Categories
history

Hagia Sophia Diaries 25

A Muslim in Turkey went to Hagia Sophia to pray and found parchments behind broken pieces of a wall. Inside were documents with writing in Hebrew. This could be a great historic and cultural find.

This serves as a reminder of how Hagia Sophia continues to be desecrated. Hagia Sophia’s primary significance is spiritual and there are those of us who will not stop reminding the world that Hagia Sophia is a product of the Gospel and Greek Orthodox faith. It is also a great historical and cultural site.

The discovery of the parchment raises the question as to how much undiscovered history remains in Hagia Sophia. It will be interesting to see how old the parchments are and to what era they originated in. If nothing else, this discovery demonstrates that the status of Hagia Sophia should not have been changed.

Categories
political

Return Of The Balkans

Before the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent war in Syria, the liberal-neocon Crusaders championed the conquest of the Serbs. Twenty years before the outbreak of anti Russian hysteria, there was the anti Serb hysteria of the 1990’s. Atrocities were committed by all sides during the wars of the former Yugoslavia, but it was the Serbs who were singled out by American and European governments and media as the alleged instigators.

In 1999, the Clinton administration and NATO bombed Serbia for over three months until the Serbs were forced to withdraw from Kosovo abandoning territory that had been liberated from the Ottoman Turks in 1912-13. It should be remembered that the Democratic administration in Washington demanded that the Serbs cede Kosovo in three years time or be bombed.

Twenty one years later, the Democrats would attempt to impeach Donald Trump for alleged threats against Ukraine. In truth, Trump did not do anything to compare with the threats the Clinton administration directed against Serbia. Previous to Kosovo, the Clinton administration bombed the Bosnian Serbs and supported the Muslims over the Serbs as they also supported the Neo-Nazi Croats against the Serbs in the region of Krajiina.

Tensions in Bosnia have arisen again. The Serbs are threatening to secede. The Americans and Europeans should not repeat the mistakes of the 1990’s. They should work for a peaceful settlement that takes into consideration the interests of the Serbs.

The big difference between today and the 1990’s is the status of Russia. During the 1990’s, Russia was weak and looked upon the destruction of Serbia helplessly. In the aftermath of Russian successes in Crimea and Syria, the westerners would be making a huge mistake if they attempt to reimpose their will on Serbia as they did during the 1990’s.

The Russians have not forgotten Serbia and they have not accepted the detachment of Kosovo from Serbia. Russia and Serbia are Slavic and Orthodox. They also share a common enemy in the form of the Democratic Party and the Clintons. The Democrats waged war on Serbia and it is the Democrats who instigated the anti Russia hysteria of the past several years for partisan purposes.

Hillary Clinton once compared Vladimir Putin to Hitler. This from a woman whose husband armed and supported the pro Nazi and anti Semitic Croatian regime of Franjo Tudjman. The Democrats under Obama and Biden armed and supported the Neo-Nazi militias in Ukraine that the Russians fought against.

Hopefully, lessons have been learned and the west will not repeat their mistakes in Bosnia. They should listen to all parties in Bosnia and offer to mediate but by no means should they demonize the Serbs as they did three decades ago.

Categories
books

New Books On Greek History

There are two new books on Greece that have appeared in bookstores. One is “The Greeks” by Roderick Beaton that covers the history of Hellenism from classical times to the present day. Looks very good.

The second book is “The Greek Revolution 1821 And The Making Of Modern Europe” by Mark Mazower. Mazower has previously written “Inside Hitler’s Greece” about the era under Nazi occupation. An excellent book.

Mazower also wrote “Salonika City of Ghosts” which was a less positive but still informative book. Looking forward to reading both books which will be reviewed upon completion.

Categories
political

The Greek American Alliance

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-greece-expand-defense-cooperation-amid-tension-with-turkey-russia-2021-11

The recent defense agreement between Greece and the United States is difficult to assess. On the positive side, the agreement has angered the Turkish government. If the agreement leads to protecting Greece from the Turks it will be a political triumph for Greece unprecedented since the days of Venizelos.

The danger of the agreement can be seen by the concerns of the Russians that the agreement is directed against them. To a certain extent, the Russians are being hypocritical considering the support they have given to the establishment of a nuclear plant in Turkey (with Russian priests blessing it). Overall however it is not in the interests of Greece to engage in or support a conflict with Russia.

In summation, if the United States is prepared to support Greece against Turkey, Athens has done the right thing. The Russians have their interests, and the Greeks have theirs. Greece should desire friendly relations with the Russians and many of us remain pro Russian while being concerned that Moscow did not support the Armenians against Azerbaijan.

The United States military has recently suggested that it needs to modernize the Turkish military. This is a bad sign. Greece needs to realize that Hellenic interests are threatened by Turkey, and no one else. Greece should pursue friendship with both Washington and Moscow and should let them know that relations with Athens will depend on how they react to Greece in the context of Turkish aggression against Greece and Cyprus.

The wise course of action is for Greece to maintain a policy of strict neutrality toward American-Russian rivalries that are playing out. Having made recent defense agreements with Washington, it can only be hoped that these agreements will help Greece in the context of Turkish expansionism.

Categories
Letters

Letter To UNESCO

 

Dear Sirs,


Once again I am writing to inquire regarding actions to be taken by UNESCO against the Turkish government in response to the forcible conversions of the Hagia Sophia and Christ the Savior Churches in 2020. In the last letter sent to me by UNESCO dated 17 March 2021, it was explained to me that UNESCO sent missions  in October 2020 and January-February 2021 to collect “necessary information” regarding the aforementioned Christian monuments. It was also explained to me that this matter was to be discussed “at the next session of the World Heritage Committee”. 


I am interested in knowing the outcome of the missions mentioned above and whether the session of the World Heritage Committee has actually met to discuss the outrages undertaken by the Turkish government? As is well known, the former Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Hagia Sophia is in terrible condition as a result of the actions of the Turkish government. 


It is not too late to take action to hold the Turkish government accountable but it is very important that all activity be conducted in a timely manner that does not drag on. There is simply no reason why UNESCO cannot and should not make significant noises to inconvenience the Turkish government and to demand that they restore Hagia Sophia and the Christ the Saviour Churches to the status of museums. I remind you that Greek Orthodox Christians consider the ground upon which these two former Churches stand to be sacred. 


The Turkish government’s actions have resulted in unspeakable violations of hallowed ground. I respectfully ask for an update on UNESCO’s findings regarding Hagia Sophia and what actions will be taken in light of what UNESCO missions found on their visits to Constantinople in October 2020 and and January-February 2021. Time is of the essence.

Thank You,


Theodore G. Karakostas

Categories
books

The Crimes Of The Century

Book Review

What Really Happened in Wuhan

by

Sharri Markson

Harper Collins. 2021.

As of this writing, the American media is focused on portraying a seventeen year old as a villain (facts be damned) and is intent on destroying his life. Meanwhile, real villains such as the Chinese Communist Party, the People’s Liberation Army (Chinese military), the World Health Organization, and American “scientists” such as Anthony Fauci and Peter Daszak are ignored. But then what are the deaths of five million people around the world and the disruption of life compared to one kid who failed to be “woke”.

Where to start in reviewing this book? There are many atrocities brought about by the Chinese government and military as well as by western collaborators of the Chinese. The French helped build the notorious lab at Wuhan and the American scientists like Fauci and his collaborators funded it. What was supposed to be a lab in which nations would collaborate for the benefit of mankind (what a laugh) was seized by the Chinese government. The Chinese still received American taxpayer money generously donated by Fauci and Peter Daaszak, the head of Eco health alliance.

As far back as 2014, responsible scientists drafted a letter opposing gain of function research which fanatics like Fauci have spent years championing. Scientists warned that such research could lead to a pandemic or biological warfare. Some scientists even warned against publishing information about gain of function research as terrorists might seek to use such information for attacks.

In 2014, the Obama administration ordered that all funding for gain of funding research be stopped citing the risks. In 2017, “Doctor” Fauci ordered that funding be resumed. President Trump was not informed that funding was being resumed. Nor was Health Secretary Alex Azar informed about this. Fauci took matters into his own hands and remains unaccountable to anyone up to the present time.

In early 2020, as the Trump administration sought to take measures to defend America from covid, Fauci failed to inform the President of his activities regarding gain of function research. Fauci is not a hero as the media portrays him, but a fiend. Fauci arrogantly opposed Trump’s plans to stop all flights to and from China.

As late as February 2020, Fauci was saying he did not think covid would lead to a pandemic. The World Health Organization was also morally complicit in this horror show because of its ties to the Chinese government. What is particularly infuriating is that many scientists denied covid came from a lab and originated from the work of humans (as opposed to originating from nature) because Trump suggested covid came from a lab.

One Australian scientist came to believe that “wet market” cited as the origin of covid was false. He believed it came from the Wuhan lab. When he sought to publish his theory, he was worried about being labelled “racist” (the scientific community has gone woke) or even worse being accused of agreeing with Trump.

This is remarkable journalism at work featuring extensive interviews with prominent scientists, diplomats from several countries, and extensive documentation. Very important are the activities of honorable Chinese scientists and journalists who have “disappeared” because they tried to warn the world about what was happening early on.

In October 2019, athletes from around the world gathered in Wuhan for the military world games. Many of them got sick and have come to believe they may have had covid before any one knew what covid was. A month earlier, the website for the Wuhan lab began removing articles about its research activities suggesting an immediate coverup of the leak.

Religious and governmental institutions receive scrutiny for morally corrupt and decadent coverups. The same standards applied to them should apply to the scientific community. “Doctor” Fauci and others who were involved with the Wuhan lab need to be removed and to be held accountable for their actions.

It is very clear that the Chinese government has successfully influenced the American scientific community. For five years, we have heard about a non existent conspiracy involving the Russians. It is China, not Russia that has established a deadly influence over the United States.

Fortunately, there are still good journalists around such as Sharri Markson who have their priorities in order and are letting us know what is going on.

Categories
books

The Ark Of The Covenant

Book Review

True Raiders

by

Brad Ricca

Saint Martin’s Press. New York.

2021.

“True Raiders” brings to mind the great Stephen Spielberg film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in which the heroic Indiana Jones competes with the Nazis to find the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments that God had given to Moses. The Ark had great power according to the Old Testament.

In 1909, a group from Great Britain visited the Holy Land with the intention of finding the Ark of the Covenant. Previous to embarking on their trip the members of this group discussed the financial (!) value that the Ark would have. Like the French archeologist and the Nazis in the film, this group seemed to have been oblivious to the spiritual significance of the Ark of the Covenant.

An international incident was triggered when the leader of the group and others proceeded to dig under the Dome of the Rock. When this news got out, there were riots throughout Ottoman Palestine. The whole effort was a debacle.

It is a very interesting and readable book. What comes across from an Orthodox Christian interpretation of these events is that God cannot be accessed any other way than through faith. In the Spielberg film, a French archeologist tells Indiana Jones the Ark is a radio to talk to God.

Such a view is blasphemous and really misguided. The group in the book appeared to be nice people but failed to comprehend the line between spirituality and secular history. The Ark is not and cannot be reduced to a mere historical artifact.

One can find God only through prayer and worship in Church. Archeology and history are good things but only up to a point. The sacred should never be confused with the secular.

A case in point is how some people treat icons. Some people treat them as “art” when in reality they are door ways to heaven helping us to worship God. As for the Ark of The Covenant, the best case put forward comes from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (Oriental Orthodox) which claims it has the Ark in one of their Churches.

The Ethiopian Church has a priest-monk who is specially trained to keep watch over the Ark. The Ethiopians deny access to any and all people by suggesting those unworthy to approach will die. The reverential treatment given to the Ark by the Ethiopians is greater evidence of having the Ark than any secular claimants.

The 1909 group admitted their failures to find the Ark. In more recent years there have been others claiming to have found the Ark. None of the claims are convincing. The serious attitude of the Ethiopians is impressive and worthy of more respect than any other claims.

Still, the book is a very good and interesting read.

Categories
Letters

Azerbaijani Aggression

Dear Congressman Lynch,


The following letter is intended to convey my outrage at the latest act of aggression by Azerbaijan against the peaceful democratic Republic of Armenia. News reports indicate that Azerbaijan has again attacked Armenia. The United States is looking like the hypocrite ofthe world for its refusal to punish Azerbaijani and Turkish aggression. Azerbaijan is Turkey’s stooge in Central Asia.


The United States should cut off all aid unconditionally to Turkey. Turkey is the source for the war crimes and atrocities that Baku has committed against Armenia last year and this year as well. Armenian civilians and prisoners of war have been the victims of war crimes that should be punished under international law. Turkey and its allies like Azerbaijan have been exempt from American retaliation throughout the past century.


It is time to make clear that Turkey and Azerbaijan are not only not American allies, they are threats to international peace, stability, andhuman rights. In addition, the United States must engage Israel as Tel Aviv is a major arms supplier to Azerbaijan. Those who support Azerbaijan are aiding and abetting a country with genocidal ambitions. 


Azerbaijan and Turkey should be considered hostile states, violators of human rights, and sponsors of terrorism by Washington.

Thank you,
Theodore G. Karakostas 

Categories
political

Covid, China, And The Democrats

Sharri Markson is an Australian journalist who has done a remarkable job in her book “What really happened in Wuhan”. I am more than half way through this well researched book and it is infuriating to see the role that the National Institute of Health has played in bringing about Covid. The Institute along with Eco health and others were instrumental in funding gain of function research in China.

Anthony Fauci is not a hero. He is a villain. Fauci comes off as a pathological liar and fanatic. Fauci lied about masks in early 2020. He hid his own involvement with the Wuhan lab from the Trump administration when covid began to spread.

Some facts about the good Doctor,

1) In 2014, the Obama administration banned funding for gain of funding research because it considered it risky. Fauci, the true believer in 2012 had published an article saying a pandemic was worth risking in order to gain the knowledge that gain of function research would provide. This explains why in 2017 Fauci and the NIH resumed funding to the lab in Wuhan WITHOUT CONSULTING THE PRESIDENT OR ANY ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.

Fauci also did not inform Secretary of Health Alex Azar. Fauci remained silent about his activities when the Trump administration was discussing how to respond to the spread of covid.

2) Fauci opposed stopping travel from China. Fauci has never had the interests of Americans or humanity in his policy formulations.

3) Fauci was outraged when the Trump administration forced Eco Health (another health organization) to stop funding the Wuhan lab.

4) Fauci stated as late as February 2020 that he did not believe the virus would become a pandemic.

This is the man the media and the Democratic Party revere.

There are more outrages involving Fauci’s colleagues and supporters but it would take too long to list them all. What is beyond dispute is that western scientists have been badly compromised by China. To be fair, there are many scientists mentioned in the book who for years were warning against gain of function research and they accurately predicted what would happen. The true believers in the scientific community ignored them.

It should be remembered that for four years Russia has been bashed repeatedly. The Durham report recently proved that Russia did not interfere in the 2016 elections. The media went after the Russians and ignored the China threat. Because Hillary losing the election was a greater tragedy than the pandemic.

The case is made for the Republican Party. The Biden administration resumed funding of the World Health Organization despite the fact that its director general is a Chinese asset. This organization did nothing to stop the spread of covid and its director general praised China repeatedly.

There is debate as to when the leak in Wuhan occurred. Some experts believe October or even August. It did not occur any later than November. The Chinese lied repeatedly and covered up. It was only in late January they admitted that covid could be spread person to person. It was on January 11 that the director general of WHO announced covid could not be spread person to person.

As it is. Five million people worldwide are dead. Covid remains a problem. Every country is divided because people refuse to be vaccinated. The moral failure of those scientists aligned with China is very clear.

There is a political aspect to this. Fauci and others were in effect conducting their own foreign policy by supporting the Wuhan lab. Neither President Trump nor Secretary of State Pompeo were aware of Fauci’s activities. Republicans in Congress might want to consider charging Fauci and others who colluded with China with treason.

Unfortunately, we have a President who is senile so there is no chance justice will be pursued any time soon. The Republicans however have time. They need to make the case against Fauci and the others who assisted the Chinese.

In an ideal world, there would be a Nuremberg style tribunal to put those scientists (Chinese and their western collaborators) on trial for crimes against humanity. We do not live in an ideal world however. Regardless, the Republicans should work to punish Fauci and others.

The Democrats want to defund the Police. The Republicans should demand defunding the NIH and other compromised scientific institutions. The disruption of life needs to be punished any way possible.

Categories
political

The Moral Failures of the Scientific Community

Presently reading “What Really Happened in Wuhan” by Australian journalist Sharri Markson. One fourth of the way through so far. Very compelling and infuriating.

The lab leak in Wuhan once rejected as the cause of the pandemic is most likely the reason for the world crisis. The leak may have occurred as early as October 2019 but no later than November 2019. From the very beginning the Chinese government lied and covered it up.

The world learned of the coronavirus in late December 2019 but the Chinese never conceded until late January that the virus could be spread from person to person. The World Health Organization was totally useless under the leadership of Dr. Tawdros, former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Ethiopia who has a long time association with China. Dr. Tawdros accepted every claim put forward by the Chinese authorities and could not stop praising Beijing even as the Chinese Communist Party betrayed the entire world.

Anthony Fauci has turned out to be just as destructive. Fauci insisted as late as February 2020 that he did not believe the virus would lead to a pandemic. Fauci fiercely opposed (as did Dr. Tawdros) stopping all flights to and from China.

One of the Trump administrations advisors Peter Navarro (Director of Trade) understood the seriousness of the situation and urged President Trump to shut down travel from China. Unlike Fauci, Navarro provided Trump with good advice. Trump officials pushed the World Health Organization to go to Wuhan to investigate the source of the virus.

Twenty five scientists from different countries travelled to China. But at the last minute, China got Director Tawdros to agree to change plans. Only three scientists (none American) were permitted to visit Wuhan and for only forty eight hours which made it impossible for a real investigation to be conducted. The World Health Organization agreed to China’s demand that scientists should not look into the origins of the virus but should only look for a solution.

It remains a moral outrage that men who are complicit in the pandemic such as Dr. Tawdros and Anthony Fauci (and others) maintain their jobs. The Trump administration having been fully aware that the World Health Organization is an instrument of China’s Communist government stopped the annual American contribution of $400 million.

It makes sense that American taxpayers whose lives were disrupted should not be subsidizing this Communist influenced organization. Joe Biden resumed annual funding for the World Health Organization last January. Biden has also expressed confidence in Anthony Fauci.

Reports from the summer indicate that Fauci approved funding from the National Institute of Health for experiments involving aborted babies. Allegations have been made that the skulls of five month old aborted babies were attached to rats in some sort of experiment. In addition, Fauci is said to have funded experiments carried out in Tunisia on dogs whose heads were put in a cage and were devoured by flies and other insects.

A major problem today is that large numbers of people refuse to get vaccinated. The reality remains that Fauci and his colleagues at the National Institute of Health do not have the trust of many people. The same can be said about the World Health Organization.

The scientific community needs to get its act together. Fauci must go. Everyone associated with his activities must go. The World Health Organization must be purged of its Chinese supporters.

The good news is that Republican Senators such as Rand Paul of Kentucky have been making Fauci miserable. They are investigating the role of Fauci and the National Institute of Health in funding gain of funding research that was done at the notorious lab in Wuhan.

Incidentally, federal prosecutors have proved that the Russian collusion allegations in the 2016 elections were demonstrably false. Michael Sussman who is an ally of Hillary Clinton has been indicted having invented the lie that the Russians stole the elections for Trump.

Forget the Russians, China is the real threat. As is the Democratic Party.