Mambuna, For lack of time, I couldn't speak out earlier but I'm totally with you. If these Taal people had written to Ebrima on the L, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to go after them the way he did on the L. But, like you've accurately pointed out, that's not the case here. I, and I believe many others, constantly receive private mail from some psychos in the Jammeh Camp for our opinions. I treat mine as private business, because it is. I don't need anybody on this forum to fight my private battles for me. So I really don't understand why Ebrima, or anyone else for that matter would fwd private mail to the L, and by implication, inviting others to engage the original sender. Private business is private business. And for what it's worth, Ebrima's reaction to your original caution, was very irrational, and totally disproportionate to what you've said - to say the least. Why would one declare war on an enemy that doesn't exist? But in honesty, this is not the first time Ebrima has engaged in such behavior. When Ebou Colly came out with his maiden revelation about the inner workings of the Jammeh military structure, Ebrima all but went beserk, aggressively trying to drag the gentleman to reveal himself. He declared he knows who Colly really is. He posed many questions, which he again declared he already knew the answers to, etc, etc. If you're sure about the answer to a question, why ask it? What is all that showmanship about? But, more importantly, as a professional journalist, why would Ebrima try to force a source who clearly wants to remain incognito to reveal his identity? I'm no journalist, but I red "All the President's Men" by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of the Wash Post. Their story of how they worked with "Deep Throat" (a very highly placed source in the Nixon White House,) should be a must-read for all journalists. Most certainly for Ebrima's types. If Ebrima hasn't read that book, he needs to do so pronto. If he has, then anybody would be foolish to trust him with their secrets because he has absolutely no regard for people's desire for privacy. If this gentleman's real name is Sulayman Saidykhan, but wants to be called "Ebou Colly", or "Kanchunku," that right should be respected by all -especially a self-proclaimed regional award winning journalist like Ebrima Ceesay. There is such a thing as lawyer-client, doctor-patient, or journalist-source relationship. It ought to be respected! At the time, somebody pointed this out, not in so many words. Ebrima, instead of taking heed, launched into a biographical recap telling us about his designation at the Daily Observer, what he's been through, and the commendation/awards he's received for journalistic excellence. And of course, the challenger is an immature school boy who does not and "would not" understand his tactics. Yeah right! I had to go back and re-read what the gentleman had said to be sure that Ebrima was replying to the same person. And just last week, someone worried about the safety of Ebrima's sources given the pointers his postings indicate. He retorted that the person should just read the postings, and not worry about his sources. Now, it's a given that the NIA people aren't the smartest people in Gambia, but how many people could there be (outside the cabinet) who are privy to cabinet memos, or "doing work for this useless cabinet?" I don't think there's a lot. If these sources are in fact what they're portrayed to be, then it's only a matter of time before Jammeh's thugs catch up with them. Why would any responsible journalist endanger a source's life or livelihood this way? With this attitude Ebrima, you're sure to sign many death warrants. Matarr Sajaw's piece in my view was very direct and to the point. Except for the points about the Taal brother (who I know nothing about,) I agree with Matarr entirely. Like Matarr, I think any truly humble or nice person will be content with others singing his praises, eulogizing him, or inscribing his contribution to mankind on his tombstone. If one has to constantly remind everyone about how accomplished, humble, or nice he is, there's something wrong somewhere -in my book. Indeed, this List could do a lot better without the constant "I'm mightier-than-thou," "I'm in a league all by myself," self-promoting, self-aggrandizement, name-dropping, and totally out of whack egoistic writings that we are often subjected to. 'Cause like Matarr, I get a case of stomach cramps anytime I read some of these postings. The self-promotion, and self-importance evident in the postings is a little too much for me. Nothing illustrates that trait more than the un-subscription threats and announcements that we keep seeing here. I've only been a member of this List for the past nine months, but it's been around for a few years now. And at the bottom of each message that appears here, there are directions as to how to subscribe or unsubscribe that even a complete idiot can understand. Yet we see people announcing/threatening their desire to unsubscribe. What's up with that? All one needs to do is follow the simple steps prescribed for un-subscription, and Walla! You're out. Those who cannot live with your absence can either follow you, or declare a period of mourning. Their choice. Regardless, when all is said and done, the List will live on. Having said that, I want to reiterate that the Gambia-L as it is now is way too over-rated in my view. It's providing Gambians an alternative to the one-sided views that Gambian public media gives the people. That is well and good. But, otherwise, there is not much else happening. Less than two months ago, Yaya Jammeh ordered the butchering of little children. G-L led in condemning the outrage. Meetings were held, declarations made. But with a membership of over six hundred people, we are to this day unable to raise even ten thousand dollars. And all it would take is for every member to contribute at least $15/$20 each. That to me speaks volumes about this List. So, the image that people try to portray about this List's importance is at the very least very premature. We are nowhere near that level of importance yet. If changes are to come to the Gambia, it probably wouldn't be due to anything we do or say here, it will depend on the people on the ground. We can act as catalysts, or morale boosters to the real fighters on the ground. But giving this List credit for bringing about changes in the Gambia, is like crediting international demonstrators for the death of apartheid. So, what's my point: if the entire List is so over-rated, I leave you to decipher what I think of any individual member's contribution. As far as I can tell, NO ONE here is indispensable. Those who want to leave should follow the basic procedures to de-list, and stop bothering others with these childish charades. And one final note, Ebrima, a Phd will not gain you any more respect than the clothes that you wear. Despite the abuse given the word, "respect" can only be gained and MAINTAINED through one's conduct in interacting with others. If one's conduct sucks, one can have all the Phds in the world, and still gain no respect. It (Phd) may gain one more money, or FEAR from subordinates. But respect? Nah! When the dust settles, and I don't care what society you're talking about, a foolish man with a Phd is Foolish Dr. X, a liar with a Phd is Liar Dr. X, a corrupt Phd is Corrupt Dr. X, etc, etc. So this notion that you'll gain respect by getting a Phd or writing x number of books is delusional. Don't bank on it. If you can muster the humility to accept constructive critism, you're bound to realize your potential. And of course, the better off, you'll be. Otherwise, I join Mambuna in wishing you god speed in your post-L life. Life goes on… Saul. >>Mr. Ceesay, >> >>With all due respect, I don't think you should have sent this "personal >>attack" >> ________________________________________________________________________ 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------