Order wrote:Amusing that you speak of that. Just a few days ago a new member adopted John Stuart Mill as his avatar, almost exactly mirroring mine. I was a bit worried at first because I thought people might mix us up but then I thought ah whatever...
Fortunately for you he turned out to be a Rawlsian.
Order wrote:I sure understand why the Greeks are bothered by it, somebody is appropriating a part of their national legacy and they are pissed, quite obvious and understandable. What I don't understand is why they need to turn it into a major international crisis and try choking a fledgling country in their neighbourhood to death. It is simply stupid and irrational, an overreaction to a relatively small affront, get over it! It simply seems like childish behaviour.
Because identity matters. It's
far more important than boring material concerns like the EU. This is about who the Greeks are as a people and 2,500 years of Greek history. To put it in personal terms, think of your last name, which of course isn't just your name--it's your father's name. And his father's name. It's something that's bigger than just yourself and bigger than the here and now.
I used to agree with you, by the way, but found that my views were the result of Northern European chauvinism and bigotry against sloppy Mediterranean nations that I view as lazy and chaotic. After some good explanations by thoughtful Greeks, I came around to their view. I realize that you of course wouldn't share my bias against Mediterranean nations, just saying that you might want to consider their perspective more seriously.
Everything you believe is wrong. Yes,
you!Boom. You just got Dave'd. -Bramlow