<P>The following is a copy of the Independent's view of Gambia-L. Please read on</P> <P> </P> <P> <TABLE border=0 cellPadding=0 cellSpacing=0 width=374 NOF="LY"> <TBODY> <TR align=left vAlign=top> <TD colSpan=6 width=364> <P align=left><B><I><FONT color=#aa7f00 face="Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman" size=+3>Independent View</FONT></I> <P align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman" size=+2>Cease fire, Gambia-L</FONT></B> <P align=left><FONT color=#000000 face="Arial,Helvetica,Univers,Zurich BT" size=-1>When the Gambia-L initiative was launched, it was for a good purpose; giving its users around the world a platform to exchange ideas and allow the culture of free expression to blossom. Now, the situation is not so good. We find that this culture of free speech is not being used objectively.</FONT> <P align=left><FONT face="Arial,Helvetica,Univers,Zurich BT" size=-1>Gambia-L has degenerated to a forum for abuse, targeting personalities instead of ideas. How different this is from the impression of the very first dispatches urging users to adhere to the fine principles of intellectual discourse in the web. Then it was a positive thing. However it seems the fact that the number of users has increased ten fold has made it a plaything and negatively so. Why this has happened is not easy to determine. Perhaps users can help out. <P align=left>Words like 'knave', 'brat' and 'imbecile' have unashamedly woven their way into the writing of many Gambia-L users. It is now a battleground where personal feuds are settled. Sometimes bitter intellectual wrangling on the web has climaxed to a point where contributors form groups pitted against each other, even over the most trivial of issues. Thus what might begin as a promisingly healthy intellectual exchange is soon soiled with anger and rudeness. The result is obvious hostility, hatred and sometimes vendettas. <P align=left>It is regrettable that Gambia-L is lending itself to a situation that will bring its own undoing and that of its users. We believe that the net should not be platform for quarrels and character assassination. Since it is for the consumption of the public, anything that goes in it should be tempered with the most reasonable and positive turn of mind. Users should be responsible enough to know that the best way to intellectual maturity is the application of restraint when confronted with emotionally charged situations. <P align=left>There are no two ways about being responsible. If personal opinions of each other could be kept away from Gambia-L, those who do not have an interest, time or liking for these unhealthy exchanges would be attracted to it. <P align=left>Contributors, in thoughts and ideas, should aim to bring about positive change. As Gambian's who 'talk' through the web, we should try not to be seen as irresponsible and malicious on the international stage. Let us realise that it is not only Gambians who have access to Gambia-L. The impression we give to others through what we write can be very strong. We should blame none but ourselves if we are seen in a bad light. Gambia-L users cease your fire.</FONT></P></TD> <TD colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P> <P> </P> <P> </P><BR><BR><P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><STRONG>_________________________________________________________</STRONG></ FONT><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><STRONG></STRONG></FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><STRONG>GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY; BECOMING WISE IS OPTIONAL.</STRONG></FONT></P> <P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><STRONG>__________________________________________________________</STRONG>< /FONT></P> <br><hr size=1><b>Do You Yahoo!?</b><br> Talk to your friends online with <a href="http://im.yahoo.com/">Yahoo! Messenger</a>.