Chauvinist terror

Times are changing - while we might think, that it is only a recent trend, this given has been omnipresent throughout all times, although truth is that except for a few revolutions in the past, our modern day developments have a higher velocity. Technology has shrunk our world around us, and we are easier in touch with other thoughts, cultures and people.

Cultural changes are millennia old. Diversity in Europe is an interesting case study for historians, demographers, anthropologists and the like. The creation and expansion of the European Union created unrestricted travel among nations, which previously were confined to borders even mine-fields and barbed wire.

This week, Slovakia's parliament has passed a bill, to establish "legal regulations to  support education towards patriotism", which stipulates the compulsory weekly listening to the national anthem, where every classroom should be adorned with the national flag, the picture of the president and a copy of the constitution, and that civil servants should swear an oath to the nation. The coalition's Slovak Nationalist Party (SNS), which initiate this law, has namely found it proper, to ensure that all its citizens should feel proud, and since this only was not enough, it should be enforced by 19th century styled law.

Feeling proud of one own country is not a mere virtue it should follow from the achievements of the nation. Be it culturally or else-wise. But this seems a bit of a hurdle for Slovakia. After more than 3 years of literal looting of the country by the present government, feeling proud is perhaps the least prominent perception which should come up in your mind. In addition, a party that has the most damaged the reputation, would now force upon the people a primitive and naive state-directed pride. 

What I presently feel about the whole matter is this; a true disgust, together a huge question mark. How was it ever possible, that hardly anybody from the opposition hasn't voted against this farce. True is, that in this context a large group of SNS-like electorate, regards a person, who is not a chauvinist patriot, easily as - let's say - a state-enemy or an outright traitor. A cheap and lame excuse, but unfortunately, the argumentative ability of the average voter does not go beyond that line. But nevertheless, this law has passed parliament without any critical remark.

The Vienna based newspaper Die Presse has had a striking headline; Bratislava has become a Pyongyang on the Danube. Sadly enough, I can fully agree. EU-member Slovakia in the 21st century has introduced chauvinist terror to create obedient citizens. But it's perhaps not so much about getting tears in your eyes when seeing the flag... rather to look away from the filthy and primitive corruption that goes on. Anyway, citizens have sworn their loyalty to the dear Slovak leaders...

MS

Times are changing - while we might think, that it is only a recent trend, this given has been omnipresent throughout all times, although truth is that except for a few revolutions in the past, our modern day developments have a higher velocity. Technology has shrunk our world around us, and we are easier in touch with other thoughts, cultures and people. Cultural changes are millennia old. Diversity in Europe is an interesting case study for historians, demographers, anthropologists and the like. The creation and expansion of the European Union created unrestricted travel among nations, which previously were confined to borders even mine-fields and barbed wire. This week, Slovakia's parliament has passed a bill, which stipulates the compulsory weekly singing of the national anthem, where every classroom should be adorned with the national flag, the picture of the president and a copy of the constitution, and that civil servants should swear an oath to the nation. The coalition's Slovak Nationalist Party, who initiate this law, has namely found it proper, to ensure that all its citizens should feel proud, and since this only was not enough, it should be enforced by law. Feeling proud of one own country is not a mere virtue - it should follow from the achievements of the nation. Be it culturally or else-wise. After more than 3 years of literal looting of the country by the present government, feeling proud is perhaps the least prominent perception which should come up in your mind. In addition, a party that has the most damaged the reputation, would now force upon the people a primitive and naive state-directed pride. What I presently feel about the whole matter is this; a true disgust, together a huge question mark. How was it ever possible, that hardly anybody from the opposition hasn't voted against this farce. True is, that in this context a large group of SNS-like electorate, regards a person, who is not a chauvinist patriot, easily as - let's say - a state-enemy or an outright traitor. A cheap and lame excuse, but unfortunately, the argumentative ability of the average voter does not go beyond that line. But nevertheless, this law has passed parliament without any critical remark. The Vienna based newspaper Die Presse has had a striking headline; Bratislava has become a Pyongyang on the Danube. Sadly enough, I can fully agree. EU-member Slovakia in the 21st century has introduced chauvinist terror to create obedient citizens. But it's perhaps not so much about getting tears in your eyes when seeing the flag... rather to look away from the filthy and primitive corruption that goes on. Anyway, citizens have sworn their loyalty to the dear Slovak leaders... MS

Times are changing - while we might think, that it is only a recent trend, this given has been omnipresent throughout all times, although truth is that except for a few revolutions in the past, our modern day developments have a higher velocity. Technology has shrunk our world around us, and we are easier in touch with other thoughts, cultures and people. Cultural changes are millennia old. Diversity in Europe is an interesting case study for historians, demographers, anthropologists and the like. The creation and expansion of the European Union created unrestricted travel among nations, which previously were confined to borders even mine-fields and barbed wire. This week, Slovakia's parliament has passed a bill, which stipulates the compulsory weekly singing of the national anthem, where every classroom should be adorned with the national flag, the picture of the president and a copy of the constitution, and that civil servants should swear an oath to the nation. The coalition's Slovak Nationalist Party, who initiate this law, has namely found it proper, to ensure that all its citizens should feel proud, and since this only was not enough, it should be enforced by law. Feeling proud of one own country is not a mere virtue - it should follow from the achievements of the nation. Be it culturally or else-wise. After more than 3 years of literal looting of the country by the present government, feeling proud is perhaps the least prominent perception which should come up in your mind. In addition, a party that has the most damaged the reputation, would now force upon the people a primitive and naive state-directed pride. What I presently feel about the whole matter is this; a true disgust, together a huge question mark. How was it ever possible, that hardly anybody from the opposition hasn't voted against this farce. True is, that in this context a large group of SNS-like electorate, regards a person, who is not a chauvinist patriot, easily as - let's say - a state-enemy or an outright traitor. A cheap and lame excuse, but unfortunately, the argumentative ability of the average voter does not go beyond that line. But nevertheless, this law has passed parliament without any critical remark. The Vienna based newspaper Die Presse has had a striking headline; Bratislava has become a Pyongyang on the Danube. Sadly enough, I can fully agree. EU-member Slovakia in the 21st century has introduced chauvinist terror to create obedient citizens. But it's perhaps not so much about getting tears in your eyes when seeing the flag... rather to look away from the filthy and primitive corruption that goes on. Anyway, citizens have sworn their loyalty to the dear Slovak leaders... MS