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ramza

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Posts posted by ramza

  1. Greece has 3 regions bearing the name Macedonia: western Macedonia, central Macedonia and eastern Macedonia. It is obvious that having a neighboring country naming itself Macedonia poses a problem. We have proposed many alternatives such as Slavomacedonia (as there is a majority of slavs) or North Macedonia but FYROM keeps rejecting these alternatives and would only accept the name "Macedonia". It's not our fault a compromise can't be reached.

     

    I don't know anything about the geography, but clearly you have the logical option of letting them have the sodding name. So yes, it is always both party's fault that a compromise can't be reached.

     

    Not really, because allowing them to be called just plain "Macedonia" would practically mean we give up on our history, identity and culture. The Greek Macedonians regions are not well known and that works at our disadvantage. If FYROM uses the name Macedonia as it pleases, there will be a risk of confusion with the ancient Greek Macedonia on an international level and in the public opinions. If we give in the pressure, then in the decades to come, everyone will identify the new Macedonia with the ancient Macedonia of Alexander the Great, while in truth they have nothing in common. Macedonia and Alexander are an integral part of our civilization and we cannot give it up just like that. No country would. The thing is that the problem we are facing does not have any precedent in recent history and it is hard for foreigners to understand what the real issue is about. This again works at our disadvantage as we are being depicted as the mean ones. We have no quarrels with FYROM but it is them that are being provocative and that try to steal our heritage by using our own symbols.

  2. Greece's objections to Macedonia are absolutely ****ing ridiculous. It makes them look like idiots, IMHO.

     

    Once again, let me enlighten you on this matter. I will explain the problem by using a hypothetical situation. It may not be realistic but it's just an example to show the problem. Let's suppose Belgium decided to split up in two separate countries: Flanders and Wallonia. Now, that wouldn't pose any problem to its neighbours, right? However, what would happen if Flanders decided to name itself Holland? Holland is already a region of the Netherlands. Don't you think the Netherlands would object? The same would happen if Wales decided to become independent and name itself Britain. Greece has 3 regions bearing the name Macedonia: western Macedonia, central Macedonia and eastern Macedonia. It is obvious that having a neighboring country naming itself Macedonia poses a problem. We have proposed many alternatives such as Slavomacedonia (as there is a majority of slavs) or North Macedonia but FYROM keeps rejecting these alternatives and would only accept the name "Macedonia". It's not our fault a compromise can't be reached.

     

    What makes these examples less realistic is that western Europe has been peaceful for more than half a century. However, the Balkans have endured wars even in the 90s. There are tensions that still persist nowadays.

     

    The situation with Greece is even more complex. We are unfortunate enough to have relatively aggressive neighbors. Between Albania, FYROM and Turkey, it is difficult to compare Greece's situation with any other country. Turkey keeps sending F16s over our territory daily and have even sent on occasion warships in the proximity of the capital. Turkey keeps pressuring us so that we give up control over part of our maritime territory. Moreover, FYROM has adopted a very provocative stance in regards the name of Macedonia. They have demands regarding everything related to Macedonian legacy: the symbols and history, namely Alexander the Great. Alexander is a Greek name, he was speaking Greek and he promoted Greek culture with his conquests. It is without doubt that ancient Macedonians were Greeks and have nothing to do with the current "Macedonians". Yet, FYROM names its national airport "Alexander the Great", adopted at some point Alexander's flag as its national flag and so on. What we are afraid is that they keep increasing their demands (restitution of relics to name an example) which would result in stealing our own legacy (claiming they are the descendants of Alexander is provocative enough by itself). The Balkans are not like western Europe and you have to prepared to expect everything. They could practically demand anything as there are already pre-existing tensions. How would Britain or Holland feel if Wales and Wallonia did respectively steal parts of their history and presented it as their own?

  3. And here's a final: why do States have to borrow money? It comes to my understanding that the creation of money should be under the responsibility of States as part of their sovereignty. However, since 1976 and the end of the Bretton Woods system, the power to create money has been progressively transferred to private banks.

     

    This is incorrect. States can and do create money through their central banks (& mints for the physical representation of money). Central banks are parts of the state and aren't private (the U.S. is a bit of an exception in this regard, where the Federal Reserve is semi-private). Greek case is different, though, see below.

     

    This resulted in the States having to borrow money from private institutions in order to fund their policies. This is an aberration in my opinion and should be remedied asap.

     

    Well, the issue here is that Greece is part of the Eurozone. By joining the Euro, states agree to give up control over their monetary policy, including their right to create money and transfer this part of their sovereignty to the European Central Bank. As a result, individual states can no longer rely on creating money to finance their deficits/debts. If Greece had its own currency its debt problems would not be so severe, as it could create money to finance them and to inflate them away. As it stands, however, Greek membership in the Eurozone means that Greece does not have that option and has to borrow and cut spending instead.

     

    Thanks for clarifying some of my statements. I have no in-depth knowledge about economics so I had a hard time explaining these things. The main thing is that euro-zone countries have no control on the currency and cannot make any devaluation in order to get rid of excessive debts.

    As it concerns my specialty in EU matters, I have a law degree with a focus on EU and international law and two Masters that deal with EU matters and policies, and I am writing a Phd on a subject that concerns the EU internal market. I have also worked at the European Commission for a time and have studied a lot about EU history and policies in order to enter the European civil service.

  4. Wooops, I reread my post and it seems I forgot to finish one of my sentences:

     

    -The media show Greeks as being rich and lazy. Wrong, there is indeed a "rich" social class (famous doctors, lawyers, businessmen, etc) but they do not represent what happens in the middle and lower classes. These people live luxuriously and in a very provocative manner. These are mainly the ones that do not pay their taxes. They keep living as they used to as the crisis hasn't affected them that much and the new measures obviously don't aim them directly. Nothing is done to control them and punish them. I do believe the riots will turn against them soon enough if this keeps up (they all live in the rich districts so they are easy targets).

     

    I would also like to clarify a thing about the 13th and 14th month of salary. Salaries haven't increased for 20 years now. The 13th and 14th month of salary are given in the form of bonuses at Christmas and Easter mainly. These were a great help for people with low wages and even boosted the general consumption of goods and services during these holidays.

     

    Ramza, I thank you for taking the trouble to list counters to the public misconceptions. I'm quite prepared to take you at your word on all points, if you can confirm you stand by them. I did after all say I wasn't sure I understood the story.

     

    I am myself Greek, so you can trust me on what I have written. I have also had much experience abroad as I have lived in other European countries as well (mainly France, Belgium and Switzerland), so I can clearly see what's being done wrong in Greece compared to those other countries.

     

     

    Oh, and another question: Why is 70% of the greek population against the ECB/IMF-loans?

     

    Well, simply because getting the loan from the ECB/IMF means that the Government has to adopt a number of austerity measures (lay offs, more taxes, reduced salaries, reduced retirement pensions, etc). It was already hard enough living decently before. Imagine what it will be in the coming years. Since 2008, I can't count the number of shops that have closed. Some commercial streets have become deserted, it's really depressing. The Government has already made cuts to the salaries of civil servants (between 20 to 40%, which is a lot considering the average salary here). Many people have stopped buying things and go much less out. Many of them can't pay their rents anymore. The only good thing is that family bonds are strong and people will always be willing to help a cousin, niece or uncle in need, no matter how much money they have.

     

    Overall, these are really unpopular measures, so it's understandable that people aren't happy about them. Try implementing them in France and I believe we will witness a new revolution. However, those measures are needed in order to straighten up the State's finances. We can't indefinitely live on credit (actually, the previous Greek Governments did a good job at hiding the state of national finances even to its own people - everyone was shocked when the real deficit rate was announced). I guess we may live some historic changes in our economic systems in the years to come. Socialist parties everywhere in Europe kept promising social grants and salary raises in order to get elected. They also gave many privileges to specific groups of professionals (farmers, train drivers, miners, etc). It's ok to help the underprivileged but you have to do if you can afford it. European countries have kept increasing their public debt to support these policies for more than 30 years and the situation is going to be explosive once they won't be able to pay off these debts. They take new credits in order to pay their old debts. Here we come with another vicious circle.

     

    Anyway, the Greeks are not that much against the ECB/IMF loans. If it helps them solve things, they are all for it. The average Greeks, in their majority, do agree in making small sacrifices for the benefit of the country and future generations. The thing is that they don't agree in being the only ones making the sacrifices. The rich, the Church and the politicians do not contribute in any manner in order to help the country. For example, members of parliament refuse to lose their 15th and 16th months of salaries while other people lost their 13 and 14th months of salaries and even their 12th month if you count the tax increases). If there are any riots, they will be directed towards those people who keep their privileges to themselves and refuse to contribute like everyone else.

     

    And here's a final: why do States have to borrow money? It comes to my understanding that the creation of money should be under the responsibility of States as part of their sovereignty. However, since 1976 and the end of the Bretton Woods system, the power to create money has been progressively transferred to private banks. This resulted in the States having to borrow money from private institutions in order to fund their policies. This is an aberration in my opinion and should be remedied asap.

  5. I find it extremely funny that it was Greece that objected about Finland's EU membership and now off we are to safe those corrupt ****ers. I hope they use at least part of that 80 billion euros to build few prisons for all those tax evaders. I don't think they will learn otherwise...

     

    Stop making stuff up. I am specialized in EU matters and never heard or read anything of the sort. Why would Greece even do that in the first place? Those two countries do not even have any litigation between them...

  6. I keep reading stereotypes and I am sincerely getting fed up with all the disinformation. The Greek problem is a very complex one and cannot be resumed in 2 or 3 sentences.

     

    Here are a few things you should know:

     

    -The media say the legal retirement age in Greece is at 53 years of age. This is wrong, it is 60 years of age just like in most European countries at the moment. There are a few exceptions for special categories of people such as women with 3 or more kids, but I agree those privileges should be abolished.

    -True, there are way too many civil servants and their numbers should be reduced.

    -The crisis mainly comes from the corrupt politicians who put all the tax money in their own pockets and built luxurious villas. I am still surprised that the current Government hasn't done anything to punish all those people (again, I suspect this involves at least 60% of the politicians, so everyone would have to go to prison). They are simply covering each other's frauds...

    -Another reason for the deficits are that we kept having politicians that were giving away social advantages for 30 years (early retirement for women, bonuses to civil servants, social grants, etc) in order to get the people's votes.

    -The average Greek salary is between 700 and 1500 euros (even at the end of your professional career). The cost of life is the same (I would even dare say more expensive) than any western European country. There is no way you can live decently with such wages. Most young people still live at their parents' place. Some people are even forced to take a second job in order to cover all their expenses and feed their families. The reason they do not pay all their taxes is due to the fact that they know tax money isn't used wisely, so why not keep it for themselves? This is where we come at a vicious circle.

    -The media show Greeks as being rich and lazy. Wrong, there is indeed a "rich" social class but they do not represent what happens in the middle and lower classes. These people live luxuriously and in a very provocative manner. These are mainly the ones that do not pay their taxes. The new fiscal measures do not aim them once again and they keep living

    -The rioters are small group of anarchists and do not represent in any way the general Greek population and public opinion. Ask anyone in the street and they will disapprove of rioting altogether.

    -Most of Greece's money goes on importation of European (mainly France and Germany) and American products and military equipment. The people/countries they buy these from are the same ones that lend their money to Greece.

    -Some people say we should spend less money on military equipment. But I ask you this: what would you do if you had a neighboring country that sends F16s daily over your territory and that even sends military ships at proximity of your capital? In the past, Greece has been let down by its allies when there were problems with Turkey. That is why they have to rely on themselves to fend off a potential invasion (for example, the Turkish army had planned to invade part of Thrace last year - even though their plans were to declare martial law within Turkey and destitute the current Government and not to conquer Greece).

    -The Church, for some reason, is above the laws. It pays almost no taxes and the priest are paid by the State. The Church also own private properties estimated at 700 million euros. It is unfair that they do not contribute in helping the Country to recover from its dire situation.

    -There has been some dirty game being played on the financial markets. After being saved by the States, the banks turned against the States and do anything they can to extort them money with high interest rates. I suspect Greece is just the beginning of a bigger crisis. France, the UK and the US are in MUCH worse condition than Greece. Moreover, this whole crisis benefited a lot Germany since many funds moved from Greek banks to German banks. Finally, the rating agencies seem to be quite arbitrary and seem to work together with the hedge funds that bet on the bankruptcy of Countries. Remember when they were rating the subprimes as AAA? They didn't even predict the 2008 crisis. Why should we trust them to begin with? True, Greece is not in a good financial state but the games played by the rating agencies and hedge funds only made things worse.

     

     

    It's just for thought. You will realize that the problem is complex and that everyone is to blame in this situation.

  7. Sure, it might be worth trying another system but this is a Pathfinder thread. Since Pathfinder is heavily based on d&d, I am sure the aforementioned problems will still be present in the game. I was, at first, excited with p&p and then Pathfinder but, after a sessions, I came to realize the whole thing was more tedious than enjoyable. I really regret buying all the d&d materials and books. They are still in mint condition so I might be able to sell them someday.

  8. My main problem with p&p is keeping track of all the modifiers. I don't trust my players (they often give me the wrong numbers either voluntarily or by miscalculation) and prefer to do the calculations myself. The thing is that it's too time consuming...

     

    For example, during a battle, a barbarian decides to rage and receives one or two spell boosts in addition to that. He may also drink a potion or use a magic item. Apply this to multiple characters at the same time and you will understand it's a nightmare keeping track of all the numbers (especially when boosts last for a certain number of rounds, then you have to remember when to remove them, etc)...

     

    No p&p for me, thank you.

  9. I'm disappointed that Belgian women aren't mentioned. They are hotties.

     

    Not really. It's quite the contrary if you ask me (and I have lived in Belgium for a couple of years). Actually, there's absolutely nothing to like in this country: the weather is horrible, the architecture is "cold", Wallonia is dirty, lots of criminality, excessive bureaucracy, ineffective administration and I could go on like that forever...

  10. Do you guys still play this game? It might be worth joining you for some lols!

     

    By the way, when you say that 2 different pcs cannot use the same steam account, can I still install the game on a different pc and activate it with a different account?

  11. Mmm, I guess it's not worth the 20 euros then. I have already played the game and completed all levels, but I was playing at a friend's. I didn't get the chance to try the multiplayer options.

  12. I have found the game at my local shop for 20 euros. Is it worth buying now that L4D 2 has been released. Will I find other people to play with online?

     

    Another question is about how steam works. Are there limited activations in the sense that I cannot install the same game on more than 1 pc?

  13. Oh awesome, so looks like you both are then worse than him... You would love to see wiped millions of people just to get rid of one person... I am wondering how many of people like you are in charge of your army and foreign politics...

     

    shame on you...

     

    Its just not one person. It is the the Islamic clerics that support him. It is the Iranian citizens who support him. It is the "elected" officials and military that supports him. I like to see all of them removed from any sort of power, not death but made powerless. Let the Iranians who oppose his side take the reigns of power, to instill a proper democracy and freedoms for all of Iran. That is the side I will be cheering for.

     

    You know, with your logic, we could have thought exactly the same thing when the US was governed by G.W. Bush. Attacking a country that didn't pose any real threat, saying lies to justify the war, violating UN regulations, killing thousands of iraquians and throwing a whole country/region into chaos. For what? Money!

     

    Think twice before you write crap such as this! The US is not an angelic nation either. Neither is Israel for that matter.

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