Mailer: Elm [revision: 66.25]
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.slovak-l
Date:         Sun, 15 Nov 1992 17:53:52 PST
From:         Joe Pannon <pannon@BCSFSE.BOEING.COM>
Subject:      Re: Slovak-Hungarian Relations

Dear Mr. Muzila:

>         When I finished reading your letter addressed to Mr.Martonak I needed
> some time to calm down in order to write this letter with "cold" head, without
> anger or emotions.

That was a good thing you did, but it looks you still rushed it.

>         That article about the assimilative power of Slovaks was really
> rediculous and I have to support Mr.Martonak's arguments since I grew up in a
> family where father (Slovak from Orava) married my mother (from southern
> Hungarian communities) and I observed what Mr.Martonak said.

Frankly, your personal experience is thoroughly irrelevant when talking
about statistical trends.  It shouldn't be too difficult to dig up the
statistical data from the last census of historic Hungary from 1910 and
compare Hungarian majority ethnic areas in the present-day Slovakia then
and now.  I would bet that such comparison would prove me, not you.  But
then, you would probably not accept the results of the 1910 census,
right?

I am getting to see how the Slovaks might look at this:  "In the
beginning, there were only Slovaks.  Then, gradually Hungarians started
infiltrating those ancient Slovak lands of Pribina and Svatopluk, and
look what we have now: over half a million!"  Now that's gotta' prove
that Hungarians have been increasing in numbers, right?  Especially,
when one can even cite his personal experiences to support that!

>         The way you answered the reply about "Slovakia  becoming a superpower"
> by saying :
>         "In their own mind they probably have already! (That was a joke!)"
>
>         PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE elliminate from your relpies offencive "jokes".
> Your "jokes" are really disturbing and I DO NOT THINK THEY ARE APPROPRIATE in
> this kind of discussion !!! (Imagine how much you can offend some people by
> what you write!)

Oh, I'm sooo sorry!  I forgot that there was another side to you: that
of a sensitive flowerchild.  Poor disturbed Patrik!

>         A very similar thing happened when you questioned on the name of
 Roman's
> school. I spent the last two years studying in Trieste and therefore your
> I feel I have to tell you something. Trieste is a region that under power of
> many nations (Austrians, Slovenes/Chroats, Italians), so you can immagine how
> mixed the population is in that area. Today, it is a beautifull example of
> different nationalities living together in great peace and understanding. The
> school I was attending there was called  " UNITED WORLD COLLEGE ", and please,
> do not try to comment on the name of that school because you could make fool
 of
> yourself

Wow!  Another chiding by sensitive Patrik, destined for a United World,
while fighting bravely the cause of Slovak nationalism.  Now, who is
making a fool out of himself, Patrik?  Besides, what's wrong in
questioning the name of a school from a guy who himself made a few
comments not too compatible with the name of that school?  Apparently,
that INTERNATIONAL school didn't do too good a job with you guys.

Let's not forget how this whole discussion started:  it started with the
Gabcikovo Dam and Danube diversion.  You guys were trying to accuse
Hungary with political motives for opposing the project when in fact you
could prove no such thing.  So your side is the one which politicized
the whole issue by unilaterally diverting a common border river, causing
great ecologocal, and potential flood damage to Hungary should the dam
fail for some reason.  In addition, admittedly the unilateral control of
that dam by the Slovaks hangs like a Democles' Sword over Budapest.  The
first reports of ecological damage have already come in; dried up wells
due to lowered underground water tables, and dried up auxiliary river
branches and wetlands, with corresponding damage to wild life.

When Hungary protests this, you see in it yet another proof of Hungarian
revisionism.  So much for your cool-headed, rational discussion.
Perhaps you should consider a refund of your tuition to that
Internationsl School

>         Please think about what I wrote at the beggining before you start
> writing another message.

You ought to keep your own advice before preaching it to others.

Later,
Joe Pannon
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