Greek Independence Day, Tsipras Edition

Happy Greek Independence Day!  Ζήτω Η Ελλας!

This year's Greek Independence Day once again finds Greece in the headlines, as new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the Syriza government try to negotiate better terms for paying back the nation's massive loans in the wake of the lingering financial crisis.

That crisis continues to frame most things Greek. But one of the greatest things about being Greek is the ability to shrug off  problems and not let them affect your sense of self, your Hellenism.

I continue to brag about being a Greek, so much so that a friend at work recently commented "I can't believe you still brag about that in the face of the crisis." Bragging about being Greek in times of crisis is one of THE Greekest things you can EVER do.* A Hellene knows that over the course of 2,500 years of history, you are going to have some valleys - self-imposed ones like the current situation, or external ones like the fall of Constantinople, the Anatolian catastrophe, etc. - and we are likely to brag about the valleys, too.

To paraphrase Louis Armstrong, 'If you have to ask what Hellenism is, you'll never know.'**

As I've written before, I'm not crazy about Tsipras but you can not question his Hellenism. What else would give you the courage - or θρασος - to go to Germany, as he did this week, and say 'despite our screw ups and fiscal irresponsibility you have to cut us some slack"?***

Only a people who invented logic can confidently push such an illogical idea.

One of the Hellenic highlights of 2014 was Greece's stirring victory over Ivory Coast in the group stage of the World Cup. The win propelled Ellas into the knock-out round and was delivered in dramatic fashion by George Samaras' penalty kick.****  As his shot hit the back of the net I screamed to the throng and our παρέα gathered in Public Tenley "H Ελλάδα ποτέ δεν πεθαίνει! Greece will never die!"

And we'll never stop bragging, either!  ΖΗΤΟ Η ΕΛΛΑΣ! Long live Greece!

* I was bragging about one of our recent triumphs, Archbishop Iakovos' participation in the March on Selma. His role was highlighted in the film 'Selma' where Iakovos tells Martin Luther King, Jr. 'You are not alone my friend.' Apparently a second line of dialogue - 'Really? I'm the ONLY white guy here?' - was cut from the final version of the film.
** Armstrong lived for a time in Astoria, Queens, aka Greektown, USA
*** Cutting Greece some slack by easing up on austerity makes sense, too. Witness the US, who passed a stimulus bill under President Obama, versus the eurozone, suffering years of stagnation thanks in large part to German-imposed austerity. When the chips are down, a supposedly socialist-leaning Europe helps their banks not the people.
**** Coincidentally enough, this clip is in German! 

Zito H Ellas

As most of you know, today is Greek Independence Day.  It's the 188th anniversary of the fractured Greeks coming together, initially in Kalavrita in the Peloponesos, to fight against the Ottoman Empire and declare the first Hellenic state ever.   

There had never been an actual Hellenic state prior to 1828 (the year Greece won its independence; the war started on March 25, 1821).  Everyone knows about the city-states, and Alexander united Greece for a time.  Finally, many consider the Byzantine Empire from the 6th to the 12th century the 'first' Greek state.  But though the Byzantines spoke Greek they identified themselves as Romiosini since their empire was the eastern Roman Empire, the direct successor to the Rome-based empire.  

It's a great story of disparate Greek factions (that's the picture on the right) finally coming together to thrown off the Ottoman Empire. Inspired by the French and American revolutions, intellectuals and merchants inside and outside of Greece reconnected with the ancient Greek ideals and joined together to start the war of independence. They also sensed that the Ottoman Empire was weakening in the Balkans, so their inspiration and organizing came together at just the right time. Seven years later, aided by the Great Powers who guaranteed Greece's independence, the modern Greek state was born.

It almost goes without saying, but to be Greek is to be arrogant and full of pride.  And nothing personifies that arrogance more than the day Greeks chose to launch their revolution and declare their independence.  March 25th is also the day Christians believe that the archangel Gabriel appeared before the Virgin Mary to tell her she would give birth to the son of God, Jesus.

Greeks have no problem comparing the birth of their state to the birth of Jesus, God the son. How's that for arrogance?  "Your country is the land of liberty?  Ours is the Jesus of countries."

Finally, it's one thing to compare classical Athens or Hellenistic Alexandria or Constantinople under Basil the Great to Jesus, but the Greek condition in the early 19th century was hardly godlike.   But the peasants, brigands, intellectuals, merchants, ship owners, clergy and others, drawing on the ancient Greeks, saw their new nation as something akin to the son of God.   

How can one argue with that?

Zito H Ellas!

(That translates into 'Long Live Greece' in barbarian)

HelleNews

• President Obama and Vice President Biden celebrated Greek Independence Day today at the White House.   I need to try to get invited to that next year.  A news feed from a pool reporter is below.
• Speaker Pelosi also issued a statement, and Congress passed a resolution honoring Greek Independence Day
• Finally, in honor of Greek Independence Day the House passed HR 146, the Omnibus Lands bill, to protect more than 2 million acres of new public land.
• Pretty big day. I'm tired.  

Pool report #3, March 25, 2009

Greek Independence Day celebration

POTUS and VPOTUS hosted a celebration of Greek Independence Day in the East Room, as they and their honored guest, Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, took turns lauding the ties and shared democratic heritage of the two countries.

At one point, as the Archbishop appealed for US help in several issues of special importance to Greeks, the Archbishop suggested the President could follow “the brilliant example of Alexander the Great” and “cut the Gordian knot of these unresolved issues.”
That led POTUS moments later to joke that “I will tell Michelle that I’ve been compared to Alexander the Great. I will see whether that gets me a little more respect. At home she knows she’s still the boss.”

The “injustices” the Archbishop cited in asking POTUS for “your special assistance” included issues related to Cyprus; to the use of the name, Macedonia, by that country; and (and in this case I’d be cautious because I had some trouble understanding the words), difficulties faced in Turkey by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople.

The event marked the 188th anniversary of Greek independence.

About 180 guests attended, including members of Congress with, and many without, Greek heritage, from Maryland’s John Sarbanes to Sander Levin of Michigan, Carolyn Maloney of New York, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Robert Wexler of Florida and others. Also spotted: US Ambassador to Greece Dan Speckhard and Budget Director Peter Orszag. The Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir was there, and was to perform, but did not during the 45 minutes or so that your pool was there. Chef Michael Psilakis was cooking at the White House Wednesday night, offering what were described as signature Modern Greek dishes off the menu of his New York restaurant, Anthos: Open Goat Moussaka, Roasted Octopus with pickled morel mushrooms, etc.

The Vice President spoke first, for about four and half minutes, credited his first election victory to help from the Greek-American community, described himself as “an honorary Greek,” and declared, in one of many nods to ancient Greece, “Our countries come from the same historical DNA.”

The Archbishop spoke for about 8 minutes, and POTUS spoke for five and half minutes. The speeches began with Biden at 5:12 pm and ended by about 5:30 pm.

ACC Tournament Semi-finals

Great day of basketball today highlighted by the Heels gutting out a 79-76 win without Ty Lawson.  

I worked from home this afternoon, and got to watch the Heels, then half of the FSU-Georgia Tech game, most of the AU-Holy Cross game to determine the Patriot League champion, and then the Maryland-Wake Forest game (I'm blogging between that game and the Duke-BC game).

Carolina had to grind out their win over Virginia Tech without Lawson. It was odd to see the Hokies run more often and more effectively than the Tar Heels. Carolina compensated by effectively feeding the post for 40 minutes and Hansbrough, Thompson and Ed Davis had very nice games, especially Hansbrough and Davis.  Even Tyler Zeller, who didn't play that many minutes, scored a big and tough basket late.

The Heels augmented their low-post offense with two mini-runs: one led by Hansbrough and Davis in the first half, and Ellington in the second.  In the end, it was Hansbrough who closed out the win on his way to 28 points. Not only did Psycho T score our last six points, but got a big turnover in the final minute when he tied up Virginia Tech's Thompson.

Hansbrough's play was one of four consecutive stops Carolina made down the stretch.  In general, I thought Carolina's defense was pretty good today against the Hokies.

The Heels play FSU in the semi-finals Saturday afternoon.  Florida State looked ok in surviving their game against an energized Georgia Tech.  It will be an interesting game for the Heels without Lawson.   Carolina will no doubt try to go down low as much as possible but FSU's front line is athletic and big.  We'll need a good game from Ellington and especially Danny Green, who was uncharacteristically cold today.

GO HEELS! 

Lots of Random Things

• Got to give it up for Bobby Frasor, who played 37 minutes. It was his first start as Carolina's point guard since his sophomore year. He wasn't spectacular, and he had another bad shooting night, but he did a good job feeding the post and had only 1 turnover.
• This game was a nice advertisement for Carolina's depth. Frasor started, Drew played 14 minutes, and Ed Davis was a horse down low in scoring 10 impressive points with 6 boards.  Zeller only played 4 minutes but contributed 4 points and 3 boards.  And little used Justin Watts got 5 minutes in the first half.  Watts looked pretty good and set a nice screen for Hansbrough.
• Maryland looked good, but Wake looked awful today. As a result Maryland makes the ACC semifinals.  Grevieis Vasquez had a great game for the Terps, but it was a team effort as Maryland beat up the taller front line of Wake Forest. Maryland outscored the Demon Deacons in the paint and out rebounded Wake.  
• The win should get Maryland in the NCAA tournament; they now have wins over Carolina, Michigan State, Michigan and Wake Forest.  So the ACC should get at least seven teams in the big dance: Carolina, Wake, Duke, FSU, Clemson, Boston College and Maryland.
• I never thought I would regret watching a Big East game, but I wish I had stayed up to watch the six-overtime game between UConn and Syracuse.  As a result of that game, I will not pick either team to go far in the NCAA tournament. I imagine both teams are toast, emotionally and physically. 
• Congrats to Ty Lawson for being named ACC Player of the Year. My heart was with Tyler Hansbrough, but Lawson is a deserving winner.  He was the most important player on the best team in the conference, and usually the most dominant player on the court. 

Hellenic News 

• If you're in DC, mark your calendars for the annual 'Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day' on April 1, from 6 pm to 8 pm, in room 334 of Cannon House Office Building, sponsored by the Congressional Hellenic Caucus and the American Hellenic Institute. As a Greek-American lobbyist I will most certainly attend this event so let me know if you want to join me. You need to RSVP; for more information visit: http://ahiworld.org/announcements/gid/index2.html.

• In addition to the reception, there are two resolutions pending in Congress recognizing Greek Independence Day and the Cretan resistance to the Nazi invasion and occupation during World War II. More information on each bill is below. H.Res. 227: Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY]: Recognizing and appreciating the historical significance and the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II and commending the PanCretan Association of America. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr111-227,  H.J.Res. 39: Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL]: Recognizing the 188th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American democracy. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hj111-39.  FYI, Maloney represents Astoria, Queens; for Ros-Lehtinen, there are lots of Greeks in south Florida.

• One piece of bad Hellenic news: Panathinaikos lost - in Athens - on Tuesday and were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League.  After tying Villareal on the road with an all-important away goal, the Greens came back to Athens needing only a scoreless tie to make the round of 8.  But instead Panathinaikos' defense completely fell apart, and they lost to Villareal 1-2. Tough loss in Athens in a game the Greens should have won.