Dear CSR Nation and friends of Croatia,
In the past six weeks, Croatians United, launched by Dennis Fistonich, Jack Barić and Branimir Kvartuč from San Pedro, California, raised $21,000 in an effort to hit the $60,000 mark for a New York Times ad highlighting the unjust decision to send Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markač to international prison. Croatians United have decided to not let this opportunity pass us by and have purchased a full page ad in the Washington Times for $6,500. The ad will run full page in the news section on Tuesday, June 7, 2011.
Thank you to everyone who has donated. We still have $13,000 to spend and will assess the next move after the Washington Times ad runs.
We are also doing press releases with the ad to Croatian media in hopes of getting “earned media,” free news stories from this action.
We thank you for your participation and hope to keep it going. Donations are still being accepted at:
-Croatians United
What deal did Croatia make with the "international community"? How about we change our minds, fuck you, we aint handin anybody over. Who's going to invade Croatia? the "international community"? For christ's sake, fuck "international law"! The only laws Croatians are obligated to follow is laws by Croatians for the good of Croatians – NOT "humanity". Otherwise, what was the fucking point of fighting a war for independence?
What is holding picket signs at a rally going to accomplish in this instance anyway? Forget about "another war breaking out", stop the Croats who adhear to "international law", who handed over the generals, who want to join that suicide cult called the European "union". I'd rather see 200 Croatians hanging the internationalists from the nearest lamp posts than standing around with picket signs. I'd rather make alliances with other central europeans than join some european "unity" bullshit. "Judge the judges"? I say hang the judges!
From my boy in Chicago…..The Hrvati in Chicago today had 30 people at their Gotovina rally. They could have had the rally in someone's backyard to cut down on logistics.
Anonymous #2
Ziva, I understand you points, but I as a croatian-america wouldn't be worried about the lack of support. For one, the majority of hrvati in the homeland don't care. I mean we all think it is bullshit, but most of us understand that nothing could be done. Don't worry about the heart of Croats, whether in the diaspora or not, we step up when shit gets real, like war. I'm am positive that if another war were to break out, even more support from diaspora and within would occur. Until then, nothing is really surprising.
Some reasons for the low turnout……
This is not 1991 anymore. As bad as it is, We have an independent Croatia. That is enough for many.
HDZ was the party backed by the diaspora and they have shown to be full of lies and corruption. That has turned off many.
People realize the Hague is bs but are also aware that was "part of the deal"
Assimilation has taken hold
And no organization at the local level. Nobody that commands the respect to engage hundreds of hrvati in their local communities to come out. While the there were some rallied in LA, NYC and ottawa, it does not seem to have been organized by people who are able to draw wide support.
These are a few reasons and there are more that can be added, but I think you get my point.
I didn't go to the one in Los Angeles due to personal reasons beyond my control so I am the last one to talk but how is it that LA and New York are the only places in the US to hold demonstrations? It sadly goes back to what Ziva said before that was also backed up by my fiancee who is younger and that is that the overwhelming majority of Hrvati just don't give a shit anymore. Out of all the Croatian cities, only NY and LA came through in the US. That alone speaks volumes. The organizers of all protests in those two cities deserve Croatian of the Year awards in my book, despite the disappointing amount of people who showed up.
@ anonymous…..well, tell me what I said is inaccurate. Read what I wrote very carefully and please tell me something that is overstated or false. You can't. I am just being realistic.
I am as pro-hrvat as you can get. But, I am also practical and I understand the reality of the world we live in and the reality of the world that Croatia occupies.
I gave money to this cause because I appreciated the effort put forth, but I knew from day one nothing would come out of it. A few articles in the cro media, some youtube hits and that is it.
+1 on the ziva istina comment.
You make far too many ASSumptions, there ziva istina. Your "compliment" is as backhanded as they come too.
screw you….
You want to know why US generals are not in a kangaroo court for what their officers did in Iraq or Afghanistan???? Because US officials and political leaders are not dumb enough to sign any international document giving a foreign organization the power to judge and convict US citizens.
You act surprised the Hague is a kangaroo court. We all knew that from day one.
Buying an ad in the Washington Times, a newspaper that is not even in the top 100 read dailies in the US won't do much. If you yell in a forest, but nobody is around, did anyone here you???
Face it, the Cro communities in the US and Canada don't give a shit about any of this. 200 people here, 250 there. Those #s are pathetic, but expected.
I'll say what I said from the start…..I think its great that people were able to organize some of the rallies and show their support, but for anyone to think this was going to get media attention in N. America, well, you were nuts. Cro media might pick up a thing or two and that is it. Where is the broad media spotlight some people were claiming would happen.
ziva you can go be devil's advocate elsewhere. Go back to Belgrade, ass.
I spoke with a Dutchman and he brought up how the Dutch UN peacekeepers were treated by all sides and I got the impression that this might be a form of revenge for that.
Who asked for the UN to come? Did anyone read the fine print from the Dayton accord? Or did the accord even matter for this kangaroo court to even take place? Why aren't the US, Brit and other generals fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan in the same kangaroo court for killing even more civilians?
Gotovina's lawyers mentioned that it was as though the "judges" in the kangaroo court didn't even listen to them.
Raptore…..doesn't matter either way. the average citizen looking at this sees it this way: Serbs are supporting a war criminal. Just like they see it this way for us: The croats are supporting a CONVICTED war criminal.
At the end of the day you will not convince many people to take our side in any argument backing a convicted war criminal. Much less do anything to change the verdict.
Serbs were sporting oversized banners last night at the friendly V Australia that read Free Mladic, what pissed me off was all those annoying Cetnik Flags they where waving constantly..
The media have jumped on it in Australia, but I think it would have been made into a bigger deal if it were us waving Ustasa flags,
the media made a big fuss about the Ante posters in the Croatian Dom & wanted them removed a few years back, Serbs made a huge deal about that to, saying how offended they where, but now when they rip out Cetnik flags & Mladic banners its freedom of speach all of a sudden, lil punks, thats Rat Tactics..
@Denis
Very well said, marathon not a sprint, no doubt about that!
btw., Dirk Dagger was sick again tonight (literally too)…!!!
Cro media will pick up on it, but I don't think it gets more traction that that.
Again, good idea, and I applaud the guys leading the charge on this.
But, we can see the numbers around N. America. The support from the Croatian community is small and unorganized. Rallies with 200-300 people won't do anything other than getting a short brief in the cro papers and websites.
Washington Times, June 7, 2011
Digital Wahsington Times: http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx
@anonymous,
I agree its not a big paper. However, this could be used as a form of advertisement. Croatian media might pick up on it. Media in Washington might pick up on it. Also, $6,500 is not a big investment. I fully support the idea. This is not a sprint but a marathon. One step at a time. Good job boys!
Looks nice and well written but this accomplishes nothing being in the Washington times. That is not a big paper.
Good job.
I hope it helps.
AB
I've donated my $15, hope the target's reached soon 🙂