A Bloody Nose
Copyright (c) 1995, L. Shawn Aiken
All rights reserved


                     A Bloody Nose
                     By L. Shawn Aiken


        Last month I presented an article about the situation in Bosnia.  I
attempted to present the facts and explain the situation without judgement.
however, I can't just let a topic sit around going unjudged; so here I go.
        The Bosnians wanted out ot the Yugoslav Union.  The Serbians, who
controlled the government, didn't want them to go.  They attacked.  Both
sides commited some horrific things on their enemies.  That is not the point.
        The point is that the Serbians are winning.  Battle after battle, 
inch by inch, the Bosnians are being slaughtered.  The Bosninas have signed
countless peace accords.  They have cried "uncle."  But the Serbians ignore
the treaties again and again, invading and killing.
        The word "bully" seems to apply here.  Not satisfied with making the
Bosnians cry for mercy, they attack again, intent on blasting the last bit
of dignity and blood from their one-time allies.  They want a complete and
unconditional surrender.  And God only knows what the victor will do to the
vanquished after that.
        How does one deal with a bully?  Ignoring them doesn't work.  Having
your big brother come and beat them up only makes them ambush you when he 
is not around.  You have to stand on your own two feet, smack him in the 
nose, and send his crying home to his mother.  A bully will understand 
nothing less.
        The Bosnians have been trying to do this.  But the international 
community, just like the bully's buddy, is holding Bosnia's arms behind its
back while Serbia prepares the sucker punch.  All in the name of peace.
        The weapons embargo must be lifted.  Yes, there will be more
violence.  More people will die.  But it will give the Bosnians back at 
least a shred of self-respect and a chance to better their lives.  That is 
far more important that just keeping them alive in so-called safe havens,
trembling as the shells explode and slowly watching their children die of
starvation.
        If the Bosnians are granted this "right" of self-protection, they
may actually suceed in besting the Serbs.  And if Bosnia can show it's
violent neighbor that it won't tolerate abuse, perhaps, just perhaps, Serbia
won't be so eager to attack anyone else in the future.  A bloody nose goes
a long way, delivered properly.

