The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Stuart Creque ·
June 6, 2011 at 5:28am
Protesters in Greece who are steaming mad that the EU is imposing austerity conditions on their country as part of its bailout of their failing economy chose an unfortunate way to express displeasure toward their benefactors.
This is highly unlikely to help win over support for additional bailout money (now estimated to require 100 million Euros) from the German-led effort to save the Euro.
(Hat Tip: NRO The Corner.)
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Mar '11
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Actually this falls under old saw of doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. A Greek default is inevitable and the sooner they restructure their debt and exit the euro the quicker their economy can begin recovering. These bailouts only prolong the agony and really only to the benefit of the French and German banks who are on the hook for billions because of ill advised forays into Greek debt. I'm rather dubious that the protesters pictured have thought this through but if they help put an end to this bailout charade it is all to the better.
Edited on June 5, 2011 at 10:36pmDec '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Roberto: Actually this falls under old saw of doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. A Greek default is inevitable and the sooner they restructure their debt and exit the euro the quicker their economy can begin recovering. These bailouts only prolong the agony and really only to the benefit of the French and German banks who are on the hook for billions because of ill advised forays into Greek debt. I'm rather dubious that the protesters pictured have thought this through but if they help put an end to this bailout charade it is all to the better. ยท Jun 5 at 1:35pm
Edited on Jun 05 at 01:36 pm
Yes, that is true. But they might have done without the swastika and the Nazi salute. Hardly gestures of trans-European comity.
Mar '11
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
On the other hand, we may just have found Foreskin Man's new emblem.
Aug '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Ok, maybe I'm guilty of wanting to see the best in everyone, but do we KNOW that the person holding that poster intended for the swastika to be seen as a Nazi symbol?
Is it not possible that in Greece the swastika is still known for it's earlier, ancient, non-Nazi meanings?
It's a stretch, I realize. I don't know anything about modern Greek culture, one way or the other, and I don't know anything about Spiegel's reputation for journalistic integrity.
Still, the article that photo came from doesn't explain the photo in any way. The article doesn't even refer to the photo in any way. We have no context regarding the person holding up the poster.
It could be a case of a German newspaper trying to make Greek activists look bad.
Maybe. I dunno. (I'm not even convincing myself with this line of reasoning...)
Edited on June 5, 2011 at 11:29pmMay '11
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Misthiocracy: Ok, maybe I'm guilty of wanting to see the best in everyone, but do we KNOW that the person holding that poster intended for the swastika to be seen as a Nazi symbol?
Is it not possible that in Greece the swastika is still known for it's earlier, ancient, non-Nazi meanings?
Interesting idea. Might explain why the swastika is blue and yellow instead of red and black, and not tilted diagonally.
The article says the ancient Greeks did use swastikas in art, but usually as part of a larger pattern.
Dec '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
The modern Greeks are intimately familiar with the Nazi connotation of the swastika, having spent a number of years under German occupation in WWII. Anyone remember "The Guns of Navarone"? Or the fate of the Jews of Corfu, shipped off to concentration camps?
The Greeks may feel like the strings attached to the Eurozone bailout are a reprise of the German occupation. However, unlike during WWII, the Greeks have the option of disobeying the Germans: they just have to say no to the bailout money.
Edited on June 6, 2011 at 3:18amAug '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
I shamefully have to admit that my knowledge of WWII history is pretty much limited to Canada's involvement, as per the history curricula when I was in high school.
Edited on June 6, 2011 at 3:18amJul '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Misthiocracy: Ok, maybe I'm guilty of wanting to see the best in everyone, but do we KNOW that the person holding that poster intended for the swastika to be seen as a Nazi symbol?
Is it not possible that in Greece the swastika is still known for it's earlier, ancient, non-Nazi meanings?
Just as Gay no longer means Spontaneous and Happy, the swastika no longer, and never will again, mean anything other than the symbol of the National Socialists Democratic Party.
May '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Actually, there is something fascocialist about the EU, but these idiots aren't opposed to that.
Please, let the whole EU, Greece first, collapse. MAKE IT SO.
Mar '11
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
I wish the Germans would tell the Greeks "Screw you. You keep your flag. We'll keep our money".
Jul '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
But if so, what is the poster trying to communicate by mixing the swastika with the EU flag? That the EU is a symbol of the sun? Given that this was an anti-EU protest, it doesn't seem likely at all that any connotation other than the obvious one was intended.
Nov '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
You tell me to do something and I don't want to, then I call you a Nazi. Why? Because I can if I want to and your not the boss of me.
Nov '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
I'm of the opinion that everyone should read Jonah's book...
Mar '11
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
The swastika is an ancient Greek symbol of good fortune, in much the same way that it is in the Hindu tradition.
I guess the Nazis ruined it for everyone ;-)
Raised arms are not necessarily Nazi, either.
Jul '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Greece has drunk the kool aid. If the German banks manage to turn a buck on busted socialist buffoons, good for them. I haven't gotten around to seeing Waiting for Superman yet, but there may be an Athenian sequel.
May '11
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
In Athens a few years ago, I looked up an old friend. She is from a fairly wealthy family, so we were surprised that she was working full time. Her job? Trying to slow the eventual and gradual confiscation of her family's property. Yet, in spite of their best efforts, the Greek socialists have still not brought Utopia. Imagine that!
Edited on June 6, 2011 at 8:25amMay '11
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
If EU bailouts are a form of Nazism then it differs from the traditional kind, because this time the German citizenry are not enthusiastic participants. I'm sure most taxpayers would gladly stop subsidizing Greece's economic ineptitude if they had any say in the matter.
Edited on June 6, 2011 at 2:17pmAug '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Stuart Creque
But they might have done without the swastika and the Nazi salute.
A minor point: that hand gesture in Greece means "go to hell." The protesters are standing in Constitution Square in Athens, facing the parliament building, and they are directing that gesture at their own politicians.
The swastika, however, is fully meant to invoke Nazism.
May '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
What they mean is "Germans, stop being Nazis by not being socialist enough."
Oct '10
Re: The Greeks: Unclear on the Concept of Not Biting the Hand That Feeds You
Looks like a frat party after the neighbors told them to turn the music down.