pensees eparses

Je vois que vous me lisiez mais vous n’ arrivez pas a vous debrouller avec Yahoo… Alors je prefere vous ecrire en francais. Malheuresement je ne dispose ni accent aigue ni grave a mon clavier et c’est pour cette raison que je prefere finalement m’ addresser en anglais trusting that English is an easier language for you than Greek, translated by computer.

We accidentally found out about plans for many large windmills in Tinos and Andros. Never mind the point of view that such a move is bad for the power generation capacity of the country (oh, I am convinced of that and, trust me, I have support on the matter). Never mind that the whole argument about ecological or green power may be marketing nonsense, and you know it; never mind that wind power, not at the source, but at the user, is substantially more expensive than conventional, and you know that too; never mind that with a recession coming, bank financing has dried up; never mind that you are probably under pressure to maximize sales, reduce inventory or deal with unemployment in your country of origin.

The first issue is that your plans may destroy a landscape that some of us are in love with. A landscape that, barren and worthless as it may seem to you, we cherish as our history, culture, heritage and soul. A handmade landscape with visible archaeological sites, be they from antiquity or medieval times. A precious island landscape which, contributes to our tourist business. A landscape which may be unappreciated by some but will be fiercely preserved by others.

The second issue is a practical one. With the usual Greek “less than transparent” procedures (see adjacent chart of perceived country corruption), people may not be aware of your plans. Once they are, they will object. You may also have been led to believe that there are “public” or “no man’s” lands available to rent; a simple inquiry with your lawyer will confirm that this may be an erroneous assumption. There are more assumptions which will be contested, but permit me not to itemize them in broad daylight.

Some of us would greatly appreciate it if you were to consider taking your goods and services elsewhere, and less you interpret my note as impolite, I would say: we would beg of you to do so.

Merci bien
A.V.M.

click on the image to enlarge