Protests in Greece against pension cuts

A Greek pensioner & a riot cop face off during a protest at the European Union offices in Athens just a day before Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor & hatchet woman for the EU, comes to town to demand even more severe austerity policies. Those who earn more than 1,000 euros a month (US $1,300) will have 10% of their pensions axed on top of the 25% already cut in the past two years. Over 7,000 riot cops are enforcing the government ban on protests in most of central Athens & operating as rooftop snipers & anti-terrorist units.

Greek police & military personnel have held several protests of their own over the past several months against cuts in their wages & pensions. This is one of those cases in life where you can’t have it both ways. You can’t be a riot cop crying poor-mouth while violently attacking strikers & protestors opposing austerity measures. You can’t be the enforcer & the victim too. This is not an unsolvable conundrum. This is the time to choose 'which side are you on.' This is the time to put down your truncheons, pick up your placards, & join your brothers & sisters. Or rot in hell, if you prefer. (Photo by Yannis Behrakis/Reuters)