The Poverty of the Greek people

[Ephilant]

I
grim

Indeed. One of the hospitals in Patra closed because of this kind of situation , and was literally abandoned. A few of the staff went back in to get whatever they could to use on patients they were treating in one of the many street hospitals. They are being sued for theft. When asked if they would have come and taken the stock back out, the supplier in question ( a British Pharma company) said it wasn't worth their while doing that. They were happy to leave it rot in a closed hospital, but once it was being used on people unable to pay for food, leave alone medical care,....

We have a nurse and a pediatrician working with us. Both are officially employed by the Ministry for Health, but haven't been paid in at least a year. Because they are still on the payroll, they can't get un employment assistance. A commonly used tactic in Greece.

For Greeks, this is what the election tomorrow is all about. And the pro bailout parties and their masters in Europe are rightfully so being blamed for this situation.

[C. Flower]

Inside Greece's largest hospital

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gree...ity-cuts-video

grim

It is most reminiscent of the collapse of the USSR, after the World Bank went in.

[morticia]

In fairness to the EU high command, I think we can categorically state that things really aren't quite that bad here. And I've spent a few days in one of our hospitals recently (maternity). I am happy to report that the system appears to be working still, despite the strains on it.

I wish they would see reason in altering the terms of our debts, especially the bank detritus, but tbh, trying to negotiate that right now is like turning around to firefighters working on two large forest fires and asking them to refill your pond just in case.

In other words, they may just have their hands full elsewhere.

Perhaps all good things come to those who wait ? Or perhaps more realistically, the trick is to remain standing after the bomb has gone off. Thankfully, we are no longer ground zero. It's all a bit like Lewis Carroll's Red Queen, except the aim of the game in this case is not running to stand still, it is running to slide backwards a little less fast than some of the others.

[Dr. FIVE]

In fairness to the EU high command, hospitals here were a disaster long before 2008

[Ephilant]

Farmers from the Anatoli cooperative the Ierapetra area on Crete decided to do their bit to help the poor in Athens, and went to the city this morning with 25 tonnes of locally grown fruit and vegetables, which were handed out free. They had decided to start the free food festival at 10am, but when they arrived their this morning found queues of people who had been waiting since the news broke yesterday to collect a box of fresh fruit and veg. the handout started at 8.00am instead of 10, and food was handed out only to those who had been flagged by the municipality of Pedion tou Areos (downtown Athens) where the distribution took place, or by the local food kitchen.



It took less than 3 hours to distribute 2700 boxes of fruit and veg. One of the recipients said that when she got the food, she could not thank the farmers enough. this was the first time in 13 weeks that her children would get fresh food to eat. Another woman, who has a disabled child, said that this was the best thing that has happened to her in months. She has not received any social payment for "some months".



The President of the agricultural co-operative “we, farmers, send a message of solidarity to those Greeks who struggle to survive and cannot buy our products. We have the same problem and we have to help each other.”


More here

http://www.newsit.gr/default.php?pname=Article&art_id=146864&catid=3
http://www.newsit.gr/default.php?pna...146864&catid=3

This same cooperative is one of the best, and regular donors to our food kitchen as well. This is what gives us hope that we will get through this, despite of our politicians and the EU.

[fluffybiscuits]

Farmers from the Anatoli cooperative the Ierapetra area on Crete decided to do their bit to help the poor in Athens, and went to the city this morning with 25 tonnes of locally grown fruit and vegetables, which were handed out free. They had decided to start the free food festival at 10am, but when they arrived their this morning found queues of people who had been waiting since the news broke yesterday to collect a box of fresh fruit and veg. the handout started at 8.00am instead of 10, and food was handed out only to those who had been flagged by the municipality of Pedion tou Areos (downtown Athens) where the distribution took place, or by the local food kitchen.



It took less than 3 hours to distribute 2700 boxes of fruit and veg. One of the recipients said that when she got the food, she could not thank the farmers enough. this was the first time in 13 weeks that her children would get fresh food to eat. Another woman, who has a disabled child, said that this was the best thing that has happened to her in months. She has not received any social payment for "some months".



The President of the agricultural co-operative “we, farmers, send a message of solidarity to those Greeks who struggle to survive and cannot buy our products. We have the same problem and we have to help each other.”


More here

http://www.newsit.gr/default.php?pname=Article&art_id=146864&catid=3
http://www.newsit.gr/default.php?pna...146864&catid=3

This same cooperative is one of the best, and regular donors to our food kitchen as well. This is what gives us hope that we will get through this, despite of our politicians and the EU.

Fair play to the farmers. Nice to see people helping each other out

[ang]

Update -

Several Trading Companies Cut Or Halt Power Exports To Greece Due To Non-payments - Trading Sources

[Ephilant]

Indeed, but we have a "Government of Responsibility" put in place by a concerted effort of German led media terrorism, the Euro is safe (for now) so all is well... People? What do you mean, people?
It was revealed today in "topontiki" that, as a direct result of the media scare mongering in Germany and the UK, some 2,500,000 holiday bookings were cancelled during the 4-6 week terror campaign, resulting in the closure of 20 hotels in Athens alone, and the laying off of nearly 4,000 as a result.

[morticia]

Update -

Greece appears to be heading for a disaster of Zimbabwean proportions. Energy shortages will totally kibosh food transport. I hope the holy trinity of Concern, Trocaire and Oxfam are ready.

I am beginning to wonder how both the Greek tax evaders and Frau Merkel and co can sleep at night.

[Ephilant]

Greece appears to be heading for a disaster of Zimbabwean proportions. Energy shortages will totally kibosh food transport. I hope the holy trinity of Concern, Trocaire and Oxfam are ready.

I am beginning to wonder how both the Greek tax evaders and Frau Merkel and co can sleep at night.

As I said so many months ago, the Greek problem will not be food production, it's transportation. We have enough fertile land and enough people who know how to work it to produce more than enough food for the whole country. We don't need imported Dutch tomatoes etc. The problem will be getting it to the cities. In the country most people look after themselves for at least 50% of their food needs, and the other 50% is simply because it's easier to buy a loaf of bread than to bake one etc. But that is changing fast. In the cities many neighbourhoods now use "community kitchens" and share the cost of energy to run these. But they rely on "importing" the food to into the city. As that lady said the other day, it was 16 weeks ago since her children had fresh food. Maybe the military could come in useful after all, and God knows they will have the fuel!

[morticia]

Good luck and I hope something can be worked out. Ireland needs a rationing plan for shortages too. They will come, sooner or later.

[Ephilant]

What we really need is a few leaders who will pull the finger out and actually lead instead of brown nosing Euorpe Inc. Meanwhile we will indeed need all the luck we can get.
Zougla had an article a few days ago in which they reckon that an exodus has started out of the cities. They produced a figure of 18,500 having left Athens in since January, usually to join up with family somewhere in the country. Similar situation in Thessaloniki and Patras. And it is becoming apparent in the country. Here on the island you can now see people digging up there beautifully landscaped gardens to plant basic foods.
We were given 35 big olive drums (200 l each) the other day for our shelter. These will grow our patatas for us without taking up any space on the land. That is what they are going to have to start doing in the cities as well. Just take up every bit of land and plant it, including disused olumpic stadiums etc.
If SYRIZA have the foresight and the people, this is where they will win. Go and teach people to be super efficient in using what the need from others, and self sufficient whenever possible.

[fluffybiscuits]

What we really need is a few leaders who will pull the finger out and actually lead instead of brown nosing Euorpe Inc. Meanwhile we will indeed need all the luck we can get.
Zougla had an article a few days ago in which they reckon that an exodus has started out of the cities. They produced a figure of 18,500 having left Athens in since January, usually to join up with family somewhere in the country. Similar situation in Thessaloniki and Patras. And it is becoming apparent in the country. Here on the island you can now see people digging up there beautifully landscaped gardens to plant basic foods.
We were given 35 big olive drums (200 l each) the other day for our shelter. These will grow our patatas for us without taking up any space on the land. That is what they are going to have to start doing in the cities as well. Just take up every bit of land and plant it, including disused olumpic stadiums etc.
If SYRIZA have the foresight and the people, this is where they will win. Go and teach people to be super efficient in using what the need from others, and self sufficient whenever possible.

The key to survivng this is going to be getting people to become self reliant. Perhaps the communities could come together and take over plots of land which reminds me that would be not be a bad idea in Dublin . Ask Nama for a plot of land that we could use to become self sufficient to grow our own foods . How will it work with the drums? Simon on here if he reads this is a specialist in this area, he knows his stuff about growing potatoes

[Ephilant]

The key to survivng this is going to be getting people to become self reliant. Perhaps the communities could come together and take over plots of land which reminds me that would be not be a bad idea in Dublin . Ask Nama for a plot of land that we could use to become self sufficient to grow our own foods . How will it work with the drums? Simon on here if he reads this is a specialist in this area, he knows his stuff about growing potatoes

Ok, with the potatoes it's simple. Fill the drum with about 30cm of soil, put in 15-20 seed potatoes, and top with soil. these guys start growing. Once they are about 10cm high, top up with soild again (make sure you don't break the p[lants, and leave the tops exposed. repeat till you reach about 20 cem from the top. then let the plant do it's bit as normal. By constantly covering it with earth, you force it to make more roots (= spuds!). In this kind of drum you can grow as many spuds as on 1 standard garden row, but on an area of roughly 0.75 sq m.
Now I'm gone back to the beach before all the Tuna is gone!

[Binn Beal]

Food for thought: This barrel contains three spuds, which is more than enough to fill the container with potatoes. The bag beside it was also planted with three seed potatoes (variety Orla). The problem with the sack, as you can see, is that it sags a bit.
Both containers have been topped up with seaweed, grass cuttings (in moderation), soil and last year's badly made compost. In addition to a barrel of spuds, I should have a barrel of nice garden compost afterwards.
We - the family and I - have five hens, two pigs, a polytunnel and assorted containers. We produce a large amount of food and also collect a fair bit as well from nature's bounty. Much of this stuff we give away to friends and neighbours and receive as many gifts of other stuff as the seasons dictate.
One year I fattened two heifers on grass - which grows in abundance in our climate and is regarded as a nuisance by the lawnmower brigade. We produced so much meat that we had difficulty giving it away.
If there was a left party willing and able to distribute it, I would be happy to get involved in a food-distributing network.
Once in my innocent and revolutionary youth I attempted to get inner-city dwellers interested in producing food. Even with trade union backing, only a couple of people expressed any interest and then wanted to know if there was a grant or a 'scheme' involved.