Damn right Makaveli, I am enjoying this soooooo much, I can't be bothered to
get involved. It is said that "observation is the best known substitute for
imagination". Who would have believed that the likes of Dampha, Yus, Jabou
and Conteh will be at each other's throats over very obvious issues as the
merger/takeover of the UDP by the PPP? But again I should not be surprised.
In the past, I constantly advised you lot about the dangers of
narrow-mindedness and myopic bigotry but only a few listened. Those who were
a bit sincere to admit that certain issues cannot just be swept under the
carpet just because it is convenient to do so, had the likes of Dampha and
Hamjatta breathing down your necks armed with all invectives and ready to
pounce on them. Take this for instance:

Yus wrote, in May "In spite of my hiatus, I have been a 'peeper' of the main
site of late. Observing the debate rage on has been an interesting
experience since it has shown me some of the inherent disadvantages in
thinking too alike. This phenomenon which some may call cabals, niches or
'online friendships sealed in blood' is, in my opinion, an impediment to
progressive ideas resulting from disenting views, as slight as they may be.
Case in point, the recent merciless lambasting of Kebba Jobe aka Daddy Nying
and Kebba Joke. The man has obviously shown that his affiliation with the
APRC regime is a very conflicted one. He has openly accepted some of the
wrongs of the regime but refuses to blame yahya Jammeh on the basis that he
does not solely comprise the APRC. According to Jobe, the blame must be
shared roundly. What is wrong with this picture? I my opinion nothing. The
human rights siyuation in the Gambia is the same as in other African
countries where attrocites are sanctioned daily by perfectly 'legitimate'
regimes.   Point is Jobe is no different from many other Gambians who supp
ort the present regime based on the premise that their overall record
outweighs the evil perpetrated by this regime". An later in the same piece
wrote "The recent antifeminist utterances of people like Wu Jawara  do a
serious disservice to the opposition in a country where women are perhaps
among the most oppressed in the World yet make up over 50% of the voting
population.  Should it take a rocket scientist to figure out that the women
of The Gambia not only deserve equal representation in political positions,
but bureaux, ministries and movements which will make sure every effort is
made to improve the status of women back home?   IMHO, a well learned man
like Ousainou Darboe, would ne ver make a political gaffe like this one.
It is his troops (MPs etc.) who ne ed to be reined in to show the unity of a
party which speaks responsibly in one voice. Again, we see these gaffes but
the few who speak are quickly silence d by the overwhelmingly unitarian
cabal.

The issue of political strategy when it concerns campaigning and elections
also comes to mind when one studies the latest trends of the UDP.  After t
he outcome of the last by-elections as a result of the unfortunate death of
several UDP members, it  became painfully apparent to me that the party di d
not adhere to a strategy which was borne out of any type of detailed
analysis.   When one compares the amount of people who actually voted to
those who actually voted, it becomes obvious the voter turnout was extremely
low.   Based on analysis from Foroya, 1056 people did not vote in Kiang Ea
st.   This amounts to slightly more than ¼ of the registered voters in the a
rea, a significant number which could have made all the difference.    Even
s o, I am convinced an equally large amount of residents of these areas did
not vote.   Interestingly enough, the voting patterns of Gambians during PPP
d ays are strikingly similar to the voting patterns shown in the 1997
elections.   The opposition won in most of the same places where they had
strongholds, th e numbers were roughly equal and the reasons for losing were
virtually the same.   But, here on the Gambia-L, we cry voter buyout and
such without bothering to look closely at the numbers.   Again a dire
consequence, of conformity of thought and an acceptance of the status quo
without question o r because this person said so".

What happened next is you have Dampha "the cyber bully" taking him to task.
Hear him. "Yusupha, welcome back. I know you were trying to address some
general issues that took place while you were away, but you touched on
matters that directly affect me. So I see the need to respond to you
directly.

There is nothing wrong in trying to rebel and be different from other
people. But differing with people just for the sake for being different,
makes very little sense to me; especially when the difference is premised on
shaky grounds. One should have the courage and confidence in oneself to the
extent that one does not need a forum like this to showcase ones
independence from people. In short, I think we will agree that not all
'dissenting views' are for the common good. On the other hand, sycophancy is
also an evil we must fight. I would have appreciated your piece more had you
specified on the postings that actually made you see the need to make the
generalization you made in your opening paragraph; i.e. thinking alike is
hurting the Opposition. From the topics you picked in subsequent paragraphs,
I can only assume that you are criticizing people from the Opposition since
we sent the bulk of postings 'lambasting' Kebba Joke".

In another posting on the same issue Dampha writes again "On ripping my
postings, do not for one moment think that I buy the garbage that you are
not attacking me because of the struggle. Attacking me will do no harm to
the struggle on G_L as far as I am concerned. Attacking our leaders
unjustifiably is what will do harm to the struggle. So, do not try to
patronize me while you go around attacking UDP or other Opposition figures
unjustifiably". From then onwards, you have Yus agreeing to everything that
dampha or Hamjatta says.

When Jabou Joh wrote:

"Yus,

I am sorry that you cannot decipher criticism from bashing, and to realize
that we do have right and a duty to remind people of history lest it repeat
itself. Your comment reminds me of aomething I heard jese jackson Jr say in
a commentary the other morning. He said we as a people tend ot have the
"crabs in a barrel syndrome" Every time one of tries to climb out, the
others will pull you in. Everytime some of us decide to take a raod that
ultimately leads all of us to better things and not compromises that will
not help us in the long run, there are attempts from all angles to pull you
back into complacency. It makes no sense.

This is the 21st century and we still have people baring their fangs because
we dare to point out the architects of our current disarray? I think your
blind defense of the PPP, and your unending attempt to tell us that going
back to the tainted past is OK so long as the present one is worse is
bizarre to say the least. Relax and learn to demand higher ideals from the
politicians and you will not have to choose between one bad regime and
another with this process", I said to myself Dampha has already clouded his
vision.

I am sure the past few days has clearly shown to all and sundry how Dampha
thinks. Here is a guy, who for weeks tried to sell the idea that I was
suffering from "Low expection syndrome (ALES)", is now telling everyone that
they (the merged PPP and UDP) are moving FORWARD. The rest of the opposition
may "JOIN US" if they wish or do whatever they want; WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.
This guy, who only a few weeks ago, was telling us that if the opposition
did not unite, they would be handing over the country to Yahya for another
five years is now telling us that an all inclusive alliance of opposition
forces is no more a collective responsibility. We are moving FORWARD and the
rest may JOIN us or go their separate ways. Is this a genuine opposition
member or someone with a hidden agenda? My question to you Dampha is whether
you have caught the ALES disease?

Please Makaveli, arrange some psychiatric examination for some of your lot.
I was quitely enjoying affray until you rudely interupted me. All along
along knew that the enthusiasm that consumed all of you was sooner rather
than later end up in dejection.

Have a good day, Gassa.


>From: Mr Makaveli <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Calling All Comrades To Please Cease Fire
>Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 07:55:30 -0500
>
>Folks,
>  They are laughing at us again. I have to say it does us no good taking
>each other down to the gutter. If the ultimate goal all of us are yearning
>for is to help our opposition parties to unite and oust the current regime,
>then I wonder what good is going to come out of us chopping each other's
>throat just to make a point over minor indifferences, especially when we
>could have settled these relatively petty differences in private. But that
>of course is asking too much from  us, Gambians. Instead, we come here and
>play judge and jury and give the Pa Modou Gassamas our version of The
>Jerry Springer Show. I bet Gassa is been entertained by these unwarranted
>mudslinging brouhahas. They're enjoying every bit of it and you all should
>know this. Whether we do these things to get a standing ovation or to
>humiliate each, I don't have a single clue but my take is that it is a
>fruitless act, counter productive and does jeopardize all we're trying to
>achieve. And I must say I do agree with Buharry that we should hold our
>fire, or redirect our missiles to the right target. Some of you might want
>to consider taking some time off, if it's that hectic. I took a week's
>vacation and it did me some GOOOOOOOD. Someone once told me that where you
>have three Gambians, chances are they are arguing about something. Well,
>we have over 600 members on the L and you know...well, go figure ..lol!
>
>Again, this is not an attempt to castigate any comrade, but rather to
>remind you of all the respect some of us have held over the years for some
>of you and that we would rather see you maintaining  that respect than
>indulge in massive frivolities that which tantamount zilch to the struggle.
>I believe there is a time and place for everything and surely this is NO
>time to indulge in negativity and the L is certainly NO place to make
>final decisions. We can all shout all we want but in the final analysis and
>in the scheme of things, decisions will be made strategically( NOT
>euphorically) strictly on rudiments of good judgement by capable and well
>informed elected leaders already in place.
>
>By and large, I would never profess to be an expert on public relations,
>but doggone it, just like Buharry I can no longer stomach what I've been
>reading recently. I only hope this is a closed case and we are all MOVING
>FORWARD. And yes Gassa, we're NOT just human garbage drifting toward a big
>sewer so just don't jubilate yet. We do disagree but we agree to disagree.
>We are all human and none of us are perfect so cut us some slacks, will ya?
>I also should know that you have your hands full with Mr Jobe's
>resignation. That has to hurt little for your camp. Any comments on Dr
>Jobe's resignation, Gassa? Well......... That's all I have.
>
>                                                   Good day everyone,
>                                                   Mr Makaveli
>


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