Dear Forum Friends.
I am surprised to see that the majority of articles in the general and financial press now run in favor of Greece and the stance of its government, by a substantial margin. Below are links to some excellent articles. I would specially like to underline the article in Marketwatch with the title “Would Europe really risk it all for a few crumbs from Greek pensioners?”
The folly of sticking with the Euro is highlighted by the key figure in the following article:
It shows that Greece under the drachma had twice the growth rate than it has under the Euro; the same holds true for all the other countries of the European South. Of course, much of this was also underlined by the key Financial Times article showing clearly that Greece has nothing to fear by turning down the “deal” offered by the creditors.
The Daily Telegraph today has an editorial that, despite its title, is sympathetic to Greece:
I actually share many of the key conclusions of this editorial. There, the editor notes:
For Greece, stuck precariously on the fringes of Europe between often hostile and covetous neighbors, membership of the euro is about much more than economics and exchange rates. For many Greeks, it is about security and modernity. It’s a hard thing to let go, despite the damage it had done to them (my emphasis).
Which explains all about the Greek Euro-worshippers. Of course, “security and modernity” were all but illusions. Only the most stupid Greeks would actually expect Europeans to even attempt to support Greece in any clash with neighbors. Greece’s NATO membership, however undesirable it may be in the modern world, carries higher weight. The prosperity gap between Greece and the European core widened, not closed, during its years of the EU membership. But the key here is the fact now accepted by all: that the Euro has damaged Greece (and not just Greece). The only ones that do not get it are, unfortunately, the Greeks!!!
The article concludes with the following statement:
This debilitating charade has gone on quite long enough; it’s time for Greece to take back control over her economic destiny.
But for so many fearful Greeks, rule by fiat from Berlin is so much more preferable than being free. They are truly slaves at heart.
Despite the facts being absolutely clear, from what I have seen, the Greek Mass Media –with few exceptions- have unleashed a campaign against the government (truly obedient to their corporate interests) and are engaging in an unrestricted fear mongering. The collaborationist parties are eager to sign any agreement and to open the gates to years of more suffering and poverty. Treason is now openly advocated; the 5th column is running rampart. The Gennadioi are preaching surrender everywhere. The Ephialteses are in daily touch with the country’s tormentors. In which country, at such a crucial time, traitors are given such a wide berth to preach surrender and occupation? Who are willing to kill thousands of their fellow citizens just to keep the Euro? (and let’s not kid ourselves. The vicious cuts in health care and in pensions have caused tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths; the average life span in Greece has been cut now by three years and it is trending lower; another turn of the screw will cost many more lives)
Of course, this is all nothing new for Greece; with treason everywhere and defeatism prevalent in 1827, Theodore Kolokotronis had to institute a policy of “axe and fire” to keep the population –and the irregular “klefts” and “armatoloi”- from surrendering en mass to the rampaging Egyptian Army. Even so, many of these “patriotic fighters” joined the Turko-Egyptian army, eager to be on the winning side. Gennadios had a triumphal procession at the same time as those who were captured by the Ottomans at the walls were being beheaded. We have a long tradition in this, don’t we? Is betrayal and slavishness in our genome?
Best regards,
Anastassios Retzios, PhD
San Ramon, California
