Display:
You know, it's a long time since the standard mass-media spin on the Kosovo/Serbia/other assholes situation was accepted uncritically on ET. Are you thinking of some other site maybe?
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 10:57:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Actually, I'll accept the criticism.

Although I started off feeling that the Serbs were more guilty than others (even if all hands have blood on them), I have moved towards accepting that all of the various political groups and associated militia are equally guilty for the mess that is the Balkans. Equally I still feel that there are too many in influential positions who are agitating for a return to no-holds barred slaughter and who resent the interference of the West in preventing them.

So this has led to the idea that the West is part of the problem. Whilst I'm prepared to accept that some of those involved have vested interests and preferred winners, I still argue that our presence in the Balkans is a net benefit.

This is an unpopular view. Especially as I criticize all sides for being more prepared to indulge in macho chest-thumping than the jaw-jaw that leads to, if not peace, then a more stable cesefire.

I hate these gangster's (that's all sides) childish playground antics cos real people die as a result of them, real people are driven from their homes, real people are rounded up and walk off into woods and never seen again. And I say that and it annoys people. Grubby truth bluntly stated is offensive, I accept that. But it sure as heck ain't as offensive the pictures on the telly of people screaming and crying in grief and terror, of bodies rotting and houses burning as the generational hatreds advance one more notch.

So, yea, I'll take his criticism cos I point out where this goes and that makes me unpopular.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 11:25:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The way I read what he wrote, he's saying you're especially anti-Serb and would be more inclined to believe this story if the Serbs were the villains. I don't really think that's true around here any more.

Our presence might be rather more beneficial if it was a little more even-handed and not quite so quick to assign good guys and bad guys.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 11:35:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Ha, but that was the point which I accepted. I did start off being very critical of the Serbian sabre-rattling and less aware that others bear equal responsibilities.

I honestly don't think there will ever be a story of what happened that can accurately reflect the aggressions and grievances of all sides.

And I am exasperated that there are too many, on all sides, who would rather ramp up the tensions and permit a return to slaughter than calm down and talk. In fact I am aghast that we seem to be moving towards the idea that it's all the West's fault. I ain't so sure.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 11:48:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I never said, for one, that it's all the West's fault. But when I go behind the scenes and realize that a lot of the dirty stuff is done with a wink and a nod from the West, I'm disgusted.

Read this and realize that this is a NATO general who was in command in the early days of the Yugo break-up:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8533

Now we have ethnic cleansing going on with certain EEU/NATO members having planned it. We have President's and PMs advising Bosnians and Albanians that a massacre must occur to turn the tide of public opinion, we have staged events such as Racak and the Markale Market massacre that do change public opinion. We have the USA bombing Iraq unapologetically and saying, "The deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children are worth it." All these events dovetail very nicely from an old playbook that's used to coerce the media into turning the tide of public opinion. Anytime Western actors get involved, the likes of ex-CIA William Walker show up, and such men are all too ready to preside over the sensational show that is a massacre such as the one at Racak.

by Upstate NY on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 02:07:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Some individual comments deviate from mainstream ET opinion, which I agree is positively critical of ... most everything. In past discussions on Balkan topics, Helen's remarks have been markedly less questioning of alleged atrocities committed by Serbs than they are of atrocities committed against Serbs. Thus my reaction.
by vladimir on Sun Apr 6th, 2008 at 11:57:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Display:
Login
. Make a new account
. Reset password
Debates
Campaigns
Occasional Series
Agriculture
by afew - Sep 2

Anglo Disease
by Migeru - Sep 2