Student Protests and koukulofori

Once again a clash between police forces and protesting students took place in downtown Athens yesterday.

This morning, there were the usual suspects on the morning talk shows flapping their gums about this or that. Everyone, just everyone, has an opinion about who's to blame and what should be done with education reform in this country.

The sad part is that the 100 or so "koukulofori," as they are called, once again committed their crimes and turned an otherwise peaceful demonstration into an angry clash of molotovs and teargas.

What's laughable is the fact that no or very few arrests were made and those that were will be back on the streets by tomorrow lunch time.

How pathetic is that?

On one talk show this morning, it was obvious that the students on air were positioning themselves for a possible seat in the parliament. They avoided issues, slandered others, digressed to name calling and empty threats in an ugly display of the so-called educated youth of today. No proposals were offered or put forth to end this stalemate.

The prevalent feeling among the grown ups of this country is one of a resigned resentment. Oh sure, if they stick a camera in your face you gotta say how you support the students blah, blah, blah - but they generation that actually sacrificed something during the junta years so that today's youth could have (and abuse) their 'asylum' and demonstrations in a watered-down, misguided romantic view of the past, have had just about enough of this nonsense.

The time to end the sit-ins have come and gone. Those who participate in the sit-ins won't even remember in a few years time why they were sitting in. The government needs to go ahead with the proposed reforms.

And then some.

Maybe then, we can get to work building a future together instead of glorying in a not so glorious past.


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Greekocity (n) = those things that pertain to Greece yet have nothing to do with Greece itself.

Anarchists in Greece - Why Asylum?

Once again, the 'known unknowns' have wreaked havoc during an otherwise peaceful protest.

You sure can tell that the Greeks play few games that require the throwing of an object. There is nothing more sissified than watching a Greek anarchist try to throw a rock or Molotov....

They throw like a bunch of girls!

Yesterday, they stood in the entrance of a university not fearing any advance from the police because of the ridiculous interpretation of the "asylum" law.

In case you didn't know it, asylum in Universities was, and is, to be for the free expression of ideas, NOT to be confused as a safe-haven for law-breaking, girl-throwing, morons who think they are actually accomplishing something with their form of protest.

I don't know about anyone else, but I feel a group of 20 or so police or military should dress in plain clothes, take some nice baseball bats and charge into them while they are pretending to be "mangas".

What would happen?

The mask-wearer's would either turn tail and run, thus proving their real manhood and firm adherence to their principles (sic) or they would get a few bruises and maybe a couple of broken bones - which is exactly what they deserve.

Either way, society would be rid of the Blythe they have become and we could get back to doing what Jesus said long ago.

"Love thy neighbor as thyself..."



Just a thought

Greekalized (adj) = of a person; one who has been here too long or maybe not long enough.

Pseudo-social, socialists in Greece

To those familiar with the political parties in Greece, it shouldn't come as a surprise to hear the following.

Greek socialists are no such thing!

After twenty years of nearly uninterrupted rule, PASOK (with their brand of 'socialism') managed to oversee the largest increase in cronyism
and nepotism the world has ever seen.

Sure their may be worse cases in Africa or SE Asia, but one would be hard pressed to find the degree of corruption and incompetence left by the former socialists.

Today, while pressing for their "rights" and demonstrating in the center of Thessaloniki, the syndicates and unions largely influenced and backed by the political party that created and then gave them their superfluous positions (PASOK), once again demonstrated their lack of understanding and real care or concern for ordinary citizens.

What follows really happened...

I have a friend who went downtown to pay her water bill. Little did she know that there would be a work stoppage at 12:00pm. That's one of the most disturbing things about life in Greece. When you wake up in the morning, you never know what's going to await you as far as public services go.

Anyway, having reached the water company at about 11:55, she proceeded to go to the window to pay her bill. Of course, she happened to find a public servant who informed her that they had a work stoppage today at 12:00. "OK," said my friend, "but it's only 5 to 12, so could you answer my question, please?"

The response was a short, "no".

Fair enough. After all, they had a work stoppage in a few minutes so why not start a little early.

The worst part of this story is...

Due to the excessive heat and lack of public transportation, my friend was "trapped" downtown unable to do the things she had planned on doing. Thank God for taxis, right? (When they are working) Otherwise, she might have had a real problem.

Oh yeah, one more thing, my friend is pregnant.

I've got a question or two for you...



1.) How is it a person or organization can claim to be socialist, support the official socialist party and then treat the very core of society with such contempt?

2.) Are socialists the only ones that have rights in a 'socialistic' society?



I'll help you with the right answers. (See, I'm being social)



1.) They can't. They are either not socialists by definition or, they are hypocrites. Those are the only two answer choices available.

2.) It's about time they learned that no, they aren't.



Frapedoupolis (n) - Thessaloniki, Greece

Public Universities in Greece

Well, here we go again.

Trying to talk a little sense to those whose logic knows no limit of stupidity.

How on earth can university students continue their sit-ins when, in fact, the government has started discussing those things that the student's wanted to discuss?

Simple.

The students, as well as the government, have determined what are the acceptible results of the discussions before they even take place.

The tragedy is that neither the government nor the students really desire to have a dialogue aimed at actually finding some far-reaching solutions to the problems the schools and students face.

Result?

Hypocrisy continues to run rampant as each group involved in the debate stakes out their turf in the endless struggle to capture public opinion.

I got news for you all...

Public opinion was captured long ago. They call it common sense. No amount of sound-bite diplomacy, political party back-room dealing, or wishful thinking will make it go away.

We see you.

We despise your hypocrisy.

We don't believe a word you say.



Greekalize (v) = a way of reaching the 'greek mentality' without actually reaching it.

Missing Alex and a little logic

Greetings,

Over the last few months a real tragedy has taken place here in Greece. A little boy named Alex disappeared and it looks like he was killed and buried by a group of school boys his own age.

Alex was 11.

What makes matters worse is the fact that everyone knew the boys who are involved had been in trouble at school and with the police for some time.

What naturally happens after the shock of such an incident is that you get all of the culturalists and politically correct crowd looking to aportion blame and fix the problem with government intervention.

What's the problem? Why, the break up of the family.

What's the solution? Why, more government spending to replace all those things missing from those kids' lives. One of the first proposed "fixes" is the addition of child psychologists to all of the schools. After all, it's commonly believed that psychologists have all the answers.

Greece and Greeks...

Do NOT follow the example of the U.S.A. by filling the schools with psychologists. (Look where that has got them) Have things improved with the addition of counselors in the school? The simple and truthful answer to all but the wilfully blind is, no.

Now... something to really disagree with.

Along with the addition of psychologists in the schools has been the increase in the belief that it is wrong to hit a child. In fact, corporal punishment has been banned now in most western countries. One wouldn't have to search too hard to see a corresponding increase in social ills like crime with the decrease of corporal punishment in public schools.

If you're thinking I'm barbaric for saying such a thing... please read on.

I maintain that if those kids in Veria had been properly punished when their antisocial behavior first started to appear, young Alex might be at home playing the piano or studying for his next English test.

After all, the previous generations of school children (me included) that were physically punished by a teacher or principal at school didn't grow up to be mass murders, did they? No, they grew up to be well adjusted and productive members of society.

Of all the arguments against corporal punishment, the one that is least convincing and weakest is the, "I don't hit my kids so you'd better not." Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion, however wrong it may be.

If I asked a person who uses such logic if they loved their children, they would nearly scream, "of course, I do!" This, of course, shows you the depth of their deception and the darkness of their heart. A parent who loves a child will, of necessity, correct the child at times. In fact, a parent who doesn't physically correct his/her child doesn't love it.

It really is that simple.

Why protest now?

Dear Greek university student, Why are you protesting now? After all, private universities in Greece is nothing new. I remind you that they have been in operation for well over a hundred years is it that now you feel your degrees from public universities will be undervalued?

This is less than logical. In fact, it's illogical.

Why not put your time and energy into fixing what is broke (ie. public universities) instead of worrying about something that may or may not happen with the new government regulations regarding education?

By your very action's you show that your public degrees are ALREADY undervalued . What's more, you know it. Perhaps that's the reason for your insecurities, hmmmmm?

Private universities will be a benefit to all of us. They will give the economy a much needed boost of investment. They will attract students from other parts of the world - again an economic benefit. Why shouldn't Greece become an importer of those needing education instead of being an exporter?

Private universities will attract corporate infusion of capital for research and co-operation between government and business - a much needed relationship if Greece is to regain any competitiveness at all.

Perhaps you enjoy seeing the net loss of jobs and finishing your public university degrees only to enter a shrinking job market? Just what good are your degrees if there are know jobs when you finish school? Perhaps you don't realize it or maybe you haven't had basic economics yet, but the two are intricately related.

Grow up. Stop playing the political party game and look to see what's best for your country for a change.

In the long run, you'll be glad you did.

It's Greek to me (public odors)

What's up with not using deodorant? Does it stem from some sadistic desire to make those around you gag? Don't even get me started about summertime in Greece on a public city bus! You have to be desperate for a ride to undergo such cruel and unusual punishment.

The worse part is getting on the bus first thing in the morning all psyched up for work when in steps an old man who has just had a breakfast of..... Fresh garlic! Not only that, it's Thursday, the temperature is already 35 degrees and he last bathed on Saturday. To make matters unequivocally unbearable, due to lack of room he presses up against you and breathes (open-mouthed, due to the heat) steadily in your direction.

Where do we get these people?

Do you know how much money I've wasted over the years taking taxis? There are two reasons, basically, for lack of deodorant use.

1. There is some myth going around that you might get sick if you get wet and don't dry off.
2. People don't really know about it. It's not part of the culture. OK, to be fair, Greeks are improving in this realm. The problem is not nearly as bad as it was when I first arrived some 15 years ago.

So, if you're ever visit Greece be warned. Bring deodorant and stay away from the public busses.

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Greekalize (v) sth that happens before greekalization!

It's Greek to me

To blog... Or not to blog?

Hey all - forgive the length of this first blog - others will be more bite-sized.

This blog is an outlet, of sorts. An outlet to express my observations and to make comments about the everyday absurdity of life in Greece as I see it.

I'll be looking at politics, the economy, laws and the incompetence of those in government. I won't have to look too hard because the situation here goes from glorious to tragic in a single breath. If you've only visited Greece for a holiday, you no nothing of what I'll be sharing here. If you are Greek and live here, I have to ask...

What the hell's wrong with you?

EXAMPLE:
Last night, there was a large demonstration of students in downtown Thessaloniki. They were making the usual, socialistic demands for so-called "rights." BTW, in case you didn't know it, if someone has to "give" it to you...-- it's no right at all--... it's a privilege.

Anyway, someone had set an OTE box on fire. What's OTE? Simply the worst business anywhere in the world. If you've had any dealings with them you couldn't help but feel the same way. OTE is the national Greek phone company. They provide us with 1/7 of the internet speed for 40% MORE of the cost of an American internet user. I could go one for days about their incompetence and the pseudo, socialist-scum mentality of the people that created such a bloated monster but...

Back to the fire...

In order to fully appreciate this you have to understand where this took place. We are talking at the corner of the University, two of the largest and busiest roads in Thessaloniki; Egnatia and Ethnikis Aminis. So, as flames are shooting skyward from this box a fire truck with three firemen comes screeching to a halt to put out the fire, right?

Hell no.

They sat there and watched the flames. The didn't have any foam extinguishers to put out an electrical fire! Then, because me and another guy started yelling at them to put out the fire, they squirted it with a little water. They would squirt and then quickly hide behind the truck as if it was going to blow up or something.

Unbelievable!

Cars were passing by and not one of them stopped to put out the flame. Why should they? After all, there was a fire truck in front of it. You would think that the situation was under control, right?

Hardly.

Just another picture of everday occurance here. More on the way as they happen and as I have the oppurtunity to post. Until then, I'm posting a question for readers to answer. The fact is, not many people know the answer.

Where did the phrase, "It's Greek to me" come from?

(There's a hint in this post)