Dictatorship in Greece-Closing down the Public TV & Radio-Darkness over Greece

If you don't dare fire them, shut down the business altogether. Today, the Greek governmental representative announced the closure of ERT, the Public broadcasting system of Greece. Effective immediately 2700 people were fired and it was announced that from tomorrow ERT TV and radio stations will stop transmitting. At the same time all personnel will not be allowed at the premises. This is one of the most dictatorial decisions this government has taken, in an illegal way, not voted by the parliament! I guess this was the only way to please the IMF/ECB/EU that has ordered 2000 people from the public sector being laid off before the end of June. Now the information and news will be "transmitted" only through the remaining private TV and radio stations, which by the way most (if not all) are illegal, with no permits and owing large sums of money to the government.

22:54 and all the stations stop transmitting.

By the way the rest of the  private channels do not think this is a big thing, a solid reportage and everyone continues its regular program as if nothing is going on!  Their reporters thought it  best to go on a "support"strike instead of broadcasting the massive congregations of protestors.

The old and the young

The old and the young, a photo by Vassilis Gonis on Flickr.

A reply to "The Economist"

A reply to "The Economist" 

 http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21572763-how-beppe-grillo-and-silvio-berlusconi-threaten-future-italy-and-euro-send?spc=scode&spv=xm&ah=9d7f7ab945510a56fa6d37c30b6f1709

Electing Grillo is not about a sense of humour. It is one of the few ways left to people to cast a valid vote, if not one expressing them completely, at least a desperate vote that yells CHANGE. Change from the way the economic forces try to shape the world and the consciousness  of the people, with propaganda. It is a different perspective of the world, where the center is the human being and not numbers; against greed in disguise.  And anyway humour can be vitriolic and burn the gangrene of the old political thinking and pure economical decisions that has led the world to its current state. We certainly have to look for the real reasons for this recession, in order to resolve the problem, instead of forcing people with the same failing measures that have initiated the Second World War.

If the REALITY,  people are trying to avoid,  is the reality of debt, the reality of money as the only value, the reality of wealth and control through suffering, the reality presented through the mainstream Media that is actually the reality of their rich owners or patrons, then they have every right to do it. And since it is about the future generations as well, that can't fight yet for their rights, it is an obligation.

In Italy a quarter of the electorate didn't show up to vote! What a surprise! In Greece as well! But this is not because they don't care, but because they either don't know where to cast their vote, since nobody represents their ideas, beliefs, hopes, view of life, or they believe that a massive abstinence will at least send some kind of signal to the political world or make the politicians aware that they are elected from the "majority of the minority" and therefore should be careful of the real majority.

I am not going to speak for any of the candidates. I have very limited knowledge of their exact doings. But the way Berlusconi and Grillo are presented is scandalous. While Monti gets an almost standing ovation for following a path that haven't resolved any problems, only sent them a bit further into the future.

The election results are not a disaster for Italy. The same was written for the May 2012 Greek elections. Unfortunately the spreading of fear amongst Greeks led to a dishearting June result, which actually was no change at all, with the previous administration.  So, how can a reporter say such thing right from the start? It is like you have accepted only one way as a solution (IMF, EU, ECB solutions), that by the way, has not worked for any country. But this also means that you won't allow for any other solution to evolve and put to use! And then the mention of the markets that "reacted" to this! It is outrageous! This is where the mistake of the whole system is. The stock market! And if you think that I have no grasp with reality, well, see were the stock market reality has led the whole world! Do you think that playing in the stock market is a productive job? Do you think that arguing for the price of oil and rice the world gets better? No some people get richer without lifting a finger, while hard working people in another part of the world suffer the consequences.

A reform! A real reform is, going back to the only true value, as revealed after the WWII,  that of the human life. Not as merely an existence, but as  meaningful dignified beings, with rights and obligations. With unlimited free access to education, health and medicine, technology and communication, time and means to raise a family or create something useful and beautiful, and in return offer this accumulated  knowledge and services, to the world. That will eventually make money a tool again, the exact purpose they were created,  and not a value.

    

And then you throw in the numbers about zero growth! Well if you have grown so big, why grow more! You call France's electing a socialist president a "run away from change". Well, to tell you the truth,  I doubt that he will go into radical changes to the way you imply, so don't worry! Anyway, if he doesn't change the economical way of thinking imposed on our lives and turning us into numbers and simple "consumers", he is bound to fail.

There are no special design plans for the countries. It is just austerity measures. Do you think that AAAs would let any other country get better, if this means a competitor in exports, technology or any other field? Fat chance.

And then the Japan example tops it all! What kind of analyst fails to take into account the changes in the world, from the fall of USSR to the China and India "miracle" of low salaries, heavy industry without a care about the environment and vast exports, at all costs? How can any country in the western world  compete and prevail with such competition? With austerity? And who will consume these products, no matter how cheap, if there are no money in the market whatsoever? Even those few with triple AAAs and relatively healthy economies that are now feasting like vultures from colonial times, creating crises, inventing solutions and buying out at the low prices they have determined, after these solutions fail, will face the same economical  and social problems, in the near future.

The solution is somewhere else and not in dealing with numbers. The longer we believe this is an economical problem, the deeper this problem will get. And the deeper it gets, less people will be able to identify the problem due to the lack of education, time and means. In the end people will be so lost, that they will end up hitting everybody around them, without ever touching the heart of the problem. And if this sounds like a new war, you are correct. Truth is, it has already started and one of the great battles is this one with the Media.       

Visiting Athens, Greece

This is Acropolis. In front of it you can see the theater built by Herodis of Attika, called Herodio. It is one of the finest theaters in the world.  And on the right in the distance you can see Lycabetus hill, a lovely green hill with stoney summits. The highest one has a small chappel, dedicated to Agios Georgios, while just beneath the other summit you can find one of the most beautiful modern open theaters. This photo is taken from a third hill, very close to Acropolis, called Philopapou hill. It is paved by one of the best Greek artist, Pikionis and on top of the hill you will find Philopapou monument. If you keep on walking to the direction of the sea, you will find yet another theater, the one of Dora Stratou. 
 This scenery is a part of Athens, perhaps the one that most tourists come to see. It is beautiful. And regardless of what you listen on your TV sets, the rest of Athens and Greece is quite peaceful, as well. Despite the economic crisis and the 1.5 million unemployed ( that are not visible in this photo and as a matter of fact it is hard to spot them while you are visiting) Greece is one of the safest places in the world.
In two days, the first day of spring arrives. I was wondering how many springs and summers, winters and autumns we are going to lose, unable to enjoy this scenery that we have, because of the so called crisis. I was wondering why and I just figured out why the 20th century had two World Wars and countless others. And I realized that a new war has started.
Oh, believe me I don't like stereotypes, but I can tell you this: brain wash is not a new thing, but it has never being used with so many casualties. You don't have to kill people. You just deprive them of their time. You ultimately take away their life.  

The secret of OZ

What a great documentary! The Secret of OZ! Everybody should see it in order to realize what is going on with the debts and money all over the world, USA, Europe and even Greece.
 
http://youtu.be/swkq2E8mswI
http://youtu.be/fEqkphVOkHc
http://youtu.be/h8qLkpA_PSs

http://youtu.be/U71-KsDArFM

Divide and sell

It used to be easy to tell apart dictatorship from democracy, but not anymore. Chomsky decades ago, used to say that it is very hard to tell apart a terrorist from a freedom fighter. The control of the Mass Media by wealthy multi millionaires that influence the political life of every country, in order to expand their businesses by sear money power, usually makes this distinction even harder. 

But it is obvious that what we call "common sense" is neither common, nor it makes any sense. What I mean is that you can't have all these politicians fighting over who is to blame, and never assuming responsibility. It is not logical to vote for new laws that disintegrate our every day life and when people protest,  politicians find the protest unlawful and punish it. It is not sane to be a politician elected by your people but actually act and think in favor of the lenders.  The last 4 years NOT even ONE useful law was passed. Only laws that ruined the infrastructure of Greece and led to the lay off of more than a 1,000,000  million people.  And that leads to a downward spiral. Less money from working people more taxes somewhere else. Smaller paychecks for all, less taxes from consumption. Lesser  consumption, fewer jobs. What is even worse is that their inability to get the big tax evaders, will mathematically lead to further reduction in salaries. So, other people steal other people get punished.

If these geniuses that studied abroad and claim to be great in what they do,  couldn't predict this simple truth, they are not worthy of their diplomas or their government seats. So either they are no good, or they do it for a treacherous  purpose to the interest of the people that they represent. Either way they should be held responsible and face justice. And since justice is as corrupted as them, they should expect  a real outburst, from the common people.

It is divide and sell. Attack people with everything you've got. In the meantime you will be able to sell Greece by the km, hoping that nobody will have the time, money and courage to realize,  disagree and protest.  

Visiting Acropolis on winter Sundays

I don't know how things work in Europe and the rest of the world, but when it comes to my country's history and culture, I feel that I have the right to learn them, without paying a fortune. If nothing else, it is what creates the conscience of a nation. And God knows we need this now.
Until March 2012, there was a very nice law, that allowed all people from EU (Greeks included) to access all the museums and archeological sites for free, every Sunday from November till March. This was the best way to help all Greeks learn their history and appreciate their culture by visiting the museums and archeological sites, without actually losing revenue, since these months were actually low tourist season. Note that in a united Europe, if only Greeks were allowed for free, it would be a case of inequality for the rest of the Europeans. So by choosing this season and especially Sundays, they by-passed the problem and  families were able to visit all these places. What's more, most archeological sites are at the same time nice places to have a walk and enjoy nature, since Athens is the only city in Europe with almost no parks! 

But with great surprise I found out this Sunday that the ministries of tourism and culture (I really don't know which one is responsible, but probably the ministry of economics, the IMF and EU, as well)  have changed this. From now on, only the first Sunday of each month (total 5) are free for EU citizens. The price for visiting Acropolis is now 12 Euros, per adult!  It is really a very rude reminder of how sensitive matters like this are lost in the bulk of stupid news.

For those that they think that 12 Euros is not much, let me remind you that 600 Euros is considered a good salary in Greece and two adults in a family means automatically 24 Euros!  For those arguing that there are more people outside drinking coffee, and that they could deprive themselves of it and pay for the ticket, I can only say that a coffee costs 3 Euros max, and anyway these people wouldn't visit these places. For me and many other families, it was the easier, cheaper and most rewarding Sunday outing. Some say that  5 Sundays is an OK number. But they forget that these Sundays are during the wintertime and  rain, snow or severe cold is enough to spoil it for you.

I don't know how much they expect to collect from this. I don't expect much. Today Acropolis and the Ancient Marketplace (Archea Agora) were practically empty! And it was such a lovely day! We had to settle by going to the near by Philopapous hill. Which, for those that don't know or remember, was about  to be fenced and become a pay for "archeological site" but fortunately stopped by free thinking people.