Comments on: Puppies and ice cream

By: Falainothiras

Falainothiras — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:49:02 +0000

‘The streak of low-level petty terrorism escalated however with the bombing of a shopping mall owned by shipping magnate Spiros Latsis, the second richest Greek in the world and a student mate of European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, on 20 January.’
You also forgot to mention that this particular shopping mall is illegal under Greek Law while belonging to a person that is considered as one of the ‘elites’ in Greece. Clearly, no corruption to see here, move along…

By: mihalis

mihalis — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:22:53 +0000

This is possibly the most accurate description of the current descent into undemocracy (for lack of a better term) that the Greek government is leading the country, in English yet. The thugs in office are perfectly capable of driving the country to a low intensity civil war, in order to push through the troika’s mandates while preserving the privileges of the kleptocratic elites (themselves included). This BTW is a warning to the rest of the EU (especially, but not really only, its periphery): Greece is the guinea pig. You’re all next.
Thank you Leigh Philips.
[BTW Zizek *has* been portrayed as a mad terrorist theoretician by ND MPs and their friendly oligarch press, since wingnuttery always preempts sarcasm]

By: Elli

Elli — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:20:21 +0000

Thank you so much for this piece. Thank you for accurately describing the situation in Greece and Samaras’ very well orchestrated tricks to manipulate public opinion and remain in power.
The EU’s “turning-a-blind-eye” policy is just pitiful, proving that it had always been about economic interests of elites and the “solidarity, human rights, peace” rhetoric was simply beautiful packing for the masses.
Thank you again.

By: kudosfromagreekreader

kudosfromagreekreader — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 21:45:09 +0000

Thank you Leigh Philips. You’re telling it exactly like it is. You are one of the very few people -outside Greece, at least- who are telling it like it is. But what’s more, you’re telling it with suberb wit, humour and sarcasm worthy of a Jonathan Swift or a Karl Kraus.
Your piece made my day – and my days are usually very bleak in Greece of late.

By: Marc

Marc — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:09:06 +0000

I would suggest to the Greeks to hang the members of the trojka and their collaborators. That would be a start. Then overthrow the government and default on all debt to bankers from Germany and France.

By: Marcel

Marcel — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:08:06 +0000

The undemocratic EU has shown its true face. Government of the bankers, for the bankers, by the bankers.

For the undemocratic EU, bankers come first. Financial markets come second. Corporations come third. Hedge funds come fourth.

People don’t count. And why would we count? We can’t influence the Eurosoviet Union in any way. They are 100% undemocratic and not by accident. This was done on purpose. To limit the influence of a voter as much as they can get away with.

So why should a rich banker get paid in full because ‘he was promised this money’ while the middle class and poor have to suffer savage cuts despite them also ‘having been promised money’.

Why does the undemocratic EU back the rich against the middle class and the poor? And most importantly of all, why doesn’t anyone seem to want to do anything about it?

Do people really think Draghi who used to work for the criminal organization known as Goldman Sachs can save everyone by printing tons of money and giving it for free to rich bankers? Draghi is only there to enrich Goldman Sachs at our expense.

Do people really think government can conjure
money up out of nowhere?

Do people really believe the financial system as it is in the western world is sustainable? Permanent deficits? Permanently increasing debt?

Countries should never be allowed to borrow money in the first place.

By: Victor

Victor — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 02:29:38 +0000

So,

1) these things didn´t happen in Greece before the troika intervened;

2) the UK´s Thatcher didn´t use similar tactics.

As a nation that depends so much on tourism it is sad to see Greece being double penalized.

But this rant lacks a summation.

Should after all the trouble Greece anyway exit the Euro? Take a stance. The only thing the British seem to be good at is criticizing the EU or other European societies, without either looking at themselves or knowing well the subject.

The sheer number of immigrants in Greece is a result of the EU system of asylum, more than of those migrants choice.

Your mocking concern seems more like schadenfreude.

Hindsight rarely has anything to offer to policymakers or citizens.

Irish “docility” may be a sign of strength, as these people are willing to venture into the unknown.

Just like Greek protesting has both good and bad perspectives.