More Unmitigated Horse Feathers Parading As ‘Principles’

By Emil van der Poorten –November 15, 2015

Emil van der Poorten

Let me open by apologising to readers for the words I’ve used following “unmitigated” when the commoner and more accurate colloquialism would have been far more appropriate. Ah, well… this is a publication for public consumption so I will stay with “horse feathers!”

It says something about the “Miracle of Asia” that perusal of the alleged scandal sheets on the ‘web’ is likely to yield several nuggets of knowledge, while one has to sift and sort before getting anything of even minimal interest or value out of the local print media. The reason for this is not difficult to find: all of the English print media is controlled by a) major politicians, b) their acolytes or relations or c) is under complete government control. If you don’t believe me, check the ownership information that is in the public domain and tell me where I’ve erred. As for there being any difference between those now officially in the opposition camp and those in power, let me fall back on that old phrase coined by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna: “Unuth ekai. Munuth ekai.” Or, more politely put in English, “Six of one and half a dozen of another.”

While this is bad enough, what makes it sound like an even deeper conspiracy is the fact that they are, more often than not, “on the same page” in matters so controversial that such a feat is either miraculous or is simply a gift from above to those obsessed with conspiracy theories.

“The Avant Garde affair” is probably the best example of there being something (very) rotten in the state of Denmark.

While all the information that has leaked out to the general public suggests that there is need for an extensive and thorough investigation of the whole business of quasi-government entities trolling the high seas, armed to the gills, while not being accountable to anyone but the “management” of the company, the evidence that has arrived, primarily thanks to the “Kaley Paththaras” is that a group of the powerful in government are seeking to push the whole fetid mess under the carpet. Needless to add, leading that particular charge are those whom I’ve identified in previous columns as seeking to buy “insurance” from the previous regime’s leadership. Currently, there are allegations that there is yet another category – those who appear to be financial beneficiaries now of the very regime removed by the people of this country then.

Any dissident opinion is met with a) loud denials, b) the advancement of the most specious of “reasons” for the conduct of the accused, or c) tomb-like silence. Oh! And, I almost forgot yet another category: truly humungous claims for damage to their reputations filed by those who have taken umbrage at their very names being mentioned in the vicinity of Avant Garde.                            Read More