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Vol. 1, No. 2 October 1, 2007 Editor: Athanasios Vrettas, Ph. D. Address for communication use: avrettas@hotmail.com The purpose of the ΦΩΝΗ is to communicate the political, cultural, and historical news in the United States and Greece that affects all Greek-Americans. This is a free service provided to all interested parties in an effort to share knowledge and build understanding. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ HELLAS AFLAME!!! Athens, Greece – From the Albanian border to Crete, fires have destroyed large sections of forests, villages and farmland of Greece. It began with the longest and hottest summer in over one hundred years. This after a very dry winter leading to prolonged drought. In six hot gale-force windy days, up to 850,000 acres of land was burned. This was worst fire-related natural loss in recorded history – worse than the damage caused by Turkish armies during the 1821 War for Independence. Additionally, over 65 people lost their lives and hundreds of animals and livestock have died. The fires destroyed hundreds of homes in many villages. The fires have also threatened to destroy many fragile mountain ecosystems and olive groves. There is a great fear that during the winter months, the rains will cause floods and landslides in the areas burned. This could lead to a loss of topsoil that can not be replaced, further scaring the land. Estimates of the damage range from 1.6 to 5.4 billion dollars. Many European countries, including Turkey, have sent financial support and firefighters. On September 12th, a meeting was held at the Greek Embassy in Washington. Attending were leaders of all the major organizations in America. The purpose of the meeting was the coordination of Greek-American efforts to assist Greece during its hour of need. Each organization presented its plan of action and the entire group decided to investigate the idea of a national telethon. Mr. Ted Spyropoulos, Coordinator of SAE-USA will lead the investigation into the possibility of a national telethon. The primary focus of most of the donations, thus far, has been to reconstruct the destroyed villages and homes. Because of where the fires hit, there is also a serious need to finance the reforestation of not only the areas destroyed this year, but also in years past. As a result, the American Hellenic Congress has chosen to support the Plant Your Roots Program which is sponsored by the World Council for Hellenes Abroad (SAE). If you are interested in contributing, you should send your check to Plant Your Roots Program, acct # 459-0070-59 c/o American Hellenic Congress, 18894 Valencia, Northville Twp., Michigan 48168. Please find at the end of this newsletter the form to be used and sent with your donation. On Friday, November 2, 2007, AHC will host a Plant Your Roots in Greecefundraiser for the reforestation of Greece. The event will be held in the International Conference Center of the Atheneum Hotel at 400 Monroe Avenue in Detroit. Doors will open at 8:00 pm. The evening will feature a musical performance by Pavlo, the renowned Greek-Canadian guitarist. His music has been described as trilling guitars, shimmying bells and strong drum beats presented in a Mediterranean style that blends flamenco, classical and Greek bouzouki. Admission will be a tax-deductible donation for the reforestation project. Please join us for an evening of music, dancing, and fun – all for a good cause. Direct any questions to Kalliopi Balatsouka at: 248-596-9668. FUNDRAISER FOR SENATOR LEVIN: The Greek American community of Detroit will host a fundraiser for US Sen. Carl Levin on Friday, November 2, 2007, at 6:30 pm. The event will take place at Dimitri’s on the Avenue, 14316 Michigan Ave., in Dearborn. Tickets will cost a minimum of $100 per person. Sen. Levin has been one of the most consistent and vocal supporter’s of issues in favor of Greeks throughout his career. For ticket information please call Basil Simon at (313) 962-6400. Following the fundraiser for Senator Levin, a fundraiser featuring Pavlo & the Levendes hosted by AHC to benefit "Plant Your Roots in Greece" Program at the International Banquet and Conference Center. Friday, November 2, 2007 8:30pm. (For Details see malista.com/events.html) AHC EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION HELD: Dearborn – A special meeting of the American Hellenic Congress was held on June 15, 2007 at Dimitri’s on the Avenue in Dearborn. The Election Committee presented the election results and officers for the new year were elected by the new Executive Board. These are the results: Dimitri Pallas, MD – Chairman Nick Tsalis, Esq. – Vice Chairman Executive Board Members: George Dimopoulos Father Nick Kyritses Panormitis Makarounas Regular Meetings of AHC have been set for the second Wednesday of each month. The meetings will be held at Dimitri’s on the Avenue, 14316 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn and will start at 7:30 pm. However, the next meeting is scheduled for October 17, 2007. All Members and interested parties are encouraged to attend. GREEK-AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED: Washington, DC – The Greek American Political Action Committee (GAPAC) was officially inaugurated on June 26, 2007 by its founding members at a reception held at the Capital Hilton Hotel. [The primary] mission [of this non-partisan committee will be] to support Greek Americans running for federal office and members of Congress who support issues important to the Greek American community. The GAPAC event was attended by around 75 supporters and featured current members of Congress, candidates for Congress, and board members. "Today signals an historic event for the Greek American Community as the nation's first coast-to-coast Greek American Political Action Committee begins support of candidates and members of congress who support Greek American issues," said event host George Sifakis, who is GAPAC's founder and president. In addition to Sifakis, Alex G. Spanos is honorary founding chairman. The Executive Leadership Team includes Honorary Co-Chairman George Behrakis, Vice President Nick Larigakis, Treasurer James Jatras, Second Treasurer and PAC Federal Election Commission accountant Ted Koch, Senior Advisor Nathan Riedel, and the law firm of Squire Sanders, LLP as legal counsel. A full list of Advisory Committee members is available on the Greek American PAC's website. For additional information regarding the Greek American Political Action Committee, please visit their Web site at http://www.greekamericanpac.com/ EDITORIAL – WHAT’S IN A NAME? In 1936, Hitler claimed that part of Czechoslovakia belonged to Germany. England and France accepted his claim and allowed him to eventually conquer all of Czechoslovakia. This act led to World War II. Near the end of that war, in 1944, as part of his long-range plans, in Yugoslavia, Tito took a page out of Hitler’s book. He renamed the province of Vardarska Banovina, Macedonia. His ultimate goal was to use this as a pretext to seize the Greek province of Macedonia. Unfortunately for Tito and the present leadership of that province, that didn’t happen. Instead, the United States under President Truman provided military equipment and the Greeks provided the blood to stop Tito’s plans and rescued the Greek Macedonian province and all of Greece from possible Communist rule. Thus Greece and her Macedonia province remained on the western side of the Iron Curtain. So that should have been the end of the story Right? – Wrong! The reason is that as part of his preparation to annex Macedonia, Tito had begun telling everyone that the people of Vardarska Banovina were the true descendants of Alexander (the Great) and thus the true Macedonians. Everyone in the world either ignored this falsehood or simply laughed it off. Unfortunately, for over fifty years, the people of Vardarska Banovina were taught this lie by their communist masters. So it should have come as no surprise when Yugoslavia collapsed, that those still in power in Vardarska Banovina, now called the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) would carry on the lie. After all, that’s what they had taught their people for over 50 years. Additionally, experience should have taught us that people who have lived under and trained to follow a communist mentality, have great difficulty with facts that do not fit their plans. They ignore the truth and fabricate illogical reasons for why we should go along. Case in point: the misleading claims made by the foreign minister of FYROM, Antonio Milososki, to The Washington Times in the article Name Game Blame (Embassy Row, July 11). He stated that his country should be designated Macedonia, not FYROM, because it will promote stronger trade relations with the United States, and, help with its transition to an independent nation – How? He also failed to mention that his government continues to teach its children and future military officers that only they are the true Macedonia. All this does is continue to poison new generations with falsehoods and plant the seeds of hatred. These actions clearly violate the U.N.-brokered "Intermediate Agreement" signed by his country and Greece – thus demonstrating contempt for the rule of law. Furthermore, Mr. Milososki claimed, Our name is the cornerstone of our identity. There is an old American expression, If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it’s a duck. Aristotle, Alexander, and the people of Macedonia were Greek in origin; they spoke Greek, so they were Greek. FYROM’s citizens are Slavic in origin, they speak Serbian, thus it follows they are not Greek and therefore, not Macedonian. It is a falsehood for them to now claim that they are the true Macedonians and thus have a right to claim the name. Here in America, we have a term for what is being attempted – it’s called Identity Theft and our laws are quite harsh if caught attempting it. The world would be wise to apply the same concept here for what is being attempted is a changing of true history. What the province lost in battle then, it now expects to be given on a silver platter. The truth can neither be killed nor ignored. The name "Macedonia" is an indisputable part of Greece's historic and cultural legacy, and the Hellenic world will never give up its ownership. A suggestion to the people of FYROM – You have created a new nation. Why not create a new name to describe this new nation and its aspirations. I am quite sure that the world, and especially your neighbors, would embrace a young new nation with a young new name. There would be no baggage with this new name and it would become what you, and only you, make of it. (Excerpts from a letter to the editor published in the Washington Times by Nina Gatzoulis, Supreme President, Pan-Macedonian Association, July 18, 2007) Between the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization and the epics of Homer lay centuries of mystery known as the [First] Greek Dark Ages. Whether as a result of barbaric invasion, or famine, during this period (1200-800BC), the citadels of the Mycenaeans were destroyed, people lived in fewer and smaller settlements, trade ceased, writing was abandoned, and the great craftsmen vanished. Dark Age pottery was marked by simple geometric designs rather than the figurative decoration of the Mycenaeans. But how dark were the Dark Ages? And how sudden was the renaissance that followed and paved the way for the golden age of classical Greece? The Greek renaissance is taken to have begun around 800BC. This is the age of Homer, who began Western literature in the Iliad. But between the Mycenaeans and Homer there seemed to have existed a cultural darkness. A few weeks ago, however, German archeologists digging in a sanctuary at Kalapodi (ancient Phokis) under the direction of Wolf-Dietrich Niemeier unearthed a small temple from the 8th century BC. The temple, in what is believed to have been the oracle sanctuary of Apollo of Abai, had been destroyed by an earthquake, its mud bricks sealing in its contents for the next 2800 years. The find was archeological dynamite. What was revealed, says Niemeier was a complete sequence of ritual activity stretching back through the Dark Ages. His voice ripples with excitement. "When we removed those mud bricks, we didn't believe our eyes." On a burned black clay floor, they found hundreds of votives, just as they had been placed and just as they have been found in other Mycenaean sanctuaries: jewelry, amulets, bronzes, pins, fibulas, personal ornaments, figurines of animals and birds and a big iron sword. It suggested continuous use from at least the 14th century BC. To Niemeier, it was further evidence that the Mycenaean age did not end completely and abruptly, but continued for another 150 years in diminished form, and that the Greek renaissance was not a sudden cultural shift, but emerged gradually from the Dark Ages. (The Australian, September 11, 2007) MORE AMERICAN VS GREEK-AMERICAN KIDS (Humor) American Kids: Will come over for cake and coffee and get only cake and coffee, no more. The offices of the American Hellenic Congress are located at: Affiliated Organizations World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), Chios Society, Association of Stereolladites, Disclaimer This e-mail correspondence is not affiliated with or endorsed by any corporation, or Internet Service Provider. This is
A.H.C. / HELLENES OF MICHIGAN To Reverse the Loss of Greece’s Forests “Plant Your Roots in Greece,” a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization under the auspices of SAE / USA and HANC, offers contribution opportunities to those who wish to contribute to reforestation. For more information call: 248-596-9668 Special Donations: Enclosed is my check for $______________ for _____________ trees. Donors to the reforestation campaign Send Certificate to: To honor/ In memory of (circle one): _____________________________________________ Vol. 1, No. 1
June 1, 2007 Note: If you do not
wish to receive any further copies of this communication, simply send
an e-mail to the above email address requesting that we remove your email
address and it will be done. This is the first of what we hope will be many newsletters send to members of the Greek Diaspora throughout the United States and Canada. Its purposes are simple and rather straight forward. It is our hope to; 1) Provide a direct proactive link between the many people of Greek descent spread throughout North America, 2) Provide information about issues and subjects that you will find enlightening and useful, and, 3) Provide a forum for those interested to participating in the cultural and political issues of the Greek Diaspora. What makes the FWNH different from the more traditional websites is our approach. It is proactive - the FWNH will be sent to you on a regular basis - at no cost or obligation. You will then have three choices; 1) Open and read it at your leisure, 2) Delete it, or 3) Tell us to quit sending it - That's it! Our staff is composed entirely of retired professionals, contributing their time and effort as a way of giving back to our community and doing what we can to continue its great culture and traditions. All we ask in return is that whenever you feel the urge that you provide us with feedback on how we are doing. Also if you have a friend that you feel would benefit from receiving the FWNH, let us know by sending their email address to us at avrettas@hotmail.com. Know that all email addresses in our possession are held in the strictest of confidence and under no circumstances will be shared with any other person and/or organization. It is our hope to serve you, not cause harm. AMERICAN HELLENIC CONGRESS TO CHOSE NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD At the regular meeting of the American Hellenic Congress (AHC) on April 25th in Detroit, Michigan, the AHC Elections Committee composed of Bill Diamantopoulos, Christos Xantheas, Seraphim Pallas, Harry Diamantopoulos, and Stavros Dionssisopoulos was empowered to proceed with the 2007 Executive Board Election. The Election Committee has selected Sunday, June 10, 2007 as the date of the election. Voting will take place at the New Orleans Room of the Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Café at 400 Monroe Street in Detroit, (313) 965-4600. Polls will be open between the hours of 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm, EST. As you are aware, only members in good standing, i.e., who are up to date on their membership dues, will be eligible to vote. Dues for the fiscal year 2007 must be in the mail and dated no later than June 1, 2007. Regular membership is $20 per year - $5 for senior citizens. Members that plan to run for the Executive Board need to have paid their dues for both 2006 and 2007. THE 2007 AHI POLICY STATEMENT Washington, DC - On May 2, 2007, American Hellenic Institute issued its 2007 Greek American Policy Statement to the United States Congress, the President and selected members of the administration. This policy statement was endorsed by leading Greek American organizations. The policies set forth are based in each case on the question of what is in the best interests of the United States and are drawn from the issues that concern Americans of Hellenic descent. The policy statements deal primarily with U.S. relations with Greece, Cyprus, Albania and Turkey as they bear on overall U.S. interests in the region. The policy statement dealt with the following topics: Cyprus - [That the United States should] support a just and lasting resolution to the Cyprus conflict that applies American values and democratic standards to [the country of] Cyprus, including the rule of law, majority rule, protections of minority and human rights, removal of Turkish illegal occupation forces, removal of all illegal settlers/colonists, and removal of Turkey's barbed wire fence across Cyprus. Greece - [That the United States] support (a) the maritime boundary in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey [that was] established by treaties, (b) a name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) that does not include the word "Macedonia," (c) inclusion of Greece in the Visa Waiver Program [currently applied to other Western European countries]. Albania - [That the United States strongly encourage the government of Albania] to observe the rule of law and protection of minority and human rights for its significant Greek minority population. Religious freedom - [That the United States] support safeguarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul and the reopening the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology illegally closed in 1971. Turkey - [That the United States] conduct a critical review of U.S. policy toward Turkey and compensation to Turkey's victims. CAST YOUR VOTE There is a world-wide effort at work to have people vote on what they consider to be the Seven Wonders of the World. At present, the Parthenon is ranked in the mid-twenties. We encourage each and every reader to logon to www.new7wonders.com and vote in favor of those wonders you consider to be the greatest. We also hope you will vote for the Parthenon. BILIRAKIS (R-FL) APPOINTED TO HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Washington (11 May) - On Thursday, the House Republican Conference appointed U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Some of the Committee's jurisdiction includes U.S. relations with foreign countries, international economic policy, protecting American citizens abroad as well as handling U.S. foreign intervention and declarations of war. Congressman Bilirakis' new committee assignment will also give him significant oversight responsibilities that include the United Nations, global warming, human rights issues and foreign aid programs. Congressman Bilirakis is one of only a handful of Freshman Members of the House of Representatives to be named to three full committees. Bilirakis also holds key committee seats on the House Homeland Security and Veterans' Affairs Committees. AN EDITORIAL - WHO INVENTED ETHNIC-CLEANSING - Lessons Learned? For those of us who are appalled by this practice it is very important to know when this despicable practice began and what lessons, if any, have been learned. As we all know from the news media there is a terrible ethnic-cleansing going on right now in Darfur in Africa. Many would lead you to believe that this practice was begun in the 1990's by the Serbs in Bosnia. But the fact is the practice of government sponsored ethnic-cleansing, mass raping of women, and genocide was started shortly after the First World War. The newly established Turkish government initiated the mass slaughter of an estimated four million Christian Armenian, Assyrian and Greek citizens of Turkey. Several years later, in 1922, this was followed by the burning of the Christian city of Smyrna. In this massacre, Turkish nationalist slaughter over 22, 000 Greek and Armenian Christians living in that city while British naval forces looked on and the American High Commissioner at Constantinople, Admiral Mark Bristol downplayed the event. In both cases, there
was no outcry in the "civilized" world. In fact when these events
were later brought to the attention of the newly elected Chancellor of
Germany in 1933, Chancellor Hitler was quoted as having said, "The
Turks murdered 4 million Christians and nobody said a word, who is going
to care about a few million Jews." We all know what followed for
the Jews and other minorities throughout Europe. It is interesting to note that there have been over ten major acts of mass genocide and ethnic cleansing in the past 90 years - about one every ten years. Of these, half were committed by the Turkish government. Individuals responsible for the atrocities in four of the five other genocides have been or are being tracked down and prosecuted (the Darfur genocide as well as the Cyprus terrorism are still on-going). No one in the Turkish government throughout this time has ever been identified much less prosecuted. Additional not one official protest has been lodged against the Turkish government by any country other than Greece, to its own peril. So what lessons have we learned from all this? The primary lesson learned is that it is permissible to rape and murder minorities within your country so long as they are Christian and the majority population doesn't mind. After all, America needs all the allies in that region of the world it can get. We have appeased Turkey for over 90 years because we felt we needed them. In 2002, they proved the worth of this policy. When we offered them several billions dollars in aid to simply allow our Army's 4th Division to pass through their country to the battle front in Iraq and they said No! Of what use is our appeasement of Turkey if we can't even buy they support? Keep in mind that this inaction has not gone unnoticed by other despots in the world. It is time to acknowledge
that appeasement of Turkey at the expense of Christian lives in Asia Minor,
Constantinople and Cyprus has been disastrous for all save Turkish nationalists
and Islamic extremists. There must be consequences for their barbaric
acts or they will continue down this path of destruction. Remember, those
who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Genocide, Ethnic
cleansing, and the mass persecutions of minorities throughout the world
must be stopped and where better than at its source. AMERICAN VS GREEK-AMERICAN KIDS (Humor) American Kids: When
Mom visits, she brings a nice cake, sip coffee and chats. American Kids: Move
out when they're 18 with the full support of their parents. American Kids: Dad
calls before coming over and it's usually only on special occasions. American Parents:
You can leave your kids with them and you worry if everything is going
to be ok. American Kids: Know
a few things about you. American Kids: Would
knock on your door. Disclaimer The American Hellenic
Congress is affiliated with United Hellenic American Congress, SAE, and
the Hellenic Electronic Congress. This e-mail correspondence is not affiliated
with or endorsed by any corporation, or Internet Service Provider. This
is a private e-mail correspondence and is intended for the addressee only.
It is protected communication under the provisions of the First Amendment
to the Constitution of the United State of America and other applicable
state and federal laws.
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