About two years back there was this controversy about Goa Today magazine (with which I was associated at the time) shifting over their online edition from Goa-World.Net to GoaCom.Com. I was given to understand at the time that Fred had played some dirty politics in favour of GoaCom. This resulted in a lot of acrimony between me and him - and a lot of others involved. It was later proved that Fred had nothing to do with the incidents and it was just a false story spread by certain people with vested interests in harming Fred's reputation.
Fred and me still have major disagreements on various issues but there is no denying that he is a giant among the do-ers in the Goan Community. With his humble and self effacing ways he goes about building community links, informing us about issues, and working till the wee hours towards a better tomorrow for Goa and Goans. Criticising a person's statements is one thing and attacking him as a person is another.
As Fred himself says, "Let us agree to disagree", but such venomous attacks, as have been recently forthcoming, are despicable and I think have to be condemned by any right thinking Goan, specially those of us who inhabit the cyber Goan community.
I hold Fred in the highest esteem for all the good that he does. There are thousands of us Goans who have someway benefited from Fred's hard work. I myself can say that despite our differences in opinion...
(a) Fred has always been encouraging me in my 'writing' endeavors
(b) Fred has often given me advise on Computer/Internet issues.
(c) Fred has helped Aldonkars time and again with his expertise and contacts - to secure funds and form and manage online communities.
(d) Fred's articles have often inspired me to do further research or pursue a particular line of thinking.
(e) Etc, etc
Consider for a moment that Fred does all this for free, without seeking any payment, then you will realise that he is NOT a mediocre journalist but rather an 'extraordinary' human being.
Keep up the good work Fred, and don't let these pesky irrelevant pests bother you.
Cecil =======
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