“Cleisthenes” by http://www.ohiochannel.org/. Licensed under Attribution via Wikimedia Commons.
Cleisthenes: The inventor of Democracy

Democracy is Flourishing

Ancient Athenian style Democracy is flourishing in only one place in the modern world. The Wall Street stock markets. They vote everyday on everything. In ancient Athens where participatory democracy was born this is how it worked. Citizens debated and voted on every issue. Up, or Down, Yes, or No. There were no elected officials that ruled unhindered for a period of 4 or 5 years. The modern politicians have turned a creative way to express the will of the people “Democracy” into an “Olympic” event. The winner is awarded 4 years of absolute rule. Democracy is not an Olympic event waged by Politicians to win power. It is the direct expression of the people’s will in all their affairs. The Athenian people’s will was obeyed and actualized on a regular basis. Not just once every 4 years.

In modern times we find this type of Democracy in only one place. The Wall street stock market.

Did some news of calamity hit the newswire the stock market participants and big capital immediately vote on Wall Street by buying or selling. They drive the prices up or down in a flash. Wall Street is the modern version of the Acropolis where they meet and rule over their vast financial empire. They control the money supply of our modern democracies. Unlike their predecessors the Athenians, they are not seekers of truth, justice or free thought. They are seekers of ever expanding wealth in the hands of the very few. Continue reading Democracy is Flourishing on Wall Street →

Shooting the Messenger

My last article on the fears of how low prices may effect the quality of olive oil Greeks will be consuming this year ruffled a few feathers. A Greek website claimed they had received phone calls and complaints. They even “warned” me that people are very angry. They claim olive oil companies have lost a great deal of money because of my article. They published my photo without authorization. They refuse to ask for permission or remove it. This is the sorry state of modern Greek journalism. This is the type of hyperbole that mirrors the state of the olive oil industry in Greece today. Thinly veiled threats from people hiding behind the “journalist”.  I asked them out for a cup of coffee and they have so far refused.

The fact is, 70-80 percent of our exported, high-quality EVOO is being sold off at the lowest prices to Italians and other foreign buyers in bulk. The question the Greek government, olive oil companies and Greek journalists need to answer is: why are we still selling our best EVOO in bulk? Why are the prices dropping during a period of limited supply? We are not alone in this race to the bottom of the price pool. There is another country that is struggling to add value as it sells its liquid gold off in bulk at lower prices: Tunisia

Italian and the Spanish Olive Oil Companies are Thriving

In contrast, Italian olive oil companies who had to deal with some very real stigmas to their reputation are thriving. Honest and hard working Italian olive oil companies have managed to flourish in spite of the stigma of adulteration in the past and even into the present. They have become so successful they are forced to buy up Greek or Tunisian EVOO in bulk in order to fill their orders. Producers in Spain have bounced back from adversities and are thriving. What is wrong with the Greek olive oil industry?

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON OLIVEOILTIMES.COM PLEASE VISIT: http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/opinion/continuing-slide-of-olive-oil-prices-in-greece/45574

The time has come to embrace our greatness. Time has come to once again embrace the drachma. The time has finally arrived to say goodbye to the euro. This simple thought instills enormous fear and tribulation. The fear is palpable and the panic seeps through everything and everyone in its path. This simple thought can change the course of history. Time has come to say goodbye. Think this simple thought in the privacy of your own imagination and let it come alive in your heart. “Time to say goodbye to the euro and time to embrace the drachma” Do not let them scare you do not let anyone put fear in your heart. Our choices will determine our future. Let them know you are not going to take it anymore.

Enough is enough

The ancient Athenians under the leadership of Themistocles, when faced with certain military defeat abandoned Athens and fled to Salamis. Every single person new that it was time to say goodbye to their beloved city. They abandoned their homes their temples. They abandoned Athens. Their courage and daring paved the way for the eventual victory against the Persians. Now we are called once again to make the choice for freedom instead of eternal slavery to foreign powers. We can make the rational choice free from fear and superstition. If only we had a Themistocles among us to show us the way; some cry out. Themistocles will not arrive as a leader but as an idea and a willingness to take action and a willingness to sacrifice everything for freedom. Victory was not assured then and victory is not assured now. But defeat is guaranteed if we do nothing. At least think about it. At least do that. Greatness does not live in the past, it can reside in our present, in our hearts  and in our future.

Athan

“SNGCop 039” by Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com – Classical Numismatic Group. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

I love to look up at the moon late on a summer night lying on the ground looking up and dreaming of limitless possibilities. It is an almost daily treat here in Hellas during the late spring to early fall. Clear skies and warm nights make it an ideal place to call home.

From Wikipedia: Super Selene In Greek mythology, Selene (/sɨˈliːni/; Greek Σελήνη [selɛ̌ːnɛː] ‘moon‘;) is the goddess of the moon. She is the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister of thesun-god Helios, and Eos, goddess of the dawn. She drives her moon chariot across the heavens. Several lovers are attributed to her in various myths, including Zeus,Pan, and the mortal Endymion. In classical times, Selene was often identified withArtemis, much as her brother, Helios, was identified with Apollo.^[1] Both Selene and Artemis were also associated with Hecate, and all three were regarded as lunar goddesses, although only Selene was regarded as the personification of the moon itself. 

My book “Recipes for the Revival of the Hellenic Spirit” purpose is to clear the cobwebs surrounding the true nature and practical value of the Hellenic spirit. Connecting with the Hellenic spirit will untame your creativity and unleash your capabilities to their full potential.

Rising above superstition and fear, “Recipes for the Revival of the Hellenic Spirit” is a guide to personal happiness, physical health, and intellectual freedom. A road map for reclaiming our fullest potential as a species.

One city one world one human at a time”

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