Comments on: Greeks endure pain of riots http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/ Hear from CNN reporters across the globe Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:09:13 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: James Alexandros Papastamos http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23593 James Alexandros Papastamos Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:34:14 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23593 The problem with youth today is not limited to Greece. It is global. Young people have had it "too good", and this goes back to the post WWII years. Thus, generations that grew up after WWII came to enjoy living in this material world to such a point that they abandoned Christianity, as well as the idea that this physical world we live in is temporal, while eternity will be spent in God's kingdom. With the abandonment of Christian values, society began to fall apart. We have raised our standards of living to such a point, we spoiled ourselves. My parents came to Canada with absolutely nothing. They worked for whatever they had. I went to University in the eighties, and I did not have a computer, or the Internet, or any of these other gadgets, but I studied hard and earned my degree. Today's kids are lost without this technology. For them, everything has to be "easy". We spoiled ourselves. The problem is not just with youth in Greece; the problem is with young people all over the world - they have it too good. At this time of year, we must think about Christ, our Messiah, and how he suffered - just so that we could be saved. But do we appreciate what He did for us? No! We are rotten, ungrateful people. The whole world is corrupt - not just Greece. Technology is great up to a certain point, but this technology has affected our social skills - including the communication skills which today's youth apparently lack. We are cold, insensitive robots, obsessed with productivity. We are human beings, not robots. We must return to our old, Christian values. We must abandon secularism and return to our faith. Otherwise, society shall fall into another dark age. Why must every kid today have an Ipod? Why must everyone be "online" or use a computer to write? Did Euripedes use a computer to write his plays? Did Shakespeare use a computer to write his plays? Did Pindar use a computer's word processor to write his lyric poetry? Did Charles Dickens use a word processor to write "Bleak House", "Great Expectations" and, let us not forget, "A Christmas Carol"? No! They got along without it. The mind is the greatest computer of all. A computer will make your writing look better, but it won't make you a better writer? Technology is great...up to a point. Today's kids need to realize this. We must return to the old world family values - values our parents and grandparents were brought up on. It's not just kids in Greece that are bad; it's kids all over the world that have become spoiled and ungrateful. The problem with youth today is not limited to Greece. It is global. Young people have had it "too good", and this goes back to the post WWII years. Thus, generations that grew up after WWII came to enjoy living in this material world to such a point that they abandoned Christianity, as well as the idea that this physical world we live in is temporal, while eternity will be spent in God's kingdom. With the abandonment of Christian values, society began to fall apart. We have raised our standards of living to such a point, we spoiled ourselves. My parents came to Canada with absolutely nothing. They worked for whatever they had. I went to University in the eighties, and I did not have a computer, or the Internet, or any of these other gadgets, but I studied hard and earned my degree. Today's kids are lost without this technology. For them, everything has to be "easy". We spoiled ourselves. The problem is not just with youth in Greece; the problem is with young people all over the world – they have it too good. At this time of year, we must think about Christ, our Messiah, and how he suffered – just so that we could be saved. But do we appreciate what He did for us? No! We are rotten, ungrateful people. The whole world is corrupt – not just Greece.

Technology is great up to a certain point, but this technology has affected our social skills – including the communication skills which today's youth apparently lack. We are cold, insensitive robots, obsessed with productivity. We are human beings, not robots. We must return to our old, Christian values. We must abandon secularism and return to our faith. Otherwise, society shall fall into another dark age. Why must every kid today have an Ipod? Why must everyone be "online" or use a computer to write? Did Euripedes use a computer to write his plays? Did Shakespeare use a computer to write his plays? Did Pindar use a computer's word processor to write his lyric poetry? Did Charles Dickens use a word processor to write "Bleak House", "Great Expectations" and, let us not forget, "A Christmas Carol"? No! They got along without it. The mind is the greatest computer of all. A computer will make your writing look better, but it won't make you a better writer? Technology is great...up to a point. Today's kids need to realize this. We must return to the old world family values – values our parents and grandparents were brought up on. It's not just kids in Greece that are bad; it's kids all over the world that have become spoiled and ungrateful.

]]> By: Duke http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23572 Duke Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:19:40 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23572 Let me see if I get this straight about this "RIOT" in Athens. You hire the police to protect you, give them badges, demand that they put their lives on the line to protect you, your business, and your country and the GREEK LAW. So when some 15-year old (who is apparently a punk) decides that he wants to burn a few policemen to death, throws a firebomb at the police, you think that the police should just stand there in their nonfireproof uniform and take it? I tell you what, maybe you should have been standing there instead of the policeman, and you take the flaming hit! Now, just what would you do in the policeman's shoes? Are you getting hot now? The police have a right to protect their lives also (they are citizens too, just like you!). So where do you get off at making the kid a saint? He's a punk, the rest of the rioters are punks too! They need to be rounded up, put in jail, and then you will be able to enjoy your peace! Let me see if I get this straight about this "RIOT" in Athens. You hire the police to protect you, give them badges, demand that they put their lives on the line to protect you, your business, and your country and the GREEK LAW. So when some 15-year old (who is apparently a punk) decides that he wants to burn a few policemen to death, throws a firebomb at the police, you think that the police should just stand there in their nonfireproof uniform and take it?

I tell you what, maybe you should have been standing there instead of the policeman, and you take the flaming hit!

Now, just what would you do in the policeman's shoes? Are you getting hot now?

The police have a right to protect their lives also (they are citizens too, just like you!).

So where do you get off at making the kid a saint? He's a punk, the rest of the rioters are punks too! They need to be rounded up, put in jail, and then you will be able to enjoy your peace!

]]> By: threemeals http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23568 threemeals Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:14:38 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23568 "I you see a roach in the kitchen. It is not the only one." If you see Bernard Madoff on the Wall Street, he is the only one! "I you see a roach in the kitchen. It is not the only one." If you see Bernard Madoff on the Wall Street, he is the only one!

]]> By: James G http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23566 James G Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:27:24 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23566 As a Greek American born of Greek parents, I can understand how many people are concerned with what is happening in Greece. However, after having made dozens of trips to Athens, I can attest that the younger population is spoiled and lazy. I had a job when I was 16 years old. You ask the Greeks over there why don't their kids work, and they say "not my son/daughter!" They won't do that type of work. Greeks need to get off their lazy, socialist views and realize that if they want a piece of the pie, they have to work for it. They need to quit blaming the government for everything and use the ingenuity and creativity that we all know we the Greeks possess. Greeks are one of the highest educated people in all of Europe. They need to bring in business and show the entire world that the Greeks are open for business. As a Greek American born of Greek parents, I can understand how many people are concerned with what is happening in Greece. However, after having made dozens of trips to Athens, I can attest that the younger population is spoiled and lazy. I had a job when I was 16 years old. You ask the Greeks over there why don't their kids work, and they say "not my son/daughter!" They won't do that type of work. Greeks need to get off their lazy, socialist views and realize that if they want a piece of the pie, they have to work for it. They need to quit blaming the government for everything and use the ingenuity and creativity that we all know we the Greeks possess. Greeks are one of the highest educated people in all of Europe. They need to bring in business and show the entire world that the Greeks are open for business.

]]> By: Angelos S. http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23561 Angelos S. Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:54:36 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23561 To all you who have misinterpreted the facts and easily criticize the youth, This instability Greece currently faces is due to long corrupt political parties. Therefore it is natural that this rage would eventualy break loose. Political scandals were and continue to be common these days. The educational structure, which is job/career-oriented cannot come to terms with the current state of unemployment, which is at its peak nowadays. I heard that we should consider ourselves lucky that we have free public universities, while in other countries education is paid. Well, considering that one has really low chances to get employed even if he/she is holder of a degree, that's one of the many problems teens demonstrate for: the right for an economic stable future. And those are teens and not those hooligans. The government, while being incapable of dealing with this logical ... anger of people tries in a desperate way to cover and distort the reality by itself creating states [of] hooliganism in order to lower the public image and purpose of the demonstrations... The fact that riots are from all over Greece points out that this is not the minority that speaks aloud for a change in this country. I suppose you have noticed that riots have two main reasons that happen at this moment. One of them is the anger towards the police and wanting to "punish" them by closing down the police stations. The second one is taking over the parliament. People want to enter the parliament which stands out for this government's power over us. People don't need a building right now, they need hope and a new infrastructure for the country, and that is not gained by asking kindly or giving them another 4-year term to try fix it, but only by demanding what is rightfully our's, and not the 300's of the parliament....this country. If you do not experience whats happening in this country, please refrain from criticizing the activists' actions. You can never know why we act like this if you haven't lived here over the past 10-15 years to know for yourself. It is easy to criticize. Everybody can do it. The difficult part is to understand why. Now that's where I want you to show your skills... Kind Regards, Angelos S. , Athens To all you who have misinterpreted the facts and easily criticize the youth,
This instability Greece currently faces is due to long corrupt political parties. Therefore it is natural that this rage would eventualy break loose. Political scandals were and continue to be common these days. The educational structure, which is job/career-oriented cannot come to terms with the current state of unemployment, which is at its peak nowadays. I heard that we should consider ourselves lucky that we have free public universities, while in other countries education is paid. Well, considering that one has really low chances to get employed even if he/she is holder of a degree, that's one of the many problems teens demonstrate for: the right for an economic stable future. And those are teens and not those hooligans. The government, while being incapable of dealing with this logical ... anger of people tries in a desperate way to cover and distort the reality by itself creating states [of] hooliganism in order to lower the public image and purpose of the demonstrations...

The fact that riots are from all over Greece points out that this is not the minority that speaks aloud for a change in this country. I suppose you have noticed that riots have two main reasons that happen at this moment. One of them is the anger towards the police and wanting to "punish" them by closing down the police stations. The second one is taking over the parliament. People want to enter the parliament which stands out for this government's power over us. People don't need a building right now, they need hope and a new infrastructure for the country, and that is not gained by asking kindly or giving them another 4-year term to try fix it, but only by demanding what is rightfully our's, and not the 300's of the parliament....this country.

If you do not experience whats happening in this country, please refrain from criticizing the activists' actions. You can never know why we act like this if you haven't lived here over the past 10-15 years to know for yourself. It is easy to criticize. Everybody can do it. The difficult part is to understand why. Now that's where I want you to show your skills...

Kind Regards,
Angelos S. , Athens

]]> By: James Alexandros Papastamos http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23560 James Alexandros Papastamos Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:47:50 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23560 To George Anagnos, I have only this to say: you must be Greek. Only a fellow Greek could be so bastardly opinionated to say these things about other Greeks. That's our problem: we only support each other in war, when faced with a common enemy; in peace, we are at each other's throats. Not all Greeks hate Jews. The Jews are, after all, God's chosen people. Jesus spoke two languages: Aramaic (a dialect of Hebrew) and Greek. The New Testament was written in Greek. I do not hate Jews. I know of many Greeks who distrust the Jewish, but we don't all hate them. There is a hidden animosity, however, between the Hellenic and Anglo-Saxon mindset. We Greeks are family oriented people. The English prefer their brand of rugged individualism, and feel compelled to "Liberate" the non-English world. Anglophones around the world are jealous of Greek adults, such as myself, who live with our parents. Well, we can't all be working class heroes? Just because I cannot support myself, does not mean I am not a productive member of society. I contribute in my own way. In our family, we are one for all and all for one - and the English/American mind cannot comprehend this. Well, the Protestant Work Ethic is just a child of the Industrial Revolution, which began in England. I am in no way insulting the British. England gave us: Shakespeare, Dickens, Churchill, and so many other contributions. I love the British. I love the American people, but I hate the U.S. government, which is corrupt and arrogant. Stop insulting your countrymen, assuming you are of Greek descent. Stop insulting a nation with such a glorious history! I'm proud of my Greek heritage. I was born in Canada. I live in Ontario, Canada. I would not live anywhere else. But I am also proud to be Greek! The rioters in Greece are just a bunch of bums, spoiled and over privileged. This is the problem with young people today. We have it too good. The European Union has benefited Greece, no doubt. As for hating Turks, who can blame the Greeks? Between the fall of Constantinople, in 1453, and Greek Independence, March 25th 1821, Greece enduring such brutal oppression. Had it not been for countries like Russia, Orthodox Christianity would have been wiped out by the Ottomans. But there are 250, 000, 000 Orthodox Christians, of which, I am proud to say, I am one of them. But past is passed. I don't hate the Turks, nor do I hate Muslims. I do, however, believe that the Holy Land belongs to God's chosen people - the children of Yahweh - the Jews. Stop picking on Greece. Only those jealous of Greece's contribution to western civilization would have the nerve to pick on Greece? Every country has its rebels. The media has been unfair to Greece. The world is jealous of Greece, with all its glory. Ta Leme To George Anagnos, I have only this to say: you must be Greek. Only a fellow Greek could be so bastardly opinionated to say these things about other Greeks. That's our problem: we only support each other in war, when faced with a common enemy; in peace, we are at each other's throats. Not all Greeks hate Jews. The Jews are, after all, God's chosen people. Jesus spoke two languages: Aramaic (a dialect of Hebrew) and Greek. The New Testament was written in Greek. I do not hate Jews. I know of many Greeks who distrust the Jewish, but we don't all hate them. There is a hidden animosity, however, between the Hellenic and Anglo-Saxon mindset. We Greeks are family oriented people. The English prefer their brand of rugged individualism, and feel compelled to "Liberate" the non-English world. Anglophones around the world are jealous of Greek adults, such as myself, who live with our parents. Well, we can't all be working class heroes? Just because I cannot support myself, does not mean I am not a productive member of society. I contribute in my own way. In our family, we are one for all and all for one – and the English/American mind cannot comprehend this. Well, the Protestant Work Ethic is just a child of the Industrial Revolution, which began in England. I am in no way insulting the British. England gave us: Shakespeare, Dickens, Churchill, and so many other contributions. I love the British. I love the American people, but I hate the U.S. government, which is corrupt and arrogant.

Stop insulting your countrymen, assuming you are of Greek descent. Stop insulting a nation with such a glorious history! I'm proud of my Greek heritage. I was born in Canada. I live in Ontario, Canada. I would not live anywhere else. But I am also proud to be Greek! The rioters in Greece are just a bunch of bums, spoiled and over privileged. This is the problem with young people today. We have it too good.

The European Union has benefited Greece, no doubt. As for hating Turks, who can blame the Greeks? Between the fall of Constantinople, in 1453, and Greek Independence, March 25th 1821, Greece enduring such brutal oppression. Had it not been for countries like Russia, Orthodox Christianity would have been wiped out by the Ottomans. But there are 250, 000, 000 Orthodox Christians, of which, I am proud to say, I am one of them. But past is passed. I don't hate the Turks, nor do I hate Muslims. I do, however, believe that the Holy Land belongs to God's chosen people – the children of Yahweh – the Jews.

Stop picking on Greece. Only those jealous of Greece's contribution to western civilization would have the nerve to pick on Greece? Every country has its rebels. The media has been unfair to Greece. The world is jealous of Greece, with all its glory.

Ta Leme

]]> By: Leo M., Chicago http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23542 Leo M., Chicago Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:26:33 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23542 The quality and soundness of fhe comments made by George Anagnos are that a typical 1960's Greek restauranateur in Chicago! Plates and politics! The Greeks have shown distrust/opposition the foreign policy of the USA not the American people (so does the Democratic majority of the USA!). German companies absorb the lions share of the armament procurements and maybe public works (consider the new Athens airport for example). The Europeans judgement was that Greece belongs not only in the EU but in Schengen too (i.e. the Eurozone). I guess George disagrees. Thanks for your opinion George! Regards, Leo M., Chicago The quality and soundness of fhe comments made by George Anagnos are that a typical 1960's Greek restauranateur in Chicago! Plates and politics! The Greeks have shown distrust/opposition the foreign policy of the USA not the American people (so does the Democratic majority of the USA!). German companies absorb the lions share of the armament procurements and maybe public works (consider the new Athens airport for example). The Europeans judgement was that Greece belongs not only in the EU but in Schengen too (i.e. the Eurozone). I guess George disagrees. Thanks for your opinion George!

Regards,
Leo M., Chicago

]]> By: Stavrangelos K http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23366 Stavrangelos K Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:36:50 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23366 George (12:30 GMT), Your post exhibits sweeping generalizations and lazy stereotyping that I and many other readers find offensive. I do not know where you have lived, but in the U.S., Australia, the UK, and throughout Europe, I have known many Greeks who are among the most friendly and welcoming to those of other ethnicities and religions. It is in fact a Greek virtue that we call "philoksenia." The rioters do not reflect the entirety of Greece, and this should be recognized. George (12:30 GMT),
Your post exhibits sweeping generalizations and lazy stereotyping that I and many other readers find offensive. I do not know where you have lived, but in the U.S., Australia, the UK, and throughout Europe, I have known many Greeks who are among the most friendly and welcoming to those of other ethnicities and religions. It is in fact a Greek virtue that we call "philoksenia." The rioters do not reflect the entirety of Greece, and this should be recognized.

]]> By: KK Bishop http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23277 KK Bishop Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:26:30 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23277 After three weeks of this aimless rioting, the dissenters have blurred their message and impact. We have a short attention span. Now the world must be thinking how crazy this country is. I love Greece. It pains me to see my parents' birthplace and the land in which I also have lived to undergo such destructive turmoil. A group of angry high schoolers will not effect any change. I remember Kent State. These children are lucky it is just tear gas they are encountering. After three weeks of this aimless rioting, the dissenters have blurred their message and impact. We have a short attention span. Now the world must be thinking how crazy this country is. I love Greece. It pains me to see my parents' birthplace and the land in which I also have lived to undergo such destructive turmoil. A group of angry high schoolers will not effect any change. I remember Kent State. These children are lucky it is just tear gas they are encountering.

]]> By: Brian http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/15/1595/#comment-23268 Brian Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:50:28 +0000 http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/?p=1595#comment-23268 It is said, that these rioters, would rather destroy their country for the sake of one life. Do they really speak for the majority, or simply a loud minority. Don't they realized that the property that they are destroying belongs also to private citizens. In short, if they have a brain, I hope that they know how to use it, and hopefully come to their senses. It is said, that these rioters, would rather destroy their country for the sake of one life. Do they really speak for the majority, or simply a loud minority. Don't they realized that the property that they are destroying belongs also to private citizens. In short, if they have a brain, I hope that they know how to use it, and hopefully come to their senses.

]]>