Dampha, you wrote: >Sanyang, correct me if I am wrong, but I hope you are NOT trying to tell us >that APRC 'scored some points' over the Opposition when the shameless >Saihou >Sisay 'defected' to the APRC from PPP (that does not exist anymore). I also >hope that you did NOT buy into the GRTS/Observer propaganda that '600 UDP >followers' defected to the APRC. Yes, brother, that is exactly what i am trying to put across. Dampha, Saihou Sisay and Musu Kebba Drammeh represent in the eyes of many ordinary gambians 'symbols of opposition'. By pledging their firm allegiance to jemus, they are taking with them some numbers badly needed by the UDP, the PDOIS, and the NRP. What you refer to as GRTS/Observer propaganda is yet to be refuted by those on the ground. My point is NOT hanging anybody's dirty linen by zooming their shortcomings but refusing to give in to wishful thinking. As an elections' proponent sympathetic to the Opposition i choose to concentrate on trying to improve the weaknesses on my side of the fence than burying my head in the sand with the hope that come october we will win. I refuse to dream on. I abhor jemus and the aprc, i am happy to see them fail, but at the same time i refuse to close my eyes when they register progress. And fact is they are harvesting bumper. Now, my worry is what are we doing wrong in the opposition that is delivering platinum on jemus' lap? Their latest strategy, one that is winning over electorates is cause for concern. Dampha we all know the aprc shortcomings, no one is ignoring their crimes. Reports are coming from all over; the Independent & Point newspapers, Ebrima Ceesay's sources, the recent Ebou Colley narrative all speak volumes on the jemus-aprc atrocities. These reports get the attention due them from different List members. And Dampha i must say you speak/write well for most of us. People like myself do not see the need to repeat the same things when you are through. On the other hand, an area we consciously avoid is 'what are OUR shortcomings and how can we improve?' . Dampha, can you recall the PPP congress in mansakonko when Jawara declared that he was going to retire? Video tapes captured all sorts of emotional outbursts. In some clips the Saihou Saballys were dancing 'kingho' in frenzy. On the ground, moaning, were the Aja Fatim Mbengas, not to mention the Alhagi Abou Sallahs. On their return to Banjul at Mccarthy Square, a more pronounced demonstration of sentiments was witnessed. 'Jawara, you cannot retire. Baaba Jawara, this cannot be. Nna kebba, if you leave who can take after you'. Jawara decided to stay, the disappointment of many and a frustration to the opposition. Among the most bitter NCP stalwarts was the slogan 'anybody is better than Jawara'. Jawara brought in senegalese soldiers to massacre us claiming he was sending a message to Kukoi Samba and anyone contemplating on a similar venture. July 22nd 1994 gave us jemus. The devil reincarnated, banned the NCP and murdered our children in broad day light. Reminds me of Arap Moi. According to Kenyans, Moi seldom comes after an opposition directly. First, he sends 'a warning'. Armed soldiers raid your compound. You are tied and pushed in a corner to be witness to the murder of your family, with the children going first. Lord of the earth and heavens, we will struggle, we want the best. No one is 'fantazing' that Sidia Jatta , Hamat Bah or Ousainou Darboe are capable of being killers. My slogan is 'only the best'. This does not mean that the person should be short of human fallibilities, not a junior jesus. But simply the best. My choice is the PDOIS and Sidia. Dampha, who is your choice? For the rest of the analysis i refer you to Yusupha's response. Yus, my brother, we are in sync on this one. Joe Sambou, thanx for the address, you will get my $20. I will be proud to have my name on the list. Minos _________________________________________________________________________ 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 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------