Over to you Observer na ol lain.

John Fowke

Observer: I accept all you say in your posted comment on Sunday. However as to, quote-"Mr Fowke, you may say that we need to get more confidence and guts to use our real names. If you have that comment, please spread it across all the internet as a general internet problem, not acting as if its a PNG problem t'sol".-

This is not an argument, its an admission. The fact that the internet has provided an easy, ready-to-hand and broadly uncritical, undisciplined canvas for all and sundry to paint their pictures upon doesn't provide an excuse for the use of nom-de-plumes or nicknames as signatures except in hegemonic or dictatorial nations. China or Burma, for instance.On the other hand, I guess its fashionable to do this- and Im not a fashion-person. I'll admit. Fashions are insubstantial things - and in this case, almost always an affectation rather than a necessity.

PNG, whilst it does manifest some aspects of hegemonic government, remains staunchly a democratic society by tradition and by modern-day, widespread conviction. Thus the use of nicknames to cover identity is unnecessary in PNG, unless one's statement is either libelous or incriminating- ( be careful here,internet privacy is an illusion)- or likely to incur physical harm in revenge. The last mentioned possibility is occasionally a threat, as I know - but we mustn't allow this to force us to lurk constantly in the shadows. By accepting the privilege of an education and a workplace with computer access and a whole way of life not available to some 90% of the rest of the nations population we have a duty to fulfill. To lead. Lead, be positive in any way, no matter how small-time, so as to advance the comfort,social equity and future of PNG society at large.

Where one wishes to communicate an idea or initiate a discussion, say in terms of suggestions for better governance, as I have been doing, a shadowy presence is self-defeating. If you haven't the courage to stand and deliver on your own opinions you will not gain an audience, nor be taken seriously. Freedom of expression is the basis of fairness in society and freedom is not enhanced by camouflaging oneself and one's beliefs.

Further, as you know most Letters to the Editor in the pages of the two national daily newspapers are signed and sent by people who, apparently scared of consequences, use nicknames as disguise. Go to the net and look at the "Letters" pages of English-language daily papers in other countries around the world and you will see that only obvious crackpots and jokers use pen-names. Most letters are signed, and addressed with the town or suburb of the writer's residence.

One is naturally inclined to infer that the media-conscious public of PNG is frightened to stand out amid the crowd; and one is led to wonder why. Why is this? Are the likely consequences of speaking your mind as an individual so dire in PNG as to make grown men and women so timorous?

Observer, beyond this point, one which is perhaps becoming tedious,what do you feel about the coming elections? I have two friends who intend to stand; one an ex-MP, the other a mature man with much valuable experience, but not politically-active in the past. Both are graduates of UPNG. I know their electorates reasonably well and find the prospect of their candidature very interesting and encouraging. Both are honest and positive men with good track-records. What will happen?

Is it likely that a solid and united block of idealists who are determined to return PNG to a land of fair-shares and opportunity- for-everyone will emerge and lead? One in which justice, good health and a basic education are available to all citizens as is their right? And as may be provided in this increasingly-wealthy country?

How may such a trans-tribal, unifying representative group emerge and coalesce? The Christians, members of a potentially trans-tribal interest group, have tried and failed. One hopes they will try again. Is my suggestion regarding the adoption of the LLG system as the foundation of national politics in a society which has remained socially-classless and universally-landowning worth discussion? How may a society which is divorced from the first indigenous social class it has ever seen- the self-promoting political class- get out of the shadow of a shady and selfish party-system and into direct, positive, productive contact with its mausmen, the MPS??

Is such a set of considerations worthy of the attention of this blog's readership/contributor ship? Have you and others something to say on these matters?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

MARAPE & PAITA ABOUT TO SIGN AWAY PNG GOLD

HIGHLANDS FRAUD F*CKS RUNNING GOVERNMENT AGENCY,,,

Connect PNG Unveiled: A Tale of Ambition, Scandal, and the Quest for Accountability

James Marape's Missteps Openly Exposed at Australian Forum

PNG GOVERNMENT MINISTER IN PORN VIDEO

James Marape: A Complex Political Trajectory

IS THE PM'S WIFE INVOLVED IN LAND GRABBING?