My apologies for the delay in responding to Roland Francis. Have been overdosing on world-class cinema and the company of film makers and film lovers. And to come back from that inspiring and invigorating experience to this petty mudslinging (my lifestyle choices are better than yours!) is a pity, but one has to do what one must.
Actually Sunith, Aristo and others have done a great job of rubbishing, and showing the inherent contradictions in, the views held by Roland (and the Cheerleader). But let me add my bit too: --------- Roland Francis (RF) wrote: Cecil, your hollow rebuttal points to my post are just codswallop (thanks for making the word popular on Goanet, Cornel). Cecil Pinto (CP) repiles: I do not use words like 'hollow' and 'codswallop' while analysing your points. Grant me the same respect. ---------- RF: You have more laws and rules than Canada has. The major difference is you don't implement them! CP: You probably are right Roland, but could you explain to me the purpose of implementing the laws below? Canada - You may not pay for a fifty-cent item with only pennies. - Citizens may not publicly remove bandages. - It is illegal for clear or non-dark sodas to contain caffeine. Alberta Provincial Laws - Wooden logs may not be painted. - It is illegal to set fire to the wooden leg of a wooden legged man New Brunswick Provincial Laws - Driving on the roads is not allowed. Nova Scotia Provincial Laws - When raining, a person may not water his/her lawn. City Laws Etobicoke - Bylaw states that no more than 3.5 inches of water is allowed in a bathtub. Cobourg - If you have a water trough in your front yard it must be filled by 5:00 a.m. Guelph - The city is classified as a no-pee zone. Kanata - The colour of house and garage doors is regulated by city bylaws (a purple door get you a fine). It is also illegal to have a clothes line in your backyard. Oshawa - It's illegal to climb trees. Ottawa - It is illegal to eat ice-cream on Bank Street on a Sunday. Toronto - You can't drag a dead horse down Yonge St. on a Sunday. Uxbridge - Residents are not allowed to have an Internet connection faster than 56k. Wawa - You may not paint a ladder as it will be slippery when wet. - It is illegal to show public affection on Sunday. Quebec Provincial Laws - No language other than French is permitted to be shown out doors. City Laws Beaconsfield - It is considered an offence to have more than two colours of paint on your house. Montréal - You may not park a car in such a way that it is blocking your own driveway. - You may not swear in French. Outremont - Not only do all exterior painting jobs require a permit (for colour) but, for instance, the City went to Appeals Court over the exact type of division inside a window frame. --------------- RF: How about this one, from your own article in the Gomantak Times of October 26, 2006 re posted on Goanet: quote Astride my trusted Activa scooter, with Desmond seated behind and Fabian in front, we would do the standard route from Tonca through Panjim to Mala and back, and in the process see every Narkasur in town. unquote. Now tell me Cecil if Indian laws allow 3 passengers on a two-seater (safety wise, here in the west scooters are deemed one-seaters, but never mind that) and also tell me of how much importance your sons' lives are to you, no matter how many other people do it. Or is it just that you, like everybody else just ignore the laws and expect that a) no accidents will happen to you and b) Goa will somehow become a better place despite you breaking the laws. CP: I will try and answer your multiple part question as best I can. To the best of my knowledge I am within the limits of the law if I have a child standing on the front footrest of my scooter and another child sitting pillion. And riding at a speed of about 5kmph in snail pace traffic could hardly be considered risking my sons lives. Regardless, what I can't understand is why you (and the Cheerleader) can't have a rational debate without trying to use personal baits. My concern for my sons lives has no bearing on the matter being discussed. Are you suggesting that in some way you are a better father than me? Lets not go there. I do not advocate breaking or ignoring laws. I am also for rationality over red tape. ---------------- RF And I wouldn't be surprised from the tone of your reply (seen below) to a serious matter like drinking and driving that you deem that issue inconsequential too (....because you didn't drink enough or whatever the rule is in Canada....). CP: I do not advocate drinking and driving. Come Roland, the world knows that the overbearing laws in Canada are suffocating to say the least. If you are happy with every aspect of your lifestyle being codified I have no problem with that. Only don't try to tell me it is a 'superior' in some way, to our lifestyle in Goa. Before this becomes a Canada v/s Goa thing let me assure you it is not. As I said before, to each his own. You have chosen to make Canada your home. Good for you. I choose Goa. I do not (unprovoked) laugh at your lifestyle - and let me assure you I can. You should return the respect. It's about mutual respect. ---------------- RF Why are all those who are so touchy about the reality of the mess either a) freshly off the boat from Goa (Sunith) or b) would have made a beeline to themselves leave if they were younger and therefore up to the challenge (Cecil) or c) hope to go overseas, contribute to Goa while they are there and return to Goa (Aristo). CP: I would not categorise Sunith or Ariosto the way you have but they are smart and articulate enough, by far, to speak for themselves. And they definitely don't need cheerleaders to inform everyone how much closer to sainthood they are than us normal people. I do though take objection to the way you have slotted me as older and not up to the challenge. Let me assure you I am young enough and very much up to the challenge of migrating to Canada (or most anywhere). But I choose not to. Not because of lack of opportunity but because of lack of interest. If I even start giving you my reasons for not migrating I will essentially be belittling your lifestyle choice, and that would be unfair. So lets not go there. Roland, in your monologue (supported only by the Cheerleader), you have insulted Goan in Goa, Goans in the Gulf and so many other categories of Goans. At the rate you are going soon you will be saying that only Goans in Toronto have made the right choices and everyone else is stupid. Eventually what you are trying to say is that the Roland Francis Way is the only way. Lifestyle evangelization is even worse than religious evangelization. If indeed yours was a cry of frustration, as the Cheerleader suggests, about the situation in the Goa that you love, then ok I can sympathize with you. I have no doubt that you mean the best and wish to help Goa and Goans. There are better ways of doing that than suggesting that the only way to do that is to move to Canada. And insinuating that any Goan who doesn't do that is stupid. Now let me go off-topic. I have spent three days pigging out on international class film fare from Argentina, Iran, China, France, USA, Germany, Poland, Israel, Greece, Norway, Taiwan, Denmark.... Take yesterday for example. Dropped of kids to school on Activa scooter! Off to INOX. 'Una Estrella y Dos Cafes" (Alberto Leechi-Argentina) was HouseFull so went to office and did some work before going for "Les Oiseaux du Ciel" (Elaine de Latour-France) at Kala Academy. About the immigrant experience of young men form the Ivory Coast in Spain and England. Their pathetic experiences and lives - but they have to return as warriors and walk proud. Shades of Goa. From there back to INOX for "Aviva Ahuvati" (Shemi Zarhin - Israel). Lovely movie about a mother of three teenagers and her struggle as a writer. Chilled out with friends, beers and sandwiches for a while before going back to Kala Academy for "Ma Quando Arrivano le Ragazze?" (Pupi Avanti - Italy). A jazz band makes it big and then breaks apart. Great music. Home at 5 pm for a little rest and then back in line at 5.45 at INOX for "Alexandra's Project" but after an hour in line (sending fun SMS to everyone in my address book, chatting with the young woman scriptwriter in front and making friends with the elderly doctor and his wife behind) I was confronted by the HouseFull sign. I was looking forward to seeing another of Rolf de Heer's films. The previous day I saw his "Bad Boy Bubby" which was deeply disturbing - and pure genius. Using my cellphone I met up with Beatrice and the boys and my parents, who were visiting, at the Children's Park and we spent an hour having fun around the stalls and stages there. At 8.30 back at Kala Academy for "Cronica de Una Fuga". Recreated true story of a detention camp where suspected guerillas were interrogated during the Argentinean military rule. Had my friend a sociology professor for company. Out of the theatre at 10.10 p.m. and back in line again to get into the same theatre for the special screening of "Volver" (Pedro Almodovar-Spain) at 10.30 p.m. Penelope Cruz playing a rather 'elder' role but looking even more gorgeous than ever before. A lot of fun moments but an underlying story of cyclical incest and infidelity. Home by 12.40 am for a drink, food and deep sleep. Today Saturday, is quality family and friends day. Spent all morning cleaning up and stocking up the fridge and bar. Took the boys for a long ride too (on the Activa!) while Beatrice prepared lunch. Frank and Jennifer and their son Jeff (our Godchild) have just arrived. They will be staying overnight. This evening Gordon and Flavia and their son Logan will join us, as will a couple of other friends, and we will go to the IFFI Corniche stalls and later for the entertainment at Caranzalem. Some drinking this afternoon and a lot of drinking tonight. No driving. On Sunday I have a meeting in Aldona of the Committee for the Principal Edward Soares Memorial. We raised funds and put up a statue - to celebrate education. I also have some real estate deals to look into, where I can earn a reasonable commission. Life is busy. Life is fun. I don't have time to go to Canada. Have a nice weekend. Cheers! Cecil ========= -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.2/560 - Release Date: 11/30/2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------
