EVENTS up to the PASSING of MIKIS THEODORAKIS
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Ο Μίκης μας δεν είναι μαζί μας πια...
Η Πατρίδα μας και η Οικουμένη, η Ανθρωπότητα,
ο Πολιτισμός και η Μουσική είναι κατά πολύ
φτωχότερες σήμερα, αλλά και κατά πολύ πλουσιότερες
χάριν στο πέρασμά του. Πολύ λίγοι και πολύ διαλεχτοί
τραγούδησαν για την Αγάπη, για τη Χαρά, για τον Πόνο
για τους Αγώνες, για την Ισότητα και για τη Δικαιοσύνη
όπως εκείνος, και έδωσαν τα πάντα για κάτι καλύτερο.
Θα λείψεις, και θα μας λείψεις, όσο κανένας άλλος στη
σύγχρονη πολιτική και καλλιτεχνική ζωή της χώρας μας.
The Ecumenical, our Mikis Theodorakis is with us no more...
Greece and the World, Humanity, Culture and Music are
much poorer today, but also tremendously enriched due
to his Life, his Work and his Struggles. His is among a
group of very few, extremely gifted and very select, who
gave expression to Love, Joy, Pain and Sorrow, Struggle,
Equality and Justice, and very few possess the Brilliance,
the Faith and the Courage to put themselves forward and
to give everything for the Dream of a Better World.
 

Τα σκά**σε και ζητάει και τα ρέστα... Καλύτερα που
έπεσε ο διορισμός στο κενό γιατί θα είχαμε προβλη-
ματικό χαρακτήρα στο Πολιτικής Προστασίας...
Καμιά φορά τα λάθη αποβαίνουν ωφέλιμα όλως τυχαία.
Τυχερός ο Κυριάκος που είχε το πρόβλημα στην αρχή
και όχι καθ'οδόν ή στο τέλος...


As it turns out, the mistake here was neither that Mr.
Apostolakis accepted nor that he finally rejected the
proposed appointment, but the order of his inquiries
and the timing of his decisions. He should have clearly
consulted with Mr. Tsipras before giving an answer
to the Prime Minister, since he knew that the opinion
of the opposition leader would have a critical influence
and decisive effect on his acceptance of the offered post.
The honorary chief messed this up completely and
the responsibility rests entirely with him and his
handling and, perhaps, shows that it is better after
all that he was not appointed to a very sensitive role
that requires better administrative qualities that the
ones he exhibited in this instance.




He was one of the main "leaders" responsible for
starting the debacle and squandering trillions of
Western wealth - mainly U.S., our wealth - for
absolutely nothing. And instead of putting his
tail between his hinds, lowering his head and
disappearing, he has the shamelessness, the dis-
respect and the audacity to lie and be reassuring.
Those who were expecting something more and
some decency from Tony Blair have not followed
history closely, and whatever he says or does to
salvage the unsalvageable and to smooth out his
justifiably gutted and despicable reputation, the
Judgment will be equally thunderous and un-
hesitatingly and universally condemning.
As the morph would say, "England gave us
another political beauty..."


In Afghanistan, the blasphemous Taliban regime
does not dare call its law "Taliban law", as it is
accurate and as it deserves to be called. Instead,
they hijack and misappropriate the much more
respectable and benign-sounding "Islamic law",
which does not agree with the barbarity and the
atrocities perpetrated in its name, to try to mislead
and fool the international community. They will
not be judged by their pseudo-religious attitudes;
they will be judged by their policies and their
actions and by the kindness, compassion, under-
standing, flexibility and hospitality that they
choose to extend to all Citizens (or lack thereof),
that are demanded by Islam and its true followers.


It is not Joe Biden's or Anthony Blinken's or Lloyd Austin's
fault or failure... It is the catastrophic failure of those that
went in, as ignorant, as clueless, as arrogant as a man can
be... But determined, for various reasons, to spend whatever
it took, without any clear plan or hope in the horizon. Went
in to destroy and rebuild a nation many of whose citizens
did not support rebuilding and some of whose neighbors
wanted to see it faltering and unstable, at best, or their
puppet state, under their thumb, at worst. They were
sending our troops and our diplomats in a scorpions' den,
knowing they would be attacked and bitten savagely,
with no clear strategy on what to do or how it would end.
But, as is our political and military fate and character, not
a single one of them - of those still surviving, retired or not -
is going to have the guts and the courage to come out in
public and say "we failed you, the American People,
miserably, we failed in our mission miserably, we spend
mindlessly, accomplished nothing; we wish we could
rewind the clock and start again, but since we cannot do
that, we ask for your forgiveness, submit to your judgment
and beg you to not misjudge those who are doing now the
right thing, trying to disengage, but to place the blame
squarely on us and on our shoulders."


When the times were good and the American-paid salaries
and the kickbacks and the bribes kept coming in in abundant
quantities, they were there, swarming the "government". Now
they flee, declaring that "Afghanistan in in serious danger"...
This happened under your watch and it had been one of your
main responsibilities to avoid it and to mitigate the dire
consequences. If you had any real sense of decency, of
sensitivity and of responsibility, you would have stayed
there on the side of the people, suffering what they now
have to suffer because of your negligence and incompetence,
or,  else, after fleeing, you would commit seppuku out of shame
and embarrassment. But if you had any of these qualities, so
rare in vultures and politicians of your kind, you would not
have led the way you have, or, if you had not been able to
do otherwise, you would have resigned and let someone else
try to do the job, instead of reaping rewards and siphoning
off money for nothing.
   

I sincerely hope that those U.S. politicians that approved
the Afghan "strategy" and cleared the spending of $1tn
for absolutely nothing take the time to think their shameful
decisions and their shameful actions over. This is the least
they owe us. But I would think that it is high time in the
United States to stop hiding behind State Immunity and
institute some kind of accountability for reckless public
decisions like this, that put needlessly the lives of our
troops in danger, that imperil the well-being of our State
and of our Armed Forces and that mindlessly and waste-
fully sacrifice, without serious analysis and deliberation
and with flawed assumptions and under misconceived
goals and ideas, so many lives and misuse and squander
such stupefying, exorbitant amounts of our State's public
wealth. Someone must be held responsible, someone has to.
 

Does this remind the Jewish State to look in the mirror,
or their insensitivity and selfishness trumps even that?


Unfortunately, the British seem to have very little respect
for these marvels. They are not theirs and their reasoning
seems to be "let them suffer, suffer additional destruction
than that perpetrated by the cowboy, charlatan thief", and
then turn around and say, when they have let them become
all green from moisture and corrosion: "You wanted them?
Take them. They (were never and certainly) are not our
responsibility any longer". What a shameful bunch, with
such low appreciation and respect for invaluable treasures,
unless, of course, they may be auctioned and bring in cash
immediately... in which case the "owner" may be moved.
INTENSIFY THE EFFORTS TO REPATRIATE THEM!
BRING THE MARBLES BACK UNDER THE ACROPOLIS!


To the Western Governments and especially the U.S.A.,
and, more precisely, President Biden, Secretary Blinken
and Secretary Austin: Do not dare evacuate those in charge,
the affluent, the rich, the governing and the well-connected
to the West, providing lavish residences and political asylum,
while leaving the masses to suffer the inefficiency, the greed,
the corruption and the consequences of those individuals'
actions and irresponsibility. Let all, governing and governed,
try to do their best to cope together on an equal footing,
facing the same perils. They say they "feel betrayed". They
have been helped for twenty years. Were they expecting the
United States and others to pay their bills and support them
forever? What have they done in twenty years to secure and
fortify their country and build defenses to withstand such
a totally anticipated and predicted assault? Or should we
ask and get responses on where the aid and funds and
truckloads of cash were going? Have they, perhaps, been
stashed by those individuals, in government and with the
right connections, into foreign bank accounts, as preparation
for such an eventuality, so that they and their families,
when evacuated, as they are expecting, would be able to
live much happier, comfortable and better lives and send
their kids to much better schools and secure their futures,
instead of using them to secure the well-being of their
country and the future of all children, not just their own,
as the purpose of those funds was? These are my suspicions
and I feel very little sympathy and mercy for those that
have "led" Afghanistan in the meantime, on this predictable
path of disaster and misery. I do not want to see them
sheltered in the West for any reason. Let the mullahs,
the sheikhs, the emirs, the sultans, the kings, the presidents
for life, and other similarly incompetent, ineffective and
corrupt "leaders" in the middle east and Africa take them
in, if they want, but I hope no decent State grants them a
shelter and permission to stay and that they are made to
feel as desperate and destitute and betrayed as the average
Afghan is feeling at this moment because of them and their
actions.
 

The ultimate absurdity! Schools penalized instead of
rewarded for trying to keep their students and their
teachers healthy! Can anyone stoop lower than that?


Stephen Miller is with us no more...
But the Treasures of Ancient Nemea will be with us forever.
 

It is very important that Ms. Uresti leave Mexico.
We cannot afford one more truly independent
journalist to be sacrificed needlessly. Statements
from the presidency about her "not being alone"
and calls for her "protection" are empty, as both
politicians and police forces are either in the payroll,
or manipulated by, or, at best, incapable of resisting
the power of the cartels. Ms. Uresti needs to leave
now and get protection outside of Mexico.
 

Ανεξαρτήτως των ευθυνών και της απόδοσης της
κυβερνητικής πολιτικής και της πολιτικής προστασίας,
όταν δεν έχει κάτι κανείς να πει, τα πολλά λόγια είναι
φτώχεια. Ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ, ατυχώς, συμβάλλει σε μία
ασυνάρτητη βοή, ένα ασήμαντο θόρυβο. Δεν είστε
Κυβέρνηση μεν, αλλά αν προσπαθούσατε να είστε
εποικοδομητικοί, όταν μπορείτε, και να σωπαίνετε,
όταν δεν έχετε κάτι να συμβάλλετε, θα ήταν πολύ
καλύτερα. Η χώρα δε χρειάζεται ανόητη μουρμούρα
και στείρα αντιπαράθεση, να λέμε για να λέμε και
για να λένε ότι λέμε, μπας και μας ψηφίσει κανείς
που δεν καταλαβαίνει την επόμενη χρονιά. Τώρα,
χρειάζονται καινοτόμες ιδέες και συνεργασία. Ας
βοηθήσουμε όλοι τον κ. Μπένο, να ανταπεξέλθει
στις προσδοκίες, για ένα καλύτερο και βιώσιμο
μέλλον, και μία ανάπτυξη που να λαμβάνει υπόψιν
τα νέα επικείμενα, δυσάρεστα, δραματικά αλλά,
μάλλον, αναπόφευκτα δεδομένα.


A message for those prosecutors and those judges that
are inclined to strike deals with the Sacklers, allowing
them to escape scot-free, without any admission of any
culpability and with much of their ill-gotten gains and
fortune intact. When persons commit serial (whichever
legal terms you may want to use to embellish and lessen
it) second or third or fourth or negligent etc. - you pick
your favorite term, which you use so abundantly for
the murders by the rich, affluent and well-connected -
homicide, the fact that it is serial (in the order of tens
of thousands) and for profit makes it first degree,
aggravated and premeditated murder, multiple counts.
So you do not have any legitimacy and any right to
strike a deal with that despicable family, or more
precisely, criminal and murderous gang of individuals.
You are not going to be judged kindly by either the
victims, their families and the American Public or
by our Nation's Criminal and Judicial History. It is
your sacred duty and ethical responsibility to pursue
them to the end, until they fall down destitute on their
knees, begging for forgiveness, and until they have not
a single cent left of those stashes drenched in the blood
of our misguided and misfortunate fellow Citizens.


President Biden and Secretary Blinken, we are hearing
encouraging news from Cuba. Small steps, but steps that
are seemingly heading in the right direction. Let us leave
behind our own prejudices and our own biases, accelerate
the establishment of full relations, following on the path
that was opened by President Obama and Raul Castro. We
must be there for Cuba and the Cubans as they are trying
to adjust to a new era, and offer our help whenever they
need it and ask for it. Let's lower the rhetoric of friction
and let us underplay our political differences, focus on our
common Humanity and Ideals and try to offer as much
encouragement as we can. Let us direct our Embassy staff
in Havana to be alert, engaging, cooperative and open to
help when needed. We want to be Supportive and a Positive
Force for the Common Good and act with Solidarity and
Fraternal Feelings; let's work on it.


I have written many times and reiterate: Diplomats
and Sailors of All States should be respected, protected
and never used as targets to resolve political differences.
They contribute to Understanding, Friendship and
Cooperation between States and Nations and they
make commerce and transportation between all
parts of our World possible. Do not tamper with
them and, when they are under duress, try to help.
Iran should have learned something from the 752
air incident fiasco. But it seems that they did not.
They are not helping themselves earning the
World's sympathy by engaging in such acts.
I suggest they accept responsibility, they apologize
and pay a fair compensation under International
Law; of course this is not going to bring the sailors
that were brutally and needlessly murdered back,
but it may send a signal that Iran at least recognizes
that what they did was wrong and that it is not
going to be repeated as a matter of course.
Finally, but very importantly, for the sake of both
States and for the sake of the Region and for the
sake of All Humanity, for Peace, Stability and
Security and the Well-Being of All Nations, I
urge once more, Iran and Israel, which have both
contributed so much to World's History and Culture
and which could accomplish miracles working
together, to make a concerted effort to extend a
hand of Friendship and to reach out to one another.
Leave prejudices and enmities behind and become
Friends and Allies. There is so much to gain and
nothing to lose by taking the High Road and
establishing good relations and close cooperation,
instead of living in fear and tension and have to
always be vigilant and watching behind one's back.
Now, with new Governments, a unique opportunity
exists and, even though the political climate may not
be the most favorable, do make the effort! People of
both States and all around the World shall be very
supportive and very grateful if you do!

 

It may already be too late. We've been hearing the
warning from people that know better than ourselves
for a long time, but our Governments and the Citizens
seem unable to realize the gravity and grasp the dire
consequences. In other matters, e.g., the case of
endangered species and of the ozone depletion, the
International Community was able to come together,
take decisive action and reverse alarming trends. In
global warming and climate change, the justification
for less unified, less coherent and less decisive action
is, mainly, that it is a much more abstract and more
difficult problem to tackle, to the extent that some
choose to ignore it and others to altogether deny it.
I find this strange... Usually, in attacking a more
difficult and more intractable problem, one tends to
amass a more powerful arsenal of experts, of materiel,
of resources and of effort to tackle it than on an easier
one. If we do not realize this, as a Global Community,
we are going to fail miserably in our very basic and
fundamental responsibility to leave behind for our
children and our children's children a better World
(even though we are talking here not about quality
any longer, but merely about survivability) than
the one that was passed down to us. I ask the World
Leaders in their next meeting not to try to hide any
longer and to restrict themselves to vague statements
and general intangible promises, but to create an
ambitious framework of measurable and binding
obligations and take them very very seriously, as
a matter of life and death, as the issue clearly has
become, and do the utmost to advance the agenda
and help others and coordinate with others to try
to do all together our best and fulfill our duty.
   

President Biden is right. The United States is not a
banana republic and those events that are unfolding
in the State of New York are demeaning and damaging.
Not only should "governor" Cuomo stand down, but
he should not be allowed ever again to hold a position
of power or authority. He is a disgrace and should be
treated as such and he should not be allowed to do
more harm and insult and/or injure more employees.


Bravo to Naomi Campbell! We must call a spade a spade
when we really care about a State and a Nation and want
to see it moving forward and following in the footsteps and
taking advantage of the legacies of great men and visionary
politicians. The fact that Zuma, through his mistakes and
improprieties and reluctance to be judged, has tarnished
South Africa's Status as a Beacon of Justice, Freedom and
Equality, and the fact that Turkey, under Erdogan, has been
backtracking on the path and damaging the Political Dream
and Legacy of Mustafa Kemal are sad and disturbing notes
for which Zuma and Erdogan, respectively, shall not be
judged kindly by History and by Political Developments.


Unacceptable, totally unacceptable, that in 21st
Century Europe, there are still states that use
murder as a weapon of political suppression
and of intimidation. And even more scary that
the tentacles of those anachronistic, terrifying
apparatuses reach all Capitals, both of neighboring
and of far away states and that the local intelligence
and police forces seem unable to compete and
cope with these murderous machines, their spies
and their executioners, except through their
morgues, through their forensics and through
their courts, when it is too late and the damage
has been done and the message delivered.


This state will use shamelessly every gimmick that
can possibly be concocted to humiliate even more
and to make Palestinians serfs with temporary status
over their own land. Other than that, they cannot see
or recognize (or, more accurately, pretend that they
cannot see and recognize) how anyone could possibly
refer to this outrage as anything other than a brutal
apartheid state sustaining an apartheid regime.
Sad that this is done under the auspices and with
the encouragement and the prodding of the judiciary;
but I forget... was not "justice" in South Africa also
delivered by an "impartial" and "racially pure"
"judiciary"? Only here, it is less open and more
subtle and less obvious, but identical in its essence
and in its purpose and its techniques.


Mr. Peanut, the Prime Dog, is in very good hands.
And, cognizant of his luck, sends best wishes and
useful advice to his fellow quadruped citizens to
protect themselves adequately in this season of
extreme heat from sunstroke and dehydration.
Let's help him in his noble mission.


Η Κυρία Γεννηματά έχει κάποιες καλές ιδέες που μπορεί
να βοηθήσουν. Ας ενθαρρύνουμε τον Κυριάκο να καλέσει
κάποια συνάντηση για συζήτηση. Κάποια πράγματα μπορεί
να γίνουν και κάποια μέτρα μπορεί να ληφθούν άμεσα με
μικρό ή μηδενικό κόστος και να σώσουν ζωές. Οι πιο
πολύπλοκες ιδέες μπορεί να συζητηθούν εν τω μεταξύ
και να υλοποιηθούν αργότερα. Ελπίζω ότι ολα τα μεγάλα
κόμματα έχουν συναίσθηση της βαρύνουσας κατάστασης
και είναι όλα έτοιμα να συμβάλλουν και να βοηθήσουν,
όσο μπορεί ο καθένας. Ας συντονίσει ο Πρωθυπουργός,
μαζί με την Κυρία Γεννηματά, να γίνει κάτι σωστό.


Το κράτος, η εκκλησία και οι ΜΚΟς έχουν τεράστιο
εν δυνάμει ρόλο, θα έλεγα και αποστολή, στην προστασία
των γυναικών. Όταν μία γυναίκα κακοποιείται ή υπόκειται
σε βία (την παραμικρή βία) θα πρέπει να παρέχεται άμεσα
η δυνατότητα προστασίας και μεταστέγασής της μακριά
από τον κακοποιητή. Και επειδή, σε πολλές, αν όχι στις
περισσότερες των περιπτώσεων, ο κακοποιητής είναι
και χειριστικός και διαχειριστικός και το θύμα δεν έχει
την απαραίτητη ελευθερία και τους απαραίτητους πόρους,
χρεάζεται άμεση παρέμβαση των αρχών, ιδρυμάτων και/ή
οργανώσεων για να εφασφαλίσουν πρώτα την σωματική
ακεραιότητα, μετά την ψυχική υγεία και δύναμη, και τέλος
τα απαραίτητα προς το ζειν, ώστε να σταματήσει αυτός
ο καταθλιπτικός και άθλιος κύκλος των ξυλοδαρμών,
της κάθε είδους βίας και των αδικοχαμένων γυναικών.
Η πανδημία είναι σοβαρή και δύσκολη στη διαχείρηση,
αλλά δεν επιτρέπεται να βρίσκουμε δικαιολογίες ή να
παρασυρόμαστε και να υποβαθμίζουμε και/ή να αγνοούμε
εξίσου σοβαρά, χρόνια και βαθειά συστημικά, κοινωνικά
προβλήματα, τα οποία, αν δεν αντιμετωπιστούν με καλά
σχεδιασμένα και στοχευμένα μέτρα και πολιτική, μπορεί
να οδηγήσουν σε μεγαλύτερες τραγωδίες και σε μία εκτός
ελέγχου κατάσταση, εξαιρετικά δυσάρεστη και τραγική.


Δεν κάνουμε την κριτική γιατί μας αρέσει να λοιδορούμε,
ούτε είμαστε μαζοχιστές να ηδονιζόμαστε με την ταλαιπωρία.
Τα λέμε γιατί τα πράγματα πρέπει να διορθωθούν, αλλιώς η
χώρα μας δε θα πάει μπροστά με τέτοια σοβαρά συστημικά
προβλήματα. Πολύ φοβάμαι ότι η αυταρέσκεια που εκπέμπει
η κυβέρνηση και η ικανοποίηση που εκφράζει συχνά ο Πρω-
θυπουργός για "εκσυγχρονισμό", "αυτοματοποίηση" και
"ηλεκτρονική διακυβέρνηση", και ο συνακόλουθος, μάλλον
ατυχής, εκθειασμός του συγκεκριμένου υπουργού, δεν αντι-
κατοπτρίζουν την πραγματικότητα και την καθημερινότητα
του πολίτη και δυσχεραίνουν τη δυνατότητα συνειδητοποίησης,
προσαρμογής και αποτελεσματικής αντιμετώπισης της
πραγματικότητας, της άκρατης γραφειοκρατίας και των
συνεχών σοβαρών προβλημάτων στην σύντομη, ευγενική
και αποτελεσματική εξυπηρέτηση των πολιτών σε όλες τις
συναλλαγές τους με το Δημόσιο.
 

First, vaccinate yourselves! Do not play Russian roulette
with your health and with your lives. It is not worth it.
Second, do not play Russian roulette with the health of
others. I hear they are forcing tennis players in Tokyo to
compete at 36 degrees Celsius with 80% humidity, and all
of us know how much physical and mental effort goes into
high level competition in tennis. Do not risk athletes' lives;
not only is it not worth it, but you do not have that right.


Bravo to the U.S. Authorities and excellent decision
and move by the U.S. courts! The protection of the
World's Cultural Heritage and of Antiquities should
be among our top priorities and we stand with States
that fight to recover and preserve their Cultural
Heritage. No mercy for illicit traders and merchants
of History and Culture.


Συγχαρητήρια στα παιδιά! Εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρουσα συ-
ζήτηση, ενημέρωση και τοποθετήσεις από τον Υπουργό
Εξωτερικών κατά τη συνάντηση με την βραβευθείσα
ομάδα του Δημοκριτείου. Μπράβο, παιδιά!!


Θα ήθελα να ρωτήσω "τί σας έκανε αυτό το πλάσμα;
Γιατί αυτή η κακία και η βαρβαρότητα; Ποιός σας δίνει
το δικαίωμα να γίνεστε κριτές και θύτες οποιουδήποτε
ζωντανού;" Γιατί έχουμε πια καταντήσει να σεβόμαστε
τόσο λίγο τη ζωή, και των ανθρώπων (και ειδικά των
γυναικών), αλλά και των άλλων πλασμάτων και
συγκατοίκων μας στον πλανήτη;" Πραγματικά δεν
μπορώ να το καταλάβω, να το κατανοήσω ή να το
αποδεχτώ. Κρίμα, κρίμα,... μεγάλο κρίμα.


China, by its approach, makes it plain that it has things
to hide and that it is unwilling to fully cooperate in a
serious investigation, nor does it support full transparency
unequivocally and without being defensive and showing
discomfort. To a certain extent, this is to be expected since,
in case something is discovered that points towards China's
negligence or culpability for something this serious and
something this devastating, China will find itself in a very
difficult and unpleasant situation and its status and its
credibility will be seriously challenged, undermined and
diminished. On the other hand, for something as important,
even the risk of such a high cost does not justify being
secretive and not fully cooperative. In my mind, the fact
that, after such chaos, devastation and cost in human
lives, China still refuses to change attitude, even under
relatively intense international pressure and even under
a crucial and pressing scientific need to know, has already
undermined its foundations and its reputation as a modern
state, even if it is shown that it bears no responsibility
beyond reasonable risks and expectations.


Israelis will always be Israelis... Imagine if someone,
using the same logic and based on the same avarice
and cold, calculating disposition, told them they would
advance nuclear technology and infrastructure to the
Iranians and that it was none of their business how the
Iranians used it and what the Iranians did with it...
What a terrible, manipulative and intransigent
State that is when it comes to doing the Right Thing;
it only advocates its only rights and damn all the rest.


I sincerely hope that Georgians wake up and this
"lady" does not get reelected. We have to deal
with people that are mercurial, unstable and,
frankly, not very intelligent, when our World
has so many other problems that require our
attention and our best efforts to face and resolve.
Having to reckon daily with the instability and
the hogwash coming from derailed and deranged
minds does not help either our political life or our
social life to be functional enough to move forward.


I am afraid that these attempts by some elements
in the Republic of North Macedonia to undermine
the Prespa Agreement are as ridiculous legally as
are scientifically the attempts by deniers and by
conspiracy-theorists to convince the public that
the vaccine contains chips and other substances
that will help inventors, telemarketers, governments
and the pantheon to take control of our lives and
to dominate our thoughts and our feelings. I read
that the argument consists of the fact that, in its
Preamble, the Agreement refers explicitly to Greece
as one of the two Parties but not to FYROM or to
North Macedonia as the other, but rather only to
an unnamed "Second Party" and that this causes
the Agreement to be "null and void". This of
course is an argument that may sell some (like the
ones about vaccines unfortunately do) and that
may help rekindle nationalistic feelings and
hatred in ultra-nationalist elements and in centers
that have an interest in spoiling Friendship between
Neighboring Nations and People and to create ill
feelings and instability. It has, however, no legal
standing nor any legal value or substance. If this
case was brought before an international forum
and was not dismissed as ridiculous and lacking
in substance to be considered (which is the most
likely outcome by overwhelming probability),
any Judge would have to look, beyond the actual
text, at the meaning and at the context, both explicit
and implied. When it is patently obvious that, even
without explicitly named, the "Second Party" refers
to FYROM and that the signature representing that
"Second Party" is that of the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of FYROM and when there are notes
available and it is witnessed by the Special Envoy
of the Secretary General of the United Nations and
backed up by accompanying Resolutions in the
Security Council, no Judge or respectable jurist,
or legally informed person for that matter, unless
having ulterior motives or were in the pockets and
service of shady interests, would be inclined to use
such laughable and ridiculous arguments to raise
doubts and uncertainty about exemplary documents
crafted with clarity of mind and vision and with
the noble aim at contributing to Peace, Stability
and Fraternity in a Region that has suffered so
much for such an unjustifiably long time.


They tell us that the inflation pressures in the United
States are temporary. I am not an economist, but, with
common sense, it is very difficult for me to reconcile
how it is possible to pump trillions of dollars in the
economy, gifting both those in need and those earning
up to $150,000 (to ease their pain!!), while, at the same
time, keeping interest rates close to zero. It sounds like
someone is trying to have their pie and eat it too and,
as they say, if it does sound too good to be true, it very
likely is. Not to mention, even if pressures are temporary,
if they push consumer prices up, by, say, 10% after all
is said and done, what good would that do, since, for
more than 20 years now, salaries have either stagnated
or been rising at the "official inflation" rate of 1-2% or
below? I think our State is cutting checks indiscriminately
to needy and to not so needy and finding other ways,
surreptitiously, to take part of the unnecessarily and
absurdly humongous debt they are creating back. Only,
the ones that will be repaying it are the really needy
ones (and not the not so needy ones), since, without a
fair taxation system, all the rest have other ways to
not only avoid but even profit by the effects of inflation.


In Cuba, it is high time for radical changes. The idea
that the United States is bankrolling protests and the
persistent blaming of outside factors for the ills and
shortcomings of a stagnating regime and country are
anachronistic and not credible any longer. The
mistreatment and beatings of journalists, who are
trying to keep us all informed, is brutal and totally
deplorable and the restrictions on Individual
Freedoms and the suppression of Human Rights
unjustifiable. The era when the clout and the
respect that the Castros and the other fighters
for Independence and Equality on the island enjoyed
were enough to carry the day is over and the Cubans
need to see modernization, reforms and new ideas and
new people getting involved in moving the island and
the life of its People forward in a New World, under
new circumstances and new conditions. The mistake
of the old guard is in thinking that reforms towards
openness and liberalization will inevitably lead to
cut-throat capitalism, like that prevalent in China
today. But it does not have to be that way. Those
advances, like universal education and health care,
which made Cuba's system enviable in many parts
of the World, do not have to be sacrificed. The changes
could be gradual and controlled and, in a multi-party
future society, parties may agree on (and write in the
Constitution) the inviolability of Principles and Values,
such as Public and Free Education and Health Care
for All. However, changes and adjustments, painful
and unwanted as they may seem and sound to many,
will have to come, simply because what exists today
in Cuba is what existed fifty years ago in Cuba and
it does not serve its People as it should and it is not
sustainable any longer.
 

Anger in South Africa against the imprisonment of
a "president" immersed in corruption, who destroyed
the reputation - or what remained of it - of his Party
and its ability to fight for Justice and Equality, are
totally unjustifiable. But the anger of the People of
South Africa against widespread social and economic
inequality that affects their everyday lives is completely
understandable and their agitation against poverty
and unemployment and their demands from their
Government to pursue policies that may increase
their chances at a decent and better life are absolutely
justifiable. Zuma was a "president" that looked more
favorably to the well-being of his own house and did
more for his personal wealth and enrichment than he
cared for the affairs and well-being of his State and
the South-African People. So the two issues are
unrelated and rather contradictory and supporting
Zuma and the public good at the same time do not
sit well together, nor do they leave a very savory taste
on the palate of outside observers.


I hear in the news that the U.S. Government is going
to keep supplying weapons to the Afghan Government
forces. I urge President Biden and Secretaries Blinken
and Austin to rethink this approach. Given the rapid,
unavoidable reoccupation of the country by the Taliban,
the endemic and deep corruption, the easy fortunes to
be made, but, also, simply the survival instinct, the
cowardice and the fear that are the natural human
reactions in the face of a sweep by a potent, uncivilized
and aggressive military force, all those weapons will,
with mathematical accuracy, end up reinforcing the
brutality and might of the Taliban regime. We cannot
supply them in the hope that they may help resist
Taliban forces, when the truth is all of us know that
the best that could be achieved is delay the inevitable
outcome by at most a few months, but, most likely, by
only a few weeks. Withdraw aid and, be ready when the
Taliban start the campaigns of brutality and violence,
to respond with tough, debilitating financial measures
and embargoes to try to reduce their capacity and their
capabilities for inflicting harm, injury and heartbreak.
And, if one could bring Russia and China on the same
side, perhaps respond with Chapter VII measures,
supervised closely and binding for all.


In a state with such serious economic woes, it is truly
unconscionable for a President, who supposedly is
elected by and has the best interests of the Citizens
in mind, to spend with such extravagance for his own
luxury and enjoyment. On the other hand, I have to
admit that Erdogan's shack is extremely impressive
and, therefore, congratulations are due to the architect
and its team for excellent aesthetics and a refined
gusto. My hope is that, now that the "damage" is
done, at least such a wonderful creation will find
eventually its way to the public domain by becoming
a park, recreation and exhibition ground, open to
the public, both for entertainment and for artistic
and other cultural activities. Sometimes the intention
of the creator is negative and selfish, but the end
result, if wisely managed and cultivated, adds to the
cultural heritage of the state and the enjoyment of
the public.
 
 
 
 

I read this statement with stupefaction, puzzled, stunned
and surprised. There are a few possibilities here to explain
the nonsense, meaninglessness and absurdity of such an
incomprehensible phrasing, which our political lives have
not encountered for a long long time, despite how absurd
politics and political developments sometimes prove to be.
"Under a deal with the Taliban, the US and its Nato allies
agreed to withdraw all troops in return for a commitment
by the militants not to allow al-Qaeda or any other extremist
group to operate in the areas they control."
I am wondering how desperate whoever was sitting at
that negotiating table must have been to agree with one
of the most extremist groups and regimes in the History
of Humanity not to allow "any other extremist" groups
to operate in the areas they control. I am wondering,
were they even English speakers, do they have any
intelligence, do they grasp the definitions and meaning
of the terms they used? Have they been so scared that
they would accept anything and they would put their
signatures on any document? It would have been
much easier, more honest and more decent to leave
without adding insult to injury by "negotiating" and
signing their names under such absurd statements
whose existence defeats reality, dignity and intelligence.


Very insightful and accurate analysis by Alexandra Fotaki
on in.gr about the American-Greek bilateral relations and
about Greece's bilateral relations with a host of other States
in our World. Greece is playing an active role enhancing
Fraternity and Cooperation with All Other States and, in
this way contributes significantly, to the extent possible,
to Global Peace, Security, Stability and Prosperity for All.
Bravo to both President Biden and Secretary Blinken and
both Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Minister Dendias for
their efforts, but also to Ambassador Pyatt and Senator
Menendez for their tireless work. After many years of
frictions and international strife, which led to insecurity
and unpredictability in international relations, we are
witnessing a refreshing approach, leadership with a
steady hand, both firm and confident, but also inclusive,
tolerant, with openness and a willingness to listen and to
negotiate in good faith for the benefit of all People and
all States.


Όλα ηλεκτρονικά και άμεσα... με ένα κλικ. Και η ευγένεια
ευγένεια... όπως πάντα εξάλλου. Μέιντ μπαϊ Πιερρακάκης.
Μπράβο, γκουρού του ηλεκτρονικού εκσυγχρονισμού της
αέναα γραφειοκρατούμενης ψωροκώσταινας. Η "βίβλος"
αποδεικνύεται πραγματική... όλα παραμύθια και μυθοπλασίες
για τους αφελείς και εύπιστους.


Bravo to the former Prime Minister and Leader of the
Opposition in Greece for his wise words and his strong
encouragement and multifaceted messages towards all
directions for continuing and enhancing dialog in the
Balkans leading towards closer and closer ties between
the States and Peoples of the Region and towards the
European Integration of all Neighboring States. We
should all have fraternal feelings, since we share both
Histories and a Common Destiny, and we all want that
destiny to be characterized by Peace, Stability, Security
and Prosperity for All, with Respect for Human Rights,
Democratic Principles and Individual Freedoms.


Good riddance. Rumsfeld, together with others, was
critical in involving his State, our country, in terrible
unnecessary adventures that we, and other nations,
have paid - and are still paying - a dear price for in
both Human loss and material damage and devastation,
with minimal at best and negative at worst returns. We
have to start telling the truth about the negative impact
of public "servants" instead of indiscriminately lauding
whoever "serves". That is the only way that the haste,
thoughtlessness and shadowy interests that govern and/
or motivate the actions of individuals in "public service"
will improve over time and we'll start seeing people
Governing who really want to Serve instead of being
in the service and pockets of lobbyists and various
political-military-industrial cartels.
P.S. And I did not mention anything about total and
deliberate disregard and contempt for international
law, its Principles and Tenets, Respect for and
Consideration towards which are a sine qua non for
living in a Civilized World, where Fraternity, Mutual
Cooperation and Peace are predominant and where
Human Rights and Individual Freedoms paramount.


Κρίμα... καμία συναίσθηση και καμία ευαισθησία...
Ίσως να μην έπρεπε να περιμένoyμε τίποτα περισσότερο
από μπάτσους, αλλά δεν είχαν την υποχρέωση οι προύχοντες
και οι υπεύθυνοι-ανεύθυνοι της κυβέρνησης να επέμβουν
αμέσως μόλις πληροφορήθηκαν την ανάκτηση και να
προστατεύσουν τα έργα με άμεση απομόνωση; Ούτε
μπορώ να καταλάβω τη λογική ότι θα παραμείνουν
με τους μπασκίνες για μια-δυο μέρες διότι αποτελούν
τεκμήριο εγκλήματος, όταν περίτρανα απέδειξαν την
παντελή έλλειψη επίγνωσης του τί διαχειρίζονται...
Ικανοί είναι να τα βάλουν και ανάποδα στο τραπέζι και
να ρίχνουν ζάρια επάνω, εάν δε το έχουν κάνει ακόμα,
αφού πια όλα μπορεί κανείς να τα περιμένει... Δράμα...
θα έφριξε κι ο Κυριάκος μαζί μ'εμάς, αλλά τί να πει κι
εκείνος ο κακορίζικος. Με κάφρους έχει να κάνει...


Excellent news from Athens.


Very tight bilateral relations between Greece and India.
Bravo to the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs! Greece
considers India a Fraternal Nation, with very very long
and extremely influential History and Culture, and seeks
further enhancements in an already close and constructive
relationship, like it does with all other Nations on Earth,
especially those sharing the same Values and Ideals and
are willing to fully and faithfully abide by international
Rules, Norms and Regulations.


What is happening with the UK monarchy is ridiculous and
scandalous and the expenses totally unjustifiable. And I am
not only referring to the Harry and Meghan saga, since these
familiar, and other less familiar, outrages have been going
on for a long time. In a nutshell, the British Public should
smarten up and abolish this antiquated, unreasonable and
bankrupt "institution" and free themselves of its unnecessary
complications, scandals and wasteful and laughable activities.
How ironic that they were so easy to convince about "money
being wasted in Brussels" for Unity and the Common Good,
but they cannot see and smell the real waste, degeneration
and decadence under their own eyes and noses on their turf.


"Try to make friends with people who are different from you -
a different race or religion," she advises. "And realize we are
the same - we all want the same things, a good life and good
education. ... Equality is very, very important."


The Supreme Court's decision on College Athletes vs
NCAA is very reasonable and long overdue. I quote a
few words from Anthony Zurcher's analysis on the
BBC, which summarizes the issues and which, most
likely underlay, among other things the decision of
the Court:
"It's difficult to view big-time college sport in the US,
with its celebrated March basketball tournament and
billion-dollar autumn American football competition,
as a bastion of amateur athletics anymore. That could
have undermined the NCAA's argument that an adverse
ruling would drastically alter the landscape of US college
sport.
That ship has long since sailed - and the nine US
Supreme Court justices knew it."


Such rhetoric, regardless of its truth value, right
now is unhelpful, non-constructive and does not
promote dialog and a rapprochement, which is
the desideratum. I encourage and call on the new
Israeli Government to start on the Right Footing
with Iran and do the Right Thing. Get in touch,
either directly or indirectly, and extend a hand
of friendship and a willingness to talk and to
compromise. Both States have long Histories
and amazing Cultures and their future does not
have to be adversarial and full of enmity. Work
together for Peace, Security, Stability, Fraternal
Relations and Prosperity for All in the Middle East.


First, let me say that it is not a big deal if the
President is not allowed "holy communion".
It does not mean much and these things have
never helped anyone except, perhaps, the egos
and finances of those who administer them.
But what is enervating is that we are losing
so much effort in discussing useless and
marginal issues, and that a single phone call
from the Vatican could resolve this issue with
discretion and understanding. I am wondering,
why is Jorge Bergoglio, who allowed us, with
his proclamation of "who am I to judge?",
different hopes and expectations from his
papacy, not making that phone call to tell
everyone to stand down from meaningless
doctrinal debates and to devote their efforts,
instead, to very substantial issues that plague
our societies, like poverty, immigration, racism,
inequality and discrimination?


Good riddance! We do not need state sponsored
terrorism, violence and intimidation, mostly, as
we patently saw in protests against racism and
state murder versus attacks on democratic
institutions, directed selectively against those
with legitimate grievances, against racism,
inequality and discrimination, who are perceived
as the ones posing the greatest threat to those
governing, the privileged, the affluent and the
well connected. Spoiled "units of law and order"
that have been used, for decades, to never being
held accountable, to never being prosecuted for
serious crimes, to sham "internal inquiries" and
"internal investigations" and to virtual impunity,
have no place in our society which demands that
everyone be judged under the same Laws and
pay the same price for the same acts committed,
and especially so if they have taken an oath to
"serve and protect", but instead, are, de facto,
in the business of harassing, arresting, injuring
and murdering.


Sadness and disappointment from latest developments
in Iran. The World is eager to see Iran integrate faster
in World's Affairs, partly because the debt to Iran's
History and Culture is immeasurable. But Iran, under
its mullahs and clerics, is shunning both the push of
Its own People and the will of the World's Citizens,
and, instead of leaping forward, is taking one step forth
and one-and-a-half steps back. This is no way to
respond to international openness and good will.
The new Iranian President, despite his record and
despite expectations, should make strides in opening
Iran and responding to the gestures of the international
community positively and bringing Iran forward both
in the sphere of domestic Freedoms and in Global
Decision-Making and Cooperation. I would also urge
him to get in touch with Israel and smooth bilateral
relations out. Old fashioned rhetoric, stubbornness,
prejudices and artificial differences do not help in
this modern World of ours, where the need to work
cooperatively to face the challenges of a new age is
urgent and paramount. And we do want and need
Iran in as a participant; not out as a mere observer.


Frankly, for many years now, Erdogan and his Government
in Turkey are digging their own graves in foreign policy by
taking a posturing that Turkey neither has the power to
assume nor has the luxury to afford. He has been mixing the
Turkish State politically and involving the Turkish armed
forces militarily in situations that, besides a false sense of
pride and pseudo-nationalism, have few advantages and
very little to offer Turkey and Its People, and has knowingly
and deliberately antagonizing and enervating Turkey's allies,
both the United States and Russia, but also other Nations,
simply to emit an aura of power, without any real results to
show for this, and has had, in reality, affected Turkey and
its foreign policy very adversely. There is now a realization
that these moves were not only unsuccessful but, in fact,
rather negative and damaging overall and have led to
Turkey losing much sympathy and many allies and have
damaged significantly its former image as a power with
a very consistent and effective foreign policy. This reality
check is leading to a newly established outpouring of warmth
and friendship and a campaign to regain hearts and minds
in the global stage in an attempt to reverse the cold climate
that this same Government, through its actions, has been
cultivating in the past few years. That is why, right now,
Turkey cannot afford to ask for more than it is given and
that is why the demands by the Turkish opposition and
press concerning Erdogan's failure to be strong, firm
and feisty and to ask for more than he can afford, from
the position he has placed himself and his Government in,
are not realistic, do not reflect a sound understanding
or analysis and take no account of current conditions.


It is very easy to correct some immediate grievances
and I hope that this summit will not be just a listening
exercise but will also result in some compromises and
some mutually beneficial steps that could bring the two
States closer and alleviate some of the recent tensions.
The Ukrainian and Belarussian issues, as well as other
issues of geopolitical posturing, are too complicated
for something significant to occur in a single short
summit of this kind. On the other hand, comparably
smaller and milder issues, such as the issue of cyber
attacks, initiated on Russian soil, and respect for
political freedoms and individual rights within Russia,
could be discussed, and, if Putin is positively inclined,
progress could be made relatively fast. I think that,
in the same way that, in the United States, we are
shooting ourselves in the foot by delaying establishing
a truly egalitarian state and uprooting systemic racism
and discrimination, Russia is shooting itself in the foot
by curtailing the rights of free speech and free assembly
and by jailing many of its politically active Citizens. I
do not think that it is so hard to realize this and to do
the Right Thing, which would be beneficial domestically
and, at the same time, win Russia more support abroad.


Απορώ πώς ξεγελάστηκαν και μορφωμένοι και
συνεπείς άνθρωποι, συμπεριλαμβανομένης και
της Προέδρου της Δημοκρατίας μας. Αυτό το
"συνέδριο" φαίνεται καραμπινάτο έκτρωμα
και ζέχνει αναχρονισμό και σκοταδισμό και
είναι προϊόν άγνοιας και άκρως προσβλητικό
και ντροπιαστικό. Συμφωνώ ότι όχι μόνο δεν
πρόκειται να πετύχει τίποτα, αλλά μάλλον θα
έχει και τα αντίθετα αποτελέσματα. Τα κίνητρα
οφείλουμε να τα ψάξουμε αλλού. Αυτή η ανάλυση
δεν είναι δουλειά για καραγκιόζηδες (συγγνώμη
στο συμπαθέστατο ήρωα). Πρέπει να γίνει από
σοβαρούς επιστήμονες και πολιτικούς.


It is not just a matter of difference in style and
in what they wear. It reflects the stark reality, the
vast, chaotic, difference in class and in education,
really between night and day. It is sometimes so
depressing to think how, occasionally, in Democracy,
we make horrible choices, especially when letting
our guard down and are swayed by populism and
by demagogy, and end up with the worst and the
most incompetent, that do not represent either
ourselves or the positive force of our Nation, at the
very top. But, at the same time, it is encouraging
and a worthy consolation and recompense, to think
how Democracy allows for relatively quick and
hugely rewarding corrective actions, which are
not possible in autocratic or oligarchic societies.


It was pointed out previously that this was one of the
oversights in the Prespa Agreement. Since the name
of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was
changed to North Macedonia, it was not consistent
for the initials used to remain MKD. They should have
been modified to the closest correct initialization, which
is obviously NMK. If the agreement was indeed signed
in Good Faith by both States, they should be willing,
as a test of its faithful performance, both in letter and
in spirit, to apply obvious modifications that help,
but, in my view, are also implied by the context of the
agreement. Mr. Zaev, do your part and follow up with
that change. It is something relatively small that would
contribute further to the positive momentum initiated
by the implementation and would send another positive
and valuable message to Athens, and to other partners,
that North Macedonia is keeping its word and is ready
to do its part and fully conform to its obligations.


It is not only a matter of offending or not offending
people by being openly racist and by finding artificial
barriers where none exist and where the brotherhood
and solidarity between peoples (albeit not, perhaps,
between their politicians) is a long-standing given,
but, also, a matter of making an ultra-nationalist,
neo-nazi look good and emboldening him to portray
himself as a supporter of human rights and of equality.
This harm cannot be easily forgiven, and, in general,
a "leader" who utters the first thing that pops into
his mind or mouth without either thinking about, or
being aware of, dire consequences, does not deserve
to be in that office. Argentinians, beware!


A good day for International Justice, but, also, a sad
reminder of how fanaticism and nationalism, with the
right doses of fake news and propaganda, can turn
brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors, into bitter
enemies and savages. A reminder that we must remain
vigilant at all times, and especially when told by ill-
meaning "leaders", with various motives and personal
interests, that our brothers and sisters are our enemies,
to question their motives and to raise a wall of resistance
and do everything in our power to reject their hateful
and venomous rhetoric and, with the first opportunity,
send them packing, before they have a chance to cause
grave and irreparable damage and unspeakable sorrow.


Of course, I am not a big fan of China's political system,
nor am I a big admirer of China's abysmal record as far
as Human Rights and Individual Freedoms are concerned.
On the other hand, I am a strong believer in freedom of
thought and the uninhibited and open expression and
communication of ideas. So, as long as the administration
of Fudan University, or any other Chinese University, or,
for that matter, any University from anywhere in the
World, pledges to abide by and follow the local rules and
regulations concerning Education and Research Standards,
and as long as they prove over time that they can meet those
promises and ensuing obligations, I would support their
opening and consider it a positive development in principle.
How would we feel, either in our United States or in Europe,
if some Historic University of our own, such as, e.g., Harvard
or Cambridge, or, shall we say, Eötvös Loránd University,
was prohibited by some regime somewhere from opening
a campus there? Would we not have been suspicious that,
perhaps, other reasons, besides education, such as restrictions
on the freedom of thought and freedom of assembly and
fear of free expression and free communication of ideas,
were more likely to have influenced such a prohibition?
Hungary, or, for that matter, any other European Nation,
would not want to be seen under such a questionable and
dubious light.
 

Tragedy, unspeakable tragedy struck today the Italian
football establishment, a direct result and reflection of
the way our societies operate, and I cannot but reproduce
the letter that was left behind in the hope that it will help;
help both those in a similar position and those of us, living
in carelessness and apathy, to show sympathy, love and
solidarity and adopt an inclusive and fraternal attitude
towards all Human Beings, without prejudices and biases.

"Faced with this particular socio-political scenario that
hovers in Italy, I, as a black person, inevitably feel called
into question.
I am not an immigrant, I was adopted when I was a child
and I remember everybody used to love me. Everywhere
I went, everybody was talking to me with joy, respect and
curiosity. Now it seems that everything has turned upside
down. Wherever I go, wherever I am, I feel the weight of
the skeptical, biased, disgusted and frightened glances of
people.
I had been able to find a job which I had to leave because
too many people, especially the older ones, refused service
by me. As if I was not already not feeling at ease, they
accused me of being responsible because many young (and
white) Italians were not able to find a job.
Something has changed inside me. It’s like I am ashamed
of being a black guy as if I was afraid of being considered
an immigrant. It’s like I had to prove to people who did
not know me that I was just like them. Italian and white.
I used to make bad jokes about black people to show that
I am like them, but it was fear. Fear for the hate that I
saw inside people’s eye looking at immigrants, the fear of
contempt I felt in people's words, even those of my relatives,
who constantly invoked Mussolini with melancholy and
called "Captain Salvini". The disappointment in seeing
some friends (are they?) that upon seeing me, start singing
the "Casa Pound" chorus in unison.
The other day, a friend, also adopted, told me that some
time ago, while he was playing soccer, happy and carefree
with his friends, some ladies approached him saying:
"enjoy you time, because in a while they will come and
get you to take you back to your country".
I don’t want people to be sorry for me, I just want to
remind myself that the hardship and suffering that I
am experiencing is a drop of water compared to the
ocean of suffering experienced by those who prefer to
die instead of leading an existence in misery and hell.
Those people risk their lives, some of them lost it already,
just to taste what we simply call "life.”"


What a terrible point we've reached in our financial
dealings in this lopsided world of ours... We are going
to be celebrating and consider it a big success that the
richest corporations in the History of Humanity, some
of which hold assets and have revenues surpassing
those of multiple states over combined, will be made
to pay 15% in taxes... And this when most natural
persons pay, in most developed states, more (and in
some significantly more) than that. It sadly and
hopelessly reminds me of the miserable and sad
celebrations erupting when Arabia (that currently
under the Saud dictatorship) is trying to convince
the World that it is not really a backward state and
that they are not still living in the dark ages, but are,
instead, making groundbreaking progress when they
allow women to go out without male supervision or
to drive. I guess, when one sets their expectations so
low that failure, absurdity and total backwardness
is the standard, they do not have to do much to
declare, and occasionally even convince themselves,
that they are making progress and taking great strides.
WHAT A SHAME... WHAT A SHAME...


One needs minimal intelligence and one does not
need to be explicitly informed to realize in which
mental state and under what extreme duress a
person who was abducted midair would find
himself in, even if his subsequent treatment had
been exemplary and royal, let alone after having
been beaten and incarcerated and having already
a pretty clear idea of what had been awaiting him.
It is sad that civilized states, such as Russia,
are, not only tolerating and condoning such
unthinkable and uncivilized behavior, which
no human on earth and no regime should ever
feel compelled to inflict on its own Citizens, but
that, in addition, are aiding and lending support
to such despicable, horrible, frightful absurdities.
From Russia, with its History and its Culture,
World Citizens are expecting, and hoping for,
more, a totally different attitude and behavior.


There is one thing that I have to say regarding the
rumors concerning an imminent settlement agreed
with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family.
NO PROSECUTOR AND NO JUDGE SHOULD
OR WOULD IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, NO MATTER
HOW HIGH THE PAY OUTS AND THE REWARDS,
LET ANY PERSON OR MEMBER OF THEIR FAMILY
WALK AWAY WITH EVEN A CENT OF PERSONAL
PROPERTY WHEN THIS PROPERTY IS SOAKED
IN THE BLOOD OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
OF VICTIMS, KNOWINGLY MISLED AND CONNED
INTO CONSUMING PRODUCTS THAT WERE
LEADING THEM TO ADDICTION AND ULTIMATELY
TO THE GRAVE. BEFORE YOU AGREE TO ANY
SETTLEMENT, USE THE FULL EXTENT OF THE
LAW TO STRIP THEM OF ALL FINANCIAL ASSETS
(INCLUDING ALL PERSONAL) AND BRING THEM
TO THEIR KNEES PLEADING FOR FORGIVENESS
AND MERCY. THAT IS ALL THESE "FAMILIES"
DESERVE AND THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THEY
SHOULD BE TREATED IN A JUST AND WELL-
GOVERNED STATE.


I think President Biden's and Secretary Blinken's
openness, well-meaning diplomatic efforts and their
pragmatism, which, does, however afford a dose of
idealism and allows space for exchange of ideas,
communication and cooperation, are having very
positive Global effects and invite reciprocation.
In particular, as they contrast forcefully and differ
starkly and substantially, in a very refreshing and
revitalizing way, from those of their predecessors
and from the recent absurdity and unsuitability of
foreign affairs handling, which caused significant
damage to both our United States and the rest of
the World.
By having abandoned absurdity, lack of civility,
aimless, mindless and pointless antagonism,
and, instead, following an informed, experienced,
measured and thoughtful approach, our foreign
policy is now inviting similar responses from
abroad and is receiving attention and respect.
Foreign Affairs handling is by definition what
we are witnessing right now; what we had before
was  a reflection of arrogance, spite, maliciousness,
ignorance, lack of objectives and amateurism.


There are many indications and scientific warnings
based on data that Japan is shooting itself in the foot
by not canceling or postponing again the Summer
Olympics. One thing one has to be certain about.
If the Olympics go ahead and if Japan does indeed
pay a hefty price in terms of worsening conditions
and heavy death toll, the Government of Japan will
have to resign without excuses and rambling, non-
sensical apologetics. There will be zero margin of
tolerance for arguing that they did not know and
that they could not predict what was coming, when
all the World but them are sitting tight and praying
and hoping they they will, at last, do the Right Thing,
even at this half past eleventh hour Tokyo time.
And, by the way, the same goes for Brazil. There
are absolutely no excuses for jeopardizing the lives
of athletes and the public. Do the Right Thing. Let
us first pull out of danger and, then, we may again
be able to enjoy sports and other recreations with
minimal risk. HEALTH FIRST & FOREMOST,
without ifs, ands, or buts.


We shall not forget. Even though Justice shows
oftentimes hard to swallow and hard to comprehend
magnanimity to barbarous brutes and inhumane
beasts, the Kindness and Generosity and Heroism
of those who sacrifice for It, who put the well-being
of their fellow human beings and the betterment of
their societies above self, always prevail and give
Hope and certain optimism for a better future.
The sister of the JUDGE, Maria Falcone, expressed
all our feelings best, in a few measured, moving words:
"...umanamente è una notizia che mi addolora, ma
questa è la legge, una legge che peraltro ha voluto
mio fratello e quindi va rispettata. Mi auguro solo
che magistratura e le forze dell'ordine vigilino con
estrema attenzione in modo da scongiurare il pericolo
che torni a delinquere, visto che stiamo parlando di
un soggetto che ha avuto un percorso di collaborazione
con la giustizia assai tortuoso. ... Ogni altro commento
mi pare del tutto inopportuno."
 

I am very strongly opposed to domestic developments
undermining Democracy and Good-Governance, such
as the attempt by Texas and other U.S. States to limit
the ability of Citizens to vote by raising artificial and
badly disguised barriers and the moves in Guatemala
to undo and/or limit the significant and vital work that
its anti-corruption authorities are pursuing, simply
because those in power want free-reign to plunder
and loot and could not care less about their actions
leading to tens of thousands of their fellow Citizens
to poverty and emigration. I also strongly oppose
international moves that undermine Historic Alliances,
friendly relations and trust between closely related and
cooperative States, such as engaging in spying against
allied interests through third States which are supposedly
mutual friends and partners. On the other hand, I am
encouraged by admission of guilt, and request for
forgiveness, for past international infractions and
crimes, even though these are by no means enough,
nor absolve one of responsibility and culpability,
but my hope is moderated by other findings that
remind us that, in many of our States, those that
we consider, alas, among the most civilized and
that we look up to, terrible things have transpired,
despicable, unthinkable atrocities, and that we are
still burdened by grave responsibility and owe a
great debt to the memory of the victims and to
the descendants of the sufferers to, among other
things, redouble our efforts and strengthen our
commitments and our vigilance so that nothing
comparable ever occurs again.

This is exactly how neighborly relations should
always be, fraternal and cooperative. We share
hundreds of years of Common History and a
Common Destiny. And we must, both because
it is imperative in terms of geopolitics, but also
because we have a strong will and neighborly
feelings, work together for mutual benefit, for
Peace, Stability, Security and Prosperity in an
extremely fragile region, which, however, is
changing, and changing fast for the better.


The only threat to Israel and the only clear and present
danger to Israel's well-being, stability, security and long
term prosperity is Netanyahu continuing in power. But
of course, he would not warn the Israeli Public against
that... He'd rather leave them dozing and in stupor.


What is happening in many countries in Africa,
with every single petty pseudo-generalissimo,
grabbing power by the threat or the use of force
whenever they see fit and whenever suits their
interests, is outrageous. It is high time the African
Union and the International Community stop
being simple, docile observers, which encourages,
or at least does nothing to inhibit, such behavior,
and to start arresting and trying, stripping of
assets and of political rights, and incarcerating.


That's the Essence and the Spirit in International
Law, isn't it? That, if you inconvenience others
for the sake of satisfying a personal agenda or
a personal whim, your own State and your own
Citizens are going to suffer, and perhaps much
more than you first anticipated, and, next time,
when you are ready to provoke, you may think
twice before doing it. But, perhaps, such a thought
and such a realization is too much, too deep and
too sophisticated and requires too involved of an
analysis for a miserable and ignorant fool of a
dictator to realize and digest...


This is something that is generally suspicious and
rarely investigated and publicly accounted for,
regarding all those persons and organizations
that become suddenly important and famous
and, sometimes, regrettably, grab the limelight
and monopolize attention and veer the focus
away from the majority of Citizens who are the
real motivating force, but have no interest in
politics and in become known and getting
financial and other rewards for their activism.
Two examples that come to mind are one in this
article and the other Greta. I think that, from
donations received for a cause, diverting funds
for personal six-figure salaries, personal buys,
acquiring personal properties and profiteering
is not only despicable, but also discredits much
of the activism involved and, of course, sours
the feeling towards the "leaders" involved.
Every person that either aspires to become a
"face" or that currently holds (or recently held)
such a post should be willing and ready to reveal
all their personal finances and financial dealings
and, if they find themselves, when they end their
tenure, with properties or "financial portfolios"
much in excess of those they possessed before
their assent to the role, provide full accountability
of how these assets were acquired, who paid for
them or financed their acquisition and by what
means they were obtained. Nothing less would
satisfy public scrutiny and public transparency
and accountability and nothing less should be
sufficient to put questioning and mistrusting
minds, surrounding questionable dealings in
sensitive areas of public life, which should be
beyond reproach, to rest. With that in mind, I
would strongly encourage Ms. Cullors, before
she leaves, not to simply deny, but to fully open,
fully reveal and fully account for recently acquired
assets, if any.


Σκεφτείτε, αν οι αλήτες οπορτουνιστές βαράνε
150 ευρώ για να σας χέ**ι μια γάτα τον καφέ,
πόσα θα σας πιάσουν για να σας χέ*ουν τον
καφέ οι ίδιοι αυτοπροσώπως... Μας περνάνε
για μαλ**ες και μας κοροϊδεύουν ψιλό γαζί.
Άκου, λέει για "βαθύπλουτους" πελάτες και
"γνώστες" του χε**ματος... Κρίμα το νησί
που περιήλθε σε τέτοια αθλιότητα στα χέρια
τέτοιων ακατονόμαστων "επιχειρηματιών".


The Chinese authorities have to understand that the
desire to find out exactly what happened and exactly
how the virus originated in humans and how the
pandemic erupted has nothing to do with "politics"
and with "blame shifting". This may have happened
this time around in China, but next time, it may be
another country that gets hit by this misfortune and,
to all face that next incident more swiftly and more
effectively and more efficiently, and to all stand by
one another and increase our state of readiness and
our capabilities to cope, we must see that we (all
standing together) get to the bottom of this. The
obstructionist tactics of China do not help in any
way, either its political goals or its reputation, and
in the long run they are contributing in making it
more difficult for all States, including China, to
increase their preparedness and the safety of their,
and all Global, Citizens. I do encourage China and
call on President Xi, to heed President Biden's call
and cooperate fully and in Good Faith, and with
amicable feelings and a scientific outlook, with the
United States and the Global Health Authorities and
Scientific Community to try to get truly to the bottom
of this and put all our minds and agonies at rest.


The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act should be
passed by Congress, without further delays and, most
likely, other legislation should follow until we are able
to see substantial changes in State and Police behavior
and State and Police accountability in our United
States. It is imperative that Police be held to a higher
standard than the public, and even criminal thugs,
in their behavior. Thugs are rogue elements and are
"thugs" because they intentionally and willingly
break the Law and harm society. But Police (in
the Right Sense of the word) take an oath to abide
by certain High Standards and are hired to Serve
and Protect and are paid on the Public Purse with
the exact promise to fulfill those commitments. So,
when they behave like thugs, they break public
trust, shatter expectations, contravene labor laws
and should be held accountable for all those breaches,
not to mention the harm to their societies caused by
engaging in organized crime, brutality, racism and
discrimination. Until those standards are instituted
in Law, are upheld and there is full accountability,
with penalties comparable to those imposed on all
others for similar criminal behavior, "police", as it
exists and operates in many places today, will
continue to be justifiably perceived as an excessively,
unreasonably, armed City and State machine
dedicated to oppression, suppression, racism,
discrimination and, oftentimes, uncalled for
violence, injury and murder.
Having said this, I cannot with clear conscience,
place blame on the President for breaking a promise,
at least not a public one. It is another matter what
promises he gave privately to members of the Floyd
family of which I am not aware. In public he has
encouraged legislators and has fought and has done
all in his power and gone out of his way, together
with our Vice President, to push for this legislation.
Let's help him in any way we can to keep pushing
for it. We are all to benefit from passage of this act
and we can all help in any way we can to see it pass.
OUR WEIGHT IS BEHIND THE PRESIDENT
AND THE VICE PRESIDENT, BEHIND THE
FLOYD FAMILY AND BEHIND THE MAJORITY
IN CONGRESS IN PUSHING THIS THROUGH,
AND IN ENCOURAGING THEM TO BE PRO-
ACTIVE AND TO DO MORE. LET US NOT
ALLOW ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY GO WASTED.
 

Greece and the United States are strengthening their
bilateral relations and their long-term strategic and
political partnership. The interests of both States in
the Eastern Mediterranean Region, but also their
Global Values, including Respect for International
Law, such as the Law of the Sea and Human Rights
Law, and Democratic Principles, coincide, and their
cooperation and coordination is vital and can
contribute substantially in attaining common goals
and objectives, such as Regional Peace, Stability
and Security. BRAVO to President Biden and his
Administration and kudos to Ambassador Pyatt,
who continues to do an excellent job, building
closer and closer ties and cultivating superb,
lasting bilateral relationships! Way to go!!


Our badly meant "puritanism" and badly perceived
"conservatism" are getting worse in our United States.
It's as if conservatives have abandoned morality and
ethics in the positive sense (of doing the Right Thing
and upholding Principles worthy of the name; after
all, most supported the morph, the incarnation of
jemenfoutisme and immorality) and have run completely
out of ideas worth pursuing, and are, therefore, wasting
their and our time with petty things, like covering skin
in yearbook photos and allowing every and anyone,
without checks and safeguards, to own handguns and
brandishing weapons. I am wondering, are there any
reasonable and well-meaning individuals on that side
of the philosophical and political spectrum who really
think that such "ideas" are worth pursuing and are
making our lives and our societies better in any way?
And if bettering ourselves and our societies is not our
ultimate objective, then what is?
 

Both Belarus and Russia know what the Right Thing
to do is to minimize the effects of this fiasco. It does
not take that much, but they need to abandon false
pride and petty stubbornness and admit culpability.
Sometimes, even in International Affairs, one stands
to gain, rather than lose, by doing the Right Thing.
Staying unrepentant in the face of an obvious faux
pas, and refusing to admit guilt, is a sign of weakness.


The EU's and UK's actions are justified and warranted.
The message is as clear as it should be: WE EITHER
ALL PLAY BY THE SAME RULES AND SHOW
MUTUAL RESPECT, PERFORM DUTIES IN GOOD
FAITH AND ABIDE BY TREATY OBLIGATIONS AND
CUSTOMARY RULES FAITHFULLY, OR WE DO NOT
PLAY AT ALL, at least not vis-a-vis civilized States, who
take their responsibilities and their obligations seriously.
The issue can be resolved very easily: An admission of
impropriety on the part of Belarus, together with an
apology, the release of the captured passengers and a
promise that a similar incident shall not reoccur and
that International Aviation will be left unhindered,
according to Treaty obligations.
I encourage Sergei Lavrov to intercede so that these
goals be attained and the incident end here and be left
behind us. We are facing many serious Global problems
that require our attention right now for such an incident
to be allowed to linger and cloud international relations
any further. Nor is it helpful to start renewed rounds
of expulsions of diplomats, who are just trying to do
their jobs as conscientiously as they can and work
hard in improving international relations.


The International Community (including Russia)
must (re)act forcefully to this event. With one swoop,
several Principles of International Law and several
Treaty and Custom provisions, were severely violated,
by, among other things, engaging in piracy, interfering
with and, possibly, endangering an international civilian
flight and committing grave violations against Human
Rights and Political Freedoms. States must convene an
emergency session of the Security Council and impose
drastic counter-measures against a person and a regime
that think are above the Law and beyond the reach of
strong penalties against international gangsterism.


Κυριάκο, δες 'το προσεκτικά και ξανασυζητείστε το.
Φαίνεται ότι οι αντιδράσεις εδώ δεν έχουν να κάνουν
με πολιτικά συμφέροντα, μικροκοματισμό και κινήσεις
εντυπωσιασμού, αλλά ότι υπάρχουν σημαντικά λάθη
και/ή παραλέιψεις και τίποτα, σε ένα τέτοιο θέμα, δε
δικαιολογεί επιπολαιότητα και τσαπατσουλιά. Είναι
καλύτερο να αφήσετε κάτι μέτριο επί του παρόντος
παρά να χειροτερέψει κάτι στις πλάτες αβοήθητων
και ευάλωτων Συμπολιτών μας. Ξανασκέψου το
άλλη μια φορά πριν προχωρήσετε.
 
 

Η θρασυδειλία των αρνητών των εμβολίων, των
ψεκασμένων και όλων των άλλων αρχισυνομοτών
εκφράστηκε μεν τον πιο ξεκάθαρο τρόπο από την
ανόητη και παντελώς αψυχολόγητη "παρέμβαση"
της Έλενας "έλεος" Ακρίτα. Αν είχε πιάσει τόπο
και την εκθείαζαν, αντί να την λοιδωρούν, στα
public media, θα είχε πάρει θάρρος και θα μας
φλόμωνε και με περαιτέρω ανοησίες, μπόλικες
αφερεγγυότητες και άλλα παρομοίας φύσεως
"επιχειρήματα". Όταν όμως είδε ότι η πλειοψηφία
είναι ξύπνια και δεν ανέχεται τη μαλ***α σύννεφο,
έβαλε τα μπρος πίσω, έκανε μία κωλοτούμπα και
"ευγενώς" ζήτησε "συγγνώμη".
Ακριβώς τα ίδια συνέβησαν και με τους Χρυσαυγίτες.
Όσο η βία, το βρισίδι, η ψευτο-μαγκιά, το ψευτο-
αντριλίκι, ο ψευτο-πατριωτισμός και το κωλοπαιδαριό
έπιαναν τόπο, είχαν υποστήριξη και απέφεραν γενναίες
ανταμοιβές και παχυλότατους μισθούς, νά' σου η βρωμιά,
η θρασύτητα και η ξετσιπωσιά. Μόλις, όμως, έπεσε, όπως
αναμένετο, ο πέλεκης και άρχισε ο κόσμος να ξυπνά και
να βλέπει περί τίνος επρόκειτο, τρέξανε όλοι να κρυφτούν
να αμυνθούν, να "απολογηθούν" και να προβάλλουν τον
πρώϊμο "έντιμο" βίο και την "καλοσύνη" τους, και δια
μαγείας αρχίσαν να σφυρίζουν κλέφτικα και να κάνουν
τους ανήξερους, τους αχάμπαρους και τους αμέτοχους.
Αίσχος και χοντρο-αφερεγγυότητες...
 

Βασίλη, αυτά να τα βλέπετε και να τα κατανοείτε
όλοι εσείς των μίντια. Έχει καταντήσει το in.gr
στο feed των τελευταίων ειδήσεων να είναι γεμάτο
από ``VIRAL", "TRASH" και "FIZZ" (όλα
απολύτως συνώνυμα με "GARBAGE") και πρέπει
κανείς να κάθεται να ψάχνει σα μαλ***ς για καμιά
βελόνα μέσα στα άχυρα. Όταν γεμίζετε τις "έγκυρες"
και "αξιοπρεπείς" - υποτίθεται - ιστοσελίδες με
σκουπίδια και ψευτο-σελέμπριτις, γιατί άραγε εσείς
οι ίδιοι οι "αρχισυντάκτες" απορείτε με το πού πάει
το πράγμα και γιατί περιμένετε να μην ευτελίζονται
αναλόγως και η ψευτοκουλτούρα και τα ψευτο-
"ενδιαφέροντα" του κόσμου; Αλλά αυτά πουλάνε,
αυτά και εκμεταλλεύστε, αυτά και πουλάτε, και
ποσώς δε σας ενδιαφέρει να διατηρήσετε κάποια
ποιότητα, αλλά μετά δήθεν κλαίγεστε, κριτικάρετε
και παραπονιέστε..., αλλά "ουδεμίαν ευθύνη φέρετε";

I am sorry, but even if strictly legal, such
behavior, outside the performance of one's
duties related to official status, should not
be sheltered by Diplomatic Immunity. If
I were the Belgian Foreign Minister, I
would confer with the Ambassador to
lift immunity or, if this proves difficult,
I would recall him immediately and
replace him, and let him deal with issues
in his family that blacken his Nation's
standing and reputation. Moreover, I
would think twice about consequences
and general repercussions for the very
important concept of immunity, when
people that enjoy it misuse it for
situations that are undeserving and to
cover up misbehaving and infractions
of a completely personal nature. This
use of Immunity in bad faith, shatters
confidence and trust, and, as a result,
jeopardizes the very important role
it plays in legitimate situations and
undermines its status and credibility
and does harm to diplomatic missions.

Μακάρι να αποφέρει καρπούς η επίσκεψη του
Υπουργού Εξωτερικών στην Παλαιστίνη.
Φτάνει πια το αίμα, φτάνουν τα θύματα,
φτάνουν οι αλόγιστες καταστροφές.
I hope that the Greek Foreign Minister's
visit to the Middle East tomorrow will be
fruitful and contribute to calmer days.
Enough of bloodshed, enough of death
and destruction and injury and pain.
I call on both Israel and the Palestinians
to help him help them, and I encourage
all other Neighboring States to lend a
hand and do their utmost for an immediate
ceasefire and immediate talks to rekindle
negotiations for a 2-State solution. Without
terminating the apartheid regime and
without giving hope and an independent,
free and democratic future vision to the
Palestinian People, the situation and the
conditions on the ground are not viable,
and enduring Peace and Stability cannot
be established; nor can Prosperity for
All People in the region be attained.


When the World Media do not speak out loudly
enough against anti-semitism and do not expose
racist and anti-semitic acts, the Jewish State is
up in arms and furious about covert tolerance
of anti-semitism. But when these same Media
speak loudly against the plight of other oppressed
people, who also deserve dignity and freedom, but
are suffering under a Jewish-orchestrated and
Jewish-maintained apartheid regime, the same
State destroys their buildings and threatens their
operations and annihilates their freedom of
expression and interferes and impedes the free
exercise of their Right and Duty to operate safely
and to inform the Public. Another outrageous act,
beyond imagination, outside the limits of civilized
behavior.


Austrians seem to have a hard time learning and
absorbing Important Historical Lessons. They
should be held in complete condemnation and
condescension for their Chancellor's move to
side (again) with the strong and the powerful,
inflicting pain and suffering on those that they
have put under a stranglehold and are treating
as lesser human beings. Only, this time, the
Austrian Chancellor finds its State siding with
the former victims, to whom they had shown,
then, subzero support and to whom they had
provided no haven to speak of, now inflicting
indignities and victimizing others. What a
pitiful position to assume and what a miserable
position to put one's State in.


Σημαντικές εξελίξεις και μεγάλη κινητικότητα
στα Βαλκανικά θέματα, και όλες φαίνονται προς
τη σωστή κατεύθυνση. Μπράβο σε όλους όσους
παίρνουν πρωτοβουλίες προς στενές διμερείς και
πολυμερείς σχέσεις. Η περιοχή το έχει ανάγκη
μεγάλη εδώ και πολλές δεκαετίες, αλλά σήμερα
οι νοοτροπίες, οι απόψεις και τα οράματα είναι
πιο ώριμα από ποτέ... σε αντιδιαστολή με όλους
όσους κυκλοφορούν χάρτες για επαναχάραξη
συνόρων, βασισμένους σε χρεοκοπημένες και
πεπαλαιωμένες αντιλήψεις ότι άνθρωποι
διαφορετικών εθνοτήτων και θρησκειών δεν
μπορούν να συνυπάρξουν και να συνεργαστούν
υπό κοινές δομές, έχοντας κοινά όνειρα και κοινές
επιδιώξεις. Κρίμα που οι ίδιες αυτές αντιλήψεις
επικρατούν εδώ και δεκαετίες, δυστυχώς, και
στην Κύπρο και στην Παλαιστίνη, και που, απ'
ό,τι φαίνεται δυναμώνουν όλο και περισσότερο,
αντί να αδυνατίζουν και να ξεθωριάζουν.
 


Her behavior is weird and she seems to be either
mentally disturbed or drunk and/or on some kind
of drugs and out of control. In any case, one has
to take care to enforce safety in the workplace
before this behavior and harassment (which I
suspect has also racial and ethnic motives) gets
totally out of control and causes either intended
or unintended harm.


If the beginning of Accession Negotiations between
Albania, North Macedonia and the European Union
can be delayed for a few more months so that it can
start together with those of Serbia and Montenegro,
that would be a Great Success and of utmost significance
for the entire Region and to an even greater benefit
for Peace, Security and Stability for the entire Balkan
Peninsula and the wider area of South-Eastern Europe.


Extremely important visit of the Serbian Prime
Minister Ana Brnabić to Athens, reasserting
the Fraternal ties between the two States, the
close relations, and cooperation, in economic,
social and political issues and reviewing progress
made in important infrastructure projects that
are certainly contributing in bringing Serbia
closer and closer to European Standards, thus
facilitating and expediting its Accession to the
European Union, along with the other States
of the Western Balkans, which are aspiring to
Membership, which Greece strongly supports
and encourages.


Νά'σαι καλά, Γιάννη! Όχι μόνο γιατί προσφέρθηκες
να βοηθήσεις και με ένα πολύ απλό τρόπο έλυσες ένα
"γόρδιο δεσμό", από τους τυπικούς που η Ελληνική
γραφειοκρατία και/ή αγένεια και/ή αυθαιρεσία κάθε
φορά υψώνουν και προς γηγενείς και προς μη-γηγενείς
συμπολίτες μας, αλλά γιατί περιγράφεις το πρόβλημα
και τις προεκτάσεις και τη σημασία και τις επιπτώσεις
με μεγάλη διακριτικότητα, ευγένεια, αλλά και σαφήνεια.
Μακάρι να διαβάσουν πολλοί το άρθρο και όλοι να
το θυμόμαστε για αν και όποτε βρεθούμε σε κάποια
παρόμοια κατάσταση, που θα γίνεται όλο και πιο
συχνά σε μία πραγματικά περιεκτική και πραγματικά
κοσμοπολίτικη Αθήνα, όχι μόνο όσον αφορά περα-
στικούς, επισκέπτες και τουρίστες, αλλά την πολυ-
εθνικότητα, την πολυ-πολιτισμικότητα και τον
παλμό των ίδιων των πολιτών της.


Greeks and Israelis, all Israelis, are brothers
and sisters and I strongly support the close
ties and cooperation between Greece and
Israel for the benefit of both Nations and for
the Peace, Security, Stability and Prosperity
of the entire Eastern Mediterranean Region.
But Greeks and Palestinians, and Greeks and
All Arabs, are also brothers and sisters and
we demand that the Israeli State do the Right
Thing, deescalate the current tensions, refrain
from all activities that undermine the 2-State
Solution and reverse all decisions that have
resulted in a despicable apartheid regime
and are putting everyday lives and livelihoods
in a state of fear, oppression, subjugation
and misery. Jews, exactly because of their
History and their Experiences, should know
better than submitting another People,
their brothers and sisters and neighbors,
to such tortuous semi-existence and should
know better than exercising on other Human
Beings, whoever they are, inhumane and
heartless and demeaning indignities and
humiliations. All Allies and Friends of the
Israeli People would find themselves,
together with Israel itself, in a much
better and much stronger position,
if Israel decided to treat Palestinian People
differently, with Dignity and Respect, as
Equals, and if Israel, resisting historical
and long-held suspicions, would open
avenues of communication, if not directly,
perhaps via mutual friends, with Iran and
other States in the region, with which,
currently, it does not have the best of relations.
We have nothing to divide us. Our region,
the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle
East can become a region of Peace, Stability
and Prosperity for All. But we must work
for it, we must believe in it and we must
overcome historic complexities, which, of
course can inform us and teach us, but
they should not stand in the way of us
seeing things differently and optimistically
and trying to open new paths and establish
new alliances and new co-operations for a
better future for all Nations and all People.
 

When people march against nationalist and racist
Jews, against the ethnic cleansing policies of the
Jewish State and against the apartheid regime in
Israel, they are decried as anti-semitic and racist
and formal complaints are launched to stop them
from expressing their views and Jewish officials
and ambassadors all over the World start repeating
the same prerecorded message about righteousness
and victimization. But the State of Israel, under
cover of Democratic Principles (for the Jews only,
of course) and of free speech, freedom of expression
and freedom of assembly (for Jews only, of course)
would not prohibit a nationalist, racist demonstration
against its Palestinian "citizens" and against their
property and their right to defend the pitiful remnants
of the land they have been left with, because these
planned racist demonstrations and the aggression
they espouse suit the ultimate interests and the
open agenda of this heartless and, purposefully,
more and more uni-cultural, state, which consist of
cleansing as much land as possible from all non-
Jewish residents, despite Rights, in plain daylight.
In any other State, such intransigence, such
discrimination and such belligerence against
any minority, or any Neighboring State, would
have been decried internationally using the
most severe condemnation and most indignant
reprimands. But, given the exploitation of
the Shoah for political reasons, God forbid
that anyone utters anything, beyond the level
of silent and incoherent murmurs, against
this bullying state. When are the Jews
themselves going to learn at last the lessons
that they have been preaching and that they
have been encouraging all the rest of us to
learn and digest? When are the Citizens of the
State, whose ancestors have suffered more than
most others, going to, at last, show the rest of
the World how to Do the Right Thing also, and,
not fill us with Words about Ideals, which they,
themselves, are the first to ignore and discard,
when expedient and convenient? Is the "never
again" that we all utter and pray for, at every
commemoration and anniversary, only applicable
to victims of one race and ethnicity and totally
ignored when it comes to oppression, mistreatment
and victimization of others by that same ethnicity? It
just does not seem right, it just should not be the case.
 

Να αφήσει ο οδηγός κατά μέρους τις Ελληναριές
και τις ανυπόστατες και απαράδεκτες δικαιολογίες,
να ζητήσει άμεσα συγγνώμη και να εγγυηθεί ότι
τέτοιο λάθος δε θα ξανακάνει και τέτοιο δημόσιο
ατόπημα και προσβολή δε θα ξανασυμβεί. Αν ήταν
όπως λέει τα πράγματα, θα μπορούσε με μεγάλη
ευγένεια, όπως κάνουν συχνά πολλοί συνάδερφοί
του και πολλοί από το επιβατικό κοινό, να ζητήσει
απρόσωπα, από όλους τους επιβάτες, χωρίς να
στοχοποιήσει κανέναν ειδικά, αν μπορεί κάποιος
να σηκωθεί να παραχωρήσει τη θέση του στην
κυρία που είχε το πρόβλημα. Τότε θα είχε και
φερθεί ανθρώπινα και θα είχε και πολλούς, είμαι
σίγουρος, εθελοντές άμεσα, και θα είχε δώσει και
άλλο αέρα, αίγλη ευγένειας και ένα παράδειγμα
για όλους. Από τη στιγμή που όχι μόνο δεν έπραξε
κάτι τέτοιο, αλλά η συμπεριφορά του ήταν
προκλητική και αποτέλεσε παράδειγμα προς
αποφυγή, τα λόγια είναι φτώχεια και οι όποιες
δικαιολογίες, εκ του πονηρού, φτηνές και περιττές.


I do not know whether the translation that I am
reading of President Erdogan's statements in
relation to exploratory talks and negotiations
between Egypt and Turkey are accurate. It is
reported by in.gr that the Turkish President
said that he is sorry that the Egyptian People
are "forced to stand side-by-side with the Greek
People". That "the fact that Egyptians and Greeks
show solidarity and cooperate causes sorrow in
Ankara". I am wondering how we have reached
this point where we are sorry to see Third Nations
cooperate with Friends and Neighbors of ours,
with whom we have disagreements. Why should
it always be, or be perceived to be, a zero-sum
game? Why can we not feel happy and secure
that third Nations are friendly, not only with
our own, but also with other Nations? I call on
the Turkish President to feel secure in the fact
that Greece has Friendly and Fraternal Relations
with other Nations and that Greece expends great
effort and places utmost importance in close ties
and cooperation with its Friends and Neighbors
and would encourage him to do his best and
to employ Turkey's best to cultivate similar
relations with those Nations in the framework
of International Law, with Mutual Respect,
and to the benefit of All Nations in the Region.
I also applaud the Turkish President's support
of President Biden's position on vaccine patents.


Βασίλη, δεν είναι ότι δεν τα έχω ξαναδεί και ότι δεν
ξέρω ότι συμβαίνουν (δυστυχώς συχνά και παντού),
αλλά κάθε φορά που βλέπω κάτι τρομακτικό και
απάνθρωπο, σαν αυτό, ντρέπομαι, κλαίω και ραγίζω.
Δεν είμαστε όλοι Συμπολίτες, δεν είμαστε όλοι
Άνθρωποι, δεν είναι κι εκείνοι γιοί και κόρες, και
αδερφοί και αδερφές, και φίλοι και συμπορευτές
Ανθρώπων, όπως κι εμείς, και δεν έχουν άραγε πιο
μεγάλη και πιο επείγουσα ανάγκη, κι άρα κατά τη
θρησκεία (που πάντα επικαλούμαστε για να κάνουμε
λάθη και λουμπινιές και ποτέ το σωστό και δίκαιο),
μεγαλύτερο δικαίωμα στην ξεκούραση και τη
συμπόνοια απ' ότι εμείς, γιατί έχουν διανύσει
εκατοντάδες χιλιόμετρα για να γλυτώσουν από
ανείποτες συμφορές ή για να βρουν μια καλύτερη
ζωή κι ένα καλύτερο μέλλον; Πού να ήξεραν τί θα
τους περίμενε στην "κοιτίδα του πολιτισμού", στην
φτωχομάνα, στην προσφυγομάνα και μεταναστομάνα
Ελλάδα; Στην Ελλάδα που κάποτε πάλεψε με νύχια
και με δόντια ενάντια στο φασισμό και το ναζισμό,
αλλά όπου σήμερα, δυστυχώς, ο ρατσισμός, η
μισαλλοδοξία και οι φασιστικές συμπεριφορές,
όχι μόνο καλά κρατούν, αλλά ζουν και βασιλεύουν...
Κρίμα, Βασίλη... Μεγάλο κρίμα, μεγάλη συμφορά.


Bravo, also, to President Putin. The United States
and Russia should, together, exert strong pressure
on Germany and its Chancellor to join them on
the issue of vaccine patents, and encourage her to
support the Right Decision and to move her State
away from standing, once more, on the wrong side
of History on a matter of life and death.


The Biden Administration simply recognizes
the fact that the U.S. Taxpayers, us, are the
people that have put their hands deep into
their pockets to support and to guarantee the
successful production and distribution of the
vaccines and, therefore, it is our prerogative,
and not that of the pharmaceutical companies,
to allow temporarily lifting the patent rights,
to facilitate wider and cheaper production
and to help distribute the vaccines to as a
wide and as a diverse portion of the Global
Population as possible. BRAVO, PRESIDENT
BIDEN! BRAVO, SECRETARY BLINKEN!
BRAVO, REPRESENTATIVE TAI! One more
strong indication of the remarkable fact that,
when our United States leads and is ready to
support and do the right thing, not only does
it make all of us Proud, but also it forces and/
or encourages everyone else in the International
Community, even strong skeptics, to rethink
their position, to fall in line and to also do
the Right Thing. This is our most formidable
power, our strongest asset and this is, sadly,
the feature that the former, incompetent and
ignorant, administration, totally sacrificed
and intentionally misunderstood and under
appreciated.


"I decided on a major effort for peace in the
Middle East, the end of apartheid in South
Africa, and majority rule in other nations;
reduction of nuclear arsenals, normalization
of diplomatic relations with the People's
Republic of China, open communications
with Cuba, and resolution of the Panama
Canal issue. .... I also decided that human
rights would be the centerpiece of our
foreign policy."
Jimmy Carter, "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety"


I would not be surprised at all if it was revealed
that he has stashed it all away in personal accounts.
I think - and there are strong indications in support
of this view - that he is as greedy and as avaricious
as Bibi, and remorselessly so, and, because of the
corrupt systems in both States, they act with
almost complete impunity and become more and
more emboldened as time goes by. The sad thing
is that it has taken voters in both Nations decades
to wake up from lethargy, stupor and apathy, and
to see them for what they really are, rather than
revere them as pioneers and heroes.


Δυστυχώς αυτή είναι η Ελλάδα που αναγνωρίζω.
Μπορεί να έχω αποφύγει χρόνια, αλλά κάθε φορά
που "ευτύχησα" στο μεταξύ να επισκεφτώ μία
δημόσια υπηρεσία, ή υπηρεσία που εξυπηρετεί
το κοινό, κοινός και ο παρονομαστής, όπως
ακριβώς τον περιγράφει η κ. Σφήκα, ή κάποια
"ισοδύναμη" παραλλαγή. Όταν λοιπόν ακούω
και μου εκθειάζουν Πιερρακάκη και άλλα πράσινα
άλογα, είτε βγαίνω από τα ρούχα μου, είτε, για
να μη συγχύζομαι και χάνω την ψυχραιμία μου,
κλίνω την κεφαλήν σκεπτόμενος ότι ο συνομιλητής
μου δεν έχει ζήσει, μάλλον, πουθενά αλλού και
συνεπώς δεν έχει και αίσθηση του καλύτερου,
όπου βασίζεται και το δημόσιο για να παιδεύει
και να χλευάζει τον κόσμο και τους Πολίτες που
οικονομικά στηρίζουν την όλη φαρσοκωμωδία,
για χρόνια τώρα... πάνε κοντά 200, δεν είναι;...


The different (subjective) interpretations of what
happened at the turn of the 20th Century in the
Eastern Mediterranean Region cannot change the
Historical Facts. What is of the utmost importance
for all People and all States in the Region in this,
the 3rd Decade of the 21st Century, is, as the U.S.
President emphasized, to move forward in a spirit
of Fraternity, Cooperation and Reconciliation,
make sure that ills, tragedies and disasters of the
years past do not reoccur and to bequeath to all
our Children a Better World, in which they will
flourish in Peace, Stability, Security and Prosperity,
as Brothers and Sisters, Friends and Neighbors.
 

He is worse than a rabid dog. A psychopathic cannibal,
with blood in his hands and human remains in his muzzle
and what he may consider as brass hanging from his
illegitimate overalls is in reality excrement, with human
remains, dropping out from his hinds.
 

The World of Music is poorer today. The
unforgettable Milva is with us no more...
 

One is trying to change the World. The other is
living, unfortunately, in his own World...
 

Good riddance... Sixth term with 80% of the vote...
Scums with no positive legacies to speak of, who
exploit a disastrous past and a catastrophic legacy,
and the unfortunate current state of political affairs
to personally profit and enrich themselves, with close
to no regard for others and for the public good.


If for nothing else, Walter Mondale will stay in
History as a close ally, associate and confidant
of one of the Greatest Presidents of the United
States. Given other individuals, in our more recent
history, who, despite their pretentious "honesty"
and "up-rightness", chose to ally, support and
associate with derailed, immoral and psychopathic
individuals that inflicted great harm on our Nation,
his character, his decency, his demeanor and his
political choices afford, by contrast, a great
compliment to his political acumen and his
political career and ensure his positive legacy.


Ο Γιάννης Διαμαντής, έπειτα από μία διαχρονική
ξενάγηση στην Πλατεία Αγίου Γεωργίου. κρίνει
εξαιρετικά επιεικώς τη συμπεριφορά και τον
ζεμανφουτισμό των "προοδευτικών" βραδινών
θαμώνων της σημερινής πλατείας... Ας μην
είμαστε ψευτο-ευγενείς και ας λέμε τα πράγματα
με το όνομά τους γιατί μόνο η ειλικρινής κριτική,
με σκοπό την αυτο-βελτίωση, μπορεί να έχει κάποια
αποτελέσματα. Το να μη φροντίζεις να αφήσεις
ένα χώρο που σου προσέφερε κάποια απόλαυση,
κάποια διασκέδαση ή κάποιο διάλειμμα ανεμελειάς,
σε καλύτερη ή, τουλάχιστον, στην ίδια κατάσταση
στην οποία τον παρέλαβες, δείχνει έλλειψη
Πολιτισμού και Παιδείας και έλλειψη Σεβασμού
προς τους συμπολίτες σου. Και η ευθύνη δεν είναι
μαζική, συνολική και απρόσωπη. Ο κάθε ένας
πολίτης που ανοίγει μία μπύρα, πίνει έναν καφέ,
τρώει ένα γύρο, ένα σάντουιτς ή απολαμβάνει
ένα σακουλάκι με πατατάκια ή αλλα σνακς,
μπορεί να μαζέψει τα υπολείμματα και να τα
πετάξει στα σκουπίδια ή, αν είναι γεμάτα τα
σκουπίδια, να τα πάρει και να τα πετάξει λίγο
παραπέρα. Αν κάνει ο καθένας ό,τι του αναλογεί
ατομικά, η συνολική εικόνα θα ήταν εξαιρετικά
διαφορετική και πολιτισμικά αρμόζουσα σε μία
κοινωνία που ενδιαφέρεται και νοιάζεται για το
ουσιαστικό και για το κάτι παραπάνω... Δε θα
ήταν πολύ ΩΡΑΙΑ αν ήταν έτσι η Ελλάδα;
 

Verbal exchanges, arguments, disagreements and,
occasionally, diplomatic spats and mishaps are not
the important things, nor in my view are they crucial,
when they are not revealing, but, simply reiterate
differences that exist between two Friends and
Neighbors, which are already well-known to both sides.
What is, however, important are the facts and why
they stand as they do, and both sides have to sit
down, with clarity of mind and vision, look at their
own roles, their responsibilities and their expectations
and try to explain those facts and to account for them.
Before one is in a position to make sincere efforts in
Good Faith at an open dialog to address existing
problems and issues, it is necessary to reconsider
their own role and their own actions and to take
into account the effects their positions and their
policies have on the other side, and to understand
where the other side stands and from which facts
their dissatisfaction and their complaints emanate.


It breaks one's heart; not only because violence
and civil war and disrespect for International
Norms and Human Rights are virtually guaranteed,
but because 20 years of intervention, war, human
sacrifice, devastation and damage have amounted
to nothing other than the Internationally Recognized
Right to Self-Defense and Retaliation under Attack
by Foreign Actors. But this, the only accomplishment,
could - and should - have been attained, had the United
States and its "leaders", both civilian and military,
had enough brains and rich enough knowledge, and
deep enough understanding of, History and of the
World, via a few days' long operation involving
devastating targeted air strikes and crippling of
command-and-control centers and military and
military-commandeered infrastructure, with
minimal, if any, United States losses, and with
minimal expenditure in comparison to that spent
for nought. We should not be surprised at how
botched this operation turned out to be because,
on the one hand, we have witnessed similar
situations before, and, on the other, we are
continuously witnessing incompetence at all
levels of government and shallowness at all
levels of decision-making. In a nutshell, the Biden
Administration does not have any other option, nor
would any other viable option be desirable. The
devastation that shall follow could only be avoided
at a cost that we are not willing to pay. The
devastation could, perhaps, have been avoided -
perhaps not - but we would have paid almost
no cost and we would have bared almost no
responsibility had we (re)acted differently from
the beginning. I wish I could say "I wish we knew
then what we know now", but we did know then
almost everything we know now, only we were
not smart enough to analyze it, did not take the
time to ponder over it with clear minds, with
clarity of vision and goals, and to learn from it.
No more, no less; period.
 

"Holy shit, I just shot him"... Just like that...
The reaction of a thug, who could not care less,
sent, armed to the teeth, to enforce "traffic laws"
by other murderous thugs, bosses of criminal
outfits, who also could not care less and will
ensure that every one gets out with a clean sheet
by selling this (as they have already started
doing) as an "unfortunate mistake". Well,
guess what. An event is a mistake, a random
accidental event, if it happens once in a blue
moon. When one murders people of the same
race and color systematically, one cannot in
any legitimacy sell those events as mistakes
any more. RICO must be applied to "city"
and "police" bosses right now. This is very
deliberate and very organized criminal activity
and intimidation on the part of the state and
someone has to put an end to it by taking
action that would impede the intentions,
destroy the capacity for harm and paralyze
the capabilities for murder and assault. For
civil pursuits, such a s traffic stops, disarm
"police" thugs authorized to enforce the law.


Incorrigible, blood-thirsty, murderous brutes.
I hope the "officials" in Washington, in whose
name of "government of the people, by the
people and for the people" (my a**, we do not
desire such "governments") these incidents take
place, react strongly to these events and do not
just sit there and watch the same old movie of
shame, victimization and brutality play over
and over again, with protagonists the sane old
racist, well-trained and well-equipped murderous
thugs in our cities "police" forces of intimidation,
sate sponsored terrorism and state oppression.
President Biden, Vice President Harris and
Attorney General Garland, do your Jobs NOW
and do them RIGHT, and, if you are unable to,
leave, and let someone else try. Change is needed
now, it cannot be postponed any longer. It is, at
last, high time someone realized it; cannot and
must not wait any longer, enough is enough is
more than enough.
 

I have repeated many times before that Journalists
and Diplomats are those that work tirelessly to keep
People informed, demolish walls and destroy
prejudices, and bring People together. That is why
Journalists and Diplomats should be embraced
and protected and respected above all others, and
their role and their mission considered sacrosanct.
Alas, oftentimes, cowards, who dislike the ideas,
positions and/or actions of others, against whom
they either cannot or dare not turn their wrath,
choose to shoot the messengers, without realizing
that, without the messenger, not only in matters
with which they disagree and feel discomforted
about, but in so many other matters, they would
be totally uninformed and in complete darkness,
and, therefore, impotent to act and to demonstrate
and to organize and agitate for change.


I am not surprised to the least. How could anyone
expect anything different, in terms of Justice, from
a State whose "judicial system" has proven time
and again incapable of enforcing any decisions,
de facto, on the stooges and servants of the State,
even when those violate and damage the Basic
Principles of Human Conduct and the Reputation
of the State? In Israel, it is common knowledge that
Army Officers who get convicted are later rewarded
with higher military and/or political offices, instead
of being banned and becoming pariahs, and it is
also common knowledge that cases against corruption
drag on for decades without repercussions and with
those against whom corruption is alleged suffering
no consequences and continuing to enjoy the fruits
and privileges of high offices, respect and authority.
How could a State like this be expected to be ever
introspect and in compliance with High Standards
of Politics, Law and Behavior in Public Life?


In Ireland the smart solution after Brexit would
have been for the North to leave the Crown, i.e.,
Brexit itself, unite with the South in a Federation,
with autonomy in local matters, and join the South
in the European Union, after negotiating with
Brussels some deal whereby a re-application
and re-negotiation process could be either
completely avoided or minimized and the status
and conditions governing the membership of the
Republic are extended to encompass the North.
But I am talking about what the smart thing to
do would be; so I would be completely naive if I
expected that politicians and the authorities - or
even, alas, the Citizens - would side with the
Right Thing and the Smart Thing to do...
For now, it may be enough if People on the
Island, Brothers and Sisters with the same Roots
and the same Background and sharing the same
Privileges and the same Woes of History realized
that living in Peace side-by-side is the most
beneficial for both and that, if they continue
down the path of violence, there will be a lot of
shame and regret down the road. But, why am
I supposed to be telling you this, when you have
gone down this catastrophic road before and
you've seen the damage, the sorrow and the
bloodshed with your own eyes and felt it in
your own skin? WAKE UP, WORK TOGETHER!
IMAGINE THE BEAUTY AND FRUITS UNDER
THE SAME ROOF THAT I AM DREAMING...
HOW I WISH YOU SHARED THE SAME DREAM
AND FOUGHT TO MAKE THAT TRUE INSTEAD.


Ο διάλογος, ακόμα και ο δημόσιος διάλογος, είναι
θετικός και εκ των ων ουκ άνευ σε μία Δημοκρατική
και Ευνομούμενη Κοινωνία. Αλλά το ουσιώδες στην
προκειμένη περίπτωση, είναι να χαραχτεί μία Εθνική
και Ξεκάθαρη Γραμμή από την Κυβέρνηση και από
την Αξιωματική Αντιπολίτευση (από τους νέους και
ενεργούς πολιτικούς, όχι από τους συνταξιούχους,
που έδρασαν και πέτυχαν ή απέτυχαν, ή απέδρασαν
και αδράνησαν). Αλλά οι προυποθέσεις γι αυτό, πλην
της προφανούς Καλής Πίστεως, είναι (1) η διάθεση
για συμβιβασμούς, ώστε να υπάρξει συμφωνία μέσω
των διαφωνιών, (2) η μη επιμονή σε άσκοπες και
άτοπες εμμονές, όταν η άλλη πλευρά έχει δίκιο
(π.χ., Βόρεια Μακεδονία και σχέσεις με Η.Π.Α.),
και (3) δεσμευση αμφοτέρων ότι θα ακολουθηθεί
κοινή γραμμή ασχέτως Κυβερνώντων και ότι η
άλλη πλευρά, εάν ακολουθούνται τα συμφωνηθέντα,
θα "βάζει πλάτες" στα συγκεκριμένα θέματα και
δε θα διαφωνεί μόνο για να διαφωνεί ή για καθαρά
κομματικούς και ψηφοθηρικούς λόγους.


The World has to assist the North Korean People
on Humanitarian Grounds. At the same time, each
misfortune presents also an opportunity for action
in the International Scene to make amends, to fix
relationships and to create new friendships. And
our Unites States must continue, as it has been
widely reported it has been doing for a while now,
to seek Diplomatic Channels and renew its efforts
to approach the North Korean Government, offer
its help, extend a hand of friendship and reconciliation
and seek its consent and approval in starting renewed
and vigorous negotiations, not through hugs, praises
and meaningless shows of "personal greatness and
ebullience", but through substantial steps to reduce
tensions, hold back and dismantle, when appropriate,
weapons of mass destruction and establish mutual
trust. In a time of crisis and need, both States have
realized that weapons and arms races are not the
answer. Spending less on military and more on
Public Works and the Needs of the People should
be, by far, the biggest priority on both sides of the
Pacific (and of the Atlantic). Fortunately, right now,
the United States has an Administration that does
understand this imperative, and, hopefully, the
North Korean regime, through its crisis, can also
understand and digest this, and act accordingly.


Egypt, Egypt... What a State, What a Culture,
What a Civilization! Never stops giving, Never
Stops astounding, amazing, mesmerizing...
 

The GOP has fought tooth and nail to ensure
that the out-of-touch with political realities
Justices of the Supreme Court of this Land
voted for Citizens United to ensure the freedom
of corporations to fund without limits political
campaigns and, hence, in practice, to almost
monopolize influence and, at best, having
disproportionate saying in comparison to
Citizens and grassroots groups and organiza-
tions on Political Decisions and happenings in
Washington. Now that many of those, tradi-
tionally Republican leaning, corporations find
it expedient and more profitable to appear,
at least, to do the Right Thing and side with
Democracy and the Rights of Citizens, the
GOP is crying out foul and telling them that
they should stay out of politics and that their
role is not to meddle or else they may face...
boycotts!! We knew that they were led by
an idiot for at least four year, but that their
idiocy had penetrated so deep, to the bone,
and that they would become so confused and
derailed in their entirety is beyond belief
and beyond imagination. The lunatic asylum
needs restructuring from its foundations,
because it has lost its compass and is now
sailing without any values or principles.


No one is born knowing, or learn by themselves,
how to be inhuman and how to press with their
knee another person's neck to incapacitate
and humiliate them and violate their dignity.
After teaching those techniques to their stooges
and underlings in their despicable academies,
these "houses of horror", they are now, after
the fact, after having witnessed the terrifying
effect their training has in practice, denying that
they have ever been doing it. Well, one would
hope that their condemnation follows out of
embarrassment and shame for their own role.
But, being skeptical and being cynical, as one
should after having witnessed so many
incidents, so many empty words and so many
empty promises and zero progress on these
issues, the best guess and the highest likelihood
is they are doing this to shed their own culpability
to absolve themselves of the heavy burden and
the responsibility and to escape monetary and
other damages and penalties. That is exactly
how this "society" and these "outfits" that
have been given undue powers, and undue
means to enforce these powers, feel entitled
to act and behave and react. Too bad, too
shameful, too unforgivable, too lethal and ironic.


As the Greek Prime Minister repeated, all of us
wish for Peace, Stability and Prosperity for Libya
and the Libyan People and send our best wishes.
On the other hand, as he so adeptly expressed,
a State which does not abide by the Tenets and
Dicta of International Law and which does not
follow International Treaties, even those with
Universal Acceptance such as the Law of the
Sea, cannot be perceived by other States as one
acting in Good Faith or as a Player having
Good and Friendly intentions vis-a-vis its
Neighbors and other States, but it is rather,
both de facto and de jure, acting as a State
sailing without compass and in perilous waters.


My heart weeps for the Palestinians. They have been
stuck with worthless, passive, wasting and wasteful
"leaders"  for several decades now and, in essence,
their State has been viewed as a pariah state and their
cause has been sitting idle and abandoned, without
it being defended properly and without them being
properly represented in international fora and in
places where decisions are negotiated and made.
A veritably lamentable situation and condition.
 


 

WHAT A RELIEF! BRAVO, PRESIDENT BIDEN
AND SECRETARY BLINKEN! WHAT A RELIEF!
Imposing sanctions on an International Jurist simply
because we did not like one of her initiatives... Makes
one's State seem like a pariah, a banana republic, instead
of the Greatest State on Earth. Of course, by participating
actively in any system, in any society, in any collaborative,
sometimes you'll find yourself on the wrong and sometime
on the right side of Justice and of the Law and of decisions
about the Law and about Jurisdiction. And your Greatness
and your Openness and your Magnanimity are the
Qualities that would allow you to humbly face trials
and consequences, where you are wrong, and try to
change things for the better, and to defend yourself,
where you believe you are on the right and wrongly
accused and/or excessively, disproportionately penalized.
The United States has the resolve and the means to
participate, and to call on all others to participate.
Behaving pettily, punishing those we do not like on
selfish grounds, and hiding is not the way we want
to Lead and to Participate in the International Life
and in the International Arena. BRAVO, PRESIDENT
BIDEN! BRAVO, SECRETARY BLINKEN! GREAT,
UNIMAGINABLE RELIEF.
 

The defense "law"yers have indicated they will argue
that the "force used was reasonable". That is what the
BBC reports. Let me ask them whether, if during an
arrest, an officer put his/her knee on their neck for
9 minutes and choked them (even if they had a pre-
existing condition that aggravated their breathing
capacity), would they not been incensed and outraged
(if they had not been dead, I mean), and would they
not have filed a lawsuit for inhumane behavior and
use of excessive force, right after returning to their
office, if they had evidence of the incident having
occurred and its brutality? And would they not have
been totally shocked and horrified at the indignity
inflicted on their person? And, if that was the case
- and, frankly, I can see no other alternative,  them
being "law"yers - do they think that their Dignity,
their Right to Life and their Person are worth more
and are more Inviolable and, therefore, should be
treated differently in the eyes of the Law, than the
Dignity, the Life and the Well-Being of George Floyd?
If not, then how could they, with decency and good
conscience, argue in a Court of Law that the "force
used was reasonable"? Not even in an autocratic
State, suppressing political dissent with brutality
during a street demonstration, would anyone be
able to argue that such "use of force is reasonable".
How could we, not only tolerate and condone, but
argue for "the use of such force being reasonable"
during an ordinary arrest in one of our Cities of
a Fellow Citizen of ours in our supposedly Democratic
and Well-Governed State? Sorry, but something is
fundamentally amiss and corrupt and bankrupt in
this country of ours for any of its citizens to be
shameless and bold and ruthless enough to argue
in good faith and good conscience about "such use
of force being reasonable", and this has to change.
AND CHANGE IT HAS TO IMMEDIATELY,
RIGHT NOW. BEFORE MORE GEORGE
FLOYDS LOSE THEIR LIVES AND WE GET TO
ARGUE THAT IT WAS DONE BY THE BOOK,
AND THAT THE FORCE USED TO KILL THEM
WAS REASONABLE AND FULLY JUSTIFIED.


It just takes your breath away simply by watching it.
And the security guys, instead of rushing to offer help,
are simply closing the door so as not to be bothered?
That is not the America we know and that is not the
State we want to live in; a warm, a caring State, whose
people show brotherhood, friendliness and solidarity,
first and foremost to those oppressed, disadvantaged
and discriminated upon. And this in NYC, a City with
so many people whose ancestors, Jews, Blacks, Irish,
Italians, and others, have been beaten, trampled upon
and disadvantaged like none other. Have we all gone
mad, have we all forgotten where we come from and
what is at stake here, for now and for the future?


Όταν σφίγγουν το χέρι, ο ήλιος είναι βέβαιος για τον κόσμο.
Όταν χαμογελάνε, ένα μικρό χελιδόνι φεύγει μέσα απ' τα άγρια γένια τους.
Όταν σκοτώνονται, η ζωή τραβάει την ανηφόρα με σημαίες και με ταμπούρλα.
 

With reason and/or with feeling and emotion, no one
could possibly imagine any other viable alternative.
BRAVO to those leaders that realize that cooperation
and coordination for the benefit of all is the ONLY
WAY, and want to make sure that thoughts and
words are backed by preparedness, planning,
strategy and action in a binding way for all. It is
not very flattering for the World that we saw,
under such severe stress on all Humanity, these
unsavory, petty and demeaning skirmishes on
who can get their hands on the vaccine first, as
if we were on a Black Friday at the doors of a
Walmart for buying the latest gadget, rather
than having to face a global pandemic, equally
threatening and equally devastating for all.


Oliver Dowden, the secretary of lack of culture of the
United Kingdom, has given an interview in The Times.
I only was able to read some excerpts in translation
on in.gr: «Όταν αρχίσεις να τραβάς αυτή την κλωστή,
πραγματικά πού καταλήγεις; Θα επιμέναμε στην
επιστροφή της Ταπισερί της Μπαγιέ; Αμερικανικά
ιδρύματα είναι ασφυκτικά γεμάτα από βρετανικά
αριστοτεχνήματα. Η Ιαπωνία έχει πληθώρα κινεζικών
και κορεατικών αριστοτεχνημάτων. Είναι εξαιρετικά
υψηλός ο πήχυς για αυτό… διότι απλά δε βλέπω πού
σταματά. Μπαίνεις σε μια τρύπα και δένεις τα χέρια
των ιδρυμάτων μας. Νομίζω ότι είναι απλά αδύνατο
να πας πίσω και να ξεμπλέξεις όλα αυτά τα πράγματα»
If this translation is accurate, let me say the following
in response. When you are in a position of power, of
leadership, and have a decision-making capacity, as a
politician, your duty is to do the RIGHT THING for
matters under your own Responsibility, where you
have the necessary and undeniable Jurisdiction.
Saying that you cannot improve the entire World
in similar matters, or that you cannot correct all
similar evils in the World, does not absolve you
from the Responsibility to act Righteously and do
the Right Thing in matters where you can do so,
and do so immediately. It is tiring and sickening to
hear people in power saying that they are not acting
because, due to larger evils, beyond their power, their
action would have insignificant effects. Imagine, just
imagine, if every Dowden, without concocted excuses
and without equivocation, took the one step in their
power to Right the wrongs under their jurisdiction.
Then nothing would be "entangled" and everything
would be "sorted out" and "straightforward",
without any persistent possession of stolen goods,
contraband antiquities and artifacts, and other
similar "complications", which, looked at as a
"hopeless whole", give the "honorable trickster",
Mr.  Dowden, such a headache that leave him so
"impotent" and "incapacitated" to act.


He, and others equally responsible, should be arrested,
brought to Justice at the Hague and sentenced to life in
prison without the possibility of parole for a murderous
rampage, based on political calculations, and for acts
unbecoming of a Human Being, let alone a "leader",
in the 3rd Decade of the 21st Century. The Judges at
the Hague should be preparing a case. It is high time
that, when atrocities like those taking place in Myanmar,
surpass human imagination in cruelty and barbarity, the
International Community, via its Organizations and its
Tribunals, show resolve and spring into action and hold
perpetrators, criminals and murderers accountable.


That is what happens when the Supreme Court
Members of one's Land are so privileged, so
biased and so short-sighted, all being graduates
of supey-dupey institutions, where affluence and
privilege manipulate the "students" and the
"scholars" to do their bidding and avoid any
"controversies", that they think and they opine
that the system of governance and the people
in power have surpassed the atrocious era of
Jim Crow and have moved on and that white
supremacy and mockery and condescension
against our Black Brothers and Sisters are not
a problem anymore. Or do I not recall correctly
that they were the ones that proclaimed that
the Federal Government does not have a role
to play anymore in monitoring "laws" that are
passed "down south" that oppress electorally
(and not only) my Black Brothers and Sisters
and that suppress their views and their votes
because they are the only ones with whose help
we can make our State a Better State, a More
Equal, a Fairer State for All, and because many
in the super-privileged class of their associates,
who are the hoarders of wealth, of governing
offices and privileges despise and fret these
struggles and these aspirations despite rhetoric?
SHAME TO GEORGIA, SHAME TO THE
ABSURD AND SHORT-SIGHTED DECISIONS
OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THIS LAND.
BRAVO TO THE PRESIDENT!! BRAVO TO
FIGHTERS, LIKE STACEY ABRAMS!!
BRAVO TO THOSE GEORGIANS THAT
SHOWED WHERE THEY STAND ON THIS
ISSUE IN THE LAST ELECTIONS!
THE FIGHT IS ON, MORE DYNAMIC AND
MORE VIBRANT THAN EVER. NO ONE IS
GIVING UP, NO ONE SHALL RELENT.