A Citizen’s Guide to Greece 2015
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Citizenville
Posted August 4, 2014 by Politis
The story of one man’s quest — and a politician’s no less — to modernize the “most modern” of America’s cities… “Citizenville is the story of how ordinary citizens can use new digital tools to dissolve political gridlock and transform American democracy. As social networking and smart phones have changed the way we communicate with […]
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Let them eat cake
Posted June 7, 2013 by KK
By Krysta Kalachani I was surfing online today, looking to book tickets to see the opera on Tuesday, and I came across this story about unemployed citizens given the opportunity to attend the general rehearsal of Wagner’s “Flying Dutchman” for free yesterday at the Atticus Theater. Good news, right? “In this crisis, at the very least,” […]
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One crook for another
Posted February 28, 2013 by Politis
This one’s rich. According to todays Chicagoland blog in the Chicago Tribune, “Republican voters are suggesting the 2nd Congressional District replace one felon with another after picking ex-convict Paul McKinley as the candidate to run for the seat recently ceded by former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.” Jackson pleaded guilty last week to misusing campaign […]
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We can’t help it!
Posted January 31, 2013 by DW
By David Wisner I often tell my politics students that people have a natural predisposition to act and think politically. What we do with this is the great challenge of contemporary citizenship and civic education. Two recent articles in the mainstream media challenge our thinking about different dimensions of homo politicus. Some people seem to […]
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Research on automobile infotainment system safety
Posted April 7, 2014 by Politis
The team at Navideck have created an online survey to determine the relative safety of infotainment systems in cars. While this is a start up and Politis does not endorse commercial products, we have posted occasional public service announcements on the issue of automobile and driver safety, and are similarly inspired in this instance. The […]
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A dark vein of intolerance
Posted January 13, 2013 by pdcadmin
By Ginger Gibson While continuing to identify as a Republican, former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday criticized the GOP for a series of racist attacks against President Barack Obama. “There’s also a dark vein of intolerance in some parts of the party,” Powell said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “What do I mean by […]
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A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy
Posted March 22, 2013 by Politis
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Each year, America celebrates Greek Independence Day to strengthen the bonds between the birthplace of democracy and the world’s oldest republic. We recognize the enduring contributions of Greek Americans, woven into the fabric of our national life. And we reflect on the ancient Hellenic […]
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The Bourgeois of Calais
Posted November 13, 2015 by DW
Le référendum a été un désastre : tels les bourgeois de Calais, Tsipras a dû se rendre à Bruxelles le 12 juillet avec un projet d’accord encore plus dur que celui qu’il avait soumis à référendum. It’s not an allusion I expect a Greek journalist would make under the circumstances. I so took for granted […]
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Freedom requires virtue and courage
Posted November 11, 2013 by M P
By Maria Patsarika “Θέλει αρετή και τόλμη η ελευθερία” – Andreas Kalvos “It is inevitable that the Greek people will go through hardships to get through the crisis… Inevitably some businesses will have to close down,” Giannis Vroutsis, Minister of Employment, has observed. This is the mantra of our times: a fashionable stoicism that makes […]
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Greece after the elections: looking forward
Posted May 17, 2012 by pdcadmin
By Simon Bensasson The following is a set of assumptions which provide, to my mind at least, the broader context in which the current Greek crisis is situated. (a) There is a global problem caused by an imbalance of consumption/production. Parts of the world consume more than they produce whilst others consume less. The issue […]
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Citizen walkers, walking citizens
Posted March 13, 2014 by DW
By David Wisner This past Sunday I finally had an opportunity to experience a car-free waterfront. I went down to Leoforos Nikis and sat with some students — young people who were born and raised in Thessaloniki — to enjoy the hush and feel the energy of citadins taking their morning promenade. We got to […]
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Greek PM’s letter to the European Council (in English and Greek)
Posted June 28, 2012 by ip-admin
The letter in English: Athens, 27 June 2012 As I have already informed you, I will unfortunately not be able to attend the current European Summit, due to an eye operation I had to undergo. Greece will be represented by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias. With this letter I would like […]
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Would you vote for me?
Posted June 2, 2014 by Politis
Advance notice, for immediate release The Michael and Kitty Dukakis Center for Public and Humanitarian Service is commemorating 15 years of public service initiatives this spring with a Festival of Civic and Urban Culture, consisting of a series of events conceived to celebrate different aspects of citizenship in the city of Thessaloniki. The next in […]
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Civic Work, Civic Lessons
Posted October 25, 2013 by Politis
Civic Work, Civic Lessons explains how and why people of all ages, and particularly young people, should engage in public service as a vocation or avocation. Its authors are 57 years apart, but united in their passion for public service, which they term “civic work.” The book provides unique intergenerational perspectives. Thomas Ehrlich spent much […]
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What can be done in Greece: young people speak
Posted November 22, 2013 by pdcadmin
By Franesca Kareivis I recently attended a debate in the Thessaloniki Municipal Council chamber organized by the British Embassy in Athens. It was an interesting debate, demonstrating that young people have power and should be active members of society. After the four featured speakers debated, the mayor of Thessaloniki spoke a bit about some problems […]
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The enemies of public broadcasting
Posted June 11, 2013 by DW
By David Wisner As luck would have it, I happened to log on to Facebook today just around the time that two transplanted Athenian acquaintances commented on news reports announcing the imminent closure and restructuring of the Greek public broadcasting service ERT. The one, a retired diplomat who hobnobs with foreign investors and rails day […]
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Would you pass? Citizenship tests in the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US
Posted March 16, 2013 by Politis
What does one need to know to be eligible for citizenship in a country not of one’s origin? Take Greece, for instance. According to the site Living in Greece, “For foreigners of no Greek origin who have long-term residency in Greece… [m]arriage to a Greek citizen does not automatically grant citizenship or a Greek passport […]
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Erroneous Press Reports on U.S. Consulate General, Thessaloniki
Posted April 9, 2013 by Politis
Athens (April 8, 2013) — Erroneous press reports have appeared overnight suggesting that the U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki is closing. As the Consulate announced on February 15, certain U.S. citizen consular services and notarial services will be provided only on a periodic basis in Thessaloniki from the end of May onwards. Those services will […]