Cherne baba, you wrote:

" Well some of us beg to differ. And can we be afforded the opportunity to
 hold contrary views, please?"

l am glad that you realize that what one sees is not the same that is seen by
everybody, and that there are two sides to every story. What l express here
is what l see, and my view, and since you do realize that we are each
entitled to our opinions and views on any given situation, then we have no
problem. Also, why does my voicing of my opinion, and my statement that l and
others are not prone to manipulation  lead you to the conclusion that l am
trying to stop you from pursuing this topic, or from having a different
opinion. My conclusions are based on the arguments and counter arguments
between yourselves and Halifa. Let the debate continue because it is proving
to be quite an education on more than just Halifa's character actually.
Also,l am not shallow enough to think that  any human being on God's earth
can claim or have perfection attributed to them, and for you to even
insinuate that this is what l am doing leaves me a bit dissappointed in you
too. Since when does voicing support for a stand taken by someone amount to
declaring them totally infallible? And while you are talking of infringement
on other's opinion and views, perhaps you guys should also take heed of this.
Everything l have stated is my opinion and my observation, and as l have said
before, and will say again, l am entitled to it, and no barrage of words, or
insinuations aimed at belittling my view  will change that.
l am sorry if your opinion  and respect for  me was based only on stands that
l take that agree with your views.if the opinion l now hold on this issue has
changed your view of me, then l guess that is the way it has to be. A
question l have for you is this: Why did you not find a way to print Ebou
Jallow's account of  the circumstances surrounding Koro's death if you have
such a strong conviction about it? Perhaps we should view that as a betrayal
of the Gambian people by a member of the press whose job it is to inform the
public.Perhaps as a competent journalist, you should have pursued the story
with Mr Jallow and conducted your own investigation, or did you not think
that you, as equally as anybody else owned this to the Gambian people?

Jabou Joh

 Jabou,

 You wrote: Mr Sallah, the jury is still out as far as I am concerned, and
 all I see is credibility, competence and undying dedication to the
 betterment of our people and our country."

 Well some of us beg to differ. And can we be afforded the opportunity to
 hold contrary views, please? While you and Alpha Robinson and others, see
 ALL "credibility, competence and undying dedication" in Halifa Sallah, some
 of us see Halifa as a competent, dedicated public servant, but equally see
 him as imperfect, having done things that do not make him credible and
 competent at all. Do you see our differences in our grappling with issues?
 Of course, you are at liberty not to agree with us all. But will you stop
 your insinuations of deceit on our part in our challenges to Halifa? You
 averred: "But please be forewarned, manipulation, trickery and attempts to
 discredit do not and cannot qualify as acceptable methods." You  stressed
 further, "Let those who think that cunning, manipulation and the smearing of
 people's character is what will win them or those they support a position in
 the hall's of Gambian leadership think again."

 And you wonder why Saul Khan is "tongue-lashing" at you? Honestly, do you
 think that we are hell-bent on sullying Halifa's character? Do we have
 hidden agendas to discredit Halifa and his party, much to the advantages of
 others in Gambian politics? Given our arguments with Halifa, have you
 noticed any sycophancy, or deliberate vindictiveness to destroy the
 personality of Halifa? Do you know that we were all supporters of PDOIS? Can
 we be allowed to voice our dissent with the party we supported in the past?

 Take or leave, our arguments with Halifa. What you see is not seen by
 everybody. People have different opinions, views, observations. What is
 healthy is to allow unfettered cross-fertlisation of ideas without any
 infringement upon one another. Let's give access to even nonesensical or
 illogical ideas. In the marketplace of ideas, the cure to free speech, is
 not less speech, but more. If you had given Halifa a bed-of-roses speech,
 defending his record, I, and probably others, would have cared less. But
 when you go further to employ tirades against his critics, than can be
 cynical imbecility.

 I have always held your views in high esteem. To peddle sycophancy or be a
 sycophant, is anybody's inalienable perorogative, but please don't
 disappoint me by stooping so low in your cynicism over our dissent on Halifa
 and his party. Perhaps, you need a reminder that there are two sides to
 every issue. Take note.

 Best regards,
 Cherno Baba Jallow

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