Reply #2: Couple of quick updates on Germany and Greece:

[No Elephants]

Austerity blow for Merkel in German state election

By Stephen Brown

DUESSELDORF, Germany | Sun May 13, 2012 10:13pm EDT

(Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives suffered a crushing defeat on Sunday in an election in Germany's most populous state, a result which could embolden the left opposition to step up attacks on her European austerity policies.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/14/us-germany-election-nrw-idUSBRE84C0BD20120514

Greek elections loom after leftist rejects coalition talks

By Lefteris Papadimas and Harry Papachristou

ATHENS | Mon May 14, 2012 3:23am EDT

(Reuters) - Greece's radical leftist leader spurned an invitation from the president for a final round of coalition talks on Monday, all but ensuring a new election that he is poised to win.

<snip>

The anti-bailout vote was divided among small parties but has now rallied behind Tsipras. Polls show he would now place first if the vote is repeated, a prize that comes with a bonus of 50 extra seats in the 300-seat parliament.

<snip>

Again, "radical" thrown in for no apparent reason. Media never seems to be able to say "left" without adding something pejorative. Also, they ludicrously call the center right "liberal" and call Blue Dogs "moderate." And that's the "high class" media. Those who are less "careful" with words will call anyone left of the Koch brothers socialist and communist.