Maybe Greece is lucky after all...

Given Greek authorities' legendary incompetence to deal with any situation, it comes as no surprise that illegal immigrants managed to waltz into Athens' Law School's main building, settle in relative comfort, and stay there, while politicians, TV presenters, and sundry just looked on and talked -- doing nothing.

Greece's institutional shambles hasn't lost its knack to amaze!

Greek television, probably Europe's most idiotic, should be grateful for the royalty-free content -- and it is, showing its gratitude with full-range real-time coverage and tedious speculative discussions.

Greek politicians, reputedly Europe's most nepotist, should be grateful too: these misguided aliens provided the opportunity for declarations, commentary, and no action.

The Greek government should be grateful: while largely indifferent to indigenous matters, the fact did provide an opportunity to make declarations and take the news focus away from the increasingly austere austerity measures.

And, last of all, the aliens themselves should be grateful: what started out as an uncertain adventure on a journey for survival turned into a media party... and, ultimately into a matter blown out of all proportion with excellent trade-offs: shelter in a renovated 1930's villa, adequate food, and tacit recognition of "rights" for which the local taxpayers will pay.

Where does that leave law students??? Barring the Law School;s prestigious President, Prof. T. Fortsakis, no-one else complained, so they must be happy.

The mind boggles at the thought (God forbid) of a Moscow-like incident taking place in Athens! More casualties are likely to ensue from incompetence than of the criminal event...
Please God, be Greek -- or a philhellene!

A happier new year for Greek MPs

Greece's MPs are subject to a special Statute of limitation. It only applies to MPs and, in effect, lasts one year more than a regular tenure. As the assignment procedure is tenuous at best and certainly lengthy, Greek MPs are practically, if not legally, guaranteed complete immunity.
Public opinion being what it is in Greece -- fragmented, emotional, and thereby immaterial to politics and ineffective in any case -- it is a wonder that Greek MPs have not walked off with the loot, lock stock and barrel!

As it is, they seem to be little affected by rumours and TV scandal-mongers and even less interested. Indeed, a game starring TV<-> politics seems to be a more realistic view of things: TV mentions a purported scandal, politics promise to check the allegations for possible tort, committees are organised, reported and analysed by TV, inconclusive conclusions are reached effectively clearing everyone -- and by which time of course... the statute of limitations has done its good deed anyhow.

Greek MP must be one of the best jobs on the Planet! Not only during tenure, but also beyond: all you need is TWO tenures and you are set for life.

Annual remuneration is € 180.000 + car + expenses (70k) + notebooks + utilities. Work is nominal.

Breaking news: MPs in Greece will be glad to learn of a salary increase effective as of JANUARY 2011. In line with austerity measures for the rest of the population!

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Happy New Year!

We wish you safety, health, friends, a cosy nest, lots of laughs and heavy laughter...