when you want to correct peoples perception and build up trust, you explain why you did what you did, and act transparently so you demonstrate that you are above board. You will gain confidence in you and how you operate. People will hold you in high regard and respect, and not in contempt. but you are only interested in silencing people, that is a different matter. Folks will ask - what are you trying to hide? You may suppress public discussion on the issue, but you cannot suppress private discussion. And once it is underground, it would be harder to dismiss falsehoods. Rather than driving them away from the public sphere, one should engage in the public sphere - as Cherian George puts it - (the government) must have confidence in itself that it can win debates fair and square, without recourse to unnecessary force. A contempt of court case is NOT fair and square. Few of us have the financial resources to hire a lawyer to take on a charge like this from the AGC. i am very heartened by the groundswell of support for Alex Waipang Au - not just in words, but in financial commitment. This is not just about Alex but it is about ALL of us. i, amongst many others, am determined to say loud and clear that he is not alone in this. We are in this together. The Emperor has made a critical error and the time for our attack has come.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 08:35:48 +0000