Hi Mini: Your point is well taken. Indeed, the obnoxious attitudes of some of these people is troubling, however, I'd like to urge you not to sound defeatist by giving in to their cheap shots. I, for one, will not hesitate to speak my mind on issues up on the L(within the confines of the G-L guidelines), regardless of how it will be received by readers and so should women and everyone else be. This is what Fatou Camara just did and I think it was great having her translate the Prez's speech as she understands it (though I dissent), without the fear of being berated by the few bullies we have online. This is how it should be, and nothing less! The status quo is unacceptable, but it's gonna take people like yourself, F. Camara, Aunty Jabou and others to stand up to such characters. On Joe Sambou's call for greater participation of our women folk in the debate, I wanna comment that his call was most appropriate and that his exchange with F. Camara was indeed exemplary. I was sitting here wondering "what if the debate here was conducted in such a Gambian way without getting all too personal?" Anyway, going back to my point, I'm urging you to express your opinion without considering what the critics might say. Our women's voices are needed, for "behind every success, there's a woman".(Did I say it right?) :-) Ous Ngum Columbus, OH _______________________________________________________ Send a cool gift with your E-Card http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/ <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>> To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>