Jabou wrote: "Any kind of progress coupled with what is for all intents and purposes the makings of a police state, only goes to undermine such progress and tarnishes a good and commendable effort no matter how much it's supporters who refuse to be objective, both for their own sake as well as for the sake and overall well being of their fellow countrymen, try to conduct public relations on their behalf. When our leaders finally learn that to have the continued support of the people simply requires not the barell of the gun or the heavy hand of repression, but merely taking great care not only to bring material progress, but to safeguard every aspect of the rights of the people for self expression, it will be a great day". Jabou, Like I have said many times before, our aspirations are limitless unlike our resources. Our circumstances, perspectives and priorities are also not the same. It is for these reasons that I always counsel people not to make hasty decisions without thinking about the consequencies first. The Gambia's population is more than 1.3 million of which more than 40% (more than 520,000 people) are adults of sound mind who have lived in the country continuously at least for the past 25 years. This group of people do not need people, for reasons best known to them, instigate violence or chaos in our midst, in the name of democracy or human rights. If more than 99.9% of our population have never been visited by the NIA or shot during the past 7 years, but instead you have less than 0.001% who want to matyr themselves, I say they are welcome. Whereas there are people who do not support this government, and those of us who do recognize that it is their inalienable right to do so, there are others who would not, under any circumstances, recognize the legitimacy and inalienable right of those elected by the overwhelming majority of our peoples to rule. In that case, what do you expect? Of course the state will hound and harass them. It is only natural. When the president during his inauguration admitted that we have all wronged each other during the past and asked for mutual forgiveness and reconciliation, he did so passionately and genuinely. Elmer G. Letterman wrote that "A man's greatest strength develops at the point where he overcomes his greatest weakness". This has been one of the principal cardinal points of the AFPRC/APRC. The APRC government is willing to listen and learn from its mistakes. They have always listened to the voices of the people otherwise they would not have shortened their transition from four to two years. They developed the public media to unprecedented levels and provided the enabling environment for the private mdeia to develop and flourish. This they did in order to promote dialogue and the free exchange of ideas for the common good of all Gambians regardless of political affiliation. Despite all the hulla baloo over the intimidation of the independent media, the reality on the ground is the total opposite. Our newspapers are a hundred fold more vibrant during the past two years than ever before, the number of private and community radio stations in the country number more than 30 and the number of newspapers and journals number atleast a dozen. Common guys, lets face the facts and not be too sentimental about certain issues. The government has made mistakes and like all good governments have owned up to them. The governance of the country should not be left entirely to those in cabinet or the NIA or security forces. It is our collective responsibility to do so. No responsible government will allow a minority of people to jeopardize the security and safety of its people. Just like the budget speech in which SOS Jatta admitted that there are problems with our economy and outlined how they plan to overcome them, we had people who thought they can score political point simply because the government wants to drive home the fact that we all need to work very hard in order to save our country, some diehard opposition elements dismissed the recent overtures from the president out of hand. Such people are not trying to defend anybody's rights or wellbeing but their own. The abject poverty in our midst is more of a priority to us than worrying about people who stubbornly insist on their inalienable right to matyr themselves. It is their choice and let them live with it. Another point that those who are opposed to the government should realise is that the shadow of doubt that hung over the legitimacy of the government a few years ago, has vapourized with the recently conducted presidential elections! No amount of spin can justify anyone continuing to cause commotion as to whether this government is legitimate or not! The APRC campaigned hard, put their agenda across to the people that matter, The Gambian electorate, and got their mandate. It is now time for all to support them in their endevour to develop the country. Those who do not want to join them in this noble quest are free to stand aside and allow those who are prepared to contribute their little quota to do so without hinderance or distraction. Have a good day, Gassa. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>> 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] <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>