Quote:
Originally Posted by cobraboy
All fine and good, but what's gotten "done" in terms of corruption since you've been here, Grahame? Heck, go back 40 years! I won't even ask about what's been accomplished by the street theater and other assorted "non-confrontational" acts. I ask for specific, quantifiable reesults. Hard facts. Not squishy movement-speak. Results matter in real people's lives, style points don't. What's the expression? Money talks and bullspit walks? I'd like to see the progress the DR has made toward ending institutionalized corruption.
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I will have to allow HB to comment on what the situation here was like 40 years ago - I wasn't here & wasn't (at that time) taking any interest in Dominican History. From what I have read since getting here though, I understand that 'corruption' was at a much higher level & aquiecence to it was much more the order of the day! There were no Theatre Groups or 'Non confrontational groups allowed back then as ANY show of non compliance to the states wishes, were met by a LONG holiday (even worse than those which Robert dishes out every so often!
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The 'Quantafiable Results' are shown in the fact that people talk more openly about corruption, illegalities, the failure of the legal system ............. all the things that you & I take as an absolute RIGHT but have been denied the populace of the DR until about 10 years ago - NOT by the law I would agree, but by the INTERPRETATION of that law by those who could influence it!! Without wishing in the slightest to be overbearing &/or conceited, you are not yet picking up the vibes within the country where people ARE becomming more vociferous in their disagreements with the system & ARE trying to flex their muscles a lot more. The 'Theatre Group' is just ONE of those means for getting people to think a bit more & then ACT upon the resolutions they make from their thoughts.
Heck, Street Theatres have been a means of getting things done fore AGES, this is nothing new. Those in JC's days & all through the middleages achieved quite a LOT in terms of getting a story of 'misdeeds by Governments &/or authorities' across to the masses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cobraboy
AG is not the "problem". She's just a symptom of the "problem". And I put "problem" in quotes, because, once again, based solely on the recent election returns where a HUGE % of the population voted, and 95% voted for the status quo. I'm not so sure the CITIZENS of the Dominican Republic see as much of a "problem" as sophistomacated foreign residents and visitors do.?  |
I would not be so rude as to suggest that a Dominican was incapable of making the thought transference from 'The AG mock Court Case' to other aspects of the Gov't operations in general - I give them a LOT more credit than that! Here they see AN example of others, they will take the analogies to the other areas without ANY problems. We will of course not SEE it, but maybe the threat of being ridiculed by the Theatre Group will make other ministers stop short of being downright stupid in misusing their powers - we can live in hope. This fear of being publically ridiculed happens in other countries all the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cobraboy
We agree on corruption, Grahame. We just disagree with the methods to achieve the end result, and the certainly the qualitative and quantitative measure of those results.? |
Yup. we will disagree. I have absolutely NO interest in the 'measuring of those results', all I am interested in is the results taking place. If Theatre Groups have an effect (no matter HOW SMALL) in getting someone to think twice about being corrupt ...... then GREAT - I am all for them. If a PEACEFUL march through the streets produces better results I am all for that too, AS AN ADDITION!
When I am hungry I can either eat a lot of 'LITTLE' pieces of food over a few hours OR I can gorge myself within 10 minutes. Both will satissfy my hunger but perhaps the former is better for my long term health!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cobraboy
*I'll most likely use the term "gubmint"; it's my personal *street theater* protest to mock corruptable man-made institutions used to control others behavior at the eventual point of a gun (or eternal damnation). Gubmint is the antithesis of personal sovereignty. It's a style issue. May I count on your solidarity for The Cause? |
Sorry, NOPE. No Solidarity in this matter. It would be like me having to support the 'Nucelar' or 'preciate it' words!
I might be able to accept 'GOBment' though. Maybe even GRABment to denote the desire more taking monies for themselves.
Why not split between the three or four & see how it goes? ~ Grahame