[extropy-chat] ENOUGH already

[Mike Lorrey]

--- Charlie Stross <charlie at antipope.org> wrote:
>  
> Hmm. What do you know about the Transdniester Republic? Any lessons
> to be learned there about how a breakaway region can survive and/or 
> coexist with its larger neighbours?

Transdniester's problems lay in its adherence to strict socialism, its
banana republic monetary policy, and its guarantee of wages 20% over
Moldavian wages. Can you say economic disaster?

It also appears to be a center of various forms of organized crime:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/transdniester.htm
"Transdniester separatists' have a long-time involvement in
money-laundering and the manufacturing and smuggling of weapons, as
well as trafficking in human beings and drugs. Secessionists in
Russian-speaking Transdniester maintain control over the enclave's
borders with Ukraine, across which most of the smuggling takes place.
The region's leader, Igor Smirnov, and his son, Vladimir, are believed
to have almost exclusive control over the lucrative criminal activities
in the area. 

The dispute between Transdniester and the rest of Moldova remains
unresolved. Decade-long talks supervised by the OSCE, Russia, and
Ukraine have failed repeatedly, attracting criticism that Russia is
unofficially supporting the separatists, although Moscow has not
formally recognized Transdniester's existence. The quagmire remains as
deep as ever in late 2003 after Moldova turned down a Russian plan
proposing de facto independence for Transdniester and a long-term
extension of the presence of Russian forces."

The FSP is not a secessionist movement, contrary to the scare tactics
of some Democrats, though NH does feature constitutional protections of
the right to revolt and secede (protections which were successfully
used once in the 19th century). NH's deepwater port and Canadian border
also serve only to help bolster its ability to withstand economic
isolation by Washington DC if a federal power vs states rights showdown
occurs.



=====
Mike Lorrey
"Live Free or Die, Death is not the Worst of Evils."
                                       - Gen. John Stark
"Fascists are objectively pro-pacifist..."
                                       - Mike Lorrey
Do not label me, I am an ism of one...
Sado-Mikeyism: http://mikeysoft.zblogger.com

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