tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post3824015082643868300..comments2023-09-07T01:46:58.215-07:00Comments on Active Voice: The Blogging CasteAnnie Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18002716362243335338noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-64241177780576648412011-01-17T09:48:07.190-08:002011-01-17T09:48:07.190-08:00Hey Douglas,
would love to post yr comment but mi...Hey Douglas,<br /><br />would love to post yr comment but minus the references to the pedophile...i would open myself up to a lawsuit if i published that. so if you could edit it and repost it...in fact if you could do that on the new blog (this One has been superseded by a Wordpress one) that would be even better!<br /><br />Thanks for all the good things you said! and the advice...<br /><br />http://anniepaulose.wordpress.com/Annie Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002716362243335338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-54115472097629896512009-01-09T19:22:00.000-08:002009-01-09T19:22:00.000-08:00It's a hard call, entertaining the masses for one ...It's a hard call, entertaining the masses for one night or improving the condition of a school in need.... I think I'd probably come down on the side of the school...although I do realize that the entertainment side does have some merit...as I said, a tough call. <BR/><BR/>Congrats on your blog and facebook...twitter can be fun and a good way to promote your blog too...<BR/><BR/>Bloggers to the werl...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-69235990491974801872009-01-06T11:29:00.000-08:002009-01-06T11:29:00.000-08:00AKALOL, thanks. especially for mentioning confiden...AKALOL, thanks. especially for mentioning confidence--which is what the captialist system is predicated on. Obama's main task when he takes over will be to restore the US's flagging confidence...<BR/><BR/>and Stero while we may not have made the Guiness Book of World Records we've reached Ripley's Believe it or Not...the case of the Stolen Beach:<BR/>http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=57777610189Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-44850688403961261622009-01-06T10:15:00.000-08:002009-01-06T10:15:00.000-08:00The fireworks display could be considered a boost ...The fireworks display could be considered a boost to the economy not only because of the night's take by vendors but by the show of confidence by the Government. However, when wastefulness becomes an economic policy then the people should be worried. <BR/><BR/>I already put up a link to bcraw.com on my blog and I can't wait for it to become active. I wonder how much of the removing of the TGIF column was based on BC being an outspoken atheist? <BR/><BR/>Nice blog :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-75269912483466213192009-01-05T20:32:00.000-08:002009-01-05T20:32:00.000-08:00Nice to know that your blog is in the either.Hugs,...Nice to know that your blog is in the either.<BR/>Hugs,<BR/>PeterUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15101516428759698361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-75809691518604688872009-01-05T07:45:00.000-08:002009-01-05T07:45:00.000-08:00entertaining the masses doesn't come cheap, you co...entertaining the masses doesn't come cheap, you could fix up a school but then again theres so many things to do, which is why we have budgetsowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09989384856313244450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-47488461454097916582009-01-05T05:09:00.000-08:002009-01-05T05:09:00.000-08:00The $12m wasn't just for fireworks, it was for a h...The $12m wasn't just for fireworks, it was for a huge public concert as well. There was also a big thing of rides and attractions for kids from 4pm. I went and it was quite an experience. Over 100,000 people, all very orderly, a very nice vibe. <BR/>Of course I'm biased here, but for a rare few moments I felt like I live in a normal country that is not just about dysfunctional interactions and negative occurrences.Diana Chen Thorburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05746215639762323279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-2238940274670131902009-01-04T19:28:00.000-08:002009-01-04T19:28:00.000-08:00Alas too late Stero, i've twittered the day away.....Alas too late Stero, i've twittered the day away...<BR/><BR/>i remember that absurd ball. in fact thanks for reminding me, that was such a preposterous idea...you really had to wonder at the sanity of people who would propose such a thing...<BR/><BR/>but that was nothing like spending money on fireworks. still you're the policymaker despite having misplaced your dev theory textbook<BR/><BR/>i agree that a dollar means something quite different to a poor person but there's no guarantee that any part of this 12 m dollars would have reached their pockets. it usually gets diverted along the way into other less deserving pockets.<BR/><BR/>so you have to admit that at least it gave us pleasure to see that money go up in flames rather than enrich the unworthy.<BR/><BR/>boom bang!Annie Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002716362243335338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-57384528588373233072009-01-04T17:32:00.000-08:002009-01-04T17:32:00.000-08:00Hail Annie Paul,I’m surprised that I’m NOT the onl...Hail Annie Paul,<BR/><BR/>I’m surprised that I’m NOT the only one that was annoyed by OT’s scribbling at the Gleaner.(You guys are very polite and restrained in the way you show disapproval. “unno fraid?”)I gather that Orville was cut because of the new financial reality that the Gleaner has to face. His departure maybe due to that Global economic crisis we keep hearing about. <BR/><BR/>“…there's a limit to the difference a hundred and fifty thousand American dollars could make to the general well-being of the population.” I STRONGLY disagree!<BR/><BR/>While Jamaica’s state of poverty is far from “Zimbabwe or Iraq” we are still POOR. We should not therefore look at the extravagance of “Hong Kong and Australia” and suggest that US $150,000.00 is a pittance. I think it was Dudley Seers who opined that “the margin of utility for one dollar is less for a person living above the poverty line than it for a person living below.” Or something like that…I couldn’t find my development theory book! <BR/><BR/>Interpretation: A dollar means more to me than it does to most Australians because there is extensive public poverty in Jamaica. This is evidenced by the state of most of our roads and public buildings.<BR/><BR/>A dollar means more to a person in Tivoli Gardens, Rema, Matthews Lane, Gravel Heights, Buck Town, Tawes Pen (infinity) than it does to Annie or Stero. <BR/><BR/>$12 million can change the “general well-being of the population” of any number of these communities with serious knock on effects for the rest of the country. <BR/><BR/>Ms. Paul (and other supporters of bright lights and big bangs) the debate about how public funds should be spent in hard times is nothing new. Friends and I had this same discussion when Jamaica tried to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by making the largest football in the world. That dream was however deflated when the ‘object’ was not classified as a ball by Guinness. That was a waste and so is putting fire to my tax dollars. <BR/><BR/>Yes, there are merits to hosting free family events downtown. However, it becomes meaningless (despite claims made) and unable to change attitudes towards downtown in the face of continuing violence. Additionally, even if it did change attitudes, were fireworks the best bang for my buck? Did $12 million worth of fireworks have to be the main attraction? We already spent a hefty sum for the concert / stage show and other parts of the event.<BR/><BR/>A friend and I (ironically both strong advocates of the right of ALL law abiding citizens to bear firearms) were disturbed that the major attraction of a family event should be bright flashes accompanied by loud explosions. “How wi fi vex when man gi gun salute a dance ar funeral ar new years night?”<BR/><BR/>By the way Annie, the new slang is no longer “to di wrel” but “boom bang” (it per dates the fireworks)…no joke. It generally refers to the ease with which something is/can be done. <BR/><BR/>Finally, please don’t twitter your time away! This blog and FB is enough.<BR/><BR/>Peace and love, SteroAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-50934833916260033432009-01-04T11:34:00.000-08:002009-01-04T11:34:00.000-08:00Eve's review was really excellent..made me almost ...Eve's review was really excellent..made me almost sorry i missed Sting...almost.Afflictedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10651023981775273913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-58809876649196951752009-01-04T04:30:00.000-08:002009-01-04T04:30:00.000-08:00yes, Natalie those are the lines along which i was...yes, Natalie those are the lines along which i was thinking...getting people out in the streets, particularly downtown, is so important, instead of huddling terrified in our respective cages.<BR/><BR/>Diana by any chance are you reclaiming your Sunday column with the Gleaner? that space used to be yours before it was given to a certain 'sociologist'...yes thank heaven for small mercies. small bits of good news add up.<BR/><BR/>yah, why did they have to call it twittering...twit inevitably comes to mind. nevertheless based on N's recommendations i shall try it and i don't mind some company Natalie.Annie Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002716362243335338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-78417355048915272102009-01-03T18:44:00.000-08:002009-01-03T18:44:00.000-08:00Diana: People need some roses as well as bread. Th...Diana: People need some roses as well as bread. There is nothing wrong with a little public display, and some fireworks. They are auspices of a better age, as it were.FSJLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15803079547494458258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-51506973486105789142009-01-03T18:20:00.000-08:002009-01-03T18:20:00.000-08:00I forgot to say: sometimes a little feel-good is o...I forgot to say: sometimes a little feel-good is ok, and fireworks are pretty much unrivaled in that category.<BR/><BR/>The material conditions are not the only place where the lives of Jamaicans are in dire need of some improvement. Sure the money could have cleaned a gully, but how much of the money would be around to maintain the gully, and do the kind of public education that would keep the gullies clean?<BR/><BR/>The fact is that there is very that happens in Ja. that is truly public and free in terms of cost (and thus, stigma). I think it was a good idea to bring people out from behind their splendid burglar bars into community with each other, even if its just to look up at the sky together and make the same oohhs and aahhs. And that the focus was downtown certainly helps to reshape people's images and experiences of the place. Slowly but surely it will not be so easy to dismiss downtown as a war zone/ghost town or trivialize the lives and contributions of people who live and work there.<BR/><BR/>Now, what would be nice is to have some feel-good AND some evidence of hard work about which we can all feel good.<BR/><BR/>Talking about feel-good moments amidst filth brings up another question: have you seen Slumdog Millionaire yet? What did you think?Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05974754968045758692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-54770253471879536022009-01-03T18:04:00.000-08:002009-01-03T18:04:00.000-08:00Good riddance to a certain now-former columnist, I...Good riddance to a certain now-former columnist, I say. He really made sociologists look like twits.<BR/><BR/>Now, about Twitter: the term "twit" comes to mind every time, and just doesn't strike me as the kind of activity I want to be involved in. Birds twitter in an interesting way; humans? not sure. And since texting is starting to get on my nerves, I'm very reluctant. But if Annie is going to get on this bandwagon, i guess I can give it a try and see how it goes.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05974754968045758692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-76792194792768391992009-01-03T16:14:00.000-08:002009-01-03T16:14:00.000-08:00Hi Annie, 2000 hits a day, huh? That's daunting. ...Hi Annie, 2000 hits a day, huh? That's daunting. <BR/><BR/>Don't agree about the fireworks - here are some things we could do with $12 m.<BR/>Fix up a school or a clinic<BR/>Make a park<BR/>Pay someone who works at a non profit for at least six years, maybe more <BR/>Clean a gully<BR/>Supply a homeless shelter with food for several years<BR/>Etc.<BR/>We're too focused on short term, feel good stuff...<BR/>Diana<BR/>P.S. What is Twittering?? I've just managed to come to grips with blogging...can't keep up...Diana McCaulayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11734744904666547932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-18167235089406116352009-01-03T15:02:00.000-08:002009-01-03T15:02:00.000-08:00ok sold! will resolve to twitter this year...that ...ok sold! will resolve to twitter this year...that does sound interesting, thanks for turning me on to it Nicholas...Annie Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002716362243335338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-62737233306075241952009-01-03T14:27:00.000-08:002009-01-03T14:27:00.000-08:00A Kenyan colleague recently suggested (on Twitter!...A Kenyan colleague recently suggested (on Twitter!) that "Facebook is for the people you used to know, twitter is for people you would like to know", which is a neat way to look at it.... Here's how someone else sees it:<BR/><BR/>http://www.keppiecareers.com/2008/09/22/why-use-twitter/<BR/><BR/>I personally find Twitter much more interesting than FB--there's less posturing, less gratuitous cleverness, and nobody tries to throw sheep at you. It's a very speedy way to share news and links, and recent events in Mumbai, Gaza etc. have also shown how useful it can be in a crisis, to communicate with a very wide range of people who may all be interested in an event but not know each other. Plus FB is walled off from the rest of the world--you have to be an "insider" to communicate with someone there. Twitter is public. It combines a lot of the best features of blogging, email, and instant messaging. (And integrates well with your blog and FB page.)<BR/><BR/>And of course it's one of those phenomena that gets more useful and interesting the more people join....<BR/><BR/>(Like many people, I thought it was pointless till I started using it.)Nicholas Laughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636815243848162408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-2963919126733629742009-01-03T14:10:00.000-08:002009-01-03T14:10:00.000-08:00Twitter's fun, if you have the time and want t...Twitter's fun, if you have the time and want to share ideas &/or the minutiae of your day.<BR/><BR/>Dawn Ritch? Ah, yes. She does have a, shall we say, interesting attitude towards the lower classes.FSJLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15803079547494458258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-29048010677970743852009-01-03T13:02:00.000-08:002009-01-03T13:02:00.000-08:00i still don't get twitter...so i'll have t...i still don't get twitter...so i'll have to wait for some illuminating article about it.<BR/><BR/>yes, i'm completely mystified by OT's encomiums about the Gleaner. Dawn Ritch also used to go on about it being a grand old paper. bull@£$&!<BR/><BR/>its better than the other two, that much i'll give it and its got some priceless writers like Robert Lalah and some good reporters but as an overall paper?? blah!<BR/><BR/>what i'd like to know is whether 2009 will be the year when the Jamaican media discovers the community of bloggers--Annie Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002716362243335338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-71820835104631977792009-01-03T12:42:00.000-08:002009-01-03T12:42:00.000-08:00Twitter is full of twits, if you ask me. That's wh...Twitter is full of twits, if you ask me. That's why I'm on it.<BR/><BR/>A good pun doesn't need announcing, it should make itself felt as directly as possible. <BR/><BR/>Why, by the bye, does Taylor lavish so much praise on the <I>Gleaner</I> which has been against almost every change in Jamaica since its inception? And why does he say that Morris Cargill was 'forced into exile'? Nobody was holding a gun to Morris's head, and nobody stopped him from writing from abroad (from New Jersey, to be precise) in the pages of the <I>Gleaner</I> urging Jamaicans to collapse the government of Michael Manley. Equally, nobody stopped him from coming back, before Manley's defeat, to continue the battle on the ground in Jamaica. I should know. I had a front-row seat, after all, since I worked at the, ahem, <I>Gleaner</I>.FSJLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15803079547494458258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3953848556540874315.post-29723806565885778162009-01-03T12:01:00.000-08:002009-01-03T12:01:00.000-08:00Annie, the next frontier is Twitter.... Hope to se...Annie, the next frontier is Twitter.... Hope to see you there soon!<BR/><BR/>And blog on!Nicholas Laughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636815243848162408noreply@blogger.com