From Yusupha C Jow Gambia-L: With the elections fast approaching, the mullahs managing the list have decided to unsubscribe me without notice for a posting in response to FJC's taunting of the Opposition camp on the list. Given, the post contained a sentence which, according to some, was in bad taste. However, from this end, the statement which caused such a furor and trepidation among the gutless and cowardly Mullahs is simply a slang that signifies that someone is waiting in vain. I would never disrespect Mr. Massaneh Ceesay, from all indications, a very decent and stand up Gambian. In fact, the man was my next door neighbor's best friend and from my youth I looked up to this fellow. I clearly remember, along with my buddies, passing the older men a couple of 'kasses' of Attaya each time they happened to be congregating at my neighbor's house. So, to say that this was an attempt at demeaning the man -as asserted by Tombong - is ludicrous and reactionary. The fact I pointed out to FJC is true -- she should have been in bed with her husband during the times she sent harassing postings to the list. This had nothing to do with any sexual connotations or anything of that sort. It was simply a valid observation which anyone could have noticed, and the fact remains; FJC was up from 2 AM to 5 AM Gambian time using her [log in to unmask] account to send harassing posting to members of this list. So my sincere apologies to Mr. Ceesay ad anyone related to him, including his kids. To FJC, I unabashedly offer no apologies. I would also like to proffer that I hold certain members of list management in high contempt. Their tactics are humiliating and tend to give affected members the impression that they have been ostracized by their own fellow countrymen. Now, I know how others who have suffered the same fate as me must feel. I understand the fury and hurt that their banning by L management must have had on their feelings. This is not to say that some of us did not deserve to be banned, but the issue here is whether list management went about it in a well-informed and rational way. For example, by sending a piece of email to the member telling them why they were banned and how long the enforcement would last. But apparently, the list management as comprised presently, enforces ad hoc bannings which are devoid of any serious thought process. This is indeed extremely disturbing. Because these bannings tend to cause hurt and feelings of ostracism among the banned parties, it is of paramount importance that they inform all members including the affected parties of the reasons for their decision and how long the enforcement will last. This way, a seamless process where information is exchanged both ways is fostered. In my estimation, this is only fair and for certain members of the management to be tightlipped and almost confrontational when questioned about the rationale of their actions, is dictatorial ALA Yahya Jammed and cohorts style. Mr. Malang Saidy's assertion yesterday that only the affected party is entitled to know the reason for their fate, is a straight-up shameful fabrication from a list manager nonetheless. I sent an email to him last night in the hopes that perhaps some type of clarity would be shed on why this fate was meted out to me. Sadly, my response was met by silence. I remember -- in the past -- even offering advice to this list manager on the type of DSL modem which would be best used with his UNIX system, and in that instance, my effort to be a good samaritan was not reciprocated. Not that this would be an indicator of the man's character, but more likely a pointer to his attitude towards me. One can extrapolate this observation to perhaps proffer that given this stance, he would not be the best manager to make decisions on my fate as it pertains to my posting of a few days ago; a conflict of interest in other words. I also could not help but think of the relationship between Tombong and Malanding because apparently, the latter knew before hand that I would be meted out the fate of being ostracized from a list for and by my fellow countrymen. This is the reason why he could post a message which tried to make the equate my parents and not risk a more calculated response which would call him out for the joke called the GRTS. In light of this, the relationship between the two has to be examined to determine whether Malanding has an additional conflict of interest which might interfere with his job of managing the list. As I have proffered to others in private pieces of email, my banishment was not only unjust, but a poor reflection of the management we have on the list. After all, my contributions - 550 in total including this one -- have mostly been enlightening and have ranged from soccer to politics. I have raised interesting issues, fought for the unrepresented and downpressed, and also had my share of less than pleasant exchanges with others on the list, including some who I have come to respect even after unpleasantries were exchanges. This, IMO, is normal and should not be seen as an indication of intolerance or preying on the weak. Unfortunately, some despite attempts to portray themselves as good Muslims, do not understand that a disagreement on this list is not to be taken personally. Outside of this list, I have no beef with anyone but I would willingly embrace my fellow brother or sister in accordance with the true virtues of loving thy brother or sister. My postings on this list are a reflection of this fact, and unlike the likes of Tombong + Ous Bojang, I have never used any list member's parents in the spirit of riling them. If anyone can prove otherwise, let them come forth. Frankly, there is a difference between a personal attack and one which uses every aspect of one's post as material for rebuttal. Obviously, Mr. Modou Camara, who a few weeks ago posted extremely vague and dictatorial rules on this list. I have no beef with our 'esteemed' list manager except that at times the rules he comes up with seem to be vague and badly thought out. We expect better from our leadership here. At this point, I do not expect or want any sympathy from the intolerant and shortsighted Mullahs of the list, their conscience and many more foibles should take care of that as well as expose their failings in keeping a well run and balanced list. However, I am convinced that given my propensity for controversy, they do not want me here. Well, now you have me off. And finally, on those who have tried to seal my fate because my absence will suit them better, I say; "you ain't seen nothing yet." The GRTS, emblematic of the APRC misrule, inefficiency and corruption, will be my next target. So, Tombong, you just wait! <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>> To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>