Say Goodbye
The Unbroken Barometer has been running for one week and one day. In this short period of time, it has managed to attract a daily audience of over 200 people, viewing the front page up to 720 times. Since a counter was introduced last week Saturday (exactly a week ago), the blog has received over 2200 page views.Anyone who has been monitoring this blog over the past week will have seen his or her fair share of opinions. I have been called many interesting names and been asked to comment on many interesting topics (including the state of Pork Sausages). The debates have become quite heated, some of them even spilling over into my email account. Only one user was ever censored on this site, and that is because I believe that they were making a deliberate attempt to gain hits for another site, opposing the principles of this one. Those principles were freedom of speech and tolerance.
I have been using Blogger, a website which allows people to have their say, and I believe I have been heard. With over 700 comments, I believe many other people have been heard too. The problem I now face is the lack of structure in these comments. Blogger is no longer able to handle the load of comments it is carrying.
I have been approached by people who are willing to assist in creating a proper website devoted to free speech, tolerance and issues affecting South Africa, the focus being crime. I hereby throw my spanner into the workings of The Unbroken Barometer.
What people have been debating over the past week is our problem of crime. Another interesting debate that has arisen is what can we as ordinary South Africans do? My suggestion is to do something!
A comment I accept and have appreciated on The Unbroken Barometer is that Neil Watson’s site is something good. It is a catalyst for meaningful debate. It has shaken South Africans into action. Just take a look at all of the Blogs that have started. Look at all of the Positive websites slowly emerging. Look at the people hunting down similar names to crimexposouthafrica.co.za in order to do SOMETHING!
I can already hear those comments and emails flooding in again. “What are you doing? You’re a 20 year old kid, sitting in front of a computer, making a website” Yes. I am. I am also a volunteer fire fighter for the South African National Parks. I have volunteered for many different things, volunteering for the past ten years. I have been reluctant to get into this debate, but here goes.
What is wrong with being young? Believe it or not, I know I am young and have received a great deal of flack for it, but it is a problem I am working on daily. Why can’t I have an opinion? Why do I give up my right to be proud and positive because I haven’t reached the age where everything (apparently) becomes grey and gloomy because I have a wife and two children? Does that look stupid to you? It is, but it is what some people say about me. I’m going to lose my enthusiasm for life “when I get my own family”. Those are the same people who are looking forward to seeing me once I have had that family attacked for a cell phone. Come on people. Who are you?
Here is something that all of the young and old people who aren’t upset with their families can do. Help make a difference. Go to www.OurSecurity.co.za. You’ll find much the same thing as this blog, only with more structure and a better ‘infrastructure’. It’s amazing how things are improving as 2010 approaches.
www.OurSecurity.co.za is a website created by volunteers gathered from The Unbroken Barometer who want to make a difference any way they can. If you can, please offer your help by emailing me. We need all the help we can get. Otherwise, you’re welcome to simply go to the website and have your say. Make a comment; tell us what you like, tell us what you don’t like. We’ll make it work.
Something else we are going to try on for size is advertising. Yes, we are planning to make loads of money. There’s one simple catch. We don’t ever see the money. If I can work out how to actually use the software, we’re going to offer advertising space to companies who donate money to charitable organisations. We’re not taking money “for administration costs” because we believe that a site like this will survive with the support of South Africans willing to make a difference.
So here it is, in summary. I will no longer be posting regular comments on The Unbroken Barometer. Instead, I will make comments on OurSecurity.co.za. I would like to invite all of the people who have commented here to carry on with the debate at the new site. You can still comment anonymously but your IP address will be logged to protect the site. It would be easier if you logged in. It is a very quick process. I’ll see you there.
I’ll try to stop typing now, but before I do I have something to say.
I had people trying to ‘discredit’ me because I was a fan of the Scary Movie Trilogy: Scary Movies 1, 2, 3 & 4. I laughed when I read the comment from the person who believed I didn’t know a trilogy was three. Would someone that stupid think of starting a blog based on political controversy? I also ‘caught it’ because I am a student. Students are meant to be activists. What do you want us to do with our spare time? Must we come and graffiti your walls?
I have had a lot of support from many different people, and I would like to thank them. I would like to thank those of you who have commented ceaselessly day in and out and those who have debated for what they believe in. I would also like to say that there are many people who do themselves no favours by being obscene and even threatening towards people who are trying to solve one of the biggest problems our country has faced.
Thanks to Angie, and also to Melini from ECR Newswatch and Renee from Independent Online. For those who haven’t seen the latest report, take a look: The Herald. If this blog has done anything, it has at least helped to discredit a website that is doing our country no good at all.
It may seem like I am trying to give myself a pat on the back. There’s nothing wrong with having high self-esteem. And no, I’m not trying to be the second famous person, and just to prove it I’ll end here.
Good night, and good luck.
Addy
posted by Addy @ 8:52 am
22 Comments:
Well done to you! We have much hope when we see young people coming out with positives!
Addy, I really do think you an idiot of note. Who were you before Mr Watson launched his website? Like the SA government you are simply surfing a wave made by others; you disgust me to the extreme!
Anyone interested in taking this further: go to
http://www.southafricaiscrap.blogspot.com
Mr Watson has made more than R4000 so far on the SMS's thanks to idiots like ananymous2.
Who was Neil Watson before he started attacking the country?
:)Keep it up.
Angie.
My letter to Mr Watson - from my blog
Mr Watson
I read with alarm that you are launching http://www.crimeexposouthafrica.co.za. Your stated aim is to "disillusion and disgust" foreigners. The website will be launched today and is aimed at discouraging foreigners from coming to South Africa because of the crime here.
You have said the website will insist on answers from the world soccer association, Fifa, "Fifa must explain to the international community why the murders of thousands of people were ignored when the 2010 Soccer World Cup was awarded to South Africa."
You have emphasised that the website will exceed all bounds, "We want to expose what the South African press finds sensitive."
I understand that you plan to publish hundreds of photos of gruesome murders - photos the press feel are too sensitive to publish.
Apparently you have not yet been affected by crime, but you feel it is inevitable that you will be.
I share your fears. I live in Johannesburg. When I moved here ten years ago, crime was of epidemic proportions. I have witnessed a gradual improvement and like many, felt that the police were winning the war on crime. Many shocking crimes this year have awakened fears that things are getting worse. I like you have escaped being a victim of crime, something I am profoundly grateful for.
I believe that it is foolish to bury one's head in the sand and pretend crime in South Africa does not exist. I am aware that I live in a society with an abnormally and unacceptably high rate of crime. I believe that our criminal justice system is hopelessly overloaded, inefficient and ineffective. I believe that our country has a culture of ducking accountability and denial of deep issues.
I have posted entries on my weblog, http://itisthequestion.blogspot.com about some of the horrific crimes that have been committed over the last 6 months.
But I fundamentally disagree with your intentions. I love this country. I question whether you do.
I continue to witness the turnaround of this country from the one I grew up in.
In the early nineties, I together with many, wondered if this country would descend into civil war. I even lost friends to the terrorist attacks occurring at the time.
I chose to stay and contribute to our country's rebirth and have watched as the success of its turnaround has gathered pace. Few could have imagined the miracle. As we stood in the queue to vote in the referendum to give transformation our "yes". As we queued with millions voting for the first time. As we watched one of world's greatest sons forgive his captors and wear the rugby jersey of a white captain at the 1995 world cup. As we watched Joshua Thugwane win gold at the Olympics. As we have watched our swimmers rule the world. And as our economy has leapt to life growing at 6%.
I have watched people return to South Africa after having emigrated to other countries. I have employed these people and encouraged others to return, always honestly providing an assessment of the dangers and the benefits of such a move.
I have also encouraged family and friends who have left because of crime. I have seen the effects of crime on a family's psychology first hand as my cousin killed an intruder in his bedroom. I fully understood his emigration choice as he sought a new life where his family would feel safe again.
I also fully realise that should I one day be a victim of violent crime, I might also feel sufficiently threatened that I might seek the safety of foreign shores.
I encounter people daily on the internet who have left South Africa and feel bitter about having had to do so. I meet many more who are even more bitter that whilst they might wish to leave they are unable to do so.
But I also see those who have been victims of crime who have managed to move on and remain committed to this country. I hope that I manage to avoid crime, but should I not, I hope that I might exhibit their bravery.
This country will survive and prosper because of bravery, commitment and optimism. Of course honesty, accountability and consequence will also be crucial to that success.
But our country also requires much to be built. We require a moral regeneration. It will be built on education. Education will require wealth and wealth will require jobs.
This represents massive construction. More than that, a constructive spirit.
And that is what worries me about your project. It is by objective destructive. You wish to turn people away from South Africa. You might justify this as your means of attracting the government's attention through external pressure. But as considerable as your effort is, I believe you have chosen an easy path. For it is always easier to be destructive than play a constructive role.
Our country needs constructive contributions. Indeed perhaps because of the lack thereof, our problems are that much greater today.
There are many ways to play a constructive role. From merely contributing productively to our economy, to volunteering some small contribution to our police force.
In fact almost any contribution will be less than that of the lives that many of our policemen and women have given so tragically in defence of our safety. Some of those stories can also be found on my weblog.
I have wondered what other means you have attempted to engage the problem before your current effort? And I wonder if your considerable effort might not find a better role?
Regards
ItIsTheQuestion
References:
Anti-crime campaign may scare 2010 visitors
SA crime website 'must disgust'
IMC concerned about 'negative' crime website
New anti-crimeexpo sites / posts:
Hoox
The Unbroken Barometer
www.realsouthafrica.co.za
Crime Site Gets A Rival - IoL
JoBlog
If only everyone could put as much effort into making SA a better place. Well done on your blog.
These guys deserve a medal, this is how we should deal with criminal. Shoot them on Site!
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20060719035031594C563670
Mr Watson should be glad he doesn't live in India.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/d362dbca-170c-11db-abad-0000779e2340,_i_rssPage=ff3cbaf6-3024-11da-ba9f-00000e2511c8.html
Hey Addy I think you should add this link to you list
http://www.health24.com/tools/remembrance/remembrance.asp
What a refreshing, positive, realistic, intelligent citizen of South Africa ... and, shucks, you are young, too!
Maybe Neil WAtsons' information is not entirely factual, however what is true is that crime is out of control in South Africa. The government wont even release accurate crime statistics. I do not believe that Watsons' motive was financial in starting his website. I think it was frustration at crime after crime and governments inefficiency and inability to deal with the crime and so he lashed out in the only way he knew how. The world cup in 2010 will still take place no matter what he says. Maybe some good will come of what he has started. At last attention has been drawn to the crime situation and the government does not want negative publicity so maybe now it will make more of an effort to do something about the escalating crime. This can only benefit us. I for one am tired of living in fear. Don't you also want to be able to live in peace not worrying about whether our mother, father, brother, sister or extended family members are safe. I know I want to.
No matter how many jobs are created, I do not think crime will improve. If people are purely commiting crime because they are poor, then why don't they just steal? Why attack and murder people but not steal anything at times? Why rape? Why not just hijack cars? Why hijack cars and shoot the victims as well? No there is too much random brutality involved as well. Too much rapes of babies and young children. What financial gain do they get from doing this? I do not believe employment will stop this.
To the latest anonymous.
Watch the movie "Hijacking Stories."
It hints a the disillusionment and anger of the latest township generation who see no future. The promise of a New South AFrica is hollow to them when they still recieve poor educations and no hope of satisfying the hopes of their parents dreams.
They believe that you have to have an english accent to succeed and see no chance of becoming one of the TV presenters that are the face of the New South Africa.
Jobs equal economic growth equal bigger education budgets.
In my discussion with the police yesterday, they mentioned the frightening gang mentality that dares a new criminal to be violent. This is common to gang violence across the world. Where are those gangs found? Well places like the Glasgow ghettos for a start.
Poverty is the enemy.
Well then the government has a lot to answer for. The government has made a lot of promises, but they have not kept these promises to their people. They are too busy lining their own pockets. Corruption is rife. Overseas there would be consequences if a politician is found guilty of corruption etc, however here its a slap on the wrist and business as usual.
No wonder the youngsters are becoming criminals, with their role models commiting offences and getting away with it and being glamorsized somewhat in the media by their own kind.
They commit offences with almost no consequences.
The richer get richer and the poorer get poorer and the promises they made mean nothing anymore.
They spend money unnecessarily on changing names of aiports and towns instead of using it where its needed most for the upliftment of the future generations.
It is rather obvious that violent crime is back with a vengeance! Undoubtedly due to the high rate of HIV infected criminals who have already got the 'death sentence', ask yourselves why they should care or stop even if employment were drastically increased.
Here are new refreshing news guys!
"ANC accused of 'ugly' racial categorisation
July 25 2006 at 11:45AM
It's blacks before coloureds in the restitution queue, is ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama's response to accusations by Allan Boesak that the ANC had reintroduced the language of racial division and damaged non-racialism.
Ngonyama said on Monday: "What is referred to as a strategic objective of our struggle, which is there in all documents of the ANC since days immemorial, is that we are fighting for the liberation of black people in general because black people in general have been oppressed in South Africa.
"However, we move on to say that we are fighting for the liberation of the African in particular."
This was because Africans had been treated as "third-class" citizens and other non-white groups as "second-class" citizens. The most disadvantaged group were black women, who had been oppressed both because they were black and because they were women.
At the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa conference at the weekend, Boesak said: "We brought back the language of racial division and we need to say that was fundamentally wrong.
"We have deliberately allowed the ANC to bring back the language of racial categorisation. In the 1990s, all of a sudden we were told again, you are Africans, you are coloured, you are Indians, you are white," he said.
Some analysts and opposition parties agreed with Boesak on Monday.
Analyst Protas Madlala said what was happening was ugly "and it's not just between the Africans and coloureds, but even between the whites as well."
Accusing the ANC of being "power-drunk", Madlala said the party went out of its way to dominate areas in which it did not have a majority.
"They have not (resigned) themselves to the fact that they lost Cape Town - they feel very bitter about that," he said.
He said the party would push the cause of African people above the wellbeing of others at the expense of racial reconciliation.
"This whole thing is going to backfire and make them look very stupid as well," he warned.
ID leader Patricia de Lille said: "We need to strike a balance between equality and equity." The ANC was making a mistake by not implementing equity equally, she said.
The DA said the ANC had fallen into the same trap as the previous dispensation by treating people according to their race instead of as individuals."
Addy - you have done great. Please don't end it here. You have taken up a cause which is bigger than you, so don't let personal attacks or the opposition get to you. That is exactly what they want. Please keep posting, if anything keep it shorter but just as powerful, and keep your skin as thick as a rhino's. To be honest, the only thing that reveals your age is that you are actually taking notice of personal attacks - it's a real cheap defense, b.t.w. These are the little people - you just keep being positive and put it in writing, demmit! I am just as sick of negative South Africans, really wish I had money to buy them all a ticket out of the country to a destination of their choice... like the moon.
Stupid little cunt !
It's a savage, vile country.
Your bullet or rapist is, statistically, only hours away.
When it happens to you, it's shockingly quick, totally unexpected and incredibly violent.
Sometimes surviving is the worst outcome of all.
South Africa is not a normal country.
South Africa has transcended all notions of basic decency.
It's a war zone and you, average Joe and, especially, average Jill, are the targets.
Statistically, you WILL get murdered and you WILL get raped.
If you are lucky, it will be a single incident, not a gang incident.
It's only a matter of time.
bwahahaha. what a pathetic loser this anony-mouse character is. why do you people actually waste your time with this tosser? he won't listen to what you say and will twist anything you do to suite his purpose. he also seems to be in full support of this southafricaiscrap character. have you seen this crap blog? the author of it thinly veils his racism by referring to "new south africans" instead of using the word black. he doesn't even have the balls to follow through completely. and this anony-mouse character is in support of him and probably the africacrisis site the southafricaiscrap blog too. they're both unashamedly racist so what does this character's support of those sites make him?
you would waste time on a racist who believes that apartheid was actually a good thing? you would have an argument with someone who believes a falsehood like that?
to call him a loser is an insult to losers.
*sigh*
Fighting about who is right and who is wrong. Today another 55 will be murdered. What did this childish yak yak help?
Well, what can I say? When I was 20 I thought I knew everything and I thought my parents were stupid - I know better now - probably the reasons for the hostility directed toward you is that victims of crime don't seem to view the situation from the same rosy prospective that you do. Why don't you visit Muldersdrift and talk to some of the families of people who have been slaughtered in on of the many horrific farm murders? How do you think they feel? I live in the United States and have been to SA three times, but what is happening there is not normal and it seems your government is uninterested in doing anything substantive to stop it...sorry, but I agree more with Neil than with you - you need to get a little more life experience before proscribing to others how they perceive things...the image of SA here is not good...
Post a Comment
<< Home