This bickering is sad. Where people are from IRL doesn't mean a thing to their skill as a player or their worth as a person, which are the only things that truly matter.
No matter the distribution some areas are going to be low-ping and some high-ping to any player. Take it as a measure of challenge. If a clan based in North America manages to take and hold Tihr, they'll know that they accomplished a more difficult goal (unless they took it from other NA players, heh). If a European outfit rolls into Reyvadin, the same. If any players in North America (where I am) don't like that two-thirds of the map is higher-ping, they should consider being proud of that fact. Overall, they'll be playing a more difficult game, an undeniable fact.
I don't understand viewing Strategus based on RL measures. Apart from communication (understanding the other player well enough to work together), it should all be in-game. Roll with people you like, or at least respect. Form a group of lancers, or horse-archers. Join a clan of Sarranids, or Rhodok. Have fun, and don't sweat the details, that no one can fix any way.
- Jallah