Cherne baba, you wrote: " Well some of us beg to differ. And can we be afforded the opportunity to hold contrary views, please?" l am glad that you realize that what one sees is not the same that is seen by everybody, and that there are two sides to every story. What l express here is what l see, and my view, and since you do realize that we are each entitled to our opinions and views on any given situation, then we have no problem. Also, why does my voicing of my opinion, and my statement that l and others are not prone to manipulation lead you to the conclusion that l am trying to stop you from pursuing this topic, or from having a different opinion. My conclusions are based on the arguments and counter arguments between yourselves and Halifa. Let the debate continue because it is proving to be quite an education on more than just Halifa's character actually. Also,l am not shallow enough to think that any human being on God's earth can claim or have perfection attributed to them, and for you to even insinuate that this is what l am doing leaves me a bit dissappointed in you too. Since when does voicing support for a stand taken by someone amount to declaring them totally infallible? And while you are talking of infringement on other's opinion and views, perhaps you guys should also take heed of this. Everything l have stated is my opinion and my observation, and as l have said before, and will say again, l am entitled to it, and no barrage of words, or insinuations aimed at belittling my view will change that. l am sorry if your opinion and respect for me was based only on stands that l take that agree with your views.if the opinion l now hold on this issue has changed your view of me, then l guess that is the way it has to be. A question l have for you is this: Why did you not find a way to print Ebou Jallow's account of the circumstances surrounding Koro's death if you have such a strong conviction about it? Perhaps we should view that as a betrayal of the Gambian people by a member of the press whose job it is to inform the public.Perhaps as a competent journalist, you should have pursued the story with Mr Jallow and conducted your own investigation, or did you not think that you, as equally as anybody else owned this to the Gambian people? Jabou Joh Jabou, You wrote: Mr Sallah, the jury is still out as far as I am concerned, and all I see is credibility, competence and undying dedication to the betterment of our people and our country." Well some of us beg to differ. And can we be afforded the opportunity to hold contrary views, please? While you and Alpha Robinson and others, see ALL "credibility, competence and undying dedication" in Halifa Sallah, some of us see Halifa as a competent, dedicated public servant, but equally see him as imperfect, having done things that do not make him credible and competent at all. Do you see our differences in our grappling with issues? Of course, you are at liberty not to agree with us all. But will you stop your insinuations of deceit on our part in our challenges to Halifa? You averred: "But please be forewarned, manipulation, trickery and attempts to discredit do not and cannot qualify as acceptable methods." You stressed further, "Let those who think that cunning, manipulation and the smearing of people's character is what will win them or those they support a position in the hall's of Gambian leadership think again." And you wonder why Saul Khan is "tongue-lashing" at you? Honestly, do you think that we are hell-bent on sullying Halifa's character? Do we have hidden agendas to discredit Halifa and his party, much to the advantages of others in Gambian politics? Given our arguments with Halifa, have you noticed any sycophancy, or deliberate vindictiveness to destroy the personality of Halifa? Do you know that we were all supporters of PDOIS? Can we be allowed to voice our dissent with the party we supported in the past? Take or leave, our arguments with Halifa. What you see is not seen by everybody. People have different opinions, views, observations. What is healthy is to allow unfettered cross-fertlisation of ideas without any infringement upon one another. Let's give access to even nonesensical or illogical ideas. In the marketplace of ideas, the cure to free speech, is not less speech, but more. If you had given Halifa a bed-of-roses speech, defending his record, I, and probably others, would have cared less. But when you go further to employ tirades against his critics, than can be cynical imbecility. I have always held your views in high esteem. To peddle sycophancy or be a sycophant, is anybody's inalienable perorogative, but please don't disappoint me by stooping so low in your cynicism over our dissent on Halifa and his party. Perhaps, you need a reminder that there are two sides to every issue. Take note. Best regards, Cherno Baba Jallow ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------