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With his knowledge of the ancient Greeks, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis silenced all those Western-minded government liberals and others who frowned at the vulgar, nationalist slogans, including one declaring that \u201cCyprus is Greek,\u201d shouted by cadets from the Hellenic Navy\u2019s non-commissioned officers\u2019 school during Tuesday\u2019s Independence Day parade (March 25).<\/p>\n
\u201cSince ancient times, warriors have shouted various slogans as part of their battle preparations,\u201d he wrote in a social media post on Thursday. \u201cThese were often mocking and scathing toward the enemy. Ancient texts are filled with examples of such verbal taunts. In this context, the well-known incident the other day falls within this age-old and distinctly Greek (though certainly not exclusively) tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n
The whole truth is that on the battlefield all warriors shout something. Surely the winners of the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) shouted something more intelligent than \u201cF**k the Persians!\u201d But they all do it before the battle (\u201cas part of their battle preparations\u201d), and maybe a little after the intoxicating victory. They don\u2019t shout slogans from the safety of a parade \u2013 not to mention the fact that our ancestors didn\u2019t have commemorative annual parades.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So if we want to truly learn everything from \u201cancient times,\u201d let\u2019s abolish parades, which cost a lot of money. In 2010, when they were abolished for a while due to Greece\u2019s bankruptcy, it was estimated that they cost us 3 million euros.<\/p>\n
The second government transfer from the nationalist Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), the current parliamentary representative of ruling New Democracy, Thanos Plevris, was more categorical. \u201cThese are the kind of sailors I want on a Belharra frigate \u2013 not ones singing \u2018The Bees Go Buzzing\u2019 and \u2018My Little Pony,\u2019\u201d he said on Skai TV on Wednesday. \u201cIn combat services, as part of their training \u2013 regardless of what any ministry says \u2013 these individuals are prepared to die for their country.\u201d<\/p>\n
We do not know if the former minister knows more than we do, but did anyone ask the non-commissioned officers of the Navy to fight on some front in Athens, so they began their \u201cwar preparations\u201d? Did they channel their inner Georgios Karaiskakis, one of the leaders of the Greek War of Independence, as they marched on Amalias Avenue, but without the Ottoman Turks on the opposite side? The great chieftain\u2019s bluntness was well known, but at least he fought and died for the revolution. He did not shout empty slogans in front of small children.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, is Plevris sure that if they are ever asked to fight, they will do so? We ask this because either some NCOs do not follow orders, or some of their officers do not understand the national policy, which is securing the country without useless grandstanding. We do not know which of the two is worse, undisciplined soldiers or incompetent officers?\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n