Greekmusicalfan?

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:28am

Has anyone heard from him recently? I've been worried about him reading all the news about the fires in Greece.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:12pm

Yes. Please let us know you are ok!

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:38pm

He's probably with Yenta, who's also missing.

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:39pm

Yenta's in Greece?

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:55pm

No silly...they're both with Rath in a shanty town down by the river.

All joking aside, I hope GMF is doing well. Check in!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:25pm

I just heard from him, so hopefully he'll respond on this thread as well.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:33pm

Thank you so much for your concern, guys, I am really touched ! I am fine, but my country is facing one of the worst disasters in its history !
The big fires are away from Athens, in the south of Greece, but the destruction is unbelievable ! We are all devastated, as this is a terrible national tragedy that isn't over yet.

More than 60 people dead so far, whole villages wiped out and the destruction of natural beauty and countless helpless animals is enormous ! Plus, so many people homeless and with everything they had burned into the ground ! They have no houses, no jobs, no livestock, no crops, to face the winter !!! Everything turned into ashes !
Ancient Olympia was saved just in time and with huge effort !!!
And the worst thing, is that this was on PURPOSE !!! It is clearly arsonist work, since more than 40 fires started simultaneously ! We still don't know if it was Greeks or foreigners ! We have National Elections in 3 weeks, so this could very well be political, in order to hurt the current government !

Thank you all so much for your concern. This is indeed a very dark time for my country and we are all incredibly sad ! Please keep us in your thoughts !




Updated On: 8/27/07 at 01:33 PM

[DG]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:40pm

Thanks for checking in, Greek - it's good to know you're OK.

Certainly, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your countrymen at this difficult time.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:41pm

Yea, thanks GMF.

Some of my world famous tazbervibes are going your way.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:54pm

GMF--glad to hear you're okay. It's heartbreaking to think of the villages, the villagers, the animals and the sheer beauty that is Greece being damaged by human actions.

I'm hearing that several of the fires were clearly arson--but also that at least 4 of them were started by outdated electrical wires that were too close to the treetops and that the government had been warned by forestry experts.

Do you think the government could be using the fires to influence the elections in their favor?

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:56pm

The polls are mid September, aren't they?

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:59pm

Glad to hear you are doing ok. I am a huge environmentalist so imagining all those pristine forests going up in smoke is very upsetting. I can just imagine how I would feel if the forest I call my home during the summer were to go up in flames.

And the number of human lives lost is even more disturbing.

Sending prayers and good vibes Greece's way...

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 3:35pm

My beloved PalJoey.
We haven't heard anything here about outdated electrical wires. All the talk is about arson ! And the fires were aided and spread very quickly by the big winds, that are blowing this time of year !
It was humanly impossible to respond to all the fires at once, even if our system was perfect which is definetely not !
The big drawback was that, due to the winds, the fire department's aeroplanes could not fly and aid from above !
There is NO WAY that the government is using the fires. It was a sure re-election and now after that, everything is open, since naturally, most people are blaming the State ! My opinion is, that if there's something political behind it, it could be the opposition, which is desperate to grab government again and was seeing that this was not possible, according to all polls ! Though I could be biased, since I support the current government, which is way more competent and gay-friendly than the previous one

Vmlinnie, elections are in September 16

To all others, thank you from my heart for your support !

Updated On: 8/27/07 at 03:35 PM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 3:42pm

glad you arte ok Greek, and so sorry for all that those affected must face.
Arson is just a sick thing, we had fires near here not too long ago and a number of firemen were killed......just sick.
I am sure the spirit of greece will shine through all of this, but it is just too sad.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 3:44pm

Thanks for checking-in... I lived in Athens for 3 months a LONG time ago, and have very fond memories and good friends over there. I had read that the fires were getting closer to Athens, but I'm glad to hear that was inaccurate.

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 3:47pm

If I get the top result in my school-leaving exams in Greek, I win a trip to Athens (and seen as though I'm one of only about 20 students who take Ancient Greek in school each year here, my chances are good). Hopefully it will be back to normal very soon.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 3:49pm

You are my beloved too, GMF, and we are all glad you are safe.

Let's hope whoever is responsible is apprehended and brought to justice.

Here's wishing your firefighters courage and good winds. may they put out the fires and all come home safe.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 4:24pm

vmlinnie, I really hope you win this trip, so I can be your guide and show you around my wonderful city !

DayDreamer, there were some fires started around Athens, but since Athens is heavily guarded by the firefighters and most of the force is stationed here, plus they were easily accesible, they were put out immediately ! However, about a month ago, Parnitha, Athens' biggest mountain, suffered heavy damages from fire, with no human deaths thankfully, but a lot of trees as well as deers, foxes and birds among the casualties

Elphaba, thank you for your words, but right now, unfortunately, the spirit of Greece couldn't be worse ! I am sure we will get through eventually, but right now, what we will face AFTER the fires are put out, terrifies us !
Updated On: 8/27/07 at 04:24 PM