In the following Gilbert resorts to demonization, instead of sticking to a sober rational discussion. Here is his quote:
QUOTE To the second issue on this thread, Santosh's terminology and practice as stated below is from one end of the spectrum. It is identical to the same approach from the other end of the spectrum as practiced by right-wing blowhards such as American TV commentators Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, and politicians like Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay etc etc. Come to think of it the SAME RATIONALIZATION was undertaken by the Inquisitional tribunal. UNQUOTE .....Gilbert Lawrence I am not sure if anybody can detect anything rational or factual in the above statement. I certainly cannot. I give it as an example of how a difference in views is not because of difference in perspective. As in this case, it is mostly out of a lack of understanding of issues and facts, and I might add, in this specific case, out of a non-rational emotional impulse. For example, I can assure you that Gilbert will not be able to provide any facts to back up his claim that my following statement is a rationalization similar to that undertaken by the Inquisition. QUOTE All differences in views are not out of differences in perspective. Actually, most are due to ignorance and erroneous information. I try to tackle the latter kinds of views, and show why they are wrong, if they are, by providing facts and evidence that back me up. Indeed, the belief that differences in views are simply because of differences in perspective is a demonstrably false and especially dangerous notion in the internet age, with so much factual misinformation being spread by bloggers, activists and charlatans. I wish there were more journalists who recognized this fact. UNQUOTE .....Santosh Helekar To back up my own statement, let me list below some issues that I have tackled before as examples of differences in views being due to ignorance and misinformation, rather that difference in perspective: 1. AIDS is not caused by the HIV virus. 2. Cancer in general is incurable. 3. India has not contributed anything to civilization in the last 2000 years. 4. Homosexuality is a disorder. 5. Global warming is not taking place, and increase in green house gases is not due to human activity. 6. Humans have been created by a intelligent designer. 7. Brain science has provided evidence for a spiritual realm independent of the brain. 8. Vaccinations cause autism. 9. Alternative medicine is scientific. Gilbert will be unable to tell us why the above beliefs are not factually wrong, but simply a difference in perspective. That is why like most other contributions from him on sundry unrelated topics, but especially on the inquisition and Goan history, it is hard to make sense of or give credence to what he is saying. Cheers, Santosh --- On Sun, 7/25/10, Gilbert Lawrence <[email protected]> wrote: > > Before I get to the more important > aspect of this discussion (the take-off), I > would like to express my views on the topic of this > thread. I concur with > the Indian govt.'s position, which is reasoned and > well-balanced! > > When one arrives at a host's house, it is important for the > host to be > hospitable. It is also important for the guest to be > sensitive to the cultural > practices and norms of the host. The Indian govt is not > imposing vegetarianism > on the athletes - which could be extreme. There > will likely be all kinds of > 'white meat' (chicken, pheasant, pork) and 'red meat' > (lamb, mutton) and fish > available. If Goans were smart, there would be plenty > of chorrisaum, pork > vindaloos etc available. > > When individuals go abroad, it is more likely than not, > they sacrifice on the > absence of their exotic dishes. Goans coming to America > likely have to > write-off their menu-dishes like parra, other pickled fish > ani bombil. Similarly > people from other nationalities coming to America would > have to forgo their > exotic dishes made of items like snakes or lizard > or beetles. > > To the second issue on this thread, Santosh's terminology > and practice as stated > below is from one end of the spectrum. It is identical to > the same approach from > the other end of the spectrum as practiced by right-wing > blowhards such > as American TV commentators Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, > Bill O'Reilly, and > politicians like Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay etc etc. Come > to think of it the SAME > RATIONALIZATION was undertaken by the Inquisitional > tribunal. > > What should definitely not be accepted is "reversal of the > facts", which is not > uncommon today, making any basis of dialog impossible. > The secret of continuing > a dialog is to be able to disagree without being > disagreeable. That could be a > matter of opinion. > > Regards, GL > > > --------------- Santosh Helekar: > > All differences in views are not out of differences in > perspective. Actually, > most are due to ignorance and erroneous information. I try > to tackle the latter > kinds of views, and show why they are wrong, if they are, > by providing facts and > evidence that back me up. Indeed, the belief that > differences in views are > simply because of differences in perspective is a > demonstrably false and > especially dangerous notion in the internet age, with so > much factual > misinformation being spread by bloggers, activists and > charlatans. I wish there > were more journalists who recognized this fact. > > > --------------- Frederick Noronha: > > Differences in views can stem from legitimate differences > in perspective, so why > rub it in? Best perhaps just to state the point and leave > it at that. > > > > * * * > > IS YOURS one of the stories of Goans on board the S.S. > Dwarka, or at the Strait of Hormuz, Basra or Bahrain, > Dubai, > Swindon, Mombasa, Poona or Rangoon? Selma Carvalho's new > book > *Into the Diaspora Wilderness* docks at many other ports. > Get > your copy from Broadways, Panjim [9822488564] Rs 295. > P&p > extra. http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/ > * * * IS YOURS one of the stories of Goans on board the S.S. Dwarka, or at the Strait of Hormuz, Basra or Bahrain, Dubai, Swindon, Mombasa, Poona or Rangoon? Selma Carvalho's new book *Into the Diaspora Wilderness* docks at many other ports. Get your copy from Broadways, Panjim [9822488564] Rs 295. P&p extra. http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
