Hi Mini:

   Your point is well taken. Indeed, the obnoxious attitudes of some of
these people is troubling, however, I'd like to urge you not to sound
defeatist by giving in to their cheap shots. I, for one, will not hesitate
to speak my mind on issues up on the L(within the confines of the G-L
guidelines), regardless of how it will be received by readers and so should
women and everyone else be.

   This is what Fatou Camara just did and I think it was great having her
translate the Prez's speech as she understands it (though I dissent),
without the fear of being berated by the few bullies we have online. This is
how it should be, and nothing less! The status quo is unacceptable, but it's
gonna take people like yourself, F. Camara, Aunty Jabou and others to stand
up to such characters.

    On Joe Sambou's call for greater participation of our women folk in the
debate, I wanna comment that his call was most appropriate and that his
exchange with F. Camara was indeed exemplary. I was sitting here wondering
"what if the debate here was conducted in such a Gambian way without getting
all too personal?" Anyway, going back to my point, I'm urging you to express
your opinion without considering what the critics might say. Our women's
voices are needed, for "behind every success, there's a woman".(Did I say it
right?) :-)

Ous Ngum
Columbus, OH





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