Translated Accounts

Home > Other > Translated Accounts > Page 8
Translated Accounts Page 8

by Kelman, James


  We can think this of one newcomer, any newcomer, stranger in our midst, a tourist, any guest to the country. Such are an irritation. More. But we are to respond. How are we to respond. We may shut off our ears to the newcomer as so advised. We may distrust the situation, thus may we exercise caution, so to remain controllers. But we also may be controlled. Who says it.

  There are the questions we must ask, the questions demanding that they so be asked. We have listed these questions, answers do not come. Replies are not answers, if that they are, not always so.

  Legal circles, power structures, spheres of influence within these circles and structures. Lawyers and other moral people, all professors, assistants to the aides of political leaders, secretaries to charitable corporations over this planet Earth. They talk to us. They also are members of the human species. Yes. Thank you. They warn us of international legality inter as between the owner of one dog that has bitten one child and the parents of such child. The example offered to us, common to these circles, often used, often abused. We learn these examples thus to enter discourse. How else to talk. We can talk. Can we talk. Yes, we learn. We also talk humorously. There so is humour.

  We discover a reaction to these examples may reach to the foundation, the fundamental principles of our behaviour, of how we respond one to another. These principles, ways of being, are universal. We hereby agree as set out, members of the human species, all of us. In working through the issue it becomes of the greater complexity, entering into every part of the society, from any State Security Council and its government, and onward, downward. Peoples are confronted by all authoritys and agencies, policing bodies, others, military, security, domestic and foreign, whether in the role of defence or prosecution, of judge, jury, executioner, extrajudicial, summarily and always the government as integral state agency, democratically-elected, dutiful-appointed.

  It is we who confront authorities. And who are we. We who may seek. Many colleagues many people. Disinformation and propaganda exist. This has been intensified, now reinforced and again reinforced. Few among us will have noticed, become moved. Who might be aggrieved if discovering the reality of State control. It is accepted that there is this control. All may enter into political work thoroughly, coming to understand the repression that exists in the society, in the culture, our community. One individual comes to understand, entering freely into that understanding. Confrontation can be direct. It is honourable. The newcomer can respect this, paying close attention. Strangers to our country also have their experience, other experience. Some are not exhausted, they are beyond these more trying circumstances. We are exhausted, so many of us, bodies aching.

  Some will not hear what is said by us, continuing to give to us examples from international circles, children walking home from school. What school. This is our land, homeland.

  Examples are to us but we do not require examples, so beloved of foreign sources.

  Oh please listen to us.

  Yes, we will listen, are listening, noting all what we may do, is allowed to us. These examples offered, if the owner of one dog that has bitten one child, yes. Little girls and great size dogs, vicious dogs, one such simply leaping over the large hedgerow or fence of the property, it is garden, yes, such a one sinking its teeth into the leg of the child, skinny little girl, blood hardly appearing at the puncture. Sir, in the realistic natural world these phenomena are not unique. Bullies exist, evil people, more evil. We are to believe it. If this is theoretical also it is in practice, such is the world and its ways. Little children such as whosoever are being attacked brutally, ruthlessly, yes indiscriminately, by these greater individuals, powerful individuals, more evil bullies who having the might of all circles behind them, military, legal, then so are agents of terrorism, personally, autonomously. It is possible. Who may think so.

  So in this manner is signalled to ourselves the dragging into the streets of neighbours and relatives, elderly females, there having fire set to their nightclothes and hair, groups of elderly males who, being stripped naked, having their testicles tied link to link to link to link thus to be led around that others of the community might ridicule them, if not so themselves becoming liable to retributive action by security, by military or what other State operatives, some may exist.

  It is said to us such affairs are not to be discussed. Specialty individuals and professional expert people, lawyers, doctors, all professors and higher authoritys, these look to us, thinking to smile, smile at our matters. Certain newcomers also may be present who are attempting not so to smile, so attempting. Who are these newcomers who may be strangers not strangers. They know something that to smile or not, what is to be done. We can ask about the “smile”, tell us about the “smile”, what this “smile” may mean, not why you do smile at us, or not, if what it may mean, becoming a matter of theory.

  We so are tired of this they say, your questions.

  And we say well why do you begin, if we are urged to think not of life in our country but pretty little girls home from colleges and schools in your country. Sir, let us turn from children home from your colleges and schools for vicious dogs leaping fences, let us discuss killings and murders, political murders, as is said killings State-inspired State-derived. It is to make a jump in reasoning. Yes. So also to come to know that in struggle when a person dies by injury, accident or disease, that this may be looked upon also as political murder or killing as is said. They say to us. We answer. Yes, all are in agreement, these acts also are terrorism.

  Our attention now may be drawn to situations inter as between owner of the vicious dog leaping the garden gate that has bitten the skinny little child. Also more crucially in this affair parents, parents of the child, citizens, human adult beings to be treated as human adult beings, those for whom State institutions are in existence and by more appropriate democratic procedures now operate smoothly or not smoothly, no matter but by consent, by consent, for good for bad, procedures that we may secure, strengthening, as how these can require such, yes, democratic, democratic, democratic.

  This is that we are, our autonomy. Our argument is advanced further. We can take all the time. Why not. This time is our time. We have all of it. The actions are in our towns and villages and territory, our countryside, in our mountains, lakes and valleys. Operations are set into motion by us. The owner of the crazed bully, this mad dog who is hound of all evil, out of all control, this owner begins by denial, each article of this affair step by step by step now is denied, especially he knows not one thing of any dog whether vicious or tamely domesticated, neither one thing concerning any child, female or male, whether bitten or licked in the friendliest manner. The owner may admit that he so does have a dog, indeed, but what concern is this, three-quarters or more of such a district all will have dogs, yes, final source of food, we are starving, who does not know it, yes I have a dog, I eat a dog, if it is crazed, also, if a chicken is evil we do eat it, sir, we are hungry.

  Now quickly on, if it be allowed, that such a dog exists in the ownership of such a fellow, established also that such a child exists, little girl, and so on, that she was bitten by one leaping vicious powerful ruthlessly indiscriminate dog.

  Let all witnesses come forward.

  We think always there are witnesses but this is not so, not so to be taken for granted, even thus, in crowded areas, more public areas. And if witnesses are discovered, brought forward, can their testimony be relied upon. In truth. Veracity of testimony. Or are these witnesses related to the child, have prior acquaintance with her. Or with her parents and extended family, remembering also that such families are grieving families, so grieving for the hurt to one child, if such testimony is gathered from them.

  If witnesses are reliable as to unbias in relation to this one child then of relationship to owner of this one dog. Within this district there is continual bickering and pettiness. The owner of this one dog can think of certain extremist terrorist madmen who would wish such opportunity to put one over upon him. He is not a favou
red citizen, he is no hooligan element but rather is law-abiding, thus having enemies, many and varied, for in our society dwell hooligans, myriads. Thus the child being bitten by a dog, this is as these enemies desire, so-called witnesses and their friends, precisely so. They would lie, saying what they will to cause all mischief to dog-owners, in particular for this one. So if any so-called witnesses fall into such a category their testimony therefore is accounted dubious, of course.

  And now of the child-victim, speak of her, this paragon child, puberty child in adolescence why she is walking home from school down this street and not another. What is her background. She is a child, she is female. She is reliable. Many girls do not distinguish easily as between fact, fiction. We know children, we all were children. Boys also, they invent fictions. Adults, yes, they too, it is a failing of all humans, tall tales. Mature responsible human adult citizens, who may have regard for stories, greater regard.

  And for some children it is true, authoritys advise us, that they have been very naughty in the district and this dogowning fellow, as one responsible and law-abiding citizen, will try to correct all anti-societal behaviour of these younger hooligan elements. He takes this societal burden upon his own shoulders, peacekeeper and moral strategist, what you may, asking no recompense. And what rewards. Calumny. It is not only children seeking revenge and of whom this girlish paragon is almost certainly one, or has friends she aids in such revenge, acting on their behalf.

  And at Hospital Casualty department, upon examination of this victim female paragon, did one so-called doctor or doctors verify existence of so-called bite, that teeth were responsible, that dogs were responsible, time of occurrence of bite, this teeth-wound, might it not have been older.

  Other doctors, supervisory authorities, were they in proximity, they did verify medical findings. Perhaps first doctor is not reliable. Had he been three, four, five days in field operations, one and two hours’ sleep, coffee and medication, tobacco, alcohol, other substances, what stress, yes, and what is this doctor’s experience, sexual habits to male, female, what does it tell us, and is he youthful in age, lacking knowledge of teeth-wounds. Is his knowledge specialised knowledge. Perhaps he cannot distinguish dog bites one from another. Does teeth-wound indicate a dog in particular or could it be the teeth-wound of any dog found on planet Earth, dachshund to Rottweiler. Can first doctor distinguish between teeth of a dog and each other species of animal known to mankind. May not there be one unknown animal in lost jungles south of Borneo whose teeth markings are similar. Was one or more unusual animals discovered in vicinity of girl’s village that day. If none was so discovered why is this, was not a proper search conducted by lost animal experts.

  So, it is settled beyond our reasonable doubt this dog is mongrel. But as to attacking girlish paragons no, not this passive and friendly animal who is always loving to human children. This dog is trustworthy, babies are left in his company. All extended families and friends of mongrel dog-owner will offer evidence of good character of this dog. Also mongrel dog-owner, his good character. It is shown that any or all animals owned by such a paragon must be passive and friendly. Other dog-owners vouch for this. They tell us further how so many many mongrel dogs are in this district, of whom a majority sharing physical resemblance to suspect. And people of this district cannot distinguish mongrel dogs one from another. Those who are able so to distinguish between these mongrels are acquainted with them personally. Is this child so acquainted, does she know mongrel dogs in her community such that she may tell one from another, even when leaping at her from nowhere.

  And now as to witnesses on behalf of victim so-called, it is common that people take sides in affairs such as these, for their own ends and purposes. Some have no liking for mongrel dogs or mongrel dog-owners and are campaigning for an end to all such activity. Such witnesses have axes to grind. Perhaps they are involved in extremist madman formations that go to unlikely extremes over public nuisance and dogs’ dirt, having as primary targets mongrel dogs and mongrel dog-owners. Has the child come under such influence, cranky schoolteachers whose sympathies are with terrorist expediency. Does the child admit of such arguments and justifications, individuals with their own cranky madman axe to grind. Strong-willed schoolteachers influence impressionable youth, all younger people. Is this a desirable goal in our society

  As also individual members of female paragon’s family whose record of hostility towards animals is attested locally, neighbours and others. Their influence can have had material effect on this child such that nowadays she is prejudiced against dogs where once she loved these furry animals as playthings. What is her history in connection to mongrels. Or is she fearful of all animals.

  Animals will sense fear and often react to it. If a child should walk the street, see such a one and act under duress this may upset the dog. The more passive and friendly of creatures will react if sensing threats from other creatures, human beings. It so is natural to respond. We speak here of survival. It might be said that if unduly provoked an animal is justified in its response, no matter if in human eyes this response is irrational. People are people and animals are animals and we cannot think of an animal that will act rationally. As human beings we act responsibly towards members of the animal kingdom, we act kindly towards them, assisting in their survival. But we do not and should not attempt to reason with them, even with the more intelligent of dogs, for not even these more intelligent of dogs are rational beings, yes more intelligent of dogs, these also are incapable of acting in a rational manner. We cannot rationalise to a dog such that this dog can forsake its dogness. Thus we humans so take responsibility over them where this is possible humanly. To go beyond what is possible humanly is a matter for others, if so, if they so may wish, do it.

  Yet none can foresee all eventualities. Unless chained to an iron pole, once the farmer is out of the field, the prize bull is free to roam but such a bull may then do damage either to himself or to other cattle. No less as with mongrel dogs and their responsible owners who will take all precautions to ensure that when out of sight and hearing distance this animal has not the opportunity to do damage to itself or to others. Irrational, unpredictable events may occur and is why dog-owners have fences round garden properties, keeping the gates locked, as in present case now under dispute. Unfortunately, due to unknown stimulus, the dog becomes under provocation or threat. We cannot know the full matter of fact being unable to enter into the inside of the head of the dog. But for this one occasion leading experts on mongrels will have advised all members of the court that the stimulus experienced by the dog has been great indeed, such that it produced jumping powers associated commonly with animal of non-canine species, such that no ordinary dog-owner might have predicted reasonably, the pedigree of mongrel dogs being open to speculation and if somewhere one ancestor chanced to be member of an ancient species of doglike creature with peculiar jumping skills, perhaps bred in an unknown jungle south of Borneo, for what other explanation is there, then we cannot say.

  It is probability, these questions. Actions of loving parents in respect of their injured female child-victim are justified. Parents so have freedom to feel aggrieved when their children are attacked in one ruthless indiscriminate fashion. Yet if children are in the process of development, all learning, acquiring reasoning skills, judgment skills, those that we may expect reasonably of more mature persons as toward democratic responsibility. It is to be hoped that this experience, though nasty, will produce a worthwhile lesson both for one child and for other children of the district. The owner of the mongrel cannot be held culpable beyond what might be expected, reasonably, of any dog-owner, that the precautions taken by him were reasonable under these circumstances, which are wholly unique, wholly singular, in this especial and specific instance. The international court makes recommendation, fully unbiased, based wholly on factual data, to the dog-owner that in future he takes pains to discover the genealogy of any mongrel he may own before agreeing to accept responsibility of sai
d ownership. The court here has no doubt that, if so found, this dog-owning fellow would erect a taller fence and/or gate. Yes, and international adjudicators further recommend to all mongrel dog-owners that it is advisable that on the grounds of any property all animals are in the back, better than to the front. Thank you sir.

  There are many misunderstandings of these legalities, being designed to bring justice, designed to settle actions between individuals, to advance freedom for some but not nor in spite of others. It so appears equality is in all individuals, but this equality is mysterious, having much to do with essence or essences held in common by all individuals.

  It is with difficulty we refer to “all individuals” as humanity, leading as it must to misunderstandings and confusions. Regard humanity as one wide-ranging community of individuals where difference begins from that one fact, community, where one law may be applied. Economic and social difference are individual qualities, sometime properties, and will enter the process of individual cases.

  It is indicated that we talk not about one law but another. Societies differ, laws differ. Colleagues irritate international experts through a failure to distinguish one from another. Our history can be an example, exemplification. Yet in earlier times our “campaigning formation” was susceptible to these arguments and examples, colleagues entered into these debates, adopting proposals on conference platforms, lobbies of political chambers, yes, we did accede to these channels.

  In cases dealing with political crimes, horrors, atrocities, precedents are of minimal value, also one case succeeds and we may not assume a precedent is created such that future State responses will have altered. Each case is prepared uniquely, as unique, so, a phenomenal occurrence. Yes, of course. Sir. As one case succeeds in however limited a fashion so will the State and wider community, international community, determine future victories, now preempting, from day-to-day operations of democratically-elected governments (dutiful-appointed), work on behalf of its masters, delivering all appropriate legislation, appropriate as so and may so, working through these issues when and as so they may occur, and what then should we designate evidence, what then is proof, how truth can be so determined, whose burden might that become, tell to me a victim, and is this consent. If all the way through and integral then explain to us how this can be. What also are called universal, if from outwith positions of authority.

 

‹ Prev