Edi, thanks for your post and I agree with most of your points. I think we
should give respect to receive respect and no one has a monopoly on the use
of abusive language or ignorance. The capacity to call one outside of their
name rests with another too, and I think as Gambians, we all know that, for
we were brought up to respect every individual. None among us is perfect
and occasionally we may loose our cool, or displace our aggression,
verbally. It happens to the best of friends, to couples, family, and so I
say, to opposing view points too. That is all part of being human. Our
goal is to strive for perfection and not to be perfect, for we can never be
perfect, for their is a flaw to even the best of things.
I also agree that we ought to give credit where credit is due and apportion
blame and request for redress from whomever is responsible. The same vigor
one has to talk about the schools and hospitals built, the roads constructed
or under construction, the generators bought, etc, which are all
progressive, I equally expect similar energy expensed on the negative
aspects that plague our system of governance. Kids and countless others
were murdered, tortured, disappeared at the hands of this same government
and for seven years and counting, nothing is done about them. Corruption
and nepotism are still rife in this government with a difference. Like
Mobutu, Abacha, Amin, and a whole host of corrupt African leaders, Jammeh
has more money than the state, yet none wants to talk about the source of
those funds. Is it because of fear or total disregard for the truth, or a
combination of both, why these folks do not want to address these concerns?
It seems to me that most of those that want to showcase the positives of the
second republic always skirt around the negatives listed above and I wonder
why? What is preventing them from calling for justice for the injustices
meted to the citizens of our nation? What is stopping them from challenging
the president and his cronies regarding the source of their wealth? What is
stopping them from voicing their opinions regarding the illegal detention of
Dumo and countless others, or the thuggry of the NIA? Thus, the schism
between the supporters of this administration and the opponents, in my
opinion. As long as our support for or against this administration is one
sided, we shall forever have diverging viewpoints of the regime's
performance.
Having said that, this does not include Musa Jeng, Drs. Saine and Touray,
etc in the category alluded to. I tell you why. These individuals attacked
this government when our kids were massacred and they also contributed
financially in that endeavor and other fundraisers to help our people.
These same individuals dipped into their pockets to help our people legally
overthrow the APRC. I also know that they still support a change of
government in the Gambia. By them saying that roads are built and other
improvements are made in some sectors does not equate to them supporting or
sympathizing with this government in my opinion, but merely stating what
they saw. Same as when we heard over the news that our kids were massacred,
they registered their anger and are still seeking redress and accountability
from the murderers. This also does not mean that Dumo et al are being served
in platinum trays, milk and honey, in their opinion. These individuals
still believe that Dumo et al are unjustifiably detained against the
mandates of our constitution and we were there with them in the frontline.
I believe with continued attempts to meeting of minds, we would realize that
all three individuals mentioned still maintain their hunger for justice,
peace, and prosperity for our people. Pardon me for also addressing an
issue that is not directly to the issue of personal attacks.
Chi Jaama
Joe Sambou
>From: Edi Sidibeh <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: my take/personal attacks
>Date: Thu, 2 May 2002 13:55:34 +0000
>
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