tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4727226025187579533.post6689941476694068227..comments2024-03-27T22:14:41.569+13:00Comments on .: Government Does Not Understand What Makes Good Academics Tick: Permanent Banns on Brij and Padma LalCrosbie Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02541276600232884176noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4727226025187579533.post-90462480123867774772015-06-01T13:19:04.295+12:002015-06-01T13:19:04.295+12:00Tuisese I agree with your comment.
Also, Brij Lal...Tuisese I agree with your comment.<br /><br />Also, Brij Lal is a narrowly focused academic light weight. I can't see why the Fijian government doesn't just let him back in the country. What harm can he do? He has dominated the popular media in Australia for too long and he is on his way out. <br /><br />Lal can be critical all he likes about Fiji but won't say anything about the injustices and unscrupulous behavior of the Australian State, Businesses and individuals who rip off Pacific Islanders in a country that he lives ie, some who have 457 Visas. Then there is the issue of off-shore detentions centres and the treatment of Indigneous people in this so-called democratic country that does not even recognise the rights of Indigenous people in their constitution. Then again, he doesn't seem to be a big fan of Indigenous people does he? If he does get let back into Fiji what use will his obviously conservative views of the world matter? Fiji has moved on from his race based politics. <br /><br />I wonder whether he really want to go back to Fiji? Here is a quote from his book Intersections: History, Memory and Discipline pg 302 "BL: I have had my opportunity. I have said what I think is appropriate. Emotionally Fiji will always be a part of me. That will always be there... I'll probably not go back to Fiji. I want to work on a history of Australian relations with the Pacific from 1800 to 2000, because I live here now. I'd like to explain this part of the world to people in this country because Australia has been a dominant power in this region. That's one thing I would like to do...I don't see myself in academia for long. I've had a good run. if something better comes up I'll certainly think about it. For the time being academic life seems to be the best alternative I have." How dominant is Australia in the region? They didn't do much to sway or undermine the rise and popularity of Bainimarama and his current Government. I can imagine Lal's message to the Pacific about Australia would include a lot of finger wagging opinions and no doubt have strong John Howard overtones. <br /><br />I definately think that his wife Padma Lal should be given a break and allowed back into the country. She was doing something useful and important for Fiji's future on mangrove conservation and replanting. I think she was unjustly penalised for her husbands political game playing. If anything, why should she be kicked out the country just because she is the wife of Brij Lal! Padma Lal is the one who is being punished unreasonably here and all we ever hear about in the popular press and blogs like this and Wadan Narsey's propaganda blog is Brij Lal's point of view. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4727226025187579533.post-3204102634853590812015-04-17T16:29:34.988+12:002015-04-17T16:29:34.988+12:00The rules of Democracy seems to apply to some at c...The rules of Democracy seems to apply to some at certain points in time to others when convenient to some hardly at all. Well Brig it is the Fiji Governments tune you now dance to as it is also the case with other Democracies eg NZ, Australia, USA, UK, Israel. They do not have to give you any reason- they can just ban you under any excuse! Terrorism is now the flavour of times?Tuisesenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4727226025187579533.post-48258080173285550222015-04-16T10:40:50.978+12:002015-04-16T10:40:50.978+12:00Good move Croz; Lal deserves the support Good move Croz; Lal deserves the support Belizehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942336845752214970noreply@blogger.com