(CNN) — The near-tragedy unfolding on the streets of Athens could be a comedy, if the possible consequences were not so dire.

With Europe pushing austerity measures on Greece in exchange for another round of bailouts, the Greek public in the streets responds with chants: “We won’t pay.” Faced with pain and suffering, they are contemplating suicide.

It is almost as if the script was lifted from Mel Brooks’ film “Blazing Saddles.” Cleavon Little’s character faces a gun-wielding mob about to run him out of town — or worse. To escape, he puts his gun to his own head and threatens to shoot unless members of the mob drop their guns first.  Read more