Wars Hoth
While The US Marks Ten Years After The Attacks In New York That Led Straight To Two Wars And Elemental Changes In How USA Citizens View Their Security, Croatia Solemnly Recollects The 1991 Incursion Of Serbian Troops And Shelling Of One Of Their Most Loved Cities, Dubrovnik.
While the U. S. marks ten years after the attacks in New York that led straight to two wars and basic changes in how American citizens view their security, Croatia solemnly recalls the 1991 incursion of Serbian troops and shelling of one of their most adored towns, Dubrovnik. That started a 2 year war on their own soil.
“My friend Drojti was stationed at the brook tunnel that connects to our hydroelectric power station when the Serbs came thru it,” recounted our host, Ante. “He ran down the hill, leaped into the sea and swam the twenty kilometers to the old town.
“The folk who could not leave Dubrovnik went into the old town because they thought the Serbs would never attack it,” Ante continued, with resentment in his voice. “But over 2,000 shells struck the town, and 68 percent of the buildings had damage, some completely gutted by fire.”
As Cheri and I walked thru the traditional town, over stone streets that were laid centuries gone, it was tough to imagine the annihilation. Only when we saw the Serbian TV photographs did the actuality sink in. Now, lovingly and accurately rebuilt, Dubrovnik is once again a wonderful representation of medieval life. And families still live there, doing almost all of the same things they did long ago. Only now, the Universal Teenager can be found even here. While Ante gave us a personal history lesson, a group of youngsters mooched noisily by, dressed pretty much the same as in the U. S. , earbuds connected into their smartphones, laughing at us visitors.
“What’s the economy like now?” I asked Ante.
“Not so good,” he responded. “After the war, we had to rebuild our industry, but plenty of our folk had sold their property and left to the U.S, to New Zealand, Britain and other places. Many homes were deserted. After ten years, things started to boost because Europeans started to build houses here, start businesses, and visitors returned. Then in 2008, the worldwide industrial recession just put everything into reverse. Tourism is just beginning to get better. But we need alternative sources of industry.”
I thought about the population emigrating, making a guess that many of them would be younger folk, people who had not started a family. Looking at the shocking natural sweetness of the Dalmatian coast, I could see it was a place of great nourishment for the adult soul and actually uninteresting for children.
Ante confirmed this was indeed the case.
“Our youth are not staying in enough numbers to form our future growth,” he revealed. “Many of them are getting degrees in economics and business, but there are few growing industries here to employ them.”
This same story was repeated by Samoj (he liked to be called “Sam”), a man we shared drinks and a table with in Korcula, another walled town on an island of the same name further north. Sam is a Slovenian, trained as a solicitor and historian, working for a research institute in his home country of 3 million people. We were lucky to have such a convincing source of information, and we made use of it.
“So, Sam, what was the civil war about?” I asked. “It was portrayed by our media as an ethnic war, that so-called ethnic ‘cleansing ‘ was what the Serbians were after.”
Sam explained, “Well, in fact Serbs, Slovenians, Croats and Bosnians are ethnically identical. We share identical ancient roots going back to the time of the Illyrians who formed the first regional identity beyond tiny clans about three thousand years back. The conflict goes back to when the Roman Empire split up and was divided between an eastern area and a western one. When that happened, Catholicism under a Roman pope ruled the western empire, while the Eastern Orthodox Church was primal in what came to be called the Byzantine Empire. The orthodox religion does not recognize the pope as the representation of Jesus ‘ church, the monks can marry, and the sacraments are dissimilar, among lots of other things. Slovenia and Croatia are on the west side of the dividing line. The Serbian aggression was truly about spiritual ‘cleansing, ‘ and of course, it was about money.”
“How did economics play into the war?” I asked.
“Under Tito, when we were all one country, there had been often equality across the bigger nation,” Sam expounded. “But the region of Slovenia was the commercial powerhouse. We had a tiny fraction of the total population, but we were the source of thirty % of Yugoslavia’s gross domestic product. Croatia had the beautiful coast and many beautiful islands where ancient hamlets still thrived. Croatia was the tourist mecca for Yugoslavians and many Western european states on either side of the Iron Curtain. Ever since Yugoslavia was first created after World War I, the Serbians, who were the most in number, needed to exercise the greatest influence over the course of the country. When Tito died, Serbian ambitions re-emerged, and their need to control the 2 wealthiest regions of the old Yugoslavia drove them to attack when Slovenia and Croatia declared their independence.”
It occurred to me as I listened to Sam that Jesus would find it sad if he knew that in the name of claiming exclusive rights to his bequest, envious folk would try and take away what others had out of envy and greed. Maybe he does know as reported tagza.com.
Lego Star Wars – Hoth Hotel
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Star Wars Kenner Cardbacks – Han Hoth, Rebel Soldier, Star Destroyer Commander $9.77 |
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1996 STAR WARS POTF2 GREEN CARD – LUKE HOTH GEAR – AFA 90 NEAR MINT / MINT $39.99 |
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Han Solo Hoth Star Wars Saga Vintage Collection $19.99 |
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Star Wars Battle of Hoth Snowtrooper 5pcs $0.99 |
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Star Wars Vintage Collection 2010 Target Exclusive Battle Pack DEFENSE OF HOTH $48.00 |
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Star Wars Luke Skywalker Hoth Gear NIB 12″ Action NEW epv tesb $9.99 |
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Vintage Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper Hoth Battle Gear! Complete Snowtrooper $16.99 |
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loose HAN SOLO hoth rescue – Star Wars ’03 #13 – 100% complete $5.00 |
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Galoob 1996 STAR WARS Micro Machines MINI HEAD Hoth Playset AT-AT DRIVER Figure $9.99 |
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Vintage Star Wars Luke Skywalker Hoth Gear! COMPLETE! Empire Strikes Back $12.99 |
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Galoob 1996 STAR WARS Micro Machines MINI HEAD Hoth Luke Playset WAMPA Figure $9.99 |
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star wars k-3po hoth droid $0.99 |
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Star Wars ESB 1980 Hoth Snow Trooper Complete $12.99 |
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Star Wars Unleashed Battle Of HOTH LOT- TROOPERS VADER LUKE REBELS LOOK $0.99 |
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Vintage Star Wars Luke Skywalker Hoth Gear! COMPLETE! Empire Strikes Back $7.99 |
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Vintage Star Wars Han Solo Hoth Outfit! COMPLETE! 1980 Empire Strikes Back $9.99 |
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STAR WARS 2012 VINTAGE COLLECTION VC95 LUKE SKYWALKER (HOTH OUTFIT) $17.95 |
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Star Wars Hoth Rebel Trooper Mini Figure $0.99 |
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Star Wars Vintage – HAN SOLO – HOTH GEAR $2.92 |
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Star Wars Lego Hoth Rebel Trooper Mini Figure $0.99 |
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Star Wars Galoob Micro Machines Playset MISB (Lot of 4) Endor Hoth Dagobah Death $50.00 |
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STAR WARS THE POWER OF THE FORCE HOTH REBEL SOLDIER NEW $6.99 |
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STAR WARS THE POWER OF THE FORCE HOTH CHEWBACCA NEW $6.99 |
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Kenner Star Wars 1996 POTF HOTH REBEL SOLDIER with Backpack and Blaster Rifle $2.99 |
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Star Wars blue Hoth Recon Patrol R5-M2 Astromech Droid unit action figure loose $29.99 |
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Star Wars Saga Battle of Hoth R3-A2 Astromech Droid unit action figure loose $14.99 |
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Star Wars Empire Strikes Back Rebel Soldier Hoth $0.99 |
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Star Wars Empire Strikes Back Rebel Soldier Hoth $0.99 |
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Star Wars Empire Strikes Back Luke Hoth Dagobah Taun Taun $0.99 |
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Star Wars Empire Strikes Back Luke Hoth Dagobah $0.99 |
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Star Wars “Han Solo in Hoth Gear” NRFB MINT $19.99 |
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Star Wars “Princess Leia in Hoth Gear” NRFB MINT $19.99 |
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Star Wars “Luke Skywalker in Hoth Gear” NRFB MINT $19.99 |
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Star Wars Saga OTC Vintage Style Imperial Stormtrooper Hoth Gear Snowtrooper MOC $10.00 |
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Star Wars “The Empire Strikes Back” Hoth Attack Luke Skywalker $10.00 |
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Star Wars Saga OTC Vintage Style Imperial Stormtrooper Hoth Gear Snowtrooper MOC $10.00 |
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HOTH LUKE SKYWALKER Brown Scarf variant C9 NM vintage original Star Wars figure $18.00 |
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TITANIUM DIE CAST STAR WARS AT-ST SCOUT WALKER HOTH MIB $14.95 |
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Star Wars Hoth Chewbacca and Special Episode 1 Photo, Bowcaster riffle $8.95 |
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Star Wars 1996 POTF Luke Skywalker In Hoth Gear Figure- MIP $0.99 |
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Star Wars Mighty Muggs Han Solo Hoth $7.99 Fun, detailed figures are based on the popular action packed Star Wars Movie Characters and are MADE FROM 100-PERCENT RECYCLED goods!! Get in the action with this Han Solo Hoth Mighty Mugg!Ages 6 and up,, Type: Action Figures Gender: Unisex Age: Adult |
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Star Wars: Hoth Rebel Soldier Action Figure $5 A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Kenner picks up where they left off 10 years earlier with the introduction of the Star Wars: Power of the Force action figure line. Bring the Star Wars Universe to life with this line of fully posable and articulated 4 inch scale action figures and accessories. After being pummeled by AT-ATs, Rebel Soldiers on foot are the last hope for the defense of Hoth. The Hoth Rebel Soldier comes complete with survival backpack and blaster rifle. Collect them all, each sold seperately. Collectors Note: The figure is on green card packaging which may or may not have a hologram sticker. |
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LEGO Star Wars: Hoth Wampa Cave #8089 $47.99 Escape from the wampa ice creature with Luke Skywalker?! While on scouting duty on Hoth, Luke Skywalker? is savagely attacked and captured by a ferocious wampa ice creature. Can he use the Force to recover his lightsaber before the wampa gets him? Or will pilot Zev Zenesca? save him using the snowspeeder? Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back? with the instantly recognizable set. * Includes 3 minifigures: wampa ice creature, Luke Skywalker and Zev Zenesca * Features wampa cave and snowspeeder * Wampa cave features lightsaber catapult function and skeleton * Snowspeeder includes opening cockpit and realistic tow cable with string and hook * Combine with other Hoth sets from LEGO Star Wars including Echo Base? 7749, Rebel Trooper? Battle Pack 8083, and Snowtrooper? Battle Pack 8084 * Wampa cave measures 7? (18cm) long and 4? (10cm) wide * Snowspeeder measures 7? (18cm) long |
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Star Wars: Hoth Chewbacca Action Figure $9.99 A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Kenner picks up where they left off 10 years earlier with the introduction of the Star Wars: Power of the Force action figure line. There is nothing more embarrassing for a Wookie than a little snow in his fur. Hoth Chewbacca comes complete with trademark bowcaster rifle. The Star Wars Flashback series was release by Hasbro as a sneak preview to the characters in the forthcoming Episode 1 film. Each figure includes a flashback photo which shows each character as they appeared in the original trilogy as well as their Episode 1 counterpart. Collect them all, each sold seperately. |
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Lego Star Wars Hoth Wampa Set (8089) $57.99 Escape from the wampa ice creature with Luke Skywalker! While on scouting duty on Hoth, Luke Skywalker is savagely attacked and captured by a ferocious wampa ice creature. Can he use the Force to recover his lightsaber before the wampa gets him? Or will pilot Zev Zenesca save him using the snowspeeder? Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back with the instantly recognizable set. Type: Brain Games Format: Interactive Toys Gender: Male Age: Child |
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Star Wars: Han Solo in Hoth Gear Action Figure $5 A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Kenner picks up where they left off 10 years earlier with the introduction of the Star Wars: Power of the Force action figure line. Bring the Star Wars Universe to life with this line of fully posable and articulated 4 inch scale action figures and accessories. Han and the rebels need special cold-weather gear to survive on the frigid planet Hoth. Han in Hoth Gear comes complete with blaster pistol and assault rifle. Collect them all, each sold seperately. Collectors Note: The figure is on the first release red card packaging. |
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Star Wars Chewbacca Hoth Encounter Canvas Giclee Print $394.99 Chewie’s ready for battle on Hoth! Limited edition, hand-embellished giclée on canvas. 125-piece, hand-numbered edition. Individually signed by Chris Wahl! “Hoth Encounter” is interpretive art by Chris Wahl that features a battle-ready Chewbacca fighting the snowy elements of the planet Hoth. You can bring home everyone’s favorite Wookiee warrior with this strikingly lifelike, limited edition, canvas giclée. Individually signed by the artist, it measures 24-inches tall x 16-inches wide and is limited to only 125 pieces. Take this considerably cool Chewbacca to your house! Certificate of authenticity included. |
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Star Wars Princess Leia in Hoth Fatigues Mini Bust $44.9 From Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back and the Icy Battle of Hoth Comes Princess Leia Organa. This 6.5 inch mini-bust has been finely sculpted and accurately detailed. Leia is depicted here in a practical insulated snowsuit and vest in traditional Alderaanian white in memory of her home world.*Cast in poly-stone*Limited edition *Hand numbered, complete with a matching certificate of authenticity |
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Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Figure – Han Solo Hoth Rescue $6.77 On the ice planet Hoth, Han rides a tauntaun into the chilling night to find Luke, who has not returned from a patrol. Han locates a badly wounded Luke, but when the tauntaun succumbs to the cold, they are unable to return to the base. In danger of freezing to death, Han uses the creature's body as a makeshift shelter until rescuers can arrive. Type: Action Figures Theme: Movies Character: Star Wars Gender: Male Age: Child |
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