United Macedonia Diaspora

[Risto the Great]

I have noticed myself feeling somewhat angry that a group purporting to represent me is not doing what I want. A simple answer is why not become more involved and help to influence the UMD's actions. It is certainly valid.

But being so annoyed with the state of Macedonia and the mixed messages coming from its leaders, I see a dire need for constructive and thoughtful criticism coming from people that care about the future of the country.

Let us pretend in fairy land that Macedonia becomes Northern Macedonia at the blink of an Ivanovian eye, would the UMD rename itself to UNMD? It aligns itself "steadfastly" with the people of Macedonia so it probably has little choice.

Greece & Bulgaria make it very clear that our Macedonia nation and ethnic Macedonians are not desirable. This is war and our Diaspora representatives are comfortable with "dialogue". I am not. I accept we are not an island, and cannot maintain a complete isolationist policy. But I am also extremely sure this posturing by Greece and (more recently) Bulgaria is simply a game of poker that they hope to win through utter pomposity and wistful exuberance.

If Macedonia does not want to be an island and insists on dialogue, then the need for a hard no-compromise edge is essential in an external organisation. We do not have one that maintains such a focus. Do we hope the UMD changes (or reveals) its colour OR de we create a new organisation that truly reflects the wishes of the Diaspora?

With "the blink of an eye" an internet organisation can become very significant. I see no reason why the Macedonian Truth Organisation's "soldiers" cannot up the ante if nobody else is prepared to do it.

Clearly the generally accepted wishes of the Diaspora need to be defined. Some wishes appear obvious to me:

• Macedonia for the Macedonians.
• No compromises on name or identity issues whatsoever.
• Macedonia is the fatherland of Macedonians.
• Traditions and culture of Macedonians must be preserved.
• Language of Macedonians must be respected.
• Ohrid agreement represents a dilution of Macedonian sovereignty and must be wound back.

At this point, we should consider Arrow's impossibility theorem
The framework for Arrow's theorem assumes that we need to extract a preference order on a given set of options (outcomes). Each individual in the society (or equivalently, each decision criterion) gives a particular order of preferences on the set of outcomes. We are searching for a preferential voting system, called a social welfare function, which transforms the set of preferences into a single global societal preference order.

I am also reminded of a book called "The handbook for a positive revolution" written by Edward De Bono.

Handbook for the Positive Revolution, a 1991 book by Edward de Bono, deals with concepts and practical application of: effectiveness, constructive way forward, respect, human values, self improvement and contribution as the way of empowering individuals. The title refers to the use of an open hand (pun intended) as a symbol of positive intentions, of the quiet, non-violant revolution in thinking, changing attitudes and altering perceptions. This revolution is to be inspired by the opportunities offered by the electronic age of information. [1] The little finger is used as a mnemonic device, to remind the participant, that even the smallest contribution is better than criticism. De Bono suggests that "The greatest strength of this serious revolution is that it will not be taken seriously. There is no greater power than to be effective and not taken seriously."

The book was quite basic, yet provided a framework in my mind of a potential system that could ensure how negativity detrimental to the viability of Macedonia could be avoided. It would not be a bad thing to empower the Macedonian people. We have successive governments that have been unable to do it.

Is the UMD capable of doing this?

I invited some local (Adelaide) Macedonians to participate on this forum. I used an email from a sub-section of our local community with a mailing list that clearly indicated all the email recipients. I copied these recipients (the majority of whom I know personally) and invited them to join this forum. The response I received (forwarded to all recipients of my invitation) from the community representative was a complete distancing from my email and further protestations in the following manner:

our organisation does not indorse (sic) any nationalistic or inhumane views that this particular forum is promoting, which undermines other people who are a non-Macedonian background, their safety, wellbeing (sic) or culture. We work and strive to create a space for learning around cultural issues, traumatic experiences, peaceful and positive strategies in dealing with any conflict at individual, relationship and community level.

The above paragraph sounds like a UMD initiative in the making. Disappointingly, "nationalistic views" are deemed offensive and not worthy of endorsing.

This is the VICTIM mentality that Macedonians have endured for about 2300 years now. Is anyone really ready to stand up? God forbid, the first thing that might happen will be self-respect.

Rogi made a point yesterday about the "Macedonian cause" and its needs for a definition. It is always easier to say what something isn't. I am not sure if anyone has bothered to define what it isn't yet. But surely it is not abandoning our sovereign identity. This definition needs thought and is a worthy pursuit. It must not be vague as too many politicians and organisations have relied on ambiguous statements in the past. If we cannot be decisive, others will be decisive on our behalf. I am not prepared to accept this but I am sure that some Macedonians would accept this in accordance with the VICTIM mentality that is prevalent in modern Macedonian society.

The first question is does anyone care?
Clearly identifying a Macedonian cause or objectives is essential. Some breezy mission is not good enough. There must be some non-negotiable declarations.

The second question is can we find enough people whose interests and concerns in relation to Macedonia are aligned?
By identifying the objectives/cause, will we sideline too many people? We may be considered too offensive to many VICTIMS.

The third question is what are you prepared to sacrifice as a consequence of caring?
This comes at a cost. Financially, this post alone has cost me $300 of my chargeable time. We may not be welcome in Macedonia if we attack the Government. We may not be appreciated in our own households if we keep "fighting for Macedonia" instead of being with our families. These are all valid concerns and will impact upon what we are willing to do in relation to retaining and treasuring our wonderful Macedonian ethnic and national identity.

The fourth question is is there enough capability amongst our people to break free from this VICTIM mindset?
Yes there is.

[Volk]

A destination is reached step by step not by teleportation that would result in dissolution of mater.

You cant answer the hard questions therefor there is no need to go here AGAIN with you.

[Vangelovski]

You're just as shallow as you were a year ago - havn't you read anything of value in the meantime? Why is it that so many Macedonians only have a very shallow understanding of self-determination and human rights? Why is that they don't understand how these concepts came about, why they are so important and why millions have risked their lives for them? Is it because you did not pay any attention at school? Have you not read any history books? Have you not read the Bible? Do you not pay any attention to current affairs?

Self-determination and human rights are a fundamental human necessity that cannot be exchanged for ANYTHING, let alone false promises of a materialistic nature that NATO and the EU supposedly offer.

[Volk]

Tom,
Why stop with the abolishment of the agreement and accord? why not fight for our human rights and reclaim our lost Pirin and Aegean territories?
So we can liberate our oppressed people that have sufferd so much under foreign yoke?

[Pelister]

Originally Posted by Volk

Nemoj da seris mnogu, stanuva mnogu dosadno i pocnuva da smrdi.

What is clear from your posts on this thread is that you want to see a name change.

That makes you a traitor to Macedonia.

[Volk]

What is clear from your posts on this thread is that you want to see a name change.

So for not agreeing with your view that UMD are traitors, I myself am a traitor? boy your a genius! Tom da ne si igras pak so dva accounts?

[Vangelovski]

Originally Posted by Volk

Tom,
Why stop with the abolishment of the agreement and accord? why not fight for our human rights and reclaim our lost Pirin and Aegean territories?
So we can liberate our oppressed people that have sufferd so much under foreign yoke?

You're finally starting to make some sense - though there are different ways to "fight" - too bad you're not up for any of them

[Pelister]

Originally Posted by Volk

Tom,
Why stop with the abolishment of the agreement and accord? why not fight for our human rights and reclaim our lost Pirin and Aegean territories?
So we can liberate our oppressed people that have sufferd so much under foreign yoke?

Volk. There are Macedonians in Albania, Greece and Bulgaria, already fighting for our human rights, as well as Macedonian in the rest of the diaspora assisting in this endeavor.

[Pelister]

You have summed it up perfectly RTG.

I have noticed myself feeling somewhat angry that a group purporting to represent me is not doing what I want

[Volk]

here are Macedonians in Albania, Greece and Bulgaria, already fighting for our human rights,

In greece, this is not enough as the state is busy creating and enforcing a new Macedonian identity comprised of turk settlers with aim to dilute our ability to gain these rights and secure our name.