I'd like to suggest that when the moderators want to end a particular thread on Goanet, a week's notice be given so that contributions are not inevitably cut off midstream.
I also propose a discussion on THE BENEFITS AND NON-BENEFITS OF THE PORTUGUESE STAY IN GOA FOR 451 YEARS. We do have some worthy experts like Lusophile Jose Colaco who could start us off with a significant contribution on this issue and which I think has not been discussed on Goanet in the mode I propose. Finally, for some news from the UK where an estimated 40,000+ Goans live. As I was surprised previously by the quest for UK news from some Goanetters, I submit some news below about very recent items to make headlines here. I don't intend to make a habit of this and accept that, if this info is not deemed to relate to Goa, I would not lose any sleep were it not to be accepted. 1. Cabinet Minister Jack Straw yesterday claimed that the veil (niqab) worn by many Muslim women, presented a "visible statement of separation and difference" He believed that it did not help promote better communication between the very diverse communities in the UK where face to face dialogue is valued highly. Although the populist tabloid newspapers exploited this to the full, I think Straw is absolutely right. There is no law or compulsion to have the veil removed but we have an opportunity to start a much needed debate. I also know that Straw considered his remarks carefully and has sufficient gravitas to be taken seriously on this issue. It is perfectly possible to find several arguments against Straw's stance but I hope that his calm persuasive approach will bear fruit, albeit gradually. There is an incredible amount of integration across ethnic lines in the UK particularly in terms of marriage and cohabitation. I had provided figures to Goanet previously on this matter. However, there are pockets of resistance to integration and some elements in some communities choose to live parallel lives of existence which simply can't be helpful in a multicultural society in my view. 2. Another story making the headlines related to a British Muslim working in the police force in providing armed security at embassies. He was fearful that he would be identified when protecting the Israeli Embassy, by people in Lebanon and other parts of the Arab world where his close family lived and he was worried that their lives could be in danger. Once again, the tabloids made a big issue of this story and several objected that such concessions were invidious and should not be made. However, it is well know that concessions to special forces have always been made in trouble spots like Northern Ireland etc. Moreover, the information about this matter was strictly confidential but appears to have been leaked to the press by an inside mole. Finally, on a TV programme yesterday, one of the items discussed was the dilemma of North Korea and Iran and the Bomb. Most agreed that the situation was very dangerous but that a) it is estimated that there will be dozens of nuclear powers in the foreseeable future irrespective of the efforts to stop North Korea and Iran presently. b) that the war in Iraq had robbed the USA and Britain of any moral highground to convince Iran against the Bomb, especially, when Israel had received every support for this deadly weapon by the same two powers. The discussion also centred around the new-found opportunity for so many jihadists to now operate in Iraq because of the war, and how tragically, some 100 people were dying there virtually every day. Cornel DaCosta, London, UK. _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
