[Goanet] floriano's Sunday Ramblings-10
And it was refreshing to read Sucheta Potnis' piece in the GT (Jul 4, 2006) captioned Fitting Punishment, the on the spot purges for peeing in public, for erratic driving, no matter who, for ejecting garbage missiles of plastic bags out from two wheelers, cars and buses etc. And I promise Sucheta that when Goa Su-Raj takes over Goa's governance from these existing political hyenas, who, through their incompetence and 'arslekar' attitude to consolidate their vote-banks, have inadvertently cultivated these seemingly minor irritants which actually are the biggest headaches, will stop automatically before one could say jack-robbins, for, this is the most prized recipe that we at Goa Su-Raj have been refining on, to replace the fine-chalans, arrests and court cases, with on the spot simple but humiliating purges. And this recipe has been cooking with us on the line of the erstwhile Portuguese regime. And it would not be proper for me not to give a couple of examples of the effective recipe used by the Portuguese in Goa. Ex 1: Seems a young Dhobitalao (Bombay) toughie was in Goa to stand by the side of a dear friend getting married, as his 'BESTMAN', sporting a Michael Jackson/Rajesh Khanna hair-style. It is believed that at the Panjim-Betim ferry crossing this young toughie got into an argument with the policeman (soldad) over some silly misdemeanor. He was hauled to the Police station pronto, where he probably and proudly confessed that he was in Goa to be the bestman for his friend. Next twenty minutes he was walking back to the ferry, sporting only half the hair do with the other half cleanly shaved off. Good-bye 'DEHD'EA' (the Konkani word for bestman). This lad would probably give a wide berth to a policeman on duty throughout his entire life. A lesson well learnt?. Ex. 2: As I well remember those good old days, the Portuguese police used to patrol at random at the dead of the night. During one such patrol at Siolim, a couple of guys were seen squatting/sleeping in the verandah of a closed house. The patrol hauled them up to the Mapusa quartel (PS) thinking that they were thieves. On questioning, this duo told the police that they were friends and neighbours and that they always sleep in the verandah at night. Both came out in the morning with a stern warning to sleep in their own houses henceforth but without their XHENDIs ( typical Indian strip of long hair at the back of the head) that both were sporting. Surprise of Surprises !. This particular action by the Portuguese police was to become the duo's passport to get into the list of Goa's freedom fighters. And one of them has been recently honoured at Goa's Azad Maidan at the hands of our esteemed Governor and the Chief Minister. Yes! Have a good laugh. And once again the Official Language of Goa, our 'Mai Bhas' has come to haunt us Goans with Devnagri versus Romi conflict in the making. And as usual, the government of the day, which is the legitimate Government of Goa, when dealing with this sensitive issue of the State's official language, has coyly and irresponsibly passed it on to its High Command in Delhi. instead of putting its heads together and coming to a mutual understanding to solve the problem. And, look who is talking about 'Communal disruptions' !! What communal disruptions are the mergerists talking about??? Why?? Is the Congress lead coalition incapable of solving this Goa Centric problem, which is the legitimate demand of Goans? What has Goans got to do with the Congress' Delhi High Command and Madame Sonia Gandhi?. Or, for that matter, with any Command at all? The people of Goa are indeed foolish. They cannot see the foot that is kicking them in their butts, but are content to lick the hand that is slapping them in their faces, all with greedy hopes that the very hand will feed them sufficiently well and even pat their backs for them for enduring the kicks and slaps. Louts of the first order that we Goans are, I say. Instead of kicking the Congress out of Goa and onto Delhi, we are tolerating it. And Churchill has made it his business to eat in the Congress plate with one hand and brush the food off the plate with the other. That way he is going to be a very hungry man in times to come. And come to think of it, it is not surprising that some ex-pat Goans have taken it on themselves to lecture us at Goa Su-Raj on the need of a 'national party' to rule us in Goa. Whatever happened to the regional pride, I wonder! How submissive and bankrupt could we become, is the question our future generations will have to answer for us. And, in what way are we wrong at Goa Su-Raj when we ask Goans to say 'Yes' to Goa's own Command in Goa?? KONKANI in any script is still KONKANI, our ' MOTHER TONGUE'. And who is Adv. Uday Bhembre to tell us otherwise or Madam Sonia Gandhi to decide for us?? Let our KONKANI be expressed in as many scripts as possible and let Goans enjoy the benefits of them all. This way
Re: [Goanet] The rock solid Christian moral code
--- Bosco D'Mello [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: RESPONSE: George, in your travels you seem to have hung around North Goa only. This is a disservice to South Goans. You are a biased traveller;-) Thanks for your occasional humorous travelogue !! Thank you Bosco. In case the Zuari bridge falls down, I have confined myself to North Goa. Since the bridge survived 50,000 people standing on it to protest the fragility of the bridge, and also survived a JoeGoaUK photo-shoot, I think it is safe for me to head south now. With the colonial World Cup nearly over, I headed to the former 'Colva Canteen', now re-christened 'Cafeteria Catholic'. The seemingly omnipresent Pedro was at the door to greet me. Are you here for the standard fare or would you like to see the menu, he asked me. Why, of course, I am here to see the much talked about menu of 'Cafeteria Catholic'. He gave me a menu and seated me at a table next to Theist Theo, Agnostic Arvind, and Atheist Angela. Man this is surreal, I said to myself. The restaurant was full. Everyone seems to like 'Cafeteria Catholic' I commented to Pedro. No, came his reply, they are as confused as some goanetters about who we are but come here since the waitresses are good-looking. Then they go home and tell their wives that they came to watch Sports on our large screen TV. It is all part of their rock-solid moral code. Tell me Pedro, this 'Cafeteria Catholic' is not like some cyber fish-market and flea-market combined into one? No, we have the normal fare. Like sandwiches, milk shakes, soft drinks, etc. And our daily special is a rock-solid pie. What do you mean rock-solid pie? Yes, says Pedro, its been on the menu for a long, long time, and only the anal-retentive keep ordering it. So now you know the truth. Regards, George ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] World Cup
On 08/07/06, George Pinto [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: May the best team win the World Cup. Soon it will be time to get back to work. Till 2010...or at least till March 2007 and World Cup cricket. Regards, George RESPONSE: Another two years and we shall have the Euro! How we are wishing our lives away... -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Goa Su-Raj and migrant voting rights - Fred
Hi Mario, Your name-calling and flame-baiting seems to reflect your inability to debate issues and ideas, and take the easy way out of the situation! FN On 08/07/06, Mario Goveia [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Che Guevarra did not have to worry about such niceties, because for him and Fidel, who ran a government of dictatorial men and not of laws, it was their way or the deep blue sea [heading for Florida]. His Goan followers may dream of having such revolutionary power, but are unlikely to atain it. -- -- Frederick 'FN' Noronha | Yahoomessenger: fredericknoronha http://fn.goa-india.org| +91(832)2409490 Cell 9822122436 -- 2248 copylefted photos from Goa: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/ ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Germans show how to win, how to lose with grace and dignity
On 08/07/06, Mario Goveia [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- Chris Vaz [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From my perspective, Henri was offside when he scored the goal. I am surprised that no one has commented on this. Henri is probably the player most pulled for offsides in the whole bloomin' tournament. Question: Which Game are you referring to? I guess it was Brazil Vs France...if so there is an email doing the rounds which clearly shows Henry was onside before the ball was kicked and moved very late to get into position to score the Goal. His supposed marker Roberto Carlos was bent over trying to catch his breath...by the time he recovered it was all over!!! Mario writes: Chris, your perspective apparently conflicts with that of the officials on the ground. None of the German players objected either, nor did the media. Question: Again what game are you on about? France did not play Germany!! Or did I have one too many Stellas? Mauresmo won - Les bleus magnifique. -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Konkan Railway Train Services *Safe* and *On Schedule*
See http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_nivsar_090706.htm 9thJuly2006 PRESS RELEASE TRAIN SERVICES SAFE AND ON SCHEDULE ON KONKAN RLY Some prominent newspapers in Mumbai have given a headline that train services will be discontinued on Konkan Railway route for 7-8 months for major repair work, Konkan Railway hereby clarifies that this is not correct. Train services on our route are running as per regular schedule. The news carried by the said newspaper is exaggerated and the railway authorities mentioned in the news item, namely Shri Tupe – Regional Railway Manager Ratnagiri - has been misquoted. The reference in the news item is regarding railway track in Nivsar station. There is some settlement in the area due to heavy rains, however it is not that serious to affect safety of trains. Konkan Railway has packed up the affected small stretch with ballast and taken due care to ensure smooth and safe passage of trains. Enough engineering officials and staff are working round the clock to pack up the track on the platform line. As a matter of extra precaution, while this work is going on, all trains are stopped short of this location and taken at walking speed across. Thus there is no danger at all to passengers. Konkan Railway has also called professional geologists to undertake geological investigation of the site based on which further action will be taken to eliminate this problem. Konkan Railway continues to run all scheduled passenger and freight trains and this can be verified by the fact that trains are packed as usual. -- Need a *Gmail* e-mail ID? Do write to me. Will send you an invitation to open a *Gmail* e-mail account. :-) ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Goa Suraj and migrant voting rights./response to Eddie
Dear Elizabeth, Thank you for conceding, albeit grudgingly, that it is India for the Indians. On that note, I rest my case. Best wishes Eddie Fernandes = -Original Message- From: Elisabeth Carvalho As for, India for Indians? How many people do you know who want to migrate to India? Anyone you know making counterfeit documents and passports to sneak into India? Elisabeth ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] The rock solid moral code---a question for mario
--- Vivek [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: hello mario: I have not clearly understood your point of view about the moral code debate. Mario replies: I guess your earlier word was not as final as you intended, but that's OK :-)) It is quite clear that you have not understood the essence of my clear but nuanced comments, but thanks for asking for clarification. Let's try again to the consternation of the sophisticates like Gilbert and Santosh, who exist on a different intellectual plane:-)) Vivek writes: Do you think that in order to have sound moral values one must follow a religion? preferably the jude christian one which has a prescribed set of commandments? Mario replies: Vivek, What part of the following excerpt from my post of July 4th. did you not understand? You are absolutely correct that one can be of upright moral character without being religious. And again, did the following excerpt from my post of July 6 confuse you as well? But, let's also give credit where it's due. I think Sai Baba had a pretty good handle on things too, very succinctly,... Vivek writes: And a cafetaria catholic is one who would adhere t the moral code prescribed in the religion but would ahve no allegiance to the church or share its beliefs when i comes to various contentious issues like women priests abortion and all. Am i correct? Mario replies: About as correct as Cornel when he says that all scientific truths are provisional and that atheists have never had armies:-)) The term cafeteria is a term that is facetiously used when one disagrees with A FEW precepts that are NOT PART OF THE BASIC ROCK SOLID MORAL CODE, but introduced by church officials over the years. A FEW differences of opinion hardly suggest that a cafeteria Catholic ...would ahve (sic) no allegiance to the church or share its beliefs For a Hindu it might involve eating beef - a Jain friend once explained to me that he ate beef during a trip to the US because American cows were not sacred. Of course he was being facetious, but he was a cafeteria Hindu. His eating beef and potatoes from time to time did not prevent him from being a very good person, as most Jains are. Technically, if an otherwise devout Hindu did not believe in the caste system he would be a cafeteria Hindu. ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] The rock solid Christian moral code
You and I have to get our definitions the same before we proceed on this topic. If you call Buddhist and Jains as atheists, then we definitely have a semantic problem. I am not interested in a theological or theoretical dissertation on what is religion. With your rock solid answers and the raw data below you have demystified this dialogue. Kind Regards, GL --- Santosh Helekar wrote: But raw data indicates that people who do not believe in a supreme being such as atheists, Buddhists, Jains, . ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] re Eddie Fernandes on Goa Suraj and migrant voting rights
Dear Jose, Greetings to you - I do hope my intriguiging question has not contributed to the hot air . You are quite right to raise the question of definitions. I have visited the Goa Forum website and found your definition of a Goan to include: Erstwhile non-Goans including the labour force from the surrounding States who have contributed to Goa, and have made Goa their home both physically and emotionally. They have given their heart and sweat to Goa. Quite frankly I feel that painfully patronising. Another definition of a Goan: I have come across references to the devotees of goa trance music in the UK refer to themselves and each other as Goans! What is my definition of a Goan? Answer: Anyone who has roots in Goa. I deliberately chose not to ask about Britain for the British but instead England for the English You obviously followed the gist of my thoughts. No point in splitting hairs, don't you agree? Best wishes Eddie Fernandes === -Original Message- From: Jose Colaco ... I found your question quite intriguiging. Forgive me if I do the Bill Clinton (never mind Mario and Viviana) and say Depends on what one means by the word English or EnglishmanIndian, Goan etc. ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] The rock solid Christian moral code
--- Gilbert Lawrence [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you call Buddhist and Jains as atheists, then we definitely have a semantic problem. You would not have had a semantic problem if you knew the meaning of the word atheist. Buddhists and Jains are atheists because they do not believe in a deity. What is your definition of an atheist, and according to which dictionary? I am not interested in a theological or theoretical dissertation on what is religion. What are you interested in in the context of this discussion? Cheers, Santosh ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Cause of War, Confict and Violence
Aristo enquired: I would like to know what YOU feel is the PRIMARY root-cause of War, Confict and Violence in contemporary society, and how is it in contrast with historical wars. Is it due to: 1) Fundamentalism Bigotry (Religious, Cultural, Racial, Ideological, etc) 2) Greed (for Wealth, Power Authoritarianism, Glory) that is sometimes cleverly disguised as reason # 1 3) Innate violent nature of humans, more often of men. 4) Other Cornel opines: Religious,Cultural, Racial, Ideological rationales are invariably brought into play to get the support of those who may not be interested in conflict and do not want to die in battles/wars which generally benefit the elites at the expense of the lower social orders. I would therefore put your No 2 first, and No 1 second but it is not always so. Elisabeth opines: I think human beings are at the very base of our being very animalistic with a thin veneer of civilisation. As animals, we are territorial and on a constant quest to safe-guard our resources. When you boil down all the religious wars, the cultural wars, the economic wars, it is all about safeguarding what we want to preserve. Mario opines: Would you please see where you can fit the following situation into your ruminations about the causes of war, conflict and violence: http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/05/D8ILUTQ01.html Do you still think Aristo's # 2 supercedes # 1? BTW, could you provide some recent examples of # 2? Hi Cornel, Elisabeth and Mario, Thank you for your responses. Im glad to have got different perspectives - one phisophical, another scientific, and the other, well, Goveian! I personally do believe that contemporary wars and conflicts are being fought on the basis of Fundamentalism Bigotry, but are triggered off by individuals motivated by Greed in some cases. In much the same way Cornel is fearful of Evangelical activities that may cause tension in the near future. Whether the Iraq war was due to reason #1 or #2 is a matter of great contention, judging from previos posts of Mario and others (which we wouldn't want to get into again, I might think) However, I also believe that wars of the past were caused mainly due to greed, the Crusades included. Cornel, about the reason for asking this fairly broad question: well for starters, it helps to take a step back sometimes and look at the big picture. It puts things in perspective!! But actually, I am currently reading Amartya Sen's Identity and Violence, which from the title, it is evident that it elaborates on reason #1. However, in the third chapter, he states that Civilizational Clash, while being a popular and glamorous theory, is NOT necessarily the real root cause, but it may be something more mundane, without specifying what exactly he meant, in his esoteric style of writing. Coincidently, I happened to be listening to John Lennon's Imagine the other day, and began to ponder whether if there was no religion and there were no possessions, would the world really live as one? Regards, Aristo. ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
[Goanet] Goa Sudharop: Seniors E-Book
Goa Sudharop Community Development Inc., a USA-based non-profit, volunteer NGO working for the betterment of Goa and Goans worldwide, is celebrating 2006 as the YEAR OF THE SENIOR. We intend to honour Goan seniors by publishing a Seniors E-Book, similar to the Goan Women's E-book. The book will be divided into two categories: Reminiscences of my Goan Youth and Giving back to Goa and Goans. In accordance with these two themes, Goa Sudharop invites essays from Senior Citizens of Goan origin based anywhere in the world. Your entry should be of approximately 500-750 words (but no more than 750 words). Seniors can share their knowledge about their Goan youth spent in any part of the world for the Reminiscences of my Goan Youth topic. If you choose to write on the Giving back to Goa and Goans topic, please write about your experience or about any Senior (living or deceased) known to you, who has done something for the betterment of Goa and Goans. You may send an essay on one topic or both topics if you wish. Entries can be sent by e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or mailed to IBONIO D'SOUZA at 'SUYASH GARDENS, 1st FLOOR, FLATS AF3 AF4, SWAMI CHINMAYA MARG, GOGOL, MARGAO, GOA, INDIA, 403601. Please mention your name and complete postal address. The last date for entries is August 31, 2006. Selected essays will be published in an E-book by Goa Sudharop with due credit to each writer. Essays must be written by seniors. However, if possible, do engage your children and grandchildren in writing your essay in a cross-generational experience. Goa Sudharop reserves complete rights of publication. The Goa Sudharop Board's decision with respect to publication is final. Please forward this message to your friends, family, e-groups, and organizations and their members. Thank you in advance for your support. Goa Sudharop www.goasudharop.org World G.O.A.N. network ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
Re: [Goanet] Virtues of abstinence - response to Mario
--- Elisabeth Carvalho wrote: Dear Mario, I'm a little confused. Mario replies: Elisabeth, Lesson No. 1. As a budding Goan politician that we are training on Goanet on behalf of Goa Suraj, you never want to give a debating opponent such an opening. For example, a nasty debating opponent may observe to the electorate that you are often confused, by your own admission, and more than just a little, and so, not deserving of their vote:-)) Elisabeth writes: Have Cornel and you been discussing the virtues of safe sex, unbeknownst to the rest of us? I honestly didn't know you felt that way about him. Mario replies: But beknownst to the rest of us, your friend, Cornel, alleges that nothing is 100% true, which presumably includes abstinence as a means of avoiding conception. Also, as committed liberals and self-described secular humanists I wonder if Cornel and you believe that abstinence is even possible. To a humanist it is far more convenient to abort the fetus. Elisabeth writes: As for your premise about sexual abstinence, I am curious to know why Conservatives are so bent on moralising and legislating every aspect of sex, when to have it (abstinence), with whom to have it (gay rights) and what to do if things go wrong (abortion). Mario replies: Elisabeth, as a budding Goa Suraj politician and polemicist, this is Lesson No. 2. Watch your facts, or the BJP and Congress-wallas will make kheema out of you:-)) I don't think you can cite any evidence to support what you just said. My only premise was not moral, just the common sense that abstinence is the only sure way to avoid conception. I also tried to highlight the dishonesty of those who use the term safe sex for methods that are safer but surely not safe. Nor did I say anything about legislating anything. Making up stuff will get you verbally beaten up on the stump and in the media. In the US Lexix-Nexis is the bane of Democrat politicians who like to flip-flop, but get caught every time these days. Elisabeth writes: The only thing left now is how often to have it and how to have it. Doubtless, I shall soon hear of a quota and tariff on all sexual activity as part of the Republican platform, come the next US election. Thereafter, it will become part of the rock-solid moral code of conduct and will be disseminated via Goanet for all Goans to religiously adhere to. Mario replies: Lesson No. 3. Don't give your political opponents so many contradictions to work with that will confuse even your supporters. Lesson No. 4. Sarcasm is no substitute for rational arguments. You are now reduced to the use of sarcasm as a way to deflect from your previous contradictions. To wit, that people have the undisputed right to have an abortion - only not for female feticide. Why? Because YOU have a daughter. But you think abortion is no laughing matter for the parents, though millions of parents are choosing abortion each and every year rather than give the baby up for adoption, which is not humanist enough for a liberal. Why? No secular humanist really cares about the unborn - too inconvenient or embarrassing for the parents. Far better to kill the fetus and deal with the consequences later. No one is laughing, Elisabeth, other than the political liberals, extreme-feminists and the secular humanists who have convinced themselves that the fetus is an unviable tissue mass - and of course the abortionists who are laughing all the way to the bank. ___ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
