The problem with a referendum is where do you draw the lines.
Kosovo wants to withdraw from Serbia because the Albanian Kosovars are being oppressed by Serbia. Yay democracy.
Serbian Kosovars want their areas to withdraw from Kosovo and join Serbia because they’re being oppressed by Albanian Kosovars. Boo- not acceptable.
Georgia, having a different etnicity, language, religion, and history from Russia has the right to withdraw from Russia. Yay.
South Ossetia, having a different ethnicity, language, religion, and history from Georgia has the right to withdraw from Georgia. Boo
I’m sure there are Ukrainian and Tatar pockets in the Crimea that would like to stay with the Ukraine- are their wishes to be taken onto consideration?
To think people once advised me to go to Ukraine to volunteer. The more I learn, the lower my opinion of the Ukraine. Russia may be evil, but at least it’s not pathetic.
I learned from an early age that there are certain individuals you just can’t help. Later I realized there are entire societies you just can’t help. Putin is the bully who picks on the retarded guy, and the Ukraine is the retarded guy he picks on. So let’s all say how awful a thing it is to do, because it is awful. But let’s not delude ourselves that we can do anything to stop it. Sometimes righteous indignation is beside the point.
The Ukraine is a country with serious ethnic divisions, in that case you would always worry more about a civil war kicking off. Russia invading the Crimea is small potatoes compared to that. The Ukraine can have a strong posture east or west without risking being torn apart. In the end a referendum may be better to prefer political stasis or war , there will always be ethnic pockets that are not satisfied.
Well, I for one, am greatly heartened by the mass protests in European capitals calling for peace and a negotiated settlement. It is greatly encouraging to see the support of the European public for Ukainians as they seek to fight corruption and implement greater moves toward democracy. It is days like these that I am truly proud of the spirit of justice that pervades the West, particularly, young students in V for Vendetta masks as they speak truth to power. Bravery like this has given me great hope and optimism for the future.
I would like to also applaud European publics for the protests in support of ending the conflict in Syria. Is there no end to the concern of Europeans for their fellow man? I am thrilled that the UN is showing its usual prowess in defusing conflicts and ensuring peace and stability. The august respect with which the organization is held is clearly giving the Russians and Assad serious thoughts to entertain careful consideration about their next moves… You can feel the absolute terror that they have (positively quaking) lest they come into non-compliance with UN and EU directives that bring them into conflict with INTERNATIONAL LAW… That is why I so admire the V for Vendetta wearing masked youth protesting in such great numbers exhibiting such bravery… their very lives are at risk and yet they march in London, Paris, Madrid, Rome and Berlin in the hundreds of thousands if not millions to show their concern and to send a message to would-be dictators and tyrants EVERYWHERE. Their love of peace is inspiring… I think that Putin and Assad have received that message and have duly noted the commitment of the European publics to defense of liberty and human rights EVERYWHERE!!!
I admit that with all the things happening in our complex world, there are some issues that I don’t fully understand. The current troubles in Ukraine is one of those issues. Fortunately, we have someone here among us who is diligent in his research:
I see clearly now. Since Fred is usually wrong about everything, I’m going with Putin on this one. Russia definitely needs to occupy Crimea.
Man, it actually feels good going back to normal again. I mean I grew up with the cold war and it just feels like coming home. The world was strangely dull without the Russians being the bad guys. Welcome back! :bravo:
Oh, goody. Now the Euros can get all in a panic over the specter of nuclear annihilation again. It’ll take their mind off the EU meltdown. Dust off all those apocalangst pop tunes and let 99 red balloons soar again.
You younguns will be able to tell your grandkids: “Yup, I was in Cold War II, the big one.” That’s assuming the world survives again.
I’m hoping the new Berlin Wall will have a cat flap every five miles.
Oh, goody. Now the Euros can get all in a panic over the specter of nuclear annihilation again. It’ll take their mind off the EU meltdown. Dust off all those apocalangst pop tunes and let 99 red balloons soar again.
You younguns will be able to tell your grandkids: “Yup, I was in Cold War II, the big one.” That’s assuming the world survives again.
I’m hoping the new Berlin Wall will have a cat flap every five miles.[/quote]
And it could actually build up the economy. There is not much military hardware left in Germany as most had been scrapped after the cold war. And the headcount of the army had been downsized. Now building that all up again, shiny new planes and tanks. They could be produced in Greece, … um I mean Spain and the like to solve the Euro crisis.
The Greece-produced ones would not really go far I guess
