Gambia-L,
I am still searching for a reason why The Independent published this article
instead of first sending it to forum. The Independent is asking us to be
responsible in our debates but instead of telling us directly, they consider
it professional journalism to publish it to the nation. Is this not one of
the worst practices of what I call Humpty-Dumpty journalism? Man, Look good
at yourself!! Was it not recently that this very paper published what is now
known to be a DAMNED LIE that they have to prove in the courts? Remember
that the tenet of the Independent is "TRUTH IS OUR PRINCIPLE". Principle my
...., when they deceived us and exposed themselves with LIES. An
unprincipled newspaper cannot and should not interfere in other people's
business.
Ask yourselves, brothers and sisters, whether the Independent Newspaper is a
sincere and respectable medium to demand respectability from others. I am
always of the conviction that where 3 (three) or more Gambians meet, there
is always an argument or disagreement of some kind. If it is not so, then
that gathering is either un-Gambian or its not healthy to a Gambian.
"Ras-to-ras" is an inalienable characteristic of our society.  The last
thing we need on this forum is a regulator, for there are moderators enough
on the Gambia-L doing
their jobs.
I do not think that the Independent was spurred by Sulayman Bajo's posting
to publish that ... about the Gambia List. Saul Bajo's reaction, in my
opinion, is a typical Gambian reaction. It is the reaction of a man whose
love-one has been accused of being  "the most empty-headed and disloyal
person in the history of security forces in the Gambia." All Bajo wanted was
to clear his brother's name of those accusations. The only disagreeable
thing about it, is its publication on the List. He has been advised to send
such mails, in future, to the person it is meant for. Saul Bajo has publicly
apologised to the Forum and from all the postings about this subject, it
seems as if he is forgiven and as far the List is concern "his case is
closed". I have personally sent Saul Bajo a Pmail telling him of his
violation of the Gambia-L's ethos and I am sure I was not the only one to do
that. We do not need a discredited newspaper to tell us how we have to
conduct ourselves.
One thing bothering me, though, is The Independent's ulterior motive in
publishing this subject. Hasn't the Independent a bone to pick with Yaya
Jammeh? Could this be a form of mitigation to the libel suite hanging round
their necks? Are there not more pressing issues in the country to report on,
than the behaviour of few contributors of the Gambia-L? Did Sulayman
Bajo's posting prompt this article or was it alluding to the person he was
angry with?  Was this an attempt to gag Ebou Colly, so as to gain a
plaintiff's favour?  Well brothers, for your information, Ebou Colly
promised ". many more shall come but based purely on my plan and pace".  If
the Independent is looking for a way to extricate themselves from the mess
they put themselves in; they should not use the Gambia-L as an agent for
that course.
They wrote of  "obvious hostility, hatred and sometimes vendettas" of
"quarrels and character assassinations" as if the whole Gambia-L is
comprised of groups of hooligans who indulge in nothing but feuds. This is
an insult, in itself, to the vast majority of Gambia-L contributors. If the
out-burst of a member or two of the Gambia-L could be levelled against all
its members then the Independent is YET to be an unblemished and respectable
national newspaper.
The Independent did not mention in its article that when some of them were
arrested for telling the nation and the whole world a LIE about Yaya
Jammeh's so-called third wife from Sintet, the Gambia-L stood by them and
many contributors of Gambia-L registered their discontent and abhorrence,
which we STILL do not regret. Or was that also a feud among  the Gambia-L?
How dear The Independent to accuse the Gambia-L of irresponsibility? If they
want Yaya Jammeh off your backs, let them please go and find out what is
buried at the back of the latrines at Yundum Barracks. There are more things
there, in The Gambia for them to write about than trying to "rock the boat"
here.  I would like to ask the Independent Newspaper of  The Gambia to look
at the beam in their eye rather the mote in others' eye. In other words
"BACK OFF", because the Independent Newspaper is the last medium to lecture
people on ethology.
If the Independent Newspaper doesn't like what I am saying here, then they
can "slaughter a goat and take the..." As far as I am concern THE
INDEPENDENT can G.T.H., for I say WRITE ON brothers and sisters.

Prince Coker

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