Selma has missed my point. Creating hot air in cyberspace is easy. Talking in *very general terms* or without any inaccuracy is easy. It can also be counterproductive, and undermine the legitimacy of dissent/criticism.
(Somedays back Manuel 'Duketa' Taveres was calling Goa "the most corrupt of all the Stated (sic) of India surpassing all other States". I asked for the basis of this claim and don't seem to have got a reply. We have corruption, no doubt. But why lean on hyperbole?) Also, do we need to be so overwhelmingly negative only? While we continuing carping, others *do*. We should appreciate the work of the group which placed all this information online. We need to see what *we* can do to contribute in a way that improves the situation. Take the case of Aires Rodrigues. I have criticised him in the past on Goanet. But as he keeps on hammering with his Right to Information applications, he sometimes deserves praise too especially (i) when he tackles wider trends, and not just certain individuals (ii) his digging up and sharing information has the real potential of changing things, even if initially only in a very tiny way. On another point (which Eugene has also noted), the educational level of a person are irrelevant in politics. His (seldom: her) honesty levels, commitment to the public welfare, awareness of long-term interests of the citizen, arrogance levels, approachability and ability to grasp issues, are crucial. Why make an issue about a poorly educated politician owning crores of assets? Are we suggesting that it's okay if well-educated politicians (and we have quite a few here -- FRCSs, IITians, BBAs, and what not) make money for themselves or their party? Would we get upset if a poorly educated businessman (or priest, for that matter) proves to be highly successful -- in money terms or otherwise? As far as proven corrupt or communal or casteist politicians staying in power, that has more to do with the fractured nature of Goan society (and also the fact that the media has long been a close part of local lobby groups). You can bet that if one set opposes something or something in Goa, you can find an equal lobby taking up a 180 degrees opposite position! That is our history; let's face it and not seek simplistic answers. Blaming politicians or freedom-fightes alone is no easy explanation. FN FN +91-832-2409490 or +91-9822122436 (after 2pm) #784 Nr Lourdes Convent, Saligao 403511 Goa India http://fn.goa-india.org http://goa1556.goa-india.org On 7 May 2011 16:03, Carvalho <elisabeth_...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > Frederick Noronha wrote: > But what is the use of merely taking pot shots in very general terms > over cyberspace? It would make a lot of sense if some citizens' panel > had undertaken a detailed analysis of each claim, and showed up the > obvious loopholes > ---------------------------------------- > FN, please give us a break. What analysis do you want of this list? It is > pretty self-explanatory, people with 5th standard education can become > Ministers and the Minister for Education is a 10th standard (pass maybe). > Ministers with criminal cases can continue to adjudicate the law of the land > and obviously amass fortunes doing so. > > But why do we need to analyse lists? Don't we have a democracy where > ministers who have led raids on police stations, st fire to restaurants, > been caught with suit-case full of money at airports or gambling > casinos, been implicated in drug cases, suicide cases, rape cases, mining > illegalities and taking of bribes, still ruling the roost in Goa. And incase > you think this happens in the rest of the world, let me assure you it DOES > NOT. As Roland said, a while ago, even the hint of impropriety is enough to > kill a politician's career elsewhere but not in Goa. In Goa, it only adds to > his mystic and charm. > > And you want us to stop taking potshots in cyberspace and analyse lists? > Cyberspace is all that is left to us Goans.