Speak of the Devil

The Political Compass, a nasty little helpful tool.

Ethnic cleansing has been a favorite subject for analysts and journalists dealing with the Balkans, especially in the aftermath of former-Yugoslavia's disintegration and resulting series of quasi-civil wars. During my days off english-language blogging, I came across some over-generalizations by a greek journalist who also likes to post his paper articles in a blog (as a matter of fact, I was told it was paper policy to have him do so, apparently to show the public how in touch with current trends they all are); nevertheless, as mor knows, I happen to be somehow knowledgeable about Srebrenica and the UNPROFOR and all the ugly shit which occured there, so I posted a little protesting remark in my greek-language blog. Funny thing, nobody seems to care any longer. So, why am I pushing this here? I am not. It just so happened that a (remote) cousin of mine recently got married to the daughter of a Serbian businessman. After I received the invitation (for Belgrade, no less, with hotel reservations), I googled the bride's surname. Turned out the father of the bride is a major industrialist, gets some prime ribs of public works (rebuilding what American bombers destroyed back then) and is what we call in greek διαπλεκόμενος i.e. "highly connected (with a politico-economic twist)". I was sorry I couldn't make the wedding.

Did I mention I am now officially back and ready for some action? So is the much-advertised, long-awaited Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington's loud entry into e-journalism (con Blog). It remains to be seen whether it will be a resonant or simply a brassy one. Good thing they already accepted a comment of mine. Yes, looks like all comments go through some cacophony-controlling device. I am glad my voice is still Callas-quality after all these years. I recall Arianna back around 1980, when she visited Swarthmore and I was resorted to by the President's office as the only Greek on campus to escort her through the gardens and buildings. I am not sure we actually exchanged a word, I believe the party was almost a crowd. She was either working on or had just released her book on Maria Callas. Funny how small the world was back then.

In case you hadn't noticed, my impenetrably beloved Karina has (finally) posted her Meme 451 reply in her widely renovated, bilingual blog: go visit for a Totally Irrelevant book meme! Risking the wrath of my two pulchritudinous co-bloggers (oh, they know I love them both, they are the cream of the crop), I should mention they were not as intense and overwhelming as I'd expected in calling me back to action. A little more passion, ladies?

Needless to add, I've been through a lot during my absence. Some of that lot ended up in my stomach, visibly altering my diameter. (One can see a picture here.) While I was digesting (the long hours), soul searching was in order. I am sure most of you will agree that soul searching on an empty stomach is not recommended. Ancient Greeks philosophised during dinners, the Symposia. Uncertain of my current political stance, I took a test. I am sure you'll rejoice to view my results.

Economic: Left/Right: -2.63
Social: Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.08

This puts me in Gandhi's quarter (see pic above). The Political Compass folks have a special (classical) composers' plot as an example, so my "score" places me roughly between Beethoven and Shostakovich. A mere coincidence I happen to like them both?