[kictanet] Are we throwing the baby with the bath water?

[Brian Munyao Longwe]

By my count I think that this is the fourth time the fellow is in custody
because of such charges. Isn't it true that a rap sheet plays a significant
part in determining the manner in which a new charge is handled? Anyway,
let's see how this plays out.

Brian

On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 9:42 AM, Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke> wrote:

> Brian
>
> True that hence my plea to tread delicately on this issue. Otherwise we
> stand the risk of killing a mosquito with a hammer when what is needed is a
> swat..or better still taking care of the environment around us so that we
> don't create mosquito breeding areas...
>
> Ali Hussein
> CEO | 3mice interactive media Ltd
> Principal | Telemedia Africa Ltd
>
> +254 773/713 601113
>
> "The future belongs to him who knows how to wait." - Russian Proverb
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Mar 28, 2013, at 9:30 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> +1 Ali,
>
> As for Mr. Alai - if there are charges against him, then there is probably
> also evidence against him as well. Let the courts settle the matter and
> decide whether or not he has broken laws or infringed anyone's rights. Two
> weeks ago I was the victim of vicious abuse from him on twitter when I
> asked him a question about why he was mobilizing people to return their sim
> cards to Safaricom. He might have a right to express himself, but not at
> the expense of others' rights.
>
> Mblayo
>
> On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 8:27 AM, Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke> wrote:
>
>> Listers
>>
>> Voltaire, the Famour French Historian and Philosopher once said
>>
>> "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death
>> your right to say it.<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/voltaire109645.html>
>> "
>>
>> I am writing this post due to the interesting times that we live in.
>>  There is a lot of emotions, bigotry, outright tribalism and jingoism being
>> bandied around the country in many channels - Online responses to media
>> stories, FM Station talk shows, social media, work places, bars etc. Whilst
>> I abore the very nature of some of the discussions we have fought too hard
>> for freedom of expression and association to blanketly condemn everything
>> whole sale.
>>
>> I have just read a story in today's nation titled *'14 Bloggers linked
>> to hate messages'*.
>>
>>
>> http://www.nation.co.ke/News/14-bloggers-linked-to-hate-messages/-/1056/1732288/-/cut5kvz/-/index.html
>>
>> The gist of the story is that the bloggers are using the anonymity of the
>> internet to spread hate, tribalism etc.and they are being 'hunted down'
>> like rabid dogs.  What  I found interesting is this particular paragraph:-
>>
>> *Mr Robert Alai, a well-known blogger was on Tuesday charged with
>> posting “annoying” statements on social media sites, Twitter and Facebook.
>> *
>>
>> For those of us who follow Robert on Social Media you may be forgiven if
>> you think he is the 'Village Mad Man'. However he is a Kenyan and has a
>> right to free speech. I do not excuse some of the stuff being posted online
>> but I sincerely do hope that when one is being charged at our law courts
>> the charge sheet does not say that he or she is charged in court for
>> posting 'Annoying Statements'!!
>>
>> A few months ago Eric Hershman (whiteafrican.com) posted a blog
>> defending Robert's right to his unique brand of 'journalism' and I am one
>> of those who commented on the blog saying that one needs to take
>> responsibility for his actions.
>>
>> http://whiteafrican.com/2012/08/22/kenyas-slippery-censorship-slope/
>>
>> Now I see where Eric was going... Oh the power of Retrospection.
>>
>> I urge the Powers That Be to delicately balance and be circumspect on how
>> they use the tools of state lest we run rough shod on the very freedoms
>> that allow us to freely comment, post online our opinions. As Voltaire said
>> - I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your
>> right to say it.
>>
>> Let us all take a step back and ensure that we do not fall victim to the
>> tyranny of the few who have decided to interpret for us what is good or bad
>> for our beloved nation.
>>
>> *Ali Hussein*
>>
>> *CEO, 3mice interactive media ltd*
>>
>> *Partner, Telemedia Africa Ltd
>> *
>>
>>
>>
>> Tel: +254713601113
>>
>> Twitter: @AliHKassim
>>
>> Skype: abu-jomo
>>
>> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim<http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
>>
>> Blog: www.alyhussein.com
>>
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>
>
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