Haneke On Cinema

“I’m interested in seeing films that confront me with new things, with films that make me question myself, with films that help me to reflect on subjects that I hadn’t thought about before, films that help me progress and advance … For me, personally, I think watching a movie that simply confirms my feelings is a waste of time.”

- Michael Haneke (director of Amour)

Civil disobedience

Dear Mr. Sammut,

I read your comment regarding Civil disobedience at CIS and wished to respond.

For starters, what Assange did was not civil disobedience at all... it was an act of journalism. Perhaps you have heard of it. If Assange is culpable of revealing classified information, should the editors of New York Times and Guardian join him in the cell. Reasonable people can argue that not all classified information is ripe to be released to the public or in public interest to be revealed. But to believe that the mere act of classifying some piece of paper as top secret makes it sacrosanct, I am sure you would agree antithetical to a functioning democracy. The onus is on the government to explain why some information should not be publicly disclosed.

I find your dismissive and taunting tone particularly vulgar. Engage in a reasoned argument if you will but this is weak tea mate.

Yes, Gandhi's civil disobedience was about being willing to get arrested for breaking the law. But remember that his method worked only because the English were concerned enough about the rule of law and an appearance of fairness. And don't forget the many times they released Gandhi because of popular uprising caused by the arrest.

It is not fair to claim that the activists now lack the courage of their convictions. They are rightly afraid that they will not get a fair trial. My point being that Gandhi's civil disobedience in a different setting would have been completely toothless. I am confident that if you lived in his time you would write an impassioned column saying that he did break the law and should spend a lifetime incarcerated. If Gandhi tried satyagraha today, he will be arrested sure but there will be a parallel operation spearheaded by the Murdochs of the world to discredit him as a pedophile. They might stick a bag of heroin in his salt bag too just to make sure.

And this is not hyperbole.... Assange may be the public face of this discussion but there are countless others who did not "steal" classified information from Pentagon who are still harassed and persecuted for opposing the establishment. Laura Poitras for instance. Activists are not a bunch of spoilt-brats who are throwing a tantrum and then want a get out of jail card. How dare you! The same week that Aaron Swartz passed away.

I have a simple question for you - how many martyrs would it take for you to accept as legitimate a cause.

You sit in your plush office and demagogue about civil disobedience. I'll eat my words if you have spent one day in jail.

And don't drag Gandhi for your defence again. You don't own his legacy. And you sound like a damn fool

Best regards,
Ram