Ron,
When i read Edi the following is what my brain cells tell me, and i think i
get his drift. Please read on!
My dear friend,
Thanks to you too Joe, I have to admit the fact that exchanging ideas with
you is really appreciated even though we do not share the same views on most
issues. We learn to agree and disagree without using offensive words. In
this way we will be able to understand each other and the issues. We can use
our intellectual gift on modern thoughts as civilized and ‘new Gambians’
trying to work on the tabled issues. We have to remember that a president is
always given certain powers regarding being prosecuted in a court of law
until he/she is out of office. Let’s take the example of the president of
France, Cherac: with all the accusations and scandals he happened to win the
first round of the French election.
Why? I think, is because he might be exerting more efforts and solving the
needs of his people in other areas. Bill Clinton, for example, despite his
‘womanising’ activities could win the election for a third term. And I can
bet my last Finnish Mark on that. Everyone has their weaknesses and
strength! Work to improve your weakness on one hand and on the other hand
tighten the screw on your strength! When external factors assist in
buttressing your powers by taking people to Mecca and donating generators
why not capitalize on it? I will do the same no matter what people
(who would always be a threat to my achieving any objective) say.
What I am trying to explain here is about the perfection you are talking
about. In life, we cannot be perfect human-beings. Yaya might be a scaffold
as you people put it but his government is doing something that Gambia has
never seen in thirty-seven years of her independent life. However, ‘GOOD IS
NEVER GOOD ENOUGH BUT BAD IS ALWAYs BAD ENOUGH’. For example, doing TEN (10)
good is not enough when you have ONE bad deed, meaning ten good can be
‘covered’ by a single bad deed: that is human nature too. In this world
whether one does good or bad, people will always talk even when they cannot
do better. Therefore why should I care? As (Yusu Ndure said in one of his
songs: I rode the Donkey and my son walked people said I lacked sympathy. I
walked, my son rode, it was the reverse. We both walked yet that too did not
satisfy the people). So you can see how difficult it is to satisfy
human-beings. Therefore people, let’s stop a while and think of limiting the
‘talk about the Gambia’ for a change to ‘talk for the Gambia’. These two
phrases are similar but different in their contents.
However, having a majority in cabinet does not mean that you should 'seize'
the voice of the people by passing law(s) that will affect the functioning
of the media. Media is the voice of the people and there should be no
attempt to muzzle that voice. I wish justice prevails for them and their
struggle.
Again, I am well aware of the disgraceful human rights record which, I for
one, urged the government to work on, and see to it that, justice prevails,
as well as limiting the powers of the NIA who harass and
intimidate the public. This is a disgraceful picture of the government’s
weaknesses which they should try and remedy because if tomorrow comes, they
will be judged by their own deeds, which will be remembered forever,
especially by those directly affected. Of course they can run but cannot
hide. We will all pay for our acts one way or the other and by saying we
were following orders will not ease the burden. Therefore people, this
requires patience until the right time comes.
It is ‘good’ to criticize others but ‘bad’ to be criticized. Let us remember
the adage: ‘do on to others, as you will accept in return’. Agree to
disagree will help us build better unity and understanding amongst
ourselves. We have to know ourselves before standing the chance of knowing
others as charity begins at home. We should not pick whom we are to agree
and disagree with because of friendships. As Mr. Sambou puts it earlier,
even friends may fight offensively, but in this forum that is not the case.
People are avoiding to disagree even if they should, because someone is a
friend and co-operate partner, we dare not challenge them. This is why I was
talking about selfishness in some approaches. I know I might be the less
educated person in this forum yet I will never hesitate speaking my mind.
Again I sometimes wonder what is the use of education if the well-educated
ones are acting, as I should be? Frankly, I don’t envy them a little bit
because I was expecting their talents to be used more effectively than
insulting each other’s integrity.
This is why the intelligent politicians are avoiding politics in African due
to offensive language and hatred from opponents, replacing political agendas
to build up their nations. We all have a common goal but different
approaches. Therefore being a democrat, republican, or conservative in your
political mind should not deter your positive thinking on the common good of
our nation. Of course we can criticize each other’s approach without odious
acts, but civilized and intelligent political approaches. Then we leave the
people or spectators to decide.
Power to the people will prevail only with realistic and intellectual
discussions about the issues at hand. Anger will only make things worse at
this stage. If we want respect and attention for our cause, we ought to sell
high quality pictures of our struggle to the people. On the other hand
selling bad quality pictures will of course earn you your present goal,
which is to sell out. Never will it earn you a fortune in the long run but
will surely take you a step further from your goal.
Edi
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