Spot on Bert...
Believe it or not, I do have respect for the risks you're taking running this forum in the first place. Unlike some other expats who seem to see nearly everything in Bali as living proof of a "paradise" (on wheels, these days...maybe even on fancy handphones), I remain both skeptical and suspicious. The balancing act you're trying to do here is highly commendable. By your own admission, you're getting a little "nervous" too.
Of course, I don't speak for other expats here but I'm sure many don't want to say too much on internet forums based in Indonesia...just in case. So here I go and admit that I've probably said way too much in the past for my own future safety. Don't worry - I'm going to wind down (shut-up)...I worry a little bit for you, but you appear to believe that you can escape future potential "repercussions" by doing things like locking topics, and so forth.
Far be it for me to give "advice" like the following and maybe I'm being proactively paranoid, but maybe it's a good time to completely wipe your hard-disks and start all over. A real pain in the butt, I know. And even if you did do that, what kind of "forum" would we all have then?
The time might come when expats in Indonesia will be better off to publish their "grievances", or anything remotely "contentious" regarding this country on forums physically located in other countries. Of course, even to do that they still have to worry occasionally about what's stored on Indonesian-based ISPs (account details including name and address, etc). Can't "win" really...but being a tall-poppie here is not without its risks, as I'm sure you understand.
My last "negative" for the moment is don't get too excited about notions of democracy here. Most people in Indonesia haven't got a clue. Sadly, it's not even their fault.
All power to you, Bert. Don't abuse it, be eternally vigilant and all the best of luck.
:roll:
...the number of Bali Expats, is far too low. Its a pitty, but as it seems they have something better to do then discussing things on a forum...
Believe it or not, I do have respect for the risks you're taking running this forum in the first place. Unlike some other expats who seem to see nearly everything in Bali as living proof of a "paradise" (on wheels, these days...maybe even on fancy handphones), I remain both skeptical and suspicious. The balancing act you're trying to do here is highly commendable. By your own admission, you're getting a little "nervous" too.
Of course, I don't speak for other expats here but I'm sure many don't want to say too much on internet forums based in Indonesia...just in case. So here I go and admit that I've probably said way too much in the past for my own future safety. Don't worry - I'm going to wind down (shut-up)...I worry a little bit for you, but you appear to believe that you can escape future potential "repercussions" by doing things like locking topics, and so forth.
Far be it for me to give "advice" like the following and maybe I'm being proactively paranoid, but maybe it's a good time to completely wipe your hard-disks and start all over. A real pain in the butt, I know. And even if you did do that, what kind of "forum" would we all have then?
The time might come when expats in Indonesia will be better off to publish their "grievances", or anything remotely "contentious" regarding this country on forums physically located in other countries. Of course, even to do that they still have to worry occasionally about what's stored on Indonesian-based ISPs (account details including name and address, etc). Can't "win" really...but being a tall-poppie here is not without its risks, as I'm sure you understand.
My last "negative" for the moment is don't get too excited about notions of democracy here. Most people in Indonesia haven't got a clue. Sadly, it's not even their fault.
All power to you, Bert. Don't abuse it, be eternally vigilant and all the best of luck.
:roll: