Yet Another evolution article on Slashdot

[rms]

The Basques have considerable autonomy within Spain, along with cAtalonia and Galicia, for example.

These folks didn't sattle even for the broadest autonomy. Now, they want what is now southern Serbia.

As for language, I don't mince words when someone, something deserves it, and they do.

[bsniadajewski]

I'll forgive ya there on the Armenians. I see the lack of q there, though if I was Albanian, I would be offended. It's just as offensive as a certain derogatory word for members of the African-American community; never will you see me use it. I am not one to use such terms for any group (ethnic, religious, or otherwiswe). I was going to mention that some of your examples have been resolved somewhat. The Basques have considerable autonomy within Spain, along with cAtalonia and Galicia, for example.

[rms]

BTW, You missed a q, it's Shqiptar (plural Shqiptarët).

I made no mistake there.

Edit: I did made a mistake about Armenians. It's the Kurds asking for their share of Turkish country. Although Armenians also have a very bad grudge against the Turks...

So many nations, one can get confused as to who's zooming whom and why.

[bsniadajewski]

I do somewhat favor having poitical boundaries actually reflect actual ethnic boundaries (Albania encompassing the Albanian-speaking region in Europe, Serbia include all Serb areas, including the Republika Srpska in Bosnia, etc.). But, I'd rather it be done peacefully without instances of forceful "cleansing" on anybody's part.

I'd like to hear other's opinion on this very intersting situation.

BTW, You missed a q, it's Shqiptar (plural Shqiptarët).

[rms]

I can see why it is so. My solution would be to have the predominantly Albanian portion of Kosovo become independent (to do what it wants) while Leposavić, Zvečan, and Zubin Potoki (and maybe Štrpce,though as an exclave) revert back to Serbia, while all the 26 Orthodox monasteries dotting the area also fall under the jurisdiction of Serbia. Don't take it personal though. I understand the importance of the region historical and symbolically to the Serbian people, but if the Albanians no longer feel a part of Serbia (I guess they never have), I guess it's time to give them independence. Again, don't take it personal.

If your Muslim neighbor pushed his fence into your yard, just because he lives there and thinks you're a filthy kafir pig(for you're a Christian) so he is entitled to what is yours by that very *fact*, what would you do?

Wouldn't you say then it's time to give independence to Basques in Spain? Or to Catholics(Irish) in Northern Ireland? Or maybe to Armenians in Eastern Turkey? Why then Republika Srpska cannot be an independent state? Why Albanians are not allowed to take half of Macedonia since they are half of population there? Why were Serbs expelled by force of arms from Croatia when they demanded much less for themselves(cultural autonomy) and nobody did anything against it?

I could go on with these examples because they are frequent throughout the world but I think you get the picture. Only we are expected to handout our territory for the asking. And that's because some very base interests of those supporting them are covered by fancy talk about freedom, human rights and other propaganda nonsense CNN is trying to pass for truth.

But we managed mighty Ottomans, we'll deal with the Shiptars...

[bsniadajewski]

From Wikipedia arrticle on Kosovo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo

Relations between Albanian and Serb communities

The relations between Kosovo's ethnic Albanian and Serb populations have been hostile since the rise of nationalism in the Balkans during the 19th century, rivalry which became strong after Serbia gained Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire in 1913 and after Albania became independent in the same year.^[9] During the Tito-era of communist rule in Yugoslavia, the ethnic Albanian and Serb populations of Kosovo were strongly irreconcilable with sociological studies during the Tito-era indicating that ethnic Albanian and Serb peoples in Kosovo rarely accepted each other as neighbours or friends and few held interethnic marriages.^[176] Ethnic prejudices, stereotypes and mutual distrust between ethnic Albanians and Serbs have remained common for decades.^[176] The level of intolerance and separation between the ethnic Albanian and Serb communities during the Tito-period was reported by sociologists to be worse than that of Croat and Serb communities in Yugoslavia which also had tensions but held some closer relations between each other.^[176]

I can see why it is so. My solution would be to have the predominantly Albanian portion of Kosovo become independent (to do what it wants) while Leposavić, Zvečan, and Zubin Potoki (and maybe Štrpce,though as an exclave) revert back to Serbia, while all the 26 Orthodox monasteries dotting the area also fall under the jurisdiction of Serbia. Don't take it personal though. I understand the importance of the region historical and symbolically to the Serbian people, but if the Albanians no longer feel a part of Serbia (I guess they never have), I guess it's time to give them independence. Again, don't take it personal.

[rms]

There is no solution. They don't want autonomy but independent state, torn of our country. They are minority in Serbia. What do you think would happen if Albanians demanded a separate state in places where they live in USA? I suspect the drones would get very busy.

Edit: I do believe there would be a chance if they(Albanians) were hard-pressed from the outside since they *accomplished* what they have now with plentiful help of that outside.

But, as I said previously, somebody is in bad need of coal resources there(at massive discount if not for free) and as long as that lasts, they will not play ball and continue to raise havoc in the region(Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece, not to mention their sh*tin' our heads).

[bsniadajewski]

Yes, I does make you wonder what's going to happen next. One bad move and *boom*, here we go again like in '99.

BTW, not to go way off-topic but, what do you think should be a reasonable solution to the problem that'll somewhat satisfy both the Albanian majority in Kosovo and the Serbs there as well as in the rest of Serbia?

[rms]

Well, they don't want peace in this new *Kosovo republic*(never did perhaps) but having broad shoulders behind them, at the moment, that need coal & other stuff there, are trying to get what they are not entitled to so, you can imagine where it will eventually lead.

Anyway, politics revolves around the axes which, sadly, is neither peace nor justice or whatever other fine words are heard spluttered from mouths heard on CNN or elsewhere and, therefore, cannot be considered as good and, certainly, not evolving.

[bsniadajewski]

And going strong it seems. Hopefully the situation down in Kosovo can be resolved peacefully.

[rms]

Yeah, I probably was. And when you have that mix of ethnicites, religions, and some bad blood, you are gonna get quite a volatile situation, as we've all seen on CNN

My home town, in its history, has been destroyed to the ground & rebuilt from ashes nearly 40 times. It's more of a recurrence than an evolution, but you get used to it as time goes by.

[bsniadajewski]

Yeah, I probably was. And when you have that mix of ethnicites, religions, and some bad blood, you are gonna get quite a volatile situation, as we've all seen on CNN

[rms]

Perhaps you're mixing evolution with politics. Viewed from the angle of the later, the region has always been tough neighborhood.

[bsniadajewski]

Speaking of the topic I started here, rms, it seems your country and the surrounding area has "evolved" quite a bit in the last 20 or so years, eh? ( No, I'm not Canadian)

[SecretCode]

The occasional display of a minor imperfection is an inevitable consequence of the accumulation of billions of years of adaptational anomalies that accrue throughout the continual evolution of any species on all worlds where life has arisen.

Don't put this on a bumper sticker ...