I’m writing to you from my tiny apartment in Midtown Manhattan. This is an open letter to each and every one of you who are protesting at your State House.
I watched today as you stormed your State House, threatening the health and well-being of all of those you came into contact with. And carrying those silly signs with swastikas and Nazi symbols.
I also watched the demonstrations in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, where people demanded an end to the restrictions so they could play golf again… and get haircuts.
The videos and posts I saw didn’t make me angry. No. They made me feel pity for all of you pathetic souls. Pity. Because that’s what you need.
You know, it’s funny… I’ve heard so many times from people all over the country, the jokes about New Yorkers being selfish and rude… we’ve been the butt of jokes and memes on social media.
The next time I see something like that online, I’ll be sure to remind everyone about how millions of us are staying home— yes, in our tiny shoe box apartments— to protect the health and well-being of our fellow citizens, of our friends and neighbors… of our elderly who are more susceptible to getting sick and even dying from this virus.
The only protesting we are doing are protests outside our windows every night at 7pm to thank the healthcare workers who are risking their lives every day to keep people alive. In case you don’t know what appreciation sounds like, here’s a clip.
I also want to tell you a story about a tiny country where my parents emigrated from called Greece. I’m not sure if many of you have ever heard of the country or even know where it is on a map, but it’s been making international headlines lately.
I’m not sure if you read the newspapers but the nation is being heralded for the way it’s citizens have handled the coronavirus pandemic.
They’re freedom-loving, just like you think you are.
They have a disdain for authority and government overreach, just like you claim to have.
Of course, the difference is that Greeks have experienced a fascist military dictatorship, not to mention a brutal Nazi occupation that cost their country 10% of its population— and people are still alive who remember these events.
You— the protestor likening your governor to the Nazis. You don’t have that right— unless you’ve experienced the Nazis first hand, the way my father and his fellow citizens did. So put that ridiculous sign away, you snowflake.
You haven’t experienced anything like that. You haven’t experienced the entire male population of your town being rounded up and massacred. You haven’t experienced entire towns and villages burned to the ground. Your frustration and anger comes from not being able to play golf or get your hair cut, or when Walmart closes for inventory. Shame on you.
Unlike your so-called demonstrations, the Greeks are known for their demonstrations against the government when they feel that injustice is taking place.
They’re much more badass than you will ever be, demanding haircuts and the opening of golf courses and complaining about being forced to stay inside your trailer parks.
Another difference between you and the Greeks is that they understand and appreciate the value of human life and know what it means to respect life.
All it took for them to stay in line with unpopular government orders way back in mid-March was a reminder from their government’s infectious disease spokesperson.
“What’s all the fuss,” Dr. Sotirios Tsiodras asked rhetorically, explaining how a fellow doctor asked him why Greeks were making such a big deal about a “few elderly people.”
“The answer I give, and I leave it to your own judgement, is that the miracle of medical science in 2020 is the ability to extend a quality life for these people, many of whom are… our mothers and fathers. They are grandmothers and grandfathers. We honor them and we respect them all. We protect them— especially them. We cannot exist, nor have an identity without these people.”
This was a turning point for Greeks— when they were reminded that the “fuss” wasn’t about them. It wasn’t about haircuts or freedom, or going to coffee shops… or golf courses.
No. It was about something much bigger than that. It was about humanity— something each and every one of you selfish, asshole protestors lack.
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19 comments
What makes you think eveyone is MIch behaves like that? I haven’t even seen my daughter for 6 weeks. Everyone I know is abiding by this. My nextdoor neighbors are in the hospital with covid 19.I doubt eveyone in NY is behaving like you seem to think they are. Next time you point a finger rmember 3 more are pointing back at you. Calling people names is very juvenile
BTW mt next door neighbor is paralyzed from Covid and they are trying to wean his wife off oxygen after 2 weeks in the hospital
My son served 9 years in the submarine service so people like you, could insult people like me
I take it is written to the “assholes” in MI . I did’t take personally. Really the writer should have wrote Dear Terrorists in MI
Yes
It was Obviously written to the terrorists in Michigan, No way anyone reading it that Understood what he was saying would ever think otherwise!!
As a Michigander I am thrilled to see the “Assholes in Michigan” getting called out like this. We are a better state than this, and it is a shame to see the ignorance and selfishness displayed by the “Assholes in Michigan”. Also…. “An Open Letter to the Assholes in Michigan, but not everyone should think I’m calling everyone in the state an Asshole” is a very long title and takes up a lot of space that could be used for thoughtful editorial commentary to enlighten assholes in Michigan.
when i think of my dad being sent from greece alone at the age of 13 because of the war with turkey. he would have to be a soldier. his father a greek priest sent him to america to avoid him having to fight in that war. he never saw his parents again. we have so much to be thankful living in america.
Have wrote?
Did you even read the letter? The second sentence specifies “the protestors”.
Bravo, Greg!
Sir, I applaud the manner in which you AND your family survived and now flourish. Your family is a testament to fortitude, perseverance and honor. Their actions will never go unnoticed, I promise that to you. You earned then right, you go ahead and preach!!! Just so you know, that group at my states capital in no way speaks for the overwhelming majority of us here. We would never evoke such things from our past. We were raised with honor in our core, same as you. You keep walking the walk and talking the talk!! Peace and love to you and your well deserving family!!! Thank you for still speaking up!! PEACE BROTHER!!
“I’m writing from a tiny apartment from Midtown Manhattan.” THAT’S a way to make me stop reading right there. If you want to criticize people in flyover country, it helps if you don’t call us “assholes” in the headline.
I take it you were one of the protestors since the letter was clearly directed only to them and not to everyone in Michigan.
Thank you for this. I am also amazed by the nastiness, ignorance, and disregard for community shown by these people. We’ve somehow managed to politicise public health; I just hope we don’t pay the price.
I want to respectfully call out your comment on trailer parks, though. Please don’t equate poverty with stupidity; we live in a country where affordable housing is far too rare, and a trailer home may be the best option for a lot of folks.
Thanks, and keep fighting to shine light on hate!
what a terrible ignorant article. ABsolutley a black mark for the Pappas Post. When I get more time I’ll be glad to rip you to shreds.
Bravo, Greg! Whether in English or in Greek, you know just the right words. These protesters are utter miscreants!
I am embarrassed and ashamed. Some citizens in Michigan decided to protest the actions of Governor Whitmer. The Nazi signage, the weapons show off, all because people are protesting because they cannot play golf, and purchase things, and get a haircut. These citizens that protested…placing themselves, everyone around them in jeopardy because they wanted their 5 minutes of fame. Well guess what people. This is REALITY! This is the worst pandemic, ever, to hit this country. However, if you feel you could do a better job of keeping people alive, than by all means, step right up and show us how “Wrong” we are. Governor Whitmer is doing things many other people in government won’t. She is taking command. She isn’t a “Hitler”…the actions are unpopular for all of us…but it beats dying! Are you people telling me that you would sacrifice your children’s lives just so you could use a 9 iron? Can you say clueless? I think ya can…maybe. And for the record, I am a 11 times decorated for life saving retired 911 Dispatcher/Supervisor, Firefighter/EMT for 18 years and a former Marine Combat Corpsman! I’ll endure this sacrifice if it means you and your family get to survive. Or feel free to step in my shoes and live the life I’ve lived. The heroes are the Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatchers, Military, Cashiers, Delivery personnel. Get off your entitlement high horse/soapbox and help folks who really need it! This is REALITY PEOPLE!!
Based on previous Greek fiscal responsibility they probably don’t worry too much about work – the gov will save them. Or the rest of the world will bail them out.
I think most Americans could have countenanced a peaceful seeming protest. We want things back to normal so we can earn a living. But why the long guns? Why the “lock her up, bs” why the intimidation? That’s what devalues any point or cause you’re trying to advocate, even if it’s only a handful of guys
Bravo for a well written post. It’s evidently un-American (to these protesters) to sacrifice for the greater good. The rifle thing puzzles me – were they afraid the legislators or admin folk were going to shoot at them, did they need the rifles to feel safe. They were an embarrassment to responsible gun owners nationwide. Bravo also to the police for displaying the restraint they did.
Apparently, as a dumb ass New Yorker, you believe any protest is about putt putt and hair styling. You obviously are not concerned about the MI state government ordering citizens with covid to nursing homes to go away and infect the vulnerable. Also, I missed your concern for the hundreds of small businesses and thousands of citizens that have been forced into backruptcy so that MI politicians could score political points. I understand millions like you do not care as you benefit from massive government assistance and are enjoying sitting on your lazy ass for a year. Greek ctizens have suffered terribly, although I do not understand why that leads any credence to a New Yorker’s complaints about a land he/she obviously know nothing about.