I read your comments and would like to commend you for
reaching out to the hinterland.  I can imagine how
tough it has been for you especially traveling to the
remote corners of the country.  I hope it has been
fruitful and worth the trek.

My question is this:  Illiteracy within rural Gambians
is probably running at 70-80% (I'm guessing).  Also,
when so much of the votes are bought (you know what I
mean) from these rural dwellers by the current regime,
what is the probability of gaining ANY votes.  Take
the Jawara gov't for e.g., at the peak of corruption,
injustice and all other social ills, they still
managed to win elections by an overwhelming majority,
ALWAYS.

If blacks in the U.S. depended on congress to ban
slavery, or allow equal voting rights, god knows how
long that would take.  But through continuous
demonstrations, speeches etc, they were able to create
awareness even at the international level.  When such
was the case, congress had no choice but pass laws
against injustice and suppression of blacks.

What I'm trying to get at is that, I don't believe
that voting will ever remedy the turmoil we're all in.
 I firmly do believe however, that demonstrations
(peaceful) and other forms of social awareness would
be more effective than asking people to cast their
votes.

On another note, I am discontinuing all previous
discussions, and look forward to see your postings and
updates.  Good Luck and keep me posted.

Essa Thomas
--- foroyaa <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Essa,
>
> I thank you for the advice. I thought that the
> question I raised was
> designed to draw lessons from your own observations
> of my political conduct.
>
> You indicated that "Therefore, though I may qualify
> you as a revolutionary,
> I have sound resentments about your political
> diplomacy. "
>
> I was not sure what you meant. This is why I asked
> what you meant by
> political diplomacy. I agree with you that you have
> every right to an
> opinion and to differ with anyone. I respect your
> desire not to deliberate
> on the issue.
>
> As to the question of not running for presidency, I
> do not see any
> contradiction. Our position is that to serve a
> country is a life long duty.
> To hold political office is not a career. I am
> simply saying that I am
> willing to serve my country and humanity in whatever
> capacity time and
> circumstances dictate until I visit the grave, but I
> am not hungry to hold
> political office. I hope my position is clear. In
> short, whether I am
> elected to political office or not does not bar me
> from doing what I am
> doing now. During these past months, we have held
> meetings in over 200
> villages all over the country to discuss the vital
> concerns of the people.
> We have been sleeping in huts; eating what the
> people are eating; thus
> having a thorough understanding of their realities
> and concerns. This work
> of learning from the people and sharing our views
> with them regarding the
> nature of the country and what could be done to
> address their needs and
> aspirations is something that I will always be ready
> to do as long as I have
> the energy to do so. If we are given the mandate to
> manage the affairs of
> the country, I will also be ready to contribute my
> quota to the best of my
> ability. This is how matters stand.
>
> Greetings.
>
> Halifa.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tester testers <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Monday, February 21, 2000 08:13
> Subject: Re: TO HALIFA
>
>
> >HALIFA!
> >
> >Canis timidus vehementius latrat quam mordet.
> >A timid dog barks more violently than it bites.
>
>
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>
>
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