Karamba, You're taking my critique the wrong way, but before we get lost in petty "you said, you said," I want you to tell me where I'm wrong. You haven't done that at all. So: 1. Am I wrong in saying that Latjor and Karamba are the two notable members of the GLC. The only GLC function I attended was chaired by you Karamba Touray. When I ask around about the GLC, people always say to talk to either Latjor or Karamba. If you were just doing Latjor a favor by moderating the '99 session, then things are even worse than I had realized. But say what your role or status is. 2. Is my contention that the GLC in reality is an "umbrella" only in name wrong? That no Gambian org neither recognizes nor defers to the GLC for guidance or consultation. If I'm wrong in this assertion, name me one Gambian org that is under the GLC "umbrella." I subscribe to the idea of an umbrella group, and I'll urge you to go back and read again what I've written, 'cause you're raising issues that I neither said nor implied. I could care less how the idea of an umbrella group came into being. The originator of the idea is less relevant than the idea itself. I've only been a member of the G-L for the past seven/eight months, so I wasn't aware of Latjor's original invitation. I learnt of the idea of this "umbrella" from Dr. Sulayman Nyang back in Feb '98. The first conference had coincided with Julie Baldeh's (the diplomat) birthday. Jewru, the husband who I'm friends with, invited me. Dr. Nyang was really enthusiastic about the idea at the time, but his feeling that night was exactly along the lines I've outlined in my critique. It's basic commonsense. If you want to bring together many orgs under one tent, then you have to get each one involved in the planning, strategizing, and implemention of the goals of the "umbrella." Any other approach would be futile, and that's exactly what we have here. So what in the world don't you understand about that Karamba? I have no idea where you're getting the idea that I'm "be-littling" the idea of an umbrella group. I said (the GLC as it is, )"is a noble idea gone awry"! Go back and read my posting again. About whether the GLC was exclusionary in it's approach, you should know that. I won't. See, I wasn't even a member of the Gambia Support Group at the time the GLC was formed. So, I wouldn't know about any invitations to that group. So, don't get any funny ideas there. "I" certainly wasn't invited if you're using "you" like in I as a person. And about Latjor's "incompetence," or "lacklusterness," you can do better than that Karamba! I simply don't know where you're getting that idea. If there's a problem I've alluded to regarding the GLC, it's the Charles Taylor syndrome: "I've started this, so I'll be in control at all cost." You are free to make your own deductions, but I've neither said nor implied that Latjor or anyone involved with the GLC is incompetent. What I've highlighted and what you've failed to address is my assertion that the GLC has absolutely NO CREDIBILITY as an umbrella group. As a matter of fact, the GLC is no more "umbrella" than I am the prophet Muhammed! That remains the painful truth! I did not create your reality. You can continue to peddle this false image that the GLC is an umbrella group. That's your prerogative. In conclusion, if Karamba Touray has nothing to do with the GLC, and was merely doing Latjor Ndow a favor by moderating sessions at GLC conferences, then say that, and I'll spread the word around because no one else seems to know that. Otherwise, I offer no apologies to you or anyone for that matter for drying our dirty laundry in "public." I've been out of the lying business a long time ago. I won't compromise that for you. I try to be as realistic as possible with both my own problems and others I care about. We can agree or disagree on what the aim of this "umbrella" is, but what is obvious to anyone with eyes to see, is that this GLC is another white elephant Gambian org that is mired in, or at least held hostage by egotism, and thus failing woefully to live up to expectations. Talk about wasted opportunities! You're right about my frustrations with Gambians generally. Some day, I hope to write a book entitled "The Problem with Gambians." You may not like what you read, but you can call me everything but a liar. So, call it "self-righteousness" or whatever you want. Your choice. But I'd still like to know what I'm wrong about. I've had calls from the heads of two orgs I've mentioned in my piece. What they told me is the diametrical opposite of what you're saying here. So, maybe the fact that some people are owning up to their short-comings is a good sign. So, no hard feelings Karamba, we've known each other for a while now, but you're most welcome to continue that most comical of traditions: being Don Quixote's disciple. There's nothing more delusionary than grown people walking around pretending to be what they're not. We have a problem confronting Yaya Jammeh precisely because of this attitude of every nincompoop forming a meaningless org just to nurse his/her ego. That isn't just frustrating, it's darn irritating. And if I see it, I'll highlight it. Good night. Saul. >Your prognosis of Gambian Groups atleast as it pertains to me and the GLC >is >incorrect. You presented your analysis as being based on first hand >information. You have never asked me nor have I ever discussed with >Your prognosis of Gambian Groups atleast as it pertains to me and the GLC >is > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------