Emmanuel in Athens

What is the War on Terror anyway?

2006-09-13T11:16:00.000+03:00

I came across an annoying article on the BBC web site today which asked the question "Do you agree with President Bush's War on Terror?". I found it annoying because the phrase "war on terror" is so widely used now in the media but what does it actually mean? Perhaps we should discuss why we and the media are constantly using dumbed-down terms such as "the war on terror" and "weapons of mass destruction" that are being fed to us by our governments. These are vague, meaningless expressions. Why is there little or no detailed discussion and explanation of the origins of the various conflicts that are happening at the moment? Why are we never reminded that Osama Bin-Laden received money and weapons from the US in order to fight the Russian occupation of Afghanistan. Why do we never see the television images of Donald Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam Hussein back when the US was supporting Iraq in its fight against Iran? Why are we never reminded that a major reason why the Middle East is unstable and full of tension is that Britain and others carved it up and help to create countries in a way that suited them but not the people living there. Vague terms like "war on terror" are useful because they are broad enough to encompass any military adventure that the US and its allies decide to embark on, and because they help to perpetuate a feeling of fear in which these conflicts are more palatable for the public. Perhaps the war on terror is in actual fact a media and information war, and we are the casualties.

First Sign of Blackberry Addiction?

2006-08-30T15:47:00.000+03:00

Being a freelance translator, I thought it would be useful to have access to my e-mails on the move, so after doing quite a bit of reading I decided upon a Blackberry (mobile phone / e-mail device), which I purchased today. References to the handy little gadget being nicknamed the "Crackberry" kept on coming in my research. It turns out that many users began to feel the need to read and answer their e-mails during dinner with the family, while on holiday, ignoring fairly essential activities like eating and sleeping - you get the picture.

Anyway, after having ripped open the packaging and holding the new arrival in my hands, my wife calls and asks what we were having for dinner. I promptly responded telling her that I was going to boil up some pasta with Blackberry. I am putting this down to early excitement about my new toy, but if such behaviour persists and I myself have developed a Crackberry addiction, I'll send you an e-mail about it.

Quality of Life? Let's Start with Having Somewhere to Sit!

2006-07-20T17:32:00.000+03:00

I am just back from nearly a week in London. It was a bit of a flying visit, but it was great to see my family and friends. I much prefer going back to London as a tourist than having to live and work there all of the time, that way I can just do the things I like - bring on the sushi (like most other foreign food in Athens, it's pretty expensive here)! - and avoid the things I hate, like taking the tube. After going back on the tube for the first time in about six months, I got some bizarre claustrauphobic attack and had to get off before my stop. Funny how having to travel on the tube with your face in someone else's armpit just becomes something you put up with when you live in London, or I guess any other crowded city. Another example is when people take their pint of beer and stand outside in the street next to the passing traffic when there's no more room left in the pub. Anyway, no more of that for me thank you!

How much for that Samurai sword?

2006-06-02T11:32:00.000+03:00

Hi

Welcome to my new blog! I hope to keep it interesting, rather than telling you what I had for breakfast (Greek yoghurt with fig jam rocks!). The blog is linked to my web site called Athens Room at www.athensroom.com - it's a site for newcomers to Athens, Greece. It has all sorts of stuff on it including an online forum, articles and information about living and working in Greece, property for rent, a club for expat foreigners in the city, a dating service and now a blog! Check it out.

So what's with the title of this post? Well, last night I was out at a great souvlaki place in Vouliagmeni, when this Asian guy walked past our table with his arms full of Samurai swords for sale! These things were the real "Kill Bill" deal. I nearly choked on a meatball when I saw him. Strange to think that the police in London are running a knife amnesty at the moment, while this guy is selling swords in a restaurant. Athens is a crazy place, but I like it.