Athens66: Politics

A Song for Peace

Yesterday our friend Michalis suggested we dedicate a song for the war in Palestine as part of another blogo-post-game that started from another friendly blog. Usually I don't take part in such threads (with the exception of the top albums as voted by Greek bloggers that gone4sure started). Nevertheless, I promised to give this one a go.

My view on the Palestine issue has already been stated in a couple of previous posts, so today I'll just stick to dedicating Palace Brother's track You Will Miss Me When I Burn and wish that the violence ends soon (don't bet on it though despite the temporary pullout). Any fellow bloggers that wish to respond with a dedication of their own, please free to join in..

Palace Brothers - You Will Miss Me When I Burn

When you have no one
No one can hurt you
When you have no one
No one can hurt you

In the corner there is light
That is good for you
And behind you, I have warned you
There are awful things

Will you miss me when I burn
And will you eye me with a longing?
It is longing that I feel
To be missed or to be real

When you have no one
No one can hurt you
When you have no one
No one can hurt you

Will you miss me when I burn
And will you close the others' eyes
It would be such a favor
If you would blind them

There is absence, there is lack
There are wolves here abound
You will miss me
When I turn around

When you have no one
No one can hurt you
When you have no one
No one can hurt you

Free Gaza

No change (as expected) from this front. The assault is now on its 17th day (3rd week) and despite global outcry Israel is continuing bombing Gaza (with white phosphorus) and pushing even reservist troops into civilian towns. The death toll has risen to at least 884 (half of which women and children) and around 3,860 injured (413 of them in critical condition). On the other hand, Israel's casualty toll has reached 13 people, three of which civilians. Still we continue to demonstrate (see photos below from Saturday) along with millions around the globe. This blood will not be on our hands..

Gaza Strip Genocide

When you thought that things couldn't get any worst in this fucked up world, along comes Israel with yet another "defensive" war. As always, the UN, EU and US stand back and enjoy the bloodbath. What else could anyone else expect..there are no oil rigs in Gaza so who cares how many innocent civilian lives are sacrificed. And I'm definitely not just blaming Israel for its short-term selective memory, since I find all western (and eastern) countries equally responsible for every murdered life in Gaza. A population of 1.5 million people trapped inside closed borders waiting each minute to be bombard, shot or slowly die from hunger and lack of medical supplies. A true genocide with the blessings of the post-war "civilized" nations.

Israel shelled Gaza Palestinians after evacuating them, UN says:
According to testimonies gathered by the UN, Israeli soldiers evacuated around 110 Palestinians to a single-storey house in Zeitoun, south-east Gaza. The evacuees were instructed to stay indoors for their own safety but 24 hours later the Israeli army shelled the house with rockets. Around half the Palestinians sheltering in the house were children, OCHA said.

UN: No Hamas Fighters in Bombed Gaza School:
United Nations investigators say they have uncovered no evidence to support a claim by the Israeli military that Hamas fighters were holed up in a Gaza school, prompting a deadly attack by Israeli forces that killed 40 civilians, many of them children.

How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe:
A rogue state habitually violates international law, possesses weapons of mass destruction and practises terrorism - the use of violence against civilians for political purposes. Israel fulfils all of these three criteria; the cap fits and it must wear it. Israel's real aim is not peaceful coexistence with its Palestinian neighbours but military domination.

The Safest Bet

A big thumbs up to Βλαχοκυριλές for his recent prank on Greek media. A photoshoped bet on Betfair regarding the burn-down of the new Christmas Tree during the holiday season. Of' course, even the big media channels such as Skai and Ant-1 replicated the news without even noticing that it was a joke. Hands-on proof of the quality of journalism in Greek media. Well done mate!!

Full Moon Athens

Most of you probably never learned about this during the holiday season but we had a full moon here in downtown Athens (although all media chose not share this with you). The moonshine was visible only in front of the central church in Athens (full coverage below).

PS. Thanks to indymedia and PoPoCulture for this.

Merry Christmas (I do want to fight)

The holiday spirit is finally back in Athens after the long awaiting of the new Christmas tree...All our problems have now been solved and we can get back to enjoying our prosperous life in this magical ~~shithole~~ city..

Another Day

Another day

Another demonstration

Another hit by the police

PS. Once again, images and videos by keepquestioning

On the streets

If police violence during mass demonstrations wasn't enough...

They now started to gas people on the streets of civil districts...

What's next??

PS. Thanks to keepquestioning for the pictures and info (from yesterday's afternoon planned demonstration in Kaisariani)

I Take Full Responsibility

This is the new catchphrase in Greek politics..
Taking full responsibility but not actually doing anything..

Just do say it

So what's our answer to these hypocrites?

One word..

Resistance

The Revolution will not be Televised

or maybe it will be...

Updated with the video

PS. News from #griots and picture from Indy 1208

The Revolution will not be Televised

There will be no pictures of pigs shooting down
brothers in the instant replay

Burn it to the Ground!

There so much talk about all this that I don't think it's worth adding much more.

As Frank would have dictated...

Burn it to the ground

Time for Change?

The time has come; we are only 1 day away from the presidential elections in the US and Lewis Hamilton all the way from Brazil has led the way. Yesterday was victory no.1 with Lewis winning the F1 world championship in a dramatic Brazilian GP, but the best is (hopefully) yet to come with tomorrow's showdown in the US. Until then, let's just sit back and watch how Obama's candidacy actually turns out. Change? O' the Times...

Morning Update from our fellow Bloggers

In an attempt to wake up and get back to working, I managed to do my casual blog roundup while sipping my morning coffee. Two posts (beside the death of Don Lafontaine) caught my attention and got in the mood for re-posting them.
First one (although BLR will curse me once again for this), the new Obama campaign spot titled "Signs Of Hope & Change". We fully supported the guy from the start, but now comes a political spot based on National’s Fake Empire to top it off!! (posted on Salad Days Music and originally on Stereogum)

The other post was from Stereo Sancity and is (finally) the trailer of Gus Van Sant’s eagerly awaited (probably mostly by me) new film Milk, starring Sean Penn. Our favorite director is back in Hollywood form and is ready to once again hit big time after many years of experimental films (although we loved him mostly for those).

Clear the way for Obama - McCain you're next!

After yesterday’s elections in the states of South Dakota and Montana, Obama was finally able to claim victory over Hillary and become the first black candidate to ever run for US president. The 46 year-old senator from Illinois won in Montana and lost in South Dakota, but that was enough to reach (according to CNN’s projections) a total of 2.156 delegates and pass the magic number of 2.118 required for winning (Hillary has 1.923). Times are indeed changing (hopefully for the best) and now come the easy part of claiming victory over ageing republican McCain.

Dirt off his Shoulder (the Obama way)

Here in Athens66 we have openly stated our support to Obama (well at least I have, since BLR obviously doesn't give a fuck about politics...except if they tried to tax Dry Martinis more!). After the Puerto Rico vote, which was probably Hillary's last win, Obama needs only 47 more delegated to finally claim the majority (in a race that has been decided for quite some weeks now). So, it's time for Obama to get that Dirt off his Shoulder and head for the next one (McCain)...

Happy May (Labor) Day

It is May (Labor) Day today (at least for Europeans) and while most are probably enjoying the holiday at home or some vacation place, some of us are instead working (or pretending to). Nevertheless, a tribute (yet another after yesterday's LSD tribute) to all workers and their fight against capitalism (although these days the workers' rights are stepped upon each day...guess we now know who won in the long run). 122 years have passed since May 1st 1886 and still 8-hours shifts seems like a dream for a lot of people in the world. I guess in 122 years from now we will still be fighting for the same things (or perhaps hope for even less).

Racist or Sexist?

As the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate election continues it is now evident that this is a marathon (unlike the Republican sprint) until the end of August. It is in Denver at the Democratic National Convention held from 25th till 28th of August that the superdelegates - which are basically a set of elected officials including former democratic presidents, vice-presidents, senators etc. – will decide the next Democratic candidate that will face the aged and uninspiring (obviously I’m judgmental here) John McCain.

The idea that a set of official members and not the people, who have voted in dozens of states by the millions, will decide the “Democratic” candidate seems somewhat ironic. Once again, you may accuse me of being judgmental about the election process due to the fact that most polls (and elections so far) show Obama as the favorite of the people, while Clinton has the superdelegates on her side. But then again, if I have to choose between racist or sexist, I’ll prefer to be accused as sexist and vote Obama all the way to the White House – how racists is that? Regardless of the result, one thing is for sure, the presidential race has proven a real delight for a change.

Obviously, I’m no political analyst nor have I followed the election on a daily basis (with the exception when I’m abroad and have to suffer through either CNN or even worst FOX-news) but we all have the right to a personal view. Hopefully Obama will give the final blow in Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks time and put an end to his big-state syndrome. Will see..

No matter what you may say, I found Juno a real pleasure to watch (and hear)