Over the weekend, more than 45 buildings across Athens were set
ablaze by violent protesters. The fires began as the Greek Parliament
passed a strict package of austerity measures, in an effort to meet
demands by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. The
measures, which were prerequisites for a $170 billion bailout, included
steep public-sector job cuts and a 20 percent reduction in the minimum
wage. More than 80,000 Greeks reportedly demonstrated in the streets of
Athens -- among them, a small, violent group that hurled firebombs at
riot police and set dozens of fires. More than 120 police and protesters
were injured. The next step for the new austerity measures is
implementation, and that may face strong opposition as well. Collected
here are scenes from a weekend of unrest in Athens. [36 photos]
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Riot policemen stand guard as petrol bombs explode in front of them
during clashes with protesters outside the Greek parliament in Athens,
Greece, on February 12, 2012. Greek police fired tear gas at petrol
bomb-throwing protesters outside parliament, where tens of thousands had
massed in a rally against austerity plans being debated by lawmakers. (Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images)
Thousands of people take part in an anti-austerity demonstration in
Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, on February 12, 2012. Greek
lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity
deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what
Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be "economic chaos." (Reuters/Yannis Behrakis) #
Greek communist party members wave party's flags after hanging banners
in Greek and English denouncing EU policies under the temple of
Parthenon at the Acropolis, on Saturday February 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) #
A Greek flag is waved while thousands of people take part in an
anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) Square,
on February 12, 2012. (Reuters/Panayiotis Tzamaros) #
A protester gestures at riot police during clashes outside the Greek
parliament in Athens, on February 12, 2012. Tens of thousands of
protesters gathered in the square outside Parliament as a parliamentary
debate began, with more arriving constantly. As the crowds grew, a few
hundred anarchists started to throw bottles and firebombs at police, who
responded with tear gas and stun grenades. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) #
Riot police detain a protester during a 48-hour general strike in
Athens, on February 10, 2012. Greek protesters threw stones and
firebombs at riot police who responded with tear gas in Athens on
February 10 as clashes erupted on the sidelines of a protest against new
austerity cuts. (Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images) #
Protesters clash with riot police in Athens, on February 12, 2012.
Protesters and police fought running battles in central Athens Sunday,
as Greek lawmakers debated legislation that would introduce severe
austerity measures to stave off bankruptcy. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) #
A petrol bomb explodes among riot police during a huge anti-austerity
demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, on February 12,
2012. (Reuters/Yannis Behrakis) #
Green laser pointers are aimed at riot police by demonstrators during
violent protests in central Athens, on February 12, 2012. (Reuters/Yiorgos Karahalis) #
Riot police (not pictured) push protesters back near the ancient Temple
of Zeus (background, illuminated), during clashes in Athens, on
February 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) #
A riot police officer tries to extinguish flames from a petrol bomb
thrown by protesters outside the Greek parliament in Athens, on February
12, 2012. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) #
A riot policeman tries to protect himself from a petrol bomb during a
huge anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution)
square, on February 12, 2012. (Reuters/Yiorgos Karahalis) #
Police clash with protesters in the street during a demonstration
against the new austerity measures on February 12, 2012 in Athens,
Greece. (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) #
Burning buildings around Syntagma (Constitution) square, during violent
protests in central Athens, on February 12, 2012. Historic cinemas,
cafes and shops went up in flames in central Athens on Sunday as
black-masked protesters fought Greek police outside parliament, while
inside lawmakers looked set to defy the public rage by endorsing a new
EU/IMF austerity deal. (Reuters/Yannis Behrakis) #
A building on Stadiou Street is engulfed in flames during the
demonstration against the new austerity measures in Athens, on February
12, 2012. (Vladimir Rys/Getty Images) #
Policemen stand in front of a burning building following violent anti-austerity protests in Athens, on February 12, 2012. (Reuters/Panayiotis Tzamaros) #
A demonstrator holds a traffic sign during clashes between protesters
and riot police near the Greek parliament in Athens, on February 12,
2012. (Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images) #
A petrol bomb explodes near riot police during an anti-austerity
demonstration in Athens' Syntagma Square, on February 12, 2012. (Reuters/Yiorgos Karahalis) #
Debris burns in the middle of the street during the demonstration
against the new austerity measures on February 12, 2012 in Athens,
Greece. (Vladimir Rys/Getty Images) #
A firefighter extinguishes the last of a fire in a smouldering building
in central Athens, on Monday February 13, 2012. Firefighters are
dousing smoldering structures and cleanup crews are sweeping rubble
following a night of rioting in central Athens after lawmakers approved
harsh new austerity measures demanded by bailout creditors to save the
debt-crippled nation from bankruptcy. (AP Photo/Dimitri Messinis) #
A firefighter extinguishes the charred remains of one of the capital's
oldest restored cinemas in central Athens, on Monday February 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) #
A man walks past the Bank of Greece headquarters with the plaque
altered to read "Bank of Berlin", in Athens, on February 13, 2012. (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images) #
A shopkeeper cleans up her damaged shop the morning after violent
protests took place against the Government's austerity plans in Athens,
on February 13, 2012. (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) #
A burn-out building in central Athens, after violent protests the night
before, seen on February 13, 2012. Global markets began climb after
Greek lawmakers approved radical budget cuts vital to secure a 130
billion euro rescue package aimed at averting bankruptcy. According to
official figures, 45 buildings were wholly or partly destroyed by fire
as violence erupted during demonstrations. (Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images) #
Showing 100 of 103 comments
George A Rodetis
It is the same everywhere. The rich and powerful make their
money on the backs of the poor with the help of their governments, then
refuse to share with the very people who earned the money for them.
Greeks, like us in the US of A., should compel the greedy rich to pay
their taxes. Raise their taxes; cut out any loopholes. In Greece, the
rich pay no taxes. Corruption is rampant! As with us, if you know how,
you can avoid paying taxes. Those in control in our legislatures tend
to be millionaires or billionaires, so they will not tax themselves.
Why pay when you can buy an island (literally or figuratively) or a
gated community and escape them. Switzerland, the Cayman islands, or
one off the Greek coast. Georgios.
Mark
Power to the People! Support from the USA!
Claudio
hello vince ..... this is Athens no Greece ... in this moment
is difficult spend a time in greece but i think in one mounts all is ok
... i leave tomorrow for hong kong 15 day ...ciao claudio
Kungfu Masters2010
I don't understand what everyone is arguing about here. Seems
to me Americans should support the Greek people. It's not like they
have any more control over their government, and it's decisions, than we
do. Greece may be the first, but we will all pay the piper one day.
Jpo234
Then pay up. $100bn will be very much welcome...
IDoSillyThings
People who are supporting the protestors in Greece are
forgetting to mention the fact that Greece annually reports the fact
that almost nobody pays taxes in Greece. The taxes may be high but they
have a hard time getting them. Greece lied about how much debt it
actually had. Greece is one of the most gracious countries in the world
when it comes to government funded programs for the public. The Greek
people need to take responsibility for their economy and the debt. And I
don't even consider myself to be a Republican, I support government
funded health care and a lot of other things, but even with that, Greece
makes me look like Rush Limbaugh.
Guest
Your attitude towards Greece makes you look like Rush Limbaugh because you seem to hold a lot in common with him.
Chris
generic assumptions as always. Ppl know nothing ebout how things
work here. Yeah many rich ppl try to evade their taxes. As they do
everywhere! Its a sad reality. But guess what. Lets talk about the vast
majority of the ppl here in Greece. Everything that is sold in Greece is
susceptible to taxes. Thats a reason for the extremely expensive cost
of life compared to the wages. This tax varies from 8% to much bigger
numbers. Typical being 23%. These taxes ofcourse cannot be evaded by
anyone since they are integrated to the product value. I guess thats a
universal truth. Whats not universal right now is how these taxation is
treated by the state here. Every couple of weeks they add more and more
product groups to highest taxation levels than before thus making cost
exploding. Also every once in a while a greek citizen is burdened by a
new tax. Every couple of months. Apart for those default ones or the
typical old ones for property etc. Most of the new ones are totaly
insane resulting in harsh and actually illegal paunishments like cut of
electricity. If u want to play the smart ass in general, i dont mean
anyone in particular, try to have the actual facts. Thats the reason i
try hard to not be judgemental to ppl from around the global. 99% of
the times its impossible for me to have a better knowledge oftheir lives
and struggles than their knowledge. If u cant comprehend that there
must be some serious trouble in your brains. Try to educate yourself and
learn things from their origin and from sources that are not biased!
Have fun all of
StopTheBullshit
You do a silly thing if you believe that almost nobody pays
taxes in Greece. That's a huge exageration. This moment in Greece there
is 40% youth unemploynment, 30% of the people are below poverty levels
and the economy is on the bring of a total collapse. Stop reproducing
nonsense. If you really want to see how is to live in Greece nowdays,
get on a plane and I will show you around for free. I will also give you
the opportunity to work as a Greek, a 12 hour shift for 600 euros and
pay 300 euros for rent and another 300 euros for electricity, water,
telephone bills and taxes.
Anna
I can't believe how ignorant some Americans prove themselves to
be once again..how incapable of putting themselves into other peoples'
shoes, how closed-minded, how brainwashed...but I suppose evolution has
missed you and your thinking capabilities will evolve when your
grand-grand-children will be around..and hopefully, finally you might
catch up with the rest of the world, which - if it still exists - should
be a better place and by no merit of yours, needless to say..
TypicalTribComment
Eurovision has taught me how incredibly ignorant (and stupid) Europeans are.
Now,
we all know how lame American Idol and most US TV shows are, but
Eurovision is about 1 million times worse than the worst of anything
America produces.
Assuming understanding a Eurovision country and
showing sympathy for the protestors who most likely enjoy it really
shows how your thinking capabilities are impaired, as demonstrated by
your assumption about comments you think are made by Americans.
Anna
I was judging SOME Americans' mentalities merely by the comments
they left in this forum and by my personal experience. Your judging a
whole continent by a stupid song contest nobody even follows any more
sadly confirms my theory..
IDoSillyThings
This comment is what people who have no real arguments do. "By
disagreeing with me, you're simply proving my point."
Revolt
"In order to liberate ourselves from debt we must destroy the
economy" This is the statement that came out of the occupied law school
in Athens. I can understand their situation quite well. The youth
unemployment rate is 45% the hope for the future is diminishing, and the
answer is rebellion. The greek economy is destroyed through
tough austerity measures. The legitimacy the government is non-existent.
The greeks pay the price for bad and corrupt politicians. Just as
people all over the world are paying for the financial crisis. The
bailout of the banks are the main reson this has turned into a crisis.
The government spending borrowed money had been going on for
years before the crash in 2008. Solidarity to the greek protesters.
Jaquerstone Lierbauch
I'M HERE TO PROTEST ABOUT PEOPLE USING CAPSLOCK. CHILL OUT.
Viva Hellas
καλα αυτοι εδω ειναι ολοι μεγαλοι μπαγλαμαδες!!! τι ζορι τραβανε
με εμας??Ειναι δυνατον η Ελλαδιτσα με 10.000.000 κοσμο να καταστρεψει
την παγκοσμια οικονομια??Μπα!!! Απλα οπως παντα αποτελουμε ενα μεγαλο
πειρασμο ...Μα ειναι εντελως ντουγανια!! 7 φορες πεφτουμε, 8
σηκωνομαστε!!!Βρε που να σκασετε δεν μασαμε και δεν σας χαμπαριαζουμε ρε
χαβαλεδες!Ειστε κατω απο εμας, πως να το κανουμε!!!Ε παναθεμαστε τα!!Ασ
ασχοληθουν λιγο με τα προβληματα τους!
IM>U
Τίθεστε στις δυσκολίες σας έχετε μόνο οι ίδιοι στην επίπληξη!
(Edited by a moderator)
Leo
Well this article is full of lies.
MORE THAN 700.000 PEOPLE DEMONSTRATED IN THE STREETS OF ATHENS.
THEY DIDN’T WANT US TO PROTEST.POLICE TRIED TO STOP US FROM APPROCHING
THE PARLIAMENT BY DROPING (NON-STOP)TEAR GAS AND USING FLASH-NOISE
GRENADES. ”More than 120 police and protesters were
injured”.PROTESTERS WERE INJURED BY POLICE VIOLENCE.DON’T PUT THEM
TOGETHER LIKE SOMEONE ELSE DID THIS TO BOTH OF THEM. THERE WASN’T A
SMALL,VIOLENT GROUP THAT SET THE FIRES.NEITHER ”VANDALS”.IN FACT,PEOPLE
WERE CLAPING WHILE BANKS WERE BURNING.BANKS AND BIG SHOPS AS
STARBUCKS.KEEP THAT IN MIND.NOBODY SAID ”DON’T DO IT,IT’S WRONG,STOP
ETC. Watch this,in case you want to open your eyes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
some point,we should close the fuckin t.v & learn how to recognize
PROPAGANDA.WHEN THEY ABUSE YOUR FREEDOM,YOU SHOULD DO A SHUT-YOUR-MOUTH
PROTESTING,JUST TO CALL YOURSELF NON-VIOLENT.YES,MAKES SENSE.Just agree
with the 22%reduction in the minimum wage,around $775 a month and all
the other democratic measures,& keep living ”your” ”life” as a free
human being.plus,fuck your nationalism.WAKE UP.
Elijah Lucian
yeah. what about those small businesses? is it THEIR fault your
country is in debt? stop acting like babies and take some responsibility
for your lives. the fact is you will have to buckle down and get
through this tough economic time.
or you can escalate things and
destroy your country. you think if you overthrew your government you
would have any idea what the hell to do? no. you would be worse.
Leo
same response goes to you,my friend.
QQMORE
Just because an opinion is different from your own doesn't make it lies....
QQ
more, This is what happens when a society lives too high on the tit and
they dig themselves into a hole. Ya it sucks to have lower wages but
when the going gets tough the tough get going. Are you so incapable on
surviving on a wage many people in the world wish they had. Social
programs often are a huge life suck benefiting people to lazy to get a
job and contribute but unwilling to give up any of the benefits rather
than them actually giving a leg up to people in need. Rather than
brutalizing the police or the government why don't you try to help fix
your country and contribute to the greater good. I had to share an
apartment with 3 other people once to get through a rough employment
spell, you know what we all made it and we will continue to survive.
Grow up, you sound like an 8 year old who just learned what cussing is.
"No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." Winston Churchill
Martin
The thing that people fail to understand is that the people of
Greece did not sink the country, their government did. Bailing out
banks, living on borrowed money without creating infrastructure=eventual
crash. This is but a taste of what will happen to other countries
eventually; people get mad at the protesters as if they didn't want to
"buckle down", the people that didn't want to "buckle down" are the
banks, government officials and politicians and now the country is
bankrupt. Governments can't act like that and just ask people to "buckle
down", there HAS to be a backlash so they KNOW their actions do have
consequences, even if they try to cover their own backs the people will
make them pay.
Leo
it's not an oppinion,It is a Fact.It is a fact that the
protesters were more than 700.000,not 80.000.It is also a fact that
police didn't resopond with tear gas;It wasn't an response,It was an attack.as
always. The protesters stood their ground and refused to leave, while
for at least 2 hours they were regrouping and attempting to approach the
parliament again and again and again.It is a fact that we only watch
Tell--lie-vision.
The greater good would be to shut my mouth an
accept to live as a slave?Destroying 40buildings doesn't even compare to
destroying millions of lives.not everything is about money and
material. &I might be a 8year old kid who just can't get over how evil this world is.
''Many
people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the
truth, for being correct, for being you. Never apologize for being
correct, or for being years ahead of your time. If you’re right and you
know it, speak your mind. Speak your mind. Even if you are a minority of
one, the truth is still the truth''. Mohandas Ghandi
Fitobcnfito
Did politicians mist 300 at movie theatres?... "YOU THREATEN MY PEOPLE WITH SLAVERING... THIS IS SPARTA!!!"
David Blum, Student of French, Spanish, Italian, and Korean. Currently living in Korea. Paul Krugman expresses my political views.
The tragedy is that Greece should not have the same currency as
Germany. It was a really bad bet they made. I compare it to Mississippi
and New York, but at least we have the reserve currency. And no in New
York cares about or dictates Mississippi's budget. And the dollar
doesn't depend at all on Mississippi.
No one's going to say, oh
dear, Mississippi can't pay its bills. Let's dump our dollars. Why is
that? Miss. is not an independent state, and if they do bad things the
federal govt. can frankly put people in jail.
You have govt. tax
accountants in Greece, that if they were in Miss., they would be
charged with federal tax fraud. Now, this tax fraud has hurt the Euro,
but the policing mechanism is out of balance. The policing mechanism is
to destroy the Greek economy through austerity.
That doesn't
help the situation. Ideally, you would eliminate fraud and corruption in
the Greek govt./economy, and grow the Greek economy.
Instead, the Euros are going to destroy the Greek economy and hope (oh dear let's hope!) the corruption goes away.
Good
luck with that. When people are poor and desperate, I'm sure they'll
make more and more sacrifices. And even if they did, the depression that
ensues will ensure the fiscal problems remain.
The point is
this: the political economy has to be integrated with enforcement
mechanisms. The Euro was a political idea that became an economic fact -
but the politics were never resolved. And probably could never be
resolved, because of language and culture.
Me
America is more bankrupt than greece is, greece is being made an
example of. If you look at real debt vs gdp, the usa is like 10x more
in debt than greece is.
Sakariranta
What a waste of money! They never learn.
Viva Hellas
waste of time is just you...what a moron
Gavin Kirk, Christian, anti-establishment, 5 year Medical Sales Rep., Recovering Alcoholic.
Compassionate Punk-Ass
So the $H!T, or should I say Molotov Cocktail, hit the European
(Aegean) Fan! This is very very stupid way to protest. Of course in
behaving like this, more of their rights will be taken away. >:/
http://www.economist.com/conte... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/busi... The
economic system has failed, one day you'll wake up and in the name of
debt crisis austerity meters will come as punishment in your country
wherever you are. Everybody owes fictional money to..whom? Unless you're a golden boy or a politician or the financial elite I suggest you wake up.. Yours sincerely, a "lazy" greek.
MK
How is violence EVER the answer? You think throwing bombs at
police will solve the problem - not Lazy Greeks - Barbarians, more like
it. There have been many nations on austerity measures for many years -
they don't go endangering lives of others. All those protests disrupt
the Greek economy further - between strikes and riots this is not a
great vacation destination any more is it. Let's see how much feta and
fage yogurt the rest of the world would have to import to make up for
this.
Lsvgsbotis
I agree,, I live here part of the year, and Love Greece.. and
the people are having a hard time.. I really hope they go back to the
drachma, it was an easier life, more relaxed,, tourists love this
country. Since joining the EEC, all has gone down hill.. The drachma
was not strong enough to be exchanged for the Euro.. should never have
happened.. The Greek people are strong and will get over this, but it
will take time.. Only thing I worry about.. people will not come to
visit this year because of the riots. (and this is the time of the year
people make there summer plans..) tourisim, is the number one.. so all
of this will make the situation worse.. If the police were stronger
here, they would give speeding tickets, parking tickets and etc.. but
this is not enforced, they stand around and talk on street corners..
there would be so much more money to pay for so many things if the
police were stronger... it seems they are used mainly for riots, not
enforcing the laws. anyway.. Greeks, have always enjoyed each and every
day, they are a very friendly people. and hopefully one day will be
again..
Dimitrios
Come visit Greece! A paradise for the protester, the barbarian, here you can still smoke inside restaurants! Come throw a molotov bomb , it is so traditional! Fuck Lacan,Violence is the psychotherapy of the future. Seriously
now, these incidents give the police the excuse to throw smokes and
repel the protesters,ever thought about it? There are more people who
want to protest but are afraid to get out in the streets.Violence IS the
answer of the governments. Capitalism creeps..
As an American, if I understand the Greek situation correctly
it's that many people feel that the excessive spending that led to the
debt situation was showered upon the special interest groups and now the
government is handing over some of Greek's sovereignty in exchange for
this bailout money. Still I believe public sector employees are losing
their jobs and again this bailout money will probably go to help those
who are already in power.
Can someone correct me if I'm wrong?
In the U.S. we often get the "look at those Greek people who are lazy
and don't want to work, and have nothing better to do than start
violence in the streets". It's almost as if our media and government
don't want us getting any ideas...
Mike
It's not almost as if our media/gov't don't want us to know
what's going on, it's exactly that. Hence the internet censorship bills
across the globe.
Norfindel
Capitalism is destroying the world. Governments are corrupt, and
always defend the powerful in detriment of the weak . Paying "debts" is
more important that all the people living in the country? I don't think
so. It feels like everyone must work all the day all his life just
to survive, and for a few people on the higher classes to live like
kings. This system is unfair. Everyone is not born with the same
opportunities. The more money you have, the more power, and the more you
can twist the rules in your favor.
The problem isn't capitalism, its corruption, businesses doing
honest trade with honest values are being shut out and big corporate
conglomerates with large stacks of money are buying up government
influence and changing the laws to suit their greedy selfish hunger for
money and power. Buy local and small... and for god sakes buy domestic..
Gsr
The problem people were having with the communist system was,
that instead of having power and money resting within the hands of small
groups of powerful corporations and elites--power and wealth was being
placed within a small group of government officials within the communist
government.
Capitalism is not what is destroying Greece. Communism is.
Capitalism is willing to sacrifice to save Greece, but is demanding
they change their Communists ways. The communists would rather burn it
down than admit they were wrong.
The_parallax_view
Because of all the communists currently in power? I have seldom read such ignorant dribble.
Typical red scare nonsense.
Newsflash:
capitalism isn't infallible. Any economist worth it's salt knows that,
hence all the sudden interest in behavioral economics.
Economics is a human activity, not a isolated entity that operates on fairy dust. Stop
watching Fox news and thinking every country outside of the US is a
communist state. That worldview will be your downfall.
FearAndLoathingInLasVegas
So, if people work in the field of accounting, government finance, and don't watch Fox then how do you denounce them?
Grandpa
& Grandma Post-Greatest-Generation get free medicare. You pay for
it. Grandma & Grandpa have a lavish American retirement system.
For the people over 60 it's like they have hit life's lotto.
If Granny needs a new hip the taxpayers fork over $50K. Grandpa needs a constant oxygen & the machine, what's another $25K?
AARP
is the largest lobbying group in Washington & the 50 state
capitals. Did you know that Medicare, Medicade, and every senior
related activity in America is entitled to a base line budget increase.
That isn't communism. It's merely pander politics.
People
under 40 are still defending this nation. They do so in jet fighters
that average age of 22 years old. People under 40 have to face the
highest university costs in the history of the republic.
What
would communism do? Yes, there would be free college. But if your GPA
isn't over "x", as determined by the central committee, then you don't
go to school.
America is caught between a rock and a hard
place. We have pander politics that is called capitalism and communism
which is mere central control and will end up being as corrupt as pander
politics.
This will not end well. America is sitting on a debt bubble and the folks under 40 are going to get stuck with the bill.
ShouldSpendMyTimeBetter
Greece has never been a communist country.
Avolition84
Wow... Your comment is actually the most devoid of logic
statement I have seen in the last 24 hours. & that's bad with how
much retard I've read. Congratulate yourself on the pinnacle of
ignorance & go eat yourself a cookie.
Julian_yim
LOL jack is trolling, noone can be this dumb
dromios
I don't think you know what communism is...
Bryan Davies
Jack, back up your argument, please.
Josh
The Greek workforce is divided into 2 "speeds": 1,000,000 people
employed by the state, 4,000,000 people in the private sector, and
5,000,000 not working (pentions/kids/unemployed) The state employees
cannot be fired (our constitution does not allow this) and thus have no
incentive to work. There are also too many for our country size. The 4,000,000 of the private sector have to work to support the 6,000,000 while fighting against the beurocracy. The statements: Greeks are lazy, and Greeks work hard are both true, and very confusing to an outsider.
Specialxknc33
Greece is in massive financial trouble because of big government
spending not capitalism which is quite the opposite. Perhaps dromios is
referring to socialism as communism, that would be a little incorrect,
but you get the general idea. Point is, it most certainly isn't because
of capitalism, but more over spending by the government.
Gavin Kirk, Christian, anti-establishment, 5 year Medical Sales Rep., Recovering Alcoholic.
Compassionate Punk-Ass
Taking money from Peter to pay Paul and Sally is not Capitalism.
Creating and continuing to barrow 'money' i.e. Debt then redistribute
that money by Governments is not Capitalism. When Governments and
multi-national banks enter Capitalist markets and screw around it
inevitably becomes Socialism. This is what truly enslaves people. Sadly
they will bite the hand that literally feeds them.
Americans could learn something from this. I wish we had this going on in the US.
Armageddon
Sooner or later it will boil to that, the chickens are coming home to rooster.
Int
Those pictures look appealing to you? You're an idiot.
Asfasdfasd
No you don't.
Viva Hellas
Shut up all you! you dont have any idea how things in Greece
are!! You lazy americans the only thing you are doing is just having an
i-life ! You are emotionally handicapped people, no feelings ...you
father,mother, friend dies and you are not even able to cry..so cold
people!!! You dont have any idea what hard work means for ridicilus
salaries...lazy people...HELLAS always was and will be the country that
all wanted to conquer..We are the start of everything you have all you
clever foreigners...No originallity for you!!! You will never take us!!
ΖΗΤΩ Η ΕΛΛΑΣ!!! Κ ΕΣΕΙΣ ΚΟΨΤΕ ΤΟ ΛΑΙΜΟ ΣΑΣ ! p.s. and finally stop using
our greek words!! Enough...find yours and GET A L....ANGUAGE:))
pavelgr
I am sorry but I don't see how Greek salaries are low. You have
13th and 14th payments for the year, your minimum salary is 751
euros a month and why? Because of your "strong" economy? Why does the
rest of Europe has to pay now? I am from Bulgaria and we here live with a
lot less money a month. Why shouldn't we just start spending like crazy
and then wait for Europe to bail us out? Americans are not lazy at all,
actually the southern countries like Greece are notorious for
they laziness.
Chris
Notorious for their laziness.. to whom? Ignorant Bulgarians? or
biased media? Friend PAvel the stats are there for u to check. Guess
what Bulgarians are far more lazy than Greeks. Sorry to disappoint u but
Greeks work an average 400-500 hours more per year than Bulgarians.
Official stats my friend! Who is the lazy one...? here is your link too
in case u are a disbeliever... http://www.guardian.co.uk/news... its easy to find these stats in european union sites too! good searching and welcome to the world of reality
Chris
have u ever compared the cost of life in Greece and Bulgaria?
Why are ppl so ignorant? Its not only about wages. Greece is one of the
most expensive countries and that wage is not enough. With the cuts that
come it wont be enough for even the basic of the basic things. Only to
have heat in a house in Greece for 5-6 days per month u have topay
around 100 euros. A liter of gas for car costs around 1,8 euro. A
typical rent for a flat is between 400-600 euros. A typical electricity
bill for a month is around 50 euros. Same for phone bills. If we start
comparing food etc u ll see that we are talking about a theater of
insanity and paradox. Ppl around the globe only eat their media lies and
make general assumptions like greeks are lazy, when by official stats
they work by fat the most hours in eu, and other similar stupid racist
nonsenses...stop watching the evenig news, it only makes u ignorant
bigots.
Gavin Kirk, Christian, anti-establishment, 5 year Medical Sales Rep., Recovering Alcoholic.
Compassionate Punk-Ass
Go back and rebuild your Historically great city you BURNED DOWN!
Viva Hellas
The thing is that you always ruin as BUT we can always
rebuild!!! Who else can do that??So thats why we are GREEKS!! So now
show some respect to HELLAS and at least say "Thanx" ..Thank God i am
Greek ! i am blessed!! And it would be also better to look your country
problems...But as always all the countries pay attention to us!! Thank
you!!!!!
Can spell
You say we have stolen your language, but you certainly have
nothing close to a mastery of it. Learn some proper English, then we
will talk.
Viva Hellas
Why should i learn some proper english???Give me a
reason...Sorry i am not interested !!!IYou should learn some proper
Greek because it's the basis of the language you speak...So please just
say to us a BIG THANK YOU cause without us you wouldn't even have your
own language...Proud to be Greek ..Proud to be born in a country blessed
from God..in a country who knows who to love,feel,cry,help...
Bodoblock
If anybody knows the value of earning a dollar, it's an
American. It's the norm for Americans to take only around 2 to 3 weeks
off a year. Compare that to Greece's 37. Americans work themselves to
the point where its unhealthy. And please, without us I have serious
doubts that you'd have ever even gotten into the EU. You would've
probably become a former Soviet Republic basket case. Please, take care
of your own before you launch tirades about Americans. Look at the
people you are hurting with all this rioting. You are only hurting
yourselves. The small cafe and shop owners — are they not the people
you're trying to help? The small business owners, the self-made
entrepreneurs — the rioting has got to have hurt them. Think about what
you're doing before you go down needless destruction and violence.
ShouldSpendMyTimeBetter
Greeks do not take 37 weeks off per year.
Kostas
" Hurting your people" America hurts everyone. America's economy is propped up by being the leader in global arms sales, and the Petro-Dollar. How many of you don't rely on the "military industrial complex" for your livelihood... Get an honest job! "hurting your people" When
Greeks riot, as is one's obligation in a democracy when the Government
fails them, they don't kill each other... just one arguably accidentally
3 years ago when a bank was set on fire. In the USA's L.A. Riots 85 were killed and 2500 injured; In UK's recent London riots, again multiples were killed. Don't try to educate Greeks as to the merits of philanthropy... we invented the word.
Because
Americans are widely unthinking mugs that think the military industrial
complex, the globalists and your foreign owned "Fed" are acting in your
popular interests as you typically line up for the scraps on your
plates; you expect Greeks to be unthinking mugs too??? Sorry pall,
we're into the [love of wisdom]. "Philosophy" (gk) not into hatred of
wisdom as you guys seemingly are when you demonise your intellectuals.
Now
go and get an honest job and mind your own business,,, just for a
change. And stick your "manifest destiny" where the sun doesn't shine. And learn to speak English!... Much of the world knows 2 languages +.
Seriously,? You need to look up your information. Greeks get the
same time off as Norwegians and less than Polish. 25 days compared to
NO vacation time in the US.
currenti
You're an idiot.
Honestly,
your anti-Americanism is disgusting, because you generalize in such a
way as to accuse an entire country, which is composed of members of
virtually every nation in the world. The United States is not some evil
entity, nor is it a country full of "lazy... emotionally handicapped"
people. There are plenty who work hard. There are plenty who don't.
That's true in every country, and you're just guilty of generalizing to
appease your own general negativity.
The United States gets over a
million immigrants per year, and when the total population is only 270
million, we must be doing something right. Compared to the state of much
of the rest of the world, the US is a beacon for stability, despite our
own economic and political woes. Don't blame that on us, you should be
blaming your own leaders for being incapable of foresight or action when
it mattered most.
Mike
The population is 300+ million FYI
Naplesvin
you misunderstand the reason that people immigrate to any
country. They want to work for American dollars. American dollars are
worth more than everyone else's money. That's it. We aren't "more
stable". We're rich. We're very rich. That's why we don't riot. That's
why you are able to ignore what an education would give you and post
these comments. You're simply ignorant of actual human social incentive.
Bodoblock
Actually, we are very stable. We're stable because we're rich —
but nonetheless stable. And people do come to the US for stability — be
it economic or otherwise.
What Rich people? The problem in Greece is they ran out of someone else's money.
purple
except your wrong...it's in Swiss bank accounts
your slogans are showing their must, Jack
Geoffboyardee000
Hmmm. Protests are always good until the crazies show up. Now I
can see one of the crazies. Someone who advocates anarchism, violence,
and unjustifiable theft.
Cory
How do you say "broad brush" in Greek?
Αυτή είναι μια απαίσια ευρεία βούρτσα είστε ζωγραφική με.
Well you lived the corrupt live, didn't pay taxes and falsified
numbers. Now you guys are on the verge of being fucked.
Marco
it is n0t the greek habitants having lived that way, it is the
politicians and several very rich people, so saying ''your guys are on
the verge of being fucked'' is the completely wrong expression. ''Us
guys'' being fucked is not the whole societey's fault so get your facts
straight before you start throwing dirt at my country.
Octaviosergio2
sounds like what they're doing in the grand u s of a.
Mgemmink
The people who broke the country were the bankers at the top,
you can't blame individual Greeks, they had no hand in this. The people
protesting are not the bankers or the rich bureaucrats.
John_Q_Galt
I'm not making light of this, but my first thought when I saw #5 was "SPAAARTAAAA!"
Dorian Manuva
these protesters are just like the French socialists... always
protesting. the new measures are extremely hard to tolerate, but they
must be tolerated. I would be just as angry as these guys, but at some
point you need to go back into your home and get on with your new,
austere life, knowing that you can elect the right persons at the next
go around, the right officials who will steer the country back to
prosperity. what's the point of all this chaos? would this happen in the
US? I think not!
est1925
(some point you need to goback into your home and get on with
your new, austere life, knowing that you can elect the right persons at
the next go around, the right officials who will steer the country back
to prosperity)..maybe thats the reason you are a country full of fat
people..I could try to explain to you whats the problem in Greece,but i
know that you would not understaind(a guy above speaks about communism
in 2012)..please watch pics from the city,which had the first democracy
ever,but do not write comments...i dont want to offend you, but look
first your country , a country full of ghettos,mormons,rednecks,where
people without money have no opportunity to live, the country of paris
hilton and jackass..you are the most idiot country world-wide...look
your tv,eat your nuggets and show some respect to the rebel style of
life.If you cant understand why those people are out,risking their
life,please do not make comments about them. Sorry for my english...
Greek people earn about €300-500 now, that's about half of what I
pay for bills. Greek government wants to drive their people in poverty
just so they can pay back capitalist gansters. I say the people should
disregard this system, because they have nothing left anyway, just start
a new, create a new economic system and ignore the state and other
governments. And about the comment that it wouldn't happen in the US:
Public debt of greece was about $329 billion(140% of GDP) in 2010.
Public debt of the US was about $14 trillion(99% of GDP) in 2010. Give
it a couple of years, or another crisis, or another bank bailout.
I agree. If there is one thing the US can learn from Europe, in
any period in history, it is what NOT to do. This is no different. If
the US ignores this lesson then we deserve the consequences.
InfinityBall
And what do you think happens if Greece defaults on its debts?
It still can't pay its bills, so it has the austerity plus no free money
from the EU. This is stupid, extremely childish behavior by the Greeks.
Austrian man
It is not possible for Greece to ever pay back their debt
because the debt rate is growing faster than the income rate. Even if
the Greeks work as a slave which means working for no pay and only
eating bread and drinking water for a whole year they won't be able to
repay their debt. Therefore a default and not austerity is the best
solution. Only the greedy bondholders should be punished and not the
working class.
Naplesvin
nothing happens if they default. Default is an idea. What people do to each other is all that matters.
Flavia
the problem is we're always suffering from the "leader's"
mistakes and it's time to not just sit back and wait till they make more
mistakes. Plus, we are the people, we decide...those austerity measures
are being decided by people who have got us in this situation in the
first place...and, I dont know about you, but I wouldn't trust them one
bit. I'm not in favour of the violence, not at all, but action is to be
taken when we are suffering from continuous state violence, a state
which is meant to protect us....not kill us by leaving us with no money
for a home or food. oh and another thing..so what if it wouldn't happen
in the US? it's about time we stop following the US' lead cause look
around..it hasn't got us anywhere along the line of justice, freedom and
peace.
"Protestors" or "protesters"? So consistently inconsistent!
jesse parent
Maybe our elected leaders should consider cutting spending in America.
OaklandBikeMedic
Because wealth disparity in the USA is being perpetuated by social welfare, not the 1%... ha!
Gavin Kirk, Christian, anti-establishment, 5 year Medical Sales Rep., Recovering Alcoholic.
Compassionate Punk-Ass
As a rather young 6yr.+ Healthcare/ Medical Sales rep. I
remember being on unemployment, the most lazy, unproductive, yet fun
time in my life . That's human nature.
Сейкин Алексей
sad, but true
Knosys Networks,
KnosysNetworks.com specializes in wireless internet implementations for
hotels, golf resorts and high-rises and other businesses in the
Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC area.
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