tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post-76631622331530512142008-05-03T10:22:00.000-07:002008-05-03T10:22:00.000-07:00Hoo-Whee! That's a doozy of a question!<BR/><BR/>Well sir, for the time being, I think that the only effective cleanups in this country are those such as our beach cleanup. I say this because it has a greater effect on the mentality of the participants and the observers than it could ever have on the beach and the environment. And in all reality, the change of mentality for Bulgarians is the only thing that will save them from this peril.<BR/><BR/>(1) A cleanup by outside power happened when communism fell. No positive result. (2) A cleanup by inside 'power' exists in the form of a television show that exposes corrupt officials. This is sort of a reality TV show that directly identifies who's involved and how. No result. There's no recourse because judges are paid off to acquit everything. (3) A marketing cleanup 'exists' in the form of a campaign to bring back the Bulgarians who have left the country in search of opportunity. They're promised incentives, which aren't met.<BR/><BR/>I wish one of these three things would be powerful enough to right what's wrong in this ailing nation. But even with all three things combined, Bulgarians are fighting a tough, tough uphill battle.<BR/><BR/>From some people I've spoken with, it seems that Bulgarians are waiting for something of a messiah to lead them from their woes. Unfortunate. And again we're back to "the buck not stopping."<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, the single greatest thing that could have the best chance of success is a change of mentality. But the methods for such an accomplishment, on the scale that's needed, are extremely complex. My hippie ideals tell me that grassroots efforts such as beach cleanups will act like an infection and spread throughout the country. But seeing a result from something like this will take years.Andrew!http://www.blogger.com/profile/02170615547522584268noreply@blogger.com