Subject: King children sue brother, father's estate
From: Money Palava
To: All
Date Posted: 18:25:01 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
King children sue brother, father's estate
By Josh LevsCNN
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Two of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s children are suing their brother, accusing him of wrongfully taking money from their parents' estates.
Dexter King, left, Bernice King and Martin Luther King III attend a 2006 tribute for their late mother.
Bernice King and Martin Luther King III allege that Dexter King took "substantial funds" out of Coretta Scott King's estate and "wrongfully appropriated" money from their father's estate.
The suit, filed Thursday in Fulton County Superior Court, serves as a very public fissure in an iconic family that has always professed unity, particularly as questions have swirled around some of their financial dealings.
In a written statement Friday, Dexter King called the suit "inappropriate and false."
"I'm disappointed that our personal family disagreement, as it relates to the family business, has evolved into being handled in a public legal forum," he said.
"It is my hope that this inappropriate and false claim by my siblings will be swiftly resolved and we can go about the business of focusing on our parents' tremendous legacy."
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was to lead garbage workers on a protest march.
King's wife, Coretta Scott King, also devoted her life to the civil rights movement, died in 2006.
Attorneys for Bernice King and Martin Luther King III would not say Friday how much money they are accusing Dexter King of taking from their mother's estate.
Bernice King is the administrator of that estate. Dexter King, the suit says, controls their father's estate, which is registered as a Georgia corporation.
All three children are shareholders in that corporation.
The lawsuit names Dexter King and the corporation as defendants. It alleges that last month, the defendants "converted substantial funds from the estate's financial account at Bank of America for their own use."
Harmon Caldwell, an Atlanta attorney representing the plaintiffs, said Dexter King is a signatory on the account, but "was not authorized to transfer the funds," and gave his sister "no notice that those funds were being transferred."
The suit says that as a result of the transfer, "plaintiffs have and will suffer financial loss."
The lawsuit lists Bernice King as a plaintiff both individually and as administrator of their mother's estate.
Separately, the suit says Dexter King "has wrongfully appropriated assets belonging to the [estate of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.] or its shareholders for his own benefit."
Caldwell said Dexter King has refused to say what has happened with some of the corporation's money.
"I can't tell you that he's gone out and used corporate assets for his own living expenses," the attorney said. "What I can tell you for certainty is that by not providing Martin and Bernice with information about how the corporation is using its assets, he is essentially using those assets, appropriating those assets for his own benefit."
The plaintiffs' attorneys would not estimate the size of either estate. But one, Jock Smith, noted that a collection of King's manuscr1pts and other items was sold in 2006 for a reported $32 million.
"I don't think it was a substantial corporation of any sort before that," Smith said.
Over the years, the family of the civil rights leader has zealously protected its financial interests, at times taking legal steps even against news media for showing some of King's most famous speeches.
In 2005, some news agencies reported on the King Center, a nonprofit, having put millions of dollars into a for-profit business run by Dexter King. The family rejected allegations of wrongdoing, and has generally pushed to keep financial matters private.
Smith said his clients made repeated efforts to reach out to their brother in recent weeks before deciding to take legal action.
Smith agreed with the suggestion that it was emotionally tough for the King children to file the suit.
"That would be the understatement of the year, Smith said.
Subject: Threats of Embarrassment against the President are fake
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 18:21:07 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.178.19
Message:
The stories carried out by AWTimes in regards to e-mails sent by Zimbabweans are a cause for concern.
Why has the proprietor decided to conceal the e-mails if he/she is quiet sure they come from Zimbabweans?. These e-mails must be published so that the IPs scrutinized and the origin exposed.
What many people failed to realized is that we have an SLPP rebellious group fighting an electronic war against the government as we've witnessed right here on this forum where SLPP supporters poses as Zimbabweans when they're really Sierra Leoneans. The publication of these e-mails might just prove my point that the SLPP supporters are ready to go to every length to distabilize this country simply because they're no longer in power.
I hope when those e-mails are published and find that they originate from either Europe or the US, all other neutral newspapers will publish them to inform the public about the truth.
What make people think that Sierra Leone is not capable of finding out where those e-mails originate from? are they not aware that electronic communication today is as easy as drinking pap?.
I've participated in a very renouned Zimbabwean newspaper (the Herald Tribune) with hitted debate on the conduct of their government and the elections and nothing negative was ever mentioned about Sierra Leone instead its full of praises for Sierra Leone as a symbol of democarcy in Africa.
On the 9th July, a senior Probation officer originally from Zimbabwe working for the British government was exposed by the Mirror newspaper for his strong advocacy for Robert Mugabe through his IP, so the same can be applied on the alleged e-mails sent by Sierra Leoneans as bogus Zimbabweans.
To all those who're bent on destroying democracy in the country, be warned that if Sierra Leone go back to the old days, you will not be exempted from the wrath of war, you might be living confortably in another man's country but if our country is destroyed, you have nowhere to go so why not just go with the true principles of democracy and show love for your country instead of undermining it. That's not to say nobody should criticise the government but must be objective in your criticism.
Subject: Re: Threats of Embarrassment against the President are fake
From: ??????????
To: All
Date Posted: 18:23:19 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
??????????????????????????????????????????????????
Here comes Fulumunku again. Merci.
Subject: Re: Threats of Embarrassment against the President are fake
From: ola
To: All
Date Posted: 18:50:12 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: nathan25@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Seriousely, who is the Fulumunku, you or the writer?
I think it is you who sound like you don't know that you live in a global village. Do you think you are still in kailahun? let me remind you. If you send an E-mail to anyone regardless where they are they can trace you if they want to "DAKAY"
Subject: MALOMBO AND KAMARA, YOU ARE RESTORED , BUT BE CAREFUL
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 18:01:02 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
Mr. Osman Malombo Conteh and Mr. Kamara , I blocked your IPs yesterday because you were trying to post an advert about a new newspaper.
We at COCORIOKO decided not to allow the advert because firstly, you did not pay for it ( Remember that it was some of you who stood firm on this forum that the NEW PEOPLE should pay for advertising their paper here ? What is sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander.If it was theft of services for the NEW PEOPLE, it should be theft of services for other papers too ) .But since we all come from the same locality, I would have waived the payment aspect and allowed you to post your advert.
BUT , We also do not want to be involved in YOU people's conflicts.I have told you this off this forum over one million times. I don't want to be part of your chaos. We have gone over this over and over and over. You know that if your advert had remained on this forum, the other party would have responded to your articles and before you knew what was happening, this whole forum would have been on fire and what I had avoided all along--Transferring your CHAOS to COCORIOKO --would have happened.
I have nothing against your newspaper. COCORIOKO HAS REACHED THAT HEIGHT WHERE NO NEW PAPER CAN MAKE US LEERY. WE LOVE COMPETITION. BUT YOU KNOW MY RESOLVE NOT TO BECOME PART OF YOUR CHAOS. PLEASE RESPECT MY RESOLVE.
These are your IPs .
71.204.124.73
24.105.152.45
They have been unbanned but please follow the rules and regulations of this forum .Also, respect our decision--We don't want to be part of your chaos so do not bring your advertisement here.I hope you understand.
Subject: Re: MALOMBO AND KAMARA, YOU ARE RESTORED , BUT BE CAREFUL
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 18:10:12 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Kanu,they should have lost the opportunity to be part of this establishment to send very clear message of zero tolarance for graud and intellectual dishonesty.These are the same issues i have with Abdulia Conteh.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: IF ONLY ABDULIA CONTEH HAS TOLD EVERYTHING ABOUT HIMSELF.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 17:54:13 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
If only Abdulia Conteh’s political and criminal backgrounds were properly checked,he will not have been imposed on the poor citizens of belize as chief justice:
Abdulia Conteh and his lackeys have always touted his associations with Kings College in London and Cambridge University as reasons why he should be given top jobs such as the OAU/AU headship that he lost twice.As a matter of fact the only genuine election he has ever won was that of Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Bar Association .Every other contest has been tainted and vitiated by fraud or irregularities.
Yes,he served as :
State Counsel,
Lecturer,
Member of Parliament,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Minister of Finance,
Attorney General,
First vice president and Minister of Internal Affairs,
Chief Justice of the tine nation of Belize as his positive accomplishments.
We should equally present the other side of him which will forever remain his Waterloo:
He participated in sustained law breaking in the nation that has driven it into the abyss of annihilation.
He was one of the principal kleptomaniacs that wrecked havoc on the nation’s economy.
One day,his brief case fell and opened and out went flying international currencies in the thousands that he was never able to account for.
He was caught with fraudulent traveling documents when he raced to the UK after he and his boss Momoh were kicked out of office.
He was jailed in London and never permitted to leave the airport.
He was deported from the UK
He was held in jail in the Gambia
He was finally deported from the Gambia.
If he had put all those infractions of principles,no matter how much the citizens of Belize needed a new Chief Justice,he will never have been appointed to such August office.
In future,when he seeks an international office,he should be decent and honest enough to tell the prospective employers all they need to know to enable make informed decisions on him.It is not enough to talk just about Kings College and Cambridge alone especially for the position of Chief Justice when he suborned perjury and cocktail of lies to have innocent citizens convicted on crimes they never committed as he himself seem to be implying in his November 11,2007 addressed posted on this forum.
Abdulia Conteh’s claim to academia has proved to be a curse on him because where ever he goes,he stands very despised by the vast concourse of the citizenry.This is the best way to revenge on him for all the injustices he perpetuated just to be part of the political establishment.
Oh what a shame and embarrassment to himself,and his family.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Do not post Shekito's last letter here
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 17:32:11 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
Dear all, I have deleted Shekito's last post to the AT Publisher ,WHICH WAS POSTED HERE BY SOMEBODY, because editorially, COCORIOKO has decided not to publish it.The reason is that it has accusations of people and issues that cannot be substantiated. Some of us, the 58 journalists who received the exchanges, have decided not to publish it. We will publish the story because it is very interesting but not that final letter.
We hope you understand that we are not imposing any censorships .
Subject: Re: Do not post Shekito's last letter here
From: Rev. Censor
To: All
Date Posted: 17:47:03 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.57.58
Message:
"...We hope you understand that we are not imposing any censorships..."
Yes you are!!!
Subject: SLPP Bad Harters, Dr Koroma is Prez for the next 25 years!
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 17:31:20 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
To all the educated bongo men of the green color, whether you like it or not, His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma is your president till 2032. Then you will know who is smarter. Some of you parade around in Yiba gowns from some obscure research area no one cares about, thundering out jaw breaking words and vacuous ideas. Dr Ernest Koroma, a worthy product of FBC has more brains and street smarts than an overflowing forum of your types.
Di man get sense en learn book. Leh we blow ya!
Subject: Re: SLPP Bad Harters, Dr Koroma is Prez for the next 25 years!
From: ola
To: All
Date Posted: 18:25:14 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: nathan25@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Definately EBK proved that big names or famous schools does not matter any more when you talk of leadership skills, you can go to the best schools in the world and turn out to be the biggest failure just take the case of Salone as an example i mean a true example atleast. Can you imagine what EBK is doing for Salone in just ten months, all the big names in slpp with all sort of degrees and professionals with international background can not do in eleven years (ouch)UNA MEK ME WAN GO BAK NA SALONE FOR GO ENROLL NA FBC. UNA DEN BOKU TOK BOOKMAN YA SO.
Subject: Re: SLPP Bad Harters, Dr Koroma is Prez for the next 25 years!
From: Stay Cool
To: All
Date Posted: 17:57:26 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.57.58
Message:
"...To all the educated bongo men of the green color, whether you like it or not, His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma is your president till 2032..."
Goes to show what you really know. The man cannot even run as the head of the APC after his first term expires, according to your very own APC constitution, and you are talking about 25 years.
Perhaps you need just a little bit of the knowledge you are decrying against your so-called "educated bongo men of the green color" to stay abreast with what is written in the apc constitution.
I pray that your moniker has not replaced the Fen Plaba! one.
Stay cool, bra.
Subject: Shame Shame, Shekitoo letter to Awareness Times
From: shame
To: All
Date Posted: 15:27:47 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: s100-masq.iptelsl.net at 83.229.112.20
Message:
Below is the letter distributed to all press house by shekito for publications, someone should tell Mr.President to Sack this man before he disgrace us at international front.
My dear siter,
I am not threatening you in any way. I am just saying you have a duty to publish those supposed emails from Zimbabwe. I ask that you do it voluntarily to put the records straight; but if you don't, then the law can take its course.
Just a few days ago, you were seeking my advice in your 'love' triangle. For you to formally tell me about your affair with John Benhjamin, SLPP strongman and former Minister of Finance, clearly tells the story of where you are coming from. And for you to have tried to ingratiate yourself in the APC government by forcing an affair with someone close to the powers-that-be and failed may have propelled you to be malicious and vicious.
However, all we will ask you to do is to authenticate the story about the Zimbabwe emails. The public needs to know the truth or the lie about the story.I know you are not a journalist - but you can learn on the job.
See you soon
Bro. Sheka
Subject: I did send an email and I'll post it here ...if you like
From: Tendai Movunzu
To: All
Date Posted: 16:09:50 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: tmovunzu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I sent an email to ATimes in Freetown and I am more than happy to publish it here.
Are you lot threatening journalists now? Please do not pont fingers at us again. Its dishonest.
Subject: TO: UMAN LAPPA
From: Mr. Cullinan
To: All
Date Posted: 15:15:19 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: sorrelsteak@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 63.164.47.194
Message:
TO: UMAN, Please see my comments below on your post, "Is The SSLP The Most Corrupt Mafia In Africa?" Mr. C.
Subject: Re: TO: UMAN LAPPA
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 16:59:13 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Thanks Mr Cullinan for the very civil response. Mugabe and Mobutu had infinitely more resources to steal from and they had decades to pull off their thievery. The Kabba-Berewa SLPP mafia on the other hand had a thoroughly broke, just emerging hrom rebel war, to start with and they robbed it blind! For sure, SLPP takes the cake in heartless corruption.
Subject: “The situation in Sierra Leone is serious”- IMF rep
From: Economist
To: All
Date Posted: 15:14:43 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
AWOKO
“The situation in Sierra Leone is serious”- IMF rep
“The situation in Sierra Leone is serious, the country faces a number of social and economic difficulties,” said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative Alvin Hilaire at a recently held news conference, at the Finance Ministry.
He said, “although you have growth of about 6.9% over the last three years Sierra Leone still ranked unfortunately at the bottom of the human development index 177.”
“78% of the population is living below the poverty line half of the population is under nourished and adult literacy is about 35%” underscored the IMF rep.
Mr Hilaire continued, “on the other side I should say the infrastructures still remains very weak, we still [see] the legacy of the war, the electricity, water and transportation system are all in need of serious repair. This is a fact [and] it is something that is quite evident,” stressed the IMF rep.
Underscoring Sierra Leone’s relationship with the IMF, he said, “Sierra Leone and the IMF, we have enjoyed a really long lasting engagement. Sierra Leone became a member of the fund in 1962, and has had a lot of financial arrangement with us. In the last decade alone there was five such arrangements- three from countries that are emerging from conflict and two Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) to all the low income members of the fund,” he explained.
Another aspect that does not often make the headlines, Mr Hilaire said, was “technical assistance.”
“There has been a lot of technical assistance that comes to Sierra Leone to discuss a number of items such as fiscal management, monetary policy, supervision, statistics etc. This is another important component,” he emphasized.
He urged the government of Sierra Leone to work hard in order to nudge the country from its deep rooted economic quagmire.
Subject: Think Tank Save the boat, Mr President!
From: Think Tank
To: All
Date Posted: 14:53:48 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Think Tank Save the boat, Mr President!
Umaru Fofana
When he appointed his ministers, I am told that President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria requested that they sign an undated letter of resignation. This made it easier to sack them whenever they failed to perform to reach his expectation. Hence a reshuffle became much easier. To save the people from becoming hungrier.
At a time when more and more people are getting hungry here, a reshuffle is what many want to hear. And who will listen to their cry, as hardship leaves them high and dry? It seems someone is, for fear that should he not, they will not listen to his. And that is the president, who yesterday set a precedent.
When President Ernest Bai Koroma was going into a contractual agreement with his ministers, little did the latter realise that heady days would be here one day if anyone falters. For some of those contractors that day of reckoning seems to be near, if not already here.
Less than one year in office, the president has recoiled to the four corners of his State House cabin to look at the contract and the way it has been implemented or sent to the bin. Even though we have not been made to know the exact wording of the contract – it is very important that we do know it – it is a basis for pushing a minister who does not meet his contractual agreement and refuses to jump. They should be pushed.
The president’s meeting yesterday with his ministers might have left a bitter taste in their mouths. But it is one for which we should all be tasting honey, even if we have not brushed our tongue in a long time. But the honeycomb will stay in our mouths much longer, only when the president offloads the idle passengers he spoke about that are on his ship.
The word GLOBAL, I dare say, has become a fig leaf for many government functionaries. Even my illiterate granny in the village can now say it, never mind the variation in pronunciation. Agreed that there is a stormy situation for the world economy; but harping on it has been serving as an alibi for many a government ministers who bask in their status not thinking, not acting. And this was pointed out very clearly to them by the president.
It is that same attitude of nothing-doing and all-wanting that has prompted some of the ministers to do all in their power to lobby the anti-corruption bill out of parliament or have it butchered to suit their convenience. A bill that has gone through cabinet scrutiny. They could not turn the head of the president against the bill in cabinet hence they are using unorthodox and anti-people means to have it killed.
They wallow in the notion that as bigwigs of the ruling party, they are untouchables however recklessly they behave. They even fight among each other, at the expense of service-delivery. It did not take the former British Prime Minister a day to notice it, and he sounded it to them in a meeting. And the president must act now before the self-seeking ministers rock the boat for him and for us all.
It is amazing how they have been thinking about elections that are more than four years away, instead of taking time to think about the welfare of the people. Ernest Koroma is serving out his second and final term as party leader, they say, and is therefore not eligible to run again for the presidency come 2012. Kicking off the jockeying. But the president is not without blame.
Many a time we have given excuses exonerating our president and implicating those around him. We said it about Joseph Saidu Momoh, and we did the same about Tejan Kabbah. Now we are saying it about Ernest Koroma.
It is an excuse that is as clay-legged as it is patronising. And President Koroma must guard against it. After all the buck stops with him. Being oblivious of that is like reading in the dark.
With six weeks standing between him and his first anniversary in office, the president must take a sober reflection.
As he himself put it yesterday, “A year in office is long enough for a minister to have taken care of the initial settling down problems … and create… initial impressions that are expected...”
At times one sits and wonders whether we have ministers in certain ministries. Even the size of the cabinet needs reviewing. Agreed that the euphoria was all over the place in September and October and the jockeying hijacked the president as many bayed for positions.
The dust has settled somewhat, and we must face brass task. Soul-searching we must do. Why does every minister need a deputy for example?
If there are difficulties, the captain of a ship should offload to stabilise the vessel to rescue the rest of the passengers. “The captain must take a hard decision”. (Courtesy Mr President). These are paraphrasing and summarising him. And he has to act fast lest his epilogue comes before his prologue, or his epitaph written before his death.
The APC must not see itself as being more powerful than the president. You do not have to like Tejan Kabbah to agree that he was far more decisive in dealing with his party in his second than during his first. That is not to say he did not allow some of his appointees to dabble in state resources. One of his problems, apart from some of the sacred cows he reared, was that he took too long to tell the SLPP to excuse him to govern the country.
When the president of Malawi, Bingu WA Mutharika was faced with the kleptocratic tendencies of his Malawi Congress Party, he swam against a tide many felt would drown him. But his sincerity of purpose brought the majority of Malawians around him.
A party only brings down a leader if he is worse than the party. And the earlier the APC comes to grips with the reality that they owe their victory in most part to the individuality of Ernest Koroma the better. The president must be allowed to save the boat, and not allow a few people to rock it, while he is captain.
By Umaru Fofana
Subject: Stupid Tendai
From: Ronaldo
To: All
Date Posted: 14:50:44 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 92-233-68-169.cable.ubr12.croy.blueyonder.co.uk at 92.233.68.169
Message:
How much is a loaf of bread in Zimbabwe? You have a might log in you eye called Mugabe and you want to talk about our current president? Or are you a SLPPer?
Subject: Re: Stupid Ronaldino... Are you a Sierra Leonean?
From: Tendai Movunzu
To: All
Date Posted: 15:44:57 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: tmovunzu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Are you ashamed to be a Sierra Leonean? Whats the Brazilian nomenclature for?
Just in case your comprehension is slow, please read again:
am a Zimbabwean, resident in the UK and have recently being researching to find out more about Sierra Leone, and more poignantly about your President.
I am not surprised that he is barely educated, given some of the verbose comments that have come from him and his Foreign Ministry lately. I think your head of State (or is it state of head...) definitely does not represent your country - "Athens of West Africa". I have had the pleasure of meeting very bright Sierra Leoneans, both in Harare & London, and I honestly think any of these young Sierra Leoneans can do much better than this rather dull Uncle Tom, you call a President.
Anyway, I am sure you have learnt your lessons and you know what to do to save prospective embarassments like what I have heard from him in recent weeks.
Subject: Re: Stupid Ronaldino... Are you a Sierra Leonean?
From: zamopf
To: All
Date Posted: 15:50:46 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-197-120.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.197.120
Message:
Man you really think Mugabe is treating democracy well?
Subject: Re: Stupid Ronaldino... Are you a Sierra Leonean?
From: Tendai Movunzu
To: All
Date Posted: 15:57:24 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: tmovunzu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I don't think Mugabe is. But your president in only 10 months is behaving worse than old Robert. You should thank God the world's media is not focussed on S Leone yet.
Did you hear about the ambush on electoral staff in Eastern S Leone? Thats unheard of , even in North Korea. Your President is setting new political violence standards.
Subject: Re: Stupid Ronaldino... Are you a Sierra Leonean?
From: Tyrone
To: All
Date Posted: 15:55:55 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: uslec-66-43-153-180.cust.uslec.net at 66.43.153.180
Message:
Ronaldino is not even one of our slave names, he is from Brazil.
Subject: Re: More Zimbabweans happy with - EBK
From: zamopf
To: All
Date Posted: 15:44:30 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-197-120.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.197.120
Message:
See link below
Subject: Most Zims think EBK is not sharp
From: Abass Sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:51:50 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Go to the site again... People think EBK s a very dull man. And rightfully so
Subject: Nurses in America
From: SAM
To: All
Date Posted: 14:34:06 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-44c7e83c.dyn.optonline.net at 68.199.232.60
Message:
Hello Rev Kanu, that was an excellent piece on nurses. One thing you fail to mention is those Sierra Leonean men looking for nurses to put their burden on, point in case saidu who goes around to parties looking for cnas, lpns and rns. also fastest way for an employer to file green card for you is to be a nurse.
Subject: Anti-Corruption bares teeth , and Bra Gabbidon runs away ?
From: Tyrone
To: All
Date Posted: 13:55:15 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: uslec-66-43-153-180.cust.uslec.net at 66.43.153.180
Message:
it is time to lock them up.
Subject: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 09:51:37 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
If Obai turn Docta ... who go sell Poyo?
Posted by Charles F Margai on July 11, 2008 at 09:38:06:
In Reply to: ...BUT CHARLES MARGAI, I THOUGHT BAI-BAI KOROMA IS A DOCTOR? posted by Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas on July 10, 2008 at 21:41:26:
I know you are trying to tickle me, and you succeeded I am still laughing as I respond.
You very well know what you went through to acquire your qualifications - late nites studying, lots of time in libraries and online, rigorous vivas, tense moments sometimes... weeding out what to revise and what you're comfortable with, waiting for results, dealing with a few unpleasant classmates/lecturers, opportunity costs... missing out on masive earning etc etc
Well my friend, if you must hear it from me, Bai Bai's Docta Paper was a donation, a ridiculous one at that. USL must stop this tradition of wasting stationery on folks that are seemingly mature in dullness.
Did you hear about EBK's speech at TJK's wedding, shocking and very embarrasing. Our Prezo Docta opened with:
"Mr Bride and Bridegroom, please... " and then went on to stress on how long he has known TJK:
"I have use Mr Bride for over 20 years, even before he bacame president...."
Well my learned friend, would you say Bai Bai is a colleague Dr?
A close Krio friend of mine, with a great sense of humour once jokingly said:
" If Obai turn docta... who go sell Poyo?
Await your usual 'plain tok' answer
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Tendai Movunzu
To: All
Date Posted: 10:41:05 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: tmovunzu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I am a Zimbabwean, resident in the UK and have recently being researching to find out more about Sierra Leone, and more poignantly about your President.
I am not surprised that he is barely educated, given some of the verbose comments that have come from him and his Foreign Ministry lately. I think your head of State (or is it state of head...) definitely does not represent your country - "Athens of West Africa". I have had the pleasure of meeting very bright Sierra Leoneans, both in Harare & London, and I honestly think any of these young Sierra Leoneans can do much better than this rather dull Uncle Tom, you call a President.
Anyway, I am sure you have learnt your lessons and you know what to do to save prospective embarassments like what I have heard from him in recent weeks.
Good Lick
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Zimbabwean my foot
To: All
Date Posted: 12:09:28 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
more like another stupid mende boy who is still hating. Jes clearout from ya ma meh.
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: political
To: All
Date Posted: 11:22:11 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.237
Message:
Mr. Tendai, I think you forgot that Zimbabwe has a problem you should be thinking of fixing first before pointing fingers on others. The people of Zimbabwe need you to help resolve their problem.
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 11:41:03 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"Mr Tendai, I think you forgot that Zimbabwe has a problem you should be thinking of fixing first before pointing fingers on others. The people of Zimbabwe need you to help resolve their problem."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did not the brutal, crookish, savage, and blood-thirsty Tejan Kabbah go to Zimbabwe recently to help when he could be in sierra Leone to help fix what he destroyed? So why Should not a Zimbabwean talk about OUR problem also?
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Tendai Movunzu
To: All
Date Posted: 13:01:30 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: tmovunzu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Thank you so very much Dr Curtis-Thomas.
Mr political, I hope you follow Sierra Leone's international relations, and I hope you are aware of your Foreign Minister's statement about Tibet, her private comments about Chechnya and Palestine and your President's recent yapping about our situation in Zimbabwe.
Granted, we have very serious problems in Zimbabwe today. I however do not think Sierra leone should follow in our footsteps, as we do not have the same political history.
The recent spate of violence in Sierra leone raises serious questions. Election officers have been attacted, election materials burnt and no one hears a thing in the international media. My brother studied at Furah Bay University in the late 70s and knows Freetown quite well. He was a refugee of Western imperialism at the time. He, like myself, believe your current leadership is embarassing and could be better. Sierra Leone, in only 6 months, has experienced political violence unheard of even in our recent struggles in Zim. You guys are just unfortunate the International Community believes its black on black violence and there is no need to intervene. Believe me Mr Political, once this situation becomes the norm, you will (God Forbid) require a genocide like we saw in Kenya to attract world attention. You must say no no to violence now, whatever your political creed is. Thats exactly how we started five years ago.
When political parties take entrenched positions, vis a vis, violence or who's right and who's wrong, then it becomes almost impossible to negotiate. I do not think Sierra leone diserves that, after a decade long brutal conflict.
Our conflict in Zimbabwe is very much an international one, and gets the press attention that it rightfully diserves. There are Muzungu interests, and I am glad we get the press attention. Yours will have no such interest as Musungus do not really care whether or not you kill one another. How long did it take Tony Blaire to intervene in your war; only when British soldiers were capture... and you and I know, that conflict could have been nipped in the bud much earlier, had Mr Blaire showed interst 9 years earlier.
I am a PanAfricanist and believe you should vocally estinguish the current political violence trends in your country... instead of playing partisan politics. No one benefits when their is chaos. They so called IC will only airlift their people when the heat is on and live you to massacer one another.
Please please use you common sense that I know you have and try and nip this in the bud before it gets worse. CONDEMN VIOLENCE, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS DOING IT!
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: political
To: All
Date Posted: 18:43:47 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.237
Message:
I think you missed the point Mr. Thomas. I think majority of Sierra Leoneans believe President Koroma(whether semi illiterate or not) is fit to rule our country. His election victory was a testament and an acceptance of his leadership by us. So for a Zimbabwean to say our president does not represent our country is an insult and mockry to all of us irrestpective of your party's affilliation.
Mr. Tendai -> "I think your head of State (or is it state of head...) definitely does not represent your country - "Athens of West Africa".
Remember, we may not like him or agree with him, but he did not impose himself as head of the state. Unlike Zimbabwe where Mugabe imposed himself against the will of his people. So that statement should have been directed to Zimbabwe not Sierra Leone. That is my point. To many of us it doesn't matter whether a president has a PHD or an associate degree. What most important is his commitment to help our people. Trust me if Koroma does not perform well at the end of his term, I will be the first person to campaign against him because the old politics of relationship is over. No more sacred bush to tie a cow. This was what destroyed the SLPP. The people have awakened to reality. They realized that the cost of a cup of rice in the south is the same in the north or west. The politics of today in Sierra Leone is not about party affilliation, but about survival and the fight for a better change for our future. I am not a loyalist to any party. This is the problem in politics today that is destroying our chances of becoming a better nation. A loyalist is someone who does not care whether the country is going in the right direction or not as long as his party is in power.
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Shaday Williams
To: All
Date Posted: 10:22:35 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: tejan.kabba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Is our president, really that illiterate? This is embarasing.
Why does he not take adult education courses. Samuel Doe was worse when he took over. But he tried to study and did improve a lot before his demise.
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 10:39:39 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Posted by Shaday Williams on July 11, 2008 at 10:22:35:
In Reply to: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"? posted by Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas on July 11, 2008 at 09:51:37:
Is our president, really that illiterate? This is embarasing.
Why does he not take adult education courses. Samuel Doe was worse when he took over. But he tried to study and did improve a lot before his demise.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your suggestion is even more embarrassing. That is "puting the cart before the horse"! How do you think the other students in the "adult literacy class" would react on the first day of class when Bai-Bai Koroma gets up to introduce himself and say, " good morning everyone, My name is DOCTOR Bai-Bai Koroma and I am the PRESIDENT of Sierra Leone"?
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Shaday Williams
To: All
Date Posted: 10:49:20 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: shdwilliams@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
They would probably burst out in laughter, thinking he is lying. But who would not... "Mr Bride"?
p/s
He can take the course online. Is he computer literate?
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: TCHANTCHELOR
To: All
Date Posted: 13:03:38 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wblv-ip-pcache-7-vif1.telkom-ipnet.co.za at 198.54.202.246
Message:
Thats just the tip of the iceberg. Those who were privy to the delibrations at the last Njala convocation ceremony could have heard this.
"I am honoured as TCHANTCHELOR OF THE UNIVERSHITY OF SHYRRIA LONE"
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new clothes"?
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 17:06:32 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.178.19
Message:
This is typical of the Sierra Leonean mentality. God, help this great nation.
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new cloth
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 13:25:30 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-153-17-244.range86-153.btcentralplus.com at 86.153.17.244
Message:
Guys, this is absurd - I hate to tease any person with a disability. I
have not heard our president speak as you have expressed. However, I
believe that we all do have our mother tongues - my raw temne accent
sometimes comes out when I speak the Queen's English. Such pronunciation impediments are known to exists in so many of us. I
challenge most of us to find a forum we engage ourselves in pronouncing English words. I bet many of us will fail. Let us focus on
more burning issue and avoid trivial pursuits.
My belief in God dictates that our president was meant to be.
To my SLPP colleagues: How did we allow ourselves to be reduced to
mocking someone because he has a pronunciation impediment instead
of putting our house in order? How come were are incapable of being a
force of serious opposition? I am beginning to believe that APC is
going to have a long run. History repeating itself!!
I have vowed not be tempted into joining the APC but will continue to
work alongside them in the socio-economic interests of the country.
The above vow is for detractors not to add a label and attach self-
opined deductions.
May God have mercy upon our land and its people.
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new cloth
From: Ronaldino
To: All
Date Posted: 14:55:52 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 92-233-68-169.cable.ubr12.croy.blueyonder.co.uk at 92.233.68.169
Message:
Did you miss EBK on Hard Talk with Zianab Badawi? How did Tejan Kabba fare when he was interviewed?
Subject: EBK was on Soft Talk not Hard Talk....thank God
From: Donald White
To: All
Date Posted: 15:34:54 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: donwhite@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Ronaldino, I am sure you know that Zianab Badawi sits in when Steven Sackur is ill or not available. Hard talk becomes Soft talk as it happened with EBK - thank God for that.
Zianab Badawi actually 'babysitted' EBK right thru and did not ask one tough question... not one. Can you imagine what EBK wouldh have said had the quizzed him about why he does not want to declare his assets? Or why up till now SL's NEC have not published pollinh station results of the 2007 elections.
EBK's appearance was therefore on Soft Talk... not Hard Talk.
I however think he did pretty well in the Soft Talk program, given his trademark Bubus like "Mr Bride".
Subject: Re: You mean Koroma's doctorate is the "Emperior's new cloth
From: Chez winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 15:14:39 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-209-78.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.209.78
Message:
Tejan Kabbah was too shifty and was trying to pass the buck to his
lieutenants everytime the question of corruption comes up. As for EBK
I have the tape but have not watched it. But on watching him on a
youtube frost's clip, he projects to be in readiness to learn and do well.
I pray, as our leader, putting aside partisanship, he does well. No party
wants to inherit a bankrupt government.
To me Tejan Kabbah remains a myopic element. We are not perfect
but striving towards knowing perfection is a most noble and
honourable course.
Let speech, language, pronunciation not impair a person's capability.
Let us tackle the real issue and avoid this sort of trivialities.
Subject: Chez, I hope you are not infering that our President is dumb
From: Mike Kabia
To: All
Date Posted: 14:24:46 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: mkabika@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Chez, you pretend you are sympathetic to the APC. In reality you continue to mock EBK. Why?
Our president is not disabled as you are insinuating, OK?. When you finally make up your mind about where you want to be ... I am sure we will know. But please stop mocking our leader.
Subject: Re: Chez, I hope you are not infering that our President is dumb
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 17:22:19 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.178.19
Message:
It takes a decent, well educated and honest individual supporter of the SLPP to say what Chez is saying here. I don't think he's mocking the leader of Sierra Leone, rather he's trying to persuade his SLPP comrades to stop wasting their efforts on things that don't really matter and concentrate in rebuilding their shattered gang (SLPP).
But I can see that his effort is going in vein because the bulk of these SLPPers are filled with hate about the APC so anything attached to the APC, (to them)deserves no respect even if it means their condemnation of our leader is a condemnation on them as well.
These SLPPers would only ever give praise to a Southern leadership anything less is nothing to them.
Their motto is MWALAYLAYMIA, meaning just us and nobody else. They're fighting for a breakaway republic.
Subject: Re: Chez, I hope you are not infering that our President is
From: Chez winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 15:00:43 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-209-78.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.209.78
Message:
May God have mercy on you! All the powers that be are ordained of
God and we should learn to treat them with respect. I have made up
my mind. I continue to be SLPP and will continue to work alongside
APC brothers and sisters who want to see the socio-economic
development of our country.
In every life we have opposites. In the SLPP you have few that love our
country and many because of their selfish gain. Now we are seeing the
same in the APC - few that love the country; many are just anxiously
excited to grab every leone that goes for development. The few will
triumph and put sense into the many. Every country is seeing this tidal
wave of edgy politicians scrambling for the take.
Sierra Leone will triumph under good men and indeed the APC has and
so does the SLPP. What is lacking is for these few good men to put
aside partisanship and embrace nation building.
Subject: What a shame
From: Sanu Sisaye
To: All
Date Posted: 13:17:49 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: ssan@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Wht a shame. This new President is surely an embarassment to Sierra Leone.
Subject: Re: What a shame
From: TCHANTCHELLOR
To: All
Date Posted: 15:52:27 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wblv-ip-pcache-7-vif0.telkom-ipnet.co.za at 196.25.255.246
Message:
Lets save the rest for a more private discusion.But on a more serious note as head of state he must have someone to help him.A speech therapist will serve just fine to optimize his phonetics so we can all be proud when he rises to the podium at important international conferences. I trust theres room for improvement.
Subject: PMDC abroad demands accountability for campaign funds
From: Pikin Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 09:16:02 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
PMDC abroad demands accountability for campaign funds
It is reported in New Vision that members of the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) in the Diaspora, have come down heavily on their leader, lawyer Charles Margai to account for campaign funds disbursed to him for the 2007 general elections.
One such member in the United Kingdom reportedly charged that Mr. Margai was yet to give proper account of some US$ 140,000 raised by the UK/US branches of the party.
A second accusation against Mr. Margai is that he failed to write letters of appreciation to the Party’s financiers including to a Nigerian, who parted with US$ 20, 000 in support of the Party. Reported speculation is that Mr. Margai would be removed from the leadership position of the PMDC.
Subject: "Crookishness", my friend, runs in the family...!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 09:29:27 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"... It failed to block Prime Minister Albert Margai’s misuse of Government funds for personal gain because it hardly bothered to monitor public income and expenditure. For example,the opposition APC newspaper “We Yone” alleged that Sir Albert had used huge sums of money to buy buildings in Washington and London, which he then rented to the Sierra Leone Missions in those countries for private gain..."
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
-
Subject: IF ALBERT MARGAI WAS A CROOK AND POWER-HUNGRY, SAY SO!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 07:45:53 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"Twenty-five years ago my father, Sir Albert Margai, second prime minister of Sierra Leone gave a speech here in the Houston Hall of this great institution. He was then probably the only African leader in power who had lost elections to a political rival. He admonished the then government of Siaka Stevens to elevate the economic status of the poor or they would rise up to demand what they deserve," he said.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Charles Margai did not let his audience know that indeed his father WAS A THIEF AND THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRST COUP IN SIERRA LEONE. He should have added the following:
1. Sir Albert's First crime:
The 1967 Elections and their Aftermath. The elections of 1967 were scarred by bitter power struggles based on ethnicity, personality and party affiliation. Although the APC won the most seats, the leadership of the SLPP stoutly refused to concede defeat. The resultant standoff signalled a watershed in the political fortunes of the country and ultimately led to the destruction of the multi-party system. The head of the Army sabotaged the swearing-in of the APC Prime Minister and declared martial law. When it became apparent that this move was engineered to favour the SLPP leadership,junior-ranking soldiers staged a coup. The consequent period of military rule served to narrow the political space in Sierra Leone and compelled others to seek alternative routes to power that did not depend on free and fair elections. It set the scene for multiple further coup attempts in the following decades.
2. Sir Albert's Second "Economic" crime:
"Thereafter Parliament increasingly squandered its opportunities to curb executive excesses. It failed to block Prime Minister AlbertMargai’s misuse of Government funds for personal gain because it hardly bothered to monitor public income and expenditure. For example,the opposition APC newspaper “We Yone” alleged that Sir Albert had used huge sums of money to buy buildings in Washington and London, which he then rented to the Sierra Leone Missions in those countries for private gain. Parliament failed to investigate these allegations, despite the need to transmit a clear message of accountability to the generalpublic. This lapse precipitated a sense of resignation among Sierra Leoneans that corruption was an inevitable indulgence of government, in which Parliament was far more likely to acquiesce than to find fault or demand sanction."
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
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Subject: Karamoh Kabba's vey, very biased report about the Margais
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 07:17:43 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Sierra Leone
Sir Albert Margai and the Shadow of Thurgood Marshall
Karamoh Kabba
November 27, 2006
The interim leader of the People's Movement for Democratic Change (P.M.D.C.) of Sierra Leone, Charles Margai, who is on what party officials refer to as a Transatlantic Tour for Positive Change in the United States, was honored by Rizwan Pureshi, president of the Student Bar Association, and Joshua Senavoe, president of the International Law Society, after he arrived to speak and take questions from students at Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 14.
The meeting was arranged by a former student of the law school, Yolanda Thompson, who is a Sierra Leonean American and the daughter of Raymond Bamidele Thompson, national chairman of the P.M.D.C. Media Committee. Kurt L. Schmoke, dean of the Law School, gave the closing remarks.
Rizwan spoke briefly about Margai as a graduate of the University College of Dublin, Ireland, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in civil law , a leader of the P.M.D.C. party of Sierra Leone, a son of the late Sir Albert Margai, the second prime minister of Sierra Leone, and a father of three children. Rizwan added, "Mr. Margai is of a good pedigree."
Joshua, the second speaker who introduced Margai, demonstrated remarkable knowledge of the decade-long rebel war in Sierra Leone and the judiciary system that he said "is controlled by the government." He asked his fellow students to "imagine themselves with opposing views in a country in which the judiciary is controlled by the government" before he introduced the keynote speaker.
Following a brief history of Sierra Leone and its precise geographical locat1on on the world map, Margai, in a somber mood, reminisced about a winter day in December 1980 when his father gave a speech at the same Houston Hall at Howard, where he was now honored to speak.
"Twenty-five years ago my father, Sir Albert Margai, second prime minister of Sierra Leone gave a speech here in the Houston Hall of this great institution. He was then probably the only African leader in power who had lost elections to a political rival. He admonished the then government of Siaka Stevens to elevate the economic status of the poor or they would rise up to demand what they deserve," he said.
Margai told the students that the great grandfather on the maternal side of the champion of civil rights in the United States, the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, a graduate of the Howard University Law School, was from Sierra Leone amid thunderous applause.
"We have great historical links," he said. "And I will ensure, when I become the next president of Sierra Leone come 2007 elections, that those links between us are strengthened through a student exchange program between the Howard University and the University of Sierra Leone."
I was able to confirm Margai's statement through a Howard University Law School student from the early 1980's, who was then president of the Student Bar Association. Indeed, Sir Albert Margai gave a speech at the law school in December of 1980 just before he died later that month, on the 18th. The former law student told me that Sir Albert Margai was introduced to the students by the late S. E. Darammy, another Sierra Leonean. The former law student who is now a prominent Washington lawyer went on to recall Sir Albert Margai's words.
"He was a great fighter for economic parity for the poor," the lawyer told me. "He articulated his foresight for Sierra Leone in that speech as follows: 'If the government,' referring to the A.P.C. [All People's Congress] government of the late Siaka Stevens, 'does not do something to elevate the lives of the have-nots, the poor, they would one day rise to demand from the haves, the rich, their own share of the economy.' The old lion retired to his home afterward that winter, and died in his sleep on December 18, 1980."
"His prophesy came through the decade-long rebel war that was characterized by the abduction and the forcible conscr1ption of children as warriors by rebels and the government — a gross human rights crime against children on both sides," he concluded.
Charles Margai drew the students' attention precisely on his father's prediction of that winter day at Howard University when he linked that prophesy to the decade-long "rebel war that was characterized by some of the most gruesome war crimes against humanity in recent history." He spoke briefly of the unattended limbless Sierra Leoneans, whose limbs had been hacked off by machete wielding rebels that now walk the streets of Sierra Leone with caps in hands.
In a book by Richard Klukir, "Simple Justice," I confirmed that Margai was on point when he told the students that the late Chief Justice Marshall's great grandfather on the mother side was from Sierra Leone.
After Margai's speech, the students asked many brilliant questions. Two stood out:
"What will be your position on the ongoing discussion on the all Africa citizenship for African Americans in Africa when you become the next president of Sierra Leone?" The student explained that he was interested in the discussion for African Americans to be citizens of Africa regardless of which country they may want to go to because the African American will be able to have a home anywhere in Africa and also be able to help with the development programs in the country of choice.
Margai answered, "Thank God we are already ahead in that in Sierra Leone," referring to the dual citizenship bill that was recently passed in the parliament of Sierra Leone.
"I am fully in support of dual citizenship for African Americans in Africa in a way that would not infringe on nations' sovereignty … The P.M.D.C. government would streamline the procedure for acquiring dual citizenship to make it less cumbersome than is currently proposed, Margai said.
The other question was about Margai's position on women. The student asked what he would do about women, who are the most marginalized people in Sierra Leone and many other countries in Africa. Margai reassured the student without hesitation that women would make up a third of his cabinet, more if enough qualified and willing women come forth to sacrifice for public service to their country.
Margai stressed that his government will have zero tolerance for corruption and that "there will be no sacred cows in Sierra Leone as far as clamping down on corruption is concerned." He reiterated the point that "public service would become a sacrifice to serve and not to amass wealth through corruption."
In his closing remarks, Schmoke told Margai, "We know your schedule as president would be very busy, but remember that we have extended an invitation to you to come back to Howard University Law School when you become the next president of Sierra Leone."
Subject: Re: Karamoh Kabba's vey, very biased report about the Margais
From: Job Seeker
To: All
Date Posted: 07:20:45 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Of course, he did it to get a job. His office is now in state house. The man is so cheap that he can kiss any butt to get a job.
Subject: Re: Karamoh Kabba's vey, very biased report about the Margai
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 07:41:55 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-47.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.47
Message:
Job Seeker, we all have our calling and status in life. Some have to beg;
others have to work to get food to eat; others have to gossip in order to
put food on their table; some kill to eat; others would rather die than
betray their conscience; other are born to do nothing but have it all. the
playing field was made unequal from the start by our creator. Let
Karamoh be, though good to point out his side of the playing field - man
has to survive either way. Our conscience and principles determine our
very end - who you were yesterday in conscience you will be tomorrow in
enlightenment.
Subject: Sierra Leoneans
From: Rat race
To: All
Date Posted: 06:05:51 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.144.218.45
Message:
All Sierra Leoneans are scums who feel they are important. That is why
their country is so hopelessly poor. Smelly dogs.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leoneans
From: umfaali
To: All
Date Posted: 11:38:17 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: uslec-66-43-153-180.cust.uslec.net at 66.43.153.180
Message:
Rat race, you must have been in a slow race. This kind of comment shows
that you are a backward fool.
Subject: APC GAVE MUSA TARAWALLIE 400.000.000
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 04:47:18 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.72.123.89
Message:
FREETOWN: MAADA GBESSAY KAI: Reports monitored by our correspondent in Bo say that the APC plans to demonstrate in Bo against the results of the just concluded Local Council elections. Even though the results have not been officially announced, it is a clear a crystal that the SLPP has a resounding victory in the second city. Accordig to our reporter in Bo and some pro-APC newspapers, the defeated and disgraced party is planning to hold a demonstration against the result on the grounds that the NEC commissioner south was partisan in favour of SLPP. Musa Tarawally is scheming all of the plans after failing on his promise to deliver the south to the APC. He is said to have tried to lure some PMDC bigwigs to join them in their demonstration but Hon. Legacy Sankoh told him that they should not even harbour such plans as they will thwart it. Legacy is reported to have told Musa Tarawallie to his face that they will now team up with the SLPP.
The New People has also learnt that the APC gave Musa Tarawallie Le 400,000,000 (four hundred million Leones) for the four districts in the south to be delivered to the APC and that his failure to do so has angered some APC stalwarts who are agitating for his removal. The National Organising Secretary of the APC Mohamed L. Bangura told some party members that they should have a rethink of their men in the south and east. M.L. Bangura is unhappy with the poor and dismal performance of the APC in the south and east and has said he will take up the matter with President Koroma.
Victor Foh told UN Radio last night that the planned demonstration will not be happening. This is thought to be a statement meant to lure the SLPP into a false sense of security as the APC thigs in Bo led by Sheikh Sillah organise and rally their forces to launch a series of devastating attacks on SLPP offices and leaders in the city.
Subject: Re: APC GAVE MUSA TARAWALLIE 400.000.000
From: political
To: All
Date Posted: 11:12:07 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.237
Message:
Alieu, I cannot take what ever the so called new people report seriously because from the beginning they've been misinformative. Secondly, any right thinking person will not expect the APC to win Bo or Kenema atleast at this time.
Subject: Re: APC GAVE MUSA TARAWALLIE 400.000.000
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 11:23:21 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.72.123.89
Message:
Political? do you know the guy called MUSA TARAWALLIE? In this situation, i believe the NEWPEOPLE.
Subject: Re: APC GAVE MUSA TARAWALLIE 400.000.000
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 11:22:00 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.72.123.89
Message:
Political? do you know the guy called MUSA TARAWALLIE? In this situation, i believe the NEWPEOPLE.
Subject: Re: APC GAVE MUSA TARAWALLIE 400.000.000
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 11:33:54 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
Alieu,you are back.How are you my friend?You saw the final blow to your ahlaki slpp.Even the Konos have ostracized you.
Subject: Re: APC GAVE MUSA TARAWALLIE 400.000.000
From: Santigi Turay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:21:57 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: san@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Musa, you really are a very dull fella. When will you stop being banal and tribalistic in your out look?
You are one sick chap.
Subject: What God has blessed, no man can curse
From: NEW CITIZEN
To: All
Date Posted: 04:15:10 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h164-44-67-4.chubb.com at 164.44.67.4
Message:
What Heaven Has Blessed, No Man Can Curse - Part 10
While still praying, they heard the flapping of great wings with astonishing apprehension and mystifying misgivings. They cut short their protection prayer, shouting a whispered Amen as if it was already dangerous to be heard.
“Look over there, boss, it is a big owl over our heads! An owl conspicuous in the day time is not a good sign. I think I am leaving this place now. It has become too dangerous for me. Let there be no mistake. I too, I’m prepared to kill anyone who tries to stop me from getting out of this miserable place. After all, this is not my fight; I am only a hired assassin. If I find out that the job is too much and too messy for me, I have a right to quit and save my own neck. I have a seven-month pregnant wife waiting in town and he needs me by her side. It is not time for me to die. If it was time for me to die, God would not have shown me this bad omen and He would not have given me a chance to quit while I can.”
Because Saidu insisted that the appearance of an owl was not a good omen for the revolutionary gang, and decided to leave for town, Saidu was supported by a few other assassins, splitting the group into two.
Kanray Gbenka and a few others who didn’t want to split the group feared that the withdrawal of Saidu and others would have dire consequences for the rest of the group.
Kanray Gbenka and his new group quickly reached a decision that there was no way they would allow the splinter group to return to town.
“Once you are in town, you will willingly betray us, you will also reveal our numerical strength and the equipment we use. The danger of that is, it will embolden the chief to recruit a greater number and overwhelm us in the bush,” Kanray Gbenka lamented.
The new leader of the splinter group, Saidu Yasmi, disagreed with Kanray Gbenka.
“We have no desire to betray you because there is nothing we can benefit from that. We are only returning to town peacefully because the mission to kill Paramount Chief Bai Hinka Kurr has failed and we have our own lives to live. We cannot allow ourselves to be trapped in this bush forever. Fortunately, no one knows us and we can easily reintegrate ourselves in town. Nobody knows about us, and we would tell nobody about you. The reason why you don’t want to go back to town is because you have excelled as high class criminals who cannot hide their identities. We have families to take care of, that is why we must return back to town. On the other hand, you lost your wife and children long ago and have nobody in town to care for. From this, you can see that we are from two different groups’ altogether. You stay here and languish because you are hardened criminals while we return to town and enjoy ourselves because, so far, we are innocent citizens,” Saidu Yasmi argued.
This argument of they versus us didn’t go down well with the Kanray Gbenka group who had been rightly described as hardened criminals.
In a desperate bid to identify who we are and who they are, Kanray Gbenka gave an ultimatum, “those with me, please come on this side.”
Saidu Yasmi also asked those on his side to converge on the other end, trying hard not to be outdone by Kanray Gbenka. The result was a split in the middle of the gang, five on the side of Saidu and six on the side of Kanray Gbenka.
From all indications, the fight was inevitable as the two sides were thoroughly polarised. Those who didn’t want to go to town believed they would be betrayed and those who didn’t want to stay in the bush believed that they were suffering unnecessarily for an end, they could never achieve and that end was the elimination of Paramount Chief Bai Hinka Kurr.
The dice was cast because there was no way to reconcile the two groups and fearfully, the fight was inevitable in the bush of despair and despondency all because there was a whiff of despotism and dictatorship.
A few men were anxious to assert their rights to freedom of movement while another group of men were anxious to support that movement leading straight to the highway of irreversible divisions and hostilities.
Indeed, what God did not put together, can be easily thrown asunder.
Eleven men set out to kill their paramount chief.
Every attempt failed to actualise their objective.
Five of them are now wise and decided the whole venture was unnecessary and unachievable and they wanted to leave.
The other five were unwise and more over, they had a stubborn streak running through their spines and unable to give up the struggle they had spent a better part of their lives to attain.
The inevitable happened. A fight broke out in the bush.
The aim of one group was to attain their freedom. The aim of the other group was to suppress that freedom.
The positive group fought with the hope that every man was entitled to his freedom, while the other group believed that any freedom that would endanger others should be suppressed.
Each side believed that God was on their side and each side was determined to fight to the end.
“There is no value in our continuous stay here,” Saidu Yasmi shouted.
“And there is no value if we allow you to return to town where you would betray us and bring us death,” Kanray Gbenka replied.
No head in that group realised that ultimately, both directions will lead to the same end. None of them realised that there was no value in fighting each other and that ultimately they would kill each other.
Each one believed that his side has the right side and the blessed side, as what heaven has blessed, no man can curse.
Reap the exiting end in our next and final edition.
Posted on 09 Jul 2008 by Editor
Subject: MARGAI TO TAKE TOMBO TO COURT OVER....
From: John Paul Fornah
To: All
Date Posted: 04:08:57 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.72.123.89
Message:
Meanwhile, tension continues to mount between DTB and CFM, with the latest development being a threat by the latter to institute legal action against the former. Apparently, CFM is pieced up over allegations made against him by DTB on the E-Group. It goes without saying that if CFM goes ahead with his planned action, he will not only be making public what is supposed to be in-house, but paving way for an uncertain end. God save PMDC! Theo
PMDCians,
The threat by CFM to take DTB to court for his allegations against him on the e-group, is another disrespectful slap on the face of the entire membership. This speaks volumes of his attitude in doing things his own way and style with no CONSULTATION and respect for party norms.
Party issues should be settled at party level and our PMDC CONSTITUTION is not silent about this at all. It is clearly stated in our constitution. So is CFM playing the game by our PMDC Constitution or playing it on the ticket of his own already known attitude? The allegations against him are completely a party affair.
I can understand that this could be damaging to his character as an individual. But CFM should know that his character as an individual has long since been swoop in for his position as leader of the PMDC. Therefore, all allegations against him by DTB are been directed towards his office as leader of the PMDC and not CFM as an individual. So all actions from him with regards to reacting to these allegations, should be managed within the confines and frame work of our PMDC constitution. Any move outside our party constitution will be regarded as a violation of our constitution.
That besides, all allegations were floated on our e-group. Therefore, his knowledge about it indicates that he has either being reading them on the group, or has been informed about it......So my question is, ....why has CFM failed to drop at least a line about all of this?
DTB immediately responded to the allegation against him posted here by Dr. Issa Fofanah. Why has CFM not done similar thing?...... ...To me the answer is, CFM as an individual within the rank and file of the party, has INFLATED himself so much that he now feels bigger than the PMDC.
And I tell you brothers and sisters, this is the ticket on which he has being thriving. This is more so the reason why he single handedly made the running mate decision without an consultation. This is also the reason even when we told him to move around to our voters after the elections with a THANK YOU NOTE, he rejected it and replaced it with his own plans. It is also for this reason even when he was told not to use the phrase BENEVOLENT DICTATOR during the campaign, yet he went on with it.
Well, we now have CFM and individual who has grown bigger than our party....... What do we do?.......And surely if we fail to persuade him to drop his decision of taking DTB to court, we are heading for a DOOMS DAY with our PMDC. His court action will be a tool in the hands of our opponents to finally beat our PMDC death and bury him in a poorly designed political casket...... ...I see the colour of that casket as GREEN.
Therefore, if CFM takes DTB to court,I will suggest that we (PMDC) also file in a law suit against CFM for dragging our private party issue to the public....I am personally disappointed that CFM still has no regret about the damage he has rendered to our party, even after such an abysmal performance of our party in the local elections.
My take with all due respect to him as our Party Leader.
Subject: When Rogues Fall Apart, Just Men Have Their Dues.
From: Alpha Saidu Bangura
To: All
Date Posted: 11:06:27 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: saidubangso@aol.com
Entered From: c-69-140-129-105.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.129.105
Message:
John, Charles Margai and Dauda Tombo Bangura share a lot in common, both of them love to leader at all cost, but do not have good leadership qualities. They are both very arrogant and self-centered and can not deliver anything. Both of them also have questionable characters and they lack the morale compass to hold any sensitive position.
I told a friend that by the chemistry of the PMDC, it will not survive more than 9 months after the last elections. Since, I talk directly to God, whatever comes from me will be true and correct.
The entire PMDC is made up of people who do do not have the ability to run any institution efficiently, therefore nobody should treat them with any seriousness.
Subject: Re: When Rogues Fall Apart, Just Men Have Their Dues.
From: A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 13:06:47 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
"Since, I talk directly to God"
Alpha, Alpha, Alpha, you are out of line with that
statment. Its "word talking" I know; however, I do not expect that from
Subject: Re: When Rogues Fall Apart, Just Men Have Their Dues.
From: PORROT
To: All
Date Posted: 11:13:04 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.72.123.89
Message:
\'Since, I talk directly to God, whatever comes from me will be true and correct\'.
Alpha you sure?
Subject: Re: When Rogues Fall Apart, Just Men Have Their Dues.
From: Tom
To: All
Date Posted: 13:33:20 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Seeing is beleiving.. not so. The PMDC is fallin aprt, pure and simple.
Subject: To all SLPP Propaganda Posters
From: Clifford
To: All
Date Posted: 23:30:16 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 92-233-68-169.cable.ubr12.croy.blueyonder.co.uk at 92.233.68.169
Message:
You will be posting lies for the next 20 years minimum. I understand that having nothing to do is a vice. John Karimu and Ben are extremely lucky that as millionaires they have not found themselves explaining how they built their villas on Le 3mill a month.
As for election fraud at the Court Barray(last year) Christiana Thorpe has to hold someone to account. 560 people cannot vote where 300 people registered.
Subject: I wonder which student union Kutubu koroma was president of
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 22:12:14 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...Finally,here in the US,i had the honour of being elected president of the students union twice."
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
Subject: Re: I wonder which student union Kutubu koroma was president of
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 16:56:57 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Here in the Washington Metropolitan area sir.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: ...BUT CHARLES MARGAI, I THOUGHT BAI-BAI KOROMA IS A DOCTOR?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 21:41:26 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"Also Mr President... You will see the answer clearly... that misbehaving in office should not be an option for any smart, self respecting man. But then again who am I to judge how high or low your IQ is?" (Charles F. Margai)
Subject: If Obai turn Docta ... who go sell Poyo?
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 09:38:06 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I know you are trying to tickle me, and you succeeded I am still laughing as I respond.
You very well know what you went through to acquire your qualifications - late nites studying, lots of time in libraries and online, rigorous vivas, tense moments sometimes... weeding out what to revise and what you're comfortable with, waiting for results, dealing with a few unpleasant classmates/lecturers, opportunity costs... missing out on masive earning etc etc
Well my friend, if you must hear it from me, Bai Bai's Docta Paper was a donation, a ridiculous one at that. USL must stop this tradition of wasting stationery on folks that are seemingly mature in dullness.
Did you hear about EBK's speech at TJK's wedding, shocking and very embarrasing. Our Prezo Docta opened with:
"Mr Bride and Bridegroom, please... " and then went on to stress on how long he has known TJK:
"I have use Mr Bride for over 20 years, even before he bacame president...."
Well my learned friend, would you say Bai Bai is a colleague Dr?
A close Krio friend of mine, with a great sense of humour once jokingly said:
" If Obai turn docta... who go sell Poyo?
Await your usual 'plain tok' answer
Subject: Re: ...BUT CHARLES MARGAI, I THOUGHT BAI-BAI KOROMA IS A DOCTOR?
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 22:50:03 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
Very low! So low he cannot distinguish between a question and a statement.
Subject: SINCE TAKEN OFFICE, HAS CHRISTINA THORPE BEEN UNBIASED?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 21:26:03 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Free and Fair Elections
232. "Free, fair and regular elections are central to democracy. Elections in Sierra Leone have been characterised by violence, intimidation and electoral fraud. These elections subverted democracy. Elections in Sierra Leone must never again be marred by fear and deception.
233. Elections must be effective and well run if democracy is to be consolidated in Sierra Leone. The electoral authority, the National Electoral Commission (NEC), bears the main responsibility in building public confidence in the democratic process. This Commission must be independent and impartial. The Commissioners of the NEC must be individuals with impeccable credentials. They must enjoy the respect and confidence of all stakeholders. In the performance of its functions, the Electoral Commission must be insulated from executive interference."
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
Subject: Christiana Topup has still not released polling st results
From: Independent Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 08:14:30 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Exit polls from EBK's local council ward in Goderich, suggests that the opposition SLPP won the ward by a comfortable margin. It appears however that Alfa Kanu and EBK are piling pressure on the Election Docta, Christiana Topup to rig that particular ward to avert embarrassment for the Prexy. "It would be brazen and stupid for anybody to alter the results of an election to satisfy an incumbent government" said a top Diplomat …“But then again… we actually still have no comprehensive (Polling Station) results for the Presidential Results in 2007… we still do not have proof of the raison d’ętre given by the former Nun to unconstitutionally cancel 477 polling stations, nor have we made strong criticism on recent election violence” added the Diplomat. He says he won’t be keeping quiet anymore and implores other Diplomats to follow suit ….or be labeled complacent.
In a backdrop of EBK's recent condemnations of Zimbabwe’s election violence and what he is currently up to with the Election Docta, particularly after the ambushing of NEC staff in Kenema District only hours earlier… one begins to think whether EBK is trying to say the International Community in Salone is dumb and blind… or that he can hoodwink these guests, any day…any minute… and not care a toss? Or are members of the International Community themselves what the President thinks they are – dumb and care less about Mama Salone.
Either way, someone is bound to have some major guilt on their conscience for not saying a word. Sierra Leone is waiting for the results as we have waited for last years polling station results… and we will never forget, if this developing unfortunate trend is not criticized and stopped!
Subject: SIERRA LEONE POLICE OFFICERS WILL ALWAYS BE CROOKS!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 21:11:24 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Conditions of Service
204."Inspector General Kamara of the Sierra Leone Police informed the Commission that the net monthly salary of a police constable is equivalent to one sack of rice, one sack of onions and a few loaves of bread. The rent allowance for police officers amounts to 1,000 Leones per month. Kamara pointed out that a bottle of Coca Cola costs more than that. As a result, police officers “sleep rough”, often camping on the floors of houses of friends and family.
205. The Commission recognises that providing professional policing in these circumstances is extremely difficult. The temptation for policemen and women to engage in actions of “pay yourself” must be overwhelming. However,simply stating that the Government must improve the income of the police may prove to be an empty gesture, at least in the foreseeable future. Indeed the Government hardly needs to be told of the deplorable conditions in the security services."
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
Subject: THE RONALDO CRISIS : WHO DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ?
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 20:30:17 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
Should Manchester United allow Ronaldo to go to Real Madrid ? Is Sir Alex Fergusson doing the right thing to try to stop Ronaldo from signing for Real Madrid ? Is FIFA President Sep Blatter right to say that football has become slavery ?
Subject: Re: THE RONALDO CRISIS : WHO DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ?
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 09:58:40 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I think Seth Blatter is a Madrid Fan and has clearly demonstrated that. He did not have to meddle with such strong statement.
Kabs it seems though that Ronaldo really wants to go... and the money Madrid is offering is obscene, even on European standards.
I think Sir Alex should concede, or be prepared to pay the gifted kid $600K/week... which is what Real is offering. Being the sound manager he has been over the years, I am sure he can produce a few more Ronaldos (from the $85-95 Million Real will pay) before he finally quits Man U in a few years.
As an Arsenal fan, I would looooove to see the kid go... but if I were Ronaldo, I'd stay at Man U. But then again money always talks.
Subject: RESHUFFLE?
From: Man pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 20:12:03 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: man_pikin@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-172-29-64.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net at 71.172.29.64
Message:
Is it true that Prezo Koroma will soon reshuffle members of his cabinet? I would suggest that Zainab Bangura should be sent to the ministry of gender and children affairs. We need a foreign minister who will sell our country's image abroad to attract investors so that jobs will be created for our young brothers and sisters. Alimamy Koroma should be sacked. For him to state in parliament that only four lebanese are importers of rice, flour, cement and sugar and the trade ministry is not encouraging other sierra leoneans to get involved in the importation of these basic commodities is a big slap in his face. Indeed, there is a global problem, but what can we as a nation do so solve it in our country. I hope prezo EBK will look into this.
Subject: Re: RESHUFFLE?
From: No way
To: All
Date Posted: 10:11:36 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
Message:
No way - he cannot
Subject: RESHUFFLE? Why Not?
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 10:53:11 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
No way - he cannmot.
Why not my friend?
Subject: Let's lay this myth to rest!
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 19:48:17 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Quack historians of the SLPP hue like to lazily 'devilize' the late Pa Sheki. True , President Stevens is a tough chap who practices politics by wading into crowds with hard elbows sticking out. And he did crack skulls every now and then.
But does that deserve to make him SLPP's favorite bogeyman?
Myth number one: Siaka Stevens was a murderous megalomaniac.
Reality: Even though every political death is one too much, Siaka Stevens did not kill more than 20 people in his entire political career.
Pa Kabba and his SLPP government executed so many people when they rampaged to power from Conakry that the sands of Lumley turned bloody red for a long time. There was so much extrajudicial lynching that the souls of the murdered still haunt Freetown, crying for justice.
And the blood of the brave soldiers, that were hanged as a result of SLPP's petty revenge, still cries for redress. Oh Kula Samba, we will never forget you. Oh Hingha Norman, we will never forget the stiletto of betrayal that the SLPP treacherously stuck in your back.
Now they want to rule us again. Ee nor possible. Papa Sheki, you nar man bobs!
Infrastructure under SLPP? Da joke dae nor funny sef.
Subject: Umna L, you do not have to demonstrate your ignorance
From: Amnesty International
To: All
Date Posted: 10:15:19 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Sheki killed well over 100 people directly - either by fake allegations of coups or using his signature assasins Highway et al. Indirectly, I think is numberless... as we said in primary schoolages ago.
If you are wilfuuly trying to distort facts,may the souls of all who Shaki killed bring their wrath on you. Amen
Subject: IS THE SLPP THE MOST CORRUPT MAFIA IN AFRICA?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 19:25:01 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
I was in my political science class recently discussing the nefariousness of African corruption. During a heated exchange, I declared that Nigeria was the most corrupt country in Africa. My professor and the other students laughed so hard that tears rolled down their cheeks and they rolled on the floor, holding their sides with mirth. They declared that the SLPP regime of Kabba-Berewa-Benjamin-Karimu was manifestly the most corrupt mafia ever. Tony Soprano in State House indeed! When they described the billions of dollars in aid and soft debt (from the UN, EU, Libya, Kuwait Fund, Britain, U.S. Nordic countries etc, etc,) that was robbed in broad daylight, with ski masks and guns by the SLPP, I ran out of the class in shame and wept.
In the interest of peace, we will not ask for an economics crime court. We lef we yone gee God!
Never in the history of political corruption was so much robbed by so few from so many!
God dae! I just wish that the SLPP Sarvis Man dem would stop their hypocritical 'outrage' at the fictions that they manufacture about the dynamic APC party. APC: Govern for the next 25 years!
Subject: Re: IS THE SLPP THE MOST CORRUPT MAFIA IN AFRICA?
From: Mr. Cullinan
To: All
Date Posted: 15:10:57 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: sorrelsteak@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 63.164.47.194
Message:
TO: UMAN, Your Professor and class-mates may be right. BUT, let's not forget the former ruler of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko, (the all-powerful warrior who will conquer everything in his path) who stole over 6 Billion (US dollars)from the west and from his own country, etc. He was depositing Aid Funds into his Swiss Bank account and the west had Full knowledge of his corrupt activities. Also, the current contender is Mugabe of Zimbabwe, 30 yrs. of corrupt activities and still going strong. Good Day, Mr. C.
Subject: HISTORY'S HARSH VERDICT ON SLPP CORRUPTION!
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 18:51:55 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
The SLPP supporters are on a mission to re-engineer and drodorize their party's odious history. As they rail at every fiction about APC and our dynamic president, it would serve them best to remember the verdict of an independent and credible assessment in a white paper by foreign NGOs on the corruptocracy of the SLPP party:
"Never in the history of corrupt governments was so much stolen by so few from so many."
SLPP's grapes of wrath are being harvested small-small. SLPP corruption is indeed a crime against humanity. In the interest of peace, we lef we yone gee God!
Added on Date: 18:44:07 07/10/08
Subject: HISTORY'S HARSH VERDICT ON SLPP CORRUPTION!
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 18:44:07 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
The SLPP supporters are on a mission to re-engineer and drodorize their party's odious history. As they rail at every fiction about APC and our dynamic president, it would serve them best to remember the verdict of an independent and credible assessment in a white paper by foreign NGOs on the corruptocracy of the SLPP party:
"Never in the history of corrupt governments was so much stolen by so few from so many."
SLPP's grapes of wrath are being harvested small-small. SLPP corruption is indeed a crime against humanity. In the interest of peace, we lef we yone gee God!
Subject: THIS FORUM IS NOT FOR ADVERTISING
From: KABS KANU : Editor -In-Chief and Publisher
To: All
Date Posted: 18:28:38 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
I am writing this piece to warn some of our visitors that the COCORIOKO Forum is not for advertisements. Anybody wishing to asvertise on the forum should send the Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of this newspaper a letter at kabbiekanu@yahoo.com and kabbskanu@aol.com .
Failure to adhere will lead to your IP being banned.
We are trying to raise COCORIOKO to an even higher level and we would not allow theft of our sevices.
I hope those concerned will behave accordingly.
Subject: Re: THIS FORUM IS NOT FOR ADVERTISING
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 18:34:11 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Kanu,intellectual dishonesty has taken so a firm grip over people that they become very oblivious to the most obvious facts of life.I am glad that those who engage in this sort of mendacious acts have been warned very seriously of the far reaching ramifications.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: THIS FORUM IS NOT FOR ADVERTISING
From: FORUM POLICE
To: All
Date Posted: 20:26:37 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
Rev. Kabs-Kanu is right. People should pay for advertising on this forum. It is theft of services. If this is not done, very soon, this whole forum will lose the reason for its formation.
Subject: Re: THIS FORUM IS NOT FOR ADVERTISING
From: OSMAN MALOMBO CONTEH
To: All
Date Posted: 19:59:41 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: rrcs-24-105-152-45.nyc.biz.rr.com at 24.105.152.45
Message:
I thought Revo was a good samarithan but anyway there is no need to cry over spile milk.The struggle cotinues. Please say no to palava and say and say yes to good gesture.
Remember Revo, One good turn deserves another.
Subject: APC lost local council ward where HE E B Koroma resides
From: British Diplomat
To: All
Date Posted: 18:00:25 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
Exit polls from EBK's local council ward in Goderich, suggests that the opposition SLPP won the ward by a comfortable margin. It appears however that Alfa Kanu and EBK are piling pressure on the Election Docta, Christiana Topup to rig that particular ward to avert embarrassment for the Prexy. "It would be brazen and stupid for anybody to alter the results of an election to satisfy an incumbent government" said a top Diplomat …“But then again… we actually still have no comprehensive (Polling Station) results for the Presidential Results in 2007… we still do not have proof of the raison d’ętre given by the former Nun to unconstitutionally cancel 477 polling stations, nor have we made strong criticism on recent election violence” added the Diplomat. He says he won’t be keeping quiet anymore and implores other Diplomats to follow suit ….or be labeled complacent.
In a backdrop of EBK's recent condemnations of Zimbabwe’s election violence and what he is currently up to with the Election Docta, particularly after the ambushing of NEC staff in Kenema District only hours earlier… one begins to think whether EBK is trying to say the International Community in Salone is dumb and blind… or that he can hoodwink these guests, any day…any minute… and not care a toss? Or are members of the International Community themselves what the President thinks they are – dumb and care less about Mama Salone.
Either way, someone is bound to have some major guilt on their conscience for not saying a word. Sierra Leone is waiting for the results as we have waited for last years polling station results… and we will never forget, if this developing unfortunate trend is not criticized and stopped!
Subject: Re: APC lost local council ward where HE E B Koroma resides
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 18:19:21 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Keep dreaming.
Subject: Re: APC lost local council ward where HE E B Koroma resides
From: Dreaming
To: All
Date Posted: 18:46:50 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
You too nice he is not dreaming. He has his head between his legs and he is smelling his own Be--nd
Subject: thenewsierraleonean
From: mohammed Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 16:14:49 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-204-124-73.hsd1.ga.comcast.net at 71.204.124.73
Message:
http://www.thenewsierraleonean.com/templates/slnews
Subject: Do the SLPPers believe in one country or just 'Mwalaylaymia
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 16:11:29 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.149.189.138
Message:
From what we've seen so far, during both elections the supporters of the SLPP never believe in one country and one people all they believe in is 'nar we soso no moh' mentality which will have serious repercussions given the fact that all other tribes are moving on. The SLPP for now, can bank on the large population of mendes (the highest populated tribe) to support their ideology of MWALAYLAYMIA. But the population of Sierra Leone is increasing fast so their reliance on the mende population will be diminished in the next five years as other tribes who're willing to walk the path of change are growing in numbers.
So what will then be left of the MWALAYLAYMIA system of the SLPP?
Subject: Re: Do the SLPPers believe in one country or just 'Mwalaylay
From: Bash
To: All
Date Posted: 17:05:21 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 166.133.76.172
Message:
You guys really enjoy Mende bashing on your forum don't you. Well
we are Sierra Leoneans and your oppinions about us do not really
matter. If you are from a "progessive tribe" as you claim God bless you,
but leave Mende people out of this.
Subject: Re: Do the SLPPers believe in one country or just 'Mwalaylay
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 17:34:39 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.149.189.138
Message:
What are you talking about? Mende bashing. If you don't have a clue about the subject, just stay away before you ignite fire.
Subject: Eddy thats what you live ... mende bashing
From: Keen Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 18:20:48 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: tejan.kabba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
I have counted only 8 posts (out of zillions)of yours that do not bash mendes in this forum. Yu nar pure tribalist (150%). One of the most offesive concentration I have seen in a long while. I will be copying and saving your posts... in case you deny.
Den promise you wok? Paddy nan blow pah dem mende dem.
Subject: Or Langba define Tribalism, or you're the tribalist
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 03:39:48 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.240.29
Message:
It is a shame that you guys are regarding this discussion as tribalistic. My intention is different from what you believe. I made assertion about the SLPP supporters and you cruelly turned it to your bias pethetic belief. I mentioned the word Mende because the bulk of the SLPP supporters are mendes, or is it now a taboo to write the word mende?
I think you're the one who is really engulfed in tribal ideology.
Can you please post anything I've written here that depicts tribalism, people like you make a living in tarnishing others image. One thing I can assure you is that you cannot lure me into your circle of hate, I'm a Sierra Leone and have every right to call MENDE because its one of the tribes that make up Sierra Leone, so no amount of threat from anyone would stop me from calling the MENDE word ok? just have it in your empty skull.
Subject: Re: Or Langba define Tribalism, or you're the tribalist
From: Or Langba
To: All
Date Posted: 07:46:14 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Eddie dont you know that ANYTIME you mention the word mende you will be called a tribalist by mendes? Thats the point I was making. Cant you see how alieu iscandari is being called that everytime he mentions the word mende. The truth is that some mende people do not want to hear the truth about what they do collectively. The truth is that the kamajors were mendes, supporters of the SLPP and that they killed non mendes. The truth is that the bulk of SLPP support is from mendes. The truth is that the mendes wnt to control the rest of sierra leone. The truth is that the mendes and the SLPP are unpatriotic sierra leoneans. The truth is that the mendes are whinners.
I am on the side of TRUTH, and on your side Eddie. Speak the TRUTH and it shall set you free.
Subject: Re: Eddy thats what you live ... mende bashing
From: Or Langba
To: All
Date Posted: 18:44:10 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
So Eddie Grant you don take de weight from Alieu. Now nar you nar de nti mende man. When will these people learn.
Subject: Re: Eddy thats what you live ... mende bashing
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 03:51:47 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.240.29
Message:
I've never being a MENDE HATER nor do I ever bash MENDES in complete contrast to your claims. Please when you see a thread, give it a thorough read before making a comment otherwise you'll miss the point completely and became bias when responding to that post.
The cliams you guys are making here are unfounded and very unfair. I challenge anyone who think I'm anti MENDE to provide proof otherwise I want to ask you to withdraw all unfounded claims about me. I usually take offence against such claims on my person because I'm a believer of one people one country. This is a political discussion and if I mention the word MENDE, and being regarded as anti MENDE then how can we have any justifiable discussion on the differences between all the indegenius tribes in the country?
Subject: Who's wrting for you... your language has slightly improved
From: Keen Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 06:53:33 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Eddy boy the No.1 Tribalist, your language has seen a marginal improvement. Some one says Kortoh Alieu may be helping you out, can you confirm?
Good job though if you have made a conscience effort to seek help. Keep it up and change your ways. Bitterness is a mental prison, particularly against a progressive tribe and region you cannot do 'thou' about. Take it easy a bit son, OK?
Subject: Eddy boy ...I hope you were not in theAPC's NEC ambush
From: Sahr Ngaojia
To: All
Date Posted: 16:21:50 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
Eddy if you are going to be breeding more thugs to ambush NEC workers... then please think twice. If you are going to be breeding folks who beat up their parents and set Kono on fire... then know that, even the Good Lord will not permit that. If you also breed thugs, raise and train them in Burkina Faso to cause mayhem in Mama Salone.... then God go sure punish you
Subject: Re: Eddy boy ...I hope you were not in theAPC's NEC ambush
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 17:09:10 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.149.189.138
Message:
Please try not to deviate from the main topic of discussion. All you guys like to dwell on is thugs, thugs and thugs its as if the entire population of Sierra Leone is made of thugs.
Remember that the electorate only account for about 48% of the population, and out of this the SLPP have a fair share of it. So if the APC is carrying out all the thuggery in the country then the SLPP is doomed.
Let me narrate a short short titled TOTAL BLAME
Once upon a time, there lived a king with one very beautiful daughter. The daughter has reached the age when all the men in the kingdom want to marry her. But to marry this girl doesn't involved money, the dowry is paid by working in the king's farm.
Mainwhile there was a man who was well known for his bad work but he wishes to marry the girl. Since there were so many contenders, the king decided that everyone who intend to marry the princess should come to the farm and work.
after several days working in the farm, the king decided to visit and assess the work done by these men. The king was not very pleased with the work done, and when asked who work here, the blame was passed to the man who was well known for working badly, and who work there? the blame again goes to the same man. At the end of the king's assessment, the man was hailed as the only one who did the entire work so he gets the princess.
So you see my brother, if all this thuggery is blamed on the APC alone, the people will believe that it is the only party that is ready to rule the whole country for the poeple.
Subject: Thats the same theory Mugabe is using in Zimbabwe
From: Morgan Tsvangari
To: All
Date Posted: 18:29:10 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
Eddy thats exactly what the Zanu PF is saying in Zimbabwe. The APC is truly a vey violent party.
Subject: APC likened to Democrats: Barack bitterly complains (King L)
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 15:13:17 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
Your Highness King Loggy, I must strongly protest Dull Cavalier's likening of the APC party to the Democratic Party.
First and foremost that Red Colour of the APC is clearly Republican.
Second, your violent attributes, as recently seen in Kono and your President's close link with civil-war-sponsoring Burkina Faso is very akin to the hawkish Republicans.
Third, your intolerance to other tribes can only be compared to the far-right members of the Rebublican party. I hear 90% of Cabinet Ministers in your current government are from Northern Sierra Leone. Also that only Limba's head the party... not even your temne cousins. This xenophobic tendency can only relate to the Republican party.
Fourth, I hear your leader, President Koroma, shares the same IQ as the Rebublican George W Bush. I must add that both, these gentlemen will never win awards for brilliance.
Lastly, your current Vice President, Mr Sam Sumana was a fully registered Republican during his tenure as Truck Driver in the US. I cannot see how your party, the APC can be compared to the Democratic Party.
With all the above, and believe me there are more, I srongly reject the notion that we have similarities... God forbid...even Joe Lieberman is angry at such blatant misinformation...we Democrats are neither violent nor Reds...and we surely don't have a dumb leader!
In fact we are more likely going to be leaning towards SLPP, as they brought peace to the 11 year war that was started as a result of your 23 year misrule and deliberate deconstruction of state structures. Most importantly the SLPP gave power to an alien, ATK... you get my point?
Subject: Re: APC likened to Democrats: Barack bitterly complains (Kin
From: The Smart Cavalier
To: All
Date Posted: 02:26:26 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-229-105.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.229.105
Message:
Gbaygbay boy I nearly died with laughter when I saw a nondescr1pt like you masquerade under the moniker Barack Obama. To be honest with you, you are not worthy of licking Obama's boot even when he treads on a ground dominated by dogs'excrement.
To educate you a bit sonny boy:
1)It is not about colours but ideologies!
2)According to Salone customs and traditions a child's tribe is dictated by his biological father's tribe! If a child's father is Temne and and the mother is Limba to which tribe does the child belong? EBK is Temne to the core not even his Limba mother will deny that.And some of you mende or SLPP guys should try to deal with the fact that a Temne is now ruling Salone and Temnes are well prepared to kick your restive, malevolent and diabolical asses if you try to rock EBK's progressive boat.
Subject: Re: APC likened to Democrats: Barack bitterly complains (King L)
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 18:31:27 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Jacob Kanu, Barrack and the entire Democratic party would be thrilled with any comparison with the glorious APC party of Mother Sierra Leone.
The atrocious rule of SLPP is, without doubt, the most ruinous Alakicracy that has ever been inflicted on any African country. The all-encompassing corruption of the SLPP and the soulless hustle for the almighty dollar by its functionaries is the reason why SLPP carted off billions in aid to foreign bank accounts and concubines, and left the country without a lick of infrastructure. The only good thing, I suppose, is that SLPP generated more dollar millionaires during their rule than during any other corruptocracy in Africa. And you guys still want to rule the country to damnation..lol!
Subject: Re: APC likened to Democrats: Barack bitterly complains (King L)
From: Keen Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 18:42:37 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
Boh den say you nar very foolish boy. You nor go try change name. Big man lek yu for be responsible. Nar so you pikin sef kin call you ..."Papa Uman Lappa"?
Shame on you.
Subject: Re: APC likened to Democrats: Barack bitterly complains (King L)
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 18:58:53 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Pa du ya nor make me ole yet. Ar go change me name next year when ar turn 25 en marrade, Right now, according to Emmerson, I am Uman Lappa, "ar fiba me papa bad bad wan!"
Subject: Awareness Times Annoys President Ernest Koroma again
From: West Side
To: All
Date Posted: 15:06:02 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.151.98.236
Message:
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE
THAT MISCHIEVOUS ARTICLE IN AWARENESS TIMES NEWSPAPER
This office views with concern a front-page lead story in today’s edition of the Awareness Times newspaper, titled ‘APC ELECTIONS VIOLENCE CONDEMNED FROM ZIMBABWE’. From our own investigations, the people mentioned in the said article are at best fictitious and therefore a figment of the writer’s imagination calculated to discredit the conduct of the just-concluded local council elections which have been hailed as free, fair and violence-free by both local and international observers who monitored the process from the beginning to the end.
The UN Representative in Sierra Leone is on record to have said he’s never seen any freer elections. The US Ambassador to Sierra Leone has congratulated Sierra Leoneans for the peaceful elections. ECOWAS observers and local monitors, including the National Elections Watch (NEW) and the Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms (SLANSA), have all hailed the worth-emulating democratic dispensation again manifested in the Sierra Leone culture through these elections.
For a newspaper to then mischievously concoct a story stating that our elections were marred with violence in order to throw spanners in the works of this great achievement is apparently criminal. By way of this press release therefore, the Awareness Times is challenged to prove the credibility of their story by publishing the supposed emails they received from Zimbabwe verbatim with the senders’ addresses.
Let it be known that while this government respects freedom of the press, it simultaneously eschews bad journalism, especially when it tries to mortgage the integrity of our national success for inexplicable reasons.
THE PRESS SECRETARIAT
STATE HOUSE
10 JULY 2008
Subject: APC determined to change Salone to Zimbabwe
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 16:02:44 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
EBK's men have started burning ballot papers and boxes in Local Government elections. His VP has been very busy whooping his people (young & old),like he was some crazed thug... or is he?
Imagine what EBK's power hungry apetite will lead us to come 2012. This is a very worrying development.
One clearly now starts to relate to his weird close relationship with Blaise Campoari of Burkina Faso. EBK, Salone nor to Zimbabwe. We will keep records of your behaviour and will punish you severely, even in old age, if you allow our country to dissintegrate to this crude politics.
Also Mr President, check how past Presidents of Sierra Leone lived/live after their tenure. You will see the answer clearly... that misbehaving in office should not be an option for any smart, self respecting man. But then again who am I to judge how high or low your your IQ is? The ball is in your court. Sindom dae drink wine nar flask... "you go fillam nar yu year"!
Subject: Sierra Leonean kid wins 100 meters at IAAF
From: Celebrating
To: All
Date Posted: 14:45:15 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
The community is pleased to celebrate one of our own children winning the IAAF womens 100 meters final. This is Olympic material for sure
Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean kid wins 100 meters at IAAF
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 18:33:19 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
Whether she is representing Sierra Leone or the U.S. is not material. The important thing is that she is a Sierra Leonean. Kudos to the sister. Kudos too to Sierra Leone.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean kid wins 100 meters at IAAF
From: Syl
To: All
Date Posted: 18:55:20 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host228.frk.com at 12.47.48.228
Message:
Both parents are Sierra Leoneans. Dad in DC and mother in Stockton California.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean kid wins 100 meters at IAAF
From: yankuba kai-samba
To: All
Date Posted: 04:17:05 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: y020855@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
The name Tarmoh suggest the father is a native of Kenema.
The Tarmoh family like the Kollon's are apendage to the ruling house in Nongowa chiefdom.
Best wishes and good luck Jeneba.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean kid wins 100 meters at IAAF
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 15:57:07 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.149.189.138
Message:
Does she represent Sierra Leone or the US?
If she represent our country, then huge congratulations to her and good luck.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean kid wins 100 meters at IAAF
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 15:00:04 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Congratulations to our good will Ambassador for properly representing us.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean kid wins 100 meters at IAAF
From: umfaali
To: All
Date Posted: 16:52:42 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: uslec-66-43-153-180.cust.uslec.net at 66.43.153.180
Message:
she is representing the US
Subject: U .D.P. INC ...U.D.P POLITICAL PARTY -MOTIVES..
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 14:27:56 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-122-113.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.122.113
Message:
Read:..U.D.P. was something of a doctors party just as the P.N.P. was called lawyers party, but what happened along the way? "....the whole episode of the U.D.P. still defies analysis, it is hard to explain why such talented and prominent men should have tampered so rashly with extra -constititional means of power: but shootings, acid throwing incidents, incitements to strike and attempted coup were all traced to U. D. P. and agents...." Fellow Citizens is this the way peace loving people should behave? HA HA , now Siaka Stevens banned the part and arrested its leaders. WAS SIAKA STEVENS WRONG? ?
Subject: Re: U .D.P. INC ...U.D.P POLITICAL PARTY -MOTIVES..
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:33:49 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
To start with,God was unkind to Sierra Leone to have dumped Stevens on the nation.Had there being no Stevens,there would have been no need for the things you have outlined.
People resorted to those means to rid the nation of the excesses of Stevenism.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: U .D.P. INC ...U.D.P POLITICAL PARTY -MOTIVES..
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 14:50:47 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-122-113.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.122.113
Message:
Mr. KOROMA , here is the other side: HAD THE U.D.P. BEEN WILLING TO TAKE THE DEMOCRATIC ROAD ,IT MIGHT HAVE MADE GREAT IMPACT ON POLITICS ,THOUGH ITS INFLUENCE IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTIVE SINCE A TRIBALISTIC REVANCHE WAS ITS MOST PROBABLE OUTCOME.What is your opinion ?
Subject: Re: U .D.P. INC ...U.D.P POLITICAL PARTY -MOTIVES..
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:56:13 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Jawara,except you tell me you have been on vacation with Alice in the wonderland for you to think that under Stevens,democracy is possible.I am sure you were not.In that regard,the only thing that could have effectuated changes in the political direction of the nation was removing Stevens by any means.
Even your man Abdulia Conteh has said it in his November 11,2007 postings which i have just addressed.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: U .D.P. INC ...U.D.P POLITICAL PARTY -MOTIVES..
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 14:48:43 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-122-113.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.122.113
Message:
Mr. KOROMA , here is the other side: HAD THE U.D.P. BEEN WILLING TO TAKE THE DEMOCRATIC ROAD ,IT MIGHT HAVE MADE GREAT IMPACT ON POLITICS ,THOUGH ITS INFLUENCE IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTIVE SINCE A TRIBALISTIC REVANCHE WAS ITS MOST PROBALBLE OUTCOME.What is your opinion ?
Subject: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma - Who Are You Political Heroes
From: Farrah Marrah
To: All
Date Posted: 14:12:23 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.99
Message:
Kutubu,
You have been consistent in lambasting politicians such as Dr. Forna and Dr. Sarif Easmon, but, which politicians in Sierra Leone do you admire the most and why?
Subject: Re: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma - Who Are You Political Heroes
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:27:00 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Marrah,i dont have politicians in Sierra Leone that i am enanored of because they are all bereft of personal moral integrity and principles.
However,there are,or were people like i so much love,and loved,respect,and respected,that no words of mine can adequately convey that.Let me list them for you.
Sir.Banja Tejan-Sie,
Mr.Samuel Lansana Bangura,
Mr.Mohamed Hasiru Deen Alhgali,
Mrs.Hanna Benka Coker,
Lady Mary Bankole Jones,
Mr.Abdul Rahman Sesay,
Mr Justice Okoro Idogu,
Mr.Justice Singer-Betts,
Attorney Blyden Jenkins -Johnston
Police Commissioner Jenkins Smith,
Mrs.Glays Okoro Cole.
For now,these are the names that come to mind almost intuitively.Ever thing they did in life that i saw for myself were consistently good to excellent.They were not utopia because that is next to God,but believe me they were the the perfect human beings God sent to live among us.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma - Who Are You Political Heroes
From: Kalos
To: All
Date Posted: 18:23:44 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-231-210-224.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.210.224
Message:
Okoro Idogu and Jenkins-Johnston are perfect human beings? No, you must be joking.
Subject: Re: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma - Who Are You Political Heroes
From: Santigi Turay
To: All
Date Posted: 18:33:36 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
I hope Kutbu is not suffering from Alziemers.. he seems old enough... eh Kalos?
Subject: Re: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma - Who Are You Political Heroes
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 18:43:57 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Believe me young man,i am blessed with good heath because i do not abuse myself as you young folks do.By God's grace,i will turn 59,come September 11,2008.
My hope is that the good Lord permit me to stay a little longer so that misguided ,ignorant,and lost souls drug infested like your generations will be saved and educated.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma - Who Are You Political Heroes
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 19:02:53 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Pa Kutubu cole you hart. Nor vex pan you small wan dem. Take am easy okay?
Subject: Ben Kanu should be brought to justice (for Nationalist)
From: Bobson L Sesay (rtd)
To: All
Date Posted: 13:57:55 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
Have you been to the multi-million dollar complex Uncle Ben owns? Its rented by WFP.
Where did he steal the money from?
Subject: Re: Ben Kanu should be brought to justice (for Nationalist)
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:08:06 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Ben as you know was one of the generals in the syndicated dragnet of the criminal empire with Momoh as the general manager while Bambay served as the coordinator general.While he served as member of the Cabinet,he was also involved in business especially rice.All the rice under USA laws PL480 ended up in his store where hoarding and profiteering became the order of the day.At his Kissy road store,his daughter will be seen walking with bundles of notes in hand.That is the sort of government Momoh and Bambay ran.That explains why the nation has headed for the abyss of annihillation with a point of no return.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Ben Kanu... MKK SEE MY RE TO: We have not performed
From: Mr. Cullinan
To: All
Date Posted: 14:18:19 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: sorrelsteak@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 63.164.47.194
Message:
TO; MKK, SEE MY RESPONSE TO: WE HAVE NOT PERFORMED. Uncle W.
Subject: Come easy go easy.
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 13:49:38 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 208.3.139.43
Message:
Has any one read it by James Hardley Chase?
Subject: We Have Not Performed
From: Prez
To: All
Date Posted: 13:16:05 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Prez Koroma has told his ministers that they have not performed since they came to power, and he will soon reshuffle his cabinet. We have not been able to make the required changes we promised our people, and it is time to change the players, said Koroma.
The BBC reporter sais the ministers started laughing at what the prez said, but the president was not pleased at all.
The people have started to lose confidence in the gov't, and people are urging the president to do something before its too late.
Most of the people that the BBC reporter spoke to on the street are saying that the APC promised them heaven, but since they came to power, they have not seen any changes. The Prez is expected to fire almost half of his team by next week.
Subject: Re: We Have Not Performed
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 13:30:13 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Frankly,the first to go should be Zainab Bangura whose personal incompetence in the Diplomatic arena has reduced the sovereign nation of Sierra Leone to a huge joke.It is such a horrendous thing to have an inept and know nothing person of her ilk running around sprouting innane propositions under the pretext of diplomacy.Her remarks on the issue of Tibet when she met with the Ambassador from China upto this day acidifies my stomach.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: We Have Not Performed
From: Mr. Cullinan
To: All
Date Posted: 14:14:22 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: sorrelsteak@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 63.164.47.194
Message:
TO: MKK, I agree, and I think the entire cabinet should also be sacked. while we are at it, we might as well impeach the entire Govt. It's the same old story.
P.S. I suppose that one forum is as good as another; this was not always true.
I guess you didn't like my idea for a time-line??? The least you could have done was to reply to my e-mail. Have a nice day, Uncle W.
Subject: Re: We Have Not Performed
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:29:38 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Thank you sir.
Subject: POST LOCAL ELECTION CASUALTIES - OR WHAT?
From: YONGAWO
To: All
Date Posted: 12:44:25 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-132-11-170.range86-132.btcentralplus.com at 86.132.11.170
Message:
BBC'S FOCUS ON AFRICA REPORTS - KOROMA THREATEN TO SACK 9 MINISTERS.
Subject: Agnes should resign ... he is not cut for this Job
From: Santigi Turay
To: All
Date Posted: 14:15:50 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
EBK should not only sack 9 Ministers, he should resign for willfully selecting incompetent folks on tribal grounds.
His weak leadership is dragging Mama Salone down... man den nor glady oooh!
Subject: Re: Agnes should resign ... he is not cut for this Job
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:43:43 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Well if that hopeless buffon and inept Fatu Tejan Kabbah and money grabber Solomon Berewa have shown a semblance of leadership,no one would have been talking about a fast talking insurance policy salesman at the helm of statecraft.
The best he can do is surround himself with his keiths and kins.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: WHAT TYPE OF HUMAN BEING IS ABDULIA CONTEH?
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 12:44:01 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
WHAT TYPE OF HUMAN BEING IS ABDULIA OSMAN CONTEH?
Let me begin this project by thanking Mr.Farrah Marrah very sincerely for providing me with the ammunition I have been searching for all along to go after Abdulia Conteh,in my attempt to tag him who set out on a course that deliberately mortgaged not only his conscience,but humanity as well.
In the February 10,2008 edition of the Cocorioko editorial opinion,there was heated debate about Conteh’s contribution toward the nation’s advancements or lack thereof.To his supporters,he is portrayed as ‘victim of SLPP south/eastern bigotry’as a result of the strident diatribes on his person.To the detractors however,he is an opportunistic unprincipled self seeking carpet bagger who will sacrifice time tested values for cynical expediency just to be part of the mafisco.I have always tried to gravitate to a sensible balance in the fray because I have my own impression of him dating back to his days at the Albert Academy to the department of Justice.I got to know Conteh not by meeting him in person,but through my association with Sylvanus Olutu Leigh.I was able to follow his career path all the way in the United Kingdom for the duration of his eight years stay and his scholarly achievements which capped with winning the prestigious Porter prize,and his admission to one of the eminent Law inns in the UK and Wales.
In this edition,I am not going to delve into that because,it has been amply covered in a two part series that were chronicled on him.This project is going to examine the other side of Abdulia Conteh’s involvement in APC politics and the debris left which has constituted the bane that have mortgaged everything he has worked for in life on account of greed,avrice,graft,moral turpitude,bankruptcy,lack of principles,over ambition,vain glory,short term expediency,myopia,gross insensitivity,and indecision.
This project has become expedient in light of his November 11,2007,address he gave which can be found on the july 9,2008 edition on this forum.This is the smoking gun I have been looking for all along to nail Conteh as a disgrace,and embarrassment not only to himself,but to the very Cambridge University that he and his lackeys tout so loudly.
Conteh returned home in the early part of the seventies and immediately landed a job as State Counsel in the office of the Attorney General.Upon arrival,his office became a sort of Mecca where young men with promising future thronged daily seeking his counsel.Most of us were very enamored of his scholarly achievements against overwhelming odds.He therefore became a source of inspiration to most of us especially from upland.In addition to his fiat at the Justice Department,he also doubled as a Lecturer at the nation’s highest seat of learning,Fourah Bay College,the University of Sierra Leone.At the Justice Department,he was very low key until the Mohamed Sorie Fornah Treason case.Conteh was suddenly catapulted to national spotlight because he was one of the prosecutors representing the state.The Attorney General then who was a politician who owed his office to the benevolence or patronage of S.I.Koroma,Nathaniel Abioseh Palmelstone Buck decided to personally prosecute the case even though common sense should have dictated the potential conflict of interest and therefore remove himself from active participation in the case.Buck’s case was compounded by his gross personal incompetence,and fundamental lack of prosecutorial credentials not to talk of his gobbledygook in the Queen’s linga franca.Conteh a natural gifted person in such discipline emerged as premus inter pares in the prosecution of the case.The other members of the team if I can correctly recall them were Tejan-Cole,Barber,Jones,Dabo,Brown Mark,Turay, and Davies I believe.The state prevailed ,Fornah and the principal co conspirators were executed.
The case concluded,there was nothing major to catapult Conteh in the spotlight any time soon until he unfortunately had a run in with Steven’s “TON TON MACOUTS” .Those gun totting thugs gave Conteh the beating of his life but for the intervention of a lady who recognized who he was,he would have ended up another statistics just as Governor Bangura did.That incident propelled him into instant fame and stardom.The Bar association particularly were very incensed and they considered that as the climax of series of assaults on the constitutional order of the nation and were determined to do something about Steven’s acquiescence of the innuendoes of law breaking.They prepared to file what in law is called amicus curiae on his behalf.For the first time in the political career of Stevens,he felt threatened.The master tactician and perfectionist at politics of deception and cajollying,he marked his time waiting for a golden opportunity to present itself,and it sure enough did.The Bar association held its annual convention that was capped with the election of Abdulia Conteh as Secretary General of the association in place of the docile and inept Bankole Stronge the current Speaker of Parliament.Conteh basking in his new found instant celebrity,was part of the legal trio that journeyed to State House for the customary courtesy call on Stevens.Always the eloquent speaker,I am sure he apparently left indelible impression on the mind of Stevens,who wasted no time turning the visit to his own advantage.The Kambia West constituency in Parliament was headed by Alhaji A.B.S.Janneh and so Stevens threw the bait to Conteh which he perfectly knew he will accept gladly.To that end,he was recruited and given the party symbol and his election to Parliament in May 1977 was a foregone conclusion because it was going to be held APC style,tainted and vitiated with fraud and irregularities.Conteh came to parliament after that questionable election and was appointed Foreign Minister.He himself viewed his appointment as challenge to the youths.In September of the same year,he came to the US for the 32nd,annual session of the general assembly of the United Nations in New York.Always wanting to be in the spotlight,he took time off the exigencies of his busy schedule to visit us in the metroplolitan area and a meeing was arranged at the Embassy in Washington.The session got underway without hitch until in his sense of excellence,sense of bigness,and sense of fixed grandeur,committed the unpardonable offence by bringing into question the patriotism of Sierra Leoneans who are not sold to the political orientations of the APC.In his sense of vain glory,he went on to accuse us of engaging in calculated idleness thereby unduly bringing down the APC government.He then went and threw a challenge to the startled audience which left even his Ambassador diving for cover to a sumo wrestling match in the for of “KITE”flying.He said,he has come here to “Fly kite” with us.To say we were shell shocked at the sort of irresponsible comments coming from a Foreign Minister is tom put it midly,because we were petrified beyond descr1ption.In any case,we took his offer with characteristic grace and calm and waited for him to return from New York for the contest.As for me,I had my own”kite” flying way above the Washington Monument waiting for him.The coward he was,we never heard from him nor saw him after that speech and the next thing we heard,he was back in Sierra Leone without fulfilling his offer.He stayed on as Foreign Minister globetrotting foreign capitals wasting tax payers money explaining a foreign policy that was non existent.In 1980,he and Stevens,in an orgy of self importance decided to host the OAU conference in Freetown even though there were extraordinary impediments to the effect not to talk of financial ramifications.Governor Samuel Lansana Bangura a true patriot who stood up to the excesses of Stevenism was unequivocal in his opposition to the proposal.Stevens of course will only listened to only things that conformed to his beliefs.The Governor’s counsel was jettisoned and he additionally paid the ultimate price for his temerity to challenge Stevens.While the meeting was being planned,Stevens was busy making a jack ass out of Conteh pretending as though he supported his OAU headship bid while behind the scene,he scuttled it.The meeting went ahead,with Stevens as OAU chairman and titular head of Africa thereby guaranteeing himself a nice invitation to the White House,and a brief stay at Blair House right across the street from the WhiteHouse.In the mean time also,Conteh became the chairman of the council of Foreign Ministers.For a while after the meeting the political marriage between Stevens and Conteh was riding on the hog’s ass,and later he was reassigned to the Ministry of Finance.I recall on a visit to the IMF office I ran into him at the foyer of the building during the annual meetings of Finance Ministers in Washington.
Stevens,was afflicted with a phobia that was unable to withstand the rising personalities of others.It was becoming crystal clear that Stevens was tired of Conteh’s convoluted grandstanding and so he found a subtle way to side line him without appearing obvious.Using political chicanery,he planted wedge between Alhaji Musa Kabia who was deputy to Conteh .The schemed significantly undermined Conteh’s usefulness to Stevens,and he used the acrimony and embers of discord to dump Conteh.At first,he started bab mouthing Stevens,but common sense prevailed over opportunistic calculations quickly nad he got his acts together by refraining from his critical comments on Stevens lest he ends up like Fornah and others.
Following his dismissal with ignominy,he settled down quietly until Stevens was safely out of his way when Momoh pressed him back into office and appointed him Attorney General.His public career back on the up ,along with George Carew,and AKT, they formed the intellectual trinity of Momoh’s administration albeit there were others but were not in the lime light as Conteh and his buddies were.
The next opportunity for Conteh to be the star of attfraction presented it self when Francis Minah,Mohamed Tennyson Kaikai,Vandi Jimmy,Raymond Dowui,Taylor and others were arrested and charged with carrying out an enterprise that sought to subvert the executive authority of the nation by force of arms.As the Attorney General,it fell to him to deliver the case against the accused persons in court.He had the usual team in the persons of Nasiru Deen Tejan Cole Director of public prosecution,Akie Barber,Principal State Counsel,Solomon Berewa,Senior State Counsel,Vallerie Bankole Jones,Gloria Atiba Davies,Nicholas Brown Mark,and Dabo all assisting in the prosecution.His opening arguments laying out the case for the state was flawless peppered with intellectual alliteration.He summed up the state’s case against Francis Minah with memorable drama when he refereed to him as the “LUCIFA THAT BETRAYED THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE”.From the circumstances of the beginning,some of us were of the opinion that Conteh should not have injected himself in the case directly because of the potential conflicts which will be interpreted as a calculated attempt on his part to looby for Minah’s job especially when Momoh was openly anti Mendi .Minah and others were convicted and most of them executed.Conteh was advanced to the first vice presidency with additional portfolio of internal Affairs.I hope my readers will review this project in juxtaposition to his November 11,2007,because I intend to portray himas an individual so bereft of personal moral integrity and principles to the extent he will do or say anything just to avenge power.This edition seeks to tie him directly to the innuendoes of wrong doings on the parts of Stevens and Momoh that he has steadfastly refused to acknowledge his own role and therefore assume some measures of mea culpa for.He has fundamentally down played his role in the sordid state of affairs that has enveloped the nation.My piece therefore seeks to undermine the integrity of his November 11,2007 posting.As Attorney General in the Momoh administration,he was at the center of everything that denied the citizens good governance,and constitutional protection against capriciousness,highhandedness,arbitrary use of power,police terrioris,and judicial intimidation with the help of Bambay Kamara and his much dreaded secret police.For example,Conteh piloted in parliament a bill that he knew to be totally fraudulent to return the nation to multi party politics.No matter how the bill sounded in tone the APC had no intention of leaving power by way of the democratic process.It was not long in coming when Strasser and his men surprised them with their sack papers on April 29,1992.
Conteh was at the right place at the wrong time but he managed to race out of the country leaving all his loots behind for the new messiahs who had a field day with his ill got wealth.He headed for the UK with fraudulently traveling documents with the immigration officers were not impressed and did not let me through.He was detained for two weeks,and found a seat on the next available flight west bound.He tried to seek asylum in other Western democracies but was firmly rejected and finally landed in the Banjul Gambia where his greed,graft,avice,and his attention calling on himself acidified the stomach of the military authorities to the extent he was placed in jail and was about to be “UMARU DIKKOLISED “ back to Sierra Leone in the waiting arms of the Strasser Led NPRC when providence finally intervened on his behalf on the good part of the USA who relocated him in the USA.
Let me explain for the benefit of my readers the term ‘UMARU DIKKOLISE”.On December 31st 1983,the military triumvirate of Generals Muhamadu Buhari,Sani Abacha,and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida overthrew the civilian administration of president Shagari and ne of his Ministers Umaru Dikko who was in charge of Transport and Civil Aviation raced to London and sought asylum.Unlike Conteh,he was granted.He was wanted because the Military government allegations that he stole lots of money like Abdulia Conteh.They contacted the MOSSAD,an Israeli security outfit that kidnapped him on the streets of London,impaired him by drugging him and meticulously placed him in a specially made crate and marked it “Diplomatic pouch”.He was about to be airlifted back to Nigeria when an al3rt and suspicious security officer out of concern interceded preventing the cargo from leaving.This brought diplomatic stand off between UK and Nigeria.Britain insisted upon inspecting the contents of the crate which Nigeria objected to strenuously citing the Geneva Convention as the necessary authority that prohibits such exercise.The British Conservative government stood firm and never capitulated to out model practice.At the end of it all,Nigeria had no choice but to allow Britain to open the crate and there was Umaru Dikko very helpless.Relations Between the UK and Nigeria was in abeyance for a while following that incident.Although Gambia would not have repeated similar experiences in Conteh’s case,they were nonetheless determined to return him back to Sierra Leone.
Now coming back to Abdulia Conteh,how can he possibly come with an address such as that when he was infact at the center of everything that went wrong with the country?Is that what he gained from Cambridge University to be so fundamentally dishonest,bereft of personal moral integrity,actuated by greed,graft,avrice,to the extent he was totally incapable of judging right from wrong?Are these not very reasons why the conference of Heads of States rejected his candidature for the OAU/AU headship?Will he in good conscience blame people forn holding him for the chaos and disorder that was visited upon the political process while he served two successive administrations?Where was his conscience when all those things were happening?I think for Conteh to have the brazen imprudence and temerity to make such remarks on November 11,2007 when he was at the center of everything that transpired represents a momumental insult to the intelligence of the vast concourse of the Sierra Leonean citizenry and in like manner,he should be treated with the utmost contempt imaginable and relegated to the political footnotes of the country where he truly belongs.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: WHAT TYPE OF HUMAN BEING IS ABDULIA CONTEH?
From: Bock Jah
To: All
Date Posted: 16:39:20 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-los-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 195.93.21.100
Message:
Well done what a brilliant piece this man is a national disgrace.I remember Chez wrote sometime ago that this man had the best Library in the country but would not allow his community to use it.I was happy when he did not get the AU job.
Some of us would stay well clear of the APC before we end up like Minah and others.
Subject: Re: WHAT TYPE OF HUMAN BEING IS ABDULIA CONTEH?
From: Belize citizen
To: All
Date Posted: 09:21:06 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-47.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.47
Message:
Your piece is being echoed in Belize City forums and we welcome your
participation in trying to understand the motive behind your piece.
You remind me of the Nazi hunters who were bent on exposing and
bringing to justice all those that, in any way, participated in the
prejudicially termination of millions of jews. These private individuals
and groups set out to track down and gather information on former
Nazis and SS members who were involved in the Holocaust so that they
can be punished for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Their
endeavour was a success as so many perpetrators of the holocaust
were captured and tried.
Such a move should be emulated by aggrieved persons of social
injustice coming together to track and gather information on former
elements of social injustice in Sierra Leone. your man fits the picture
and you guys should not just keeping talking and doing nothing about
it.
Subject: Re: WHAT TYPE OF HUMAN BEING IS ABDULIA CONTEH?
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 06:44:52 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-47.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.47
Message:
Thank you Mr. Kutubu Koroma. Some of us were relatively in our
adolescence when these events occurred. I was fortunate to have
attended the trial of Minah and the others. I saw the evil machinations of
AO Conteh.
Thank you again! I have forwarded your piece to moral groups and media
outlets in Belize. I sure believe they will be watchful. I have also
forwarded your email address to them for any further enquiry on the very
damning and serious character of this evil man.
Subject: POST LOCAL ELECTION CASUALTIES - OR WHAT
From: YONGAWO
To: All
Date Posted: 12:43:27 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-132-11-170.range86-132.btcentralplus.com at 86.132.11.170
Message:
BBC'S FOCUS ON AFRICA REPORTS - KOROMA THREATEN TO SACK 9 MINISTERS.
Subject: SLPP/APC
From: Bra Tunde
To: All
Date Posted: 11:59:42 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: dele25@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-70-17-126-236.res.east.verizon.net at 70.17.126.236
Message:
Sadly the comparison between Democrats/Republicans and APC/SLPP cannot work as we have never had idealogical politics in Sierra Leone. It has been and always will be about greed and larceny on a grand scale by whoever holds office. Forumites can opine all they like but this is the sad fact of life.
Subject: Re: SLPP/APC
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 13:37:37 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Only ignoramuses can make such senseless ideological comparisons.There are no issues oriented campaigns in Sierra Leone politics.It is campaign by the fists.APC of course will always prevail in that regard because that is the only politics they know.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,USA.
Subject: SLPP INTIMIDATES TO VICTORY IN THE SOUTH AND EAST!
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 11:44:23 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: at 165.155.208.87
Message:
The evidence is alarming and disturbing that the so-called SLPP 'landslide' in Kenema and Kailahun was actually obtained by intimudation, abuse and death threats by SLPP thugs in alliance with Kamajor remnants and Poro Devil militants. In the interest of peace, the APC will not petition these tainted elections. The president will go on growing democracy in Sierra Leone, even as SLPP continues to destroy democracy and play the victim at the same time.
I am kindly appealing to Mr. Mohamed Kutubu Koroma, the resident SLPP historian, to please investigate this disturbing habit of the SLPP, objectively, if possible. Thanks.
Subject: Anguish of war yields to new opportunities
From: Conteh
To: All
Date Posted: 11:16:37 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Anguish of war yields to new opportunities
Violent memories fade to hope for future
Christina Holder
Thursday, July 10, 2008
PAYNESVILLE, Liberia — On blue computer screens inside an air-conditioned Internet cafe, a message flashes - "The Liberian Dream." Here there are no guarantees. Dark streets have become hunting grounds for young thieves searching for high-priced game - cell phones, laptops or a wad of dirty Liberian bills.
It is difficult to find investors willing to sink big money into a country only five years after the end of a ruinous civil war.
But entrepreneur Stephen Tamba said he is determined to help end a nightmare of guns, violence and destruction in this neighborhood of bushy, green, open space outside the traffic-clogged capital of Monrovia.
Photographs by Christina Holder/The Washington Times Many Liberians, including young children and pregnant women, are trying to cobble a living from working at "Rock Hill," a gravel quarry in Paynesville, Liberia. Tires are burned to make rocks easier to chip.
"We are about to change that dream. Their next dream will be one of hope. There is a future here," he said.
Mr. Tamba, 35, and two former elementary-school classmates recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of their Internet cafe, named Sapata Inc.
Sapata got a chance because Mr. Tamba's business partner Mike Sarkor, a Liberian engineer working in Canada, was able to secure private investors. It took about $120,000 to open the cafe. All the equipment, including 10 computers and a generator, had to be imported. The cafe gets its speedy wireless connection via a satellite company in Florida.
Thieves remain a threat. Red steel frames called "rogue bars" cover the windows and the air conditioner sits caged and bolted deep into the ground.
Robertsfield Highway, the main road stretching through Paynesville, is lined with dingy kiosks that charge cell-phones batteries for about 40 cents, and sell fizzy drinks to wash down fish roasted on sticks.
Mr. Tamba began selling kiosk owners some of the surplus power from his generator, hoping a future partnership can bring more light and safety to the area at night.
As people migrate to Paynesville, they must find a way to make a living.
Jobs in Monrovia are hard to find. Unemployment throughout the country is estimated at 85 percent; the literacy rate is about 20 percent.
For now, hundreds of Liberians are trying to pay their way by working on an expansive plot of land known as "Rock Hill."
Ruth Kollie, 7, shatters rock into gravel. A pile of gravel will yield the child a little more than $2 a day, but jobs are coveted in the area.
Deep within holes bored into the red dirt and along jagged cliffs lined by murky water, the "rock crushers," as they are known, chip away at giant slabs of rock.
They sell the crushed gravel to construction companies - the result of grueling and dangerous work in which bits of gravel fly from crude hammers as if stray bullets. Even small children and pregnant women can be seen pounding away jagged pieces of stone in the heat of the day.
On a recent afternoon, Jerry Gbavah, 21, sat with pieces of rock secured between his feet. A burning tire smoldered on a rock slab behind him, generating heat that makes the rocks easier to chip apart.
Many days, Mr. Gbavah pounds away for 10 hours, alongside his mother and older brother. A pile of gravel will yield him a little more than $2.
He is using the money to put himself through school. At 21, he is only in the ninth grade. It costs about $3,500 Liberian dollars, or $50, a semester.
His dream - to graduate high school, go to college and put rock crushing behind him - is daunting. Sometimes he feels discouraged.
"Some of our friends get the opportunity to go to school, so they find life easy," Mr. Gbavah said. "But the work I am doing makes it so hard for me to continue." Still, Mr. Gbavah is hopeful.
"We want to see our people coming back to our homes so we can resettle," he said. "I know that things will be fine one day ... one day, for our country, I know ... the time will come for us."
In Paynesville, signs of rebuilding give the appearance that people are holding on to hope.
Not far from "Rock Hill," two branches of established construction-supply companies have opened across the street from one another in the last six months.
Before the nation's 14-year civil war that ended five years ago, people wanting to build had to fight heavy traffic to get into Monrovia.
Sethi Brothers Inc. has been in Monrovia for 28 years and saw an opportunity to meet a need in the expanding Paynesville community.
The Indian-owned company opened a branch here in February as more Liberians moved in.
The store is close enough that Liberians who do not have a car can walk there and carry home a few supplies. One woman walked along the road near Sethi Brothers with a small roll of zinc roofing atop her head.
Fredrick Griffin, 37, of Jacksonville, Fla., sat in the Sethi Brothers warehouse recently and negotiated prices for building materials with manager Manmeet Singh.
Mr. Griffin came to Liberia in May to help a pastor rebuild a church in a remote area of the country. But after two weeks, Mr. Griffin perceived that the need to help Liberians was so great that he and his wife, Diana, decided to move to Paynesville. They are building a home nearby.
Mr. Griffin, a mortgage lender by trade, opened a company called Griffin International Service, which he hopes will provide loans to Liberians to help them rebuild, get educations and start businesses in rural areas.
"We've got all these people, all different kinds of ideas," Mr. Griffin said. "But they don't have the money to facilitate their ideas."
Rebuilding Liberia likely will take years, and those who have returned to make a new life are not naive. They know it won´t happen quickly.
Back along Robertsfield Highway, leading to the only commercial airport that will get a person out of Liberia, half-built houses made of concrete blocks are planted on a deep-green landscape of grass and palms. Houses can take years to build because Liberians construct their homes as they have money.
But even a half-built building on the outskirts of a capital city that still holds the ruins of war is a sign of rebirth.
"This is a businessman's nightmare," said Mr. Tamba, the Internet cafe owner. "But the fact that we are here, letting the flag fly, means there is hope."
Subject: Sierra Leone: 19 Year-Old Subject to Public Flogging
From: Only In Salone
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Date Posted: 10:55:50 07/10/08 ()
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Sierra Leone: 19 Year-Old Subject to Public Flogging
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Concord Times (Freetown)
10 July 2008
Posted to the web 10 July 2008
Amara Bangura
Emanuella Harding of the Makeni Magistrate court last week ordered the police to flog 19 year old Santigie Bangura for petty theft.
At the court, Bangura admitted to stealing five tins of sardines worth Le 10,000 from a kiosque near NP Junction in Makeni. "I was hungry and I had no alternative but to steal the sardines," he told the court.
After listening to his confession, Magistrate Harding decided not to hand-down the sentence according to the law.
"Sending Bangura to prison for five years would be a waste of government resources for such a minor offence," she said.
Instead, in an unusual move, she ordered the police to give Bangura twelve lashes in public view inside the court room.
Harding was not satisfied Bangura received the lashes without crying out loud so she ordered for extra twelve strokes.
After receiving the 24 lashes, Bangura sustained minor injuries on his back.
Many eye witnesses at the court lauded Magistrate Harding's move because they believed sending Bangura to prison was not only a waste of government resources but will also not do him any good as his association with hard core criminals in prison may worsen his situation
Subject: Sierra Leone: Protesters Stop University Exams
From: Orwai Osai
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Date Posted: 10:53:18 07/10/08 ()
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Sierra Leone: Protesters Stop University Exams
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Concord Times (Freetown)
10 July 2008
Posted to the web 10 July 2008
Mohamed Massaquoi and Ben Samuel Turay
Junior staff of both Fourah Bay College (FBC) and Njala University College (NUC) yesterday halted the ongoing second semester examinations in their respective institutions.
President of the junior staff association at NUC, Ibrahim Conteh said they decided to close down the college building during examinations after their previously-staged sit-down strike action, in protest of unpaid allowances, did not yield any benefit.
Likewise, president of FBC junior workers association, Sewah Tarawallie said the protest will continue until their salaries and other conditions of service are improved.
"I am not really happy as a leader, we are not going to work until our problems are solved," he said.
Conteh claimed the government and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress agreed to add Le 34,000 to their salaries since 2007 but the university authority has failed to address their needs.
He said even though the union has tried its best to prevent a strike action, the university administration did not make any effort to honour their part of the bargain.
"We have taken up the matter with the new government and they agreed to pay us but since then they have not addressed us. We gave twenty one days notice, it was during that time they wrote a letter to us stating that they have met with the ministries of education and finance to address the issue," he explained.
"We have ensured that the strike action is peaceful and calm. We are not breakers of the law but we want to retain our rights by asking the university to address our problems," he said.
Tarawallie said their salaries were increased in 2003 but their 30 percent annual leave allowance was left out. He said they reported the matter to the college authorities several times but to no avail.
"It is our labour and we will fight for it," he said.
Conteh noted that though the police are asking them to clear the barricades, they will not adhere to it until their problems are addressed by authorities concerned.
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Sisco Koroma and a group of police officers converged on the two campuses to persuade the junior staff to call off their strike action in the interest of students taking their examinations.
Koroma said even though the junior staff have the right to strike, they must allow others to enjoy their rights.
"These workers have the right to withhold their services to the university but do not have the right to stop students from taking their examinations. We have spoken to them to understand the situation of the government as it has been revealed that the ministry of finance and education are making frantic efforts to address their needs," he said.
Public Relations Assistant at NUC, Mac Jibba sympathized with the workers citing that they have been agitating for their salaries for a very long time.
"Unfortunately, most of their colleagues have died without receiving that money," he said adding that the college authority will do all in its power to ensure that they get their money.
After the disruption, a year three student at FBC, Mohamed Kamara said students were scared to go to their examinations hall for fear of being harassed by the irate workers.
Kamara said the angry workers went to their classes and disturbed them by shouting and singing while the examination was going on.
Subject: WHO IS WINNING THE "WAR ON TERRORISM"?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 10:50:43 07/10/08 ()
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WILL THE WAR ON TERRORISM EVER BE WON ?
Posted by CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS, BSN, RN, MD on April 10, 2005
ONE MAN'S TERRORIST IS ANOTHER'S FREEDOM FIGHTER. It is hard to give a concise definition of terrorism. Most people will say that it denotes various tactics that serve various causes, ranging from the purely personal (e.g. the Foday Sankoh saga) to struggles for independence or freedom from oppression. I see terrorism as the systematic use of murder, injury, and destruction, or the threat of such acts, aimed at achieving political, religious, or racial ends. Terrorism is as old as the story of mankind, but for the sake of brevity it is better to begin the trace from the first century. So, lets start from the first century then.
FIRST CENTURY: Here we have the DAGGER MEN; They were the hard core of the Jewish Zealots and were called SICARI, from the Latin word word for DAGGER. These millitants opposed the Roman rule of Judaea in the years preceding the leveling of the Jewish Temple and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. They murdered Roman officials and high-ranking Jews they considered enemies of the fight to liberate the Jewish people from Rome.
11th CENTURY: THE ASSASSINS: Thier mode of operation was murdering prominent enemies.This was considered a religious duty by this Islamic sect. From its stronghold in Syria and present day Iran, the group terrorized the Middle East. They were also called HASHSHASHIN, becaused of their ues of HASHISH.
1773: " TERROR AND TEA" : the dumping of tea into Boston Harbor by colonists in American Indian costumes to protest British tax policy. Since it involves property damage as a means of political coercion, I can safely call this a terrorist act.
1881: THE DEATH OF A TSAR: Radicals in Russia assassinated Tsar Alexander 11 after failing to start a peasant uprising in opposition to the Monarchy. The government eventually eliminated the group that was responsible for this act, amid widespread antirevolutionary sentiments.
1914: The BALKAN BLOODSHED: this was the prelude to World war 1. Some of the national groups encompassed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire resented their subservience to the Austrian Monarchy. When a radical serbian nationalist shot Archduke Ferdinard of Austria, heir to the throne, and his wife as they toured the Bulkan. Again, as said earlier, this provided the spark that ignited World War 1
1963: THE KU KLUX KLAN: This racist group reacted violently to the Civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, carrying out bombing campaign that would earn the city the nickname "bombingham".
1972: Here, a palestinian terror group killed two and seized nine Isreali athletes at the Munich games/olympics. All nine were subsequently killed when rescue mission failed. Of course you know "Jewman" will not let the spilling of a Jewish blood to go unpunished. Needless to say that thoes responsible were subsequently tracked down and killed.
1983: Sixty-three people died when the American Embassy in Beirut was attacked by suicide bomber belonging to the terrorist group, HEZBOLLAH. Later that year, more than 240 U.S. marines died in another suicide bombing. Now the terrorist had seen first hand the effectiveness of suicide bombing !
1991: THE RUF OF SIERRA LEONE/ NATIONAL PATRIOTIC MOVEMENT OF LIBERIA: Led by Foday Sankoh and Charles Taylor respectively began a series of carnage that took the lives of thousands, and left more incapacitated. WILL CHARLES TAYLOR GET AWAY WITH HIS CRIME?
(DATE UNKNOWN) ISU/ APC YOUTH LEAGUE/ APC TASK FORCE: These terrorists groups have brutalized the people of Sierra Leone for a while.
1995: Timothy McVeigh set off a truck load of ammonium nitrate fertilizer bomb in front of Oklahoma City Federal building, killing 168 people, including 19 children.
ALSO, members of the Japanese religious cult AUM SHINRIKYO released the deadly nerve gas, Sarin, into the Tokyo subway system during rush hour. This killed 12 people and sickened thousands. I have had a phobia, for good reason, riding subways since then !
I am not maginalizing the PAN AM BOMBING OR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TERRORIST ATTACK.
WILL THE WAR ON TERROR EVER BE WON, COMPLETELY ? The answer is a big NO.The reason is that many of these groups attract an array of nationalists, political ideologues, and religious zealots. Some groups are multifaceted , incorporating politics and social programs, along with violence. Some groups have various cells and lack a command and control unit which set the stage for an out of control movement. Some terrorist groups have been dismantled, but the risk of regrouping remains a possibility. LETS DO A GLOBAL SEARCH OF THESE GROUPS:
1. AL QAEDA: Will this group ever be completely dismantled ? NO. This grop at a minimum operates in at least 68 countries, and without a central command it is going to be " a long day ".
2. THE NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENT( COLUMBIA)
This leftist group is a leader in kidnapping for ransom. It also attacks government oil pipelines and energy infrastructure.
3.REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLUMBIA(COLUMBIA): COMMUNIST INSURGENTS that uses kidnapping and mass murder in its fight to overthrow the Columbian government in its fight to "redistribute wealth".
4.UNITED SELF-DEFENCE FORCES OF COLUMBIA:(COLUMBIA) This right-wing coalition of paramilitaries was formed ( like the Sierra Leonean CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE) to fight leftist insurgents, but it often targets civilians.
5.SALAFIST GROUP FOR CALL AND COMBAT: (ALGERIA)
A powerful Islamic group aims to topple Algeria's secular government, expel foreign influences, and advance AL Qaeda's agenda in Africa and Europe.
6.ISLAMIC RESISTANCE MOVEMENT (HAMAS). This terriorist group has bases/ followers in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Lebanon. Its aim is to destroy Isreal and extend Muslim rule across the Middle East.Gets financial support from various sources.
7.PALESTINE ISLAMIC JIHAD: Led by operatives based in Lebanon and Syria, this radical group aims to replace Isreal with a Palestinian Islamic State.
8. AL AQSA MARTYRS' BRIGADES(West Bank, Gaza, Isreal): A deadly uncontrolled terrorist group.
9. KACH AND KAHANE CHAI(Isreal and west Bank)This group has been officially outlawed since the massacre of 29 Muslims at Hebron in 1994 (the so-called Hebron massacre), but still operates undeground. THIS GROUP SEEKS TO TO EXPAND ISREAL BY DRIVING PALESTINIANS FROM THE WEST BANK AND THE GAZA STRIP.
10. HEZBOLLAH:(Lebanon) Formed in 1982 after the Isreali invasion of Lebanon. This group , backed by Iran, has as its goal the destruction of the Jewish State.
11.ASBAT AL ANSAR: (Lebanon): An AL QAEDA backed extrimist group practices terrorism by attacking both domestic and international targets within Lebanon.
12.ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF UZBEKISTAN:(Central Asia) A homegrown Islamist coalition seeks to replace Uzbekistan's secular regime and advance the regional goals of Al Qaeda. IT uses bombing and kidnapping as effective tools.
13. CHECHEN SEPARATISTS(RUSSIA):
Seeking independence from Russia. Have killed Moscow-backed Chechen officials, including Chechnya's president.
14. RUF, KAMAJOH ( SIERRA LEONE) : Dismantled/disarmed/outlawed and its leaders dead, captured, or facing trials. Will these SATANIC WORSHIPPERS EVER REGROUP? I PRAY NOT.
15.MOROCCAN ISLAMIC COMBATANT GROUP(MOROCCO):
A Moroccan Islamist group, linked to AL QAEDA and implicated in the recent bombings in Midrid and Casablanca.
16.REAL IRA (Northern Ireland)
An offshoot which was formed when the IRA declared a cease-fire in 1997. Its aim is a united Ireland, free from British rule.
17.JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH (South east Asia)
Responsible for a number of deadly bombings across Southeast Asia, including the deadly BALI NIGHTCLUB ATTACKS IN 2002.
18.ETC, ETC, ETC, ETC.
As noted from the number of terrorist organizations, the potential exists for some of these groups to be infiltrated or linked, or merged with other groups which will mean more deadly attacks. The war on terror is being waged globally, but with poverty being ever present especially in developing countries, the fight will be a long one and victory is uncertain. As these terrorist strike, everyone now feel unsafe, leaders fortified their security and curtail public appearences, ordinary citizens feel unsafe to travel or even walk the streets, and the terrorists (and its hard to tell who a terrorist is) are everwhere and nowhere at the same time. It is getting scary out there especially if you carry an American passport. In the past it was a pleasure, indeed a pride to carry an American passport, now it seems as if it is catalyst for quick death. WILL THIS WAR AGAINST TERRORISM EVER BE WON ?
Subject: Hardship Unprecedented In Sirleaf's Liberia
From: Politrician
To: All
Date Posted: 10:12:27 07/10/08 ()
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Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
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Hardship Unprecedented
The Analyst (Monrovia)
NEWS
9 July 2008
Posted to the web 9 July 2008
"We did not expect that bag of rice would cost US$35; we did not expect that prices would be as high as they are; we did not expect the transport fares would soar as they are; we did not expect that we would sew clothes at high prices," declared Rev. Joseph L. Karlon, Senior Pastor of the Congregation of God Ministries located in Point Four, New Kru Town.
In a sermon perforated with strong words of courage and counsel to Christians and Liberians alike to remain steadfast and committed to God, Rev. Karlon said the present state of affairs in the country relative to the high cost of living was unprecedented, and rallied Liberians, especially Christians to stand firm, get close to God because "it is going to get tougher."
Preaching from the Old Testament Book of 2 Kings 7:10-30, on the theme "When the going get tough, the tough gets going," the Pentecostal prelate in rather a Pentecostal preaching style said it was unbelievable that those who used to afford daily, cannot afford again, and that prices have hit a record high.
According to him, as a result of the level of hardship existing in the country, people are abandoning their respective responsibilities. "Men are abandoning their homes why children have gone astray," he declared.
But in the wake of the troubling situation, Pastor Karlon encouraged his congregation and Liberians at large to establish a fortress of hope and get closer to God.
By getting closer to God, he said means that Liberians should increase their praying time, fasting and do things that are right in the sight of God. He likened the present state of affairs in the country to a similar situation that befell biblical Samaria when things went helter-skelter, people hardly found food to eat and when others resorted to cannibalism for survival.
"In her inaugural address, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf declared that papa would come, but what we are seeing it is a contrary," he declared as his congregation stirred in approbation.
He acknowledged the increment of civil servants' salary by the government, but pointed out "The increment does not commensurate with the cost of living at stake." He warned that things are going to get tougher than they are, and called on Liberians to prepare to face whatever situation.
Commenting on the ongoing rampant killing across city and other parts of the country, Rev. Karlon told the congregation of over 200 worshipers that such act is wrong and unacceptable. "The killing is too much. This is very wrong and ugly."
Though eschewed blaming the government for the situation, he however said, "The Government has not established why this is happening. Maybe those who doing it are on their own, or that someone is sending them, but the government needs to act," Rev. Karlon told his congregation.
Liberia, like countries of the world is experiencing a very new dimension of high prices for food and other widely used products, such as gasoline attributed to food shortage and low oil production. But the Liberian government has been fighting tool to nail to put things under control, and even called on Liberians to return to soil to produce their own food.
Subject: Re: Hardship Unprecedented In Sirleaf's Liberia
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:11:17 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
The criminal mismanagement of the fabric of the society by Doe and Taylor are to be blamed for that and not that poor lady who is doing her very best in trying circumstances.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Hardship Unprecedented In Sirleaf's Liberia
From: Man on the Ground
To: All
Date Posted: 12:38:26 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4575eca0.dyn.optonline.net at 69.117.236.160
Message:
You do not speak for every Sierra Leonean. Many of us are complaining about the current hardship and we are not blaming it on worlwide economic trends but on the present government's mismanagement of the country's resources.
Subject: Re: Hardship Unprecedented In Sirleaf's Liberia
From: Beserk
To: All
Date Posted: 12:01:24 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
Message:
The Reverend has gone beserk.Does he know that Rice in Salone is over fifty dollars, and yest we do not complain, as our people are more educated and understand the worldwide trend.
Subject: BEIN A VEGETARIAN IS NOTHING NEW AND IT IS HEALTHIER
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 08:31:59 07/10/08 ()
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BEING A VEGETARIAN IS NOTHING NEW
Posted by DR C. CURTIS-THOMAS on March 14, 2005
"THE SQUARE OF THE HYPOTENUSE OF A RIGHT TRIANGLE IS EQUAL TO THE SUM OF THE..." If you can finish that sentence, you, unlike me, must have stayed awake in geometry class; (Especially if like me you attended CHRIST THE KING COLLEGE, Bo , Sierra Leone and you took "technical drawing" taught by Brother Bernard). You also probably remember the name ( you guessed it right) PYTHAGORAS. His theorem is studied each year by thousands of high school students. I am tempted to say millions of high school students.
But Pythagoras was more than a Greek philosopher. He is also called "THE FATHER OF VEGETARIANISM" because he argued in favor of a fleshless diet, insisting that there were religious , physical, and ecological reasons for leaving animal products off the dinner table. For nearly 2,500 years, Europeans and Americans labeled those who followed such dietary practices PYTHAGOREANS.
The term VEGETARIAN sprang from the British Vegetarian Society formed in 1847. There have always been vegetarians among earth's population, many choosing to maintain a plant-based diet out of neceessity rather than preference. During medieval times, grains and vegetables were regarded as animal food. Only poverty would compel a human being to include such fare.
Over time, however, meat became a status symbol. The more frequently you ate flesh (corpses, as George Bernard Shaw called it), the more elevated your position in society. One version of the English dictionary displayed this bias in its definition of oats: "OATS: a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland appears to support the people".
Vegetarianism is often linked to religion, and the strength of the tie seems to relate directly to the age of the belief system. Islam, at 1,300 years old, has no strong vegetarian heritage. Buddhists herald nonviolence and noninjury to living creatures and have done so for nearly 2,500 years. Hinduism can trace its vegetarian principles back some 5,000 years to the VEDIC scr1ptURES that eulogized the abstinence from meat and pleaded with the faithful to eschew flesh (corpses). Let's take a laughing break. A colleague of mine defined vegetarian as : " hindu for a failed hunter" (ha, ha, ha, ).
Jews cite the first chapter of Genesis as prescribing man's original diet : then God said ," I GIVE YOU EVERY SEED-BEARING PLANT ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH AND EVERY TREE THAT HAS FRUIT AND SEED IN IT. THEY WILL BE YOURS FOR FOOD" (Genesis 1:29).Advoctes for the legalization of "weed" cite the above passage as a "go ahead" from God to smoke "weed"! Despite this decree, Jews eventually came to view the absence of meat as a deprivation ( and I am guilty of this too, " o yah me salt pork wit me rough rice") , often abstaining as a symbol of grief and mourning( as ON GOOD FRIDAY). Early Christian, and to a large extent, present day christians, with its roots firmly planted in the Jewish tradition saw vegetarianism as a modified fast to purify the body.
Looking at vegetarianism on the health front,a study conducted recently revealed that vegetarians outlived the general population by 8.9 years. A growing number of people ( me included ) believe that a vegetarian diet is more healthful than meat eating, and millions (me included) have markedly reduced or eliminated RED MEAT from their shopping lists. The reasons for adopting the meat-free life-style range cruelty to anomals, health worries, and concern for the environment.
Today, a bronze likeness of PYTHAGORAS overlooks the ancient harbor of his namesake village, PYTHAGOREAN, on the Greek island of Samos. MORE THAN 2,500 YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE HE SAT ON THOSE SHORES AND CONTEMPLATED MATHEMATICS AND THE MEANING OF LIFE. THE PHILOSOPHER WOULD BE GRATIFIED TO KNOW HOW WIDELY HIS VEGETARIAN DOCTRINE HAS SPREAD, BUT PERHAPS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT IT IS ONLY FOR HIS MATHEMATICAL THEOREM THAT HE IS BEST REMEMBERED.
Subject: FBC Workers Go On The Rampage
From: APC Education
To: All
Date Posted: 07:20:38 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
FBC Workers Go On The Rampage
As if that was not enough, they proceeded to the university’s administrative building, preventing senior staff of the college from moving out as they securely locked the doors of the building.
When interviewed by the New Citizen, one of the junior staff who spoke on anonymity said they have resolved to continue their strike action by persistently disrupting examinations at FBC until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, students in the college have expressed dismay at yesterday’s development branding it a completely irresponsible act on the part of the aggrieved workers.
A final year student in the faculty of social sciences and law opined, “ the workers should know that students have nothing to do with the payment of their backlog allowances. So, disturbing us during our exams is on unfair”
Up to time of going to press, it is not known whether the college authorities said anything to the desperate junior and intermediate staff of the university
Subject: Re: FBC Workers Go On The Rampage
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 07:44:04 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Very shortly,Lansana Nyalley will recommend to Ernest Bai Koroma that the Unversity be closed because it is becoming the hot bed for anti APC politics just as he threatened to have Mr.Swarray ejected because he insisted on his right to the citadel of free speech.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: The common man
From: Reality
To: All
Date Posted: 06:23:20 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.146.155.50
Message:
Another election cycle is over. The results will be announced, the
common man will come out on the streets dancing once again. Two
years later he will be disappointed as he always has been, for the
reality is that politicians in Sierra Leone, regardless of the party they
belong to, are the same as politicians all over most of Africa; men with
vision who have very little clue as to how these visions will be realized.
Even if a politician has the knowledge base to get the economy
moving, he will be in a political wilderness, surrounded by colleagues
with narrow agendas. Colleagues whose primary interests remain how
to benefit from the next contract. How to lay that attractive young
secretary with the hefty breasts. In a land where womanizing and
fraternizing is admired and expected of big men, the night is not wasted
thinking about how to create a thousand jobs in six months, there are
far more pleasurable things to think about. Far more amourous acts to
engage in, thanks to the little blue pill.
The common man will dance, curse, vote,dance, curse and vote,
always expecting things to be better. They won't. In countries where
politicians improve society, the common man never dances on the
streets. Why? It is because the notion that politicians are the ones that
make a society better is one of the greatest fallacies of African politics.
The truth of the matter is that in developed societies the reverse is
true. It is the common man that makes societies better, not politicians.
Take the example of America where I live. While the politicians sleep
at night, the common man works sixteen hour shifts. We work here
twenty four hours a day, not letting any hour go to waste. The common
man pays taxes, contributes to social security, runs the schools, while
politicians find ways to keep us in line. We do not even know the
names of the ministers, I may not even know the name of my
manager, to busy making sure that that computer chip is in the right
place. To busy making sure that I am not slowing down the assembly
line.
In all honesty, the only way politicians in Africa are ever going to help
the common man is to ensure that good quality education is provided
for all. I come from a geographically insignificant village in Sierra
Leone, but education has put me above dancing on the street for
politicians. I not only listen to what they say, buy analyze their rhetoric,
filter fact from fiction, and separate opportunists from those that desire
to do good. I don't care about North, South, East, or West, but the
character and knowledge base of the candidates. I will vote APC for
Jack and SLPP for Peter.
Let us all pray for the day when the common man becomes the vehicle
for progress rather than Jack Politician. Until the masses of Sierra
Leoneans becomes suitably analytically literate, I hate to say this my
friends, but we will continue to vote, dance, and curse.
Subject: Re: The common man
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:54:20 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Reality,you have said it all,especially with the some of our rapacious colleagues who were with us here in the USA who are now in authority,you can be rest assured that the wheels of kleptocracy will now move at a faster pace than before.We know what most of them did with our organizations gunds while they held leadership positions.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: SLPP RESURGENCE - APC-PMDC Thumped in Bo, Pujehun, and Kaila
From: John Paul Fornah
To: All
Date Posted: 04:21:07 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.72.123.89
Message:
BO: JAMES KOROMA: The people of Bo have responded to intimidation by the APC resident minister and thugs, looting of SLPP offices, hanging portraits of Ernest Koroma, painting streets and kerbs red, and starving the people of Bo of electricity. It was a resounding victory for the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) in all areas. SLPP maintained the mayorship with incumbent, Dr. Wusu Sannoh, and the District Chairmanship in the person of erstwhile North America SLPP supremo, Mr. Matthew Margao. Reverend Shodankeh Johnson of the PMDC, who was seen as a firm favourite because of his grassroots involvement with the Bo community, did not make as much inroads into the SLPP base of support in Bo.
This thumping win for SLPP in all but 9 of the 50 wards indicates that the party is healthy in the Bo district. There was jubiliation on the streets of Bo as unofficial results were announced over local radio stations. People proudly wore green party colours, daring APC thugs who have hitherto rampaged through the city at will. The resident minister was not picking up his cellphone as I tried to crosscheck the official APC party response to the magnitude of defeat suffered in spite of his rather puerile approach of threatening Bo Town residents. Prior to the elections, the Resident Minister had instructed police to maintain a close look at the SLPP candidates, partly as a way of removing them from their constituents and also monitoring who they spoke to during the elections process itself.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, Pujehun has returned with a solid SLPP majority with SLPP District chair candidate Sadique Sillah winning a virtual landslide and beating his only competitor, PMDC\'s Moijueh Kaikai, in all wards but 1. APC candidate got less than 5% of the total votes, according to local radio sources.
Moyamba district is also demonstrating a solid SLPP showing - far more than expected as the party scored a solid lead in the majority of wards. However, PMDC kept a strong showing in the Njala University College area.
Kono district is showing signs of a swing - thanks to the heavy acts of political violence, intimidation, and flagrant rigging. the Vice President, Sam Sumana, has personally signalled that if the official count does not go as expected, then the people of Kono should expect a few more surprises. At the moment, the votes favour the APC for district chairmanship and Koidu mayor.
Kenema district\'s metropolitan areas have already been counted and show an unassailable 80%lead for the SLPP. Votes from real SLPP strongholds like Gorahun Tunkia, Malegohun, Dodo, Small Bo, Nomo Faama, Kandu Leppiama,Tungie, and Malegohun chiefdoms have yet to come in.
In Kailahun District, former NORC strongman and war hero, Rtd Lt. Col Tom Nyuma has a massive margin in spite of strong campaigns of threats, intimidation, and heavy bribery by the APC Vice President, Sam Sumana. The vice president has promised the people of Kailahun that their failure to vote for the APC would mean that Kailahun district will not receive any development projects for the net 4 years. Now, the people of Kailahn have reacted to those threats.
In early counting in Bonthe District, PMDC holds a 10% lead over SLPP with rural areas yet to be counted. The ruling APC is non-existent in Bonthe district as constituents have been critical of their 10 month tenure which has not even led to the completion of the few SLPP projects in the district, not to mention new ones.
In Bombali district, where APC maintained a solid campaign of intimidation against opposition candidates, threatening unspecified consequences if they failed to withdraw ther candidacy, a majority of the seats have been declared unopposed. However, the few opposition candidates who stayed in the race have shown a solid resilience as they may even win a number of wards in the district. Port Loko and Tonkolili districts are also virtual wipe outs for the ruling APC as near to 100% of seats are APC seats.
Koinadugu District is repeating the general elections pattern as SLPP is putting on a solid showing. If trends continue, a solid 60-40% divide in favour of the ruling APC may emerge with SLPP winning a solid number of councillorships in the district and keeping a strong party support base.
In Freetown, acting Mayor, George Herbert Williams is on a roll with a strong majority. However, the APC does not look set to repeat its general elections sweep of the city. President Ernest Koroma\'s tour of polling stations yesterday, in which he used his force of personality to unduly influence voting at the stations visited, and still campaigning for the APC mayoral candidate. However, the SLPP has won a number of polling stations in Lumley, Goderich, Shell Company area,Grassfield, Wellington, Dworzak Farm, Mountain CUT, and the Fourah-Bay area. What this means is that SLPP will maintain a lot more visibility in city government and therefore continue to develop its support base in Freetown. PMDC is a non-factor in the Freetown area.
More soon.
Subject: Re: SLPP RESURGENCE - APC-PMDC Thumped in Bo, Pujehun, and Kaila
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 05:56:07 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Personally,even though i am happy that the SLPP carried Bo town and its environs,i however regret that some one in the ilk of Mattew Margao was voted for the Chairmanship.I hope that John Moriba had been given the chance to head the council for his honesty,uncompromising principles,and personal moral integrity which are never compromised especially when it comes to public funds,which cannot be said of Mattew Margao.My hope is that the voters prove me wrong.In any case,the public finances of Bo town council should be watched very carefully with Margao heading the council so it does not take on the appearance of anothe Deen Magona in the Pujehun District.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: SLPP RESURGENCE - APC-PMDC Thumped in Bo, Pujehun, and Kaila
From: Asking
To: All
Date Posted: 11:49:01 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-68-238-166-247.washdc.east.verizon.net at 68.238.166.247
Message:
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma, i have been reading some of your historical writings about Sierra Leone politicians and formal military dictators of Sierra Leone and other private citizens.
Can you at this point please tell us about yourself-who you are,where you worked in Sierra Leone, your educational background,political affiliation if any. I believe that will be very helpful to both your critics and admirers to make a better judgement about the authenticity and rational behind your writngs.
Subject: Re: SLPP RESURGENCE - APC-PMDC Thumped in Bo, Pujehun, and Kaila
From: mohamed kutubu koroma.
To: All
Date Posted: 18:18:50 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Posting,thank you for the question which i find hillariously flattering.I hve just minimum education to enable me hold my own when i am in the company of people who are interlecctually superior to me like you and others.
However,i have extensive reading of international politics ,national security and foreign policies especially on nations like Nigeria,Ghana,the UK,and Sierra Leone.I can also relate to the politics,national security and foreign policy orientations of the USA.
In Sierra Leone,i worked in a government department where i had the privillege of rubbing shoulders with most people that form the upper strata of the society and as a matter of fact,i had access to lots of them.The fellows who worked in the Foreign Ministry in Sierra Leone were very good friends of mine especially the protocol officres.In the course of time,i have hobnobbed with the likes of Banja Tejan-Sie,from Syke Street his home to State House.Justice Okoro-Cole was also another friend.I had the honour of being invited to his daughter's wedding to a felow by the name of Valmudge.In the Bank of Sierra Leone,i met lots of personalities and the Adverser to the Board of Governors Mr.Ramanujam was also my friend.Through him,i met Mr.Alfred Eswards,the then resident representative of the United Nations.
The Ghana High Comissioner while i was in Freetown Alhaji Yakubu Tali,the Tolona was a friend,so also was Mr.Jolly Tanko Yusuf,the Nigerian High Commissioner.
I have always been very fortunate to be liked by people in high places.The first time Abdulia Conteh and met face to face at his Justice department office in town after our conversations,he offered to give me a job as a law clerk but i was on the verge of coming to the USA.
Even in this current government,had it not been for my personl principles that i stand for,i would have had a job.All i have to do is call the Vice President and indicate that and the rest will be taken care of.
The rest goes for most of the officres who were in the armed forces from Mohamed Tarawali to SIM Turay.
I hope i have not sounded self serving .Finally,here in the US,i had the honour of being elected president of the students union twice.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: SLPP RESURGENCE - APC-PMDC Thumped in Bo, Pujehun, and Kaila
From: Alpha Saidu Bangura
To: All
Date Posted: 10:05:42 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: saidubangso@aol.com
Entered From: c-69-140-129-105.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.129.105
Message:
Kutubu, you are one of the people I respect, I am kindly appealing to you to support Mr. Margao as chairman of the Bo town council because his people elected him after properly looking at his past records.
I worked with Mr. Matthew Margao when he was the chairman of the SLPPNA and I know that he is a very up-right man and has in-built moral values.
Mr.Margao will surely make a difference in the BO.
Subject: Re: SLPP RESURGENCE - APC-PMDC Thumped in Bo, Pujehun, and Kaila
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 17:46:46 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Alpha Saidu,obviously,we have no choice but to accept the democratic verdict.The fact of the matter is thar we should remain vigilant to ensure that public funds are not mismanaged or squandered as it is becoming the modus operandi of public officials.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: SLPP RESURGENCE - APC-PMDC Thumped in Bo, Pujehun, and Kaila
From: babybob3
To: All
Date Posted: 05:33:14 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
How do you define "resurgence", and how does it relate to this story?
Subject: BOMBSHELL: HOW DID KEMOH SESAY Get 21,000 British Pounds Ste
From: John Paul Fornah
To: All
Date Posted: 04:14:52 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.72.123.89
Message:
FREETOWN: MAADA GBESSAY KAI: President Ernest Bai Koroma\'s promises to the nation and the international community about corruption have been ringing hollow after 11 months of vacillation on whether to declare his assets, put strong preventive mechanisms in place, and monitor the ethical commitment of his ministers and top officials to his pronounced fight against corruption. But evidently, it is all talk and more of the same. Our New People investigative team can now reliably inform the public that a deposit of GBP 21, 000 (twenty one thousand pounds) has been lodged into the London account of Kemoh Sesay, the Transport and Aviation Minister in Sierra Leone. Our documents and paper trail can be posted on this news web site (like all the others we have posted before) if the minister wishes to deny or challenge this firm assertion. The document in the possession of The New People has a number of other confidential transactions which we think we need to protect in line with our commitment to protecting Mr. Kemoh Sesay\'s personal life. What is evident is that the massive 21,000 British Pounds Sterling deposit is not his salary and it is not per diem.
The New People team tracking the money has tracked the amount back to the Serra Leone Ports Authority. The money is believed to be charges from the country’s freight levies. These freight levies are expected to be posted directly into the government\'s revenue system. With the president recently announcing to the nation that the country must expand its revenue base, it is tehrefore of especial concern that money that is supposed to go into Sierra Leone\'s coffers is finding its way into a foreign bank account amidst the trenchant, yet empty calls by the president for zero tolerance to corruption.
Proceeds from freight levies are controlled by the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), Mr. Phillip Lukulay. Our sources indicate that when the Kemoh Sesay took over as Minister of Transport and Aviation, he had planned to remove Mr. Lukulay from the position of Executive Director of the SLMA because of his alleged political sympathy for the former SLPP. As a way of maintaining his job, Mr. Lukulay was said to have told the Minister of money they can collectively make through freight levies and other means and that the minister could be assured of his complete confidentiality. This seemed to have appeased the minister who later relented on his threat of removing Lukulay from his position.
The mysterious GBP21, 000 (twenty one thousand pounds) in the account of Kemoh Sesay needs to be explained as The New People is unaware of any lottery winnings by the Minister of Transportation. If the anticorruption commission is the teeth to the president\'s anti-corruption crusade, then it is especially ineffective and dull as most of these major acts of blatant corruption seem to be eluding them.
Kemoh Sesay has jokingly said that in regard to the APC mantra about \"zero tolerance,\" the president has the zero and they (the ministers) have the tolerance on corruption.
Mr. Kemoh Sesay was a business man before his appointment as government minister, but this latest deposit has nothing to do with his business activities.
Subject: Re: BOMBSHELL: HOW DID KEMOH SESAY Get 21,000 British Pounds Ste
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:28:09 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Once you fellows rationalize the fact that greed,avrice,and kleptocracy is the order of the day here,then you will stop pondering over questions of those nature.
Mohamed Kutu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: AND THE OTHER DAY RE. KANU WAS TALKING ABOUT ALPHA WURIE OWN
From: bagbo
To: All
Date Posted: 08:34:09 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: bagbo@limba.com
Entered From: wnpgmb1302w-ad01-28-97.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.28.97
Message:
I remember Rev Kanu the journalist of APC openly showing the cost of Alpha wurie,s hOUSE in London.Can he tell us how Alpha Kanu got his?
Subject: Re: AND THE OTHER DAY RE. KANU WAS TALKING ABOUT ALPHA WURIE OWN
From: O'toole
To: All
Date Posted: 09:04:31 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: otoolekargbo@yahoo.com
Entered From: cpe-65-186-220-54.insight.res.rr.com at 65.186.220.54
Message:
Alpha Kanu hsa got his house in london for over 10 years ago.
Why dont you tell us about N'gor Solo B's house in the ATL.
Subject: O,TOOLE,WHAT ABOUT ALPHA WURIE WHO DOES BETTER BUSINESS
From: bagbo
To: All
Date Posted: 11:01:55 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: bagbo@limba.com
Entered From: wnpgmb1302w-ad01-28-97.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.28.97
Message:
What about Alpha Wurie who has Lab before comming into politics?
Subject: Was Dr. John Kerefa Smart ..rebel leader ?..READ
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 03:58:47 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-78-104.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.78.104
Message:
Stevens : "...one of the main aims of the rebel group led by Dr. John Kerefa Smart was to bring about the hegemony of one tribe in the country. Government is now in possession of abundant evidence to prove the means by which these people were going to achieve their aims, and on account of this ,it was forced to take drastic action against them in the interests of the country.When the going was tough in this country between 1964 and 1967, some people thought fit to haul out and proceed to foreign lands on lucrative appointments with all the comforts that went with them, and there they stayed until they judged the soup to be cool enough . After the heavy spade work has been done,now that peace and stability is taking hold and devepolment is underway,they return to Sierra Leone and have the rank arrogance to believe that they are indispensible to the future progress and prosperity of the country, and seek to grab the reins of office with all speed and all means. Fellow Citizens : is this the way intelligent people should behave?
Subject: Re: Was Dr. John Kerefa Smart ..rebel leader ?..READ
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 05:46:22 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Sir,John Karefa Smart was never a leader.He was not destined to be one,and thank God,it never came his way.That is not my gripe with him.My problem with him had to do with his fundamental lack of cognitive ability of simple common sense to be able to rationalize his unfitness for the leadership of Sierra Leone to the extent he pushed young and promising men to their premature deaths by embarking on reckless misadventures against Stevens that he was incapable to prosecute to its logical conclusions.The death of Fornah and others in a way could be blamed on him indirectly because he misled them.Finally,he has long been reduced to a footnote in the political history of the nation to the extent even the 7 street,die hard supporters have come to that realization and thus looked some where for leadership.So,let us just live him where ever he may be today ,i hope in hell paying for his childishness and stupidity.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Was Dr. John Kerefa Smart ..rebel leader ?..READ
From: political
To: All
Date Posted: 12:40:39 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.237
Message:
Is Kerefa smart dead?
Subject: Re: Was Dr. John Kerefa Smart ..rebel leader ?..READ
From: Sengbe
To: All
Date Posted: 18:03:34 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.57.58
Message:
NO! He is alive and well in CA, USA.
Subject: WHAT IF??
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 23:34:32 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
Implicitly every political tendency entails an ideology...well, with the exception, probably, of those belonging to the "Sun" and the "Palm Tree."
Imagine, however,that each of the major political parties in Sierra Leone were to identify themselves with one of those in the U.S.(Republican and Democrat), which will the APC and the SLPP, in your opinion, is related to? In other words, methodize by stratifying the general population in accordance to their political affiliation.
Is it likely that the APC is closely related to the Republican party while the Slpp is to the Democrats?
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:32:23 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Your brain must be on some form of illegal substance for you to make that senseless comparision of APC/SLPP seeing themselves as Democrats and Republicans.
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 09:08:25 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-163-235-43.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.163.235.43
Message:
Please let's try to respect each others opinions.
Subject: WOW WOW ONLY NOW?
From: bagbo
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:01 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: bagbo@limba.com
Entered From: wnpgmb1302w-ad01-28-97.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.28.97
Message:
lol
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: Sidonluk
To: All
Date Posted: 10:24:55 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-137-227-214.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.137.227.214
Message:
He-he
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 00:32:54 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
Comparing oranges and apples here. As clearly mentioned by you; political parties in the States show an ideological diffrence and for the most part class stratification is at play. I see adsolutely no such diffrence amongst our parties other than diffrence in party colors and symbols.
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 01:18:37 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
"I see absolutely no such
diffrence amongst our parties
other than diffrence in party
colors and symbols."
(A. Jalloh)
------------------------------------------
Truer words chief and I agree with you! However, not everyone share similar thoughts. Ask a politician and or a diehard supporter of either political party in Salone or this forum, he or she will tell you it isn't so. Because of this diversity, it's sort of interesting to learn from those with different opinions.
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 01:49:05 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
And I patiently anticipate such views!
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: The Smart Cavalier
To: All
Date Posted: 03:29:36 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-229-105.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.229.105
Message:
Simply put the APC can be likened to the Democrats and the SLPP can be likened to the Republicans.My observation is more face-value based
REASONS
The APC like the democrats does not favour any particular type of Salonean for membership.It is a party that has its roots in the north but is open to all regions since its inception.From my experience the APC has never been hijacked by any particular tribe or group.The stakeholders is a perfect and interesting blend of everything Salonean and so is not conservative.It is the most cosmopolitan party Salone has ever had.If we can make a quick recap of leadership in the APC we will observe that all the leaders have come from different regions just like the Democrats in the case of Bill Clinton and Michael Dukakis to name a few.
On the other hand the SLPP is more southern-inclined and very insular.To be more influential or eligible for leadership you have to be from a particular group or tribe and that group or tribe shapes its politics just like its Republican counterpart where you have to be a christian and white if you want to flex your leadership muscle.The SLPP will jump at the least opportunity to go to power(Tejan Kabba's case is a classic example) just like its republican counterpart who rode on Regan's hollywood popularity to enter the white house.
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 03:51:41 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
Well Mr. Jalloh, na de word that oh! The sociopolitical factor. Very interesting!
Subject: Re: WHAT IF??
From: A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 03:07:01 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
Indeed, Smart Cavalier's observation is in place, but thats all it is an observation that is merely superficial.
I am thinking along the lines of ideologies,Philosophies, attitudes, reactions short/long term desires and the lot. He did not render a comparative view; rather, an observation after the fact.
How do elements of the various parties differ in gun control laws, abortion rights, taxation/lump sum transfers, Govt. spending, national health care systems, capital punishment, privatization of supply on public goods, free markets?
If the positions of the elements of the various political parties is consistent respectivley then, we can claim a logical diffrence. King Loggy, that is not the case.
As a nation regardless of party affiliation our expectations are essentially paralell. Hope you got my point
Subject: I protest strongly at the comparison made by Dull Cadaver
From: Barack Obama
To: All
Date Posted: 15:01:43 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
Your Highness King Loggy, I must strongly protest Dull Cavalier's likening of the APC party to the Democratic Party.
First and foremost that Red Colour of the APC is clearly Republican.
Second, your violent attributes, as recently seen in Kono and your President's close link with civil-war-sponsoring Burkina Faso is very akin to the hawkish Republicans.
Third, your intolerance to other tribes can only be compared to the far-right members of the Rebublican party. I hear 90% of Cabinet Ministers in your current government are from Northern Sierra Leone. Also that only Limba's head the party... not even your temne cousins. This xenophobic tendency can only relate to the Republican party.
Fourth, I hear your leader, President Koroma, shares the same IQ as the Rebublican George W Bush. I must add that both, these gentlemen will never win awards for brilliance.
Lastly, your current Vice President, Mr Sam Sumana was a fully registered Republican during his tenure as Truck Driver in the US. I cannot see how your party, the APC can be compared to the Democratic Party.
With all the above, and believe me there are more, I srongly reject the notion that we have similarities... God forbid...even Joe Lieberman is angry at such blatant misinformation...we Democrats are neither violent nor Reds...and we surely don't have a dumb leader!
In fact we are more likely going to be leaning towards SLPP, as they brought peace to the 11 year war that was started as a result of your 23 year misrule and deliberate deconstruction of state structures. Most importantly the SLPP gave power to an alien, ATK... you get my point?
Subject: Sierra Leone Embassy Website
From: informal
To: All
Date Posted: 22:12:08 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-74-245.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.74.245
Message:
http://www.embassyofsierraleone.org/home/
Subject: REMEMBERING Dr. M. S. FORNA: "LET ME DIE ALONE"
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 21:39:36 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
The Devil That Danced on the Water: A Daughter's Memoir
Aminatta Forna
409pp, HarperCollins, Ł17.99
When western television screens began to show women and children with amputated limbs, and other devastating evidence emerged of the descent into violence in Sierra Leone's civil war in the late 1990s, the crude explanation was that a generation of drug-fuelled youths had been incited by diamond-hungry Lebanese and Liberians to rebel against the corrupt and incompetent status quo. Aminatta Forna's story of her father's execution on trumped-up treason charges, 25 years before anyone had heard of the Revolutionary United Front, gives a more personal framework for understanding the horror of the 1990s in the linked wars of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.
Mohamed Forna was probably the most brilliant man of his generation in Sierra Leone - a doctor trained in Scotland, a finance minister who became a spokesman for many poor developing countries, and an opposition leader who embodied the hopes of Sierra Leoneans that independence would bring health and education to all. At the end of the 1960s, on the brink of his political career, he was warned by the powerful politician who would be his nemesis that he had perhaps spent too much time in England. Dr Forna, he said, had failed to understand that in Africa, "politics and violence were inseparable". Extreme orchestrated violence was already the norm of the two dominant political parties in Sierra Leone. Coups, arrests, exile and more violence followed.
For Aminatta, the youngest of his three children, Dr Forna was the adored and attentive Daddy who commanded her total loyalty through the family and political upheavals that dragged her through nine homes in six years. In the first half of the book she conveys vividly both the joy of her life with her parents in small-town Sierra Leone on the cusp of independence, and the cold years in a caravan park in Scotland, followed by a boarding school in England. In Freetown she lived in an extended family, keeping company with cooks who told endless stories. She evokes this life with a true eye for descr1ption of a vanished world. The girls' boarding school, where her best friend casually told her that she could not invite Aminatta to her party because her father "doesn't like blacks", was a terrible place for a child living with loneliness and incomprehension.
But the deepest incomprehension underlying everything in young Aminatta's life was caused by the slow disintegration of her parents' marriage - the rows, the silences. Overt racism surfaced inside the family and undermined her own identity when her mother married a white UN official after a quick divorce in Mexico, and then told Aminatta not to play with "the African children" any more. Her Scottish mother, or Real Mum as the children called her, disappeared from their lives except for one Christmas card each after Dr Forna sued for custody and took his children home to Freetown.
At first the warm, embracing life they had known there before was poisoned by battles with their new stepmother, Auntie Yabome, who sacked their favourite friend in the house, the steward, and beat six-year-old Aminatta. But Yabome emerged as a heroine as the trap closed around Dr Forna. She managed to smuggle the children out of the country and make a life for them in England, showing bravery and loyalty that marked Aminatta for life. Her cooperation for this book has made it possible to unravel the strange story of the elaborate plot that framed Dr Forna.
In the second half of the book, Aminatta returns to Sierra Leone as an adult, a journalist, determined to uncover the truth of her father's death. Like Gillian Slovo, who in Every Secret Thing went back to South Africa and confronted her mother's presumed killer, she was impelled to meet the men who betrayed her father. She tracked down almost everyone who was used to build the shabby and unconvincing case against him, based on statements made under torture (later disavowed) and pure fabrications by the police. It was agonising work. Her interviews with broken men are extremely moving, and tell everything of the world that vanished with her father.
As Slovo wrote about herself, Forna was "a child of secrets". As an adult she wanted to put together the jigsaw of her father's political secrets, but she had not foreseen the personal impact. "I had spent 25 years in ignorance and one year gradually uncovering some of the truth, and yet now I could barely recall what it felt like not to know," she writes. "It was as though this terrible knowledge, of the lies and the manipulation, the greed and the corruption, the fear and violence had been with me for ever. So this is innocence lost, what it feels like. The country had changed, I had changed - as for the past, it was irrevocably altered."
Subject: Re: REMEMBERING Dr. M. S. FORNA: "LET ME DIE ALONE"
From: Londoner
To: All
Date Posted: 10:22:51 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 77-99-89-172.cable.ubr05.haye.blueyonder.co.uk at 77.99.89.172
Message:
Thanks for this one doc. I'll get myself a copy!
Subject: THE REV. KABS-KANU "DISROBES"!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 21:29:38 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
POLITIC/COMMENT
Sierra Leone's Chaotic Justice System - 25/08/2002
By Wilfred Leroy Kabs-Kanu, New Jersey, USA
Aminata Forna's book "THE DEVIL THAT DANCED ON THE WATER" and her interview with the BBC have highlighted the chaotic state of the Justice System in Sierra Leone.
Whether we are a fan of Aminata's late father, Dr.Mohamed Sorie Fornah or not,the facts cannot be denied that politicians have in the past made heavy weather of providing the nation with a justice system that parallels only Jungle Law and Justice. Aminata's story is very compelling and it blew the lid off the fact that a fine citizen like Dr.Mohamed Sorie Forna fell victim to political machinations, persecution and murder. He was not the only progressive citizen that Sierra Leone lost that lamentable day in 1975 when late dictator,Siaka Stevens, had about 13 people executed at the Pademba Road Prisons, for allegedly plotting to overthrow the APC government. Eminent names like Journalist Ibrahim Taqi, former Military Commander, Brigadier David Lansana and Paramount Chief, Bai Makari N'Silk easily come to mind.
The question now is that with so many executions performed by the APC, the NPRC and the present SLPP government, how many of the victims actually committed the acts for which they were put to death?. How many of our innocent citizens have died innocently because they fell out of favour with our governments?. Did Brigadier John Bangura deserve to die?. Was Francis Minah guilty of the treason for which he was hung?. Did Yaya Kanu, Col.Kawuta Dumbuya, Salami Coker and others brutally slain by the NPRC deserve their fate?. Should Kula Samba have died with scores of bullets pumped into her chest, the only woman ever to have been mowed down by a firing squad in West Africa, for an alleged political crime?. Aminata Forna has brought all these questions to the fore. Only God knows the answers to all these questions.
In Sierra Leone, facts before the court are rarely established by the evidence produced in court.In many cases, the Judge is privy already to the verdict of the jury. There is no presumption of innocence in Sierra Leone.An accused in a political trial is deemed guilty until he proves himself innocent.Nor does the accused enjoy the priviledge to remain silent if he wishes. Silence is guilt in our Justice System.
Evidence is manufactured by the Police and the government and suspects are forced to confess through violent interrogatory methods and colourful promises of financial largess or top government positions. The guilt of the accused is never proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
As Sierra Leone awaits the Special Court which would try those believed to have committed the worst atrocities during the war, the government must work hard to ensure that nobody is framed for his political beliefs or leanings. The purpose of the Special Court is to bring to justice those who harmed our people and our country. This purpose will be defeated unless we allow the Rule of Law to prevail during the trials.
Subject: Re: THE REV. KABS-KANU "DISROBES"!
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:38:10 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
That is precisely what i intend to take Abdulia Conteh on,because Farrah Marrah has posted that he Conteh said the charges against Fornah and 14 others were invented.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: THE REV. KABS-KANU "DISROBES"!
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 22:10:39 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
A very good posting. I just have one question. What is the relevance of Kabs to the blaring heading?
Subject: Re: THE REV. KABS-KANU "DISROBES"!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 22:34:59 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...What is the relevance of Kabs to the blaring heading?"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It is,in my opinion, the doctor's STYLE of writing, my friend.I further suspect that It is dubbed "SEASONING"!
Subject: Re: THE REV. KABS-KANU "DISROBES"!
From: Citizen
To: All
Date Posted: 22:46:23 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
Brilliant article , but the heading is deceptive and misleading. What has the article got to do with disrobing ? What is your motive ?
Subject: Re: THE REV. KABS-KANU "DISROBES"!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 23:11:14 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...What has the article got to do with disrobing ?"
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Disrobing" is used as a figure of speech. If you read the article carefully, you will notice that the Rev. Gentleman used a "no hold barred" approach in condemning some of the ills of Sierra Leonean politics without fear or favor... he took no sides. He said it the way he saw it...he was not moderate in his approach. The question I know that you are tempted to ask now is," now that the Rev. Gentleman is an APC supporter, if he was to write this same article today would he take the same no hold barred approach?"
Subject: FARRAH MARRAH "PREACHING GENOCIDE" OR IS IT TRIBALISM?
From: Dr CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 21:23:31 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
WHY THE TEMNES/THEMNES SHOULD NOT VOTE
By Farrah Marrah
Though comprising 30 percent of the population of Sierra Leone none of the presidential candidate of the major political parties is a Temne/Themne. Solomon Berewa of the S.L.P.P. (Sierra Leone People’s Party) is a Mende, Ernest Koroma of the All People’s Congress (A.P.C.) is a Limba, and Charles Margai of the (P.M.D.C.) People’s Movement for Democratic Change is also a Mende.
Forty years ago, in March 1967 with the uneasy alliances of the other ethnic groups save majority of the Mendes, the Temnes/Themnes vehemently expelled Albert Margai’s S.L.P.P from power. Opposed to the Juxon-Smith, his junta the National Redemption Council was overthrown by non-commissioned officers led by Warrant Officer Class I Alex Foday Conteh a Temne/Themne in April 1968. Conteh’s Anti-Corruption Revolutionary Movement bequeathed leadership to then Colonel John Amadu Bangura who within nine days bestowed power to Siaka Stevens of the A.P.C. winners of the March 1967 elections.
Stevens and his A.P.C. rewarded the Temnes/Themnes by arresting and incarcerating Ibrahim Taqi, M.O. Bash–Taqi and Dr. Mohamed Sorie Forna for resigning from the party in September 1970. Their resignation was based on Stevens’ ambition to alter the country from a pluralistic democracy to a one party state with him being an Executive president.
Brigadier John Amadu Bangura though a Loko but widely regarded as a Temne/Themne because of his matrilineal linage was executed in June 1971 with Majors Farrah Jawara, and S.E. Momoh, and Lieutenant Kolugbondah for a failed coup. Some of the reasons for the coup were Stevens’ inclination to a one party state, his and his cabal’s thievery, wanton violence and the “Limbanization” of the Army and Police.
With his achievement of a one party state in 1971, Stevens and his A.P.C. murdered Temnes/Themnes who were threats to his dictatorship. Dr. Mohamed Sorie Forna, Ibrahim Taqi, Bai Mkari N’Silk, Abu Kanu, Lieutenant Habib Lansana Kamara were executed on July 19, 1975 for a bogus coup. Brigadier David Lansana was executed with Dr. Forna and the others because he had resisted Stevens’ ascendancy from Mayor of Freetown to Prime Minister. Lansana orchestrated the first coup d’etait when he had authorized Sam Hinga Norman to house arrest the Governor General Sir Henry Lightfoot–Boston, Stevens and his delegation. Norman then aide-de camp to the Governor General was to prevent Stevens being sworn as Prime Minister since the results of the 1967 general elections were in doubt.
Stevens and his A.P.C murdered Sam Bangura then Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone in December 1979 because he was against the hosting of the Organization of African Unity which would eventual bankrupt the country. But Bangura who was also an appropriate alternate had the Temnes/Themnes revolted against Stevens and his party.
For every four years since 1971 Stevens and his A.P.C murdered a Temne/Themne leader.
Since Ernest Koroma the presidential candidate of the A.P.C. had advocated that he would take the country back to the days of Siaka Stevens and Momoh this is the opportunity that our people have to demonstrate that we had suffered the most under those leadership, and WOULD NOT VOTE for the A.P.C, S.L.P.P, P.M.D.C or any political party during the forthcoming elections.
Subject: Point of correction
From: The Smart Cavalier
To: All
Date Posted: 03:54:41 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-229-105.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.229.105
Message:
"Though comprising 30 percent of the population of Sierra Leone none of the presidential candidate of the major political parties is a Temne/Themne. Solomon Berewa of the S.L.P.P. (Sierra Leone People’s Party) is a Mende, Ernest Koroma of the All People’s Congress (A.P.C.) is a Limba, and Charles Margai of the (P.M.D.C.) People’s Movement for Democratic Change is also a Mende".
Ernest Bai Koroma is paternally a temne and maternally a limba.By African argument the tribe of a child is dictated by the tribe of the father which makes EBK a temne to the core.
Mr.Farrah Marrah get your facts right before making such write-ups public.If your objective was to inflame the Temnes and discourage them from voting APC then you have failed big time.What I could not comprehend is the reason behind this write-up by a non-temne.How can a korankoh be more sympathetic to the temnes than the temnes themselves? Do you think the temnes need to be reminded about these calamities or be lectured on how to respond to such calamities?
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH "PREACHING GENOCIDE" OR IS IT TRIBALISM?
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 00:44:48 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-191-123-48.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.191.123.48
Message:
Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas I have read both your postings and I am yet to hear Dr. Farrah Marrah’s response. I have great regards for Dr. Marrah since we started contributing on these forums in 1997. Nonetheless, I am fervently impressed, highly impressed by Sierra Leoneans who believe that the truth should be said and do so with the consideration of how it might and whether or not it should affect all Sierra Leoneans or those affected.
However, let me refer you and readers back to the following concluding statement in the above posting, where you stated: “As Sierra Leone awaits the Special Court which would try those believed to have committed the worst atrocities during the war, the government must work hard to ensure that nobody is framed for his political beliefs or leanings. The purpose of the Special Court is to bring to justice those who harmed our people and our country. This purpose will be defeated unless we allow the Rule of Law to prevail during the trials.”
Let me add that the future, the dreams and aspirations of Sierra Leone and her future generation will be rendered a disservice if the Rule of Law is not allowed to operate in its entirety, fully or better than we have enjoyed as a nation. The purpose of governance and civilization will be defeated unless we allow the Rule of Law to operate period because the peace, progress and prosperity of Sierra Leone depend largely on it.
Not only that, but also that the sad chapter in our history will never be closed if we do not do justice to telling our stories and by avoiding to do so with an intent for vengeance or fabrication of some such.
More so, it will be defeated should we single-out people that should receive justice while injustice perpetrated against others is swept under the rug or viewed with contempt.
Weather it is out of negligence, ignorance or time constraint, we must realize that all lives lost in Sierra Leone under the circumstances mentioned, by omitting the circumstances and names of some who suffered under similar circumstances indicates that our mindset of equal distribution of justice is not a segment of the Rule of Law. Otherwise, names like Inspector-General Bambay Kamara, Col. Haruna Jalloh and many others must never be omitted when we discuss political brutality meted-out to Sierra Leoneans.
I was reading in a newspaper the death of a Prince Georges County Police by an alleged thief who was killed in custody. Saying that because he killed a Prince Georges County Police therefore, people should kill him before he is tried and proven guilty in a court of law is arbitrary justice and therefore against the law. The FBI is doing an investigation into the death of the alleged murderer of the Police because two wrongs don’t make a right so one cannot omit one person/s because of what might have been rumored about them.
More over, we must be careful in narrating our stories especially when we do not have facts to purport them but rely heavily on rumors (he-say-she-say.)
Again, I will await Dr. Marrah’s response to ascertain what facts are there to support some of the allegations, particularly that relating to the death of Bank Governor, Sam Bangura.
We have criminals who commit crimes but until proven guilty in a court of law, until evidence of a crime is even pointed at an individual, we must be careful not to blemish them because of stereotypes or baseless rumors. Sierra Leoneans heard or read rumors that “Highway,” hired by the late President Stevens, was responsible for the mentioned death. I am in no place to refute these rumors because I do not have any evidence to allow me to do so. But it is fair to say that other young, old and I have been unjustly treated by the rumor-mongers for their failure to provide evidence or allow the law enforcement agents to do their jobs perfectly, resulting in a possible escape of justice by the real perpetrators of these death. Experience has taught me to hold my horses until I get facts especially when one wishes that people receive justice. Gov. Bangura has not received justice and we are not helping him to rest in peace especially, when we constantly blame his death on possible wrong cause. All what Sierra Leoneans know about the death of this fine gentleman are rumors, which will never serve justice to the late man and family should this turn-out to be just rumors.
It is well known that the spread of rumor is what has made justice very difficult to be served because these rumors make it crucially difficult, if not impossible, for effective investigation. Creating the impossibility for victims to receive justice they so deserve as in the case of Gov. Sam Bangura. Could this be the reason why the late man has not received justice?
Lastly, I would ask Sierra Leoneans whether they truly believe in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. Then how come Bambay Lansana Kamara is yet to see justice or the understanding from his compatriots that injustice is meted-out to him?
Is it not sufficiently clear that most are doing horrendous and disingenuous things to propagate wrong ideas about how wrong they are about the rumors they have spent? Where have you seen a Psychiatrist sit diligently to prove that an individual has a mental problem, or creating avenues to force such an individual to fall prey to doing wrong so as to prove that they are unserious even when the world sees all efforts made?
Where did celebration turn out to be death warrant? How come Sierra Leoneans have lead the way to spread these rumors and none came-out to say that at least they knew good things about Bambay Lansana Kamara if not in America but Sierra Leone, where he went to college and graduated, where he taught in high school and work with the man who brought him up. How many people are contributing here that were my school and college mates?
Therefore, until I am convinced that wrong means right, I will never entertain the idea of believing in rumors that are not purported with evidence, and we must not tolerate it if we actually love Sierra Leone by loving the Rule of law and allowing it to be served to all Sierra Leoneans regardless of what rumors are out there about them. In that the purpose of governance and civilization will be defeated unless we allow the Rule of Law to operate because the peace, progress and prosperity of Sierra Leone depend largely on it.
Subject: DOES SLPP HAVE A HISTORY OF CANNIBALISM?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 19:42:58 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
During the dark days of SLPP misrule in the 60s, there were rampant and disturbing stories of cannibalism and human sacrifice by SLPP. There are stories of people screaming in get-away cars, with blood splattered on the ground as in ritual sacrifice. Infact that legacy (of political theater?) is the main reason for the SLPP resistance of the North and West.
So is the cannibalism charge true or simply a smear?
Sir Milton, Sir Albert, Kande Bureh, Hingha Norman: Did they all PARTAKE of the forbidden flesh?
APC den get ranka O, but den nor dae eat mortal man.
Subject: Re: DOES SLPP HAVE A HISTORY OF CANNIBALISM?
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:07:40 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Uman Lappa,i nthink your problem is that you are very frivolous,and misguided,and so you make very reckless statements.
I dont know what your level of education is frankly.It does appear to me not that much.The reason is that you are totally incapable of rationalizing the fact that you just cant be making fabricated accusations and unsupported charges against decent people or orzanizations.
If you have any clue about Sierra Leone politics,you should remember one of the cabinet Ministers of Siaka Stevens from the Port Loko District by the name of Mohamed Khazali.He engaged in the conduct you are suggesting on the part of the SLPP.He was indicted,tried,convicted,and executed.Next time before you attempt to write any thing down please think before you do so,because you have been offending the sense of protocol of lots of readers on this forum.
Finally,it is only gays in closet like you who delight in using assumed identities.Why dont you be manly and reveal your true self?
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: DOES SLPP HAVE A HISTORY OF CANNIBALISM?
From: Lavai
To: All
Date Posted: 22:21:47 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-69-232-210-24.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 69.232.210.24
Message:
MKK, don't forget Sita Lavai of the L M Briwa fame. At least, Sheki killed or jailed them. Moi Gonneh was let off because he said decades ago they would have done human sacrifice. He was smater than L M Briwa. He was telling L M this is what he would need to do.
Subject: Re: DOES SLPP HAVE A HISTORY OF CANNIBALISM?
From: YONGAWO
To: All
Date Posted: 04:40:58 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: yongawomohamed@hotmail.com
Entered From: at 193.195.200.234
Message:
You started your piece by been bias so you lost the plot even before you thought of it. It is probably your style of approach. I respect it.
SLPP NEVER INDULGED IN HUMAN FLESH EATING OR SACRIFICE. DURING MY DAYS IN MAKENI, KENEMA, BO, THE SOVIET UNION AND LONDON, I SPOKE TO MANY APC STALWARTS; WHO ALL TOLD ME IT WAS JUST AN ELECTION STRATEGY TO DISCREDIT THE SLPP. JUST ONE CRUDE PROPAGANDA TACTICS USED BY THE THEN OPPOSITION TO DISLODGE THE SLPP FROM POWER. HOPE YOUR QUEST IS RESOLVED.
Subject: Re: DOES SLPP HAVE A HISTORY OF CANNIBALISM?
From: yankuba kai-samba
To: All
Date Posted: 06:42:36 07/11/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
yongawo
There were no evidence to link the apparent sacrificial killings of young girls that happened in Kenema to the SLPP as a political entity. What I know is that the killing of youngs girls took place in Kenema at the time when the Nongowa paramount chieftaincy and the 1967 controversial election took place.
I can tell you the names of two girls who were murdered by certain personalities in kenema for the purpose of fetish. Their murderous actions were done for their lust for power.
Margaret Tiagay Tommy, a 12 year old girl at the Sierra Leone Church SLC school in Kenema was murdered. I was at St pauls RC primary in Kenema when the inspector of schools shut all the schools and asked us to go in search of our missing colleague.
Every primary school pupil in Kenema went in search for Margaret. There were obvious suspects, whose houses we stoned in kenema, "shouting whoever is holding margaret Tiangay Tommy release her now" in mende.
We eventually found the body of Margaret at a thick jungle of what used to be reservation in Kenemam, with parts of her body including the genetal, breast and palm of both her hands removed.
Even though there were credible suspects,no action in the form of investigation or prosecution ever took place.
The second, I know of, was Musu Massaquoi, a 13 year old pujehun girl whose parent gave her to Alhaji Massaquoi as men-pekin.
I knew Musu and this was close to me. We used to play hide and seek game. Davis street where she lived was adjouned to Massaquoi street where I lived with my paternal aunt.
Musu was sent to sell banana in town. She did not returned.A huge search was mounted and her body was found behind KSS by a search team led by late Hon J B Francis. KSS is your school. You may wish to know that it was surrounded by a thick jungle in the late sixties. You were probably a baby then. The pattern of murder of Musu was exactly the same as that of Margaret Tiangay Tommy with her body parts removed with similar precision.
The parent of Musu travelled from Pujehun and confronted the guardian, Alhaji Massaquoi, in his compound. I witnessed the wailing of those people saying "Kenema you have killed our child for your chieftaincy" That scene and the wailing rings in my ears to this day.
From that time kenema district became tensed. People ran away on the sound of certain cars in the town and at the sight of certain personalities. People were pointing accusing fingers at people they suspected of involment.
Fear gripped Kenema. Parent kept their children at home particularly girl child because these guys were only interested in sacrificing girls.
There were no attempts to investigate the suspects. The situation spilled in to a political dimension. People began to blame the inaction of the SLPP and some even accused the SLPP leadership of complicity and for not doing anything.
As usual, when there is a break down in law and order the towns folk formed a vigilantee group to protect their daughters and women.
In a villge near kenema, a group of men whose car had broken down at night, as they return from the mininig in Tongo field, were mistaken to be canibals and killed when a woman shouted that she had spoted a canibal car in town.
Two men were killed and I knew all two of them because they lived with Ya Kanu, the popular Temene wife of my late cousin Lusani Kai-Samba.
The killing of these men, all Temene,further raised the political temperature and soured relation between the Temene and Mende communities especially when both the nongowa chieftaincy and the general election were dangerouly linked.
The temene community in kenema were angered and took to the street after the killing of their own to seek revenge. This, presented a potentially dangerous situation that it was only averted by the intervention of Yaa Kanu.
I cannot tell you whether the apparent human sacrifices were done by and on behalf of the SLPP or whether it was politically motivated at a national level. What I can say for sure is that these barbaric and savage acts were carried out by certain individuals who believe human sacrifices would give them money and power.
My dear brother, we are a sad people. We can only hope for god's good guidance and directions. But we need to speak out on these issue, for it can help our understanding of our past.
I believe, however, that it is wrong for people to blame SLPP for canibalism. The SLPP as a political party could not have collectively committed murder for human sacrifices. The murders committed in the late 60s were an individaul acts by people who lust for power and believe that the mutilation of girls could enchanced that. Just as in the case of APC Khasali who mudered for political power.
Subject: Re: DOES SLPP HAVE A HISTORY OF CANNIBALISM?
From: DeLaw
To: All
Date Posted: 21:16:55 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: contehlawrence@yahoo.com
Entered From: cpe-75-185-113-252.insight.res.rr.com at 75.185.113.252
Message:
I heard a story that during the fiercely contested elections of 1967 APC zealots actually splattered the blood of slaughtered animals to make it appear as if the SLPP supporters engage in canibalism.
Is this the kind of politics we want to engage in at critical moments like these in the history of our beloved nation?The road you are taking to score political points at the expense of peace,respect for those who hold opposing views will only lead to mutual destruction.As far as I am concerned,the two parties have always been the major players in our corridors of power.Can you say in no "uncertain terms" that the development of Sierra Leone is on the right track for a diamond producing country?Most of our people have never benefited from the diamonds of Sierra Leone.Certain members of our population remain key players in the looting of our resources and the best some of us can do is open up issues that have no bearing to the solutions we must find to ease the misery of our people.I urge you to "practise the art of seeing with your eyes closed and your mind open".
Subject: Re: DOES SLPP HAVE A HISTORY OF CANNIBALISM?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 22:04:03 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Thou protesteth too much, my dear DeLaw. I am not trying to score political points. I simply want to know whether this widely-held belief about the SLPP, especially in APC strongholds, is true.
By the way, diamonds, oil, gold and other precious natural resources haven't brought development to any African country yet. Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria produce tons of oil but see how hard up those countries are. So Sierra Leone isn't unique in that regard.
Subject: Who is Tunde Lewally?
From: Man pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 17:41:19 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: man_pikin@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-172-29-64.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net at 71.172.29.64
Message:
Who is Tunde Lewally?
Subject: Re: Who is Tunde Lewally?
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:42:03 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
One of those misguided and ignorant self serving opportunists who rode to power on the backs of the very people that he now refers to them in derogatory comments and repulsive remarks.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Who is Tunde Lewally?
From: A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 09:42:39 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
Mr. Kutubu, slow down. Do you know this young man at all?... In my book he his the Obama of our legislative assembly. A rising star in the making he has not done a thing to hurt any person. The man is new therefore, some pitfalls are expected.
Subject: Re: Who is Tunde Lewally?
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 13:54:05 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Jalloh,yes.Because,i was raised in Fourah Bay and i know where the Lewallys live on Brass street,in Freetwon.That besides,he at one time from what i read on the forum met some poor youg fellows who were sitting around talking to themselves on matters affecting the commonwealth.He was so vaingloriously dismissive in culture to the extent he called them in derogatory terms.Is that how a politician behaves.He has to rationalize the fact that it was on the shoulders of the very people he insulted that made his parliamentarianism possible.This is exactly the mopral arrogance responsible for the down falls of both Abdulia Conteh,and Desmond Luke.
Things fall apart says:THOSE WHOSE KERNELS ARE CRACKED BY BENEVOLENT SPIRITS SHOULD NEVER FORGET TO BE HUMBLE".
He happens to be one of those who is in parliament not by divine right or scholarship but a singular honour and privilege.In that regard,he should be very cvircumspect as to how he talks to people.What he told those poor fellows and his clarion calls to the people in New Jersey are two very opposite things.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,,
USA.
Subject: Re: Who is Tunde Lewally?
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 13:53:27 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Jalloh,yes.Because,i was raised in Fourah Bay and i know where the Lewallys live on Brass street,in Freetwon.That besides,he at one time from what i read on the forum met some poor youg fellows who were sitting around talking to themselves on matters affecting the commonwealth.He was so vaingloriously dismissive in culture to the extent he called them in derogatory terms.Is that how a politician behaves.He has to rationalize the fact that it was on the shoulders of the very people he insulted that made his parliamentarianism possible.This is exactly the mopral arrogance responsible for the down falls of both Abdulia Conteh,and Desmond Luke.
Things fall apart says:THOSE WHOSE KERNELS ARE CRACKED BY BENEVOLENT SPIRITS SHOULD NEVER FORGET TO BE HUMBLED".
He happens to be one of those who is in parliament not by divine right or scholarship but a singular honour and privilege.In that regard,he should be very cvircumspect as to how he talks to people.What he told those poor fellows and his clarion calls to the people in New Jersey are two very opposite things.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,,
USA.
Subject: Re: Who is Tunde Lewally?
From: Tunde
To: All
Date Posted: 17:43:50 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Me.
Subject: Re: Who is Tunde Lewally?
From: Man pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 17:50:25 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: Man_pikin@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-172-29-64.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net at 71.172.29.64
Message:
Are you the honourable member of parliament who was causing problems during the local council elections?
Subject: Re: Who is Tunde Lewally?
From: Tunde
To: All
Date Posted: 07:50:38 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: tunde@aol.com
Entered From: at 79.135.100.25
Message:
yes
Subject: Amara Bangalie another big thief that must be brought to ju
From: The Nationalist
To: All
Date Posted: 16:38:15 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
One of the biggest thieves in Sierra Leone is Joe Amara Bangalie. These are the criminals that cleaned up our treasury. He is another thief who should be brought to justice before he lays his sorry ass to die.
Subject: Re: Amara Bangalie another big thief that must be brought to ju
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:44:15 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Is that surprising?
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Amara Bangalie another big thief that must be brought to ju
From: Agibu Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 00:23:36 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
Yeah ok, bring an 80 + yr. to justice for a white crime. What does that accomplish? The cost out weigh the gains here man.
Subject: Re: Amara Bangalie another big thief that must be brought to ju
From: Thomas Manna
To: All
Date Posted: 05:56:47 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: thomas@yahoo.com
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
Of course Amara Bangali should be brought to justice so that he cannot pass on his loots and criminal habits to his beneficiaries. Age is not an exemption to criminal culpability, only with minors. It does not cost a penny to bring him to account. Amara Bangali still has a lot of people's money which he is now investing in mobile phone network in Sierra Leone.
The idea of bringing these state crooks to justice is to retrieve the stolen money from them and invest it in our schools, health service and help the war victim. Their corruption and greed caused the war, so they were responsible for causing the war which innocent people suffered most from.
There is also no time limits to criminal culpability. It is not for the crimial to say at what age he should be made to account for his criminal acts. In fact in his own case, prosecuting him is important because of his age, he does not need that amount of money, so the ACC should get it back from him.
Individual acts are truly responsible for poverty and the suffering of others. The ACC can call on Jasper Khemoh who lives in London UK to as a witness. Amara Bangali siphoned the stolen money in to Jasper Khemoh's London Bank account.
He bought Jasper a car. Jasper used to get women for Amara Bangali when he visited London. I know a couple who split because her husband found out that Amara Bangali was forking his wife.
I think the less said by you to deflect the issue from the call for ACC to investigate Amara Bangali for theft the better.
The evidence are in abundance.
Subject: Re: Amara Bangalie another big thief that must be brought to ju
From: A.Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 09:45:43 07/10/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
With that sir I concede.
Subject: Please Help!!
From: Kolugbonda
To: All
Date Posted: 14:47:01 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: gbonda@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
Dear Editor,
I teach at St. Edwards Secondary School and earn Le 500,000 per month. Do I qualify for one of the new Nassit homes? Thank you.
Subject: The human cost of the food crisis: Report from Sierra Leone
From: Drunk Minister
To: All
Date Posted: 13:57:30 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Relief Web
The human cost of the food crisis: Report from Sierra Leone
Rice is a staple food in Sierra Leone. Aminata Sesay, a handicapped widow and mother of five, depends on it for daily survival, as do millions of other Sierra Leoneans living in extreme poverty. Over the last nine months, the price of rice has almost tripled in many parts of the country. How are vulnerable people like Aminata coping?
From the rural villages of Tonkolili to the capital city of Freetown, the Concern team shared their concerns: food is becoming harder and harder to come by in Sierra Leone, and the nation's poorest are facing the first stages of a serious crisis.
THE VALUE OF RICE
In Tonkolili, one of Sierra Leone's poorest districts, Concern has been monitoring the price of food in markets. Since October 2007, the price of rice has risen 300 percent. In fact, a 50-kilogram bag of rice costs 75 percent of the average person's monthly income in Sierra Leone. In rural areas like Tonkolili, people earn far less. The cost of food is becoming a critical problem.
"Rice is so central to the diet here," says Concern Livelihoods Coordinator Tayo Alabi, "that if you ask a person if they have eaten today and they have not had rice, they will say no. Rice is that important."
Although high food prices are the immediate worry, there is also the question of the country's overall supply: indications are that Sierra Leone operates close to the bone in terms of the amount of food it produces every year. And then there is the weather: it's been unusually dry this year. If food prices continue to rise, things could get really bad here.
AMADU CONTEH: DAY TO DAY SURVIVAL
Amadu Conteh is not thinking in terms of trends in prices—he is simply trying to feed his family each day. Amadu is a subsistence farmer: he lives in the small village of Mafulka with his wife and three children. He can no longer afford palm oil—the cooking staple made from the flesh of the palm fruit—so he must use the inferior oil derived from palm seed. It is thick, has little nutritional value, and though he shakes the container vigorously, it will not flow. Amadu has one bag of rice and a few ears of maize to feed his family of five. He says,
"This food will last less than a month. I try to feed my family with what I grow. When the rice I grow is finished, I take whatever money I have to buy rice. In the village - can you imagine? – it is now 700 Leones for one cup of rice. It used to be 300 or 350 Leones per cup. When my money is finished, I search for bush yams and palm cabbage -- even though they are not ripe. If this continues, I will just have to continue to search for food - that is all I can do."
TROUBLING SIGNS IN THE MARKET AT MASINGBI
Thursday is market day in Masingbi town. Sitting at the crossroads of four of Sierra Leone's thirteen districts, it's a major regional trading hub and an important link in the supply chain between Freetown, thousands of rural villages, and big commercial centers in the east. Dust and diesel exhaust fill the air as minivans rumble in and out, loaded with people from across the region. The market is packed, but business at the food stalls is slow, and the anxiety is obvious.
Osman Sesay and his brother John are rice farmers who supplement their income by selling secondhand shoes. Their table is piled high with colorful flip-flops, vintage sneakers, and workboots With a family of twelve—including his 10 children, his wife, and himself—Osman needs the extra money. In December of 2007, he says he could buy a 50-kilo bag of rice for 60,000 leones. Today, it costs him 125,000. Although shoppers crowd around their stand, transactions are few and far between.
"To save money, we are eating less food now than we used to. We used to cook 12 cups of rice a day for my family. Now we cook seven cups," Osman says.
This year, due to inadequate rainfall, farmers didn't grow enough seeds. They have less rice to eat, less rice to sell, and now they are struggling to feed their families. Many have resorted to eating the seed rice they were saving to plant.
Aminata Sesay is among the poorest of the poor in Sierra Leone—an elderly widow with 5 children and 6 grandchildren. She has no reliable source of income. She says she was forced to eat the seeds she had set aside: "I've prepared my land for planting, but now I have no seed left to plant . . . Life in this country is very difficult."
Nearby, rice trader Ali Kanu stands in front of his storeroom piled high with bags of rice—brought in not from the farms of Sierra Leone, but imported from India and China. His customers buy rice by the cup even in the best of times, and recently, his rate of business has been cut in half. Ali says, "Those who used to buy 10 cups are now buying 5-6. I try to adjust, but things will reach a crisis stage. In August, if this trend continues, there will be chaos."
UNCERTAINTY IN FREETOWN
In Mabella, one of Freetown's six overcrowded urban slums, a maze of makeshift tin-roofed shelters runs down a steep hillside to the sea. Bordering Mabella is the city's largest market, boisterous with activity in the midst of stunning poverty. There is a lot of food in the market, but the 20,000 extremely poor people who live in Mabella slum have no money to buy it, and they are going hungry.
Halimatu Jalloh, a 32-year-old mother of four, often sells rice, but not lately. She has neatly arrayed packets of sugar, small plastic bags of flour, and a few cans of tomato paste in her stall. She nervously waits for her next customer.
"[The cost of rice] is affecting my family so much. We used to cook 6-7 cups of rice a day. But now much less. I don't really know what is responsible for the price increase, but if it continues, it will not be good. here is speculation that there will be chaos, but we are praying that it will not happen. I am suffering. My family is suffering. I do not have enough to feed my family and all of the customers are complaining, too. I am worried: if it continues this way, I won't be able to earn money here any longer."
Foday Koroma lives in Grey Bush slum, on the opposite side of the city. He is a 43-year-old former petty trader with a family of five. He suffered an injury, and now cannot find work. He told Concern that his family normally eats 8 cups of rice per day, but now they are only eating 5. Foday says, "We save a small amount of our daily ration of rice for tomorrow in case we cannot find food. We eat, but we don't get fed."
Concern Responds: Reducing the Hunger Gap
A central fact of life for farmers in Sierra Leone—and much of Africa—is the hunger gap. That's the period between harvests, when food from last year's crop has run out, but the new crop is not yet in. In 229 rural villages in Tonkolili District, Concern's livelihoods team has worked with communities to successfully reduce the hunger gap from 5 months to 2 months, helping 11,000 extremely poor people.
With Concern's maternal and child health programs focused on reducing malnutrition, as well as other initiatives like community seed banks, farmer field schools, fish farming, and the introduction of new crops such as maize, cassava, and soy, Concern is working hard to reduce the impact of the food crisis.
But huge challenges lie ahead. As Concern's Chief Executive Tom Arnold emphasizes, "Food prices are going to remain high for the immediate future. We have to come up with a multi-faceted approach to prevent what could become a catastrophe if action is not taken quickly. The poorest of the poor are the ones who are always hardest hit in times of crisis. Millions could fall into a deep cycle of destitution if the world does not act now. And to act, funds and political will at the global level are urgently needed."
Subject: Apart from vomiting on that Trooper's chest...
From: Keen Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 13:51:08 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
What has the Drunk APC Minister achieved. Pipul den dae suffer wit angri, bra b en jus the chak nar America.
Ay salone we sorry ooh!
Subject: Re: The human cost of the food crisis: Report from Sierra Leone
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 20:14:34 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-66-245.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.66.245
Message:
Food crisis will remain unchanged until Sierra Leone can produce more for home use and export. Farmers should not be exploited because government cannot do things right. There is a wide gap between low paid hard working individuls and lazy counter productive high rank officials.Many farmers are frustrated because there are no rental tractors and it is who are you. International farmers have to even production costs and have little to sustain their families. Government expenditures are far too high in certain areas. How do you expect a famer to survive and take take care of his family? No more free food , so government should make adjustments. Ministers and their families are enjoying whilst the poor are dying.
Subject: LANDS MINISTRY CABAL DEFIES THE OMBUDSMAN, DENIES OLD MAN JU
From: PEEP
To: All
Date Posted: 12:12:57 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
Peep Newspaper
Olu Gordon
LANDS MINISTRY CABAL DEFIES THE OMBUDSMAN, DENIES OLD MAN JUSTICE!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - Permanent Secretary stalls on case of 78 year old man and defies both Anti Corruption Commission and The Ombudsman over shady land deals
On May 30, Prince Nicol, a 78 year old semi retired druggist, gave our paper an interview regarding government’s attempt to co-opt his land.
This article caught the attention of Ombudsman, Justice Edmond Cowan, who wrote to the Lands Ministry asking them to comment on the plight of Mr. Nicol.
Johnsen Marah however has decided to ignore the Ombudsman’s letter and has warned the pensioner that he ‘wouldn’t take action’ on his complaint unless Peep! ‘withdraws the article’ and apologises to Lands Ministry staff.
“This is outrageous. Lands Ministry does not belong to Johnsen Marah or the Lands cabal of Jones and Co. It shouldn’t be up to a public ‘servant’, as Johnsen Marah supposedly is, to decide whether or not he is taking action on a public complaint” Peep! editor O.R. Awoonor-Gordon said.
“This paper will certainly not be withdrawing anything. The story is factual and it is shameful for an old pensioner to be ‘punished’ because a permanent secretary doesn’t ‘like’ our publication” he added.
Meanwhile The Ombudsman has written to the Minister of Lands, Benjamin Davies, pointing out that he had ‘neither received a letter of acknowledgement or a reply” from Lands Ministry concerning his letter sent to outline the facts of Pa Nicol’s claim.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Anti-Corruption Commission has referred the case of Mr. Hector Turay back to the Lands Ministry.
They have asked permanent secretary Johnsen Marah, to establish who sold off part of his plot allocated to him by government in 2003.
Subject: Re: LANDS MINISTRY CABAL DEFIES THE OMBUDSMAN, DENIES OLD MAN JU
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:48:48 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
You will be honoured with a reply when Hitler returns to rule Israel.
Subject: GREAT APC FOREIGN POLICY MYSTERIES OF OUR TIME
From: Professor Peep
To: All
Date Posted: 12:09:30 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
GREAT APC FOREIGN POLICY MYSTERIES OF OUR TIME
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Olu Gordon
Professor Peep's Information
1. APC apparently has 39 UNOPPOSED SEATS in the new councils (Premier News July 1, 2008).
Taking President Ernest Koroma's position on Zimbabwe into account, shouldn't these elections be re-run so 'voters can have a fair chance'?
2. Can our Foreign minister function as an OSIWA activist and a diplomat at the same time? George Soros' hatred of Mugabe is well known. But does Soros now dictate our foreign policy as the Deep Pockets behind OSIWA?
3. Is Sierra Leone going to SQUANDER any leverage we have on Zimbabwe by playing to the (Western) Gallery?
Thousands of Zimbabwean students studied here at FBC between 1975-1980. Why not use our contacts to seek a genuine solution to the Zimbabwe Question?
4. Is the Queen going to give Ernest the Honour she took away from Mugabe? Will he become (like Stevens) Sir Dr. (or is that Dr. Sir?) Why did NKRUMAH never receive a Queenly Honour and why is Mugabe stripped of his while SHAKI got one (think over this carefully).
5. If Sierra Leone is going to SPEAK OUT for Democracy all over AFRICA... why not START our CRUSADE with neighbouring Guinea instead of far way Zimbabwe? (just curious).
Honest Johnsen donates his mansion for Mugabe’s exile in Salone
A magnificent mansion, appropriate to his status as a former President for over twenty years, is being prepared in the west end of Freetown for Robert Mugabe if he accepts the APC government's offer of exile in Sierra Leone. The offer was made at the African Union Summit by President Ernest Koroma who, after less than a year in office, has suddenly become an expert on intra-African affairs.
The huge mansion, at the junction of Kingharman and Hill Cut Road, is the property of a thrifty civil servant who saved up all his salary, per diem and other allowances, (ie kickbacks) to build it.
"I am glad to make this sacrifice in the name of Africa Unity and to ingratiate myself with the new APC government as I've done with all other governments over the years" 'Honest' Johnson Marah told the press.
Subject: John Karimu's house in Woodbridge, Virginia , will be seized
From: The Nationalist
To: All
Date Posted: 11:43:22 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
You wait for the commission of inquiry Ernest Koroma is about to set. All those who plundered our country's wealth will suffer. John Karimu and Marda Bio's houses will be seized. Let all those sleeping inside them not sleep peacefully.
Subject: Re: John Karimu's house in Woodbridge, Virginia , will be seized
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 06:59:54 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Provided the property was in his name.It is like saying that Strasser's castle in Virginia should also be seized.He put it in his so called wife's name ho was only after him for the fame and ill wealth.Once he was out of power,he was dumped like no body's business.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: John Karimu's house in Woodbridge, Virginia , will be se
From: Santi Bokiyat
To: All
Date Posted: 21:23:54 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-67-244-6-35.nyc.res.rr.com at 67.244.6.35
Message:
You Crase! Did Maada Bio serve in the past SLPP Government......I am sure that should the commission be inclined to enforce all judgments against government malfeasance in previous governments,APC Members like Minister IB Kargbo,Ambassador Abdul Karim Koroma, Abdulai Conteh,Former UN Ambassador Tom Oballeh Kargbo,Victor Foh,Birch Conteh and others who are also on record for the plunder of Sa Lone cannot be immune to the seizures you proffer.
Subject: Re: John Karimu's house in Woodbridge, Virginia , will be se
From: Thomas Manna
To: All
Date Posted: 06:03:34 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: thomas@yahoo.com
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
There must be a starting point, someone has to says enough is enough. The SLPP should have done that, but how could they have when their leader was convicted of embezzlement of SLPMB money.
Yes if you have evidence on any of the individauls you have named please say so. I personally know about Amara Bangali's situation which I have stated.
Subject: Re: John Karimu's house in Woodbridge, Virginia , will be seized
From: ROTFLMAO
To: All
Date Posted: 14:25:02 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.42.23.70
Message:
draw rope... draw rope... leppet go reach na tong jisnor
check out the "clean" bank governor samura kamara
Subject: There are reasons for everything.
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 11:38:27 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 208.3.139.54
Message:
That is old. It won't make a difference as it has never made one as long as the reasons are well known by the International community, the good will keep-on-keeping-on.
They tried but we are still on it and it is getting queiter. It is part of the history-making. It cannot erase the history that has been made by similarities. It is a gain.
Subject: In the case against Charles Margai, Leigh takes the stand!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 11:08:08 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...Those who went to CKC with him for the brief period he was there have told me he was always at the bottom of the class.The only reason why he went oversea was because of his father's connection.Even as a Lawyer,he is never in the categories of the likes of Berthan Macauley jr,Mahota Jusu Sheriff,Gavas Betts,Blyden Jenkins-Johnston,Nicholas Brown Mark,late Valrie Bankole Jones,Late Prince Kebbie,Abdulia Conteh,Eke Halloway Dabo,Gloria Atiba Davies just to name a few.He wants to give the impression that he is a factor to reckon with when in actuality he is not..."(M.K. Koroma)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE JUDGE: "Does the defence have any witness.
THE DEFENCE: "Yes, your honor, the defence now call the Hon. John Leigh to the stand....
CHARLES MARGAI: "OBJECTION ! Irrelevant, immaterial, without proper foundation being laid...
JUDGE: "Objection overruled"
CHARLES MARGAI:" But your honor, Hon John Leigh is my enemy...he is hostile witness...can the Jury at least leave the court room because....
JUDGE:SHUT-UP AND SIT DOWN, ONE MORE WORD FROM YOU AND YOU WILL BE HELD IN CONTEMPT! Hon John Leigh, please take the stand!
Subject: Re: In the case against Charles Margai, Leigh takes the stand!
From: Fun-loving observer
To: All
Date Posted: 11:11:46 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Posted by Dr CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS on July 07, 2008 at 21:46:49:
16. "Thereafter Parliament increasingly squandered its opportunities to curb executive excesses. It failed to block Prime Minister AlbertMargai’s misuse of Government funds for personal gain because it hardly bothered to monitor public income and expenditure. For example,the opposition APC newspaper “We Yone” alleged that Sir Albert had used huge sums of money to buy buildings in Washington and London, which he then rented to the Sierra Leone Missions in those countries for private gain. Parliament failed to investigate these allegations, despite the need to transmit a clear message of accountability to the generalpublic. This lapse precipitated a sense of resignation among Sierra Leoneans that corruption was an inevitable indulgence of government, in which Parliament was far more likely to acquiesce than to find fault or demand sanction."
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
-___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is APC Minister Kemoh Sesay stealing public money?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Charles F Margai on July 07, 2008 at 08:49:59:
Whilst poor Sierra Leoneans are struggling with the enforced Mandarin (Chinese)... Tin Trrong, Tin Tranga... increased hardship, damning allegations have surfaced on cyberspace that APC's Kemoh Sesay's private London Account has recently seen frenetic activities of transfers in the tune of Le 116 Million (abou 21K British Pounds).
Kemoh cheekily retorted when an investigative reporter asked him about the source of such a large transfer, given his monthly salary + all earned per diem so far: "Paa blow yah...the President has the Zero, we (meaning APC Ministers) have the tolerance".
Translation: The Prezo's clarion call for Zero Tolerance to corruption is bogus.
It is widely rumoured that levies from SLPorts Authority are being deposited in private acounts - which begs the question.. What is the ACC doing?
Well the cyber report claims they will be publishing, fine details soon. Hopefully the Gentle and Charismatic ACC Czar will followup (provided he is not reined in again as we saw in the Hafsatu Kabba Electrity Saga)
Zero Tolerance, my foot! Salone we sorry fus ooh.
Subject: For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
From: Pikin Margain
To: All
Date Posted: 09:19:10 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
Members of the opposition Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) are reportedly planning to impeach their leader, Charles Margai for the party’s poor performance in the just concluded Local Council election. The furious PMDCs blame their leader for not doing enough to cement the party’s gains in the last parliamentary and presidential elections.
Preliminary results from Saturday polls according to Independent Observer say the PMDC has lost grip of Bo, Pujehun and Moyamba in the south; areas they performed remarkably well in the last elections. Dauda Tombo Bangura, Colombia Blango, erstwhile Mayor of Southwark in the UK and retired Captain Gbondo, who now lives in the United States are among the front runners for the party’s leadership.
Subject: Re: For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
From: No Way
To: All
Date Posted: 11:27:53 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
Message:
Pas a die
Subject: Re: For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 11:16:17 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
The PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (PMDC )appears to have performed poorly in the recently-concluded Local Council Elections. Though the official results have not been announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC ),results tallied by the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP)incate that the SLPP soundly defeated the PMDC in all the areas where the PMDC upset the SLPP during last year's General Elections.
If these results turn out to be true, the implication is that the PMDC, which appeared last year to have c seized most parts of the SLPP stronghold of the South/East, have lost steam and the SLPP has made a dramatic come-back to prove that that are indeed the impregnable masters of the South/East.
As a consequence of this dismal PMDC showing, it has been alleged by some newspapers in Sierra Leone that the PMDC was planning to impeach their party leader, Mr. Charles Margai. But is impeachment really the answer to the PMDC's problems ?
To any civilized and reasoning mind, IMPEACHMENT is not the solution to the PMDC's problems. Why is it so difficult for supporters of parties to just sit down and solve their problems amicably ? If the PMDC lost their strongholds, there must be reasons and these reasons must be creatively found and creatively tackled. Talking about impeaching the party leader is not a creative solution to the problem. It would appear as if we, Sierra Leoneans, are not creative at all when it comes to solving political problems.
IMPEACHMENT of Charles Margai will divide the party further, create insidious factions and exacerbate the party's problems. Charles Margai definitely has his own supporters within and without the PMDC and these fanatics will fight any impeachment to their death. What is an undisputable fact is that those talking about impeaching the party leader are about to open the doors to bitter strife within the party that will only hasten its demise and lead to the other uncreative Sierra Leonean way of solving problems--"We will form our own party ". This unproductive exertion of energy ( Negative Energy ) is responsible for the polarised state of Sierra Leonean politics and its attendant problems of socio-economic sterility and backwardness.
This newspaper views with disdain the tendency of political party supporters to relish conflicts and divisions within their parties instead of seeking creative and lasting solutions. Whenever they have simple problems that they could solve democratically , party supporters reject peaceful and creative options and choose the path of chaos. This is not good for struggling nation like Sierra Leone.
The second question to be asked here is what gives the contenders for Charles Margai's position the belief that they will perform better than him ? This arrogant attitude in Sierra Leoneans to always believe that the solution to a problem is to impeach the party leader and Presidential candidate is another reason for our socio-economic and political backwardness. It has destoyed the fabrics of our socio-political renaissance.
Charles Margai may have his own demons, some of them self-created, but his charisma and appeal helped the party to perform magnificiently in the last General Elections. Charles Margai demonstrated that his voice carried tremendous appeal to the South/Eastern people when his direction to them to vote for the APC was heeded . Have supporters of the PMDC forgotten that it was Charles Margai 's political charm, astuteness and craftsmanship which contributed immensely to the party's dazzling performance last year ? Are they sure that those they are promoting to take over from Margai will do better ?
The PMDC did not do well in the recent local elections because the party did not campaign well this time . Nor did they present an impressive platform to the South/Eastern people that demonstrated that they had better plans (than the SLPP ) to improve the socio-economic and political lot of the people of Bo, Kenema, Pujehun, Moyamba and Bonthe . What conspired against the PMDC were not only poor and ineffective campaign strategies .The party also flashed the wrong signals to the people that it was disunited. Note that the rumors that the PMDC aimed to impeach its leader, Charles Margai, had been circulating since last year. In sum, the PMDC showed the South/Eastern people that it was not growing as a political party. These were the main reasons for the party's resounding defeat this time by the SLPP.
This paper believes that the PMDC should return to the drawing board . Charles Margai may have his faults but he alone may not have slowed the ORANGE March to glory. The PMDC must do creative soul-searching to unearth all the factors that are threatening to extinguish the Orange flame they lit in the nation last year. Once they discover these factors, partisans can then sit down in the spirit of decency and democracy to solve them .
IMPEACHING Charles Margai will further push the PMDC into the limbo of political obscurity and eventual extinction and we are sure that no true lover of the PMDC wants that to happen .
Subject: Re: For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
From: Hashim Daboh
To: All
Date Posted: 08:14:56 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: Gboyama@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: host86-134-236-108.range86-134.btcentralplus.com at 86.134.236.108
Message:
Kabbs, please re-read and re-publish my resignation letter from the PMDC . It sums up all the required reasons for the impeachment of Margai . But impeaching Margai or not ,the future of that party is in limbo . On thing we all have sheepishly refused to accept lately is the reality that PMDC's last General elections clean-sweep of the South/Eastern regions was simply a protest vote against Tejan for his unfulfilled leadership , the appointment of not only Solo, but Momodu who couldn't even win his home turf. And above all, the ungrateful treatment of late Norman despite international witnesses including former British High Commissioner, and a horde of ECOMOG officers who shared battle and strategic security planning and implementation sessions with the late Chief .One thing am sure of is that, even if Charles decided to return and eventually catapulted to the leadership of the SLPP, the party will lose in any form of election . In short ,he has long become his own liability. Basically, he needs round the clock supervision to at least keep a lid on his flippancy ,childish maturity and the rapid fire appetite for corrupt practices . Ask Margai for his party's audited report for the period leading to the General elections- if he can produce that, then Ngor Ernest did publish his ........
kehtamia
ndemia Daboh
Subject: Re: For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 11:36:38 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
I think he should be sidelined because he does not have what it takes to be a leader.Plain and simple.
Subject: Re: For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
From: Bock Jah
To: All
Date Posted: 11:04:05 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 195.172.14.94
Message:
It is quite evident that the PMDC will never make the gains it acheived during the last election and would follow the the same path of demise like the PDP,UNPP,NUP etc.The people in these regions which are traditionally SLPP strongholds now view the PMDC as part of the ruling government.
A change of leadership would do very little to enhance the fortunes of the PMDC.By 2012 the battle lines would have been properly drawn between the APC and SLPP.
Subject: Re: For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 11:14:16 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
You are so right on that sir.
Subject: Re: For poor performance, PMDC leader to be impeached
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 10:50:43 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
You guys why you ever felt a fellow of Charles Margai's ilk is presidentially material confounds me up to this day.Those who went to CKC with himfor the brief period he was there have told me he was always at the bottom of the class.The only reason why he went oversea was because of his father's connection.Even as a Lawyer,he is never in the categories of the likes of Berthan Macauley jr,Mahota Jusu Sheriff,Gavas Betts,Blyden Jenkins-Johnston,Nicholas Brown Mark,late Valrie Bankole Jones,Late Prince Kebbie,Abdulia Conteh,Eke Halloway Dabo,Gloria Atiba Davies just to name a few.He wants to give the impression that he is a factor to reckon with when in actuality he is not.His only contemporary in his so called law,is Tejan Kabbah who has yet to be hired to defend any one in a Magistrate court let alone in any High Court setting.
As far as i am concerned,he is a foot note in the political dispensation of the country.As for his so called PMDC,they should consider themselves history in the politics of the nation.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: what does the party's constitution say about impeachment?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 09:39:29 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
What does the party's constitution say about impeachment? Can you provide that for us so that we can analyze it, so as to put us in good stead to intelligently discuss this issue?
Subject: Re: what does the party's constitution say about impeachment?
From: Partyman
To: All
Date Posted: 10:24:26 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
Message:
According to our constitution, if the members lose confidence from the Party Leader, they have the rights to lift him from his chair physically, and throw him out.As simple as that.
Subject: Re: what does the party's constitution say about impeachment?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 10:44:54 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"According to our constitution, if the members lose confidence from the Party Leader, they have the rights to lift him from his chair physically, and throw him out.As simple as that."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DID I HEAR YOU SAY THAT THE NAME OF THE PARTY IS RUFP?
Subject: Re: what does the party's constitution say about impeachment?
From: ROTFLMAO
To: All
Date Posted: 09:55:52 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.42.23.70
Message:
Listen carefully. No Margai. No PMDC
FULL STOP
Subject: Re: what does the party's constitution say about impeachment?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 10:46:39 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"Listen carefully. No Margai. No PMDC"
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!
Subject: This is very important. Pay great attention to it.
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 08:22:39 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 208.3.139.54
Message:
Article VI
All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
______________________________________________________
Meaning because you have a right does not give you the right to disrespect others or take other's rights.
______________________________________________________
Subject: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 07:42:43 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
In Reply to: CAN MAADA BIO REALLY BE A FORCE AGAINST BEREWA posted by BEHOLD BEHOLD NA BIO on April 25, 2005
Maada Bio is a murderer. He is personally responsible for the killings of Salami Coker and 28 others on December 29th 1992. There is no statute of limitations to the crime of murder. why the slpp government has not brouight an indictment against him and the other NPRC/slpp members still in freetown is still a wonder to me. Is it because they were all co conspirators in these illegal killings?
Maada Bio comes from a family which was and still is activiley involved in the rebel and kamajor movement. Maada Bio's brother or cousin the now late Steven Bio was an arms supplier to all factions of the rebel war including the nprc government which subsequent to all arms purchases, turned around and sold the arms to the ruf.
Maada Bios sister was a close confidant of Foday Saybana Sankoh and this was a fact known to Maada Bio at the time he was the leader of the NPRC. At the Lome conference, Bio and sankoh, wagged broomsticks at each other signifying their support for the slpp.
When he left government Maada Bio stole huge amounts of money which he lost investing in Ghana and the UNited states. When he came to the US Maada Bio who at the time of the NPRC Coup was a junior officer earning less that the equivalent of $300.00 per month, was able to purchase for cash a huge home worth over $500k US, for cash. Where did Maada Bio get this money from, we must and should ask.
Frankly I believe that it is an insult to the national Psyche that a man with such a despicable record now wants to run for the presidency when in fact he should be behind bars but for the tacit support he enjoys from the slpp and its leaders against whom he now wants to run.
even when Maada Bio was NPRC he has always been SLPP and the fact that he now publically opts for the SLPP membership and leadership is evidence of that.
Enough is enough arrest Maada Bio NOW
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEON
From: Looser
To: All
Date Posted: 19:36:28 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-67-244-6-35.nyc.res.rr.com at 67.244.6.35
Message:
Your opinions aside,the fact is that Maada Bio and Charles Margai recieved more votes than you in what you coined a conbention....
Yesterday you claimed Bo as your base,but because locals threatened to put you "baity" again you are now claiming Freetown.....
but I will not encourage you to go to sweissy and spew the same thrash in claiming that the western area is your new found base......
.
Everyone knows that you bought Ambassadorship in the old SLPP from Kabba.....and you are still crying about the "change" you claim is due you.
The UN and Sa Lone public are at variance with your lie that Bio's people are presently involved in rebel or kamajor activity today as you allege.....because the whole world is aware that the country is very stable,and all warring factions have long been disbanded.
It appears that you are either drunk or are under the influence of some chemicals .....by the bunkum you write...but you wake up from thet stupor you will hasten to take credit for bringing peace to Sa Lone.
the fact is that despite all your empty labo labo..Bio ,Harding or Margai will beat trounce you in the competion for leadership in Sierra Leone People's Party until they die. .........You know that you reached your highest point in the Party through the back door by way of pa Kabba,..live with it and dont nuture any futher ambition...because you cannot make it!
You know you are a looser and not man enough to challenge Bio that is why you attack him with another moniker Looser John Leigh.
Subject: I Do Not Use Monikers
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 11:51:21 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Looser:
In addition to the pile of trash you wrote about me, you concluded as follows:
“You know you are a looser and not man enough to challenge Bio that is why you attack him with another moniker Looser John Leigh”. - Posted by Looser on July 09, 2008 at 19:36:28 in response to a posting by Freedom of Speech.
You sound like an underdeveloped child with sourpuss gripes! Unlike a multiple-moniker abuser like you, I John Ernest Leigh does not use monikers; have never used any and never will because I stand squarely behind everything I write on public issues. No sane individual will ever accurately accuse me of being a coward, or a chicken or a flippant accuser or a one-tract tribalist-opportunist endowed with a pea brain.
Please note that when I point fingers, I do so with all five of them simultaneously. Five pointed fingers from me stands for only one thing: 100% accuracy.
Second, if I was successful in challenging the AFRC/RUF coupligan regime on my sole initiative as well as defy their death sentence; and if I was able to defy RUF Foday Sankoh, and presidents Charles Taylor, Campoare and Ghadaffi, why would I be afraid to challenge your man? The fact is I am not interested in challenging anyone.
Third, I have not attacked Bio at all. You, using the “Future SLPP” moniker like a coward, boasted that Bio’s international credibility is superior to mine in response to my earlier posting in another thread. Since I assumed you made that claim honestly but out of ignorance of Bio’s true bloody, undemocratic and corrupt record, I thought I would respond by educating you and others similarly situated of your man’s true self-serving, bloody and dud credibility record and thus establish why his international credibility is not only zip, i.e zero, but that SLPP electing him as Party Leader would further damage the reputation of our party.
Unfortunately for you, other forumites have already independently exposed your man's odious record. And until this response to your rude attack on me, I never once joined them. There is more bad news in store for you: large numbers of SL voters are smarter than you think.
Next, over-ambitious and under-productive people like Bio, Margai, Harding, etc. would always get far more votes than me in the jungle-like arrangement that was Makeni 2005 where crookedness, fetish tribal swear, bribery & fetish goat-blood drinking; crude threats, intimidation, oppression and EXCLUSION prevailed in abundance and in defiance of well established party democratic rules/practices amidst the bright broad daylight that prevailed that day. What that situation amounted to is that smart voters nationwide – regardless of party - not only rejected the bogus victors, corruptors and splitters, Southeasterners and SLPP’S good name were badly damaged and remained so damaged today in key areas of SL where SLPP must win if it wants to form the next government.
It is my carefully considered view that neither Bio, nor Margai, nor Harding, or any late-comer or Kabbah SLPPer can carry those areas in 2012!
Further, each of those people you've named as above, unlike yours truly, is not a loyal SLPPer or long-term party helper or supporter. Most have a notorious past of hip-hopping and flip-flopping in and out of other political parties and/or regimes (i.e. APC, PNP, NUP, NPRC, PMDC) in direct opposition to SLPP for purely personal gain as it suits them and as the wind blows.
If someone like you is still all for electing a fellow bloody tribesman with an anti-SLPP opportunistic past or a Johnny-come-lately helper as our future party leader, such will not surprise me at all because I understand that narrowness of mind is a common deficiency and permanent liability among people with thin backgrounds and/or would-be sycophants, yes-men, opportunists, crumbs-seekers and other counter-productive parasitic types out to chop at any cost while ordinary SL souls suffer in abject misery.
In my humble view, therefore, that the prevailing high dislike for Southeastern ex-officials and their retinues in most of the North and the Western Area is very dangerous for democracy, development and stability in our country. And if SLPPers like you refuse to reform by democratically selecting a diversified party leadership of recognizable decency, talents and loyalty, our people will continue to suffer endless miseries in the opposition until we change to win or other independent forces come to pass. Thank you. - JL
Subject: Re: I Do Not Use Monikers
From: Abu Sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:31:36 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
JL,
I know you find it difficult to restrain yourself, but like Jacob Kanu warned you a while ago, you cannot be aspiring for leadership and having trivial exchanges in public at the same time. Trust me, its not a leadership style tried anywhere in the world, except of course if you want to be in the Al Sharpton class - contesting only for recognition.... with no serious intention of ever winning.
Ignore this at you own peril.
And drop this Makeni Convention bitterness; your performance was very embarassing there. Remember, you could not even manage 1/400 votes. Lets be realistic here, if one cannot even get nominated, let alone get a seconder, you should have long realised you did not campaign in the right constituency. Complaining about goat blood or 300K is "the dog ate my homework" excuse. Why didn't you bow out. Stop fooling yourself politics is an expensive business... even in America... which is white brok@$$ folks are not entertained.
Believe it or not, you are setting yourself up for an even more disgraceful whooping.Folks are currently busy rubbing shoulders with would be delegates on the ground, doing their bit for the Party on the ground, enhancing their 'political visibility'... You JL is doing none of that.
On the contrary, it seems you are actually begging for attention on cyberspace; picking up fights with kids (rightfully or otherwise)... and probably hoping to fly to Salone 3 days before the next convention and expect everybody to roll over and play dead, because you are in town. My friend, your behaviour is a textbook way of how to woofully loose at a national convention. I think you should request patent rights.
Your lack of display of maturity is obvious to all but one person, your own worst enemy - John Leigh. I know you don't listen to advice, and will be compelled to respond and defend yourself again... well... go ahead and knock youself out, OK? If it ain't KO.. then it is not OK.. OK?
Subject: Re: Mind Your Business
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 16:35:23 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Abu Sesay:
I don’t need free advice from people like you. You are uncouth, inexperience and without facts. If you wish to deal with me, you need to put on your very best behavior and if your behavior is not good enough, please keep your rubbish talk and ignorance to yourself.
Further, we have never bantered in this forum in any way that would justify throwing your venom at me. Merely because I am humble enough to correspond with fellow Sierra Leoneans in this forum – regardless of age, station, party and education, etc. - does not mean we are equals and that you can talk trash to me fiti fata.
You may hate my postings, but others do not mind and it is not for you to advice me on political tactics. Nor do you have the authority to make the rules for this forum or for the SLPP. And by your herewith posting, you are clearly not civilized enough to address or debate with me.
I know that some of our people are still villagers regardless of their exposure to Western civilization, their rote book knowledge and their age; after all, monkey nor go lef im black hand. Moreover and with some flunkeys, you can take the man out of the village but you can never take the village out of him.
You are hereby advised that I am your nothing and I need nothing from you – certainly not your free frivolous advice, rudeness and erroneous allegations.
Next, manners besides, you need to get your facts right if you are to make proper use of this forum facility. In this regard, your attack on me is littered with erroneous allegations and statements.
Makeni was a gangster, fetish conBention. Poor people were compelled to drink goat blood and recite a fetish tribal loyalty swear of the destruction of John Leigh in exchange for Le300,000. Your claim of bitterness arising there-from is baseless.
Even so, Makeni was terribly wrong and ought to be corrected, not concealed as you propose. All over SL, fetish superstition is commonplace and unscrupulous politicians exploit their own very people for personal gain by using primitive fetishes.
It is my intention to press this fetish issue until we end such primitive customs and liberate our people.
Next, I did not arrive in Makeni three days before convention time. You are wrong. From October 2004 through September 2007 I spent about 50% of my time in SL campaigning. My campaign was slated to end in March or April 2007 as the SLPP custom is to hold a convention approx. three months prior to the general elections. Insiders fearful of my insurgent campaign moved the date forward to frustrate my further campaigning. Moreover, they decreed a preliminary bar to prevent a non-resident candidate like me from future leadership campaigns.
Those decisions were taken on July 17, 2005 in Kingtom. I was there. The new convention date was set for a date in August 2005. I was accelerated my campaignt. Soon Chief Norman sued to move the date back to its usual time – April 2007 - among other reliefs sought. The case was adjourned several times. I then headed to the USA for a break. A week or so after arrival, a new date was set. I thus returned to SL forthwith arriving in Makeni on the eve of the Convention.
We must stop these shenanigans and machinations so that whosoever wins will be respected by all.
Instead, you are glorifying crookedness by blaming the victim. To any civilized person, the shame and embarrassment of Makeni is on the perpetrators. Large numbers of the voters of SLeone must have felt that way. Hence they booted out the goat-blood serving culprits to the culprits’ bone-chilling shock and utter embarrassment.
Your speculation that only childish types are attacking me in this forum is rubbish. I know some of them. Besides, these childish types are the very people who end up holding important public offices in SL that they then use to keep our country in last place.
Next, your advice that I leave erroneous misinformation significantly affecting my reputation unattended to is unacceptable. Our people are unsophisticated and tend to believe what they read. My extensive campaign experiences thought me this. Besides, I am an attorney-at-law who cannot allow unanswered libels to soil my good name.
All your further speculations about me are erroneous and each and everyone of your rude advice is again categorically rejected.
If you think I am not up to date daily on developments back home, please continue smoking your weed. My staff is still in place but what is going on now is politics as usual in some corrupt tribal quarters. I will not engage in that. Period! But I am in touch with decent SLPPers across our land - people who want to insure victory by putting up the best possible candidate nationwide to avoid another shocking surprise. Make no mistake, corruption and tribalism are deep-seated and expanding. So the task ahead is not easy.
If you believe that I crave attention in cyberspace, then you are completely ignorant of my attitude or you are nothing but part of a crooked, dirty-tricks click trying to fool people with erroneous information about me and my rivals – attempting to damage me with lies while glorifying those you support with manufactured resumes and misinformation. You probably find my counters absolutely devastating and unassailable. Therefore, you want me out of the forum by peddling your cheek to me.
You are wasting time and your cheek. I assure you that you will continue to find my swift-and-certain counter-attacks absolutely devastating and as unassailable as ever.
It is my unshakable determination to frequently search this forum’s 10-day archives for entries containing my name or dealing with issues important to me. And if the situation warrants any counters from me as I alone deem fit and proper, you and your click can be sure that you will most certainly get what’s coming to you.
Lastly, if you believe that I do not have a contingency plans to deal with various future fetish, corruption and tribalism, then you are in for a big shock.
With this said, if you dislike my counter-attacks please mind your business and avoid reading my postings since they badly upset you to the point where you think it is kosher to insult me with rubbish advice and mistakes of facts.
Finally, merely because I think it is good civics to engage every relevant participant in this forum, especially people from a country where it is uasual for many bigmen to treat their juniors with contempt, does not entitle you to think we are equals. We are not! Thank you. - JL
Subject: HE sir, how many votes did you get at Makeni?
From: Abu Sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 07:57:29 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Mr Former Ambassador sir, Goat blood or monkey blood aside, how many votes did you actually get out of 400+ delegates? Answer this honestly and don't cling to the "dog ate my homework" excuse.
You stay way aloof of the common man in SL as indicated my your statement here:
"Our people are unsophisticated and tend to believe what they read"
If you think living in the US is sophistication, little wonder delegates show time and time again that they canot tolerate the overbloated image you have of yourself. How can you seriously think you are popular when you cannot even get one delegate to nominate you? I hope you don't smoke wakibaky in a pipe.
Your political naivety is what I find hilarious. Grow up sir, and get out of that 'mental bubble' you have created for yourself. You are definitely not leadership material, so stop clowning. Check your misinformation cropped from only 1 post:
"Insiders fearful of my insurgent campaign moved the date forward to frustrate..." JL
"Insurgent Campaign" my foot.... you did not even get a single vote. Don't you think thats a hyperbole worthy of Guiness Book of Records Award?
"I thus returned to SL forthwith arriving in Makeni on the eve of the Convention...". JL
Little wonder you looked so Jet lagged on dee day. Everyone knew the convention date well before time - you chose to get there on the eve of the convention... are you trying to be the Al Sharpton of Sierra Leonean politics or what?
"... if you believe that I do not have a contingency plans to deal with various future fetish, corruption and tribalism, then you are in for a big shock". JL
Have you got your own Marabou to help you out? I suggest you keep that close to your chest. Some Marabous specialise in counter operations.
"You probably find my counters absolutely devastating and unassailable"
Frankly when I feel the urge for uncontrollable giggling or laughter... thats when I tune my very own comedian - JL.
Papay blow... politics is not about ranting... but doing. But then again one cannot teach new tricks to...
Have a very nice day sir.
p/s
I am sure I have cornered you, but feel free to reply.
Subject: Re: HE sir, how many votes did you get at Makeni?
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 11:54:00 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-mtc-ah10.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.202
Message:
Abu Sesay:
Glad to notice that you’ve finally decided to interrupt your multiple moniker-hopping and do hope terminating your empty arrogance is next in the works. Herewith from me is yet more education for you in response to your latest flippancy.
A. CONBENTION VOTING. You do not seem to understand the real issue in Makeni despite its common knowledge around many SL circles. Here it is once again:
I was simply NOT PERMITTED to participate in any voting by the crooks in charge of the ConBention. They trembled when they felt the spreading John Leigh buzz around them. Accordingly, in broad daylight thugs used physical force to confiscate my delegates’ badges so they could not enter the convention floor. One of the thugs was a former AFRC/RUF cabinet member and former APC minister who had switched to SLPP in time for the 2002 elections following the AFRC/RUF booting out by ECOMOG.
And the bosses of the thugs that de-delegated my delegates were the very ones in control of the conBention.
One of my delegates that managed to get in was physically prevented to stand up or speak and was intimidated and threatened. The night before the voting, delegates were harangued by the highest party officials about the so-called dangers of voting for John Leigh. Those in charge took no chances. They gave Le300,000 to each delegate in exchange for their votes and induced each to partake of raw goat blood under penalty of a fetish tribal swear in case of any violation of such fetish oath.
It was a jungle, primitive ConBention indeed in defiance of hollowed SLPP rules and tradition. But they had the power and were very willing to abuse their power regardless of the consequences.
Eventually the whole shenanigan and machination badly backfired to their shock, embarrassment and losses.
First, a minister in the current APC government immediately pulled me aside in the Makeni compound when the fraud became known and carefully explained to me the nature of the deep-seated corruption in SL politics - something I already new. He predicted SLPP’s defeat at the then coming elections.
Second, the next morning in Freetown, I got calls from the highest party official and another office-holder close to the leadership who lost his parliamentary seat in August 2007, pleading with me not to join forces with Charles Margai. I told them simply that they need not worry about that and that I remain loyal to the SLPP despite all.
Frankly, I am knowledgeable enough about the extreme desperation in African politics not to get too excited about the political crookedness in Makeni. Many African power incumbents are ruthlessly vicious. In Sierra Leone, politicians and militarists in power and seeking to protect their illicit gains have been known to execute their rivals or suspected rivals under cover of law or in merciless cold blood.
So what is so bad about dealing against me a mere goat blood fetish (or mere monkey blood fetish; or mere chicken blood fetish or even arata blood fetish)? Nothing but child’s play when compared with what desperados have done and could do!
Third, facts about what happened in Makeni soon circulated nationwide and instantly and for three months a deep funeral sorrowful cloud befell the whole country. The highest party officials were booed as they arrived from Makeni and entered the Western Area all the way to Juba and Hill Station.
I was shopping incognito in a Wilkinson Road supermarket when I and others heard loud boos against them as their entourage drove pass by, but their hearts and countenance hardened the more the booing!
Fourth, I spoke with the UN Rep soon after Makeni as well as with representatives of donor nations and African ambassadors who had already received inside information about the Makeni happenings. Their advice was simple: THIS IS AFRICA! So please don’t get discouraged and withdraw from your country. Keep on doing what you are doing!
Fifth, the Makeni happenings reinforced the ruthless corruption and tribalistic image of the then incumbent administration and apparently motivated voters to kick them out – no matter how much money they spent on bribes and gifts. Voters simply hated crooked politicians so much so that when the Ghadaffi rice fiasco surprisingly erupted in late June 2007, no matter what explanation came forth from the government or the SLPP campaign, the people dismissed them most contemptuously.
The popular refrain in the Western Area and the North during the week preceding first-round voting was this:
“Kahkah we nor wan yeri! Wey we res?
Although this attitude was incorrect because the ousted administration had truly handled the Libyan rice shipments appropriately, the population had no more trust in them.
Sixth and most unfortunately, after SLPP was voted out, large numbers of looters invaded the lush homes of a number of former officials and stole or damaged their property fiti fata while falsely claiming that they were confiscating that which belonged to the people. And the police stood by and did nothing. Some even danced in sick approval. To date no one has been charged, let alone prosecuted for those terrible crimes.
Now, where is the shame and embarrassment in this sickening affair? On the homeowner-victims who lost their property or on the looters and/or the consenting-by-omission Police officers? Where did the home looting harkeh emanate? Your call using your warped logic re Makeni!
B. THE “DEE DAY”. I was never ‘jet-lagged on dee day’ for Makeni as your erroneously speculated. I slept well in Magburaka and proceeded to Makeni next morning completely refreshed. Besides, “dee day” was September 5. I arrived on the night of the 2nd. before the start of the Convention on the 3rd. Please get your facts right before your foolish bragging.
C. BLOOD-SWEAR FETISH HARKEH. I think you are making a huge mistake in wanting to set aside the huge fetish and vote-buying in SL politics. It is my view that the issue of goat blood, or monkey blood or chicken blood or arata blood, etc. fetishes and fetish tribal swear should ever be set aside as you are proposing. Fetishes are a most serious issue given the deep hold of superstition in our miserable society and the political abuses ruthlessly exploited there-from. The better approach is to confront this massive problem that is behind our backwardness and extreme poverty and misery and our party's 2007 loss.
Accordingly, I will propose that SLPP should have a constitutional prohibition against every fetish, every blood drinking or sprinkling or rubbing; every fetish swear and against vote-buying and political bribery in all party affairs. We need to protect ourselves and our party against certain HARKEH arising from swehbeh deeds!
D. THE UNSOPHISTICATED COCO-EHBEH SITUATION. Many of our people are indeed unsophisticated. I stand squarely on this assessment. They are poor and believe in fetishes, tribal swear and harkeh arising out of violations of fetish swear. I know this because I am very close to our people nationwide.
How else would I know what I know from first hand experiences garnered in village huts across our land - from Conakry-Dee to Buedo and Koindu and from Gbondapi to Kabala? Who else would drink goat blood, solemnly recite a tribal swear as part of fetish rites and pocket Le300,000 from crooks in exchange for selling their votes: sophisticated, well-to-do people or poor pre-literates and semi-pre-literates daily struggling for survival?
And what kind of Sierra Leonean would perpetrate such despicable fraud upon their own very people? Why are some Sierra Leoneans among the poorest and most miserable people on earth today? What kind of people would allow others to takeaway their God-given natural resources in exchange for coco-ehbeh? What kind of people sat around for centuries selling their own people into slavery for ordinary coco-ehbeh to satisfy their immediate gratification through rapacious squander? Where is the city that was once declared the Athens of West Africa but is today considered the Arjaingulay of the same region? What happened and how?
Here is what someone wrote today in this forum about us Sierra Leoneans:
________________________________________________________________________
“Posted by Rat race on July 11, 2008 at 06:05:51:
All Sierra Leoneans are scums who feel they are important. That is why their country is so hopelessly poor. Smelly dogs.”
________________________________________________________________________
Clearly, I am not in agreement with such a blanket condemnation of us Sierra Leoneans but the statement does provide some food for analytical thought.
E. SELF-ESTEEM. I feel great about myself and my public record and services to my party and my country and no fraud or any rogue deed or collusive action that my detractors may successfully pull-off against me or our people will ever raise any question in mind about the cleanliness of my heart, the strength of my character or my known capabilities. As I said before, I believe that my ego is squarely proportionate to my abilities.
CONCLUSION. You may laugh all you want when faced with critical choices but the proper solution may lay in other responses and approaches. Perhaps, one day you and others similarly situated may start thinking smartly about the plight of our people and the situation in our country instead of automatically backing fellow tribesmen who are clearly shameless hip-hoppers and flip-floppers from opposing political parties, politicians with dastardly blood on their hands; the Johnnies-come-lately and other do-nothing opportunists.
Thank you for your attention and good luck to you, too. And if you don't mind, I'd like to vacate this conversation. Appreciated. - JL
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEON
From: Thomas Manna
To: All
Date Posted: 20:19:08 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: thomas@yahoo.com
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
Bio will not be SLPP leader. He will have to spent all the money he stole from Sierra Leone to bribe delegte but he will not get near the leadership. He tried it before and lost. We do not want leader with a past for violenly staging a coup. He had stolen a lot of money and was involed in the killing of Salami Coker and others. Frankly both he and Harding are out of it. Both are not credible and cannot win a national elction.Bio can go and get himself a real normal job. Removing a civilian government by force of arm and usurped the presidency to himself is not a good preparation for good leadership.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Man Pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 17:07:13 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: man_pikin@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-172-29-64.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net at 71.172.29.64
Message:
Indeed, BIO should be arrested. The blood of Salami Coker, Sieh Bangura and others will never FORGIVE Bio, Nyuma, Mondeh, Kambo, Idriss and the others. They should be ARRESTED and PROSECUTED. After all these killings, Bio wanted to be president again. God forbid! Our country is not a 'garbage can' lonta!
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Asking
To: All
Date Posted: 17:36:14 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Why did you not put Strasser on the list?
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Man pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 17:43:48 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: man_pikin@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-172-29-64.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net at 71.172.29.64
Message:
My mistake. Strasser too should be Prosecuted
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEON
From: umfaali
To: All
Date Posted: 10:28:11 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: uslec-66-43-153-180.cust.uslec.net at 66.43.153.180
Message:
Mr. Freedom of speech, Captain Valentine is paying the price for all of
them. Good article and I hope STOP will read your article.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 07:49:21 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
The home in question is in Wood Bridge Virginia where his sister Jitta,husband,Silla,and children are currently leaving.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Jaigboi
To: All
Date Posted: 10:20:35 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wsip-24-249-249-167.dc.dc.cox.net at 24.249.249.167
Message:
Kutubu, I have in the past admired your postings on this forum. As a history buff, I am very grateful for your writings on Sierra Leone's contemporary history. I am however disappointed with your misinformation about Bio buying a house where "his sister Jitta,husband,Silla,and children are currently leaving."
I want you and other forumites to know that your information is absolutely false and it casts aspersion on a hard working family. Bio's brother-in-law, Silla is a self-made man, who obtained an economics degree from FBC and an MBA from Howard. He is raising 5 kids , three of whom are in Universities in Virginia and Maryland. Before Bio even gained political prominience, Sillah and his family had worked hard to acquire what they have today. Nor to Salone money den take buy ose.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 10:37:15 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
I have accused Dauda of nothing improper.When those fellows were in power,i follwed their activities very closely.Even the home John Karimu bought in Wood Bridge,i visited the place.Ehen Tom Nyuma was sending his own part of the loot,i know in whose name the monies were kept.I have detailed an extensive information on Karafa Kargbo's financial transactions while he was in the government and who was handling his finances here.The problem about most of you you easily get carried away and you tend to be moved by sentiments.It does not matter whether he has degress or not not.I am telling you what i know on first hand basis.You you accept it or not the Alpha and Omega of it is that Bio,Strasser,and most of the NPRC invested in this country including Kambo who was given money to come buy arms for the prosecution of the war that he converted to his own use.You know the reason why Abdulia Conteh has not yet been exposed?it is because the person who claimed that he said the Treason case against Fornah and others were invented have not giving me the name of a third party for confirmation of that.Finally,let me say this to you,anything i publish,i am prepared to stand by it.The house Dauda and his family are living in Virginia was bought by Julius Bio plain and simple whether you accept it or not.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Thomas Manna
To: All
Date Posted: 14:52:34 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: thomas@yahoo.com
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
The SLPP is looking for a leader without a past. Bio shooting his way to power does not qualify him to lead the SLPP. Firstly he is a controversal figure. We need a candidate who will command national support. Bio is certainly not. Has Bio ever had any normal job apart from grabing power by coup. These people are thieves-all of them. Do you know that Amara Bangali, former APC minister used a proxi Jasper Khemoh to save the looted money from Sierra Leone. They are all doing it. One of the military officer in president Tejan Kabba's govt used to remit Ł1000 each month in a London account. Bio should not even think of contesting for SLPP leadership.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Curious
To: All
Date Posted: 10:55:45 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
Message:
Sir, you seem to have wealth of knowledge of our history and seems you know many personalities in person.You have just emerged on this forum in last few days, and did not you participate earlier?By the way,I thought Abdulai prosecuted Francis Minah and was not even in Government when Fornah & Co were tried??
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Jaigboi
To: All
Date Posted: 11:38:12 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wsip-24-249-249-167.dc.dc.cox.net at 24.249.249.167
Message:
Kutubu, you are dead wrong about the Sillah family. Remember I am not defending Bio here. All I am putting to you and other forumites is that Sillah and his wife have lived here in the US for many years and the modest property they have in Woodbridge was bought by their sweat and labor. You are not Mr. Know All. Please be mindful of what you state publicly about people.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Thomas Manna
To: All
Date Posted: 14:59:15 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: thomas@yahoo.com
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
I believe Kutubu's version. These thieves, such as Bio can even buy houses from the stolen money of Sierra Leone in their girl friends name. That is how they opperate. Bio is driving Humbi car in Freetown. I can tell you that even if he was 10 years as president in Salone his salary put together would not buy him that car. Bio need to find himself a real job now that he studied for a degree.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 11:44:14 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Well,you can go on to grand stand the issue all you want.The fact remains that as soon as Bio got the place for Jitta,it became a talk in the community.Who cares any way?.I need no lectures to be circumspect on what i say or write.Dauda and his family have the right to recourse to judgment if they feel maligned.The fact remains Bio bought the house no matter how you defend it.In the meantime,this is the last from me on this subject until i meet them in court for libel or slander.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Jaigboi
To: All
Date Posted: 11:55:10 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wsip-24-249-249-167.dc.dc.cox.net at 24.249.249.167
Message:
Kutubu, you are entitled to your opinion but I would want others to know that your information is absolutely wrong. Am not sure it's worth Sillah's time to drag you to court.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 11:59:52 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Because,he will never be able to establish anything.They all benefitted from the loot of the nation's treasury plain and simple.For your information,i got this from one of very Pujehun people.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Desmond Wiliams
To: All
Date Posted: 10:13:54 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: tejan.kabba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.176.186
Message:
I know the families been discussed very well, and we are actually neighbours. Mr Kutubu, I am afraid in this case you are wrong... your sources (so called Pujehun people" misled you. I suggest you apologise for relying on erroneous hearsay.
Bio may have benefited from being Head of State, but the particular house you are talking, which I have visited severally, was not bought by him. I actually personally know the Realtor who facilitated the transactions.
Enough said.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 12:53:37 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
You guys,when you stop being apologists for others,then will your true identity emerges.All you are doing is to give me more ammunition to go on the attack.Every NPRC member who came here and engaged in transactions,i knew.When Tom Nyuma opened account here with his own loots,i know in whose name the money was,and the fellow seized it and bought himself a town house because he was interested in his sister.As soon as Bio came to power than poor Sllla bought a house when we were infact in Tegloma.YOU ASK silla to contact me on 202-725-0809,i am prepared to say to his face what i have said here and the most he can do is go to court.The fact of the matter is that they all benefitted from the financial ruins of the NPRC.That is simply the Alpha and Omega of it.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 11:12:19 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Let me tell you this.Abdulia Conteh returned home after eight years from the UK.He was hired as State Cousel in the office of the Attorney General.He is a fellow that i have long follwed his career from the Albert Academy to Belize where he served as Chief Justice.The only person who will know more about him is wife,other than that i have more information on him that he himself will be surprise to learn from me.In any case,while he was a government lawyer,Fornah and others were accused of masterminding an effort to subvert Steven's government by force of arms.The Attorney General by then was such a stupid fool by the name of Nathinel Abioseh Palmelstone Buck.How that fellow ever became a lawyer is beyond my comprehension.In any case,the matter went to court and Conteh along with Akie Barber,Dabo,Jones,Brown-Mark,Tejan-cole and others were the prosecutors.Because he was such a gifted scholar in the Queen's linga franca,he became the star in the team.That was how he was able to eclipss or envelop the rest of the prosecutors.The case was tried,and the accused persons were found guilty.The principal leader,Taqi,Fornah,Brigadier Lansana,Lt.Habib Kamara were all executed.Fornah as i very well recall,wrote a letter to Siaka Stevens,begging for his life to no avail.Now there has been an explosive accusation that he the Conteh said the charges were false.All i am waiting for is a confirmation that he said so from any one who was present when he made such statement and Sierra Leoneans will be able to witness the battle royal between him and i.I have lots about him that i am prepared to share with the public.I had somebody who follwed his activities in the Gambai who has given me quite a lot.All i am waiting for is time.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: ...AND MAADA BIO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEON
From: umfaali
To: All
Date Posted: 15:28:18 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: uslec-66-43-153-180.cust.uslec.net at 66.43.153.180
Message:
MKK, I have never supported your postings, but after reading your
defensive arguments today, I have come to the conclusion that you are
good and you know your stuff. Keep up the good work.
Subject: Sierra Leone: APC Thugs Burn Election Materials
From: Thugs
To: All
Date Posted: 07:05:32 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Sierra Leone: APC Thugs Burn Election Materials
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Concord Times (Freetown)
9 July 2008
Posted to the web 9 July 2008
Mohamed Vandi
Kenema
National Electoral Commission (NEC) elections officer in Kenema District Monday confirmed reports that some polling officers and security men were attacked by youths alleged to be supporters of the All Peoples Congress (APC) in Mbaama town, Wando chiefdom in Kenema District.
Philip Kargbo said the attack took place on Sunday while NEC officials were returning to Kenema after Saturday's poll.
"The attack left ballot papers, voting screens, ballot boxes and other polling station materials completely burnt," he said and pleaded with the police to launch immediate investigations that would bring the culprits to book.
Coordinator for ward 46, Sylvester Bekiewopo said he was part of the team that was attacked by the youths. He said he later reported the matter at the police station where he also made a statement.
Bekiewopo claimed that the attackers, who were in possession of cutlasses and long sticks, identified themselves as APC supporters and asserted that they were causing trouble because the election results are not in their favour.
"When we were attacked, they asked us to surrender all the elections materials to them including the compiled results. When we refused, they forcefully took the materials into the bush and burnt everything. Fortunately, the results were not in the boxes so we brought the results to the district office," he explained.
When contacted, APC chairman in Kenema district, Prince Kamara said he was informed that NEC officials were attacked and polling materials burnt but the allegation that the attackers are APC supporters is yet to be established.
Regional crime officer east, Samuel Sani Sesay confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police and that he ordered police personnel to the scene immediately and some of the suspects have been arrested. He said their matter would be charged to court without delay.
"This is a criminal offence committed not by a political party but individuals themselves so the law will deal with them individually," he said.
As part of his report of the said attack, NEC elections officer Phillip Kargbo mentioned that residents of about seven villages did not vote in the local government elections for fear of being attacked on elections day.
"According to residents of Tanaboya, Teibo Greema and Woniega, they did not vote because two days to the polls, they were attacked perpetually by unidentified youths who threatened to attack them if they go out to vote on that day. This act is unacceptable and the police need to investigate it properly," he said.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: APC Thugs Burn Election Materials
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 07:02:53 07/10/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
APC's thuggery is nothing strange to the nation because that is the modus operandi of the party.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: APC Thugs Burn Election Materials
From: Thug No 1
To: All
Date Posted: 10:27:12 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
Message:
So what??What is the big deal??
Subject: Lucky Sierra Leone Women..bless president Koroma
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 02:53:35 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: sotie_jawara@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-141-156-216-126.res.east.verizon.net at 141.156.216.126
Message:
Hon. Zainab Hawa Bangura said it in 2002 and it has happened, she is enjoying her steak in politics, so are many women. President Koroma has elevated many women but they are still demanding more , that is wasabaliya and it should stop. If they are not satisfied, they can form their politicl party , defeat A.P.C. and take power for good happenings... What happened to their MOP MOVEMENT? Sorry, but it is understandable, if president Koroma had refused to give them important positions , organized stike or silent revolution, many men would be left to cook , clean, sleep alone etc . Serious family problems with much headaches and less A.P.C. PILLS. ENJOY NOW women BECAUSE MANY OF YOU WILL BE FORCED OUT WHEN FAYIMBA ......POWER.
Subject: Re: Lucky Sierra Leone Women..bless president Koroma
From: 45-55
To: All
Date Posted: 10:33:56 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
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Quite true and His Excellency would be nominated an Honorary Member of 50-50 Group in their next AGM
Subject: BENEFIT OF A UNITED STATES OF AFRICA
From: United States of Africa
To: All
Date Posted: 02:00:31 07/09/08 ()
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Entered From: ip24-251-6-144.ph.ph.cox.net at 24.251.6.144
Message:
Our fore fathers have for long been advocating for the formation of a united states of africa. Let's discuss the benefits and disadvantages
Subject: I AGREE WITH THE MOTION FILED BY CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 00:48:32 07/09/08 ()
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The Treason Trial of Omrie Golley and Contract Judges
by Mohamed Suma on Nov 11, 2006,
The current stalemate in the treason trial of the state vs. Omrie Golley and the Others is certainly as a result of the inadequacies in the legal system which is symptomatic of the urgency and extent of reform required by the Judiciary. The Defence counsel for Omrie Golley, Charles Margai, filed in two motions in the Supreme Court which have resulted in the opening of canister of worms that have been, over the years eating into the structure of the Judiciary. The first motion was filed on the 24th February 2006 contesting the credibility of Justice Ademusu to sit on the matter, since he is a contract judge. Under sec 136(2) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, the President may appoint someone to serve as judge despite the fact he has reached the age of retirement as prescribed by Sec 137
of same. The legal issue is not the manner of appointment, but the lack of security of tenure of the appointed Judge. If the judge’s appointment is not specific, he may continue to serve until it is revoked by the President; meaning he can only continue to serve at the pleasure of the President. The lack of security of tenure, therefore, undermines the independence of the judge. Mr. Margai is of the assumption that his client would not get a fair trial in a court presided by a judge whose tenure, and therefore his independence is not certain, especially when the case involve treason.
When the Supreme Court met on 7th March 2006 to discuss the issue, Mr. Margai made an application for the Chief Justice not to sit on the matter by virtue of the second motion he filed on the 6th March 2006. The motion was for the Chief Justice Ade Renner-Thomas to recluse himself from the decision to be taken on the 24th February 2006 motion because he, (the Chief Justice) had discussed and formed an opinion on the motion outside court.
The Court is yet to give decisions on these issues. The main problem at this juncture is that, most of the Justices that will be sitting on the matter are contract judge as well. Thus, they cannot sit on a matter which affects them. This has, therefore, continue to delay Mr. Golley’s trial process. Certainly, the Defence will not choose to put these motions aside because they want to speed up the trial. For the outcome of these motions may serve as important precedents in our judiciary. Mr. Margai has succeeded in opening a Pandora’s Box that requires all the attention. Post-conflict Sierra Leone cannot afford a lame duck judiciary that serves only the ruling class and their stooges; like it used to happen on the eve of the decade long civil war. In fact, it was as a result of this majority of sierra Leoneans lost confidence in the judiciary and some of them used extra- judicial means to resolve their conflict.
That said, it is important that due attention is given to the matter. Furthermore, the Law Reform Commission should also amend sec 136(3) by way of either giving fixed tenure to the contract judges or totally repealing the provision. Remember, “justice delayed, is justice denied”!!!
The SLCMP announces the establishment of two regional offices in Bo and Makeni. The offices started operations in September 2006. Both offices are staffed with court monitors and outreach officers. The staff members in the two regional offices will cover the surrounding districts as well. That is to say, the Makeni office will monitor court proceedings in Makeni, Magburuka and Kabala, and staffs in the Bo office monitor proceedings in Bo, Pujehun, and Kenema districts. The SLCMP monitor the various courts at the following levels: the general conduct of proceedings including access to the courtroom and documentation; basic procedural propriety; substantive legal issues and decisions; and issues such as strategy, process, and judicial economy.
Additionally, monitors are also assigned to monitor various issues in the courts including but limited to sexual violence, juvenile issues, undue delays in the trial process, prolong pre-trial detention. The findings of the monitoring process are reported in the monthly editions of the SLCMP Newsletter, discussed in our regular radio programmes and also posted on the website: www.slcmp.org
The SLCMP was established in the April 2004 to monitor the Special Court. It extended monitoring activities to the national institutions (national court, Anti Corruption Commission, follow –up on the TRC recommendations) in September 2005. The essence of monitoring these institutions is to ensure their accountability to the people of Sierra Leone and enhance the people’s confidence in them, for it’s the lack of confidence in the judiciary that made people to use extra-judicial means in solving dispute (the decade long civil war).
© 2006 Standard Times Press -
Subject: SIERRA LEONE'S TREASON TRIAL: WHAT NEXT FOR GOLLEY?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 00:28:03 07/09/08 ()
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The Treason Trial of Omrie Golley and Two Others: Justice Must Be Done
By Allieu Vandi Koroma
Jul 28, 2007 -
The treason trial of Omrie Golley and two others resumed on Thursday, 28th June 2007 at High Court No.2 presided over by Justice Mary Sey from the Republic of the Gambia, eighteen months after the Prosecution opened its case. It could be recalled that Omrie Golley together with Mohamed Bah and David Kai Tongi were arrested in January last year on allegations of planning to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone and to assassinate Vice President Solomon Berewa. Since the inception of the case in February 2006, there had been series of motions/applications bordering on a wide range of issues including the eligibility of the then presiding Judge, Justice Samuel Ademusu, a contract judge to preside over the matter which temporarily grounded the trial. These procedural difficulties were only settled very recently thus starting the trial again. However, the euphoria that accompanied the restart of proceedings is fast dissipating as the case continues to be adjourned for trivial reasons. The problem is multi-faceted and cannot be laid at the door step of the judiciary alone. The prisons department and the police cannot be exonerated; they all stand to be implicated in the current derailment in the course of justice in this all important trial.
It is gradually becoming a norm for the accused persons not to be brought for trial for preventable reasons principal amongst which are the lack of security forces to convey prisoners to and from the courtroom and the non availability of fuel for prison vehicles. Since the resumption of the case four weeks ago, there have been no less than five adjournments for such reasons. The presiding Magistrate in Freetown’s Court No.3, Bankole Shyllon, on Friday 6th July 2007 said in open court that the Master and Registrar had to plead with the Inspector General of Police to provide fuel for vehicles to bring prisoners to court. According to the Magistrate, “Mr. Acha promised to provide a gallon of petrol for prisoners to be brought to court”. What confounds the SLCMP is how those responsible for the provision of fuel for prison vehicles could continuously fail to provide for such basic and essential requirement and by the same token why do the police fail to provide security for conveying of prisoners to and from the court on daily basis? This administrative malaise only exposes the ineptitude of very important state institutions with its attendant effect on the expeditious administration of justice. Although I must state that these excuses are not peculiar in the case of Golley and the two others alone, however, taking into account the seriousness of the allegations, this matter should be prioritised without prejudice to other cases in the interests of justice.
The disorganisation plaguing the judiciary is sometimes exposed when the accused succeeds to make it to the court. There one problem trails another: the presiding judge is either out of jurisdiction or one of the parties is not present in court. For instance, although the accused did not come to court on the 10th July this year because of, according to the prison officials, lack of police personnel to escort them, even if they had made it, there was not going to be a trial since the judge was, according to court officials, busy making arrangements at the British High Commission to travel abroad. When the accused made an appearance in court on the 17th of same, the presiding judge was out of jurisdiction reportedly attending to family affairs.
The parties to the case do share their own part of the blame in undermining expeditiousness. On the part of the Defence, the lead counsel, Charles Margai, is a politician running for the Presidency in the August 11 elections. He is currently busy traversing the country seeking votes hence giving him little time to concentrate on his lawyer-client responsibilities. For example, when an important issue of screening jurors in the matter came up earlier this month, Mr. Margai, who had applied for the trial to be conducted without a jury but was rejected, was not in court. He was however represented by his colleague. The accused persons were not represented when a medical letter issued by the prison’s doctor concerning their deteriorating health was rejected. The Prosecution on its part is most often overwhelmed by the numerous cases it has to prosecute. Since the lead prosecutor, Oladipo Robin-Mason, cannot be at two places simultaneously, he frequently asks for an adjournment in the most serious of cases where it is judged that he cannot send a representative. Consequently, over 30 adjournments have been sought as a result of judicial inertia.
Judicial expediency has been greatly undermined in the trial under review. Premised on the maxim of innocent until proved guilty by a competent court of law, an accused should be tried within a reasonable time. This right is firmly entrenched in both national and international legislations and suffers no exemptions. According to the European Convention on Human Rights, the reasonable time guarantee runs from the moment that an individual is subject to a charge; but in a case where the charge is delayed, or subsequent charges are added it may be the date of a person’s initial arrest, or the date on which the accused becomes aware that he is being “seriously investigated”. In certain situations, the operative date will be the date of the first interview. In the said case, this entrenched principle is yet to be adhered to. Eighteen months after their arrest and subsequent detention, substantive trial is still far from beginning. The matter has not been treated with the robustness that is characteristic of an all important case like a treason trial. In fact, with the current political atmosphere overshadowing almost all other issues both in the public and private domain and the looming judicial recess, the case risks being left unattended to until after the election dust has settled which would probably be sometime in September.
It must be noted that whatever the allegations are, the accused persons should not be prejudiced against and their rights as embodied in national legislation must be safeguarded. The accused persons, particularly the First Accused, have been constantly complaining about suffering from life threatening conditions with little done to ameliorate their predicaments. In fact on the 23rd July, 2007 the presiding judge rejected a medical letter from Dr. Conte-Coker, the prison’s medical officer, on behalf of the First and Third Accused persons for want of detail explanation on the specifics of ailments. Moreover, with over a dozen prisoners reported to have died in the past eight weeks, the medical complaints by accused persons should be a particular cause for concern.
Justice, it should be remembered is a two-way street: justice for the victim as well as for the accused. Premised on the recognition of protection of human rights, it behoves everyone connected with the justice sector to work assiduously to ensure that justice is done. So far in this trial, all those involved have failed to prove their dedication to the task of upholding justice. If this is the case for such a high profile case, tracked avidly by the media, then the prospect for the vast impoverished and nameless majority is bleak indeed. The SLCMP urges all, particularly the judiciary, the prisons and police to properly network and exert all efforts, to ensure that the justice system live up to its name and that the rule of law at last be solidly embedded in our society.
© Copyright 2007 by SLCMP
Subject: Re: SIERRA LEONE'S TREASON TRIAL: WHAT NEXT FOR GOLLEY?
From: Next
To: All
Date Posted: 10:31:30 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
Message:
I propose Omrie Golley be appointed our Ambassador to Liberia, and Mohamed Bah and Tongi be pushed into either Police Force or the Army
Subject: LIBERIA'S TREASON TRIAL; CAN THESE PEOPLE BE TRIED TWICE?
From: Freedom of Speech
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Date Posted: 00:22:22 07/09/08 ()
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Liberian Justice Minister Dismisses Court Ruling As ’disappointing’
May 6, 2008
Liberia’s Minister of Justice Philip Banks has on Tuesday condemned as ‘disappointing’ the verdict of the Criminal Court ‘A’ in the treason case in which the accused persons; Charles Julu and Andrew Dorbor were set free.
The Criminal Court ‘A’ Friday acquitted former Armed Forces of Liberia General Charles Julu and Colonel Andrew Dorbor of the charge of treason.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Peter Geweneweleh said the prosecution failed miserably to prove any element of treason against Dorbor and Julu, and that there were ‘discrepancies and contradictions’ in the testimonies of state witnesses.
But in his reaction in an interview with APA on Tuesday, Justice Minister Banks said the judgment demonstrates the judge’s ‘incompetence’ as a judge, and vowed that the government would gather more evidence to pursue the treason case against Julu and Dorbor.
The two former Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) officials were charged with treason for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-led government.
Last December, the jury empaneled by the Criminal Court ‘A’ then under the jurisdiction of Judge Milton Taylor, found Julu and Dorbor guilty of treason, but the judge called for a retrial after defense lawyers claimed that the jurors were bribed to pass the verdict.
Source African Press Agency
Subject: ANALYZE THIS
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 23:15:22 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
"Making love to a mutilated woman is an unfulfilled task where the male gets to be the only party that reaches climax while the woman is left to starve in a revelry that is meant for two."
(Sidonluk A Farewell To Dis Bondo Business )
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Subject: Re: ANALYZE THIS
From: Papay
To: All
Date Posted: 10:33:04 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.183.69
Message:
I have analysed it.
King Loggy yu nar man.
Subject: Re: ANALYZE THIS
From: Jane Doe
To: All
Date Posted: 04:20:13 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
It is a myth or a generalisation my dear to believe that only the male gets to reach the climax during love making with an FGM woman. Besides, my man do not need Lev1tra, viagra or any illegal stuff to satisfy my urge. But is it really true that Marijuana is potent enough for erection? Just curious.
Subject: Re: ANALYZE THIS
From: Omotunde Williams
To: All
Date Posted: 11:04:40 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-137-227-214.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.137.227.214
Message:
"Yet, amazingly some of those advocating the perpetration of such savagery are the very educated men and women one would expect should enlighten our under/misinformed mothers and sisters of our societies about the shortcomings of unconventional practices that no longer have a place in our times."
"... it is high time our educated men and women took off their primitive cultural goggles and look at this type of barbarism for the cruelty it stands for."
(Sidonluk A Farewell To Dis Bondo Business )
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Subject: Re: ANALYZE THIS
From: Settler
To: All
Date Posted: 15:46:40 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: Settler @yahoo.com
Entered From: cache4.nccr.epa.gov at 134.67.6.14
Message:
Orman will forever be living in the dark ages. Neither Oxford nor Cambridge will uproot the thick bush roots that holds him in place. He loves cold cuts, and thats whats on the menu. And by the way, thats where his strong body odor comes from.
Subject: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 23:01:44 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
AN OPEN REQUEST TO Mr.Farah Marrah.
Mr.Marrah,I will be very obliged if you can be good enough to lead me to a witness who will corroborate your claim Abdulia Conteh confessed that the Treason charges against Dr.Mohamed Sorie Fornah and 14 others were false.
Frankly,taking on Abdulia Conteh by me,is not anything I will have to think about twice.I agree he is superbly educated but that is far from the issue.The issue here has to do with some one who lay claim to the discipline of Law and who should know its basic tenets.For some one of his background to suborn perjury or rail road people into making false testimony just to convict people in desperate attempt to gain public office is something I will continue not to believe until it is corroborated by an eye witness account.
In accordance with the applicable principles of natural law and the concept of justice,Conteh remains innocent of those alleagations until I have had the opportunity to substantiate the veracity of it.Once I am able to talk to a third party who is prepared to say that he heard Conteh said something to the effect then will you guys in the forum know that it does not have to take an Oxford or Cambridge education to take on Abdulia Conteh.
I hope you make it a point of duty to do so as expeditiously as possible.If I attempt to take him on now and expose him,people will question my intelligence without the neceaasry evidence.But where I have the evidence to the effect,even his own relatives and supporters will see where i am coming from.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: Farrah Marrah
To: All
Date Posted: 11:19:15 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.99
Message:
Read it and be "EDUCATED", Kutubu Koroma
Separation Of Powers In Democracy: A Look At S/L
Posted by Dr. Abdulai O.Conteh on November 11, 2007 at 02:39:40:
For good governance to obtain, the three branches of government – the executive, the legislature and the judiciary - must be separate and independent of one another, and each must have the requisite power to fulfill its functions. The constitutional provisions that ensure the separation of powers must not merely exist on paper, but rather must be developed and reaffirmed continuously in their application. A failure to respect this separation inevitably allows one branch of government – most often the executive – to act in an unaccountable fashion and to influence or undermine the work of the other two. A government that permits little or no restraint on its own powers is an authoritarian government, which epitomizes bad governance. In analyzing the pre war period in Sierra Leone, the Commission regards authoritarianism, wherever it occurred, as a direct cause of injustice and, accordingly, as a cause of the conflict.
The Independence Constitution of Sierra Leone in 1961 created a parliamentary system in the Westminster mould, with apparently less than absolute separation of powers between the three branches of government. The Governor General delegated executive power to the Prime Minister and his cabinet, who were chosen from among Members of Parliament.
Promisingly, the Constitution created room for checks and balances in the relationship between the executive and the legislature. For example, every decision of the Prime Minister was subject to Parliamentary approval and the Governor General had to be notified in advance. Equally, the Governor General could not act on major issues such as the proposed dissolution of the Parliament without the approval of Prime Minister. Moreover, the Governor General could not remove the Prime Minister from office unless it appeared to him that the Prime Minister no longer commanded the support of a majority of the Members of Parliament.
However, at the practical level, parliament’s ability to hold the executive to account was restricted. At the time of independence in April 1961, Parliament comprised of a loose coalition of Members from various parties who had been brought together a year earlier by the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). In a spirit of compromise on the eve of independence, representatives with contrasting political beliefs had formed the cross-party United National Front to secure a smooth transition into self-rule. The main beneficiary of this arrangement was the SLPP, which managed to subsume most of its opposing parties by awarding Ministerial positions to their leaders in the first independence government. This crude exercise in coalition building by the SLPP marked the beginning of weakened party politics in Parliament, undermined the relationship of individual politician’s with the executive branch and disabled Parliament’s capacity to check executive excesses in subsequent eras.
The independence settlement created two judicial tiers of contrasting character. The first, superior tier was set up to dispense English common law and its courtrooms modeled themselves on their English counterparts. There were three courts operating under English common law: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court. They mainly served inhabitants of the capital Freetown and the surrounding Western Area. There were no Magistrate Courts until Act No. 31 of 1965 provided for their establishment.
This superior tier of the judiciary remained separate from the executive during the period from 1961 to 1964. It had control over its own financial resources, operating an autonomous ‘Judiciary Account’ into which all monies obtained from court fines or charges, as well as Government allocat1ons, were deposited directly. The Chief Justice and all judges of the High Court had tenure of office until 62 years of age. They could only be removed in very limited circumstances, with the approval of the Judicial Service Commission. The Attorney General was not classified as ministerial Office but as a public one, to which non-politicians with the necessary legal qualifications would be appointed. The Commission found no evidence of any direct executive interference in the operations of the superior tier during Sir Milton Margai’s regime.
The second tier consisted of local ‘courts’ in the Provinces, wherever 80% of the population lived. The ‘courts’ were a facet of the traditional system of customary law and depended on the moral authority of Chiefs and community elders. Act No. 20 of 1963, which formalized this second tier, contained no provision for legal practitioners to have audience before the local courts. During Sir Milton Margai’s regime, the executive abused the local court system to suppress the activities of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party at Chiefdom level.
The death of Sir Milton Margai in 1964 and the assumption of the office of Prime Minister by his brother, Sir Albert Margai, brought about ominous changes in the checks and balances between the executive, Parliament and the judiciary. Using the ambiguous Section 58 (2) of the Constitution, the Governor General appointed Sir Albert Margaias Prime Minister without any formal procedure to ascertain whether he/or any of the other contenders for the position commanded the support of the majority in the House. It was a classic case of imposed executive supremacy over Parliament.
Thereafter Parliament increasingly squandered its opportunities to curb executive excesses. It failed to block Prime Minister Albert Margai’s misuse of Government funds for personal gain because it hardly bothered to monitor public income and expenditure. For example, the opposition APC newspaper “We Yone” alleged that Sir Albert had used huge sums of money to buy buildings in Washington and London, which he then rented to the Sierra Leone Missions in those countries for private gain. Parliament failed to investigate these allegations, despite the need to transmit a clear message of accountability to the general public. This lapse precipitated a sense of resignation among Sierra Leoneans that corruption was an inevitable indulgence of government, in which Parliament was far more likely to acquiesce than to find fault or demand sanction.
Parliament failed to study or challenge effectively the Bills that could have made Sierra Leone a one-party State in 1966 and it supported the Absenteeism Bill, which led to the removal from Parliament of four members of the opposition in 1965. Similarly, there was no democratic dissent to the objectionable Public Order Act of 1965. The laws that came through Parliament in this period gave wide powers to the Executive to clamp down on opposition activities and dissent. The legacies of this regime would be used extensively in later years to bypass the judiciary and eliminate opponents of the government through arbitrary arrest and detention.
Other actions during Sir Albert Margai’s rule that set the trend towards increased executive dominance included the promotion of Chief Justice Bankole-Jones to Presidency of The Court of Appeal in order to replace him with the entirely unqualified Gershon Collier. The latter was a close associate of Sir Albert Margai and his role as Chief Justice would allow him to sit on election petition cases and manipulate them in favour of the ruling SLPP.
Sir Albert Margai also used the local courts and Chiefs to restrain the opposition party’s activities yet more severely. He acquired the power to appoint the President of Native Administrative Courts through the Local Court Act of 1963 and thereby completely robbed the local judiciary of its independence. The courts became practically an extension of the SLPP party machine, proceeding to harass APC stalwarts in places such as Koya Chiefdom and Makeni Town in 1965.
After the disgraceful election standoff, in March 1967 the constitution was suspended and all executive and legislative power was concentrated in the hands of the junta called the National Reformation Council (NRC), which ruled by decree. Thus there was no separation of powers or checks and balances as the actions of the military council could not be challenged in any court of law.
Although democratic government was purportedly reinstated with the inauguration of Siaka Stevens and the APC, the separation of powers would in fact suffer a series of devastating reverses from 1968onwards. The first fundamental blow occurred in April 1971 when Sierra Leone was made a Republic with an executive President. The manner in which this major constitutional change was effected seemed to confirm the demise of both Parliament and the judiciary as institutions capable of averting Stevens’ drive towards absolute power. Fewer than ten out of the sixty parliamentarians opposed the Republican Bill of 1971.
The Republican Bill made changes to the Independence Constitution, with the Chief Justice replacing the Queen as a ceremonial Head of State. Within 48 hours of the creation of the Republic and the swearing-in of Chief Justice Cole, however, Parliament adopted further constitutional changes, transforming this ceremonial Presidency into an executive one. The Chief Justice, who had just been sacked as ceremonial President, then swore in the Prime Minister, Siaka Stevens, as executive President. This extraordinary sequence of events represented a fatal complicity by the judiciary in its own subordination and manipulation by the executive.
With such a stranglehold on power, Stevens and his associates arranged for important court cases to be tried by their friends, tribesmen and loyal servants. In the notorious treason trial of Mohamed Sorie Forna and 14 others from 1971 to 1973, a relative of the then First Vice-President, Sorie Ibrahim Koroma, served as a juror. According to memoirs published subsequently, the trial judge briefed the Vice-President about the progress of the case on a daily basis.
Inevitably, the term of the head of government (now the President) was to be extended without reference to the electorate, despite his original tenure as Prime Minister having been limited to a period of five years. Parliament became nothing more than a rubber stamp institution. In 1970 and 1972, without much debate or scrutiny, Parliament endorsed two decisions by the executive that have significantly hampered the development of the country. First the closure of the Sierra Leone railway, which served as a vital link between the capital and the Provinces, was endorsed by Parliament without reference to the potential economic consequences for the population. Second, in 1972, Parliament blindly approved the abolition of District Councils and elected Local Government. These were archetypal bad governance decisions, for they centralized power and influence in Freetown, whilst suffocating the delivery of resources and services to the majority population in the Provinces.
Court cases involving elections under the APC were decided in favour of the APC by a compliant judiciary. Violent by-elections conducted under a state of emergency between 1969 and 1970 led to the loss of 23SLPP opposition seats. Thus by the time the Republican Constitution was passed in 1971, the APC commanded more than the two-thirds majority necessary to pass whatever bill it deemed necessary. With an executive President and an obedient legislature and judiciary, the creation of a dictatorial system and destruction of state institutions took hold.
The promulgation of a one-party constitution in 1978 unmasked all pretence to democracy and the principle of separation of powers from the Siaka Stevens regime. Chapter III, Section 21 (4) of the 1978Constitution personalized the office of President - solely for Siaka Stevens - and extended his term of office to seven years. In the moment the Constitution took effect, the 11 SLPP members still in Parliament were given the stark choice of joining the APC or losing their seats. To their discredit, all of them joined the APC.
Powers vested in the President, in relation to both Parliament and the judiciary, were substantially increased under the One-Party Constitution. Chapter IV, Section 34 gave the President the power to appoint an Electoral Commissioner who would be responsible solely to him. Also, the central committee of the party, controlled by the President, was entitled to reject candidates for Parliament even where such people were the choice of the people in their constituencies.
Constitutional provisions also simplified the procedures under which electoral candidates could be returned unopposed, a practice that was frequently invoked. Parliamentarians elected in the one-party state were only accountable to the president and the APC party machinery. There was essentially no check on the actions of the executive. In one example that became infamous across the continent, Parliament failed to scrutinize the budget outlay for the hosting of the OAU in 1980, allowing scarce national revenue to be wasted on the megalomania of President Stevens.
The Auditor General had been mandated by Constitutions since 1961 to oversee government finances and ensure their outlay in the manner provided for by parliament. However, whilst the institution worked relatively effectively during Sir Milton Margai’s regime, its capacity to ensure sound financial monitoring gradually diminished from the time of Sir Albert Margai through to the eve of the conflict. As government expenditure passed unregulated, corruption blossomed. The quality of service provision in the public sector plummeted across the spectrum; affecting security and justice just a sit affected health and education. Meanwhile other oversight bodies such as the Electoral Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman were rendered equally redundant.
Yet perhaps the most flagrant breach of the separation of powers under President Stevens was reserved for the executive’s control of the judiciary. Section 113 of the One-Party constitution stipulated that the President would appoint the Chief Justice (the head of the judiciary). The President also had the right to suspend the Chief Justice or, acting in accordance with the advice of the First Vice-President, any other judge.
Judges abandoned their independence to preserve their jobs, as they faced the possibility of arbitrary removal or suspension if they incurred the displeasure of the executive. The provision in the1978 constitution permitting the President to compulsorily “retire” judges who had attained the age of 55 was a potent weapon in the hands of the executive. It was especially so because most of the judges were well past the age of 55 at the time the Constitution came into effect. In its most abusive application the provision was cited to depose two successive Chief Justices of the country, namely Justice. O. E. Cole and Justice Livesey Luke.
The financial autonomy of judges was also far from assured. The determination of their conditions of service was subject to the one-party parliament and any improvement of these conditions required prior approval from the President. The self-accounting system that enabled the judiciary to have control over its income was discontinued. The judiciary thus became wholly financially dependent on the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry provided inadequate resources and the arrangement precipitated the ascendancy of corrupt practices throughout the justice system.
Another act of contempt towards the separation of powers was the merger of the Office of Attorney General with that of Minister of Justice by the 1978 constitution. The Minister, also a Member of Parliament, retained supervisory power over the judiciary, and gained discretionary power in the prosecution of cases. Thus the joint office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice became a fusion of executive, legislative, judicial and prosecutorial powers, and it remains just as problematic to the present day.
The ruling political class assumed absolute power and carved out a’ legal position’ that deprived all its opponents of their basic rights as Sierra Leoneans. The outright supremacy of the executive and its domination of the other arms of government did not alter under President Momoh’s tenure of office between 1985 and 1992. The one party constitution that destroyed the doctrine of separation of powers was firmly in place, along with the devastating perception on the part of many opponents that only armed rebellion could bring it down.
Subject: Re: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 12:19:38 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
I cannot believe that Abdulia Conteh was brazen enough to make this posting.Tis fellow Conteh is less of a human being.He is no better than Idi Amin or Hitler.Abdulia Conteh serves as Foreign Minister to Stevens from May 1977,and was reassigned to the Minstry of Finance after which he was dumped by Stevens.He was in office while everything he is accusing Stevens of doing took place and he said nothing or resigned in protest and any decent human being who is born free will be expected to do.Does this fundamentally dishonest guy who took fraudulent travelling documents to Britain where he was locked up in jail and eventually deported really thinks he is dealing with ignoramuses like himself? I can see why the conference of Heads rejected his bid twice for the OAU and AU headship because the fellow is totally bereft of personal moral integrity and self pride.Believe me,i did not go to his so called Cambdridge University but if this is what he got from there ,well,i have no regrets not ever going there.In every constitutional law breaking Stevens orchestrated,he was part and parcle of it.I recall in September 1977 when he came here and at the embassy in Washington DC what he said about Steven's leadership.Is this the same Conteh writing such an irresponsible clap trap for the citizens of Sierra Leone?Perhaps,his children may be enamored of it but believe me,we are too intelligent for a miscreant like Conteh to take us for a ride.In due course on this forum,he will learn from me what i have in store for him.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 11:54:24 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Farrah,i am not intrested in what Abdulia's posting.You made an allegation about the Fornah prosecution in which you claimed Conteh impeached the integrity of the charges against them.My request to you is very simple.Who was there when he made the remarks?.That is all i want to know.There is nothing in that posting that i do not know.As a matter of fact when the discussion forum of Awareness Times returns,please chech for my postings under the caption Sierra Leone at 47,all those information are covered.
Again,give me names or the name of any one who was present when Conteh spoke on the Fornah case.If you dont have it say so.The allegation itself came from you and it is posted here.What is there that you cannot simply understand?
Subject: Re: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: political
To: All
Date Posted: 01:50:27 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip24-251-6-144.ph.ph.cox.net at 24.251.6.144
Message:
Mr. Koroma, if the assumption that Ibrahim sorie and others were guilty of the offense, can you come up with your prove without having to wait for Dr. Conteh? It is an important historical discussion for some of us who were not yet born during that episode to learn.
Subject: Re: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 07:21:48 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.political,the question here does not talk of their guilt.Mr Marrah has claimed that Abdulia Conteh suggested the case against them were made up.I have a lot to say about it,and also the question Abdulia Conteh asked me when i visited him at the Justice Department on this very issue.I like all citizens accepted the verdict that was rendered in the case which was guilt.
For the chief prosecutor to turn around and say that the evidence was false raises fundamentally serious troubling questions.All i want Mr.Marrah to do is to lead me to some one who can confirm that indeed Conteh said something to the effect.What is about to reopen here will have very serious ramifications for Conteh when the battle royal between he and i unfold.
If you can recall on this very forum,there were similar charges in the Francis Minah case.I was privy to the charges and the counter charges by the affected groups.It eerily reminded me of the sad chapter in Nigeria's political violence in 1966 between the Igbos and the Hausas.All i am waiting for is a confirmation and Abdulia Conteh will know that he does not hold any monopoly in either the queen's language or academia itself and that no one especially Kutubu Koroma lionizes him to the extent he cannot be stood up to.That is the Alpha and Omega of what is about to be unfolded in the saga between Conteh and I.For now,i am going to take the position that he did not say so.In law,the burden of proof is on us his chief accusers.It is for us to to come up with the prepondrance of evidence against him that will see the light of day.That explains why i am going to this length to obtain it.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: political
To: All
Date Posted: 11:15:44 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.237
Message:
Sir, as a young and curious sierra leonean who read a lot about that treason trial, I am very anxious to know the other side of the coin. You said in your piece "Mr.political,the question here does not talk of their guilt." but at the end of the same paragraph you also urge people to accept the verdict as guilty. " I like all citizens accepted the verdict that was rendered in the case which was guilt". History is sometimes manipulated by people to support their point that is why I am always weiry of political history especially in Africa. My question to you now is in your understanding of that trial, did the accused guilty or not? Let's forget about den say since Abdulai Conteh may not be willing to involve in this matter. As citizens who want to know the truth can you help us dive into this important matter as a citizens conversation?
Subject: Re: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 11:31:59 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.political,you are still not getting the issue in this complex problem.The jury returned a guilty verdict.That was what was presented the nation.Personally,i did not welcome the verdict.If you follow America's jurisprudence,there was a case in North Carolina against some students who were accused of rape.It turned out that the Diatrict Attorney Mr.Fung,used evidence he knew were false.That is what is at the heart of this new disclosure.Mr.Marrah has just said Abdulia Conteh who was the principal prosecutor in the case,remarked that the evidence was fales.When did he know the evidence was fales?When he knew what did he do to prevent monumental miscarriage of justice?Why is he only coming out now to make such explosive disclosure?If Fornah's case was based on lies,why should we not believe that was also true of Minah and others?.These are the issues at stake.I know his arrogant and vainglorious self will not respond,but that is the least i care about.What i am looking foward is for another person to say,he or she was there when he made such outlandish statements.That is all i need before i go after him.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma.
Subject: Re: OPEN REQUEST TO MR.FARRAH MARRAH.
From: political
To: All
Date Posted: 18:47:32 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.237
Message:
Thanks bro plain and simpe.
Subject: WAS DR,SARIF ESMOND A GATHERING THREAT TO NATIONAL UNITY?
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 22:07:48 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
WAS DR.SARIF ESMOND A GATHERING THREAT TO NATIONAL POLITICAL STABILITY?
Dr Esmond the M edical Doctor turned play write and political activist was more of an interlocutor who relished the lime light than some one who championed a cause.
For example between 1966 running to the 1967 general election,he created an aura of personality for himself that self-servingly made him assumed the role of the conscience of the society.He took upon himself to challenge every legislative proposal by the Albert Margai as long as such legislations were not tailored in manners that suited his idiosyncrasies.He was front and center on the republican and one party forms of administration on the part of Albert Margai.In the March 17,1967 election impasse,he was one of those who prevailed on Stevens not to capitulate to any negotiated political settlement suggested by the Governor General Sir.Henry.
In 1967,the NRC appointed him chairman of the CRC to advise them on the modality of governance.At the inaugural meeting,he used the occasion to lambaste the military foe meddling in the politics of the nation and went further to issue stern warning to them to return to the barracks without further delay and never again to interfere in the politics of the nation.
He sought to play the activist opposition to Siaka Stevens when he came to power.Stevens as every body knew him had no time for political correctness and he did things that conformed to his whims,views,and caprices.When he persisted in his folly,Stevens had no choice nut to put him out of business by keeping him at Pademba road prison in an apparent demonstration as to who was in charge.
In short,Esmond was a grand inquisitor in the political process for his self aggrandizement as opposed to some one with genuine national interests.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: DID SLPP STEAL THE ELECTIONS IN BO?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 20:54:24 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
I hear that APC supporters are still shell-shocked by the brazen, wholesale looting of the ballots by the SLPP in Bo. Why should any one be surprised by this unethical behaviour by the Jagboima Raray Boys? SLPP nar arata dem pan tiff bizness.
First they killed Hingha Norman.
Den, dae tiff the elecshon nar the man ihn backyard.
God nor lek pass mark tin O!
Subject: Re: DID SLPP STEAL THE ELECTIONS IN BO?
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 22:12:55 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
The only way to know of that is for who ever have an airtight evidence to the effect to come forward with it for us to be able to make a valuable deductive argument.
Anything short of that renders the whole exercise subjudice.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Paa Kutubu, check the wrter's name
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 11:28:26 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.183.69
Message:
Q
Which serious man proudly calls himself Uman lappa in public. Think about this?
Ans
Only an APC supporter
Subject: A Farewell To Dis Bondo Business
From: Sidonluk
To: All
Date Posted: 19:32:15 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-137-227-214.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.137.227.214
Message:
According to cultural ethical relativism, ethical values vary between cultures and moral judgments within and about those societies must be based on these particular values.
The theory of cultural relativism may be an important one, but this doesn't mean the world must turn a blind eyes to anti social subcultural standards that are claiming lives and oppressing women and young girls.
A subject around which much debate has been centered has been that of female genital mutilation, a practice imposed on women and children in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and several Arab countries.
Organizations such as the World Health Organization and Amnesty International have adopted policies to stop this barbaric practice> Yet, amazingly some of those advocating the perpetration of such savagery are the very educated men and women one would expect should be giving enlightened advice under/misinformed mothers and sisters of our societies regarding the shortcomings of unconventional practices that no longer have a place in our times.
FGM advocators and cultural relativists alike, argue that since it is a cultural practice, it is therefore not morally wrong to perform such savagery within the particular cultures in which they are practiced. This is tantamount to saying that committing murder is justified in a society where people practice cannibalism.
Wrong is wrong, and it is high time our educated men and women took off their primitive cultural goggles and look at this type of barbarism for the cruelty it stands for.
It is a violation of human rights and destroys a vital organ in the human nature of its victims. Also, because it is done to women and young girls who do not have a voice over what is being done to them, those of us with voice should sound the clarion of condemnation.
FGM involves partial or total removal of the clitoris using crude instruments that usually range from a scalpel to pieces of broken glass, and even lids from tin cans. Usually performed without anesthetic, the victim is usually held down by other women while the barbaric act goes on in the background of drowning by ‘bondo drums’ and loud crazy shrieks.
There is an obvious result from the removal of the clitoris – which is done in nearly all cases of FGM – and that is a failure to experience sexual pleasure. . I would trade the prettiest genital mutilated woman any day for the ugliest woman in the world.
Making love to a mutilated woman is an unfulfilled task where the male gets to be the only party that reaches climax while the woman is left to starve in a revelry that is meant for two.
A more unambiguous comparison is like having an urge to fart but incapacitated to do so because the mechanism that generates the process has been extricated. Former US president, Bill Clinton, would probably compare it to inhaling without exhaling.
Highly sensitized men who have experienced the pleasures of enjoying real sexual rapport with non-mutilated women, as well as non-mutilated or women I refer to as fully equipped, do have a moral duty to engage in the fight against FGM, so that this cultural malpractice can be eradicated for good.
To argue that removing part of the vagina with the lid of a tin can is not cruel, inhuman or degrading is to be off one’s freaking mind, in a world where the genitals are considered to be the most private part of our bodies.
We teach our children never to let anyone touch their ‘privates’, and not to show them to others unless it is a consenting situation. Considering the function of the genitals, for excretion and sexual pleasure, there is justifiable reason for us to do so.
FGM is an extremely painful procedure the physical complications of which include infections, urinary tract obstruction, incontinence, death from infections, shock or hemorrhage, and other injuries that arise as victims struggle in the hands of their perpetrators, who like in the case of Sierra Leone are usually heavily intoxicated.
Girls are sometimes taken from their homes, lured and and forced to have this most private part of their bodies removed in a most painful fashion. At times,
they know what is about to happen to them, but other times, they don’t.
Reasons given for the practice of FGM vary from culture to culture. However, the common theme for a number of cultures practicing it appears to be the control of the woman’s sexuality by men. Due to the backward nature as well as the cultural taboos of such cultures, female sensual parts like the breast or clitoris have no sensual/sexual significance to majority of these men who look at the female organ as some filthy object.
Well, what would you do if you were born blind and received a 34" flatscreen high definition TV as a gift? Use it as a radio perhaps?
However, back to the topic, in such cultures, men believe that by taking away a woman’s sexual pleasure, her incentive to be unfaithful will be taken away.
In the most extensive form of FGM, infibulations, the vagina is actually sewn closed after cutting and must be reopened by the man to which the woman is married, or a member of his family, before intercourse can occur, thereby assuring that the woman is a virgin upon marriage.
It is not the woman, or girl, who freely decides to undergo FGM after being given the option not to, but rather the interests of her future husband – that of ensuring a virgin bride – which dictates that she must undergo this procedure.
As we’ve seen many time at the forum, as was the portrayal in an article entitled ”Hurray for Bondo Women in Kailahun” by one Fuambai Ahmadu, societal sanctions against women who are not circumcised are strong in these societies.
Lacking both social and economic power, these women rely on marriage to offer economic security. As men will not marry an uncircumcised woman, they are trapped into undergoing FGM, thereby begging the question what sort of empowerment the author in Hurray for Bondo Women in Kailahun was referring to.
In the same, "Hurray for Bondo Women in Kailahun" article, the author went on to dismiss this barbaric act as part of their culture. So does this mean that if it is part of their culture, it is not wrong to them, and the rest of the world must accept it?
According to Aristotle, every part of the body; the foot, the eye, etc.has a definite function separate from the human as a whole, and that the goodness of anything, be it flute player, a foot, or whatever has a definite function that lies in that function . The function of the vagina, for a woman, is excretion of urine, sexual pleasure and delivering babies, all of which three functions can be impaired by FGM.
Therefore, according to Aristotle, FGM takes away the goodness inherent in a vagina when it is functioning properly and for this reason mutilating it is wrong. If as adults, women decide to get rid of the most sensual part of their sexuality, then it’s their choice.
Until then, I think young girls should be left to decide their fate, which I think they can do after the age of 21.
Subject: BRILLIANT! I could not have said it better!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 20:45:25 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
BRILLIANT! I could not have said it better!
Subject: Pres. Koroma was ill-advised to move around on election day-
From: Syl
To: All
Date Posted: 18:24:48 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host228.frk.com at 12.47.48.228
Message:
Pres. Koroma was ill-advised to move around on election day- Thorpe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEC Boss Dr. Christiana Thorpe.
The chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Christiana Thorpe has said President Koroma was ill-advised on Election Day to move around from one polling station to another.
Madam Thorpe was reacting to a question asked by the BBC correspondent, Umaru Fofana yesterday at NEC’s post election press conference at the British council on whether the President and her wife moving around on elections day was intimidating or proper. The NEC boss answered that the President and her wife being the first gentleman and woman in the country have the right to move around but said that even though they have the right to move more so to where they were supposed to vote, the President was ill- advised to have moved around with the first lady on polling day from station to station. On that same polling day, the SLPP Secretary General, Jacob Jusu Saffa commented on the moving around of the President, first lady some ministers and Members of Parliament as intimidating in some form. The SLPP secretary general condemned the President for that act.Later on Sunday, the national Elections Watch (NEW) chairman Ngolo Katta too observed that the moving around by the President was not proper. But Information Minister Ibrahim Ben-Kargbo said over the BBC that there was nothing wrong for the President to move around on polling day stating further that he had no other intention.
By Ishmael Bayoh
Subject: Re: Pres. Koroma was ill-advised to move around on election day-
From: Logic
To: All
Date Posted: 05:50:41 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.223.12
Message:
President, as Grand Commander of Armed Forces of Salone,has the rights to see that peace persists.However, if they say President was ill advised, my question will be,who ill advised him??If His Excellency is convinced that he was ill advised, then the Adviser should be fired.
Subject: Re: Pres. Koroma was ill-advised to move around on election day-
From: Mohamed A. kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 16:54:16 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: Saghinosoccerworld@yahoo.com
Entered From: ool-44c6af1f.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.175.31
Message:
Wow! You learn something new everyday. I didn't know that the president, does not have freedom of movement in Sierra Leone, like the rest of us. I hope that policy will be changed very soon.
Subject: Ill-advised my foot... he is just plain weak and stupid
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 10:40:12 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.183.69
Message:
Does EBK not understand why he should not be moving from polling station to polling station on election day?
Lets just say our president will never win an award from brilliance. EBK's dullness is very mature!
Subject: There's no bad bush to throw a bad child(SLPP)
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 17:55:57 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.149.188.188
Message:
The unpatriotic behaviour of the SLPP and their supporters is a serious matter of concern to all Sierra Leoneans. But as the title of this thread indicates, we must now learn to live with these people only because they are part of us.
These people(SLPP) would never accept wrong doing and are prepared to do the unthinkable just to make sure they have a portion of the political cake in the country even when they don't deserve it, as evidenced by the instigation of violence by the immature SLPP secretary General JJ Saffa's call for violence under the disguise of retaliation (fire for fire), what he was actually telling his supporters is to go back in the bush. This was as a result of knowing that the people no long tolerate their unpatriotic handling of the political seats.
They see no reason to reflect on what they've done wrong and should make amends. They failed to see the huge dent sustained when handling the state affairs during their 11 year rule instead, they focused on HOW TO FOOL THE PEOPLE to believe in them and not HOW TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE that they're a force to be considered.
But their ignorance has dealt a huge blow as the masses have gained more awareness and this time the people are ready to give them a metal-plated boot and thats the only clear message we'll send to these miscreants, because there's no bad bush to throw them away.
Subject: Re: There's no bad bush to throw a bad child(SLPP)
From: How concern
To: All
Date Posted: 18:56:59 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 207-172-203-107.c3-0.upd-ubr7.trpr-upd.pa.cable.rcn.com at 207.172.203.107
Message:
One of the signs of a coward is "open call". Pre and post general election, the APC was intimidating anything green in the country. NOW that the bluff has been challenged they have crawled into their shells. NOW they know that they do have monopoly over violence.
We all NOW know the effect of " the immature SLPP secretary General JJ Saffa's call for violence under the disguise of retaliation (fire for fire)". Borbo nor want cold water.
And I thought you cared about you fellow SLeoneans.
Subject: Re: There's no bad bush to throw a bad child(SLPP)
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 05:40:12 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: lpsdsl2.claranet.co.uk at 79.123.36.144
Message:
It is clear that the SLPP propaganda on cliams of violence being perpetrated by the APC is something they themselves are good at. The past general elections showed how the SLPP's ability to instigate and carry out violence is real. The Kailahun issue is just one of countless examples of the SLPP refusal to let go of power when necessary. The APC had no reason to start violence as they stand to gain during the elections they did not carry out violence 10 years ago, so why should they now when it is quiet clear that their opponents have messed the country and the people are ready to give them the boots. The only people who stood to loose was the SLPP and so they had every reason to not allow the democratic principles to prevail in their havens (Kailahun, Segbwema etc). They knew their time was up and they stood to loose miserably after their performance so their best bet is to carry out violence and make it look as if their opponents are the guilty ones. But htey failed to study the behavioral changes of the people over the years.
The only reason they couldn't succeed in other parts of the country is because nobody is willing to heed to their dirty tricks and everyone was fed up with their unpatriotic behaviour. But I must admit that the one thing they're good at is propaganda, it was working well for them until recently when the people realized that if they listen to them(SLPP), the country will never improve because the SLPP is not interested in national development not even regional development as evidenced in and around Kailahun, where this caboodle hailed from. They have the worst roads in the country yet the past government was made up of 90% of indegenes from that area so there's strong evidence that the SLPP have no love for the country, they only love their pockets not even their homelands.
If you really love ROCK'N'ROLL, travel to Kailahun where the roads will make your head do the dancing.
So Mr How Concern (Jacob Kanu), You can support your party there's nothing wrong with that, but what I would like you to do is be reasonable enough to criticize them when the need arise, this blatant disregard of their short comings is a clear green light for them to take us for fools thinking regardless of how we misuse the funds, our supporters will still be ok with that.
Subject: Re: There's no bad bush to throw a bad child(SLPP)
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 18:56:06 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.149.170.195
Message:
SLPP all the way!!!!
Subject: Re: There's no bad bush to throw a bad child(SLPP)
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 05:41:54 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: lpsdsl2.claranet.co.uk at 79.123.36.144
Message:
SLPP all the way!!!!
............................................
SLPP all the way to the political wilderness.
Subject: Was DR. SARIF EASMON WRONG?
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 16:58:39 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-126-162.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.126.162
Message:
Sir ALbert Margai, Oldman Siaka Stevens and military guys saw Dr. Sarif Easmon a dangerous person , he opposed leaders in and out of Sierra Leone about naked dreams of One party political kingdoms. Some African leaders saw One party as new AFRICAN political EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS that would make Pan Africanism and independencies meaningful,peaceful and productive. Two or more political parties were rudimentary ugly conditions attached to independencies , but Dr. EASMON saw , ONE PARTY POLITICAL KINGDOMS as DANGEROUS ENDEAVORS THAT WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS BLOODY DISASTERS IN AFRICA. WAS DR. EASMON WRONG AND A DANGEROUS MAN IN SIERRA LEONE POLITICS ? HE ALSO WARNED SOLDIERS TO STAY IN THEIR BARRACKS AND NEVER INTERFERE IN POLITICS. You judge him today !!!!!!!
Subject: Re: Was DR. SARIF EASMON WRONG?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 20:53:41 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
A single-party state or one-party system or single-party system is a type of party system government in which a single political party forms the government and no other parties are permitted to run candidates for election. Sometimes the term de facto single-party state is used to describe a dominant-party system where unfair laws or practices prevent the opposition from legally getting power. Some single party states only outlaw opposition parties, while allowing subordinate allied parties to exist as part of a permanent coalition such as a popular front. Within their own countries, dominant parties ruling over single-party states are often referred to simply as the Party. For example, in reference to the Soviet Union, the Party means the Communist Party of the Soviet Union; in reference to People's Republic of Poland it refers to the Polish United Workers' Party.
A one-party system should not be confused with a non-partisan democracy which prohibits all political parties.
Forms of government
Anarchy
Aristocracy
Authoritarianism
Autocracy
Band society
Chiefdom
Colony
Communist state
Corporatocracy
Democracy
Direct democracy
Representative democracy
Despotism
Dictatorship
Military dictatorship
Feudalism
Hierarchy
Kleptocracy
Kritarchy
Krytocracy
Meritocracy
Monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Empire
Night watchman state
Ochlocracy
Oligarchy
Plutocracy
Puppet state
Republic
Mixed government
Constitutional republic
Parliamentary republic
Socialist republic
Capitalist republic
Robocracy
Single-party state
Socialism
Technocracy
Theocracy
Theodemocracy
Timocracy
Totalitarianism
Tribe
In most cases, single-party states have arisen from Leninist, fascist or nationalist ideologies, particularly in the wake of independence from colonial rule. One-party systems often arise from decolonization because one party has had an overwhelmingly dominant role in liberation or in independence struggles.
Where the ruling party subscribes to a form of Marxism-Leninism, the one-party state system is usually called a communist state, though such states do not use that term to describe themselves, adopting instead the title of people's republic, socialist republic or democratic republic. In communist states such as Cuba, the role of the Communist Party is enshrined in the constitution, and no party is permitted to campaign or run candidates for election, including the Communist party. Candidates are elected on an individual referendum basis without formal party involvement, though elected assemblies predominantly consist of members of the dominant party alongside non-affiliated candidates.[1]
Arguments for and against a single party-system
Supporters of a single-party state often appeal to a sense of unity, strength and commonality that a single-party government can lend a state. They argue that multi-party systems introduce too much division and are unsuitable for economic and political development. This argument was particularly popular during the mid-20th century, as many developing nations sought to emulate the Soviet Union, which had transformed itself from a backward, agrarian nation into a superpower.
A common counter-argument is that one-party systems have a tendency to become rigid and unwilling to accept change, which renders them unable to deal with new situations and may result in their collapse. This counter-argument became more widely held as the 20th century drew to a close and the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact collapsed. Finally, one-party states have often been criticized for their disrespect towards human rights, however, this is more a reflection on the ideology of the party in power, rather than on the system itself.
Democracy, dictatorship and the single-party system
Some do not consider a single party system to be truly democratic. This is due, in part, to the perception that a single party represents a single choice for a voter, which is seen to be no choice at all. While this is often true it is not necessarily the case. For example, under Mussolini's National Fascist Party numerous candidates ran for election in each constituency, albeit under the Fascist Party.
Furthermore, the single-party system is heavily associated with dictatorship. As there is only one party, political power tends to be concentrated solely within the ruling party. As a result it is usually easy for the party in power to disregard previous laws or the constitution of the state, creating a dictatorship consisting of the party. Further contributing to the association of dictatorship and the single-party system is the fact that many dictatorships have adopted a single-party system. This may be a means of legitimizing the dictatorship under that nation's constitution, or to present a veneer of democracy to other democratic nations, or the ideology of the party may require that the dictatorship rule "by the will of the people".
Although many dictatorships represent themselves as one-party states, a one party-state is not a requirement of dictatorships. Examples of a dictatorship that is not a one-party state includes military dictatorships wherein the political power resides with the military, who exercise their authority without regard to political parties or elections.
The True Whig Party of Liberia is considered the founder of the first single-party state in the world. The party was conceived by the original Black American settlers and their descendants who referred to themselves as Americo-Liberians. Initially, its ideology was heavily influenced by that of the United States party of the same name. Overtime it morphed into powerful Masonic Order that ruled every aspect of Liberian society for well over a century until it was overthrown in 1980. While the True Whig Party still exist today its influence has declined substantially.
Subject: Re: Was DR. SARIF EASMON WRONG?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 17:16:39 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Easmon was right.
One party nor good.
Multiparty too has its dark side. It has shuttered tribal curtains around our people, tribalizing politics and fueling rebellions, corruption and disasters in Africa. Soja man rule nar alakicracy O!
A multiparty democracy in which the people are more passionate about infracstructural development than casting tainted votes will lift the gloom from our national psyche.
Subject: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 16:53:34 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-mtc-ah10.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.202
Message:
Gentlemen:
I see that both you gentlemen are under attack for indicating your detached interest in my background. I hate to blow my own horn but with so much trash coming from one single anti-John Leigh individual repeatedly using several different monikers {such as (i) ROTFLMAO, (ii) Moore, (iii) Just Batty, (iv) Keep Dreaming, (v) Ya Right, (vi) My Take, etc.} to oppose you and fool forumites in recent days, I thought I should give you both some ammunition – in the form of questions - to work with in dealing with such bozos as follows:
1. Who is the potential SLPP leader most feared by the opposition?
2. Who is the SLPPer with the highest international credibility; the most powerful pen; and the most effective microphone to boot?
3. (a) Who among potential SLPP leaders has the highest international credibility? Who among such potential SLPPers will donor nations like best to deal with?
(b) Which potential SLPP leader understands the ways of the World best among the pack and is unimpressed with wasting public funds traveling around?
4. Elections in August & September 2007 and last weekend have shown SLPP as a regional party based essentially in only 6 districts out of 14. Now therefore:
(a) Which potential SLPP leader is best positioned to take SLPP into becoming a truly national party and most likely to blunt anti-Mende antagonism and win in 2012?
(b) Which SLPP potential leader has the greatest crossover appeal to all tribes, both genders and all religions?
5. Which Sierra Leonean in politics today is the most fearless, determined, skillful and unstoppable democratic fighter for that which he truly believes in?
6. Which potential SLPP leader is absolutely without grudges and will deal with every one on the basis of objectivity and personal qualities?
7. Which potential SLPPer is not afraid of intelligent, highly intelligent and highly educated opinionated Sierra Leoneans but instead loves and respects them and willing to work with them for problem-solving at home?
8. Which SLPPer stood up to Kabbah, PMDC Margai, Johnny Paul Koroma, Foday Sankoh, Charles Taylor, Blasé Campoare and Ghaddffi and won?
(b) Which SLPPER is personally most democratic in his personal ways?
9. (a) Which SLPPer will confer upon SLPP the highest national credibility and financial adequacy?
(b) Which potential SLPP leader is thoroughly known for what he stands for and and absolutely lacks a secret agenda?
(c) Which potential SLPP leader is afraid of no one be it this or that mighty one wherever?
10. Which SLPPer is known to put the public interest first and ahead of personal or tribal interests?
11. Who is the most generous SLPPer that ever lived?
12. Who among the potential SLPP leader is the most loyal - in good as well as bad times without ever once jumping ship to APC, PMDC, NRC, NPRC, NUP, etc.?
Moniker abusers ROTFLMAO, Moore, Just Batty, Keep Dreaming, Ya Right, My Take, etc., come out clean and answer those questions truthfully for Mr. Koroma and Mr. Kaisamba. Thank you. JL
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: ROTFLMAO
To: All
Date Posted: 09:54:21 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.42.23.70
Message:
This is just me and no one else. I am not any of the other handles. I am ROLLING ON THE FLOOR LAUGHING MY ASS OFF at your day dreams. So, dont mix me up with any of the others.
If you are really the future of the SLPP, then SLPP is doomed as you will drive away the droves of supporters the party already has. Idiot. Let them make the mistake of putting you in any position of leadership and watch the party haemorrhage its support.
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 15:16:31 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Man, you are brilliant! Fantastic! I am also glad you are thoroughly enjoying yourself, idiotic insults and all. Continue to be of good cheer! Good-bye. - JL
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 22:28:20 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Your Excellency Ambassador John Leigh,i want to make clarion calls on your august person not to bring your self to the level of most people who contribute to this forum.Firstly,who ever does not muster the courage of conviction and moral fortitude to reveal his or her true identity should not be honoured with a reponse.He or she should be treated with the utmost contempt.Significant and abiding is the fact most of your detractors here in the diaspora are among the miscellaneous collection of idlers who were banned from the Embassy when you were the Ambassador because,they made the place a visitors center where they converged Mondays to Fridays for what they wrong headedly considered to be happy hours.When any of your detractors come up with an iota of evidence showing moral failure on your part or conspiratoriial liabilty for questionable conduct especially in financial matters from the Bank of Sierra Leone,to your management of the affairs of the Embassy and your Law practice,then we shall begin to take them seriously.Until they meet those thresholds,believe me,i pay them no attention.I will advise you Mr.Ambassador to start engaging in very serious policy issues affecting the commonwealth as opposed to engaging misquided and ignorant upstarts.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: Blanshard Meheux
To: All
Date Posted: 11:17:26 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: foriwata@hotmail.com
Entered From: cache4.nccr.epa.gov at 134.67.6.14
Message:
With all due respect to the gentleman in question, my views on his persona are miles away from being stella; based upon observation and not so much information, which in essence relinquishes any spectacle that would zoom him into leadership. John Leigh's academic credentials should not be the sole qualifying factor for consideration into the office of the president. We should refrain from bestowing the label "Leaders" on these selfish men, who we then forster on segregated and disenfranchised societies like ours, and expect miracles. The man is halfway mature, inexperienced, tribalistic and unstable. What we need in Sierra Leone is matured political leadersip, and not just a great orator. Our constitution has been gutted by men who had, and still violate their oath of office. Society had been too sensitive in failing to judge the behaviour of others as good or bad, right or wrong, and I think its time to speak out against moral neutrality. Political problems are often the consequence of the choice that people make. We have to end an era in which politicians have fought shy of judging personal behaviour, which to a very large extent has been responsible for our socio-economic erosion over decades. Our relationships crack up, our marraiges broke up, we fail as parents, and as citizens, just like everyone else. But if the result of this is a stultifying silence about things that really matter, we redouble the failure. We have to stand up, face the music, and keep men like John Leigh many miles away from the office of the president.
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: Future SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 22:18:48 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-67-244-6-35.nyc.res.rr.com at 67.244.6.35
Message:
Mr, leigh I am Afraid that there are many reasons that disqualifies you and makes you any unsuitable candidate or running mate for our SLPP Party.
First,you cannot claim any base in the party nor can you deliver any town constituency or region in an election.
Also,if the SLPP you want to represent is devoid of any reverential awe of your person ….. considering how you were dismissed with discredit and humiliation at the Party’s Convention in Makeni ..…..
what makes you believe that other Parties in Sierra Leone are timorous of a diminutive light weight politician like yourself…?.....
Despite the encomiums and superlatives you attribute to yourself you certainly cannot match the value of people like Yumkella, Bio, Kabia or Harding in the SLPP's future.
It is disingenuous for you to put forth claims that your altruistic concerns for human welfare and advancement is an asset to rekon with....
because you cannot match or even surpass the generosity of SLPP champions like Alhaji Sanusi Mustapha….who is on record to have mentained homes in every district in Sierra Leone and supported them with money and necessities at all times.…
Bra tell we wetin you don do for people nar Makeni,Kambia,Kono,Kenema,Moyamba,Bonthe or Freetown for meke we choose you as leader?
To even suggest that you have international credibility more than the person of Maada Bio who handed over the reins of power to a democratic government against the will of most of his compatriots or even the internationally acclaimed Dr. Yumkella at UNIDO is plain bunkum to me……
nar you horn normoh you day blow..but salt nor day praise himself nar soup.
Above all your disowning of a child publicly in a forum is unheard of in the history of Sa Lone politics….
considering that,politicians like Bai Koblo,Pa Mustapha,Kamara-Taylor and others have many children that are not kin …but they accepted them as their own and supported them …
Pa Leigh and it is not Sa Lone tradition to out children publicly nor is it right to call their mothers koros and raray girls in order to appease the interest of foreign women....
Pa Leigh, you know that your actions are inimical to the Sierra Leonean way of life and culture…how would the traditional people trust you that you would not wake up one day and declare their traditional practices illegal at the behest of your wife’s interest?
… …Remember Pa Leigh,you just cannot have your cake and eat it......and you are neither an SLPP hero or a Political Bomber....
Have a life of your own..,form your own party like Charles Margai,.... and I encourage you to give up all hopes of SLPP future Leadership....tamam!
Subject: Re: Understand, I am Different!
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 14:41:23 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Future SLPP:
Frankly, despite your moniker, I do not believe you are part of SLPP at all. Or if you belong to the party, you support those Makeni ConBention manipulators voted out of office by the people – i.e. SL voters who are today still deeply resentful of officials’ misconduct during the last regime. Or maybe, as someone suggested in this thread, you were one of those embassy drunkards and/or crooks oppressing ordinary Sierra Leoneans out of their civil rights over many, many years when they sought embassy help, that I had kicked out of the embassy after repeated attempts at friendly persuasion failed.
Having said the above, I will now pick apart your rubbish allegations and unsupported and insupportable conclusions.
Your rebuttal is full of irrelevancies and clearly not responsive to the issue at hand. Obviously, you dislike what I stand for and you thus prefer to dwell in irrelevancies and nastiness rather than debate like a reasonable individual. Your entire response was thus in a bitter, useless vein.
Here are the specifics of how I view your unnecessarily bitter and ineffectual rebuttal.
First, I agree that I am not perfect and never will be but nothing you wrote supports your claim that reasons abound to disqualify me for the party leadership. Incidentally, I am absolutely not interested whatsoever in being anybody’s running mate. Period!
Second, you are wrong in stating I can’t claim any base in SL. My base is certainly the Western Area where SLPP is weakest. But I am interested only in national leadership of the entire party, not seeking a council or parliamentary seat. In this regard, my base is the entire country.
Third, you’ve misunderstood Makeni entirely. The ConBention was a gangster affair that shocked the entire nation. It was the lowest point in the history of the SLPP and helped produced its shocking defeat and the party’s bad reputation that split it and kept SLPP voters home in August 2007. Widespread fear of John Leigh by the powers-that-be led to tribal swear amidst delegates drinking goat blood in exchange for Le300,000 to ex-communicate yours truly or else the swear will hex to death the unfortunate goat blood drinkers and the recipients of the Le300,000.
The end result of Makeni was the birth of the PMDC, the shocking defeat of SLPP, the victory of the APC and worse the deep damage to SLPP’s reputation. In the just concluded local government election, voters have confirmed their 2007 relegation of SLPP to a mere regional tribal party that is likely to stay that way unless it changes.
Since September 2007, many SLPPERS have undergone much regret and change of mind as a result of the Makeni ConBention and the defeat of the anti-John Leigh cocksure insider cabal by angry voters.
Today on the streets and by-ways, in markets and transport vehicles across Sierra Leone, the common, everyday talk is that “it is John Leigh’s HARKEH that has caught up with the SLPP”. I do not agree with such talk but I can understand the virtual universal condemnation against indefensible bad conduct based on malice lacking any rational foundation except pure MELEH.
Fourth, whether I am a diminutive lightweight is correct or not, you are entitled to your own erroneous opinion. First, I am taller than the average SLeonean and far, far taller than SLPP’s last presidential candidate. The Bio you are promoting is lesser in height, experience and achievements than me.
More importantly, physical size is irrelevant for successful leadership. Kabbah was tall. So where did he lead SLPP to? Shocking defeat! On the other hand, Mahatma Gandhi was a flyweight and as short as a shrimp. Yet he is still a “leader” of mankind, revered by millions 60 years after his death.
Within SLPP, Sir Milton was a skinny, tiny flyweight while Sir Albert was a huge and burly heavyweight. Sir Milton built SLPP and brought respect and success to SLPP and SLeone. On the other hand, Sir Albert laid the tribal foundation of its degradation. There are many, many other such examples throughout history – abroad and at home.
You need an education. Your ignorance and dunce argumentaion are palpable.
Fifth, if SLPPERS prefer Yumkella, Bio, Kabia or Harding in their party's future, rather than John Leigh, I see no problem with that at all. A party deserves the leaders it chooses.
Right now, it is my view that SLPP needs to change to win. It needs to modify its tribal regional prejudices into a national organization free of tribal favoritism and it needs an exceptional leader to accomplish such. But whatever your viewpoint is, you are perfectly correct to harbor them. No problem! And you can only blame yourself if you are deemed a fool.
Six, Alhaji Sanusi Mustapha is long gone. He was a great SLPPER who helped our party but his help was temporary subsistence consumption help to some individuals and praise-singers around him. Such help is entire different from mine. Of course, I do give subsistence help here and there but that has never been my principal goal. I gave to permanently develop the party to help make it win elections again and again so that good governance will help uplift the entire population permanently – and long after I am gone.
A wise man from a now-ascendant nation once advised his people as paraphrased thus: ‘giving a poor man fish or food to eat daily is not the answer. It is better to teach him to fish instead.”
Perhaps your own idea of wisdom is different. If so, it is your right.
Seventh, as for what I have specifically done to others in the communities you identified, please note that I went over those item-by-item in the SLPP leadership debate prior to Makeni. People were stunned with my generosity. I was stopped in the streets by strangers for spontaneous conversations.
Small wonder, therefore, that I was targeted by Makeni insiders who fooled poor people with goat blood swear and Le300,000 in their bogus conBention.
Why don’t you now ask any one of those you prefer for the party’s leadership position what they have ever done for the Party and when? Some have done nothing. Some are takers. Others are just surfacing after the 2007 defeat. I have been toiling for SLPP for years and years.
Eight, I respectfully beg to differ with you on the international credibility issue. Bio is by far my junior in this area. For your information, Bio never willingly surrendered power to civilian authority. He was forced to after the British Development Secretary, Dame Chalker, joined the then US Ambassador in Freetown to read the Riot Act on the NPRC to get them to terminate their phony Peace-Before-Elections propaganda and surrender power after elections or else booted out by the UK army. That’s when Bio and his coup profiteers reluctantly gave-in.
Valentine Strasser had earlier decided to hold elections but a bunch of other NPRC coup mongers and profiteers countermanded his decision and overthrew him in a kiddy-boy gun-toting palace coup. After Bio’s group gained power, they began their bogus peace-before-election rubbish to prolong their illicit stay in power – only to be read the King’s Riot Act by Dame Chalker. Even at that, Bio and his NPRC coup mongers took cash, scholarships and visas as further inducements to step down.
And that was not all. The coup mongers and coup profiteers then set up NUP to go against SLPP, reportedly paying Paramount Chiefs $50,000 to get them to work against SLPP. John Karimu was their presidential candidate against Kabbah in the 1996 elections. And this was after SLPP had been in the political wilderness for 30 years.
Further, when I was in DC, I came to realize that Bio was against the successful campaign I had lunched on my own initiative to flush out the AFRC/RUF coupligans (pronounced: “KOU-leegans” – the “p” is silent) and bring back the duly elected government of Tejan Kabbah. I have seen Bio frown most poisonously upon seeing me each time the overthrown elected regime gained ground on its way back to Freetown.
Lastly, Bio was a top coup official when Mr. Salami Coker and 28 other innocent Sierra Leoneans were slaughtered in cold blood in January 1993. No one was called to account for this dastardly deed and not a single redress has ever been made to the victims’ survivors who are still hurting, their dreams destroyed.
Yet this man gets your approval! Please be assured that Bio can never lead me. Period!
Ninth, my decision to decline paternity of another man’s child is a private decision that was kept private for over 45 years and no white woman had anything to do with that decision. And only when a false allegation against me was posted in this forum by frustrated opponents did I go public to rebut it successfully with facts and DNA science. Even so, I named no names. It was a sound decision in the public interest and would have remained private without embarrassing anyone had dunces not persisted in inventing dirt where none existed.
While, I am flattered that I was deemed so desirable by a dreaming young mother who presented me with a nice baby girl as a gift, it was never mine and I was not interested in accepting a child fathered by another man that the mother was ashamed of. She wanted me not him but she could not persuade me at any time during those 45 years.
Please understand that I am totally different from most of the people you’ve named in your postings as accepting children falsely presented to them as their bona fide offspring. Those people may not even suspect it is not theirs. I knew better and DNA science proved me 100% right. Our country certainly has many, many customs and I am one of those who do not accept every single one of them. I accept some I reject others.
I was brought up, educated and trained to question most situations – even things I read. Please, therefore, never expect me to sink in the footsteps of people you admire.
As for the people you refer to as traditional people, you do not seem to understand their sad plight or know anything about their dreams. I know that our people want significant improvements in their lives. For example, our people want gainful employment so that money in their pocket is sufficient enough to meet their living expenses, provide some leisure as well as some savings at all times. They badly want quality education and not condemnation to unending superstitions (like tribal swear & goat blood drinking). They want out of village mud-and-grass huts without latrines into modern housing with electricity, telephones and flush toilets in flourishing modern cities. They want mechanized, not backbreaking, agriculture. They want regular meals and zero suck-breezing when meal time arrives.
Our people want to live longer and healthier lives not get weak at age 30 with most die at or by age 40. Women want an end to the high child birth deaths of mothers and the exorbitantly high deaths (1 in three) of their babies before reaching 5 years of age.
Men do not wish to become impotent by age 45 and dependent on tying ropes around their waistline in the stupid belief that such is helpful to protect their potency.
Our people want peace at home. They want modern, safe roads and affordable transportation. They also want international respect and not having to be at the contempteous reject line for flunkeys when they seek visas. And so on!
Accordingly, before you let your pent-up animosity for my reform ways get the better of whatever intelligence you may possess, please pause and carefully weigh the alternatives and listen to what those who personally know say and write about my record.
Thank you and goodbye. - JL
Subject: Re: Understand, I am Different!
From: Future SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 21:31:01 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-67-244-6-35.nyc.res.rr.com at 67.244.6.35
Message:
In your own words.....Man, you are brilliant! Fantastic! I am also glad you are thoroughly enjoying yourself, idiotic insults and all. Continue to be of good cheer! Good-bye.
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 17:59:31 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
John Leigh, you got my undying respect when you went to Makeni and walked tall amidst the swirling conspiracy at the Conbention. All you predicted about that charade has come true, and today SLPP will continue to be marginalized until they elect leaders with the gravitas and chutzpah to drag the party out of its regional hole, and into the glorious sunshine.
I am an enlightened supporter of EBK. However, if you run Bra Leigh, I will cross-carpet and work with every sinew in my body, from Bunumbu to Masumana to get you elected president. The haters on the forum can carp and snipe all they want but only John Leigh stands head and shoulders above the pygmy pretenders to the SLPP crown.
Leigh for president!
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: Jaigboi
To: All
Date Posted: 18:51:39 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.149.170.195
Message:
SLPP does not need your support, thanks though.
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 20:33:18 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Yes you do!
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 15:12:07 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Thank you very much. I also agree with you that SLPP could use support from SLeoneans like you if it is ever to win elections again. Thanks once again.
Subject: Re: For Messrs. yankuba Kaisamba & Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 00:03:35 07/09/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.145.214.204
Message:
Nonentities like you we leave to APC.
Subject: The beckoning political wilderness for SLPP: 40 years !
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 16:50:25 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Since there is no possible, feasible way for SLPP to ever regain power-and this is solely due to the fact that it is only a regional small fry bomba in the remote east and a tiny sliver of the South-I am asking my compatriots on the forum to be nice, courteous and patient with our buddies who have just started their aimless sojourn in the Mosesian desert.
Any time I listen to cranky old Sama Banya give a policy speech I nearly die with laughter. The octagenarian pa must be half outta his mind! And when the SLPP 'scribe', JJ Blood, opens his mouth to explain why SLPP should be allowed back in State House, I rush to the bathroom to pee with laughter. "We were better in economics", JJ Blood actually said in a recent interview. "We left many billions of dollars, I mean leones, in the treasury, to pay for the projects and wonderful things we couldn't finish in 11 years. If only the people of Sierra Leone had given us 5 more years, we would have made Sierra Leone into the Hong Kong of Africa. And I say this as a development economist!"
JJ go kill me O!
With leaders like this infesting the SLPP, ain't no way the party will ever get back to power.
Subject: Re: The beckoning political wilderness for SLPP: 40 years !
From: Sesaysl
To: All
Date Posted: 06:54:39 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: a_sesaysl@yahoo.com
Entered From: pslux.cec.eu.int at 158.169.9.14
Message:
Na ture Oooooooo
JJ Blood na sick man. He is currently in a dreamk world. SLPP will be in the desert for 250Years if they continue with this atttude. S/Leoneans do 80% illitrate can now properly analyse any situation and mind you the current active voters never new the old APC, what they see is what they rate, e.g stadium, youi building, major roads etc. what has slpp done before and even now that they can point at? none. But i know JJ he is a dreammer his elders have eatten and he is there shouting for then. Please me economist change you stance for mama Salone.
Subject: PUTTING THE FINAL NAIL ON THE "BONDO ISSUE" COFFIN.
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 16:48:32 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Female Circumcision
To the Editor:
We agree with Dr. Toubia (Sept. 15 issue) that female circumcision can cause lasting complications. The issue, however, is very complex. This traditional practice is as diverse as the people who practice it. The author states that there is no evidence that the clitoral prepuce is ever excised, without scarring, in a manner analogous to male circumcision. As health providers for refugees, we work with many Ethiopian and Eritrean women who underwent this form of circumcision as infants, just as their brothers were circumcised. They are surprised at the refusal of outsiders to recognize this practice. Women and men have asked why Americans remove the foreskins of their sons' genitals but consider a request to do the same to their daughters a form of child abuse. Those who strive to ban female circumcision in this country must acknowledge that a variety of practices exist, including a practice that not only is equivalent to male circumcision but has also been used by U.S. physicians to treat frigidity in adults.
Carol R. Horowitz, M.D.
J. Carey Jackson, M.D., M.P.H.
Mamae Teklemariam, M.S.W., M.P.H.
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Editor:
Both the Special Article by Toubia and the accompanying editorial by Schroeder1 emphasize that female genital mutilation is a form of child abuse and has no redeeming features. However, Toubia's use of the term ``female circumcision'' could have unforeseen political repercussions.
``Female genital mutilation'' is a descr1ptive and definitive term. ``Circumcision,'' without the sex being specified, is appropriately defined as removal of the penile foreskin.2 The term ``female circumcision'' can denote various procedures but, as Toubia points out, generally refers to clitoridectomy with or without removal of the labia. The equivalent procedure in males is penile amputation and removal of the scrotum. The problem with describing female genital mutilation as female circumcision is that the latter can be confused with the circumcision of newborn boys, a low-risk procedure with medical benefits.
As chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision, I have received correspondence from anticircumcision groups, particularly the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers and the National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males. The report by the task force3 indicated that the medical benefits of circumcision in newborns include prevention of penile cancer, infantile urinary tract infections, balanoposthitis, and phimosis. There is also evidence that infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is less prevalent among circumcised men than among those who have not been circumcised.4 Use of the term ``female circumcision'' to describe female genital mutilation helps the organizations that oppose circumcision, which now demand the prohibition of all circumcision.
Ironically, Toubia, a physician, calls these procedures ``female circumcision,'' yet Schroeder, a member of Congress, is more precise in advocating the elimination of female genital mutilation. Medical accuracy is better served by political savvy.
Edgar J. Schoen, M.D.
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
Oakland, CA 94611-5693
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Editor:
As both a practicing physician and an orthodox Jew, I applaud the article on female circumcision, but I am concerned about the statement that this practice is ``known... among different ethnic and cultural groups, including Christians, Muslims, Jews, and followers of indigenous African religions.'' The reference cited for this is a chart containing the statement that female circumcision in Ethiopia is ``common among Muslims and Christians and practiced by Ethiopian Jews (Falashas).''1 It is difficult to determine the exact source (and hence the accuracy) of this information.
Although circumcision is required for all male Jewish children, in observance of God's commandment to Abraham in the Bible, female circumcision is certainly not a Jewish practice. In fact, any form of female circumcision would be considered bodily mutilation and forbidden under Jewish law.
If female circumcision is indeed practiced by the Falashas, the reason may be that as a persecuted and isolated Jewish enclave for thousands of years, the Falashas did not have access to either definitive Jewish texts or informed rabbinical sources. Many of the religious rituals they practiced had no valid basis in accepted Jewish law.
Daniel D. Buff, M.D.
St. John's Episcopal Hospital
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Editor:
Female circumcision is certainly a terrible ordeal for a great many children and young women in certain developing countries, as Dr. Toubia observes. But if it takes a doctor with two right hands to undo the damage, the plight of these unfortunate women seems beyond remedy.
Jean-Marie Weydert, M.D.
Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg
L-1210, Luxembourg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Editor:
Representative Schroeder's editorial on female genital mutilation is to be commended. This barbaric practice should not be legal in a civilized country. The child's inherent right to the body he or she was born with is paramount. No Western nation subjects the majority of its male neonates to prepucectomy except the United States. Can this cultural ritual be any less barbaric than female genital mutilation merely because it has the sanction of the American medical community?
The supporters of routine, nonreligious neonatal circumcision in this country have never been short of justifications for imposing this practice on children. Clearly, the circumcised man who supports this practice has deep psychological motives behind his irrational demand that others suffer the same mutilation. It is not necessary to argue against his justifications, nor is it necessary to explain to him the unique and irreplaceable sexual functions of the prepuce and intact, natural penis. The genital mutilation of boys and girls must be opposed for the simple reason Representative Schroeder gives: The amputation of healthy genital tissue is a violation of the person's right to an intact body. No one asks to have his or her genitals removed. Indeed, the infant's shrieks of pain are an obvious indication of protest against the procedure. We as adults must do our part to prevent those screams by upholding the basic human right to an intact body, to which all people, whatever their age or sex, are entitled.
Paul M. Fleiss, M.D., M.P.H.
1824 N. Hillhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Editor:
We appreciate Dr. Toubia's citation of our article but would like to provide the correct reference, so that other interested readers can find it. Reference 6 should read: Baker CA, Gilson GJ, Vill MD, Curet LB. Female circumcision: obstetric issues. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;169:1616-8.
George J. Gilson, M.D.
University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Albuquerque, NM 87131-5286
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Toubia replies:
To the Editor:
I use the term ``female circumcision'' to acknowledge its cultural importance, the positive perception of this procedure on the part of those who practice it. These characteristics constitute the main similarity of female circumcision to male circumcision. The difference is that, unlike male circumcision, the most commonly described types of female circumcision are anatomically and functionally mutilating.
There is no universal consensus that routine circumcision of male children is an acceptable medical procedure for preventive care. It remains a religious practice for some and a selective nonreligious practice for others, with or without medical consent. Whether male circumcision is medically harmless or even beneficial remains a matter of debate and study.
During 20 years of clinical experience with thousands of women from Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, I have not seen a case of ritualistic childhood circumcision in which only the skin around the clitoris was removed, not the glans. As a pediatric surgeon, I cannot imagine how a traditional practitioner of circumcision could dissect and remove the few millimeters of skin in a screaming, unanesthetized girl. However, if such cases were appropriately documented, I would stand corrected and might suggest a different term.
Removal of the skin around the clitoris is performed occasionally in adults in the United States as a questionable means of treating sexual problems. This procedure is ethically and legally different from ritualistic circumcision of children. In this country, adults have the right to provide or withhold consent to any surgical procedure on any part of their bodies for cosmetic or curative reasons. In the draft bill introduced by Representative Schroeder, we recommend that 18 years be established as the age of consent for female circumcision. This would allow immigrant women from Africa the American right to make their own choice.
In Africa the history of or reasons for ritual genital surgeries in females have long been lost. The fact remains that African followers of the major world religions practice these customs. Male circumcision is an absolute requirement of Islam and Judaism, whereas female circumcision is not even mentioned in any religious text. However, scholars of African cultures would testify that on our continent traditional and tribal rituals commonly supersede religion.
Nahid Toubia, M.D.
Research Action and Information Network for the Bodily Integrity of Women
New York, NY 10276
Subject: Re: PUTTING THE FINAL NAIL ON THE "BONDO ISSUE" COFFIN.
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 17:08:39 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Let's face it. Bondo will never be eradicated in Salone because it is the women themselves who are defending the practice. Some people in the West are in opposition to Bondo because they believe that the practice was contrived by paternalistic African men in order to control the sexuality of women. We all know that any politician who attempts to end the Bondo tradition will be finished politically. The Bondo tradition is one of the few things that bind most of the tribes in Sierra Leone today. The Fourah Bays in Freetown are big on Bondo. Even the Krio gals are going Bondo like crazy, believing that they will be more acceptable to their Upkontri in-laws.
The truth of the matter is that most Upline men would wish for FGM to be ended, because it would make for a more joyous bed. It's the women, bro. It's the women.
Subject: Re: PUTTING THE FINAL NAIL ON THE "BONDO ISSUE" COFFIN.
From: Settler
To: All
Date Posted: 08:16:53 07/11/08 ()
Email Address: settler@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache4.nccr.epa.gov at 134.67.6.14
Message:
You must be out of your goddamn bush mind. "Even the Krio gals are going Bondo like crazy, believing that they will be more acceptable to their Upkontri in-laws." Acceptable to whom?. We set the pace for the kontri man to follow. I dont care how much political clout you kontri people have. You have always wanted to be like us, but despise us at the same time. Your upline people just show up uninvited three o'clock in the morning, with a bag of kontri rice and two chicken, then hang around for months. Do you think thats how we krio people want to live?, what on earth makes you think that the average Krio girl will degrade herself like that?, Idiot. you better get your facts right.
Subject: This is news to me! I must have been out of Africa for long!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 20:37:19 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...The Fourah Bays in Freetown are big on Bondo. Even the Krio gals are going Bondo like crazy, believing that they will be more acceptable to their Upkontri in-laws...
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________-
This is news to me! I must have been out of Africa for tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long!
Subject: Re: This is news to me! I must have been out of Africa for long!
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 21:13:29 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Walahi nar true. The Bondo bizness is all the rage in 28 African countries with 2 million young girls being cut every year. 120 million bondoed females on God's good earth, with all sorts of sociomedical complications, and they are still fighting like wild cats to preserve the culture.
I think medical personnel should be trained to safely perform the clitorectomy to minimize the medical risks.
Yep, many Krio gals have joined their Upline cousins in a Bondo sorority.
Subject: Re: This is news to me! I must have been out of Africa for long!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 21:35:48 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...Yep, many Krio gals have joined their Upline cousins in a Bondo sorority..."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have to be careful, then. I should always ask, "you get da tin, or you nor get da tin?"
Subject: FGM IS A GLOBAL ISSUE
From: Shayma Fu
To: All
Date Posted: 16:37:35 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-76-106-79-172.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 76.106.79.172
Message:
Is FGM the same as pearcing and hanging a ring on a clitoris ? If yes then FGM is a global issue.In this part of the world people are granted license for same sex marriage and no noise about it. Why then interfere with the culture of FGM in our society? I think these folks only need to be educated on the health implications of FGM rather than attempting to rob them of their socio-cultural heritage. We have a very urgent need for the basic human standards of living that needs to be addressed
Subject: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 15:36:56 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
APC, Ernest Koroma, & the Rebirth of Ekutay
By Sia Tiyaama of the SLPP
Jul 17, 2007,
It has been argued in various quarters that Ernest Koroma has been dishonest all along when he said the APC party is new and that he is trying to change the image of the party. When Ernest Koroma started his campaign, he preached change and forward looking agenda. Lately, the true color of Ernest Koroma and his APC party is illuminated with such scary brilliance of violence and corruption that even Stevie Wonder could see the dangers lurking around the corner if the people of Sierra Leone make the mistake of voting for him and APC. Why does Ernest Koroma not tell us that he is just a paper tiger with the E.T. Kamaras, Abdulai Contehs, Sanie Sesays, and all the Ekutay cabal waiting in the wings to come finish off Sierra Leone? Ernest Koroma preached unity but the sooner the Temnes fell for his deceit, they realized albeit very late that the Ekutay cabal is once more in control. What are the ramifications of all this? Why all of a sudden is Ernest Koroma telling us he will bring back the rule of Siaka Stevens and Joseph Saidu Momoh? Wake up Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma is reviving Ekutay right under your noses and the revival of Ekutay would be the closest we get to Fascism. In this piece, we shall examine Ernest Koroma’s audacity to tell us he will take us back to the dark days of APC. We shall also examine what that means for a district like Tonkolili especially in this crucial election wherein a son of the Tonkolili soil is the running mate of SLPP.
Ernest Koroma
What Back to Power Really Means
One of the past APC slogans was "defending champions". The Back to Power slogan now used by APC is loaded with variegated meaning. There have always been internecine struggles in the APC between the Temnes and the Limbas. The Temnes believe they were responsible for the success of the APC by their share numbers. The Limba on the other hand claim ownership of the APC because Siaka Stevens, a Limba, founded the party. According to APC insiders, S.I. Koroma a Temne and C.A. Kamara-Taylor a Limba never got along and never liked each other. They were always trying to out do each other for the benefit of their ethnic group. Such struggle played out in many constituency politics. One case in point was the elections in East III constituency between F. B. Turay a Limba and Issa Jalloh, a Temne-Fullah. The story is that Kamara-Taylor was out of town when S. I. Koroma machinated the defeat of a Limba. These struggles came to a head when Siaka Stevens decided to hand power over to Joseph Saidu Momoh instead of the constitutionally mandated successor S. I. Koroma. Momoh in turn cemented the grip of the Limbas by promoting a tribal organization Ekutay. The creation of Ekutay marginalized and alienated all other ethnic groups in the country. For the first time in the history of Sierra Leone, a sitting government institutionalized a tribal organization. Membership to Ekutay ensured promotion, job security, and criminal impunity. The Limbas in APC in general and Ernest Koroma and the other APC hounds in particular miss the unfettered power they enjoyed. As a result, they want to revive Ekutay if they get back to power. Ekutay is already revived within the APC. As you can tell, Ekutay stalwarts like E. T. Kamara and others are now very active ever since the Temnes like Serry-Kamal and Edie Turay were pushed out. So for Ernest Koroma it is back to power for Ekutay, back to power for corruption, back to power for murder and back to power for hooliganism and violence.
Ernest Koroma’s Audacity?
The more one reads Ernest Koroma’s promise to take Sierra Leone back to the days of APC, the more one is alarmed. How can someone in their right mind tell Sierra Leoneans he would take them back to their nightmare? Is this share audacity or foolhardiness? If it is audacity, then Ernest Koroma must have the lowest respect for the Sierra Leonean’s intelligence. Who ever told Koroma that the majority of Sierra Leoneans long for that past? Who told Ernest Koroma Sierra Leoneans long for the days when his Ekutay cabal would take the only fire engine to Binkolo to wet the roadways while PZ burnt to the ground? Whoever told Ernest Koroma Sierra Leoneans want to go back to the days when APC thugs would attack, vandalize press houses, and brutalize journalists. Whoever told Ernest Koroma Sierra Leoneans want to go back to the days when bright sons of a single district Tonkolili would be marked for elimination? Whoever told Ernest Koroma Sierra Leoneans want Victor Voucher gate Foh back in government? Whoever told Ernest Koroma Sierra Leoneans want to go back to the days of the APC when a Vice President would be falsely implicated in a coup, executed and his position given to the attorney general who prosecuted him? Who ever told Ernest Koroma Sierra Leoneans want to go back to the days when Ginger Hall was burnt down by APC thugs? Who told Ernest Koroma Sierra Leoneans want to go back to the days when APC thugs killed many people in Sanda (that incident was dubbed the Sanda Massacre by Mohammed Sorie Forna) Mr. Ernest Koroma, in case you do not know, no one wants those days. Sierra Leoneans are better off continuing with the present dispensation than have your hungry wolves tear the country apart.
Ramifications of APC coming back to power
The ramifications of APC coming back to power cannot be over emphasized. Sierra Leone would have made the same mistake twice in her short post-independence history. The APC rally was just a preamble of what they have in store for unsuspecting civilians. Reports from Freetown indicate that the true color of APC hooliganism was evident for all to see. According to eyewitnesses, APC hooligans at their rally looked like rabid dogs. They had nothing pleasant to offer the people but violence and threats of violence. This should remind all peace loving Sierra Leoneans about the violence unleashed on innocent civilians during the misrule of the APC. These are the same hooligans the APC will hire to terrorize Sierra Leoneans. Make no mistake; there is nothing new about the APC. Wake up Sierra Leone, back to power means no press freedom; back to power means unleashing the rabid hooligans on the populace; back to power means violence against students; back to power means trumped up charges and subsequent execution of political opponents, just as they did the stars of Tonkolili-Mohammed Sorie Forna and the Taqi brothers; back to power means killing bank governors like Sam Bangura, another star of Tonkolili that was snuffed out. If Sierra Leoneans want all these, then vote for Ernest Koroma and APC. However, if Sierra Leoneans want to live in peace, freedom of the press, appropriate development, then continue with SLPP and vote in Solomon Berewa.
Crucial Elections
Now that Ernest Koroma has let the cat out of the bag that he would take Sierra Leone back to the days of APC, Sierra Leoneans must reject the APC and their lies of reform. If Sierra Leoneans want the days of the APC back, the days that were so bad that we descended into civil war, then by all means vote for Ernest Koroma and the APC. However, if Sierra Leoneans want the efforts such as achieving peace, building democratic institutions, building schools in every chiefdom, rehabilitating and building new hospitals, reconstructing roads, unfettered press freedom, unfettered freedom of association, ethnic balance in national appointments and accountability..."
Subject: Re: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 16:18:50 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Curtis-Thomas, this article which came from the SLPP propaganda smear factory, during the presidential elections, is as biased as a Klansman on a humanitarian mission in famine-riven Ethiopia. 'True', what truth? Unless you accept the screams and 'tamatis soup' of ineffectual SLPP crybabies. EBK continues to soar for the country's betterment.
Subject: Did you get your name from EBKs behaviour
From: Bobson L Sesay (rtd)
To: All
Date Posted: 16:26:53 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Uman Lappa, you sef dae play for Juventus eeh.. just lek EBK.
Una nor change vest ooh!
Subject: Re: Did you get your name from EBKs behaviour
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 17:22:12 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Me man, me nar Juventus striker. What do you expect from our handsome, virile president? As long as he is scoring goals for Mama Salone, leh di man kaitch den tanni dem!
Subject: Re: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 16:26:08 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"Curtis-Thomas, this article which came from the SLPP propaganda smear factory, during the presidential elections, is as biased as a Klansman on a humanitarian mission in famine-riven Ethiopia. 'True', what truth? Unless you accept the screams and 'tamatis soup' of ineffectual SLPP crybabies. EBK continues to soar for the country's betterment."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How, "you wan for loose me lappa, by name-calling"?
I know that your name is "Uman Lappa"...BUT PLEASE!
Subject: Re: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 17:19:09 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Sorry, Ngor! Beg pardin sir!
Subject: Re: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Bobson L Sesay (rtd)
To: All
Date Posted: 16:07:30 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Obai is not trustworthy. He is weak and very deceitful.
We use to joke, only 2 years before he became President that he plays for Juventus (his way with the ladies (particularly 'juve's is scandalous. He truly is a weak man.
Subject: Re: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 16:15:21 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Obai is not trustworthy. He is weak and very deceitful.
We use to joke, only 2 years before he became President that he plays for Juventus (his way with the ladies (particularly 'juve's is scandalous. He truly is a weak man.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you talking about Josephine Saidu Momoh, Or Bai-Bai Koroma, OR THAT THE TWO ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE?
Subject: Re: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 16:22:18 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Curtis, nar provoke ba?
Subject: Re: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Bobson L Sesay (rtd)
To: All
Date Posted: 16:22:10 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Same difference, as me late Popsy use to say.
EBK = Momoh Part 2
Subject: Re: WAS THIS ARTICLE BIASED...OR IS IT PROVING TO BE TRUE?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 16:12:21 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
He may be weak but he is your president for the next fifteen years. Hooray for 'weakness'.
Subject: Mining News
From: KLA
To: All
Date Posted: 15:05:22 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 164.82.85.3
Message:
The importance of the mining sector to the Sierra leone/Afrikan economies is being given top billing in many Afrikan Circles..There is a Global resource boom in place. Oil, Gold etc are fetching historically high prices.
Afrikan Governments must position themselves to improve the lot of their citizens by using revenues from the present resource boom to achieve their respective developmental goals!
There semms to be competing schools of thought on how to maximize revenue from our resource bounty.
The Nationalizers are saying follow the Hugo Chavez/ Mugabe lead.... exercize National dominion of the resource base, with or without compensation. This apporoach will send shivers through the spines of the traditional exploiters of the African RESOURCE BASE.
Di Johnbull en CORAL dem way lek we Diamond en GOLD go turn pink!! What will be their reactions? COURT ACTIONS for breach of Contractual obligations?
Next line of thought..Reform the existing situation without getting the stakeholders all rilled up to the point where fragile economies like Salone could actually be ruined by sanctions and "CONDITIONALITIES".
The current Sierra leonean leadership seems to be taking a tentative kelleh kelleh approach, given some of the problems the industry faces......Not enough trained workers at the local level.
At some point the GOSL is going to have to move with a clear purpose of improving the revenue stream from our resorce base. Economic Booms do not last forever!
Any Earth scientists, welders, Engineers in the Diaspora?..AFRIKA/ Salone is calling!
TSTM
"'President Ernest Bai Koroma has yesterday July 7th 2008, made the astonishing revelation in Freetown that out of the 130 total non-artisanal licences in Sierra Leone, only 10 companies actually mine thus leading him to state that while the objective is for the minerals sector to act as a driver of economic growth, Sierra Leone must guard against economic growth at all costs, by only encouraging investment from responsible and reputable businesses whose activities do not cause irreparable environmental damage or social unrest.
Koroma was speaking as he laid out his dream for the mining industry in Sierra Leone during a keynote address he delivered at the workshop on Minerals Sector Reform jointly organised by the Strategy and Policy Unit (Office of the President) and the Ministry of Mineral Resources at State House.
"We must therefore not be afraid to say "No" to investors whose business practices are not in the best interests of Sierra Leone or who are unlikely to advance into mining beyond prospecting and exploration," Ernest Koroma said.
Addressing representatives from government, the diplomatic corps, mining companies, civil society groups and members of the public, the President opined that the current era of rising commodity prices especially for fuel and rice makes the restructuring of our minerals sector and important venture to help combat poverty.
In a seeming realisation of the value of creating an enabling environment for international mining investors, President Koroma enthused at the presence of mining investors at the Workshop which he said would help the workshop grasp an idea of what are the possible constraints to doing mining business in Sierra Leone and how to exterminate such constraints.
Koroma also acknowledged the presence of NGOs at yesterday's consultative workshop as he cited how Venezuela reportedly ignored such NGOs to their own peril.
The Head of State also lamented the lack of highly skilled Government employees in the mining sector.
Koroma ended by stating his expectations from the workshop to be the following:
1. Identification of the underlying causes—not the symptoms—of the constraints to the development of the minerals sector;
2. Presentation of reforms necessary to shift the bottlenecks that prevent the sector from profitable development;
3. Agreement of strategic priorities
4. Allocat1on of responsibility for finalising and implementing the strategy.
© Copyright by Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Subject: IN TWO DAYS ALIEU FLIP-FLOPS ON THE "BONDO" ISSUE!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 14:57:24 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Minister Pledges Support for 'Bondo' Society
Posted by Concord Times (213.232.87.50) on May 09, 2005 at 08:08:25:
Minister Pledges Support for 'Bondo' Society
Concord Times (Freetown)
May 5, 2005
Posted to the web May 5, 2005
Miichael Bockarie
Freetown
Deputy Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs Minister, Memunatu Koroma last Friday pledged her total support to initiates and "sowes" of the Bondo society in Bonthe Island.
Koroma, who accompanied Hon. Agness Bassie on her recent tour of the district told the initiators that she was very happy to be in their midst.
"I'm part of the Bondo society and I have once gone through the same procedures," she proudly said and requested that the old Bondo bush be demolished and replaced by a modern one.
Hon. Bassie also says she believes so much in the Bondo society.
"It is not easy for us to abandon our entrenched culture like that and nobody can ask us to change our tradition," she said and added that the Bondo bush is a meeting place for women and "it is therefore very much in place to have the building reconstructed," she affirmed.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Posted by M. ALIEU ISCANDARI ESQ (195.47.221.27) on May 11, 2005 at 07:45:12:
In Reply to: Minister Pledges Support for 'Bondo' Society posted by Concord Times on May 09, 2005 at 08:08:25:
It always galls me when I hear ministers of the government making comments praising bondo, where they know for a fact that the whole world including some African countries are doing away with the practice. I would think that the minister of gender affaires would be more inclined to address issues such as the rampant violence against women in domestic situations, economic exploitation of children and many other more positive issues. Frankly who gives a rats ass if the minister herself is initiated. Shows how shallow some of these people in the Kabba cabinet are. Whether or not she is initiated is not for public consumption and its quite tacky and if I were Kabba I will sack the Honorable Minister because it is clear that her priorities are all about oppressing women through the use of female genital mutilation which is contrary to her mandate as minister responsible for gender affaires. Her job is to protect women and children not to continue their further opression. Maybe her parents were not enlightened and she suffered from the crude surgery, but people in sierra leone are becoming more enlightened and we dont need ministers who are lagging behing in that enlightenment. I hope she reads this and has the audacity to publicaly debate me on the issues.
I have seen children no older than 6 or at most 8 selling iced water at 10 pm on some hot nights when they should be in bed preparing for school. I have seen women who were beaten by their husbands and boyfriends and nothing has been done either by the police the social welfare dept or, the state prosecutoors office. These are the issues that the honorable minister should be talking about not some freaking bondo bush bizness.
I am in Freetown in case the backlash to this is that they may want to initiate me into the society and rub me down with chalk and burn pamine.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
common sense solution to the FGM issue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by M. ALIEU ISCANDARI ESQ (195.47.221.28) on May 12, 2005 at 07:17:54:
after having thought about this long and hard, I have come to form an opinion about a possible solution to the FGM impassee. My solution is simple:
Every parent who has a child he/she wants to go through the procedure, should watch with that child, the documentary on the procedure by Dr. Olayinka Koso Thomas. After the review of the documentary, all participants would have to further undergo a therapy session on the merits and demerits of the surgery. This should be done at the Ministry of Health, either in Freetown or elswhere in the provinces. It should also be mandatory.
Secondly, every would be initiatee would have to sign a consent to surgery document after watching the documentary.Any consent signed by the initiatee must be countersigned by their parents, and any such consent to be valid must not have been obtained under duress of the proposed initiatee. Any consent obtained under duress is invalid. Any person who obtains any such consent under duress would be held criminally liable for practicing medecine without a license and be subject to penal as well as pecuniary sanctions.
No person under the age of consent (which in sierra leone is believe is 14), should be circumcised, with criminal sanctions for violations. The consent to surgery is a contract and therefore anyone who cannot be legally bound to a contract, or in the alternative whose contract may be legally voidable, cannot give such consent.
Further the government should also legislate that ONLY qualified medical doctors should be allowed to conduct the procedures and any violations of that law be sanctioned by imprisonment. (Now lets see them break their hippocratic oath)
The main purpose of this solution is that if we demystify the procedure and take it out of the realm of the "secret" society culture and make it an open medical issue, then people would become more aware of its ills.
Finally the government MUST charge a tax of 300,000 leones per initiatee and a waiting period of 9 months for an application process. All fees collected should then be ploughed in to a reeducation campaign.
SO WHATS YOUR TAKE ON THIS PRESSING ISSUE.
Subject: Re: IN TWO DAYS ALIEU FLIP-FLOPS ON THE "BONDO" ISSUE!
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 15:12:04 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I am still looking for the flip flop, assuming of course that the meaning you attach to the word flip flop, is holding inconsistent and juxta posed positions on a discrete issue such as bondo here
Subject: Re: IN TWO DAYS ALIEU FLIP-FLOPS ON THE "BONDO" ISSUE!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 15:26:37 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...It always galls me when I hear ministers of the government making comments praising bondo, where they know for a fact that the whole world including some African countries are doing away with the practice..."(Alieu Iscandari, MAY 11, 2005)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"...after having thought about this long and hard, I have come to form an opinion about a possible solution to the FGM impassee. My solution is simple:
Every parent who has a child he/she wants to go through the procedure, should watch with that child, the documentary on the procedure by Dr. Olayinka Koso Thomas. After the review of the documentary, all participants would have to further undergo a therapy session on the merits and demerits of the surgery. This should be done at the Ministry of Health, either in Freetown or elswhere in the provinces. It should also be mandatory..." (Alieu Iscandari, MAY 12,2005)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On May 11, 2005, you outright condemned the practice of Female circumcision. The next day, you said that the procedure is O.K...IF...
Subject: Re: IN TWO DAYS ALIEU FLIP-FLOPS ON THE "BONDO" ISSUE!
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 16:06:38 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I see your point and its well taken. I also understand how both posts could be viewed by the uncritical eye as being in opposition to one another. heres whet I intended to do. My intent was to make the procedure open and transparent such that it is with full consent of the initiatee, who has been given full disclosure. What that would do, would be to decrease to a very large extent the potential initiatees who have gone through the government mandated process. If you notice, I also opined that anyone who after having gone through the process, insists on going through with the process should pay a tax of the equivalent of $100.00 to the ministry of health. All of these things will serve one purpose, which is to dissuade further initiation of innocent children into a so called society that does nothing to celebrate their sexuality but everything to impinge on its full and free expression.
Subject: Re: IN TWO DAYS ALIEU FLIP-FLOPS ON THE "BONDO" ISSUE!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 16:10:38 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Thanks, AGBA, for your response. Point well noted. Hope you are well and doing fine.
Subject: Re: IN TWO DAYS ALIEU FLIP-FLOPS ON THE "BONDO" ISSUE!
From: Bongowas
To: All
Date Posted: 22:43:35 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
Doc:
Jack you na lawyer for true..wink wink. lol!
Subject: Why you wan embarass we APC Bomba so
From: Keen Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 15:47:31 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
FoS I fear you.
Do you work for the Mossad or the CIA? You just checked mate Mr Sisay, the Gotogbata man Now you don geddar we APC Bomba, Alieu. I hope you are not trying to prove that APC memebers are plain liars and not to be ever trusted.
What do you say about EBKs asset declaration promise...is this flip flop or is he just a con man.
Subject: Appalling hypocrisy
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 14:44:58 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 166.189.4.19
Message:
APC supporters are to be admired for one particular trait; hypocrisy.
The out cry against southeasterners voting for SLPP is amazing, given
the fact that most of the north went 100% APC. Northerners feel that
APC is the party that they identify with, southeasterners think likewise
of SLPP.
Even when PMDC alligned with APC in the last election, did that
change the perception of northerners about PMDC? PMDC was
treated in the north like an Ebola virus. The party is now a non factor
in Sierra Leone politics. The only swing voters in Sierra Leone are
Westerners as they prove always that they can vote based on policies.
The rest of the country should just shut up.
Subject: FACTBOX-Sierra Leone, land of diamonds and poverty
From: umfaali
To: All
Date Posted: 13:45:24 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: uslec-66-43-153-180.cust.uslec.net at 66.43.153.180
Message:
FACTBOX-Sierra Leone, land of diamonds and poverty
Sat Sep 8, 2007 5:36am EDT
Sept 8 (Reuters) - Sierra Leoneans vote on Saturday in a second-round
runoff to choose their president, the first elections since a U.N.
peacekeeping force left the war-shattered West African country two
years ago.
Here are some key facts about our country:
CAPITAL: Freetown.
POPULATION: 5.7 million.
ECONOMY: Diamonds, gold, bauxite and titanium ore accounted for
about two-thirds of foreign exchange income before war and
instability wrecked the economy.
-- Experts said only in June that Sierra Leone has made little progress
in tackling corruption and has squandered foreign aid, leaving its most
vulnerable citizens as destitute as they were before the civil war ended.
-- Mains electricity and piped water are rare even in the shanty towns
that make up Freetown. There are few paved roads in the rest of the
country, and 70 percent of the population survive on less than $1 a
day.
ETHNICITY: The Temne and Mende each account for almost one-third
of the population. Lokko, Sherbro, Limba, Susso, Fulani, Kono and Krio
are other important groups.
RELIGION: Most of the people practise traditional African religions.
Nearly one-third are Muslims, who mainly live in the north. A Catholic
minority is concentrated in the capital.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language but Temne, Mende and Krio
(Creole) are also spoken. Krio serves as the commercial language in the
capital.
GEOGRAPHY: Sierra Leone covers 71,740 sq km (27,699 sq miles). It
borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Guinea to the north and east
and Liberia to the southeast. The climate is tropical.
SOME HISTORY: It won independence from Britain in 1961 and suffered
years of dictatorship, coup attempts and corrupt rule.
-- President Siaka Stevens made the country a one-party state in
1978, quit in 1985 aged 80 and chose former army chief Joseph
Momoh as successor.
-- Foday Sankoh's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebelled against
Momoh in 1991, starting a decade of war that ended in early 2002
after an estimated 50,000 people were killed.
-- Having been deposed once in 1997 by a coalition of army officers
led by Major-General Johnny Paul Koroma and the RUF, Ahmad Tejan
Kabbah was re-elected in May 2002. The RUF, standing as a political
party, won little support in the ballot.
-- A Special Court for Sierra Leone was set up jointly by the country's
government and the United Nations in 2002 to try those most
responsible for human rights violations during the later stages of the
civil war.
-- In July 2007 Sierra Leone's war crimes court sentenced three rebel
militia leaders to long jail terms for "some of the most heinous, brutal
and atrocious crimes ever recorded". In August it convicted two former
leaders of a pro-government militia of murder and other crimes. Rebel
leaders are on trial.
-- The Aug. 11 parliamentary polls were won by the opposition All
People's Congress with 59 of the 112 seats. The Sierra Leone People's
Party (SLPP) of outgoing President Tejan Kabbah, which dominated the
last parliament, won 43 seats. The PMDC, a breakaway of the SLPP,
took the remaining 10.
Copy from Thomson Reuters 2008
Subject: LOOKING AT FEMALE CIRCUMCISION IN TOTO
From: Dr CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 13:05:53 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Female Circumcision as a Public Health Issue
Nahid Toubia (Columbia University)
In many civilizations, certain surgical procedures have profound cultural and social meanings. Male circumcision, for example, has deep importance as a symbol of religious and ethnic identity and has played a major part in the political and social history of many peoples1. Female circumcision has particularly strong cultural meaning because it is closely linked to women's sexuality and their reproductive role in society.
Female circumcision is practiced today in 26 African countries, with prevalence rates ranging from 5 percent to 99 percent. It is rarely practiced in Asia. It is estimated that at least 100 million women are circumcised. The practice is known across socioeconomic classes and among different ethnic and cultural groups, including Christians, Muslims, Jews, and followers of indigenous African religions2. From the perspective of public health, female circumcision is much more damaging than male circumcision. The mildest form, clitoridectomy, is anatomically equivalent to amputation of the penis. Under the conditions in which most procedures take place, female circumcision constitutes a health hazard with short- and long-term physical complications and psychological effects. The influx of refugees and immigrants from different parts of Africa to North America, Europe, and Australia in the past decade requires that physicians and other health professionals familiarize themselves with the practice and its ramifications for their patients.
This article reviews the common types of circumcision, their complications, and the challenges in giving appropriate care to circumcised women. In counseling families who believe in the practice, it is important to understand the depth of cultural meaning it carries. Finally, a brief review of legal and ethical issues will include consideration of existing and expected pieces of legislation and what they mean to the medical profession.
The Procedures
Girls are commonly circumcised between the ages of 4 and 10 years, but in some communities the procedure may be performed on infants, or it may be postponed until just before marriage or even after the birth of the first child. The often quoted Shandall system of clinical classification adopted by Verzin in 19753 is not accurate and is of little clinical use. That system claims the existence of what is termed "circumcision proper," described as the circumferential excision of the clitoral prepuce in a manner analogous to male circumcision. In my extensive clinical experience as a physician in Sudan, and after a careful review of the literature of the past 15 years, I have not found a single case of female circumcision in which only the skin surrounding the clitoris is removed, without damage to the clitoris itself.
I have advanced a newer system of classificationthat groups the most common forms of female circumcision into two broad categories: clitoridectomies (type I and II procedures) and infibulations (type III and IV procedures).
Type I clitoridectomy (Figure 1) involves the removal of a part of the clitoris or the whole organ. This is what is commonly referred to as "Sunna circumcision"4.
Type II clitoridectomy, or excision, involves excision of the clitoris and part of the labia minora. Bleeding from the raw surfaces and from the clitoral artery may be halted with a few stitches of catgut or thorn or by the application of homemade poultices. After healing, the clitoris is absent, but the urethra and the vaginal introitus are not covered.
Type II Clitoridectomy (Excision) after Hemostatic Stitching.
Type IV, or total infibulation, involves the removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, plus incision of the labia majora to create raw surfaces that are stitched together to cover the urethra and the entrance to the vagina with a hood of skin, leaving a very small posterior opening for the passage of urine and menstrual blood .
Type IV Total Infibulation.
Type III, or modified (sometimes called intermediate) infibulation, is a milder form of infibulation, which involves the same amount of cutting, but in which only the anterior two thirds of the labia majora are stitched, thus leaving a larger posterior opening.
This anatomically precise and simplified system of classification is only a guide to help clinicians and researchers standardize their descr1ptions of a multitude of operations. In reality, the extent of cutting and stitching varies considerably, since the operator is usually a layperson with limited knowledge of anatomy and surgical technique. With local or no anesthesia, the girl may move, and the extent of cutting cannot be accurately controlled.
Physical Complications
Because the specialized sensory tissue of the clitoris is concentrated in a rich neurovascular area of a few centimeters, the removal of a small amount of tissue is dangerous and has serious and irreversible effects. Common early complications of all types of circumcision are hemorrhage and severe pain, which can lead to shock and death. Prolonged lesser bleeding may lead to severe anemia and can affect the growth of a poorly nourished child. Local and systemic infections are also common. Infection of the wound, abscesses, ulcers, delayed healing, septicemia, tetanus, and gangrene have all been reported.
Long-term complications are associated more often with infibulation than with clitoridectomy alone, because of interference with the drainage of urine and menstrual blood. Chronic pelvic infection causes pelvic and back pain, dysmenorrhea, and possibly infertility. Chronic urinary tract infections can lead to urinary stones and kidney damage.
The most common long-term complication is the formation of dermoid cysts in the line of the scar. These result from the embedding of keratinized epithelial cells and sebaceous glands in the stitched area. They can be as small as a pea or as large as a grapefruit. The formation of keloids is another disfiguring complication that, like dermoid cysts, causes anxiety, shame, and fear in women who think that their genitals are regrowing in monstrous shapes or who fear they have cancer. When painful stitch neuromas develop as a result of the entrapment of nerve endings in the scar, the result is severe dyspareunia and interference with sexual intercourse4. Recurrent stitch abscesses and the splitting of poorly healed scars, particularly when they occur over the clitoral artery, can plague women for many years.
Childbirth adds other risks for infibulated women, particularly where health services are limited. If deinfibulation is not performed, exit of the fetal head may be obstructed and strong contractions can lead to perineal tears. If contractions are weak and delivery of the head is delayed, fetal death can occur and necrosis of the septum between the vagina and bladder can cause vesicovaginal fistula, a distressing condition of urinary incontinence for which women are often ostracized by their communities5.
Another problem related to labor and delivery is emerging among immigrants in Europe and North America, where physicians are not trained to deal with infibulated women. Unnecessary cesarean section can be avoided with a simple deinfibulation6 performed with the woman under local anesthesia
In summary, female circumcision is a major contributor to childhood and maternal mortality and morbidity in communities with poor health services.
Psychological and Sexual Effects
In contrast to numerous studies and case reports on the physical complications of genital mutilation, little scientific research is available on the sexual and psychological effects of the practice. This dearth of research has left the subject to a great deal of lay speculation7,8,9. Among girls who live in communities where female circumcision carries high social value, the desire to gain social status, please parents, and comply with peer pressure is in conflict with the fear, trauma, and after-effects of the operation4,10,11. Physical complications add to the psychological trauma12. In my clinical experience in Sudan, many infibulated women have a syndrome of chronic anxiety and depression arising from worry over the state of their genitals, intractable dysmenorrhea, and the fear of infertility.
One major study by two Egyptian psychologists suggests that a woman's sexuality is affected according to the extent of the operation and the degree to which other social messages inhibiting sexual expression are internalized13. However, the assumption that all circumcised women have sexual problems or are unable to achieve orgasm is not substantiated by research or anecdotal evidence. The relation between the degree of anatomical damage and the ability of women to compensate for it through other sensory areas or emotions and fantasy is not well understood.
A few cases of psychopathologic disorders directly attributable to genital mutilation have been reported in Sudan4. Among the majority of girls and women, however, the psychological effects are often subtle and are buried in layers of denial and acceptance of social norms. Understanding the personal and community dynamics of accepting circumcision is important not only in uncovering psychopathologic disorders but also in comprehending why the practice continues. Such understanding is central to the design of efforts to stop the practice.
The psychological sequelae of female circumcision among immigrants differ from those where the practice is prevalent. Circumcised women living in societies where the procedure is not performed may have serious problems in developing their sexual identity. Sooner or later, health professionals will be called on to deal with these problems.
The Cultural Meaning of Female Circumcision
No ethical defense can be made for preserving a cultural practice that damages women's health and interferes with their sexuality. It is important, however, that those who are alien to the culture make themselves familiar with the causes and meanings of cultural practices and relate them to ideas of sex roles in their own societies.
Cultural identity is of paramount importance to everyone. Defending that identity becomes especially important when the group has faced colonialism (as in Africa), when immigrants are faced with a stronger majority culture, and when change does not favor those holding social power (that is, men). Female circumcision is part of the socialization of girls into acceptable womanhood.
In poorer societies, where the extended family is the principal source of social and economic security and has not been replaced by the modern state, women have very few options outside marriage. Female circumcision is the physical marking of the marriageability of women, because it symbolizes social control of their sexual pleasure (clitoridectomy) and their reproduction (infibulation). Cultural identity is often stronger than individual interest, and it may take some time and much new information for people to abandon traditional customs.
Clinical Management
Although clitoridectomies (type I and II procedures) have many short- and long-term complications, they usually do not create mechanical obstruction to first intercourse or to labor. Tightly infibulated women, on the other hand, may need deinfibulation (Figure 5) before their first sexual intercourse or first vaginal examination can take place. Most women with infibulation (type III and IV procedures) are at serious risk, as are their unborn babies, if deinfibulation is not performed. Multiparous women usually have heavily scarred and deformed perineums from repeated deinfibulation and reinfibulation and routine (usually unnecessary) posterior episiotomy.
After deinfibulation, the raw, bleeding edges must be secured in some fashion. Two options are available. The first, a circular stitching around the edges of the labia majora (Figure 6), leaves the vulval area open, allowing the free flow of urine and menstrual blood. This also facilitates intercourse and may relieve dyspareunia. The second option is the one traditionally performed and is considered a reinfibulation. The raw edges are sewn back together to restructure the hood of skin covering the urethra and vaginal introitus.
This reinfibulation is medically harmful and raises ethical questions about the health professionals who perform it. Some women request reinfibulation and further tightening of the introitus to its virginal state because they feel "naked" if the area of infibulation is left open or because they believe that a tight vaginal entrance is more pleasurable for their husbands. Compassionate counseling for women and their partners is important to dissuade them from resorting to illegal community practitioners who may operate under inadequate and unhygienic conditions.
The management of gynecologic complications of female circumcision does not differ from the handling of other surgical complications. However, physicians should exercise extreme caution in deciding to operate on an already damaged and scarred area. The decision to incise an abscess or remove a dermoid cyst or keloidal scar must be made conservatively, and care must be taken to perform only the most minimal surgical dissection.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The legal and ethical debate over female circumcision is not within the scope of this article. It is important, however, that medical practitioners be aware of the legislative and professional actions taken in various countries in recent years.
In Sweden, a law passed in 1982 makes all forms of female circumcision illegal14; a similar law was passed in the United Kingdom in 198515. No specific law has been passed in France, but several cases have been brought against parents for circumcising or intending to circumcise their French-born daughters16. The cases were tried under child-abuse laws and established a precedent for the illegality of female circumcision in France. The Netherlands and Belgium have also made it clear that the practice is illegal14,17. In the United States, a bill drafted by the Congressional Women's Caucus has been presented to Congress. It would make female circumcision illegal and recommend that the Department of Health and Human Services fund programs to assist immigrant communities in dealing with the practice18. Even without a specific law, circumcising a girl under the age of consent would most likely be considered illegal under child-abuse laws in the United States.
It is only a matter of time before all forms of female circumcision in children will be made illegal in Western countries and, eventually, in Africa. The Vienna Declaration of the World Conference on Human Rights held that traditional practices such as female circumcision were violations of human rights19,20. This position has been adopted by various United Nations health and human-rights organizations.
Another medicolegal question, recently discussed by Baker et al.,6 concerns the legality and ethics of reinfibulating a woman after vaginal delivery in the United States. Although physicians have an obligation to respond sensitively to a patient's request, reinfibulation is harmful and may be considered illegal. Citing the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act of 1985, the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology made it clear in a June 1993 press release that reinfibulation is illegal in the United Kingdom. It stated that
The agreed definition of the word infibulation is that it is a stitching together of the labia. By definition, therefore, when an obstetrician is faced with the repair of the vulva of a woman who has delivered a baby vaginally following a previous infibulation it is illegal then to repair the labia intentionally in such a way that intercourse is difficult or impossible.
Although debate about the interpretation of various laws will continue, the medical profession must develop its own rules of ethical conduct concerning the clinical aspects of this practice. How regulations governing reinfibulation fit with the regulations governing other plastic and genital surgeries must be part of the discussion. As such regulations are being developed, it is important to ensure that women who request reinfibulation do not suffer ethnic or cultural bias.
In 1992 the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics published a joint statement on female circumcision with the World Health Organization,22 and in 1993 the World Health Assembly, the highest authority of the World Health Organization, issued a similar statement23. Both statements condemn the practice of female circumcision as harmful and call for coalitions to abolish it. Greater efforts are needed by national and regional professional associations to promote awareness of the issue among their members and to articulate their own policy positions on the various aspects of the practice.
Conclusions
Female circumcision, or female genital mutilation, can no longer be seen as a traditional custom. It has become a problem of modern society in Africa as well as in Western countries. In recent years, concern has grown over how to stop the practice, rather than whether it is appropriate to intervene.
There are two main areas of concern for health practitioners. The first is the danger that a trained and licensed practitioner could be expected to assist in circumcising a girl, particularly a young child. Legislation against the practice will resolve this question. The second area of concern is how to deliver the most appropriate clinical care and psychological support to girls and women who have already suffered from this practice.
More research is needed to examine the full range of physical, sexual, and psychological consequences of the various procedures. Guidelines and training materials must be developed to inform providers about how to manage the health needs of circumcised women and about appropriate ways to counsel patients when they request circumcision or reinfibulation. Professional associations should publish guidelines that outline their members' obligations and responsibilities to their patients.
Source Information
From the School of Public Health, Columbia University, and the Research Action and Information Network for the Bodily Integrity of Women, both in New York.
Address reprint requests to Dr. Toubia at P.O. Box 1554, Cooper Sta., New York, NY 10276.
References
Remondino PC. History of circumcision from the earliest times to the present: moral and physical reasons for its performance. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 1891.
Toubia N. Female genital mutilation: a call for global action. New York: Women, Ink, 1993.
Verzin JA. Sequelae of female circumcision. Trop Doct 1975;5:163-169.
Baasher T. Psychological aspects of female circumcision. In: WHO/EMRO technical publication no. 2. Traditional practices affecting the health of women and children. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1979:71-105.
Warsame M. Medical and social aspects of female circumcision in Somalia. In: Female circumcision: strategies to bring about change. Mogadishu, Somalia: Somali Women Democratic Organization, 1989:94-8.
Baker CA, Gilson GJ, Vill MD, Curet LB. Female circumcision: obstetric issues. Albuquerque, N.M.: Mosby-Year Book, 1993.
Lightfoot Klein H, Shaw E. Special needs of ritually circumcised women patients. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 1991;20:102-107. [Medline]
Walker A. Possessing the secret of joy. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1992.
Walker A, Parmar P. Warrior marks: female genital mutilation and the sexual blinding of women. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1993.
Taba AH. Female circumcision. In: WHO/EMRO technical publication no. 2. Traditional practices affecting the health of women and children. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1979:43-52.
Warsame A. Social and cultural implications of infibulation in Somalia. In: Female circumcision: strategies to bring about change. Mogadishu, Somalia: Somali Women Democratic Organization, 1989:88-93.
Singhateh SK. The incidence of female circumcision in Gambia and its effect on women and children. In: Female circumcision: strategies to bring about change. Mogadishu, Somalia: Somali Women Democratic Organization, 1989:77-84.
Karim M, Ammar R. Female circumcision and sexual desire. Cairo, Egypt: Ain Shams University Press, 1965.
Dorkenoo E, Elworthy S. Female genital mutilation: proposals for change. London: Minority Rights Group, 1992.
Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act of the United Kingdom, 1985.
Mutilation of girls' genitals: ethnic gulf in French court. New York Times International. November 23, 1992.
Vrouwenbesnijdenis ontoelaatbaar. [Female circumcision inadmissible.] Nederlandse Staatscourant. February 1993;26:8.
U.S. Congress. Women's Research Equity Act of 1993. Title II-M.
Sullivan D, Toubia NF. Female genital mutilation and human rights. Presented at the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, Austria, June 1993.
World Conference on Human Rights: the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, June 1993. New York: United Nations Department of Public Information, 1993. (United Nations publication no. DPI/1394/39399.)
Female circumcision (female genital mutilation). Press release of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, 1993.
Female circumcision: female genital mutilation. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1992;37:149-149. [Medline]
Female genital mutilation -- World Health Assembly calls for the elimination of harmful traditional practices. Press release of the 46th World Health Assembly, Geneva, World Health Organization, May 12, 1993.
REFERENCES AND CITATIONS.
Horowitz C. R., Jackson J. C., Teklemariam M., Schoen E. J., Buff D. D., Weydert J.-M., Fleiss P. M., Gilson G. J., Toubia N.
Extract | Full Text
N Engl J Med 1995; 332:188-190, Jan 19, 1995. Correspondence
This article has been cited by other articles:
Turillazzi, E, Fineschi, V (2007). Female genital mutilation: the ethical impact of the new Italian law. J. Med. Ethics 33: 98-101 [Abstract] [Full Text]
Elmusharaf, S., Elhadi, N., Almroth, L. (2006). Reliability of self reported form of female genital mutilation and WHO classification: cross sectional study. BMJ 333: 124- [Abstract] [Full Text]
Nour, N. M., Michels, K. B., Bryant, A. E. (2006). Defibulation to Treat Female Genital Cutting: Effect on Symptoms and Sexual Function.. Obstet Gynecol 108: 55-60 [Abstract] [Full Text]
Anuforo, P. O., Oyedele, L., Pacquiao, D. F. (2004). Comparative Study of Meanings, Beliefs, and Practices of Female Circumcision Among Three Nigerian Tribes in the United States and Nigeria. J Transcult Nurs 15: 103-113 [Abstract]
Allam, M. F. A., de Irala-Estevez, J., Navajas, R. F.-C., del Castillo, A. S., Hoashi, J. S., Pankovich, M. B., Liceaga, J. R. (1999). Students' Knowledge of and Attitudes about Female Circumcision in Egypt. NEJM 341: 1552-1553 [Full Text]
Committee on Bioethics, (1998). Female Genital Mutilation. Pediatrics 102: 153-156 [Abstract] [Full Text]
Horowitz, C. R., Jackson, J. C., Teklemariam, M., Schoen, E. J., Buff, D. D., Weydert, J.-M., Fleiss, P. M., Gilson, G. J., Toubia, N. (1995). Female Circumcision. NEJM 332: 188-190 [Full Text]
Schroeder, P. (1994). Female Genital Mutilation -- A Form of Child Abuse. NEJM 331: 739-740 [Full Text]
Subject: You really are an ineffective advocate
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 13:58:15 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Little wonder why the cry for a ban is only a white elephant.
By the way, I did not read your loooooooooooog text book stuff. Its ineffective. What do you want ... a medal or a solution?
Wrong approach...Cut... Take 100,000... as they say in they Movie Business.
Subject: Re: You really are an ineffective advocate
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 14:06:11 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...By the way, I did not read your loooooooooooog text book stuff..." (Jacob Kanu)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am not a bit surprised you did not read everything. You probably do not have what it takes to read EVERYTHING...THE MENTAL ENERGY. As a consequence, I will not bother debating with you...what is the use IF YOU WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING ARGUED BECAUSE YOU FAILED TO READ THE REPORT SECONDARY TO BEING MENTALLY CHALLANGED!
Subject: Believe it or not, I have the book
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 14:22:23 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Doc, I apologise for sounding impatient. My point is I know all the gory details about FGM. I have read a lot about FGM. My take is, they are not important in influencing chamge.
Shock therapy does not work on this scale. This is why, Health/Hazard warnings printed on every cigarette pack in the UK for eg ... are just ignored.
Once again, I did not mean to annoy you... OK?
Subject: Re: LOOKING AT FEMALE CIRCUMCISION IN TOTO
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 13:54:40 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-67-122.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.67.122
Message:
Dr. Curtis Thomas, great posting, interesting , informative and educational, thank you.However, the information oversighted relevant matters,over five million circumcised women in the sub region of african produced children safely and there are many circumcised women with many children.In Sierra Leone women are not forced to be circumcised in many areas, this has been updated. Some circumcised women who raised hell about the issue are married, they have children and are in good health, Mariama is one example. Dr. HANNS, simply stated " Women who are interested in keeping their cl.( little penis) should keep them but the not interested ones should not be prevented from getting rid of damn itchy stuff causing much problem" . Thank you
Subject: Re: LOOKING AT FEMALE CIRCUMCISION IN TOTO
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 18:01:28 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
When you said "in toto..", I thought you said a cuss word. Sorry.
Subject: Re: LOOKING AT FEMALE CIRCUMCISION IN TOTO
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 14:00:21 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
A rather interresting outlook on your part. Thanks for the interest in this very important matter.
Subject: Sierra Leone: Group displeased with conduct of Sierra Leone'
From: Thugs
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:44 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
News Africa News Sierra Leone: Group displeased with conduct of Sierra Leone's council polls
Sierra Leone: Group displeased with conduct of Sierra Leone's council polls
President of Sierra Leone's gender group (50/50), Isha Josiah, has frowned at the conduct of last weekend's local council polls, saying electioneering campaigns on election days should be discouraged. Speaking on a United Nations' women magazine radio programme, Josiah said political parties actually interfered with the choice of candidates.
"It is disgusting to observe actual campaigning going on, during voting exercise: I mean, political party members, in their respective colours, convincing electorates to cast their lots in their favour," she said, stressing that it was illegal to campaign on polling day.
"Local council is about participation. It is a grooming ground for community people who intend to enter main politics.
"Let us encourage diversity. In most places, parts of the eastern and northern provinces and Freetown, people actually offered money to aspirants for them to withdraw from the polls," she claimed.
Though she spoke of political harassment and intimidation, few female aspirants from Freetown, Eastern Kailahun and Northern Tonkolili Districts disagreed with contrary views.
According to a female aspirant Marion Rogers of the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), of ward 353 in Freetown, the polls were characterised by low turn out.
Rogers said though there was no incident of political violence or hostility, she was only disappointed with the campaigns during election day.
"I monitored all polling stations in my constituency, I saw no hostility; no violence, no form of intimidation.
"The only disappointment I have is the fact that all the women contestants of the opposition and independent candidates lost at the elections in the western area."
She blamed the police and the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) for the women's losses, saying complaints were made about campaigns on voting day but action was never taken.
Northern Tonkolili independent candidate Isata Daramy, described the polls as "very peaceful", adding "there was no threat against my life. I felt good and happy."
Madam Samai of Kailahun District said 17 women contested under the APC, SLPP and opposition People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) as well as independent candidates.
Out of the 17 women contestants, three won.
"The political climate was very peaceful. Everybody went about their businesses peacefully.
"There was no problem, no violence: the election was fine.
"We were fully supported by the 50/50 Group, National Democratic institute, to campaign and undertake other election exercises," Samai said, pointing out that in the past, women were not allowed to contest elections in Kailahun.
"So, I thank God. What people have been thinking (violence) and anticipating (chaos), did not materialise.
Meanwhile, all 31 candidates of the ruling All People's Congress (APC) party won their seats.
More than 150 candidates ran for the 30 vacant seats in the Freetown city council Municipality, while five candidates, including the incumbent, vied for the mayoral seat.
The results also show the APC winning eight out of the ten seats in the western Rural District, while opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and an independent candidate won one seat each.
The Western Rural chairmanship was also won by an APC candidate.
The results do not include the 41 candidates earlier declared unopposed by National Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Christiana Thorpe.
The defeated SLPP is yet to react to the provisional results.
Freetown - 08/07/2008
Pana
Subject: Re: ISHA JOSIAH IS AN SLPP STOOGE, SO WHAT ELSE ?
From: SLPP STOOGE
To: All
Date Posted: 12:50:02 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
An election that the U.S. Embassy, UN and the International observers praised ? But what do you expect ? The woman is an SLPP stooge ! ! ! Just look at her name. She is from the South/East.
Subject: Sierra Leone: APC MPs Blamed for Chaos At Polling Centre
From: Thug MP
To: All
Date Posted: 11:15:09 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
Sierra Leone: APC MPs Blamed for Chaos At Polling Centre
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Concord Times (Freetown)
8 July 2008
Posted to the web 8 July 2008
Alhassan Bah
Two All Peoples Congress (APC) Members of Parliament representing constituencies 104 and 105 were allegedly responsible for the fight that took place on Saturday at Ahmadiyya Primary School polling centre on Boyle Street.
The fight was said to have started when Honourables Tunde Lewally and Nuru Deen Sankoh-Yillah arrived at the polling centre and were prevented by Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) councillorship candidate in ward 371, Mohamed Barnet Koroma, who claimed they had nothing to do at the station since they did not cast their vote there.
Lewally reportedly staged a fight with Koroma as he tried to force his way into the centre and several supporters of the two parties joined in the fight which continued till late in the evening.
APC councillorship candidate at the ward, Amid Samba Koroma, alongside his supporters, also clashed with Koroma and his group before the arrival of the military police patrol team which contained the situation.
When contacted, Koroma confirmed to Concord Times that he had a confrontation with Lewally.
"I asked him to move away from the polling center so that he would not disturb the voting process but he was obstinate and insisted that he must enter the polling center. So I blocked him at the gate. He pushed me and I also pushed him that was how it all started. We were on that when another MP joined in the fight against me," he said.
However, Honourable Lewally denied the allegation saying it was a big lie. "It's a lie. A decent MP like me will not involve in fighting anyone and if anyone tries to defame me, I will sue such person to court," he said.
In his explanation, Lewally said he has no reason to fight because "he is a fine gentleman" but he was only moving around his constituency on polling day to ensure that everywhere was peaceful. "I have the right to move around. Even the president was moving on that day. It is my constituency and I have to move around," he said.
Similarly, another brawl erupted between an independent candidate for the councillorship of ward 371, Donald Sydney Williams, and the National Electoral Commission polling center manager at Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Primary School on York Street in Constituency 104.
Williams claimed the centre manager connived with one of the Sierra Leone police officers on duty to send one of his polling agents, Augustine Caulker, out of the centre for objecting an invalid ballot paper which was similar to a previous one that was earlier accepted.
Subject: Is President Koroma weak or specious?
From: Christian monitor
To: All
Date Posted: 09:41:27 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58
Message:
Christian Monitor
Charles Davies
Is President Koroma weak or specious?
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
When a Politician says one thing and does quite the opposite, or promises a change within a specific time limit and then does not deliver it makes one question their integrity. This is why the ever increasing u-turns and signs of dithering are beginning to lead to questions on the character, fiber and honesty of President Koroma.
Soon after winning the presidential elections in 2007, Ernest Bai Koroma said he would not be appointing members of parliament to his cabinet. His reason; he would want to see an effective system of separation of powers where the executive, legislature and judiciary maintain and perform their distinct role within the political realm of the state.
However, within days of that proclamation the newly elected president did a u-turn and appointed at least four members of parliament to senior positions within his cabinet. What changed for the President to go back on his words made a few days earlier is anyone’s guess. However, it seemed to paint a picture of a leader who cannot keep his word.
Also, within the same period, after what one will be tempted to call a careful look at corruption and the body established to fight it, our president made this pledge; ‘I have campaigned on the platform of putting up a very robust fight against corruption. We believe that has been a key problem of the past administration…I am going to ensure that we pass a legislation that will give an amendment to the act that establishes the Anti-Corruption Commission, and specifically the authority that is given to the attorney-general to determine who should be prosecuted after the investigations have been done by the ACC. That authority will be removed and will be restored to the ACC, so that the ACC will have the power to investigate and at the same time prosecute’.
Our president went further on his word of honour and assured us during an interview with the UK’s Financial Times newspaper that he will give himself between September and December to amend the ACC Act. ‘Most of the outstanding issues will have been addressed’ said the president and he will use, ‘emergency powers’ to get the bill through parliament. This, President Koroma explained ‘means it (legislation) goes in (to parliament) in the morning and it’s concluded during the course of the day’.
But, almost 10 months after that promise of a revised Act for the ACC the people are still waiting for the president to act. It is difficult to believe that there is a real commitment and the political will to fight corruption in Sierra Leone. Something that President Koroma had claimed the SLPP lacked. Changes seem painfully slow and half hearted. Current plans to rewrite large amounts of the anti-corruption legislation rather than amending a clause as originally planned can be viewed as merely ‘smoke and mirrors’. The National Anti-corruption Strategy had been in place under the past government, so is the Act and the Asset Declaration. All that was needed was amending a clause to transfer prosecutorial privilege to the ACC from the office of the Attorney General.
In time, perhaps it will become clear that the aim of the current shenanigan with the ACC Act is to procrastinate, prevaricate and deceive. It gives the president and his men excuse for not declaring their assets and putting on a robust fight, as yet, against corruption as promised. It also shields the truth of the true lack of political will on the part of the APC to actually give the Commission teeth to make it effective.
In fact, it seems as if the grand design of the president and his men is to make the ACC permanently ineffectual by establishing a parallel instrument in the form of a commission of inquiry to look into allegations of corruption by past SLPP government officials as contained in the secretive and yet unpublished Transition Report (TR).
But, the president had promised to pass the TR over to the ACC in December 2007, so that the Commission can act on it. It was in line with yet another promise earlier by the president when he said; ‘I believe that a few things are to be investigated. I think Sierra Leoneans will want an answer to a few issues, and if in the process they have to do with members of the past government, then so be it. But I think the circle of impunity should be checked and we should put an end to it. If not put an end in its entirety we must minimize it. The Anti-Corruption will be there…if anything it will serve as a deterrent’.
Setting up an analogous institution to the ACC will, frankly, be the final nail in the coffin for the commission. It does nothing to help in efforts at developing and strengthening democratic institutions to enhance governance and accountability. While the argument and debate goes on about the detail of the new ACC draft bill, the APC will go on with its commission of inquiry, in effect, looking into and dealing with cases that are definitely within the purview of the ACC, thereby rendering the Commission permanently redundant and ineffectual.
A commission of inquiry not only represents another u-turn from President Koroma ten months into his presidency, but, more importantly, it is symbolic and symptomatic of all that is wrong with Sierra Leone’s body politic. Successive governments spent huge amounts establishing such commissions and used them to extort, intimidate and coerce opposition. And, specifically in the case of the APC of old, it was used in part to dismantle the opposition SLPP of yesteryear, with threats of findings against individuals failing to comply. It helped in the creation of a one-party state. This is why the SLPP should not be tempted, or view this latest installment as the lesser of two evils, pitted against an independent and strong ACC in which a court of law will have to decide an individual’s wrong doing rather than a political figure.
Supporters of the APC and indeed the President – they are in no short supply these days within and without – might argue that it is still early days for a definitive judgment on President koroma’s leadership. They might also point to the partial electrification of the city as sign that their leader and government are on course to deliver for the long suffering people of Sierra Leone, which after all is what is most important.
Indeed, it is right to say that a conclusive opinion cannot be formed on Koroma’s leadership at this point in time, but, surely, we can chronicle events as we see them and do not have to wait four or five years down the line to do so. Then, it will be time for the electorate to decide. Regarding the partial electrification, I believe the argument is weighted in favour of spending $35million dollars towards a more permanent arrangement like Bumbuna, to speed it up and possibly expand on it rather than the one-year temporary deployment we have that will soon come to an end. Frankly, even the most corrupt establishment can provide some form of electricity for its people for a year for $35million.
Perhaps, what worries people is the fact that the APC has got history that is neither democratic nor accountable. The APC of past times was largely undemocratic and unaccountable. Its history is riddled with violence and intimidation, corruption and recklessness. The reigns of Siaka Stevens and Momoh are still vivid in some people’s minds. Therefore, when President Koroma said his administration will ‘not be business as usual’, some of us took that to mean a complete break from his party’s unsavory past.But, there is a growing perception that Koroma’s APC is business as usual - of corruption and underhand games - when they see someone like Sanpha Koroma become the gatekeeper to the president and indeed the numerous questionable self-seeking characters hovering around State House.
So, what better way it would have been to start the break away from that sometimes revolting past of the APC by keeping his words and sticking to the ideals the President sets for himself and his government; instead of making promises and not keeping them. Indeed, what better way is there to champion the so-called attitude change if the leader can keep his word and promises, thereby removing all doubt on his integrity and bring back some honesty into the APC and politics in general?
Subject: Of course he is very deceitful
From: Bobson L Sesay (rtd)
To: All
Date Posted: 14:47:36 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: tejan.kabba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I knew EBK from Secondary School days. As always behind that handsome face is a very deceitful man. He always said things he did not mean or even believed in.
To be honest he has not changed much. My son is going to scan some old school photos and I will make them available once I learn how to do it.
BLS
Subject: Being called an illiterate by Dr ..., Koroma uses big words
From: Fun-loving observer
To: All
Date Posted: 09:32:32 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Posted by Mohamed A. kamara on July 07, 2008 at 03:52:14:
In Reply to: Re: big words posted by Mohamed Kutubu Koroma on July 07, 2008 at 02:49:25:
Kutubu I just read your piece to Abdulai Conteh. I say, if your method of impressing a morally bankrupt fellow (Abdulai) on how much you have mastered the english language, is by going BOMBASTIC on its usage; ride on bro. It's a shame the rest of us will have to flip through pages of a dictionary to understand what the heck you were trying to say. Thank god you are not teaching the english language anywhere. Your class will be boring even to british students.
Subject: Re: Being called an illiterate by Dr ..., Koroma uses big words
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 10:55:39 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
I have nothing to impress Abdulia Conteh about because he is very irrelevant in the scheme of things.Hebelongs to the past and he will remain so,no matter what.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Being called an illiterate by Dr ..., Koroma uses big words
From: Mohamed A. kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 17:29:39 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: Saghinosoccerworld@yahoo.com
Entered From: ool-44c6af1f.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.175.31
Message:
Arwo! Waytin you for rub naeem you drink force. Kutubu i might not be as highly versed in the english language as you are mate, but i absolutely know statements which indicate that, someone is being held in high esteem, when i see them. Especially when the fiddler is mesmerized by that individual's academic accomplishments. I see you did not feel complimented by my initial post, after all. Kutubu, a piece of advice from a high school dropout to a braniac, ALWAYS SAY WHAT YOU REALLY FEEL. Keeping stuff bottled up to project a certain persona, will induce unnecessary tension buildup in your body, which could lead into something else. We both know that medical coverage does not do much these days.
Subject: ANTHONY SISAY, TALKS"GBOTO-GBATA"!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 09:10:58 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Posted by Anthony Sisay on July 08, 2008 at 07:55:43:
In Reply to: President Koroma ,Dont mess with female circumcision posted by SORIE Jawara on July 07, 2008 at 16:52:07:
Female circumcision is wrong. Bluntly put, it makes the conk too hard. It should be banned with immediate effect.
Thanks for bring(sic) this topic up.
Subject: Re: ANTHONY SISAY, TALKS"GBOTO-GBATA"!
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 14:35:18 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
FoS, you nor dae spare person een? Yu gedder ram well.. en Mr Sisay yu sef yu go faaaaaaar oh.
Ar nor able repeat da gboto gbata word sef way yu use
Subject: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: corruption
To: All
Date Posted: 08:22:18 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 5ac4cbfc.bb.sky.com at 90.196.203.252
Message:
I think SLPP did morethan well in this local government election and this should be a wakeup call for them to recruit young blood for 2012.SLPP and other political parties failed by sending non creole for FCC mayor and i am happy with APC and prayed and God answered in order to keep the creole light burning.However if SLPP can identify non mendes in freetown and the north and encourage them to be members then they will win the 2012 election.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 09:49:24 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.comDD
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
In addition to that,it is definately time now for new leadership.In that regard,the party's best hope is to carefully look at the following people:
Dr.Bernadette Lahai,
Mrs.Elizabeth Lavalie,
Mr.Obai Koblo,
Yumkella,
Mr.John Leigh.
The fact of the matter is that the Tejan Kabbah/Solomon Berewa leadership of planlessness have been an unmitigated disaster for both the party and the nation.
The sooner,the better.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: yankuba kai-samba
To: All
Date Posted: 13:35:11 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: y020855@yahoo.com
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
Dear M K Koroma.
There is something seriously wrong with the current SLPP. There seems to be a total lack of strategic thinkers or people of vision in the party. Right now the party is toying with the idea of leadership by allocat1on. The man trying to influence the leadership from behind the scene is Sama Banya. He has even overshawdowed the party's national chairman Alhaji Suma. But as far as I know Sama Banya has never been and will never be an asset to SLPP, he is a repellent.
Here in London, there is already a fierce competition between potential candidates for the SLPP executive positions. Some of the candidates, I understand,are susceptible to maintaining the status quo back home and are getting covert support from them. There are other candidates who want a complete clean up of leadership to overwhelmed the APC in 2012. It does not make any political sense for those who led the party to a disastrous defeat to even contemplate retaining their positions.
I have been under lots of pressure from some MPs back home and the candidates in UK to weigh in.
At present, I am not a member of any political party although I supported Charles Margai's PMDC. I resigned from the SLPP at the time when the leadership claimed they would win the last general election by 70%. Who in his right mind could leave a party that was going to win by such a large margin.
The SLPP can improve the party's appeal and electability by taking the party back to its roots. The APC, is a protest party and has no more claim to the north than the SLPP. The challenge has always been that it is the SLPP that has to prove its northern credentials.
Tejan Kabba was officially a northern president but northerners are not fools, they do not consider him as an authentic northerner. Tejan Kabba was able to win two elections but that was only because the APC was leaderless and in disarray.
I have looked at the names you suggested for future leadership. I am inclined to believe that Kandeh Yumkella in UN and John Leigh will be a dearm ticket.
I will be comming out with my position on the leadership of SLPP in the near furure.
Regards
Subject: YANKUBA YOU ARE EVEN FIT TO STAND WHY NOT?
From: bagbo
To: All
Date Posted: 15:48:46 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: bagbo@limba.com
Entered From: wnpgmb1307w-ad02-32-91.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.32.91
Message:
I think you need to respect your family line and get out of PMDC buddy
Subject: Re: YANKUBA YOU ARE EVEN FIT TO STAND WHY NOT?
From: yankuba kai-samba
To: All
Date Posted: 16:15:37 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: y020855@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
Dear Bagbo
Thank you for the compliment. But I know my limitation. There are other ways I can help. By the way, I am not a member of PMDC. I supported C F Margai for the SLPP leadership and also supported his candidacy for the presidency when he formed the PMDC, but I am actually not a member of PMDC.
I am not the Joe Liberman of USA who remains a democrat but is campaigning for the Republican party presidential candidate John McCain against democrat Barack Obama. I did the decent thing when I resigned from the SLPP to support a candidate who I believe could have won us the election. I hope I am clear on that.
Regards
Subject: I GOT YOU THIS TIME YANKUBA
From: bagbo
To: All
Date Posted: 18:03:48 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: bagbo@limba.com
Entered From: wnpgmb1307w-ad02-32-91.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.32.91
Message:
Axtually i have a causin called Edward Brima Lamin whom you all grew up in Kenema.He attended Bo sch. and was a nephew of Alhaji mannah.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:40:32 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Thank you very much sir.I hope to look at that list to determine who you have in mind.
In the meant time,i think i endorse everything you have said here.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: ROTFLMAO
To: All
Date Posted: 14:04:58 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.42.23.70
Message:
John Leigh??? Ha ha ha. You are a real joker
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: political
To: All
Date Posted: 11:03:01 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.237
Message:
I don't know how you politically define young blood, but if my definition is correct all the mentioned people in your piece are not young bloods. I think it is appropriate to called them new comers than young bloods.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: Moore
To: All
Date Posted: 12:27:45 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-251-50-92.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.251.50.92
Message:
And one of them who lost the contest for leader of the SLPP is very undiplomatic. Not fit to lead.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: ROTFLMAO
To: All
Date Posted: 14:07:39 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.42.23.70
Message:
u can say that again. his entire constituency lies in cyberspace
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: yankuba Kai-samba
To: All
Date Posted: 14:22:25 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: y020855@yahoo.com
Entered From: 82-45-255-9.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.255.9
Message:
The party can sell its leaders, the party makes its leaders and not the other way round. Did Tejan Kabba had any constituency when he assumed the leadership?
At least we know what JL says and what he stands for. I will no longer support anyone who aspire for political leadership but has not said anything of substance on national political issue.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: My Take
To: All
Date Posted: 14:58:39 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-251-50-92.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.251.50.92
Message:
I doubt that SLPP can sell someone that abuses other candidates as its leader. Your man likes alahala too much. he has cussed Margai, Nyalley, Berewa, Kabba, etc. Some thing is not right.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 14:44:20 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
I agree entirely with you.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: SLPP NEEDS NEW BLOOD/YOUTHS FOR 2012
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 15:27:47 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I think its very healthy to start listing and discussing potential leaders on cyberspace. We should however remember that all potential leaders must do their bit before the convention. It is now... that real leaders emerge... not in convention week.
My humble suggestion for anyone who feels strongly about folks who would provide strong leadership is to lobby them to get fully engaged now. Its important that would-be delegates start knowing people now. And actions on the ground speak louder than any meidum.
Given thst politics is an 'ungrateful biznes' the key question for potential leaders is what have you done for the Party lately?
Waiting till last minute might just not cut it.
Subject: VP Sumana turns Kono into Zimbabwe
From: Sahr M Ngaojia
To: All
Date Posted: 08:01:48 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.177.249
Message:
The recent violence in Kono, alledgely led by the VP Sumana, a former Truck Driver seems to have turned democracy on its head once again.
Many independent observers, (including the National Election Watch and some UN reps)have stated in no uncertain terms that the recent politically motivated violence and intimidation had undue influence on the Local Government Elections in Kono.
How can one barely literate man hold the nation to ransom? How can Sam alone decide that Kono and Zimbabwe should be twinned? What is the SLP's role in all the unfolding saga? Is it ever possible for APC to rule without proliferation of the 'unopposed syndrome' (a trait which badly undermines democracy)?
Patroitic APC supporters have to intervene and discourage their Party from going down this route again. It never worked last time round ...and almost ended up destroying Mama Salone. Its duration as always, is only tentative.
Firmly in support of political violence, dishonest and unpatroitic elements like Not so Smart Cavalier (aka Dull Cadaver), will be quick to label this "cry-babyism'. I however ask all plain preachers... is this the route we want for our beloved nation again? This is the 21st Century for heavens sake.
We thought the days of the Agbashaytanis and the Highways were over. Are they now being reincarnated by the new APC, or is it just "Old Wine in New Bottles"? Either way, Sierra Leoneans are not going to sit by idly and watch a few overambitious crooks take our country back to the gloomy days. Sam should always remember that "he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword".
Subject: Sam-Sumana Has Thuggery In-Bulit In His Soul.
From: Alpha Saidu Bangura
To: All
Date Posted: 13:03:38 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: saidubangso@aol.com
Entered From: c-69-140-129-105.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.129.105
Message:
Sahr, Those of us who know VP Sam-Sumana very will never be surprised when he preparates violence against the good people of Kono. When Sam- Sumana was born, his father was in jail for acts of thuggery and violence against the people of Kono. Please, do not forget that " THE BACK FEET OF A HORSE WILL ALWAYS FOLLOW THE FRONT FEET".
During the last general and presidential elections the good and respectable people of KONO rejected Sam-Sumana and his APC twice( 1ST round and run-off). I am sure that was why he decided to use thuggery, violence and intimidation in the local council elections because that is all he knows.
The APC will never believe in FREE AND FAIR, FREE FROM FAIR ELECTIONS because that is not part of their agenda.
APC-THE PARTY OF AGBA SATANI(The person who killed democracy in our country).
APC-THE PARTY OF HIGHWAY AND ABU RAINBOW( well known killers).
APC-THE PARTY OF ERNEST BAI KOROMA(The only person who became leader of the party outside the party's constitution).
APC-THE PARTY OF SAM-SUMANA( The man who paid$50,000 for the position of vice-president, so that he can make money for himself).
Subject: Re: Sam-Sumana Has Thuggery In-Bulit In His Soul.
From: DIG DIG
To: All
Date Posted: 23:27:34 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: ALI@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-71-178-49-201.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 71.178.49.201
Message:
Saidu .stop spreading lies you do not know sam sumana. The closest you have come to sam is by knowing his sister kumba. saidu we know you. Have you stop fighting your so called wife for the bridal shower money?
Subject: Re: Sam-Sumana Has Thuggery In-Bulit In His Soul.
From: Logic
To: All
Date Posted: 13:31:42 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.206.160.71
Message:
Why criticise APC Party for one man's action??? If Sam Sumana unleashed the terror on men and women of Kono, that is his own doing, and that is his way of governing his home town, and I do not think, it is fair to blame the whole PArty for it.
Subject: Re: Sam-Sumana Has Thuggery In-Bulit In His Soul.
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 14:13:11 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Master logic, the violence was committed on behalf of the APC. I think it will not be out of line, if EBK reined Sumana in. Soon, every LG councillor, MP, Batoman ... will join in. Can You imagine?
As Jocob would say, this is just another sign of weak leadership.The President is scared to even caution his Bra Law - Vice President.
Boh EBK nor to leader yah ... nar ordinary Batoman lek Dull Cadaver way nak jackpot.
Subject: Re: VP Sumana turns Kono into Zimbabwe
From: olu
To: All
Date Posted: 10:13:55 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
I'm happy you know that you will be called "cry-babyism" your writings speaks for it self. How dare you compare my land to Zimbabwe, you son of embarassment. it is people like you who thinks power is the ultimate place to seek revenge in your opponent, when people talk of a violent political party in salone my mind strikes like thunder, i remember the late 90s when no one will speak against slpp, i saw fellow citizens choped and burned alive just for having a family member or a friend in the supposed opposition.
VP Sam sumana is a responsible and well respectable man with deep sense of love for his country and people, he will not allow anyone to bring harm to the Kono people let alone Salone. Stop the hating and face reality Whether you like it or not the APC will take salone to where she belongs and the Slpp will continue to pull her down as usual. SLPP is the most unpatriotic party in salone, they invited Nigerians to bombard the little infrastructures the APC left for the country in the name of power, the same SLPP just left office after eleven years in darkness and poverty with no hope of a brighter future. Wait and hear what the anti curruption has to say about the huge donor money. By the way I think the so called Sahr Ngaoujah is a mende man who is hiding under Kono colors, the way you spell your last name is incorrect and the true children of Kono knows that this is their turn to significantly turn Kono district around that is what the people did over the weekend. Sahr your claims about our patriotic brother are false and misleading they do not represent your last name at all.
Subject: Re: VP Sumana turns Kono into Zimbabwe
From: Bothered
To: All
Date Posted: 11:00:02 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
What bothers me is the fact that these mende guys are HIDING their identities under different names using kono sounding names or names like Jacob Kanu which though northern sounding is really a mende man. Funny that they think that many of us are so stupid that we would not know what their true identities are.
the most unpatriotic people in sierra leone are mostly mendes though not all of them.
Subject: SLMTV Awards-Excellent show.
From: Yaya Fanusie
To: All
Date Posted: 23:19:42 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: Saigobe@lanset.com
Entered From: pool-71-166-45-38.bltmmd.fios.verizon.net at 71.166.45.38
Message:
Forumites,
Let me say thank you very much to the young organizers of the SLMTV Award which took place at the Hampton Conference Center, Capitol Heights Maryland. It was very nice to see so many young Sierra Leoneans demontrating excellent good conduct. Very elegant and special. Those young people are going to make Sierra Leone and Africa great.
There was major surprice at the shows. I could not believe my eyes and my hearing. The male Host/MC of the event was very professional. Great voice, relevant humor and great timing on stage.
Alpha Saidu Bangura was the MC.
Yaya Fanusie
www.wambara.com
Subject: CHARLES MARGAI'S FATHER WAS A THIEF...AND YET HE...
From: Dr CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 21:46:49 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
16. "Thereafter Parliament increasingly squandered its opportunities to curb executive excesses. It failed to block Prime Minister AlbertMargai’s misuse of Government funds for personal gain because it hardly bothered to monitor public income and expenditure. For example,the opposition APC newspaper “We Yone” alleged that Sir Albert had used huge sums of money to buy buildings in Washington and London, which he then rented to the Sierra Leone Missions in those countries for private gain. Parliament failed to investigate these allegations, despite the need to transmit a clear message of accountability to the generalpublic. This lapse precipitated a sense of resignation among Sierra Leoneans that corruption was an inevitable indulgence of government, in which Parliament was far more likely to acquiesce than to find fault or demand sanction."
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
-___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is APC Minister Kemoh Sesay stealing public money?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Charles F Margai on July 07, 2008 at 08:49:59:
Whilst poor Sierra Leoneans are struggling with the enforced Mandarin (Chinese)... Tin Trrong, Tin Tranga... increased hardship, damning allegations have surfaced on cyberspace that APC's Kemoh Sesay's private London Account has recently seen frenetic activities of transfers in the tune of Le 116 Million (abou 21K British Pounds).
Kemoh cheekily retorted when an investigative reporter asked him about the source of such a large transfer, given his monthly salary + all earned per diem so far: "Paa blow yah...the President has the Zero, we (meaning APC Ministers) have the tolerance".
Translation: The Prezo's clarion call for Zero Tolerance to corruption is bogus.
It is widely rumoured that levies from SLPorts Authority are being deposited in private acounts - which begs the question.. What is the ACC doing?
Well the cyber report claims they will be publishing, fine details soon. Hopefully the Gentle and Charismatic ACC Czar will followup (provided he is not reined in again as we saw in the Hafsatu Kabba Electrity Saga)
Zero Tolerance, my foot! Salone we sorry fus ooh.
Subject: Re: CHARLES MARGAI'S FATHER WAS A THIEF...AND YET HE...
From: Hashim Daboh
To: All
Date Posted: 11:03:02 07/09/08 ()
Email Address: Gboyama@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: host86-134-236-108.range86-134.btcentralplus.com at 86.134.236.108
Message:
Boy you've just opened the keg. Are you surprised that Charles ,Kabbah ,etc are all inbuilt corrupt merchants- don't go far, their boss Albert ( may his soul rest in peace ) was a master swindler. Where do you think Tejan and his henchmen learned the trade of the perfect-public-pimping. Shaki only perfected th trade for the modern looters. But he left since yesterday and to-date we continue to sheepishly lay blame of our devilish leadership at his door- what an own goal we continue to score with such a disarming pagentry.
Since independence , the only real leader we've had was Milton ,and by some estimates, the NPRC boys. But all successive SLPP and APC government have been riddled with glaring and debilitating public corruption. The only difference between SLPP and the APC is the meekness of the former and the thuggery of the latter . With the SLPP you stand to have a government of strong and proper representation of all regions ,but very very corrupt ,while with the APC you're rest assured with abundant violence, intimidation and power by any means. But both are very terrible with the peoples finances, though with the APC, the loot trickles down while the SLPP keeps it within the 'family' to create a semblance of control and discipline. But for God's sake, both have always disappointed . Margain probably is more corrupt than you may see or know. I can't even make him my School prefect.
Subject: Re: CHARLES MARGAI'S FATHER WAS A THIEF...AND YET HE...
From: Londoner
To: All
Date Posted: 04:25:34 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 77-99-89-172.cable.ubr05.haye.blueyonder.co.uk at 77.99.89.172
Message:
What's your point Doc? Surely you are not implying that because Charles F Margai is his father's son he should not voice his opinions on the most crucial issue facing Sierra Leone today? The generation of today must keep watch on the generation of today! I disagree with some of Charles F Margai's take on corruption especially his attempt at questioning President Koroma's sincerity. However I applaud the fact that he is unreservedly 'anti-corruption' in his stance.
On an entirely different note, may I ask why you always post using the title 'Doctor'?
Subject: Re: CHARLES MARGAI'S FATHER WAS A THIEF...AND YET HE...
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 07:24:27 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...On an entirely different note, may I ask why you always post using the title 'Doctor'?" (Londoner)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
can you suggest a more appropriate title for me ?
(Charles Curtis-Thomas, BSN, RN, MD(Hons.),MPH)
Subject: Peppeh Docta
From: Nurse Munu
To: All
Date Posted: 08:09:24 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.177.249
Message:
How about Pepeh Docta.
It still has the doctor in it -doesn't it?
Subject: Re: Peppeh Docta
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 08:23:49 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
I fail to see the connection between CHARLES MARGAI'S FATHER BEING A THIEF AND SOMEONE APPROPRIATELY CALLING ONESELF A "DOCTOR". LET US STAY WITH THE TOPIC OF CHARLES MARGAI'S FATHER BEING A THIEF!
Subject: Re: Peppeh Docta
From: Too Much
To: All
Date Posted: 08:34:35 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-251-50-92.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.251.50.92
Message:
Curtis, you talk to yourself far too much.
Subject: Mr. SORIE JAWARA, READ THE U.N REPORT BEFORE YOU"TALK"!
From: Dr CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 21:04:57 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
President Koroma ,Dont mess with female circumcision
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by SORIE Jawara on July 07, 2008 at 16:52:07:
Mrs. Alice Fortune is making mountains out of dust for personal satisfation but this is wrong. Why urge president Koroma " ban female circumcision" in Sierra Leone? Mrs. Fortune should be educating young girls about the dangers associated with teens pregnancy and how young girls should take good care of themselves.Is female circumcision responsible for increase in early marriages and early pregnancies? I believe this is the time women should be urging government to establish hospitals and better clinics for women throughout the country. There are circumcised and uncirmuncised women but who is complaining about it, only the irresponsible lakeys. Thousand women are dying annually due to inadequate facilities to help them during child birth , why not concentrate on issues that will help women better. Such neglected areas should be placed under criminal , inhuman and barbaric acts. President Koroma , dont mess with female circumcision, leave it alone?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New UN study for first time shows dangers of Female Genital Mutilation for child birth
"Women who have had Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are significantly more likely to experience difficulties during childbirth and their babies are more likely to die as a result of the traditional yet gruesome practice, according to a new United Nations study released today, which reiterated calls for total abolition of a practice that currently affects 100 million people worldwide.
The study, the first to give clear evidence of the harmful effects for women and babies, cites serious complications during childbirth include the need to have a caesarean section, dangerously heavy bleeding after the birth and prolonged hospitalization, with the degree of complications increasing depending on the extent and severity of the FGM.
The death rate among babies during and immediately after birth is also much higher, in some case up to about 55 per cent. Because the study was carried out in hospitals, experts said death and harm rates were probably significantly higher overall, as many women in the societies where FGM is practiced give birth at home.
“As a result of this study we have, for the first time, evidence that deliveries among women who have been subject to FGM are significantly more likely to be complicated and dangerous,” UN World Health Organization (WHO) Assistant Director-General for Family and Community Health Joy Phumaphi said of the practice which is particularly common in Africa.
“FGM is a practice steeped in culture and tradition but it should not be allowed to carry on. We must support communities in their efforts to abandon the practice and to improve care for those who have undergone FGM. We must also steadfastly resist the medicalization of FGM. WHO is totally opposed to FGM being carried out by medical personnel,” she added.
Women who have been subjected to the most serious form of FGM – FGM III comprising excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening – will have on average 30 per cent more caesarean sections compared with those who have not had any FGM.
Similarly there is a 70 per cent increase in numbers of women suffering from postpartum haemorrhage in those with FGM III compared to those women without FGM.
As for the newborns, the researchers found an increased need to resuscitate those whose mothers had had FGM, 66 per cent higher in the case women of FGM III.
The death rate during and immediately after birth is also much higher for those born to mothers with FGM: 15 per cent so in those with FGM I (excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris); 32 per cent in those with FGM II (excision of the clitoris with partial or total excision of the labia minora); and 55 per cent in those with FGM III.
It is estimated that in the African context an additional 10 to 20 babies die per 1,000 deliveries as a result of the practice.
WHO’s Director of the Special Programme for Human Reproduction Research (HRP), Paul Van Look, noted that the study was based only on research carried out in hospitals. “The consequences for the countless women and babies who deliver at home without the help of experienced staff are likely to be even worse,” he said.
The study involved 28,393 women at 28 obstetric centres in six countries, where FGM is common – Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan. The centres varied from relatively isolated rural hospitals to teaching hospitals in capital cities.
Although practices vary from country to country, FGM is generally performed on girls under 10 years of age and leads to varying amounts of scar formation. It is not entirely clear why FGM leads to increased complications during childbirth, but one possible explanation is that this scar tissue is relatively inelastic and can lead to obstruction and tearing of the tissues around the vagina during childbirth.
“FGM remains a pressing human rights issue and reliable evidence regarding its harmful effects, both for mothers and their babies, should contribute to the abandonment of the practice,” WHO said. “It is in direct violation of young girls’ rights, has both short-term and long-term adverse health consequences, and is an unnecessary procedure.”
Subject: Re: Mr. SORIE JAWARA, READ THE U.N REPORT BEFORE YOU"TALK"!
From: DeLaw
To: All
Date Posted: 04:19:58 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: contehlawrence@yahoo.com
Entered From: cpe-75-185-113-252.insight.res.rr.com at 75.185.113.252
Message:
Thank you for shedding more light on the issue of FGM(Famale Genital Mutilation).We must continue to educate the minds of those who want to get stuck in cultural practices that present so much danger to women's health.
FGM should be banned in all societies that encourage and practise it;it should have no place in modern Africa.
Subject: Re: Mr. SORIE JAWARA, READ THE U.N REPORT BEFORE YOU"TALK"!
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 05:26:16 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
DeLaw, I think that was a very pathetic and naive statement. I must admit, thats very unsual of you.
Its advocates like you that actually make the toothless barking of a ban impossible. The picture is much larger my friend... and insults like what you are giving to our folks is simply disgraceful.
The UN is a great institution no doubt... but has embarassing flaws as well. Serious minded people should not only swallow what ever bait they throw at them - hook, line and sinker.
I take great exception, when folks (including the UN)exude so much arrogance, disrespect and lack of understanding about how to effect change. Which is why all we will hear for the foreseeable future is bark bark bark... like a crased toothless bulldog.
Subject: Re: Mr. SORIE JAWARA, READ THE U.N REPORT BEFORE YOU"TALK"!
From: DeLaw
To: All
Date Posted: 16:43:51 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: contehlawrence@yahoo.com
Entered From: cpe-75-185-113-252.insight.res.rr.com at 75.185.113.252
Message:
Mr.Kanu I would simply like to know whether your
support for FGM is based on facts or fiction,or whether you are blindly clinging to your conservatism which I think is keeping your mind closed as far as this issue is concerned.What are you afraid of? "Bilakoro/Gborka"? Tell me,what are the benefits of this kind of excision?
I believe we can engage in this debate without spewing disparaging remarks to those who are opposed to your point of view.Please limit your contribution to ideas that will help us to move this debate to the urgent and critical attention it deserves for the benefit of all.
Subject: Re: Mr. SORIE JAWARA, READ THE U.N REPORT BEFORE YOU"TALK"!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 08:37:37 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...The UN is a great institution no doubt... but has embarassing flaws as well. Serious minded people should not only swallow what ever bait they throw at them - hook, line and sinker..." (Jacob Kanu)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You failed to outline the flaw, if any, in the UN REPORT. In science when you argue againt a study, FACTS AND FIGURES ARE ALMOST ALWAYS REQUIRED!
Subject: The UN Report is 'stupid' on this one... Doc
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 13:20:59 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I was not addressing the well touted Report in the statement you referred to. The 'flaws' were specifically ascribed to the UN as an Institution. Having said that, let me attempt to answer your question:
Frankly, critiquing this UN report is irrelevant, as my line of argument is not what the ‘visionless’ heads of the sponsors of this report have in mind. They just want an outright ban, and now, period. And I say ‘visionless’, because they have been saying this for decades now… and have not achieved any progress. Only a fool does the same thing again and again ….expecting different results.
Let’s even assume that the Report is flawless. Let’s also assume that their clarion call for a blanket ban has yielded nothing so far. I think any reasonable person can say that’s a stalemate. My point is - just proving that it is harmful does not achieve or warrant the desired ban. Doc, cigarette smoking is hazardous for one’s health; I cannot state how many supporting medical reports there are … for fear of been disbelieved. Do you know why some medics and some researchers who produce these reports smoke excessively? I am surprised the FGM-inept UN/WHO have not called for a blanket ban on ciggies… to save all those lives and associated costs.
There is more to this debatable but enduring cultural practice, than meets the naďve and ignorant eyes of advocates calling for a spontaneous ban. The UN can conduct several more studies proving the harmful nature of FGM … their ultimate goal of achieving a spontaneous ban remains very “wishy washy” and a bloody waste of me. Is it time to think outside the box? You bet.
Way forward: Short cut nor dae yah paa
The WHO must change their policy against ‘medicalization’ of FGM. Common sense tells me, ‘medicalization’ will eliminate a significant proportion of the side effects alleged/stated in the report (if this is their real goal is that is)… and I strongly posit that their current stance is costing more lives as they wait for their over-ambitious and unachievable simplistic blanket ban. Medicalisation even bridges the access problem for education of target population. You think my Granma in the village gives a toss about your UN Report or our internet exchanges? Sioooor (pardon my French yah my learned doc)
Put it another way … Banning FGM has just being a rotten white elephant policy. One, sadly that have made a few people a lot of dole… and have achieved nothing. Can’t we start with a middle ground?
p/s
Just to whet your appetite on flaws…
Your touted UN Report does not provide any statistical variance or deviation, making it difficult to compare findings with different sets of data.
The report does not account for the zillions of other factors that could significantly affect or influence their final interpretations… oh I almost missed my meeting.
The report is probably written by some Harvard/Oxbridge Smart Alec or some brainwashed African elite with absolutely no understanding of the cultural context of the practice, little or no respect for the lives they pretend they want to save and obviously zot knowledge about how to influence decision making on this sort of scale.
Subject: The FGM debate - my take
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 04:16:06 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
This is a tough one. I think FGM has some serious side effects, but its blown way out of proportion by international pundits. A good number of the associated problems are prevailent even in non-FGM populations.
Banning it is impossible because its actually a deep rooted culture in most parts of the world where it is practiced...dating centuries. Elites can make all the noise and make all the money they can in championing this debatable cause... the end result, at least for the next 50 years is ... this cultural practice will endure. EBK will make a complete fool of himself if he dares. Franly even him is not that stupid.
The nomenclature FGM is part of the problem and the reason why any policy to ban it will disastrously fail. My folks in the village do not see it like that - never; rather they see it as a small symbolic (albeit extremely painful and dangerous) part of a very significant 'graduation ceremony' - girl to womanhood.
Have you also ever wondered why male circumcision is not called MGM? A genuine answer to this, elucidates why the nomenclature FGM is a non-starter.
The only realistic compromise is that the practice be 'satinised' or 'medically upgraded'. Even this compromise will be challenging to comprehensively excecute.
Sensible advocates who are not just joining the bandwaggon to 'ban FGM' for the money or out of ignorance, must pursue this intermediary route first, before contemplating the simplistic, arrogant and unworkable policy of banning a millenium old practice.
To be continued...
Subject: Re: The FGM debate - my take
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 12:21:20 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-67-122.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.67.122
Message:
Jacob Kanu, you have made great contribution , Kailahun women and others protested and any attempts to enforce it will cause serious problems. Please note that male circumcision is even severe because it is done locally in many areas. The method should be clinically improved and care should be excercised. WHERE IS A REPORT STATING THAT AFRICAN CIRCUMCISED WOMEN LIVING IN THE US HAVE PROBLEMS DURING CHILD BIRTH BECAUSE THEY WERE CIRCUMCISED?
Subject: Re: The FGM debate - my take
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 15:14:37 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
You need to have a GYN explain that to you. The fact is that FGM does seriously affect women during child birth and that is documented.
Subject: Re: My Middle of the road solution 3 years ago
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:44:06 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Jacob about three years ago I posited the following middle of the road solution to the FGM debate. What do you think about it?
Subject: Re: My Middle of the road solution 3 years ago
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 13:48:40 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.228.29
Message:
Well Kortor, I always knew you were a great thinker... I just didn't think we would have such independently agreeable convictions about such a debatable subject.
Nar small dunia, paa. Anyway, I think your contribution was bang on the money and way ahead of most of the so called experts. An impasse like this diserves creative thinkers to provide solutions. One directional 'experts' will continue to be a waste of space and time.
Believe it or not... the UN might just take it up after another decade of their current nonsense... excuse me french yah Kortoh.
Cheers pal.
Subject: Re: Mr. SORIE JAWARA, READ THE U.N REPORT BEFORE YOU"TALK"!
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 02:13:32 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-109-210.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.109.210
Message:
DR. CURTIS, FEMALE circumcision has nothing to do with women having difficulties during child birth, 95% are due to small passages.Many uncircumcised women have died of the same problem, so what is the diffirence? Since 1975, some women have used female circumcision as excuse for other reasons so the UN REPORT IS USELESS. Did INS GRANT VERONICA A STAY BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID SHE WILL BE CIRCUMCISED IF RETURNED TO NIGERIA? No IS THE ANSWER.
Subject: Re: Mr. SORIE JAWARA, READ THE U.N REPORT BEFORE YOU"TALK"!
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 07:33:55 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
"...DR. CURTIS, FEMALE circumcision has nothing to do with women having difficulties during child birth, 95% are due to small passages.Many uncircumcised women have died of the same problem, so what is the diffirence?..."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Jawara:
Please quote what study you are citing... I am sure that the "95%" you quoted above did not come from a vaccume...OR DID IT?
Subject: Re: Mr. SORIE JAWARA, READ THE U.N REPORT BEFORE YOU"TALK"!
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 12:55:08 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-67-122.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.67.122
Message:
DR. CURTIS, it is unfortunate records are not kept in many areas and deaths are not reported. In 1984, MAGBURAKA MEDICAL TEAM CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP PROVIDE MODERN EQUIPMENTS and doctors so as to drastically reduce or eradicte the problem, DR. Sherif and a German medical team released information on the problems. The problem in many areas , the clinics are poorly equipted and women are kept in labour for long before decision is made to get further help.How many women , circumcised or uncircumcised have died in the US because of small passages during child births, none.Another point raised, Is it true that 80% circumcised women do not enjoy sex and do not reach orgs. ?
Subject: DID YOU SAY SIERRA LEONE? NO! THIS WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN!
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 20:17:43 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Disclosure of Assets
271. "A government that is serious about accountability and combating corruption will be serious about transparency. In particular those in government holding positions of responsibility will be transparent about their own dealings, both public and private. Such leaders will have nothing to hide.
272. Sierra Leoneans have become accustomed to those in authority using their positions and information entrusted to them to enrich themselves. The Commission is persuaded that the best way to stamp out this malevolent tradition is to put in place monitoring mechanisms and to take action when self-enrichment occurs.
273. Those in powerful public positions should be required to register their financial interests, when assuming office.They should also disclose their financial interests acquired after their assumption of office, including those of their spouses and dependents. This must be done on an annual basis. Most of this information should be open to the public. Those who should be subject to this requirement include all members of cabinet, Parliament, judges,heads of parastatals, general managers in the civil service and parastatals and members of District and City Councils."
(Sierra Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
Subject: Re: DID YOU SAY SIERRA LEONE? NO! THIS WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN!
From: Tolongbo
To: All
Date Posted: 05:40:43 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: soribabureh@hotmail.com
Entered From: at 212.71.37.66
Message:
"A government that is serious about accountability and combating corruption will be serious about transparency. In particular those in government holding positions of responsibility will be transparent about their own dealings, both public and private. Such leaders will have nothing to hide".
My comment to the above salient statements should come from the following questions. Do we really have a system in Sierra Leone that monitors the activities and performance of the employees in both the private and the public sectors? Do we ever know why business licences are granted to individuals or organization operating any business by the state? The commercial registration number enables the authorities to trace and check on the profit and lose at any point in time, through the purchasing and sales receipts of that registered business.
The other big question, who does the checking? If that is true a private individual can be checked on his/her annual business assessment, to know how much revenue generated per year, the declaration of assets by holders of public offices should be at the top of such a national scrutiny body. By guarding the individual monthly, yearly salary earning or business transactions, Sierra Leone will ever be free from corrupt financial practices.
The general caption that I think should be the guiding torch for the eradication of corruption from both the individual and all government officials in Sierra Leone is , WHERE AND HOW DID YOU AMASS YOUR FORTUNE?
In Egypt, as an example the state security was able to track down even the president financial transactions, talk-less of people running business, who could be cross-checked through their selling and buying vouchers. Can this be practiced in Sierra Leone? This is the way to achieve transparency and accountability for a state.
Subject: Re: DID YOU SAY SIERRA LEONE? NO! THIS WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 07:38:29 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Your response gives us very SERIOUS FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
Subject: Re: DID YOU SAY SIERRA LEONE? NO! THIS WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN!
From: Central Committe Member
To: All
Date Posted: 03:42:01 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: tejan.kabba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
FoS nar you wan sabi research. I think you are a little confused.You rightly quoted the TRC... we however are the APC. Big difference. Our policy on asset declaration before elections has changed:
We will only declare our assets when we go out of power, period. If ee hat yu... nar 4 ....
In our policy of Zero Tolerance to Corruption... EBK will keep the Zero.... we have the Tolerance for corruption. If that sef hat yu .... ar well..;
How will Uncle Ben Kanu afford the multimillion $ complex rented by WFP, had we declared assets before?
Paddy blow with you buk buk...yah?
Alpha Kanu wants to do better than Uncle Ben, and right now he does not even own a shack. Wait after our 4 more years ... a beg. Salone nar osusu... so nar we tem don reach for collect. If ee hat yu go die.
Nor hard feelings... just plain tok.
Subject: A TREMENDOUS APC WIN AND THE EMASCULATION OF SLPP!
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 19:11:34 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
The APC showed the flag in all regions and corners of Sierra Leone, winning votes in all the disparate tentacles of the country. The SLPP was only ghetto fabulous in the Kamarjor corridor of Kenema, Kailahun, Pujehun and Bo. APC even thumbed its nose at SLPP in its own backyard of Tongo Field and kicked the hapless SLPP out of Kono.
These elections have proven without a shadow of a doubt that the only truly NATIONAL party in Sierra Leone today, supported by at least 80% of the tribes of Sierra Leone, in all regions, is the APC. The once-mighty SLPP has now officially become a truly parochial regional party, garnering support ONLY from one pizza slice of Sierra Leone.
What a glorious opportunity for all the players in the country. For Ernest Koroma, an opportunity to expand the coterie of power to meaningfully and powerfully include the Mendes and other Southeastern tribes, so as to assuage their wounded pride for being ignored in the first Cabinet. It is also a chance for the president to get rid of the oxygen suckers and non-performers in his cabinet.
For the SLPP, this is a glorious opportunity to reassess the political strategy it had been clinging to from Kingdom come. Do they just want to be 'bombas' in Mendeland or do they REALLY want to be competitive in all regions and Baffas of Sierra Leone?
SLPP strategists MUST get rid of the unfair perception that SLPP is just a southeastern regional party. They should start recruiting and promoting respected Northerners and Westerners as candidates in the 'hostile' constituencies. Get away from the 'Tejan Kabba was a Northerner' bromide of an excuse. Stop wailing complaints all the time and offer solutions with real beef in them. Make it clear that flame throwers like the New People propagandists do not represent you. Spend some money on outreach in the North. A truly national SLPP is good for democracy. Don't talk national and act parochial. Emphasize the Sierra Leone in S.L.P.P!
God Bless.
Subject: Re: A TREMENDOUS APC WIN AND THE EMASCULATION OF SLPP!
From: Plaba Bessie
To: All
Date Posted: 22:35:55 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-194-213-250.hsd1.tx.comcast.net at 98.194.213.250
Message:
Amazing irony. When will the president emphasise the All Peoples in APC in his cabinet and representation?
The last time I checked, the SLPP had more northern and Kono MPs than the APC. I would not be comfortable with this lousy victory. It deludes the APC into a false sense of security. I don't trust the Konos. Most of them have traditionally been SLPP supporters, and come 2012, that may not change. Our party needs to maximise the little gains made.
Kono is the only real game; we lost ground in the western area and lost the Kambia district chairmanship to Dr. Fofanah of the SLPP. Koinadugu has a lot of SLPP councillors just like Kambia. Those are two districts with a residual SLPP constituency.
Subject: WHO IS APC NORTH AMERICA PRO?
From: man pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 18:06:51 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: man_pikin@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-172-29-64.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net at 71.172.29.64
Message:
Who is the PRO of the APC North America branch?
Subject: Re: WHO IS APC NORTH AMERICA PRO?
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 19:17:32 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
Ask Alpha Saidu Bangura about it. He was morbidly obsessed with that a few months ago.
Subject: Reject all GM projects around your regions
From: Organic Man
To: All
Date Posted: 17:50:55 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-206-123.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.206.123
Message:
There is a plot to rid us off our natural farm lands.
watch this video and tell me what you will do!
Subject: Re: Reject all GM projects around your regions
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 19:19:45 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
GM rice, starvation.
GM rice, starvation.
GM RICE, STARVATION!
Hmmmm...No contest! I choose not to starve.
Subject: Dear All! Are these True?
From: Anthony Sisay
To: All
Date Posted: 17:21:33 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: anthonysisay@yahoo.com
Entered From: pcd609012.netvigator.com at 218.102.141.12
Message:
I found the following in an article by the "Peep:"
“Simply put, the government has spent more on un-necessary foreign junketing with oversized retinue than on anything else beneficial to the nation, apart from electricity.
The figures might not be correct but it still remains a fact at least in the eyes of some.
Can Tarawalie explain for example, why the President went to neighbouring Gambia with a 30-man delegation or the importance of the battalion that came to London early this year? How many have gone to Japan this week and what are they going there to do?
...
The continued spat with every publication that is not singing from the government hymn sheet buttresses the sceptics' views that President Koroma’s visit to Stop Press and the inclusion of a bally lot of members of the pen profession in juicy positions were calculated attempts to silence the fourth estate of the realm.
Running to the Independent Media body at every drop of the hat, is an indication of intolerance and a sickening feeling that repealing the Public order Act is becoming political bait for good press. It also casts doubts about the independence of the body.
...
A recent report in the local media stated that to avert Freetown’s darkness, Japan has given the nation over one billion Yen.
But for the press release from the High Commissioner to Ghana, I am yet to see a statement about this from state house. Yet, if there is an error in the figure, the presidential machinery would roll out tanks and guns on its way to the Media Commission.
Anyway, how true is it that the money is to avert darkness in Freetown? And by the way, what happened to the Ł10 million for the same purpose from the British government earlier this year?
Does this not confirm the whisperings that the city is paying a rather exorbitant fee for its partial sight? Money that could have been put to better use while a permanent, lasting and cheaper solution is found for the energy problem.”
Can anyone confirm the above details?
Subject: have you joined the forum of "gboto-gbata" ?
From: Freedom of Speech
To: All
Date Posted: 20:22:34 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
have you joined the forum of "gboto-gbata" ?
Subject: President Koroma ,Dont mess with female circumcision
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 16:52:07 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: soriejawara@verizon.com
Entered From: pool-68-239-78-14.res.east.verizon.net at 68.239.78.14
Message:
Mrs. Alice Fortune is making mountains out of dust for personal satisfation but this is wrong. Why urge president Koroma " ban female circumcision" in Sierra Leone? Mrs. Fortune should be educating young girls about the dangers associated with teens pregnancy and how young girls should take good care of themselves.Is female circumcision responsible for increase in early marriages and early pregnancies? I believe this is the time women should be urging government to establish hospitals and better clinics for women throughout the country. There are circumcised and uncirmuncised women but who is complaining about it, only the irresponsible lakeys. Thousand women are dying annually due to inadequate facilities to help them during child birth , why not concentrate on issues that will help women better. Such neglected areas should be placed under criminal , inhuman and barbaric acts. President Koroma , dont mess with female circumcision, leave it alone?
Subject: Re: President Koroma ,Dont mess with female circumcision
From: Major donor
To: All
Date Posted: 12:08:45 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 164.82.85.3
Message:
Do you realize that funding for developmental projects are tied to the FGM debate?
Do you realize the power of the female influence in the disbursement of AID funds from the donor Nations?
I THINK kOROMA WILL EXERCISE THE WISDOM NECESSARY TO move Sierra leone in the current century.
Subject: Re: President Koroma ,Dont mess with female circumcision
From: Anthony Sisay
To: All
Date Posted: 07:55:43 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: anthonysisay@yahoo.com
Entered From: pcd172009.netvigator.com at 203.218.17.9
Message:
Female circumcision is wrong. Bluntly put, it makes the conk too hard. It should be banned with immediate effect.
Thanks for bring this topic up.
Subject: Re: President Koroma ,Dont mess with female circumcision
From: DeLaw
To: All
Date Posted: 19:12:56 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: contehlawrence@yahoo.com
Entered From: cpe-75-185-113-252.insight.res.rr.com at 75.185.113.252
Message:
The late Sembene Ousmane made a very powerful movie called MOOLAADE about the tragedies of FGM(Female Genital Mutulation) in Africa in 2004;one of the best works in both African and world cinema.I urge you to take some time out to watch this movie so you can see why some people are opposed to the practice of FGM.
Subject: Re: President Koroma ,Dont mess with female circumcision
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 17:01:43 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-206-123.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.206.123
Message:
Sorie, very clever observations! How about the government commission a
study/research into how many deaths do occur to uncircumcised and
those that occur among the circumcised. Such a study/research may help
show any positive or negative variables on the subject of what you
mentioned. 'Thinkor' nor dae mix pan blood so forgive me!
Subject: Re: President Koroma ,Dont mess with female circumcision
From: SORIE Jawara
To: All
Date Posted: 02:52:44 07/08/08 ()
Email Address: sotie_jawara@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-72-75-109-210.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.75.109.210
Message:
Chez, Many deaths are not due to female circumcision but small passage. In the north , Magburaka hospital was the only place where assts. was available and many women ,circumcised or not died on the way to the hospital. Government hospital( Kabala Hq of largest district ) until 2007 had only three maternity old beds and no doctor to do the basic surgery, circumcised and uncircumcised died . Why were some uncircumcised women taken to Freetown to have babies? Here is another issue: Is female circumcision reponsible for some women not to reach climax during sex? What is the common disease afecting uncircumcised women - blisters in the cli., BUT THE UN HAS NOT MADE ANY RELEASE ON THAT ITCHY DISEASE .. WHY.The first active young circumcised Sierra Leone lady to raise hell about this issue is Mariama, her article published in 1975 was devastating and horrifying, but got married had four children without problems . If some women do not want to be circumcised no problem but why ban it? This is a crazy stuff and hell with the campaign to ban it.
Subject: Kick Them All Out
From: Takayo
To: All
Date Posted: 14:30:10 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-42.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.42
Message:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change
the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
Subject: Re: Kick Them All Out
From: Ratatouille
To: All
Date Posted: 14:59:56 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-243-74.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.243.74
Message:
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than
all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself
than on the opinions of others. Marcus Aurelius.
Subject: Who does not make u appy should not make u sad!
From: Anunnaki
To: All
Date Posted: 14:17:52 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-42.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.42
Message:
Here is the rule to remember in the future, When anything tempts you to
be bitter: not, ''This is a misfortune'' but ''To bear this worthily is good
fortune.''
Marcus Aurelius
Subject: Sierra Leone: Musa Tarawallie Blamed for Voter Apathy in Moy
From: APC Thugs
To: All
Date Posted: 13:32:41 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
Sierra Leone: Musa Tarawallie Blamed for Voter Apathy in Moyamba
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Concord Times (Freetown)
7 July 2008
Posted to the web 7 July 2008
Rachel Horner
Moyamba
In Moyamba and Bonthe, southern Sierra Leone, voting was peaceful but the turnout was low due to an alleged intimidation prior to the elections by the resident minister south, Musa Tarawallie.
Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) district secretary, Thomas J. S. Tucker, who contested for the councillorship of ward 259 in Bonthe, said Tarawallie stormed Bonthe on Friday to hold political campaign meetings in favour of the All Peoples Congress (APC).
"According to the law, Friday was a non-campaign day. Tarawallie should be the best person to maintain the law and peace," he said noting that his visit created fear in the minds of the electorate.
Tucker said the APC contestants and supporters tried to disrupt the elections by intimidating the electorates which led to many people staying out of the polls.
Tarawallie was to hold a meeting in York and center of Bonthe but it was disrupted by PMDC and Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) supporters and the police had to step in to restore normalcy to the situation.
Tucker said they had called their leader Charles Margai who was in Gbangbatoke to inform him of the situation and he ordered them to report the matter to the police.
Meanwhile, some residents of Moyamaba district told Concord Times that Tarawallie's intimidation contributed to the low voter turnout.
"Through sensitization, I've seen the reason to vote but we were afraid of his threatening remarks," Mohamed Lumeh of Kamboya in Selina Moyamba said.
However, efforts to reach the minister proved futile.
Subject: Sierra Leone: Koroma, First Lady Created Undue Influence At
From: What's Up
To: All
Date Posted: 13:18:44 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
Sierra Leone: Koroma, First Lady Created Undue Influence At Polling Stations
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Concord Times (Freetown)
7 July 2008
Posted to the web 7 July 2008
Ben Samuel Turay
The National Elections Watch (NEW) yesterday accused President Ernest Bai Koroma, wife Sia Koroma, cabinet and resident ministers for undue influence of votes on last Saturday local council elections.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Sierra Leone News Agency on Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown, Chairperson of NEW Francess Fortune said undue influence was observed in a few polling stations where unauthorized individuals directed voters within the polling center or polling station.
"The presence of the President and the first lady, a few cabinet and resident ministers, some parliamentarians and some paramount chiefs, political parties and party stalwarts were observed in a few polling stations.
"The president, his wife and ministers have no right to be moving from one polling station to the other. Most of the government officials were in group and that is intimidation," she said.
She added that polling centers are not places to hold meetings and she expressed disappointment at the attitude of President Koroma, his wife and other government officials that were involved in the act.
However, Information and Communications Minister Ibrahim Ben Kargbo told the BBC that the president's movement to polling stations was to ensure security.
Fortune said voters were intimidated and that her organization reported 32 minor incidents across the country which, were resolved quickly.
Subject: Sierra Leone: Chiefs Influence Voters in Kono
From: Kono Cjief
To: All
Date Posted: 13:12:59 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
Sierra Leone: Chiefs Influence Voters in Kono
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Concord Times (Freetown)
7 July 2008
Posted to the web 7 July 2008
Fuad Kamara
Kono
At polling center 030110 (ward 79) Constituency 25 in Kangama village, Nimiyama chiefdom, Kono district, the town chief and chiefdom chairman of the governing All Peoples Congress (APC), Sahr Sam allegedly influenced voters to cast their votes in favour of APC.
This act of the chief almost resulted in a riot as angry youths started mobilizing to resist any attempt by the chief to influence their votes. Police later intervened and the matter was resolved peacefully.
At Peya village, the arrival of acting paramount chief Philip Musa Koroma sent a number of voters on the queue who were about to cast their votes to run away.
Tamba Kellie, one of the voters on the queue said most of the people ran away to avoid any intimidation from the chief who has been fond of harassing supporters of the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP).
Though Chief Koroma denied the allegation, coordinator of the Office of National Security, Manso Mansaray asked the chief to leave Peya so that voters could turn up to vote.
Later, the polling manager at the center, Sidique Kandeh called voters to come and cast their votes and assuring them that nobody will intimidate them.
At polling center 03125, ward 80, Constituency 25, Peya village in Sewafe chiefdom, Chief Koroma was also alleged to have stopped supporters of SLPP candidate, Madam Francess Mbawa, from casting their votes. Mbawa said she had to report the matter at the Sewafe police station.
At 12 noon, Sheku John Bull, a councillorship candidate under the APC ticket at ward 79, Constituency 25, Tebaidu village in Nimiyama chiefdom, reported that his poster was destroyed by an alleged SLPP youth hired by one of his opponents, Komba Boway.
However, Boway denied the allegation but rather claimed that alleged APC youths had earlier threatened to kill him. The matter was resolved amicably by the military and SLP patrol team.
At ward 69 Constituency 23, Kayima town in Sandor chiefdom, SLPP candidate Esther B. F. G. Baryor did not go to her ward to cast her vote earlier due to alleged threats from her APC opponent, Tamba John Trye, prior to polling day. She later cast her vote after being escorted to the ward by three police personnel.
At polling center 03048 (ward 65), Constituency 22, Tombodu town in Kamara chiefdom, an APC party agent, Hawa Kamara observed that the polling center manager was talking frequently to one of the party agents.
Kamara's observation turned into a bitter argument and voting was suspended for about 30 minutes before it became known that the manager was a brother of the SLPP councillorship candidate Patricia Pratt. The matter was however resolved by the police and military patrol team.
Meanwhile, Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) Eastern Regional Officer James Bockarie expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the elections in the district. "Kono has been the focus of violence that was the reason I had to travel to the locat1ons to ensure free and fair play in the election. There was no confrontation," he said.
Bockarie said they put a stop to some men who were seen moving around polling stations in Koidu town in black dressing.
Subject: Advice to Moijue Kai Kai
From: The Educationist
To: All
Date Posted: 12:21:36 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-42.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.42
Message:
Congratulations on your try. It is better to have attempted to do
something and fail than not at all. You have buttressed my inclination of
your buoyant spirit in what you hold fervent.
You could do well if you can channel this belief of yours to acquiring a
vocational qualification as you have the opportunity to get it for free. You
will only reinforce your quest to serve your country by doing that. Wasted
years of practicalities can cause daunting effects.
IMAGINATION IS KNOWLEDGE IN ITS EXTREME!!
Subject: Re: Advice to Moijue Kai Kai
From: Dunia
To: All
Date Posted: 15:03:16 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-243-74.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.243.74
Message:
Natural ability without education has more often raised a man to glory
and virtue than education without natural ability.
Subject: Re: Advice to Moijue Kai Kai
From: Dr. Abdul Nahim
To: All
Date Posted: 15:04:20 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
Hi Chez, wassup buddy. How is life? Hope you are OK.
Subject: Re: Advice to Moijue Kai Kai
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 15:16:54 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-243-74.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.243.74
Message:
Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom
fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.
I love you with all my heart and will never allow you to distress my
comfort of living.
Hail to thee - Dr. Nahim. My problem is, what are you doing about our
mentally challenged fellow citizens at your centre? Can I be of help in
anyway? I am now a professionally certified Life Coach. Voluntarily of-
course save my travels
Subject: Re: Advice to Moijue Kai Kai
From: Dunia
To: All
Date Posted: 15:11:43 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-243-74.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.243.74
Message:
Pass u call me other name? Me dae beg now - leh a enyoy this forum
with the name wae a wan use. I am fine. I hope ur fine too.
Subject: What types of people are psychopaths?
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 11:05:56 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 208.3.139.54
Message:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070130072331AAIBHyB
A few issues brought to the surface when thinking about psychopathy is whether psychopaths should be held responsible for their actions and how they should be punished and/or rehabilitated. Crimes committed by psychopaths are usually calculated and goal oriented by things such as sex, status or money. Psychopaths also do not feel remorse or guilt for these often horrific crimes. Often traditional treatment such as group therapy is in fact detrimental in that it simply teaches psychopaths how to read others and more effectively lie (Goldberg, 2003). In looking at how to deal with psychopaths as criminals we must consider whether psychopathy is a disease, treatable, controllable, or simply normal variation in the population’s moral reasoning. Is the VIM an actual physical mechanism or simply a cognitive process? If we believe that psychopath’s brains are actually damaged can we blame crimes on them, or must we simply treat them as patients with brain damage who cannot control their actions appropriately? Should we deal with them differently simply because we can’t find a physical cause? We have never been able to cure the lack of emotion or moral judgment seen in psychopaths; however, this does not mean that psychopaths cannot learn to live under the rules of society. As mentioned earlier a fairly large part of the population could qualify based on lack of empathy etc.
Subject: Re: What types of people are psychopaths?
From: Bambay Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 13:02:19 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
Bambay is talking about himself.Heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh.
Subject: Re: What types of people are psychopaths?
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 01:59:21 07/08/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-191-123-48.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.191.123.48
Message:
Dunia, thank you.
Let me thank Magic Johnson, Katie Couric, V.P. Algore and all those voices out that are making efforts to inform and educate the world’s-population of imminent danger of diseases, and other natural and human disasters by putting a zip on the stigmas associated with these diseases.
The only thing about me in the piece there is my name. I did not say any of that. I am just joining them to bring awareness to the diseases. That is why I do not say a word so that you see it from their perspective. Please read the Psychologists' point of view. We have a Psychiatrist here by the person of Dr. Naim who can attest to what his colleagues are saying. I am just relaying the message. These are Psychologists' perspective.
It is never a crime to be mentally ill. In fact, it is against the law to abuse a mentally ill or mistreat such a person in any form.
Read the characteristics carefully. This is no joke as the number socialized Psychopaths indicated is alarming; even in Sierra Leone, there is a problem, as Dr. Naim also stated the other day, we have people with mental disability that do not undergo diagnoses because of the stigma. I checked with a mental institution in 1998 after I had undergone a physical examination to get a mental evaluation as these tests were recommended by doctors because of an accident I had. I took two weeks there, where I underwent evaluation. I was released after doctors there were sure that I was not affected mentally. Most people do not do diagnoses for any form of illnesses that keeps eating into them because they are ashamed of the stigma and what others might feel about them. This is why I am proud of Magic Johnson and all those activists for their activism to spread awarenesss of certain diseases When fear of stigmas continues it will be dangerous for the world. Thank God some of us care to bring out the dangers of stigma and how nonsensical they can be and dangerous they are to mankind. This is why celebrities are powerful because they spread awareness. Please note that I am just bringing attention to their works and how readers can join-in to make the world a better place.
We must not tolerate any of the stigmas attached to this disease and allow our loved ones to deteriorate. This is why the American Psychological Association and other organizations are campaigning tremendously and government of the U.S. has passed stringent laws to protect the mentally disabled. It is nothing to be ashamed, Dunia. In some parts of Africa and remote areas of the world, where medicine and education has not advanced people associate mental disorder with the traditional old fashion beliefs associated with these disease or diseases period therefore, people are cast-out, children thrown in bushes or killed as sacrifices for their gods. You and I know that this was just out of ignorance of Science and medicine.
So please read carefully and take the appropriate action. It is nothing personal. I am just being of help. Well, I have to go.
Good night or good morning.
Subject: DO NOT USE MY PROFESSOR'S NAME IN VAIN OR ELSE....
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 09:33:53 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
I have noticed that somebody is using the name of Professor Eustace Palmer to post. If we discover that the person is faking the name of the honored Professor, he/she will be banned from this forum. We did warn strongly before that nobody should fake the names of other people.
What is more, Prof. Palmer was one of my teachers( (And one of my favourites, for that matter ) and I will not allow anybody to use his name in vain on this forum. Please stop it now before we ban you by blocking your IP.
A WORD FOR THE WISE IS SUFFICIENT
Subject: Re: DO NOT USE MY PROFESSOR'S NAME IN VAIN OR ELSE....
From: Mahatma
To: All
Date Posted: 11:31:13 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-42.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.42
Message:
Rev. what if you use the name of a revered person in good tune to post.
Say, I use Mahatma when trying to promote social justice and peaceful
resolve to problems or disputes. Am I guilty?
Subject: Re: DO NOT USE MY PROFESSOR'S NAME IN VAIN OR ELSE....
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 10:34:47 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Kanu,thank you very much for the warning,It is unethical for people to be using the names of others in their dirty tricks.
If you are so morally cravenned as not to be able to muster the courage of conviction and fortitude to face the baptism of fire,dont get into the business of writing in the first place.
Also Mr.Kanu,those who delight in addressing others with vituperation should also not be allowed to post their trash on this forum.This place is here to provide intellectual sustenance and anything that does not meet the threshold of that should not see the light of day.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: DO NOT USE MY PROFESSOR'S NAME IN VAIN OR ELSE....
From: Kalos
To: All
Date Posted: 15:08:19 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 66.250.191.180
Message:
Alas I can conveniently disagree with my "Uncle" Kutubu. This forum is NOT "here to provide intellectual sustenance and anything that does not meet the threshold of that should not see the light of the day" as you mistakenly professed. I am not sure the degree of exclusiveness considered in your determination of intellectuals; Aristotle indirectly dwell on the intolerance involved in classifying individuals as intellectuals with some insufficiency. I am a mediocre guy that is proud to participate in this forum with reverence to forumites like Fen Plaba, Chez, Alieu, Dr…. and others.
The premiere definition of an intellectual is an individual actively involved in conceptual erudite thoughts. Is this a practical definition? Are carpenters included? What about electricians? No, no, they are not. “Uncle” Kutubu’s background is pragmatic and very inclusive of the fortunate and unfortunates. Continue to be the defender of the less fortunate and mediocre, like me.
Cheers
Subject: Re: DO NOT USE MY PROFESSOR'S NAME IN VAIN OR ELSE....
From: I am guilty sir... please drop the chatge
To: All
Date Posted: 10:28:39 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: tejan.kabba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.181.28
Message:
My sincere apologies Kabs. I did't intend any disrespect. Prof Palmer happens to be a very distingusihed gentleman and a mentor as well.
The post in question was good-natured humour in my humble opinion... I suggest you read it.
Anyway it will not happen again.
However should you laugh after reading it...
May God Bless you for a wonderful job Kabs.
Subject: Re: DO NOT USE MY PROFESSOR'S NAME IN VAIN OR ELSE....
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 13:03:50 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-98-221-41-252.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 98.221.41.252
Message:
I am glad that you will not do it again.
Subject: Is APC Minister Kemoh Sesay stealing public money?
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 08:49:59 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.205.181.28
Message:
Whilst poor Sierra Leoneans are struggling with the enforced Mandarin (Chinese)... Tin Trrong, Tin Tranga... increased hardship, damning allegations have surfaced on cyberspace that APC's Kemoh Sesay's private London Account has recently seen frenetic activities of transfers in the tune of Le 116 Million (abou 21K British Pounds).
Kemoh cheekily retorted when an investigative reporter asked him about the source of such a large transfer, given his monthly salary + all earned per diem so far: "Paa blow yah...the President has the Zero, we (meaning APC Ministers) have the tolerance".
Translation: The Prezo's clarion call for Zero Tolerance to corruption is bogus.
It is widely rumoured that levies from SLPorts Authority are being deposited in private acounts - which begs the question.. What is the ACC doing?
Well the cyber report claims they will be publishing, fine details soon. Hopefully the Gentle and Charismatic ACC Czar will followup (provided he is not reined in again as we saw in the Hafsatu Kabba Electrity Saga)
Zero Tolerance, my foot! Salone we sorry fus ooh.
Subject: EBK has the zero while APC Ministers have the tolerance to.
From: ACC Informant
To: All
Date Posted: 16:18:54 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
corruption.
This nar good. Are dae go tell me boss.
Subject: Local Elections
From: Neutral Analyst
To: All
Date Posted: 06:08:54 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 196.207.218.223
Message:
I am happy that local elections went on smoothly, and all the threats about setting fire, and gang rape were not put into practice.Whilst, we await the figures in due course, but the preliminary count indicates the following:
1.APC swept the West, North and part of East
2.SLPP did well in the South and part of East
3.PMDC seems to have lost everything, and are no longer a King making factor.
4.The future of Charles Margai is in a limbo, and his only survival will be, either join APC or back to SLPP.
Subject: Re: Local Elections
From: Dunia
To: All
Date Posted: 11:37:30 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-42.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.42
Message:
Charles coming back to the SLPP fold will be an effrontery of the highest
order. It is his right to apply to join and be accepted. I pray members
already within make it hard for him to think of jumping back to the top
trying to use his already stooges in the SLPP fold. Let it be a very hard
task for him.
Subject: Sierra Leone Can Be Like any Of The Scandinavian Countries!!
From: Angthorf
To: All
Date Posted: 04:41:49 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: soyanka@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 212.71.37.69
Message:
We all know who the Vikings were and where they came from. When one reads the history of those vandals- at that time, you may detest on the destruction they caused on human civilization. However, they are considered to be the most humane people on earth today. Why is that?
I can sense that the APC government is here to pave the way for Sierra Leone and its people to achieve the successes of the modern days Vickings of the Scandinavians. There is no magical formula for such achievement. Let the government just continue to work harder for the interest of the people, bearing in mind that the country is in the 21st century. By improving life status, human dignity and respect of the law, the APC will surely rule for ever!
It's no joke, Sierra Leone and its people are simple to deal with in any sphere. Just provide the basic needs of the people, food, shelter, education and health, our people will be the most loving and peaceful humans on earth.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone Can Be Like any Of The Scandinavian Countries!!
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 17:19:36 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
Angthorf,you are correct.Deepest regards
Subject: LC E:The west , the north and parts of the east go to APC
From: The Smart Cavalier:Live from Freetown!
To: All
Date Posted: 03:01:16 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-235-82.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.235.82
Message:
This signals the end of wutetehism!The APC has humiliated its rivals (especially the cry-baby SLPP)in the recent Local Council Elections.It is crystal clear now that the entire west and north and major parts of the east are in the firm grip of the APC. The APC has also managed to spring big surprises by penetrating significantly into the South which is known as the SLPP's most reliable stronghold. There have been reports of ballot-tampering by supporters of Tom Nyuma in Kailahun and rumours are rife that cancellation is on the cards. It has been a nice weekend for Salone's most patriotic and nationalistic party the APC.
GO APC GO!
Subject: Mr APC Batoman you dae make me job difficult ooh
From: Christiana Topup
To: All
Date Posted: 03:33:44 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Why are you telling these outrageous lies? All indications are that the SLPP has again beat the APC.
I have been trying to shizzle de nozzle in the Tally Room, after persistent harrassment by EBK, Sam & Alpha... but this time its a bit difficult, particularly without Carlos the UN rigmaster. My maths is very poor, and my last attempt to forge tallies went horribly wrong.
You think I will unconstitutionally cancel votes again to help your tiffy tiffy government een? What has EBK done for Salone so far? Nar for natin bad name nor mor ar take. Even the court case lingering over my head for hiding the true polling station results of the 2007 Elections is entirely being fought by myself - alone. My legal bill is mounting as I attempt to unduely delay the court case.
O'thaim lef. me sef nar mammy born me yah.
Subject: Re: Mr APC Batoman you dae make me job difficult ooh
From: The Smart Cavalier:Live from Freetown!
To: All
Date Posted: 03:54:22 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-235-82.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.235.82
Message:
Ok. Paddy we go see woo dat day tork true ee nor far again.Nar just hours time from naw.
Subject: Re: Mr APC Batoman you dae make me job difficult ooh
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 11:11:39 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.72.123.89
Message:
Did the APC win Western Rural District Chair? NOPE
Did the APC win in Lumley? Nope.
Did the APC win in Goderich-Ernest Mugabe\'s Backyard? NOPe..
So watin nar de clean SWEEP NOW? Enh?
Subject: Re: Mr APC Batoman you dae make me job difficult ooh
From: MUSA KAMRA
To: All
Date Posted: 17:12:56 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
My friend Alieu Sesay,still alive?your slpp has finally sunk.Now you are licking your wounds again.You were told to be accountable but you decided to ruin the lives of many Sierra-Leoneans.The yakie na im day fala muna so.I hope you folks have started reasoning out properly.
Subject: Re: Mr APC Batoman you dae make me job difficult ooh
From: morlai sidon
To: All
Date Posted: 13:02:29 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: sa@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 79.135.100.25
Message:
guess u are on crack or ve taken skunk.
Subject: AN OPEN LETTER TO DR.ABDULIA OSMAN CONTEH.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 02:38:52 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
OPEN LETTER TO DR.ABDULIA OSMAN CONTEH
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE PROSECUTION OF MOHAMED SORIE FORNAH AND HIS ACCOMPLICES ACCUSED OF TREASON:
Dr.Abdulia Conteh,
This page refers.From the very deep roots of my humble being,it has become imperative to openly communicate with your very august person on a fundamentally troubling question which I find so preposterous that I am compelled to write and ask for clarification of the matter.
On July 6,2008,I read something in the Cocorioko discussion forum which for all intent and purposes was totally misleading.I immediately replied to it by setting the record straight.The author of the original letter rebutted in which he made the following assertion:”ABDULIA CONTEH HAS ALSO WRITTEN THAT THAT THE TREASON TRIAL OF MOHAMED SORIE FORNAH AND 14 OTHERS WAS A FARCE.”
I really did not want to engage the author of that piece Mr.Farrah Marrah in the collegiate battle of the brains over such irresponsible claptrap because apart from your wife and children,I think I know you too well more than lots of Sierra Leoneans as it can be seen in projects I did on you in the Awareness times.I know,you have made no such statement any where.I did not want to out rightly accuse him of engaging in concoction of fabricated inexactitude because I will never bring myself to believe that you will be part and parcel of such unadulterated puerile nonsense in any shape or form.
In any case Dr.Conteh what I am interested in most is to ascertain whether in fact you said anything to the effect?
It hardly requires the nerdism of Cambridgenean scholarship for any one to rationalize the fact that a person of your intellect and ability will ever prosecute any one maliciously on fabricated accusations and unsupported evidence no matter what,let alone confess to the effect.Why this fellow made a ludicrous statement like this which he attributed to you defies logic and reasoning.
Whilst looking forward to your early response on this vexing matter,with all good wishes,please accept the assurances of my warmest esteem for your continued progress and prosperity.
Kindest Felicitations,
Highest considerations,
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: AN OPEN LETTER TO DR.ABDULIA OSMAN CONTEH.
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 15:36:32 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-243-74.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.243.74
Message:
A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is
higher than himself; and a mean man, by one lower than himself. The
one produces aspiration; the other ambition, which is the way in which
a vulgar man aspires.
AO Conteh is the other type - the ambitious and vulgar ready to
trample and exterminate by stealth anything that breathes the truth.
He participated in the prejudicial elimination of his fellow citizens and
he continues to live - that LIVE is pain. I despise not death, but
welcome it, for nature wills it like all else. The manner to which he
subjected these deaths is the cry by some of us - no humanity. Death
is a release from the impressions of the senses, and from desires that
make us their puppets, and from the vagaries of the mind, and from
the hard service of the flesh. I surely am not afraid of it only when the
likes of a state-sponsored citizen clouds his mind from the reality of
being an honourable man to prejudicially expunging others.
I tend to do every act of my life as if it were my last - an adopted way
of life born through understanding the temporality of everything
around me.
Subject: big words
From: baks
To: All
Date Posted: 02:38:29 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: baks30@hotmail.com
Entered From: vp49.aph.gov.au at 202.14.81.49
Message:
To all contributors in this forum I will like to appeal to you to write in simple English so that your post can be easily read. Using big English words demonstrates a lack of understanding of one's self as an African. Having a PhD or Masters doesn’t mean you know everything and using big words just shows that as an African you FAIL TO UNDERSTAND why we are lacking as a successful nation.
It is wrong trying to impress our Sierra Leonean brothers With JARGONS AND BIGWORDS. This can be misleading as it gives an impression that it’s only those that understand big English that matters. The point here is we should be proud of our language, whatever big terms we use in writing, is not going to make any difference and some people like me will not have the patience to look for a dictionary whenever I visit the forum. The other thing I noticed which I find quite funny also is that most times contributors are using big words in incorrect sentences.
The Asians and Indians don’t care whether their English is good or bad but currently they are far advanced than us who have so proudly tried to ape the English man's language.
If we don’t free ourself from that mental prison we put ourselves in we will always come last. During the course of my studies I was taught that using simple English is an effective way of communication when using the English language as your medium of communication. May be our PhD holders were not in class when that was taught, any way one don’t even have to attend uni to know this. You can know this by simply reading and doing some research on how to use the English language.
If we really care about Sierra Leone let share the messages sent around in an easy to understand grammar rather than making it hard for some of us who can only understand simple English.
The reason I'm making this point is because if we are still in the habit of thinking ourselves better than other fellow Sierra leoneans who have not had the opportunity to go to school or uni then it means we are not yet ready for progress and are still lost. Cheers and no offence meant.
Subject: I think we should ostracise this felow called baks
From: Prof Eustace Palmer
To: All
Date Posted: 04:06:26 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Mr Baks, I think you should be grateful that you are now in a position to learn new jaw-breaking words. Please take advantage.
It is however not compulsory to read every post. We should learn to cut our coat according to our size. If you find Mr Koroma's erudite posts tough to consume ... get help... or look for Eddy Grant's or Bonthe Pikin's posts. They seem to cater for plebians. Oh...whilst you are at it, please avoid posts from Dr Fen Plaba,Jacob,Kabs,Mensa,Mannah et al - they tend to be very rigid with their grammar.
And whatever you do, do not, I repeat do not, attempt to read posts by that lawyer in the other place. You may just get a seizure.
If neither of these options are unacceptable, then I suggest to forumites that we completely ostracise you for compelling us all to lower our standards just to accomodate your own tiny-winy grey matter.
Feel free to reply.
Subject: Re: I think we should ostracise this felow called baks
From: Mohamed A. kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 12:32:45 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: Saghinosoccerworld@yahoo.com
Entered From: ool-44c6af1f.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.175.31
Message:
My my my, how amusing things have turned out. The african (The Sierra Leonean in this case) fought tooth and nail to free himself from the clutches of direct colonial rule; yet will smack his brother on the head to revere protect and preserve the master's native tongue. So much for freeing the mind mmmmmm?
Subject: Freed mind
From: Kunta Kintay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:18:16 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Med Kay, your written language is excellent.
You seem to have stretched our so-called Freedom a little too far though... why did't you post in Swahili or Mende or Limba or Kono...to make your point?
You should put these exchanges in context. Baks thinks no one should use 'big words' in this forum.
Since comprehension of 'big words' depends on who's listening/reading, I suggested that he put in some work in learning (which I am sure ...you did for several years, and not to compel Mr Kutubu to water down his writing since the vast majority of forumites seem to have no qualms.
I didn't see the link to our savage and greedy colonial masters though... but then again thats what this forum is all about.
p/s
Did you stay in Block A (Aureole) in the late 80s to early 90s? Just fishing...
Have a nice day bro'
Subject: Re: I think we should ostracise this felow called baks
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 07:26:58 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: lpsdsl2.claranet.co.uk at 79.123.36.144
Message:
What are insinuating by mentioning my name on a topic which has nothing to do with me?
You will need to apologise or I will send my complaint to the forum proprietor. This is an insult to me.
Subject: Re: I think we should ostracise this felow called baks
From: baks
To: All
Date Posted: 06:59:42 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: baks30@hotmail.com
Entered From: ppp121-45-87-188.lns10.adl6.internode.on.net at 121.45.87.188
Message:
I'm sorry guys I was not attacking anyone in particular,that was my opinion on the style of some of the postings. I did not single out anyone's posting.
Bigwords will take us nowhere, let communicate in simple terms, so that those that do not have the chance to be schooled as you can benefit from your posting as well.
In my opinion those that knows should humbly share their knowledge.
Subject: Re: I think we should ostracise this felow called baks
From: Dunia
To: All
Date Posted: 12:09:47 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-166-241-42.range86-166.btcentralplus.com at 86.166.241.42
Message:
There is more to learn from the very knowledgeable who use big jargons
that make sense than those used by verbal bullies. The dictionary can
help a lot. I have a friend who has developed his vocabulary and
grammar from just participating on cocorioko. He bought himself a
dictionary and he now has a style of writing that has marked
improvement.
Encourage people to be clear in their writing but sometimes it is nice to
know that you have advanced in your vocabulary.
Subject: Re: I think we should ostracise this felow called baks
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 04:36:53 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Dr.Palmer you and Professor Eldred Jones have always been my heros in the arena of academi.I am happy you have joined this forum and i cant wait to read your erudite and command of the Queen's linga franca.
Again,welcome on board.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: I think we should ostracise this felow called baks
From: Abu
To: All
Date Posted: 08:20:33 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-251-50-92.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.251.50.92
Message:
THat was not the Dr. Palmer you think. JUsdt a joker abusing the anonymity of the forum.
Subject: Re: big words
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 02:49:25 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Baks,i think you have to rationalize the fact that the mere fact that big words are part of every day use in the Queen's linga francasimply means it is acceptable to use.It becomes problematic when one misuses it.For example,let us say you use the word EXIT,but actually you mean come,that is a huge problem.If Exit is the same as out,then you are in place.Finally,the person who uses big expressions in the proper context has far more collection of words available at his or her disposal than you.It does not matter whether it is an MA,or PHD educated.By the way,do you have any knowledge in latin?If you do,then you should have no difficulties with big words.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: big words
From: Mohamed A. kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 03:52:14 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: Saghinosoccerworld@yahoo.com
Entered From: ool-44c6af1f.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.175.31
Message:
Kutubu I just read your piece to Abdulai Conteh. I say, if your method of impressing a morally bankrupt fellow (Abdulai) on how much you have mastered the english language, is by going BOMBASTIC on its usage; ride on bro. It's a shame the rest of us will have to flip through pages of a dictionary to understand what the heck you were trying to say. Thank god you are not teaching the english language anywhere. Your class will be boring even to british students.
Subject: Re: big words
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 04:41:29 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Kamara,thank you for your compliments.I am going to seek shelter from Professor Eustace Palmer.I am sure he will be willing to protect me from your strident diatribes for my over use of the Queen's language.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Mr. mohamed Kutubu your help please
From: Suliman Dabo
To: All
Date Posted: 00:00:59 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
Looking to do a write up on the Bayoh family. Whats important, what should not be included, where and how do I start.
Over to you sir.
Subject: Re: Mr. mohamed Kutubu your help please
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 00:13:59 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
Mr.Dabo,this is a tall order.In any case,write only the things that are important such as the positive accomplishments.You can talk of the late Sheku Ahmed Tejan Bayoh whorose in the civil service and bacame Secretary to the president.He can also talk of the famous Principal who ended up as a diplomat in Nigeria.
The Bayoh family is a monolithic unit who have made very positive contributions in the nation's sdvancements.Finally,stay away from negative comments about a family member no matter what.
Mohamed Kutubuy Koroma,
USA.
Subject: Re: Mr. mohamed Kutubu your help please
From: A R Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 05:00:54 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 196.207.218.223
Message:
Please Sir, I beg to differ on the descr1ption of Mr MP Baryoh, when you called him a famous Principal.He was principal of an Ahmadiya School, and I do not know what made him famous as a Principal??
Subject: Re: Mr. mohamed Kutubu your help please
From: Suliman Dabo
To: All
Date Posted: 01:27:13 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-65-189-144-245.columbus.res.rr.com at 65.189.144.245
Message:
Thank you sir, I got the pep I need. Again Thank you!!
Subject: AN IMPORTANT PART OF SIERRA LEONE'S POLITICAL HISTORY.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 23:52:54 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
AN IMPORTANT PART OF SIERRA LEONE’S POLITICAL HISTORY THAT IS NEVER TALKED ABOUT;
I have read lots of issues and heard equally lots of discussions on the political history of Sierra Leone .There is however one aspect which is never talked about which nonetheless was the very basis for Siaka Steven’s leadership. The span of that history is relatively very period,nevertheless,it marked a watershed in the political history of the sovereign nation of Sierra Leone.It is from April 18,1968,to April 26,1968.The question is what happened? The corresponding explanations will shed light on it.
In the early morning of April 18,1968,Warrant officers Patrick Conteh,and Emadu Rogers of the then Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces,led the rank and file of the army in a revolt against the administration of Brigadier Andrew Terrence Juxon-Smith and in the process,deposed the NRC.In concert with the lower ranks in the Police force,they arrested all officers from the rank of Lieutenants all the way to Brigadier.In the Police,From the rank of Inspectors to that of Commissioner were all arrested in a massive swoop and locked up.It happened at the instigations of Siaka Stevens,Then Colonel John Amadu Bangura,and Ahmed Seoku Toure of Guinea.The diabolical plan to dislodge the NRC was masterminded in Guinea.
Following the overthrow of the NRC,the ACRF was formed,whereupon,Bangura and Genda were invited to head the new junta.Bangura immediately renamed the movement NIC with him as Head of State and Chairman,and Ambrose Patrick Genda as Vice Charman.
Unlike Blake,Jumu,and Kaisamba who formed a government,the NIC embarked upon a speedy program of returning the country to civilian rule.The then Speaker Mr.Justice Banja Tejan-Sie,was appointed officer performing the functions of Governor General,On April 26,the parliament that was elected in the hotly contested March 17,1967elections met at State House and after lengthy delebrations,it was suggested that instead of conducting fresh elections,a national government should be formed with Siaka Stevens as the head.That was how the government that arose from the elections debacle was finally formed within nine days following the overthrow of the NRC military administration.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA.
Subject: OPEN LETTER TO DR.ABDULIA O.CONTEH.
From: Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 23:19:07 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: mohamedkoroma49@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-96-231-21-144.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.21.144
Message:
OPEN LETTER TO DR.ABDULIA OSMAN CONTEH
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE PROSECUTION OF MOHAMED SORIE FORNAH AND HIS ACCOMPLICES ACCUSED OF TREASON:
Dr.Abdulia Conteh,
This page refers.From the very deep roots of my humble being,it has become imperative to openly communicate with your very august person a fundamentally troubling question which I find so preposterous that I am compelled to write and ask for clarification of the matter.
On July 6,2008,I read something in the Cocorioko discussion forum which for all intent and purposes was totally misleading.I immediately replied to it be setting the record straight.The author of the original rebutted in which he made the following assertion:”ABDULIA CONTEH HAS ALSO WRITTEN THAT THAT THE TREASON TRIAL OF MOHAMED SORIE FORNAH AND 14 OTHERS WAS A FARCE.”
I really did not want to engage the author of that piece Mr.Farrah Marrah in the collegiate battle of the brains over such irresponsible claptrap because apart from your wife and children,I think I know you too well more than lots of Sierra Leoneans as it can be seen in projects I did on you in the Awareness times.I know,you have made no such statement any where.I did not want to out rightly accuse him of engaging in concoction of fabricated inexactitude because I will never bring myself to believe that you will be part and parcel of such unadulterated puerile nonsense in any shape or form.
In any case Dr.Conteh what I am interested in most is to ascertain whether in fact you said anything to the effect?
It hardly requires the nerdism of Cambridgenean scholarship for any one to rationalize the fact that a person of your intellect and ability will never prosecute any one maliciously on fabricated accusations and unsupported evidence no matter what,let alone confess to the effect.Why this fellow made a ludicrous statement like this which he attributed to you defies logic and reasoning.
Whilst looking forward to your early response on this vexing matter,with all good wishes,please accept the assurances of my warmest esteem for your continued progress and prosperity.
Kindest Felicitations,
Highest considerations,
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma,
USA
Subject: The ghettotization of Mendeland politics
From: Uman Lappa
To: All
Date Posted: 22:33:22 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: moijuekaisamba@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123
Message:
As I watch the results of the council elections stream in, my heart sinks and my soul cringes as the thunderous reality whacks like a two-by-four against my skull. Let's stop hiding behind the innocuous euphemism of the 'Southeast', since the Konos have now bolted from that hut. It is sunnily clear by now that ALL Sierra Leonean tribes, except Mendeland have embraced multipartyism including the APC. The Mende heartland has voted overwhelmingly for the Mende party, the SLPP and given short shrift to the APC and only contemptuously tolerated PMDC.
Our Mende 'leaders' have made sure that there is only one party in Mendeland, the SLPP which, they wrongly believe, will lead us to our rendez-vous with destiny. It is very sad that even desperately poor and abused Kailahun, a sizable slice of its pride still under Guinean domination, was hectored, demagogued and xenophobed into electing a bloody coup leader, Tom Nyuma. Folks you know what all this means in real politics, right? Kailahun and the rest of Mendeland will continue to be marginalized in the big decisions of the day as our parochial leaders continue to corral us into pitiable apartheid holes of our own making.
WAKE UP PEOPLE! Take a good look at our so-called leaders. Is it really worth it? Think out of the box please!
Subject: Re: The ghettotization of Mendeland politics
From: Democracy at Work
To: All
Date Posted: 14:46:29 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.42.23.70
Message:
U prefer a convicted theif like Solomon Musa to a brave war hero like tom nyuma? if everywhere turns to APC, then where is the multiparty? the opposition of a multiparty system always has a base. The APC base was Bombali, Tonkolili and Port Loko (Koinadugu now added) when they were in opposition. The SLPP needs their base and they now have it. LET DEMOCRACY ROCK MAN!!!
Subject: Breaking news:The APC has trounced the SLPP once again!
From: The Smart Cavalier
To: All
Date Posted: 17:23:48 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-235-82.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.235.82
Message:
Unofficial reports put the APC well above its rivals in the just concluded local council elections.In its traditional strongholds it was a no-contest situation while it has eaten significantly into its rivals' strongholds.The elections were declared free and fair by observers.The observers were very impressed with the govt.'s conduct of all related activities especially in the run-up to the elections.This has added another feather to EBK's cap much to the envy of his detractors.
Subject: Re: Breaking news:The APC has trounced the SLPP once again!
From: Happyman
To: All
Date Posted: 19:12:43 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 41.208.131.34
Message:
Praise be to the Lord that APC won, and I am very happy that APC did not have to rape all SLPP women as they proclaimed to do.Let peace prevail in Salone
Subject: APC Borbor... blow fus
From: Christiana Topup
To: All
Date Posted: 17:46:04 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
The APC has been embarassed. I am trying to schizzle some noxxles here at the Tally Room... and try coba some shame.
EBK, Alpha, en Sam jis dae call cal me...
Ar nor able yait... nor make mot yait... ar beg.
Subject: Bravo Jacob, you have exposed the rear of APC hooligans
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 17:05:43 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Congrats brother. I am just back from a long restful break... somewhere enviable... I mean very nice... Sechelles.
Anyway glad to be back to help tame some of these outrageous hooligans.
Have you heard the LG results coming out? Men its fantaaaaaastic! I'll post a private mail later... when I'm settled.
Subject: Re: Bravo Jacob, you have exposed the rear of APC hooligans
From: The Smart Cavalier
To: All
Date Posted: 17:26:54 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-235-82.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.235.82
Message:
So dakay how was the Congobay tour? I thought you are already in Torgbormbu.
Subject: PNP
From: Charles F Margai
To: All
Date Posted: 01:02:53 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: charles.margai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Pikim nar pikin,
I hear you have being running riot in this forum eenh? Anyway Papa don cam back... so go take yu buk en study. I promise I will not whoop you unnecessarily...OK?
Have you heard of the severe beating of the rag tag, underperforming APC in the Local Government Elections. The word is, even Christiana Thorpe's hand was not handy enough.
Sam Sumana's sponsored violent and intimidation campaign is now subject of the UN Security Council for future discussions. They have ranked it 3rd after Kenya and Zimbabwe. This truck driver is really shaming our country.
My boy, could you ask your uncles in the APC why they think Vice Presidents, must be professional truck drivers? SI Koroma(the infamous Agbshatan) was a driver as well.
Also confirm, with some of the 'peppeh doctas" in Agnes's cabinet whether there is a link between truck driving and political violence?
Good Luck
Subject: Jacob Kanu has become Hashim Dogboh, so shameful
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 15:55:13 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.151.109.3
Message:
This guy have no time to see reality he continued to jump with his mouth rather than his feet by shamelessly re-emerging as Hashim Dagboh denying the facts openly available to everyone that the SLPP are currently disliked by a huge majority of Sierra Leoneans.
He just can't be man enough to accept defeat when its necessary, such people have a worrying personality.
Though this time, he toned down a bit atleast some of my advice is sinking into his brain, its a relief to know that he heeds to my concern about him.
Subject: Eddy boy lef.... lef ay
From: Jacob Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 01:19:30 07/07/08 ()
Email Address: jacob.kanu@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
Eddy boy please lef for take hakeh pah me. You constantly accuse me of being everybody.
Do I really scare you that much?
Well you have not seen anything yet. Frankly I have just being warming up.. so na for tie yu lappa fine ooh. Prepare for run up en don dis forum.
Anyway how you see the beating way unah foolish go'fment don undergo? Nar for bear ooh, Yah?
Subject: Re: Jacob Kanu has become Hashim Dogboh, so shameful
From: How concern
To: All
Date Posted: 16:56:29 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 207-172-203-107.c3-0.upd-ubr7.trpr-upd.pa.cable.rcn.com at 207.172.203.107
Message:
Eddie, if I have not been following your half baked "oozings" in this forum I would have thought that you really cared for your fellow SLeoneans. Now I know you are just another APC batoliner. Mr. Daboh and Mr. Kanu are two distinct and well accomplished gentlemen in this forum and the SL community in general. Please contact Kabs, as Mr. Daboh rightly pointed out to you, to get more info on these fine gentlemen.
You need for blow per dis blind bato business.
No divide and rule here.
We are watching you.
Subject: Re: Jacob Kanu has become Hashim Dogboh, so shameful
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 07:37:56 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: lpsdsl2.claranet.co.uk at 79.123.36.144
Message:
Mr Jacob Kanu, the man with many personalities. You're proving my point.
And to be honest my brother, I really care about my fellow Sierra Leoneans, that fact cannot be changed even if everybody deny it. I love all peaceful Sierra Leoneans including you and Jacob Kanu because so far he hasn't being violent towards me regardless of the ethnic background.
Subject: Re: Jacob Kanu has become Hashim Dogboh, so shameful
From: How concern
To: All
Date Posted: 16:34:21 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 207-172-203-107.c3-0.upd-ubr7.trpr-upd.pa.cable.rcn.com at 207.172.203.107
Message:
Anyway Eddie, I see/feel the 'mojuba' undertones. Go in peace and stop blind batoism.
Hint- always check IPs. Your man, Kabs can help you.
Subject: Re: Jacob Kanu has become Hashim Dogboh, so shameful
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 16:43:48 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
This clown with different monikers is going out of control.I hope he wont enter the bush this time and if he does,we will chase him there,so that he wont reappear as a kamajor rebel.
Subject: Re: Jacob Kanu has become Hashim Dogboh, so shameful
From: Hashim Daboh
To: All
Date Posted: 16:18:01 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: Gboyama@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: host86-134-236-108.range86-134.btcentralplus.com at 86.134.236.108
Message:
Now i see why some of you are more than simple minded - you see how horrible is ignorancy . Illiterates are far better than educated illiterates like you. You really don't deserve a response .May i suggest that you contact Kabbs for further access ,you buffoon ! Next time would you mind chcking your spelling to get my name right ,
kehtamia
Hashim Daboh
Subject: Re: Jacob Kanu has become Hashim Dogboh, so shameful
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 16:27:44 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.151.109.3
Message:
Warm hat dae kill mi man, take am ezy yah. You sore losser, you think all Sierra Leoneans think and act like you? fool, now look where your hatred for EBK lasnded you.
By the way, what have you got to say about the elections?
Subject: An Unbiased Report from a News Outlet
From: Elections News
To: All
Date Posted: 15:36:48 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.42.23.70
Message:
Latest Update from Sierra Leone's Local Government Elections
By
Jul 6, 2008, 18:57 Email this article
Printer friendly page
You May Click Here To Read or Discuss Views About This Article
The Opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) has swept the elections in virtually its entire South Eastern base except for Kono where the ruling All People's Congress (APC) has won both the Town Mayorship and the District Chairmanship.
The very strong showing of the SLPP all over their strongholds including even former PMDC bastions like the Bo Shell-Mingo area, is an indication that Sierra Leone is even more sharply divided along regional lines than ever before. The political scene in Sierra Leone is now APC versus SLPP. The PMDC, to all intents and purposes, is no longer a factor in Sierra Leone except in the small township of Bonthe. Aside the township, SLPP controlled every other part of Bonthe Mainland including the District Chairmanship. In the other former PMDC stronghold of Pujehun District, even the boastful and loud Moijue Kaikai contesting for chairmanship of Pujehun under the PMDC woefully lost to his much quieter SLPP rival, Saddiq Sillah.
Meanwhile, as expected, the ruling APC has virtually swept the elections in Port Loko, Bombali and Tonkolili Districts and they have easily won control of the District Councils of Koinadugu and Kambia.
In the Western Area, there are mixed reports of the SLPP making a surprising show in some areas like Lumley where SLPP candidate, Alhaji Barrie, a former driver at the Ministry of Health, has reportedly emerged victorious over his APC rival. A few other areas have also reported SLPP wins in the Western Area but the vast majority of the Western Area has once again fallen to the APC with Herbert George Williams emerging as the next Mayor of Freetown City Council.
However, in the entire South and East of Sierra Leone, the APC has not won a single seat so far. In Kailahun District, SLPP's Tom Nyuma is the definite winner of the Chairmanship as he solidly trounced his APC rival Solomon Musa in 399 out of 401 polling stations. Even in the Bunumbu hometown of Musa, Tom Nyuma beat him with an excess of 2,000 votes to Musa's own 900 votes. It was only in Bunumbu that Musa even had much of a showing. Everywhere else, it was Nyuma fever as the people voted massively for SLPP. Also, it was only in the Kissi border area that an Independent candidate emerged victorious as a Local Councillor. All the 28 other seats were won by SLPP aspirants.
Meanwhile, readers can visit the pro-APC Cocorioko Website or readers can visit the pro-SLPP New People Website for more News Updates. Whilst visiting these websites, please keep in mind that all news published on Cocorioko is heavily slanted in favour of the APC whilst all news published on New People is heavily slanted in favour of the SLPP.
Subject: Re: An Unbiased Report from a News Outlet
From: You craise ?
To: All
Date Posted: 17:03:45 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
The paper you qouted is heavily pro-SLPP. What is unbiased about their report ? Do , don't come and mix our heads up on this forum. ABI YOU CRAISS ?
Subject: Re: An Unbiased Report from a News Outlet
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 17:11:53 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
AWARENESS TIMES = SLPP
NEW PEOPLE = SLPP
COCORIOKO =APC
STANDARD TIMES=Middle of the road
Subject: Re: An Unbiased Report from a News Outlet
From: Real Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 14:17:26 07/07/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.42.23.70
Message:
Awareness Times = Most Independent Medium in Sierra Leone
Standard Times = Available for sale to the highest bidder
Awoko = PMDC
Subject: Ar nor able dis tem.... dae pressure too much
From: Christiana Topup
To: All
Date Posted: 16:06:33 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: leather.boot@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.204.224.41
Message:
I cannot intervene this time. The eyes are too much and my UN accomplices have backslided.
The pressure is too much from Alpha, Sam & EBK. My only respite now is the Tally Room - lets see how much zagado-schizzling we can come up with. I really want to schizzle with the nozzle.... but its tight.
My self-imposed CEO Aiah Mattiah has already given up... and we dont want to start a riot with major manupulations as we got away with the last time...
Gosh I am confused...
Subject: YES, "PAN AFRICANISM" IS ALIVE AND WELL.
From: CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS, BSN,RN,MD(Hons.),MPH
To: All
Date Posted: 14:59:49 07/06/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
PAN-AFRICANISM: YESTERDAY AND TODAY
Exactly years ago, in Manchester, England, black leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, Great Britain and the United States came together in pursuit of the liberation of the black diaspora. In its manifesto, "Challenge to the Colonial Powers," they declared: "We are determined to be free. We want the right to earn a decent living; the right to express our thoughts and emotions, to adopt and create forms of beauty. We demand for Black Africa autonomy and independence. . ."
The 1945 Manchester Congress, led by black scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, George Padmore and Kwame Nkrumah, was both the culmination of a historical process of black struggle which had begun a half century before, as well as a decisive political intervention to influence the events after World War II. Behind "Pan-Africanism" was the idea that people of African descent the world over shared a common destiny; that our forced dispersal through the transatlantic slave trade, our common oppression under colonialism in Africa and the Caribbean, and under Jim Crow segregation in the United States, through the exploitation of our labor power under capitalism, and the denial of political rights, had created parallel contours for struggle. Our kinship was also cultural, social and historical, and we found within ourselves the genius and grace of being which was denied us by the racist standards of the white world. By renewing our connections, we forged a consciousness of resistance which could be felt across the globe.
The perspective of Pan-Africanism was first advanced in the international context by barrister Henry Sylvester Williams of Trinidad and Tobago, in the London conference of 1900. It was at this gathering that the young scholar, W.E.B. Du Bois, predicted that "the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line." After Williams' death in 1911, the Pan-Africanist movement was continued by Du Bois. The Pan-African Congresses were later held in Paris in 1919; in London, Paris and Brussels in 1921; in London, Paris and Lisbon in 1923; and in New York in 1927. These Congresses created the context for black intellectuals, political leaders and reformers to challenge the prerogatives and power of white colonialism.
Last month, black scholars and activists from Africa, the Caribbean and the US met in Manchester, England, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of that historic Pan-African Congress.
The future of Pan-Africanism as a strategy for liberation depends upon our ability to bring together young people, workers, political organizers, trade unionists, women activists and intellectuals behind a common vision of black empowerment at a global level. The new Pan-Africanism must first challenge the structures of patriarchy within black communities and black organizations, creating a more egalitarian relationship between black women and men. So long as we tolerate the oppression of our sisters, our liberation moment as black people will never succeed.
The new Pan-Africanism of the twenty-first century must take a progressive stand on environmental issues and state of the world's ecology. We must address the utilization of the natural resources of the world; our reliance on petrochemicals and carbon-based technologies which foul the air and pollute our water; and the storage of toxic wastes which shorten the lives of our children. In the United States, three-fifths of all toxic waste dumps are found within a twenty-five mile radius of black or Hispanic communities. We need coalition strategy creating a dialogue with environmental organizations and green political parties, linking the struggle against racism to a safe, clean environment.
Pan-Africanism of the next century cannot define itself in biological, genetic or racial categories, but in terms of its politics and social vision. Race is a category of antiblack exploitation, a product of slavery, white supremacy, and economic domination. But race today also attacks the humanity of an entire spectrum of people: the Hispanics of California who suffer under the recently implemented Proposition 187, which denies their children access to education and denies their families admission to public health facilities; the Turks in Germany who encounter rampant discrimination and neo-Nazi gangs. The struggle against racism must be fought on a global, international level.
Pan-Africanism remains an essential democratic vision, to deconstruct and uproot the inequalities of racism; to challenge the unpopular capitalist "New World Order" represented by the IMF, the World Bank, and more recently by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Pan-Africanism remains vital as a political framework bringing together the collective perspectives of people of African descent in our eternal struggle to assert and to affirm all humanity. Our struggle for the empowerment of the African world is, as W.E.B. Du Bois wrote, "the last great battle of the West."
Subject: Old Edwardians - Please Help!
From: Webmaster
To: All
Date Posted: 14:41:22 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-137-227-214.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.137.227.214
Message:
We are updating the Edwardians website and need help in identify the staff member on this picture. Some have been ID'd, but not the rest.
Subject: Re: Old Edwardians - Please Help!
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 17:06:14 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip98-169-8-64.dc.dc.cox.net at 98.169.8.64
Message:
Upload photo to facebook.. St Edwards has a page..
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2393209592&ref=ts
We can then tag them one at a time with available technology that is already party of facebook..
I can see Mr Renner, Sir Rob.. duganson, Miss Lamb, Mr Johnson, Bockey...
A lot more.. but its better they are tagged thru facebook..
Cheers..
Let me know how more i can help..
I am working on a database of Old Edwardians and we can collaborate..
2footleppet@gmail.com
Subject: THE APC, ALFRED AKIBO BETTS, AND "VOUCHERGATE"
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 14:36:08 07/06/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-255-93-107.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.255.93.107
Message:
Exposing Corruption
284. "Corruption is often exposed, when individuals within government come forward with information. The Commission is of the view that all those who work in the public service and the judiciary have a duty to expose and root out corruption. Where public officials have knowledge of corruption and do not come forward with such information, they are, for all intents and purposes, accomplices in the corrupt act.
285. Individuals who come forward with information about corruption are sometimes referred to as “whistle-blowers”. In order to successfully act against corruption, whistle blowing ought to be encouraged. Such individuals are invariably victimised when they expose corruption. They are penalised and, at times, they lose their jobs and even face physical harm. It takes courage to expose corruption."
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
"AKIBO POWER", REST IN PEACE, MY FRIEND!