It is an intelligent practice to know a person well, before one can write
obnoxious things about him. To defame a person, simply because the person's
political views are different from yours, is one of the causes of the
predicaments of the Gambia. We all have our opinion about different aspects
of our country and there is nothing unhealthy about a difference of opinion
on a specific topic. But when character assassinations, insinuations and
mud-slinging are used as an attempt to justify a point, then we are only
perpetuating the politics of our early politicians when "Education nor
matter".
I honestly believed that the Gambia-L is a forum where Gambians of varying
intellect can discuss events that could bring about betterment of our
country. That is simply why I refrain from any move to make this forum a
platform for a specific camp. I also believe that the views of every
contributor should be studied by everyone before giving an opinion, but when
ones view is a downright fabrication, one has to shout "Hold it!!".
Lamin Waa Juwara, and Kemeseng Jammeh are no strangers to me. I met them at
the Teacher Training College at Yundum way back in the 60s and had it not
been for people like Lamin and Kemeseng, I would not have been posting this
today.  I must add that I later spent a year with Kemeseng at Kuntaya
(Jokadou). In the glorious days of the late Seyfo Abou Khan. I was not only
his lodger but also his progeny.
In those days Lamin Juwara was more concerned with raising the awareness of
the Gambian youth. Lamin was the first to expose the then Secretary General
of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), who was a Gambian, as not been
"Kosher", few months later Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Toure) confirmed
Lamin's suspicion. (See Philip Agee's: Inside the Company, CIA Diary) (NOTE:
This book was banned in the U.S.) I find it somewhat out of place to call
these people names as drunkards, tribalists, opportunists and what not. The
issue here is not the personalities of these people, but for what they stand
for.
One of the most prominent Finance Ministers of the 90's was the British
Chancellor of the Exchequer who used to give his budget with a bottle of
Whiskey on the dispatch box.
In the Gambia, tribalism is an issue only to those who are "tribalistically"
minded.
Were these two "opportunists", they would have been ministers in the 60's,
when many Ministers were literally uneducated.
The question that the UDP cannot afford PC's "to sell themselves" is totally
immaterial, since
The UDP is the only political organization in the Gambia with a Website. It
would help any doubter to surf the site and read for himself, the Manifesto
and Constitution of the Party. Surf further and see the composition of the
Party Leaders. Everyone in the Leadership was elected not because of his or
her tribe but because of his or her competence.   The URL of the UDP is
http://www.udpgambia.org (Just click on this link and ask any question you
like).
This shows that the UDP is not only the best alternative for the Gambia but
also the ONLY alternative.
When shall we see a Gambian Website owned by the APRC?

Brother, give me the price of a LEXUS and I will build you 20 (Twenty)
powerful Websites and give you your change.

I am a die-hard UDP sympathizer. What are you? With the elections just 18
months away, every Gambian should take sides. Sitting on the fence is more
detrimental to the Gambian than being a member of any existing party.

Cheers

Prince Obrien-Coker

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