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Greece Boils Over
By Barbie Latza Nadeau | The Daily Beast – 1 hr 37 mins ago
The burnt out shells of at least 45 buildings in central Athens were still smoldering on Monday morning after a weekend of angry protests reached its apex on Sunday night in what Greek prime minister Luca Papademos called the worst breakdown of violence since 2008. Broken glass, chunks of marble ripped from the public squares and empty tear gas canisters lined the streets after an all-night battle pitted protesters against security forces who say they were outnumbered by a five-to-one ratio. Hundreds of protesters and police officers were injured and local Greek Sky television reported that at least twice, security forces ran out of tear gas.
Protests were held across the country, including in the tourist havens of Crete and Corfu, but the violence centered in Athens, where over 80,000 protesters took to the streets burning buildings and destroying property. An estimated 20,000 people also gathered in Greece’s second city Thessaloniki, where looters broke storefront windows and destroyed city parks. On Sunday, protesters were joined by a violent contingent of masked anarchists who took direct aim at security forces under the violent anti-authority mantra of the Black Bloc movement.
The demonstrations followed general strikes last week that were meant to warn politicians against passing a biting austerity package that would save Greece from debt default—at a hefty price tag for the population. The $4.3 billion package was ultimately approved by a 199 to 74 margin in a late-night vote, but the victory was bittersweet for Greek leaders. “We must understand and persuade Greek citizens that when you have to choose between bad and worse, you must choose the bad to avoid the worst,” Greek finance minister Evangelos Venizelos told parliament ahead of the vote.
Greek leaders had until Feb. 15 to adopt the austerity measures, but they were compelled to push the bill through parliament over the weekend—before world markets opened Monday morning—in an attempt to show European leaders led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the country deserved to be saved. Shares in Greek banks rose by 10 percent on Monday in a clear sign of approval that the bill was passed. But the violent reaction led many to wonder whether ordinary Greeks can afford to stay in the euro zone and whether the weekend’s events will become the norm. Concern that the Greek measures are like putting a band-aid on a cancerous tumor have prompted many European leaders to openly question the fate of the euro zone’s single currency. Greek leader Antonis Samaras, head of the conservative opposition who is favored to win Greek elections, warned supporters of contagion among the weaker European economies. "We should show the Europeans that what is happening in Greece will soon spread to the rest of Europe if we do not change the policy of endless austerity."
Smaller economies like Ireland and Portugal, which also have unsustainable debt like Greece, are watching to see what happens. If Greece defaults and is expelled from the euro zone, they are vulnerable to follow suit. Leaders in debt-laden Italy, which is often touted as “too big to bail, too big to fail,” and where austerity measures like those passed in Greece top the agenda, are equally worried. Italy’s interim leader Mario Monti has received accolades from America’s President Obama for his work on Italy’s economic debacle, but he’s seen as “public enemy No. 1” to many Italians who say they’ll take the Greek approach if austerity measures become too painful.
Greece and Italy are both run by caretaker governments after their democratically-elected leaders George Papandreou and Silvio Berlusconi were forced to resign last fall. Both countries will have to hold elections by 2013, and many would-be candidates are concerned about the fallout from supporting these hard-hitting measures. The Greek cuts include trimming 15,000 public sector jobs and mandating a 22 percent decrease in the minimum wage in the private sector—the third such slice in less than a year. In practical terms, the minimum-wage cut would drop the base pay for most non-professional jobs from €751 to €600 a month (in U.S. dollars, $1,000 to $795) for those who already have regular jobs and allow employers to pay 10 percent less to new employees they hire. Pensions, too, will be decreased, as will many welfare services. A 28-percent drop in tourism and rampant cost-of-living increases spawned by the unrest and panic have meant that most Greeks earn barely enough to scrape by.
Papademos, who has the unsavory task of trying to save the country from economic implosion, called for calm ahead of the Sunday night vote. “This vandalism, violence.. they have no place in a democracy and will not be tolerated," he said in a television address before the Greek parliament voted. “I call on the public to show calm. At these crucial times, we do not have the luxury of this type of protest. I think everyone is aware of how serious the situation is.”
http://news.yahoo.com/greece-boils-over-120700059.html
The burnt out shells of at least 45 buildings in central Athens were still smoldering on Monday morning after a weekend of angry protests reached its apex on Sunday night in what Greek prime minister Luca Papademos called the worst breakdown of violence since 2008. Broken glass, chunks of marble ripped from the public squares and empty tear gas canisters lined the streets after an all-night battle pitted protesters against security forces who say they were outnumbered by a five-to-one ratio. Hundreds of protesters and police officers were injured and local Greek Sky television reported that at least twice, security forces ran out of tear gas.
Protests were held across the country, including in the tourist havens of Crete and Corfu, but the violence centered in Athens, where over 80,000 protesters took to the streets burning buildings and destroying property. An estimated 20,000 people also gathered in Greece’s second city Thessaloniki, where looters broke storefront windows and destroyed city parks. On Sunday, protesters were joined by a violent contingent of masked anarchists who took direct aim at security forces under the violent anti-authority mantra of the Black Bloc movement.
The demonstrations followed general strikes last week that were meant to warn politicians against passing a biting austerity package that would save Greece from debt default—at a hefty price tag for the population. The $4.3 billion package was ultimately approved by a 199 to 74 margin in a late-night vote, but the victory was bittersweet for Greek leaders. “We must understand and persuade Greek citizens that when you have to choose between bad and worse, you must choose the bad to avoid the worst,” Greek finance minister Evangelos Venizelos told parliament ahead of the vote.
Greek leaders had until Feb. 15 to adopt the austerity measures, but they were compelled to push the bill through parliament over the weekend—before world markets opened Monday morning—in an attempt to show European leaders led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the country deserved to be saved. Shares in Greek banks rose by 10 percent on Monday in a clear sign of approval that the bill was passed. But the violent reaction led many to wonder whether ordinary Greeks can afford to stay in the euro zone and whether the weekend’s events will become the norm. Concern that the Greek measures are like putting a band-aid on a cancerous tumor have prompted many European leaders to openly question the fate of the euro zone’s single currency. Greek leader Antonis Samaras, head of the conservative opposition who is favored to win Greek elections, warned supporters of contagion among the weaker European economies. "We should show the Europeans that what is happening in Greece will soon spread to the rest of Europe if we do not change the policy of endless austerity."
Smaller economies like Ireland and Portugal, which also have unsustainable debt like Greece, are watching to see what happens. If Greece defaults and is expelled from the euro zone, they are vulnerable to follow suit. Leaders in debt-laden Italy, which is often touted as “too big to bail, too big to fail,” and where austerity measures like those passed in Greece top the agenda, are equally worried. Italy’s interim leader Mario Monti has received accolades from America’s President Obama for his work on Italy’s economic debacle, but he’s seen as “public enemy No. 1” to many Italians who say they’ll take the Greek approach if austerity measures become too painful.
Greece and Italy are both run by caretaker governments after their democratically-elected leaders George Papandreou and Silvio Berlusconi were forced to resign last fall. Both countries will have to hold elections by 2013, and many would-be candidates are concerned about the fallout from supporting these hard-hitting measures. The Greek cuts include trimming 15,000 public sector jobs and mandating a 22 percent decrease in the minimum wage in the private sector—the third such slice in less than a year. In practical terms, the minimum-wage cut would drop the base pay for most non-professional jobs from €751 to €600 a month (in U.S. dollars, $1,000 to $795) for those who already have regular jobs and allow employers to pay 10 percent less to new employees they hire. Pensions, too, will be decreased, as will many welfare services. A 28-percent drop in tourism and rampant cost-of-living increases spawned by the unrest and panic have meant that most Greeks earn barely enough to scrape by.
Papademos, who has the unsavory task of trying to save the country from economic implosion, called for calm ahead of the Sunday night vote. “This vandalism, violence.. they have no place in a democracy and will not be tolerated," he said in a television address before the Greek parliament voted. “I call on the public to show calm. At these crucial times, we do not have the luxury of this type of protest. I think everyone is aware of how serious the situation is.”
http://news.yahoo.com/greece-boils-over-120700059.html
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Suzie (admin) on -
Yeah, you bet the people at the bottom of the totem pole are "aware of how serious it is" when they are trying to put food on the table.... I noticed all cuts were "Private sector or Public sector" not one word of Government spending.
Visions of (not too distant) America... people can only be pushed so far...
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Permalink Reply by Angel Phine on -
Without serious cutbacks in our government spending we're watching our own future unfolding in Greece. H.G. Wells wrote Things to Come & bad things will be coming our way if BigGov spending continues.
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Permalink Reply by kwicgov55 on -
Your are right Suzie. Not one mention of cutting back government spending. Much the like the ne'er do wells that we have in Washington.
What is happening in Greece will be coming to a city near you faster than we think if we don't get rid of Obama and his cronies! That includes all the progressives, regardless of what political party they are from!
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Permalink Reply by Mangus Colorado on -
If they keep burning and destroying properties, they will eventually actually create demand for new construction so people have a place to live. This in turn will create a demand for new business formation and new JOB creation. It will eventually give Greece a fresh start and get rid of all those costly to maintain ancient buildings. Look at this as free demolition and now the Greeks can rebuild there entire civilization. For the 20th time???
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Permalink Reply by Lawrence Brown on -
Coming to our cities soon.
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Permalink Reply by JAMES CHILDRESS on -
WHY RUIN YOUR COUNTRY TO GET WHAT YOU WANT,AFTER YOU DESTORY EVERY THING WHAT YOU WANTED IS NOT THERE ANYMORE
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Permalink Reply by Rich Knoch on -
America's OWS Useful Idiots are on the same trajectory as Greece's OWS-style Useful Idiots.
Why would a bankrupt nation compound its financial disaster by destroying assets and scaring tourists away from their shores?
The absence of Common Sense, compounded by Marxist financed Class Warfare, waged against those who pay Taxes and possess Assets - - - this is the 'why' of America's OWS movement.
America's on the same death spiral trajectory as Greece and the light you may see is the approaching train!
Our only chance to save our nation is the November election . . . either we return to a Conservative Constitutional Republic or the end is inevitable.
Tea Party folks . . . be sure you have adequate police security for your events - - - - this is the Left's, and OWS's, last chance to make their irrational socialist statements before the General Election.
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Permalink Reply by Lawrence Brown on
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America is headed down the same path of destruction as the voters are to stupid to understand what is going on. We are broke and we the people have let the USA down. We complain about everything and everyone but we keep electing idiots to congress and white house,WHY. Over many years we have given the crooks the keys to bank with a smile on our face,WHY. We rather blame others than face truth that we are at fault.Everyone puts their interest first and forget about the big picture. If American wins we all have a chance,if America loses we all lose the chance to survive. Look in rear view mirror and will see what we are running from god and country and in HELL.
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Permalink Reply by JAMES CHILDRESS on
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WE VOTED FOR A MAN THAT PROMSED CHANGED BUT NOBODY ASK WHAT KIND OF CHANGE .
THE NEWS MEDA PUT HIM THERE AND KEEPING HIM THERE,THEY NEVER BROTHERED TO CHECK HIS BACK GROUND AND WHEN SOMEBODY DID THEY DISCOURAGED THEM
HEAVEN HELP US IF HE GETS A 2 ND TERM
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Permalink Reply by Lawrence Brown on
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James: We the people elected Obama not the media. There was evidence out there for the voters to see,but they ignored it completely. We became lazy and believed everything we heard and forgot OBAMA'S OWN WORDS. He promised us everything that he is doing today. Some accuse him of lying but he is not. There are many videos out there where one can hear his words of change. Again lazy and arrogant voters wont look them up and will continue to listen to media. We the people voted for his change and we got it. Lets stop blaming others and look in mirror at the people responsible for this(THE VOTERS). Until we put our country first we cannot stop this destruction of America. We will make Greece look like a picnic when we fall. Most voters cannot handle the truth and will accept the fall of country before they will admit they made mistake.
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Permalink Reply by Christine Rae Moylan on -
The only thing is for Greece to be suspended from the EU. The other Countries in the EU are supporting Greece and unless the Communist/Socialist in Greece come to an agreement this chaos will continue until Greece falls. If Greece stays in the EU then, when they fall they will drag others down with them. Like the dead Soviet Union, Communist greed fails and even China has turned to Capitalism to survive. Hell, we are now even buying goods from Vietnam. The lies of the Markist doesn't fly anymore when their total manifesto fails without other people's money. The trouble with Communist is, the only thing they can do well is run their mouths and brutalize anyone who disagrees with them because, they have no clue how economies work. Hitler knew the Communist/Socialist were losers that's why they were his first target. But, how do you get rid of them when they have grown fat and lazy on other people's money for decades. Like the Soviet Union they have to collapse first and rebuild themselves. Unfortunately, like the Soviet Union the thugs will put on sheep's clothing and continue their same thugocracy. Reagan was the only one who had the courage to what what was needed. The only one of our Candidates who can do it for us is Newt or Santorum. I've included Santorum because the Obamaites are afraid of this mousy looking Candidate and are starting to hack him to pieces. I would include Romney but he is so deeply embedded in with the banks and Wall Street I'm not sure he could swing the axe that hard.
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