Harona,
Thank you for the clarification. Because of the nature of your profession,
I can respect your decision to be where you are, and I do. As I've said in
my posting, we are all entitled to take whatever position we wish and taking
a neutral stance is one. Our consciences are our bedfellows but again, some
of us are unconscionable, hence our ability to sit on the fence when heinous
crimes are perpetrated against innocent people. This is what I have a
problem with. There is RIGHT and WRONG in any controversy and to be
undecided when the truth in staring you in the face is to be one of the
criminals.
Some time back, a young lady was killed by her husband in Maryland. His
egregious abuse of her was not a secret to her friends who chose to do
nothing about the situation. There excuse was "I do not want to be accused
of breaking up a marriage" - well, there is no marriage to break!! I
consider them latent murderers. Harsh? Maybe. But of what use are they,
were they?
I guess, this was the crux of my posting. When other peoples' humanity is
lost in our esteem for selfish reasons, we all lose in the end. I am
heartened to know, from your posting, that you are not neutral about the
wrongs of this regime or anyone for that matter.
Ous - Thank you also for the clarification. In our haste to state, we
sometimes mis-state our position but I was flummoxed to read your statement
of neutrality. Now I know what you are neutral about. By the way, the only
excuse my kids can't make in my house is that they can't find a dictionary,
ask Sal.
Soffie
-----Original Message-----
From: Harona S Drammeh [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2001 5:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: To Be Or Not To Be?
Clarifications are in place, since some seem to
misunderstand my stance
vis-a-vis party politics in the Gambia. My professed
neutrality stems from
the fact that, being publicly associated with a political
party may/will
have a negative impact on the way i'm perceived by my
audience/readers/viewers, as the case may be. Oh yes, there
are big
Journalists who openly associate and are affiliated with
party politics. If
you ask me, i'd say, it's unethical. But again, this might
be one of my
infamous opinions, but then, it's my opinion.
In my book, there is no such thing as a 100% neutral person.
It is human to
associate/like/dislike. It is equally human to be interested
in the affairs
of governance and how it affects the livelihood of citizens.
To this end, i
will be foolish to not want to participate in that process.
Needless to say,
in my own private thoughts and in discussions with family,
my position is
clearly stated without doubt. Further, i did in the past,
and will continue
to condemn unjust acts by persons whether as politicians or
otherwise,
particularly, when such acts are perpetrated on political
grounds or for
reasons of politics. This is not opposing or embracing a
party, but rather,
the act.
I hope the air is cleared.
Good sunday afternoon.
Harona/Phi-A-Horana
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