Bro Yus,
I did said that I was closing,but it is one of your statement that is
forcing me to react.
 Talking of the American political system(American Democracy)that has denied
over one million people basic human rights,the right to have decent daily
meal,the right to a roof over your head,the right to good clothing,the right
to free political thinking etc,this
is no slight difference with that of the Scandinavian Democracy,here you
have
the right to a place you call home,the right to decent meals,the right to go
to school etc and not only to Scandinavians but as long as you live in this
country,no matter were you come,no matter if you don't have a work to go
to.This difference might be a minor thing,but not for those millions of
American who,come rain ,come storm,have no place to take refuge,let alone
have a decent meal.And I dont even believe that this is the system you are
yearning for our dear Gambia.
For freedom
Saiks
----- Original Message -----
From: Yusupha Jow <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 4:16 PM
Subject: Re: US Election Card


> Saiks:
> Thanks for your response.  As I suspected, your distrust of the West and
its'
> unjust past and present policies towards Africa is preventing you from
> viewing democracy by itself as a separate conceptual ideal.
>
> We should not allow ourselves view democracy as a concept restricted to
the
> West only.  Instead, we should try to adhere to the basic tenets that this
> concept entails:
>
> 1.  As close to a free and fair elections as possible.  This, so that we
can
> be governed justly at every level.
>
> 2.  A system that offers our people the opportunity to advance socially,
> economically, and politically.
>
> As I alluded to earlier, democracy (deem - a - crazy -  as the great Fela
Kuti
> once called it) is neither absolute nor perfect in any given setting.
> Different practicing countries have tailored this system to work with
their
> cultures and social beliefs.  After all, the system is practiced slightly
> differently in countries like Japan, Norway, and the US.  In the same
vein,
> African countries need not adhere to the system like it is practiced in
the
> West.  But tailor the system to meet cultural considerations while at the
> same time trying as much as possible to adhere to the basic ideals of this
> system.
>
> Saiks, do not think for one minute that I am pro-establishment because of
the
> stance I have taken.  I am a student of history and political science that
> understands fully the legacy of the West.  However, to critique the
concept
> of democracy effectively, we must view it as it's own separate concept.
>
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