Tuesday, July 05, 2011

I guess the Greek military is good for something ...

If you think I am being unkind to the Greek military - well, I'm not. From AFG to HOA to Libya - pound for pound few NATO nations have contributed less to the war effort than Greece. Heck - even Bulgaria contributes trigger pullers in a fashion. I'm not being unkind, I'm being honest.

What we do know is that the Greeks have a spending problem that even the present American administration would have trouble understanding. Their military doesn't help much with the problem, it seems.
When a military officer dies, his pension continues for his unwed daughter as long as she remains unwed.
Considering the Greek marriage stats - that is just pathetic. Don't just smile - with our contributions to the Greek economic bailout - you're children are borrowing money from the Chinese to pay for it.

As for some of our military retiree welfare mentality - that is a subject for a different day and a different post.

Hat tip CATO.

31 comments:

ewok40k said...

Mind you, Greek military vs Turkish one more and more resembles the Pakistan vs India situation - a larger neighbor with more vibrant economy...
Though I would not underestimate Greek footsoldier, remember they were kicking Italian butts until Hitler was forced to postpone Barbarossa  to deal with embarassing ally debacle - and with barely any heavy equipement or airplanes. And they managed to create impressive guerilla force, especially on Crete where Brit SOE support allowed them to make island hell for German garrison.

LT B said...

Dude, it's just money.  If you pay attention to our current administration, we can just print more.  No worries. 

Retired Now said...

Turkey invades Greece ??   I remember those headlines back in the summer of 1974.   Turkey actually did (sortof) an amphibious landing on the Island of Cyprus.   Sent in many troops, ostensibly so that the majority Greeks living in Cyprus would not (continue to) persecute the minority Turks there also.   Very touchy times for 2 US Allies.   Even had their own Air Force sometimes firing on their own ships, since the US had provided identical old FRAM destroyers to both Greece and Turkey.

1974, no that long ago.   Greece (and the US, too) got completely caught "sleeping at dawn".    Those Intel types have a long, bad history in oiur country.  BTW,  The U.S. Navy SixthFleet amphibious force had just a few weeks before this surprize, actually conducted a training amphibious landing with Turkish forces in the South Eastern gulf along the boarder between Syria and Turkey.  Comsixth Fleet (and the US) had absolutely no warning.  Turks understood OPSEC !

DeltaBravo said...

Just had a close and continuing relative come back from a trip to Greece yesterday.  The "riots" being covered only go so far.  The cameras stop rolling and at midnight it turns into a dance party with great food.  42 percent unemployment rate among the young people... strikes all over the country.  Joblessness... and a complete "we don't care anymore attitude."   Now is the time to buy real estate there, I suppose.

Don't ever underestimate the hatred for Turkey there.  And Turkey would be wise not to wake up the jobless Greek men and give them something real to direct their rage at (besides their own police forces.) 

As for the marriageless women... who can blame them.  (Don't get me started on Greek men.)
>:o

LT B said...

Wake up the jobless Greek men and they will do what?  Hopah!  dishes broken everywhere!!  Dancing rather than fixing their country.  Yeah, the European model is SO perfect for the progressives.  Only ours get in drum circles.  Bleah!

guest said...

Perhaps I lack a sense of humor. That American militarists can refer to a European countries wise lack of enthusiasm for fighting America's and by virtue of its own dominant political class, Israel's wars, at this late stage is puzzling.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/twin-suicide-attacks-kill-35-in-iraq/story-e6frf7jx-1226088392377

Particularly when America isn't winning, despite the mythical surge propaganda, any war it started in the Moslem world. Only draining its economy and bloody spinning wheels.

UltimaRatioRegis said...

Perhaps you lack a sense of anything. 

Europe has a lack of enthusiasm for anything except feathering its own set of nests while America footed the defense bill for decades.  After coming to Europe's aid three times in the last century.  To keep the Kaiser's legions from crushing France in 1917-18, to keep Hitler from subjugating the entire continent, and to contain the considerable Soviet threat.

NATO wanted the mission in AFG.  They asked for it.  Then, they punted it, and badly.  With America cleaning up the mess. 

So give it a rest when you champion European sensibilities in the realm of international relations.  They are helpless and worthless on their own, and would have been conquered three times without America in the last century, and may indeed be in the coming one.

DeltaBravo said...

Dear Guest... my back yard needs mowing.  Could you come do it?  I don't feel like it.  Oh... and bring your own mower.  And gas.   If no one does it, the snakes and mice will take over.  See... it's not that my back yard is always a mess... my neighbor doesn't mow his.  So I get the spillover varmints.  I need someone to mow mine.  Kind of a suburban Maginot Line against the critters.   Be a hero.  C'mon! 

Then after you oblige, I'll complain that I shouldn't be expected to help because it's your lawn job and why should I have to have any enthusiasm for taking care of my own back yard.
Then I'll accuse you of meddling.

I'll sit around and watch.  And criticize your technique and the spots you miss. 

This is fun.  I like your logic.  (Toasting you with iced mint tea from my chaise lounge)

LT B said...

Well, bless his heart!  :)   Awesome DB!

Anonymous said...

Well said, DB. Well said.

lt.brine@gmail.com said...

Galhrain.  You're showing me a sad miror when you mention our welfare mentality when we think of the future after we are put out to pasture.

Thank you: you can't be clean shaven without looking for where the stubble is.

CDR Salamander said...

1. It is "Galrahn" not "Galhrain.."
2. I am not Galrahn.
3. He does not post here, though he does comment now and then.
4. He didn't comment on this post.


Are you lost?

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