... this historical cinema, The Attikon, which was destroyed in the riots on Sunday. I'm so ASHAMED, and SAD, that there are Greeks who think destroying their city like this is going to fix anything ...
Anyway, I'm not going to go on about this because I'm just so mad.
Look what they've DONE!
Before:
After:
PS: Despite what any of you see on the news, I am NOT in any danger. The riots, when they happen, are confined to a small area of the city and easy to avoid. Plus, no one is out to hurt civilians, they just want to express their anger toward the government. Please do not be concerned for my safety. I have been receiving a lot of emails today, asking if I'm ok. I'M GREAT. Seems to be a bit of media terrorism going on!!! Plus ... Greece is a beautiful country. Please don't be afraid of it!
Anyway, I'm not going to go on about this because I'm just so mad.
Look what they've DONE!
Before:
After:
PS: Despite what any of you see on the news, I am NOT in any danger. The riots, when they happen, are confined to a small area of the city and easy to avoid. Plus, no one is out to hurt civilians, they just want to express their anger toward the government. Please do not be concerned for my safety. I have been receiving a lot of emails today, asking if I'm ok. I'M GREAT. Seems to be a bit of media terrorism going on!!! Plus ... Greece is a beautiful country. Please don't be afraid of it!
Why do people have to be so stupid? I remember the WTO riots in Seattle in 99, and people were breaking into Nike and stealing tennis shoes. Really? That's your idea of revolution? Morons.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear God! What a travesty! In the last round of riots, a pregnant woman died in the fire in a bank rioters started. I'm following what's happening in Greece and am worried, through some fluke, you'll be caught up in this. This has happened to me, minding my own business and, bam! there's a riot in some market. It's totally crazy how seemingly normal people flip out and become so destructive. We had a major problem with this post-Katrina. When I was in New Orleans at Christmas, I couldn't help but think that some of the people around me had to have been involved. Creeped me out.
ReplyDeleteStay safe, Jess. I don't think this situation had peaked yet. Hugs!
Oh My God. So sorry you must witness this. And I'm sorry for all the suffering the Greek people are going through because to get out of the financial mess they are taking serious cuts to their income. The whole thing is so sad and the implications of not fixing it will resonate around Europe and the US. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad!! What a tragedy. The theater was gorgeous! I'm freaked out for you. Stay safe. Prayers and more prayers that people will find peace and learn to live among all our differences. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteHey guys, please don't be concerned for my safety! :o) I added something to end of post to explain why ...
ReplyDeleteUGH, this kind of thing not only makes me mad but terribly sad too. I can't believe people are happy to destroy such historic monuments.
ReplyDeleteI was horrified when I saw years ago those old buddhas in the cliffs being destroyed in Afghanistan. :(
They say to create an antagonist, a writer has to get inside their head. But what about their heart? These vandals don't seem to have any. I can't understand such anger and violence. Glad you're safe.
ReplyDeleteJessica, we thought immediately of you yesterday when we saw the video from Athens. Thanks for letting us know you are safe. I am so sad at the loss of this beautiful theater. In times of civil unrest and war, countries must work quickly to protect their historic places. But I suppose it is hard to be everywhere and predict the actions of idiots.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the riots because while I know it will be a hardship, it's my understanding that the measures are a requirement of Greece getting the EU's assistance. But, I have only a cursory knowledge of the situation. I also think there are always times like this (in every country) when some people are just looking for a reason (perhaps unconsciously) to erupt and express a lifetime of frustration; and there are then people to fuel and exploit that frustration. I hope leaders will emerge or step up to calm the situation and that the rioters will realize they are accomplishing nothing by destroying their beautiful city's best buildings and institutions.
The main reason for the unrest is that more austerity measures have been agreed upon. And they are debilitating! 250,000 workers have already lost their jobs, and now they are going to cut 150,000 more. Wages were already cut 25% and now they're going to cut them 22% more. The minimum wage is now a mere 480 euros a month!!! It costs 300 euros MINIMUM for rent. Yes, people are angry, and have the right to be. BUT, why destroy what makes this country attractive to tourists? Which is where the majority of the country's income comes from. They're just cutting their noses off ...
ReplyDeleteAnd just so you can understand how damaging that is. I STRUGGLE to get by on 1000 euro a month.
ReplyDeleteOh what a shame. That gorgeous cinema. People are destroying their own heritage, and they need tourism, they need these beautiful places that people want to pay to visit. The austerity measures sound absolutely crippling. :(
ReplyDeleteI know you posted the public "I'm ok" but I'm not going to lie - I still worry. This is a tragedy and I am angry with/for you! Stay safe, sweets. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI know you posted the public "I'm ok" but I'm not going to lie - I still worry. This is a tragedy and I am angry with/for you! Stay safe, sweets. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat is SO sad! I wish people would realize there are more constructive ways to use your energy and get the point across! Thanks for letting us know that you are okay...I get frustrated by media hype. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHow very sad that we live in such societies that ignore the plight of the poor and do nothing to punish those who acquire vast wealth - often by illegal means - and turn a blind eye to suffering.
ReplyDeleteHi Jess .. the original looked beautiful - I'd have loved to have seen it .. I agree I'd be livid too for that wanton destruction.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're ok - Happy Valentine's Day .. with thoughts - Hilary
Just makes you want to weep..to be destroyed on purpose..words fail me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a waste! People, your destroying YOUR OWN city!
ReplyDeleteSo very sad, stay safe.
ReplyDeleteSO glad you're Okay. So so SO glad. But oh, man. I'm so disgusted that beautiful cinema is gone. What a loss. :o( I don't know why people do these things. They just don't care. ((hugs)) <3
ReplyDeletei'll just never understand people.
ReplyDeleteSo sad! Such a waste - I really don't understand why people do these kinds of things. How is it possibly going to help the situation? Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThis is so hard to look at~ How tragic! I am glad you are okay, be careful!
ReplyDeleteHow horrifying! Regardless of how "just" rioters may believe their cause is, such thoughtless destruction completely undermines any sympathy their cause might have otherwise aroused.
ReplyDeletethere's another similarity between us Serbs and our brothers and sisters in Greece - we both have hooligans who use situations like these to wreck chaos
ReplyDeleteso very sad :(
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no clue. :-( What a horrible, horrible shame. But glad to hear you're fine. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat was such a beautiful place! Makes me sad and I'll never understand destroying things when you're angry. Be safe!!
ReplyDeleteFriedrich Nietzsche said, "In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule." I always think of this quote when I see the images of an ongoing riot, or its aftermath. People are insane when they begin to act with herd mentality. Sad to see such a beautiful structure destroyed.
ReplyDeleteSo instead of going fuck the government if they aren't going to take care of me I guess I need to figure out how to take care of myself. They whine like little kids whos mommy took a toy away, and are now destroying there room. I find this disturbing from the home of western thought.
ReplyDeleteWhen you rely on others don't whine, if they let you down and you made no other plans.
hmmm...