PLEASE USE THE FLAG ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN TO TRANSLATE
Here is how the New Republic (link) described Marinakis’ alleged connection to the Noor-1 drug smuggling ship: “Reports indicate that as of November 2019, at least 16 people linked to the Noor-1 case had died under suspicious circumstances. These include murders, unexplained deaths, and alleged suicides. For instance, in September 2014, the daughter of Turkish drug trafficker Serifi Zindashti, believed to be connected to the Noor 1 operation, was murdered in Istanbul. Subsequent retaliatory killings followed, contributing to the case’s notoriety.” Why must I remind everyone that Marinakis is CURRENTLY under criminal investigation for racketeering!!
By Nick Stamatakis
I honestly did not plan yesterday to brave the deep cold and drive 40 miles to attend the NY Federation meeting for the upcoming Greek Independence parade on March 30. But talking to Lou Katsos on the phone about his noble idea of inviting the Embassies/Consulates of countries actively involved in helping Greece gain its Independence (Switzerland, France, England, Russia, Germany, the U.S. Haiti – yes, Haiti, the first country that officially recognized Greece!!) I changed my mind. I thought this would be a great idea and should be promoted in every way. This idea is already being practiced by the Committee raising funds for the movie “Kapodistrias” (www.kapodistriasmovie.com).
Entering the Stathakeion, we were greeted by a loud verbal fight, and we heard Dimitris Filios yell at Avgi Atmatzidou “crazy, get out of the Federation” (“βλαμμένο, φύγε από την Ομοσπονδία”)!! I will not describe what I heard from both sides about what preceded this episode at the “Communications Committee’s” meeting, of which they are both part. By all accounts, it has to do with serious disagreements on handling policies and finances. But this is not a way to behave under any circumstances… We have seen fistfights in that same building not too long ago!! But didn’t the “old farts” pledge to invite the younger generations to participate? Some of these younger people were there last night – I counted at least fifteen. Is this how we create the right atmosphere for them? Avgi is one of the younger ones and should be treated better…
The meeting was quite dull as the various committees reported on their progress, which was expected. With a couple of more exciting moments: Lou Katsos proposed to turn the Parade “outwards” and involve the Consulates by organizing a special event for them – as explained above. Second, when Dimitris Gonias described the participation of 58 or so parishes and organizations from NJ – as always a necessary element for the success of the Parade.
Then, towards the end, Philip Christopher started using his best diplomatic language to explain that Vangelis Marinakis had sent an initial acceptance letter to be a Grand Marshall in the Parade. Christopher used all his experience and skill trying to pass to the meeting that it was an “acceptable” thing. He explained that it was a “controversial choice” but “he asked the Foreign Ministry of Greece,” he “asked the Consul General”, he “asked the Ambassador,” and nobody objected!!… Are you kidding me? You asked people directly involved in the corrupt political system of Greece whether they would oppose Marinakis, who, in addition to all else, owns a major TV station and at least two prominent newspapers in Athens? How stupid do you think we all are?
And finally, “Oh, Ambassador Tsunis invited him!!” Christopher said… You must be kidding!!.. This idiot who wanted to be ambassador to Norway but couldn’t find it on the map? Tsunis, who walked on a business meeting in Alexandroupolis with his beachwear? The totally “woke” Ambassador who lit the Embassy on Rainbow colors many times and walked along the Pride Parade last year? Are we supposed to respect Tsunis? Why? Because he feeds a few people with cash to buy good publicity? Is this the lesson we are teaching our children?
Let me explain here that I was among the first to be informed about the Parade Committee’s intentions around November 10-12 by Yiannis Stroumbakis, and you can understand why. Because Helleniscope expresses the voice of our community independently and is not “on the take” by any interests. My answer to Yiannis was a loud “NO!” Just a few days before that time, the NY Times published not one but TWO lengthy reports on Marinakis (on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 – link here and here – and also here for our report.)
Later on, we explained all the different shades of this issue, urging all involved to avoid this problem (link here): The issue is that Vangelis Marinakis is CURRENTLY under criminal investigation for racketeering!! It was incredibly disappointing to hear Christos Vournas, who is well educated and experienced, an accountant by profession, support the idea of inviting Marinakis. Vournas could not understand that the issue was that “he was CURRENTLY under investigation”!! Christo, I’m sorry to say that if you can’t grasp that straightforward argument, please step aside and invite your daughter to participate… You are not helping; you are hurting the Parade and the Omogenia…
Even worse for the rest of the so-called “leaders”… Mr. Siokis, Mr. Kalamaras, Mr. Meimaroglou, Mrs. Kostaki, do you approve of this atrocity? Why did you lose your voice? How about you, Mr. Georgopoulos? Would your beautiful daughter, an assistant DA in Queens and hopefully to be one day a bright star of our younger generation, accept shaking hands with Vangelis Marinakis? And sitting at the same table with him?
This is NOT about us; it’s about our children. Please let me make it personal here. Would I ever dare call on my son Andreas (who played a leading role in 2018-19 when he was an intern for Congressman Billirakis) in the initial recognition of the Hellenic Genocides – in the first paragraph of the Congressional Resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and is now a successful young businessman – would I ever call on him to play a role in this disgusting Parade business? HELL, NO!!
The Federation has no right to put the whole Parade at risk!! The NY Times has published numerous articles by Daniel Taylor, an award-winning sports writer and a fan of Nottingham Forest, exposing the involvement of Vangelis Marinakis in various scandals and legal investigations. American, Greek, and international news are full of the same.
What makes you believe that, let’s say, 1-2 weeks before the Parade, the NY Times or NY Post or some other major news outlet won’t come out with the same or similar stories – stressing the fact that the Greek-American community is honoring Marinakis and allows him to basically “show the middle finger” to all Americans, parading on Fifth Avenue?
Mr. Christopher, are you ready to disgracefully end 50 years of fights for our national causes sacrificing them on the altar of fleeting interests by inviting Marinakis? An issue that you call “controversial”? Will you and the rest of the Parade committee be ready to resign immediately if all hell breaks loose?
PS. There is still time to make up a nice excuse and postpone the invitation to Marinakis until (and if) he is legally cleared. We should have said NO to him even if he donated $1 million!! Some things are not for sale, are they Mr. Christopher?
PS2. I have started wondering whether Philip Christopher and others are intentionally destroying this Parade for other purposes… Use your imagination…
PS3. Small groups have set up shop around the Parade, trying to make financial or political hay… Are we really expecting people hungry for a few dollars or some moments of glory to do good for the community?
January 24, 2025, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
Regrettably, I have no personal knowledge of who this Vangelis Marinakis is or what he has been accused of as I am wholly unfamiliar with Greek Soccer, Greek political lobbying or the workings of the criminal justice system in my beloved Greece, so I find it difficult to opine on the qualifications of this person to be honored as our Grand Marshal, the highest honor the Federation of Hellenic Societies bestows annually on Hellenes and Phil-Hellenes.
Had our dear friend and patriot Markos Marinakis been the grand marshal nominee, for what my opinion is currently worth, he would have had my wholehearted support.
On one hand, I hear that Greek government representatives both here and in Greece support Vangelis Marinakis’ nomination. Yet on the other hand, and without knowing any of the particulars, I hear through this site that he has been indicted/accused? of crimes in Greece. Accordingly, and again, for what my opinion is worth, I feel those currently running the parade ought take responsibility and fully review any nominee’s qualifications before they make a final determination. Having had to endure very suspect and now convicted politicians in the past being honored not only by the parade committee but by the archdiocese and other greek organizations over my objections, I firmly believe in the old carpenters adage to “measure twice and cut once”. We are not discussing whether or not to have a cup of coffee with someone, but rather to honor and elevate someone as a functional Role Model and example to be looked up to by our historic Community. While not a Kansas City Chiefs Fan, I now watch them just to follow the play by play grit and tenacity of our 2024 Grand Marshal, George Karloftis, who is an All-star athlete and scholar who has shown himself to be an honorable young man both on and off the field.
As a community, I firmly believe we have an abundance of people who deserve to be honored as Parade Grand Marshal whether or not they make any extraordinary donations to the parade. During my brief 2 year tenure as Federation President, we honored deserving people and organizations, such as the late-Nick Davatzis (founder of the History Channel), Tony Orlando, Col. Bogdanos, Philip Christopher, the Ladies Philoptohos and the Boy Scouts of America/Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting for their 100th and 50th anniversaries respectively, all while not soliciting any special donations from the honorees yet with both parades leaving substantial profits so that the Federation could fund all its then numerous programs and obligations.
Let’s all work together to make our 2025 Parade the greatest and most successful parade ever. We have so much more that unites us than divides us. And when the Parade succeeds our entire Community succeeds There is so much more work to be done and so many more hands are needed to lift up our Parade, so please attend and support the general parade meetings held every Thursday at the Stathakion where we want and need to hear your voices and embrace your efforts.
Dimitri, if someone has a long history of investigations involving narcotics trafficking etc. and he is currently under criminal investigation for racketeering it should not take much thought – esp. from a lawyer like you – to decide that this person’s nomination as a Grand Marshall should hold until he is cleared from any accusations. Period, end of story. As if we do not have others to propose!! Helleniscope proposed Jim Logothetis, chairman of Leadership 100. We have hundreds and thousands of very successful Greek-Americans. The fact that we insist on Marinakis despite all we know is very suspicious of deals under the table. That’s Investigators’ training 101.
Οι διαχρονικές στρεβλώσεις της
διαφθοράς όχι μόνο δεν εξαφανίσθηκαν , αλλά τα τελευταία
χρόνια ενταντικοποιούνται .
Δυστυχώς το χρήμα είναι ο δεσπόζων
παράγων όχι μόνο στην προσωπική
μας ζωή αλλά παντού και αυτοί που
το κατέχουν χωρίς να έχουν το
γνώθι σ’αυτόν μοιάζουν με μπαλόνια
φουσκωμένα που όταν χάσουν τον
αέρα χάνουν την αίγλη τους και
πέφτουν ατάκτως στο έδαφος.
Συμμετείχα περισσότερα από 50
χρόνια στις παρελάσεις, γνώρισα άτομα ανιδιοτελή που εργάστηκαν
με μοναδικό οδηγό τον πατριωτισμό τους, γνώρισα επίσης άτομα που είχαν
σαν στόχο τους την προσωπική προβολή και όχι το αίσθημα από τα
ιστορικά γεγονότα . Υπήρξαν και
κάποιοι ( ευτυχώς λίγοι) που εργάσθηκαν ως μακροχέρηδες…….
Γενικά πάντοτε το χρήμα ήταν η
κινητήριος δύναμη και εδέχετο τις
φιλοφρονήσεις και τις εξυπηρετήσεις
των υπευθύνων. Προνομιακή θέση
απελάμβανον πάντα αυτοί που τα
ακουμπούσαν είτε ήταν μεμονωμένα
άτομα η Οργανώσεις.
Αγνοήθηκαν πολλοί μεγάλοι φιλέλληνες γιατί αυτοί δεν θα προσέφεραν φυσικά κάποιο κομπόδεμα
απεναντίας θα είχαν και έξοδα που θα
έπρεπε να καλυφθούν από τα έσοδα.
Ένας τέτοιος κορυφαίος Φιλέλληνας που θα ταρακουνούσε την 5η λεωφόρο
και όχι μόνον ήταν ο Antony Queen.
Σήμερα αυτή η νοοτροπία έχει ξεφύγει
τελείως . Ξεκάθαρο πλέον το μήνυμα
όποιος προσφέρει τα περισσότερα χωρίς να μας ενδιαφέρει ποιός είναι
αυτός που τα προσφέρει.
Τούτη η κατάσταση μου βίδωσε μια
ιδέα στο μυαλό . Σκέφθηκα πως αφού
το χρήμα είναι το κίνητρο για την
επιλογή του Grand Marshal , να
καθιερώσουμε τον θεσμό του
πληστιριασμού , όποιος θα δίνει τα
περισσότερα, αυτός θα απολαμβάνει
και τον τίτλο. Όμως με αυτόν τον
τρόπο αλλάζει και η εικόνα του
Ελληνικού θαύματος διότι δίδουμε
μεγαλύτερη αξία στο χρήμα από αυτό
καθεαυτό το γεγονός που εορτάζουμε
και τιμούμε αυτούς που εθυσιάστηκαν
για να ζούμε εμείς ελεύθεροι.
Κάπτεν το έπιασες το θέμα από τα κέρατα… Πλειστηριασμός – αυτό είναι η λύση… Τουλάχιστον έτσι θα γελοιοποιηθούν ορισμένοι…
Not related to the subject but I am listening to this video with Metr. Neophytos and he is speaking about his experience growing up in a small village that was later by the enemy. I can imagine how happy he was as a child living in simplicity in a faithful family. One of my favorite metropolitans that met many recent saints, we can definitely learn a lot from him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUgLeg2-D9E
Mr Stamatakis,
I would like to say that you have very valid points but when you come around and start talking about Siokis,Kalamaras and Kostakis you are very wrong, you think those 3 people have a say in the parade even though there all on the committee, NO!! You don’t seem to realize that Yiannis Stroumbakis and Philip Christopher do whatever they want along with some others.
Just because both sides are on the Parade committee ,that doesn’t mean anything. Philip put 50 people on the parade committee as per the letter head so he can make everyone happy and try to keep the peace…..
You are a very intelligent man and it confuses me how you don’t see these things.
And look at your side: you are hiding behind anonymity and you and the “orangutans” (I call them “orangutans” because they are thumbing their chests pretending they are something) DO NOTHING… In addition to being verbally and physically violent occasionally…
Άλλο ανώνυμος και άλλο αφανής ….ήρωας.