Sunday, June 7, 2009
Political correctness, government and the media…. the conscience of the Society
Participant Observer
Freedom of the press is one of the essential pre-conditions for the evolution of a civil society and the development of democracy. A free press is the most important factor in the formation of public opinion and public control, and as such has a great role and responsibility. Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia- 10th Annual World Press Freedom day.
As a citizen of Dominica I have some very pertinent questions that I feel obligated to ask of the government of my country, Dominica, and some comments directed at my Dominican people.
This morning I listened to Q95 FM and it was very disturbing to hear the representative of the Government implying that Mr. Linton as first and foremost a citizen of Dominica, and importantly a member of the Dominican press corps cannot and should not speak for the people of Dominica.
This indicates that the Government and its representative have absolutely no idea of what the rights and obligation of first a citizen, and moreover a journalist in the society. This is very disturbing. It presents a very real danger of interfering with the news media’s ability to report and go wherever they need to effectively perform their sacred duty!
First I ask that representative, is the system of our Government democratic? What role should the media play in a democracy like ours if indeed it is? Should the Government control the media including the internet, and decide what every citizen should speak about?
Should the Government deny the people’s right including the press, to freedom of speech, and should the Government deny the people the right to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances? Should the Government and/or its agents be media traffic cops?
To the people of Dominica I want to say, the press is indeed the conscience of the nation, and they have not only the right, but also a moral obligation to undercover lies and tell the people the truth, and to explain the consequences without fear.
Freedom of expression has always been emphasized as an essential basis for the democratic functioning of a society.
The reasons for this are: the right of an individual to self-fulfillment, which right requires the communication of thought; the importance of constantly attempting to attain the truth, an attempt which is frustrated if information is suppressed or comment blocked; the inherent democratic right to participate in decision-making, which obviously implies the freedom to obtain, communicate and discuss information, and the practical importance of maintaining the precarious balance between healthy cleavage and the necessary consensus; coercion of expression is likely to be ineffective, and coercion of expression conceals the real problems confronting a society… It is likely to result in neglect of the grievances, which are the actual basis of the unrest and thus prevent their correction. (PUCL Bulletin, July 1982).
The Government of Dominica under a democracy like ours is based upon consent of the governed----Is this happening in Dominica today? Are the actions of the Government contrary to what the governed desires? Shouldn’t the governed have involvement in the policies and actions of government? As it is now, do they?
I ask these questions because if they are answered correctly, and not hampered by those of us who want to be politically correct, we must see the disturbing picture that is like a mural all over Dominica. This is what political correctness is all about.
Political correctness has powerful enforcement authority. On its own, it can charge, convict, and punish anyone who crosses the invisible line of offense.) How is this done? Change speech and thought patterns by spreading the idea that vocalizing your beliefs is disrespectful to others. "Political Correctness." and freedom of speech are contrary concepts and cannot co-exist.
In 1935, after Hitler came to power, the Frankfurt School moved to New York City, where they continued their work by translating Marxism from economic to cultural terms using Sigmund Freud's psychological conditioning mechanisms to get Americans to buy into Political Correctness.
In 1941, they moved to California to spread their wings, and it has spread far and wide Political Correctness remains just what it was intended to be: a sophisticated and dangerous form of censorship and oppression, imposed upon the citizenry with the ultimate goal of manipulating, brainwashing and destroying our society.
With profound dismay, I have seen how the scourge of political correctness has taken hold in the Dominica. What needs to be said is not said because it upsets certain people in the society. It is very well entrenched in our religious and community levels, the media, the workplace and even our government.
It is changing the Dominican society from within, and the citizens of this nation are increasingly censoring themselves and losing their freedom of speech out of fear and political correctness repression.
It is the nature of Western Civilization to be civilized – respectful of others and concerned with correcting injustices. We don't need political correctness to make us think we are not civilized on our own and must have our thoughts and words restricted.
We see shameful situations created in our Government system, and in the private sector, most have fallen prey to political correctness. The media and concerned citizens are being attacked viciously for expressing a point of view that differs from that imposed by a fanatical supporters of this Government, under the guise of nationalism and political correctness.
Those who do not agree with the current state of affairs and speak up have often suffered at the hands of dogmatists who have wanted to reduce their open-mindedness and civility to a formal or rigid code or blueprint.
They feel threatened by the possibility of the effect this will have on the status quo. Those who want to continue business as usual are scared to death; they are left vulnerable when their comfort blanket of political correctness is taken away from them. It distresses their programmed minds.
Those who do not conform should be ignored, silenced or vilified. There is a kind of soft totalitarianism about political correctness that we should to be aware of.
Many of us are outraged about what is happening to our country, and there are some of us who are outraged and ready for action.
There are also many who believe that we should be silenced, and are trying their utmost, using very unscrupulous means to keep us in quite submission, not only that we will not let them, we call on every Dominican to step up to the plate as one unified people working cohesively to save our nation?
Whatever we do, whatever we say, whichever political party we support, no matter how much we benefit from the Government of the day, we must recognize the important role that the media plays in our society; even sometimes they do not remain true to their moral obligations.
Those who do must be applauded and defended when others attempt to demonize and discredit them, deny them their rights and trivialize what is their moral obligations, they are supposed to be the conscience of the society.
Freedom of the press is one of the essential pre-conditions for the evolution of a civil society and the development of democracy. A free press is the most important factor in the formation of public opinion and public control, and as such has a great role and responsibility. Robert Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia- 10th Annual World Press Freedom day.
As a citizen of Dominica I have some very pertinent questions that I feel obligated to ask of the government of my country, Dominica, and some comments directed at my Dominican people.
 The participant observer. |
This morning I listened to Q95 FM and it was very disturbing to hear the representative of the Government implying that Mr. Linton as first and foremost a citizen of Dominica, and importantly a member of the Dominican press corps cannot and should not speak for the people of Dominica.
This indicates that the Government and its representative have absolutely no idea of what the rights and obligation of first a citizen, and moreover a journalist in the society. This is very disturbing. It presents a very real danger of interfering with the news media’s ability to report and go wherever they need to effectively perform their sacred duty!
First I ask that representative, is the system of our Government democratic? What role should the media play in a democracy like ours if indeed it is? Should the Government control the media including the internet, and decide what every citizen should speak about?
Should the Government deny the people’s right including the press, to freedom of speech, and should the Government deny the people the right to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for redress of grievances? Should the Government and/or its agents be media traffic cops?
To the people of Dominica I want to say, the press is indeed the conscience of the nation, and they have not only the right, but also a moral obligation to undercover lies and tell the people the truth, and to explain the consequences without fear.
Freedom of expression has always been emphasized as an essential basis for the democratic functioning of a society.
The reasons for this are: the right of an individual to self-fulfillment, which right requires the communication of thought; the importance of constantly attempting to attain the truth, an attempt which is frustrated if information is suppressed or comment blocked; the inherent democratic right to participate in decision-making, which obviously implies the freedom to obtain, communicate and discuss information, and the practical importance of maintaining the precarious balance between healthy cleavage and the necessary consensus; coercion of expression is likely to be ineffective, and coercion of expression conceals the real problems confronting a society… It is likely to result in neglect of the grievances, which are the actual basis of the unrest and thus prevent their correction. (PUCL Bulletin, July 1982).
The Government of Dominica under a democracy like ours is based upon consent of the governed----Is this happening in Dominica today? Are the actions of the Government contrary to what the governed desires? Shouldn’t the governed have involvement in the policies and actions of government? As it is now, do they?
I ask these questions because if they are answered correctly, and not hampered by those of us who want to be politically correct, we must see the disturbing picture that is like a mural all over Dominica. This is what political correctness is all about.
Political correctness has powerful enforcement authority. On its own, it can charge, convict, and punish anyone who crosses the invisible line of offense.) How is this done? Change speech and thought patterns by spreading the idea that vocalizing your beliefs is disrespectful to others. "Political Correctness." and freedom of speech are contrary concepts and cannot co-exist.
In 1935, after Hitler came to power, the Frankfurt School moved to New York City, where they continued their work by translating Marxism from economic to cultural terms using Sigmund Freud's psychological conditioning mechanisms to get Americans to buy into Political Correctness.
In 1941, they moved to California to spread their wings, and it has spread far and wide Political Correctness remains just what it was intended to be: a sophisticated and dangerous form of censorship and oppression, imposed upon the citizenry with the ultimate goal of manipulating, brainwashing and destroying our society.
With profound dismay, I have seen how the scourge of political correctness has taken hold in the Dominica. What needs to be said is not said because it upsets certain people in the society. It is very well entrenched in our religious and community levels, the media, the workplace and even our government.
It is changing the Dominican society from within, and the citizens of this nation are increasingly censoring themselves and losing their freedom of speech out of fear and political correctness repression.
It is the nature of Western Civilization to be civilized – respectful of others and concerned with correcting injustices. We don't need political correctness to make us think we are not civilized on our own and must have our thoughts and words restricted.
We see shameful situations created in our Government system, and in the private sector, most have fallen prey to political correctness. The media and concerned citizens are being attacked viciously for expressing a point of view that differs from that imposed by a fanatical supporters of this Government, under the guise of nationalism and political correctness.
Those who do not agree with the current state of affairs and speak up have often suffered at the hands of dogmatists who have wanted to reduce their open-mindedness and civility to a formal or rigid code or blueprint.
They feel threatened by the possibility of the effect this will have on the status quo. Those who want to continue business as usual are scared to death; they are left vulnerable when their comfort blanket of political correctness is taken away from them. It distresses their programmed minds.
Those who do not conform should be ignored, silenced or vilified. There is a kind of soft totalitarianism about political correctness that we should to be aware of.
Many of us are outraged about what is happening to our country, and there are some of us who are outraged and ready for action.
There are also many who believe that we should be silenced, and are trying their utmost, using very unscrupulous means to keep us in quite submission, not only that we will not let them, we call on every Dominican to step up to the plate as one unified people working cohesively to save our nation?
Whatever we do, whatever we say, whichever political party we support, no matter how much we benefit from the Government of the day, we must recognize the important role that the media plays in our society; even sometimes they do not remain true to their moral obligations.
Those who do must be applauded and defended when others attempt to demonize and discredit them, deny them their rights and trivialize what is their moral obligations, they are supposed to be the conscience of the society.
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// posted by TheDominican.net @ 12:07 PM
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Excellent post--just to say, though, that just because Robert Kocharian, former president of Armenia, spoke those words doesn't mean that he believed them. The media in Armenia is almost totally government-owned, the only oppositional TV station was forced off the air a number of years ago, and few people have Internet access at home. Just don't want your readers to get the wrong impression, because the situation of freedoms in Armenia is very poor.
the above symbol the all seeing eye is the criterion of rectitude and truth it teaches us to walk justly and uprightly befroe God and man to hold the scales of justice with equal poise and not to let our passions or predjudices co incide with the just line of our conduct and in all events to have eternity in view thus by upright intentions and level steps we hope to ascend the rungs of jacobs ladder to where the blessed ever rest in eternal peace, that is the meaning of the above symbol, Skerrit does none of this he rides roughshod over the press he is an irreligeous libertine and not a fit and proper person to be entrusted with finances of Dominica let alone hold the office of Prime Minister, he is a disgrace. unintelligent, criminally biased and tainted as such that he has not the right to abuse the press they are the voice of us all, if he carries on like this there will be riots in our streets and not peaceful protest wake up Skerrit you foolish, stupid individual and go
# posted by 
: June 7, 2009 3:07 PM
: June 7, 2009 3:07 PM
Skerrit had the opportunity to raise up a crown of joy and rejoicing until time was with him no more, he could have been remebered in the annals of history as one who made changes, and shaped our future, and by wisdom led us to paths of honour and credit in the family of nations, and earned much respect, instead of which opportunity he chose to take the food out of the hungry mouths that looked to him for help and embelish his own purse with riches, and engaged himself with such practices that have earned the title of Dominica's most dishonest, dishonourable, dislikeable dogmatist ever to have graced the parliament his legacy will be one of infamy, of disgrace, the herald of corruption, in line with Papà Doc, and Marcos, his arrogance is in line with Musolini, and Goring, his deciept is line with Chauchescu, no one to blame not the press, not the people, you are reponsible Skerrit you,this is the path you chose that is the life you chose, the rewards of the just are as history has shown are long in arriving, but they do eventually arive and trample under foot the avarice and greed of the corrupt, avarice and greed Mr Skerrit that is what you have chosen above the people of Dominica, what I really want to say is very disrepectfull and I will not drop to your level just get out, go, leave, depart, vanish dissapear so that no trace or resemblence of such criminality purpoted by you and your ( as has been quoted mobsters ) stain our shores, take your ill gotten gains with you Mr Skerrit and good ridance
# posted by : June 7, 2009 5:51 PM
: June 7, 2009 5:51 PM
Naziism is an ideology based on racism and thought control . Political Correctness ( PC ) is an ideology based on reverse racism and thought control , both of which cannot co exist with democracy
# posted by : June 8, 2009 2:42 AM
: June 8, 2009 2:42 AM
Any attempt to stifle the press is nothing less than the forerunner of dictatorship, our democracy is being seriuosly eroded when spokesmen for the Skerrit administration voice this opinion against freedom of speech, it leads to civil unrest in every case, is this what we have come to is this what we want no certainly not, i trust that violence does not not raise it's ugly head, the govenment are loosing their heads simply beacuse they do not like to hear the truth, Dominican's must not loose their heads but remain calm peacful,resolute, and determined in ensuring that we as a peaceful free people remain so in every case, Skerrit is his own worst enemy, his stalwart supporters realise they are up against it, and yes it hurts, but truth is like an antibiotic it cures the problem and the press are to be applauded for their courage in what appears an uphill struggle, but look at what has been acheived thus far, scandal after scandal has been revealed and in such a proffesional way it can not be criticised or denied, the actions of Skerrit left unchecked would have been disasterous for Dominica we are are seriously in trouble that can not be denied, but at last thanks to objective journalism and freedom of speech we have passed the the first few rungs of the ladder which are the hardest and are nearing the top, and as result of this Skerrit is clearly getting the message it is over, it is done, and nothing will alter or change that fact, even his own cabinet are in mental turmoil, yes they smile in public appearnce but they know what the people see and understand and more imprtantly think of them, the most important result thus far is the proposal by Mr Ron Green in proposing a vote of no confidence, well done Mr Green it matters not a jot about different political view or which party you may support, the issue is the vote of no confidence, Mr Skerrit already knows how the entire opposition will cast their vote, and the result will be conclusive and final, and I am sure that the right minded of his own camp may just surprise him and in so doing will make their own statement of abhorence in respect of Skwerrit in defence of their party, for in every case it is always party first.
# posted by : June 8, 2009 5:44 AM
: June 8, 2009 5:44 AM
How can you equate politcal correctness and naziism in one comment. That is obcene! Naziism was responsible for genocide in a fashion dictated by Satan himself. I am also sure that the author's take on politcal correctnes is also dangerously wrong. It is very popular these days to sneer upon politcal correctness, simply unthinkingly spouting this view from rightwingers as though it is right. Political correctness is simply an attempt to take into account the feelings and fears (mostly justified) of people who may be affected by your particular stance. For instance, it may be politically correct to avoid pork in a school canteen attended by muslims in the west. But these muslims have a justified (by thier faith)aversion to pork and we should be mindful of this. As black people we are especially vulnerable from those who aim to continue centuries of racial discrimination and unfair covert advantage under the guise of 'refusing to be politically correct'. Call a spade a spade by all means. But in 2009 we have a duty to all our children, black, white ,chinese , indian all , to provide equal rights and opportunity. And if that means that now and then we have to mind our p's and q's and adopt some political correctnes, i.e demostrate respect for all God's children , then that is what we have to do.
# posted by : June 8, 2009 6:13 AM
: June 8, 2009 6:13 AM
Of course, the all-seeing eye in the triangle is also a masonic symbol, so hated by doctrinal regimes. Hitler had his brown shirts and we have our red shirts. Hitler had his stormtroopers and now we hear the P.M.'s clarion call for his troops to ready themselves to scourge his party's enemies in this land. The mark of a dictator is paranoia, written large and the signs are there for all to see. Those, who try to humor him are on a hiding to nothing. Personal loyalty to the leader is paramount, unquestionable and comes above that to family or friends. Any commitment to others is seen as weakness and betrayal by people like that, who are unable to truly love but themselves and history is full of them. We should not be surprised therefore, should the P.M. be reaffirmed in his position he will want to amend the constitution and remove role of President. It is and intolerable for such leaders to have to acknowledge a power that can remove them. After all, they are the leader of the country so who needs an irksome president? The leader is the president, P.M. and God in one (...surrounded by angels, albeit it mostly fallen ones!) There is no middle ground, either you love him unconditionally or fear him. May God help us!
# posted by : June 9, 2009 9:03 PM
: June 9, 2009 9:03 PM
very well said, I read another article entitled shine Jesus shine, now this made me think, he spoke about the witchcraft witnessed the other day in the city and just how many were worried by it. he finalised by saying that Christ has no hand in wrongdoing, true, he pointed out that Skerrit must obviously be under the spell of an evil force or some witchcaft type of entity to even want to commit bobol, corruption,money laundering call it what you will and this is also very true, or he would not do it. witchcraft is alive and in the middle of all of us every minute of every day he said, he went on to say that so is our lord, stating further that because Jesus has no hand in evil and wrongfulness, and that vote time is approaching the choice is very plain you vote for good or vote for evil, now this is very thought provoking indeed and is not just plain and simple religious talk in fact it is very basic common sence, and very good advice.
# posted by : June 10, 2009 5:11 AM
: June 10, 2009 5:11 AM
this witchery is a sign fron god he exposed it to us telling us what to do to rid this land of badnes imsure voting right
# posted by : June 10, 2009 5:52 AM
: June 10, 2009 5:52 AM Links to this post:
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