Three bank workers died in a blaze at their Athens office block today after violence broke out in a mass demonstration against Greece's government.
Anarchy engulfed Athens as protesters torched the bank. Up to 100,000 people took to the streets, many chanting 'Thieves, thieves!' while hurling projectiles at police and trying to storm the parliament.
Greek prime minister George Papandreou denounced what he called the 'murder' of two women and one man killed when bank was set alight as the mob protested against austerity measures imposed under Greece's international bailout package.
The spiralling crisis triggered a fall in global markets and the euro, and served as a grim reminder of the perilous state of Britain's economy as the country prepares to go to the polls tomorrow.

New figures from the European Commission revealed today that the UK budget deficit will outstrip any country in the EU this year - including Greece.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1273020/Greece-debt-crisis-German-outrage-strikes-markets-falling.html#ixzz0n6M65IBS

If Nigerian civilians could take the fight to authorities like these Europeans do, this country wouldn't be on the list of 3rd world nations today. The only people really fighting the government today are the journalists and even they are tired of exposing trillions of missing dollars every month coz the public in any sane nation should respond but here. . .nobody cares.

And we keep wondering what is wrong with Nigeria. . .lol

@harakiri,

And you think what is going on in Greece is to be commended? We are seeing the unintended consequences of runaway socialism is action. Unfortunately, America is also on a fast track to Greece if we do not limit these uncontrolled govt spending and social programs.

Tayo-D:

@harakiri,

And you think what is going on in Greece is to be commended?  We are seeing the unintended consequences of runaway socialism is action. Unfortunately, America is also on a fast track to Greece if we do not limit these uncontrolled govt spending and social programs.

I am not commending the excesses of the European government.I am appraising citizens who take up the fight to the bullies within the corridors of power.No true development can come unless radical measures are taken.America,Britain,China,Japan and Europe did not get to where they are today with deaf and dumb citizens.Democracy came into France over a century ago when the women rioted over the an increase in the flour taxes.All the nobles were killed on the spot.Without radicalism, NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE IN NIGERIA! ! ! The rogues in power will continue to loot and loot and loot because they know the worst that will come out of it will either be a little media coverage or a slap on the wrist (e.g Alams,Bode George and Lucky Igbinedion). Look at the likes of IBB and Obasanjo.In same countries, the citizens would be crying for their blood and if nothing is done, then jungle justice will be carried out but what do we see here. . .the same rogues are still the ones dictating the left and right of our economy.

It's a crying shame! ! !

The rogues in power will continue to loot and loot and loot because they know the worst that will come out of it will either be a little media coverage or a slap on the wrist (e.g Alams,Bode George and Lucky Igbinedion). Look at the likes of IBB and Obasanjo.

Gbosa!!!

harakiri:

I am not commending the excesses of the European government.I am appraising citizens who take up the fight to the bullies within the corridors of power.No true development can come unless radical measures are taken.America,Britain,China,Japan and Europe did not get to where they are today with deaf and dumb citizens.Democracy came into France over a century ago when the women rioted over the an increase in the flour taxes.All the nobles were killed on the spot.Without radicalism, NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE IN NIGERIA! ! ! The rogues in power will continue to loot and loot and loot because they know the worst that will come out of it will either be a little media coverage or a slap on the wrist (e.g Alams,Bode George and Lucky Igbinedion). Look at the likes of IBB and Obasanjo.In same countries, the citizens would be crying for their blood and if nothing is done, then jungle justice will be carried out but what do we see here. . .the same rogues are still the ones dictating the left and right of our economy.

It's a crying shame! ! !

rEAL TALK

@harakiri,

While I understand what you are driving at, I think you have used a totally misleading example to parallel what is going on in Naija. Endemic corruption and a lackadaisical attitude on the part of Nigerians is our problem. What is happening in Greece is different. I believe it was George Washington who said something akin to this: "Democracy ends the day the people realise that they can vote themselve money from the treasury". The people of Greece have been doing just that and have now found themselves in a big hole. The problem is not a few looting the treasury, it is the majority with a sense of entitlement draining the public coffers.

Margareth Thatcher was right when she said "The problem with Socialism is that we will eventually run out of other people's money". Greece has run out, majority of Europe has run out and so has the United States. All not because of a few, but the entitlement mentality of the majority! Catch my drift?!

agree a lot with harakiri, an aware public is the vital piece for democracy in Nigeria. I think this owed mainly to illiteracy and religious bigotry, the people still have the chief-mentality, and lack an independent mind, following all kinds of traditional and religious leaders about. rather than face the common enemy, misunderstandings lead to fight among ourselves.

The Greek public are a major factor in the government's decision making and know how to make their point especially when violence is always necessary.

The problem is not a few looting the treasury, it is the majority with a sense of entitlement draining the public coffers.

this is the 21st century and the role of the government has gone beyond the rudimentary function of maintenance of law and order, it is an investment in the people, in education, culture, innovation; its is necessary. Its as a result of the viciuos capitalist cycle, they are in the mess in the first place.

@Kay 17,

this is the 21st century and the role of the government has gone beyond the rudimentary function of maintenance of law and order, it is an investment in the people, in education, culture, innovation; its is necessary.

If govt's role is all that you mentioned above, what is the role of the citizens? I guess I can just lay back and expect my govt to provide everything for me since it is their obligation to do so. Do you realise that the govt has no money to spend until it confiscates another's? The govt takes from the productive members thereby increasing their burden while redistributing mostly to the non-producers. How can such a model be sustained?

Its as a result of the viciuos capitalist cycle, they are in the mess in the first place.

Say what?! Do you know what you are talking about? Even now, one of the recommendations of the IMF to Greece is to privatise much of the public sector if they ever hope to survive. The problem is not capitalism, it is socialism. Capitalsim built the greatest nation on earth - the USA. Unfortunately, its experiment of socialism is bringing it and others to its knees. You might want to rid yourself of some misinformation by reading the following article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/business/global/01euro.html

Tayo-D:

@harakiri,

While I understand what you are driving at, I think you have used a totally misleading example to parallel what is going on in Naija.  Endemic corruption and a lackadaisical attitude on the part of Nigerians is our problem. What is happening in Greece is different. I believe it was George Washington who said something akin to this: "Democracy ends the day the people realise that they can vote themselve money from the treasury".  The people of Greece have been doing just that and have now found themselves in a big hole.  The problem is not a few looting the treasury, it is the majority with a sense of entitlement draining the public coffers.

Margareth Thatcher was right when she said "The problem with Socialism is that we will eventually run out of other people's money".  Greece has run out, majority of Europe has run out and so has the United States.  All not because of a few, but the entitlement mentality of the majority!  Catch my drift?!

My post is misleading? Every country in the world has gone through what Nigeria is going through in the past.Read up on the monarchies in Europe and Asia.They were totally corrupt.It was the radicalism of the citizens that instilled discipline in them.

@Harakiri,

My post is misleading? Every country in the world has gone through what Nigeria is going through in the past.Read up on the monarchies in Europe and Asia.They were totally corrupt.It was the radicalism of the citizens that instilled discipline in them.

How does this bear semblance to Greece? The problem with Greece is not the corruption of a few elites. It is rather the entitlement mentality of the majority. Like I said before, these are two mutually exclusive situations!

Tayo-D:

@Kay 17,
If govt's role is all that you mentioned above, what is the role of the citizens? I guess I can just lay back and expect my govt to provide everything for me since it is their obligation to do so. Do you realise that the govt has no money to spend until it confiscates another's? The govt takes from the productive members thereby increasing their burden while redistributing mostly to the non-producers. How can such a model be sustained?
Say what?! Do you know what you are talking about? Even now, one of the recommendations of the IMF to Greece is to privatise much of the public sector if they ever hope to survive. The problem is not capitalism, it is socialism. Capitalsim built the greatest nation on earth - the USA. Unfortunately, its experiment of socialism is bringing it and others to its knees. You might want to rid yourself of some misinformation by reading the following article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/business/global/01euro.html

The Greeks have huge problems with corruption and tax evasion especially by the rich. The govt has being ineffective, corrupt and being the cause of agitation. The burden created by the politicans are borne by the people, what do you expect? violence and frustration.

A government that neither provides quality education, job opportunity, galvanises the private sector, security, social amenities, health care is what then?

The private sector of Nigeria cannot survive without foreign investment or govt intervention, what more can a citizen do. Best is to fulfill his moral obligation of his country.

The citizens on the the streets of Athens are to be denounced, not commended. They, along with their government, all brought the crisis upon Greece. When a government is too inept and corrupt to collect taxes this is bound to happen. While I do not agree that "socialism" is the problem, I wonder if those protesting against cuts expect their government to pluck money from trees to spend.

The people feel cheated. A problem caused by the elites and suffered by the masses. Spilling the frustration on the streets.