Comments on: Floges and togas — Greece afire http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/ A practical guide to living, working & traveling in Greece, plus insider tips and personal stories from an American in Athens Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:52:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: daniel molitor http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-808 daniel molitor Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:10:57 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-808 " I just believe that if I’m going to die, let it be while I’m out living my life instead of hiding from it." Oh, you don't know how much that quote has made my day. I just found your site, CK, and it has inspired me. A few more years here in Pasadena, CA, and I hope to begin the transition to Greece. I look forward to scanning all the great information on your site. Evxaristo poli. --daniel ” I just believe that if I’m going to die, let it be while I’m out living my life instead of hiding from it.”

Oh, you don’t know how much that quote has made my day. I just found your site, CK, and it has inspired me. A few more years here in Pasadena, CA, and I hope to begin the transition to Greece. I look forward to scanning all the great information on your site. Evxaristo poli. –daniel

]]> By: Global Voices 日本語 » ブログアーカイブ » ギリシャ：山火事 http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-807 Global Voices 日本語 » ブログアーカイブ » ギリシャ：山火事 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 03:07:12 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-807 [...] ギリシャ在住のアメリカ人CaliforniaKatは、何が起きているのか、主要な火災のリスト、それに至った出来事、そして人びとにどんな手助けができるかなどについて、総合的なエントリーを掲載している。 1. 運転中に車の窓から、または枯れ草、紙、植物が近くにある地面にタバコの吸殻を投げ捨てない − 多くの山林火災はこのようにして起こる。2. ごみを燃やさない。3. ロースト/料理に使う火はきちんと管理する ー 燃えている灰や炭、または飛んでしまったり草や繁みに触れてしまいそうな焚き付けなどから目を離さない。4. 送電線に木が触れないために木を剪定するよう、または火災を起こす原因になるしばを処理するよう、自治体に要請する、または苦情を言う。5. 鏡が直射日光に当たらないようにする。6. 過疎・遠隔地にある家には、消火器、またホース/ポンプ、ウールの毛布、はしご、熊手、ほうき、ブーツ、そして救急用品と一緒に水溜めを備えるべき。また、万が一に備え、大事な書類や写真、その他の貴重品を耐火金庫に入れておく人もいる。 [...] [...] ギリシャ在住のアメリカ人CaliforniaKatは、何が起きているのか、主要な火災のリスト、それに至った出来事、そして人びとにどんな手助けができるかなどについて、総合的なエントリーを掲載している。 1. 運転中に車の窓から、または枯れ草、紙、植物が近くにある地面にタバコの吸殻を投げ捨てない − 多くの山林火災はこのようにして起こる。2. ごみを燃やさない。3. ロースト/料理に使う火はきちんと管理する ー 燃えている灰や炭、または飛んでしまったり草や繁みに触れてしまいそうな焚き付けなどから目を離さない。4. 送電線に木が触れないために木を剪定するよう、または火災を起こす原因になるしばを処理するよう、自治体に要請する、または苦情を言う。5. 鏡が直射日光に当たらないようにする。6. 過疎・遠隔地にある家には、消火器、またホース/ポンプ、ウールの毛布、はしご、熊手、ほうき、ブーツ、そして救急用品と一緒に水溜めを備えるべき。また、万が一に備え、大事な書類や写真、その他の貴重品を耐火金庫に入れておく人もいる。 [...]

]]> By: Kat http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-796 Kat Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:10:58 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-796 Buru - Always nice to have an intelligent commentator with an insider's and world view. Rigas - The fires are a manifestation of this country's weak infrastructure, lacking leadership and diminishing power on the economical front, despite being an EU country. Certainly the fires impact the environment, however the environment is a separate issue that hasn't been addressed in decades. I believe it's only this year an environment minister was even appointed/created. I use the title loosely since one of his "accomplishments" was to approve offshore property without first looking at the impact on resources like electricity, water, etc. How can Greece sustain more inhabitants when it can't even provide power and water for its current population? Panos - It's a blaming inferno. Sad. Steppenwolf - I do agree with you in some respect. Over the last days, I've been trying to learn more about the inner workings of Greece's republic, namely if leaders can be impeached or if citizens are allowed to "write in" a name on a ballot. OK, the answers are 'no,' so I can see the voter's dilemma. I'm not advocating overthrowing the government, but maybe that's what this country needs. But if it overthrown, who will lead it? Thank you for the compliment and the reference. I've seen his blog before, in fact. Going to Greece - I'm a lot like you. I'm not an adventure seeker though some call me that; I just believe that if I'm going to die, let it be while I'm out living my life instead of hiding from it. Welcome back to Greece Buru – Always nice to have an intelligent commentator with an insider’s and world view.

Rigas – The fires are a manifestation of this country’s weak infrastructure, lacking leadership and diminishing power on the economical front, despite being an EU country.

Certainly the fires impact the environment, however the environment is a separate issue that hasn’t been addressed in decades. I believe it’s only this year an environment minister was even appointed/created. I use the title loosely since one of his “accomplishments” was to approve offshore property without first looking at the impact on resources like electricity, water, etc. How can Greece sustain more inhabitants when it can’t even provide power and water for its current population?

Panos – It’s a blaming inferno. Sad.

Steppenwolf – I do agree with you in some respect. Over the last days, I’ve been trying to learn more about the inner workings of Greece’s republic, namely if leaders can be impeached or if citizens are allowed to “write in” a name on a ballot. OK, the answers are ‘no,’ so I can see the voter’s dilemma. I’m not advocating overthrowing the government, but maybe that’s what this country needs. But if it overthrown, who will lead it?

Thank you for the compliment and the reference. I’ve seen his blog before, in fact.

Going to Greece – I’m a lot like you. I’m not an adventure seeker though some call me that; I just believe that if I’m going to die, let it be while I’m out living my life instead of hiding from it.

Welcome back to Greece

]]> By: I'll see you in Greece http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-791 I'll see you in Greece Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:50:59 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-791 Going to Greece on Tuesday. If there is an "assymetrical threat", which is not likely, I'll not let that stop me. I'm not an adventure seeker, but I can't lock myself in my home and tape plastic to the windows. Greece is my favorite place to be in the whole world and I'll be damned if some bogus assymetrical threat is gonna stop me. Greece has much to offer and I hope people don't start fearing that it's not a safe place. Ahh Ellada!!! See you in Greece! Going to Greece on Tuesday. If there is an “assymetrical threat”, which is not likely, I’ll not let that stop me. I’m not an adventure seeker, but I can’t lock myself in my home and tape plastic to the windows.

Greece is my favorite place to be in the whole world and I’ll be damned if some bogus assymetrical threat is gonna stop me. Greece has much to offer and I hope people don’t start fearing that it’s not a safe place.

Ahh Ellada!!!
See you in Greece!

]]> By: Global Voices بالعـربيه » الأرشيف » اليونان تشتعل http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-788 Global Voices بالعـربيه » الأرشيف » اليونان تشتعل Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:03:29 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-788 [...] مدونة اميركية تعيش في اليونان, نشرت موضوع شامل عنما يجري هناك، بلأضافة لقوائم رئيسية للحرائق و [...] [...] مدونة اميركية تعيش في اليونان, نشرت موضوع شامل عنما يجري هناك، بلأضافة لقوائم رئيسية للحرائق و [...]

]]> By: ein Steppenwolf http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-806 ein Steppenwolf Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:53:58 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-806 I admire your excellent blog! My only disagreement concerns the tenth point. Respect for human rights cannot depend on whether one votes or not. In Greece, elections offer an excuse for governmental irresponsibility, because when the guys feel they are not "dictators" and rather "democratically elected," they also feel they can do what most pleases them. Apart from that, no one of the present political parties, big or small, new or old, seems to meet standards. People who could change the course of the society simply never surface. Please allow me to recommend you Nikos Dimou's blog. Judging from the content of your blog, I am sure you would contribute positively to the discussions taking place there. I admire your excellent blog!

My only disagreement concerns the tenth point. Respect for human rights cannot depend on whether one votes or not.

In Greece, elections offer an excuse for governmental irresponsibility, because when the guys feel they are not “dictators” and rather “democratically elected,” they also feel they can do what most pleases them.

Apart from that, no one of the present political parties, big or small, new or old, seems to meet standards. People who could change the course of the society simply never surface.

Please allow me to recommend you Nikos Dimou’s blog. Judging from the content of your blog, I am sure you would contribute positively to the discussions taking place there.

]]> By: Readers Edition » Anti-Schwulen Demo, Neo-Faschisten und Gonzales’ Rücktritt - Bürgerjournalismus weltweit http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-805 Readers Edition » Anti-Schwulen Demo, Neo-Faschisten und Gonzales’ Rücktritt - Bürgerjournalismus weltweit Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:12:05 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-805 [...] versteht sich von selbst; Yazan Badran gibt auf Global Voices eine Zusammenstellung einiger Posts: Californiakat gibt Tipps zur Vermeidung von Waldbränden, die allerdings angesichts der vermutlich meist [...] [...] versteht sich von selbst; Yazan Badran gibt auf Global Voices eine Zusammenstellung einiger Posts: Californiakat gibt Tipps zur Vermeidung von Waldbränden, die allerdings angesichts der vermutlich meist [...]

]]> By: Παναγιώτης http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-804 Παναγιώτης Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:43:41 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-804 Hi Kat, Last March, after an almost dry winter, the PM and one of his ministers were declaring that "all the necessary plans were elaborated to confront the oncoming difficult summer". And now... at least 60 people dead and unspecified number of missing ones. I thought that Pilio, Parnitha and Korinthia were the apex of their incompetence. It 's not just a big fire that burned down a few houses or killed 1-2 people, that is tragic in itself...but what about this? And the only thing you see is these guys arguing on air about who is the less corrupted, while the rest of the world yells: "what the hell is going on there?", "ours", are sitting in a round table with arms crossed and discussing things like: "should we blame to the fire squads, the forest service or the opposition for delivering us chaos?" Well, the elections are very close. I hope my compatriots will not forget as easy as they do usually... Hi Kat,
Last March, after an almost dry winter, the PM and one of his ministers were declaring that “all the necessary plans were elaborated to confront the oncoming difficult summer”. And now… at least 60 people dead and unspecified number of missing ones. I thought that Pilio, Parnitha and Korinthia were the apex of their incompetence. It ’s not just a big fire that burned down a few houses or killed 1-2 people, that is tragic in itself…but what about this? And the only thing you see is these guys arguing on air about who is the less corrupted, while the rest of the world yells: “what the hell is going on there?”, “ours”, are sitting in a round table with arms crossed and discussing things like: “should we blame to the fire squads, the forest service or the opposition for delivering us chaos?” Well, the elections are very close. I hope my compatriots will not forget as easy as they do usually…

]]> By: rigas http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-803 rigas Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:06:22 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-803 Your post is excellent. I agree with you and buruburu. This is not a question of conspiracy. I was impressed by a small video on French TV showing the french firefighters, and there was a greek firefighter saying he was happy to have professional people intervene. The whole aspect of managing the close environment is still not a question that Greek people consider important. But I do believe --as the guy from WWF ini Athens declared-- that the fires are changing that. PS With this I discovered both blogs yours and buruburu. Excellent. I wrote a paper on a journalists website (in FR) on the fires: <a href="http://www.rue89.com/2007/08/27/la-grece-sous-le-choc-dincendies-de-forets-inedits" title="Incendies -- sur Rue89.com" rel="nofollow"></a> Your post is excellent.

I agree with you and buruburu. This is not a question of conspiracy.

I was impressed by a small video on French TV showing the french firefighters, and there was a greek firefighter saying he was happy to have professional people intervene.

The whole aspect of managing the close environment is still not a question that Greek people consider important. But I do believe –as the guy from WWF ini Athens declared– that the fires are changing that.

PS With this I discovered both blogs yours and buruburu. Excellent.

I wrote a paper on a journalists website (in FR) on the fires:

]]> By: Map Shortages, Crispy Greece and Lola Granola, Among Other Things « Obi’s Sister http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/26/greece-on-fire/comment-page-1/#comment-802 Map Shortages, Crispy Greece and Lola Granola, Among Other Things « Obi’s Sister Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:33:28 +0000 http://americaninathens.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/floges-and-togas/#comment-802 [...] by arsonists. (Or terrorists?) Much worse than the wildfires Georgia suffered earlier this year. An American in Greece has the [...] [...] by arsonists. (Or terrorists?) Much worse than the wildfires Georgia suffered earlier this year. An American in Greece has the [...]

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