The "Macedonian name game" is back in the news. The name game is a lesson in Balkan tangles. After Yugoslavia collapsed, Greece insisted on calling Macedonia the "FYROM"-- former Yugoslav Republica of Macedonia. Why? Northern Greece is also called Macedonia (Alexander the Great's home of record). Greece claims its Macedonia is the real Macedonia, and the FYROM is a Slavic poseur. Many Greeks fear that Macedonia (the FYROM) would eventually stake a claim to Greek Macedonia. The UN has been trying to resolve the dispute since 1995.
Well. A former communist republic with the name of a region of another state. That is disturbing. I can surely see why Greece is worried that Macedonia will march south, take over Greece, and then recruit Greeks to fight as mercenaries in an imperial venture that seeks to conquer Iran, or something. Hey, don't scoff. It happened once before. Those crafty Macedonians have just been biding their time.
But I think we have reason to fear, too.
What's with the former Soviet republic now called Georgia? Are they scheming to take our Georgia? And with 3rd ID now in Iraq, who is in the state to defend against the Georgian hordes?
Clearly, we must agitate to get the former Soviet republic of Georgia (FSROG) to change its name. I suggest "Debbie."
And hey, the Greeks shouldn't get off easy on this, either. Isn't there an Athens, Georgia?
