By William Markiewicz
(As other short items may follow, I've decided to group them together.)
Some are born to endless night. (William Blake) (8/25)
The Guardian Weekly (Aug 22-28): "Europe Says Russia Must Pull Out of Georgia Now"
The Times (Aug 25): "US Backing for Georgia -- Navy Sails In As Frustration with Georgia Grows"
Nations the World doesn't care about:
Numerous African tribes, Central and South American tribes who often committed mass suicide.
In Europe: Jews and Serbs.
Palestinian existence remains in question with the settlers' occupation.
East of Europe: Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The world supports the strong ones. The weak survive only if big powers take them under their wing. Ossetia and Abkhazia have the luck that Russia is on their side. But will Russia have sufficient power to save their freedom and to save their populations from exile?
Displays of Power (8/19)
In the world of predators, the big swallows the smaller, and escapes from the bigger. When two snakes of almost equal size confront each other; the snake which is slightly smaller swells up to show his challenger that he is too big to be swallowed.
China astounded the world with the breathtaking grandeur of its Olympics opening ceremony. Russia quickly attacked Georgia in defence of Ossetia and Abkhazia. Both displays of power could be taken as a warning for the Empire: "Don't try to swallow us. It may be harder than you expect."
As Long As There Is Somebody To Conquer There Will Be History (8/17)
Nobody suspects Russia of having charitable intentions; as a matter of fact in politics nobody has them. But Ossetian, Abkhazian and Russian interests coincide. The Ossetians and Abkhazians feel colonized by Georgians just as Tibetans feel colonized by Chinese, the Blacks in Darfur by Arabs; the Burmese and especially their monks are martyrized by bloody generals and the army; etc. Who will help by taking the side of the weaker? Russia has done it in Georgia but for how long? Russia, Ossetia and Abkhazia are united and on the right side. But is Russia ready to risk world war for two tiny nations on Georgia`s border? Definitely Russia is not ready while the USA is ready for war with whomever and at any time: In this impossible situation Russia has to find a pretext to retire and save face which will be very difficult. Whatever happens, sooner or later Russia will be attacked and the world will be unified under one Empire. Could this be the "end of history"? History may sleep for a long time. That remote future doesn`t lend itself to our analysis.
Utopia? (8/09)
Since the birth of history, tribes, later nations, have formed into classes: producers and defenders. The armed defenders soon became noble and the producers -- serfs. The situation changed little throughout history. In spite of ideological changes created, for instance, by Socialism, the class of politicians remain resistant to all historical changes, perhaps not personally armed but holding power over those with arms and the armed ones holding power over the disarmed. This situation is so taken for granted that it isn't even discussed and presently borders remain designated, sacrosanct. The civilian population, disarmed, as it's taken for granted, remains peon-like, uprooted from region to region according to historical, political, military changes. In Kosovo, a notable minority had to leave, uprooted by the victors, with the silent benediction of the powers in charge. Now in Ossetia, perhaps, the majority will have to leave due to political and military developments. We live in a Dark Ages of Holy Empires and helpless civilians. Will it ever change? The only change could be to give arms to civilians so they may be able to defend themselves and their countryside. We assist in various countries like Iraq, in the creation of militias who are much more efficient in the defence of their neighbourhoods than any army sent from further away on a temporary mission. In various countries from poor to rich, from favelas to neighbourhoods with their almost private armies, people live more safe lives. Multiethnicity? Yes, but with each ethnicity able to defend itself. It would need to be codified and organized. I leave the details to specialists. But I believe this is the only way to block tragedies like Krajina, Kosovo, Iraq and, who knows, Ossetia.
Panem et Circenses (8/06)
Here are comments from IHT (8/5/08) from young Russian people after Solzhenitsyn's death. One said that people of his age had lost touch with the struggles of their parents and grandparents ... "People prefer to consume everything ... and the faster the better ... Reading books requires some effort but they prefer entertainment" Another said that young people consider people like Solzhenitsyn to be artifacts, and that Russian society in general was no longer interested in towering cultural or social figures."
In my opinion, it has always happened in history that in hard times people gathered around strong names. When times improve, people prefer fun, in particular, collective fun -- festivals, sports ... People switch to 'warriors' rest' even when the main warrior has been dethroned.
How Many Divisions Have the Geese or Chimpazees? (8/01)
This line is inspired by Stalin’s question : "How many divisions does the Pope have?" Further inspiration comes from Nicholas D. Kristoff’s remarkable column in today’s IHT, "Reflection on Animal Rights." He provides a classic example of a sensitive man torn beween Darwinism and empathy. Voices like his will occasionally provoke a sporadic tempest of mini-worries. The problem will persist until the end of time as the worst always happens in places not exposed to any spotlight. This will continue to be a debate among a bunch of dogooders representing empathy, businessmen totally devoid of feelings and those who enjoy the pain of others (sadists). Altogether the Darwinists will outnumber the sensitive souls. The Kingdom of the Devil will always be larger than God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union (7/25)
A union of unequal partners may have more a political than an economic meaning; in this case it would be a 'phantom particle,' a political gimmick. What does Europe have to offer? Technology, and, to a lesser extent, jobs. What does the Southern side have to offer? Natural ressources, tourism. It has always been like this and it will continue to be so. Fighting illegal immigration, possible acts of terrorism, will remain mainly Europe's task. For its own interests the technological world should provide maximum jobs, not only in Mediterranean countries but in all less developed areas. The Union's most important political task would be to achieve peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. Israel holds onto the annexed Western Territories and the Golan Heights thanks to general American support. Europe is less in favour of the status quo but to be more efficient it needs a unified framework like America’s. The Mediterranean Union can give new impetus to its united partners and incline the Israelis to concessions.
Obama and Afghanistan (7/25)
Afghanistan is not a main political player. What's really going on now is the local fight between the Taliban, mostly Pashtun, and the rest of Afghanistan. American intervention can only widen the international character of this conflict.
Karadzic Arrested, Carla Del Ponte Keeps Silence (7/25)
Carla del Ponte, the main hunter of Karadzic, now affects silence. She became an official Swiss diplomat to a Latin American country and as such she is silenced by her superiors. Old woman, Carla del Ponte –- speak -- don't think of your future! The world has the right to know the whole truth. Poor Serbs, after losing their backbone, they are running after the Golden Calf. Sixty years ago they were invited to 'join Europe,' and they had the courage to refuse. Now they accept but revenge tracks them and they have lost the spirit of self-defence.
Back to the index of the Vagabond
William Markiewicz