Least we forget ...... we're all victims

Sitting talking to the coffee guy the other day I remarked that, it's important to know your history. He pretty much replied "... only if your a stupid person!!" and "...the people here are so stupid you know". He didn't mean that history (as in books) was stupid but that the practice of remembrance is.

Every ethnic group in the Balkins has a story about how they're victims. The scarrs and tales of war are all around (and the people relish them) bombed buildings in the middle of Belgrade, Sarajevo roses in Bosnia and tales of the heroic masscare of Serbs in Kosovo 600 years ago. Now, during the 90's (some) Serbs, Croats and Albanians all start running around claiming that they're being being victimised. Heroic national defenders emerge and egged on by people ('innocent' civilians) and politicians a series of wars develop and well over 100 000 people die. So the 'stupid people' my friend talks about are the vicarious victims who united in their rightous victimhood supported patriotic leaders and turned a blind eye to attrocites.

Now views like those from my coffee buddy are common ..... but only one on one, you wouldn't mention them public, the (vicarious) victims and their stories are sacred, taboo open to remembarence but not questioning in polite conversation .... unless your some unpatriotic enemy of the state.

All this reminded me of attending ANZAC day in Gallipoli last year, a light and sound spectacular taking pilgrims on an emotional journey, explaining Aussie nationhood. The experience was topped off by John Howard explaining how the ANZAC spirit lives on in current conflicts, endless rousing choruses of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ...." and flags dripping off people everwhere you looked. I was quickly reminded two weeks later that not everyone sees the event the same way when a young Turk remarked off hand "We f*kd your Grandpa".

Next post not politics, I promise.