Sister Jabou Joh,

As you mentioned earlier, to have so much for which to struggle, and to engage in excessive trivia here is itself a tragedy. So I too think that all of us should move on to more pressing matters. 

I have tried when necessary to just drop some issues with a view to help myself concentrate on others that carry more weight for our common interests. And I hope neither Ebou Jallow nor anyone else should pay attention to this malicious rumour of a Gambial-L closedown. 

Nevertheless, as much as it pains, I need to insist that the idea of a rivalry is not at all ridiculous. I for one have just simply not paid any attention whatsoever to it. As I mentioned in an earlier posting here, internet forums operate basically on congeniality. Gambians like any other peoples, can start as many mailing lists as they see fit for any number of reasons, and all of us can join these lists as long as we believe they serve our interest. Yet there is no doubt in my mind that quite a number of aritificial stray mails that found there way mysteriously to Gambia-L can hardly have been of noble purpose. [I hope I am not the only one who remembers the advent of lost e-mails that mysteriously land on the L before the author claims he must have lost his way in cyberspace 'cos he is on his way to the Mighty Post?]. And not only that, believe me.

Well, what do you do with such incidents? One can neglect them like petty irritants. Which is not to say that they lack an underlying motive.

What we should be doing is to share information. Some have done a good job of that, now and then forwarding to Gambia-L articles that were sent originally to the Post, and vice versa. That needs to continue.
What I think we should do at Gambia-L is to create  the profile of a forum where we address one another with respect in spite of the diffeent creeds we may represent. We should hope that by being that modest and cultured in the way we conduct debates and discussions, even those institutions or individuals, especially in Gambia, who are often objects of debate, may honestly feel that criticism directed at them are, for all intents and purposes, constructive; and that we can contribute in a modest way, to inculcate a rigorous culture of dialogue that seems to elude so many of Africa's societies;  looking for solutions to our national problems by exchanging ideas rather than insults, which are usually a prelude to violence. 
(Goodness, if we prove incapable of addressing one another with respect, why should anyone in Gambia, especially political leaders, listen to what we have to say? Why should we be taken seriously?)

In a long article years ago, I argued that Gambian intellectuals have mostly remained aloof on socio-economic and political issues, sharing knowledge  neither with themselves nor with the unschooled masses. It has been the Muslim clerics who stationed themselves at street corners and spread the word about living as good muslims and decent human beings. PDOIS broke that tradition in the mid-eighties. The internet has also provided us with a dynamic instrument by which we can strengthen and deepen that culture of dialogue. Herein lies the responsibility of our generation in the struggle to create a truely democratic and open society in Gambia. 

Cheers,
Momodou S Sidibeh


--- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jabou Joh" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 2:34 PM
Subject: Re: Rumours that G-L is closed/Omar


> Thank you Omar. I sent this message to the list to dispel the rumour, and
> prove how ridiculous it was, and I must say that when the individual told me
> about this rumour, the idea of any list rivalry never entered  my mind.
> Unfortunately, Ebou Jallow's use of the occasion to make that connection has turned this
> into something it was not intended to be.I had actually assumed that the
> rumour came from the Regime's agents who would rather that we were not here
> exposing them.
> Infact, i see no reason for those who want to join both lists not to do
> so.The idea of ay rivalry is ridiculous.
> Omar, I always miss the chance to tell you that I admire your maturity and
> wisdom possesed by such a young man. It can only be an asset for our country.
> 
> Jabou Joh
> 
> In a message dated 10/14/03 8:04:07 PM Central Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
> >
> > Sister Jabou,
> > lets proceed, this rumour is just one and there may be many more along the
> > way. What is essential is for those in charge of the list to ensure that all
> > such rumours are proven wrong.
> > Personally, I have joined both lists to get a broader spectrum of the
> > Gambian public opinion. Thus I can only urge their managements to keep up
> > their good work. They can definitely co-exist harmoniously and I have no
> > reason to believe that they have been doing otherwise. There is nothing
> > wrong in even having some more lists as long as they give many more Gambians
> > at home and in the diaspora the opportunity to publicly express their views
> > on all kinds of issues.
> > Omar Joof.
> >
> >
> >
> > >From: Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]>
> > >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> > ><[log in to unmask]>
> > >To: [log in to unmask]
> > >Subject: Re: Rumours that G-L is closed!!!!!
> > >Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2003 17:30:54 EDT
> > >
> > >I know brother Modou Camara. I thought it rather amusing that there is such
> > >a
> > >rumour. Thanks to the list managers for all your hard work.
> > >
> > >Jabou Joh
> > >
> > >In a message dated 10/14/03 9:53:47 AM Central Daylight Time,
> > >[log in to unmask] writes:
> > >
> > >
> > > > Sister Jabou,
> > > > Its just wishful thinking! Gambia-L have almost 500 members.
> > > >
> > > > Momodou Camara
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > > > > I guess someone has been spreading rumours that G-L is
> > > > > closed. I received an
> > > > > email this morning asking for confirmation of this.
> > > > > Perhaps the wishful thinking of those who would like to have
> > > > > the list go
> > > > > away.
> > > > >
> > > > > Jabou Joh
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
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