| Subject: |
Re: THE AGRESSION: and, the Senate and the Republic |
| From: |
Mike Macnair MikeMacnair@-------- |
| Date: |
Fri, 26 Mar 1999 03:57:17 -0500 |
|
Salvete omnes,
Off-topic? I'm not quite so sure ...
In some respects the modern world resembles the Mediterranean world of the
later Roman Republic. Then the Greeks, today the Europeans, had had a
history of dominating the 'civilised' world, but now had to put up with
domination by a newer (and allegedly 'less cultured') great power to their
west (Rome/ America). This new great power was often inclined to present
its domination as free alliances or as the preservation of all that was
best in Greek (European) culture, its interventions as not really driven by
its own foreign policy interests but by being "invited" to act as global
policeman. The US republic, too, like the later Roman Republic, has become
corrupted through patronage (PACs) and bribery (promises of tax cuts) in
electoral contests, and the concern of politicians once elected to secure
their own position for the future (Clinton!); an Optimate-dominated
Republic refuses the redistributive measures which would save its
republican character, instead promoting the endless growth of a
lumpenproletarian welfare underclass; waiting in the wings, a provincial
political movement asserts that political order has failed through the
pailure of pietas, national values and traditional morality (Augustus and
his party; the religious right). Thus far, no Marius or Sulla has emerged
to bring the professional army directly into politics ...
Don't get me wrong: this is not an attack on the USA. But the parallels
between the informal American empire and the informal Roman empire of the
later Republic, and the risks to republicanism which are involved, have
been noticed before me (mainly by Americans!) and these are matters which
are of some interest to our understanding of Roman history and our idea of
Nova Roma.
Valete,
M. Musius Scaevola Magister
|
| Subject: |
Re: THE AGRESSION: and, the Senate and the Republic |
| From: |
"RMerullo" rmerullo@-------- |
| Date: |
Fri, 26 Mar 1999 10:10:21 -0500 |
|
Salvete Omnes
While I think that NATO's attack on Serbia is an issue of vital importance,
and one which has prompted me once again to write my US senator, I don't
think that it is really on-topic for Nova Roma.
So far, the only criteria for on-topic/off-topic of which I know are those
contained in Patricia Cassia's welcome message:
>Salve! (hello!)
>
>Welcome to the Nova Roma list! The topic of this list is anything that
relates
>to ancient Rome or to the modern organization called Nova Roma. If you
haven't
>already done so, we ask that you read the information about our
organization at
Now, not to minimize the validity of anything that anyone here has said
about NATO and Kosovo, I don't see that discussion of current events in the
Balkans fits into the above. If one interprets the criteria (which are not
very specific) loosely enough, then discussion of parrallels between modern
geopolitics and external politics of the Roman Republic or Empire throughout
the orbis terrarum could be construed as relevant; having taken that path,
we'll open the floodgates to expression of our own opinions on these
matters.
I mean, I could post a megabyte or so of my own opinions on the matter,
together with media reports to back it up and all, but I think that to do so
would be an inappropriate use of this forum. If nothing else, it would
ensure that we would begin to bicker and argue over things that really do
not share any common ground with Nova Roma in its present, real state.
As a citizen of Nova Roma, I express my opinions on our micronation in this
forum; as a citizen of the United States of America, I express my opinions
on the US and its policies among other US citizens, with friends and
correspondents, and to my elected US representatives (which opinions at
least in the latter case no doubt find their way to a virtual wastebasket,
but that is another issue altogether).
I don't mean by this that my way is the best or only way; rather, I just
mean that, if we begin to discuss current events around the world, I'll
sooner or later join in, and we'll all trash this forum faster than a dozen
invading barbari could hope to do.
Valete
Gaius Marius Merullus
|
| Subject: |
Re: THE AGRESSION: and, the Senate and the Republic |
| From: |
jmath669642reng@--------) |
| Date: |
Fri, 26 Mar 1999 12:03:22 -0500 (EST) |
|
Salve, Gaius Marius Merrullus, Citizen;
I tend strongly to agree with you regarding the Geo-politics of the
world and this list. One could draw parallels to Great Britain, France,
German States and even Russia during their dominant periods in relations
to Eastern Europe, but I am not sure that the discussion of such would
assist in the furtherence of Nova Roma.
This however, is a delicate area because it borders on gagging, and that
is not a desired issue either. True parallels in history talk about the
country being compared 50% -70% and the modern country 30% - 50% . I
might be interested in a truly historical account of how Republican Rome
handled a similar case of geo-politics, what led to those dcisions, and
who were instrumental in making them, but as to pure current events in
any part of the world, this forum is, in my humble opinion, not the
place for it. There will always be the people who are "down", and those
who are "up" and in neither case will there be true innocence. For this
forum, we have much to learn and much to do, I would most respectfully
suggest that we turn our energies to those things of the Republic and
complete them, before considering other avenues of endeavor and pursuit.
Marcus Minucius Audens.
Fair Winds and Following Seas!!!
|
| Subject: |
Re: THE AGRESSION |
| From: |
Dexippus@-------- |
| Date: |
Fri, 26 Mar 1999 12:44:54 EST |
|
In a message dated 3/25/99 8:22:07 PM Eastern Standard Time,
<a href="/post/novaroma?protectID=114056113185089095081021203102129208071" >dean6886@--------</a> --------es:
<< I'm not so certain it is all that off-topic talking about
international politcs. As Rome has a long history of various peoples and
disputes over its long history it's interesting to talk about this
ongoing evolution of politics within our modern Nova Roma--- I'm sure
even the Vatican has had many discussions on this topic ongoing --- you
see where I'm going with this???? >>
Discussion of world events as it relates to Roma Antiqua or Nova Roma is fine
but this post brought none of those aspects into conversation.
Furthermore, it was addressed more or less to American citizens of Nova Roma.
And I'm sorry, but just because we're Americans it does not follow that we all
have a Hot-Line to the White House!
--Dexippus
|
| Subject: |
Re: Kosovo, Yugoslavia, the USA and Nova Roma |
| From: |
Gail and Thomas Gangale gangale@-------- |
| Date: |
Fri, 26 Mar 1999 18:39:34 -0800 (PST) |
|
Salvete Omnes.
I rise in support of the remarks of our List-Domina. As a micronation, Nova
Roma is in no position to take any action whatsoever regarding the Balkan
conflict; therefore, Nova Roma must take no position whatsoever regarding
the Balkan conflict; therefore, the Forum is not the place for a citizen to
state any position whatsoever regarding the Balkan conflict.
Well-constructed historical parallels drawn between the current situation
and those faced by Roma Antiqua are legitimately within the province of our
Forum; however, let us beware of foreign entanglements.
May the Gods preserve the Senate and People of Nova Roma!
Valete.
Marcus Martianus Gangalius
At 03:08 PM 3/26/99 -0000, jane wrote:
>From: -------- <a href="/post/novaroma?protectID=197063113185056135042082190036" >p--------@--------</a>
>
>Quoth Mike Macnair:
>
>Since I haven't yet resigned as List-Domina, I'll weigh in with my view
>here:
>
>There are many places online where we can discuss current world politics.
>There is only one - this one - where we can discuss a broad range of
>interests in the history of ancient Rome, and work toward increasing
>awareness of and appreciation for that history. Thus, this and other
>political topics are less topical than the recent historical discussion,
>for example.
>
>However, Scaevola makes a good point here:
>
>> But the parallels
>>between the informal American empire and the informal Roman empire of the
>>later Republic, and the risks to republicanism which are involved, have
>>been noticed before me (mainly by Americans!) and these are matters which
>>are of some interest to our understanding of Roman history and our idea of
>>Nova Roma.
>
>Suggestions for on-topic posts in this area might include:
>
>* A list or discussion of ancient Roman sites imperiled by the bombing
>(perhaps with information on how we as Nova Romans can help preserve or
>restore them)
>* A historical discussion of what places in the Roman Empire are in the
>area of strife. What experiences did Rome have trying to govern these
>areas, and how did the people of these areas fare under Roman rule? How
>did Rome change the Balkans?
>* Parallels between Rome and the United States, preferably with specific
>examples and references.
>
>Thanks for listening,
>Patricia Cassia
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Is ONElist important to you? Has it changed your life?
><a href="http://www.onelist.com" target="_top" >http://www.onelist.com</a>
>Come visit our new web site and share with us your stories
>
>
-------------
Tom and Gail Gangale
<a href="/post/novaroma?protectID=123166234108158153184218249036129208" >gangale@--------</a>
<a href="http://www.jps.net/gangale/homepage.htm" target="_top" >http://www.jps.net/gangale/homepage.htm</a>
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|
