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[LordSlowpoke]

life would certainly be easier if we had names for every single geographical part of the world so we could name countries after the places they're located in

[Jopax]

So apparently B&H has seen protests and riots in several of the largest cities, including my hometown which saw one of the goverments buildings burned among other things.

I found out about this today and have no idea why is this happening. It started in Tuzla a few days ago I think as a peaceful protest against/for something that kinda escalated and spilled over into other cities.

It seems like the revolution and dissent virus is spreading, because to get the typically apathetic people of the balkans this riled up is quite a feat I'd say.

[Loud Whispers]

To get anyone riled up these days is an achievement. Pax apathetica is in full swing.

[Ukrainian Ranger]

So apparently B&H has seen protests and riots in several of the largest cities, including my hometown which saw one of the goverments buildings burned among other things.

I found out about this today and have no idea why is this happening. It started in Tuzla a few days ago I think as a peaceful protest against/for something that kinda escalated and spilled over into other cities.

It seems like the revolution and dissent virus is spreading, because to get the typically apathetic people of the balkans this riled up is quite a feat I'd say.

You are doing it wrong First you should have peaceful protests for a month or two and only then start burning the stuff down.
And  government buildings shouldn't be in the list of things to burn down. Those are nice pieces of architecture. 

[Jopax]

Well it seems to be fueled by poverty and general unhappiness with the goverment. As one piece of graffiti nicely puts it: "He who sows hunger shall reap rage."

I think it turned violent because of a small minority of troublemakers who were out to cause mayhem and this seemed a good enough reason. In any case, I agree on not burning the goverment buildings, partly because one of them that got burned out pretty badly contained a rather large collection of old papers, documents and whatnot which survived both world wars and the balkan one.

Still, I hope they don't plan escalating this shit any more, I'm getting home next week to unwind, a revolution, while probably great fun isn't a terribly good way to relax.

[Owlbread]

This is fairly old news, dates back to December 2013, but I realised we've never really discussed this: 

If I go to Russia and try to convince people that Chechen/Tyvan/Buryat etc independence and other such independence is actually a good idea I can be put in prison for 5 years. I would be because I wouldn't pay the fine, anyway.

[scriver]

Well it seems to be fueled by poverty and general unhappiness with the goverment. As one piece of graffiti nicely puts it: "He who sows hunger shall reap rage."

I think it turned violent because of a small minority of troublemakers who were out to cause mayhem and this seemed a good enough reason. In any case, I agree on not burning the goverment buildings, partly because one of them that got burned out pretty badly contained a rather large collection of old papers, documents and whatnot which survived both world wars and the balkan one.

Still, I hope they don't plan escalating this shit any more, I'm getting home next week to unwind, a revolution, while probably great fun isn't a terribly good way to relax.

I, even I, know the solution
Wine, music, love, and Revolution

[Ukrainian Ranger]

This is fairly old news, dates back to December 2013, but I realised we've never really discussed this: 

If I go to Russia and try to convince people that Chechen/Tyvan/Buryat etc independence and other such independence is actually a good idea I can be put in prison for 5 years. I would be because I wouldn't pay the fine, anyway.

Nope, Russians will not dare to imprison British citizen for that.
Not so sure about independent Scotland citizen

[10ebbor10]

Well, not for the entire five years. There'll just be another minor diplomatic incident.

Don't worry though, the EU has plenty of sternly worded letters left.

[Guardian G.I.]

So apparently B&H has seen protests and riots in several of the largest cities, including my hometown which saw one of the goverments buildings burned among other things.

I found out about this today and have no idea why is this happening. It started in Tuzla a few days ago I think as a peaceful protest against/for something that kinda escalated and spilled over into other cities.

It seems like the revolution and dissent virus is spreading, because to get the typically apathetic people of the balkans this riled up is quite a feat I'd say.

Euronews claimed that the protests were triggered by a mass closure of privatised factories.

[Owlbread]

Someone in this thread asked recently what Scotland's total GDP would be in the event of independence. According to Financial Times, at market prices in 2013 Scotland would be 54th in the world behind the Czech Republic and in front of Romania, with a GDP of 192 billion dollars, but that is without North Sea oil. With North Sea oil we would have 229 billion dollars, 46th in the world behind Greece and ahead of Ireland.

FT say GDP per head according to 2013 market prices would be $43,429, at 19th place, higher than France and the UK. Without North Sea oil it would be $36,145, in 25th place ahead of Italy and behind New Zealand.

You know, I don't know how silly this is going to sound but I sometimes wonder how much of this is part of a sort of placebo effect. We aren't really all that wealthy. We're wealthy, yes, we're successful, yes, but not astronomically so. We talk it up as much as we can though because if we actually believe in ourselves I think we can accomplish great things. We need inspiration and I believe the inspiration gained from independence and the vision that goes with it will carry us far. Same thing with Ukraine - I'm convinced Ukraine could be incredibly powerful in Europe one day if only a party with a radical vision could take the driving seat.

There's a song I like often sung by some of my favourite musicians. I find the chorus is quite pertinent to this issue:

It's not just what you're born with
It's what you choose to bear
It's not how big your share is
But how much you can share
And it's not the fights you dreamed of
But those you really fought
It's not what you've been given
It's what you do with what you've got

I think that about sums up my attitude towards independence and our future. It also makes for a good Socialist mantra.

[Reelya]

Sickle and hammer at The Olympic Games is something I expected never expected to see. Even from Russians. I was wrong.

It's not as hated as a part of their history as the NAZIs are to Germany. Most of their politicians are ex-communist party or ex-KGB.

Hmmm... So I take it they didn't have one or two Circassians riding around in the background on horseback? You know, just to give a bit of recognition to the people who lived in that land for around 4000 years only to be cleansed/massacred and sent into exile in the last 200?

I mean, maybe a name dropped here and there or something... anything...

It's perfectly legit by world standards for a country that's occupied a territory for 180 years to consider it "home" territory. Would America acknowledge Mexicans if it held a games in one of the terrotories captured from Mexico? Clearly they do not.

Hell, they only got California in 1848 and nobody mentioned mexicans at the Los Angeles Olympics. Hell, did they even mention American Indians at that? I don't recall anything about it.

[Owlbread]

I suppose the problem is Mexicans are actually independent. If the entirety of Mexico had been annexed, not just swathes of it, then there would be less reason for them to make their grievances public. Circassia was conquered completely and the people ethnically cleansed and massacred so it's a slightly different situation. Mexicans don't need to stage a protest to tell the world they actually exist.

[Reelya]

What you're describing is pretty much exactly what was happening in many countries settled by Englishmen in the same period.

We have a lot of English, scots, irish and welsh descent in Australia, all of them participated in genocide of the natives.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_of_Indigenous_Australians

really, it's only been 30 years since we started paying any lip service to the native culture, but governments continue to treat them like dirt.

[Loud Whispers]

I'd actually much rather have an Olympic games where birds are thrown into the sky by shotputters and javeliners, the torch is lighted and the games begin. A much better alternative to throwing a year's GDP away to pretty shows of cultural dick waving.