OK, so the function of the opposition is to oppose.
Please excuse ignorance asking here (any perceived arrogance is not suffering from any kind of inferiority complex or lack of enormous self-confidence that you or a qualified doctor could so easily diagnose) but we have had similar discussions on our Sierra Leone fora, about what impact our cyber net discussions could have on government policy - and I say back home, since most of the discussion forums are located in cyberspace outside of the country (which makes it easier for freedom of speech, etc).
Now, in both the Gambia and Sierra Leone, it would seem that a very vocal opposition exists - outside of the country. It doesn't matter how strident such voices are, sometime to the extent of giving the impression that they are the majority voice. What is important about CRITICAL VOICES ( such voices may belong to a section of the so called "intelligentsia”) is that such voices are not expressed in a vacuum, and that such thoughts are not only circulated within an insulated group (the opposition gripers club room) but that such reasonable thoughts are addressed to/ directed at authorities that ought to pay attention to their aggrieved citizens and try to meet their demands for better governance.
In the Sierra Leone presidential website there is a facility to communicate directly with government.
Since I have never been to the Gambia and therefore not been in a position to say " Nice to be here" I am unsure as to what extent there is in fact something of " a climate of fear", that one hears so much about; however whether or not such an atmosphere exists, I feel that we should try to get the authorities to open up a two-way communication: that aggrieved citizens should be able to voice their grievances to their government and that governments - in this case the Gambian government - should take such grievances seriously, and address them , at least get a dialogue/ discussion going. The opposition (having lost the elections and not being in power/ office) should of course try to avoid the penchant for wanting to dictate the way.
If the aggrieved citizens have good ideas about how some of our problems should/ could be solved, than those ideas could also be forwarded through the proper channels to where they can receive adequate attention.
That way some of these fruitful discussions can impact on policy.
Going back to when this was made, in 2004:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith2004/
PS. We had a great time at Babatunde Tony Ellis concert in Stockholm, this evening…….
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=sv&q=Babatunde+Tony+Ellis
>
> From: Lang Tunkara <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2007/03/10 lö PM 10:22:11 CET
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Ämne: Re: nice to be here
>
> Suntou:
>
> I join others in welcoming you to this dignified post. As Gambians, it is
> upon us to articulate our views and take actions against anything that
> threatened or contravene our rights as citizens, even though we may come to
> differ on what slant we take. And it is palpable GAMBIANS had quite a bad
> experience over the years with regards to that view. And you are entirely
> right to say that the president exercise prudence in communicating to us.
> We must demand respect. I am however troubled by your assertion that folks
> must show willingness to die for the course. I took note on your
> willingness to be martyred... there is nothing wrong with that. The only
> problem I seem to have is that we had seen so many people on this list who
> voiced out such rhetoric and they suddenly wane. Hopefully you won’t be
> like them. And it will be meaningful if we show that willingness and
> strength to stand up to the president in the Gambia and not while we are
> miles away and certainly not in the cyber world. I do not believe this
> cyber thing. It is not unknown to have been ineffective.
> Thanks
> Lamin
>
>
> >From: Suntou Touray <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> ><[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: nice to be here
> >Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2007 05:26:17 -0500
> >
> >this is my first posting in gambia l .i can say without a douth that
> >gambians have mature in every department in human endevour. let us keep up
> >the connections.
> >we need to know one thing ,the problem back home is amplify by the method
> >of communication. malcolm x once states that'' the language that a man
> >speaks to you should be same language that one should respond'' .we have
> >been for so long misunderstanding the tyrant yaya ,he speaks a language of
> >force and injustice yet we demand he speak to us in a pleasant human
> >communication mode . it will take nearly forever for us and to him have a
> >decent understanding. our oppossitions parties most so signs of strenght
> >and the wellingness to die for the course if need be .i am willing to do
> >that ,are you eminent gambians on gambia l willing to do that ?
> >peace to all those who deserve it .
> >
> >¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
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