Aleksandov........

[Soldier of Macedon]

I am assuming it is you, if not, then disregard the following message.

If it is you, I want to be the first to welcome you to the MTO. We were both unpleasant to each other a while ago, but for the sake of Macedonia, her betterment, and the overall benefit of the Macedonian people, I am prepared to put the past behind us.

I hope you can appreciate that I don't need to do this, but I wanted to do it. If you still have intentions of carrying the bad blood over here, then I would advise that you don't waste your time. Otherwise, I have no issues with you being here, as you may have noticed, Tom and I have become friends, so there is no reason why we shouldn't. We don't have to like each other if that is your choice, but we will respect each other, and in that neither of us will have a choice.

Welcome again.

[Jankovska]

Ohhh that's nice of you. You've become a bit of a softy

Just kidding, haha

[Soldier of Macedon]

Lol, wishful thinking on your part chupe

[VMRO]

Very mature post dete.

[aleksandrov]

Yes, it's me, SoM.

Thank you for your welcome. I am glad you feel as you do.

I generally try not to take personal offense in political conflicts, as I consider unencumbered critical discourse to be essential for progress. Unfortunately, political conflicts often turn personal despite my intentions. But it's better to enforce a boundary between the political and personal late than ever. In our case, even our political differences aren't very fundamental, except for interpretations of particular periods in medieval history, which are by no means clear. I hope we can discuss them in a less touchy manner in future than we have in the past.

[makedonche]

Alexandrov
Welcome - from your long time associate in Adelaide - hint, letter numbers 5,6,7 in the name!

[aleksandrov]

Alexandrov
Welcome - from your long time associate in Adelaide - hint, letter numbers 5,6,7 in the name!

Thanks, Makedonche. Good to find you here.

[Rogi]

Welcome aboard, imenjak

[makedonche]

Alexandrov
I'm pleased to read your posts, what Iv'e discovered is that this forum is the most forward thinking, factual, tolerant, patriotic and fastest growing of any of the forums out there! Fools aren't tolerated here and lessons in history are abundant, everyone is free to voice their opinions but need to back them up with facts - as you know opinions are like arseholes, everybody's got one. What is becoming even more apparent is the ability of the Administrators and senior members to weed out infiltrators, encourage participation of new members and allow the members here the ability to have a say in holding anyone to account for their actions/words that are not in line with the stated "Macedonian Cause" - I strongly reccomend you have a read through the post.
Once again welcome and I look forward to some constructive banter!

[aleksandrov]

Yes, it seems that way. That's why I've decided to reconsider my decision that internet forums with anonymous participants are a waste of valuable time and energy.

[makedonche]

I think you'll find the purpose to anonymity is protection of privacy from the shpioni as opposed protection from the members here, SOM explains it further on another post.

[Soldier of Macedon]

It's good that you have reconsidered, I am confident that you will realise it as a sound and logical decision.

In our case, even our political differences aren't very fundamental, except for interpretations of particular periods in medieval history, which are by no means clear.

I look forward to discussing these with you in due time. I recall that you were quite fond of Basil II the Macedonian, there is some excellent and revealing information about this character in the history forums, just use the search function at the top of the page to locate them, most have been presented to us by TrueMacedonian.

[aleksandrov]

You must have misunderstood me, SoM. I am personally not really fond of any despotic monarch in history, even though some of them have done certain things that have proven to be fundamentally beneficial to civilization. If I endorse the naming of any person or monument after such a monarch, it is usually because of a specific event or element in the history of Macedonian or world civilization the monarch's rule symbolizes, rather than a general adoration for the monarch himself. My argument with you was about the historic trail of the Macedonian identity and the Macedonian Orthodox Church as an institution that carries that identity (which, as I believe you will agree, does not necessarily equal blood-line). But I have to leave further research and discussion on that topic for some time in the distant future. There are much more immediately pressing challenges to deal with on both the Macedonian and personal front.

[aleksandrov]

I think you'll find the purpose to anonymity is protection of privacy from the shpioni as opposed protection from the members here, SOM explains it further on another post.

I know the argument about the apparent protection pseudonyms offer, but unless you are someone like Goce Delcev in the Ottoman Empire, or are living in a fanatically racist and politically oppressive state like Greece or Bulgaria (maybe even the Republic of Macedonia, if your job or your family's jobs depend on political party allegiance), I don't think it outweighs the benefit of people making themselves publicly accountable for their public statements. The way I see it, if you want privacy, keep your statements private too. if you are going to make public statements, then you should make your identity public too. I can't think of any reputable media outlet or discussion forum other than internet forums and talkback radio (which I don't take very seriously at all) where that is not the norm.

[makedonche]

I know the argument about the apparent protection pseudonyms offer, but unless you are someone like Goce Delcev in the Ottoman Empire, or are living in a fanatically racist and politically oppressive state like Greece or Bulgaria (maybe even the Republic of Macedonia, if your job or your family's jobs depend on political party allegiance), I don't think it outweighs the benefit of people making themselves publicly accountable for their public statements. The way I see it, if you want privacy, keep your statements private too. if you are going to make public statements, then you should make your identity public too. I can't think of any reputable media outlet or discussion forum other than internet forums and talkback radio (which I don't take very seriously at all) where that is not the norm.

It's not an argument about protection pseudonyms, nor about where you live or the oppressive nature of your location or political party allegiances or even privacy for that matter for me it's about having a CHOICE, my choice whether I disclose my identity or use another name.
You will find that regardless of what you use here you will be held accountable for your comments as I stated previously. As for reputable media or the "norm" - this site has provided me more factual information, open discussion, accountability and choice than any other forum, media outlet or talk back radio and is setting the "norm" not following it!