Proselytizing children and adolescents to fascism – Greece’s Golden Dawn “spiritual awakening” seminars

Europe has a tradition in democracy.

Democracy was born in Athens, Greece.

However, today democracy is having a really tough time in its own birthplace.

The town of Artemisia (Loutsa) is 20 km east of Athens.

Golden Dawn's "Spiritual Awakening" Seminars
Golden Dawn’s “Spiritual Awakening” Seminars

In this low to middle income sleepy town, the extreme right party of Golden Dawn has started proselytizing children and adolescents, claiming that they teach them history.

“Ta Nea” (The News) newspaper reports today that on Saturday, 23rd February the Artemissia (Loutsa) office of the Golden Dawn party issued a statement that they started a program of “spiritual awakening” that is addressed to children and adolescents.

According to the article written by Yannis Papadopoulos, the program is based on the book “Propaganda – Methodology and techniques of the manipulation of the masses”, written by the Propaganda Minister of the Colonel’s Greek Junta Georgios Georgalas back in 1967.

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On the website of the newspaper one can find also interviews with 14-14 year olds who say that “whenever they meet a Pakistani they run after him”. The argument they use is convincing: “If the Golden Dawn (adult) members do it, why shouldn’t we?”

Attacking – and even murdering – “foreigners with dark skin color” is happening in the country that gave birth to democracy.

Golden Dawn is the third most popular party according to the polls after New Democracy and SYRIZA.

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The leaders of the fascist party make open and clear statements regarding their view of democracy and its institutions.

Recently Golden Dawn invited in their offices in the Greek Parliament German Neo-Nazis.

In spite of all that, Golden Dawn is today a legally recognized party that benefits from all the rights of – whatever remains of – the Greek Democracy.

Golden Dawn and German Neo-Nazis in the Greek Parliament
Golden Dawn and German Neo-Nazis in the Greek Parliament

This attitude of tolerance – or rather cowardice – towards the fascists I find as one more sign that Greece is rapidly becoming a society that has lost its democratic bearings. With potentially disastrous implications.

Why New Democracy, PASOK, Democratic Left and SYRIZA do not ask the institutional court of the country to outlaw Golden Dawn?

My question should be read as technical. I am not a constitutional expert. The procedure may be different, but the fact is that if these parties wanted, they could outlaw Golden Dawn.

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The fact is that they do not do it.

“We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. We should claim that any movement preaching intolerance places itself outside the law, and we should consider incitement to intolerance and persecution as criminal.” Karl Popper, Philosopher.

 

Greek Parliamentary Elections 6th May 2012 – Ελληνικες Κοινοβουλευτικες Εκλογες 6η Μαϊου 2012

The parliamentary elections of 6th May 2012 may be the most critical in Greece since 1974.

Οι εκλογες της 6ης Μαϊου 2012 ειναι ισως οι πιο κρισιμες στην Ελλαδα μετα το 1974.

Manos Hadjidakis – Μανος Χατζηδακις

This may sound like a trivial statement, as the words lose their meaning when repeated blindly. I will therefore try to explain why I consider them important and also express my views regarding the status of the political system in Greece.

Αυτο εχει καταντησει κοινοτυπια ισως, αλλα καμια φορα ολοι λεμε το ιδιο, αλλά εννοουμε κατι διαφορετικο. Θα προσπαθησω λοιπον να εξηγησω πως και γιατι τις θεωρω τοσο σημαντικες αυτες τις εκλογες, και να διατυπωσω καποιες σκεψεις για το πολιτικο σκηνικο στην Ελλαδα.

Aris Alexandrou – Αρης Αλεξανδρου

In my opinion the elections are critical because Greece is already at the edge. The country has not yet fallen down the ridge, but is almost ready to fall. Unemployment has exceeded 21%.  Private businesses are going bankrupt, one after another. And the worst of all, there appears to be no way out of this nightmare. We talk a lot about the future, but we do not actually see a future.

Κατα τη γνωμη μου η κρισιμοτητα των εκλογων εγκειται στο οτι αυτες οι εκλογες πραγματοποιουνται με την Ελλαδα ευρισκομενη στα καγκελα. Ισως οχι επανω στα καγκελα, αλλα πολυ κοντα σε αυτα. Η ανεργια ξεπερασε το 21%. Οι επιχειρησεις κλεινουν η μια μετα την αλλη. Και το χειροτερο απο ολα, δεν υπαρχει προοπτικη. Μιλαμε για το μελλον και μελλον δενβλεπουμε.

Yannis Tsarouhis – Γιαννης Τσαρουχης

The polls show the end of the duopoly of power in Greek politics. New Democracy (ND), the center-right party and PASOK, the center-left party, who dominated Greek politics since 1974 will not even get between them half of the votes. Thousands of pages have been written regarding the exact numbers, the parliament seats between the two parties. the fact remains that none of the two will be able to form a government alone.

Ολα τα στοιχεια των δημοσκοπησεων δειχνουν το τελος της εναλλαγης των δυο μεγαλων κομματων στην εξουσια. Με την εννοια οτι τα δυο μεγαλα κομματα που κυριαρχησαν στο πολιτικο πεδιο απο το 1974 μεχρι σημερα δεν θα εχουν πλεον ουτε το ημισυ των εγκυρων ψηφων. Και μαλιστα εχουν αναλωθει τοννοι μελανης για το που θα κυμανθει το αθροιστικο τους ποσοστο και ποιες θα ειναι οι κατανομες των εδρων, και αλλα σχετικα. Πιθανωτατα κανενα απο τα δυο δεν θα εχει τις εδρες που απαιτουνται για να σχηματισει αυτοδυναμη Κυβερνηση.

Maria Callas – Μαρια Καλλας

The end of the duopoly of power and the lack of absolute majority may force ND, who will most likely get most of the votes, albeit a very small percentage compared to the “glorious” past (and PASOK) to form a coalition government with the participation of more than one other parties.

At the same time, this dramatic shift in the electoral vote may also signal the beginning of a period of uncertainty and instability in Greek politics.

Το τελος της αυτοδυναμιας σημαινει ομως και την πιθανη απαρχη κυβερνησεων συνεργασιας. Κυβερνησεων στις οποιες συμμετεχουν περισσοτερα απο ενα κομματα.

Μπορει ομως και να σημαινει την πιθανη εναρξη μιας περιοδου ασταθειας και αβεβαιοτητας στο πολιτικο σκηνικο.

Yannis Ritsos – Γιαννης Ριτσος

Some analysts have put forward the scenario of a repeat election, should the first one end without a government.

It is possible, although in my view nothing will change dramatically with a repeat election. ND and PASOK will continue to have approximately half of the votes between themselves and whoever forms a government, will either do it jointly with another party, or ask for another party’s vote of confidence.

Ακουγεται επισης και το σεναριο της επαναληψεως των εκλογων.

Ολα ειναι πιθανα, αλλα κατα την γνωμη μου και με επαναληπτικες εκλογες το τοπιο δεν θα αλλαξει ριζικα. Τα μεγαλα κομματα δεν θα ειναι πια τοσο μεγαλα, και η οποια Κυβερνηση θα πρεπει να εχει και ενα τουλαχιστον αλλο κομμα, ή να εξασφαλισει ψηφο εμπιστοσυνης απο ενα ή περισσοτερα άλλα κομματα.

Melina Merkouri – Μελινα Μερκουρη

Having said that, one should allow for transfers of members of parliament from one party to another, after they have been elected. This could be similar to the phenomenon of the mice jumping off a sinking ship. The identities of the ships and the mice will have to be established.

As this article is written, we only have three days to go to election day. ND and PASOK attempt a last minute gathering of votes. Is it going to change anything? Rather difficult. A lot of Greek citizens seem to have decided to turn their face away from their old loves.

Δεν θα πρεπει βεβαια να αποκλειεται το ενδεχομενο να εχομε και φαινομενα αποσκιρτησεως βουλευτων που εκλεχτηκαν με ενα κομμα αλλα μεταγραφονται σε αλλο κομμα μετα τις εκλογες. Εδω ισως ισχυει και το οτι “τα ποντικια εγκαταλειπουν το σκαφος οταν αυτο βυθιζεται”. Τωρα ποια θα ειναι τα βυθιζομενα σκαφη και ποια τα ποντικια, θα το δειξει η ιστορια.

Την εβδομαδα αυτη, την τελευταια πριν τις εκλογες, επιχειρειται η συσπειρωση των δυο μεγαλων. Απεγνωσμενη προσπαθεια; Φαινεται οτι παρα πολλοι πολιτες φαινονται αποφασισμενοι να γυρισουν το προσωπο αλλου.

Σωτηρια Μπελλου

Is the country going to have a stable government if only ND and PASOK are the potential participants? What about a government of ND that receives a confidence (tolerance) vote from PASOK? Or are we going to see alliances built around the left of center parties and the so called anti-memorandum parties?

Before I answer this question, I need to first address another one.

Θα ειναι επαρκης και σταθερη μια Κυβερνηση μονο με τη Νεα Δημοκρατια και το ΠΑΣΟΚ; Η εστω μια Κυβερνηση ΝΔ με ψηφο εμπιστοσυνης, δηλαδη ψηφο ανοχης απο το ΠΑΣΟΚ; Η μηπως θα δουμε συνεργατικα σχηματα με πυρηνα αριστερα κομματα και λοιπες αντιμνημονιακες δυναμεις;

Για να απαντησω αυτο το ερωτημα θα πρεπει προηγουμενα να θεσω ενα αλλο.

Vassilis Tsitsanis and Stelios Kazantzidis – Βασιλης Τσιτσανης και Στελιος Καζαντζιδης

What is the action plan of the new government? Will there be one?

One the one hand we have the parties that support the memorandum that is the foundation of the rescue plan of the Greek economy. But the memorandum by itself is not a plan, it is a contract between Greece and its lenders. By saying yes to this contract and expressing a wish to remain in the EURO-zone, we do not really answer how we are going to get out of today’s nightmare.

Ποιο προγραμμα θα κληθει να εκτελεσει η οποιαδηποτε νεα Κυβερνηση; Θα εχει πορεια πλευσης;

Απο τη μια μερια εχομε το λεγομενο μπλοκ των μνημονιακων δυναμεων. Ομως, το να λεμε ΝΑΙ στο μνημονιο και ΝΑΙ στην Ευρωπη και το ΕΥΡΩ δεν απαντα το θεμελιωδες ερωτημα: “Τι πρεπει να κανουμε για να βγουμε απο τον εφιαλτη;”

Domna Samiou – Δομνα Σαμιου

As a reminder, the memorandum – based contracts today provide for a regular cash infusion every quarter so that the Greek State can pay interest on its loans, salaries and pensions.

Υπενθυμιζω οτι αυτη τη στιγμη με τις δανειακες μνημονιακες συμβασεις εχομε απλα εξασφαλισει τριμηνο με το τριμηνο καποιες στοιχειωδεις χρηματορροες για να πληρωνονται οι τοκοι των δανειων, οι μισθοι και συνταξεις του Δημοσιου Τομεα.

Dimitri Mitropoulos – Δημητρης Μητροπουλος

The future of Greece continues to be uncertain, as the private sector day after day goes downhill and there seems to be nothing new to create value and jobs in the economy.

At the same time, the monstrous state machine continues to operate almost unhindered, using huge amounts of cash.

Το μελλον της Ελλαδας εξακολουθει να ειναι αβεβαιο, αφου ο ιδιωτικος τομεας μερα με τη μερα εξασθενιζει και δεν φαινεται να δημιουργειται κατι καινουργιο για να δημιουργησει αξια και θεσεις εργασιας.

Την ιδια στιγμη, το τερατωδες κρατος συνεχιζει αταραχο να καταβροχθιζει τεραστια ποσα.

Odisseas Elytis – Οδυσσεας Ελυτης

The other side of the political landscape is occupied by the forces against the memorandum.

They do not seem to have a plan for walking out of the memorandum and its obligations. I think they verge on a “Deus ex machina” solution, or a glorified suicide.

A lot has been said and written about the return to the Drachma. I would be willing to listen to a serious plan and be convinced by a team of people who know what they are talking about. I am still waiting.

Απο την αλλη μερια εχομε τους αντιμνημονιακους, που ομολογω οτι δεν με πειθουν οτι λενε κατι περισσοτερο απο το να αυτοκτονησουμε με υπερηφανια. Σερνουνε ενα μοντερνο χορο του Ζαλογγου, και καλουν ολους τους Ελληνες και τις Ελληνιδες να τους ακολουθησουν.  Δεν εχω κανενα προβλημα να συζητησω και να ακουσω την επιστροφη στη δραχμη. Θελω ομως να δω ενα συνεκτικο προγραμμα και ποιοι ειναι οι αξιοπιστοι διαχειριστες που θα εχουν την ευθυνη εφαρμογης του προγραμματος.

Mikis Theodorakis – Μικης Θεοδωρακης

As it happens today, the anti-memorandum parties express wishes or their will. But this is not enough.

In addition, they are deploying terminology reminiscent of the Great Divide of the Greeks for centuries.

Instead of arguments, they call the other side traitors, not good enough Greeks, and so on. Attitudes that have cost us dearly in the past.

Δεν ειναι δυνατον να στηριζομαστε σε ευχες.

Επισης εκεινο που με απωθει στο αντιμνημονιακο μπλοκ ειναι ολοη η φρασεολογια περι προδοτων και εθνικης μειοδοσιας. Η φρασεολογια αυτη φερνει στη μνημη τις δοξασμενες εποχες οπου η Ελλας ηταν διχασμενη και χρεωκοπημενη. Προς τι λοιπον η επαναληψη των λαθων του παρελθοντος;

Markos Vamvakaris – Μαρκος Βαμβακαρης

Back in the pro-memorandum camp, ND and PASOK do not have a comprehensive action plan for the return of Greece to growth and prosperity, nor do they have any credibility left to buy more time. The smaller parties try to formulate plans and present them, but very few people listen. This is due to the prevailing until today attitude, of dealing with the small parties as add-ons of convenience to ND and PASOK.

This pathetic situation leads to the domination of the teams put forward by the lenders (the so called troika). They dominate because they play alone in the field.

Καταληγω λοιπον στο συμπερασμα οτι στο μεν μνημονιακο χωρο ΝΔ και ΠΑΣΟΚ πρακτικα δεν εχουν συγκεκριμενο προγραμμα ουτε και – δυστυχως – την απαιτουμενη αξιοπιστια για να εφαρμοσουν οποιοδηποτε προγραμμα εχουν. Τα μικροτερα κομματα προσπαθουν να ειναι πιο συγκεκριμενα, αλλα η φωνη τους δεν εχει ακομη ακουστει επι της ουσιας. Και αυτο επειδη μεχρι σημερα τα μικρα κομματα επαιζαν το ρολο της ουρας και του παραγεμισματος, και οχι τον ρολο ενος εταιρου στην διακυβερνηση της χωρας.

Αυτο το κενο οδηγει μαθηματικα στην επικυριαρχια των τεχνοκρατων της τροϊκας και των δανειστων μας. Επικυριαρχουν επανω στην ταπεινωτικη ανεπαρκεια των ελληνικων μνημονιακων δυναμεων. Ανεπαρκεια που κρινεται εκ του αποτελεσματος, οχι εκ των προθεσεων. Και εκ της ανικανοτητας των ΝΔ και ΠΑΣΟΚ να μορφωσουν και συγκροτησουν πραγματικες πλατφορμας συνεργασιας με τα μικροτερα κομματα.

Andreas Empeirikos – Ανδρεας Εμπειρικος

Unless ND and PASOK change, which I cannot see how, I foresse a continuation of the disastrous policies of more and more taxes that kill whatever is left of the real economy in Greece.

In the anti-memorandum camp, I do not see any alliance forming with the capability of forming a government. They will remain a force of denial.

Εαν η ΝΔ και το ΠΑΣΟΚ δεν αλλαξουν πορεια, προβλεπω επισης οτι θα συνεχισθει ο βαναυσος δρομος της επιβολης προσθετων φορολογικων βαρων, που σκοτωνει την οποια οικονομια εχει απομεινει σε αυτον τον τοπο.

Στο αντιμνημονιακο μπλοκ δεν βλεπω τελικα να διαμορφωνεται πλατφορμα κυβερνητικης συνεργασιας. Το ΚΚΕ ειναι ανενδοτο. Ο Πανος Καμμενος ειναι σχεδον αδυνατο να συνυπαρξει με τις αριστερες δυναμεις.

Elli Lampeti – Ελλη Λαμπετη

Today we do not have solid ground to be optimistic that Greece will have a stable government with a plan to restart the economy and a team of experienced people who will implement it.

Παρολον οτι λοιπον θα ηθελα πολυ να εχει η Ελλας Κυβερνηση μετα τις εκλογες, αλλα πανω απολα να εχει Κυβερνηση με Προγραμμα και με ικανα στελεχη για να εφαρμοσει το προγραμμα, τα μεχρι σημερα δεδομενα αλλα και η συμπεριφορα των μεχρι σημερα κυριαρχων πολιτικων δυναμεων, δηλωνουν κατι διαφορετικο.

Katina Paxinou – Κατινα Παξινου

It is more likely that we will have a government without stability and clear direction.

Should this happen, the situation in Greece will deteriorate substantially.

Το πιο πιθανο ειναι να εχομε μια αδυνατη και ασταθη Κυβερνηση που δεν θα εχει σταθερο προσανατολισμο και εκτελεστικη ικανοτητα. Και το χειροτερο απολα, μια κυβερνηση που δεν θα εχει το οραμα και την τολμη και την εκτελεστικη ικανοτητα να βαλει τη χωρα σε μια σταθερη πορεια.

Αυτο σημαινει οτι η κατασταση της χωρας πορει και να επιδεινωθει, αφου το κενο που θα δημιουργηθει θα προκαλεσει νεες εσωτερικες ανακαταταξεις στους πολιτικους σχηματισμους αλλα και την κοινωνια.

Οι δε μαθητευομενοι και εν πολλοις ανικανοι μαγοι της ελληνικης πολιτικης μπορει να διαμορφωσουν ενα εκρηκτικο μιγμα στην κοινωνια, που δεν θα αντεξει για πολυ.

George Seferis – Γιωργος Σεφερης

If we take into account the developments in Europe, things look even worse for Greece. Spain is now entrenched  in acute crisis that does not leave room for doubt about priorities. Greece is no longer the focus of attention, and most likely it will not be unless we have catastrophic failures and social explosion.

Τα πραγματα ειναι ακομη χειροτερα αν δουμε τι γινεται στην Ευρωπη. Η συνεχως επεκτεινομενη κριση – τωρα η Ισπανια ειναι σε τραγικη κατασταση – δημιουργει στους Ευρωπαιους εταιρους της Ελλαδας και δευτερες σκεψεις. Αυτο που ισχυε πριν, οτι δηλαδη η Ελλαδα ειναι ο αδυναμος κρικος και θα δημιουργησει χαος αν φυγει απο το ΕΥΡΩ, δεν ισχυει πια, αφου η Ισπανια ειναι ο νεος αδυναμος κρικος που θα απαιτησει και πολυ μεγαλυτερα ποσα για την σωτηρια της. Το μονο βεβαιο ειναι οτι η κατασταση βαινει επιδεινουμενη για την μικρη και αδυνατη Ελλαδα.

Costis Palamas – Κωστης Παλαμας

Reading the text again, I can see that it is not an optimistic text.

I hope that the future will prove me wrong. I only need to wait (and survive) the next five years.

Φοβαμαι τωρα που ξαναδιαβαζω το κειμενο οτι ειναι απαισιοδοξο.

Μακαρι να βγω λαθος. Η επομενη πενταετια θα το δειξει.

Long live Democracy!!! (on the occasion of the 11th September 2001)

The 11th September 2001 is a black day for the USA, but also for all supporters of Democracy in the world. This is not because USA is a perfect democracy. It is because the use of violence in anything other than an attempt to prevent the opponents of Democratic rule from achieving their objectives, is an attack on Democracy and its institutions.The fact that the actors of the event were Muslim does not imply that the real conflict is a conflict between religions. The real conflict is a conflict between an Open and a Closed Society.

I believe that there is no better response to this tragedy than to strengthen the institutions in our Democracies, and galvanize our resolve not to succumb to the use of blind violence as a means of resolving issues.

In this spirit and frame of mind, I found no better way to commemorate the horrible event, than to share with you some fragments of “sophia” or wisdom, from the work of Karl Popper, as expressed in his work “The Open Sociaty and its Enemies”.

Pericles

The Golden Period of Athens coincides with Pericles. This is not an accident. Pericles is the supreme democratic leader in the city of Athens. In his two volume work, Popper begins with a review of Plato and his political philosophy, and continues in the second volume with Hegel and Marx.

In the first volume, Popper documents his view of Pericles as the supreme leader of democratic Athens, whereas Plato emerges as a conservative, supporting the oligarchy and the undermining of democratic rule.

Here is how Popper is quoting Pericles’ famous funeral oration as reported by Thucydides:

“Our political system does not compete with with institutions which are elsewhere in force. We do not copy our neighbors, but try to be an example. Our administration favors the many instead of the few: this is why it is called a democracy. The laws afford equal justice to all alike in their private disputes, but we do not ignore the claims of excellence. When a citizen distinguishes himself, then he will be called to serve the state, in preference to others, not as a matter of privilege, but as a reward of merit; and poverty is no bar.

… The freedom we enjoy extends also to ordinary life; we are not suspicious of one another, and we do not nag our neighbor if he chooses to go his own way. … But this freedom does not make us lawless. We are taught to respect the magistrates and the laws, and never to forget that we must protect the injured. And we are also taught to observe those unwritten laws whose sanction lies only in the universal feeling of what is right….

Our city is thrown open to the world; we never expel a foreigner…. We are free to live exactly as we please, and yet, we are always ready to face any danger…. We love beauty without indulging in fancies, and although we try to improve our intellect. this does not weaken our will…. To admit one’s poverty is no disgrace with us; but we consider it disgraceful not to make an effort to avoid it. An Athenian citizen does not neglect public affairs when attending to his private business…. We consider a man who takes no interest in the state not as harmless, but as useless; and although only a few may originate a policy, we are all able to judge it. [Emphasis in Popper.] We do not look upon discussion as a stumbling block in the way of political action, but as an indispensable preliminary to acting wisely….”

 The excerpt that follows is from Chapter 19 of the second volume, where Popper defines the basic rules that characterize democracy.

“….(the rules of democracy)… may be summarised as…

1. Democracy cannot be fully characterised as the rule of the majority…In a democracy, the power of the rulers must be limited; and the criterion of a democracy is this: In a democracy, the rulers – that is to say the government – can be dismissed by the ruled without bloodshed.

Karl Popper

2. We need only distinguish between two forms of government, viz. such as posess institutions of this kind, and all others; i.e. democracies and tyrannies.

3. A consistent democratic constitution should exclude only one type of change in the legal system, namely a change which would endanger its democratic character.

4. In a democracy, the full protection of minorities should not extend to those who violate the law, and especially not to those who incite others to the violent overthrow of the democracy.

 

5. A policy of framing institutions to safeguard democracy must always proceed on the assumption that there may be antidemocratic tendencies latent among the ruled as well as among the rulers.

6. If democracy is destroyed, all rights are destroyed. Even if certain economic advantages enjoyed by the ruled should persist, they would persist only on sufferance.

7. Democracy provides an invaluable battle-ground for any reasonable reform, since it permits reform without violence. “