed behind him.

    I understand why he'd hit a nerve, as you say it, but com'on, at least you'd want a competent, qualified doctor for what ails you.

  15. The US had a founding ideal: equality under the law and of opportunity. Falling short of this ideal (and, boy, have we fallen short for so long), is the real disrespect.

    For me worshiping the symbols themselves without understanding what they represent is hypocritical. I also don't have to pledge allegiance to the flag or to the anthem itself or even to the president! I support the constitution and ideals upon which this country was founded, such as--life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!

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  16. Ala refused to meet with Ouz and stopped paying additional money to the club, but reportedly he'll pay the taxes, loans, etc. The key is that the club pays the players by end of Oct.  Once this is done, then they'll sell a couple players and finish the season limping. Forget Europe for a while; I think it's certain that PAO will be kicked out. But, given the situation, if the club avoids bankruptcy it'd be the best outcome. Btw, I don't think going to 3rd div. for 3 years is the solution because most of the debts won't go away. Now they could dissolve the club but...

    As for the debts, yeah, some of them are stupid, but some are to people who need those payments, including the club's workers, managers, trainers. You know, if I had a small business and a club owed me money I'd be pissed off.

    Ala has to open the books and explain how exactly we got here. He should not be absolved of any responsibility when this past year he approved all new signings and spendings. He promised Ouz certain things.  He better be a man and own up to those promises.

  17. Looking back someone can say it'd have been better back then to have declared bankruptcy and fallen to 3rd div. like AEK because the law was more lenient---discharge the debt (which is unethical if you ask me) and climb back up in 3 years. Not anymore.  But, the fact remains: Bad people still control the league.

    I want to see the PAO books open so we know what happened when and by whom. Transparency may help with fixing the club, same with the league eventually. But how do you account for bad decisions? Same in politics. You may reduce corruption but incompetency can ruin any effort.  Alafouzos wasted lots of money by selecting bad coaches and bad, expensive players.

    Let's say I'm very wealthy and I pay Greece's debts today. Do you think that its leaders won't accumulate huge debts quickly again?.... Same with football.  PAO needs a very wealthy person who will dump tons of money into the club and lose lots of it.   Oh, and by the way, forget having a group of people collectively guiding the club... not in Greece; such models don't work there.

  18. 1 hour ago, jvc said:

    Here's the new rules if PAO takes the AEK root to dissolve debts.   At the moment Alafouzos has not dropped 20 million.  If PAO goes bankrupt he will not be obligated to do so.  That being said,  it's Alafouzos who has sunk the boat and destroyed the club....he raised the debts by 30 million!  And all along he was telling everyone he was reducing them....no mention of the current crisis. While this was going on....GATE 13 was singing,   mono sti leoforo.  And all along myself and thousands of supporters,  maybe hundreds of thousands were warning that Alafouzos will eventually destroy PANATHINAIKOS!  This historic club is on the verge of disappearing for good.  With the new rules you can't take the AEK root.    

    I HOPE YOU'RE SATISFIED GATE 13!  MALAKES!!!

    I agree with most of what you're saying. But, even though Alafouzos was totally incompetent and failed in every single task, including the task he first claimed wanted to do--to get the club on sound fiscal state--PAO is in the same position as when Ala took over. Back then no big-money PAO person stepped in to save the club (SHAME to those who left the club in such a terrible shape), and I'm afraid no one will step in today. So, Ala just took everyone for a ride only to return the club to same horrible position.

    The new law does not allow a club to shed its debt, unless the club is dissolved, including giving up its symbols! Plus 3 years in amateur league, and another 3 to climb back to div 1..... that is, if they still can climb a division every year (doubtful)... So, 6 years, plus old debts... This is not good.

    But, once they get to div. 2, the debts are awaiting...  So, PAO can't do what AEK did.. shed the debts and return in 3 years.

    Don't get me started with Gate 13...

     

  19. Well, Alafouzos called it quits today. He's leaving though he said he'll help up to $20 million of PAO's obligations. Apparently, the club owes and has running obligations of lots more than the 20 mil.

    I was never a fan of Alafouzo as a manager and owner of our beloved club, but he did step in when PAO was about to go bankrupt, again, and when no one, nobody, was willing to save the club. In many conversations here, when many were asking for Ala's immediate resignation, I didn't think he was holding on when there was a better alternative. Simply there was none. I figured that he was probably losing money by owning PAO.  He leaves while the club isn't in a worse position it was 5-6 years ago, in terms of financial obligations.  And, by the way, he's still willing to fork out another 20 mil, something the wealthy previous owners did not when they abandoned the club.

    So, here's the moment so many fans wanted.

  20. They'll sell keeper Vlacho to Benfica now.

     

    But, I think you're right, Alafouzo would have walked away already and save some more of his money. He knows if he leaves with no one else to take over (with money) the club will go bankrupt. So, he won't leave in a few weeks or in the near future, but the club will be barely making it. Also right about the brand name. PAO in 3rd div or in bankruptcy is bad for Alafouzos' business and for Dimitris'. Maybe they're playing a game to force creditors, perhaps the gov (for OAKA), and players to accept less.

    They'll need to keep the team safe and do as well as possible in the Greek cup.

     

    No to harp on old arguments, it was many years ago when I was saying in this forum that Greek football is being killed by the people involved. The damage may be too much now to recover, because a whole generation of youngsters never truly identified with a team. Besides there have been many more distractions for young people (and adults) so football is not one of the few sports or activities available like it was when I was going up.  The sport if it survives will have to be entertaining to attract viewers...

    But, with hooliganism, bad players, horrible officiating, corruption, and unplayable fields, there's no attraction. The gap with the Euro teams is getting bigger. Only gavroi have managed to still be competitive but they have a bigger budget than all the other Greek teams combined.   So, it's no surprise that you see two-digit ticket sales in many games. It's not sustainable.

     

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  21. Three years in 3rd division and kiss this club goodbye. All the better players will leave and if the club continues, then it'll be just any other struggling club.

    Alafouzo saved the club from going to 3rd division years ago, but he's been one of the most incompetent owners ever. He wasted 40 mil. of his own money too. But, if he leaves the club without finding anyone to take over, he better leave Greece too.

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