Greece will be a war zone, Sect of Revolutionaries warns tourists

Greece will be a war zone, Sect of Revolutionaries warns tourists

www.guardian.co.uk

Greek security forces have warned of a wave of violence reminiscent of the terror that stalked Italy in the seventies after urban guerillas threatened last week to turn the country into a "war zone".

"Greece has entered a new phase of political violence by anarchist-oriented organisations that are more murderous, dangerous, capable and nihilistic than ever before," said Athanasios Drougos, a defence and counter-terrorism analyst in Athens.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Will this be an emergent pattern across the 'west' as capitalism-in-extremis collapses?

Will they target tourists?

How would you react in this situation? Or should that be how WILL you react?

In other news today, I saw that there is a real threat of a double dip recession as the recovery in the US slows (can't find link right now, will edit). If TSHTF there, how will all the militia men and gun owners react?

Personally, I would fight. I would launch a campaign against symbols of the abusive form of capitalism which, despite providing wonderful things for us (but definitely not everyone!), is raping and pillaging the world in ever more visible ways. Petrol stations. Ubiquitous fast food chains. Banks.

Interesting use of the word 'sect' in the headline - the religious connotations of the word make the revolutionaries seem like they have a faith - and some have called communism a faith. Think it is pretty perjorative myself, and aimed at making them seem like nutjobs.

Looking forward to seeing how this develops.

Your thoughts?

www.guardian.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

Anything like large scale rioting in a european country would make things much worse. I think its only a matter of time before the EU take over policing in the econmicaly weaker countries.

I Live in Ireland and Europe has basically taken control of the economy giving banks money to pay off their debts while cutting back on social welfare, healthcare and education at the same time.

I know that if a foreign invader attacked my country I would be compelled to fight back but attackig tourists would only damage their cause.

The greeks should burn down the banks and government buildings. Not pay any taxes and strike till the bankers, the IMF and their corrupt government is arrested, hanged or exiled.

Every country bankrupted by the bankers should do the same.

And a few of my friends just came back from Greece. ``Greece is a war zone`` is utter propaganda.

All of Greece isn't in violence. Only Athens.

[edit on 31-7-2010 by Vitchilo]

My youngest daughter wants to go back to Greece next summer for international studies. She went there 4 years ago and had the time of her life.

She'll be a senior in college going for her Master's in accounting and wants some international banking experience/education. I've tried to talk to her about "Why Greece?" in regard to business. Why not Hong Kong? Well, she seems to be like most kids and doesn't listen to reason. We'll see...

I'm concerned about more than Greece having anarchy.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

And a few of my friends just came back from Greece. ``Greece is a war zone`` is utter propaganda.

All of Greece isn't in violence. Only Athens.

[edit on 31-7-2010 by Vitchilo]

Your making a father feel much better, thank you.

Originally posted by hinky
My youngest daughter wants to go back to Greece next summer for international studies. She went there 4 years ago and had the time of her life.

She'll be a senior in college going for her Master's in accounting and wants some international banking experience/education. I've tried to talk to her about "Why Greece?" in regard to business. Why not Hong Kong? Well, she seems to be like most kids and doesn't listen to reason. We'll see...

I'm concerned about more than Greece having anarchy.

You don't have to worry all that much about violence. It's extremely exaggerated in the media. I spoke to some relatives over there about it, and they practically laughed at me.

In general Greece is a safe and stable country. Of course there are those who wish otherwise to achieve their own goals, and that's why you see the exaggerated reporting.
The truth about the economy is things were bad, but they weren't at a point were things couldn't be fixed without outside help. The speculator attacks were conducted, out of two-three "places" in the USA, to bring the government to it's knees. They created the conditions were the government couldn't borrow at normal rates any more, thus forcing them into the hands of the IMF/EU. Now the government does what it's told, or else.

These terror/anarchist groups popping up are funded by some of the same people responsible for the speculator attacks through various means. Scum bags like George Sorros.

Anyway, back to the topic, I think the reason your daughter wants to go back to Greece to study is because of the lifestyle.
She can get her education, and party in the summer when Greek students go on holiday.

Originally posted by anarchosyndicalist

Interesting use of the word 'sect' in the headline - the religious connotations of the word make the revolutionaries seem like they have a faith - and some have called communism a faith. Think it is pretty perjorative myself, and aimed at making them seem like nutjobs.

The group call themselves a sect, the paper didn't give them that name.

"a guerrilla group called the Sect of Revolutionaries" - did you actually read the article or are you just applying your own prejudices to it?

Probably those violent, racist Tea Partiers back at it waving their 'Don't Tread On Me' flags!

reply to post by anarchosyndicalist


Anarchists and in particular, violent anarchists are such a tiny group, its only the fact they stick to Democratic nations that they even manage to continue their acts of insanity. In non-Western cultures they just do away with them or lock them up.

I doubt highly there would be enough Anarchists in Greece to be any more of a threat than groups of gang bangers in any city in the West. The main difference is that the gang members don't pretend to be something other than what they are. Cheap thugs who get their rocks off participating in riots and looting.

Originally posted by TheFinalTruth14
Probably those violent, racist Tea Partiers back at it waving their 'Don't Tread On Me' flags!

When did Anarchists join the Tea Party

reply to post by hinky


Assuming that you are from the US I think she'd be way safer in Greece....

reply to post by hinky


Assuming that you are from the US I think she'd be way safer in Greece....

reply to post by Blaine91555


I really think you underestimate the anarchist movement in Greece, and that the Tea Party lot do not have anarchist sympathisers/part-time members. Perhaps if you studied recent Greek history you might understand why anarchism is so strong there.

reply to post by Goathief


You have to define 'strong' in this instance.
Is it strong because it has popular support or many followers? No.
Is it strong because authorities are unwilling, for various complicated reasons, to actually crack down once and for all on these thugs? Yes.

Authorities are not just unwilling to crack down hard on anarchists, but all protests that aren't peaceful.
It's a syndrome like thing that stems from the junta during the 1970's, which saw violent crack downs by the regime.

What people need to remember, but often forget, is that Greece in it's modern form has only been around for 40 years. Before the junta, there was WW2 and the civil war, and before some 70 years pre junta days, there was some 400 years of Ottoman occupation of the Balkans.
Greece's history, as a nation, goes back thousands of years.

Apologies for reading whilst very tired.

Still, interesting that their anti-capitalist leanings are represented with a word like sect.

Perhaps the meaning of the Greek word they used was lost in translation, and be less associated with religious ideals. Or perhaps their political beliefs are genuinely like a religion to them? Not a linguist so can't really answer that one.

As regards other posters, the last century of Greek history has indeed been turbulent and politically divided. It isn't a rich country, produces relatively little and relies heavily on tourism. As more countries with traditional manufacturing bases move away from this to a consumer and service capitalist model, this type of unrest can spread - if you don't make stuff, you are much more vulnerable in tough times.

Can see this happening in the UK, ona small scale, because most people are utterly apathetic.

To others - I would go to Greece, and let my kids go if I had them, as I feel it is slightly overblown as threats go, and probably easily avoided. ETA were blowing up Spanish resorts a few years ago, never stopped anyone.

Never give in to terror. That is the only way it wins. State terror included in that.