I notice the debates regarding the Toronto Convention taking a strange twist.
The GNAT President himself, Francis Rodrigues, continues to post his haikus/grooks but is totally silent regarding the Convention in contrast to all the publicity he used to do earlier. Whereas all the other organisers have had their say, and continue debating the issue, why is one of the main organisers silent? Why are George and Filomena and Jose getting so agitated when the President himself doesn't seem to be bothered? Agreed Eugene's posts were in bad taste, but seriously that is expected of Eugene. Rather than attack the style and details it would be good to take some of the valid criticisms in his post and disregard the rest. Similarly with Roland's posts. Victor has written a very valid review and critique - and in a very tasteful way. Why aren't the issues he has raised being addressed in a rational way rather than with an emotional defense? I think it was best summed up by Eddie DeSa in a reply to someone who was trying to stop crticism on another forum... "... - why set arbitrary bounds on the expression of opinions? Now that the Toronto Convention has generated wider interest on culture/identity, I suggest we launch a wider, open-ended post-Convention follow-up debate - reviewing past contributions and illuminating the subject further. There need not be a consensus but so what? We should all be the richer and wiser by learning from each other. Don't you think..." Cheers! Cecil =========