C'da,
I think I will respond to this post. It kinda explains what exactly
you meant. Moreover, I am having a difficulty in keeping track of
who said what, and all the cut & paste:)
So here goes,
I will stop at this post.
I agree, we seem to be rehashing everything:)
>Assam journalists have been crying endlessly about a number of
issues, like ULFA, B'deshis, corruption and the like.
Well, that is obviously what they seem to be interested in.
>However they have utterly failed in their journalistic duties in
investigating, >analyzing and educating the public about the causes
of these problems
Who sets these standards of journalism? If they followed your advice
and found the GOI/GOA the main reason for all the violence, would
that make it better?
>Nor have they offered any achievable and sustainable
solutions to what they cry about, that I am aware of.
Actually, I have read numerous times the Sentinel/AT calling for
peace talks etc. Now, whether they are deemed achievable or
sustainable is really in the eye of the beholder.
I really don't see anybody being able to convince anyone. Basically,
no one sees eye to eye.
>Nor does symbolic flag-waving, appeals to the people and so forth.
All that does is >promote or publicize their own piety, something
that does not in any way help
Assam in its woes.
True, but who has been doing this? I can guess, but then, I would
have to come up with proof - which I can't pin down at the moment:)
--Ram
__________________
On 8/14/07, Chan Mahanta
<<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Just so this discussion does not relapse into the same old repetition
of your or my positions, I will stop at this post.
The point is not about MY views or Thakuria's or DN Bezbaruah's.
Assam journalists have been crying endlessly about a number of
issues, like ULFA, B'deshis, corruption and the like. However they
have utterly failed in their journalistic duties in investigating,
analyzing and educating the public about the causes of these problems
or how they can be resolved and how the people can become a part of
the solution . Nor have they offered any achievable and sustainable
solutions to what they cry about, that I am aware of. Wishful
thinking, or calling names, or sermonizing and lecturing those they
disagree with do not qualify as such. Nor does symbolic flag-waving,
appeals to the people and so forth. All that does is promote or
publicize their own piety, something that does not in any way help
Assam in its woes. As responsible and effective journalists, a key
element of a functioning democracy ( unlike desi-demokrasy that is),
they owe it to their readers, to seek out those who have the ability
to offer such achievable solutions and air them, if they cannot offer
them themselves. The least they can do.
That in essence was what I wrote to Thakuria. If you believe that was
a bad or destructive set of suggestions, you ought to point out that
, explaining why. Or if you have better ideas you ought to present
those. That will be meaningful. But to go on as you have, with absurd
demands and assertions
>like "---During last couple of elections Assam has witnessed at
least 65% or more vote casting. This essentially
means that at least 65% of Assam's people believe in
Indian Constitution. What other verdict you want ??
merely underscores your clueless disposition. And if you are
wondering why it is clueless, try reconciling that with yours and
Assam journalists' laments about the B'deshi immigration issue and
why the voters don't care about it as proven by their election and
re-election of those who would not even acknowledge it as a problem,
much less do anything about it. And when you do, enlighten us about
it.
At 1:04 PM -0700 8/14/07, Krishnendu Chakraborty wrote:
--- Chan Mahanta <<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >I understand. However it looks more like ULFA
is in
>armed conflict against people of Assam rather then
India.
*** That is because you consider those who do not
subscribe to ULFA's
views are the true representatives of Assam. That
maybe so. But why
don't those who sport that halo, hold a referendum
and decide, once
and for all, who the true reps. of Assam are? ULFA
has publicly
agreed to accept the verdict of the people.
During last couple of elections Assam has witnessed at
least 65% or more vote casting. This essentially
means that at least 65% of Assam's people believe in
Indian Constitution. What other verdict you want ??
That would be a way to bring the conflict to an end.
>And BTW, if you are guarding ULFA on pretext of
war, why not apply
>the same yardstick when it >comes to GOI???
*** I don't have any obligations to GoI. My
obligations are to the
people of Assam, their rights and their well-being.
Hmmm.... and what well being do you see in kiiling
the children of Dhemaji or school teacher or numerous
other Assamese (I am excluding Biharis here) who have
been killed. What well being do you see in dictating
people Not to host Indian Flag.
I also do not
come from the ranks of those the who laughably sport
the halo of
being 'fair and-blanced' :-).
We never thought you to be "fair and balanced" :)
>Whether they will publish this debate or not is
something which they
>can answer.
*** I did not ask you to speak for them. Just your
> opinion of whether
they should is what I was hoping to hear.
> So is it that only those journalists who favor
your view are true journalist?
*** Is that something I said or implied? Or is that
'damned English
language' problem again :-)?
Then why come down so heavily on Nava Thakuria, DN
Bezbarua et al.
> >Even if the Assam Press initiates a debate do
> you guarantee that
>your cohorts will not threaten those
>who debates for Assam being a part of India ?
*** If your cohorts do, or you do, I will surely
attempt to get the
approval of mine. But ULFA has publicly said, many
times, that they
would accept the verdict of a referendum. The need
for a debate prior
to such a referendum is implicit.
Well, you should definitely try to get approval of
your "cohorts" who threatened a couple of journalists
just a few weeks back ......
I do not think my "cohorts" ever threatened any one.
>send a letter to your local newspaper explaining
>> Why St Louis should
>be Free from USA and that you >will support a war
against USA if it
>is not freed.....
*** That would be a very dumb thing to do, and the
analogy could not
be more absurd. St. Louis is not demanding to be
free of the USA,
Assam is not demanding to be free of India... it is CM
and ULFA who is demanding it.
On a similar analogy, CM can surely demand St Louis to
be free from US .
much less waging a quarter century old insurgency.
But if it does
been, I will certainly comply with your request.
All insurgency start at some point by some people. So
you can surely start one (or attempt to start one) now
and see how your funtional democracy and press reacts.
This will also give us an opportunity to learn how
GOI should have tackled ULFA when it first started
this insurgency.
>Actually ..... not a single case of success ....
not much of
>accomplishment :)
*** You sure know how to hurt a guy.
Taking it as a complement :)
>Same on the other side is true ... particulrly when
you try avoiding
>difficult question
*** I think you are toiling under an Oxomiya bhaxa
problem too :-).
Avoiding difficult questions, evasiveness, is not
analogous to
refusing to admit what stares one in the face.
Uh .... I do not have any Oxomiya Bhaxa problem. Why
I equated it is because by avoiding such unpleasant
questions you do just the same --- "refuse to admit
what stares one in the face"
At 11:46 AM -0700 8/14/07, Krishnendu Chakraborty
wrote:
> > *** ULFA is in an armed conflict with India. It
is a
>> war . In wars
>> such fundamental rights as speech or freedom of
>> expression are some
>> of the most early and consistent victims, across
the
>> world.
>
>I understand. However it looks more like ULFA is
in
>armed conflict against people of Assam rather then
>India.
>
>And BTW, if you are guarding ULFA on pretext of
war,
>why not apply the same yardstick when it comes to
>GOI???
>
>
>
>*** Now can you tell us why the press in Assam
would
>> not allow an
>> informed, unfettered
>> discussion/debate about why Assam ought to be
free
>> or NOT ? Would
>> they publish the debate we had in this forum?
>
>Whether they will publish this debate or not is
>something which they can answer. However, a
couple
>of years back a similar debate from AssamNet was
>published in Assam Tribune, if I remember correct.
>
>Have you tried sending an article /letter to Assam
>Press?
>There have been many instances when you have cited
>articles from Assam/Indian press in support of your
>view. So is it that only those journalists who
favor
>your view are true journalist?
>Even if the Assam Press initiates a debate do you
>guarantee that your cohorts will not threaten those
>who debates for Assam being a part of India ?
>
>Now let us turn to your ideal and functioning
democary
>..... Try this ....
>send a letter to your local newspaper explaining
Why
> >St Louis should be Free from USA and that you will
>support a war against USA if it is not freed.....
if
>you need to find a reason I can help you .... let
us
>see how your functioning democracy and its press
>treats you.
>
>> *** Helping educate people like yourselves,
although
>> not always
>> successfully .
>
>Actually ..... not a single case of success ....
> not
>much of accomplishment :)
>
>In this context, the 'nwdhown gaa
>> dhouaali, nakhawn
>> bhaat khuali, nigilw ki koro kor' factor plays
out
>> quite often :-).
>
>Same on the other side is true ... particulrly when
>you try avoiding difficult questions.
>
>
>
>--- Chan Mahanta <
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >Do you think that ULFA (or Anyone else) should
deny
>> >anybodys right to host Indian Flag ?
>>
>>
>> *** ULFA is in an armed conflict with India. It
is a
=== message truncated ===
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