This is what I find entertaining on Goanet - the various conflicting and clashing opinions, which is as it should be:
POST 1: http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2009-March/175028.html The title asks If there is no freedom of speech, how can India be qualified to be called as democratic country? Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:47:35 +0000 (GMT) From: Nelson Rodrigues <[email protected]> http://naxalrevolution.blogspot.com/2009/03/supreme-court-verdict-on-blogging.html?showComment=1236525360000#c5551979506888676807 Supreme Court verdict on Blogging [3/08/2009 09:06:00 AM | 1 comments ] Ahh... the days of the wild wild west are over ... it seems... Bloggers can be nailed for views NEW DELHI: A 19-year-old blogger's case could forever change the ground rules of blogging. Bloggers may no longer express their uninhibited views on everything under the sun, for the Supreme Court said they may face libel and even prosecution for the blog content. It will no longer be safe to start a blog and invite others to register their raunchy, caustic and even abusive comments on an issue while seeking protection behind the disclaimer views expressed on the blog are that of the writers. [end of excerpt] POST 2: http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2009-March/175052.html The title: Quality posts on Goanet Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:23:08 +0530 From: Marshall Mendonza <[email protected]> What we need to avoid is sarcasm, ridicule, thrashing of others post, intimidation, last wordism, nit-picking and hair spitting, abuse, name calling, labelling, insults. Many are deterred from posting and entering the debates because they are too sensitive. Mario summarizes: First we see Nelson questioning an Indian Supreme Court decision extending libel laws to internet blogs, because he thinks it makes India unqualified to be a democracy. I have attempted to clarify this situation in a separate post. Then we see the irrepressible Marshall, stalwart and resolute defender of all things Christian against all comers, often battling two or three contrarians at the same time:-)) Clearly, Marshall's plea for posters to "avoid is sarcasm, ridicule, thrashing of others post, intimidation, last wordism, nit-picking and hair spitting, abuse, name calling, labelling, insults." clashes with Nelson's questioning whether India, as a democracy, has sufficient free speech. This is exactly what forums are for. Marshall wrote: Many are deterred from posting and entering the debates because they are too sensitive. Mario observes: Poor babies. Why can't they be more like Marshall who will even single-handedly go where angels fear to tread, up against Santosh, Mervyn and Marlon simultaneosly:-)) Seriously, I have no solution for grown ups who are too sensitive to engage in robust debate. If they cannot do so in an internet forum where they are at least safe from bodily harm, then they probably avoid any debate in person as well:-)) Marshall wrote: If we can and are able to keep our debates clean and fair, I am sure this internet forum could be fun for everyone. Mario observes: Indeed. But, is such a forum meant for "fun" and "entertainment", or for those who choose to to express their opinions within the boundaries of legal free speech, i.e. short of libel, as opposed to "sarcasm, ridicule, thrashing of others post, intimidation, last wordism, nit-picking and hair spitting, abuse, name calling, labelling, insults" which would be part of protected free speech as long as they avoid libel and slip through the eagle eyes of the moderators? Not that I support or recommend any of these traits on Goanet:-)) Of course not:-)) Saiba boggus! Marshall wrote: But this casts a heavy responsibility on our moderators who have done a commendable job so far despite grave provocations. Mario observes: Yeah, yeah, yeah! I know. Its a dirty job but someone has to do it, so I propose a vote of thanks to those who have volunteered to do so. In my never humble opinion, as one who puts some of the load and strain on their "heavy responsibility" with my "grave provocations", however unintentional, I think they do a pretty good job of keeping posts "clean and fair" - whatever the heck that means to each beholder - and controlling most of the "sarcasm, ridicule, thrashing of others post, intimidation, last wordism, nit-picking and hair spitting, abuse, name calling, labelling, insults" but leaving just enough to create some heartburn among "the sensitive" and yet entertain those who think this forum is for their entertainment:-)) Seriously, would ANYONE be entertained without ANY "sarcasm, ridicule, thrashing of others post, intimidation, last wordism, nit-picking and hair spitting, abuse, name calling, labelling, insults." politely expressed? If they remove all vestiges of these traits from Goanet, we may have to switch for verbal entertainment to watching the debates in the British Parliament where they specialize in "sarcasm, ridicule, thrashing of others post, intimidation, last wordism, nit-picking and hair spitting, abuse, name calling, labelling, insults." in a polite way of course:-))
