Athens to audit kids in bid to raise tax revenue

Lydia, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The Greek government is introducing "tax cards" in the new year in order that children as young as seven years old have their financial transactions recorded electronically. As ludicrous as this sounds the Finance Ministry is all set on issuing 1.5 million cards to the country's primary, secondary and tertiary level students. The idea is that when young people buy anything there will be a record available for tax purposes.

It is a typical of the fact that faced with an IRS/Inland Revenue service riddled through with corruption and inefficiency the Greek state once more requires that every citizen police themselves. A less charitable comparision can be made with Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge who used children to gather information and evidence against their parents. Had the Khmer embraced technology instead of destroying it I'm sure they would have loved this idea.

On a more practical level every single retail business in the country will be obliged to buy card readers and keep records whilst 1.5 million kids/teens/young adults will be required to keep the card on them if they want to buy anything. As you can see this is a recipe for confusion, chaos and massive cost over runs - exactly the factors that helped the country get in the mess it already finds itself in.

All this from a government that doesn't even know how many students are studying at state universties and polytechnics after nine months of asking nor how many people it employs as a whole.

Lydia and Maisie.

Lydia and Maisie., originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

It was off to the zoo for me, Lydia and her cousin, Maisie. taken advantage of a brief window of good weather we spent the day looking at lions, seals and ferrets.

http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/

Off to the park

Yesterday was picnic day so me, Lydia and her cousin, Maisie went off to the local park in search of berries and mischief.

The Fairie Queene

The Fairie Queene, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

I was taking pictures of cacti(?) for somebody's catalogue when I grabbed the chance to take this picture of Lydia modelling the flowers before she ran off outside to play with her friend, Anastasia.

Nasia and Lydia

Nasia and Lydia, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Last night was spent goofing around and having fun. Luckily, Lydia still has friends in the neighbourhood to play with. Tomorrow she is off out singing carols with Efi and Goirgos

Santa Claus and his cups

Santa Claus and his cups, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Today was Lydia's last day at school before the they closed for the Christmas holidays and the kids put on a show for the parents. As you can see father Christmas was there handing out...cups? Oh well, it's the thought that counts.

That'll teach you.

That'll teach you., originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Lydia thought that this would make for a good image. I have to say I agree. She has a good eye, not to mention a good left hook.

Blogging safely

It seems that there is a rapid development in the way the internet is being viewed here in Greece. Until quite recently, there didn't seem to be a day go by without some story in the media depicting the web as the devil's own sandpit, a byword for vice and iniquity. As a result parents were (are) loathed to let there children use it or even allow access at home. This stance wasn't helped either by the ridiculously high access fees that were charged until recently.

However, all this is changing and the TV is full of ads selling cheap, fast access. Indeed the internet is now being being heralded as the font of all wisdom and culture, absolutely vital for a modern life.

Of course, neither viewpoint expresses the reality on life online. Whilst having access is undeniably a plus for people learning, the old anxieties concerning the safety of younger users still remain. All the more reason then for young people and parents to be fully aware of possible dangers they face and ways to protect themselves against them. As I keep on reminding wary parents the internet is like traffic in the street; necessary but potentially dangerous, nevertheless. Similarly, just because cars and the like are a threat we don't simply lock up our kids till they reach say, 14. No, we teach them how to behave in such situations from a young age.

Click here to download a PDF with five tips by Childnet International on how young people can blog safely.

Thanks to MrsW for putting me onto this.

Playing office

"Heh, no photos we're negotiating a leveraged buy out here, Dad."

Just kidding. Actually, she was planning a hostile bid on an ailing multinational with extensive exposure in the emerging markets. At least that's what she told me.

I tell you, kids today have no respect. You turn your back for a second and they are asset stripping any corporation they can get their hands on.

Nasia

Nasia, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Today is babysitting day.

Lydia

Learning the ropes.

Learning the ropes., originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Taken last Sunday. I like to think that Lydia is learning something that she likes to do. And this is what she took;

Lost In Translation

Lost In Translation, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

BOB - It's the most terrifying day of your life
the day the first one is born.



CHARLOTTE - Yeah. Nobody ever tells you that.



BOB - Your life,



as you know it,



is gone.



Never to return.



But they learn how to walk,
and they learn how to talk, and...



and you want to be with them.



And they turn out to be the most...



delightful people...



you will ever meet in your life.

A new blogger on the block

Inspired by Ewan MacIntosh's post on blogging in Scottish infants school I decide to set up a blog for my daughter, Lydia aged seven as a way of helping her with her English (click here). Since she uses the internet regularly (Polly Pocket is her favourite site) I thought that it wouldn't be too much of a stretch. I want to make it is any rich as possible in terms of media so that it doesn't just become a write and read blog.