Reporter Paul O. Mahoney and the British newspaper The Independent decided to “enlighten” readers of their newspaper by literally attacking ancient Greek heroes, the latest victims of growing animosity toward Greece as it struggles through a crushing economic crisis and demands its people suffer more austerity.
The article makes a mockery of two Greek heroes, Odysseus and Heracles. Mahoney claimed that Odysseus was a famous man, but for his deceit, lies and because he was “full of plans.” The reporter wrote: “But let’s be frank, he was a liar, a mad deceitful, compulsive liar who ended up getting all of his soldiers killed, whilst he frolicked with nymphs and witches.”
Next in line comes Midas. According to Mahoney, Greeks are a brand new banking breed of Midases who all happen to be hungry for gold and won’t stop till they really get what they want. Then comes Heracles, who is accused of being nature’s worst enemy because,”He was an eco-warrior’s worst nightmare,” because he killed the Lernaean Hydra and died from the poison he used to vanquish his foe, getting the end he deserved.
Mahoney also claims that, “The terrible problems that afflict Western culture today were woven today into the myths of the people who gave us that culture in the first place,” and also said that Greece is the place where it all began and looks increasingly as if will be where it all ends as well. Mahoney makes no mention of British Colonialism.
