Subject: The lure of Sierra Leone diamonds
From: Elizabeth Blunt
To: All
Date Posted: 08:38:17 02/22/07 ()
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Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
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The lure of Sierra Leone diamonds
By Elizabeth Blunt
BBC News, Sierra Leone
Diamonds continue to be big business for Sierra Leone and through the years many have been tempted to join the hunt in the hope of a lucky find.
Kenema is the centre of the diamond trade in Sierra Leone
Diamond diggers may well be like fishermen - the biggest one is always the one that got away.
But in Kenema, Sierra Leone's main diamond town, whole streets are lined with diamond buyers' shops, and there are enough stones flowing in to make them all a living.
If you own or can rent land along the streams where the stones are washed down out of the diamond-bearing rock, then you have a very decent chance of striking it lucky.
Hangha village, just north of Kenema, was one of the first places diamonds were found.
It was to Hangha that Queen Elizabeth was taken in 1961 to see the diggers at work.
It was the people of Hangha who appeared on the old one Leone note, sifting gravel in a rectangular pit.
And it was in Hangha that I met a man who told me the quintessential diamond story.
Addictive
In the days when the industry was just starting up, Patrick Sandy was a young teacher, earning the modest salary of £10 ($19.50) a month.
He and his brothers thought they would try looking for diamonds on the family farm.
And they rapidly made some very good finds.
Patrick told me that his best stone was the size of a large pea, and it sold for £11,000.
There was no contest, he gave up teaching and went into the diamond business.
Arguing that if they could find diamonds with so little effort, then digging on a larger scale would bring enormous wealth. He bought tools, hired labourers and set them to work clearing the land, digging, washing and sifting the gravel.
The winner goes back to the tables, convinced that he is on a roll
But there was nothing.
He never made another significant find, despite searching until all his money was gone.
Diamond digging is like gambling - it's very addictive.
The winner goes back to the tables, convinced that he is on a roll and that even greater success will follow.
The loser carries on grimly, determined to keep going until he has recouped his losses.
The few who do make money are the ones who have the strength of mind to quit while they are ahead.
Small scale
Ordinary people are able to join the Sierra Leone diamond hunt
Hangha, which is built on top of a diamond field, is a dusty, forlorn place. There are men hanging around in the shade, a video parlour showing Nigerian-made movies, and a pavement vendor selling a small selection of shovels, pickaxe heads and sieves.
On the outskirts of the town are burnt and broken houses.
These diamond areas were endlessly fought over and suffered badly during Sierra Leone's civil war.
And yet diamonds should not have to be a curse.
Alongside some big companies, mining diamonds directly from the rock, Sierra Leone has a quite liberal and well-structured system, which allows ordinary people in the diamond areas to try their hand at alluvial mining on a small scale.
If they buy a licence they can keep what they find, and sell it through licensed buyers.
If they do not have suitable land or the means to support themselves while they dig, they can find themselves a so-called "supporter" who will sponsor them while they do it.
And for a young, single man at least, it is not too bad a deal.
Windfalls
We talked to a group who were digging out a river bed near the village.
It was hard, hot work, but they were happy with their supporter, who gave them two cups of rice a day, and a thousand Leones - "sauce money" for stew to go with the rice.
He also gave them cigarettes and bought them medicine when they were sick.
If they find a diamond, they get a share of the cash, which was split between the miner, the landowner and the supporter.
A small diamond might mean a bicycle or a boom box radio
You can see what these windfalls might translate into as you pass the diamond buyers' shops.
As soon as the miner has got his cash in hand, the dealer has goods ready for him to buy.
A small diamond might mean a bicycle or a boom box radio.
A bigger stone could mean a generator, a television and video, or a motorbike.
It could also set the young man up in a more reliable trade.
But mostly, the lure of the stones is too strong.
Why would someone bother with the safe and steady when there is a chance, however small, of making more money in a day than a carpenter or a motorbike boy could earn in his whole life?
I did meet one man, a prosperous, young dealer who had kept a level head and made the diamonds work for him.
Francis Konuwa's family land lay in a prime locat1on, along the Sewa river.
He was soon supporting other diggers, but they were usually his own brothers, so he was fairly sure that they would not cheat him by hiding their finds.
And now he is diversifying into retailing, foreign exchange dealing, and the import and export of diamonds.
The gambler who knows when to walk away from the table is the one who keeps his winnings.
From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Thursday 22 February, 2007 at 1100 GMT on BBC Radio 4. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.
Subject: Kabbah's penchant for revenge brings sadness
From: wahala in Sa lone
To: All
Date Posted: 08:21:27 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 213-84-242-179.adsl.xs4all.nl at 213.84.242.179
Message:
Because the special court was selective in its prosecution agenda, there was no eed to institute it in the Country. It is true that many, many people who commited despicable crime are walking on the streets free and those who sponsored the RUF initially have been dinin with Tejan Kabbah.
The death of all the iinnocent would not have happened if only, the leadership of Sierra Leone were wise enough. Before, Kabbah came as a leader, steps were made to call for peace before elections. But knowing Sierra Leoneans, it was not heeded. They blindly follow the darken path to hold the election, even though Kailaihun and other places were under rebels control.
What we have been witnessing in that war tared Country, is folly and evil plan to darken the Country again. There was no need for any special court/ From Tejan Kabbah down to his lieutenants commited heinous crime.
Kabbah has been left off the hook and innocents being killed, jailed, molested and humiliated.
Hinga Norman's death will serve as a reminder that as one family, we must learn to live together and help ourselves solve our problem.
Thousands of people died inncently in Sierra Leone, because its leaders ain't compassionate and lovable. It is absurd to have a leadership that will use blood to settle dispute. Whn will those who gave Kabbah power realised that their act has caused a great deal of suffering and bloodshed in the Country.
Does anyone knows the background of Kabba with regards to love and mercy?
Search your soul hypocritical nation.
Subject: THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
From: Fan of Patrick Musa
To: All
Date Posted: 07:05:13 02/22/07 ()
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Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Posted by Patrick Musa on February 22, 2007 at 01:25:08:
In Reply to: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM posted by FARRAH MARRAH on February 21, 2007 at 20:34:12:
It looks like you don't know what is name calling. It is not name calling when you yourself call yourself a rebel supporter.
That is DISGUSTING to most Sierra Leoneans, as Alieu told you. That makes you disgusting. That is not name calling. It is the truth about you.
Subject: Re: THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 07:12:47 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
Will you sit and allow your country to be trodden on by fools who do not see and think that the child learns to crawl and then walks. Never take anyone for granted. Study the true ideology behind the RUF. Things changed during their struggled and the ideology was stolen by rich and greedy patrons. if we do not think of how we govern our people in the true sense of deo=mocratic governance, the hell of the RUF will be revisited!! No mjoke about it. You cannot toy with peoples lives. They are human like yourself - if no one fights for them they have to take up their fight. I respect FARRAH MARRAH's boldness to explain the cause that resulted to the struggle and not just the struggled that maimed and killed our people. To have peace wars have to be fought. You create chaos, chaos follows you. be wise my fellow and treat your country well.
Subject: Re: THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
From: The Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 07:38:15 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
"Will you sit and allow your country to be trodden on by fools who do not see and think that the child learns to crawl and then walks."
Yes, if the alternative is to "allow your country to be trodden on" by murderers, gang rapists, child abductors, rapists, thieves, child limb hackers, adult "cut han" criminals, fire-bombers, human flesh eaters, human blood drinkers, human slave traffickers, knows as RUF vermin.
Only someone who is at home with the vicious crimes against humanity committed by RUF thugs would respect the animalistic members of the RUF. I am not surprised that the dunce, William Bangura (Farrah Marah) boasts that he is a supporter of babykillers, murderers, cannibals, and terrorits. No one expects much from a dim-witted fellow like him.
But you? Why, mi man would you think like the dunce Bangura -- unless you are the very same William Bangura?
Subject: Re: THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 07:47:23 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
Mi man, like you referred to me, why did the revolt occurred? How do you know that the RUF committed the atrocities you described? What did the TRC report say? Do you believe other forces were involved in the perpetuation of the atrocities to seek outside help? We have to answer serious questions, which I belive have been asked, to come to judging others. I am merely been objective in my thoughts.
Subject: Re: THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
From: The Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 08:12:57 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Mi man, don't ask a question that you can answer. The only revolt that occurred in Salone was that by Sankoh against decent standards of civilized behavior -- murders, gang rapes, etc. In other words, RUF criminality.
You can call that a "revolt." But sober people know it as bestial assault on innocent civilians by depraved criminals calling themselves RUF rebels.
The TRC tells thw world about all your rebel atrocities. It's only mistake was pointed out by some Saloneans. THat mistake was to say that the ppeople of Salone would make themselves victims of murderers and rapists to remove Momoh from power. If that was true, why did they hate the RUF? That doesn't wash, mi man.
Subject: HINGA NORMAN DIES
From: SAD DAY
To: All
Date Posted: 06:46:57 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Hinga Norman has died in Senegal.What a sad day.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN DIES
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 08:08:51 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: new-5000.cadence.com at 158.140.1.25
Message:
This is very sad indeed.
May his soul rest in peace.
I am sure the question is going to be asked (in the next couple of days) as to why this man was not taken to the Western world for his hip replacement surgery.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN DIES
From: FORREST GUMP
To: All
Date Posted: 08:04:15 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-63-51.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.63.51
Message:
May his soul rest in peace
FORREST
Subject: ANY NEWS ON NORMAN?
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 06:46:14 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
Anybody with news on Chief Norman? Some unfortunate but unconfirmed news I just received.
Subject: SULAIMAN TEJAN JALLOH
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 05:59:53 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.69
Message:
The attack on Alhaji Sulaiman Tejan Jalloh who is without doubt the most respected representative Sa lone has ever had by people with supercilious mind is unacceptable.
The whole thing is opprobrious and actionable libel especially after the Government has issued a public statement vindication the man.
If he takes action now everyone will start shouting 'CRIMINAL LIBEL LAWS' bad for democracy and human rights.
No one is now shouting about this man's Human right which is been abused right now, or that does not matter?
Subject: Re: SULAIMAN TEJAN JALLOH
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 06:58:34 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
CADMUS, may God have mercy upon you. STJ is treacherous and a demon par excellence. Do you know we have a poor Sierra leonean girl in london today who is paralysed, from beatings received from a lebanese man, in the Uk. This lebanese was the Landlord of STJ in Sierra Leone. for money STJ helped this man escape justice and the little child now a teenager is in the UK disabled. Such an overt act of contempt for human existence makes me wonder about your claims supporting your model - God is not asleep. What goes around comes around - no marabout can save STJ when the day of reckoning comes. He is evil and have no love for Sierra leone and her citizens whom he purports to serve. God is our guide and judge.
Subject: Justice Ministry Warns Porno Dealers, Says Porno Selling Is
From: DAILY ANALYST
To: All
Date Posted: 19:08:39 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
DAILY ANALYST
Justice Ministry Warns Porno Dealers, Says Porno Selling Is Illegal
A pornographic photo believed by peddlers to be that of Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Willis D. Knuckles, in sexual interplay with two lesbians sold like “hot cake” yesterday when a local newspaper republished it with a banner story.
• Cllr. Johnson-Morris
Uniformed security officials looked on with troubling abandon as the peddlers as young as 9 years moved gingerly amongst moving traffic to hoot their wares.
But now to the satisfaction of many, even though belatedly, the government is moving to stop further peddling of the porno photos and it appears serious about the edict, which it says, has bases in law.
The Analyst Staff Writer has been reviewing the edict.
After allowing a full day of “big sale” of photocopies of a pornographic photo purported to be that of the Acting Minister of State, Willing D. Knuckles, the Liberian government has threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone found selling the photos.
“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Justice that some persons are engaged in the publication, reproduction, dissemination, and circulation of the pornographic photo of the alleged sex scandal involving the Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in gross violation of Section 18.7 of the Penal Law of Liberia…” said a Justice Ministry press release issued yesterday under the signature of the Justice Minister and Attorney General of Liberia, Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris.
The release quoted the Ministry of Justice as admonishing those concerned to immediately desist from the selling of the photos which act it described as “unlawful and illegal”.
“Henceforth, anyone caught in the reproduction and dissemination of the said pornographic photograph will be arrested and prosecuted in keeping with law,” the release emphasized.
The person so arrested would be charged with first degree misdemeanor. First degree misdemeanor under the laws of Liberia, carries lesser penalty of a fine and/or short-term prison sentence, according to research conducted by The Analyst.
Incidentally, Section 18.7 of the Penal Law of Liberia states: “A person has committed a first degree misdemeanor if he disseminates obscene material, or such person produces, transports, or sends obscene material, with the purpose that it be disseminated, unless the dissemination is carried on in such a manner as to minimize risk to exposure to children under sixteen years of age and to persons who had no effective opportunity to choose not to be so exposed.”
The law defines disseminate as “sell, lease, advertise, broadcast, exhibit, or distribute” and proceeded to define obscene material as a material that “if, taken as a whole, it has as its exclusive theme an appeal to prurient interest in sex of the average person or, in the case of material designed for or disseminated to special groups, to the prurient interest in six of the members of that group.”
It also defined obscene material as that material that is utterly without social value to the persons to whom the dissemination is addressed and noted that advertising and manner of distribution may be considered, where relevant, in determining the social value of the material.
It may be recalled that early this week, a pornographic photo purported to portray Acting State Minister Willis D. Knuckles in acts of sex with two females appeared spontaneous on the internet.
Besides speculations, no one has up to date claimed responsibility for the posting of the photographs which the government now describe as obscene and unfit for public viewing.
Mr. Knuckles claimed to have seen the photos two weeks earlier prior to information about them leaking to the media, but he reportedly did not respond to media queries about the nature and authenticity of the photo until two local dailies published background information of the photo.
The stories obliquely linked former speaker Edwin Snowe to the circulation. They argued that the man who had been at the center of a House leadership, venue, and bribery squabble had during the delivery of his resignation letter last week, warned that a senior minister in the Sirleaf cabinet would pay for his involvement in a conspiracy that culminated into his (Snowe’s) resignation.
Snowe himself could not be reached for comment but reports quoting his chief of office staff are adamant that the former speaker has hands neither in the production nor circulation of the porno photos.
It has not been established also to what extent the former speaker is knowledgeable about the scandal. The denial on his behalf was however immediately countered yesterday by Mr. Knuckles.
He told newsmen that the photos were earlier shown to him by the wife of Edwin Snowe with a deal that they would be destroyed if the minister helped Snowe out of his political quicksand.
“I rejected their overtures and suddenly, since his resignation as Speaker, copies have appeared everywhere,” Minister Knuckles said in a hastily arranged news briefing Monday this week that was witnessed by his immediate family members and his Executive Mansion aides.
Knuckles said he had called the news briefing to give a clear perspective to the press and to the public as to how this situation has evolved. But he muddied the situation when he announced at the onset of the process that he would not be taking questions.
He may have had fine reasons of his own, but that single act infuriated a number of journalists, some of whom established there and then that the minister may have something bigger to hide than meet the minds.
Analysts say the publication, in a local weekly yesterday of the photo which news media in the city had been reluctant to release, may not be far from Mr. Knuckle’s failure to deny or confirm his involvement in the act of pornography.
Up to press time last night, it was not clear how the Justice Ministry’s edict was received by the citizens and residents mainly of the capital, Monrovia, where the photos were widely circulated Tuesday.
Also not clear by press time last night was the status of the publisher and editors of the local weekly which published the photograph yesterday in its banner story.
Analysts recalling that most attempts in the past to enforce the laws of Liberia on individuals believed to be opinion leaders, including the press, turned out to be politicized believe the Justice Ministry’s edict may be swarmed by allegations of bias in favor of a government official.
Already a number of weird arguments have begun to surface. “If the law existed, why had the government not enforced it? Why have they decided to enforce it after Mr. Knuckles got involved in sex scandal?
If it was any of the opposition figures or ordinary citizens were they going to lift a finger least to stop people from selling the photos?” wondered Blamah Morris of Caldwell.
Blamah believes the edict was motivated by political consideration and warned that if the government was not discretional in the enforcement of Section 18.7 in this matter, it would “pour oil in the fire”.
He did not elaborate, but analysts agree that if the situation is allowed to degenerate into politics, the law may be compromised for political expedience and so-called “fair” treatment of all citizens under the law.
With so much explosive controversy already in the air about the rule of law, many wish it does not come to political debate.
Subject: Manly parish in last ditch immigration appeal
From: IMMIGRANT
To: All
Date Posted: 17:56:53 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
THE AUSTRAILIAN
Manly parish in last ditch immigration appeal
Nearly 400 Mass-goers from Sydney's Mary Immaculate Manly parish have signed a last-ditch appeal to the Government to prevent plans to deport a young Sierra Leone man whose sister was raped to punish him.
The Manly parish Social Justice Group says Sahr Saffa faces "credible" death threats in his home country, the Catholic Weekly reports but the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, however, does not accept the threats as genuine and has rejected Sahr's appeals to stay in Australia.
Sahr was a university student in Sierra Leone when he came to Australia in November 2003 to attend a Commonwealth Youth Conference in Queensland.
His trip was sponsored and paid for by a UN agency he had worked for as an interpreter assisting in the repatriation of rebel forces after the civil war in Sierra Leone.
David Addington, of the Manly Social Justice Group, said the letters of support were being forwarded to the Minister for Immigration, Kevin Andrews, and the group's local MP, Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott.
"With almost 400 people signing the petition, we're hoping Mr Abbott will back our approach to Mr Andrews," he said.
"Sahr Saffa's story is straightforward. Rebels who'd been given sums of money to assist their resettlement came to believe Sahr had stolen money from their funds to pay for his trip to Australia
"While he was in Australia, to 'punish' him his sister was attacked and raped by disgruntled former rebels who swore to kill him. His sister has since died.
"She was his sole relative. His parents were killed in the war and his sister was his last relative.
"He has no one to argue his case or defend him. He is very vulnerable.
"In our opinion he is at great risk of violence and probably death. With Sierra Leone having an election in late July, this will lead to an increase in lawlessness and increasing danger as the Government can be expected to turn a blind eye to the violence and killings."
Addington says that Sahr's visa expires on 28 February.
"We virtually have only a week left," he said, "we're hoping our petition will persuade the new Minister to intervene, hopefully with Mr Abbott supporting the young man."
Subject: John Leighs Absence is Poignant and I feel it
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 16:35:13 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I have noticed that my very good friend John Leigh, has been conspiciously absent from the forum since the news came out that Hinga Norman and his co D's have now opted to join the party that he john Leigh has so successfully derided.
Wats up we need you in this debate. Where do you stand on Normans defection. Do you still support him as a sierra leonean hero. Give us your personal take on Normans joining the "mumbo dumbo tumbu bangucrooks, disbarred lawyers whose leader wants to be a DICTATOR and has a penchant for speaking in latin.
PS you notice I did not mention that form 4 thing because I also failed in form four and I feel a certain Camraderie with margai on that.
Subject: Re: John Leighs Absence is Poignant and I feel it
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 22:43:31 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-16-198.dynamic.mts.net at 207.161.16.198
Message:
Alieu,Norman has dedeated himself after he himself was part of the body that supported special court formation.Did he really belive that the rebels will be charged without kamajors and there leaders?His connection with PMDC will only be admired by APC because they hope SLPP will fall.I hope they will belive a surprise winning result for SLPP but please lets pray that Sam foray who still have kamajors undercover will not come from the bush to fight after they loose 2007 election.It was not SLPP that sent him to court and Pa Kabba has no power to dictate to the court.
Subject: Re: John Leighs Absence is Poignant and I feel it
From: Read Again
To: All
Date Posted: 01:39:10 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
My friend read the posting again.
Subject: Re: John Leighs Absence is Poignant and I feel it
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 07:37:57 02/22/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-165-21.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.165.21
Message:
I never attacked you but just gave my own contribution.Sorry but i read it and its not bad what Alieu wrote please.
Subject: Re: John Leighs Absence is Poignant and I feel it
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 22:19:17 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
Good observation, Alieu. Notwithstanding John Leigh's previous declared position, the PMDC progressive family we will welcome him the same way the Honorable Chief and other CDF leaders were excitedly received. It is not late yet and in fact better be late than never. A GOOD CAPTAIN OR CREW KNOWS WHEN TO JUMP A SINKING SHIP WHICH CANNOT BE SALVAGE NO MATTER HOW MUCH ONE LOVES THAT SHIP AND WANT TO RESCUE IT. PMDC may have appeared as a little boat sailing by when one sits in the luxury Ocean Liner of the SLPP. Those were past days. The Ocean Liner is now sinking, come on no matter what were your previous views. Life is dynamic and we should move on with the changes in time.
Take care and look forward to celebrating with you. If you decide to say no, well I will respect your decision, but would say MASIBO TENDA.
Subject: Re: John Leighs Absence is Poignant and I feel it
From: BRA ENVIABLE
To: All
Date Posted: 03:32:48 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Brother Moinina, I love the glow with which you have invited other members of the opposition to join the PMDC. However, democracy cannot grow through opportunistic defections and ship-jumping.
A defeated political party can gather steam afresh by trying to know why it was defeated. More than that, an opposition wedded to its principles can enhance the quality of the nation's democracy by snubbing overtures from the winning side. Each time members of the opposition jump ship amid a reversal of political fortunes, a young democracy moves a step closer to the emergency ward. In countries with shallow democratic roots, such opportunism can reduce constitutional politics to nominal one-party states, democratic in theory but realistically lacking in political plurality.
Let brother John Leigh hold the fort by remaining resolutely opposed to the PMDC. A lecturer at FBC once threw an ill-humoured joke at Salia Jusu Sheriff by saying that the latter should be aptly known as "Salia Lef Pan Pass Pass," SLPPP.
Indeed, "pass pass" used to be a political past time in Sierra Leone, enjoyed by unprincipled politicians.
Subject: Re: John Leighs Absence is Poignant and I feel it
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 05:03:29 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
I agree with you that in Democracy you are bound and necessary to have opponents. It will surely be the case that not every Sierra Leonean is going to support or be a member of the PMDC. So I do realize that but hey you never know who you can win over by making open invitations.
Bra Enviable, let me state this clearly that my support for any individual and political party is not absolute. This means that I will not turn a blind eye to PMDC mistakes or fail to make constructive criticism.
So take care brother.
Subject: TO MR."LORD FORNA OF ETHICS"
From: BRA ENVIABLE
To: All
Date Posted: 16:12:05 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: jeeves.gsu.edu at 131.96.2.208
Message:
Bra, ar lek you raps. Yu nar man way sabi talk bad bad wan. Jelli Baah sef nor sabi talk lek yu. Nuff respect, Abga. Enjoy dae Bra en raps dem below.
_______________________________________________________
I almost passed out when I finished reading the book "The Devil That Danced On The Water" by his daughter Aminatta Forna former BBC Social Affairs Reporter.
Dr. Forna was a gem, the man who told Brigadier Lansana that he was prepared to lay down his army uniform and walk off rather than carry out an order which he thought was unethical. The man who as the first finance minister of the APC government looked at Stevens eyeball to eyeball and told him UP YOURS I've had enough of your nonsense and resigned.
Yes he was killed but even when Stevens was taken him to the gallows he was still defiant. And whenever we hear words like HONESTY, PRIDE AND DECENCY which are alien to almost all of our politicians today, the name Mohamed Sorie Forna will be there and as we all aware he was HANGED to defend his and others' right to be HONEST PROUD AND DECENT.
MAN WAE DON BE SOJA DOCTA, MEDICAL DOCTA NAR KONO EN FINANCE MINISTERS IN THE SIXTIES WAE SA. LONE BEEN SWEET. EE NO BUILD NO HOS APART FROM FAMILY HOS WAE EE HELP FOR REPAIR, EE NOR LEF NO MERCEDES BENZ, PAS DER "BANGER" LAND ROVER WAE EE LEF.
There was nothing like a Swiss Account, this Political LEGEND, HERO and an ICON only left a few hundred quid in his bank account. Boy, this guy had DECENCY, HONESTY AND PRIDE IN EVERY ORGAN IN HIS BODY.
This is what i would called a true POLITICIAN. And how many of these have we got in Sa. Lone today? You tell me. BECAUSE MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN BOUGHT AND PAID FOR WITH "DONUT" MONEY. Just to drive a JEEP, get Per Diem, buy a house overseas and build a CASTLE back home. SA.Lone DAE PAN NAMBARAH FOR TRUE.
Charles Margai? I think so because like Dr Forna, he never wavered when he was detained by Stevens at PADEMBA ROAD for twelve months. He stood his ground for the Slpp Party.
Charles Margai looked at Kabba in his face and told him STUFF YOU. You can take your job. EE NOR TINK ABOUT EE PER DIEM, EE NOR TINK ABOUT EE JEEP,EE NOR TINK FOR REPAIR EE HOS WAE REBEL DAMAGE NAR BO. HOS WAE EE BUILD BEFOR EE BE MINISTER. EE NOR EVEN TINK TWICE ABOUT THE SO CALLED CONTRACT FOR EE WEF DEM AS SLPP DEN SAY, WAE NAR LIE.
He resigned. Some say it was for selfish reasons but at least he had the GUTS to do it. Unlike some of his colleagues WAE DEN YERI SAE KABBA WAN SACK DEM they went to him and fell on there knees face down. DAE CRY AAA PA DO YER WE BAIG NOR PULL BRAID NAR WE MOT.
I don't believe in that CONTRACT FOR WIVES Slpp allegation against Charles Margai. He has challenged the Slpp to come and get him if they can. Slpp is behaving like Chelsea, the Premier League CHAMPIONS, telling Rev. Kabs Manchester United that they will retain their title at the end of the season.
Man U responded by singing CHELSKI CHELSKI come and get us if you can.You scored one on Saturday we've banged in Four against Tottenham Today.So are you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching Man U play?Come and get us if you can. And with eleven games to go Man U still has a six Points lead with enough goal difference FOR ANY OLAR.
We've got the anti corruption, the police and the courts. So if the SLPP means business, let them investigate his SHADY DEALINGS and prosecuted him in the court of law. With only five months for D Day, Charles Margai is still there going every where and daring the SLPP. TO COME AND GET HIM IF THEY CAN.
BUT DEN NOR GEH MIND TOUCH AM BECOS DEM HAND DEM BLACK PAS Margai EE ORANGE PALM WAE SO TRANSPARENT EN CLEAN THAT EVEN WE DEN SAN SAN BOYS DEM NOR GO FRAID FOR LAY WE STAR OF SA.LONE DIAMOND NAR EE HAND BECOS WE KIN SEE THROUGH AM.
Charles Margai is not the typical SWEGBEH leader who will take our diamond to Belgium for sale only to came back a few days later EN TELL WE SAE NAR CORLONDOR (fake) WE GE AM FOR GO SELL. He is a Honest, Decent and a man with Pride. Like Dr Forna, MONIE, JOB EN CONTRACT NOR DAE FULL EE YEI.
Politics should NOT be about Money, Jeep, Contracts, Houses and Sycophancy. NAR DAT MEK AR HOL DR. FORNA EH MARGAI DEN BOMB. DEN GO DIE POO BUT DEN PRIDE NOR GO EVER DIE. POWER NO POWER, MONIE NO MONIE. Unlike KPANA NAR SEWA, WAE GO EVEN GEE EE WEF EN EE GYAL PIKIN FOR LEH DEN FALLAH DEM JUST FOR GEH JOB EN LEH DEN APPROVE DEN CONTRACT. WE SABI DEM. BUT DEN CUP DON FULL
by lord FORNA OF ETHICS
Subject: Work on Savage Street Bridge commences
From: CONCORD TIMES
To: All
Date Posted: 15:45:05 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
CONCORD TIMES
Work on Savage Street Bridge commences
James Fallah 21/2/2007
Contractors of Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) have commenced work on the collapsed Savage Street Bridge .Jarish Kamara, head of a team disclosed to Concord Times that they are working assiduously to ensure that work on the bridge is completed at the end of April 2007.
Kamara who was speaking at the site of the re-construction work said the bridge was constructed by the British colonial masters and was not properly built.“The passage provided by the former contractors was 1.5 meters equivalent to three feet and this is one of the main causes for the bridge's collapse.
The huge gush of water that runs through the drain finds it very difficult to flow underneath the bridge and the water ends up wearing away the drain,” he stated.He however appealed to the public, especially those plying the route on a daily basis to be patient as they intend to do a perfect job.
Subject: STREET LIGHTS FO OFF IN MONROVIA
From: STREET LIGHT
To: All
Date Posted: 15:42:40 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Written by Matthias Daffah
Tuesday, 20 February 2007
The government’s Emergency Power Program has encountered a major setback with the complete breakdown of its central power plant.
The central power plant, which has an output of twelve fifty, KVA is responsible for the supply of electricity to Central Monrovia.
The Director of Public Affairs of the Liberia Electricity Corporation said as a result of the breakdown, Central Monrovia would remain in darkness.
Mr. Slewion Tito told Star Radio, a joint engineering team of LEC and Volta River Authorities were working around the clock to identify the problem.
Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and John Kufuor of Ghana inaugurated the Emergency Power Program on July 26, 2006.
Subject: The impact of Street Lights on Salone Market
From: CONCORD TIMES
To: All
Date Posted: 15:38:51 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
CONCORD TIMES
The impact of Street Lights on Salone Market
Mariama Kandeh 17/2/2007
Sierra Leoneans celebrate with bliss on the dawn of the year 2007 for the streets light that were been reinvigorated by the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).Opposition supporters call it a campaign strategy but a bulk of Sierra Leoneans appreciates it. Mohamed Sullay, a student, was grateful for the streetlights and he says, “Whether it is a campaign strategy or not, it is helpful for the business people. With lights, I can visit the market at any time till 9pm and get what I wanted”.
Mohammed Jalloh, an electrical appliances' peddler is, however, doubtful. “Do they think we are fools? We are not. Why are they introducing the long-switched-off street lights? Is it to win the elections again? What happened over the last 9 years of their term in office? The youths have gained awareness and we cannot take this any longer,” he laments.
Publicity Secretary of SLPP, Victor Reider, argues that the revival of the streetlights is in fulfillment of SLPP's promise to Sierra Leoneans. “We promised to develop this country and we are now putting it into practice,” he says when asked whether it is a campaign strategy. He adds that APC had such a chance but they never made good use of it.
During one evening on Siaka Stevens Street , one of the major streets of Freetown , I met Miatta Kamah, probably in her fifties, and friends very happy for the street lights. She expresses herself, “We are happy. I've not seen this for over twenty years now. The war is indeed over. I pray it will continue like this.”
Ben Johnson, a trader mentions that the light has eased the rate of armed robbery. He says with streetlights, armed robbers are frightened.
Well it is indeed true that the streetlights have helped the market sector a lot. Now many Sierra Leoneans who buy items from the market after work are finding it easy. They can now visit the market even at night. This stride, however, has been very helpful to traders. At night, the streets are bright and clear encouraging marketers to stay longer and their income per day has increased tremendously.
Madam Yeanor Conteh who sells vegetables, says before now she used to make Le 23,000 per day but has now increased to about Le 30,000. Along Garrison Street , Sani Abacha and Salad Ground areas, business now flows at night than it does during the day and like never before. “We have nothing to fear now,” Brima, a ‘junks' (used clothes) seller says.
Thanks for the free flow of business in these areas but the traders still encounter some problems. They are not pleased with police harassment in their “Operation Free Flow.” Many of them think it is a deterrent to smooth business in the city center but Assistant Inspector General of Police Operations, Tamba Gbekie thinks otherwise.
“In October last year, a 40-feet container at Sani Abacha Street – Ecowas street axis claimed the lives of six traders,” Gbekie says on a UN radio talk-show called ‘Police Hour' following the collision of the container. Hence, the need for Operation Free Flow.
“This is what we have been telling the traders. When we say leave the street, it was for their own good but when we talk, they say the police is bad,” Mr. Gbekie maintains adding that the police will not relent in protecting the lives of the traders. But the traders say they have not been given a market place so they will continue to sell on the streets.
The street lights invigorated by the SLPP seem to be a blessing for many street dwellers. They no longer go to bed early but stay on the streets to make more money. It is even being speculated that if sustained, the streetlights and the supply of power can lead to the attraction of investment from all angles of the globe to Sierra Leone .
If the business sector continues to flow in this way we would say bye to poverty very soon. Our agricultural sector will grow, GDP improved upon, revenue perk up to an enviable peak, our economy would be robust, and Sierra Leone would be the paradise we are yearning for.
Currently, everyone is singing songs of praises for China and India . But these countries have put their priorities right and today they are carrying the praise. As mentioned earlier by Sullay, whether it is a campaign strategy or not, the street lights are indeed a blessing to many Sierra Leoneans, particularly traders.
Subject: U.S., Germany Did Not Cancel Liberia’s Debt, but Sent a Powe
From: ECONOMIST
To: All
Date Posted: 15:24:31 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
U.S., Germany Did Not Cancel Liberia’s Debt, but Sent a Powerful Message
02/20/07 - Samuel P. Jackson, Contributing Writer
At the recently concluded Donors’ Conference in Washington, D.C., announcements were made by both the United States of America and Germany that Liberia’s debts totaling more than 600 million dollars would be cancelled. Amidst the applauses and euphoria accompanying the announcements, the powerful message sent by both countries to Liberia were lost and that could be the evolving tragedy!
The American Secretary of State was very clear on the methodology as to how Liberia’s debts would be cancelled. The international media reported that “spontaneous applause broke out at the conference at World Bank headquarters, when Secretary Rice announced the United States will forgive Liberia's $391-million debt, run up during years of dictatorship and civil strife in the West African nation”.
"We will cancel that debt, all of it, under the framework for highly indebted countries," said Condoleezza Rice. "We hope that this will help to relieve Liberia's crippling debt burden, a debt burden that today's leadership and today's people of Liberia do not deserve. We hope that it will enable the government to direct more of its resources toward reconstruction and development”.
Meanwhile after the American announcement, Germany followed by saying it too “[would] forgive 100 percent of the bilateral debts owed, in the context of the HIPC [Heavily Indebted Poor Countries] process”. Liberia owes Germany $230 million dollars.
It would be the height of ingratitude on the part of any Liberian including this writer who seeks to minimize the magnanimity of the announcements made by both countries, especially the United States of America, which has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to fund 17,000 United Nations troops, and several thousand support personnel to sustain peace in Liberia over the past four years!
Both countries said their bilateral debts to Liberia would be cancelled within the context of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC). What exactly does that mean? It means both countries have not unilaterally waived Liberia’s debts! Instead they have sent a powerful message to us as Liberians to put our house in order, and then only under arrangements when Liberia “decides” to meet the stringent conditions of the HIPC.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the HIPC Initiative is a comprehensive approach to debt reduction for heavily indebted poor countries pursuing IMF- and World Bank-supported adjustment and reform programs. To date, debt reduction packages have been approved for 30 countries, 25 of them in Africa, providing US$35 billion (net present value terms as of the decision point) in debt-service relief over time. Ten additional countries are potentially eligible for HIPC Initiative assistance and may wish to avail themselves of this debt relief.
Again the IMF and the International Development Association (IDA) assess a country’s eligibility. The IMF states that “to be considered for HIPC Initiative assistance, a country must: (1) be IDA-only and Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF)-eligible; (2) face an unsustainable debt burden, beyond traditionally available debt-relief mechanisms; (3) establish a track record of reform and sound policies through IMF and IDA-supported programs; and (4) have developed Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) through a broad-based participatory process. Once a country has met or made sufficient progress in meeting these criteria, the Executive Boards of the IMF and IDA formally decide on its eligibility for debt relief, and the international community commits to reducing debt to the agreed sustainability threshold. This is called the decision point. Once a country reaches its decision point, it may immediately begin receiving interim relief on its debt service falling due. In order to receive the full and irrevocable reduction in debt available under the HIPC Initiative, however, the country must: (i) establish a further track record of good performance under IMF- and IDA-supported programs; (ii) implement satisfactorily key reforms agreed at the decision point, and (iii) adopt and implement the PRSP for at least one year. Once a country has met these criteria, it can reach its completion point, at which time lenders are expected to provide the full debt relief committed at decision point”.
How soon can we meet the eligibility requirements of the HIPC? According to the IMF and World Bank’s own research reports, the average time is 2.9 years for most countries, but some countries have taken more than 5 years to meet the stringent requirements. The powerful message sent by both the United States and Germany is that Liberia must do more internally before it receives more substantive external support. I agree. In the nearly four years since the end of our internecine wars that saw hundreds of thousands of our citizens killed, our infrastructure destroyed, and institutional capacity reduced, we have not done enough.
Our current president, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has attempted to reform the society from the top, including putting in fiscal, budgetary and limited economic reforms. As well meaning as these reforms are, they are at best seriously short in meeting the conditions of the HIPC. She is not mostly at fault. It must be noted that the administration inherited a broken bureaucracy occasioned by our status as a failed state. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us all, political parties, civil society groups, business institutions and others to exert combined efforts to meet the requirements of the international community.
Most importantly, this administration must realize that meeting the requirements of good governance, including the rule of law, transparency and accountability cannot be left to it alone. It must include all Liberians in those efforts. We must all lend our support to the reforms been demanded of us.
The society is seriously lacking in broad cooperation from all segments. We are embroiled in parochial partisan politics when the need to reform the society from bottom up is been demanded. What legislative reforms have been suggested in the last four years that would improve the implementation of the rule of law? The Rape Bill is a good social attempt, but more is needed in commercial transactions, including contracts, debts and the inviolability of sovereign commitments!
According to the requirements for eligibility into the HIPC Initiative, a country must develop a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) through a broad-based participatory process. Surely, attempts have been made by the current administration to develop an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP). But there have been no broad based attempts to include civil society. I would apologize if an invitation for participation into a forum to debate IPRSP was sent to this writer and not received.
The current administration has tremendous international goodwill and is probably the most respected government over the last 25 years of our nation’s history. It has within its ranks the cream of the country’s most educated. Surely, much must be expected of this administration. Thus, when can we begin to truly cash in on the goodwill and reputation of the administration to accelerate economic development, such as improving the 85 percent unemployment rate in the country?
Similarly the government must develop policies that strategically position us geopolitically. We are yet to see the development of a foreign policy agenda that puts forth our strengths. Liberians have yet to conduct value chain analyses of our sub-sectors to enable us to fully participate in the global economy.
Going into the fifth year of a post-war dispensation, Liberians have not decided on our role in the global economy. We have not made decisions that reflect the paradigm shift in the new economy. The administration is yet to build an economic growth model! The private sector is yet to make the necessary changes to increase its participation in the global economy! We are still talking about the proverbial savings gap and the need to use foreign direct assistance (FDA) to close that gap. We have seemingly abandoned the thought of developing domestic homegrown remedies to increase participation in the world’s economy. We are still largely spectators in our own domestic economy!
Liberians must heed the powerful message sent by the United States and Germany. Our country must accelerate the drive from a donor-driven-beggar nation in the shortest term into a private-sector-led economy requiring only minimal external assistance in the medium term! That is the powerful message sent by both the United States and Germany and it may have been lost in the euphoria of the moment.
About the author: Samuel P. Jackson is formerly Liberia’s Minister of State for Economic and Financial Affairs. He is currently an International Management and Development Consultant living in Monrovia. He can be reached at samuelpjackson@yahoo.com
Subject: ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA IS KATCHING
From: WAA
To: All
Date Posted: 14:18:04 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
WAA has learned that the mouth piece of the slpp georgia chapter was kicked out of his comfort zone by his live in lover ajua and that he is now AGAIN katching with someone in the maryland area, 10 years after he came tto america he still could not afford his own place to live. The SLPP has used him as their mouth piece and has dumped him now what? No place to call home and now I hear that he has been trying to mend fences with the Iscandari family and no one is giving him any ears.
Dis bborbor nar HALAKI e don HALAKI so nar people kontry. Oh well I guess the Palmine bottle syndrome.
Subject: Re: ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA IS KATCHING
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 22:27:24 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-16-198.dynamic.mts.net at 207.161.16.198
Message:
Is that politics again buddy?So sierra leoneans are now hunting brothers problems to connect it with there polotical freedoms?Wow we are still far from been sobber and its sad for sierra leone.Please dont abuse me i am just curious.
Subject: Re: ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA IS KATCHING
From: SAIDU THE HOMELESS SCUM
To: All
Date Posted: 15:02:22 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host217-42-16-177.range217-42.btcentralplus.com at 217.42.16.177
Message:
NAR BASTA PIKIN WAE GEH SWEH EN ALAKI.MENDE MAN CALL AM YO YO MEI.
Subject: RE: JUST ARRIVE FROM VACATION
From: GBANGBANI
To: All
Date Posted: 13:58:25 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-69-230-208-243.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net at 69.230.208.243
Message:
Hello everyone, I am back from vacation
Subject: Re: RE: JUST ARRIVE FROM VACATION
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 22:29:42 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-16-198.dynamic.mts.net at 207.161.16.198
Message:
From bamba kayaka{pademba road prison?}
Subject: Hope you are mentally rested!
From: CHIEFDOM SPOKESWOMAN
To: All
Date Posted: 14:04:15 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK. WE HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL VACATION.
GREETINGS FROM OUR CHIEFDOM.
Subject: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 10:29:46 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Posted by FARRAH MARRAH on February 21, 2007 at 10:21:31:
In Reply to: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA posted by CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS,BSN,RN,MD(Hons.),MPH on February 20, 2007 at 16:50:01:
Alieu,
How do you reconcile the actions of Stevens' APC and the current "new APC" when most of your contemporary leaders Ernest Bai Koroma, A.F. Serry-Kamal, Eddie Turay et al who where in their mid to late twenties were also members of the party?
This is "THE FUNDAMENTAL REASON" why your APC will not replicate the victory of the March 23, 1967 elections.
Follow
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 16:41:33 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Curtiis I do not debate with farrah Marra because he does not have a follow through. he is a WOOSE. he runs away at the first opportunity of his behind being kicked. Besides how could I debate with someone who openly supportrs the RUF. Farrah is DISGUSTING. I know where he lives, where he works and I even have a picture of him in traffic on his way to work. Hella good detective work on my part wouldnt you say?
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 20:34:12 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-68-55-13-94.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 68.55.13.94
Message:
Alieu,
You are aware of the adage of name calling "It takes one to know one". "Woose or no Woose" all the gentlemen in question where not kids during one of the most pivotal period in our country's history. They were part and parcel of sending the country to hell in a hand basket.
There is no way on earth you can "kick my behind" in regards to politics. Your APC created the environment for the creation of the RUF.
As Dr Forna's article depicted your APC also initiated atrocities.
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 07:05:14 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
I like you my fellow - you cannot dispense the chaos constructed by the powers that had the day. They messed up and there was a revolt. Why don't we visit the cause but only the causal effect. You are of profound wisdom and God will surely guide and help you.
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: STOP TALKING TO YOURSELF
To: All
Date Posted: 07:09:09 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
In america, people who say, "I like you" to others of the same sex (even themselves) are known as gays.
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 07:18:19 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
Thank you but I am not in America. I meant like as in admire. The man is honest enough to tell you he supported the move. I do not think he was happy to have seen our people being maimed and killed. That sacrificed had to happen for us to remember that even the fools in the villages will someday rise up against those who treat them as second class citizens and contempt.
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: Patrick Musa
To: All
Date Posted: 01:25:08 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
It looks like you don't know what is name calling. It is not name calling when you yourself call yourself a rebel supporter.
That is DISGUSTING to most Sierra Leoneans, as Alieu told you. That makes you disgusting. That is not name calling. It is the truth about you.
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: Yaya Fanusie
To: All
Date Posted: 13:49:26 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: futatoro@gmail.com
Entered From: adsl-75-21-40-146.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net at 75.21.40.146
Message:
Dr. Curtis-Thomas,
How do you know they were members then? I left the APC
in 1970 during my membership those memtioned were not members of the APC.
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 20:41:24 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-68-55-13-94.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 68.55.13.94
Message:
Yaya,
Why don't you refute this FACT that Ernest, Serry-Kamal and Eddie Turay where APC members during 1970.
Your APC brother Alieu has rapport with Ernest he can call him and pose the question. Ditto for Serry and Eddie. This demonstrates that you are unaware of the biograhies of your "LEADERS".
Subject: Direct your question to Farrah Marrah!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 13:59:48 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Mr. Yaya Fanusie:
I am only a FACILITATOR; Please direct your questions/concerns to Farrah Marrah.
Subject: Re: Direct your question to Farrah Marrah!
From: Gee Am Bench
To: All
Date Posted: 14:04:48 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Why should Yaya direct his questions to the rebel supporter, Farrah Marrah?
It was you, Dr. Thomas who "bring cam" foolish talk from the supporter of rebels. Ento you nar Krio man, you will understand that you now have to "kerr go" to the same rebel suporter.
Subject: Are you saying that "Creole dem diplomatic"?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 14:19:41 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Are you saying that "Creole dem diplomatic"?
Subject: Re: Are you saying that "Creole dem diplomatic"?
From: Gee Am Bench
To: All
Date Posted: 15:10:35 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
I am saying nothing about "Creole dem." Only about you, bra.
There is nothing diplomatic about "kerring go" for a supporter of murderous rebels like Farrah Marrah (or William Bangura, as I understand from postings yesterday.
Subject: Re: FARRAH MARRAH INVITES ALIEU ISCANDARI,ESQ. TO THE PODIUM
From: TIFF PAPA
To: All
Date Posted: 10:32:11 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
And TIFF PAPA was their and served his masters faithfully. I wish Alieu would have said the same about Tiff Papa. The late Samuel Beccles-Davies did not lie when he described the old crook as a big time thief, and should refund monies and houses he stole from the people(Beccles-Davies commision of inquiry report). TIFF PAPA IS A DISGRACE.
Subject: IN THE DOCTOR'S LIBRARY (1)
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 10:11:18 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Posted by Dr. CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS on September 29, 2006 at 17:38:52:
Since I wrote part one of this series, I have been wanting to write part two, but, as those who write will attest,writing is a jealous mistress that demand undivided attention. This is a dramatization of "the life and times of MARY MAGDALENE". As I ask the Holy Spirit to improve my writing so as to spread the WORD, I have use a new form of writing in order to bring the story of Mary alive; I am venturing into a new realm of marrying, as it were, biblical facts with plausible fiction. Personally, the story of Mary has special meaning for me as it shows that Christ is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo forgiving and loving who without condemning the past offers every soul a new future; also, it examplifies how the world is soooooooooooo quick to "cast the first stone" on us when we sin forgetting that all have sinned. Who was the real Mary Magdalene ? From the temple to the tomb, the enigmatic woman appears throughout the gospels, never very far from Chris's shadow. Speculations run rampant about her true identity. Was this mysterious disciple just a HARLOT, or as some suggest(including me long time age when I did not know any different), the secret wife of Jesus?.
So, then, sit back as I attempt to dramatize this story. "UNU BOUND FOR LEK DIS WAN".
"GRAB HER!" an angry voice shouted, shattering the early-morning silence. The heavy wooden door opened, slamming against the wall with a thud, making a deeper hole in the already-damaged plaster.
Startled by this sudden invasion, Mary's heart froze. It appeared the day she had feared most had come.
"ADULTERER! PROSTITUTE! RARAY GIRL! BOWARAH ! AHSHAWOO! RANCHER! LONG-STEP MATRESS! beeeeep, beeeeeep, beeep!" the invaders shouted. Contempt dripped from their leering faces, like saliva from the mouth of rabid dogs. The Temple Rabbis and Priests and Elders poured into her small, private place of business, intent on the kill.
Her customer slipped from beneath her sheets, cast her a sheepish shrug, and put on his pants and shirt, acting not at all surprised by the intrusion.
THIS IS A TRAP! she thought as she gaze at the men standing against the wall in the shadows, their embarrassed faces shrouded with the last remnants of night. Several of these men were her former customers, but she knew that to identify them now would only intensify her impending punishment.
From time to time, in order to maintain a semblance of piety and to appease the devout among the people, the scribes, priests, and Lawyers (no, Alieu Iscandri was not among them) would make an example of one of the out-of-town prostitutes by parading her through the streets for the gawking bystanders to curse and spit on. Then, in a mockery of pious zeal, they would violently expel their victim from the holy city through the Dung Gate, in a display of artificial indignation.
I SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN MAGDALA, Mary though as she clutched the flimsy bedsheet. Gathering the bedding about her to hide her nakedness (yes, she was caught in the very act), she struggled to her feet.
"SEIZE HER! DON'T LET HER GET AWAY," one of the priests snarled while another lunged for her. A third person, a Temple guard, grabbed her by her upper arm, his nails digging into her tender flesh. Mary tried to resist, but the man's grip was like a vice. The terrified woman began to tremble uncontrollably. She had been suspicious when this NEW CUSTOMER appeared at the door of her room so early in the morning, but she could not resist the money. THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF ME,she thought.
"Get her some clothes." One of the Lawyers snatched her from the guard's clutches. "Humph! I say take her as she is, naked," a scribe defended. "It will be more convincing." "No, He is in the Temple, and we cannot take her to the Temple like that!" an older priest added with final authority as he ran his eyes lustfully over her quivering body.
One of the men leaning against the wall handed the priest a crumpled and dirty robe that had been draped over a small stool. "Put this on. Hide your shame if you still have one"! the priest snapped, tossing the soiled garnemt at the quaking woman. Grateful for even the crude covering, Mary snatched the robe from the man's outstretched hand and wrapped it about herself. Though a prostitute, she still had a sense of modesty. Under the gaze of the continued lusting eyes of her accusers she covered her naked body. Her fingers trembled as she tied the belt of the dirty, oversized robe about her waist.
Upon command of the older priest, the two Temple guards seized her arms and pulled her toward the door. The Rabbis stepped back, allowing the guards and the woman to pass. She exchanged a knowing glance with one of the Rabbi, who is a current customer. He lowered his eyes in shame. Revered leaders of his stature would never touch a woman with her reputation, in public that is.
The guards dragged her through the streets. Their muscular fingers bruised her olive skin. Her long, splendid hair, her pride and glory, fell tangled over her face. She struggled to maintain her footing over the rocks along the roadway. WHERE ARE THEY TAKING ME ? she wondered. Up ahead loomed the holy Temple. THE TEMPLE? Her panic grew. WHY THE TEMPLE?
She could hear the shouts and curses from spectators as they passed. Curious housewives and merchants began to fall in behind this strange procession.
OH GOD, Mary prayed desperately, PLEASE DON'T LET MARTHA AND LAZARUS SEE ME AS I REALLY AM. A sick, hopeless laugh burst through her sobs. HOW CAN I EXPECT THE PURE HOLY ONE OF ISREAL TO HEAR THE PRAYER OF SUCH FILTHY SINNER SUCH AS I ? I HAVE GONE SO FAR, TOO FAR FOR GOD TO EVER FORGIVE ME OR HEAR MY PRAYERS.
A movement off to the side of the narrow street caused Mary's breath to catch in her throat. Priests were PICKING UP SOME OF THE LARGE STONES that were intermittently scattered in front of the buildings, used to hold open shop doors. "They are going to stone me!" she gasped. A small pack of agitated dogs followed the procession up the street yapping at the unusual early-morning excitement. Mary wailed. "They are going to stone me to death, and then those scavenging dogs will eat me AS THEY DID JEZEBEL!"
She had heard the story of Jazebel many times, growing up in a faithful Jewish home. But she had never imagine her fate would be the same as that of AHAB'S wicked queen. On her left she saw a shopkeeper picked UP A ROCK. A FISH SALESMAN ON HER RIGHT DID THE SAME. "Why are they taking me to the Temple?" Mary asked the guard who held her right arm, her eyes filled with perplexity and pain. "Why don't they stone me outside the gate?" The guard said, "you may still have a chance. If they stone the Teacher, they may probably let you go. He is the one they want."
The procession finally reached the temple. The priests paused to shake the dust from the bottom of their robes and folded their hands together within the blue tasseled sleeves of their fine, white garments to assume a respectable religious demeanor. The procession moved further to where Jesus was standing. Surrounded by a wall of onlookers making an escape impossible, the guards released their grip on Mary, and she collapsed, trembling, at Jesus' feet. Above the dim of shouts and mocking, she heard her accusers presented before Jesus their lethal charge against her.
"Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law , commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?" The terrifying array of emotions caused Mary to lose consciousness briefly. Crumpled on the cold marble pavement as she was, no one even knew she fainted--no one except Jesus who'd missed nothing about the young woman. Long before she'd enter the courtyard, long before she had taken the first stranger to her bed, long before she's taken the first step that would lead to her mortification, He had anticipated this moment in time.
Mary regained consciousness. The courtyard atmosphere had changed. It was strangely quietly. She peeked out from under her disheveled hair to see Jesus calmly tracing words in the dust of the Temple floor. At first she could not make out the words. She watched as He stood and said, "HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, LET HIM CAST A STONE AT HER FIRST".
Mary cringed, expecting a hail of stones to descend upon her. Instead she heard a thud and someone walking away. Opening her eyes, she watched as the Teacher stooped down once more and continue writing. What was He writing ? She listened to the whispers of the diminishing crowd. He was ENUMERATING the sins of the Temple officials, including those that had slept with Mary, for all to see.
After what seem like an eternity, the gentle hand of Jesus touched her shoulder. She brushed her hair from her face and raised her eyes. Mary saw Jesus looking back at her WITH INFINITE COMPASSION. On His face was a slight quizzical smile, as if He were wondering why she would be groveling in such an undignified manner in this holy place. Standing slowly, she gazed about and noticed that the Scribes and Pharisees were gone. THE HYPOCRITES WHO HAD ENTRAPPED HER HAD FLED THE TEMPLE. Then Jesus addressed her with a term of respect: "Madam, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?"
Mary looked around bewildered and said, "NO ONE, LORD". And Jesus said to her, "NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU; GO AND SIN NO MORE.
Mary thought this was too good to be true. "GO AND DON'T DO IT AGAIN"? I am an adulterer, a prostitute, an ahshawoo, a raray girl, a bowarah! AND HIS ONLY REBUKE IS "GO AND SIN NO MORE"?
Could it be true she was free to go ? She had been reprieved, rescued from her just punishment. Her initial instinct was to flee the place as quickly as possible, but she felt constrained by an overwhelming gratitude to thank the ADVOCATE. Willingly Mary threw herself at the Master's feet and poured her heartfelt appreciation mingled with tears. As she did, she looked at the ground and saw the words "ADULTERER, PROSTITUTE, RARAY GIRL, AHSHAWOO,AND BOWARAH" staring back at her.
Before she could seek answers in the face of the gentle Teacher, a strong morning BREEZE CAME THROUGH THE TEMPLE COURT, ERASING THE ENTIRE CATALOG OF HER SINS ETCHED IN THE DUST ! At that moment Mary felt an enormous burden of guilt lift from her soul.
"GO AND SIN NO MORE"! "HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN LET HIM CAST THE FIRST STONE"!
Subject: Re: IN THE DOCTOR'S LIBRARY (1)
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 03:23:54 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
As you rightly said, 'you will enjoy it'. I indeed enjoyed reading your pt 1. A brilliant narrative. Well down. Are you thinking of publishing it? Who is your target market for this? Do you have a publisher?
Subject: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 06:57:54 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.250.218.196
Message:
Please guys, let's stop attacking Miss Sylvia Blyden. We have more important issues to discuss.
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 10:11:55 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-26-158.dynamic.mts.net at 207.161.26.158
Message:
Small head and small eyes people have little up there and see small things.
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: M. Alieu Iscandaari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:02:30 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I agree with you Kabs. These personal attacks against sylivia are really tacky. I do believe that you should delete any posts which contain personal attacks on her from the forum. As you are aware or may have noticed I do not get involved in posts regarding Sylvia, because they are unimportant to me. But what is important to me is that this forum des not degenerate to one where we feel the need to insult someonelse for no reason other than the fact that people do not like her.
Enough is enough.
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: Amputee
To: All
Date Posted: 12:48:59 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-91-33-141.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 68.91.33.141
Message:
Allieu, do you forget coming out here to tell us that Worwor Blyden was a cousin of yours or some kind of Foulah Town relative some time back?
Could this be the reason why you've kept aloof and now wanting postings about her deleted?
It is not that people don't like her. They may like her, but not the things she has done and still doing.
For those of us who've had our legs amputated thanks the RUF machine she internet liaison of, this is the only medium we have to communicate our feelings with the world, shame those responsible for our plight, hit at them when we can, and remind the world the same snakes that bit us in the past are hiding in our midst and contain the same venom that left us without legs, hands, homes, loved ones, country and all.
At the Lome peace negotiations provisions were made to disarm RUF foot soldiers but the propaganda soldiers
were allowed to keep their weapons.
I do not think the postings should be deleted. Vipers like Sylvia Blyden should be exposed 24/7 to prevent others from drinking poison from her golden cup.
Were you not among those calling for former NPRC boss, Strasser to be stoned with feaces if seen walking the streets of Freetown.
Using your usual crude lingo you said, "Na for Kaka stone am".
That was back then at the NUP forum, remember?
Why did you think it necessary for people to stone him at all?
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 14:09:57 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Amputee,
Sylvia Blyden is a relative, not necessarily a very close relative of the 3rd or 4th degree but all the same a relative. I may not necessarily agree with everything that she is claimed to have done and frankly do not know th e truth or falsity of any of these allegations flying against her. For This reason alone, I am being aloof about the posts against her. Its not my fight. But I do believe that any and all posts which are denigrating of ANYONE should be deleted.
Amputee my record speaks for itself. I am an ardent anti RUF, AFRC, Kamajor, NPRC, AFRC, SLPP activist and I make my position plain and clear. I left my family to work for the special court because I believed in the idea that those who bear the greatest responsibilities must face the courts of justice. I have openly adviocated for the extension of the mandat to prosecute not only to thsoe who bear the greatest responsibility, but also to those who do not bear the greates responsibility but were nevertheless significant actors. I have also advocated for a lawsuit be filed by those who were affected by the war against all fothoise who provided solace weapons, men and machinery for the RUF, AFRC. These include the governments of Libya, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Ukraine, Ivory Coast etc. So that we have no misunderstanding I am a fighter for the oppressed and I stand to be cporrected should you find out otherwise. My record speaks for it self .
be Blessed
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: Amputee
To: All
Date Posted: 17:12:16 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-91-33-141.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 68.91.33.141
Message:
Thanks for your contributions in helping victims like myself file lawsuits and make themselves heard.
Imagine how frustrating it'd have been had some of the functionaries at the court started advocating that your lawsuits to be thrown out of the parameters of the special court.
Imagine how it would have felt and you would understand how it feels when you advocate that our postings be deleted.
Babu Blyden's records also speak for themselves. A relative of mine, more fortunate than me by not having his legs cut, was merely beaten up and ended up in RUF captivity. He told me how met this lady and Omrie Golley at Sankoh's house in Liberia after they were relaesed on on transit in Liberia waiting to be handed over to the UN. She was carrying her laptop weapon and introduced as Foday's internet liaison.
Also, this was the same lady that created a website for
the AFRC when Johnny Koroma broke out of jail to unleashed mayhem on an already traumatised people.
How shall we forget when we're being reminded of their deeds each time we look at shoes we never will wear again or go by the dusty fields where we played football once upon a time?
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari
To: All
Date Posted: 20:34:30 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
this was the same lady that created a website for the AFRC when Johnny Koroma broke out of jail to unleashed mayhem on an already traumatised people.
Amputee, everyone has a right to pursue the career of their choice and to earn a living. Sylvia cannot be blamed for the acts of Johnny Paul just because she created a website for him and his junta. There must be a limit to where we can cast blame. I m sure and 100% at that, that sylvia never amputated anyone and that her association with foday sankoh, however close or loose that association might be, cannot be construed to mean that she participated in any way with the killings and maimings associated with foday sankoh and the RUF.
BTW I am not defending sylvia that I think that she can do herself. What I am saying is that we cannot cast a wide net of blame on these issues lest we fail to "see the forest for the trees."
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 03:39:54 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
Alieu, in natural justice, one does not have to physically participate in the crime but knowing fully well that this is a crime against humanity and yet aided and abetted by way of providing propaganda machinery is in itself a crime. I do not get mixed up in the Sylvia saga, but if anyone has any concrete evidence they should tender it to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
To: All
Date Posted: 13:07:09 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
"For those of us who've had our legs amputated thanks the RUF machine she internet liaison of, this is the only medium we have to communicate our feelings with the world, shame those responsible for our plight, hit at them when we can, and remind the world the same snakes that bit us in the past are hiding in our midst and contain the same venom that left us without legs, hands, homes, loved ones, country and all."
HERE, HERE! WELL SAID. DON'T FORGET THE ONE THAT TOLD US YESTERDAY HE SUPPORTS THE RUF -- FARRAH MARRAH WHO I UNDERSTAND IS WILLIAM BANGURA.
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 11:21:28 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.250.218.196
Message:
Sir Moderator, kindly delete any post on Sylvia on this forum . She is not a member of the forum and does not participate here . It is but fair that we leave her in peace. What say you, bigger boss ?
Subject: Re: PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE
From: MALCOLM
To: All
Date Posted: 07:39:54 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Please tell these idlers to move on to somethig else.
Subject: I BEG TO DIFFER
From: Steve
To: All
Date Posted: 12:54:04 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 208.41.8.154
Message:
Anyone who is actively involved in the Sierra Leonean political/media landscape/labyrinth is fair game. This is a discussion forum - therefore we discuss issues and people in the news. Sylvia has been in the news for a long times and continues to be. Honestly, if she is not worth the news, she wont be discussed here. We are only discussing her here because she invites a lot of attention.
Besides, we have rules of engagement, and I am sure that is what we should really be talking about - such as what language is acceptable, and what is not. Any attempt to muzzle or move this forum away from her will only invite further attention. Let it die a natural death.
Subject: Sulaiman Tejan Jalloh!Where is the £800,000 thousand pounds
From: copied from Christian Monitor
To: All
Date Posted: 06:19:12 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 111-67-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.67.111
Message:
Like his Uncle Kabbah, they lack esprit de corps...cos they are children of migrants.NO patriotism!
We ask again:Where is the £800,000 thousand pounds STJ?
Editorial - Editorial
Tuesday, 20 February 2007
Over a year ago, we ran the story of the illegal and ridiculous sale of government property in London and the purchase of another, to house our chancery. Almost two weeks ago also, we ran the story again, this time with a twist; the former High Commissioner to the UK, Sulaiman Tejan Jalloh who in 2004 told us he had received in ‘excess of eight hundred pounds (£800,000) in favour of the SLPP government’, in an out of court settlement, which he will use to buy another chancery now tells us in January 2007 that he had to sell more properties to pay for a mortgage for our mission in that country.
Sulaiman Tejan JallohIn the April 3rd 2007 report, we exclusively revealed the extent of the concealment of the actual events by Jalloh with the publication of the two contradictory statements he issued in 2004 and 2007. Jalloh promised to use the said 800,000 pounds to buy a freehold property for our mission; that was in 2004.
Now in 2007, the selfsame Tejan- Jalloh is telling us that he had to sell three more government properties to purchase the same property he told us he had got money to buy in 2004, deliberately failing to mention what he had done with the money he had for the same purpose in the first place. It could be recalled that on 16 March 2004, the Sierra Leone High Commission in the UK Issued a statement regarding the sale of our Chancery in that country at 33 Portland Place.
The statement revealed that a consent judgment was entered into on March 15, resulting in the award ‘in excess of £800,000 pounds in favour of the government of Sierra Leone’. It went further that the amount will be used ‘to acquire an appropriate freehold property to house the High Commission in London’.
Two years later, another statement from the government dated January 24, 2007 stated that Tejan Jalloh had been requested to identify a suitable accommodation for a Chancery and also to arrange for the valuation of the Sierra Leone State Lottery properties at 54 Southward Bridge Road and 70/72 Union Street London SE1 and the SLPMB property situated at 37 Topsham Road, London SW17 with a view to selling them and use the proceeds to reduce the mortgage facility which was to be obtained from a UK Bank to facilitate the purchase of the new Chancery.
There is a clear intent here of concealment to deceive; instead of the purchase of a freehold poverty as suggested in the 2004 statement, the 2007 statement now speaks about a mortgage facility. This means another debt burden on the next government and in the long term, possibly on another generation with regards the property at 41 Eagle Street, London WC1, which costs £1.55 million pounds. The net proceeds from the sale of the State Lottery properties amounted to 481,703.53 pounds and those for the SLPMB property 262,987.19 pounds, totalling 744,690.53 pounds. The High Commissioner was authorised by the government to use £700,000 of that money to reduce the mortgage facility from 1.55 million pounds to £800,000 thousand pounds.
The question Sierra Leoneans both at home and abroad are asking is why has government not utilised the £800,000 pounds gained from the out of court settlement over the illegal leasehold sale for 50,000 pounds of the property at 33Portland Place? That building (read our 2006 story ‘High Commission Farce’ in our most popular section) is big, spacious and better than the 1.55 million pounds building. Also, Portland Place is situated in the heart of the diplomatic district of London as compared to the small and narrow Eagle Street property which is situated in a remote and concentrated part of London.
It is abundantly clear that the previous amount of £800,000 initially set aside for the purchase of our new High Commission in the UK was never utilized. Where then is the money? Does the government know about it and refusing to say? Or was it a one-man deal, Tejan-Jalloh being the beneficiary? Is this not a clear case of the corrupt nature of a government that continues to impress on the international community of its anti-graft credentials? And what about Berewa’s stance on such activities, does he condone them or not? If not what is he going to do with such a man as STJ? Is he going to pamper him like his 'mentor' Ahmad Tejan Kabbah did to people who have been indicted of corruption such as his former spokesman Kanji Daramy?
So many questions that need answers and we repeat this is a clear case for the Anti-Corruption Commission whatever is left of it and the international community. The people of Sierra Leone deserve the right to know what has happened to their money. And until government provides answers to this apparently illegal deal or deals, we’ll continue to raise more questions.
Subject: AMBASSADOR _TEJAN JALLOH and the MISSING £800,000.00
From: JOHNNY
To: All
Date Posted: 03:53:39 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 81-178-101-146.dsl.pipex.com at 81.178.101.146
Message:
Instead of members of this forum wasting time arguing about their English or educational achievements, why not set up practical pressure groups , or debate on the likes of Ambassador Tejan Jalloh sitting on the Nation's £800,000.00 and getting away with it. Why not use our educational skills and knowledge to get him the to cough up our Money. Education without application is useless!!! That is the problem with Sierra leone today. Lets get the wheeler dealer Ambassador to account for our money!!! Any practical suggestions from you Lawyers , doctors , economists, accountants???
Subject: Re: AMBASSADOR _TEJAN JALLOH and the MISSING £800,000.00
From: TRUE
To: All
Date Posted: 04:05:45 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Good idea. It's a pity it comes too late -- time wastes like Methodist High School have already wasted our time by starting useless arguments that end up exposing them as good-for nothing, ignorant, loudmouths.
But I think we should not start with Tejan Jalloh, He is small fry. Let us start with his bosses -- President Tejan Kabbah and Vice President Berewa and their SLPP thieving party. That is the real problem with Salone today -- crooked leaders looking to extend their crooked ways for 5 more years.
Let's all start brainstorming as to how get the wheeler dealer President, Vice President, and their cronies. But we must start at the top because that is always where the fish starts to rot. Whay so you lawyers, doctors, economists, accountants, teachers, laborers, students?
Subject: Borbor You See Face?
From: NINJA Journalist Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 00:34:55 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-91-33-141.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 68.91.33.141
Message:
Gongorliwor
Subject: Re: Borbor You See Face?
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 16:56:42 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
I think and believe she is a beauty. With her brains properly directed, she is a tower.
Subject: Re: Borbor You See Face?
From: Gongoli
To: All
Date Posted: 01:40:01 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac900791.ipt.aol.com at 172.144.7.145
Message:
I don't know why Sylvia is not ashamed to be publishing that ugly picture. I feel sorry for her but she toomust help herself.
Subject: Re: Borbor You See Face?
From: Worworliwoh
To: All
Date Posted: 02:08:12 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Oh what a shame she looks like "Baboo moneh" Ugly ducklin.Worwor + Worwor =Sylvia Blyden
Subject: Re: Borbor You See Face?
From: Sylvia's Friend
To: All
Date Posted: 13:01:41 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 208.41.8.154
Message:
Sylvia, Is this the best best you can be? you remind me of homo sapien sapien.
Subject: Re: Borbor You See Face?
From: Homo Habilis
To: All
Date Posted: 14:04:06 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
More like Homo habilis...."all man dae harb am"
He he he he he he
Subject: Project:Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Works of Bo/Kenema and
From: Infrastructure Development
To: All
Date Posted: 22:18:28 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
ADVERTISEMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Infrastructure Development Project:Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Works of Bo/Kenema and Makeni/Matotoka Highways
Posted by on Feb 20, 2007, 17:33
Republic of Sierra Leone
Infrastructure Development Project
Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Works of Bo/Kenema and Makeni/Matotoka Highways
Grant H191-SL
This invitation follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared in Development Business on Monday June 27, 2005
The Government of Sierra Leone has received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) towards the cost of the Infrastructure Development Project (IDP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant towards payments under the contract for the rehabilitation/reconstruction works of the Bo/Kenema (65Km) and Makeni/Matotoka (35Km) highways.
The works mainly entail of 40 – 50mm thick asphalt concrete overlay and partial rehabilitation/reconstruction of crushed rock base and gravel sub-base courses including drainage and the associated works.
The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the civil works of the Bo/Kenema and Makeni/Matotoka highways. The construction period is 24 months.
Bidding will be conducted through the international competitive bidding procedures specified in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits, May 2004 (revised October 2006), and is open to all bidders from eligible source countries as defined in the Guidelines.
Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Sierra Leone Roads Authority and inspect the bidding documents at the address given below between the office hours of 09:00 and 16:00 every weekday.
A complete set of bidding documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application to the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee Le 750,000.00 or US$250.00. The method of payment will be cash or Banker’s cheque. The document will be sent by courier service.
Bids must be delivered to the address below at or before 12:00 PM Monday April 23, 2007. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security of not less than 3% of the total contract value of the works in local currency or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below at 12:00 PM Monday April 23, 2007. Late bids will be rejected.
Alhaji IM Kebbay
Director General
Sierra Leone Roads Authority
PMB 1324
Kissy
Freetown
Email: slra_mis@sierratel.sl
Tel: +232 22 226565
Fax: +232 22 222346
Subject: Monday tuesday jam from way back
From: M. Alieu iscandari esq
To: All
Date Posted: 19:59:22 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
http://toronto-lime.com/music/vintage/soca_jam.htm
Subject: NACSA Approve Le 200 Million for Leicester Road Community
From: NACSA
To: All
Date Posted: 19:58:33 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
STANDARD TIMES
NACSA Approve Le 200 Million for Leicester Road
Posted by Ishmael Dumbuya on Feb 20, 2007, 14:59
The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) had approved a package of two hundred million leones for the construction of gravity water tap at the Leicester Road Community.
It is hoped that this development task camed out by NaCSA to ensure that the people of that community sustain clean water in a way to prevent them from drinking contaminated and polluted water more so when the community is situated in the hills around Freetown will yield more developments ahead to be done by NaCSA. Speaking on behalf of NaCSA at the Leicester Road community on the 15th February, NaCSA Western area district representative, madam Madiana Buake Samba said that it is the mandate and responsibility of NaCSA to provide funds to support communities. This she said government of Sierra Leone thought it wise that it can drive away poverty in the country.
The gravity water project for the community she said is a big improvement not only for the community but for the country as a whole. Madam Madiana graved the indulgence of all the community people both youths and the elders to work together with concerted minds and efforts with the project management committee of the community and as well as the contructors, Fiffie Enterprises.
As the work of the project is highly technical where work of jigging, laying of pipes etc is done, she appealed to community leaders not to connect illegal pipes from the main pipes. By connecting illegal pipes madam Sanba said will prevent the free flow of the water to supply the community.
She maintained that the community should provide 10% of the work more on labour and man power since their rote is not to finance the works. The money she said should not be used for all types of work but for very important ones and she appealed to the Leicester Road project management committee to report to the commission on any development of the project.
On behalf of the Leicester Road community the chairman of the launching ceremony, Mr. Leigh expressed grant gratitude and thanks to NaCSA and the government of Sierra Leone for so considering them. He made known that the community had been undergoing difficult situations to fetch water especially in the dry seasons. But this he said through the gravity water project that will allow many taps to be built in the community, will solve the menace.
Another elder disclosed that “our young girls can no longer go and fetch water at night where they are sometimes raped” since there will be enough taps to fetch water. However, the project start on the 15th of December 2006 and will end in April 2007.
Subject: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS,BSN,RN,MD(Hons.),MPH
To: All
Date Posted: 16:50:01 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
This is a tribute to an eloquent colleague in the noble profession, Dr. Mohamed Sorie Forna. He was "murdered" by the APC for his democratic position. The Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report warned us, "Freedom of expression is the lifeblood of a democracy. A culture of public debate and tolerance for dissenting idea is the sign of a vibrant and healthy democracy. Restrictions on the freedom of expression represent a fearful State; it reflects a State that has no confidence in its ability to promote and disseminate its doctrines in the marketplace of ideas."
MAY YOU SOUL REST IN PEACE
------------------------------------------------------
12 September, 1970
Dear Prime Minister (Siaka Stevens),
In 1967 Sir Albert brought this country to the brink of political and economic disaster. All right thinking people realised that Sir Albert's insatiable desire for power and wealth spelt chaos and complete disruption of our social fabric. What he wanted to impose upon this nation was a one man dictatorship, shrouded by a fraudulent Republican Constitution that concentrated all powers in the hands of a single person. In view of this menace to personal freedom and economic stability, I accepted the call to service, and, left what you knew to be a very lucrative medical practice to join the fight against that political monster.
As leader of the Opposition then you spearheaded the fight against this menace. All of us who followed you accepted your profession of a deep attachment to the tenets of democracy and the rule of law. As you also know, when the Military unwarrantedly usurped the machinery of Government and imposed a Military dictatorship on the people of this country, you found me more than willing to risk life and limb to restore Parliamentary
democracy to this our beloved country.
It is nearly three years now since we assumed the reins of Government. Over this period I have had the opportunity of working closely with you. Many mistakes have been made during this period but till lately I had assumed that these were mistakes of the head and not of the heart. I now know that I was wrong. You have revealed an uncanny dexterity at manipulating weak and untutored minds both at Cabinet and Party levels. Your conduct of state affairs is in line with your Trade Union experience, a mixture of trite jokes cajolery and even violence. The introduction or the continuation of cold and calculated violence into the politics of this country poses a major threat to the social and political unity of this country. You are fully aware of the events I refer to. The shootings at the Freedom Press with the resultant death of an innocent child have never been investigated to the satisfaction of the thinking public. The wanton destruction of life and property at Ginger Hall during the Freetown City Council elections was as unprovoked as it was unnecessary. As usual the innocent, the very innocent children, were the sufferers. Again the nation has waited in vain for an explanation. More recent, but no less serious, are the dastardly events at Port Loko. The heinous crimes committed there I put squarely at your door-step. I know, as you do, that you were the evil spirit behind them. I have spared no pains both in and out of Parliament to condemn the use of force and violence as a means to power. This is one fundamental area of disagreement between us.
A Constitutional Review Commission has been set up. It is now at work. In the interval, with you presiding, a so-called National Executive of the APC passed a resolution in favour of an Executive Presidency with all the powers of the state in the hands of one man. You yourself have never hidden your ambition to be such a President. You set the ball rolling at the meeting I refer to. I vividly recall the continuous tussle between you and Protocol Officers about the playing of the National Anthem for you. His Excellency the Governor-General has on more than one occasion been subjected to serious embarrassment as to the use of the National Anthem when both of you attend the same functions. This display of infantile vanity may appear trivial, but to me with a trained medical mind, they are the manifestations of a megalomaniac syndrome. It is the top of the iceberg submerged below a sea of personal shyness. This coupled with an insatiable thirst for power can only spell disaster to this country. I now realise that no method will be too mean for you to achieve this goal. On my return from the USA and Britain I made my views on this matter very clear to you. I made it clear, that should you insist on this course of action and bring a bill to Parliament based on an Executive Presidency I will have no choice but to oppose it with all the forces at my command. As usual with you, the answer to a major issue was not enlightened discussion but the over-used joke.
I have noticed that our differences over financial policy have deepened with time. The Cabinet reshuffle of May this year was precipitated by the refusal of the then Minister of Works and myself to sanction the dumping of six million leones of the taxpayers money in the construction of a rock filled road less than two miles long. This project, as I indicated in a letter to you, had neither economic merit nor did it stand to ease the traffic congestion which was the pretext for its conception. Suppliers credit and pre-finance have a limited scope in the public fiance of an under-developed country. Its misuse and abuse led to the near national bankruptcy of 1966-1968. You yourself have condemned the practice in your radio broadcast to the nation. I have always maintained that pre-financing should be limited to a small area of projects which will contribute to the social well-being of our people. Among this category are the provision of clean pipe borne water and the expansion of our radio services. In my discussions with World Bank and IMF officials I have indicated our general agreement with them not to engage in unnecessary pre-financing. You yourself have re-assured the World Bank along similar lines. Recently I have noticed that rejected pre-finance schemes are being dusted and brought to Cabinet without my Ministry being given an adequate opportunity to make its comments on them. During my brief absence on a tour of duty you signed a contract against the advice of my officials for pre-financing the purchase of armored vehicles costing nearly Le700,000. At a time when soldiers are badly housed I wonder whether your priorities as Minister of Defence are in the right order. The Military were never given an opportunity to say yes or no to this scheme. Recently you brought forward an elaborate scheme for police and army communication equipment. If accepted, it will cost this nation Le2.8 million. What I find curious is that the communication officers of both army and police put their requirements at Le300,000, roughly a tenth of the cost of your Pye advisers. The curious combination of an unrelenting drive to an Executive Presidency, armored vehicles to be manned by a specially selected troops primarily loyal to you, indicate that you intend to impose your will on the people of this country.
You have never failed to equate yourself with Sekou Toure, Kaunda or Nyerere. Sierra Leone is a different country Mr. Prime Minister and to be frank you are not a Kaunda or a Nyerere.
In other areas, policies are equally confused. We all know the repeated use of troops and police for the eviction of the stranger elements from Kono, but as the country knows this has become a cyclical exercise. You drive them with fanfare but quietly allow them to return for reasons that you alone can understand, There is no coherence in Government policy, no definitive co-ordination of Government policies, no firmness in the execution of Government policies. Your Kono exercise cost this nation Le600,000 extra for the army and police in 1969. The bill for the latest exercise is still to come. In the meantime most of the Lebanese expelled by this exercise have now been allowed by you to return. If our scanty resources cannot be used to create gainful employment for our people, then, as I have always pointed out to you Sir, we are now witnessing in the form of highway robbery. These are problems that will not be solved by armored vehicles or over-expensive communication equipment.
I have written at length so that the nation will understand. I am painfully aware that my resistance to these schemes has not gratified me to you. Yet I owe it to myself and to my country to do my duty as I see it.
I had intended to attend the very important meetings of Commonwealth Finance Ministers at Nicosia and of World Bank and IMF at Copenhagen, but I am reliably informed of your intention to withdraw my accreditation to these conferences on your return. The honour of this country is a matter of supreme importance to me and I would not allow you to ridicule this nation now as you have done in the recent past.
Finally, let me warn the nations of the World that should their citizens allow you to embark on a pre-finance spree in the terminal days of your regime this nation reserves the right to disallow these debts in the future.
With all these strains and fundamental differences on principles and policies I realise that my usefulness in this Government under you has reached a low ebb. I cannot sacrifice principles for position, but as I always say, let history be my judge. I therefore wish to tender my humble resignation as from today.
Yours sincerely
(sgd.) Dr. M. S. Forna
*************************************************
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 10:21:31 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
Alieu,
How do you reconcile the actions of Stevens' APC and the current "new APC" when most of your contemporary leaders Ernest Bai Koroma, A.F. Serry-Kamal, Eddie Turay et al who where in their mid to late twenties were also members of the party?
This is "THE FUNDAMENTAL REASON" why your APC will not replicate the victory of the March 23, 1967 elections.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:18:17 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I cannot sacrifice principles for position, but as I always say, let history be my judge. I therefore wish to tender my humble resignation as from today.
And if we are to learn anything from this, it is this most poignant point that one must be willing to resign in disagreement at all times. Dr. Forna's letter should indeed be archived so that generations yet unborn would realise how great of a politician he was and how even greater a man he was. Indeed the mold that created him was broken after his creation and people like him are generational blesings.
One thing I got from the letter though is that his accusations are not directed at the APC as a party, but rather at Siaka Stevens as a leader who he describes as a megalomaniac. I remember the evenst he has described as vividly as ever because I did see the amoured cars and remember the anti immigrant drives in Kono. This letter should be circulated to all APC members and I woud go further to suggest that even the leader of the APC Ernest Koroma should from time to time freely quote from this letter to remind himself and the party that we have by our own machinations lost and destroyed the very idealistic fabric from which our party was born. Long Live the APC
May God Bless him wherever he is. Mohamed Sorie Forna is a man I would like to model myself after.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 08:02:13 02/22/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
Alieu, when a leader of party is failing, who bore the wrath/ Is it not the party? Please put Sierra Leone above your partisanism! Siaka was the head and the buck stopped at his table. If the head is rotten the whole will eventually rot.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: LORD FORNA OF ETHICS
To: All
Date Posted: 14:51:08 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host217-42-16-177.range217-42.btcentralplus.com at 217.42.16.177
Message:
I almost passed out when I finished reading the book "The Devil That Danced On The Water" by his daughter Aminatta Forna former BBC Social Affairs Reporter.
Dr. Forna was a gem, the man who told Brigadier Lansana that he was prepared to lay down his army uniform and walk off rather than carry out an order which he thought was unethical. The man who as the first finance minister of the APC government looked at Stevens eyeball to eyeball and told him UP YOURS I've had enough of your nonsense and resigned.
Yes he was killed but even when Stevens was taken him to the gallows he was still defiant. And whenever we hear words like HONESTY, PRIDE AND DECENCY which are alien to almost all of our politicians today, the name Mohamed Sorie Forna will be there and as we all aware he was HANGED to defend his and others' right to be HONEST PROUD AND DECENT.
MAN WAE DON BE SOJA DOCTA, MEDICAL DOCTA NAR KONO EN FINANCE MINISTERS IN THE SIXTIES WAE SA. LONE BEEN SWEET. EE NO BUILD NO HOS APART FROM FAMILY HOS WAE EE HELP FOR REPAIR, EE NOR LEF NO MERCEDES BENZ, PAS DER "BANGER" LAND ROVER WAE EE LEF.
There was nothing like a Swiss Account, this Political LEGEND, HERO and an ICON only left a few hundred quid in his bank account. Boy, this guy had DECENCY, HONESTY AND PRIDE IN EVERY ORGAN IN HIS BODY.
This is what i would called a true POLITICIAN. And how many of these have we got in Sa. Lone today? You tell me. BECAUSE MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN BOUGHT AND PAID FOR WITH "DONUT" MONEY. Just to drive a JEEP, get Per Diem, buy a house overseas and build a CASTLE back home. SA.Lone DAE PAN NAMBARAH FOR TRUE.
Charles Margai? I think so because like Dr Forna, he never wavered when he was detained by Stevens at PADEMBA ROAD for twelve months. He stood his ground for the Slpp Party.
Charles Margai looked at Kabba in his face and told him STUFF YOU. You can take your job. EE NOR TINK ABOUT EE PER DIEM, EE NOR TINK ABOUT EE JEEP,EE NOR TINK FOR REPAIR EE HOS WAE REBEL DAMAGE NAR BO. HOS WAE EE BUILD BEFOR EE BE MINISTER. EE NOR EVEN TINK TWICE ABOUT THE SO CALLED CONTRACT FOR EE WEF DEM AS SLPP DEN SAY, WAE NAR LIE.
He resigned. Some say it was for selfish reasons but at least he had the GUTS to do it. Unlike some of his colleagues WAE DEN YERI SAE KABBA WAN SACK DEM they went to him and fell on there knees face down. DAE CRY AAA PA DO YER WE BAIG NOR PULL BRAID NAR WE MOT.
I don't believe in that CONTRACT FOR WIVES Slpp allegation against Charles Margai. He has challenged the Slpp to come and get him if they can. Slpp is behaving like Chelsea, the Premier League CHAMPIONS, telling Rev. Kabs Manchester United that they will retain their title at the end of the season.
Man U responded by singing CHELSKI CHELSKI come and get us if you can.You scored one on Saturday we've banged in Four against Tottenham Today.So are you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching Man U play?Come and get us if you can. And with eleven games to go Man U still has a six Points lead with enough goal difference FOR ANY OLAR.
We've got the anti corruption, the police and the courts. So if the SLPP means business, let them investigate his SHADY DEALINGS and prosecuted him in the court of law. With only five months for D Day, Charles Margai is still there going every where and daring the SLPP. TO COME AND GET HIM IF THEY CAN.
BUT DEN NOR GEH MIND TOUCH AM BECOS DEM HAND DEM BLACK PAS Margai EE ORANGE PALM WAE SO TRANSPARENT EN CLEAN THAT EVEN WE DEN SAN SAN BOYS DEM NOR GO FRAID FOR LAY WE STAR OF SA.LONE DIAMOND NAR EE HAND BECOS WE KIN SEE THROUGH AM.
Charles Margai is not the typical SWEGBEH leader who will take our diamond to Belgium for sale only to came back a few days later EN TELL WE SAE NAR CORLONDOR (fake) WE GE AM FOR GO SELL. He is a Honest, Decent and a man with Pride. Like Dr Forna, MONIE, JOB EN CONTRACT NOR DAE FULL EE YEI.
Politics should NOT be about Money, Jeep, Contracts, Houses and Sycophancy. NAR DAT MEK AR HOL DR. FORNA EH MARGAI DEN BOMB. DEN GO DIE POO BUT DEN PRIDE NOR GO EVER DIE. POWER NO POWER, MONIE NO MONIE. Unlike KPANA NAR SEWA, WAE GO EVEN GEE EE WEF EN EE GYAL PIKIN FOR LEH DEN FALLAH DEM JUST FOR GEH JOB EN LEH DEN APPROVE DEN CONTRACT. WE SABI DEM. BUT DEN CUP DON FULL
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE F
From: Yaya Fanusie
To: All
Date Posted: 15:42:35 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: futatoro@gmail.com
Entered From: adsl-75-21-40-146.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net at 75.21.40.146
Message:
Lord Forua for Ethics,
Excellent observations on the personal integrity of Dr. Forna.
HE IS UPTHERE smiling at you musing " how come he cant act/domonstrate his personal integrity by Stating his real name so everyone will know he has personal integrity?"
Tell us who you are and we will know if you have personal integrity.
Yaya Fanusie
Subject: Dr. MOHAMED SORIE Fornah-A lesson for John Leigh
From: Yaya Fanusie
To: All
Date Posted: 14:10:38 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: futatoro@gmail.com
Entered From: adsl-75-21-40-146.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net at 75.21.40.146
Message:
Forumites:
When I started opposing the APC in 1970, the reactions from the top APC people was that I was arrogant and think that I know more than anyome else.
I did not have time to wait until Shaki became a full grown political monster. Taqi and Forna, The John Brothers, Foday Sesay and Foday Bangura should have supported me. Only Comrade John Mansaray supported.
A Stitch in time saves nine. Nip it in the bud.
John Leigh watch out if Berewa's win. You will end up like Forna and Taqi. And Charles your fullumunku will still breathing and telling people "I told him to dissent and join us but he didnot"
And Warabe would write on John Leigh's thombstone "
Here lies a very higely Educated and lettered Political Fool!!!!!!!!"
Yaya Fanusie
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 10:24:45 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Alieu Iscandari, ESQ.:
I applaud your response, it is very much to taste. Thanks, BIG GUY!
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: Fellow
To: All
Date Posted: 01:57:37 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.154.87.160
Message:
Unbelievable.
Do we have a single politician in Sierra Leone, who can write such an articulate letter and who can resign, because of principles????
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: Abdul Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 18:37:30 02/20/07 ()
Email Address: yawbeko@comcast.net
Entered From: c-68-44-53-19.hsd1.pa.comcast.net at 68.44.53.19
Message:
These are some of the things that the press in Sierra Leone should be busy digging out instead of insulting each other. This letter is very historical and I only hope we can have a national archives where these kinds of historical facts can be easily accessible. I can`t wait to have a Bob Woodward kind of journalist in Sierra Leone, going after the facts of the issues and not personal destruction in the press. Thank you Dr. Curtis-Thomas for bringing this out.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 10:01:47 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Abdul Kamara:
Thanks for the sentiments expressed.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: DEBT RELIEF
To: All
Date Posted: 17:03:53 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
"Finally, let me warn the nations of the World that should their citizens allow you to embark on a pre-finance spree in the terminal days of your regime this nation reserves the right to disallow these debts in the future."
Stevens and his ffffing APC accumulated all those debts. Thanks to the SLPP for saving us from paying these illegitimate debts.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: COMIC RELIEF
To: All
Date Posted: 00:20:05 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Thanks to the SLPP for saving us from paying these illegitimate debts.
_______________________________________________
I say, thanks to our education for saving us from your unpatriotic SLPP lies.
The APC has not ruled Salone for nearly 15 years. THe SLPP has been ruling Salone for 10 of the past 11 years. During that time, the SLPP has taken out baybayraybay debt from Sadndline (mercenaries), Paris Club, Islamic Bank, IMF, world bank, etc.
Was that the long ago dead Siaka Stevens who woke up from his grave to take all that debt? Was it the APC which has not been in power for 15 years which was ruining Salone's future? Or was it your SLPP tontos who were mortgaging Salone's future?
You SLPP fanatics will lie, steal, kill, and sell even your own brother (Chief Hinga Norman) just to give BeleWA power in 2007: Unpattriotic. Selfish. Shameful.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: Abdul Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 07:08:11 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: yawbeko@comcast.net
Entered From: c-68-44-53-19.hsd1.pa.comcast.net at 68.44.53.19
Message:
Comic Relief, you are missing the point. Please carefully read the resignation letter written by Dr. Fornah and see whether you can make sense out of it. The situation now is quite different from the situation now and the last ten years. Let us put aside all partisan politics and discuss the fact.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: COMIC RELIEF
To: All
Date Posted: 07:41:22 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Abdul Kamara, please tell me what point I am missing.
Meanwhile, let you tell you what point you missed: Debt relief stated that "Stevens and his ffffing APC accumulated ALL those debts. Thanks to the SLPP for saving us from paying these illegitimate debts."
Did Dr. Forna's letter say that? No. So, where did debt relief get that idea from? I'll tell you: From his partisan bias.
Now, that I have showed you how to present a case, you have no excuse for not showing me exactly what point you think I am missing when I pointed out to Debt relief how he misused Dr. Forna's letter to try to score a partisan point. He himself told us what that lying point is: "Stevens and his ffffing APC accumulated ALL those debts. Thanks to the SLPP for saving us from paying these illegitimate debts."
So, by addressing his point and showing him that he is lying, how is that missing any point?
Perhaps you should take your own advice: "Let us put aside all partisan politics and discuss the fact."
And I still want to see you show me how I missed whatever point you think I missed.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: kroobaymom
To: All
Date Posted: 13:09:02 02/21/07 ()
Email Address: kroobaymom@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
Why is the SLPP government making so much fuss about securing debt relief of $800 million, a feat they pulled through after 10 years of struggling, when Liberia is on the way to securing $4.0 billion worth of debt relief in less than 200 days after Helen took over. It was not until the eve of the 2007 elections that we had a few street poles lit up in Freetown, something Helen did in less than 150 days.
If we have learned anything from 10 years of SLPP scandals, executive character or lack thereof, ripples through the ranks. Clearly we need stiffer penalties -executives who raid state coffers should swap their pin stripes for horizontal stripes.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: WORLD BANK
To: All
Date Posted: 15:23:28 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
U.S., Germany Did Not Cancel Liberia’s Debt, but Sent a Powerful Message
02/20/07 - Samuel P. Jackson, Contributing Writer
At the recently concluded Donors’ Conference in Washington, D.C., announcements were made by both the United States of America and Germany that Liberia’s debts totaling more than 600 million dollars would be cancelled. Amidst the applauses and euphoria accompanying the announcements, the powerful message sent by both countries to Liberia were lost and that could be the evolving tragedy!
The American Secretary of State was very clear on the methodology as to how Liberia’s debts would be cancelled. The international media reported that “spontaneous applause broke out at the conference at World Bank headquarters, when Secretary Rice announced the United States will forgive Liberia's $391-million debt, run up during years of dictatorship and civil strife in the West African nation”.
"We will cancel that debt, all of it, under the framework for highly indebted countries," said Condoleezza Rice. "We hope that this will help to relieve Liberia's crippling debt burden, a debt burden that today's leadership and today's people of Liberia do not deserve. We hope that it will enable the government to direct more of its resources toward reconstruction and development”.
Meanwhile after the American announcement, Germany followed by saying it too “[would] forgive 100 percent of the bilateral debts owed, in the context of the HIPC [Heavily Indebted Poor Countries] process”. Liberia owes Germany $230 million dollars.
It would be the height of ingratitude on the part of any Liberian including this writer who seeks to minimize the magnanimity of the announcements made by both countries, especially the United States of America, which has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to fund 17,000 United Nations troops, and several thousand support personnel to sustain peace in Liberia over the past four years!
Both countries said their bilateral debts to Liberia would be cancelled within the context of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC). What exactly does that mean? It means both countries have not unilaterally waived Liberia’s debts! Instead they have sent a powerful message to us as Liberians to put our house in order, and then only under arrangements when Liberia “decides” to meet the stringent conditions of the HIPC.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the HIPC Initiative is a comprehensive approach to debt reduction for heavily indebted poor countries pursuing IMF- and World Bank-supported adjustment and reform programs. To date, debt reduction packages have been approved for 30 countries, 25 of them in Africa, providing US$35 billion (net present value terms as of the decision point) in debt-service relief over time. Ten additional countries are potentially eligible for HIPC Initiative assistance and may wish to avail themselves of this debt relief.
Again the IMF and the International Development Association (IDA) assess a country’s eligibility. The IMF states that “to be considered for HIPC Initiative assistance, a country must: (1) be IDA-only and Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF)-eligible; (2) face an unsustainable debt burden, beyond traditionally available debt-relief mechanisms; (3) establish a track record of reform and sound policies through IMF and IDA-supported programs; and (4) have developed Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) through a broad-based participatory process. Once a country has met or made sufficient progress in meeting these criteria, the Executive Boards of the IMF and IDA formally decide on its eligibility for debt relief, and the international community commits to reducing debt to the agreed sustainability threshold. This is called the decision point. Once a country reaches its decision point, it may immediately begin receiving interim relief on its debt service falling due. In order to receive the full and irrevocable reduction in debt available under the HIPC Initiative, however, the country must: (i) establish a further track record of good performance under IMF- and IDA-supported programs; (ii) implement satisfactorily key reforms agreed at the decision point, and (iii) adopt and implement the PRSP for at least one year. Once a country has met these criteria, it can reach its completion point, at which time lenders are expected to provide the full debt relief committed at decision point”.
How soon can we meet the eligibility requirements of the HIPC? According to the IMF and World Bank’s own research reports, the average time is 2.9 years for most countries, but some countries have taken more than 5 years to meet the stringent requirements. The powerful message sent by both the United States and Germany is that Liberia must do more internally before it receives more substantive external support. I agree. In the nearly four years since the end of our internecine wars that saw hundreds of thousands of our citizens killed, our infrastructure destroyed, and institutional capacity reduced, we have not done enough.
Our current president, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has attempted to reform the society from the top, including putting in fiscal, budgetary and limited economic reforms. As well meaning as these reforms are, they are at best seriously short in meeting the conditions of the HIPC. She is not mostly at fault. It must be noted that the administration inherited a broken bureaucracy occasioned by our status as a failed state. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us all, political parties, civil society groups, business institutions and others to exert combined efforts to meet the requirements of the international community.
Most importantly, this administration must realize that meeting the requirements of good governance, including the rule of law, transparency and accountability cannot be left to it alone. It must include all Liberians in those efforts. We must all lend our support to the reforms been demanded of us.
The society is seriously lacking in broad cooperation from all segments. We are embroiled in parochial partisan politics when the need to reform the society from bottom up is been demanded. What legislative reforms have been suggested in the last four years that would improve the implementation of the rule of law? The Rape Bill is a good social attempt, but more is needed in commercial transactions, including contracts, debts and the inviolability of sovereign commitments!
According to the requirements for eligibility into the HIPC Initiative, a country must develop a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) through a broad-based participatory process. Surely, attempts have been made by the current administration to develop an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP). But there have been no broad based attempts to include civil society. I would apologize if an invitation for participation into a forum to debate IPRSP was sent to this writer and not received.
The current administration has tremendous international goodwill and is probably the most respected government over the last 25 years of our nation’s history. It has within its ranks the cream of the country’s most educated. Surely, much must be expected of this administration. Thus, when can we begin to truly cash in on the goodwill and reputation of the administration to accelerate economic development, such as improving the 85 percent unemployment rate in the country?
Similarly the government must develop policies that strategically position us geopolitically. We are yet to see the development of a foreign policy agenda that puts forth our strengths. Liberians have yet to conduct value chain analyses of our sub-sectors to enable us to fully participate in the global economy.
Going into the fifth year of a post-war dispensation, Liberians have not decided on our role in the global economy. We have not made decisions that reflect the paradigm shift in the new economy. The administration is yet to build an economic growth model! The private sector is yet to make the necessary changes to increase its participation in the global economy! We are still talking about the proverbial savings gap and the need to use foreign direct assistance (FDA) to close that gap. We have seemingly abandoned the thought of developing domestic homegrown remedies to increase participation in the world’s economy. We are still largely spectators in our own domestic economy!
Liberians must heed the powerful message sent by the United States and Germany. Our country must accelerate the drive from a donor-driven-beggar nation in the shortest term into a private-sector-led economy requiring only minimal external assistance in the medium term! That is the powerful message sent by both the United States and Germany and it may have been lost in the euphoria of the moment.
About the author: Samuel P. Jackson is formerly Liberia’s Minister of State for Economic and Financial Affairs. He is currently an International Management and Development Consultant living in Monrovia. He can be reached at samuelpjackson@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: STOP THE LIES
To: All
Date Posted: 15:22:00 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Liberia did not get any debt relief. The US said it will cancel their debt under the HIPC initiative. This will take more than 3 to 5 years.Salone's entire debt of 1.6 Billion dollars has been cancelled. Liberia has a debt stock of 3.6 billuion dollars.
Subject: Re: SOME REASONS WHY THE APC "MURDERED" Dr. MOHAMED SORIE FORNA
From: KLA
To: All
Date Posted: 13:51:13 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 164.82.85.3
Message:
These are some of the results Early backers of EJS expected from her. lIBERIA has a lot of International
Goodwill, led by someone with Star Power.
You should have witnessed her Joint session to the US Congress...JAMMED TO THE RAFTERS!!
Salone needs leaders with some of the Charisma and AURA of Ma Johnson. sHE IS A BIG TIME PLAYER!!
TSTM
XX
Subject: Police declares Publisher wanted
From: STAR RADIO NEWS
To: All
Date Posted: 16:13:36 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
STAR RADIO NEWS
Police declares Publisher wanted
Written by Bruce Boweh
Tuesday, 20 February 2007
The Commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Division in Liberia, Steven Zargo says the Publisher of the Independent Newspaper is wanted.
Commissioner Zargo said the Police want Mr. Sam Dean because his paper violated Section 18.1 of the Penal Code of Liberia.
The code prohibits the dissemination of obscene materials without minimizing the risk of exposure to children under sixteen.
The Independent Newspaper on Tuesday published a photo of Presidential Affairs Minister Willis Knuckles and two women in a sex orgy.
Commissioner Zargo also said the Police would meet the leadership of the Press Union of Liberia on the matter.
Subject: Knucklegate Reactions: Resign Or Be Dismissed - Liberians Sp
From: FPA Staff Report
To: All
Date Posted: 16:12:36 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Knucklegate Reactions: Resign Or Be Dismissed - Liberians Speak Out
02/20/07 - FPA Staff Report
Knuckles says he wont step down
Monrovia - Barely a day following the publication of the obscene phonographic photograph involving Acting Minister of State, Mr. Willis Knuckles, there have been calls for his immediate resignation, while one person says he doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
In interviews with a cross-section of ordinary Liberians from all walks of life, they expressed their disgust over the action of the Acting Minister of State who is a senior cabinet minister in the Unity Party-led government.
In the photograph, the Liberian President’s Chief of Office Staff was seen having sex with a woman from the rear while the same lady was having oral sex with another woman.
Though Mr. Knuckles has neither confirmed nor denied the act, reading a press statement last evening without accepting questions from journalists, said he regretted what he called the “pointless embarrassment” this scandal had brought to his wife of 37 years, family members, his pastor and other friends and associates and his boss, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Mr. Knuckles blamed a female legislator along with Mrs. Mardea White Snowe, his cousin, and her husband, former House Speaker, Edwin Snowe as masterminding the circulation of this explicit sex photograph. He said the photograph was a black mail from the disgraced former Speaker, who recently resigned due to pressure from his colleagues.
'Issue should not be swept under carpet'
The Acting Minister of State said, “Now for whatever political or other ends the perpetrator wishes to achieve, my private life is being drawn into the short and inglorious end of someone else’s public life.”
Justina Momo, a student, said she felt disgraced because the orgy that was shown in the photograph did not portray the country and people in a positive light.
Samuel Momolu said, “The porno is disgusting to say the least - and it comes as a big shock to many Liberians who expect people in leadership positions to live by example. Since the Minister has not categorically denied the act, it speaks volumes. The prono comes in the wake of efforts by UN, government and other partners to curb sexual exploitation and abuse. I think the issue should not be swept under the carpet. The Minister should be suspended or be forced to resign to save the image of the government. The prono picture is also a warning to people not to use their wealth and power to abuse women.”
Aaron Armah Leon, Jr. said Willis Knuckles should resign immediately because these higher-ups use our country’s money to have sex with our young girls which breeds corruption.
TAKEN ABACK
“I’m taken aback by a man like the Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Willis Knuckles. This is a public figure and we expect him to live within the confines of the law and with good and high reputation.
Melvin Page, Human Rights activist
Emmanuel S.B. Williams said for him it was unfortunate to see high profile government officials being involved in such sex scandal. “I think it’s unfortunate and immoral. I think it’s an attempt by our government officials to bring this country to public disrepute. As a government official to involve oneself in such a sex scandal, he should immediately resign or be dismissed,” the University of Liberia student stressed.
Jerry Beyan, a petit trader at the Waterside said, “If at all the sex scandal is true, then I think it will be very wise that the Minister of State resigns immediately because it will not be portraying a good image of our country especially to see people in such executive positions trying to play around girls who are prostitutes. This is not a good reflection of democracy.”
Another said he can’t blame the women because of the poverty rate in the country. He said sometimes these big shots use money to influence them so you can blame the girls. “Most of the young girls are leaving us and finding the money people,” he lamented.
“Seeing a man that is very close to the President who is involved in such devilish act signals bad for the country; moreover, I view the photograph as true because if such a man can apologize to his wife, church, friends and pastor, then it must be true. As such he needs to resign,” said Comfort Tyler, a market woman at the Vai Town Market.
Nathaniel Dillion said, “Looking at such a reputable person finding himself in such situation, I feel for him. His attitude exhibited could even lead to corruption. Where does he get this money from to satisfy his desire? It must come from government coffers. As such, he needs to resign because it has brought disgrace to this government and country.”
Unlike the others, Tito Joseph said, for him, he sees no problem with the act. “Other people are doing it; so what’s wrong with Willis Knuckles doing it? It’s not something bad. To me it is any problem,” said Mohammed Dorley.
A human rights activist, Melvin Page, for his part, has given Mr. Knuckles 72-hours to resign. He described the act that Mr. Knuckles engaged in as disgraceful.
“I’m taken aback by a man like the Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Willis Knuckles. This is a public figure and we expect him to live within the confines of the law and with good and high reputation.
“This act, he has not denied and he has admitted according to his apology that we heard on the radio to the President, his family, his colleagues and friends for what embarrassment it has caused,” Mr. Page said; adding in this light, we cannot have such character of individuals in high place of government, so I’m calling on him now to resign within 72-hours or we will take the appropriate action to make sure that he’s brought to book and gets out of government.”
He added that this was a disgrace to this country. “Sexual immorality is forbidden and we will not tolerate this under no circumstances. No matter his connection and position, that apology is his admission which warrants his resignation,” Mr. Page threatened.
Esther Johnson said it was a disgrace to the nation because seeing an honorable man naked having sex with two different women has also brought disgrace to his wife. “Those women are prostitutes.
Newspaper Face Closure for Photo Publication
Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry has ordered the arrest of the Managing Editor of The Independent newspaper for publishing the obscene photograph linking Mr. Knuckles to orgy on its front page as well as anyone caught reproducing and disseminating the phonographic photograph.
The Justice Ministry release said the publication and distribution of such nude photographs is in violation 18.1 of the New Penal Code of the Republic of Liberia. It called on the public to desist from this unlawful act.
As such, the Deputy Commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Stephen Zargo says the Managing Editor of The Independent, Sam Dean is being sought because his newspaper violated the New Penal Code. The Code prohibits the dissemination of obscene materials without minimizing risk of exposure to children Under 16 years.
Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President George Barpeen
It’s not known whether the has been picked up; however, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President George Barpeen has disclosed that while the Union was preparing itself to institute the appropriate action regarding this publication in The Independent newspaper, they’ve received an official communication that the government will be taking the paper to court tomorrow, Wednesday.
It is not clear whether Mr. Dean has been picked up; but when officers visited his Carey Street office earlier today neither he nor his staff was around.
As such the PUL has resolved to withhold all of their actions until Wednesday. He said he had thought that the Union should have been given the opportunity to act or reprimand the media institution according to the Union’s Code of Conduct.
Mr. Barpeen said they had intended to issue a statement and later refer the matter to the Grievance and Ethics Committee of the PUL to investigate.
In the PUL Code of Conduct and Ethics, the publication or broadcast of obscene materials is a breach of professional journalism ethics.
Meanwhile, the publication of the obscene photograph has also triggered outrage among professional colleagues.
The Station Manager of Radio Veritas has called on the PUL to immediately suspend the institutional membership of The Independent newspaper for the gross ethical breach it has committed in publishing an obscene photograph.
Radio Veritas’ Station Manager, Ledgerhood Rennie said there could no journalistic defense that the newspaper could provide for such reckless disregard for the norms of decency and good taste which are cardinal tenets of good journalism.
Mr. Rennie said at a time when consumers of media products were demanding better brands, the action of the newspaper was a dagger that validated public criticisms that the Liberia media were mediocre and reckless.
The Liberian broadcast journalist called on all professional journalists and media outlets to publicly condemn and distance themselves from such journalistic work.
He said this would serve as the first start in redeeming the noble journalism profession in Liberia.
Mr. Rennie said while he was condemning the bad journalism, he also wants to remind public officials have a great moral responsibility to society whether in their private or official life and must at all times endeavor to uphold such virtues.
He wants an independent investigation of the entire episode so that remedial actions are taken against all those in this un-cuff public act.
Subject: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 14:04:35 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
It stimulates my "intellectual fuk-fuk" when TWO LEARNED MEN SPAR. Can someone with a grasp on the English language tell us who is right , PLEASE.
--------------------------------------------------
Posted by METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL on February 19, 2007 at 07:11:53:
In Reply to: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone posted by NEWS on February 19, 2007 at 04:45:04:
"Lurking" and "looming" are almost performing the same grammatical role in this heading. Dangers lurk when they are impending in a way that could be unseen or otherwise, depending on the observer's analytical ability. Looming dangers are often seen. Most important of all, they can be out of sight or in plain view, all depending on who is looking at them. " A lurking, looming and ............" is unnecessarily wordy. Mr. Big Mouth, tighten your writing style by suitably applying words. I teach editorial classes, and they are open to half-baked writers and students of journalism alike.
--------------------------------------------------
Posted by Mohamed A. Jalloh on February 19, 2007 at 08:38:33:
In Reply to: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone posted by METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL on February 19, 2007 at 07:11:53:
METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL writes on February 19, 2007:
"Lurking" and "looming" are almost performing the same grammatical role in this heading. Dangers lurk when they are impending in a way that could be unseen or otherwise, depending on the observer's analytical ability. Looming dangers are often seen. Most important of all, they can be out of sight or in plain view, all depending on who is looking at them. " A lurking, looming and ............" is unnecessarily wordy."
My friend, sadly, your problem is one of a failure of comprehension. Accordingly, a lesson in English vocabulary may help you overcome your difficulty:
Lurking means "to exist unobserved or unsuspected"
Looming means "about to happen."
Therefore, it is impossible for those two very different words to be "almost performing the same grammatical role in this heading," as you claimed in transparent error.
So, your statement that "[d]angers lurk when they are impending in a way that could be unseen or otherwise, ..." makes no sense, at all. It also proves, sadly, that you do not understand the headline, "A Looming, Lurking and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone."
In a gracious effort to help you hopefully understand the simple errors of understanding that you committed, kindly allow me to walk you through them:
1. Dangers do not "lurk when they are impending." Contrary to your opinion, dangers lurk only when they exist unobserved or unsuspected.
2. If a danger is looming, it does not mean that it is "unseen or otherwise...". Whether something is looming has nothing to do with whether it is "unseen" (or lurking) or not. It only means that it is about to happen (looming).
3. Therefore, as you should now be able to learn, lurking and looming are two words that have very different meanings. Please do not confuse them in future.
4. If a danger that exists unobserved is about to happen, that danger is properly described as lurking and looming. Where such a danger is also previously known, it would then be properly described as lurking, looming, and familiar.
I hope you now understand why the headline of my article therefore read: "A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone."
I will not respond to your remaining and indecorous statements because, as a rule, I do not dignify ad hominem blather with a response, even if it was authored by a person intellectually honest enough to identify himself/herself with his/her statements, which you were not.
Please do not hesitate to ask me to further simplify the above explanation if it would help you to understand it.
------------------------------------------------------Posted by Where Did You Learn Your English? on February 20, 2007 at 07:56:58:
In Reply to: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone posted by METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL on February 19, 2007 at 09:31:33:
Jalloh's English is correctly written. Lurking and looming are two different words with different meanings. Indeed, ‘looming danger’ is imminent and inevitable. But there is danger lurking in the dark is not inevitable; it is self assuming here.
There may as well be no danger lurking in the dark. But we often attribute danger to darkness. But ‘looming danger’ is inevitable, for example, the looming death toll of the impending hurricane. The death toll may be minimal, but there is certainly going to be some deaths.
------------------------------------------------------ Posted by Mohamed A. Jalloh on February 20, 2007 at 08:42:58:
In Reply to: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone posted by Where Did You Learn Your English? on February 20, 2007 at 07:56:58:
"Jalloh's English is correctly written. Lurking and looming are two different words with different meanings."
My erudite friend, thank you for reiterating the incontrovertible fact I pointed out to our vocabulary-challenged, self-styled "teacher of editorial classes" yesterday, apparently to no avail.
If, and when, our self-anointed expert learns to read and understand a good dictionary, he/she will learn, in addition to your cogent examples, the following:
1. Lurking refers to a preponderantly static person(s) or thing(s).
By stark contrast:
2. Looming refers to a preponderantly active person(s) or thing(s).
If, and when, our self-styled "teacher of editorial classes" understands the meaning of the words, static and active, he/she would finally understand that they are substantially opposite in meaning. It is from that understanding, hopefully, that our clueless wannabe expert in English would finally realize what is obvious to any minimally diligent student of English, namely:
That it is pure nonsense to state that the two very different words, "lurking" and "looming," could play a similar role in any headline or other English writing, as the self-styled "teacher of editorial writing" claimed in elementary error here yesterday.
Which evokes the relevant wisdom of the Bible, namely: "There is none so blind he who knows not that he is blind!"
------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 16:48:28 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I say we all are losers for allowing this unnecessary digression to continue to the point where an erudite personality such as your self, is looking for a winner. Ther are no winners when the debate on issues becomes degraded by unnecessary verbiage spoted by all sides in this case. I understood Mohm Jallohs post perfectly well and I do believe that Mohms interpretation of the words loomin and lurking are appropriate to the tenor of the article. What I dont understand is why theres so much ado about NOTHING
Subject: Re: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: STUDENT
To: All
Date Posted: 03:40:41 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Alieu, I agree with you that "Mohms interpretation of the words loomin and lurking are appropriate to the tenor of the article."
But, lawyer Iscandri, I think you made a mistake by stating that "we all are losers for allowing this unnecessary digression to continue to the point where an erudite personality such as your self, is looking for a winner."
We are not all losers. Some of us learnt how backward thinking Saleoneans can be. For example, like Yaya Fanusi said, we learnt that Methodist High School wanted to create a digression from Moh'm's important article about the cause of at very important topic.
Some of us also learnt from Mohamed Jalloh the difference between lurking and looming.
So, you see, bra, we are not all losers. It is true that some of us were losers -- like Methodist Hicgh School who lost his challenge to Moh'm Jalloh about trhe meaning of lurking and looming. But he does not represent all of us.
We who like to learn won big time.
Subject: You unfortunately missed the intention of the question
From: CHIEFDOM SPOKESWOMAN
To: All
Date Posted: 16:59:38 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Sorry, folks, the intent of the question was unfortunately missed. You also unintentionally prevented students in our Chiefdom from learning.
Subject: Re: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: SHAME ON YOU
To: All
Date Posted: 14:10:59 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: jeeves.gsu.edu at 131.96.2.208
Message:
CHIEF IN EXILE, You should know better than that. We are supposed to settle differences between brothers. We are not supposed to do anything to make a misunderstanding worse. Shame on you.
Those two men should be talking to each other instead of what they are doing. And you have nothing to say but look for a winner between them? This warrior mentality is wrong and stupid. If I knew those two people, I will suggest they get over it and talk to each other.
SHAME ON YOU, CHIEF.
Subject: Re: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: HYPOCRITE
To: All
Date Posted: 03:22:47 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
This warrior mentality is wrong and stupid. If I knew those two people, I will suggest they get over it and talk to each other.
__________________________________________________
SHAME ON YOU, where were you when Methodist High School started the war by attacking Mohamed Jalloh's very correct use of the words "lurking" and "looming" ?
You are nothing but a shameless hypocrite. Youi keep your mouth shut when your "brother" attacks Moh'm Jalloh. Like him, you probably hope he will "three-foot" Moh'm. But he don't know Moh'm. We who know him, we just sat back waiting for him to make mince meat of your foolhardy "brother."
when Mohm exposes your "brother" as a "chunneh" in English who does not know the difference between lurking and looming, where were you? Did you ask your "brother "Methodist High School" to apologize to the forum for trying to mislead us? No, you didn't! You kept your mouth shut -- just like you had kept your mouth shut when your "brother" attacked Moh'm.
After Moh'm had defended himself and exposed your "brother's nonsense English," you show your true hypocrite colours by shouting about brotherhood, when Chief asks who had won the war your "brother had started.
I say to you: YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE WHO DON;T WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH.
Subject: Re: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: THE CHIEF IS RIGHT
To: All
Date Posted: 03:06:31 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
You are wrong to misunderstand the chief. Chief is right to ask for a winner because one person started a war. That person is the one that challenged Jalloh's English. So, that person (Methodist High School) is the one who started the war. You are wrong to equate the two of them, because only Methodist High School started the war. Too bad for him he does not know Jalloh.
To me, the winner, as Iscandri implied, is of course Moh'm Jalloh. The man's command of english is awesome. It was foolish of Methodist High School to challenge him.
Subject: Re: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: STOP TALKING TO YOURSELF
To: All
Date Posted: 07:47:03 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Stop talking to yourself over and over again
Subject: Re: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: STOP FOOLING YOURSELF
To: All
Date Posted: 08:38:24 02/21/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
"Stop [fooling] yourself over and over again"
Subject: Re: CAN SOMEONE DECLEAR A WINNER HERE, PLEASE!
From: DECLARE
To: All
Date Posted: 15:59:52 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.5
Message:
DECLEAR??
I always thought that the word is spelt DECLARE and NOT "DECLEAR". Did you pass O'level English, chief?
Subject: PRESIDENT ALHAJI KABBAH, AWOL MAN OF THE YEAR
From: kroobaymom
To: All
Date Posted: 12:42:49 02/20/07 ()
Email Address: kroobaymom@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
This is the recent honor received by HE at Family Kingdom Entertainment Hall!
How una sabi so!!!!!!
Subject: PORT LOKO DISTRICT COUNCIL BUDGET DAY
From: AMBASSADOR
To: All
Date Posted: 11:24:44 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
PORT LOKO DISTRICT COUNCIL BUDGET DAY
FRIDAY, 15TH DECEMBER 2006.
THE PORT LOKO DISTRICT COUNCIL MTEF BUDGET (2007-2009) PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN, JOSEPH BOB AMARA ( Esq. ) AT THE MAFORKI N.A. COURT BARRAY, PORT LOKO ON FRIDAY, 15 TH DECEMBER 2006.
Mr. Chairman,
Colleague Councillors,
Permanent Secretary, MLG&CD
IRCBP Coordinator,
Director- DecSec
Director- LGFD
Head PFMRU
Heads of Council Sectors/ Departments
Our Development Partners
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with great honour and privilege that I present to this august body the Council’s Budget for 2007. It is this budget that Council will rely on towards the achievement of its development agenda as articulated in the Development Plan for 2007-2009.
Colleague Councilors, distinguished guests, about two and a half years ago, the President , Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah inaugurated the 19 Councils through out the country in his effort at consolidating peace, security and good governance which had been absent for over a decade. It is the establishment of these Councils that enables the taking of resource allocat1on decisions at local level, thereby improving the allocat1on of resources to those in dire need. Therefore, the focus of the Port Loko District Council as reflected in the budget is to meet the basic needs of the people in the form of food, safe drinking water, basic education, good health, clean environment, social infrastructure such as: schools, health facilities and feeder road network.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, the authority for Councils to prepare budgets is derived from provisions of the Local Government Act 2004, that is, Part VII, Section 67, subsection 1,2&3.The Provision that I have cited makes it mandatory for Councils to prepare budgets and have them approved before implementation. The provisions of the Act further make it mandatory for the process of preparing the budget to be participatory. Therefore, holding a public hearing is a means of fulfilling the legal obligations that I have earlier cited.
In developing the budget, Council relied on the input of several consultative meetings held in the respective Wards by Councilors, the contributions of our development partners and the technical back-stop provided by Council and sector staffs. I will at this juncture acknowledge the technical support provided by the Local Government Finance Department in ensuring the completion of the exercise. Worth mention also is the leadership provided by the Finance and Budget Committee of Council in ensuring timely preparation of the budget.
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Guests, I am pleased to inform you that more than ever before have Council had a greater involvement in the review of sector budgets. The Finance and Budget Committee met in concert with key sector committees of Council to scrutinize the budget. The process gave an opportunity to devolved staff to fully understand the issues, programs, regulatory obligations and core objectives of Council.
Furthermore, the budget process created a platform through which Council and staff discussed into greater details the felt needs or requirements of each sector as a vehicle to improving service delivery capacity. There is no doubt that the process created a platform for other stakeholders and the community to express their concerns to Council.
I have earlier used the term MTEF. My people at the local level may want to know what it is all about. It is the Medium Term Expenditure Framework. It is a new Financial Management concept first introduced in the Central Government now being replicated at local level. It is principally a three-year rolling financial plan that has replaced the traditional annual budgetary process. They key advantage of the framework is the opportunity it creates for the rolling over to the other year of unaccomplished programs.
REFLECTIONS ON THE 2005/2006 BUDGET
For 2005, a total own source revenue generated was Le 52.7M, which represented 27% of the budgeted estimate of Le. 213M. Le.10,381,000 was collected from Licenses, Le. 3,640,000 from fees and charges, Le. 140,000 from sand dues and Le. 38,572,000 as precepts for Local Tax. It is however unfortunate that revenue generated fell below the projected estimate. Precept paid for Local Tax for 2005 Fiscal year was actually received in 2006. Collections from all other sources including potential sources like market dues and property rates registered zero recordings.
Revenue mobilisation as at October 2006 fell compared to 2005 performance. Revenue collected so far in 2006 is yet to be received as precepts or dues from Chiefdom Administration. Treasury clerks are also yet to report on collections made so far for this FY from Licences and other sources of council’s exclusive revenue. Only Le. 2,924,000 has so far been accounted for under Local Tax. Council heavily depend on external sources of fund for its operations. This state of Affairs can be attributed to the following:
1. Low capacity to collect revenue.
2. Inadequate sensitization on the need to pay taxes.
3. The culture of not wanting to pay for anything. Our people want development but they do not want to pay for it.
4. Conflict between some Chiefdoms and Council over collection areas and payment of precepts.
5. “politising” revenue collection effort, that is, non cooperation by political actors in the revenue generation drive for fear of losing votes or satisfying those that do not want to pay taxes.
In 2006, there has been an increase in the amount of grants transferred for Health, Solid Waste, Development and Administration. In addition, PLDC have received grants for Agriculture, Social Welfare and Youth and sports, which were not devolved functions in 2005.
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Guests, the only revenue Council could boast of for the past financial year was Grants and Transfers for devolved functions from the Central Government. This constituted 80% of total revenue envelope for last year.
EXPENDITUE FOR 2005
Total Expenditure in 2005 was Le. 1,146,635,744. Grant transfers accounted for 95% of total expenditure for PLDC in 2005. However, transfers for Health and Solid Waste Grants representing 23% of total expenditure was transferred only in the first quarter of 2006.
Transfers were in the form of:
1. Local Government Development Grant which amounted to Le. 575,000,000. This grant was utilised for two main projects:
a) Construction of 2 artisanal fishing boats and provision of
Fishing gears – Le. 164,870,000
b) Construction of an ultra modern conference center- Le. 358,000,000
2. Administrative grant was used for paying councillors allowances and administrative running cost of the District Council Office. A total of Le.310,353,000 was used for these purposes.
3. Devolved Grants for the Health sector came in quite late. A total of Le. 236,282,744 was received in 2006 and was utilised for the following programmes:
Primary Health Care
TT2 Coverage
Improving Health Information system
Safety Precaution
Staff Training on Nutrition Surveillance
Staff Performance Improvement
I.E.C
Awareness raising on oncho/systomiasis in Masimera & Sanda Magbolontor Chiefdom
Births & Deaths
Free Births & Deaths Registration in Sanda Magbolontor Chiefdom
Environmental Sanitation: Sensitisation on Environmental Sanitation
Facility Maintenance: Repairs of equipment & mobility
Le. 25,000,000 grant was received for Solid Waste Management for implementation in Port Loko Town. Due to late transfers this project was implemented in 2006.
EXPENDITURE 2006
Funds Expenditure performance increased during the 2006 Fiscal Year as more functions were devolved by MDA’s. Administrative expenditure as at October 2006 is Le.188,634,800, Development Grant Le. 344,469,800, Health Le. 399,660,025, Agriculture Le. 328,504,786 and other grants Le. 38,504,497.
For the Health sector projects implemented so far are in the following areas:
• Rehabilitation of Minthomoe Health Center
• Rehabilitation of Bailor Health Centre
• Rehabilitation of MCH Adie Training Center & Administrative Block in Port Loko Town
• Births & Deaths Registration in Dibia Chiefdom
• Training of Food Handlers in Ma-Siaka, Rogbere Junction & Port Loko Town
• Information, Education & Communication on Public Health
• Facility Maintenance of equipment & facilities
AGRICULTURE
Crops
Setting up of demonstration plots in cassava & potatoes
Trainings on monthly sensitization meeting with farmers, Technology initiation at farmers field school & crop protection Training for farmers
Livestock
Animal Health & Production (Routine treatment of small stock)
Administration budget:
Procurement of geneartor, motor bike, repairs of 2 motor bikes, 12 rain gears, agricultural tools (assorted), fuel & lubricant, & Stationery
Solid waste Management: Port Loko Town
Construction of 5 waste disposal depots
Clearing & Demarcation of Falaba Road Cemetery
Construction of 3 final disposal sites
Procurement Sanitary tools & protective gears
These will be commissioned and handed over to the Port Loko community very soon.
Social Welfare: Training of staff & council sector committee members
Sensitization on Gender & Child Welfare issues in various chiefdoms
The following projects are due to take off soon:
Rehabilitation of Rosarr bridge
Rehabilitation of culverts selected wards in all 11 chiefdoms
Construction of 25 hand pump wells
Tree Planting in deforested chiefdoms
Cultivation of Nerica rice in 6 chiefdoms
All of these Projects will be utilized with the 2006 Local Government Development Grant of Le. 688,000,000. The reason for the late commencement of these projects was due to the late preparation of relevant documents for the accessing of this fund.
MTEF 2007-2009
Own Source Revenue
In order to reduce the high level of dependence on external sources of funding for council’s operations and development intervention, the following estimation was made for mobilizing own source revenue
Local Tax 159,250,200
Property Rate 6,300,000
Market Dues 8,800,000
Licenses 5,633,000
Fees & Charges 9,000,000
Other non tax revenue 36,000,000
TOTAL Le. 224,983,200
In other to maximize our revenue potential council has resolved on the following:
• Council resolved to adopt various strategies involving key stakeholders to step up its income generating capacity
• It was resolved by Council that all councilors should go to their wards and engage in effective sensitization of their communities for the payment of Local tax and other revenue due council.
• Council resolved that a comprehensive tax schedule for all commercial business institutions, private firms and businesses operating within the big towns of Port Loko District be made available to promote compliance.
• Council also agreed that a comprehensive survey be held in major towns within the District to ascertain the number and type of business establishment (Tax Base), whether they are registered
• Council decided that Tax collection should commence latest third week of January 2007
• The employment of revenue collectors by Council also formed part of Council’s resolution to enhance its revenue generating capacity
• Council resolved to ensure that Chiefdom Administration pays precepts and other dues due council and to further encourage them to pay rebates to section chiefs and village head men.
On behalf of PLDC I want to appeal to you to support council by paying taxes, licensees and dues. I assure you on behalf of PLDC that monies paid will be used judiciously.
REVENUE SUMMARY
Total own revenue estimated for 2007 is Le. 224,983,200. This accounts for only 4% of the resource envelope of Council. The reason for this conservative own source revenue projection is due to past experience on the low level of compliance. Total grant transfer is Le. 5,769,308,554 billion. Therefore total estimated revenue for 2007 is Le.5,993,895,754 and total expenditure is Le. 5,984,671,754.
The above figures reveal that the people of Port Loko District are contributing a meager 4% towards their own development. This point to the fact that the people of Port Loko District should be thinking about improving their level of compliance in revenue generation if we are to eliminate dependency syndrome and realize our development aspirations
Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, at this juncture; I wish to give an overview of grant allocat1on for 2007 fiscal year.
GRANT ALlocat1on BY SECTOR- 2007
Administration 288,849,713
Education 3,078,704,455
Health 1,116,333,797
Agriculture 241,418,594
Solid Waste Management 66,713,657
Social Welfare 28,082,186
Youths & Sports 23,166,249
Rural Water Service 86,253,883
Fire Prevention 17,501,880
Marine Resources 12,508,763
LGDG –Discretionary 599,986,827
LGDG Non Discretionary-Roads 209,788,550
TOTAL GRANT 5,769,308,554
EPENDITURE BREAK DOWN BY SECTOR
1. EDUCATION-Le. 3,078,704,455
• Administrative Cost- Le.106,756,806
• Inspectorate Division-Le 34,157,895
• Education Development Grant-Le. 142,702,947
Under this sector the following will be effected by the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology to be monitored and supervised by Council
• Procurement of Teaching & Learning Materials- Le.376,736,933
• Payment of School fees subsidy (Primary)- Le.1,024,860,782
• Procurement of Text books for Primary Schools –Le. 628,726,691
• Payment of BECE fees- Le. 242,334,333
• Payment of NPSE fees-Le. 380,133,458
• Procurement of Text books (secondary) - Le. 142,294,610
2. HEALTH- Le. 1,116,333,797
• Administration –Le. 220,784,000
• Drugs- Le. 334,900,139
• Primary Health Care-Le. 317,872,801
• Environmental sanitation-Le. 89,100,000
• Public Health I.E.C.- Le. 47,677,500
• Births & Deaths- Le. 62,000,000
• Facility Maintenance- Le. 44,000,000
3. AGRICULTURE –Le. 241,418,594
• Crops Division- Le. 168,341,586
• Livestock Division- Le. 56,513,467
• Land and Water Division- Le. 16,563,541
4. SOLID WASTE MNAGEMENT- Le. 66,713,657
5. SOCIAL WELFARE- Le. 28,082,186
6. YOUTHS & SPORTS- Le. 23,166,249
7. FIRE PREVENTION- Le.17,501,880
8. MARINE RESOURCES-Le. 12,508,763
9. WATER SERVICES-Le. 86,253,883
10. COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION- Le. 469,462,913
11. LGDG –DISCRETIONARY-Le. 599,986,827
12. LGDG-ROADS GRANT- Le. 209,788,550
STRATEGY FOR BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION
The Key strategy for this budget implementation will be the use of the Rapid Result Approach with effective Monitoring and Evaluation of all projects under implementation with extensive inclusion of beneficiaries and the Civil Society at large. Community outreach programmes to effectively inform, Educate and communicate with the people will also be an integral part of this budget implementation.
Allocat1on of Projects under Local Government Development Grant by the Local Technical Planning Committee and approved by council was based on the following:
• Level of Vulnerability
• Level of development intervention by Council and other agencies in proportion to the population
• Compliance Rate of Chiefdom in the payment of Local Tax
• Development Potentials of the locality
The Le. 599,986,827 allocated under development grant were distributed as follows:
Social Sector ranked 1st
• Education (provision of furniture to schools)- Le. 143,996,839
• Health (construction/rehabilitation of hand pump wells)
• Water & Sanitation-Le. 191,997,892
Social Infrastructure: ranked 2nd
• Road/culverts rehabilitation-140,000,000
Productive Sector 3rd
• Rehabilitation of 13 drying floors-52,000,000
• Provision of 4 cassava grater-24,000,000
• Cultivation of Nerica Rice-28,000,000
• Tree Planting-5,000,000
• Provision of chemicals-10,000,000
In concluding Mr. Chairman, I need to acknowledge the contribution made by the local communities at different stages of the budget preparation process. Their immense contribution in the review of the Development Plan formed the basis of this budget.
I also want to pay glowing tribute to the Local Government Finance Department (LGFD) for their immense support in the entire process. Special acknowledgement goes to Mr. Ibrahim Ansu Bangura, Economist at LGFD for his untiring technical support without which the completion of this document would have been delayed. Special appreciation is also extended to the Decentralization Secretariat for capacity building support given to council that will equip us for effective project implementation and management. Acknowledgment also goes to PFMRU for building the financial Management capacity of the Finance Department of Council.
I also want to thank the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development for providing the strategic leadership to council.
I will not forget to recognize the efforts of the members of Local Technical Planning Committee and relevant heads of Departments for the technical backstopping given to the entire process.
Special thanks go to all council sector committees with particular reference to the Development Planning & Budget & Finance Committees. The effort of Councilor Ben Sesay needs to be recognized. As Secretary of the Finance and Budget Committee he relentlessly gave his time for the preparation of this budget.
To my Chief Administrator, Treasurer, Development Officer, Coach and entire support staff of the Port Loko District Council, I wish to say a very big thank you for ensuring the timely review of the Development Plan and preparation of MTEF Budget 2007-2009.
To our friends and other development partners who contributed in diverse ways for the preparation of this document but whose names/institutions we have not mentioned we say thanks.
May God bless us all.
Long Live the Port Loko District Council
Long live the people of Port Loko District.
Subject: DIRECTOR GENERAL NEEDED FOR SALWACO
From: Dr. Michel Sho-Sawyer
To: All
Date Posted: 11:19:50 02/20/07 ()
Email Address: michel_sawyer@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-99-17-147.hsd1.ga.comcast.net at 24.99.17.147
Message:
JOB VACANCY
THE DIRECTOR GENERAL
SIERRA LEONE WATER COMPANY (SALWACO)
1. Position/Job Title: Director General
2. Minimum Age: Not Applicable
3. Employment: Pensionable
4. Job descr1ption: Overall responsibility for managing the
affairs of the Company relating to its
operations inter alia;
4.1 Operation and maintenance of
water supply facilities in all areas
of SALWACO operations.
4.2 Delivery of water services.
4.3 Planning and programming of
development, production and
delivery activities.
4.4 Advise on company policy at
central and local government
levels.
4.5 Formulation, advice, application and collection of water tariffs and charges.
4.6 Monitoring compliance with Company Rules and Regulations.
4.7 Development of company human resources.
4.8 Promotion of national, regional and international cooperation on water resources management.
4.9 Any other appropriate assignment.
5. Qualifications: Degree/HND in Civil Engineering.
Professional membership may be
advantageous.
6. Experience: 20 years in the water supply industry
with at least 15 years in management
position.
7. Responsible to: The Board of Directors
8. Salary Scale: Attractive
9. Leave Entitlement: As per General Conditions governing company services
10. Other Benefits: As per General Conditions governing company services
11. Probation: 6 months
· Applicants should submit their CV with copies of relevant degrees/diplomas/certificates
· Three referees including one from previous employer relating to the job descr1ption.
· Applications and other relevant documents should be submitted to the Team Leader, SALWACO Management, Tower Hill, Freetown not later than 28th February 2007 at 12 Noon.
Subject: Enquiring about my best friend Sengbe.
From: Cornelius
To: All
Date Posted: 10:32:59 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: netloan.solna.se at 194.218.19.220
Message:
Where is Sengbe?
Subject: Re: Enquiring about my best friend Sengbe.
From: Sengbe
To: All
Date Posted: 11:09:07 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.5
Message:
Bra Cornie, I am right here - reading, writing, researching, and teaching, simultaneously.
Where, and how, have you been, Bra Cornie?
I hope all is well with you, and yours.
Thanks for asking.
Subject: Re: Enquiring about my best friend Sengbe.
From: sengbe watcher
To: All
Date Posted: 10:48:18 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
writingt under different names
Subject: Guinea unrest worries neighbours Liberia, S. Leone
From: AMBASSADOR
To: All
Date Posted: 08:40:16 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Guinea unrest worries neighbours Liberia, S. Leone
20 Feb 2007 13:47:43 GMT
Source: Reuters
More By Saliou Samb
CONAKRY, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The presidents of Liberia and Sierra Leone flew to neighbouring Guinea on Tuesday for talks on how to prevent its violent political unrest from destabilising their own states.
Liberian head of state Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone were due to meet Guinean President Lansana Conte, who declared martial law on Feb. 12 to quell a popular insurrection against his 23-year-rule.
Officials said they would discuss border cooperation and regional security concerns, including reports that Liberian ex-rebels were being recruited to fight in Guinea if the crisis in the West African state descended into all-out civil war.
More than 120 people, mostly unarmed civilians, have been killed since the beginning of the year in Guinea in clashes between security forces and protesters led by unions demanding that Conte, a reclusive diabetic in his 70s, cede power.
Although draconian martial law measures have restored calm to the world's leading bauxite exporter, analysts have warned the Guinean unrest could suck in and destabilise neighbouring states in one of Africa's most volatile regions.
"President (Johnson-Sirleaf) is very much concerned about the situation in Guinea and wants to see how she, along with Kabbah, can help bring peace and reconciliation to that sister country," a spokesman for the Liberian president said.
Liberia and Sierra Leone, which together with Guinea make up the Manu River Union regional group, are trying to recover from brutal civil wars lasting more than a decade which involved some rebel groups that were backed by Conte.
The Guinean leader used the groups as a defensive bulwark against these conflicts, which raged on his southern frontier until a few years ago.
Guinean officials said a delegation from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS which held talks with Conte at the weekend had warned of possible attacks by former Liberian rebels on Guinea's southeast border with Liberia.
"We have to avoid a situation where bandits or rebels can take advantage or create instability in Guinea ... maybe there are people in Liberia who want to cause problems," ECOWAS Executive Secretary Mohamed Ibn Chambas said in Conakry on Saturday.
RECRUITMENT RUMOURS
Several thousand ex-rebels from Liberia and Sierra Leone still live in Guinea, especially in the hilly, thickly wooded southeast Forestiere region which borders these countries.
As Guinean soldiers have struggled to contain the violent anti-Conte protests at home, rumours have surfaced that former fighters of the Liberian ex-rebel group LURD were being recruited to help the Guinean president maintain control.
Guinea's military have categorically denied this, but the rumours of recruitment of Liberians have persisted.
Liberian President Johnson-Sirleaf called for any such recruitment to cease, her spokesman said.
"She is calling on Liberians to desist from supporting any group which will further exacerbate the situation," spokesman Charles Nelson said in Monrovia.
"No Liberian should allow himself to be recruited. This President is interested in seeing lasting peace in Guinea," he added in an official statement.
Conte's Guinea had sheltered and armed the LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) rebels who fought against former Liberian President and warlord Charles Taylor.
Northwestern neighbour Guinea-Bissau, whose President Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira is a personal friend of Conte, has also denied sending troops to help him stay in power. (Additional reporting by Alphonso Toweh in Monrovia)
Subject: Letter of the Day: Knuckles Omitted Key Apology - ‘Downtrodd
From: James Saye
To: All
Date Posted: 06:04:42 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Letter of the Day: Knuckles Omitted Key Apology - ‘Downtrodden Women’
02/20/07 - James Saye
The Editor,
Today is indeed a sad day for our country and our unified march toward the creation of a postwar society that is just, fair and equitable, and which takes into consideration the rights of the downtrodden, especially women.
This day is made even sadder by the fact that our country is governed by a female President, whose election and recognition as the first female President in Africa provided hope to countless women who have been raped, abused and taken advantaged of by men like Knuckles. Ellen’s election was seen as ushering in a new era of hope for such women, where their rights would be protected, perhaps far more than one would have expected under our past presidents who were all male and part of the “all boys club”. But what is even worse is that the message coming from the Executive Mansion is deafening by its silence: that the new exploitation of Liberian womanhood would be perfected under the very person whose emergence provided them with hope!
I have followed the Knuckles sex scandal with some level of incredulity. After all, the evidence seemed to be tainted by a personal feud with Edwin Snowe, the former Speaker, amidst allegations that he and his wife may have set Knuckles up. I was therefore anxious to hear what the President and Mr. Knuckles in particular would say about this incident. Knowing Liberians and their penchant for exaggeration, I reserved my judgment to get the truth from the horse’s mouth as to what had indeed happened. More importantly, I wanted to hear the President’s own response to this incident.
I was disappointed on both counts. First of all, Knuckles acknowledged that indeed he was the person in the photograph: an obese ridiculous looking buffoon striding atop a young Liberian girl in an orgy with another woman. In his statement, Knuckles apologized to his wife of 37 years, his children, his pastor, his church and everyone of importance in perverted life. However, more poignantly, he failed to acknowledge the two ladies whom he clearly abused by virtue of his economic powers and position in our government. By this singular omission, he drove home what many had always suspected: that he believes that these women were nothing more than mere doormats; poor girls, perhaps from the interior of the country or from not so fortunate backgrounds who could be debased by his sexual pleasures, and then thrown aside, after parting with a few US dollar bills. To him, they were just mere “paintings on his mantle piece”, a new set of photographs to show the boys as they drank their imported Black Label Whisky on Saturday afternoons. How many of us have sisters and cousins fitting this background – poor, rural, country and in Monrovia to seek for education and a better future?
Unfortunately, Knuckles’ behavior fits the historical pattern: young country girls coming to Monrovia, without the education or resources, become the objects of the unnatural sexual exploitation of grown men like Knuckles. Again, given the backdrop of our country’s history of elitism and exploitation by a privileged minority who hold power, we now know that despite all the consolation of change and the dawn of a new era, we get a rude awakening that these practices have not changed. The only difference is that there is now a cellphone with a camera lurking nearby to capture this debauchery.
And herein lies my utter disgust with Ellen. Coming into office on a wave of feminism, she pledged to protect such women and specifically asked economically better-off men in our society to not exploit them. However, there seem to be large chasm between the rhetoric of women’s right and the reality of protection. We now understand that when it was first rumored that the release of this photo into the public domain, she was informed by Knuckles. Her response was to counseled him to “wait and see what happens” and that “we will cross that bridge when we come to it”. When the actual picture finally surfaced, she preferred to wait until she got back home in order to talk to him first and gauge the problem. After reaching home, she must have obviously told Knuckles that it would be alright if he simply called a Press conference and apologized! After all, why would someone like Knuckles who serves at the will and pleasure of the President state clearly that he would not resign, unless of course, the President had earlier assured him that his job was safe.
But what the President forgot is that at the time her Minister of State for Presidential Affairs chose to drop his pants (certainly not for the first time it would appear) and take advantage of these two girls, the issue became much bigger than the size of his own manhood. It became a national problem, which if not properly handled, will dog this Presidency and undermine its legacy.
First of all, by not firing Knuckles IMMEDIATELY, and instead re-assuring him that his job was safe after a feeble apology, Ellen has shown that she and Knuckles have the same morality or at the very least, that there is no strong diverge in the standards of morality they both subscribe to. Without a standard of morality, she cannot expect more from Knuckles or any member of her government for that matter than the tone she sets for her own administration. Second, by her silence, she has shown that her pledge to defend Liberian womanhood and to give hope to downtrodden women all over the African continent is but a lip service, a simple façade. For once in her life, she has the power to do something about it and she failed miserably. Third, by her failure to act, she has put her personal friendship with Knuckles over principles. By not drawing the line in the sand, she has shown that her own principles are built of shifting sand that can be molded to suit the tenor of the underlining friendship. Fourth, because she has not condemned this in the harshest and clearest terms, she has compromised her own officials, especially her Minister of Gender, who cannot be seen as outshining the boss on this matter. How can an entire Ministry that is supported by taxpayers money keep silent on the very issue for which it was established to address in the first place? How can they justify another workshop on sexual exploitation of women when this is happening right under their noses? Last week, there was such another workshop held in Monrovia!
Perhaps Ellen is allowing her vision to be clouded by what appears to be a political tussle with Snowe and therefore has subscribed to the non sequitur that by punishing Knuckles she would be rewarding Snowe. But if this is her line of reasoning, and there appears to be ample evidence of this, then she is wrong. The point, you see, is not whether Knuckles was set up by Snowe or even by another person. It is the act itself. It is like saying, after the Tom Foley scandal in the US House of Representatives, we decided to get angry with the person who revealed the SMS messages to the press rather than the deal with the act itself.
It is the simple fact that Knuckles morality, for a man who has a “wife” of 37 years, is not Liberia’s morality, and the President should have made that known to him immediately. The simple fact is because he did what he did and moreover, admitted to it, should be sufficient grounds for him to leave the government. It is simply a question of taste and standards, and it seems that now we lack both. Her government does not need this distraction. She cannot take the risks of future revelations. How do we know that Knuckles will not be compromised when sent to another country to negotiate on matters of Liberia’s national interests given his proclivity for indiscipline sexual adventures?
Madame President, the success of your Presidency will not only be measured by the amount of grants we get from the World Bank or the amount of promised debt relief from our friends. It is also about how you lead our country that has suffered from diminished morality caused by over 14 years of civil war and the breakdown of institutions and social structure. An important part of that leadership is the moral compass you wield.
On this issue, at least, this compass is pointing due South. For unless you are careful, you will realized that you have gotten all of these materialized benefits for a country that has lost its soul under your administration. Like ancient Rome, Liberia under you would be known for its era of orgies and the foundation of growth and sustainable development itself would be put at risks by men (and women) whose moral principles are warped.
Pundits will simply find the easier way out by saying that I am against Ellen’s government. This seems to be the latest response en vogue to silence debate and discussion of key issues, by simply stating that one is against the President and the government. But that is far from the truth. I support her unfailingly, but I am not a demagogue who believes in following blindly. It is the principle that matters. When a Sanitation worker was killed in Memphis during the height of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King told his audience that this man died as much from the wounds of the racists who shot him, as from the silence of other blacks and Church Ministers. For by not speaking out, they contribute to a climate where these acts grow and multiply.
Today is a dark chapter in our history. But we should consider it in a positive context and throw some light onto it by individually calling it the day of outrage that it is! We should ask our Legislature to come out with a Resolution for and on behalf of Liberian womanhood censuring this behavior since the President has failed to act. As Mr. Knuckles needs to be confirmed by the Senate, we call on the Senate to denied such confirmation outright, and do the honorable thing that the President has failed to do. I call on women’s and church groups in Liberia to put aside their personal loyalties and say something about this horrid act.
The sad thing is that having been silent for more 72 hours since this issue came to light, even if the President were to act now, we would all know that it is out of shame and embarrassment and perhaps from pressure from our donors friends and not from a calling of the heart. And it will not represent an organic conviction but a mere political appeasement. Frankly, our womenfolks deserve much more. Unfortunately, it seems that this administration, which was tailor-made for them, has failed them on the altar of political expediency and personal loyalties.
James Saye
Sinkor, Monrovia
Subject: Sierra Leone High Court Orders Philip Neville to pay Sylvia
From: SYLBANA NEVILLE
To: All
Date Posted: 20:20:08 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Sierra Leone High Court Orders Philip Neville to pay Sylvia Blyden
By Awareness Times
Feb 19, 2007, 23:10 Email this article
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The ongoing talk-of-the-town Legal Battle which has now been dubbed as Public Interest versus SLAJ Interest, today Monday February 19th 2007 saw the first victory being scored with Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden who represents the interest of the general public being awarded costs payable by SLAJ’s Philip Neville in the sum of Le500,000 (Half a million Leones) by the High Courts.
This was after the High Court presided over by Honourable Justice Mrs. Showers threw out the baseless application filed by the two Jenkins Johnston lawyers on behalf of their client Philip Neville. The application had asked the courts to move the ongoing matter from Court No. 9 presided over by two JPs to a regular Magistrate Court.
Meanwhile, the Jenkins Johnstons on behalf of Neville have filed what they term as a counter libel lawsuit against the Publisher and Editor of the Awareness Times Newspaper.
Reports being bandied around about the Publisher of this newspaper going into hiding as a result of such suit are to be dismissed as "utter rubbish".
Read the exciting full details of everything in our tomorrow (February 20th) edition.
Subject: Full Text of Knuckles Apology Over Sex Scandal
From: Willis D. Knuckles
To: All
Date Posted: 19:41:58 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Full Text of Knuckles Apology Over Sex Scandal
February 19, 2007 - Willis Knuckles, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Liberia
Mr. Willis D. Knuckles, Liberia’s Presidential Affairs Minister at the center of a widely circulated nude photograph over the weekend has apologized for the immoral acts.
In a statement issued in Monrovia on Monday, 19th February, Mr. Knuckles said a female legislator along with Mrs. Mardea White Snowe and her husband, former Liberian Speaker, Edwin Snowe masterminded the circulation of this explicit sex photographs, in which the minister was seen having sex with a lady who was simultaneously performing oral sex with a another lady. Mr. Knuckles said the photograph was a black mail from the disgraced former Speaker, who recently resigned due to pressure from his colleagues over a likely prosecution for an alleged corrupt act when Mr. Snowe served as managing director of Liberia’s oil company, LPRC. See full statement below:
A compromising photograph has been in circulation reaching serious proportions since the resignation of former Speaker Edwin Snowe, with distribution on the internet, among journalists and even on street corners.
The purpose of this statement, therefore, is to give a clear perspective to the press and to the public as to how this situation has evolved.
First, I must express regrets to my wife of 37 years, my children, my mother, and all my other relatives, my boss, the President, my pastor and my church, my co-workers in government and all my friends, associates and others in the general public to whom this episode has come as a pointless embarrassment.
The perpetrators of this act along with a certain female legislator, have distributed copies of this photograph with the intent of embarrassing me socially and inflicting political damage to the government given my current political position.
The photograph currently circulating was first brought to my attention two weeks ago by Mrs. Mardea White Snowe, who happens to be a cousin and her husband, Edwin Snowe. This happened through a mutual family intermediary. Exactly from where or how it was obtained was not explained and I am still at a loss to understand. Mrs. Snowe indicated that she had control over this photograph.
They unsuccessfully attempted to blackmail me by offering me the photograph and if I would according to them, stop opposing Mr. Snowe and help find a way to resolve Snowe’s political difficulties.
I rejected their overtures and suddenly, since his resignation as Speaker, copies have appeared everywhere.
The public might want to know that in the 2005 elections, I vigorously opposed Mr. Snowe’s candidacy in the Montserrado County District elections. I informed Mrs. Snowe that I felt it my duty to oppose his election to the House of Representatives.
Since that day, all Mr. Snowe troubles have been blamed on me.
That people are prepared to go to such an extreme as what the perpetrators have done in an attempt to destroy another person’s character is regrettable.
The accusation of two years ago of four people attempting to kill Mr. Snowe is still fresh in our memory. An NSA report later showed manufactured emails, arranged foreign trips to Ghana, etc. all part of a fraudulent make-up for which an apology was offered.
Now for whatever political or other ends the perpetrator wishes to achieve, my private life is being drawn into the short and inglorious end of someone else’s public life.
I sincerely hope that in dealing with the current difficulty that this situation has created, it should be noted I have forty years of service in the public and private sectors-one widely regarded as dedicated and efficient.
In closing, I must thank all those who have offered me moral and other support in dealing with the crisis-Her Excellency the President, and other government officials, my family, my church friends at home and abroad of all persuasions, and Liberians in general.
Willis D. Knuckles
Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Republic of Liberia
Subject: Freetown: US Embassy Resumes Visa Service
From: AMBASSADOR
To: All
Date Posted: 18:29:26 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Freetown: US Embassy Resumes Visa Service
By Gibril Koroma - Monday 19 February 2007.
The American embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, has started issuing non-immigrant visas to Sierra Leone residents wishing to travel to the United States.
Non-immigrant visas are granted to people on business trips,or for visits by tourists, students, family members, diplomats and government officials.
Immigrant visas, according to information from the embassy, will continue to be issued in Dakar, Senegal, until the embassy could get a second visa officer by the summer of 2008. Immigrant visas are granted to people who want to live for a longer period of time in the United States.
According to the embassy’s web site, a non-immigrant visa facilitates a temporary stay in the United States for issues like study, temporary work, participation in a conference or exchange program,or for holidays. A non-immigrant visa is thus not appropriate for people who wish to immigrate to the Unted States.
The length of time a non-immigrant visa holder is permitted to stay in the Unted States is at the discretion of the immigration officer who processes the visitor at his or her port of entry.
Visitors who wish to extend their stay must formally submit such requests to the Department of Homeland Security before their permitted stay in the United States expired.Non-immigrant visas for Sierra Leone residents were until now issued at the American embassy in Conakry, Guinea. The embassy in Sierra Leone had stopped issuing visas for about ten years due mainly to the civil war in that country.
Photo: Thomas Hull, US ambassador to Sierra Leone
Subject: Re: Freetown: US Embassy Resumes Visa Service
From: Sylvester Johnny
To: All
Date Posted: 22:11:39 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-76-20-101-62.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 76.20.101.62
Message:
Please let us know the source of this information. I could not see the posting at the US Embassy site in Sierra Leone. Please post the liknk if you can.
Thanks,
Syl
Subject: Re: Freetown: US Embassy Resumes Visa Service
From: news
To: All
Date Posted: 22:41:54 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
The source is the Patriotic Vanguard. you can take that info to the bank.
Subject: Re: Freetown: US Embassy Resumes Visa Service
From: Mohamed A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 07:03:35 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
This report has indeed been authenticated. The following recent exchange on the subject is presented here, courtesy of SALONEDiscussion@yahoogroups.com, in the continuing effort to keep fellow S/Leoneans apprised of develeopments affecting our country. The names of my correspondents have been redacted for privacy reasons].
--- In SALONEDiscussion@yahoogroups.com, MohmJ@ ... wrote on Feb 20, 2007:
[Name Redacted]:
I would like to join [Name Redacted] in extending our thanks to you for sharing this extremely welcome news for the thousands of S/Leoneans who have been forced into untold hardships in various neighboring countries
during the past ten years or so due to the termination of the visa issuing activities at the U.S. embassy in SL.
Your role in securing the resumption of service to U.S.-visa-seeking S/Leoneans inside their own country also represents yet another feather to the patriotic cap of the Friends of SL organization of which you are
a longtime member. As was the case for FoSL's unprecedented success in
persuading the U.S. congress in the late 1990s to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to tens of thousands of S/Leoneans during the bestial criminal assault by RUF bandits on innocent S/Leoneans that has
been misnamed a civil war, there are many S/Leoneans who will benefit from your latest success without learning who to thank for the alleviation of their hardships. Nonetheless, that should not lessen the
satisfaction of you and your hardworking colleagues from a patriotic job well done.
Finally, while extending our appreciation to the American government via its State Dept. for finally putting an end to our people's nearly decade-long hardships in various West African countries merely to seek a visa to the U.S., I would recommend that the FoSL seek a reconsideration of the embassy's decision to limit the renewed visa issuance activities only to non-immigrant visas.
It appears from your report yesterday that the U.S. government's reason for constricting its previous visa services is personnel related -- the presence of only one consular officer for issuing visas. I am not sure
whether that was also the case when the embassy used to issue both immigrant and non-immigrant visas. If so, there is a legitimate question that FoSL could reasonably pose to the State Dept., namely: What exactly has changed between the prior period when the embassy was able to handle both types of visas with one consular officer issuing them, and now when
the claim is being made that it is no longer possible to do so?
Should the embassy assert that numbers (of visa applications and consular officers) vitiate against resuming a full service visa issuance operation, I would humbly suggest that FoSL recommend that the embassy consider issuing both immigrant and immigrant visas, instead of just non-immigrant visas as it now proposes, even if it means scaling back the issuance of non-immigrant visas in order to accommodate non-immigrant visa applicants.
Sincerely,
Moh'm
--- In SALONEDiscussion@yahoogroups.com, [Name Redacted]@...> wrote:
>
> > After 10 years of Sierra Leoneans longing for the U.S. Embassy to re-start the issuing of U.S. visas in Sierra Leone, it is good to report that the process is in operation. The following message was communicated to Friends of Sierra Leone (FoSL) today (February 19) following an advocacy meeting early Friday, February 16, 2007:
> >
> >
> > >Sent: Feb 19, 2007 5:01 AM
> > >
> > >The visas being issued are non-immigrant visas: business trips, tourists, students, family visits, diplomats and government officials, basically.
Immigrant visas will continue to be issued in Dakar
until we get a second visa officer, likely the summer of 2008 at the earliest.
We will be doing a press conference on Tuesday on visa services and will e-mail you for the Friends of Sierra Leone the materials that we hand out.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > [Name Redacted]
> >
> >
>
__._,_.___
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Subject: Sylvia Blyden goes into hiding as Neville hits back
From: Do me ah Do you
To: All
Date Posted: 18:22:34 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Well, Sylvia Blyden is being paid back in her own coin. This is the latest from Sierra Leone today.
STANDARD TIMES
The publisher and proprietress of The Awareness Times Newspaper Sylvia Blyden is reported to be in hiding after a warrant for her arrest was issued Monday 19th February in Freetown following a five-count charge of defamatory libel against Philip Neville, Managing Editor of Standard Times Press with reference to Section 26 of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965.
Reports say Sylvia Blyden immediately went into hiding when she learnt that Sayoh Kamara,the editor of Awareness Times has been arrested.
Dressed shabilly and looking dejected Sayoh Kamara was arrested around 6:00am, Monday 19th February at his Kissy Town resident in the east of Freetown where he was whisked to the Central Police Station and charged to court for criminally libelling Philip Neville.
Appearing before Magistrate Binneh at the Freetown Court Number five the Awareness Times editor who was represented by lawyer M.S Turay was granted a bail of five million leones.As at press time the whereabout of Sylvia Blyden is still unknown and reports say court police and bailiffs are still on the lookout for her.Meanwhile legal counsel for Standard Times Press Leon Jenkins Johnston is reported to be preparing his files for any legal showdown.
Subject: Re: Sylvia Blyden goes into hiding as Neville hits back
From: SYLBANA NEVILLE
To: All
Date Posted: 20:21:34 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Sierra Leone High Court Orders Philip Neville to pay Sylvia Blyden
By Awareness Times
Feb 19, 2007, 23:10 Email this article
The ongoing talk-of-the-town Legal Battle which has now been dubbed as Public Interest versus SLAJ Interest, today Monday February 19th 2007 saw the first victory being scored with Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden who represents the interest of the general public being awarded costs payable by SLAJ’s Philip Neville in the sum of Le500,000 (Half a million Leones) by the High Courts.
This was after the High Court presided over by Honourable Justice Mrs. Showers threw out the baseless application filed by the two Jenkins Johnston lawyers on behalf of their client Philip Neville. The application had asked the courts to move the ongoing matter from Court No. 9 presided over by two JPs to a regular Magistrate Court.
Meanwhile, the Jenkins Johnstons on behalf of Neville have filed what they term as a counter libel lawsuit against the Publisher and Editor of the Awareness Times Newspaper.
Reports being bandied around about the Publisher of this newspaper going into hiding as a result of such suit are to be dismissed as "utter rubbish".
Read the exciting full details of everything in our tomorrow (February 20th) edition.
Subject: Re: Sylvia Blyden goes into hiding as Neville hits back
From: Salakoh Maxwell
To: All
Date Posted: 20:07:30 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-91-33-141.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 68.91.33.141
Message:
I'm willing to put my money where Neville's mouth is and hereby pledge $100 towards attorney fees. It may seem like a drop in the ocean but there're others here also willing to lend support to this just cause.
It's time to rope the gongorliwor. Way to go, Neville! Keep us abreast at the forum. Little drops of rain make an ocean.
Bring it on, Papay's Tani Bolla!
Subject: Re: Sylvia Blyden goes into hiding as Neville hits back
From: Njala
To: All
Date Posted: 09:09:27 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Gbain.. watin dae happen bra
Subject: Re: Sylvia Blyden goes into hiding as Neville hits back
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 06:30:32 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.81
Message:
SALOKOH....
So what is your point? You are fighting to defend people who tell gratuitous lies about others in Sa Lone so that they will continue to so and get away with it...Does that make sense to you? Is that the type of Country you wish to live in? Nothing political in this it is common sense and legal matters, we are dealing with serious libels here which the Courts are properly dealing with.
'WE' were going to set up a fighting fund for the person in this battle who is fighting for the protection of the interest of the ordinary JOE Public not to be DEFAMED by means of LIBEL and get away with it. I think that makes more sense.
If need be 'WE' the protectors of public justice in Sa Lone against Rogue Journalist will act...we are watching....
I dont want to hear anything about SLPP on this...nothing to do with politics, this is about the freedom and democracy in our Country, and to me that goes above and beyond political party colours.If you are able to deal with and contribute to the debate about the Criminal Libel Laws in Sa Lone then please do so...but I dont want to read anything from crackpots on this issue.It is no Joke either.
Subject: Re: Sylvia Blyden goes into hiding as Neville hits back
From: Salakoh Maxwell
To: All
Date Posted: 12:24:34 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-91-33-141.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 68.91.33.141
Message:
You ignoramus, this is a free platform where everyone including people of your calibre are free to express opinions. You do not decide what is posted here, do you understand?
Show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are goes the addage. You ought to know better than coming out here to expose your ignorance. By the way, which of the WEs do you represent?
WE, the epithomy of rogue journalists - NINJAS created by your Worwor Blyden ugly ass heroine or the palm-licking WE who were secretly sneaking to Liberia to lick Foday Sankoh's ass?
What's defamatory about writing about an already defamed individual and what's all the ado about libel when she started the broohaha by writing the crap she did about Neville.
In case your memory may have been bleached by the vodka you're rumoured to be on, be reminded that this self appointed journalist is the same viper who has been knitting together fabrications against reputable members od society.
She did it to ambassadors Leigh and Hull who probably overlooked her childishness and did nothing about it.
Now that she has met her match and Neville his setting a good example, you guys are crying foul.
People who live in glass houses don't throw stones.
Brevior saltare cum deformibus mulieribus est vita - Life is too short to dance with ugly women
Subject: Re: Sylvia Blyden goes into hiding as Neville hits back
From: Oh , yes
To: All
Date Posted: 09:14:29 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
If you know what you are talking about--Freedom and democracy--you don't think this person is on the right course ? Sylvia Blyden is a pathological liar .She is not fighting for the public but to protect herself from exposure . You want the criminal libel law retained to cover up dangerous rebels like Sylvia ? Cadmus, I am surprised at you.
Subject: Knuckles Admits Sex Act, Blames Snowe, Snowe’s Wife; Says He
From: FPA Staff Report
To: All
Date Posted: 15:23:05 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Knuckles Admits Sex Act, Blames Snowe, Snowe’s Wife; Says He Won't Resign
02/19/07 - FPA Staff Report
Monrovia - The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s government today apologized to his family and friends, but fell short of stepping down amid a sex scandal involving photographs of him engaging in sex acts with two Liberian women.
Knuckles admission laid to rest any doubts that he was not the person in the photograph but the embattled minister blamed former Speaker Edwin Snowe and his wife Mardea White Snowe for dragging his “private life” into the Snowe’s public life.
Addressing a news conference in Monrovia today, Knuckles said, “Now for whatever political or other ends the perpetrator whishes to achieve, my private life is being drawn into the short and inglorious end of someone else’s public life,” said Knuckles Monday.
Knuckles aid he was sorry for the embarrassment brought upon his family, friends and the administration since the photos were made public last weekend.
The minister lamented the fact that people would go to extreme measures to dig dirt on his past just to embarrass him, suggesting that an unnamed female legislator was responsible for the distribution of the photos.
Prior to his press statement, Knuckles made it clear he was not resigning. He instructed a radio journalist to remove a speculatory from the air stating he was about to resign as widely believed. Knuckles said Snowe and his family had unsuccessfully attempted to black mail him by offering him the immoral photograph in exchange of his intervention to save Snowe from his political misfortune. Knuckles: “ I rejected their overtures and suddenly, since his resignation as Speaker, copies have appeared everywhere.”
President Sirleaf who returned from Liberian Donor conference Sunday is yet to comment on the controversy, but Knuckles suggested that his admission and decision to address the issue today was endorsed by the president.
More details will follow here shortly
Subject: Snowe’s Vengeance: Is Greaves Next? Missing Laptop Sparks Fe
From: FrontPageAfrica
To: All
Date Posted: 12:57:29 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Snowe’s Vengeance: Is Greaves Next? Missing Laptop Sparks Fear; Knuckles Speaks Today
02/19/07 - Rodney D. Sieh, rsieh@FrontPageAfrica.com
First Willis Knuckles, now Harry Greaves. Who will be next? That’s the question many Liberians are wondering following last week’s ultimatum by disrobed speaker Edwin Snowe that a senior official in the Sirleaf administration should reveal themselves or else…
Embattled Minister of State, Willis Knuckles
FrontPageAfrica has learned that the head of the Liberian Petroleum Refinery Corporation, Harry Greaves had to cut short his visit to the U.S. on Saturday after learning that his laptop, allegedly containing damaging information on state financial matters, has gone missing.
When contacted Monday, Greaves told FrontPageAfrica that he had no comment on the matter, however the laptop is said to be in the hands of Snowe., who was succeeded by Greaves at LPRC.
Greaves, who was part of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's delegation to the donor conference last week, was schedule to give the remarks on behalf of the Greaves family at the funeral of Jo Etta Greaves, his uncle’s wife, who is also, Emmanuel Shaw’s ex-wife’s mother, but failed to show up. Family sources say Greaves had to return home for an emergency situation.
It is still not clear how the computer landed in the hands of Snowe or if it actually is in Snowe’s hands.
In his resignation letter sent to his peers last week, Snowe hinted that a senior minister in the administration was behind the quest to remove him from power.
Snowe did not name the minister but sources close to the speaker confirm to FPA that Knuckles is the minister being accused and who Snowe believes was behind the bribery of the lawmakers who spearheaded Snowe’s downfall. The former speaker has given the official one week to reveal his identity and confess. “If he does not make public everything he knows about this alleged bribery at the House of Representatives, I will expose him. “It’s a clear warning to that person. Come out in one week, tell the Liberian people what you know about this bribery issue and resign as Minister or else…,” Snowe said.
Planning Minister Toga Mcintosh
Snowe, also announced last week that Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Mr. Willis Knuckles, Executive Assistant to the President Mrs. Medina Wesseh, and Minister of Planning for Economic Affairs, Toga Mcintosh to explain their roles in the alleged bribery of Legislators to dump him or he would unleash the facts. Snowe is alleging that he has in his possession documents to prove that the officials were involved in the bribery allegations against him.
Snowe, targeted to be charged for alleged corruption to the tune of over US1m at LPRC, also challenged Mr. Greaves to institute legal action against him.
“I am begging Mr. Greaves to take me to court”, said the former speaker and former LPRC managing director. Snowe, who is subject to an investigation and prosecution over allegations of corruption during his reign at LPRC is said to be bolstered by some information now available to him on LPRC and some key political players in Liberia. The missing laptop is said to contain damaging information of financial wheeling and dealing at LPRC, along with some other far more explosive documents.
Meanwhile, an Executive Mansion source told FPA a short while ago that Knuckles, who himself is at the center of damaging photos circulating showing him have engaging in sex acts with two young girls, will address the controversy today, but officials are still mum on what the embattled minister will say. Knuckles has not spoken publicly on the controversy, neither has he confirmed or denied the authencity of the photographs, but some family members have verified that the Knuckles is the person in the photograph and the photos were taken in the bedroom at the minister's former residence in Congotown, most likely when he was Minister of Public Works. Asked whether the minister would be announcing his resignation, the source said, a decision was reached that the embattled minister should address the matter himself.
Subject: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: NEWS
To: All
Date Posted: 04:45:04 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
- Monday 19 February 2007.
"In failing to uncover the primary cause of SL’s vicious civil war, the TRC made it more — rather than less — likely that future governments of SL would unwittingly stumble into actions that would replicate those that actually led to the last civil war in SL. Accordingly, probably unbeknown to the government of SL, the current violent civil unrest in neighboring Guinea poses precisely such danger."
By Mohamed A. Jalloh, Maryland, USA.
The recent declaration of martial law in neighboring Guinea amidst the escalating murderous confrontation between the Guinean government and a large number of ordinary Guineans constitutes the latest potential tinderbox in the Mano Union countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Ominously, it poses a hidden, mortal danger to millions of Sierra Leoneans that should be all too familiar to those who remember how SL’s own "civil war" started in 1991.
Ironically, the lurking lethal danger to Sierra Leoneans from Guinea’s escalating crisis has been unwittingly masked by the action of an unlikely culprit — SL’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC had been actually set up by the government at the end of SL’s decade-long civil war in order to uncover the lessons from the war. The hope thereby was to help prevent another civil war. However, the TRC missed an opportunity to accurately identify the root cause of the so-called civil war in SL — by concluding in its final report that the war resulted from Sierra Leoneans’ increasing conviction that "the structures of governance could only be changed through violence."
In failing to uncover the primary cause of SL’s vicious civil war, the TRC made it more — rather than less — likely that future governments of SL would unwittingly stumble into actions that would replicate those that actually led to the last civil war in SL. Accordingly, probably unbeknown to the government of SL, the current violent civil unrest in neighboring Guinea poses precisely such danger.
In order to assess that danger, in particular, and that posed to SL, in general, as a result of uninformed action by the SL government in the wake of civil conflict in a neighboring country, it is necessary to examine how such action by the APC government of President Joseph Momoh unwittingly facilitated the Revolutionary United Front’s invasion of SL from neighboring Liberia in 1991. It was that invasion that started SL’s own civil war in 1991.
Back then, it was Sierra Leone’s neighbor to the south, Liberia, which was embroiled in its own escalating, vicious civil confrontation involving several armed Liberian groups opposed to the government of Liberian President Samuel Doe. Among those groups was one led by an escaped fugitive from an American jail. His name was Charles Taylor, a Liberian who had been detained by authorities in the state of Massachusetts on allegations of embezzlement made by the Liberian government in which he had been a procurement official.
The fugitive, Taylor, eventually surfaced in Liberia in 1989 to launch a vengeful invasion of his own country from neighboring Ivory Coast. His stated goal was to overthrow the government of President Doe. The latter had facilitated Taylor’s involuntary residence in an American jail by requesting Taylor’s extradition from the U.S. to Liberia to face charges for alleged embezzlement of nearly a million dollars of Liberian government money. Taylor’s invasion of Liberia in 1989 from a conspiring neighboring Ivory Coast started a civil war in Liberia that would last for fourteen years, despite Taylor’s election as president of Liberia in 1997.
It was the same, similarly vengeful Taylor who, in the early days of the Liberian civil war, provided crucial territorial, logistics and other support to his fellow Libyan terrorist training camp alumnus, Foday Sankoh, that enabled the latter’s RUF armed thugs to invade SL in 1991. As was the case with Taylor’s invasion of his own country two years earlier, Sankoh’s stated goal was to overthrow his own country’s government, then headed by Sankoh’s own nemesis, President Joseph Momoh of the APC. Significantly, both Sankoh and Taylor were implacably united in an identical goal — revenging themselves on the APC government of President Momoh.
Therefore, the primary motivation for the RUF invasion in 1991 — and the resulting "civil war" that lasted until 2002 — was the concerted quest of its key leaders, Taylor and Sankoh, for revenge against SL’s President Momoh. Their quest benefited from the similar quest for revenge by their common benefactor, Libya’s leader, Muamar Ghadaffi.
For Sankoh, it was revenge for the APC government’s imprisonment of himself during the 1970s for his alleged role in a coup d’etat against Momoh’s predecessor, President Siaka Stevens of the APC. In the case of Taylor, he was bent on revenging himself on Momoh’s APC government for providing a base for the West African peacekeeping force, ECOMOG, that had thwarted his initial bid to violently take over Liberia’s capital in 1990, and thereby overthrow the government of his nemesis, President Doe. For his part, the Libyan leader, Ghadaffi, sought revenge against his former protege, then Liberian President Samuel Doe. He had been betrayed by Doe at the insistence of America, despite the fact that Libya was initially the first — and for some time, the sole — country to recognize then-Sgt. Doe’s regime following his overthrow and execution of Liberian President William Tolbert.
The result of Taylor’s and Sankoh’s concerted quest for revenge against the APC government, with the varied support of assorted foreign governments (Libya, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso), was SL’s ten year long civil war that unleashed unprecedented barbarity against millions of innocent Sierra Leoneans at the hands of mostly Sankoh’s RUF bandits.
Significantly, the opportunity to easily seize and exploit SL’s diamond fields for their personal aggrandizement, including the financing of the RUF’s atrocities and those of Taylor’s own rebel gang, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), was a bonus for both marauders after the launch of their invasion of SL. However, it was not likely to have been the overriding factor in their vengeance-driven attack against the APC government of their common enemy, President Momoh. Sierra Leoneans have only recently emerged from that most bestial period in our country’s history, which ended in 2002.
If, sadly, the current spiraling violence in Guinea does end up in a civil war, as some commentators predict, then it would be eminently accurate to place the cause of any such civil war as rooted in the Guinean people’s increasing conviction that "the structures of governance could only be changed through violence." This is because the preeminent demand of the trade unions leading the nationwide protests that sparked the current violent crisis in Guinea has been the replacement of President Lansana Conte as head of state of Guinea.
A careful comparison of the Guinean situation with that in SL just prior to the start of the "civil war" in 1991 shows a stark contrast between the two in one key aspect. Unlike any civil war that may unfortunately result from Guinea’s current unrest, the "civil war" in SL that started with the invasion of SL’s eastern province by so-called RUF rebels was not initiated by a frustrated, explicit national demand by the people of SL for the replacement of then President Joseph Momoh.
On the contrary, the RUF incursion into SL in 1991 was solely the result of purely selfish designs by Foday Sankoh and a relatively few others, as noted above. Their bloody invasion of their own homeland and campaign of terror against their own people were sponsored by a veritable cabal of international pariahs. (For details about the identities of the members of the cabal, please see my 2005 article, "The Truth that the TRC Failed to Uncover in Sierra Leone." http://news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_2005782.shtml
As noted earlier, a key member of the foreign sponsors of the more than ten-year long atrocities in SL was the then Liberian fugitive from U.S. justice (and current indicted war criminal), Charles Taylor. It bears reiterating that neither Sankoh nor the foreigner, Taylor, was acting on behalf of the people of SL when they initiated their decade-long criminal assault on innocent Sierra Leoneans in 1991. Therefore, it is patently false to state, as the SL Truth and Reconciliation Commission surprisingly stated in its final report, that the decade-long atrocities that resulted from the foreign-sponsored RUF criminal assault on the people of SL was the result of their increasing conviction that "the structures of governance could only be changed through violence."
In 2005, that key misjudgment by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was identified as a fatal flaw in its otherwise excellent findings contained in its final report. Cf. "The Truth that the TRC Failed to Uncover in Sierra Leone." http://news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_2005782.shtml
As the current explosive situation in neighboring Guinea shows, that published disagreement with the crucial conclusion of the TRC is not merely academic. Particularly significant are reports that the SLPP government of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah is providing material support, using SL’s resources, to the embattled government of Guinean President Lansana Conteh in its murderous repression of popular protests against his continued tenure. If those reports are true, then President Kabbah would have replicated a situation similar to that which had been created by his predecessor, President Momoh, less than one year before the "civil war" in SL started in 1991. For, it was in 1990 that President Momoh provided SL’s Lungi airport as a staging ground for the West African force named ECOMOG. It used it in its successful push back against Taylor’s own push to violently overthrow then President Samuel Doe.
Clearly, Liberia’s demonstrably vengeful Charles Taylor’s revenge against SL’s President Momoh was entirely predictable. Slightly less predictable (on account of a lack of a prior history) was the unprecedented barbaric RUF invasion which Taylor used as the means of exacting his revenge against Momoh. Taylor’s revenge did not merely bring the RUF marauding into SL in 1991. It also brought, through the widespread atrocities indiscriminately committed by the RUF for more than a decade, untold grief to millions of Sierra Leoneans in the form of murder, mutilation, torture, rape, arson, and mass displacement.
It is a lesson that President Momoh’s successor in the current SL government, President Tejan Kabbah of the SLPP, ignores at the grave peril of the recently traumatized people of SL, who have already paid an untenably high price for another, earlier mistake by another SL president.
© 2007 Mohamed A. Jalloh
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL
To: All
Date Posted: 07:11:53 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
"Lurking" and "looming" are almost performing the same grammatical role in this heading. Dangers lurk when they are impending in a way that could be unseen or otherwise, depending on the observer's analytical ability. Looming dangers are often seen. Most important of all, they can be out of sight or in plain view, all depending on who is looking at them. " A lurking, looming and ............" is unnecessarily wordy. Mr. Big Mouth, tighten your writing style by suitably applying words. I teach editorial classes, and they are open to half-baked writers and students of journalism alike.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 15:27:23 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-68-55-13-94.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 68.55.13.94
Message:
Methodist Secondary School,
I support you wholeheartedly. The problem with Moh'm Jalloh is that he thinks he has all the solutions to SL's problem. This reminds me of an old adage about someone "Knowing the price of everything and the value of nohing."
Once again BRAVO Methodist Secondary School for deflating his oversized ego.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: REBEL
To: All
Date Posted: 15:47:56 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
"The problem with Moh'm Jalloh is that he thinks he has all the solutions to SL's problem."
William Bangura, I am not attacking you when I say, that among your many problems (not counting hiding behind false names such as Farrah Marrah) to tell lies about others is this:
You never fail to make up stories about those like Jalloh who tell the truth about those who wreaked havoc on Salone and innocent Salone people during the rebel war.
I see Mr. Jalloh as someone who helps people like you think straight. The fact that you would imagine that he has an "over-inflated ego," means you have not learnt to think straight. Or, to get rid of your rebel sympathies.
Hiding behind a temporary job at the IMF in Washington DC may appear to be a safe place from which to tell lies about other people. But that turn oot to be a grave miscalculation.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 09:57:15 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
REBEL,
I am unaware of any William Bangura who works at the IMF.
"You never fail to make up stories about those like Jalloh who tell the truth about those who wreaked havoc on Salone and innocent Salone people during the rebel war."
What stories have I made up about Moh'm Jalloh?
What 'truth' does he know "about those who wreaked havoc on Salone and innocent Salone people during the rebel war"?. He is entitled to his opinions but not the facts. As I have reiterated to Alieu Iscandri in a previous posting Charles Taylor's testimony at the Hague will shed light into the civil war.
"I see Mr. Jalloh as someone who helps people like you think straight. The fact that you would imagine that he has an "over-inflated ego," means you have not learnt to think straight. Or, to get rid of your rebel sympathies."
One does not pat himself on the back, but Mohm can NEVER "help (me to) think straight.
One Man's rebel is another Man's FREEDOM FIGHTER.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: YOU NOR KNOW YUSEF?
To: All
Date Posted: 10:05:25 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
"I am unaware of any William Bangura who works at the IMF." - FARRAH MARRAH aka WILLIAM BANGURA
WILLIAM BANGURA, even if you do not know your own name, the IMF personnel records for temporary employees will know you as the rebel sympoathiser, Rahhar Marrah, who raves and rants here against rebel busters.
"One does not pat himself on the back, but Mohm can NEVER "help (me to) think straight."
Which only proves that you are beyond redemption even with instruction the best teacher of logic.
'
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 10:38:08 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
YOU NOR KNOW YUSEF & REBEL,
In a "democracy" as being 'practiced' in Sierra Leone doesn't someone have the RIGHT to support who he/she chooses?
You will never subjugate me.
RUF O YEAH!
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: WILLIAM BANGURA aka FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 10:51:01 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
As a rebel suporter, you, William Bangura, kak Farrah Marrah, you have a right to support muderers, baby mutilators, adult limb cutters, rapists arsonists, thieves, and canibals also known as RUF rebels.
We, the people of Salone, have the right to prosecute you and your criminal cohorts for murdering, mutilating innocent babies, cutting the limbs of inocent adults, raping innocent girls and women , setting fire to innocent property, stealing, and drinking innocent human blood and eating inocent chil;dren, women and men in Salone.
That is what democracy is all about, rebel supporter William Bangura. That is not "subjugation." It is no more or less than dealing with you and your criminal cohorts according to the law of Salone.
Of course, no expects you to know the difference -- after all, you have admitted openly that you are a rebel supporter (and therefore a criminal).
It would be interesting to find out if your employers at your temp job at the IMF in Washington DC know that they have a supporter of an international terrorist organisation under U.S. law in their temporary employment right in the center of the vulnerable capital city of the USA.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: FBI
To: All
Date Posted: 11:03:56 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
"It would be interesting to find out if your employers at your temp job at the IMF in Washington DC know that they have a supporter of an international terrorist organisation under U.S. law in their temporary employment right in the center of the vulnerable capital city of the USA."
AND WITHIN walking distance of the White House, home and office of the president of America, the most important man in the free word!
the CIA, FBI, NSA, Homeland Security, Justice Department, State Department should be al3rted to this terrorist.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 11:21:41 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
FUNNY! FUNNY! FUNNY!
Did the State Department declare RUF as a terrorist organization?
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: WILLIAM BANGURA aka FARAH MARAH
To: All
Date Posted: 11:30:31 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Not so funny to the Salone tens of thousand of inocent children, women and men in Salone who were victims of the horrendous terrorism of the RUF.
By the time you find out that RUF is a declared terrorist organization, it would be too late for you to run, William Bangura.
Ignorance, as the saying goes, .....
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: TRUE SAY TALK ME
To: All
Date Posted: 15:57:10 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: jeeves.gsu.edu at 131.96.2.208
Message:
Who has wreaked more problems on Sierra Leone than people like Mohamed Jalloh, the man who contributed to wrecking SLPMB? The man is a thief and he knows it. That lousy, lousy, and "LAU LAU" he makes on the internet is different from his true self. He is one of those who wrecked Sierra Leone through theft. He is here on government funds, most of which were fraudulently used to get him here.
As regards his funny claim to being an intellectual, Methodist Secondary School couldnt have said it any better. Look at all the words he throws out trying to communicate. The more he writes,the more he proves Methodist Secondary School right. This lying thief is a disgrace and some one needs to put him in his place. Methodist Secondary School did!
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Joke
To: All
Date Posted: 16:07:44 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Making claims like yours about Moh'm Jalloh only makes we who know the man laugh at you.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: TINK YOU DO ME
To: All
Date Posted: 03:58:56 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-157-205-115.range81-157.btcentralplus.com at 81.157.205.115
Message:
You will all laugh because you are all SYCHOPANTS
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: SO TRUE
To: All
Date Posted: 16:03:50 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
"You never fail to make up stories about those like Jalloh who tell the truth about those who wreaked havoc on Salone and innocent Salone people during the rebel war." -- REBEL to FARRAH MARRAH
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: LABO LABO
To: All
Date Posted: 15:59:20 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Let us see your evidence. Otherwise, spare us your labo labo.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Mohamed A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 08:38:33 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL writes on February 19, 2007:
"Lurking" and "looming" are almost performing the same grammatical role in this heading. Dangers lurk when they are impending in a way that could be unseen or otherwise, depending on the observer's analytical ability. Looming dangers are often seen. Most important of all, they can be out of sight or in plain view, all depending on who is looking at them. " A lurking, looming and ............" is unnecessarily wordy."
My friend, sadly, your problem is one of a failure of comprehension. Accordingly, a lesson in English vocabulary may help you overcome your difficulty:
Lurking means "to exist unobserved or unsuspected"
Looming means "about to happen."
Therefore, it is impossible for those two very different words to be "almost performing the same grammatical role in this heading," as you claimed in transparent error.
So, your statement that "[d]angers lurk when they are impending in a way that could be unseen or otherwise, ..." makes no sense, at all. It also proves, sadly, that you do not understand the headline, "A Looming, Lurking and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone."
In a gracious effort to help you hopefully understand the simple errors of understanding that you committed, kindly allow me to walk you through them:
1. Dangers do not "lurk when they are impending." Contrary to your opinion, dangers lurk only when they exist unobserved or unsuspected.
2. If a danger is looming, it does not mean that it is "unseen or otherwise...". Whether something is looming has nothing to do with whether it is "unseen" (or lurking) or not. It only means that it is about to happen (looming).
3. Therefore, as you should now be able to learn, lurking and looming are two words that have very different meanings. Please do not confuse them in future.
4. If a danger that exists unobserved is about to happen, that danger is properly described as lurking and looming. Where such a danger is also previously known, it would then be properly described as lurking, looming, and familiar.
I hope you now understand why the headline of my article therefore read: "A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone."
I will not respond to your remaining and indecorous statements because, as a rule, I do not dignify ad hominem blather with a response, even if it was authored by a person intellectually honest enough to identify himself/herself with his/her statements, which you were not.
Please do not hesitate to ask me to further simplify the above explanation if it would help you to understand it.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL
To: All
Date Posted: 09:31:33 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
This is Mohamed Jalloh in action. Unseasoned yet unable to know it, the man has few clues about his deficiencies. Arguing with you over your tautological use of words is not the purpose of this message. Any veritable writer will tell you that your wordy style belies the literary claims you make through multiple handles. Getting compliments from friends is not the best way to measure your pen-pushing ability. A man that cannot comprehend a simple, grammatical correction, has turned around to talk about grammatical rules. It is my duty as a Sierra Leonean to help you tighten your style. You have the right to remain half-baked and a grammatical "IGBERRI" without even knowing it. Have a nice day me man
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Where Did You Learn Your English?
To: All
Date Posted: 07:56:58 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: f298781.ga.unc.edu at 152.4.31.217
Message:
Jalloh's English is correctly written. Lurking and looming are two different words with different meanings. Indeed, ‘looming danger’ is imminent and inevitable. But there is danger lurking in the dark is not inevitable; it is self assuming here.
There may as well be no danger lurking in the dark. But we often attribute danger to darkness. But ‘looming danger’ is inevitable, for example, the looming death toll of the impending hurricane. The death toll may be minimal, but there is certainly going to be some deaths.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Mohamed A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 08:42:58 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
"Jalloh's English is correctly written. Lurking and looming are two different words with different meanings."
My erudite friend, thank you for reiterating the incontrovertible fact I pointed out to our vocabulary-challenged, self-styled "teacher of editorial classes" yesterday, apparently to no avail.
If, and when, our self-anointed expert learns to read and understand a good dictionary, he/she will learn, in addition to your cogent examples, the following:
1. Lurking refers to a preponderantly static person(s) or thing(s).
By stark contrast:
2. Looming refers to a preponderantly active person(s) or thing(s).
If, and when, our self-styled "teacher of editorial classes" understands the meaning of the words, static and active, he/she would finally understand that they are substantially opposite in meaning. It is from that understanding, hopefully, that our clueless wannabe expert in English would finally realize what is obvious to any minimally diligent student of English, namely:
That it is pure nonsense to state that the two very different words, "lurking" and "looming," could play a similar role in any headline or other English writing, as the self-styled "teacher of editorial writing" claimed in elementary error here yesterday.
Which evokes the relevant wisdom of the Bible, namely: "There is none so blind he who knows not that he is blind!"
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: TATU EN YAWAH
To: All
Date Posted: 10:21:42 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
"If, and when, our self-styled "teacher of editorial classes" understands the meaning of the words, static and active, he/she would finally understand that they are substantially opposite in meaning. It is from that understanding, hopefully, that our clueless wannabe expert in English would finally realize what is obvious to any minimally diligent student of English, namely:
That it is pure nonsense to state that the two very different words, "lurking" and "looming," could play a similar role in any headline or other English writing, as the self-styled "teacher of editorial writing" claimed in elementary error here yesterday." -- Mohamed Jalloh
WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT WILLIAM BANGURA OF THE IMF (WHO i UNDERSTAND MASQUERADES HERE UNDER THE HANDLE, "FARRAH MARRAH?"
Does that mean that Bangura was praising nonsense without knowing it, when he said yesterday that he supported the nonsense from Methodist Secondary School:
"Methodist Secondary School, I support you wholeheartedly."
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Mohamed A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 09:57:44 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL writes on February 19, 2007:
"Arguing with you over your tautological use of words is not the purpose of this message."
Could your purpose then be to needlessly provide us with cummulative proof of your seemingly chronic affinity for English incomprehnsion?
As regards your unwittingly autobiographical opinion, namely: "A man that cannot comprehend a simple, grammatical correction, has turned around to talk about grammatical rules," my only question to you is simple enough even for you to fathom:
Why tell me about yourself when I am already aware of your seemingly chronic problem with English comprehension? (Please see my last reply for requisite evidence thereof. It might help you learn the meaning of the word, evidence. Less likely though it might be, it might also help you acquire the sober habit of setting forth evidence instead of stumbling forth with your characteristically unsubstantiated opinions).
Finally, as regards your gratuitous, self-arrogated, boast, namely: "It is my duty as a Sierra Leonean to help you tighten your style," I am obliged to help you learn a relevant solution to your above-cited predicament: Charity begins at home.
For your necessary benefit, that means: Heal thyself, my comprehension-challenged friend.
That would relieve us of the unwanted but plainly necessary obligation to do for you what you could do for yourself -- learn the rudiments of the English language.
Finally, given your consecutively demonstrated problems with understanding anything you read, I am obliged to remind you that I do not dignify indecorous blather. Solely for your benefit, that means I would again not dignify your ad hominem blather with a response.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Yaya Fanusie
To: All
Date Posted: 02:08:36 02/20/07 ()
Email Address: futatoro@gmail.com
Entered From: adsl-75-26-10-223.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net at 75.26.10.223
Message:
Moh'm,
Why waste your time with these people who come up detours to prevent you from writing more relevant perspective on pressing concerns of Salone. Wordy or not, or correct use of words are not is not what will develop Salone. What will help develop the country is for you to continue raising and suggesting doable ideas.
The useless ones just want to time up your time when you respond to them.
Remember when you open a window, a few flies do come in but you know you haave to have fresh air. Ignore the flies and they eventually go outside and resume eating
shit.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Mohamed A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 06:48:52 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Yaya Fanusie wrote on February 20, 2007:
"Moh'm,
Why waste your time with these people who come up detours to prevent you from writing more relevant perspective on pressing concerns of Salone. Wordy or not, or correct use of words are not is not what will develop Salone. What will help develop the country is for you to continue raising and suggesting doable ideas.
The useless ones just want to time up your time when you respond to them.
Remember when you open a window, a few flies do come in but you know you haave to have fresh air."
Dr. Fanusi:
Your words of wisdom reflect the preponderant view in many E-mails that I have received privately regarding the transparent efforts of those "flies" whose deficiencies you accurately diagnosed in your posting yesterday quoted above.
Please be assured that people like those have never yet succeeded in diverting my attention from my commitment to advancing serious discussions of issues relevant to our country that are aimed at improving the lot of our needlessly longsuffering people. It is a goal that I know you also share. Your path breaking micro-loan program under the auspices of your CoA organization ais solid proof of your patriotic commitment to action for the benefit of our fellow S/Leoneans.
Please keep up your good work, as I will mine, as we and like-minded others properly ignore the predictable gadflies that one is guaranteed to find among any sizable group of people.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: MOSES LAW
To: All
Date Posted: 12:13:04 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ln1-08-8wb64c1.gsu.edu at 131.96.89.170
Message:
It is at last good to know that Jalloh is getting what he deserves. Some one is doing to him what he does to other people. This fellow has been very uncultured on this forum, as he does not know how to mix with people without telling them about his intellectual superiority. Now he is being given the same medicine he gives to other people. Brother Jalloh, there are always people out there with bigger talents, but they do not make noise like you. I like how you are tasting your own medicine. Look at how long your replies are, just to try to resist the person correcting you. I am enjoying this and I am going back into peeping.
Sounds like the man/woman correcting you has more intellectaul skills and experience than you.
BACK TO PEEPING.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Unbelievable
To: All
Date Posted: 15:16:39 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
are you reading the same thing we are reading?
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Komaneh
To: All
Date Posted: 17:05:46 02/19/07 ()
Email Address: komaneh@yahoo.com
Entered From: smith2250.apsc.vt.edu at 128.173.64.123
Message:
Yes, and Mr. Jalloh has no leg. If you look at what he is complaining about, as pasted below, is he not speaking about himself? How many times has he posted his articles here that preceded with "in my effort to educate"....
"Finally, as regards your gratuitous, self-arrogated, boast, namely: "It is my duty as a Sierra Leonean to help you tighten your style," I am obliged to help you learn a relevant solution to your above-cited predicament: Charity begins at home."
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Branlaw
To: All
Date Posted: 17:58:15 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
You are not making sense.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: WISHFUL THINKING
To: All
Date Posted: 15:01:53 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
"It is at last good to know that Jalloh is getting what he deserves. Some one is doing to him what he does to other people." -- MOSES LAW
That is simply not true. Wishful thinking, that's all it is.
What is see is Mr. Jalloh, as usual, meticulously dissecting the elementary mistakes of grammar of another rude individual (probably yourself), who lacks gratitude for the free lessons in English.The fact that you (probably) have now retreated into baleful wishful thinking is proof that you can no longer withstand Mr. Jalloh's flawless instruction in how to think properly -- and how to write properly.
Methinks you should be thankful for Mr. Jalloh's selfless service in attempting to correct the gaps in your education. That would be a better use of your time than engagin in comical wishful thinking, or hearing voices when no sound is abroad: "Sounds like the man/woman correcting you has more intellectaul skills and experience than you." LOL
You see, bra, one can not hear sounds from reading. If you had continued your lessons at the feet of the Master of English himself, you would have learnt that you hear sounds only from listening, not reading! LOL
As you can see (not "hear"), your education in Eglish is still a long way from making progress.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Teacher
To: All
Date Posted: 07:30:10 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
""Lurking" and "looming" are almost performing the same grammatical role in this heading."
As an indepoendent observer, my advice to you is to go find a good dictionary, Then try to learn the meaning of the words you use. After that, you may just learn the meaning of the word, "almost."
Then, you will realise how your comments make you appear almost totally ignorant.
I think you should stick to things you understand (such as abusing your betters and telling lies about your yourself). English comprehension is not one of them.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: MUST READ
To: All
Date Posted: 05:44:12 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
""In failing to uncover the primary cause of SL’s vicious civil war, the TRC made it more — rather than less — likely that future governments of SL would unwittingly stumble into actions that would replicate those that actually led to the last civil war in SL. Accordingly, probably unbeknown to the government of SL, the current violent civil unrest in neighboring Guinea poses precisely such danger."
This, to me, makes the analysis in this article a must-read for any one that wants to be president of Salone. Our people have suffered enough. They cannot afford another president like Momoh who made the mistake that led us into Sankoh's cut-han war.
Subject: Re: A Lurking, Looming and Familiar Danger for Sierra Leone
From: Question
To: All
Date Posted: 10:06:59 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
BRa, I agree with you. Mr. Jalloh has shown his usual mastery of both his subject matter and the english language.
One question I have for him is this. How could the TRC have missed the main cause of the war, with all its resources to get to the bottom of the whole mess?
Subject: SIERRA LEONE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
From: Dr. Michel Sho-Sawyer
To: All
Date Posted: 23:27:24 02/18/07 ()
Email Address: michel_sawyer@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-99-17-147.hsd1.ga.comcast.net at 24.99.17.147
Message:
Y S L I
YOUTH FOR SIERRA LEONE IMPROVEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
Youthforsierraleone.com/ Email:YSLI@Youthforsierraleone.com
Local Office: 36 Main Motor Road Congo Cross, Freewton, Sierra Leone.
YOUTH FOR SIERRA LEONE IMPROVEMENT PRESENT
"FOOTSTEP TO ACHIEVEMENT"
SIERRA LEONE YOUTHS MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH EDUCATION & DEMOCRACY.
Y.S.L.I. Banquet
March 31st, 6:00pm - 10:30pm
Long Branch Community Center
8700 Piney Branch Road ,
Silver Spring , Maryland , 20781
Presidential & Parliamentary elections 2007.
Courtesy Of National Electoral Commission:
The power of your vote
Good leadership in a country can affect all kinds of things - from the price of food and education, to the number of jobs and hospitals there are in Sierra Leone.
If you think a government led by one Presidential candidate could really improve your life over the next 5 years, you will vote for them. If you don't, you must vote for someone else.
To make your mark and have your say, you must register as a voter between 26 February 26 and 18 March. If you don't you will not be allowed to vote. Someone else will speak for you and you might not get the leaders you want.So go register, and make history in Sierra Leone!
Presidential & Parliamentary elections 2007
Can I vote?
Anyone can vote if they are:
A citizen of Sierra Leone
Aged 18 by 27 July 2007
Registered in the right place
In elections every vote counts and every voter is equally important. If you are under 18 you cannot vote, but you have an important role to play. Click here to learn about it
When and where will I vote?
You will not be allowed to vote if you have not registered in the right place in March. By registering you prove that you are allowed to vote on election day.
People who have registered will vote for a President and a Member of Parliament on Saturday 28 July 2007.
They must vote in the same centre where they registered.
Who can I vote for?
The candidates for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be announced after voter registration in March.
When they have been announced they will begin to campaign for your vote, but only you can decide who would represent you best.
Because you are voting for a Member of Parliament for your local area, you should have a chance to meet the different candidates. You should also have the chance to speak to people from the different parties that are nominating a Presidential candidate.
This is your opportunity to find out who shares your concerns and what they could do to improve your life.
Why you need to register
The National Electoral Commission must make a list of voters before the elections. It does this by registering people. This is to make sure that every elligible voter is able to vote in the right place.
Only people who register between 26 February and 18 March will be allowed to vote on election day.
What are the 2007 elections about?
In 2007 there will be 2 elections on the same day. Both give you the chance to influence how Salone will be governed for the next 5 years.
First you will vote for who you think should be the new President, then for who should be your Member of Parliament.
You only need to register once to make both your votes at the same time. Voting is scheduled to take place on 28 July 2007.
Where to register
This election is different to previous elections. People will vote and be counted in small areas called constituencies. So for the first time ever, you will have the opportunity to choose a Member of Parliament who really knows your area and how life is there.
No one who lives outside your area should be able to vote for your Member of Parliament. This means that everyone must register to vote where they live.
But it isn't enough to register in your constituency.
The list of voters NEC collects this year is also going to be used for the local elections in 2008. This means that you need to register and vote in a even more local area of the constituency you live in. This is called a Section (or an Area if you live in the Western Area or townships of Sierra Leone).
Elections and Democracy
To explain the purpose of elections, first we need to understand democracy.
Democracy is a situation in which every adult member of a country has an equal say in how that country should be run. It is based on 3 important ideas.
The first is that people deserve to have peaceful and free lives, and that everyone should have the same opportunities.
The second is that people should have leaders to defend their freedom and increase their opportunities. We need leaders because it would not be practical for us all to be making decisions about everything all of the time!
The third is that we are all different. Each of us should be able to say which leaders we think should take the country forward, and how.
Many things have to happen (and keep happening) for democracy to work. One of these things is regular elections. Elections bring together all of the ideas that democracy is based on.
First, each of us must think what our own concerns and hopes are in our daily lives.
Second, we must each decide which candidates are most qualified to solve our concerns in an effective and honest way.
Third, we will come together and vote. The decision of the majority of people will be accepted as the best basis for peace and progress.
Democracy is not just about elections, though. You and your community must keep talking about the concerns and hopes you have. Whoever is elected needs to hear from you. You must tell them what they are doing well and what they could do better. If you are happy with their performance, you will vote for them again at the next election. If you are not happy, you will vote for someone who you think will do better.
The role of the President
The President is the Head of State in Sierra Leone which means that he or she decides which direction the government should take the country in.
The President's first duty is to guard the rights and freedoms of all Sierra Leoneans as they written down in The Constitution of Sierra Leone (1991).
As a citizen of Sierra Leone, your constitutional rights include:
the right to life and freedom within the law
the right to equal opportunities
the right to own property and have the protection of the law
the right to think and express yourself freely
the right to direct your private and family life as you see fit.
The President's second duty is to advance the interests of the country and its people and to keep its territories safe.
To fulfill his or her duties, the President holds ultimate responsibility for:
Presenting laws to Parliament for the country's development
Appointing a government of ministers to advise him or her
Upholding the authorities of Parliament as they are laid out in The Constitution
Ensuring diplomatic relations, and agreeing to treaties and conventions with foreign states
Directing the armed forces and recommending any declaration of war
The role of Members of Parliament
The main job of Parliament is to hold the government to account. Your constituency will have one Member of Parliament who can question and challenge the government's policies to defend your interests.
This is done in a number of ways. Parliament has open debates about certain issues. It also debates specific legislation the government is proposing for Sierra Leone's development. Most legislation can only be passed if a majority in Parliament votes in favour of it. There are also Parliamentary Committees which continuously review general areas of the government's work, for example, law, finances, foreign affairs and the appointment of public officials.
The Constitution protects the right of Members of Parliament to speak openly and freely in Parliament, as long as they do not insult or tell lies about other Members.
Parliament is regulated by a person called the Speaker, whose election is approved by its Members. It is the Speaker's job to chair debates. They must remain impartial, and are not allowed to vote on new laws.
The role of political parties
Political parties exist to recommend to the public a set of ideas known as policies. Policies are basic principles and plans about the way that the country should be run. A good party will ask you what your concerns and priorities are and they will shape their policies according to what they are told.
It is important to have different political parties represented in your community and also in Parliament. This means that government and local government policies can be questioned and where neccessary improved to meet your needs better.
A party can stand for anything it wants to, as long as it promotes the welfare of all Sierra Leoneans, upholding the rights and freedoms given to every citizen under The Constitution (1991). It must also prove that its membership is open to all Sierra Leoneans.
The power of your vote
Good leadership in a country can affect all kinds of things - from the price of food and education, to the number of jobs and hospitals there are in Sierra Leone.
If you think a government led by one Presidential candidate could really improve your life over the next 5 years, you will vote for them. If you don't, you must vote for someone else.
To make your mark and have your say, you must register as a voter between 26 February 26 and 18 March. If you don't you will not be allowed to vote. Someone else will speak for you and you might not get the leaders you want.
So go register, and make history in Sierra Leone!
About NEC
The National Electoral Commission is responbsible for conducting all public elections in Sierra Leone. This includes the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
The Commission is led by a Chief Electoral Commissioner, who works with 4 other Commissioners each overseeing one area of the country.
The Commissioners are appointed subject to the approval of Parliament, which ensures that the Commission is not prejudiced towards or against any particular political party or politician.
The Commission has offices in each of the 14 districts of Sierra Leone.
Subject: Re: SIERRA LEONE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 01:26:08 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
Keep up the good work.
Subject: Re: SIERRA LEONE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
From: YEAH RIGHT
To: All
Date Posted: 05:34:29 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Good work my foot. The guy just copied it from NEC's website and pasted it here. Always looking for attention.
Subject: Re: SIERRA LEONE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
From: Dr. Michel Sho-Sawyer
To: All
Date Posted: 11:03:56 02/19/07 ()
Email Address: michel_sawyer@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-99-17-147.hsd1.ga.comcast.net at 24.99.17.147
Message:
To Serve: Doing A service for someone, Making an effort for someone or something.
To Disseminate: To scatter widely, as in sowing seed.
To spread abroad; promulgate: disseminate information.
Circulate,Diffuse,Disperse,Distribute and Broadcast.
It is an honor to serve the citizens of Sierra Leone. My duty to serve my coutry. This is for you sir, Read it, learn it, study it and pratice it.
The Sierra Leone National Pledge:
I pledge my love and loyalty to my country Sierra Leone.
I vow to serve her faithfully at all times.
I promise to defend her honour and good name.
Always work for her unity, peace, freedom and prosperity.
And put her interest above all else,
So help me God. So help me God.
Subject: Dr. Michel Sho-Sawyer's BIGGEST SCORE!
From: Dr. CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 13:29:45 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Dr. Sho-Sawyer:
I applaud your very appropriate response ! This is what I call "Lead, and let those who want to drink from the fountain of knowledge follow". Off course, those who just want to "come gargle" (as is evident here)must be patiently schooled.
YOU ARE MY KIND OF GUY!
Subject: Re: SIERRA LEONE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 06:55:59 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
SHO-SAWYER,
Why worry about your DISTRACTORS? Continue the good work,and I hope you LISTEN AND PRACTICE to the SPEECH that you gave at GREATER WORKS CHURCH OF ATLANTA on January 20th,2007.
Subject: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA
To: All
Date Posted: 22:11:02 02/18/07 ()
Email Address: SAIDUBANGSO@AOL.COM
Entered From: pool-72-83-112-156.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 72.83.112.156
Message:
Ladies and gentlemen in this forum,please join me in congratulating Alhaji Mohamed Alieu Iscandari in advance as he gets ready to celebrate his 50th birthday in May of this year.Let us pray that the
Almighty Allah will allow him to see many more birthdays to come.
We also pray that Allah will increase his faith in Islam.
May the Almighty blot out his iniquities and create a right sprite within him.
God, prepare a table before Alieu in the presence of his friends in the APC, and let his cup of blessings run over.
May him (Alieu)dwell in the house of the lord for ever.AMIN.
Alieu,If your friends or relatives are planning to throw a birthday party for you,please,do not allow them to serve alcohol or any other form of intoxicant because you are a muslim and "Allah" forbids the drinking of alcohol in an occasion for a muslim.
Please,keep in your mind that at age 50(with 4 kids and a grand-daughter)It is best for you to live the rest for your life in-accordance with the laws of the Almighty Allah.
Once again,I wish a happy birhday in advance.
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: Hakim
To: All
Date Posted: 18:19:27 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
saidu you are out of line. I dont think that it is any of your business to make public something which may or may not have been intended by Alieu to be public notice. People have had enough with you and your antics in this forum. If I were you I would take a chill pill even if that means taking an extra dose of the prozac you are now taking. Chill man you are getting to be a nuisance around here.
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: WAA
To: All
Date Posted: 12:26:03 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Your congratulations are not complimentary and I would be surprised if Alieu Iscandari would acknowledge it at all. You burned your bridges with that family and if you want me to I will post the link soon. Are you trying to get an invite to the party? Dont even try because you would not be welcome.
Did you know that muslims are not supposed to be in any occasion where alcohol is being served? Then tell us why the hell are you found in every party in the Atlanta area and the eastern seaboard of the US. You are a BIG HYPPOCRITE.
You have made a terrible mistake and in time you will get to realise that as life goes on. Sometimes you may do yourself a favor to keep your trap shut.
By the way are you still on that serotonin and secretin replacement therapies like PROZAC.
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: Provocation
To: All
Date Posted: 07:52:43 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
How ba nar provoke ?
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: PROZAC
To: All
Date Posted: 12:29:41 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
bra nar da crase meresin wae e dae take for im schizophrenia
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 06:22:59 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
NA DIS WE BEN DAE TALK.SLPP DON DUMP AM NA CORNER BECOS EH DON CREAT BOKU PROBLEMS FOR THE BEREWA FAMILY. NOW EH DAE TRY FOR BEG BRA ALIEU.EVEN AJUWA DON DECIDE FOR KICK AM OUT FINALLY.WORD AROUND ATLANTA IS AJUWA NOR DAE WER GREEN CLOTHES DEM NO MORE.DE LAST PARTY WAY EH GO,NA RED CLOTHES NA EH EH WER. VERY SOON DE POOR WOMAN GO JOIN DE SUN.
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 05:25:09 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.17
Message:
Congratulations my brother ALIEU.....
The message coming from Alpha is very encouraging...do I sense peace in the Family?Good for you guys.
'every message tells a story'
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: BRA ENVIABLE
To: All
Date Posted: 22:40:55 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Alpha Alieu, Dis nar weitin?
Ar hope say dis birthday announcement no to internet "play cook." Otherwise, I expected the information to come you, Alphaa Alieu.
Appy batday in albance {Happy birthday in advance}
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI TURNS 50 IN MAY,2007.
From: OLD PA
To: All
Date Posted: 22:14:53 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
You mean this loud mouth little man is going to be 50? He behaves like a two year old. Wow, like father like son.
Subject: Mummified body found in front of blaring TV
From: NEW YORKER
To: All
Date Posted: 19:49:32 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Mummified body found in front of blaring TV
POSTED: 8:54 a.m. EST, February 18, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Police called to a Long Island man's house discovered the mummified remains of the resident, dead for more than a year, sitting in front of a blaring television set.
The 70-year-old Hampton Bays, New York, resident, identified as Vincenzo Ricardo, appeared to have died of natural causes. Police said on Saturday his body was discovered on Thursday when they went to the house to investigate a report of a burst water pipe.
"You could see his face. He still had hair on his head," Newsday quoted morgue assistant Jeff Bacchus as saying. The home's low humidity had preserved the body
Officials could not explain why the electricity had not been turned off, considering Ricardo had not been heard from since December 2005.
Neighbors said when they had not seen Ricardo, who was diabetic and had been blind for years, they assumed he was in the hospital or a long-term care facility.
Subject: Re: Mummified body found in front of blaring TV
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 01:21:31 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
No judgment, but I pray the African culture of taking care of the elder remains forever and ever. Some of this western independence or culture, well..........
Subject: HOLLYWOOD AND AFRICA
From: BRA ENVIABLE
To: All
Date Posted: 17:39:56 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Africa's global image is so unappealing that even foreign centers of learning do not know how to exculpate themselves from charges of ignorance about the African continent. For most people in the West, the only perception of Africa that readily comes to mind is that of wild animals scampering in the jungle. Africa is only discussed in Hollywood after the rendition of events that marked the darkest hours in the continent's history.
Don Cheadle generated a popular storm for himself by simply hitting Western screens with "Hotel Rwanda," a cinematic replay of an African genocide with few parallels. After Cambodia and the Nazi evils in concentration camps in Europe, few acts of genocide are comparable to the cheerful speed with which Rwanda's killings were done.
The latest Westerner to make a name out of an African tragedy is forest Whitaker, the man who attempted to replay the buffoonery of Uganda's Idi Amin. Of course, any theatrical act that talks about Idi Amin has to recount one of the saddest moments in African history, when countless thousands of Ugandans were hacked to death. Yet, IMAGE and PERCEPTION are so sensitive in the United States that every community tends to be very mindful of media characterizations. "Blood Diamonds" was no different in reinforcing demoniac perceptions of Africa. The main African in that horror movie, a Beninois, was a mere tool for Hollywood's re-enactment of a tragedy to thicken negative perceptions of Africa.
If I fly from Sierra Leone to the United States and visits the prison industrial complex to make a documentary on why there are so many black men in jail, Black America will be quite disdainful of my "curiosity" to relive an event that is clearly a shame in the black community. My status as an African will annoy black America even more.
I was a bit uncomfortable to learn from the BBC African Service that the red carpet was rolled out for Forest Whitaker in Uganda when he flew in on a visit. Even President Yoweri Museveni joined the festivities that greeted Forest Whitaker!
Is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda saying that Forest Whitaker can be a Ugandan hero for making a name and a fortune out of that country's blood-sullied history?
Subject: Re: HOLLYWOOD AND AFRICA
From: AFRICAN LEADERS
To: All
Date Posted: 19:56:36 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ac10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.100.139
Message:
Bra Enviable, until we stop getting stupid leaders in Africa like Yayah Jammeh and selfish individuals like Tejan Kabba, Africa will continue to be the way it is in the west. Plain and simple.
Subject: Re: HOLLYWOOD AND AFRICA
From: DUMMY
To: All
Date Posted: 23:35:16 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
The topic has nothing to do with Tejan Kabbah. The question Bra Enviable asked was whether the president of Uganda was telling the world that Forest Whitaker is a Ugandan hero for making a documentary about Idi Amin. Read and understnd, dummy.
Subject: Re: HOLLYWOOD AND AFRICA
From: DUMBER THAN DUMB
To: All
Date Posted: 00:09:45 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
"The topic has nothing to do with Tejan Kabbah."
Actually, it does -- but only if YOU understand what you read.
"The question Bra Enviable asked was whether the president of Uganda was telling the world that Forest Whitaker is a Ugandan hero for making a documentary about Idi Amin."
Which brings up the question that should help YOU understand what you obviously failed to understand the first time: Who was Idi Amin?
It is in the answer to that question that you should find the relevance of the statement made by the person you foolishly (and inaccurately) called a "dummy." His statement was: "Bra Enviable, until we stop getting stupid leaders in Africa like Yayah Jammeh and selfish individuals like Tejan Kabba, Africa will continue to be the way it is in the west. Plain and simple."
So, YOU should be the one taking your own misplaced advice to the person who wrote the above accurate statement. The advice you should take is: "Read and understnd, dummy."
It is really that "Plain and simple."
Subject: Re: HOLLYWOOD AND AFRICA
From: FED UP
To: All
Date Posted: 06:53:41 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Mohamed Jalloh get a life. Ay bo, wain you wan prove?
Subject: Re: HOLLYWOOD AND AFRICA
From: YOU ARE THE DUMBEST
To: All
Date Posted: 06:52:39 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
You are the dumbest. Your translation of the message is the dumbest I have seen. Get lost.
Subject: Youth Employment Scheme in 'progress'
From: CHRISTIAN MONITOR
To: All
Date Posted: 16:58:35 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
CHRISTIAN MONITOR
Youth Employment Scheme in 'progress'
News - National
Written by Edward Kargbo
Sunday, 18 February 2007
The minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Denis Bright says the implementation of the Youth Employment Scheme (YES) is in its full implementation stage.
Speaking Thursday 15th February, Bright said that job creation for youth is a very important part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which is why the government is working very hard with the UN country team, local and international NGO’s and local councils to promote the welfare and development of the youth.
He added that the government with its partners has started a series of projects under the YES that has created employment for over five thousand youths in various government ministries and departments. The ministry of tourism and culture he said started a project three months ago that has employed over a hundred youths as beach wardens, lifeguards, beach combers and parking attendants. The health and sanitation ministry has projects with over one thousand youths now employed. The Sierra Leone Roads Authority has employed close to two thousand youths, while his own ministry has employed about one thousand youths. Some other government departments he said are on the verge of kick-starting various projects under the YES.
What he did not say however is, how much these newly employed youths are earning and which particular group of youths are attracted to these job offers. ‘Abu Koroma’, a fifth form drop-out said, he was offered and he refused a hundred AND fifty thousand leones (Le.150, 000) $50, a month to carry a broom and shovel aboard a waste disposal vehicle to clean parts of the city. “I turned it down because it is not only peanuts, the job is a health hazard with no security” he says.
The opposition APC secretary general says the figure is an exaggeration and a political gimmick because elections are round the corner. “The true figure is nowhere near the number that the government is giving out,” Victor Foe said. A member of the PMDC, M. Kai Kai said, “The government is not creating jobs it is just packing dead wood into government departments that will become a problem for any future government.”
The government yet in making another promise says with the assistance of the government of Nigeria it is building a youth acquisition centre in the outskirts of Freetown that will be training youths in agriculture, masonry, information technology and other skills. The centre according to Bright will be training two hundred youths every six months and will equip them for self employment. He did not however say when the project will start, when it will be completed and how much it will cost.
In his last two reports to the Security Council on Sierra Leone the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan admitted that youth unemployment, together with corruption, governance issues and problems with the rule of law are among the foremost threats to the fragile peace and security in the country.
Subject: NO, OIL IS NOT THE ONLY REASON FOR THE WAR IN IRAQ.
From: Dr. CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 15:17:25 02/18/07 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-72-86-36-197.clppva.fios.verizon.net at 72.86.36.197
Message:
I have often ask people what is/are the reason/s for the war in Iraq. more often than not the various responses centered around OIL. My response to these responses have been, "TOO VAGUE, SHALLOW THINKING, DON'T BE LAZY IN YOUR ANALYSIS!
So then, I can hear you ask, "WHAT IS THE REAL REASON GEORGE BUSH INVADED IRAQ?" iN 2006, Bush said that the only reason he invaded Iraq was to introduce democracy to that country, and the reasons U.S. and U.K. troops are still there are to combat the terrorists who entered Iraq after the invasion.
In the weeks and months leading up to the invasion it was quite a different story. The Bush administration had us believe that: "Saddam Hussein has chemical and biological weapons and even nuclear weapons that he plans to give to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda who will then smuggle them into the U.S.A. and kill tens of thousands of people." If you are like me and are prone to analytical thinking, and even if you knew nothing about Iraqi history and politics, this argument should have appeared dubious on the face of it. In the terrorist attacks that HAVE taken place inside the U.S., including the World Trade Center bombing of 1993, Timothy McVeigh's bombing of the Murrah Fedral in Oklahama City, and the 9/11 attacks, NONE of the perpetrators needed to smuggle weapons into the counrty. Whatever they needed, they found WITHOUT DIFFICULTY inside the U.S.
There were three important informal groups within the Bush administration that were anxious to invade Iraq:
(1) THE WAR PROFITEERS: it is a simple fact of life that when there is a war, there is money to be made. Have you stop to consider how much money people made from the "Sierra Leone Civil War"? If the whole world was at peace, weapons makers would go out of business. Perhaps this explains why there are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much fighting going on in Africa. If weapons are being used in an actual war, bullets, missiles, and bombs have to be built and sold to replace those that have been shot or detonated. Perhaps this also explains why it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo difficult to successfully enforce an "arms ambargo". Parts for tanks, fighter jets, and all sort of other equipment also have to be replaced regularly. So then, there is a certain class of individuals and companies that, for reasons having nothing to do with oil or politics, roots for wars to start and then to go on for as long as possible. This also explains why the "Sierra Leone Civil War" went on for so long. There are huge profits to be made in the reconstruction business, which moves in to rebuild what war has destroy. Who knows if during the "Sierra Leone Civil War" Rebels and other destructive elements were being paid to burn/destroy buildings!
(2)THE NEOCONSERVATIVES ("NEOCONS"): On January 27, 1998, more than three and a half years before the 9/11 attacks, "The Project for the New American Century" published an open letter in the WASHINGTON TIMES urging President Clinton to invade Iraq and overthrow Saddam Hussein. Among the eighteen signatories to this letter were TEN people who would later join the Bush administration. they are:
---Donald Rumsfeld: former Secretary of Defense. Yes, Rumsfeld always wanted to go into Iraq.
---John Bolton: former U.S. Ambassadfor to the U.N.
---Paul Wolfowitz: President of the World Bank and former Deputy Secretary of Defense.
---Zalmay Khalilzad: (an Iraqi-American) U.S. Ambassador to Iraq.
---Robert Zoellick : former Deputy Secretary of State.
---Elliot Abrams: The disgraced former Deputy National Security Advisor.
---Peter Rodman: Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
---Paula Dobriansky: Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.
---Richard Armitage: former Assistant Secretary of Defense.
---Richard Perle: former Chairman of the Pentagon's Defence Policy Board.
Among the other founders of "The Project for the New American Century" were (you guessed it right) DICK CHENEY, Lewis (Scooter)Libby, (now on perjury trial),Jeb Bush and Dan Quayle.
In 1998, these NEOCONS wanted to overthrow Saddam Hussein because it was "almost certain" that he would "acquire the capability to deliver weapons of mass destruction," thus putting at risk American Troops, Isreal, Moderate Arab States, "and a SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE WORLD'S SUPPLY OF OIL." Sure enough , five years later, when the NEOCONS got their invasion and Iraq was descending into chaos and looting, U.S Troops made a beeline to secure its oil facilities. It is not only a Republicans who would send American Soldiers to war to protect oil fields. In 1979, a Democratic president, Jimmy Carter, decleared, "Any assault on the Gulf will be regarded as an assault on the vital interest of the United States."
(3)SUPPORTERS OF ISREAL: Saddam Hussien was not involved in anti-American Terrorism, but he was a supporter of anti-Isreal terrorists. He hated Jews and he wanted Isreal destroyed. Saddam provided tens of millions of dollars to groups that committed terrorist acts in Isreal, and Isreal is safer with him out of power.
So then, once the various administration supporters of invading Iraq came together, all that was necessary was to convince President George Bush. WHICH THEY DID, AND NOW WE ARE PAYING THE PRICE.
(See my previous article "If only President Bush had consulted his father" this serves as part two of this article)
Subject: Has Mano River Union changed to Makona River Union ?
From: Please Tell Me
To: All
Date Posted: 14:01:11 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
MRU concerns about Liberians trapped in Guinea
Written by Matthias Daffah
Friday, 16 February 2007
The Makona River Union says the plight of Liberians stranded in neighboring Guinea is getting increasingly desperate.
The Secretary General of the Union told Star Radio Liberian refugees were spending eighteen hours in doors due to a government imposed curfew.
Mr. Saar Philip-Joe said the Guinean Security forces were closely monitoring the movement of people in several border towns.
Mr. Philip-Joe also said the Guinean security forces have seized all the available canoes at crossing points between Liberia and Guinea.
The Makona Union Secretary General further said the Union was trying to verify reports of recruitment of ex-combatants along the border areas.
He said any recruitment of ex-combatants to fight in Guinea would be a violation of the Makona River Union resolution adopted by the three member countries.
The Makona River Union comprises Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Comments (1)
Makona River union?
Written by nate, on 2007-02-16 21:40:09
I haven't heard of makona River Union. Is it new. I thought it was mano river union? I may be wrong.
Subject: Liberia’s Government Minister in Sex Scandal
From: Wills Knuckles
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:48 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Liberia’s Government Minister in Sex Scandal
Feb 17, 2007
Author:Limany Staff Reports
Liberia’s Government Minister in Sex Scandal
Limany Staff Reports
Wills Knuckles, Liberia Minister for Presidential Affairs may be the most trusted Confidant of Africa first female President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, but behind the closet, he is a naughty-fat belle guy who loves to have wide sex with under-privilege girls and he wouldn’t mind taking snaps in his wide encounter, if the new sexually graphic picture is anything close to reality.
A chilling but comical graphic picture showed a naked fat belle man that look like, Min. Knuckles, in a sexual encounter with two young woman that look barely 18 years of age.
There are speculations that the pictures might be doctored with easily assessable photo editing software, but Mr. Knuckle, refusing to talk to journalist, has not come out with any such defense.
Though there has been no official confirmation from Mr. Knuckles, as to whether he is, in fact, the fat-belle man in the picture or not, but sources said his family and aids has started pointing accusing fingers and calling the sex encounter a “setup” former speaker, Edwin Snow. Snow aid said, Knuckle is looking for scapegoat.
And there is not indication yet if Mr. Knuckle has committed a crime, “But in a case where it is proven that the girls were under age or the minister solicited sex from the young girls knowing they were prostitutes, then, the law will take it full course,” a legal analyst has observed.
Sources said the girls, name withheld, have disclosed that money was the key factor to their sexual encounter with the presidential confidant. The amount for the sexual favor is yet to be established, but sources said the girls have expressed their willing to come forward at the appropriate time to explain their encounter.
A sources hint that though Minister Knuckles is the only man seen visible in the photo but it seem there were other senior government higher-up participants taking their own time during the sex festivity.
This new scandal is expected to draw public out cry on the reckless behaviors of government officials, in a country such as Liberia, where government position comes with unrestricted sexual favors. More damaging, it will be for a president who has promised to bring the age-old sexual exploitation of young Liberian women to a halt.
However, one source closed to the president office has warned that it is too early to say what position the Ellen led Government will take on the this damaging scandal, but cited that, “One thing this government is good at is cover-up”
In the face of this scandal, the president might asked Knuckles to deny that he is not the person in the picture and that it is manufactured, a possible escape strategic he might consider though unlikely in this case due the authenticity of the original pictures.
“It is a litmus test for this government and will manifest her commitment in the protection of feminism in Liberia, especially in the wake of her proactive rhetoric in lashing out the exploitation of venerable young girl by UN peace keepers and higher-ups in government.
We are yet to see whether the president will gavel her authority in reprimanding the accused in consideration of his close link to the president. Equally so, failure on her part to do same could be tantamount to rendering one-sided justice, eventually questioning her moral credibility,” Said Varfley A. Dolleh, a senior executive of the Opposition Congress for Democratic Change, CDC, of George Weah.
With no official statement yet from the government, the sexually explicit pictures, in less than a day, has drawn more criticism than any other this young government has received.
President Sirleaf recently said that she will punish young girls for dressing indecently, but this time, one of her own has been caught molesting the very young girls she has so fervently promised to protect.
Skeptics say, the president, judging from her handling of other scandals involving people that are close to her, “It is very unlikely that she will do anything tangible,” a Liberian who prefers anonymity said. They have cited, the shooting death of the a SSS officer, the allege scandal at the LPMC involving Harry Greaves, the irresponsible and reckless statement of Police Director, Munah Sieh, toward Muslim wearing head scarf and most recently the bribery scandal that the now accused Knuckle was allege to have mastermind.
Subject: Re: Liberia’s Government Minister in Sex Scandal
From: Snow storm
To: All
Date Posted: 11:51:17 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
This is a disgrace to Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. I thought she was in Tolbert's government when the "Big Pa" ( Sugar daddy)something and "Ma Baby Pa" thing were all going on in Liberia ? What she did to stop them ? Now, she will stop this ? No way.
Subject: A Ballad to a Manipulator named Silbana or Silbia
From: POET DEFENDING ALL SAD MEN
To: All
Date Posted: 10:47:42 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dialup-4.249.30.6.dial1.washington2.level3.net at 4.249.30.6
Message:
This is in honour of a manipulative and opportunistic woman called SILBIA.
Her Mudesty SILBIA,daughter of two common thieves.
Both Thieves Met while Reading in the Mount.
And several years later after unprotected flings,they were cursed with a witch,they named SILBIA.
SILBIA never disappointed as she grew up walking in the footsteps of the two thieves-Bonnie and Cyde.
Bonnie was fired for pilfering funds in a Government Coporation and Clyde was a senior Evil Servant who converted state funds into personal funds.
While Clyde used her Butt to get her own way,Bonnie became a known apologist for various alphabetic configuration like the APC,NPRC,AFRC,RUF.
And then Sylbia came off age and practiced what she had been taught.She arrived in the era of the Khaki boys,so she used her skirt to annouce her presence.
After taking turns with the khaki boys,she graduated to sleeping with the DEVIL himself-PAPAY SAYBANA.
She provided comfort for the PAPAY.Just ask a guy called FELON GOLLI,AS HE WAS THE FACILITATOR.
Guess what.When the devil was defeated.Sylbia changed stripes to GREEN and she became an unofficial mouthpiece.Oh!SYLBIA.What planet are you from.
I would be inclined to say that you copied some of Granpa SAJ-THE Prince of Regent-tactics.
I heard that your Granpa-a former A.G. under Bandele set the basis for the destruction of our LAND.Is he still involved in Sorcery.
I would not forget the day your ant disappeared,those rumor mongers in Regent were saying that she has been sacrificed to the family "rhonsho".
Lo and behold!she was never found.Was she really sacrificed.
Okay.My advice to Phillip and Orlu wil be BEWARE.
SILBIA,instead of picking up fights with decent people,you should be thinking about settling down.
Close to 40 with no Kids and no Known relationship.
Your "METER"must have stopped recording,becareful for AIDS is REAL.
Do YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "DOCTA" AND A "JOINALIST"?
PLEASE STICK WITH "MERECIN"AS "JOINALISM" IS NOT FOR YOU.
Subject: Re: A Ballad to a Manipulator named Silbana or Silbia
From: SYLBANA NEVILLE
To: All
Date Posted: 19:06:52 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
CONCORD TIMES
Big fat lies!
Sarh Musa Yamba 9/8/2006
When perusing the local tabloids, as I normally do, Friday August 4 th Edition of Standard Times was one of the newspapers that caught my eyes.There was this screaming headline captioned “Nigeria recovers Abacha's US$ 700 million loot,” and another front page story captioned “Presidential Spokesman fails ‘Communication test' in Parliament…Allieu Kamara ‘Territorial Integrity' may replace Kanji Daramy.”Of course there was another story, which had to do with the just announced 2007 election date by President Kabbah, but it was no news to me. What was newsy was the Presidential Spokesman failing a “Parliamentary Communication test.”
Reading through the first paragraph of the story about the Presidential Spokesman, I sensed something very sinister, the source of the story was highly questionable to me with a journalistic eye.The story read and I quote verbatim: “Reports has implicated the Presidential Spokesman Alhaji Kanji Daramy that he has failed a communication test in Parliament. The report went further to state that the Presidential Spokesman appeared before the appointment Committee in Parliament for the Chairmanship of the Communication Commission instituted by the President Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.However, the failure of the Presidential Spokesman to get the assembly accept his appointment has been viewed by so many political analysts as something appropriate since he is not knowledgeable in such a capacity. In addition, it is the assumption of some members of the Parliament that he would rape the commission as he did at SALPOST that led to the crumbling of the nation's courier service…”As I finished reading the story I knew from my heart of hearts that it was aiming at something mischievous. I was convinced it was nothing but a big fat lie by Phillip Neville, Executive Editor of Standard Times newspaper. The key things that I asked my self were, when did the Presidential Spokesman appear in Parliament before the Appointments Committee? Was it a closed-door sitting that did not attract other journalists for it not to have the necessary coverage by the Press? If it was a Parliamentary sitting, why was no one quoted to lend credence to the story? Did the Committee sit in space? Because that would have been a story that would have spread like bush fire in the dry season. Interestingly, it was only Standard Times newspaper that carried the story. Were they (Standard Times) the only ones present in Parliament at the time of the purported appearance of Kanji Daramy? Another very critical look at the newspaper revealed there was no by-line. Mischief! I thought to my self. Another hard look brought out the unprofessional manner in which the story was written. There was no mention of the Presidential Spokesman's side of the story. Nothing! Just sources. Which source?
The issue became a subject of discussion in our newsroom. One of my senior editorial staff members, Ibrahim Seibure, immediately dialled the Minority Member of Parliament of the Opposition All Peoples Congress, Hon. Ernest Bai Koroma to substantiate the Standard Times Publication by virtue of the fact that he is a key member of the Appointments Committee in Parliament. His response, “I am not aware that the Presidential Spokesman appeared before the Appointments Committee.”I still could not accept what I heard, so I used the opportunity to call the Chairman of the Appointment Committee Hon. Fofanah who also doubles as Leader of the House, as the Presidential Spokesman's phone earlier rang incessantly without him picking it up.“Good day sir, my name is Sahr Musa Yamba, Editor of Concord Times. I want to enquire whether the Presidential Spokesman, Kanji Daramy has appeared before the Appointment Committee in Parliament and was rejected,” I asked with my ears glued to my mobile phone's earpiece itching for an answer.“Mr. Yamba,” Hon Fofanah responded, “Mr. Kanji Daramy has never appeared before us at the Parliamentary Appointment Committee.” I could not believe my ears. “Say that again sir, are you saying the Presidential Spokesman, Kanji Daramy has never appeared before your Committee for approval to the Telecommunications Commission?” I responded thinking my ears had deceived me. “Yes you heard me right. Mr. Kanji Daramy has never appeared before us.”
To say I was stunned is an understatement.
I still wanted to dig up some more about the story. So I called the Presidential Spokesman again for further confirmation. “Sir, is it true that you appeared before the Parliamentary Committee and you were rejected to become Chairman of the Telecommunications Commission?” I asked.“Standard Times' story was a blatant lie, grossly unprofessional and fallacious. Phillip Neville is a liar,” Kanji Daramy retorted. He added, “how can Parliament reject me when I have never been before them?”
So having all these facts, and as a journalist's guide, in Joe Hills' words ‘two sides to my story… Your side and my side,” I published the reaction of the Presidential Spokesman in our Monday 7 th August edition: “Presidential Spokesman calls Phillip Neville a “liar,”but not without Neville's side of the story. I had called him, as a colleague and classmate in college, to inform him the Presidential Spokesman had branded him a “liar,” and wanted his reaction before going to press. Neville's reaction was he has his “source” and started talking about Allieu Kamara going to the Presidential Lodge. He continued, “I know Kanji Daramy is your man.” I replied Phillip in the affirmative but stressed that Daramy being my “man” does not in any way influence my editorial policy. We hung up and I went to press.But much to my consternation, I saw Neville publish in his Tuesday 8 th May edition under the column One Thing and Another by Phillip Neville an article captioned “Kanji: The cat of SALPOST” some things I regard as greatly personal and not the issue under the spotlight.He wrote: “…whether he (Kanji Daramy) has special arrangements with the editor of that paper (not Kingsley Lington the owner) but Sahr Musa Yamba, an employee of the paper is really not the issue…”If it is not the issue, why does Phillip Neville mention it? If I may ask. Is this style not typical of attack journalism schemes; attack-collect, threaten-collect and blackmail-collect vampire journalism?
Neville went further to bring me in the picture, but I am afraid he missed the boat.Neville wrote: “…At any time he (Kanji Daramy) opens his mouth to speak on behalf of the President, the result is always very disastrous. But he is there in the office, surfing the Internet in search of articles on telecommunication, and would reproduce them verbatim in the pages of the Concord Times, sometimes bearing his by-line and in most cases would use fake names…”I must stress that I am no defender of Kanji Daramy and will never be as insinuated by Neville in his attack journalism piece he wrote. I only intend to put the facts straight as the age-old cliché states, facts are sacred, and opinions are free. Period! As that is the quest of journalists, not attack, blackmail and collect. It has never been my style and will never ever be.As I insist I am not a defender of Kanji Daramy, going back to the wrong insinuation Kanji Daramy writes articles published in Concord Times under fake names is not only misleading the public into a malicious gimmick, but a calculated attempt to drag my name into the mud. And it is only because of mention of me in his article that I am compelled to react. Neville did it with Pious Foray of the Democrat press, he smeared Sayo Kamara of Awareness Times, now, because I have lay bare the falsehoods in his publication, he has turned his threat-arsenal on me.
The telecommunications articles published in Concord Times have nothing to do with Kanji Daramy, the earlier Phillip Neville gets that up his head, the better. I had told him that over the phone, but why he went on to publish falsehoods is any body's guess. The telecommunication articles published in Concord Times are written by no less a person than a guru, Maxwell Massaquoi, whom I am sure Neville is referring to as a ‘fake' name. We (Concord Times) have even got emails from overseas trying to contact Maxwell Massaquoi for the brilliant telecommunications articles he writes. If Neville wants his number for confirmation, Concord Times will readily make it available. So please, please Phillip, Kanji Daramy does NOT write the said articles. Yes, Kanji Daramy is my friend. I cannot shy away from that fact. But to suggest he is using Concord Times to project his image and “using” me is farfetched. We (Concord Times) have on many occasions damned Kanji Daramy and will continue to do so when the need arises. You just need to reflect on the ‘Pa Kabbah: Man den nor gladdy oh' publication of Concord Times early this year wherein the Presidential Spokesman was given a pen-lashing for his rebuttal of that publication in Concord Times; You don't need to go beyond yesterday Tuesday 8 th August publication to read our lead story “PDL calls on Kabbah to resign” and realise that Kanji Daramy's friendship with, me Sahr Musa Yamba, does not in any way what so ever influence our publications. But that is not to say we don't give them (Kanji Daramy and his cronies) the opportunity to say their bit. We (Concord Times) do not run a hate campaign. We do not blackmail or attack to collect as suggested by the Standard Times publication of 8 th August 2006 “Kanji: The SALPOST cat,” which was highlighted as a warning at the tail end: “Caution- Kanji Dramy! Be prepared for a long and sweet battle.” Does that suggest threat? Hate? Attack and Collect later? Food for thought!
Hon. Fofanah and Hon Ernest Bai Koroma of the Parliamentary Appointment Committee have said it all; let me not waste my precious time. Phillip Neville's publication ‘Presidential Spokesman fails Parliamentary test' is nothing but a big fat lie!
Subject: Re: A Ballad to a Manipulator named Silbana or Silbia
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 13:05:40 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: proxy2.dmu.ac.uk at 146.227.11.233
Message:
After reading Sarh Musa Yamba's article about Phillip Neville's big fat lies,I say thank God in we have some true Journalists in SA LONE. This guy did everything right, he checked his stories with every one concerned, gave everybody concerned the opportunity to make a coment, before publishing....That is modern Day Journalism for you....No more CONGOSAAR and LIES.Check the facts, if they hold, then publish.
I take my hat off to you Mr Yamba... I dont know you but I respect you....
Now you won' have anything to worry about within the criminal Libel laws, would you? Since you do all the right things that is going to make you a great Journalist in our Country.
Subject: Re: A Ballad to a Manipulator named Silbana or Silbia
From: Question
To: All
Date Posted: 11:42:23 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
Interesting, but how can she stick with medicine when she is not a doctor ?
Subject: Re: A Ballad to a Manipulator named Silbana or Silbia
From: Answer
To: All
Date Posted: 12:18:42 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dialup-4.249.27.175.dial1.washington2.level3.net at 4.249.27.175
Message:
She claims to be a doctor,therefore let's give her the "benefit of the doubt."
Subject: Nigerian President apologises to God for ever making man VP
From: Town Crier
To: All
Date Posted: 10:00:31 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
Obasanjo Apologises To God, Nigerians Over Atiku
Promises To Match Violence For Violence
Warns Of Foreign Imposition Of Unpopular Polices
FROM EMMANUEL ANDE, YOLA
AS the protracted crisis between President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar rages on, the President yesterday apologised to God and to Nigerians over his choice of Atiku as his lieutenant.
At the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign tour of the Northeast for the Umar Yar'Adua/Goodluck Jonathan ticket held in Yola, the President said his decision to pick Atiku as his deputy was based on Atiku's close relationship with the late Shehu Musa Yar'Adua.
"I thought he (Atiku) was a close friend of the late Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, so he would emulate the lifestyle of the late political guru, who believed in developmental politics and offering services to the general public. But Atiku proved me wrong; he turned out to be a traitor to me," Obasanjo said.
On alleged plan by some people to breach the peace of the country, the President said that his administration has the capacity to match violence for violence.
"I learnt that some people are planning to incite crisis in order to create chaos in the country," he said. "I am warning such people that if they attempt to cause trouble in any part of the country, they will curse the day they were born."
The President, who spoke for 33 minutes at the rally, attended by stalwarts and thousands of party faithful, expressed concern over the political crisis in Adamawa State and urged the people not to vote in a governor that would not bring dividend of democracy to them.
He observed that Adamawa was under-developed by Governor Boni Haruna, for the seven years he had spent in office, alleging that his political mentor, Atiku Abubakar, held him hostage.
He added: "This time, I will not allow a governor that can be held hostage by his mentor to be voted as governor of Adamawa State."
Obasanjo told the crowd at the Ribadu Square, Yola that the priority of a PDP administration is national interest, better economy, security and the provision of social services to Nigerians.
He also vowed that his government would resist any intimidation or blackmail by any foreign country that wants to enslave Nigeria with its unpopular foreign polices.
"The days of slave trade are over. So, any foreign country that is trying to impose its policies on us in order to use it to exploit Nigeria will fail," he said.
The President maintained that only Nigerians have the key to develop the country politically and economically and not foreign agents and their policies.
He said that a vote for PDP was a vote for good water, health, quality education, security, grassroots development and economic development of the country; and reassured Nigerians on Yar'Adua's health, saying he was strong and healthy as against the speculations that he is unwell.
As usual, the President cursed those alleging that the Katsina State governor was ill, stressing, "it is those saying that Yar'Adua is sick that are mentally sick and they are mad in their thinking."
The PDP national chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali said that the party was solidly behind the Adamawa State lawmakers over their plot to remove Governor Haruna from office.
He accused the Vice President of abusing the trust reposed in him, and predicted that Atiku would not succeed in his presidential ambition because "he betrayed PDP and Nigerians for a selfish interest."
Yar'Adua assured Nigerians that his administration would ensure that the youths and women are empowered to be self-reliant in order to be productive.
Subject: Cadmus is in the Hospital (News Flash)
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 08:57:30 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
This morning I was woken up with the news that one of our well known forumites here the erudite british lawyer, had attempted suicide upon hearing the news that Ngor Hinga is now firmly in the PMDC camp.
The facts about how he attempted suicide are just now comming in through the wire. What I have been able to figure out so far is that this morning his wife found him in his bathtub with an exceptionally large bottle of wodka, his face immersed in water, bubbles coming from between his legs and the last thing he was heard saying was "aye we slpp we dun dun" it is reported that he would be making a come back and upon that occurence, he is expected to announce that he is now going to be a member of the All Peoples congress. The APC wishes him a speedy recovery.
ROTFLMMFAO
Over to you Cadmus.
"We declare our right on this earth....to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY" ----- Malcolm X
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (News Flash)
From: fan of Cadmus
To: All
Date Posted: 10:29:29 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
alieu this is so funny. I have been laughing all morning. I am sure that cadmus if he has a sense of humor will see that this is all in good fun. I am sure that he knw that you do not wish him ill, at least not by this post. This post was well done and in good taste. You are still the bomb man.
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (News Flash)
From: London Eye
To: All
Date Posted: 14:27:46 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-51-24.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.51.24
Message:
Folks, the demise of CADMUS has been wildly exegerated.
I was in bed with Cadmus last night and he surely did appear alive & kicking- inspite of the political bad news(if indeed its true). I hope his wife is not reading this!
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (News Flash)
From: Friend
To: All
Date Posted: 18:06:14 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.154.92.39
Message:
Is Cadmus a gay????
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (News Flash)
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 14:19:56 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-51-24.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.51.24
Message:
Thank you friends and country men/women.....
I am still alive and kicking here in London.
I must admit I had a bad night on hearing this news, but as they say, we will survive.
If true, we will miss Pa Norman, but SLPP is resilient/pliant and will continue the fight in the interest of Sa Lone.
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (News Flash)
From: M. Alieu iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 16:33:56 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Is this the real Cadmus or is this a fake posing as he? If this is the real cadmus, with deepest feelings in my heart (LOL) may I just tell ypou how sorry (LOL) I am, about this turn coat politicians which has so seriously affected and afflicted your grand ole opry (not Party because you guys have just put up your last show at leading sierra leone) the SLPP. Oh dear, have you talked to john and all of the other stalwarts (some grovelling on their bellies and others liek John Leigh in a much higher level than basic grovelling) whose cacophony of excessive noise in support of a failing party with failing policies, we have tried to live with the past few weeks on this forum.
Please give my regards to them on this most crucial loss of potential voters. I also over heard from some very strong SLPP supporters, that their opinions with regards to Hinga Norman has literally CHANGED OVERNIGHT. Any truth to that? One called me and called the chief a "Flip Flopper". Wow I didint know that you folks in the slpp have or had or habored so much disdain for anyone that leaves your party, until I heard some of the most God awful things said to me ABOUT Norman by people who not so long ago were STRONG SUPPORTERS of Hinga.
As they say "Life Goes on"
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (News Flash)
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 05:19:40 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.17
Message:
My brother Alieu....Yes this is the real CADMUS.
My brother, a British politician once said..'A WEEK IS A VERY LONG TIME IN POLITICS..'I respect the chief for taking a freely democratic decision.It is good that SLPP has created the situation where people can exercise their Democratic rights.
I for one will always be grateful to the chief and his men for saving our country from rebel bandits...but in excersing his democratic rights, the chief seem to have taken the wrong stand.I cannot argue with that.
Losing the chief is like losing the battle...but one can lose a battle and still win the war.
We now know that the race has entered a higher dimension virtually overnight.
The news that that the chief has gone to the otherside,seem factous,but will become sureal.The politic will now become yumorous.
I am not a ludicrous evangelical crackport, though, I may sound like that at time in my defence of SLPP..I am a realist.I will not criticise the Chief.I regret his decision, that I do.He is a Honourable man.
The chief and others did not consider SLPP achievements over the years.
Come July, Sa leoneans will remember sierra leone now and Sierra leone 10 years ago.Then they will vote.
Ps; on a more personal note, I am merried and faithful therefore, the posting by LONDON EYE is a scandal that mut be ignored.I went to a party with my family on Saturday night in North London..I can remember that because I was not drunk, inspite of the bad news from the Chief, I did not drink my sorrow.
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (News Flash)
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 09:33:00 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
NGOR/ORLANGBA/BRA,
SORRY OH FOR D BERRIN.NA NOW D AWO DON BEGIN FOR PLAY.MEK GOD BLESS APC.
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (FOR CADMUS)
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 08:40:40 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 59.160.62.6
Message:
Cadmus,
You are most welcome to the follow the foot steps of the honorable Chief by joing the PMDC family. It is never too late.
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (FOR CADMUS)
From: FORREST GUMP
To: All
Date Posted: 09:34:23 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host217-44-229-64.range217-44.btcentralplus.com at 217.44.229.64
Message:
If you dont behave yourself I will come and konk you The bloody cheek
Subject: Re: Cadmus is in the Hospital (FOR CADMUS)
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 22:04:29 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
You are drunk with the VODKA I suggested. Haaaahahahaaaaaaaaaa. SLPP diehard falling to sleep under the influence of V.
Subject: Look who is talking.Sia hides his true identity!
From: Deepthroat
To: All
Date Posted: 06:10:20 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 131-65-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.65.131
Message:
Sia's family never short of government's scholarship and goodies. Sia is a fictitious name. Your gender is no she, so I will refer the tag, him on you! The individual hiding behind that name, hail from a family that was also involved in the thievery of Sierra Leone's wealth. Governments' scholarship and entitlements and per diem created wealth within Sia's family.
Whilst the poor was waiting for Donors handouts, misinformed Sia's father was using Sierra Leone's diamonds and influence to get houses in the east, central and every corner of Sierra Leone and today, his kith is trying to paint the PMDC as a party that has Chaves ambition.
Who has been benefited from Sierra Leone's diamonds and wealth? It is the likes of Sia's father, lebanese, and West African migrants.
When a responsible party, like the PMDC is trying to give authentic Sierra Leoneans a good future, those whom have made the Country lost its respect, are trying to divert attention from reality.
Why will the people of Sierra Leone want to continue with an SLPP that has made them to wander aimlessly?.
Diamond mining has not benefited the average Sierra Leonean. It is the big guns who are milking its wealth that have reaped everything meant for the people. What has the presence of Lebanese and West Africa migrants done to improve the lifes of the inhabitants of Kono?
Why the people of kono ain't having a pleasant life, like those in Botswana?
The so-called Sia is an enemy of progress. He likes to see our people in misery and poverty, rather than elevate their status. Unlike, the SLPP, the PMDC is comprised of inspirational and motivated Sierra Leoneans who wil do anything to liberate their Countyy this time around. The PMDC policy is to bring positive change into all spheres of the Country. The so-called diamond mining has brought an unprecedented damnation in the lifes of our people and it has never diminished the people's perennial poverty.
There is a justification to put a moratorium on diamond mining, till it attracts considerate and responsible investors not the lebanese or West African migrants. Our diamonds need to be processed in Sierra Leone.
Mr Sia, we know that you and the SLPP cronies are benefiting imensely from the mining. However, we the ordinary masses will want to see our mining fields conducting responsible and profit related mining - one that brings bread on the table of the poor, a mining that will not cause environmental damage in Kono, a mining that will transform the villages in the vicinity. We want to see a government policy that will ensure mining Companies, unlike those the SLPP gave carte blanche to mine, provide affordable housing, good roads, hospital, pipe-borne water and other serious services in the Community.
The SLPP, so-called Sia is making a case for his SLPP political misfits and crooks who will want to see Sierra Leone tumble than, having any decency in its political arena.
One thing that is certain, 2007 will free the people of Sierra Leone from the bondage of economic morass manufactured by a kleptomaniac SLPP government.
Subject: Re: Look who is talking.Sia hides his true identity!
From: FREEDOM
To: All
Date Posted: 08:45:49 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Out the hypocrites, my brother.
Subject: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 21:40:22 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 59.160.62.6
Message:
FORUMITES:
It is final and it is the truth and nothing but the truth SO THANK YOU GOD. If you do not believe this then go drink vodka and sleep until after July 28, 2007.
CULLED FROM COCOKRIOKO.
HINGA NORMAN DECIDES HIS POLITICAL FUTURE : HE DECLARES FOR PMDC
As speculated by COCORIOKO on Monday after talking to his aides, Chief Hinga Norman has decided his political future. In a dramatic press release today, the former Coordinator of the Civil Defence Force ( CDF) and one-time Interior Minister announced that he along with other CDF members Allieu Kondowa and Moinina Fofana , have decided to work with the People's Movement for Democratic Change ( PMDC ) , headed by Mr. Charles Francis Margai.
HERE IS THE PUBLIC STATEMENT RELEASED TODAY
PUBLIC RELEASE FROM CHIEF HINGA NORMAN
To: All Directors, Administrators, Commanders, Initiators & Members of the Sierra Leone Civil Defence Forces (CDF);
Chairman and Secretary General, Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party (SLPP);
Chairman and Secretary General, People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC)
National & International Media; Family, Friends and Well Wishers.
Medical Report
We are pleased to report that Chief Sam Hinga Norman successfully underwent hip surgery at military hospital in Dakar, Senegal on Thursday 8 February 2007 and is recovering well.
Mr. Norman arrived in Senegal on Wednesday 17 January in the custody of the special court for Sierra Leone (SC-SL) amidst controversy over the method of his removal from Sierra Leone and the status of his detention in Senegal. He was later transferred to military hospital following international outcry from his family, supporters and human rights groups in Senegal.
In this regard, we wish to express sincere appreciations to all those who registered their voices in support of Chief Norman. In particular, we wish to thank His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, former British High Commissioner, Chief Peter Penfold, the office of the Prime Minister of Senegal and our colleagues in the Senegalese human rights movement. We also thank national and international media including Omaru Fofana of the BBC, Dr. Sylvia Blyden of Awareness Times, Gibril Koroma of the Patriotic Vanguard and Rev. Kabs Kanu of Cocorioko for their extra vigilance in this matter. The Norman family also extends their kindest appreciation to Professor Abdul Karim Bangura and Mwalim Sami Gandi-Gorgla of the Sierra Leone Working Group for coordinating our activities in Senegal. Lastly but not least, we express our thanks to the offices of the Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Detention, SC-SL, for their assistance and cooperation.
Statement on Political Status
The Committee to Elect Hinga Norman wishes to inform the public at home and abroad that following a series of face-to-face meetings between Chief Hinga Norman, Mr. Moinina Fofana and Dr. Alieu Kondewa representing the CDF and Mr. Charles Francis Margai and Mr. Ansu Lansana representing the PMDC, both sides have come to an agreement to work together as a team to redeem Sierra Leone from bad governance through the 2007 presidential and general elections. This agreement was reached without any reservations or pre-conditions. Prior to the recent Trans-Atlantic Tour led by Mr. Margai, a joint committee representing both the PMDC and the CDF met several times to discuss matters of mutual interest to both groups with respect to the 2007 elections.
The recommendations of the joint committee under the heading of the Indianapolis Accord were presented to both Mr. Norman and Mr. Margai for further consultations with their respective constituencies at home and abroad. Following Mr. Margai’s return from the Trans-Atlantic sensitization tour, a series of meetings were held between the PMDC and the CDF in Sierra Leone. From these meetings, a formal invitation was extended to the CDF to join the PMDC in an effort to create a broad-based national coalition in the mutual interest of ushering in good governance in our beloved Sierra Leone.
On this note, we congratulate all the participants in the PMDC coalition for their vision and courage to set aside personal interest towards a common national agenda. We believe this to be a space-time continuum of the wind of change that is once again blowing across our motherland. And as British Prime Minister, Harold McMillan, correctly observed in his famous Wind of Change addresses in Accra and Cape Town some forty-seven years ago, “The wind of change is blowing through this continent. Whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact.” Thus, the change the PMDC coalition is bringing is a political reality and a fact of life for us to experience come July 2007. It is also a fact of positive nation building as well as a fact of individual self-actualization for all Sierra Leoneans.
We also believe that without a doubt, what is happening in Sierra Leone is not merely a wind of change but a political tsunami that will sweep across our beloved nation for a better future. Those who are willing to become a part of this change will be greatly rewarded by a grateful posterity for leading the way to national reconciliation and redemption. So we are hopeful that many will follow the lead of the CDF and be a part of the movement for a positive change in our nation.
Therefore, we urge all members of the CDF and the Kamajor Movement, their families and supporters both at home and abroad to lay aside all malice and the political, ethnic and regional barriers which have until now held us back from fulfilling the dreams of the founders of our Republic. We urge all to work together as “One for All and All for One” under the national PMDC coalition. We also urge all members of the CDF to continue to conduct themselves with the dignity they have displayed since the arrest and detention of our leaders four years ago.
We refuse to believe that:
• Sierra Leoneans in their collective wisdom can only associate themselves with one or two political parties along ethnic and regional lines;
• There is no other choice for our people especially of the South and the East with which to exercise their political freedom of association.
Fellow Sierra Leoneans, we believe that in July 2007 there is a clear and convincing choice and a chance for all Sierra Leoneans for a positive political change in the country. The PMDC presents such a choice for our people and our nation.
In this regard we, first and foremost, appeal to members of the CDF and the Kamajor Movement to register in the tens of thousands when registration opens on the 26th of this month and to give their unequivocal support to the PMDC in July. This is our chance to rebuild our nation and to reclaim her place in the international community once again as the Athens of West Africa. By so doing, in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood and sisterhood.” With this hope, we as one people and one nation and with God’s help will be able to transform Sierra Leone from the 176th poorest nation in the world into a shining ray of hope for posterity and ourselves. This is our reasonable call of service for the land that we love: Our Sierra Leone.
With regards to the recent Concord Times interview with Vice President Solomon Berewa who blamed members of the Kamajor Movement for the betrayal of Chief Hinga Norman and his colleagues, Kamajors are hereby advised without exception that no contention exists between members of the movement and leaders of the CDF. Indeed, Chief Norman, Mr. Fofana and Dr. Kondewa retain their strictest confidence and admiration for the Kamajors including those who may have testified for the prosecution in the trial of the CDF leaders. It is also to be recalled that it was Mr. Berewa who negotiated for the defective and deceptive Lome Accord which falsely granted “free and absolute pardon” to the CDF only for their leaders to be arrested and tried for war crimes. It was also Mr. Berewa who, as Attorney General, negotiated for the special court without provision for the people who twice took up arms to defend the SLPP government, in particular, and the nation as a whole. It is, therefore, inconceivable and highly reprehensible that the people who are the victims of the recklessness and ingratitude of Mr. Berewa’s government are now being blamed for the incarceration of their leaders for doing exactly what the government hired them to do. History and posterity owe much gratitude to each and every Kamajor for their selflessness. God, in turn, will pay a just recompense to those who betrayed their sacrifice for the cause of our beloved country.
Conclusion
This release confirms the previous Press Release signed by Chief Sam Hinga Norman of Valunia Chiefdom, Speaker Moinina Fofana of Nongowa-Bullom Chiefdom and Dr. Alieu Musa Kondewa of Bumpe-Ngao Chiefdom on 11 January 2007 of their intent to join the PMDC. This release also serves as a formal notice of their resignation from the SLPP and their wholehearted and unconditional acceptance of the invitation to join the PMDC. The Chairmen and Secretary Generals of the SLPP and PMDC are hereby advised accordingly. Finally, we trust that this release ends all speculation and supersedes all previous statements made by or on behalf of Chief Norman, Mr. Fofana and Dr. Kondewa with regards to their political status and affiliation for the 2007 general and presidential elections. God bless all. God bless Sierra Leone.
*** End of Release ***
Rev. Alfred Munda SamForay
Committee to Elect Hinga Norman
& Chairman, Indiana Chapter,
PMDC-North America.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA
To: All
Date Posted: 09:18:57 02/18/07 ()
Email Address: SAIDUBANGSO@AOL.COM
Entered From: pool-72-83-112-156.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 72.83.112.156
Message:
It Is chief Hinga Norman's right to join any party of his choice.If he decides to join the PMDC,we in the SLPP will never hate him for that.We thank him very much for his faithful and devoted services to our party and we wish him well.
But,knowing Chief Norman and Charles Margai well as I do I am sure that they will not get along well because do not have a working chemistry.
I assure Chief Norman that when he has problems in the PMDC,let him feel very free to come back to his root the SLPP.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 21:47:15 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
I guess there is some chemistry at the beginning for him to join the PMDC. His chemistry with the SLPP has caught fire and evaporated.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Analyst
To: All
Date Posted: 18:53:48 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 213.154.88.24
Message:
Who the F is Hinga Norman.Whether he joins PMDC or ABC or DEF, right now, he cannot cast his own one vote
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 00:28:01 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: new-5000.cadence.com at 158.140.1.25
Message:
I thought Hinga Norman joined PMDC two weeks or so ago with the release of a signed document. Why is he making another statement essentially saying the same thing?
What clout has this guy got, given that he is behind bars?
The average former Kamajor fighter is today more concerned about where his next meal is going to from, than worrying about which way the wind is blowing in Hinga Norman's political tap dancing.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 03:28:36 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 59.160.62.6
Message:
Mr. Independent Man, there have people on the forum who have been very very skeptical about the authenticity of that document. Some have categorically stated that it is not true. The press release is from a very close person to the Chief who has given us accurate information about him for several years. This is therefore mainly for the unbelievable THOMASES of the SLPP.
For those who know the support and sympathy the Chief has amongst average Sierra Leoneans, this should and must the another blow to the SLPP that is sure to lead it to its 'demise'. WHAT A JOY THIS BRINGS TO MY EARS AND MILLIONS WHO HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN BEREWA.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 18:01:53 02/18/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-37-105.dynamic.mts.net at 209.202.37.105
Message:
Are you sure Norman jump over to PMDC means they will win the election?Can you also justify that all civil defense forces will follow him?
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 21:45:45 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
I cannot say what is the exact impact, but it is a blow to the SLPP.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 10:25:32 02/19/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-39-116.dynamic.mts.net at 209.202.39.116
Message:
Thats true.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Will of SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 21:52:03 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 59.160.62.6
Message:
I said so sometime ago that SLPP should be preparing for its funeral arrangements. Did SLPP write any will or they got nothing to leave behind?
FINAL REST OF THE SIERRA LEONE PEOPLES PROBLEM WILL BE LAID TO REST ON JULY 28, 2007. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PIECES.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Sa Konday
To: All
Date Posted: 04:39:27 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip565bc167.direct-adsl.nl at 86.91.193.103
Message:
Who cares about the SLPP. They have no will.
They showed ungratefullness to the very people whose parents suffered for the party.
Some or if not all of them have joined or have their own parties.
The SLPP is now full of strangers with no foundation.
The foundation is completely broken which means that they are slowly seeking their place in the history books forever.
Come july 2007. Bye bye SLPP.
Subject: Re: HINGA NORMAN HAS JOINED PMDC - FINAL REPORT
From: Kamara-Jones
To: All
Date Posted: 05:16:52 02/19/07 ()
Email Address: kamara@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-127-53-17.hsd1.va.comcast.net at 24.127.53.17
Message:
Do you want to be in a party that is a family property? If you are a member of a family, is it not better to stay and fight if you think the family is going in the wrong direction? SL is a republic (the word itself literally stands for freedom), not a monarchy.
Subject: THE LATE AMBROSE GANDA TELLS US ABOUT SOLOMON BEREWA.
From: Dr. CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 21:18:17 02/17/07 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: pool-72-86-36-197.clppva.fios.verizon.net at 72.86.36.197
Message:
This article is posted as a tribute to Ambrose Ganda. Though his voice is lost in death, we will always remember his brilliance. REST IN PEACE, my friend and brother, and thanks for this brilliant article !
Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS.
--------------------------------------------
A short biography of Solomon Berewa
Posted by The AfricaPaper (84.113.26.20) on March 27, 2005 at 09:04:01:
Solomon Ekummah Dominic Berewa, BA. Hons (Durham), Dip.Ed., B.L (Grays Inn, London); Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice; Chief Government Negotiator, Lome Peace Talks July,1999.
A short biography, by Ambrose Ganda, editor of Focus of Sierra Leone.
NO one should doubt the intellectual ability of Mr Solomon Ekummah Dominic Berewa, Sierra Leone’s redoubtable attorney-general and minister of justice, and chief government negotiator at 1999's Lomé Peace Conference. What he lacks in political judgement – a fact attested by his singularly dogmatic insistence on the rulebook (i.e. the Constitution) as opposed to the practical things that concern ordinary mortals - he makes up by his erudition and frequent bouts of unbridled self-righteous indignation. I do not know the linguistic derivation of his middle name 'Ekummah', but assuming it is Mende, which is his as well as my mother tongue, it would connote defiance, and in its literal translation means 'won't agree'.
He is the longest serving minister holding the same portfolio that he held at the start of the Kabbah presidency in March 1996. He was appointed Attorney General by President Kabbah following, and most probably because of, their close friendship formed between 1992 and 1996 when they shared membership of the National Advisory Council (NAC). The council was created by the illegal NPRC military government to advise on constitutional and political matters. In effect, however, the junta cleverly used it to deflect charges of unconstitutional and illegal behaviour. With Kabbah as chairman and Berewa one of its leading legal luminaries, the council ostensibly had immense clout with the NPRC junta. The irony has not been lost on the political opponents of both Kabbah and Berewa, especially on those who were prosecuted between1998 and 1999 for allegedly serving and collaborating with the AFRC military junta during its seven-month rule in 1997.
The NAC placed considerable reliance for, among other things, the redrafting of the Sierra Leone Constitution (a product that was later rejected by the soldiers boys), on Berewa and another fallen companion, the matter-of-fact barrister Mr George Banda-Thomas who was also appointed minister of information and broadcasting and, by the time of the AFRC coup, was the minister of trade and industry. Banda-Thomas, who is currently being touted as a potential challenger to Kabbah’s second-term presidential ambitions, parted company with the government during its exile in Guinea and settled in the Gambia, allegedly because of serious disagreements over aspects of some of the strategies that were being planned for the return of the exiled government.
Berewa, on the contrary, dutifully stayed on and loyally served his President. As the senior law officer, he was involved at every stage of the plans and allegedly, according to exiled residents in Conakry at the time, the vindictive programmes that were hatched for the restoration, return and rehabilitation of the overthrown government. He was the exiled government's principal negotiator at the meetings that were held, ostensibly, to give credibility to its publicly declared aim of engaging in peaceful dialogue to end the AFRC’s usurpation. But, in effect, these meetings were smokescreens for buying time because plans had in the meantime been laid and were well advanced for the restoration of the Kabbah government by military force. During those meetings he came across as a difficult, phlegmatic and, according to one diplomatic source, ‘characteristically opinionated and inflexible’ negotiator.
For his hard-line and seeming obduracy, Berewa has already paid a high price because, in today's Sierra Leone, he is faced with an array of implacable enemies, spoken and unspoken, who are wide-spread but firmly embedded among a core of kindred northern and eastern Sierra Leonean ethnic groups, especially Temnes, Limbas and Konos. This is not surprising for a man who has established a reputation for courting controversy and adversity. For example, he is credited with single-handedly, and single-mindedly, pulling out all the stops to secure the arrest and detention of thousands of his own countrymen and countrywomen for their alleged collaboration with RUF rebels and the illegal AFRC Junta of 1997. He prosecuted and successfully secured the conviction of scores of them for treason. The trials were based on some of the most perverse legal amendments ever in Sierra Leone's legal history, drafted and enacted purposefully, with retrospective provisions, to secure the conviction of the accused. Some of those convicted included 26 leading junta figures, including one female. The majority of those executed were of northern tribal origin, hence the depth of animosities towards him from this section of Sierra Leone’s politically fractious society. Others, mainly civilians, who were awaiting execution, such as the former Secretary to the President before the AFRC coup, Mr Sheku A T Bayoh (a Mende), or the internationally renowned and respected agriculturalist and gentleman Professor Willie Taylor, formerly of Njala University College – a Creole, were later set free under a general amnesty in late 1999.
Berewa is a self-made man from a simple and respectable background. Early in his life, with which I was closely associated from our primary schooldays, he showed glowing evidence of his brainpower. He was in a class of his own and easily the favourite student of my late father, Pa J T Ganda, the headmaster of the Sacred Heart RC Primary School, in Serabu, Bo District. As far as I know, to his dying day, Pa Ganda regarded Berewa as one of his two best and brightest students ever, in his long and memorable teaching career; the other being Mr Benedict Josie Morrison, who went on to become a lecturer in French in the Ivory Coast.
"Brer Solo", as we used to call him in those days, started school late and by the time he joined us at Serabu, from the infant school at Yengema village about 4 miles away, he must have been possibly 10 or 12 years old. I was then a tender child of so and so. Being much older than the rest of us, he had a very quick grasp of the rudiments of every subject that was introduced to us - Arithmetic, Geography, English Grammar, Composition, Civics, Nature Study, Religious Knowledge, Drawing, etc (as these subjects were known then), and the mandatory 'hot mental' which preceded every morning's start of class.
In all, I guess he spent not more than four years in primary school. In those days there were three terms and the school year ended at Christmas. The class stages were Class 1, Class 2, and Standards 1 to 6. He was, as we used to say colloquially, 'double promoted' (I believe) two times. He joined us in Class 2 and was promoted along with us to Standard 1, coming first in that year's exams. But after just two terms, he was promoted to Standard 2 to complete the third term, coming top of his class again. He moved on to Standard 3, still unbeaten and, as far as I can recall, again got promoted to Standard 4 before the end of that year. It was then that the late Pa Ganda took a gamble and decided that instead of waiting for Berewa to proceed to Standard 5, which was the norm, he would submit him that year for the selective common entrance examination for admission to secondary school. The late old man’s hunch was right. Solo excelled and scored one of the best results in the Southern Province that year, a feat that gave our already famous school more laurels to celebrate. The year was 1954. He was instantly enrolled by the newly founded Roman Catholic secondary school, Christ the King College (CKC), in Bo, among its very first intake of pupils. I followed him there three years later, where we were both boarders.
His classmates included Mr Gabriel Amara who later became principal of the school; Mr Aloysius B Momoh a respected senior civil servant who sadly died in March this year; the distinguished and experienced civil servant and career diplomat Mr Francis Karemo, tragically massacred along with his wife Lois, by marauding gangsters in the heady first days following the AFRC coup in 1997; the former senior laboratory technician at Njala University College the late Mr Leo Noni, and others. We all shared one thing in common, namely, a quiet reverence for Solo's awesome intellectual ability. He was studious, concentrated and unflappably focused like a beaver at work. He would keep his legs in a bucket of very cold water (I saw it!) just to keep awake while 'cogging' (swotting, to you) till daybreak.
In those days, CKC had one the strictest disciplinarians as its principal, the late Rev Father Michael Corbett, who was also its founder. He made no distinction between pupils - brilliant or not, sons of the famous or of the lowliest, senior or junior. He placed everybody under the same strict regime and tested their endurance, or lack of it, to its limits. Berewa, the bright lad, was one of those pushed to the upper limits.
This priest also had a habit of putting us through rigorous impromptu mental tests, which we very much detested. His usual routine was to shuffle his way into the study room where about 90 of us – boarders – would be doing our afternoon or evening study. He wore only soft shoes so we did not hear the sound of his approaching footsteps. He then randomly picked up an unsuspecting pupil's library book, making sure it was not one of the prescribed textbooks. After speed-reading through a few pages he would insert an improvised page marker - a ruler perhaps. Then picking up an abandoned chalk end, he would write out two or three paragraphs on the blackboard.
With the board covered up, he would do a half-turn on his toes to face the class. Clearing his throat intentionally for attention, which he got instantly, he would invite everyone, irrespective of grade or seniority, to write the passage down. "I want you all to memorise the passage on the board for tomorrow afternoon (Sunday)” he would say. It was one of his rare moments of grace. Sometimes, the set target time for such mental gymnastics would be limited to 30 minutes or even less, there and then. But when passages were much longer he gave till the next day. With that he would leave the room as quietly as he had come in.
On one particular occasion that I can vividly recall, judgement day arrived without fanfare. Fr Corbett strolled into the classroom unannounced, in his usual self-effacing manner, and picked up the book from which he had reproduced the test passage on the previous day.
"Put away your books,” he ordered in his usual squeaky tone. His right hand, armed with a ruler, left us in no doubt that he would readily deal a deadly blow on the anatomy of the would-be defaulter. Lifting his eyes away from the choice page, he looked around purposefully, sweeping them sideways across the length and breadth of the study room, and resting them briefly on one or other of the petrified faces in front of him. You could tell from the intensity of the look on his face, that the unlucky object, or rather the victim, of his deliberate random search had already been identified. Suddenly, his eyes assumed the configuration of a fixed gaze on that area at the back of the room occupied by the senior boys. The silence that followed was impenetrable and ethereal. You could hear the pin drop.
“Berewa, recite” came the barely distinct order, which was greeted by a clearly audible mass exhalation of relief from the rest of us. Solo stood to his feet unsteadily, at first, and then straightened up. We were confident that he would sail through easily. But to our eternal shock and surprise, the unexpected happened!
Like a gramophone needle that gets stuck in the groove of an old wax record, he went into staccato mode, in painful stutters. "May.. May… became… May became…May became [Long pause]…Maaaaaay… May… became… May became…"
Then followed an agonising long silence. The priest's patience seemed to be irreparably frayed.
"Remain standing, Berewa" he said tersely to him.
For the rest of us, the torment that followed was like the approach of creeping death, reminiscent of the torment of the twelve disciples when Jesus revealed that one of them would betray the Son of Man. "Is it I Lord?" they asked pleadingly, each to a man. We waited anxiously, each one of us in the full expectation of being the target of the now outstretched arm and ruler. It was decidedly pointed at my half-expectant face!
"Ambrose, stand up and recite."
Fr Corbett had a penchant for creating melodrama, sometimes bordering on mischief. It did not matter to him if it embarrassed anyone, regardless of seniority. It must have been the only reason why I, a junior, was selected, possibly to embarrass Brer Solo so he would push himself even harder in future. How cruel that such a task should fall on me, I thought!
I stood up and also started nervously but quickly managed to steady out with confidence. “May became June. [Long pause.] June drew to a rainless close. [Long pause.] The monsoons this year crossed the Arabian seas in fitful squalls; that sight in which Indian poets rejoice. The caravans, heavily laden, headed along once dusty tracts towards the towering Himalayan peaks in the distance…" etc., etc.
I sailed through my rendition alright. I had spent the good part of the night memorising the stuff. As for Brer Solo, he was afterwards asked by the Principal to “go up to my room” which was a euphemism for being sent to his office for punishment. It was the routine fate from which nobody was spared.
This regime worked. Berewa and his classmates worked doubly hard. They gained fantastic results for CKC, in the school's first attempt at the West African School Certificate (GCE) examinations. Both he and the late Aloysius Bapoto Momoh scored solid Grade 2s. For Brer Solo personally, the result was disappointing. He had aimed for, and was expected to attain, a Grade 1 and missed it by just a couple of points. But he and his colleagues effectively put CKC in contention with established schools such as the Bo Government School. They set the standard for the school's future scholarly achievements.
Berewa went on to Fourah Bay College and gained a BA Honours degree and a Diploma in Education. He taught for a few years before coming to England to study at the Inns of Court School of Law (the practising barristers' main training school) here in London. He did this in record time, winning the Law of Trust prize. He was admired and respected by his colleagues. Some of them used to gather around him, or visit his home in the evenings, at revision time for his help because of his good grasp of some of the legal conundrums. He was always prepared to share his knowledge.
He is contemptuous of many of his professional colleagues and has described them variously as intellectually vacuous. Never a man to be put off by criticism, and totally convinced of his own judgement and intellect, this gloriously irreverent man is not one ever to show the slightest remorse or self doubt (at least in public). He marches on regardless, like a kamikaze pilot on a mission to self-destruct. But his still clever brain appears unable to function outside a laboured logic that, at times, threatens the normality and ordinariness of the life buzzing around him. He once conveyed high promise of becoming a Catholic priest but dropped the idea later in his life. He is well settled family man. He is, though, a practising (some say) devout Roman Catholic, who has chaired his local parish council and often serves as the representative of the Catholic Mission in Sierra Leone on several councils of state and religion.
I have always been very fond of Berewa, whom I look upon as an elder brother. One of my first ports of call during my infrequent visits to Sierra Leone was to his home, or to his chambers, where he had a prolific legal practice with his very close buddy Garvas Betts, a brilliant lawyer and Oxford graduate, who died in1999 after a long illness. Their partnership outshone most in Sierra Leone, and stood as living proof that a countryman and a Creole could work closely together to achieve the highest standards in their profession.
However, since his political debut Brer Solo has managed to dent my once unquestioned admiration for his intellect. The problem is that he is a technocrat who is trying too hard to play the role of a politician. The experiment has evidently not worked. This is not to question his undoubted ability to handle his portfolio, especially as Attorney General. But I have to say I have been rudely shocked by his obsessive pursuit of revenge and retribution – his idea of justice - using the law as his weapon. He has made many mistakes and too many foes in the process. He has dug himself into a corner from which he will need the wisdom of his namesake, King Solomon, to extricate himself.
I have heard him being variously described as bloodthirsty, vengeful and unforgiving. But paradoxically, he is not all that this partial public image of him appears to portray. He is a very friendly man when you get to know him, extremely helpful, quiet (when he is not in court), and close to his family and friends. He has a huge sense of humour, enjoys a good laugh and is a most compelling raconteur. But, these days, 'compassionate' or 'forgiving' are not terms that people readily apply to him.
As for modesty, he has more than once been forced to eat his words, as when, prior to the Lomé Agreement, he savaged with ritualistic relish the suggestion that his government might involve rebels in Cabinet. Berewa pleaded the Constitution, as a bar, to make his point. Only then for him, as chief government negotiator, to conclude a deal which did exactly that! See here for my report of his admission and explanation at a meeting in London in July 1999, with President Kabbah in attendance, following the signing of the Lomé Agreement. For once, Berewa was forced to face reality and was man enough to accept it. It should be a signal lesson for him.
I am firmly convinced that Sierra Leone can still benefit from this man's undeniable gift and huge intellect. But Brer Solo needs to cool down and find time to reflect, then decide what he wants to become from this moment onwards. Whether he wants to establish himself as a cult figure for hate or as a catalyst for positive change in a tolerant new Sierra Leone, free of the prejudices of the past, which understands and appreciates that human beings are different and endowed with qualities that vary from person to person. That being clever and learned is not all that matters in the end, and is most certainly not co-terminus with being prudent. Berewa is a clever man but he has not proved to be a wise man. Clever people live to learn and acquire wisdom. Brer Solo still has time to do so. And the lessons of life won’t stop there because, as they say, even the wise live to learn.
Subject: Re: THE LATE AMBROSE GANDA TELLS US ABOUT SOLOMON BEREWA.
From: Dr. S.M.Turay
To: All
Date Posted: 12:37:42 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: e182013065.adsl.alicedsl.de at 85.182.13.65
Message:
Ambrose, we miss you more now than ever. May your soul rest in perfect peace.
Subject: Re: THE LATE AMBROSE GANDA TELLS US ABOUT SOLOMON BEREWA.
From: Kamara-Jones
To: All
Date Posted: 05:11:05 02/19/07 ()
Email Address: kamara@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-127-53-17.hsd1.va.comcast.net at 24.127.53.17
Message:
This article is overwhelmingly positive about Berewa. Even when it tried to be negative, it showed that Berewa is man enough to compromise on having the RUF in their government. Also, does the article not say he can work with people of other ethnic groups in SL? He is a"self-made man", thus he is only after the "right thing", he can work with Creoles and he has a sense of humour, now is there any other character in the SL race with these credentials?
Subject: Re: THE LATE AMBROSE GANDA TELLS US ABOUT SOLOMON BEREWA.
From: kroobaymom
To: All
Date Posted: 14:43:10 02/18/07 ()
Email Address: kroobaymom@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.117.246.251
Message:
Electing Egummah Berewah as the next president will be the saddest mistake Sierra Leoneans will ever make. He reminds me of the of Emperor Jean Bedel Bokassa of Central African Republic who declared the republic a monarchy, and had himself crowned Emperor Bokassa I on December 4, 1977.
It is easy to make out a blood thirsty dictator in the making when we see one. We've seen how he has eliminated all forms of opposition to his ascension to his current position and are convinced that he will manipulate the constitution to satisfy his thirst for power.
I saw him prosecute Kaikai; turn a blind eye to the execution of Bambay and others, and manipulated the constitution to execute the 24 military officers. We should stop this man in his tracks.
Subject: Re: THE LATE AMBROSE GANDA TELLS US ABOUT SOLOMON BEREWA.
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 12:33:29 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: proxy2.dmu.ac.uk at 146.227.11.233
Message:
.....'I SAW HIM PROSECUTE KAIKAI'writes kroobaymom.....Berewa is a Lawyer, for crying out loud...he was doing a job.KAIKAI and others had defence Lawyers too, did'nt they? Berewa is not going to apologise for being too good at his job, most people pray that they are good at what they do.
He was prosecuting on behalf of an APC Government.
Acting in the interest of his Country, no matter the colour of Governmnet incharge....That is the Patriotic BEREWA.That is why he is good for SA LONE which ever way you look at it.
Subject: Re: THE LATE AMBROSE GANDA TELLS US ABOUT SOLOMON BEREWA.
From: STUPIDITY
To: All
Date Posted: 17:45:02 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
"I saw him prosecute Kaikai; turn a blind eye to the execution of Bambay and others, and manipulated the constitution to execute the 24 military officers. We should stop this man in his tracks."
Wow, Berewa prosecuted Kaikai? Stupidity has reached its limits. You do not need to manipulate the constitution to execute coup makers. The constitution is clear on that. Its treason, Stupid MUNDA TOMBO DUMBO MUNKU. EWhy the heck did God make IDIOTS like you Sierra-leoneans. What a shame.
Subject: Re: THE LATE AMBROSE GANDA TELLS US ABOUT SOLOMON BEREWA.
From: kroobaymom
To: All
Date Posted: 18:26:27 02/18/07 ()
Email Address: kroobaymom@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.117.246.251
Message:
This shows you know very little about what goes on in your own country.Have you ever heard about th charges of insurbordination brought against Kaikai by Bambay Kamara, for which Berewa and Givas Betts were prosecutors. This was before Kaikai was charged for treason. Whre were you?
Subject: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 18:37:13 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
"It is quite possible that Bra Hinga and Co. may have entertained the thought of crossing over to another party of their choice probably out of frustration, and this would be quite understandable on my part. It is their prerogative, and I will NOT hold it against them. But the fact of the matter is that Bra Hinga will ALWAYS be SLPP."
Subject: Re: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 18:56:50 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Loggy
I am ROTFLMMFAO. wait till you see what the SLPP are about to do now. Put up another campaign against the PMDC. While quietly the APC is cnducting its own business and is primed to win these elections like we did in 1967.
It is a sad day indeed in the SLPP camp. But the fact of the matter is that they are all SLPP at heart. Wait till the runoffs if there be any and see what they will all do. The APC canot count on turn coats for support. We can only count on our own efforts and this is about thecorect time to start the campaign to change peoples minds.
I feel sorry for the defenders of the slpp like John Leigh my very good friend and colleague who has steadfastly protested that Hinga Norman would never join the pmdc or that all of the pmdc's statements about hinga joining are just a bunch of houey from a bunch "mumbo tumbo bangucrooks, disbarred lawyers etc etc. Well what does this tell us and the lsson we all should learn from it is that "okuru dog kin kill lepet".
To my slpp friends, let me extend my heartfelt condolences at the death of your party with its most senior coupist moving on to more youthful grounds. This is indeed a coup by the most well known coupist in sa lone.
Congratulations to the PMDC for bagging this most prized unconvicted felon.
Subject: Re: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: Kohtoh Kamal
To: All
Date Posted: 10:19:52 02/18/07 ()
Email Address: kamal@yahoo.com
Entered From: lan-shoneys-139-242.customer.ntelos.net at 64.203.139.242
Message:
As they say in the old streets of San Francisco, "yeah right".
Subject: Re: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:33:42 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
kohtor kamal you sef dae pan shock ehn. ROTFLMMFAO
Subject: Re: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: Kohtoh Kamal
To: All
Date Posted: 05:20:05 02/19/07 ()
Email Address: kamara@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-127-53-17.hsd1.va.comcast.net at 24.127.53.17
Message:
In the immortal words of Bert Simpson, "ha-ha." Since you went to prosecute him, you will like nothing better than to make him look foolish.
Subject: Re: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:13:11 02/19/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
THE HA IS ACTUALLY ON UYOU KOHTOR KAMAL. cHECK MY RECORDS AT THE SPECIAL COURT AND YOU WILL FIND OUT I NEVER WORKED A DAY IN THE PROSECUTION OF HINGA NORMAN
Subject: Re: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: Fool Me Once... But TWICE?!
To: All
Date Posted: 21:38:26 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
"I feel sorry for the defenders of the slpp like John Leigh my very good friend and colleague who has steadfastly protested that Hinga Norman would never join the pmdc or that all of the pmdc's statements about hinga joining are just a bunch of houey from a bunch "mumbo tumbo bangucrooks, disbarred lawyers etc etc. Well what does this tell us and the lsson we all should learn from it is that "okuru dog kin kill lepet".
More importantly, it exposes John Leigh's naivete and inexperience in SLPP politics for the second consecutive time -- after his disgraceful "surprise" non-nomination at the SLPP's Makeni convention.
The lesson for Leigh is one that he is unlikely ever to learn: That a big, loud, name-calling mouth is no substitute for experience in politics.
Subject: Re: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 19:21:06 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
Alieu:
It appears the SLPP folks, then and now, have a tendency to underestimate their competitors.
But that said, what will you aasume or know to be the very reason for not only Norman and Kondewa(?), but also RUF's Issa to join the PMDC? Is this an optimistic foundation being laid for future pardon from Charles Margai, or the SLPP has become too liberal for Norman?
Subject: Re: VERY SORRY SENGBE..."FACT OF THE MATTER" IS HERE
From: Stephen Swaray
To: All
Date Posted: 09:19:50 02/19/07 ()
Email Address: swaray2@aol.com
Entered From: acd105c8.ipt.aol.com at 172.209.5.200
Message:
There is nothing to sorry about in SIERRA LEONE politics.The movement of our politicians across paper-thin political gates dates back from the active early days of the late PA STEVENS who was a strong advocate of the SLPP manifesto.Sadly so most of our politicians are behaving like ACTIVATED CHEMICAL CATALYSTS ready to be thrown into a chemical equation with the aim of shifting the equilibrium of power.
Pa Norman,it is our hope that you get your freedom again but arming yourself at this moment in time with those catalytic properties is surely not a vote winner.We shall miss you but come July SLPP will win and your catalytic effect will go into coma.
Subject: Liberian Government ‘Official Gone Wild’: Sex Scandal May Fo
From: Rodney D. Sieh
To: All
Date Posted: 18:12:34 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Liberian Government ‘Official Gone Wild’: Sex Scandal May Force Knuckles to Resign
02/18/07 - Rodney D. Sieh, rsieh@FrontPageAfrica.com
An age-old culture of sexual impunity has found its way into the administration of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf – one that could lead to the resignation or dismissal of one of the president’s closest official and advisor, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs-designate, Willis Knuckles, FrontPageAfrica has learned.
Knuckles makes his presentation to lawmakers during his confirmation hearing for the Ministry of Public Works post. Knuckles was confirmed but later transferred to the Ministry of State
Damning new documents and images obtained by FPA shows the Minister involved in a sex encounter with what appears to be two young Liberian girls. FPA has chosen not to publish the photographs because of its graphic and explicit nature.
When contacted Saturday, Knuckles declined comment. However, a close family source confirmed to FPA that members of Knuckles family are aware of the photos existence and they have already been distributed to family members and close friends. FPA is still making all efforts to get a response from Knuckles.
President Sirleaf, who completed a week long visit to the U.S. Saturday and departed the U.S. for Great Britain is said to be aware that the photos exist but had not seen the images as of Saturday, according to an Executive Mansion source.
Last year, President Sirleaf drew attention to the rising levels of sexual exploitation of women and teenage girls in Liberia. The growing trend toward transactional sex between older, financially stable men and young women and even younger girls drew Sirleaf’s attention as she issued a warning to perpetrators in December 2006. "To those of you who are privileged or attained successes in businesses and are in our communities, and to those of you who represent the international community, I urge you not to use your wealth and power to sexually exploit children and women. It is an unacceptable behaviour, and a major challenge currently facing all of us," the president said.
Despite a peace agreement in 2003 that ended the particularly brutal 14-year civil war, during which fighters sexually assaulted girls and women and sometimes used them as "sex slaves", these types of violent abuse were still common, according to Lois Bruthus, head of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), a leading advocacy group. An estimated 85 percent of the 658 rape survivors reporting to the hospital were aged under 18, while 48 percent were aged between 5 and 12 years. "In more than 90 percent of the cases involving children, they were raped by someone they knew," Medicin Sans Frontier (MSF) said.
Rights activists point to poverty as the main reason why girls were being exploited. Activists also point to the fact that cash-strapped parents sometimes extort money from the perpetrators to privately settle the case without going through the courts system. The last survey conducted back in 1992 reported that Liberia has an unemployment rate of 85 percent and is one of the world's poorest countries, with most of the population living on less than US$1 a day, according to the World Development Index. Last year the Sirleaf administration raised to wage to $26 a month for civil servants.
Snowe Stands Accused – Again
According to the family source, family members believe that the alleged encounter was set up by Mardea White, the wife of the former speaker Edwin Melvin Snowe, who stepped down from his post after a long wrangle with members of parliament. The Knuckles family believe that Snowe and his wife were the masterminds in setting the minister up. However, sources close to the minister informed FPA that the photos were in fact old photos and are only being drummed up now by Snowe and his group to draw attention away from his resignation and pending investigation for corruption.
Efforts to reach Snowe Saturday was unsuccessful, but his chief of staff, Darius Dillon told FPA that it is unfair to draw the speaker in Knuckles alleged immoral behavior. “I think the question Mr. Knuckles should be asking is, ‘is the immoral person in the photo me?’, said Dillon.
Dillon said it was not Snowe and his wife who took Knuckles clothes off and forced him in the encounter. “Is it knuckles in the photo? that is the substance of the matter, it is not who set it up. He want and did his immoral act now he must bear the consequences,” Said Dillon.
Sex scandals have led to the downfall of numerous politicians. In 1996, Dick Morris, best known for managing former president Bill Clinton’s successful 1996 bid for re-election. Morris’ tenure on that campaign was cut short two months before the election when it was revealed that he had had an extramarital affair with a prostitute and allowed her to listen in on conversations with the President. Clinton himself was impeached by the House of Representative, but survived the Senate vote.
Photos heating up discussions, reactions
BLOG COMMENT
“I have nothing against what a man does in the privacy of his home; however the people entrusted with public office are not just any Joe Blow from the street. They are supposed to be persons of high MORAL character. "
A blogger in the Concern Liberians chatroom
In Monrovia, many Liberians are said to be finding it difficult to decipher whether the photo itself is genuine. The photos are said to be distributed in marketplaces and forwarded via email across cyberspace. But many are yet to be convinced about the authenticity of the photos. “The perception here is that many feel the photo may have been super-imposed,” says Moses Tamba, who spoke with FPA by phone from his residence in Sinkor Saturday.
In cyberspace, the photos have taken on a life of its own drawing heated discussions from Liberians far and wide.
In the popular Concerned Liberians Chat room, the reaction appears to be mixed. “The picture is hugely disappointing and a great embarrassment to the Office of the President. In a country where there is a history of women being exploited, the knowledge of such a high government official involved with women, none of whom is his wife raises some very serious questions,” notes one blogger.
Another blogger writes: “I have nothing against what a man does in the privacy of his home; however the people entrusted with public office are not just any Joe Blow from the street. They are supposed to be persons of high MORAL character. There is INDEED a different standard for them. As such, they they must exhibit private and public behavior that sets them apart. If Liberia is going to change, we must aspire to this!”
The photos for some could be a sign of security breach by the senior official. “An official or high security officer can get drunk or be drugged and spill state secrets with spending time with secret agent of another country,” one blogger notes.
Snowe hints at ‘Smoking Gun’: Is this it?
Knuckles is one of Sirleaf's closest advisors
In a resignation letter sent to his peers last week, Snowe hinted that a senior minister in the administration was behind the quest for remove him from power.
Snowe did not name the minister but sources close to the speaker confirm to FPA that Knuckles is the minister being accused and who Snowe believes was behind the bribery of the lawmakers who spearheaded Snowe’s downfall. The former speaker has given the official one week to reveal his identity and confess. “If he does not make public everything he knows about this alleged bribery at the House of Representatives, I will expose him. “It’s a clear warning to that person. Come out in one week, tell the Liberian people what you know about this bribery issue and resign as Minister or else…”
FPA has been informed that Snowe may have used the photos as a bait to get Knuckles to use his influence with the president to stop the corruption probe of his tenure at the Liberian Petroleum Refinery Corporation. But Knuckles reportedly informed Snowe that the issue had already drawn the attention of the international community and it was pretty much late to stop it. “Knuckles hands were tied. He pretty much told Snowe to do what he wanted with the photos,” said a source close to the Knuckles family.
The issue of immorality has plagued Liberia for years, government officials since the days of William V.S. Tubman, William Tolbert and Samuel Kanyon Doe have been alleged to have taken advantage of young Liberian girls. Current senior officials are also said to be heavily preying on young and underage girls who are struggling to make ends meet. The inauguration of the first woman head of state was seen by many as a sign for the better and the hope that it would bring closure to an ugly act that has destroyed the lives of many of the country’s young girls.
FPA gathered late Wednesday that Knuckles has been consulting with family members about his next move and has already notified the president of his intent to step down or have his nomination to the post withdrawn, but was told by the President to hold on until she returns to Monrovia Sunday. Whether Knuckles steps down or not, the images has shed light on an issue that has boggled Liberians for quite sometime and one which could draw some much needed attention to the plight of young Liberian girls and women living in dire straits.
Story Will be update throughout the weekend
Subject: Logic
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 16:55:31 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.150
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters. Why are certain people, communities, societies different from you and yours?
What is Logic? Logic is the study of patterns found in reasoning. The task of the logician is to set down rules for distinguishing between valid and fallacious inference, between rational and flawed arguments. [1]
Traditionally, logic is studied as a branch of philosophy, one part of the classical trivium, which consisted of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Since the mid-nineteenth century logic has also been commonly studied in mathematics. [2] More recently logic has been applied to computer science. The parts that make up a computer chip are often called "logic gates." [3]
As a formal science, logic investigates and classifies the structure of statements and arguments, both through the study of formal systems of inference and through the study of arguments in natural language. The scope of logic is therefore large, ranging from core topics such as the study of fallacies and paradoxes, to specialized analyses of reasoning using probability and to arguments involving causality. Logic is also commonly used today in argumentation theory. [4]
Reasoning can be defined in different ways, depending on the context of the understanding of reason as a form of knowledge. The logical definition is that reasoning is "the act of using reason to derive a conclusion from certain premises, using a given methodology." The two most commonly used explicit methods to reach a conclusion are deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. However, within idealist philosophical contexts, reasoning is "the mental process that informs our imagination, perceptions, thoughts, and feelings with whatever intelligibility these might have." Thus, reasoning links our experience with universal meaning. The specifics of the methods of reasoning are of interest to such disciplines as philosophy, logic, psychology, and artificial intelligence.
Deductive reasoning is the kind of reasoning in which the conclusion is necessitated by, or reached from, previously known facts (the premises). If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. This is distinguished from abductive and inductive reasoning, where the premises may predict a high probability of the conclusion, but do not ensure that the conclusion is true.
Deductive reasoning is dependent on its premises. That is, a false premise can possibly lead to a false result, and inconclusive premises will also yield an inconclusive conclusion.
Aristotle appears first to establish the mental behaviour of induction as a category of reasoning. This classification has only recently been challenged.
Reasoning is used in determining the validity of inductive concepts, but it is not necessarily involved in the origination of generalizations.
Historically, induction or inductive reasoning, sometimes called inductive logic, is the process of reasoning in which the premises of an argument are believed to support the conclusion but do not ensure it. It is used to ascribe properties or relations to types based on tokens (i.e., on one or a small number of observations or experiences); or to formulate laws based on limited observations of recurring phenomenal patterns. Induction is used, for example, in using specific propositions such as:
The philosophical question "What is the meaning of life?" means different things to different people. The vagueness of the query is inherent in the word "meaning", which opens the question to many interpretations, such as: "What is the origin of life?", "What is the nature of life (and of the universe in which we live)?", "What is the significance of life?", "What is valuable in life?", and "What is the purpose of, or in, (one's) life?". These questions have resulted in a wide range of competing answers and arguments, from scientific theories, to philosophical, theological, and spiritual explanations.
These questions are separate from the scientific issue of the boundary between things with life and inanimate objects.
Subject: FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR THE OPPORTUNISTS IN THE NORTH
From: M P KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 16:18:27 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
The Kamajors,the murderers have joined the pmdc their fellow brothers from the south,but we in the north especially those from Portloko district are full of distractors,opportunists,conspirators,traitors and hypocrites.This is the time for the above named to identify their identity and know where they belong not only for your own selfish ends but for the incoming generation,the region and the nation as a whole.Take these words seriously and put them at the back of your minds.
Subject: NO HIDING PLACE FOR KABBAH
From: M.P KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 15:23:10 02/17/07 ()
Email Address: mpkamara@hotmail.com
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
He has planned long ago to return back to his ancestral roots,Guinea but he is in hot waters th e blood and the souls of the innocent will haunt him.
Subject: There is hiding place - Bohmeh
From: Bohmeh
To: All
Date Posted: 04:44:01 02/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip565bc167.direct-adsl.nl at 86.91.193.103
Message:
Dont say that the Pa(president A.T.K.) has no hiding place.
He has a hiding place in bohmeh whici has already ben reserved.
Subject: The Murder of Zainab Kallokoh
From: J.Gordon - SLTV(UK)
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:41 02/17/07 ()
Email Address: studio@sierraleonetelevision.net
Entered From: 5ac25f2d.bb.sky.com at 90.194.95.45
Message:
SLTV - Tonights show will feature interviews at the magistrates court earlier this week when the verdict was reached at the trial of the killers of Zainab Kallokoh (a Sierra Leonean lady) who was shot dead at a christening party last year by a gang of youths who then proceeded to rob the other guests at gunpoint.
PLEASE NOTE THE SHOW'S NEW TIME:
SATURDAYS AT 7.30PM
SKY CHANNEL 148 (BEN)
Email: studio@sierraleonetelevision.net
Subject: Vote for this sierra leonean film maker
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 09:26:24 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
PLS VOTE FOR THIS FILM BY A BRILLIANT US-SIERRA LEONEAN FILM STUDENT.
Pls see details blow:
_________________________________________________________________________
Hey guys, I got a chance to enter a short film entitled "The Messenger" that I directed in a film competition hosted by Steven Spielberg, so if you could take a minute out of your day and vote for my film, that would be awesome.
To vote for my film, just go to:
-http://films.thelot.com/films/2505
-register on the website (click "login to rate this film" underneath the rating)
-and give it FIVE stars
-Send this to your family and friends!
This is really important to me, and my film got delayed getting up on the website so if you can do this it would help. There are only a couple days left to vote, so if you can, vote ASAP.
The film is only five minutes and I also have a 45 second introduction that I added in for the competiion as well (The intro is a little cheesy). So if you haven't seen it yet, feel free to check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks again VERY much!
Glenton Richards
grich_01@yahoo.com
Subject: 200 years After First Entertainment Resort in memory of slav
From: KENT BEACH
To: All
Date Posted: 22:37:48 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
AWOKO NEWS
KELVIN LEWIS
FEB. 14TH 2007
200 years After First Entertainment Resort in memory of slavery takes off in Kent
In spite of its small size within the West African zone, the Sierra Leone Peninsula has become a reference point in the tourism sector. This is due to the alluring scenery of the rain forest vegetation stocked with different species of animals and the numerous beaches lining its edges. The variation of fishes, lobsters, crabs and shrimps readily available are major side attractions of our numerous beaches. Key among these yellow beaches is the Kent sector which is a major tourists’ attraction.
Kent is a very important village in the historical annals of the country in the sense that the pending bicentenary anniversary of slavery cannot be celebrated without the mention of the village
which played a major role in the slave trade, which affected the very existence of the Blackman on
planet earth. Kent is indeed a tourists’ delight visited every week by numerous visitors foreign
and local.
Kent is a well positioned village for history. It has a bittersweet historical background, transforming from a slave transit point to a settlement for free borns by virtue of the 1772 Act. To this day, the ancient slave gate, which served as an entrance into the Atlantic for traversing of slaves as commodities into the so called new world, stands as a reminder that mans inhumanity to man once held sway in West Africa. The concrete embankments close to the beaches are equally strong reminders that several human beings traversed through that place sometimes to Banana Island where extremely stubborn or runaway slaves were kept.
The yellow sand and the caves around are equally
strong reminders of the solemn nature of the place. It reminds local and foreign visitors that Kent
is an important place which should not be trifled with.
For now the sleepiness of Kent has been punctuated by a sudden influx of people some of whom are
going there to watch these bicentenary relics and a lot of tourist developments taking place within
the Peninsula.
One major development that has come into Kent is the Sengbeh Pieh holiday resort which is built in
memory of the slaves who died at home and abroad.
In an interview with the proprietor, George Labour, the place situated along the Kent road leading
to the beach would be a first class eatery and entertainment joint of international standards when
completed.
To further the cause of the bicentenary, foreign and local guests would be traversed
across the Atlantic by boat to the nearby Banana, Turtle, Maroon and Bunce Islands as a major
facility that would be offered by the resort.
When completed, it would include “ensuite chalets” at the sea front and a “Creoledom Bar and Restaurant.” The Creoledom Bar and restaurant would be fashioned out of the traditions of the creoles and it would bring out several relics of creole culture and tradition in its aesthetics.
The joint would hold weekend jazz sessions to entertain its numerous customers that would be coming
to the place. Also lined up for guests is a telephone centre for local and international calls and
games such as snooker/pools tables and darts while lovers of sports can exercise themselves to
table tennis.Tourists would also be treated to wind surfing and other aqua sports which have not been played in Kent for a long time.
Subject: A NEW ECO – TOURIST FACILITY OPENS ON BANANA ISLAN D
From: BANANA
To: All
Date Posted: 22:28:55 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
A NEW ECO – TOURIST FACILITY OPENS ON BANANA ISLAN - Monday, January 29, 2007 at 08:07
In the country’s pursuit to promote Eco Tourism and in its quest to encouraging community participation in developing facilities that will cater for the needs of adventure tourists, the Banana Island Youth Association has commenced operation of such facility. The Association owns and operates this facility which now comprises 4 (four) beautiful designed Chalets built with mostly local materials with an environmental friendly ambience. The Fund for African Relief and Education (FARE) provided start up capital and is also providing training of personnel for Hotel, Restaurant and Financial Management for two years up to 2008. Other Sierra Leonean investors have contributed funds for the projects expansion. The scheme was pioneered by Mr. Gary Walker an American Consultant working in Sierra Leone and who had served as a Peace Corp Voluntary in Sierra Leone in the with early 70s.
The facility was officially opened in December 2006 by the Hon Minister of Tourism and Culture Mr. Okere Adams accompanied by the Commission of NACSA, Mr. Kanja Sesay, General Manager, Mr. Cecil Williams of the National Tourism Board, foreign delegation and the Press.
The Banana Island Chalets which was as the name indicates is located on Banana Island which was first visited in the 17th Century by Portuguese Sailors and descendants of freed slaves also settled there in the 18th and 19th centuries. Famous Krio families have held the land title to most of the Island for more then 200 years and the rest of the land is community owned. The facility can be visited by traveling directly by Boat from Freetown or drive to Kent Village either through Waterloo or by the Goderich Village. A Boat ride will take 15 minutes from Kent to Banana Island.
During your stay at the Facility, you can sample the appetizing fresh grilled snappers, Groupers and other fish daily. Grilled Lobster and King Crab are available during the season. Visit the charming Banana and Rickett Islands and chart with the hospitable and friendly villagers while discovering the traces of historic artifacts. For more details contact SL: 232 22 230478 232 76 813187 / Uk 44 207 990 7774/ USA 1 240 381 5830 Email: gemsl@mail.com
Subject: Uncle Conelius' interesting soccer analysis at LEONENET
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 19:20:43 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
I enjoyed reading Uncle Cornelius' soccer analysis and I think some of you soccer fans will enjoy it too. They were analysing my report on FC Kallon and Ports' victories in the Africa Club Champions. Here we go :
I have a soft spot (don’t know where in my chest) for Dr. Johnny Simbo after reading the good news. It’s amazing how football can get us to transcend party loyalties - for those so bound, and unite us! Into
one people: one Sierra Leone football nation. The news made me feel “Gladdy” (Like Gladius Lewis). Our performance made me feel like you. Made me feel “Salone dae!”Favourite teams in this order
1. Blackpool (Gbateih Davies and Sylvanus Morris) - I hope Rev Leroi Kabbas Kondo does not feel like consigning me to Gehinnom for his own football sins…. (Blackpool was the heavy name since the footballing
colonies were thrilled by Stanley Matthews who played for Blackpool. He was later knighted.)
2. Edwards (Steven Bio! and Edward Akar)
3. Tunde Thompson and Prince Waleans but really although from the West,
Lions - East End Lions were the really BAD guys and you know how and
why I went to FBC?
Ask Solomon Garber.
I went to that hectic football cup final at Kingtom and when I got home, my clothes were gone.
Mr. Willy the driver told me where he had taken them.
That night Solo and I were to get to Gooding’s Hall to listen to Dr. Dynamite. It never happened.
But J.T we (wife and I and Tom Cox, (author of “Civil-Military
Relations in Sierra Leone: A Case Study of African Soldiers in Politics. “)
saw the Africa Cup final between Engelbert of Zaire and Kotoko of the Black Star nation in 1970.
Kotoko won 1-0 after which we "finished" all the beer at Kingsway hotel - the biggest hotel in Kumasi, and owned by Mr. Williams, a Salone man!
This is some of the fun we miss: Jammamah KuniKuni, Egugun masquerades, Bondo debul, Goboi and Gongoli. Also the tough indiums like Rainbow Hunting ( Remi) and Paddle.That's where that old thug, Coz Yaya got his training with that APC fencktik and learned how to wield it with crinminal intention to cause
grievous bodily harm
HE ADE YOU NOSTALGIC, DIDN'T HE ?
Subject: Re: ? ? Conelius' interesting soccer analysis at LEONENET
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 19:30:54 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ad12.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.206
Message:
Stanley Matthews' real nae was Sylvanus Morris. I think Edward Akar played for Blackpool too and Gbatieh Davies also played for St. Anthony.
Did you guys watch WYNFORD FC, May X1, Darlington, M.T.Rovers ( Murray Town Rovers ), Kingtom Rovers, Caxton etc?
Old man, Yaya , any contribution ?
Subject: Re: ? ? Conelius' interesting soccer analysis at LEONENET
From: Cornelius
To: All
Date Posted: 10:55:18 02/20/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: netloan.solna.se at 194.218.19.220
Message:
The Rt.Hon. Rev Kabs Kanu is himself a veritable encyclopedia of Sierra Leone football and should do well to pen his memoirs about that noble sport.
About the rewards and punishments ( free kicks, penalties, yellow cards, red cards, fines, suspensions) I thought that perhaps the ultimate punishment for football transgressions ( from your point of view) would be a few years of torment in the fire.......
The worst case I've yet heard of happened in South Africa, where the referee awarded a yellow card which the player refused to acknowledge, so to assert his displeasure and his authority, the ref gave the man a RED CARD, which he again refused to accept, and so the ref took out his .45 and shot the rebel, dead.
I guess that was the BLACK CARD.....
Subject: Re: ? ? Conelius' interesting soccer analysis at LEONENET
From: Yaya Fanusie
To: All
Date Posted: 21:58:30 02/16/07 ()
Email Address: futatoro@gmail.com
Entered From: adsl-67-125-23-236.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 67.125.23.236
Message:
Rev. KabsKanu,
I am Socroh 11(Blackpool) and second choice Bame.
During time I was interested in football, my favorites were Easydebul(Sylvanus Morris), Boye Johnson, Amadu Orkro, Kono Debul, Weah Sawyer, Alpha Dondoli, Anthony Brown, Goalie Turay, Kassim, Jule Peters, there was a fellow, a defender who works Prisons.
Subject: Re: ? ? Conelius' interesting soccer analysis at LEONENET
From: seydouba
To: All
Date Posted: 13:06:54 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-68-34-23-220.hsd1.va.comcast.net at 68.34.23.220
Message:
Yaya,
The defender's name is Abu Dardar of Prison andthe hardest nut in the Prison defence was Red Sun down(AKA)
Subject: Re: Was King Kama Dumbuya after you time?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 11:16:09 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
It the answer to the ???? is yes, then you really are an "old man". LOL
Subject: Liberia: Sex, Drugs And HIV
From: sex worker
To: All
Date Posted: 17:42:16 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Liberia: Sex, Drugs And HIV
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UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
February 16, 2007
Posted to the web February 16, 2007
Monrovia
Because of men like Patrick Kollie, Carey Street in the heart of Monrovia is not the best place to be at night looking like you might have a bit of cash, a mobile phone or anything else of value that could be snatched in a quick mugging.
Kollie says he was a member of former Liberian leader Charles Taylor's private militia, the Anti-Terrorism Unit. He should have been among the 100,000 other former fighters demobilised, reintegrated and given the chance to learn a trade at the end of Liberia's 14-year civil war in 2003. But like many young men too scarred by the conflict, too suspicious and quick to turn to violence, Kollie didn't take the chance to break with the past.
He was in prison serving an eight-month sentence for theft when the demobilisation process was underway. "We're bad characters, our future is ugly," said Kollie, wiry, dishevelled and a little drunk. "Many of us are on the streets begging for money and stealing." It was presumbaly the proceeds of a robbery that paid for the Jumping Deer, a cheap local gin that he and his friends had been drinking that evening.
Kollie's war began in an act of brutality familiar to Liberians. Most of the people in his northwestern home region of Lofa County are Mandingo, the ethnic group that supported warlord Alhaji Kromah. When a band of Taylor's rival National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) rebels came to his village, they killed his mother and father and gave him a choice: "I was forced to join [the NPFL], otherwise they would have killed me," he said, crouching outside a storefront as he told his story.
Aged 34, never finishing high school, and living on the edge of a society not wholly ready to forgive the gunmen that terrorised the country, Kollie does not have much going for him. His main concern is the here and now: getting his hands on money and, when flush, doing a few drugs and paying the equivalent of US$1 for a sex worker at the Waterside market.
Drug-use was widespread during the war. Crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Valium, and amphetamines were snorted, smoked and ingested by the fighters, along with home-made cocktails, some involving gunpowder - Liberia's unique contribution to the narcotics handbook. Three years after the conflict ended, drug addiction and the crime it breeds have intersected with a new threat - HIV/AIDS.
According to David Konneh, executive director of Don Bosco Homes, which works with disadvantaged children, the disarmament and rehabilitation programme was only partly successful. Too many ex-combatants turned up just for their $300 payoff and either skipped the vocational training programmes or sold their tool kits on graduation.
"The psychosocial support was not enough, and there were no adequate drug rehabilitation programmes," said Konneh. There was not enough time for many of the ex-combatants to unlearn the instinct for violence, on which they had relied, or find work in a still recovering economy. Earning a living off the street is one of the few remaining options.
In the ghettoes, as Liberia's poorest districts are known, drugs and cheap sex are easy to come by. Reginald Tay, deputy director of the Drug Enforcement Agency, estimates that "20 to 25 percent of former combatants are pushers, but they are also the main customers". He adds sex workers to the group of regular drug-users.
Recreational drug-use can lower inhibitions and, in the case of cocaine, acts as a sexual stimulant, increasing the risk of HIV infection. Heavy crack-users often suffer from burns and blisters inside the mouth from the heat of the vaporising smoke, making unprotected oral sex far more dangerous, while addiction increases the need for more customers.
Health workers estimate Liberia's HIV infection rate at between five percent and 10 percent. According to Barbara Brillant, head of the Catholic-run Mother Patern College of Health Sciences, in a country where value systems have been subverted by poverty and conflict, and active awareness of HIV/AIDS is low, there are few brakes to prevent acceleration of the epidemic.
"I think HIV is going to hit this country harder than the war did," she told IRIN/PlusNews. "We're coming out of a war in which there has been so much migration, 80 percent illiteracy, 85 percent unemployment - how do you change behaviour?"
Jackie, 22, does the circuit of downtown hotel bars most evenings. She doesn't consider herself a sex worker; instead, she's looking for "a foreigner who will marry me". She was a refugee in neighbouring Guinea, where both her parents died, and returned to Liberia in 1999 to live with an aunt. Since then she has had to fend for herself with only a ninth-grade education.
Jackie had a steady boyfriend who worked for an international mission before he returned to southern Africa three years ago. He told her about HIV/AIDS, and always insisted on condoms. She doesn't think other young women working the streets or the hotel circuit are so careful.
"A lot of young girls are looking for a man to take care of them; they go here, they go there, it's not good. You don't know who is who, you don't know who has the sickness. I don't take risks," she said, ordering another beer.
Getting high - either on booze or drugs - seems part of the scene in the sex industry, among the women as well as their clients. "A lot of girls take cocaine - every time they get some money they rush to the ghettoes to take drugs," said Jackie.
Monrovia is littered with billboards urging safer sex, but the steady post-war rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) suggests that people have not made the connection between contracting these diseases and the need for consistent condom use. The truism repeated in almost every conversation on AIDS is the mantra-like statement that Liberians want "flesh-to-flesh, skin-to-skin" sexual contact.
Relevant Links
West Africa
Liberia
HIV-Aids and STDs
Post-Conflict Challenges
Lwopu Bruce, of the National AIDS Commission, shares Brillant's concerns about rising HIV prevalence, and says the evidence is in the trajectory of STI cases. "The issue is behaviour change, and that doesn't happen abruptly, it takes time."
Life is hard for young Liberians trying to get ahead, many without the support of their parents to fall back on. HIV is adding a new dimension to that struggle.
Subject: Savage Barbaric Rituals
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 17:39:19 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.150
Message:
Dear son, you must understand that your home is not here where you have been born, for you are a warrior. Your mission is to give the sun the blood of enemies to drink and feed Tlaltecuhtli, the earth with their bodies. Your country, your inheritance and your father are in the house of the sun, in the sky.
Bellow are two different links about savage barbarism.
Enjoy!
http://home.earthlink.net/~libraryofsocialscience/aztec.htm
Subject: Re: Savage Barbaric Rituals
From: brokeoseminister
To: All
Date Posted: 06:31:39 02/17/07 ()
Email Address: brokeoseminister@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.117.246.251
Message:
Show this to Attorney General Berewah and the all those who approved of the execution of Kula Samba and others.
Subject: Liberia: Central Monrovia in Darkness Again
From: COUSIN NPA
To: All
Date Posted: 17:33:55 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Liberia: Central Monrovia in Darkness Again
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Visit The Publisher's Site
The Inquirer (Monrovia)
February 16, 2007
Posted to the web February 16, 2007
Just few months after electricity power via street lights was restored to parts of the city under the government's Emergence Power Program (EPP), which is being implemented by the Liberia Electricity Corporation in collaboration with some international donors, parts of the city, which earlier benefited from power supply under the program has once again returned to darkness due to lack of power supply.
For the last several days, electricity supply has not been supplied to the Ashmun, Johnson, and Broad Street areas, all of which, benefited from the EPP since July last year as a way of fulfilling a promise made by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to restore electricity to the country within six months after taking power.
The persistent and prolonged failure for power supply to reach these areas over the last few days, has created concern among members of the public including those residing in these areas, that have been benefiting from the power supply.
Relevant Links
When this paper contacted the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), our reporter was informed that the Managing Director, Harry Yuan was out of the city. However, a reliable source at the corporation has attributed this unfortunate situation on technical problem facing the corporation.
The source said the failure to supply electricity to these areas over the last few days, is due to a break down in one of the power generators supplying electricity to parts of the city under the EPP project.
The source, however, said the authorities of the corporation in partnership with its donors were working together to address the issue in the shortest possible time.
Subject: Lebanese citizens flee impending civil war - in Guinea
From: Agence France Presse (AFP)
To: All
Date Posted: 16:51:34 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Lebanese citizens flee impending civil war - in Guinea
By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Compiled by Daily Star staff
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Over 70 Lebanese arrived in Freetown on Thursday, fleeing violence in Guinea - which is on the brink of a civil war - after Sierra Leone tightened security on its southern border.
The leader of the Lebanese expatriate association in Sierra Leone, Samir Hassaniyeh, said 74 Lebanese nationals have arrived in Freetown from Guinea in recent days.
Sierra Leone tightened security on its border with Guinea to avoid a spillover of violent unrest gripping its northern neighbor, a senior military official said Thursday.
"Security on the border between Guinea and Sierra Leone has been beefed up to unprecedented levels," the official said, asking not to be identified. "We are just taking precautionary moves to be in a position to avert any threat."
The president of the National Council of the Lebanese Cultural University in Guinea, and representative of the Lebanese community in Guinea, Ali Saadeh said that the Lebanese community living in Guinea "was safe and sound."
In a statement Friday, Saadeh added that he had informed Speaker Nabih Berri about the situation of the Lebanese there. He said that he was coordinating urgent steps to be undertaken by the head of the immigrants department at the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Haytham Jumaa.
Saadeh said that activity at Conakry airport was gradually returning to normal after the Guinean authorities lifted an imposed curfew.
Saadeh added that the Lebanese in Guinea were in constant contact with the embassy in Conakry. "We are also examining the possibility of sending a plane to Conakry to evacuate the Lebanese in case the situation worsens."
http://www.dailystar.com.lb
Saadeh warned that some people were exaggerating the news to the media, adding "this could have a negative impact on the Lebanese community and the Guinean government." Saadeh said that only statements issued by his university and the Lebanese Embassy in Guinea "ought to be taken seriously."
A global think tank, the International Crisis Group (ICG), warned Wednesday that Guinea might be on the verge of a civil war that could destabilize its frail neighbors.
A local radio reporter at Koindu-Kailahun border with said Sierra Leone army troops have "set up a cordon and dug trenches in high al3rt preparedness."
"A round-the-clock patrol and air surveillance are in place," said the independent radio journalist. She said groups of "haggard-looking" people, mainly women and children, carrying bundles of mats and other personal belongings were streaming across the frontier.
A UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) official in Kenema, some 38 kilometers from the border, said contingency plans had been made "for both refugees and armed soldiers who may cross over but we are yet to see any swell in numbers of people coming in."
According to a Guinean farmer, Lamrana Sowe, interviewed by Sierra Leone's Independent Radio FM after he slipped into Sierra Leone, "hundreds of people, mainly women and children; are at the Guinean side of the border but Guinean soldiers are asking for bribes." - AFP
Subject: New twist in Neville& Blyden case
From: AWOKO
To: All
Date Posted: 15:55:50 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Friday, February 16, 2007
New twist in Neville& Blyden case
AWOKO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kelvin Lewis
A new twist has developed in the defamatory libel brought against Phillip Neville and Augustine Beecher of the Standard Times newspaper by the proprietor of Awareness Times, Sylvia Blyden.
Legal luminary James Blyden Jenkins-Johnston on Friday made an application before Justice Showers
for the matter not to be heard by the two Justices of Peace together with the affidavit in support
thereto and exhibits attached.
Also heard in court was the respondent’s lawyer, Mustapha Turay.
After hearing the arguments of both counsels, Justice Showers of the Freetown High Court ordered
that the “proceedings now pending before Justices of the Peace Abdul Rahman Wurie and Jessie Sharpe
be stayed pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
The matter was adjourned to today when it is expected that both counsels would advance legal
arguments on the matter.
Both Phillip Neville and Augustine Beecher were arraigned before Abdul Rahman Wurie and Jessie
Sharpe on an eight-count indictment of defamatory libel.
The complainant is claiming, among others things, that the Executive Editor of Standard Times
published a series of defamatory libel against her knowing the same to be false.
Phillip Neville and Beecher were granted a Le50m bail by the two Justices of Peace when they made
their second appearance last Wednesday, which warranted the application being made at the High
Court by James Blyden Jenkins-Johnston.
When the matter was first heard by the Justices of Peace, Lawyer L. Jenkins-Johnston Jr had sought
permission from the former to enable him copy the files for further pending action to be taken in
the matter.
Subject: Re: New twist in Neville& Blyden case
From: Salakoh Maxwell
To: All
Date Posted: 17:19:54 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ppp-70-248-51-203.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 70.248.51.203
Message:
So what is causing the delay in pressing counter charges against Worwor Blyden for defamatory libel?
What is defamatory about publishing articles about an already defamed crook, and what is false about a well known fact that Foday's internet liaison was his parlor wife as well?
Some forumites are willing to chip in and would like Mr Neville to inform the forum if the delay financial.
Bra we go batoh you all di way.
Subject: Re: New twist in Neville& Blyden case
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 12:37:18 02/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-140-40-4.range86-140.btcentralplus.com at 86.140.40.4
Message:
Do you have evidence audiovisual evidence to show that Slyvia was with these group when they were carrying out these atrocities? In what capacity was she with them? Tangible evidence incriminating her will help stop the folly (if any) she attempts to play around.
Subject: “SLPP GOVT. PROVIDES WATER FOR THE PEOPLE”
From: kroobaymom
To: All
Date Posted: 15:33:33 02/16/07 ()
Email Address: kroobaymom@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
It is election time in Sierra Leone and the SLPP party is promising the moon to the voters. Every minister has started talking about development, something they never did in 10 years.
According to a report by Joseph Kamanda in the Cocorioko of 02/14/07, titled, “SLPP GOVT. PROVIDES WATER FOR THE PEOPLE”, the ruling SLPP government will be spending $600,000 for the construction of 44 boreholes in parts of Freetown (34 units in Ginger Hall, Calaba Town, Sumela Town, Red Pump and Dowwak) and ten units in Kono, two locat1ons where the SLPP may not secure any parliamentary seats or presidential votes.
How come it is only now that Government is exploring the project sites when construction is already underway? Where in the built up parts of Freetown will they identify state lands close to the neighborhoods to locate such boreholes? How much study has really gone into all of this? With over 50% of our people using pit latrines have we looked at the health implications? How many meetings have they had with the local communities, and what amount of community participation do we expect from the people? I believe this might be the very first time some of these communities are hearing about these projects.
$600,000 for 44 boreholes works out at a colossal sum of approximately $14,000 or Le.42 million per borehole. How much does a Mark II pump cost? We signed the contract, secured the experts from Ghana, even before identifying the site, and then the Vice President threatens the Guma staff that anyone who delays the work will be fired. You mean we do not have local qualified and experienced hydrologists or NGO’s in Sierra Leone that we have to secure Ghanaian experts to sink 44 bore holes over a four month period?
This is what happens in the absence of a coherent water policy. How can this government act on a national water crisis if there is no coherent water policy and no action plan to mitigate a water crisis? Quick Impact” or projects which are not properly investigated, can be very costly and environmentally fatal.
Is this why Ambassador Alhajie Banja Tejan Sie is singing the praises of the SLPP government?, Whether this is a loan or a grant from the Awquaf Trust Fund in the United Arab Emirate, Ambassador, it is a huge price tag for Sierra Leoneans to pay!!!!! Allow your party’s achievements over the past 10 years speak for themselves. Food security has evaded Sierra Leoneans, now the SLPP is talking about "Water Security"?
These “Shock and Awe” projects speak very little of the vision and the commitment of the SLPP leadership. All they do is expose their politricks and affirm our beliefs that there is no hope, no vision, no tomorrow in an SLPP government.
But we see a ray of light at sun rise and believe in the hope it gives us. That is why me and my kroobay crew will be voting APC come 2007.
Subject: This election is going to be about these issues. and our sol
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq. (From the Archives)
To: All
Date Posted: 14:49:09 02/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
ALLIEU ISCANDARI RESPONDS TO FREEMAN TUCKER'S CHALLENGE
Editor's note : Allieu's response is in conversational style because it was written in our discussion forum
Posted by M. Alieu Iscandari Esq on September 22, 2005 at 19:11:43:
In Reply to: ALIEU ISCANDRI MUST RESPOND posted by FREEMAN TUCKER on September 22, 2005 at 04:08:23:
"Again, Mr. Dr.whatever you are,"
--------------------------------------------------
Now if you dont know what to call me, just call me alieu. You dont need to get all nervous because you are posing legitimate question albeit in a rambling manner------------------------------
when the nation experienced over twenty years of thuggery, murders,blackouts,no radio or TV,no drugs in hospitals,poor transportation and high unemployment--------------------------------------
I dont know when you left sierra leone, but when I left the APC was in power, and we had street lights and clean tap water. Black outs were the exception rather than the rule. That was in 1979. So you would agree with me then that if the status quo in 1979 as I