Our Own Worst Enemy

I usually try to look at life with realistic optimism.
I usually understand that people's actions are reactions.
I usually don't claim defeat.

But, dear Greeks at home, you have me baffled. I will not attempt to solve fiscal problems that are above me, but I understand entirely the basics:

• The economy is hurting.
• The system is corrupt thanks to black market "under the table" dealings going on for decades by deceitful politicians and the big bank accounts that fund them.
• The little is guy is not at fault, yet he/she is feeling the pinch.

So you are angry and I am with you. I am angry because I planned to join you as a Greek citizen starting in 2010. I get to hold off, you live with this reality every day. I am mad, you are irate... with every right. But we cannot stand still in anger. From here we take that anger, channel it and move forward. Standing there angry, fires burning, looting does nothing but satisfy the anger. All it does is slowly choke out one of our most needed revenue streams (tourism), once we have even less income, things will get worse. Then think of how angry we all will be.

In a competitive time when neighboring countries are cannibalizing our tourism dollars, instead of trying to lure tourists to our homeland we disappoint them and discourage them with strikes, riots and fear that others have no problem using against us. These tourists after all are rarely millionaires. They are most likely like us. They've worked hard, saved their money to take some time off and go to a beautiful destination with their family. They pay thousands to see the beauty of our ancient history, our coastlines, cities and islands. Why create disruptions and obstacles that effectively tell them that we don't care about them?

Let's make sure they have no reason to waver before clicking "buy it" on their Greek getaway. While we work out our demons to make ourselves better, let's show them our best selves - with hospitality and authenticity - so that they go home and encourage friends and family to take the same trip next year. After all, we need them to keep coming to get ourselves out of this mess. Without them, the recovery will be harder and longer. Without them, our biggest industry, which keeps many of us employed, declines or dies. Without them, recovery is bleak.

Let's make it a magical summer in 2010 and strike again after October.

Timely World Cup analogy: Much like our beloved yet torturing soccer team, we would not want them to do their team-building or training in the middle of a season or tournament. Tournament time is for showing off our best. Off-season is when we do what needs to be done to improve.

Are we showing our best selves to the world now (in the summer) - our tournament time?

Give thanks and hope this Thanksgiving

Although a distinctly American holiday, Thanksgiving is a holiday that deserves to be adopted the world over because it celebrates among the most important human emotions – gratefulness – with one of the most enjoyable necessities – food!

Under olive trees in America today, we gather with family and friends to count our blessings around tables heavy with food, love and gratitude. Yet with the holidays approaching, it is important that turn our thankfulness into actions to help others who are somehow resilient in their thankfulness despite the need to overcome painful obstacles.

Please take a few moments to learn about a few ways you can make the difference of a lifetime with a few clicks of the mouse and a few warm fluttering of your heart.

FSU grad Lee Theodossiades awaiting bone marrow match in Phoenix

About a month ago, 22 year old Lee (Leandros) Theodossiades was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix to wage a battle against a very aggressive form of leukemia. A bone marrow match from a donor is his only hope to live. His motto is “faith not fear,” and now we have a chance to show he is right. If you are 18-50, please visit www.bethematch.org BEFORE Monday, NOVEMBER 30th, enter Lee as the promo code, fill out the consent form so that you can receive a swab kit via mail that you can use to help the doctors determine if you are a match to save Lee’s life. The process of bone marrow donation has benefited from medical innovations and is not as invasive as it once was; please consider giving the gift of life this year.

Please call Aubrie Vargas (602-277-1390) with any questions. Donations can also be made via the website or by sending checks to Aubrie Vargas, 2601 N. 3rd St. Ste. 201A Phoenix, AZ 85004

Join Macys’s to give brave little girl an incentive to fight Leukemia

Despite having undergone chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants, radiation and isolation from her beloved brother and sister in the two years since her diagnosis, six year old Michaella is a wonderfully optimistic, kind little girl who LOVES Christmas more than any other time of year. By voting for her in Macy’s Believe program, you can give her another reason to continue her fight against AML leukemia – a chance to be a part of the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which kicks off the holiday season.

To vote, visit www.macys.com, click on the Believe banner at the bottom of the screen, then the “Tell Us Why You Believe” button on the top right. When you enter Katina22@optonline.net in the search box, Michaella’s story will come up below the search box. With a few clicks you can read more about her and vote for her, as well.

In the spirit of the holiday, thank you for sharing a few moments under the olive tree and for taking a few moments to make a difference. Happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving to you!

New Greek PM George Papandreou a Fan of the Olive

Only days into his tenure as Greece's new PM, it is nice to see that George Papandreou is a fan of the olive branch - both literally and figuratively. Upon his arrival in Constantinople for a summit, he made a point to visit the grave of a former Turkish counterpart with whom he worked closely during his time as foreign minister. When his ally passed on, Papandreou asked that an olive tree be planted at the grave, and upon his recent return he plucked a branch from the tree and laid it on the grave of the man who had once shared his vision of improved relations among the two countries.

As we sit under our olive tree, we see this as a testament to this fair symbol of peace and of what sincere and honest discourse under olive branches may bring for the greater good.

Greece Goes (PASOK) Green With Plan that Risks Putting Country in Red

With Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis ceding victory to PASOK leader Andrea Papandreou (pictured at right), Greeks decidedly gave the election to the country's socialist party after five years of conservative leadership that previously prevailed by a hair. Unlike these past years, which found the government in a perpetual stalemate due to the narrow margin of the previous victory, PASOK will likely hold about 64 more seats in Parliament than New Democracy. In the immediate term, this will be a silver-lining for the markets who'd be eager to see a definitive direction for the country.

Papandreou's campaign for leadership was paved with promises to end corruption, stimulate the economy and do so by taxing the rich. In contrast, the incumbent was promising a tough road ahead given the global and domestic economic environment. The match up amounted to asking a child whether they want hamburgers and a salad or chicken with vegetables for dinner. This gives optimistic credit to Papandreou's stimulus plan (the salad) so that it might provide some health for the country's economy, but in any case, the decision is easy to predict.

Now, admittedly, I do not [yet] live on Greek soil so I can't fully appreciate the factors that brought voters to cast this decision in PASOK's favor. I hope that it is fueled more by a disgust with the current situation rather than the sincere (and immature) belief that raising the pay of the public sector and plunging the country into debt will solve the situation.

As Greece now hopes that this decision will position the country for better days, here are my hopes for the incoming government and the tough road ahead.

• Fiscally responsible stimulus program that creates jobs & avoids extravagant debt


• Infrastructure investment that propels country to competitive position in growing industries


• Systematized approach to internships/apprenticeships for graduates to more effectively introduce them to the workplace

While I know these might be just as optimistic as Papandreou's promises, I hope that the Greek people will take a phrase from his campaign, "roll up their sleeves" and take one individual step towards progress.

FYI - Although I did not vote in this election since I do not yet live in Greece, my vote would have gone to the Eco-Greens this year for the sheer reason that I think that theirs is a viewpoint that should be considered in Parliament based on a proposition that is beneficial for Greece and Greeks - a healthy patrida.

Greek Elections at First Glance

While a more educated post about the elections will soon follow, I am compelled to share my immediate reactions to the whole scenario after watching the debates and reading about the parties' respective positions.

New Democracy... will lose since status quo is naturally challenged at a time when the economy has hit rock-bottom. Add to that that their years in power were marred with corruption scandals and two major devastating fires that ravaged the country, and the outcome is an easy bet. That said, there is some truth to PM's Karamanlis point that the opposing candidate's many election-era promises amount to bubbles that will burst as soon as the election outcomes are announced. This not out of malice or contempt, but simply a reality that impactful change and improvements cannot be delivered overnight and without feeling the pinch in the short-term.

PASOK... currently promising the world, when all it really needs to promise is improvements. The challenge is that the party had relative dominance in the Parliament since the last elections yet rarely flexed its muscle for little more than to point out the opposing party's problems when it could have rallied to actual move the needle towards all the great progress it's now promising to the Greek populous.

Syriza... is blessed with a young, charismatic leader and the fact that it is not either of the two main parties that people believe are now largely interchangeable. Yet I have a real issue with a party leader who says that the country's youth would be justified in taking the streets (not clear whether he means in rioting or in finding entrepreneurial opportunities in black-market activities) since the country's leadership is not clearing the way for them to find jobs. It is true that employing and empowering the country's largely well-educated youth should be a priority, but those same young Greeks of able mind and body should be encouraged to take some accountability themselves... if not for anything else, to be unlike the status quo and prove that they are fully-capable of an impactful revolution of the mind rather than the fist.

LAOS... is just a conundrum to me. While some of this party's tenants are easily supported by a majority of Greeks, such as the resistance to Turkey's ascension to the EU and the position against acknowledging FYROM as "Macedonia," certain positions of isolationism taken by party leadership counter the respect that a party who claims to bridge the differences that others exploit is trying to gain. For a country that makes up a key part of Europe's southeastern border, isolation is not a realistic solution to real problem, including the human trafficking that brings illegal immigrants to Greek shores.

Eco-Greens... are a needed voice that was previously weak in Greek politics, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters that have comprimised one of the country's most important economic resource - the natural elements. While some of their political positions are just as unrealistic as isolationism, I'm interested in seeing how the Greek nation will respond to the environmental trend, particularly as other international leader, including U.S. President Obama, seem to think green is the new economic frontier.

Despite what might be an obvious frustration with the available options, I will spend the rest of the week digging in to the variables important in these elections. Please share your thoughts about the upcoming Greek elections either via comments or the poll.

Change is Coming and It is GOOD!

Hello friends and I'm sorry for my absence from under the olive tree this summer. While I have not been posting my thoughts lately, I can promise you that the past few months have been filled with many discussions, thoughts and almost painful decisions about the future.

Having sheltered you from the decision-making, I am thrilled to let you know that you'll soon see the benefits of my agony, which only came from the fact that all change, including the best kind that has you living out your dreams, is hard.

I can't wait to spend more time with you here - I hope you enjoy it too!

Britain's Got Talent and a Soft Spot for Greek-Irish Dancing

By now we know that an amazing dance group received this season's crown as the top act of Britain's Got Talent, beating out now-famous Scotswoman Susan Boyle, but you may have missed the Greek-Cypriot dance duo that had all judges grinning from ear to ear and frankly in stitches for the entire performance.

Father and son Demetris and Lagi squared off during a spoof of Michael Flatley's famous Irish dance in a shirtless and comical performance that was part jig and part Pentozali, that had the audience on the feet, judges clapping and Simon smiling for what seemed like an eternity by the show's standards.

The two received a resounding "yes," one nai (Greek for yes) and Simon's acknowledgement that it was one of his "favorite ever dance acts." And they walked off into the sunset to the tune of Zorba the Greek.

I LOVED IT! I'm still smiling.

Due to show copyrights, I'm unable to embed the actual video, but click here - you won't be disappointed!
Read about Demetri and Lagi Demetriou in the UK's Daily Mail.

Special thanks to my sister-in-law for sending this my way!
The Greek & Irish combo is particularly fun in our family!

Prayers for the Crew of the MV Irene During Orthodox Holy Week

Days after the Easter miracle that saw an American sea captain rescued from the Somali pirates that are terrorizing the gulf of Aden, a Greek-managed ship by the name of MV Irene was overtaken early this morning. Early Reuters reports indicate that the 22-member is safe, but prayers go out to them and their families for a peaceful resolution. Somali pirates vowed to increase the level of violence against hostages after the rescue of the American captain over the weekend.

Does increased pirate activity mean that shipping companies should consider arming commercial fleets? While Somali pirates are reportedly armed with AK-47s, would they be less apt to succeed if Blackwater-like security firms served as armed security guards of the seas?

Stop Turkish PR from Rewriting History of Armenian Genocide!

MSNBC is conducting a survey about whether the Armenian Genocide should be recognized.

As of a few minutes ago the numbers showed Yes 20%, No 80% thanks to a Turkish public relations campaign. The Armenian Genocide is a historical fact, and it should be recognized.

The most disgusting afront to humanity is the denial of tragedies - would it be acceptable for Germany to deny the Holocaust?

Let's make sure this poll reflects true public opinion and truth.

Vote now! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21253084

Obama/Biden Message to Greek-Americans

The following message to Greek-Americans was issued by the Obama/Biden campaign today; unfortunately, no parallel exists from the McCain/Palin ticket.

While it is best interpreted after reading it in its entirety, the following is particularly striking:
- Definite language about Turkish occupation in Cyprus
- Support of UN resolution about FYROM, which as of late supports Greek point of view, but could change
- Defense of Patriarchate not seen from McCain in past efforts
- Recognition that economics are Greek-American topics too

BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN: SUPPORTING GREEK AMERICANS

Barack Obama and Joe Biden have been true friends of the Greek American community throughout their careers in public service. Obama has worked closely with this community, especially the large constituency in Chicago, Illinois, and always supported the Greek community’s participation in the American political process. Obama and Biden greatly respect the major contributions Greek Americans have made to so many aspects of the American experience. They will continue to work closely with Greek Americans at home and reestablish America’s strong partnership with Greece and our other European allies abroad.

A Just and Lasting Political Settlement on Cyprus:

As president, Barack Obama will show U.S. leadership in seeking to negotiate a political settlement on Cyprus. He believes strongly that Cyprus should remain a single, sovereign country in which each of the two communities on the island is able to exercise substantial political authority within a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation. There must be a just and mutually agreed settlement of difficult issues like property, refugees, land, and security. A negotiated political settlement on Cyprus would end the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus and repair the island’s tragic division while paving the way to prosperity and peace throughout the entire region. It would also give Cypriots a firm foundation on which to build their future after many years of division and uncertainty. It would help foster better Greek-Turkish relations, strengthen Turkish democracy, reduce the risk of military conflict, and remove a major obstacle to Turkish membership in the EU.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia:

Barack Obama was one of three original lead co-sponsors of Senate Resolution 300, which urged that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia work with Greece within the framework of the United Nations process to reach a mutually-acceptable official name for that country and achieve longstanding United States and United Nations policy goals. Obama supports the UN-led negotiations and believes that there can and should be an agreement between Skopje and Athens on a mutually-acceptable name that leads to greater stability in the Balkans.

Ecumenical Patriarchate:

Barack Obama was one of 73 Senators who signed a letter to President Bush in 2006 urging him to press Turkey to restore the full rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Christian Church in Istanbul. He has sent Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice a personal letter on the same matter. Senator Obama calls on Turkey to respect the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s rights and freedoms, including its property rights. Turkey should allow the reopening of the Patriarchate’s school of theology on Halki Island and guarantee the right to train clergy of all nationalities, not just Turkish nationals.

The U.S. Economy:

Despite their hard work, American families are finding it harder and harder each day to make ends meet. Barack Obama supports an immediate $50 billion emergency stimulus plan that would provide immediate assistance to help struggling local governments, continue needed infrastructure projects and protect jobs. Barack Obama will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 95 percent of American workers with a tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. Obama will fight for trade agreements that support American jobs and enforce good labor and environmental standards.

Affordable, Accessible Health Care to All:

There are 45.5 million uninsured Americans today. Obama will sign legislation by the end of his first term in office that will provide affordable, accessible health coverage to all Americans. His plan will save a typical family up to $2,500 every year on medical costs by modernizing our health care system.

Hummus is to Lebanon as Feta is to Greece

Nearly three years ago the EU declared that Feta is Greek, no questions asked. Well, now it is hummus's turn! It turns out that Lebanon is tired of it's tasty spread being claimed by Mediterranean neighbors as their own.

While an argument can be made that all of us in the general vicinity have been building off of each other's culinary traditions over the last 2,000 years, I stand by the Lebanese on this one. Of course, I'd ask the same favor in return for tzatziki and taramosalata, okay?!

I'm particularly irritated at how SABRA, one particularly popular brand of hummus in the States, uses Greek accents to market the product with little actual connection. In fact, the name of the product itself, Sabra, is term used to describe a native-born Israeli Jew.

- Music on the website ... very Greek-sounding
- Images on website ... very Greek-inspired (Mykonos to be specific - thank you windmills!)
- Winning user-generated video ... very Greek-attired Evzone imitator



Frankly, it seems to me like a way to make the product more acceptable. Following the popularity of the Mediterranean diet and Greek yogurt, this is now a way to make the healthy, exotic connection. In my humble opinion, it is also a way to distance the product from the meaning of its name for fear that it might alienate some consumers.

In any case, I don't like it. I agree with Lebanon - hummus is Lebanese.

Mac's Foreign Policy Man on FYRO-Macedonia

As part of my promise to continue to search for the candidates position on what most deem Greek-related matters, I stumbled upon this piece originally posted on Hellenic News of America. If it is true, it not only brings McCain's foreign policy stance in to question, but also the notion that he is somehow a maverick candidate who despises DC's corrupt systems. I say this because Scheunemann's antics are a bit reminiscent of Tom Delay's inner circle around the time of the 2000 election.

Obviously this type of information is important to those that think it is important to know where America's next President stands on issues related to Greece, in addition to their stance on vital domestic issues.

I'd especially like to highlight that up until recently, I thought that the debate over the naming of FYROM was irrelevant; this changed when I saw propaganda masquerading as school textbooks that show FYROM's borders extending to the Aegean, including Thessaloniki. Under this olive tree, call yourself what you want, but don't go using that name to redraw maps or incite people to defend the concept that map defines.

We are all aware of the letters sent by FYROM Prime Minister Gruevski to Greek PM Karamanlis, to the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso,to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and many other world leaders regarding an artificial "Macedonian" ethnic minority in Greece. Following the veto to it's anticipated membership at the NATO Summit in Bucharest, FYROM's political leadership is in the process of transferring its dispute with Athens to the USA, with the objective of changing the breadth and the depth of the negotiations, which are currently being held under the auspices of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations Matthew Nimetz, and of 'isolating' Greece as a country which severely violates human rights.The coordination of these activities, as well as the confrontation of the 'Greek Lobby' has been assigned to ORION Strategies, a company founded by Randy Scheunemann.Randy Scheunemann is the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to John McCain and coordinator of the opposition to the 'Greek Lobby' and of the promotion of FYROM's propaganda, through ORION Strategies.

His relationship with the Republican Party's presidential candidate is an especially close one and they frequently travel together.

As a down payment, his company received US $300,000 from the organization United Macedonian Diaspora.

The aim of ORION Strategies is to establish a propaganda machine incorporating US government officials, operatives, diplomats and analysts.Randy Scheunemann was also instrumental in convincing President Bush to attack Iraq. And he almost succeeded in getting American troops involved in the Russia-Georgia conflict.

John McCain's current Senior Foreign Policy Advisor, Randy Scheunemann, is being paid by FYROM to lobby against Greece. He is coordinating Gruevski's letter writing campaign raising issues of an artificial "Macedonian" ethnic minority in Greece. Imagine what would happen if McCain becomes president.

Celebrating Greek Fashion Sense!

On a lighter note, xronia polla to Ms. Xanthipi Joannides, fashion director at GLAMOUR magazine.

While it is easy to remember when to celebrate the "name" days of Maria, Eleni, Kosta and Niko, there's also a wealth of beautiful names that fall under the radar but deserved to be cheered. Even more cheer-worthy? Her effortless style and chic without trying too hard!

Na sas xairomaste Kiria Joannidi!

Greek Texting Campaign Against Hunger

Stop by any Greek cafe, in Greece or abroad, and you're sure to see a collection of cell phones, keys and unfortunate habits (cigarettes) alongside a freddo or frappe. This week, Greeks have the chance to put those cell phones to good use.

ActionAid today launched a campaign in Greece to raise money to fight hunger, which affects children across the globe more frequently than we can imagine. You can help raise money for this worthwhile cause by texting AA (for ActionAid) to 19454. The campaign is supported by Cosmote, Wind and Vodafone.

Spread the word!

Facebook group already includes more than 1,000 members.

www.actionaid.gr

Thanks to Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis for alerting us to this effort.

Greeks for McCain? Like Iraqis for Bush

Last Saturday, I listened as esteemed Greek-American Charles Kapetanakis dialed into Aktina-FM to rally support for one of the organizations he chairs - Greeks for McCain. During the hour-long conversation, it became painfully clear that although Mr. Kapetanakis approached the broadcast with good intentions, he failed to bring with him little more than a few key messages available on the Arizona senator's website.

When it comes to an organization entitled "Greek for McCain," one would think that the chairperson would know or at least be able to refer to the candidates position on matters of importance to the Greek community. Would a group of Jewish faithful lobbying for a candidate not know his/her position on Israel? No, that would be considered an insult to collective intelligence.

Although given multiple opportunities, including a direct question from me, the chairman could not indicate the candidate's position on:
- Cyprus
- FYROM
- Turkey's treatment of the Ecumenical Patriarch
- Turkey's claim on oil in the Aegean

The only "key message" he repeated was that McCain stood for a strong war on terror (and that he was appreciate of the use of bases in Crete to fight that war) and for a strong NATO. And this is what is supposed to sway my Greek-American vote? Gimme a break!

As it turns out the show's host could shed a little light, which did not reflect well on the "heroic" candidate. It turns out that Senator McCain has not actively supported a single resolution proposed in Congress on behalf of issues important to many Greek-Americans. His only action on was to sign a single letter delivered to the President's cabinet. He's been in Congress since 1982! And before you point to a recent meeting the candidate had with leaders of the Orthodox church, know that days following this meeting McCain failed to lend his support to the same issues that had been discussed.

For any and every time, we've heard or uttered admiration for the Jews for sticking up for issues important to Israel, NOW is the time to show our strength for Greece.

Knowing that U.S. presidential elections can easily be decided by a few hundred votes in a few key states, now is the time to rally and to finally walk the walk we've been talking about for so long.

There are 3 million of us across the States who are able to impact this election in a way that is meaningful for the topics we hold dear.

Fellow Greeks in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, California, Colorado and Connecticut.. are you listening?

Let's get out there and make some noise!

Brits Behaving Badly? or Just Pound Foolish?

While August, the month of European summer holidays, is coming to a close, the topic of British tourists behaving badly in the Mediterranean is openly on the table – and amid the pages of the New York Times and the Sun. Now, after a rash of headline-making incidents, local British consular authorities have launched campaigns to curb this “hedonistic hooliganism,” likely because those very consular authorities are taking on the financial burden for British citizens that have to be tended to after getting themselves in hot water.

But has the Mediterranean not always been a sunny getaway? Why now?

Beyond alcohol, economics and social behaviors are also be fueling this binge.

Economically the Brits have the strongest currency to spend. Combine a strong British Pound with a cheap air travel to sunny climates, and you have a volatile combination of young people in a place with significantly less restrictions than they’re used to and only a week or so to enjoy it. Well, the psychology is simple really. The same gluttony that fuels one to gorge at a buffet applies here.

Ultimately, regardless of how pale your skin might be, we all live in a world of entitlement where we’ve come to assume that money, above all else, talks louder. In this world, if I walk in the door with money in my pockets and you as a country or shop have invited me in, then I suddenly become the boss. It no longer matters if I embarrass myself or my friends, that I endanger lives, that I show little to no respect… because I should be regarded as important – I’m the customer. You need my money; you have to take the good with the bad.

Perhaps up to a point – but all good things in moderation as the Greek would say.

Alongside the British consular campaign to curb drinking, British and Greek governments should continue to crack down on tour organizers and establishments where this type of mayhem occurs frequently.

Bars and clubs can be held financially and even criminally responsible if a guest is over served and causes harm to self, others or property.

Consular authorities should not come to the immediate aid of patrons who find themselves arrested due to bar fights or accidents. Nothing like a hangover in prison to sober you up!

Local communities can consider fines for public intoxication or excessive noise. Proceeds should go to subsidize security personnel or special ‘street teams’ for commercial areas to ensure that rules are enforced.

Before you argue that an island getaway should not be a police state, I agree. But it should also not look or smell like the remnants of college frat party.

If that’s the kind of Greek you want, you should go to the other side of the pond.

What an Obama/Biden Ticket Might Mean for Greece and Greek-Americans

At 3 a.m. this morning I received a text message from Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama announcing that he'd chosen Delaware Congressman Joe Biden as his running mate. While all were sleeping under the olive tree when the news hit, I've spent the last few hours mulling it over to fully form an opinion on how this choice may affect a Greek vote for Obama.

So with some research under my belt and understanding of a few of the players' stance on matters up until now, I am actually supportive of the selection, which was not my first reaction rest assured.

While a pessimist might say that politicians should not be trusted for their words (and I would probably agree), I think that actions are a more appropriate litmus to show where preferences and inclinations exist. That's why, while initially agreeable, I am not casting a vote right now, since I'd prefer to really dig deep and understand how all electable parties have voted during the course of their political careers on matters important to me under this Greek olive tree, including FYROM, Cyprus, Aegean drilling rights and the treatment of the Patriarch in Constantinople.

I hope that as Greek-Americans we've learned not to be brand loyal to any party without a more important understanding of how each candidate and party have historically stood by us or preferred to stand for more mainstream ideals.

This video shows an interestingly range of passion and vocabulary used to sway the "Greek vote" earlier in the process, when Biden and Clinton were still in contention for the presidential nod. Interestingly enough, Biden speaks most passionately and least diplomatically for Greek causes, as does Obama, while Clinton seems to straddle the line of political correctness.



For a dash of entertainment, I also found the following "Macedonian" (please note I use quotes mockingly) reaction to the Biden VP news amusing. Perhaps if "Macedonians" see him as a Greek ally, we are on the right track. More so, something to research about McCain's staff!

Greek Children's Fund Sport Auction at Central on Friday, May 9th!

Hope you can make it out to this great sports event!

Even better than the memorabilia? The great cause the proceeds support!

Greek Man Key Whistleblower to Keep Skies Safe

While none of us appreciate the delays or hassle that comes with air travel recently, I am pretty sure we all appreciate efforts put in place to keep us safe.

Now it appears that the regulatory bodies in charge of ensuring air travel safety (FAA) in the United States have been turning a blind eye to airline problems that can put passengers at risk.

Thanks to a group of brave whistle blowers this story is now being addressed in media and in front of Congress. Special efxaristo to Charalmbos "Bobby" Boutris, one of the key voices that brought this topic to the forefront with Southwest's infractions earlier this year.

Although this job and his life are probably far from pleasant right now, Boutris stance against big industry on behalf of the flying public are something we should all be proud of. Bravo Bobby!

Istanbul? Constantinople?

For most people outside the eastern Mediterranean region, referring to Istanbul or Constantinople, conjures foot tapping to the famous "They Might Be Giants" song. Others of us take offense to the lyrics that say only Turks should care what the city is called. Particularly those whose families once lived and thrived in the city only to be forced out in the 1950s and 60s.

Today, March 28th, marks 78 years since the city formerly known as Constantinople to most, officially changed its name to Istanbul. This action was prompted by the newly-established Turkish republic to establish the city as its own entity, effectively aiming to limit connections to the city's historically Greek/Byzantine role.

The irony of it all?

The name Istanbul derives from the Greek "eis tin Poli" or "to the City". Similar to how many Americans refer to New York City as "the City", the same applies to Greeks past and present.

Just like the Pantokratora of the Agia Sophia, the lesson here is you can try to cover up history, but it cannot be erased.

Happy Birthday Istanbul... may we all get to go "eis tin Poli"!