Damn right Makaveli, I am enjoying this soooooo much, I can't be bothered to get involved. It is said that "observation is the best known substitute for imagination". Who would have believed that the likes of Dampha, Yus, Jabou and Conteh will be at each other's throats over very obvious issues as the merger/takeover of the UDP by the PPP? But again I should not be surprised. In the past, I constantly advised you lot about the dangers of narrow-mindedness and myopic bigotry but only a few listened. Those who were a bit sincere to admit that certain issues cannot just be swept under the carpet just because it is convenient to do so, had the likes of Dampha and Hamjatta breathing down your necks armed with all invectives and ready to pounce on them. Take this for instance: Yus wrote, in May "In spite of my hiatus, I have been a 'peeper' of the main site of late. Observing the debate rage on has been an interesting experience since it has shown me some of the inherent disadvantages in thinking too alike. This phenomenon which some may call cabals, niches or 'online friendships sealed in blood' is, in my opinion, an impediment to progressive ideas resulting from disenting views, as slight as they may be. Case in point, the recent merciless lambasting of Kebba Jobe aka Daddy Nying and Kebba Joke. The man has obviously shown that his affiliation with the APRC regime is a very conflicted one. He has openly accepted some of the wrongs of the regime but refuses to blame yahya Jammeh on the basis that he does not solely comprise the APRC. According to Jobe, the blame must be shared roundly. What is wrong with this picture? I my opinion nothing. The human rights siyuation in the Gambia is the same as in other African countries where attrocites are sanctioned daily by perfectly 'legitimate' regimes. Point is Jobe is no different from many other Gambians who supp ort the present regime based on the premise that their overall record outweighs the evil perpetrated by this regime". An later in the same piece wrote "The recent antifeminist utterances of people like Wu Jawara do a serious disservice to the opposition in a country where women are perhaps among the most oppressed in the World yet make up over 50% of the voting population. Should it take a rocket scientist to figure out that the women of The Gambia not only deserve equal representation in political positions, but bureaux, ministries and movements which will make sure every effort is made to improve the status of women back home? IMHO, a well learned man like Ousainou Darboe, would ne ver make a political gaffe like this one. It is his troops (MPs etc.) who ne ed to be reined in to show the unity of a party which speaks responsibly in one voice. Again, we see these gaffes but the few who speak are quickly silence d by the overwhelmingly unitarian cabal. The issue of political strategy when it concerns campaigning and elections also comes to mind when one studies the latest trends of the UDP. After t he outcome of the last by-elections as a result of the unfortunate death of several UDP members, it became painfully apparent to me that the party di d not adhere to a strategy which was borne out of any type of detailed analysis. When one compares the amount of people who actually voted to those who actually voted, it becomes obvious the voter turnout was extremely low. Based on analysis from Foroya, 1056 people did not vote in Kiang Ea st. This amounts to slightly more than ¼ of the registered voters in the a rea, a significant number which could have made all the difference. Even s o, I am convinced an equally large amount of residents of these areas did not vote. Interestingly enough, the voting patterns of Gambians during PPP d ays are strikingly similar to the voting patterns shown in the 1997 elections. The opposition won in most of the same places where they had strongholds, th e numbers were roughly equal and the reasons for losing were virtually the same. But, here on the Gambia-L, we cry voter buyout and such without bothering to look closely at the numbers. Again a dire consequence, of conformity of thought and an acceptance of the status quo without question o r because this person said so". What happened next is you have Dampha "the cyber bully" taking him to task. Hear him. "Yusupha, welcome back. I know you were trying to address some general issues that took place while you were away, but you touched on matters that directly affect me. So I see the need to respond to you directly. There is nothing wrong in trying to rebel and be different from other people. But differing with people just for the sake for being different, makes very little sense to me; especially when the difference is premised on shaky grounds. One should have the courage and confidence in oneself to the extent that one does not need a forum like this to showcase ones independence from people. In short, I think we will agree that not all 'dissenting views' are for the common good. On the other hand, sycophancy is also an evil we must fight. I would have appreciated your piece more had you specified on the postings that actually made you see the need to make the generalization you made in your opening paragraph; i.e. thinking alike is hurting the Opposition. From the topics you picked in subsequent paragraphs, I can only assume that you are criticizing people from the Opposition since we sent the bulk of postings 'lambasting' Kebba Joke". In another posting on the same issue Dampha writes again "On ripping my postings, do not for one moment think that I buy the garbage that you are not attacking me because of the struggle. Attacking me will do no harm to the struggle on G_L as far as I am concerned. Attacking our leaders unjustifiably is what will do harm to the struggle. So, do not try to patronize me while you go around attacking UDP or other Opposition figures unjustifiably". From then onwards, you have Yus agreeing to everything that dampha or Hamjatta says. When Jabou Joh wrote: "Yus, I am sorry that you cannot decipher criticism from bashing, and to realize that we do have right and a duty to remind people of history lest it repeat itself. Your comment reminds me of aomething I heard jese jackson Jr say in a commentary the other morning. He said we as a people tend ot have the "crabs in a barrel syndrome" Every time one of tries to climb out, the others will pull you in. Everytime some of us decide to take a raod that ultimately leads all of us to better things and not compromises that will not help us in the long run, there are attempts from all angles to pull you back into complacency. It makes no sense. This is the 21st century and we still have people baring their fangs because we dare to point out the architects of our current disarray? I think your blind defense of the PPP, and your unending attempt to tell us that going back to the tainted past is OK so long as the present one is worse is bizarre to say the least. Relax and learn to demand higher ideals from the politicians and you will not have to choose between one bad regime and another with this process", I said to myself Dampha has already clouded his vision. I am sure the past few days has clearly shown to all and sundry how Dampha thinks. Here is a guy, who for weeks tried to sell the idea that I was suffering from "Low expection syndrome (ALES)", is now telling everyone that they (the merged PPP and UDP) are moving FORWARD. The rest of the opposition may "JOIN US" if they wish or do whatever they want; WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. This guy, who only a few weeks ago, was telling us that if the opposition did not unite, they would be handing over the country to Yahya for another five years is now telling us that an all inclusive alliance of opposition forces is no more a collective responsibility. We are moving FORWARD and the rest may JOIN us or go their separate ways. Is this a genuine opposition member or someone with a hidden agenda? My question to you Dampha is whether you have caught the ALES disease? Please Makaveli, arrange some psychiatric examination for some of your lot. I was quitely enjoying affray until you rudely interupted me. All along along knew that the enthusiasm that consumed all of you was sooner rather than later end up in dejection. Have a good day, Gassa. >From: Mr Makaveli <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Calling All Comrades To Please Cease Fire >Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 07:55:30 -0500 > >Folks, > They are laughing at us again. I have to say it does us no good taking >each other down to the gutter. If the ultimate goal all of us are yearning >for is to help our opposition parties to unite and oust the current regime, >then I wonder what good is going to come out of us chopping each other's >throat just to make a point over minor indifferences, especially when we >could have settled these relatively petty differences in private. But that >of course is asking too much from us, Gambians. Instead, we come here and >play judge and jury and give the Pa Modou Gassamas our version of The >Jerry Springer Show. I bet Gassa is been entertained by these unwarranted >mudslinging brouhahas. They're enjoying every bit of it and you all should >know this. Whether we do these things to get a standing ovation or to >humiliate each, I don't have a single clue but my take is that it is a >fruitless act, counter productive and does jeopardize all we're trying to >achieve. And I must say I do agree with Buharry that we should hold our >fire, or redirect our missiles to the right target. Some of you might want >to consider taking some time off, if it's that hectic. I took a week's >vacation and it did me some GOOOOOOOD. Someone once told me that where you >have three Gambians, chances are they are arguing about something. Well, >we have over 600 members on the L and you know...well, go figure ..lol! > >Again, this is not an attempt to castigate any comrade, but rather to >remind you of all the respect some of us have held over the years for some >of you and that we would rather see you maintaining that respect than >indulge in massive frivolities that which tantamount zilch to the struggle. >I believe there is a time and place for everything and surely this is NO >time to indulge in negativity and the L is certainly NO place to make >final decisions. We can all shout all we want but in the final analysis and >in the scheme of things, decisions will be made strategically( NOT >euphorically) strictly on rudiments of good judgement by capable and well >informed elected leaders already in place. > >By and large, I would never profess to be an expert on public relations, >but doggone it, just like Buharry I can no longer stomach what I've been >reading recently. I only hope this is a closed case and we are all MOVING >FORWARD. And yes Gassa, we're NOT just human garbage drifting toward a big >sewer so just don't jubilate yet. We do disagree but we agree to disagree. >We are all human and none of us are perfect so cut us some slacks, will ya? >I also should know that you have your hands full with Mr Jobe's >resignation. That has to hurt little for your camp. Any comments on Dr >Jobe's resignation, Gassa? Well......... That's all I have. > > Good day everyone, > Mr Makaveli > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------