Greece is the country that hosted the original ancient Olympic Games, and the modern ones in 2004. Especially for the last ones most of foreigners didn't believe that we will finally be able to organise them as we were not working hard. Despite their lack of faith we managed to organise a very successful event without any major problems with everyone being satisfied.
Despite the good impression we created we also acquired big amounts of debt as organising a global event like this, is too costly. This is the reason why Italy decided in the last moment not to bid for the Olympic Games in 2020.
Another example of Greek success against general opinion is the European Football Championship won by Greece in 2004. Noone believed in this team (like today noone believes in an economic miracle from Greece) but the whole team believed and with the help of Otto Rehagel, a German coach, we managed to do one of the greatest surprises in global sporting history. Of course the contribution of "Mr. Heracles" is huge but the point is that we do not need a German Gauleiter (the party leader of a regional branch of the Nazi) but someone to BELIEVE in us. Of course Mr. Rehagel is one of the most respectable Germans in Greece and we owe him one of our happiest moments in our lives.
Of course noone will ever forget, at least the Greeks, the big win of our Basketball National Team against Dream Team, the National Team of the United States. It was in Japan in 2006, for the FIBA World Championship, when once more against predictions we did it, we won probably the best team in the World.
All these are some examples that show that we, Greek people, are capable of great things. There should be a motivation and not pension or wage cuts. These measures diminish the motivation and increase the anxiety. We need inspiration and not Troika's advice.
We know we are not a rich country, rich in economic terms, but we are rich in feelings, in beautiful and sunny islands and rich in history that noone can ever take from us. We are a country of 11 mil. inhabitants that has less people than Lady Gaga's and Justin Bieber's followers in Twitter. However we are proud that a lot of great things in this world have a Greek origin like DEMOCRACY, which is forgottent nowadays.
So please don't behave to us like we are "junk" like Standard and Poor's rated Greek Bonds. We deserve respect from everyone because when talking for a nation that provided a lot to this World (for sure not any World War) noone should disrespect us. Greek citizens are responsible for this situation in a percentage but not in the whole. Countries which lend us money in order to buy military equipment from them, with bribes, should change their behaviour and respect the Greek citizens more.
DON'T UNDERSTIMATE THE GREEKS
WE WILL KEEP WALKING EVEN IF YOU DON'T THINK SO
Nikitas, are you aware that your country would be totally bankrupt without the Troika?
ReplyDeleteComparing the Germans, who are willing to give (not lend, cause you are never going to pay it back) multiple billions of euros with nazis is absolutely disgusting. They are helping you. Without Merkel and her country, there would be no Greece anymore.
Greeks are not lazy, but looking at the attitude you show in this blog, it is legitamite to consider them to be people that really don't want to see how bad the situatio of their national finance is.
I am aware that Troika and especially the IMF destroyed everything wherever they gave their "advice". I do not think that Germany is helping Greece for the shake of it.
DeleteI am also aware that selling submarines to Greece with big bribes is not in the direction of friendship between the two countries as well as the bribes given by Siemens in order to win some government contracts! Let's not forget as well that after the World War when Germany was occuping Greece there were a lot of destructions made by the Germans in Greece and never paid back anything.
And don't forget, don't underestimate this country and what it gave to the World. When someone is doing something bad you should not try to struggle him. And especially if he has been someone with this history. We know our economic situation but you do not know that 1in 2 young people is unemployed and there are almost 3 mil. people who are regarded as "poor".
WE ARE NOT JUNK
You will see that the plan implemented is not feasible.
The history will show it is another mistake ANONYMOUS!!
Monsieur Pepis,
DeleteAre you aware that Greece needs the money from Germany, France etc. to prevent going bankrupt? Going bankrupt will not help the Greek people, right?
The other European countries are willing to help Greece in this, but you can not expect them to just give money because you invented democracy 2000 years ago or won the Euro-cup in 2004. They will only help you if something significantly changes in the Greek politics, taxes and economy. Otherwise Greece will be in a new crisis in the near future. No-one should want that.
What is your plan for your country? What do you expect from the other European countries? What do you expect from Greek politicians and the Greek people?
Salut
Dear Mr. Anonymous,
DeleteI agree that the change will come from within Greece. I do not expect the others to help my country without effort from our side. What I demand from the other countries is to show a level of humanity and do not treat us like we are "Junk".
This situation has been created partly from our political system which has helped a lot of companies from other BIG European Countries to make a lot of money out of it. There are various examples of BIG European Countries which sold Military equipment to Greece with bribes.
This situation has convinced a lot of countries that won a lot out of my corrupted country.
I do not want mercy from anyone. I just want to respect this country. We (the Greeks) are responsible for some things but acting like we are the worst species in this world doesn't help at all and shows that our memory is very shortsighted and selective.
Behaving like this to people who are without jobs and they do not have to feed their families is a sign of disrespect.
And the meaning of my mention to 2004 and the rest is that Greeks are capable for everything, just don't underestimate us and don't think we are a nation of lazy people.
Salut Mr. Anonymous!