The British newspaper The Independent wrote that British sources have said that the Obama Administration is fearful of the fall-out on the U.S. economy if Greece tanks and the ripples affect the Eurozone and world markets.

Representatives from the Troika of the European Union-International Monetary Fund-European Central Bank (EU-IMF-ECB) and the European Commission are due to arrive in Athens next month to assess Greece΄s reform efforts as the country attempts to make another $14.16 billion in cuts to insure the continuation of rescue loans.

They are expected to make a report in time for an Oct. 8  meeting of the Eurozone finance ministers which is expected to decide whether to release a $38.8 billion installment, the last in a first series of $152 billion in rescue loans, without which Greece would not have enough money to pay workers and pensioners. The country has already stopped paying its bills. For the long-term, the Troika is withholding a second bailout, of $173 billion, until the uneasy coalition government led by New Democracy Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras makes the cuts and imposes more austerity.

Samaras said Greece needs two more years to reduce the country’s deficit from 9.3 to 3 percent and get a privatization program going. American officials are understood to be worried that if they decide Greece has not done enough to meet its deficit targets and withhold the money, it would automatically trigger Greece΄s exit from the Eurozone close to the Nov. 6 President ballot.

The Independent said American officials are urging Eurozone governments to hold off from taking any drastic action before then. European leaders are thought to be sympathetic to the lobbying fearing that, under pressure from his party in Congress, Republican Mitt Romney would be a more isolationist president than the Democratic Obama.

The President discussed the Eurozone crisis with British Prime Minister David Cameron during a conference call on Aug. 22, and both welcomed statements by the ECB that it was “standing firmly behind the euro.” The ECB is expected to present a plan in the next few weeks to help indebted countries like Spain and Italy by buying their government bonds to keep the Eurozone from becoming more fragile.

(source: The Independent, Capital)

Can you sense the sarcasm in my voice? Don’t get me wrong I have lived the whole “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” story with my father working at four different Greek diners and my mother telling me every day of my life to find “a nice Greek boy to marry.” But I don’t think, I can say that every Greek-American reading this believes the same thing, that this is not the way to promote Greece. The person responsible for this brilliant idea is the deputy minister of tourism and culture Mr. George Nikitiadis. His idea goes as follows, to grab a bunch of Greek artists put their work on these placemats, which as well know that these very same placemats get crumbled, doodle and wipe off everybody’s spills and leftover food daily. The sad part is not just the idea but that commercial sponsors from Greece, like ΟΠΑΠ and the restaurant association are giving money for this idea to blossom and come alive.

About 6 million euro’s are being given for 7 million throwaway placemats to be printed and distributed to diners across America. It doesn’t end here also plastic throwaway cups are going to be given to the customers of these diners as well. What happened to posters, art exhibits with various Greek or Greek-American artists, concerts and dance festivals to raise money to promote Greece? You can just shoot a commercial in Astoria, Queens in New York City and you have your promotion right there.

I might be the only one angry and annoyed about this “awesome”, “brilliant”, “extraordinary”, and “wonderful” tourism idea but I believe Greece deserves better than throwaway placemats and plastic cups, especially in the times that we are in now.

Long time Greek-American legislator launches bid for State Senate, promising to be a voice for good government while continuing to fight for issues of concern to Greece and Cyprus.

Former Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis, who served in the Rhode Island general assembly for sixteen years, announced that he will run for State Senate in 2012.

Raptakis served in the Rhode Island senate until last year, when he left to run his first statewide race for Secretary of State. Raptakis will be running to represent a new State Senate district, as the State of Rhode Island will be redrawing the district lines as a result of the current national census.

I am excited about the opportunity to return to the state senate and continue my work on behalf of the people of Rhode island while also working with my many friends in the Greek community on a range of important issues, said Raptakis. Over the years, I have been committed to public service and I look forward to be back in the arena of the state senate and fighting for common sense solutions to the challenges facing Rhode Island. Raptakis has been a strong voice on a range of Hellenic issues during his time in the Rhode Island legislature including:

• Promoting a resolution to the division of Cyprus

• Recognizing the Hellenic roots of Macedonia

• Pushed for Greece’s inclusion in the visa waiver program

• Introduced a Pontian Genocide resolution in the R.I. State Senate

• Arranging the donation of Hellas Liberty to Greece for use as a floating maritime museum.

• Educating members of Congress on issues of concern to Greece and Cyprus.

“Over the years, I have been proud to be a strong voice for my constituents while also working to bring attention to issues that matter to the Greek community,” said Raptakis.

“I intend to build on that record of accomplishment by returning to the state senate as a leader who knows how to get things done.”

Raptakis will be holding several campaign fundraisersin Rhode Island and has planned a series of events in the coming months throughout Greek American communities in the United States.

Those interested to contact Lou Raptakis can call his campaign office at (401)397-2720 or at senraptakis@hotmail.com or lou.raptakis@gmail.com.