From Yusupha C Jow

Gambia-L:
With the elections fast approaching, the mullahs managing the list have
decided to unsubscribe me without notice for a posting in response to FJC's
taunting of the Opposition camp on the list.  Given, the post contained a
sentence which, according to some, was in bad taste.  However, from this
end, the statement which caused such a furor and trepidation among the
gutless and cowardly Mullahs is simply a slang that signifies that someone
is waiting in vain.

I would never disrespect Mr. Massaneh Ceesay, from all indications, a very
decent and stand up Gambian.  In fact, the man was my next door neighbor's
best friend and from my youth I looked up to this fellow.  I clearly
remember, along with my buddies, passing the older men a couple of 'kasses'
of Attaya each time they happened to be congregating at my neighbor's
house.  So, to say that this was an attempt at demeaning the man -as
asserted by Tombong - is ludicrous and reactionary.  The fact I pointed out
to FJC is true -- she should have been in bed with her husband during the
times she sent harassing postings to the list.  This had nothing to do with
any sexual connotations or anything of that sort.  It was simply a valid
observation which anyone could have noticed, and the fact remains; FJC was
up from 2 AM to 5 AM Gambian time using her [log in to unmask] account to send
harassing posting to members of this list.  So my sincere apologies to Mr.
Ceesay ad anyone related to him, including his kids.  To FJC, I unabashedly
offer no apologies.

I would also like to proffer that I hold certain members of list management
in high contempt.  Their tactics are humiliating and tend to give affected
members the impression that they have been ostracized by their own fellow
countrymen.  Now, I know how others who have suffered the same fate as me
must feel.  I understand the fury and hurt that their banning by L
management must have had on their feelings.  This is not to say that some
of us did not deserve to be banned, but the issue here is whether list
management went about it in a well-informed and rational way.  For example,
by sending a piece of email to the member telling them why they were banned
and how long the enforcement would last.  But apparently, the list
management as comprised presently, enforces ad hoc bannings which are
devoid of any serious thought process.  This is indeed extremely disturbing.

Because these bannings tend to cause hurt and feelings of ostracism among
the banned parties, it is of paramount importance that they inform all
members including the affected parties of the reasons for their decision
and how long the enforcement will last.  This way, a seamless process where
information is exchanged both ways is fostered.  In my estimation, this is
only fair and for certain members of the management to be tightlipped and
almost confrontational when questioned about the rationale of their
actions, is dictatorial ALA Yahya Jammed and cohorts style.

Mr. Malang Saidy's assertion yesterday that only the affected party is
entitled to know the reason for their fate, is a straight-up shameful
fabrication from a list manager nonetheless.  I sent an email to him last
night in the hopes that perhaps some type of clarity would be shed on why
this fate was meted out to me.  Sadly, my response was met by silence.  I
remember -- in the past -- even offering advice to this list manager on the
type of DSL modem which would be best used with his UNIX system, and in
that instance, my effort to be a good samaritan was not reciprocated.  Not
that this would be an indicator of the man's character, but more likely a
pointer to his attitude towards me.  One can extrapolate this observation
to perhaps proffer that given this stance, he would not be the best manager
to make decisions on my fate as it pertains to my posting of a few days
ago; a conflict of interest in other words.  I also could not help but
think of the relationship between Tombong and Malanding because apparently,
the latter knew before hand that I would be meted out the fate of being
ostracized from a list for and by my fellow countrymen.  This is the reason
why he could post a message which tried to make the equate my parents and
not risk a more calculated response which would call him out for the joke
called the GRTS.  In light of this, the relationship between the two has to
be examined to determine whether Malanding has an additional conflict of
interest which might interfere with his job of managing the list.

As I have proffered to others in private pieces of email, my banishment was
not only unjust, but a poor reflection of the management we have on the
list.  After all, my contributions - 550 in total including this one --
have mostly been enlightening and have ranged from soccer to politics.  I
have raised interesting issues, fought for the unrepresented and
downpressed, and also had my share of less than pleasant exchanges with
others on the list, including some who I have come to respect even after
unpleasantries were exchanges.  This, IMO, is normal and should not be seen
as an indication of intolerance or preying on the weak.  Unfortunately,
some despite attempts to portray themselves as good Muslims, do not
understand that a disagreement on this list is not to be taken personally.
Outside of this list, I have no beef with anyone but I would willingly
embrace my fellow brother or sister in accordance with the true virtues of
loving thy brother or sister.  My postings on this list are a reflection of
this fact, and unlike the likes of Tombong + Ous Bojang, I have never used
any list member's parents in the spirit of riling them.  If anyone can
prove otherwise, let them come forth.  Frankly, there is a difference
between a personal attack and one which uses every aspect of one's post as
material for rebuttal.  Obviously, Mr. Modou Camara, who a few weeks ago
posted extremely vague and dictatorial rules on this list.  I have no beef
with our 'esteemed' list manager except that at times the rules he comes up
with seem to be vague and badly thought out.  We expect better from our
leadership here.

At this point, I do not expect or want any sympathy from the intolerant and
shortsighted Mullahs of the list, their conscience and many more foibles
should take care of that as well as expose their failings in keeping a well
run and balanced list.  However, I am convinced that given my propensity
for controversy, they do not want me here.  Well, now you have me off.  And
finally, on those who have tried to seal my fate because my absence will
suit them better, I say; "you ain't seen nothing yet."  The GRTS,
emblematic of the APRC misrule, inefficiency and corruption, will be my
next target.  So, Tombong, you just wait!

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