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Goanetter Francis Rodrigues (Vasco/Toronto) book launch in
London, England @ the World Goa Day festivities on 15 Aug at 7pm
Details http://www.konkanisongbook.com
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Roland,
You make good points, and I know that our letter will be criticized, as any
letter would be by people against whom it is directed. I will make the change
regarding free India, but I have a different perspective on the points you
made.
1. I believe India is our native country, irrespective of our current
citizenship status.
2. The agreement with Samir is with his reference to the assembly as a comedy
show. Please read his article.
3. I disagree that the power of individuals is limited to election time. My
understanding is that the essence of any free democracy is that power resides
in the people, not in the government or in any elected representative. While
the right to vote is definitely the most consequential expression of this
power, the right to free speech is perennial, and in my opinion, more
important. Our letter reclaims this power.
Cheers,
Santosh
--- On Thu, 8/13/09, Roland Francis <roland.fran...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Santosh, this letter can be open to justifiable criticism
> when it
> mentions "this free democratic country of ours". Many
> of the
> petitioners are likely non-Indian citizens.
>
> Substituting "free India" would solve the problem.
>
> I am in full solidarity with Peter and Samir and their
> right to
> express their opinions as citizens, but I would have a
> problem with
> the following contentions:
>
> a) The Goa Vidhan Sabha is not a joke. It is the indivdual
> legislators
> who comprise it who are jokers.
>
> b) Individual citizens cannot be more powerful than
> government or
> elected representatives. The only time they have the power
> is when
> electing them with the expectation that they will uphold
> the
> constitution, the good of the state and it's reputation -
> none of
> which Rane and his cohorts seem capable of.
>
> While you are at it, you might as well ask for jail time
> for the Varca
> comedian for the lastest episode of the assault on the
> security detail
> in Seraulim advised in Uday Barad's post.
>
> Roland.
>
>
