Kosovo

[Carl Remick]

> The "socialism" of eastern Europe disappointed people in many 
> ways.  It
> didn't lead to democracy or equality or justice.  It wasn't 
> very productive
> or innovative.  It lacked glamour.  But one thing it taught 
> us, if we pay
> attention:  It taught us how much--or rather how little--it 
> costs to keep
> even the most militantly chauvanistic people at peace.  
> Basically, every
> drunk, derelict and psychotic had some kind of job, some 
> source of income.
> Young people had places to go and work to do.

There have been a lot of intelligent, though often conflicting, opinions
about Kosovo expressed here today, but this is the single best post I've
seen.  It focuses our attention where it really belongs -- on economic
insecurity as *the* decisive element prompting armed conflict.
(Apologies again for overposting, but I won't be posting anything for
the next two days.)

Carl Remick