> From: Santosh Helekar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [Goanet] MP and Panjim > > --- Vidyadhar Gadgil <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> > >> >As to what he does through his inflammatory >> >talk against migrants and poor people and his > repeated >statements branding entire communities as > 'savages' >'filthy', etc. and characterising the whole > of India >beyond Goa as a 'stinking toilet' -- let us > agree to >disagree and leave it at that.
> This talk is merely some cheap entertainment for a > small constituency of separatists and segregationists. "Cheap entertainment" sounds like a hugely euphemistic way to describe this kind of talk, especially when it is repeated all the time, and even ratcheted up a notch when there are objections. > It is unlikely that Anand agrees with Rajan on this. I have never had any difficulty with Dr. Anand's posts and the posts of others who share his political views, even though I differ with them strongly. In fact, I have myself mentioned here that it is a pleasure to have a thorough gentleman like Dr. Anand participating actively on Goanet. We have disagreed strongly on nearly every issue and vociferously fought our sides of the argument -- and will probably continue to do so -- but the discussions have always been within the boundaries of civilized discourse and I at least have enjoyed them, and also learnt from them. But what are we to make of the fact that Dr. Anand and others keep making statements giving implicit blanket support to Rajan's stands? I myself find some of Rajan's work very good, and have said so repeatedly. But I have been at pains to state what I support and object strongly to what I find offensive. Many others have also strongly objected to the inflammatory talk. As for some other people, from them Rajan gets only approval, without any qualifications ever being stated. Is it the job of other members of Goanet to sit and speculate what things they approve of and what they don't? We can only assume they buy the whole package. There is an old saying: "...it is enough for a few good men to do nothing..." The silence from far too many good men (and women) has been deafening. But, Dr. Santosh, I will still try and do as you advise, and give them the benefit of the doubt. > I > doubt if Rajan himself would ever have the courage to > use it as a serious argument in support of any PIL in > an Indian court. He would be laughed out of the court > before anybody got a chance to utter the word > prejudice. So what is Goanet? A place where one can come and spew out everything within one's mind that is not acceptable in civilized social discourse? A therapy session where you ventilate all your deep-seated angers in highly objectionable terms? I would submit that if it is not acceptable in civilized public discourse, it should not be acceptable on Goanet. Goanet has always been a place for strong opinions and huge disagreements on social and political issues. To my mind, that is a vital part of its charm and appeal. But, and I cannot repeat this often enough, always within the norms of civilized discourse. Over the past year or so, as the standards of debate have plummeted, I have been feeling increasingly sorry for the moderators. The strain of their thankless job , as they try to maintain a minimum level of decorum, must be taking years of their lives. I do not hold it against them that messages get through that are extremely objectionable and clearly flout not only civilized norms but also clearly laid down rules of this forum. (I may also have offended in this regard at times, for which my apologies). They are all busy persons, and handle this voluntary job in the midst of their multifarious responsibilities, and, as the volume of such posts increases, how are they to cope? I will end this post by first proposing a sincere vote of thanks to them. Second, I would like to make an appeal to other members (and also remind myself to always keep in mind) that it is also incumbent upon members themselves to exercise self-restraint if we are to continue to function in a civilized fashion. -- Question everything -- Karl Marx