To the con artist Rod Blagojevich

Just imagine, Rod, for a moment: Pearl Harbor — but the aggressor celebrates the date every year. 9/11 — but the perpetrators proudly commemorate the day, deny the victims, and wave flags over the ruins. And then imagine some “world-roaming con man” from Europe arriving to lecture Americans about how this is all “freedom of expression.”

By: Mustafa Cerić

Mr. Rod Blagojevic,

you ask your question with a level of naïveté that would be touching if it were not offensive. You ask what Americans would do if someone forbade them from celebrating the Fourth of July. A wonderful question — only you asked it on the wrong continent, to the wrong people, and with the wrong intention.

If Srebrenica had happened to Americans, there would be no debate about “different narratives.” There would be no relativization. No weighing of “who started first.” Genocide would not be turned into folklore, and criminals would not be elevated into heroes.

If Srebrenica had happened to Americans, January 9 would not be a holiday — it would be a day of national shame, marked by black ribbons, moments of silence, and criminal charges for anyone who dared to celebrate it.

Just imagine, Rod, for a moment:

Pearl Harbor — but the aggressor celebrates the date every year.

9/11 — but the perpetrators proudly commemorate the day, deny the victims, and wave flags over the ruins.

And then imagine some “world-roaming con man” from Europe arriving to lecture Americans about how this is all “freedom of expression.”

Do you know what Americans would do?

They would not write opinion columns.

They would not “try to understand the context.”

They would not call for balance.

Americans would state clearly — through law, courts, and social consensus:

This is genocide. This is a crime. This is not to be celebrated. Period.

Every American knows this.

Every one — except you.

You are here, Mr. Blagojevic, not to ask questions but to provoke. Not to understand, but to light a fuse. Not to defend freedom, but to relativize a legally established genocide — despite clear and convincing international verdicts.

So instead of lecturing about the Fourth of July, take home one simple truth from the Balkans:

Genocide is not celebrated.

Genocide is not denied.

Genocide is not turned into a holiday.

Shame on you, Blagojevic.

Now — get lost!