Violent Riots Grip Athens

[BayCityProgressive]

ruh-uh...the sheeple are biting back..

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Rioters protesting education reforms battled police for more than three hours Thursday, hurling Molotov cocktails and vandalizing businesses in central Athens, leaving more than 40 people injured, authorities said.

Police said 13 police officers were among those hurt in violence that erupted outside Parliament during a rally against education reforms. More than 60 people were arrested.

``I've never seen anything like it, so many petrol bombs,'' said one riot policeman, who asked not to be identified. ``Five of my colleagues are hurt. We've seized flare guns and wooden bats from the rioters.''

Police in Athens responded with massive amounts of tear gas to some of the worst violence since students began protests against the proposed reforms to increase the autonomy of state-run universities, and relax a ban on police entering campuses.

Greece's conservative government has promised to overhaul the higher education system and change the constitution to allow private universities from next year.

Chanting "it will never pass" and carrying black banners reading "down with the government and its reforms", a group of hooded youths set fire to a bank branch, smashed shop windows and a presidential guard post and destroyed the entrance of a luxury hotel in Constitution, or Syntagma, Square.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6467921,00.html

pictures here:
http://indy.gr/newswire/enimerosi-gia-tin-foititik-poreia-stin-athna-8-marti

[kenny blankenship]

1. I wonder how they'll respond to privatization of their pension system next year?

[Jcrowley]

2. Interesting

Globalization and it's discontents.

K&R

[MatrixEscape]

3. Sheesh!

And weren't they protesting over food prices in Mexico not long ago?

They should learn to be more like we Americans -- it is so much safer and easier! Sit back, watch TV, do the daily program. Have faith! Believe! Take no risks and make no waves. Oh, moan and groan, but bend over, and let them do it again. The two-party system works ... together to give us a choice that is well, better than no choice, ey?

When will those Globals learn our lesson about the absolute fact that democracy equals total corporate control? I mean, we live with it peacefully with total acceptence, not like that rabble who want to fight for things and demand fairness and change. Gosh, imagine the bumps, bruises, jail time. Sheesh!

Heck, we also know that the minute we do anything that would actually threaten to change things, (other than bitch on our blogs and go, "LOOKEE HERE! You won't believe what they got away with today!") the United Corporations of America could instantly turn off anything they want to ... take your pick! No, not my: cable/satellite, phone, electricity, water, that three-day stock of food at the Mega-Food Mart. We good, law-abiding Americans know it is not worth our while to be sent to our rooms without our necessities long enough to make us regret it. Oh, wait, that's for kids and teenagers. Well, you get my point.

Just kidding ;) How can you not love a beast that you yourself feed every day of your life with the myriad of manufactured needs and desires it offers and are now considered necessities? Heck, my love affair started as a wee child in a dazed rapture in front of my babysitter and best friend, Ms. TV. She knew what was best for me.