Alexis Tsipras, Syriza are as moderate as Bert Romulo, circa 1987

The slide of media to mediocrity is clearly taking place on a global scale. How else could you explain the mainstream press’s reportage on the Greek elections? After the victory of Syriza and the defeat of the political parties favored by the European elite, the chorus from the reporting claque enamored of the elite was this: Syriza and its leader, Alexis Tsipras, the new prime minister, belong to the “radical left.” The other description—a milder version—is “left-wing.”

Even the commentaries from people who are supposed to know the real score have failed to debunk the canard that Syriza and Tsipras are far-out radicals and wingnuts. No, they are not. They are as mainstream as mainstream can be. Their economic platform falls under the ambit of conventional economics. Of course, they fired up their rhetoric during the campaign period to win the hearts and minds of the suffering Greek voters. But that was a tactical thing. They have to win an election and a little fire here and there was entirely forgivable.