The President held his prayer beads in his left hand,clutched his sword from its wooden case with its right,lifted it up and yelled "victory!.And the Nation echoed his noise not knowing why? When he was "voted" in office there were more echoes and the Nation still didn`t know why? The President raised his gold tipped ceremonial cane high over his oversize gold trimmed embroided gown and spread his arms wide.His eyes behind the thick sunglasses,surveyed the masses before him,smiled benevolently and said, "Without Me.........there will be chaos!"And the Nation cheered,not knowing why? The President solemnly checked every cabinet member`s face for signs of dissent,but seeing only fear,he was satisfied."These Journalists( The African ones of course ) are a menace to the peace of this Nation.We need tough laws to keep them in line ( we also need tougher actions,like torture,beatings and unfortunately ( for them ), sometimes assassination of their colleagues and ministers).And the cabinet wholeheartedly acquiesced,not knowing why? The Nation wasn`t invited. The President ordered the SIX FEET DEEP BURIAL of all dissendents and the Nation celebrated not really knowing why? And when his Finance Minister was charred to death,they celebrated again,again not knowing why? When the President cried "Yipee!.I won!",the Nation rejoiced but the UN and OAU hesitated to declare the elections free and fair.Of course they knew why? The President said, "I will save you",and the Nation clapped itself into poverty not knowing why? The President intoned to the gathered crowds,"Down with the former regime!" and pulled himself to incalculable wealth and prosperity,not knowing why? The President`s order is given:"SIX FEET DEEP!"and the Nation goes into orgy, not even wondering why? The President fetes all over the world.But the Nation grows poorer and still didn`t wonder why? The Coporals / Sergeants / Captains / Majors / Colonels / Generals wanted democracy,so he changed his uniform for an oversized gold trimmed gown and ( yes,you`ve guessed it ) became a President,and the Nation acclaimed him, not knowing why? When The President calls for dimissal from service When The President argues for Economic Independence When The President visits Libya / China - not mainland of course When The President refuses to account for his overnight wealth,which he claims to be helping the Nation with, he is still in office-no rebellion. Now,if the Nation can`t, you and I should and must ask WHY? Elhajj. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------