I am very grateful to John Redwood's always shrewd observations in his daily diary. He observes and thinks, and thereby makes me pause and think. There has been a great deal of sympathy extended to poor little Greece because she is being portrayed as the victim of a rampant, bullying Germany. There is an element of truth in this because, as we all know, money-lenders are never very soft at heart! However, it shouldn't be forgotten that most of the blame for Greek misery lies in Greek behaviour. Their politicians are a bunch of creeps and crooks and are collectively unfit for purpose. However, Greece is a democracy and these poltroons were voted in by the Greek people. Thus, my sympathy for these Greek 'stoopids' is very limited.
Meanwhile, Mr. Redwood points an accusing finger at the Greek military which appears to be a great fat, festering boil on the national finances:
The Greek military comprises around 170,000 active personnel paid by the state, with a further 280,000 in the reserve forces. [...]
The Greek navy has around 80 warships. The army has more than 1200 tanks. The airforce has around 1000 planes and helicopters.
Crikey! I wish we could afford armed services of that size. According to Mr. Redwood, the Greeks justify this because of their doubts concerning their neighbours. Obviously, their eyes rarely stray from watching Turkey, their ancient enemy, but as Mr. Redwood points out, Greece has security guarantees from the west - not least because she is a member of NATO. The eastern Mediterranean is a key area of strategic interest to the west and I doubt that Greece need fear invasion.
Of course, given the track record of Greek generals in the fairly recent past, it will take a brave politican to suggest deep cuts in the armed services!
Up to a point, Lord Copper.
The Greeks may well have voted the slime into office, but did they have any choice? Did and do we have any choice? Whoever you vote for you get Pro-EU Enviro-nutcase big-government kleptocrats in charge - it's called the Political Class, and they are all exactly the same.
And I imagine the Greek armed forces are there to provide a big market for the French arms industry, but hey what do I know?
Posted by: Andrew Duffin | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 12:22
I think if the people start burning down Athens again and chucking themselves out of high windows I expect we will see a small cabal of Colonels take over again, shoot a few pols (hooray), ditch the Euro, print drachmas, and make Greece cheap, cheerful and welcoming for tourists again.
Posted by: Dr Evil | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 14:49
I think that you and JR between you might have come up with a dream solution. Greeks have been useless at fighting for the last 2000 years, whereas the Germans have more recently proven themselves to be all too willing and able. The Kaiserin should write off a huge chunk of debt, in exchange for the complete abolition of all Greek armed forces, and the provision of a German guarantee to defend Greek borders on a "no win, no fee" basis.
Posted by: Whyaxye | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 16:15
Good thinking, people, keep it up!
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 16:39
Look, I'm tired and irritable this morning and the only thing I can think of here is something along the lines of "f#@k the Greeks."
I have absolutely nothing more to say about anything.
Ever, probably!
Posted by: Andra | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 23:32
'Nothing more to say', Andra? I don't think so! (And I hope not, too.)
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 17 February 2012 at 08:59