Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Friday 9 May 2014

Political Round Up for the Second Week of May

 News this week continues to bore. One has to look deeply for honest dialogue and even deeper for policy. Personalities, or more accurately, attacks on personalities continue to dominate the news.

Ro Teimumu "not really" campaigning
The opposition attacked Bainimarama for campaigning before the Fiji First party was registered and mixing his roles as PM and party candidate by offering development money for votes. 

Now, SODELPA General Secretary Pio Tabaiwalu spokesmen denies claims by Fiji Live that it is using vanua protocol to garner votes for its party president Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa, who is also one of Fiji's paramount chiefs, when she visited villages in the Western Division this week .

It is not really a campaign,” he said. “We are following traditional protocol, where the Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi has personal connections to chiefly houses in the Western Division. We haven’t started our campaign. We are here to request them personally for our candidates for the future. It is just productively relevant for her to present her traditional sevusevu to chiefly houses in the Western Division so that it opens the door for our candidates to campaign.” Tabaiwalu said the party will visit other parts of Fiji in the coming weeks.

The A-G should resign?
Calls have also gone out from the FLP and NFP (not to mention Wadan Narsey) for the resignation of the Attorney-General who is also the Minister responsible for the Elections. His recent appointment as the General Secretary of the proposed Fiji First party is claimed to create a conflict of interest. The A-G replied that former PM and SDL leader Laisenia Qarase was also Minister responsible for elections and asked why the FLP and NFP did not complain then. “What are their policies” he asked, “not this side circus.” In a statement released today, former PM Qarase denied that he or any of his predecessors were ever ministers of elections. The position was only created after 2006.

Party shifts
Party shifts say something about the quality of Fjii politics, the dearth of principled policies, and the character of some of those who aspire to be part of government. While it is not unusual for people to change their party allegiance (Tupeni Baba has moved between three parties, Mick Beddoes and Mahendra Chaudhry two (if his early support for Bainimarama is counted) but now Nirmal Singh has created a new speed record. 

He fell out with Chaudhry some while back and left or was expelled from the FLP, depending on who you believe. A week or so ago he was a senior member of the union-led PDP but he then left or was expelled (depending on who you believe) and this week he joined SODELPA. Given how few Indo-Fijians are members of SODELPA, he has improved his chances of becoming a parliamentary candidate.


PM's line up tarnished
The PM's line up was also tarnished this week with the resignation of Bijal Prasad who only last week was announced as a Fiji First Vice-President. He stepped down because of an undisclosed 32-year old larceny charge and prison sentence.

Mr Prasad said he did not disclose the information earlier because under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Irrelevant Act 1997, records after 10 years are expunged., adding that his non-disclosure fell short of the high personal standards expected by the PM.

Prasad and Chaudhry
It would appear that the conviction came to light thanks to Mahendra Chaudhry who said he only raised the issue about Prasad’s conviction and sentencing for larceny after Prasad made some allegations against Chaudhry.

Not principle or justice, note; just revenge. Prasad had been FLP Nadi Branch president for a number of years, during which time Chaudhry did not “raise the issue” and he nominated him to be a senator after the 2006 elections.

Fiji Village added salt to the wound by reporting that Chaudhry was convicted for a hit and run accident in 1978 which resulted in the death of a woman. And so it goes on. Tat for tat, with a little bit of encouragement from the independent media.

Chaudhry will appeal his sentence and conviction and says he will remain the FLP leader until removed by the people who elected him, even though holding the position contravenes the Political Parties Decree. His lawyer wants the appeal fast tracked so that Chaudhry can contest the election.

Beddoes letterhead
Beddoes to the fray
Mick Beddoes has again written to Ashwin Raj, Chairman of the Media Industry Development Agency (MIDA) protesting the pro-government bias of the Fiji Sun. The letter includes a preliminary content analysis which shows the Sun favoured government 8:2 in terms of position on page, size and number of items. Content analysis, in the hands of the uninitiated, is not the simplest of research tools to use.

I commend Beddoes for supporting his argument with research but it is very possible that he has may omitted one important variable: the amount and newsworthiness of news being generated by government compared with the opposition.

The Sun's poll this week asks a new question: “Q4. Do you think Mick Beddoes should be making so many complaints? “Anwers: No 80%, Yes 20%.

But then those polled should realize Mr Beddoes complains on his own behalf and on behalf of the UFDF, so one may expect more than an unusual number. Just as one may also expect a government to have bigger coverage than an opposition.

I'm sorry he went on to ask what Raj, MIDA employees and board members are paid. This is an unnecessarily aggressive question that detracts from his main point. Once again, as with so many adversaries in Fiji, legitimate questions get mixed up with personalised attacks.

\Edge (r) with rocket.  From his blog.
Over the Edge
But that is not all. Former USP journalism head, Canadian Marc Edge, who was obliged to leave USP following complaints from his students about his erratic behaviour and political statements, has a special posting, now circling the anti-government blogs, that attacks the personal integrity of the MIDA chairman. 

He does this by reference to a 10-year old University of Hawaii thesis he claims shows Raj to be anti-democratic (Raj discussed the difficulties democracy faces in countries like Fiji) and by aspersions to Raj's sexual preferences.


Forgive me for stooping to personalities but I can't resist saying that the accusations are even less valid or relevant than if I called Edge an egghead just because he is bald. 

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who takes the position of dominance when you meet with Graham, Croz. No IG participant will stand for the elections? Over to you Croz. Free and fair elections? Over to you Croz.

Forgive me for stooping so low as to your personality Croz. If dredging the Edge is the best you have, time to retire. Preferably somewhere without democracy and the rule of law as you scorn these principles by inference on a regular basis.

Anonymous said...

Taking Prasad on board was certainly not the smartest move by Khaiyum and Bainimarama. You lose credibility if you criticise old politicians and make dinosaurs such as Prasad part of your team. Anyway, the tit for tat nonsense that goes on at the moment is a bit of a detraction from what I consider a serious issue: the lack of a level playing field for fair elections. While I cringe about the whinging of Beddoes and the lamenting of Chaudhry and Qarase, they do have a point: Almost every aspect of the election rules are stacked against the opposition and the government has made little or no effort to alleviate growing concerns. Surely, one can argue that vote buying and regulatory bias is common practice in any election (a closer look at the USA, Australia, France or Germany will reveal the same practice), Fiji is in a much more delicate situation compared to mature democracies. Coming out of eight years dictatorship is not the same as running an election in Australia where no one would question the independence of the electoral commission because it has a long track record. My feeling is that the election campaigning will completely degenerate into a mud slinging contest with little or no room to openly discuss policy differences that would allow voters to make an educated judgement about their preference.

Crosbie Walsh said...

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you are trying to say, other than that it is intended to be hostile. Please explain.

Crosbie Walsh said...

You make a good point though I would argue the opposition's track record has not helped its case. What would you propose that is (a) desirable, and (b) possible in the circumstances? What position do you think I should take on these issues?

Regime bludgers said...

Are you proud of your hostile and personal attack on Marc Edge? Who was sacked because he stood up to the human rights absusing regime? Unlike you and your bludging missus who just took a freebie holiday as blood money for sucking up to the treasonous criminals. When are you both paying back the Fijian taxpayers?

Anonymous said...

Perhaps you could try and have some honesty and integrity for a change?

Marc Edge said...

Really, Croz. That's pretty bad. Because I'm bald? You can do better than that.

Marc Edge said...

and BTW, that's not a rocket . . . it's a pen, as in the pen is mightier

Marc Edge said...

And what aspersions, exactly, did I cast on Mr Raj's sexual preferences? I found an interesting statement he made about how democracy has much to learn from sexuality. As any journalist or scholar should, I added the context in which the statement was made, ie. at an event to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, in his capacity as an advocate for gay rights. I have been very careful not to cast aspersions on Mr Raj's sexual preferences, to which he has a perfect right. But the context for his statements is needed.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you finally get a life Marc Edge? Sacked from the USP for misconduct, forced to leave Fiji and just the usual bitter expatriate in exile. It's all been documented elsewhere. Thank God Shailendra Singh will soon be back at USP to pick up the pieces after you and Ian Weber trashed the journalism program. We couldn't wait to see the back of you. Like Dracula you refuse to die but we know what happened and we won't forget.

Marc Edge said...

Don't worry, so do I . . . and neither will I.

Anonymous said...

Bainimarama has stated not so long ago that he wants to win all seats in parliament because opposition parliamentarians would be obstrcutionist and hinder the advance of his "reform". To me this was a key statement showing that he is not interested in a democratic process and aims for a legitimised autocracy. For Fiji this would be the worst possible outcome as the election process and its outcome would have no credibility whatsoever. Instead of healthy, democratic debate in parliament Bainimarama would continue to bark orders and the opposition would continue sniping from the sidelines. Divisions would be entrenched and the chance of reconciliation would be blown. So what would be desirable is a clear statement by Bainimarama that he welcomes constructive policy debate with everyone. It would be desirable to refrain from bashing "old politicians" and acknowledge that they still may have a meaningful contribution to make. It would be desirable to come out and accept that the rules for Fiji First are the same as for everyone. Declaration of assets would go a long way to convince the electorate that the process is reasonably fair. It would also be desirable to accept public debate with opposition politicians. Bainimarama enters the election contest in a position of strength and from my point of view, he can afford to be much much more accommodating than he has shown in the past. Now, lets have a look what is possible. I have had the opportunity to meet and discuss with Bainimarama and I must say it was a bit of a shock. I sensed a lot of insecurity and a lack of willingness to listen any view that differs from his own let alone consider it. Larry Dinger may have been a bit over the top with his statement that psychologists would have a field day with Bainimarama but I have heard quite a few colleagues expressing similar views after meeting with him. In the cocktail circuit in Suva a very common reaction is a shrug, often accompanied by some racist slur. And the common view held by many diplomats in Suva that the AG is a corrupt sleaze bag does not help either.

Against this background it is really difficult to say what is possible. in Fiji. Perhaps the opposition should make a serious effort to win votes through convincing policy proposals, enter parliament and hope that after another 4 years of Bainimarama's rule democracy has a better chance to work.

Anonymous said...

In end the people will decide: mostly the native Fijian people as they hold voting power. They may decide an autocracy is the right thing. What then? Do people know what is good for them? Maybe they don't? No problem - we deserve the leaders we vote in. Od course there are the keyboard warriors and expats and 'experts' like Marc Edge, Sean Dorney and Bruce Hill who from abroad know what is best for us third worlders. we should listen to them.

Anonymous said...

Explain?
I thought it was obvious. Your support of the IG is well documented. You have seen enough evidence to suggest that there is no rule of law and the judiciary is compromised. Yet you continue to ignore such things.

Democracy must be allowed to evolve. No democratic nation was without speed humps. If there is corruption implement an ombudsman office with bi-partisan support. Implement a corruption commission that is INDEPENDENT.

If you are a journalist, it would be easy for any impartial onlooker to think otherwise, then use the example of other developing democracies to show how they have overcome their hurdles.

To suggest that the Commander was right to use military force to prevent the SDL's proposed bill is juvenile. Perhaps, even with the benefit of hindsight, you could suggest how things may have been differently.

Your blog had the opportunity to calmly and rationally propose change via democratic platforms. Instead you chose to support this regime and all its tyranny. You then stoop to petty name calling and gutter sniping.

It is not too late for constructive suggestions. It is clearly too late for impartial and constructive suggestions.

As for name calling, it is the first sign that a journalist (whose fundamental position is meant to be one of objective reporting) has lost their balance.

It is a bit like Rolf Harris appearing before the Queen and receiving invites to the palace. Had she known of his matters that are before the court, I doubt whether any invitation would have been extended. If she knew then what she knows now....

You have seen the very worst of this regime. You have seen democracy displaced. You have seen a corrupted judiciary at play. Yet the worse it gets the more you attempt to justify them.

You now have the benefit of hindsight and you remain wilfully blinded. I am sure you readers would appreciate some honesty from you as to why you maintain your undying support in the face of shocking evidence:

Unjustifiable IG salaries, nepotistic appointments, unexplained sackings, gov intervention into supposed independent bodies (FICAC and the judiciary), an unworkable constitution drafted by a military dictatorship, media censorship, a rise in poverty and unemployment, lack of foreign investment, ....... you know the rest

Bill Carson said...

Why did Mahendra Chaudhary nominate Bijai Prasad as a Senator, given his conviction ?

Anonymous said...

Birds of a feather flock together. Both were convicted. - Chaudhary had caused death of an innocent woman, was drunk and Justice Kermode specifically said that he saw no remorse on Chaudhary's face during the trial. He has the heart of a butcher, the mind of a criminal and morality or ethics do not exist in his dictionary. Remember the tea lady affair, when he was caught, pants down in the Prime Minister's office. He had no regrets desecrating the highest elected office but poor girl suffered his wrath, punished for seeing something she was not supposed to see!

Anonymous said...

Marc Edge, your latest attack on Ashwin Raj is a nasty personalised diatribe which is patently homophobic. You are a failure in the Fiji context who was banished from your university and the country for professional misconduct. He is an articulate thinker who is doing his best to ensure better outcomes for the country.

Your overarching position is that the journalistic paradigm that governs discourse in developed societies like your own should merely be transposed into a developing setting like Fiji. It is neo-colonialism at its worst, the thought police of the western media imposing their notions of public discourse and governance on others. In your own case, you came to Fiji with a breathtakingly arrogant attitude to everyone and quickly alienated your academic colleagues and students at USP. Instead of learning from their experiences, you came here to dictate your own. In the end, everyone just get fed up with your overweening arrogance and insensitivity and you were terminated.

We all thought at USP that you might have learned something from the experience. That after a period of quiet reflection back in your homeland, you might have had the self possession to realise the monumental mistake you made. Unfortunately, the opposite seems to have happened. Consumed with resentment, you now sit in exile attacking people like Ashwin Raj who are genuinely working from within to help the nation chart a way forward. You already presented a sad and pathetic figure, perfectly encapsulated in the withering articles written about you by Graham Davies. But your attacks on Ashwin Raj have added an extra dimension to your absence of self perception.

To even mention his sexuality in a debate about journalistic practice in an evolving democracy demonstrates how un-evolved as a person you are, whatever your level of education or accomplishment. This is certainly unacceptable in countries such as your own, many of which have adopted laws to prevent sexual and gender vilification. But it is also now unacceptable in Fiji, where the present government you detest so much has dragged our own laws into the 21st century.

The truth is that you are not a paragon of journalistic virtue or any other virtue for that matter. You are an ageing, balding, homophobic white man whose cultural and gender insensitivity makes you far more of a savage than someone like Ashwin Raj, who you sneer at from your ivory tower in exile but is ten times the human being you are from a personal perspective and one hundred times more evolved culturally and intellectually.

Anonymous said...

Many expatriates and diplomats belittle Bainimarama’s propaganda but miss the bigger picture – Bainimarama and other modern dictators have created an elaborate playbook to probe their opponents’ weak points with a variety of offensive tactics that throw the democratic defense off-guard. Modern dictators use their playbook masterfully, while the world’s democracies hesitate, repeatedly stumble, and let the dictators make their way bit by bit down the field.

Respect for political and civil rights has declined globally for eight consecutive years, due in large part to the growing sophistication of modern authoritarian rulers and their initiatives to tighten control on power amid rising public demands for political change. They write the narrative of what is going on in their country, delete the evidence that contradicts their stories, and close the space online and on the streets for citizens to have their say.
Bainimarama is drawing on the modern dictator’s playbook to solidify support at home and neutralize criticism abroad of his aggression against what he calls “old politicians”. He uses his dominance of Fijian media to propagate his grossly distorted portrait of racists trying to take over Fiji. So called journalists repeat his talking points on the state owned television network in glossy formats, and in the subservient print media Fiji Sun and Fiji Times.

As the pro Bainimarama propaganda saturates the Fijian media and seeps into blogs such as Crosbie Walsh’s outside the country, the Fijian authorities have repeatedly targeted independent journalists such as Michael Field to prevent them from traveling to the country and presenting an accurate picture of the situation in Fiji. Like all modern dictators, Bainimarama seeks to constrain if not wipe out balanced reporting inside Fiji and to influence news coverage about the country abroad. Ashwin Raj, the head of the supposedly independent media development agency and appointee of the regime tries every trick in the book to please the regime he owes his livelihood to. All modern dictators increasingly put foreign correspondents under pressure. The current trial against Al Jazeera English journalists in Egypt is just the most glaring example.

The Fijian degree that brands groups engaging in “political activity” with foreign support as “foreign agents” similarly is designed to vilify or shutter organizations that defend human rights, monitor elections, or otherwise check government abuses. The range and sophistication of tactics in the modern dictator’s playbook allow authoritarian rulers to take the initiative time and again and push their opponents back. Bainimarama uses various combinations of these tactics as part of his larger strategy to control the political narrative and to undermine his critics. He has a strong playbook, and it is guiding his advance in the upcoming elections. The time has come for Australia, New Zealand and other democracies to update their own playbook.

Anonymous said...

This is a classic example of high falutin rubbish with no sound intellectual base at all. There is already a broad consensus that Fiji is returning to democracy and the government elected on September 17th will represent the will of the people. But what the critics fail to understand is that there is also a broad consensus that the Bainimarama Government is legitimate because it upended the social and political order to create genuine equality and has given ordinary Fijians a level of service they never had before. That is reflected not only in whatever polling has been done ( which the critics don't accept but cannot be ignored ) and the fact that Bainimarama himself enjoys a high level of public popularity. No-one in Fiji cares what happens to Michael Field or anybody else outside the country. They see major improvements across the board and an economy, at 3.8 per cent forecast growth, outstripping that of Australia and NZ. I think it was Bill Clinton who said "it's the economy stupid" and if Bainimarama continues to grow the economy he will be elected by a landslide. It is not "propaganda" but genuine achievement that people can see. Suva is buzzing and only those who are overseas can't see it. It's all over bar the shouting and the only remaining question is how much of a margin Bainimarama will win by and who will form the opposition. Anyone who can't see that is fooling themselves.

Anonymous said...

Well said! Ashiwn Raj might be a failed academic as alleged (that is yet to be fully determined). But Marc Edge is a failed human being.

Anonymous said...

Yes, the Reserve Bank has projected 3.8% growth for 2104. Some may call it a dead cat bounce as average growth between 2007 and 2013 was a mere 0.7%.

Anonymous said...

Yes, strange that you hate the fact that your own country has turned the corner and the two international rating agencies, Moodys and Standard and Poors have upgraded their ratings for Fiji, in the case of Standard and Poors from stable to positive. Positive? How awful.

Anonymous said...

Ha Ha Ha. Luv it. Let's see what the Failed Human Being has to say now. Ashwin Raj isn't exactly a failed academic. If he was, how come he is still at USP and the FHB is gone?

Anonymous said...

Fiji Times is blatantly violating the media decree by insidiously reporting what ordinary people think. FT quotes a haberdasher as saying:

"A government that can lessen corruption," the peddler said. And then added: "A government where we feel free to speak our mind and thoughts. The long-haul public service vehicle (PSV) driver said a little honesty, not only among elected officials but also with those in the civil service, went a long way and not only with earning the trust of the people. It also did a lot in keeping corruption to a minimum, which in the long-term, Jayant said, would ultimately benefit everyone".

And it goes on: "Forty-nine-year-old Mereani Mafi was busy sewing away at the Suva Municipal Market on Thursday. Speaking in the iTaukei language, Mereani said she wanted those we elect into power at the September poll to help the people. Mereani, while stressing that the role of government is to be there for the people, said those who carried out the functions of elected leaders should be honest and transparent in their dealings with and for the people..."

What FT tries to suggest here is that our current government has not eradicated corruption (which it has) that people are currently not allowed to speak their mind and that our current government is not honest and transparent, all of which are not true. It is time that biased media such as FT are dealt with and feel the full force of the law.

Friends of Fiji Media hypocrites said...

The editors and doyens of Friends of Fiji Media face-book are hypocrites. Lately they disallowed anonymous memberships, citing ethics and and a preventative measure against personal attacks. Yet they allowed Marc Edge's to post a link to an article that carried personal attacks on Ashwin Raj, including his sexuality, and humble background, which had nothing to with his media role. The latter, of course, deserves criticism, but why the bitchy, personal attacks? Why did Friends of Fiji Media allow it?

Marc Edge is too dim-witted to know that people from humble beginnings can rise to great heights - India's Modi was a tea vendor. Self-styled doyens of Fiji media media, who behave and talk like they know it all, did not raise a word in objection to Marc Edge's personal attacks. Dennis Rounds, never short of words, was silent. With his quietness he confirmed that his moralising is not worth shit. Samisoni Pareti was actually goading Marc Edge on. He seemed to revel in the nastiness. One can see why Samisoni Pareti and Marc Edge get on. They both seem to share a liking for bitchiness. Marc Edge passed a particularly nasty comment about Ashwin Raj's sickness. No one uttered a word against it, except Netani Rika, so respect to him. As for Dennis Rounds and Samisoni Pareti, hypocrites full of hot air. Just all talk.

Friends of Fiji face-book administrators need to take a good, hard look at themselves. Giving Marc Edge a platform and a free reign to continue the abuse and bullying he was doing at USP is not doing them any good - just exposing their naivety, shallowness, callowness and nastiness.

Anonymous said...

The whole concept of Friends of Fiji Media is hypocritical. How can you conduct discussions about media freedom with any credibility while insisting on doing so behind closed doors? They say they need their "closed" Facebook status to enable them to express themselves freely. Can't they see the irony of that? Anything that happens is leaked to third parties anyway because those who control "Friends" have lost control of their membership. So why not come into the open and stop all this cowardice? Marc Edge is given so much rope to attack anyone he doesn't like. It's time to hang him with it. His attacks on Ashwin Raj are disgusting.

Anonymous said...

Michael Field an independent journalist? What drugs are you on mate? Come here to NZ and read the crap he writes while watching the development in Fiji through his" multi-powerful lense". Jeez even I started believing him until I visited Fiji myself and spoke to not only Indian taxi drivers but Fijians in the rural area. At one point, I thought I was in the wrong country given the "garbage" that your so called "independent reporter" had been feeding the public of New Zealand. Just as well fellow New Zealanders have not stopped visiting Fiji and are finding out the truth. Michael Field is a disgrace to us New Zealanders.

Marc Edge said...

OMG . . . Qorvis must be paying by the word . . . all the cockroaches are coming out now . . . just like Grubsheet comments, they can take their shots anonymously . . . on Friends of Fiji Media, they have to do so under their own name, except for the false identities that we have been able to weed out . . . what a bunch of cowards . . . why don't you grow a spine and tell us who you are . . . the proper place to post an objection to my blog entry would be on my blog . . . but no one does . . . you all scurry to Croz's warm, damp basement, where you are sure to find a friendly audience . . . believe me, if I didn't take the high road by leaving his gay advocacy out of the piece altogether, at least I didn't take the low road and write everything I know . . . I have a couple of first-hand anecdotes I could have tossed in there, but I resisted the temptation . . . I'll keep them in reserve just in case they're needed . . . but this was just too good to resist . . . "democracy has much to learn from sexuality?" . . . give me a break . . . yeah, I can see a few similarities . . . . as far as Friends of Fiji Media goes, you'll be pleased to hear that Ash's blast has had the desired effect . . . in the past month, hardly any meaningful discussion has been seen in the group . . . of course, meaningful discussion is not allowed in Fiji, especially on media issues . . . so you can be proud of your valiant little media commissar . . . he has been highly successful in his bullying of the media . . . discuss amongst yourself

Anonymous said...

We're cowards? What a low life, impotent, inadequate creep you are Marc Edge. You compound your homophobic travesty with the vilest of suggestions of further disclosures about Ashwin Raj up your sleeve. "Keep them in reserve in case they're needed?!!! What sort of slimy creature are you? Confirmation that you are the biggest coward of all. Cheap smear and disgraceful innuendo. Why would we comment on your trashy blog? No one else comments. Why should we?. Are you by any chance a closet gay? Is your homophobia a form of self loathing? A disgusting posting that confirms all the stories I've heard about you and reveals you for the sordid, inadequate character assassin you really are.

Marc Edge said...

On re-reading some of the comments, I think I now see what the problem is. As is often the case in Fiji, reasoned arguments somehow are interpreted as personal attacks. This is because someone cannot adequately rebut the argument, so they attack it as unfair or below the belt. It is thus somehow deemed a personal attack on Mr Raj that I even mentioned his sexuality and his humble background. This is certainly not what I intended, and it is unfortunate if it is being interpreted that way. As a journalist, I intended to elicit as much as is possibly known about Mr Raj in order to put his current rampage against the press into context. Of course people from humble beginnings can rise to great heights. Mr Raj is to be admired for having managed to do as well as he has for himself considering the class from which he comes. I am similarly from a working class background, and I am the only member of my family to even attend university. So I completely identify with Ashwin that way. How on earth did I attack him for his humble background? I merely mentioned it as background information. Similarly with his sexuality. This is directly relevant to his statements on democracy being similar to sexuality, and I make no apology for it. If anything, I pulled my punches there. Yet the people who criticize me for even mentioning his sexuality seem to have no hesitation in attacking me with insults to the effect that I am ageing and balding. What possible relevance can such insults have to an argument, except to bolster my side by indicating that I am perhaps wiser, and destroying your side by demonstrating that you are an idiot?

Marc Edge said...

I note that this discussion is taking place at 5 a.m. Fiji time, which makes the discussant more likely to be located in the Geopolitical Solutions department of Qorvis Communications in Washington, D.C. . . . If you'd like, I could expound upon Mr Raj's notions of queer theory . . . come to think of it, why don't you just look it up for yourself? http://www.critical-theory.com/what-the-fuck-is-queer-theory/

Anonymous said...

"First hand" anecdotes. I think that means he was there. Living on the Edge, eh Marc? Qori LOL

Anonymous said...

You have much to be humble about yourself, Marc. It's just that you don't have an ounce of self awareness to realise it.

Marc Edge said...

oh yes, I was there . . . and I know Ashwin Raj . . . more than I would care to

Anonymous said...

Ah, yes. Qorvis, the CIA, MI6, the NSA, the NCD, and the North Koreans all beavering away day and night in a grand conspiracy against Marc Edge. What a guy!

Branding other people queer? Carumba. We thought you were nuts at USP but your paranoia is clearly out of control.Time to take your medication, Walter!

Anonymous said...

Jilted lover, Marc? That would explain everything.

Marc Edge said...

I propose the Thought Decree (2014) . . . Fijians obviously should not be allowed the right to freedom of thought . . . they should only think what the government tells them to think

Marc Edge said...

it was actually the other way around

Boko Bhaini said...

These Korvis fools really are amateurs. And to think the illegal regime is paying them so much to achieve SFA.

Anonymous said...

Oh, so you're saying that Ashwin Raj had the hots for you? You jilted him? Hahahaha. Now you really are effing crazy.

Anonymous said...

Headline: "Sacked USP Journalism lecturer claims MDA Chair tried to seduce him".

Anonymous said...

Did Croz and Grubby try and seduce you too? After all, you are quite irresistible. Ugly, balding, middle aged and far from gainfully employed. Yes, that explains everything.

Marc Edge said...

sheesh, more insults . . . why don't you try engaging on the substance of my blog post rather than wallowing down here in the gutter? . . . of course, I know why . . . you wouldn't stand a chance then, would you?

No immunity for treason said...

Marc
This is the standard Croz Walsh has set. He appears to be proud of supporting the human rights abusing illegal regime and promoting his racist hate speech blog against Fijians, their culture and their strongly held Christian values. This is the talk of road kill mongoose and bottom feeders.

Marc Edge said...

I agree . . . but I can't believe that Croz would support this

Anonymous said...

We too have some stuff in kept in reserve in case they're needed, Marc. We will not show our hand all at once. Just so that you know.

Marc Edge said...

I just love your threats . . . they give me something to look forward to

Anonymous said...

Amazed you have even one supporter Marc. Until I notice the "Christian values" bit. This person just loves your homophobia! Under the circumstances, I don't think you can throw stones at the rest of us here from the glasshouse you share with your fellow homophobes. It's you under the spotlight, Mister, not Croz.

Anonymous said...

Yes, the internal files on you will soon tell the full story and you will be exposed for the fraud you are.

Anonymous said...

What do you think Marc? Only you have the right to make threats? You think you will make threats and we will sit quietly by? You have paid the price for underestimating us. Do not make the same mistake again.

Marc Edge said...

ooooooohhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Marc Edge said...

ooooooohhhhhh!!!!!

Anonymous said...

You agree with the use of the term "mongoose"? Are you aware Marc that this is a standard indigenous supremacist reference to Indo-Fijians? This racist and religious bigot as referring to people of a certain ethnic background as imported pests. And you agree with that?

Anonymous said...

Marc, you agree with the use of the term mongoose? The standard indigenous supremacist reference to Indo Fijians, as in imported pests? Don't tell me you're a racist as well as a homophobe and religious bigot.