Moral instigators
It is not only the degeneration of most private channels who have thrown themselves into a cheap competition to see which one can be more sensationalist, snubbing the anti-war rally for the sake of a visit by the ex-monarch to Athens. There are also the moral instigators – those who try to capitalize on the presence of the deposed monarch. Thirty years since the restoration of democracy, Constantine and his family enjoy no popular backing. The oblivion, apathy and indifference over the monarchy by the vast majority underscore the Greeks’ deep-rooted democratic consciousness. If Constantine still has some innermost thoughts or unconfessed aspirations for a comeback, this widespread indifference should be enough to discourage him. Who, then, questions and undermines our nationwide democratic self-confidence and security? Who accentuates Constantine’s every word, move, or action? To be sure, it is not the few priests, nuns, and other colorful sympathizers who seem to have faith in a «second coming.» Rather, it is two groups of democracy’s self-styled guardians. The first is made up of mostly socialist politicians who never seem to miss an opportunity to lash out against the «lethal threat» posed by the royalists. There is also a second, less bellicose, group of people who fling verbal vitriol against the various members of the former royal family. The first group of people play on the democratic convictions of the Greek people to spread fear and concern about the country’s political system – something which is bound to please Constantine if he is truly eying a comeback. The second is even more dangerous, for their attempt to humiliate and ridicule a deposed king can backfire, creating a reflex of compassion; a profoundly democratic reflex originating from what we somewhat complacently brand Greek pride and generosity of heart.
