Greece Plumbs the Depths

Test ticker

Monika Bauerlein,
CEO

Dear Reader,

The next few months are make-or-break for Mother Jones’ fundraising, and we need more online readers to pitch in than have been of late. In "It's Not a Crisis. This Is the New Normal," we take a level-headed look at the brutal economics of journalism, why investigative reporting like you get from us matters, and why we're optimistic we can grow our base of support in a big way—starting with hitting a huge $300,000 goal in just three weeks. Please learn more and donate if you can right now.

The next few months are make-or-break for Mother Jones’ fundraising. We need to raise $300,000 quickly, and we need more online readers to pitch in than have been. Please learn more in "It's Not a Crisis. This Is the New Normal," where we go into the brutal economics of journalism, and what makes Mother Jones unique and worth supporting if you can right now.

Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.

You have to hand it to the LA Times for somehow dredging up a local angle to the Greek debt crisis:

Earlier on, with public protests against austerity plans escalating, the Athens government placed a $250,000 order for the body shields that Temecula-based Paulson Manufacturing Corp. makes for riot police and others.

Now, the order has been placed on hold. “We’re waiting,” the Athens government said in a short message to the company’s international staff. “Their money problems in Greece are dramatically affecting us,” said company President Roy Paulson.

Jeebus. The Greeks are so broke they can’t even afford the protective gear they need to put down the riots caused by the country being broke. If the Germans bail them out, will they insist that the Greek government buy German riot equipment instead?