Fabulous conversation Demba! I am more inclined to your political world view vis-à-vis the lawlessness we are confronted with in Gambian public space.
Captain Ebou Camara is obviously quite sensible, articulate, and knowledgeable, but he comes across as somewhat accommodating/understanding of the status quo in The Gambia, a status quo that daily solicits our 100% rejection. I am particularly pleased that you vigorously countered his views on Professor Jammeh's UN speech, a speech that promotes no values capable of advancing the socio-political fortunes of The Gambia. The structure of international public life is no issue for an oppressed domestic community. And along the lines of the doctrine, and law of equal protection,
homosexuality must be seen as a non-issue. Under a new dispensation, I hope we can team up, with like-minded Gambians, wherever we may be, and however we might be engaged, to campaign for conclusive legal protection for homosexuals in our country. A polity grounded in the values of tolerance demand it!
On Fatou Camara, the issue is somewhat tricky, but I wholly reject her unlawful arrest and detention. Those inclined as Fatou are yet again confronted with the singular truth that a system equally protective of every Gambian is the only system that ensures national security. In the US, the philosophy is framed in the contention of "a nation, not of men, but of laws". Someone like Fatou who spent time in the US should appreciate that compelling truth.
However, the moral corruption of the middle class in The
Gambia has reached epidemic proportions. Fatou is a poster girl for that corruption, and in her quest for fame and success, she sees and hears no evil about the lawlessness that represents the gravest threat to personal and national security. She is by no means alone, and her failure to appreciate the absolute transiency of her fame in a lawless public terrain is symptomatic of the real tragedy of Gambia's connected, and, or, educated/certificated community.
A month ago, Bolonba provoked Chongan into highlighting the selfishness/opportunism of the Gambian, and to wonder aloud whether there is any point in fighting for such people. He is absolutely right, and but for the fact that I am fighting for my own dignity as much as anything/anyone, I would have kissed goodbye to our struggle against public lawlessness.
For the avoidance of any doubt, I reject Fatou's unlawful arrest and detention. From a humanitarian perspective as a parent, son, grandson, uncle, brother, etc., I am deeply saddened by her plight. I have genuine sympathy for Captain Camara, and his family. If only because she articulates the utter lie of the Professor's kindness, as well as remain indifferent to his callousness to other human beings, I will not attend any demonstration in support of Fatou. I know many with similar views, and major commentators in our online community intimated to me they don't care even to discuss her plight. Who can blame them?
That said, thank you for your commendable clarity on where we are, and where we should be as a polity.
Inspiring conversation
overall!
LJDarbo
From: Demba Baldeh <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, 30 September 2013, 20:49
Subject: [G_L] US Army Captain Call on
Jammeh to Release Journalist Fatou Camara and All political prisoners
US army Captain Ebou Camara was our guest on Gainako Radio over the weekend. Captain Camara is a brother to Journalist Fatou Camara and he expressed concerns about the arrest and continuous detention of his sister.
For more details on a somewhat heated conversation please tune in to
As always your feedback negative/positive always highly welcome as the readers and listeners are our eyes and ears.
Regards
Demba for GON Team
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Be the change you want to see in the World"
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at:
http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html