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* * * * * * * * * ANNUAL GOANETTERS MEET * * * * * * * * *
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Goanetters in Goa and visiting meet Jan 6, 2009 at 3.30 pm at Hotel
Mandovi (prior to the Goa Sudharop event, which you're also welcome to).
Join in for a Dutch dinner -- if we can agree on a venue after the meet.
RSVP (confirmations only) 9822122436 or 2409490 or f...@goa-india.org
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--- On Mon, 1/5/09, Marshall Mendonza <mmendonz...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hear ye all men and women!!! Next time any hindutvawadi
> goon attacks you or tries to burn your home or property or attempts to >rape
> a member of your family, please remember to call for at least two
> independent witnesses, preferably not belonging to your religion. >Otherwise
> if the media publicizes your misfortune, your word and that of >the
> journalist will count for nothing, as per some of our wisemen (of >Gotham) on
> Goanet.
>
I humbly request Marshall to kindly not resort to name-calling.
I think Marshall does not understand why journalists have an ethical obligation
to make sure that they have two independent sources before they report
something as fact. It is to protect people's rights, including a victim's right
to privacy. It is also to guard against the spread of rumors and false
allegations, and to prevent incitement of communal/sectarian feelings and
violent action.
The sarcasm in the above post from Marshall misleads people as to what they
should do in the event that they become victims of a crime. I think it is best
for any person who is attacked by a Hindu, Christian, Muslim or any other kind
of criminal to take the following steps:
1. Call for help, and seek medical help.
2. Call the police, and lodge a detailed criminal complaint.
3. Cooperative fully with criminal investigators and any independent judicial
inquiry.
4. Don't politicize or communalize the crime against you because your privacy
will be lost, and politicians and activists will misuse you for their own
selfish purposes by distorting everything you say in the print media and the
internet.
5. Don't call a press conference if you want to maintain your privacy and your
dignity and self-respect.
Cheers,
Santosh
