Blog Project 3 - Greece

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Greek illegal gambling worth 5 billion 

euros a year

No author's name. "Greek illegal gambling worth 5 billion euros a year." BBC, 02 July 2014. Web. 06 July 2014.

<URL> http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-28126152

Summary :

Many illegal gambling are prevalent in Greece. It is fully worth 5 billion euros a year, which is harming the national economy because it acts like system for laundering ill-gotten money. According to Commision chief, total sales of legal gambling fell about 37% and total earnings decreased about 1 billion euros due to illegal gambling operations all of which bypass the taxman. It does not even include online illegal gambling. To regulate these illegal gambling operations, general secretary for transparency is going to cracking down.

Persuasive :

The reason why I chose this article is that this article has the opposite image of Greece from which I have before. I have the image of Greece that there are lots of beautiful attractions for tourists, white colored buildings, and kind people so I cannot think that there is something bad issue like this. I felt so sorry for the country, Greece. I doubt that why Greek people do illegal gambling although their homeland are struggling to enhance their economy. I hope the Greek people stop illegal gambling and cooperate to grow their economy together.

<2>

Greece threatened by power cuts as workers strike

No author's name. "Greece threatened by power cuts as workers strike." BBC, 03 July 2014. Web. 06 July 2014. 

<URL> http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28142190

Summary :

In Greece, the Athens government is trying to privatizing 34% more stake than before in the PPC, Public Power Corporation. Also, the deal entails making a new division representing about 30% of the utility's power output generated, then selling it to private investors. But the employees in PPC argue that electricity is a essential commodity which should be under state control. So workers from the PPC started to strike in protest at a government's privatization plan. As a result of this strike, many parts of Greece are encountering power failures.

Persuasive :

I chose this article because the situation in this article is prevalent in Korea, such as Hyundai, Ssanyong car and Seoul Metro. I had a very irksome and hard time when Seoul Metro began strike last winter. When I was going to ski resort in ChunCheon, I had to take subway but I could get on the subway after a very long waiting. I understand that the workers in the company want to exercise of their right  by striking, but strike cause many people to be inconvenient. I hope that the workers in PPC can mediate between difference of opinions of government and of them then stop their striking as soon as possible.

<3>

Euro 2004: 10 Years Since Greece Shook Up the Football World (video)

Andrikopoulos, Dimitris. "Euro 2004: 10 Years Since Greece Shook Up the Football World (video)." Greek Reporter, 04 July 2014. Web 06. July 2014
<URL> http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/07/04/euro-2004-its-10-years-since-greece-shook-up-the-world-video/

Summary : 

On 04 July 2004, 10 years ago, Greek National Soccer team defeated Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo by 1:0 and won the first rank's trophy of European Cup. Because Greece had never been a strong soccer nation before, also in this European Cup, it was considered by press and people all around the world as a very unexpected and wonderful victory. At this European Cup, Greece defeated many top nations such as Spain, France, Czech, and Portugal. Many people believe that this result is thanks to the coach Otto Rehhagel. The captain, Thodoris Zagorakis said "We have given the Greek people great pride that they will be able to carry for the rest of their lives."

Persuasive :

The reason why I chose this article is that I have some sorriness to Greece because Greece was once be a Europe's soccer champion in 2004, but during after that, Greece became weak country of soccer again like before. They won the trophy in 2004, but they even could not enter the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and they were eliminated in the first round in 2010 World Cup in Republic of South Africa, and they were eliminated at top 16th tournament in 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I don't know why they became so weak like this. I think that they did not replace of generations of players well, so their players are too old to play soccer. I wish that Greece can become a top soccer nation again in next soccer contest.