End of the world T-shirt - In Mayan

End of the world T-shirt (front), a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

TRANSLATION

Worried Greeks

Worried Greeks, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek pensioners brave the cold to demand free health care and cheapermedicines

Greek pensioners brave the cold to demand free health care and cheaper medicines, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Other demands included;

 "Cheap heating oil for the People" - signed a Pensioner from Thessaloniki

A reference to the fact that the government has raised the cost of heating oil by 40% in an attempt to raise tax revenues., a move that has led to a drop in consumption of up to 90% in some areas as turn off their central heating despite sub zero temperatures in northern regions of the country.

The situation is further exasperated by the national oil refining cartel, protected by Greek law that means local fuel prices are among the highest in the EU.

Wood, winter and wishful thinking

Nowadays it's now known as fuel poverty, but to older generations it is huddling in cold, damp rooms round an inadequate fire hoping that either the weather will get better or that you'll have enough money to see out the cold spell. With temperatures in Greece dropping below zero in the mountainous northern regions, one of  the government's most hated tax measures is starting to take effect. The decision by Athens to raise heating oil taxation by 40% seems to have backfired as millions decided not to turn on their oil fired central heating and turned to other sources, most notably, wood burning stoves, leaving the government with 790 million euro shortfall.

In the northern region of Kozani heating oil whole sellers reported an 85% drop in demand in comparison  with last year, whilst businesses supplying wood, sometimes logged illegally are seeing a roaring trade as Greeks seek to heat their homes using traditional wood burning stoves known as soumbes.

Already the effects can seen in large cities with atmospheric pollution on the rise, leading many Athenian twitter users to remark on the use of wood along with heavy fog  effected the capital last night.

The government's decision to raise tax on such a basic item as heating in a country with shrinking wages and a 25% unemployment was justified on the grounds that the Greek treasury was losing billions in revenue due to more lightly taxed heating oil was being used in the place of diesel. However, the move has ended up punishing the 2/3 Greek households that till recently relied upon heating oil and lead to the drop in overall government revenues as people simply buy less oil.

However, tax hikes are just one part of the equation, and is with so many other economic issues in Greece the role of cartels and monopolies controlled by local oligarchs has to be taken into account.Like many other tax increases the use of cartels means that any increase in cost is pressed directly onto the consumer and not absorbed wholly or partially by the supplier as would normally happen in a free market with fair competition. In a recent report the IMF similarly warned that one of the reasons for Greece's inability to improve competitiveness was lack of competition in the local oil refining industry which kept prices much higher than in other EU countries.

As today's 'Reuters article on the role of oligarchs in the Greek crisis points out such closed shop policies are only possible with the connivance of the politicians in government who often pass legislation designed specifically to protect the interests of the small group of Greek tycoons who continue to exert a stranglehold on the economy and are defying all attempts to get them to take their share of the nation's tax burden.

Despite repeated claims by prime minister, Antonis Samaras that the worse is over and that Greece will return to growth in the near future the same corrupt political elite that helped create the current debt crisis now poses, to the disbelief of many inside and outside Greece as the country's saviours.

My government attended yet another Eurogroup meeting and all I got wasthis lousy t shirt

My government attended yet another Eurogroup meeting and all I got was this lousy t shirt, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

We're as mad as hell and we're not going to take it any more - European youth's message to the EU

We're as mad as hell and we're not going to take it any more - European youth's message to the EU, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Following drug cartel scandal HSBC's new head issues statement

HSBC Systematic Investment Plan - For the drug cartel that is going places, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Alphonse Gabriel Capone, Group Chief Executive, said: "We accept responsibility for our past mistakes. We have said we are profoundly sorry for them, and we do so again. The Mafia of today is a fundamentally different organisation from the one that made those mistakes. Over the last two years, under new senior leadership, we have been taking concrete steps to put right what went wrong and to participate actively with government authorities in bringing to light and addressing matters.

"While we welcome the clarity that these agreements bring, ensuring the highest standards wherever we do business is an ongoing process. We are committed to protecting the integrity of the global controlled substance system. To this end we will continue to work closely with governments and regulators around the world."
In the past several years, the Board of Cosa Nostra - HSBC Holdings plc has taken decisive action to direct management to fix past shortcomings as they have come to light. Since 2011, with new senior leadership teams in place at both Cosa Nostra - HSBC Group and Cosa Nostra - HSBC North America, Cosa Nostra - HSBC has taken extensive and concerted steps to put in place the highest standards for the future.

The Department of Justice has recognised these efforts in the DPA: "Management has made significant strides in improving 'tone from the top' and ensuring that a culture of compliance permeates the institution. The efforts of management have dramatically improved Cosa Nostra - HSBC Bank USA's and Cosa Nostra - HSBC Group's Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering and Office of Foreign Assets Control compliance programmes."

Shopkeeper

Shopkeeper, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

A Greek childhood.

The video was taken last night during a march to mark the 4th anniversary of the murder of 15 year old Greek teen, Alexis Grigoropoulos by a police officer in central Athens. The killing set in motion a wave of protests and clashes which last for over a month.

www.flickr.com/photos/teacherdudebbq2/sets/72157610963947...

I found the video disturbing considering that these same riot police units who stopped to tussle the little kid's hair had spend the morning attacking high school pupils who'd held their own protest march.

Protesting Greek university employees speak to supporters after courtcase adjourned.

Protesting Greek university employees speak to supporters after court case adjourned., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek police raided the Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki this morning, arresting 11 employees who had been part of an ongoing occupation of the Dean's office. The protest has been in response to the refusal of contractors used by the university to pay workers salaries for over three months.

Those arrested were released temporarily after their court case was adjourned till Monday.

With lay offs skyrocketing many unscrupulous employers have been using the fear of unemployment to delay or even stop payment of salaries, banking on the fact that people will continue working rather than face certain joblessness.

Supporters of Greek trade unionists charged with assaulting German official await verdict

Supporters of Greek trade unionists charged with assaulting German official await verdict, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

German CDU MP, Hans Joachim Fuchtel caused uproar during a visit to Greece when he claimed that 1000 Germans could of the work of 3000 Greeks. The remarks sparked off fierce protests by Greek trade unionists already angered by the latest round of public sector job cuts.

During a joint German - Greek conference local government tempers flared and a German official was briefly attacked by angry public sector employees. The police arrested three in connection with the assault but all three were found not guilty yesterday.

How much salvation can one country take?

For a moment I thought that I'd that the last three years had all been a nasty dream. The presenter on the news was speaking in glowing terms about how Greece had been saved by its EU partners and that now that the bailout deal had been agreed the country could look forward to avoiding bankruptcy.

The problem is that we have all heard this before. In 2009 the local and foreign news organisations were both peddling the same media narrative when the first tranche of bailout cash was approved in return for implementation of tough austerity measures. I still remember the first question I was asked then during an interview with the BBC World Service; "But why are Greeks so upset about being saved?"

The inability of the foreign media to comprehend the angry reaction of Greek popular opinion to the cuts in salaries and services is once again being repeated despite three years in which the country's economy has declined so drastically that the drop in economic indicators is now on par with the United States during the early 30's at the height of the Great Depression. Unemployment now affects 1 in 4 (though that figure may be as high as 30% according to research carried out by Greece's trade union congress) and shows no sign of improving any time soon. Economic output has declined year on year since 2009 and will continue to so for the forseeable future unless present austerity policies are not abandoned.

Greece's mainstream media, owned and controlled by the country's corrupt oligarchs today is celebrating the decision by the Eurogroup to authorize the release of the next installment of bailout cash, not least because of the bulk of the money will be used to recapitalise the banks they own.On the state run news journalist speak  of the skill with which the government has avoided disaster, knowing full well that criticism or real or implied invites instant dismissal.

A much smaller proportion of the cash will go to pay wages and salaries for the immediate future. On the other hand the terms of the deal mean that thousands of public sector workers will be laid off, a decision which has seen local government grind to a halt as workers strike and occupy town halls across the country.

Here in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city and home to over a million residents the decision by KTEL (Greece's answer to Greyhound Buses) to suspend operation means that for many the city is effectively cut off from surrounding towns. The dispute over money owed by Athens is set to spread to Thessaloniki's urban transport network as the local bus company has also threatened to stop running from the first of December unless it is paid money owed by central government.

With winter setting in, money getting ever scarcer and the cost of heating sky rocketing ordinary Greeks might be forgiven once again for hoping that EU and the IMF would not insist on saving them again

Lydia and Lion

Lydia and Lion, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek trade unionists protesting outside the central courts in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Greek trade unionists protesting outside the central courts in Thessaloniki, Greece., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Yesterday was the trial of three union leaders charged with instigating an attack on a German consular official during a German - Greek conference on local authority governance. The trial was once again postponed till 28th November after key prosecution witnesses failed to turn up.

The charges are widely seen by Greek trade unions and political activist as an attempt to intimidate local authority employees who have have been waging a campaign of resistance against the first in a series of planned lay offs in town and county councils across Greece. The cuts in jobs and salaries are being demanded by the country's creditors in return for the release of the next tranche of bailout funds.

However, whether Athens will be able to impose its will on recalcitrant public sector workers is moot as just 25 of the Greece's 340 councils have submitted the names of employees to the laid off. In addition over 200 town and county council halls are currently under occupation.

Greek villagers take on Canadian mining giant, Eldorado

Greek villagers take on Canadian mining giant, Eldorado, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek commemorate the 39th anniversary of the Polytechnic Uprising in Athens

Greek commemorate the 39th anniversary of the Polytechnic Uprising in Athens, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

M - A Modern Greek Tale

I have a friend who I shall M. Out of respect for the fact she has enough on her plate as it is without my revealing her real name and adding to the battle she has to wage to retain what is left of her dignity. M phoned my last night barely able to contain her anger, seeking a sympathetic ear for her angry venting. Yet again another job interview had ended in failure and yet again her hopes of finding work, any kind of work were dashed. This time she had been told that her qualifications, which are impressive made her potential employers uneasy.

While Greece's young and educated have long given up the dream of a well paid job that matches their education and skills, the realisation is growing that any kind of job, no matter how badly paid or unskilled is no longer open to them, even when they lower their expectations to levels undreamed of just a couple of years ago. Even a part - time job paying 200 euros a month for a 20 hour week is the subject of intense competition and now the degrees and certificates that so many worked so hard to pass are seen as best an irrelevance and at worse a disincentive.

The bitter irony is that a whole generation of Greeks have been raised to find a future in an economy that no longer exists. The sacrifices made by both parents and children to assure their kids future have proven to be an educational Ponzi scheme with people now holding useless pieces of paper that had once promised a prosperous future.

So my friend M once more trawls the internet and local paper for any kind of job, recent experience and her inner work ethic means that she will happily do any time of honest work that assures her a wage.In summer that meant 12 hour days on the street outside a seaside pizzeria, using her flawless English to persuade tourists to step inside.Now that the holiday season is over she is back in Thessaloniki struggling to find the money to finish her studies that would enable to become a therapist. However, the dream of such a job is fading away quietly being forgotten with every unanswered email, every fruitless interview, every day without the hope of some kind of way out of her dead end.

Greek farmers cut out the middleman and start selling direct toconsumers.

Greek farmers cut out the middleman and start selling direct to consumers., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

In an effort to break the hold of cartels on the Greek food market, groups have been springing up in small towns and cities across the country which are using the internet to sell their produce directly to consumers and so avoid the massive price hikes which mean that agricultural products on supermarket shelves cost anything up to 1000% more than the prices paid out to farmers.

Thessaloniki, Greece.

To the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe only the truth" -Voltaire

To the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe only the truth" - Voltaire, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Employees at one of Greece's most well - known retail chains protestover unpaid wages

Employees at one of Greece's most well - known retail chains protest over unpaid wages, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Shop assistants at one of Greece's most well - known retail chains, Fokas protest over unpaid back pay outside Thessaloniki branch.

This is a silent epidemic that is threatening millions of Greek families with poverty as many unscrupulous employers exploit the crisis.

Full story here.

www.demotix.com/news/1585124/massive-increase-unpaid-wage...

Park bench converted into a temporary home for Greece's homeless

Park bench converted into a temporary home for Greece's homeless, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

ith poverty pushing more and more Greeks onto the streets, parks in the northern port city of Thessaloniki are rapidly being taken over by the homeless. However, with temperatures dropping and heavy rains predicted its not sure how they'll be able to last out the winter in such conditions.

I asked the permission of those staying here before I took this picture. I had a hard time getting that permission but once I explained that my aim wasn't to show them but the conditions in which they were forced to live, they agreed.

Fight like a Greek - Crush austerity before it crushes you.

Fight like a Greek - Crush austerity before it crushes you., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek two day general strike starts today.

Costa Gavras - film director

Costa Gavras - film director, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Taken at the 53rd Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece.

A storm is coming - Greece

A storm is coming - Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

A Neo-Modest Proposal

A neo-Modest Proposal, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

A MODEST PROPOSAL

For preventing the debts of poor people in the Kingdom of the Greeks,from being a burden on

 The German Peoples or their Creditors and for making them beneficial to the publick.

It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through the Capital of The Greeks, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with the families of those who have taken their own lives, followed by three, four, or six kith and kin, all in black, and imploring every passenger for justice. These descendants of Pericles and Aristotle instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustenance for their helpless offspring who, as they grow up, either turn to Godless anarchism for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to work in the Factories in the lands of the North, or sell themselves to dens of inequity.

But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the Greeks: it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of those of the race of the Germans who at a certain age, become prone with the passage of time to the corrupting effects of Nature's hand upon our weak flesh.

As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years, upon this important subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes of our Economists, I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true, a man who has take his own life is: at most has not the value of above a few hundred euros, which the family of the Departed may not even receive, I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their creditors, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the Reduction of the Nation's Debt, and partly to the cloathing of many thousands.



I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection.I have been assured by a very knowing Doctor of my acquaintance in London, that a healthy Greek well nursed, is, a most suitable nourishing and wholesome Donor of humane organs, whether heart, liver, kidney, or pancreas; and I make no doubt that it will equally be of service in a male or a female.


Supposing that one thousand families in the state of the Germans, would be constant customers for fresh organs, besides others who might have need of them on other occasions, particularly after misfortunes upon the King's road, I compute that Athens would take off annually about one thousand carcasses; and the rest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper) the remaining two thousand.

But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging Europe. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh being of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in ice, although perhaps I could name other countries, which would be glad to use up the whole nations supply of Internal Organs without a second thought.



After all, I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual. But before something of that kind shall be advanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desire the author or authors will be pleased maturely to consider these points.

As things now stand, how Greeks will be able to find food and raiment for a an countless multitude of useless mouths of backs. And secondly, There being a round ten million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in debt billions of euros, adding those who are beggars by profession, to the bulk of farmers, publick servents and labourers, with their wives and children, who are beggars in effect;

I desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the families of these Damned Souls, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have their Departed ones sold for their organs, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as The Greeks have since gone through, by the oppression of bankers, the impossibility of paying debts without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor cloaths to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of intailing the like, or greater miseries, upon their breed for ever.

I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of both the Greek and the German Races, by advancing this trade, providing for the infirm, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to those God has seen fit to make Rich through banking and other noble trades. I, like the Continental Body Poliltick have no organs worth the name, by which I can propose to get a single penny; being of advanced years, and my body past saving.

Apologies in advance to fans of Jonathan Swift's original.

Inspired by the these two stories;

The German government wants to use the introduction of new digitalized health insurance cards to encourage organ donation.

and

Wave of Suicides Shocks Greece

Poverty in Greece - Begger's sign says "PEINO- I'M HUNGRY"

Poverty in Greece - Begger's sign says "PEINO- I'M HUNGRY", a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Poster Activism - Words to live by

Greece's beleaguered government cracks down on dissent

State vs the people - Thessaloniki, Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Perhaps it is appropriate that Thessaloniki, which this weekend celebrated the 100th anniversary of its liberation from the Ottoman Empire looked like a city under siege. For three days the centre of Greece's second largest city was the objects of draconian security measures designed to avoid a repetition of last year's peaceful protests which closed down the annual military parade and forced the president of the republic to flee.

Mindful of the fact that the event lead to the resignation of the then prime minister, Giorgos Papandreou just weeks later the current political leadership decided to make sure last year's events were not repeated.

As a result 2,000 extra police were drafted to protect prime minister Antonis Samaras and president Karolos Papoulias as they visited Thessaloniki over the weekend. The security measures for the Oxi Day parade were so tight that no even the parents of high school pupils taking part were allowed within the 1 km “dead zone” that surrounded the VIP stand and effectively isolated the parade from the vast majority of citizens who'd turned out to follow it.



This was the equivalent of banning the public from 4 July/ Bastille Day/Remembrance Day. Only those with an invitation from the government were permitted to attend the event which is held annually to mark the entry of Greece into the Second World War.

Even journalists were turned away as the invitation only rule caught many by surprise. As a result the event was covered nearly exclusively by pro-government media who did an excellent job on ignoring the fact that no one was watching, apart from armed soldiers, riot police units and party cadres from the political parties that form Greece's coalition government.

Instead of commenting on the strange absence of ordinary people on a day many Greeks consider sacred, the state run media was generous in its praise for the organisers as nothing untoward had happened.



As Greece's economic slide continues the country's political leadership has become more isolated from voters and as a result has grown ever more paranoid. The few public appearances by government officials are invariably marked by the presence of thousands of uniformed and plain clothes police officers. Even the most traditional and innocuous gatherings are eyed with suspicion and policed as if they were a football derby between deadly rivals.

When on Friday Antonis Samaras visited the Agios Demitrios Cathedral in Thessaloniki to attend a religious service to celebrate the city's patron saint, heavily armed riot police units carrying shields and tear gas kept back curious worshippers from the leader. Inside the perimeter between hundreds of police officers made sure that the 100m journey from the prime minister's limo to the church entrance went off without incident. Inside, dozens of plain clothes officer kept a watchful eye of the congregation to make sure no embarrassing images of pensioners booing were seen on TV screens.

(UPDATE - The one hapless reporter from the local state run ET3 channel who happened to mention heavy police presence during the visit of the prime minister was quickly taken off air and later fired).



Such scenes are just part of growing intolerance towards dissent and protest, both in the streets and in the press. Whilst pro – austerity sentiment dominates both state run and private mass media, even the slightest show of anti – government defiance is now being punished. In the last 48 hours alone, Greek journalist Kostas Vaxevanis was arrested for publishing a list of possible tax dodgers given to then finance minister, Papakonstantinos by IMF head, Christine Lagarde.

Unlike his French and German counterparts Giorgos Papakonstantinos did not act upon the information (reasons why seem to vary from week to week), instead handing the information to his successor PASOK leader, Evangelos Venizelos, who kept it in desk drawer for two years.

Such heavy handedness was also repeated when two presenters on a popular morning TV show were fired suddenly by the state run NET TV channel after they mentioned reports in the Guardian that linked law and order minister Nikos Dendias in connection with an alleged police torture scandal.

It's hard to see how long any democratically elected government, especially a coalition one made up of such disparate elements can survive just using just the power of a supine media and the blunt instrument of massive police force.

Greek soldiers and riot police line the streets of Thessaloniki during annual military parade.

Greek soldiers and riot police line the streets of Thessaloniki during annual military parade., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

To avoid embarrassing the president and other political leaders the citizens of the northern city of Thessaloniki were kept 1 km from the VIP stand, able to glimpse just a fraction of the annual NO Day parade that marks Greece's entry into the Second World War. Even the parents of high school students taking part in the parade were stopped and turned back at police barricades that lined the route of the event.

Unpaid for three months - shop assistants in Fokas department storeprotest

Unpaid for three months - shop assistants in Fokas department store protest, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Employees at the Fokas department stores, one of the most well-known retail outlets in Greece taking part in a 24 hour strike over unpaid wages dating back to June.

In addition according to Union of Shop Workers, the company is in the process of replacing full time positions with part time ones paying just 200 Euros a month for a 20 hour week.

(200 euros a month is just enough to cover rent on a modest one room apartment in the poorest parts of Thessaloniki.)

enosiemporiothess@gmail.com

Social Solidarity Medical Practice in protest over cuts in health care - Thessaloniki, Greece

Social Solidarity Medical Practice in protest over cuts in health care - Thessaloniki, Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek police once more on front line in labour dispute

Greek police once more on front line in labour dispute, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Policing a protest over the imposition of a restraining order by the Aristotelion University following attempts to bring in strike breakers to take the place of employees who's stopped work over a four month delay in paying salaries.

Is the European experiment grinding to halt?

Earlier this morning I got a call from a friend, saying that she'd found a job but I was at a loss whether to congratulate her or not, as she will not only leave her country but also her two young children as well. For the next nine months my friend will be teaching English at a private school in the Gulf States. In doing so she'll be following a path trailed by many other friends and acquaintances over the last few years.

Her children will remain here to be looked after by grandparents for the duration, a story reminiscent of the sacrifices that many Greeks were obliged to make in the 60's and 70's as guest workers who went north to find jobs in the booming economies of Europe and especially in German factories then powering the country's export led economic miracle.

As with so many other Greeks six years of recession has forced my friend to consider working abroad as the only alternative to a slow slide into poverty at home so repeating a story that has been told and re-told so often here over the last 100 years. However, this latest generation is both luckier and unluckier than their parents and forebears.

On the one hand many emigrating Greeks are highly educated and have university level qualifications and language skills that set them apart from previous generations. No longer are they the monolingual, sometimes barely literate villagers who went abroad, able only to obtain dead end jobs that post war northern Europeans were all to happy to spurn in favour of better paid, higher status ones in the service sector.

Yet young educated Greeks are sallying forth into a very different world, one in which jobs, even badly paid, low status ones are becoming more and more difficult to find. While some will find work that fully utilises their knowledge and skills many will find that a foreigner in a declining economy, not matter how well educated will always be at a disadvantage.

In addition the gap between earnings in the North and South of Europe has shrunk to a remarkable degree since the 1960's, with those in countries such as Germany often remaining static whilst those in the South have risen along with rising living standards.Gone are the days when an unskilled factory hand could earn a wage that would have been the envy of those back at home. So, the question that goes through many people's minds is why go through all the social and psychological upheaval of leaving home? Why uproot yourself when factories in east Germany pays just 6E an hour, just a few Euros more than can be earned at home, unless your only criteria is survival?

However, with unemployment at 25% (30% plus, if Greek trade union research is to be believed) and family and social security networks buckling under the strain, then survival rather than having a better standard of living may push Greeks as well as Spaniards, Portuguese and Italians north once again.

But with recession gradually mutating into Depression what reception will this new generation of gasterbiters receive? Even when cheap labour was in demand in the heavy industries of the Ruhr and the Rhine southern European workers were often grudgingly accepted, now that they are coming into competition for jobs in a shrinking economy the potential for ugly confrontation becomes a real possibility .

Given the campaign of virulent anti-Greek feeling that has marked German politics and media coverage of the current debt crisis, the groundwork for growing racist sentiment has been assiduously cultivated. Should the situation in other PIIGS start to resemble that of Greece how long is it before the myths of the lazy Spaniard and work shy Italian once more become part of the cultural and political landscape north of the Alps?

Then, the German far right, like Greece's neo-Nazi Golden Dawn,will happily exploit the opportunities given them by more “respectable” conservative forces. As the economic decline of the European South takes its toll on German export markets and the government will inevitably struggle to balance a commitment to the EU ideal of open borders with growing demands that German jobs and businesses be protected.

Switzerland's military is already drawing up contingency plans in case of a deepening of the social crisis in the Southern EU, UK's prime minister, David Cameron talked of the possibility of closing the country's borders in case of a flood of Greek economic refugees is being considered and France's demand for the re-introduction of internal EU border controls set the tone  showing that the EU's policy of open borders could be reversed in a heartbeat, should national moods change.

How much of this is just right wing political opportunism, designed to win votes with a frightened electorate and how much of it points the way to a more disunited future depends on the depth and duration of the crisis. If the North follows the same pattern as indebted nations such as Greece and Spain then all bets are off as growing divisions may threaten to derail the decades of unification and reconciliation that the EU has wrought.

It's a sad irony of modern history that the years of hard work put in by successive German leaders since end of World War II to prove that Berlin can be trusted to rejoin the European family of nations is being thrown away by a new generation of fiscal hard liners who are willing to put their allegiance to dubious economic dogma ahead of the unity of the continent.

One of the lessons of the 1930's that German chancellor, Angela Merkel and many other EU leaders seem willing to ignore is just how quickly economic disaster changes the political outlook of people who've enjoyed years of financial growth and security. The frenzied growth of the 20's and the sudden loss of prosperity that hit the middle class especially in the Great Depression helped bring the extreme right to power in a remarkably short period of time. 

In just a five years, the percentage of the popular vote captured by the Nazi party grew from 2.6% to 43.9%, a political rise that is being eerily echoed by their modern day counterparts in Greece, who have increased their popular support at an even more spectacular rate, going from just 0.29% to 14% in three years.

In 30's the insistence of the political mainstream to cling to ineffective economic theories even in the face of dismal failure drove disenchanted voters into the arms of fascist parties across Europe and beyond. The, then widespread political belief that ordinary people would endure years of extreme poverty and suffering in the name of an empty promise that it would eventually bring about future growth helped bring down democracies across the world.

Does Europe need to lose tens of millions of lives once more to relearn lessons that ended up being so brutally paid for in the streets of Stalingrad and fields of Normandy?

Greek protester climbing gates to ministry building to hang banner

Greek protester climbing gates to ministry building to hang banner, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Merkel in Greece - An analysis

I was hoping that my trip down to Athens would allow me two visits in a row when I wasn't tear gassed and up till late in the afternoon of Tuesday it seemed that was exactly what was going to happen. Despite the massive crowds that turned up in Syntagma Square to mark the visit of German chancellor, Angela Merkel the mood of the people was peaceful if not calm.

Despite draconian security measures which included a ban on any form of gathering or assembly along the planned route from Athens airport to the centre between 60,000 and 80,000 turned up to voice their anger and frustration not only with EU - IMF imposed austerity but also their own corrupt government coalition.

As the day wore on groups of stone throwing youths started their ritualised attacks on the riot police units that had lined the square. It's hard to express the surrealistic nature if such clashes as they seem to serve little purpose with both sides acting out a pre-arranged script which they've failed to share with the rest of us. To add to the sense of the unreal the small army of photographers and camera operators present gave the  scene the feel of some alternative sports match.

Of course, the tear gas and the chunks of marble which often filled the air were real enough and at one point I was forced to retreat as I had not brought any protection. Fearing the possibility that I'd be stopped by the police I'd left my gas mask at home rather than face a day in police custody while they checked out my ID.

At any point the police could have used their overwhelming force to clear the place in just a few minutes, but instead they chose to play a bizarre game of cat and mouse with masked protesters. Even when they managed to catch someone the crowds immediately swarmed around them hurling every kind of vile insult in the Greek language to show just what they thought of them.

True to form the Greek police managed to foul up their image once more, this time by using a woman detainee as a human shield against stone throwers in a narrow back street, an action which ensured the story went global.

Later on, like children bored of playing the same old game for hours on end the police entered Syntagma Square in force using batons, pepper spray and tear gas to clear the area, once gain using their doctrine of casual brutality in the name of restoring public order.



The same absurdist script was also playing out for the cameras in the streets behind parliament as Greek prime minister, Antonis Samaras and Angela Merkel strolled through the tree lined streets on the way to a joint press conference. I assume the images were intended to show that contrary to foreign press reports the PM could walk freely in public without fear of attack.

What the TV pictures did not show were the seven water canons parked just up the road and 1000's of heavily armed riot police that separated the leaders from the seething demonstrator in Syntagma. With security measures as tight as these even Barack Obama could happily spend a carefree morning window shopping in down town Kabul or Baghdad.

It hard to fathom what was the point of the whole expensive exercise since Merkel said little of substance and merely repeated her position that Greece needed to stick to the terms of the bailout deal and press ahead with yet more tax hikes, public spending cuts and lay offs. Instead of strengthening Samaras's position within Greece's shaky coalition government, Merkel underlined just how little real power Greece's political leadership has in its negotiations with the EU/IMF/ECB troika.

On the other hand the hardware stores in Monestiraki which do a roaring trade in improvised gas masks and marble wholesalers who regular replace the smashed stone work in Syntagma had a great day.

Greek youth throwing a rock at riot police units in Athens

Greek youth throwing a rock at riot police units in Athens, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Taken during German chancellor, Angela Merkel's lightning visit to Athens, Greece. Her arrival was marked by mass protests and violent clashes between demonstrators and the 7000 police officers present.

Austerity - learn to love your chains

Austerity - learn to love your chains, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek protester running away from riot police units

Greek protester running away from riot police units, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Taken during protests over the visit of German chancellor, Angela Merkel to Athens, Greece.

Merkel enters the lion's den

After much consideration I've decided that I'll be going down to Athens to cover the protests planned for the arrival of German chancellor, Angela Merkel to Greece. It's not a decision to be taken lightly as angry protesters are unlikely to be throwing rose petals and messages of good luck tomorrow. Already political organisations from across the entire political spectrum have said they will be calling upon supporters to take part in anti - austerity demonstrations on Tuesday in the centre of the Greek capital.In addition both public and private sector trade unions will be also part of the mix with marches set for 1 pm in Syntagma Square*, opposite parliament and the scene of the many violent confrontations.

For their part, the Greek police has announced, depending on which media source you use, that 6000, 6500 or 7000 officers will be on duty including the notoriously violent riot units known as the MAT. Also 4 water canons will be on standby, marking an escalation in the arms race between police and protesters in Greece.

As far as the foreign and local mainstream media is concerned the visit by Merkel is being hailed as a diplomatic triumph for Greek PM, Antonis Samaras and proof that Germany is determined to keep Greece within the Eurozone. On the internet and in the streets and cafes the arrival of the German leader has provoked a reaction of anger and dismay, being viewed as an arrogant act of provocation at a time when the nation's poorest are being hammered by an public service cuts and tax hikes during an economic downturn unprecedented in modern Greek history. 

Last week's policing fiasco when demonstrating shipyard workers stormed the grounds of the ministry of defence unopposed means the law enforcement authorities and the government will be determined to show that they are in charge of the situation on the streets. In operational terms that means the gloves will be off and a repeat of the violent clashes that marked the mass Indignant rallies last year is a distinct possibility.  

For photographers covering the events tomorrow this list of tips may prove useful.

If you feel you can help out financially (every bit helps, believe me) you can contribute via Paypal using cpwefl2003@hotmail.com

*UPDATE Greek trade unions have announced that the government has banned assembles in Syntagma Square and told them to choose another spot.

Protesting Greek firefighters - Thessaloniki, Greece

Protesting Greek firefighters - Thessaloniki, Grecee, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

With Greece's creditors demanding still more cuts in public spending in return for the next installment of bailout money, more and more public sector workers are protesting over cuts in wages which are dragging more and more more of those in employment into poverty.

Even while incomes shrink and unemployment grows Greece still remains one of the most expensive countries in the EU for everyday goods and services according to Eurostat.

RISE UP - Fight austerity now, while you still can.

RISE UP - Fight austerity now, while you still can., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek trade unionists protesting latest austerity measures

Greek trade unionists protesting latest austerity measures, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek trade unionists in the northern port city of Thessaloniki demonstrated against the latest round of austerity measures which are close to being finalised as Athens seeks to fulfill the conditions for the next tranche of bailout cash.

Measures include yet more tax hikes, pension cuts, privatisations and job cuts in civil service positions as well as wage cuts in the private sector.

Whilst Greeks struggle with the sixth consecutive year of economic contraction, prices of basic goods such as milk and meat remain among the highest in the EU, a legacy of the previous governments' unwillingness to tackle the cartels and monopolies that set prices throughout much of the economy.

The Genti Koule Downhill Urban Bike Race - Thessaloniki, Greece

The Genti Koule Downhill Urban Bike Race - Thessaloniki, Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Waiting to go.

The Genti Koule downhill urban race - Thessaloniki, Greece

The Genti Koule downhill urban race - Thessaloniki, Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Taking as its starting point the once notorious Genti Koule former prison, 160 cyclists competed in this year's Downhill Runaway event, each aiming to negotiate a course that took them from Thessaloniki's highest point to the the centre of the Greece's second largest city.

The course which included ramps that dropped sharply from the city's medieval walls provided a stiff challenge for participants and led to some crashes, luckily none serious.