Subject: My though for today and always.
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 13:36:47 03/30/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@COMCAST.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
As Christians, we will inevitably fall in a "pit". When we do fall, various individuals will make their own judgement. Sometimes when we do fall, we are unable to get up on our own accord. This IS WHEN:

--- A SUBJECT person will come along and say: "I feel for you, down there."

---AN OBJECTIVE person will come along and say: " It is logical that someone like you would fall down there."

---A "PHARISEE" will come along and say: " only bad people fall into a pit."

---A MATHEMATICIAN will come along and want to calculate how you fell into this pit.

---A NEWS REPORTER ("carry go, bring cam") will come along and want the exclusive story on your "pit".

---A FUNDAMENTALIST will come along and say: " you deserve your 'pit'."

--- A TAX COLLECTOR will come along and ask if you are paying taxes on your 'pit'.

---A SELF-PITYING person will come along and say: " you have not seen anything until you have seen MY PIT."

---A CHARISMATIC person will come along and say: "just confess that you are in a pit."

---AN OPTIMISTIC person will come along and say: " things could be worse."

---A PESSIMISTIC person will come along and say: "things WILL get worse."

---JESUS CHRIST will come along, seeing us in a pit will take us by the hand, and lift us up from out of our pit...and for this reason HE SHALL BE CALLED:

ADVOCATE...LAMB OF GOD...THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE...SHEPHERD AND BISHOP OF SOULS...JUDGE...LORD OF LORDS...MAN OF SORROWS...HEAD OF THE CHURCH...MASTER...FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS...THE ROCK...HIGH PRIEST... THE DOOR...LIVING WATER...BREAD OF LIFE...ROSE OF SHARON...JAH...ALPHA AND OMEGA...TRUE VINE...MESSIAH...TEACHER...HOLY ONE... MEDIATOR...THE BELOVED...BRANCH...CARPENTER...GOOD SHEPHERD...LIGHT OF THE WORLD...IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD...THE WORD...CHIEF CORNERSTONE...SAVIOR...SERVANT...AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH...THE ALMIGHTY...EVERLASTING FATHER...SHILOH...LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH...I AM...KING OF KINGS...PRINCE OF PEACE...BRIDEGROOM...ONLY BEGOTTEN SON...WONDERFUL COUNSELOR...IMMANUEL...SON OF MAN...DAYSPRING...THE AMEN...KING OF THE JEWS...PROPHET...REDEEMER...ANCHOR...BRIGHT MORNING STAR...THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, JESUS CHRIST.

...MAY HE CONTIUE TO GUIDE AND GUARD US.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Curtis-Thomas, SECHN,Dip. Druggistry, BSN, RN, MD (Hons.),MPH, is a Sierra leonean-born physician residing in the USA, he is also Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Education and Advancement, College Park, Maryland, USA.

Subject: Knowledge vs Iussion
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 12:20:05 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-178-68-58.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.178.68.58

Message:
http://www.leoneclub.org/forums/index.php?showforum=18

Subject: Rising food prices cause hardship in Liberia
From: Not only Sierra Leone
To: All
Date Posted: 09:52:18 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253

Message:
High Prices Cause More Hardship
Friday, 28th March 2008
By Morrison O.G. Sayon
Commerce Minister Frances Johnson-Morris …Lawmakers, Others Concerned

With the incoming of the Unity Party government under the leadership of a Howard University-trained economist, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, many thought that all would have been well in terms of stabilizing the nation’s economy but with two years gone now prices of basic commodities continue to soar on the Liberian market.

The hike in the prices of basic commodities on the Liberian market is creating mounting concern amongst ordinary Liberians many of whom lived beyond the poverty line of less than US1.00 per day. The situation has also claimed the attention of members of the National Legislature who said that the astronomical increase in the price of basic commodities on the market has reached a proportion of an emergency. At its regular session yesterday, some members of that august body said the situation must be treated as an emergency.

The lawmakers want an immediate action taken to remedy the situation. This according to them would require citing those who were entrusted with the authorities to stabilize the nation’s economy following years of devastating civil conflict.

A report which, was read outlined certain factors that are responsible for the hike of basic commodities on the Liberian market. The report which was drawn from authorities of LPRC, the Ministry of Commerce and other sources attributed the situation to scarcity, hike in petroleum products that is imported from Ivory Coast, the break down of equipment of the provider, high price on the world market and artificial increase in the price among others.

On the increase in the price of rice, the report also attributed it to government’s lack of control of prices on the world market, delay in discharging rice from the Freeport of Monrovia, bad business practices by unscrupulous individuals, among others.

Considering the followings, plenary of the lower House has mandated the House Standing Committee on Utility head by Grand Gedeh County Representative Zoe Pennue to investigate the hike in the price of basic commodities and submit its findings in two weeks.

The price of rice, the nation’s staple diet has hit a milestone, the price of fuel and gasoline are astronomically high thus leading to the massive increase in transportation fares around the country.

A bag of butter rice is presently sold for US$28 to US$30, while a bag of the American Parboil rice is being sold for US$40 to US$43.00 on the Liberian market, something impoverished ordinary Liberian cannot afford due to the unemployment rate and government’s new policy that is terms as rightsizing.

The price of a gallon of gasoline is being sold for US$365 to US$410, while a gallon of fuel is sold for almost the same price at the various filling stations. Out of Monrovia, the prices of gasoline and fuel have climbed to almost US$5.00 or more thus, restricting the movement of the poor massive.

The astronomical increase in the prices of these basic commodities has also caused double increment in transportation fares across the country. Commercial drivers are charging passengers the amount of L$60 to L$75.00 from Broad Street to Barnesville Estate while (in Taxi) while drivers of commercial buses are charging L$30 L$40.00 for the same destination.

From Broad Street to Congo Town, drivers are charging L$30 L$35, and from Broad Street to ELWA Junction is now L$40.to L$45.00, while from Broad Street to the University of Liberia is now L$10 instead of the usual L$5.00.

On the other hand, CEMENCO, the only cement producing in the country has increased the price of the commodity with a bag of cement presently stands at US$15.00 though the bags are half filled due to what many say is re-bagging of the cement that is said to be going on. The price of building materials are skyrocketing though the need the reconstruct war ravaged Liberia is a paramount concern to all citizens.

In addressing the situation recently, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf blamed the high price and cost of living to prices on the world market and corruption at some government institutions though the very government at one time declared corruption as public enemy. She argued that her government has lost control over the price of rice.

“The waver of the two dollar tariff on a bag of rice by the government has had no impact on the situation,” a downhearted middle aged woman told this paper. In the midst of this situation, Commerce Ministry officials remained tip-lipped.

Worst of all, the Tipoteh Commission that was set up to identify the cause of the escalating cost of basic commodities has not commence its task but said it has submitted a budget of L$10.4 million amounting to US$170.000 to carry out its works.

The Tipoteh Commission said upon the approval of its modest budget it would commence work even though prices continue to escalate on the Liberian market.

With no sign of price control in the country, ordinary citizens are getting angry with the situation as this old-man remembered the late 1970 fracas. “It was this rice price that led to the April 14 unfortunate situation and this has caused other governments to lost power so, let this government come to itself and solve the rice or else.”

Subject: Yenga must be liberated now!
From: ALIMAMY BAKARR SANKOH
To: All
Date Posted: 08:21:41 03/30/08 ()
Email Address: alimamysankoh@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: at 41.203.197.220

Message:
SIERRA LEONE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE

PDL

Public Statement: 30 March 2008

RE: “SIERRA LEONEANS WANT THEIR TERRITORIES LIBERATED NOW”!

A government that cannot provide its citizens with security and safety of life and property, and which cannot protect or defend its country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national independence against external threats or military intimidation, aggression or occupation, that institution must not be ascribed as Government.

This public statement is an acceleration of previous statements issued by our Organisation, the Sierra Leone People’s Democratic League (PDL), which we believe the APC Government of President Ernest Koroma have read, on the situation in the Guinean illegally occupied Yenga and its surroundings in Sierra Leone. As Leader and Chairman of the PDL and Presidential Aspirant committed to peace, freedom, dignity and happiness of Sierra Leoneans everywhere, regardless of tribe, beliefs and other considerations, I am compelled to issue this Public Statement in the light of Guinea’s continuing military occupation of towns and villages in Sierra Leone, its arrogant and intransigence towards peaceful, diplomatic and civilised resolution of the issue of the illegal occupation of territories belonging to Sierra Leone.

I express regret over the APC Government of President Ernest Koroma unpleasant, shameless, irresponsible and reckless responds to recent Guinean expansionism deeper into Sierra Leone’s sovereignty, and therefore unequivocally condemn the Government’s insensitivity to the security needs of Sierra Leone as a sell-out. The much rhetoric talks about diplomatic solution to the issue of Yenga have failed for the past few years to produce results. Guinea does not believe in any peaceful or diplomatic settlements to end its illegal occupation in Sierra Leone.

It is thus difficult for any concerned Sierra Leonean to reason with the APC Government’s recent decision to down size the Sierra Leonean Army at this particular time it is needy to perform its constitutional duty and responsibility to instil discipline on any foreign threats to Sierra Leone’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national independence. This policy, which is backed by the US Government, confirms the inability, incompetence and patriotic bankruptcy of the APC enclave to steers the affairs of Sierra Leone as Government. The APC enclave is a betrayal to the people of Sierra Leone, and in the interest of self defence and protection of the sovereignty of Sierra Leone, I honestly suggest the formation of a Transitional Government of Inclusion (TGI) to run the affairs of Sierra Leone according to the wish and democratic aspirations of the Sierra Leonean people.

Recent US backed Guinean military expansionism deeper inside Sierra Leone is totally disproportionate and a declaration of war against the Sierra Leonean people. The Guinean anti-Sierra Leone aggression is nothing but a gross violation of the United Nations Charter and other international Human Rights Protocols and Conventions, and thus any country/ies involve in such activities can at best be described as terrorist states. Needless to state again and again that the Guinean illegal occupation of Sierra Leonean territories constitutes a gross violation of Sierra Leone’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and threatens national independence.

One cannot understand how the Government of President Lansana Conte in Conakry was duped by the Bush Administration in Washington to marshal Guinean troops, tanks, jet bombers and other war machine across the borders inside Sierra Leonean territories. Credible intelligence sources have hinted me that the US Government bank rolls the Guinean illegal military occupation of parts of our beloved country. Reasons: to form military shields around one of the US anti-Muslim secret prisons in Sierra Leone. Besides, the occupying Guinean forces of aggression and their US counterparts are also engaged in the pillage of natural resources and committing horrible human rights abuses against the local sierra Leonean population in the occupied towns and villages.

It is understandable the silence of the international community, particularly the United Nations, African Union, European Union, etc and their inability to condemn Guinea’s illegal and brutal occupation of parts of Sierra Leone, which to most Sierra Leoneans is equivalent to Israel’s unending occupation of the Syrian territory of the Golan Height. With indifference, the international community watches the US backed Guinea’s terrorism of Sierra Leone, and turns deaf ears to the cries of the Sierra Leonean people as the APC Government of President Ernest Bai Koroma abandoned them at the mercy of the Guinean terror machine.

Through this statement, I am appealing to Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone everywhere to not surrender to the APC government of President Ernest Koroma’s sell-outs, ineffectuality and unwillingness to protect and defend Sierra Leone’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national independence against foreign aggression. An illegal occupation founded on evil desires must not be allowed to continue a minute longer. Action must now be taken against Guinea to show that its illegal and unwelcome occupation of Sierra Leonean Town of Yenga and other resource territories will no longer be tolerated. This is the only way we can be respected as a people with dignity and integrity.

Our Organisation, the Sierra Leone People’s Democratic League (PDL) has made frantic efforts for the Guinean Government to see reason and respectfully withdraw its occupation army from all parts of Sierra Leone, but to no avail. I am sure there are other Sierra Leoneans who have made efforts to see the peaceful and diplomatic end of Guinean illegal occupation of Sierra Leonean towns and villages, but all have come to naught.

It is time to get our territories back from the occupiers. Yenga is part of Sierra Leone and will not be surrendered to Guinea and its US allies. We will not reverse our fight to kick US anti-Muslim secret prisons and all other foreign military bases out of Sierra Leone.

Long live the unity of Sierra Leone

Sender:

Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh

Leader and Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Democratic League (PDL); Presidential Aspirant for the presidency of Sierra Leone and National Committee member of the African Unification Front (AUF).

Subject: Very Good News
From: Newsman
To: All
Date Posted: 05:24:37 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 196.207.236.54

Message:
According to the Hon Minister of Agriculture, Dr Sam Sesay, sierra leone will be self sufficient in Rice very soon.This is a good news, and once we have electricity, enough fuel and enough rice, then general public will live in peace.Bravo, keep it up.

Subject: Re: Very Good News
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:11:44 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
God news indeed. Could the Minister set up a News conference so that the rest of us woud know how he intends to achieve that. Good news must be spread around. I am looking forward to the broadcast of this good news.

Subject: Re: Very Good News
From: Freetownboy
To: All
Date Posted: 11:49:36 03/30/08 ()
Email Address: freetownboy@example.com
Entered From: at 90.209.117.5

Message:
Bah Humburg. First Deliver, then announce. Execution my dears, not announcements. That's what the old SLPP did all the time and it would appear that this minister has not learned anything.

Subject: Kabs there is another soccer star in England
From: Madingo Man
To: All
Date Posted: 03:57:38 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.169.182

Message:
Calton Cole for West Ham is a Sierra Leonean

Subject: Re: Kabs there is another soccer star in England
From: Londoner
To: All
Date Posted: 09:07:31 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 77-99-89-172.cable.ubr05.haye.blueyonder.co.uk at 77.99.89.172

Message:
Is he? I know his dad is Nigerian and his mother Sierra Leonean. That makes it a litle bit tricky to claim him whole heartedly.

Subject: Re: Kabs there is another soccer star in England
From: De Fly
To: All
Date Posted: 12:41:41 03/30/08 ()
Email Address: ahmed.sesay@blueyonder.co.uk
Entered From: 82-44-231-163.cable.ubr11.haye.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.44.231.163

Message:
Londoner, I think your facts are reversed. Carlton's dad is a Sierra Leoneean, by tradition he is more likely to claim that heritage.
Nigel's Sierra Leonean heritage is not news as the player had always amplified that fact, even when he captained the West Ham team that lsot on penalties against the mighty Liverpool after a 3-3 extra time draw. Thaose who follow football know this fact.
To add to your list also note Steve Kabba, whose parents also hail from Sa. Lone, a regular striker, playing alongside the now famous/infamous Al Bangura at Watford; relegated from the Premiership last season and on the verge of promotion this season.
If my memory serves my right, Nigel Carlton et al were presnt at Sierra Leone's,thrashing of Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road.

Subject: Re: Kabs there is another soccer star in England
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 13:08:07 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip98-169-8-64.dc.dc.cox.net at 98.169.8.64

Message:
LA galaxy's Isreal Sesay who bends it with Beckam..

http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t106&player=sesay_i&playerId=ses059326&statType=current

Subject: PRESIDENT KOROMA THE BEST FOR SIERRA LEONE
From: THE PLAIN TALK
To: All
Date Posted: 03:45:14 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ll81-2-58-162-192-81.ll81-2.iam.net.ma at 81.192.162.58

Message:
Mr president keep the good work,it is about time the ministers in Sierra Leone have a boss, who is the president.Also Mr.ministers must be aware of their permanent sec,this permanent sec are the most corruptive element in the fabric of the society.Also permanent sec beware of fake government contractors,they are the people that corrupt the perm sec.Please watch out.

Subject: Mohamed Allie takes over Awareness Forum
From: The Nationalist
To: All
Date Posted: 20:12:00 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253

Message:
The guy with the jallowlaw e-mail address who almost drove us all from this forum is Mohamed Allie Jalloh. He has taken over the Awareness Forum.One post after the other about economic theories without waiting for response for any. Wow.

Subject: Re: Mohamed Allie takes over Awareness Forum
From: Anger
To: All
Date Posted: 05:16:53 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253

Message:
My friend, you don't have to be nasty to The Nationalist. He made an observation that is quite true.

Subject: Re: Mohamed Allie takes over Awareness Forum
From: You wan make tin Smell
To: All
Date Posted: 22:12:56 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-97-6-147.dfw.dsl-w.verizon.net at 71.97.6.147

Message:
I can say with all certainty that Jallowlaw is not Mohamed Allie Jalloh. Your statement is completely false. Please do your research properly as not to misinform fellow forumites. Besides, if Mohamed Allie Jalloh is posting on the Awareness Forum, it is none of your business. You nor go blow? urse kind kerr go bring kam business this? urna kin make thing smell. The man done go, you nor go lef am? Pass mark nor good. Lonta!

Subject: Re: Mohamed Allie takes over Awareness Forum
From: Anger
To: All
Date Posted: 06:13:46 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253

Message:
Nationalist made an observation that is true. Why be nasty to him ? One man can kill a forum , especially if he keeps going on and on and on with meaningless topics that others are not responding to because it does not interest them.

Subject: Titanium Resources Group Q&A TV Profile
From: Sierra Leone
To: All
Date Posted: 18:12:49 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.30.160.185

Message:
Why not tell the forum how you felt about this video?

Subject: Re: Titanium Resources Group Q&A TV Profile
From: The more things change, the more the stay the same.
To: All
Date Posted: 18:16:03 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.30.160.185

Message:
I fell like it is monkey wok babu eat.

Subject: Re: Titanium Resources Group Q&A TV Profile
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 07:23:55 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip98-169-8-64.dc.dc.cox.net at 98.169.8.64

Message:
Nonsense talk....

Biggest employee..
Biggest foreing exchange earner..
Biggest contributor to the salone economy and you think its monkey woke..??

Maybe they should just leave the ore in the ground and let us keep on telling ourselves....we get resources...

If the contracts are to be revisted, fine...
But to think we are been cheated blind...??
By people who risk thier fortunes in our country is ludicrous..while we go around the world begging others to invest in our economy..
We should try first to encourage and build on that which we already have..

We are unique with our beggar bowls...
Instead of us raising the taxes and those taxes used to support our people.. we rake these multinational companies for everything..they have to build housing, schools, roads, court barray, provide clean water etc for local communities... while if the governement can take its responsibilities to its people seriously.. this quasi charity and semi-NGO mentality will be nipped in the bud...these are for profit companies for Gods sake...
The day our governments starts behaving the same, is the day salone betteh..

If a company like sierra rutile, or celtel can manage and run a well organized and well structured coporate structure in our mist why cant we just borrow a few pages off thier corporate books and start running our country like a business, maybe just then...???

Subject: Re: Titanium Resources Group Q&A TV Profile
From: Freetownboy
To: All
Date Posted: 11:46:34 03/30/08 ()
Email Address: freetownboy@example.com
Entered From: at 90.209.117.5

Message:
Candido,

I think it's right to look at the contracts as we in Sierra Leone could have contracts where we benefit more from the upside.

I'm not sure about them risking their fortunes. We have something that they want and we both need each other. It's not a one way street.

Building schools and hospitals is called corporate social responsibility.

I agree with you that government can take a leaf out of Sierra Rutile and Celtel.

If you want to know their revenues - they are listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol TRG. Annual reports are there for all to read.

If you want to be involved in investment in Africa instead of all of us making long speeches on Cocorioko join a group like the Afican Diaspora Investment Network.

Subject: Re: Titanium Resources Group Q&A TV Profile
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 08:54:12 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.203.139

Message:
Candido, I strongly agree with you on this, the only thing I'm concern about is the failure by both governments and the companies to disclose to the public the annual turnovers derived from these resouces. I think the government of Sierra Leone have a duty to inform the public on all its dealings. Sierra Leone have abundance of mineral resources if only those in the driving seat steer the nation properly, we could be the envy of other African countries.

Sierra Leone as I've always insisted, have floating wealth, all we need is proper management of this wealth.

The Angolan government suppresses companies that discloses their annual turnovers to the public. We must not be seen to take this route.

Subject: Re: Titanium Resources Group Q&A TV Profile
From: What effects are the royalties having?
To: All
Date Posted: 08:24:06 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h13.67.89.75.ip.alltel.net at 75.89.67.13

Message:
Maybe they should just leave the ore in the ground and let us keep on telling ourselves....we get resources..."

Maybe so...

The local employees they get penies on the Dollars...by the way.

I do not see why we can't do these ourselves, if the country had embark in training scores of students from FBC and so on the importance of knowing the into-to of our resources...From exploration, excavation, manufacturing to marketing.

Except you think otherwise...

My friend, it all about priorities.

Subject: Our White masters?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 16:15:02 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
review video

Subject: We may need a tribe speech in Sierra Leone
From: DeLaw
To: All
Date Posted: 13:30:04 03/29/08 ()
Email Address: contehlawrence@yahoo.com
Entered From: cpe-71-65-54-128.insight.res.rr.com at 71.65.54.128

Message:
In the United States,the democratic presidential candidate succeeded in attempting to open a dialogue about Race in the wake of the Rev. Wright controversy.
I believe that people all around the world who heard or read trancripts of his speech on Race are amazed by the skill Mr. Obama demonstrated in walking a fine line, while simultaneously hitting hard to drive his message to the American people.
When it comes to talking about tribalism in Sierra Leone,some of us are very ill-equipped to deal with the issue objectively,so the conversation deteriorates to a blame game packaged with emotional undertones that spill into politics,instead of dealing with it as a social issue.
Sierra Leoneans need to kill the weed of tribalism and nurture the seed of nationalism.One way to help deal with tribalism is to first of all acknowledge that we don't trust each other.Some people go even further and say that we don't love each other.We are more likely to lend our support to "outsiders" or "strangers"than support and show love for each other.Building trust and educating ourselves about our languages and traditions as well as beliefs within the bigger picture of nationalism is a vital step each Sierra Leonean must take seriously to help combat the problem.I know friends of mine who have degrees in foreign languages such as French,English or Arabic but can't contruct a sipmle sentence in Mende or Temne even if their next meal depends on it.But,there are still others who pride themselves in having a working knowledge of some local languages.
We need to confront tribalists when they spew their venom or resentment against other tribes and tell them we do not condone their rhetoric or behaviour.
When Sierra Leoneans think about or talk about tribalism,the usual suspects are most likely the Mende and Temne.The fact of the matter is that all other tribes are just as culpable.However,the rancor between these two major tribes holds the keys to a long overdue conversation about tribe and tribalism in Sierra Leone.Until the Mendes and Temnes strive to show others a willingness to put their differences aside and jump on the Nationalism train,the country may not move forward.It will always be mired in regionalism,tribal politics and periods of instability. The question is:who is going to take the bold step to make the speech?

Subject: Re: We may need a tribe speech in Sierra Leone
From: Soriba
To: All
Date Posted: 05:56:41 03/30/08 ()
Email Address: soyanka@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 212.71.37.72

Message:

Our problem about tribalism is centered on one thing. Encourage Sierra Leoneans at least to speak not less than five tribal languages. By so doing, the idea of being segregated will dramatically minimize.

If we take a look at most of our Weste African counterparts, each Ghanian or Guinean can speak not less than three languages. Is it the same in Sierra Leone? Why not?

The influence of our broken English (Creole) all over the country is a hinderance for our people to be multi-linguals. Is there a way to minimize the Creole in our FM Staions and maximize the Temne, Limba, Mende, Kono, Madingo or Fullah for national sake?

Subject: Re: We may need a tribe speech in Sierra Leone
From: Jorgor
To: All
Date Posted: 18:07:04 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: utdpat242007.utdallas.edu at 129.110.242.7

Message:
Delaw: Amen to your piece. You hit the nail on the head. I remember you as a comrade in arms – when we stood up and fought the good fight, against the grandiloquent Umpire. You did a superb Job!
Gracias, my brother.

Jorgor

Subject: Small turnout in Sierra Leone by-elections: polling stations
From: NEC
To: All
Date Posted: 12:45:26 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58

Message:
29/03/2008 15:35 FREETOWN, March 29 (AFP)
Small turnout in Sierra Leone by-elections: polling stations

Voter apathy gripped the by-elections in four constituencies in Sierra Leone on Saturday as many polling stations reported few people queuing up to cast their votes.

"We have not seen the large turnout of voters as in the last election," said Sarah Williams, who voted in an urban constituency in the capital Freetown when the polling station opened at 7 a.m. Saturday.

In Port Loko, 125 kilometres (78 miles) north of the capital, Sinneh Kargbo said that "every thing was a bit unplanned, and elections officials did not start the procedure until two hours late."

Two incidents of election-related violence have so far been reported which the inspector-general of police, Brima Kamara, said were "being robustly investigated."

They involved attacks on the son of the presidential affairs minister and party agents of the small opposition party, the People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), both in Port Loko.

A total of 12 candidates from the ruling All People's Congress (APC), the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the third largest party in parliament, the People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), in addition to one independent candidate are contesting for three seats in the north and one seat in the urban capital, elections officials said.

Four other political parties are not taking part citing lack of funds.

The election is to replace lawmakers who won seats after last year's elections but were later appointed as cabinet ministers by President Ernest Koroma.

According to Miatta French of the National Electoral Commission, "all those who were registered during the last voter registration exercise and reside in the four constituencies are eligible to vote."

Election officials said results were expected to be announced in about a week.

Subject: Sierra Leone Government says the Chinese misquoted Zainab Ba
From: By Awareness Times
To: All
Date Posted: 12:27:51 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.30.160.185

Message:
The Sierra Leone Government Minister of Information and Communication and official Government Spokesman has yesterday March 27th 2008, informed a gathering of local and international journalists at his Ministry’s Youyi Building Conference Room that various Chinese News Agencies had "over-editorialised" the actual words of Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura which she uttered to the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone.

The Spokesman's Statements at the Weekly Press Conference was the Government's official reaction to this week's publication by Awareness Times of statements from China attributed to Foreign Minister Zainab Bangura. The reports had caused a big stir with the Minister coming under serious criticisms.

Awareness Times had reported that the Chinese Government News Agencies had quoted Madam Bangura as having damned the supporters of the revered Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dalai Lama of Tibet who are currently agitating for their right to self rule in their homeland of Tibet. We also reported of how the Chinese Government’s official News Agency had also quoted Madam Bangura as having expressed support for the brutal manner in which the Chinese have been putting down the Tibetan demonstrators killing scores of them and locking up thousands more in a brutal crackdown.

Sierra Leone is a member of the Non Aligned Movement that rarely takes sides in such disputes. The alleged words of Madam Zainab Bangura as attributed to her by Chinese News Agencies and Internet Articles had therefore left more than a few eyebrows raised around the world.

However, Minister Kargbo explained that Foreign Minister Zainab Hawa Bangura, upon learning of the unfolding development in Freetown, had telephoned in from the Diaspora where she was currently, to deny the words ascribed to her by the Chinese Government News Agency.

Minister I.B. Kargbo also promised to bring Minister Zainab Bangura in front of local Sierra Leone journalists in Freetown by next week Thursday the latest.

The APC Government Spokesman also informed that Sierra Leone recognized what is universally described to be the "One Country and Two Systems Policy". However, it should be noted that this Policy refers to the estranged Taiwan-China relationship and not the Tibet-China debacle.

Subject: Re: Sierra Leone Government says the Chinese misquoted Zainab Ba
From: Opposition Foreign Minister
To: All
Date Posted: 21:05:39 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-196-225.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.196.225

Message:
The statement that the APC government is talking about was made last year and reported in the PEOPLE'S DAILY here in China.
I live in Siechuan province.

Subject: Re: Sierra Leone Government says the Chinese misquoted Zainab Ba
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 15:39:25 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
"One Country and Two Systems Policy"

I thought that the policy referred to Hong Kong and the mainland. I may be wrong and if I am please corrected me on this.

Subject: Why I stopped dating SLPP guys!
From: Olayinka Johnson
To: All
Date Posted: 12:09:34 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123

Message:
As a strong, independent Sierra Leonean woman I have always enjoyed dating and chilling with my countrymen without regards to tribe, political party or region. In my 26 years on earth, I have dated a number of fellas who cut across the regional divides of the country. It is their ambition and power of ideas- and yes, sweet words and good looks- that usually pump up my swoon factor. Basically, if you don't look like Frankenstein's Monster, and can carry yourself with confidence, and can party it crazy, it's on baby!

However of late, I have stopped dating SLPP guys because they are just so uncouth. I mean no disrespect sirs. The SLPP boys, especially in DC, Maryland and Virginia seem to be stuck in the Caveman past. The ones who have been trying to get with me reek of Tabaca and alcohol and always try to talk politics through fetid burps. Eeeewww! The SLPP used to be the party of refined gentlemen. Whatever happened?

The APC guys, on the other hand are the perfect gentlemen. They still understand the concept of romance and subtlety. They do not mix politics and romance and sure do not go on and on about their academics like my SLPP suitors who seem to think that a college degree is an aphrodisiac. I remember one particularly obnoxious SLPP suitor who would leer at me during our lunch date and say " You see that lobster you are eating...Well you sure are going to pay for it later". That's it! I'm off SLPP men. I hope they are better governors than suitors!

Subject: Re: Why I stopped dating SLPP guys!
From: Reality
To: All
Date Posted: 18:11:22 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.150.178.243

Message:
Nar you babu go suffer

Subject: Re: Why I stopped dating SLPP guys!
From: Bra Enviable
To: All
Date Posted: 12:19:29 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ah10.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.202

Message:
Olayinka, Ar go die!

Subject: Re: Why I stopped dating SLPP guys!
From: Onliner
To: All
Date Posted: 12:34:30 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-34-87.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.34.87

Message:
Olayinka, thre questions: (1) Is this a way of saying that you are presently available? (2) Are APC and SLPP the only men you date? (3) Would you care for PMDC and nonpartisans?

Subject: Re: Why I stopped dating SLPP guys!
From: Olayinka Johnson
To: All
Date Posted: 12:43:32 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123

Message:
1) After Mr SLPP Lobster's preposterous behaviour, I am currently not dating anyone, although I am vetting a number of friends.

(2) and (3) I actually date guys who are fun, ambitious and not stuck in the muddy past. Never dated yet a PMDC guy. Do you all have bald heads like Charles? Baldy is good.

Subject: Re: Why I stopped dating SLPP guys!
From: Political dating
To: All
Date Posted: 18:06:52 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.150.178.243

Message:
Political dating will land you a date with HIV. Give your tabule a break
and think about settling down.

Subject: Like SLPP , like APC
From: Leonetter
To: All
Date Posted: 07:24:58 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253

Message:
FK, I do not see a problem with the president having a website. The problem that we should all look to address is the neglect or recklessness on the part of the team that are charged to run the state website. Our cries should be directed to such - the website should be up and running professionally for the whole world to see and know what our government is up or on to.

Rev. Kabs, I believe is incapable of getting our cries across - so I believe we should all direct the cries for the website directly to the president by any means of communication. The people around the president are too scared or rather naive to bring to the president's attention the political and economic damage such a petty activity can do to a great country like ours. On speaking to a few high profile minister/officers, I made mention the incompetence of the team responsible for the operation of the website - to my surprise - no reply came out except from one who assured me that the website will done soon. Soon - but when?

Let the focus not be centred on the president's website - he has a wright to have one and promote himself and his activities. The neglect on the state's website is what is heart-rendering and gut-churning. Why can't they see the damage such a simple activity is doing to their image and that of the country.

I see no difference between the previous SLPP officials and the current administration - image means nothing to them. Such nonchalance will be thge order of the day - tomorrow - when reckoning comes. The people and time are no longer in the dampen ages - all is crystal clear. We cannot become enlightened by imaging figures of light but by making the darkness conscious. EBK, honour and nobility are he greatest and very few Sierra leoneans have earned that ( I know only a handful). With honour and nobility comes greater wealth unimaginable. If such virtues are not worked towards - EBK story will be a sorry one. the people love you and will give you everything if you think well of them.

cabinet ministers, ministers and other civil servants! i have a question for you all - These monies you are fighting to steal in the korokoro eyes of the people; where would you be taking it? If it comes to Europe, I will find a way to take it and utilise it for others depraved to benefit. If you keep it in Sierra Leone, you will become a target by your very own circle! So my genuine advise is for you to work uprightly and all shall be added to you. There is nothing greater than honour and nobility. No one is perfect but striving towards perfection brings the greatest in you.

KAYODE ROBIN-COKER

Subject: Re: Like SLPP , like APC
From: Brother's Keeper
To: All
Date Posted: 09:50:30 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-69-203-69-251.nyc.res.rr.com at 69.203.69.251

Message:
Dr Robin-Coker wrote,

"On speaking to a few high profile minister/officers, I made mention the incompetence of the team responsible for the operation of the website - to my surprise - no reply came out except from one who assured me that the website will done soon. Soon - but when?"

I am sure Kayode's spoke to cousin or half brother Oluniyi Robin-Coker.

according to Awareness times Olunyi is one of Earnest Koroma's main economic adviser and a member of the presidential transition team...

He was billed to make a statement on economic policy after Momoh Conteh but three months have gone by and we have not heard from him.Why...?

Considering that he featured prominently on the background of the electricity generator deal does that mean that he is one of those people the other Robin-Coker say is"fighting to steal in the korokoro eyes of the people" instead of performing the task he was hired for?

Subject: Sam Sesay what about Musai
From: Tangains
To: All
Date Posted: 05:51:49 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 196-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.196

Message:
For some of us who know the length and breath of Sierra Leone will be delighted if the new Minister of Agriculture who also occupied that important position during NPRC 2 bring back the lost glory at the livestock centre in Musai, Koinadugu District.
This is a unique opportunity for the APC to nurture the Pre Colonial livestock centre . Musai is a substantial area if, the governmnet makes it a priority to develop, then Sierra Leone will move forward.
This needs to be said, that the Minister should incorporate the large number of youths in the country to be trained how to take care of cattle.
The Kenyan governmnet must be approached so that they will despatch Masai cattle hearders into Sierra Leone to teach these youths.
Please, Dr Sam Sesay, come out now and implement this method.
From the fertile land in kamakwie, to the fruit can factory near Sandar all need to be boosted. Smuggling of farm products to Guinea is active in that area.
I hope APC members here will take this message to the doors of power. I will come back and ask if the Minister has reacted to this suggestion.

Subject: Meet the Challenge and make the Change
From: Low Grade San San
To: All
Date Posted: 06:24:59 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host-87-74-1-168.dslgb.com at 87.74.1.168

Message:
Global farmine, as the paralytic apc called it should not be our major problem now. We are used to it, Suck Air. Our biggest challenge is Yenga, and until we make the change in there, we would have to import palm oil, casada, yams, gari, fufu and even kutah to stack our local market shelves. Because with the Guinean land militias Tanks now in overdrive, carting away everything in seven more villages recently. Don't be surprise to see Guinean troops celebrating their capture of Freetown at lumbley beach Pardys wine bar this summer. This was how it all started in 1991.And all we did then was the usual Sa. Loneman blame game. Oh its only those power hungry Mendes fighting each other. We are at it again.Oh its all slpp Kabbas fault for letting his Guinean cousins use our land to plant casada. Well, am having none of it this time.

Economic freedom and political sovereignty are husband and wife. Any separation will definitely lead to a divorce. One cannot have economic freedom with a cheque book man, trade minister, finance minister and even a rogue trader as President. But the leader of a political party cannot even dare to go to his own back garden because he may step on those pehtehteh hips that were illegally planted by his thieving next door neighbour. This to me, is not political sovereignty. And judging from what i have heard so far from both our Coward defence minister and the clueless diplomatic postwoman, who told the whole world that because we are poor we cannot reclaim our land by force. We are surely heading for a divorce with Yenga, and it will be a quick one.

Because all the Guineans have to do is to build a few Mud houses in Yenga, flood them with their nationals. Arm them to their teeth, and instigate a rebellion, KLA Kosovan style against us, with maybe an unpatriotic sierra Leonean scumbag as their leader, and if they decide to take our land through diplomacy by going for a referendum, they will win it slpp wu teh teh tactics because there will be no Christian Thorpe to invalidate any vote, bingo! ME FAMBLE THEM, NAR GO YENGA GO SO OH LEK PLAY.

The next thing we will be hearing from the UN is "Yenga has the right to self determination" And they will start addressing them as YENGORIANS. The Guineans will love it because they know that, they will be holding all the leads to their poodles in Yenga.Yenga is the challenge lets make the change in there.

Subject: Re: Meet the Challenge and make the Change
From: Tangains
To: All
Date Posted: 06:55:56 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 196-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.196

Message:
If Yenga is so important why did the SLPP failed to make it a priority to redeem it? The APC needs to pull our people from the throes of poverty the SLPP institutionlised after it received almost a billion dollars to reshape our people life.
To wage war for Yenga is not the way to go. The SLPP leadership encouraged the Guineans to take Yenga as it considered the AFRC and RUF aliens not the kamajors and half blooded Sierra Leoneans that the SLPP gave important positions in governmnet. We know your game you SLPP wolfs in sheep cloth.
This APC is thick skinned and it will not be pushed to fight Guinean for a piece of land. We have legal minds and there is a place to take legal redress, if our country's sovereignty is being infringed upon.
SLPP apologists, first bring back the nations loot and try to apologise to the victims of Kabbah forced entry to take power.
There is no gain in a war. Rather than setting the tone for a war, we need to use our energy to bring food on our poor people's table. Remember that the SLPP impoverished gighty five percent of the population and you failed to raise a finger against the SLPP thievery.
You use tribalism and regionalism to scare political opponents from Kailaihun. The SLPP never made Yenga a priority. Why now SLPP sore loseres are pestered to fight a war against Guinea for a tiny piece of land.
SLPP detractors, the APC has a plan to uplift our people from the bottomless pit .

Subject: Re: Meet the Challenge and make the Change
From: Sam
To: All
Date Posted: 08:19:40 03/30/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-76-19-137-141.hsd1.ma.comcast.net at 76.19.137.141

Message:
Now we're taking the blame game to another level! Thanks to a useless SLPP govt (they share blame with past govts for the deterioation of national security) Sierra Leone could not defend itself against a band of its own ragtag rebels so we won't waste time complaining who let Guinea take Yenga.

What we are concerned with, is that we get it back now. The longer Guinea holds on to it, the more they get use to it. This is not a jab at the current govt. It's not their fault, I don't blame them one bit for the fact that we have not gotten out land back. But they are in power now. If EBK is in power for only one term and Guinea does not turn over Yenga, that is 6 plus more years. After that, why would they give it up? We will have to go to war then, if we want it back.

Yes food security is of a more pressing issue especially since I predict global rice prices will just about double in the next three to six months, but govt is supposed to be tackling all issues affecting a nation, not just one.

With regards to the rice issue, The Health Ministry has to get up to their A game now. With rice prices bound to get higher and worse, less available on world markets, unscrupulous dealers will be looking at importing unfit rice into the country. Hope we watch out for that.

Subject: A night without sleep as I anticipate "fen Plaba's" battle!
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 04:18:04 03/29/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Posted by Mr. Northerner on March 26, 2008 at 10:34:53:

In Reply to: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations ! posted by Fen Plaba! on March 26, 2008 at 10:29:16:

But "that troll" 'speaketh' and 'writeth' the truth, and nothing but the truth so let him be, Mr, Northerner.

We dare you to bring forth evidence to refute his statements in that article.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Fen Plaba! on March 26, 2008 at 13:21:03:

In Reply to: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations ! posted by Mr. Northerner on March 26, 2008 at 11:40:59:

Mr. N, to quote the always quotable Candid opinion, "Me foot dey hart, ah get kack toe".
The whip you wielded against my naked kanda about my "subjective loyalty to the concept of northrenization" is undeserved. I am the ultimate anti-regionalist; never believed that there was a southernization during the SLPP Triassic nor do I believe a northernization rages right now. It's all made-up graffiti by the SLPP spin factory. The bumper stickers that the esteemed Prof Kallon has strung together from the SLPP ragsheets don't amount to jack. However, I am quite mellow today and about to take the kids to Chuck E Cheese. I will then implore them not to humbug Daddy on Saturday because I have to engage in a battle of refutations with Uncle Northerner and hopefully Prof Kallon. Get ready to unsheath your swords, gentlemen, Saturday morning.

Subject: Re: A night without sleep as I anticipate "fen Plaba's" battle!
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 08:21:41 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip98-169-8-64.dc.dc.cox.net at 98.169.8.64

Message:
The Kacktoe nor well yate...
Dr Thomas the honourable Fen Plaba has opportunity abound to pen a retort to Dr Kallons piece..

They say the best part is the crawoh.. lets give the man time to reach the crawoh.

His might just be the defining piece in our salone photosynthesis..

Does the banga tike need the sun to survive..?? or does the Sun need......[scratches head while thinking]........

Okay that analogy sounds counter intuitive/productive to the case at hand...i dont want to loose my green tint..especially under the red african sun..

Subject: Re: A night without sleep as I anticipate "fen Plaba's" battle!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 10:03:34 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Maybe he is delayed making his way to the podium because of all the autographs he has to sign on his way... or probably he is still waiting for his speech-writer to deliver the speech to him at his house...because of the high cost of gas the speech-writer may well want to be economical and decide to walk instead of driving.

Lets be patient, I am sure it will be worth the wait.

Subject: Re: A night without sleep as I anticipate "fen Plaba's" battle!
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 11:28:18 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123

Message:
Good afternoon gentlemen. Just woke up with a terrible hangover from last night, and a lighter wallet after visiting the Taj Mahal casino on Atlantic City. Head is still banging but my pen is unsheathed. Where is Northerner? Where is Prof Kallon, the Sage of Greeley? What was the original beef about anyway?

Subject: Re: A night without sleep as I anticipate "fen Plaba's" battle!
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 11:37:13 03/29/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas on March 26, 2008 at 08:10:52:

On President Koroma’s Democratic Credentials

By Professor Kelfala Kallon (USA)
Mar 17, 2008,

President Ernest Koroma’s self-evaluation of his performance during his first five months in office, which appeared in the March 5, 2008 issue of Awareness Times, would have been comical if his claims were not so insulting to our collective intelligence. For example, in spite of the economic hardships his government has wrought on the people of Sierra Leone, President Koroma claimed to have done much for the country during his five months in office. Particularly amazing and perhaps most galling was the President’s claim that "his All People’s Congress (APC) government has within five months succeeded in deepening the democratic process and unifying the country by effecting a smooth transition that has never happened in the history of Sierra Leone".

In the United States, when the President gives an address about the state of the nation, the opposition is given an opportunity to respond. It is in this tradition that I shall respond to the President’s self-evaluation in a series of essays on his record. Because of the blatant preposterousness of the President’s claim that his administration has deepened democracy and fostered national unity in Sierra Leone, this first essay will critique President Koroma’s democratic credentials.

Democracy, as I understand it, requires not only "majority rule with due respect for the views of the minority" but also a heightened respect for the rule of law. Most importantly, democracy demands that each and every citizen enjoys the full protection of the laws of the land without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, and political affiliation. To wit, our Constitution recognizes and protects the fundamental human rights and freedoms of all Sierra Leoneans. And to emphasize these protections, it requires our president to swear an oath that he would discharge his duties "according to law, . . . preserve, support, uphold, maintain and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone as by law established," and most importantly "do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."

In my opinion, President Koroma started violating this oath the moment he became President of Sierra Leone. For instance, there was a criminal case against the President’s bodyguard, Leatherboot, for savagely beating up Tom Nyuma at the Country Side Hotel in Bo during the election campaign. Allegedly, the President’s brother also had a case to answer for some stolen Bumbuna cables. Rather than have these cases go through the proper judicial channels, both were quashed immediately after the President took the reins of power. (Additionally, Leatherboot was promptly absorbed into the Sierra Leone Police as a presidential bodyguard at lightening speed). Unless the President issued secret pardons to the accused persons in these cases, the swiftness with which these alleged criminal matters were disposed of leads to the obvious conclusion that His Excellency did not administer the laws of Sierra Leone without fear or favor in these instances.

Also, even as President Koroma was being sworn into office, his supporters were busy vandalizing the offices of the SLPP in broad daylight, and in full view of the police. When this became known to him, the President apologized to the SLPP and assured the party’s leadership that the law will bring the culprits to book. However, contrary to what one would expect from a President who has been rhetorically embellishing his democratic credentials, President Koroma has never publicly issued a strong condemnation of this wanton act of lawlessness and victimization of the SLPP. Instead, he has sat by idly while his supporters and lackeys have gone around the country wantonly intimidating and persecuting members of the SLPP and other innocent citizens like Pastor Conteh with impunity. The recent case of his minister leading APC thugs to destroy the Bo SLPP Office and subsequently ordering the arrest of the Mayor of Bo are to date the most glaring demonstrations of the historical propensity of the APC for lawlessness and violence. Thus, when one peels the rhetorical chaffs off the President’s claim to love and respect democracy, all one is left with is a President who has overseen the reintroduction of the APC’s culture of violence and lack of respect for the rights of other Sierra Leoneans who disagree with them politically.

This lack of respect of the rule of law is not the exclusive preserve of only the President’s supporters. Indeed, even President Koroma has exhibited an utter disdain and disregard for the rule of law by illegally bludgeoning the erstwhile Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone from office even though the Constitution granted the power to remove the latter to only a super-majority of the members of Parliament. When his minions in Parliament ratified this most egregiously offensive assault on the "separation of powers" in our Constitution, the President became emboldened enough to illegally remove other supporters of the SLPP from their respective positions without due regard to not only the constitutional rights of these individuals to legally earn their livelihood, but also the contractual obligations of the government to these Sierra Leoneans.

Given the history of the APC, the recent sacking of the erstwhile Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should warn all Sierra Leoneans that President Koroma is intent on applying to the Judiciary the same unconstitutional methods he has employed against other state functionaries that he perceives as SLPP members and/or sympathizers. As in the first coming of the APC, it should be now apparent to all who care about Sierra Leone being a land of laws not a land of strong men that President Koroma is dangerously reincarnating another "conclave" of APC judges whose primary loyalty would be to the President, not to the rule of law.

Another key pillar of democracy is respect for, and protection of, the people’s right to be informed, on the one hand, and their right to freely express their opinions, on the other hand. The perpetual harassment of the employees of the New People newspaper and now the publisher and proprietress of Awareness Times, Dr. Sylvia Blyden, suggests that the President falls very short of what one would expect from a democrat.

On the issue of Dr. Blyden’s predicament particularly, I am amazed at the President’s claim that he neither knew about nor ordered her detention. Yet, I am sure that the President is aware of a State House press release which threatened to use the Public Order Act, 1965 against Dr. Blyden – which was essentially a threat to detain her without charge. And this is exactly what subsequently happened. Thus, unless President Koroma wants us to believe that he is so cocooned by the sycophants around him that he is oblivious to what is happening within even State House, no sensible person would believe that he knew nothing about Dr. Blyden’s detention, even if he did not authorize it. Indeed, if we accept the counter proposition that the President is really unaware of what is going on in State House, we should then justifiably conclude that he has sub-contracted the presidency to the caboodle around him. Because President Koroma is much too intelligent to be so stage-managed, the only sensible conclusion one can make from his claim of ignorance about the very bad things that his appointees and supporters are doing is that his style is a very resplendent reminder of Siaka Stevens’ first law of politics – namely, "use your thugs to terrorize your political opponents and then feign ignorance about the whole thing." This too is chillingly frightening for the future of our nascent democracy.

In my opinion, the most preposterous evidence that the President used to shore-up his democratic credentials is that he has arrested no one. Perhaps the President needs to be reminded that the human and constitutional rights of Sierra Leoneans are not grants of presidential magnanimity. Moreover, our President needs to be reminded that, as John Stuart Mill, the great English philosopher and political economist, once opined, depriving people of the right to legally earn their livelihood, as he has done to the countless SLPP supporters he has illegally dismissed, is a worse fate than imprisoning them. In this regard, therefore, I will borrow a familiar phrase from the President by characterizing his claim that he has imprisoned no one as "nothing to write home about".

Finally, President Koroma claims that his government has engendered national unity. Yet a cursory look at his appointments leaves no one in doubt that his is, first and foremost, a Government of the North, by the North, and for the North. As expected, some of his demagogic supporters have argued that what appears to critics as a Northernization policy is merely a manifestation of the President’s desire to surround himself with people that he trusts. Nothing more needs to be said here if the President of Sierra Leone, who claims to value national unity, trusts only Northerners — except that in the interest of truth-in-advertizing, President Koroma should perhaps rename his All Peoples Congress (APC) as the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC).

In a nutshell, therefore, when one honestly compares President Koroma’s record on promoting democracy and national unity with that of Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, the most charitable conclusion one would make is that President Koroma’s record is, to borrow his favorite phrase once again, "nothing to write home about". I suspect, however, that if Shakespeare had been alive today, he would have off-handedly dismissed the President’s preposterous claim that he has deepened democracy and fostered national unity in Sierra Leone as an ‘old wives’ tale that is "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing".

© Copyright by Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Subject: Re: A night without sleep as I anticipate "fen Plaba's" battle!
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 12:31:31 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123

Message:
"In my opinion, President Koroma started violating this oath the moment he became President of Sierra Leone. For instance, there was a criminal case against the President’s bodyguard, Leatherboot, for savagely beating up Tom Nyuma at the Country Side Hotel in Bo during the election campaign"..........Kelfalla Kallon.

If opinions were horses, Sierra Leone would harness one and ride out of the bottom of the HDI! Remember, Dr Kallon's opinion is not the gospel truth. Leatherboot savagely beat up Tom Nyuma? Good for Leatherboot! For all of you who think that Tom was piously staying at the Bo hotel, please swallow a reality pill. After Leatherboot washed up Tom Nyuma, he found religion and quickly turned away from the assassination business. As far as I am concerned that indeed is the very essence of democracy. Commit a political crimed and get stung where the sun 'don't shine'. I hope his commission as a presidential bodyguard discourages miscreants and adventurers.

"Also, even as President Koroma was being sworn into office, his supporters were busy vandalizing the offices of the SLPP in broad daylight, and in full view of the police"

Is there any independent confirmation of this? Those pictures and the biased reporting came from the SLPP propaganda sheets: The Awareness Times and New People newspapers. The articles were written by fierce SLPP partisans like Sylvia Blyden and Sheku Kallon, who wouldn't recognize the truth even if it slapped them in the face. Even the lowly toilet tissue has more credibility than those SLPP papers. APC supporters on the scene said the provocation was started by SLPPers and they say they have documentary proof of that.

Look I can make a bonfire of the Sage of Greeley's biased article at Cotton Tree. In the interest of brevity I stop for now. There is no evidence whatsoever to support the lies in the article in contention.

Subject: Re: A night without sleep as I anticipate "fen Plaba's" battle!
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 15:18:10 03/29/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
My friend, you think this whole thing is funny ! These are some of the things, by the "old APC", that led to the rebel war. Now this "new APC" is again setting the stage for discontent. The toothless Sierra Leone Bar Association is sitting there "doing their nails" while Ernest Koroma runs the country like it was some Insurance company. I was hoping you would say something more intelligent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"...Rather than have these cases go through the proper judicial channels, both were quashed immediately after the President took the reins of power. (Additionally, Leatherboot was promptly absorbed into the Sierra Leone Police as a presidential bodyguard at lightening speed). Unless the President issued secret pardons to the accused persons in these cases, the swiftness with which these alleged criminal matters were disposed of leads to the obvious conclusion that His Excellency did not administer the laws of Sierra Leone without fear or favor in these instances..." (Prof. K. Kallon)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leatherboot savagely beat up Tom Nyuma? Good for Leatherboot! For all of you who think that Tom was piously staying at the Bo hotel, please swallow a reality pill. After Leatherboot washed up Tom Nyuma, he found religion and quickly turned away from the assassination business. As far as I am concerned that indeed is the very essence of democracy..." (Fen Plaba)

AH salone... we sorry!

Subject: Re: A night without sleep as I anticipate "fen Plaba's" battle!
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 17:37:22 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip98-169-8-64.dc.dc.cox.net at 98.169.8.64

Message:
Indeed eh.........we sorry baddddddddddd..

The same lackadicious [now where did i read that recently?] arch-e-chude expressed physically by leather boot is here now expressed literally by our own fen plaba..?

It has been suspected for a while that casino's dull your senses.. I even hear it’s willful so you can spend the months mortgage payment and fell like you had the time of your life.. I do hope your sojourn at the Taj Mahal took the mortgage and not the senses..
I digress................................

Fen Plaba....if SLPP rag sheets report about the SLPP HQ raid by APC marauders was bais..and it was all partisan.. and foaming at the mouth drivel...

What would you call "COCORIOKO" reporting the beating of Tom Nyuma as an assassination attempt nipped in the bud?
And why would you take the assassination attempt hook, lies and stinkers.. and offhandedly dismiss the grievances of the SLPP..

Numerous..ones..

"Also, even as President Koroma was being sworn into office, his supporters were busy vandalizing the offices of the SLPP in broad daylight, and in full view of the police"
From Berewa's security detail been manhandled.. to his personal bodyguard been arrested on a gun charge..

SLPP HQ looted.. in FT, BO...
SLPP Ministers under virtual country arrest..
SLPP Appointed termed/contracted officials fired..
SLPP leaning civil servants purged...
SLPP stronghold votes annulled..
SLPP ...........

If anyone else can find a few more..please post...
These are all legitimate grievances by the other side and should be taken seriously...

Subject: What is wrong with Africa
From: Reality
To: All
Date Posted: 03:58:46 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.145.230.201

Message:
The decade of the 60s was one of great optimism for Africans, as in
country after country, native Africans were at last being given the
opportunity they had long been fighting for; to take control of the
governance of their countries and ultimately, to control their own
destinies.

Four decades after this initial wave of euphoria and optimism, the
hopes and aspirations of the masses for a brighter future have in most
cases been unrealized. In the majority of cases, most African countries,
Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbababwe, Cameroon, Guinea, to
name but a few, are actually worse of than they were on the eve of
independence.

Why has this continent that is so abundantly blessed with human and
natural resources had such a remarkable decline in its fortunes? I will
invite forumite to proffer some answers to this question and am looking
forward to a healthy debate.

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Africa
From: Tangains
To: All
Date Posted: 05:22:57 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 196-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.196

Message:
One reason that is affecting Africans is dishonesty. Whether it is designed by the evil groups we join or it is a gene factor, dishonesty acts is responsible for Africa inability to help itself. Its inhabitants from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Algeria to Sierra Leone are all enmeshed in dishonesty and evil acts against their brothers and sisters.
The day Africans willl forsake those things that destroy them and embrace light then, a new era will emerge.
Figuartively, some of African traditions are destructive and do not rhyme in today's world where with a tip of the finger, you can able to transmit communication across different continents.
If Africa is to move ahead, certain destructive elements in its culture must be addressed and redefined to help its inhabitants.
To sum it up, Africans must get rid of all their bad habit like using blood sacrifice and other evil acts to kill their own.

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Africa
From: His Royal Highness
To: All
Date Posted: 04:36:44 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69

Message:
"Why has this continent that is so abundantly blessed with human and natural resources had such a remarkable decline in its fortunes?"

Chances are, we must first ask why we do so much better in the diaspora.
Then, ask how much we understand our cultures.
By doing so, we might just uncover the mysteries of how we think.

Subject: High Rice Cost Creating Fears of Asia Unrest
From: His Royal Highness
To: All
Date Posted: 23:16:31 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69

Message:
Food riots have erupted in recent months in Guinea, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Senegal, Uzbekistan and Yemen. But the moves by rice-exporting nations over the last two days — meant to ensure scarce supplies will meet domestic needs — drove prices on the world market even higher this week.

Subject: Sierra Leonean Lady in deadly car accident in MD?
From: Citizen
To: All
Date Posted: 16:05:09 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-140-12-182.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.12.182

Message:
I was informed yesterday that the driver of the range rover that accidentally and fatally ennded the life of a shopper at the Red Apple Farmes market in Langley Park, MD is from Sierra Leone. Can someone please confirm this?

In another note, Sierra Leoneans around the world who wish to travel to Canada can take advantage of a special program available now emailing me.
umaruconteh@husmail.com

Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean Lady in deadly car accident in MD?
From: Madingo Man
To: All
Date Posted: 07:44:54 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.169.182

Message:
Please check this link for details

Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean Lady in deadly car accident in MD?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 08:35:05 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
Please advise her not to speak to the TV station or any reporters about the accident until she speaks to a lawyer. She is facing a potential multi million dollar lawsuit and the less she says to reporters the better it would be. She should speak Only to the Accident investigators at this time and make sure her story does not contradict itself in material terms. It appears from her explanation that there is a mechanical defect wit the vehicle and the best way to know this is to have the vehicle inspected. 2004 Rangerovers are equipped with a computer similar to an airplanes black box, which would record the events immediately leading to the accident. This computer must be secured because if there is a mechanical defect the computer would record it if that defect cannot be detected by an OBD inspection.

Wishing her all of my blessings during these trying times and my sincere condolences to the family of the victim.

Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean Lady in deadly car accident in MD?
From: Kalos
To: All
Date Posted: 21:35:18 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-70-17-225-207.balt.east.verizon.net at 70.17.225.207

Message:
What a sad moment. It is true one of our sisters (K. Kallon) was involved in that accident, please let us remember her in our prayers.

Subject: Re: Sierra Leonean Lady in deadly car accident in MD?
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 08:04:33 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip98-169-8-64.dc.dc.cox.net at 98.169.8.64

Message:
It is indeed sad.....
A sister doing well..
I hope God counsels all involved..especially the aggrieved family..

Subject: Sierra Leoneans Say Stadium Needs a Facelift
From: Uma Ramiah
To: All
Date Posted: 15:09:21 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58

Message:
Sierra Leoneans Say Stadium Needs a Facelift
By Uma Ramiah
Dakar
28 March 2008

Ramiah - Download (MP3)
Ramiah - Listen (MP3)

A crumbling football stadium in Sierra Leone drew international attention when the world's football association banned it from use this week. It was renovated after the recent civil war, but those efforts seem to have fallen short. As Uma Ramiah reports from VOA's regional bureau in Dakar, the state of the stadium reflects larger problems that plague Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone's national soccer stadium served as a sanctuary for people fleeing violence during the country's brutal, decade-long civil war, and was badly damaged when rebels took over the capital, Freetown, in 1999. Now, in a state of disrepair, the international football association, FIFA, has banned matches at the neglected stadium.

Local fan Lansana Fofana says, though this is upsetting to Sierra Leoneans, FIFA was right in its decision. He says the stadium desperately needs improvement.

"The technical side of the stadium is really embarrassing to the nation as a whole," said Fofana. "In the dressing room, there is no security. The pitch itself is nothing to write home about. Not even the goal posts. So this has been a problem."

But Fofana also says the ban could have been avoided.

"The football association here has been given sufficient warning to rectify all these anomalies, which they did not do," said Fofana. "And, now, FIFA has taken the drastic decision to ban the stadium for a year. So, this is going to have a very lasting impact on football in Sierra Leone, and people are very, very much destroyed."

The president of Sierra Leone's Football Association, Alimu Bah, says the decision was a big blow to the association, but there is little he can do, as the stadium maintenance is up to the government. He has been asking the government to improve the stadium since last year, when visiting FIFA delegates gave warning.

"We have been asking all the while," said Bah. "We had inspectors from FIFA coming here to look at the stadium and to give recommendations in areas where we can fix the stadium. So, it is not like we are not in the know. We are in the know, and we have passed on the information to the appropriate authorities, stadium management."

Bah says he will appeal the decision, and hopes management will fix the stadium before June 7, when the Sierra Leone side, known as the Stars, are set to play Nigeria.

Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked at the bottom of a United Nations index, which rates quality of life.

Fofana says the stadium ban is unfortunate, as football serves as a welcome escape from the day-to-day problems of unemployment, poverty and hunger.

"Football is almost everything to Sierra Leoneans, in terms of entertainment," said Fofana. "It is the biggest sports event here. Apart from that, the country came out of this very brutal war that lasted 11 years, and football has certainly been used as a healing process. People are just picking up the pieces of their broken lives after the war. There is mass poverty, so people need football to cushion the effects of their suffering and all their problems."

Football is immensely popular in Sierra Leone. People play in the streets, on beaches and in fields. On weekends, thousands of Sierra Leoneans gather in video clubs to watch football matches on satellite television.

But Fofana says a stadium in disrepair may not be a top priority for a government plagued by a crumbling economy, widespread corruption and poverty.

The structure is used not only for sports but for concerts, gatherings and political rallies. China built the stadium for Sierra Leone nearly 30 years ago, and paid for renovations toward the end of the war. But, according to FIFA, more needs to be done.

Subject: For his hard work , does the APC owe S.I. Koroma?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 15:00:32 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
SORIE IBRAHIM KOROMA
(1930-)
POLITICAL ORGANISER AND TACTICIAN

Sorie Ibrahim Koroma was born in Port Loko, Maforki Chiefdom, Port Loko District, in 1930. On of Sierra Leone's most vibrant political figures, S.I. Koroma was also involved in the labour movement of the 1950s. He blazed the trail for the implementation of the self-help idea which was an important aspect of rural development during the 1970s.

Educated at the Government Model School, Freetown, and at the Bo Government School, Mr. Koroma worked in the co-operative department from 1951 to 1958 and took a course during that time at the Co-operative College, Ibadan, Nigeria. In 1958, he resigned from government and went into private business while also becoming the first secretary-general of the Sierra Leone Motor Transport Union.

He was one of the founder members of the A.P.C., formed in 1960, and became the party's first National Propaganda and Organising Secretary. In this role, Mr. Koroma did his best to educate the people about their political rights, and won astounding success in bringing the A.P.C. to the people and increasing the popularity of the party. In 1962, S.I. Koroma was elected to parliament as M.P. for Freetown Central I Constituency.

In 1967, he was returned to parliament for the same constituency. Following the return to civilian rule in 1968, he became Minister of Trade and Industry in Siaka Stevens' first cabinet. In a cabinet reshuffle in 1969, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and National Resources. On the attainment of republican status in 1971, S.I. Koroma became Vice-President and Prime Minister, and in another cabinet reshuffle in 1975 he was made Vice-President and Minister of Finance. Following the 1978 one party referendum, he was appointed First Vice-President, a position he held until his retirement from politics in 1986.

Popularly known as "S.I.," Mr. Koroma epitomised the hard-working, disciplined and relentless leader who was willing to lead his forces against any foe. He led the A.P.C. in many skirmishes during the early days then the party had to fight for its very survival. As the second-in-command in the party hierarchy, many people believe that his faithfulness and his untiring dedication to the defence of the A.P.C. at all costs sustained the party up to his retirement. For this relentless defence, he earned himself many enemies.

Mr. Koroma was for a long time the number two man of the party, but bowed out of the race for succession to Siaka Stevens when it became clear that Major-General Momoh had the support of the rank and file of the party as well as of the general populace. Mr. Koroma continues to be a high-ranking member of the ruling A.P.C. party, but has retired from government to devote his time and attention to the management of his oil palm plantation near his home town of Port Loko.

Subject: Re: For his hard work , does the APC owe S.I. Koroma?
From: Kalos
To: All
Date Posted: 22:11:38 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-70-17-225-207.balt.east.verizon.net at 70.17.225.207

Message:
Yes, the APC party owe S.I. Koroma for all the hard and dirty work necessary to bring the party to national prominence. He was a great man and a unique African politician that was not in politics for personal wealth. He was loved by most party members, it is not true "when it became clear that Major-General Momoh had the support of the rank and file of the party as well as of the general populace", simply stated, Pa Shaki was afraid of S.I. and went with Momoh.

Thank you for bringing to our attention a man that would have been one of the best presidents in Africa.

Subject: A very brilliant and award-winning article by Karamoh Kabba
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 14:47:31 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Sierra Leone: A Changing Political Phenomenon
Karamoh Kabba
April 8, 2007

Take a snap look at the upcoming 2007 presidential election in Sierra Leone and it appears to be leaning toward the Sierra Leone Peoples' Party (S.L.P.P.). Although the All Peoples' Congress (A.P.C.) is reclaiming its political stature with alacrity, for now, the political scales seem to be tipping in favor of the S.L.P.P. … But this may change quickly if Charles Margai launches a new political party.

The above paragraph is an excerpt from an analysis I wrote on November 5, 2005. That was before Charles Francis Margai launched the now popular People's Movement for Democratic Change (P.M.D.C.).

The chief electoral commissioner, Christiana Thorpe, has just published the results of the recently completed voter registration process for the upcoming July 28 presidential and parliamentary elections in Sierra Leone. Thorpe's figures, for the most part, will play well in Sierra Leonean traditional voting habit by region if they do not abandon that paternalistic tradition.

The graph below, however, shows that the speculation that the elections were tipping toward the S.L.P.P. is changing quickly in accord with the conditional statement that " this may change quickly if Charles Margai launches a new political party." Indeed, Charles Margai launched his P.M.D.C., and as the graph indicates, the political "winds of change" is blowing in favor of the P.M.D.C.'s "positive change" political philosophy fiercer than any analyst could have predicted.

As a factor in the great political divide in Sierra Leone between the north and the south, the P.M.D.C. is most likely to change the traditional voting habit of the people of Sierra Leone for the first time since independence.

But the P.M.D.C. must take advantage of the political awareness that seems to be putting the final nails into the coffin of the parochial and hegemonic voting habit in that nation. The P.M.D.C. must have a clear message that it has come to cut through the regional and ethnic political sphere of influence in Sierra Leone. It must be a statement that makes clear the P.M.D.C. knows no region, tribe, or ethnicity in Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, there are indicators that the P.M.D.C. has hurt the S.L.P.P. very badly in the southeast. This is especially true in the south where Margai hails from and practiced law for many years. To win the elections with the needed 55 percent and emerge as an inclusive, decisive, and unifying pluralist party with an equal mandate from the people of the south and the north, the P.M.D.C. must hurt the A.P.C. of the north by an equal magnitude like the one it inflicted on the S.L.P.P. of the south and some more in other swing areas. This would be a strange phenomenon in the body politic of that country, but it would also serve as an indicator that the people of Sierra Leone are now, indeed, very ready to run their country beyond regional, parochial, and ethnic lines.

Although we are likely about to witness an emerging new trend and a strange phenomenon with a P.M.D.C. victory, it cannot readily happen in the absence of a strong northerner and a Muslim to show a thoroughgoing readiness for an inclusive government under the P.M.D.C. Evidently, the other two main political parties are sensing this changing trend and are leaning toward having a northerner running mate for the S.L.P.P. and a southerner running mate for the A.P.C. But the P.M.D.C. being the new kid on the block has a better chance of taking advantage of this new phenomenon.

In this great north and south political divide of the past, Kono district and the Western area have always been the scrambling ground for the A.P.C. and the S.L.P.P., the two main actors then. It goes without saying that the Kono district does not quite fit into the southeast quarter of the great political divide theory as the other two eastern districts of Kenema and Kailahun. Kono is the most volatile voting block in the nation. In 1967, when the S.L.P.P. least expected it, the Kono people delivered that election to the APC, then the newcomer party.

If the P.M.D.C. must hurt the A.P.C and the S.L.P.P. in Kono as well, it must tailor its political strategies to many years of observable trends to induce into its campaign that thing that arouses the Kono people to a newcomer. There is a saying among Sierra Leoneans that the Kono people love strangers more than they love themselves. How else do we explain that many Kono people remain poor amid diamonds while many of their strangers come in poor and go out very rich diamond magnates? That strange voting behavior of the Kono people has even become worse in the absence of a strongman to lead them, as in the times of Tamba M'briwa and Abu Koroma. Kono is one for all; it will surely be an interesting political playground once more in the coming elections.

The S.L.P.P. presence in Freetown is ebbing away very fast. The estranged relationship was further ticked off by an ongoing disagreement between the A.P.C.'s Freetown city mayor and the S.L.P.P.-led government over how to run the city. The P.M.D.C.'s presence is surfacing even faster than the S.L.P.P.'s ebbing presence is washing off this coastal city.

One thing that is worth noting, whereas the P.M.D.C. has a presence in the north, the A.P.C.'s presence in the south is very challenging. This brings us back to the assertion that Kono does not fit well in the great political divide of Sierra Leone. The A.P.C. seems to maintain the strongest presence in the Kono district among the three main political parties so far. We know of the high shift in the population of the Kono district that is for the most part caused by migration from the north—the Temnes, Fullas, Mandingoes, Korankos, Limbas, and Yalunkas, who are mostly also Muslims. This could be the reason behind the voting pattern in the district, especially with the strong financial security of these immigrants. If so, does it mean then that a strong northerner and a Muslim running mate may tip the Kono people's political scale?

For better understanding, Thorpe's figures clearly reflect the analysis above: Eastern region registered voters, 633,438; Western area registered voters, 605,375; Northern region registered voters, 846,557; and Southern region registered voters, 536,943. It must be noted that winning all the votes in the southeast will not give any political party the needed 55 percent to win, which is 144,172,215 votes. But winning the entire northwest votes will meet that demand, and the A.P.C. is counting on that very highly to win. The S.L.P.P. seems to becoming the most endangered political party of the three.

Because the P.M.D.C. is hurting both the S.L.P.P. and the A.P.C. in their strongholds, 55 percent is most likely not going to be attainable by any of the political parties in the first rounds. In other words, the P.M.D.C. needs an aggressive strategy to penetrate the north as it has done in the south to go into the second rounds to win the elections. This is because the A.P.C. and the S.L.P.P. bear a strong abhorrence for each other, and once the P.M.D.C. makes it to the second rounds, the A.P.C. or the S.L.P.P. that fails to go to the second rounds would vote with the P.M.D.C.

But to achieve that, the P.M.D.C. must now study the voter registration figures and pour resources in the north and Kono district, and choose a strong northerner and a Muslim running mate, who will pull off the task of winning the hearts and minds of the people of the north and the Kono district. In this election, no political party seems to have a decisive stronghold.

Subject: Overcoming The Blame Game: Schuller's anecdote
From: John Kargbo
To: All
Date Posted: 13:09:26 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
Tough times or hard times can hit any country. When it happened in America's midwest around 1982 it produced similar reverberations as is witnessed in salone today. The following is a short excerpt of what happened according to Dr Robert Schuller.

"It was a harsh summer, the summer of '82. For many, it was if the clocks had rolled back to the thirties and the time of the Great Depression. Company upon company declared bankruptcy. Unemployment soared. The 'severe and prolonged recession' as it was dubbed by the media, sent ripples of depression across America.

Politicians used the depressed state of the country to their advantage. It provided a great opportunity to highlight the failures, shortcomings and faults of the opposite political party. Democrats found in it an opportunity to blame the Republican administration which was in charge. Predictably, the Republicans, in turn, blamed the Democratic administration that created the problem which the Republicans had inherited.

Everybody was fixing the blame-nobody was fixing the problem!

The problems persisted. They grew. The recession ran rampant across the country until nearly everyone was affected by it. No one was immune".

"No one could deny that the country had problems. But the biggest problem was their attitude toward the economic problem. Negative thinking spread like a plague through all levels of society. It was not easy to protect oneself from the infection of negative thinking, which spread by word of mouth, by conversations with friends as well as strangers, by television screens and by radio news reports.

It spread quickly because in recessive times the tendency is to react negatively. Once an organism, a business, a life, or a country is infected with negative thinking, the infection attacks the mind, the heart, and the soul like termites that secretly gnaw away at the emotional support system".

Schuller goes on to postulate that under such conditions positive thinking, inspired by inspirational leadership would be required to regenerate degerating minds and wake up dying souls. Of course there are basic prescribed steps to follow in achieving such a regeneration.

Sierra Leone's case is deja vu. There is therefore nothing to fear. But what do we do as a people?

Subject: Re: Overcoming The Blame Game: Schuller's anecdote
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 14:40:27 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 89.243.82.222

Message:
Thank you very much my brother for displaying such brilliance on this forum. What we must now do is to learn from this and try to employ positive thinking towards our country's development.

Politics should now be kept aside and utilised only during elections, the current trend of events don't need blame games. If the past government made mistakes, then the new one should pick up the pieces after all, Sierra Leone belongs to all of us. And no one is more suited to solve our problems but us.

I strongly believe there's a clear potential to uplift this country from the current state, without having to rely on foreign handouts.

Subject: Yenga: Government Information Shortage
From: Mensa
To: All
Date Posted: 12:58:39 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: unikad5@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 91.98.8.144

Message:
The recent action by Guinean forces to seize more villages around Yenga is completely unacceptable by all standards. From all indications, we expect our Government to accelerate its efforts towards searching for an urgent solution to the crises, which has all the potentials of provoking yet another senseless war in the sub-region. Our national integrity is at stake and we cannot tolerate such a blatant disregard for human rights, the rule of international law and the Geneva Convention. However weak or devastated our country is perceived to be, our readiness to defend what belongs to us cannot be underestimated.

At such trying times when the New Government is entirely focused on how to alleviate poverty, create jobs for the masses, improve on the lives of its people by providing basic amenities, tackle health care and sanitation, improve on the economy to uplift the humiliating rock-bottom economic ranking our country presently occupies, etc, ….. it is outrightly unfair to the ngovernment to come under such a tempting aggression from a sisterly state with whom we share a melting pot of cultures and traditions. Somehow, such untimely and unprovoked acts of aggression at such a particular point in time smack of a deliberate attempt to hold back a promising neighbor from rocketing ahead in progress and development. Is the African this cruel! It is also worrying to learn that, as sick as Lanasana Conteh is reportedly is, he had recently managed to violently quell an uprising against his leadership and in the process killed scores of his own nationals. This dying man may be out to take Sierra Leone with him to his grave!

To stop the permutation of wild guesses, bloody miscalculations and potential “spark-incidents” capable of igniting a full-scale war, and to reassure troubled nationals at home and abroad that the government is really living up to its responsibility over the unfolding events at Yenga, we would like the Minister of Information to enlighten the public in frequent briefings regarding the on-going efforts the governments is bravely investing in trying to solve the impasse.

As a concerned citizen prepared to display a positive attitude, trust and confidence in the new government, I am quite certain that the Yenga issue is definitely being given its due attention in the parliamentary discussions and debates, and I’m confident the right steps will be taken to rescue our country from yet another unnecessary bloodshed. In particular, I believe both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the situation is settled amicably – after all, patience and success are not opposing virtues. But if all diplomatic efforts are exhausted, we would like to declare, unequivocally our readiness to defensively, morally, supportively fight for the land that rightfully belongs to us.

Wickedly unfair again it is to a new government with a positively mapped-out agenda to pursue! Unreasonable indeed for President Lansana to choose to remain oblivious of our recent losses in the rebel war! Yet, when all is said and done, we shall come to proudly realize that our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. We trust the government to opt for the right initiatives. We just need to keep abreast with the information they have to offer on the day-to-day developments relating to the Yenga crises.

Subject: would we ever have a diamond cutting plant?
From: hope lives
To: All
Date Posted: 12:53:20 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: hopeisreal@msn.com
Entered From: gate1-norfolk.nmci.navy.mil at 138.162.0.41

Message:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7302302.stm
WOuld SIerra leone be able to attract a company to invest into something like this? if we move in that direction it would no tonly mean more jobs but also more exports. more foreign currency. we could reduce our deficit. i think we should look at all options that are legal to benefit our country

Subject: Noon Traffic Report
From: Forum Statistics Division
To: All
Date Posted: 11:18:40 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-34-87.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.34.87

Message:
300 Unique Visitors

Hits % Date Analysis
4999 100% 28/Mar

Hits % Country Analysis
2022 40.4% Unresolved Hosts
1440 28.8% Network (Mainly USA)
963 19.2% Commercial (Mainly USA)
213 4.26% USA Educational
161 3.22% United Kingdom
51 1.02% USA Government
43 0.86% USA Military
39 0.78% Netherlands
25 0.50% Non-Profit Making Organizations
12 0.24% Sweden
12 0.24% Sierra Leone
8 0.16% Finland
7 0.14% International
3 0.06% Germany
14 Total Countries

Subject: Evening Traffic Report
From: Forum Statistics Division
To: All
Date Posted: 16:01:50 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-34-87.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.34.87

Message:
442 Unique Visitors

Hits: % Date Analysis:

8376 100% 28/Mar

Subject: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Bra Enviable
To: All
Date Posted: 10:30:29 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142

Message:
Am I alone in wondering why the blame game has suddenly become a fashionable thing in a country crying out for effective leaders? Ever since coming to power six or so months ago, supporters of the APC have never shied away from blaming the SLPP for all the maladies choking Sierra Leone. After last year's change of government, Sierra Leone became aglow with hope as Ernest Koroma marched to the presidency with promises of a sunnier forecast. With a long list of problems dating back to the late 1960s when the country's decadence began in earnest, Sierra Leone has never stopped short of challenging new leaders. The period from 1968 to 1991 marked the years of national destruction in Sierra Leone. When war became a reality in 1991, the country completed its own self-destruction with the saddest drama in recent West African history. In the madness that ensued, governments--mostly headed by soldiers and subversives--came and faded away with menacing consequences.
Anyone running for the highest office in today's Sierra Leone should know that the presidency in that country requires more than pious campaign promises. Besieged on all fronts, the APC has decided to lessen its responsibility to the nation by blaming the SLPP for every problem in Sierra Leone.

When food prices recently went through the roof, blaming the SLPP became the APC's response. As Guinean troops march on Sierra Leone to seize our territory piecemeal, memories of SLPP inaction have been summoned to explain why neither the president, nor the Foreign Ministry, is doing nothing to at least register our displeasure in the international arena.

When will the APC wake up to the fact that it is once again ruling a country it once disabled through 24 years of one-party autocracy? Disabled but still alive, Sierra Leone is {fortunately} different from the mythical Humpty-Dumpty who couldn't be put together again. If Ernest Koroma puts the right people in the right places and cramps their styles with threats of dismissal and prosecution in cases involving negligence, a sunny day will emerge on our cloudy horizon. Once elections become yesterday's news, leaders armed with a national agenda normally go to work to hedge their bets in future contests. While the SLPP deserves blame for a list of offenses, this government, for example, has no explanation to offer for the indictable silence at the Foreign Ministry even as Guinea gulps Yenga and more of Sierra Leone. If Zainab Bangura is as indolent at the Foreign Ministry as the SLPP's Foreign Minister was reported to be, Zainab Bangura is better dismissed than employed. The same analogy applies nation-wide. Post-war Sierra Leone is supposed to be a new country with a different political landscape. Those who seek political office must either deliver the goods or bow out. If blame-casting is the game to be played, the APC will be the ugliest cast-member because of its role in normalizing dictatorship in Sierra Leone. Soaring food prices and an incompetent Foreign Minister are current issues requiring the acumen of those in power. I thought President Koroma knew that bfore gunning for the presidency!

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Fen Plaba! my friend.
To: All
Date Posted: 11:44:37 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.82

Message:
"The period from 1968 to 1991 marked the years of national destruction in Sierra Leone".

"When will the APC wake up to the fact that it is once again ruling a country it once disabled through 24 years of one-party autocracy?"

"If blame-casting is the game to be played, the APC will be the ugliest cast-member because of its role in normalizing dictatorship in Sierra Leone".

"If Ernest Koroma puts the right people in the right places and cramps their styles with threats of dismissal and prosecution"
_____________________________________________________

Gee, Bra Enviable, I think your finger is going to be sore from wagging the finger of blame so furiously

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 10:49:59 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dc5147926e.adsl.wanadoo.nl at 81.71.146.110

Message:
Forumites our erudite contributor in his statement below run amok and this is so because he belongs to a cligue, the SLPP who evasively succeded in narrowing the mind of a would be good Sierra Leonean.
Bra Enviable is like a mythical character who uses different sound bites to get attention.

Here he goes: "When will the APC wake up to the fact that it is once again ruling a country it once disabled through 24 years of one-party autocracy? Disabled but still alive,"

If the APC of old was a one party autocracy, then SLPP's Sama Banya, and others who became Siaka Stevens blue eyed boys must atoned for thei sin against ordinary Sioerra leoneans. The one party state existed only when the SLPP turned coat.
If killing of twenty four soldiers and burning of ordinary people on the street, is good in your eyes, then I wonder where you are going.

If blame-casting is the game to be played, the APC will be the ugliest cast-member because of its role in normalizing dictatorship in Sierra Leone. Soaring food prices and an incompetent Foreign Minister are current issues requiring the acumen of those in power. I thought President Koroma knew that bfore gunning for the presidency!

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 11:20:08 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dc5147926e.adsl.wanadoo.nl at 81.71.146.110

Message:
Sorry, Forumites it should be clique.
We live to learn!!!

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 11:28:33 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.82

Message:
Ah APC. Your incisive commentary is good and sober enough my lad. Cligue or clique, you're cool peoples.

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Northern Accent
To: All
Date Posted: 11:26:55 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-196-225.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.196.225

Message:
No worries, it is your northern accent - "cliGue" rather than cliQue, much like your president pronounces "attitude" as ACHICHUDE and "research" as 'RISHAT.'

Perhaps you should now correct your lopsided logic too and everything will be fine. Are you serious that Sierra Leone was never a one party autocracy under the APC? Indeed, we live to learn.

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 12:06:27 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dc5147926e.adsl.wanadoo.nl at 81.71.146.110

Message:
An absurd man will only mimick the strong willed. I made a typo error and you are cascading in a sore field. Go back in your backyard, and maybe you can ask if you have not say this before, wusa klinch thong dhae meaning , (usai Cline town dae). This bush man teaches me the root of a decent language.

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Northern Accent
To: All
Date Posted: 12:11:55 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-196-225.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.196.225

Message:
You missed up bro LOL. I want you now to re-visit your take that APC (between 1967 and 1992) was not an autocratic government. Lighten up fella.

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Temegliss
To: All
Date Posted: 11:55:03 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.212

Message:
My chicha told me to write a rishat paper on shera reone, the country of my horigin. But the achichude of the cligue surrounding her is so disgosting that I lefused to sorbmit the rishat paper.

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 11:45:14 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dc5147926e.adsl.wanadoo.nl at 81.71.146.110

Message:
This is funny. Guys do you see the trick in your ineptitude. This the reason why Sierra Leoneans refused to grow

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Belful sweet
To: All
Date Posted: 11:36:44 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
I have heard him say his mother was a "chi cha"..
And Sierra Leone as "shehra leone"....

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Belful sweet
To: All
Date Posted: 11:57:05 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
Well..

Cut it sort..
We can only laff at the gaffes of el-presidente.. on fridays..and only for 1 hour..

Leh man dem nor uce am jisnor.

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Achichude El Preso
To: All
Date Posted: 12:05:15 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-196-225.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.196.225

Message:
Some dude sent me this video link of President Koroma murdering the English Language. If this is how this dude gives speeches at the UN, I guess it is a bit of a national emergency. Nothing wrong with presidents doing elocution lessons to the side, mother-tongue besides.

This dude is not representative of Sierra Leonean Limbas and Temnes I know like my former lecturer.

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Bra Enviable
To: All
Date Posted: 11:52:05 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ah10.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.202

Message:
"Belful Sweet," ar go die. Una wan kill man wit laf.
This makes me think of a Sierra Leonean lecturer who pronounced Margaret Thatcher as Margaret "Cha cha."

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Reality
To: All
Date Posted: 16:25:12 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.145.92.7

Message:
It is not the architude that is funny, but having a President who does
not know how to pronounce the name of his own country. Mr President
it is sier-ra Le-one not shira-lone

Subject: Re: Blaming The SLPP Will Not Beautify The APC
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 20:20:08 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip98-169-8-64.dc.dc.cox.net at 98.169.8.64

Message:
Now, Now..You guys dont make Shekito's job harder....

This will make Kabs declare an injectment notice for all those who provoke our preso.. and if he does...I hope no one gets an arch-e-chude and call the REVO names..

Subject: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Coward Mo
From: Low Grade San San
To: All
Date Posted: 10:44:42 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-154-251-40.range86-154.btcentralplus.com at 86.154.251.40

Message:
When it was our poor defenceless youths fighting a turf war with those overzealous trigger happy, armed to the teeth Koidu Holdings mercenaries in Kono.The invalid apc defence minister was quick to don a military fatigue and KAK CHEST LEK BOMBALI GRANAT SOJA. to quell what he perceived as a rebellion. But now that the rag tag Guinean army have positioned their old soviet T55 tanks towards Teko Barracks, he is shaking in his pants by trying to lecture us on world history. About Papau New Guinea, Mongolia and even Cloud cuculand nor ever fet for reclaim them land.

This is another display of cowardice and shame on the apc. Because here is an ex soldier turned defence chief who do not even know his brief. I have never had such a daft statement from any defence minister let alone an ex soldier. This is the same man who once bragged to me after a meeting we both attended in south London just before the commonwealth heads of government conference in Edinburgh Scotland in 1997. That had he been in town, those Junior afrc boys would never have dreamt of staging a coup. He even blamed senior military officers for doing nothing to stop those junior soldiers from overthrowing a legit government. And when i told him that those junior boys were lawless and uncontrollable and fear no one. Hence their seniors had to tow their line, he replied in a combative tone "INA NOR GO FIRE EN KILL DEM ALL" I Must admit i was only speaking as a novice not as a military analyst. And i was impressed with what he said.

But hear him now, giving us his politically correct lectures on how to get our land back from these Guinean aggressors. If Palor was prepared to kill all those lawless junior afrc soldiers. Who were all Sierra Leoneans, who disturbed our peace in 1997. Why is he now afraid to at least tell us that as defence minister his job is to make sure the army is well prepared to step forward when ever the commander in Chief and the government request their service. That is all we want to hear from him. Not his lecture on whether we should use force to reclaim our land from aggressor. That should be left to the Commander in Chief and Parliament to decide.

Palor is a typical apc Soja. Before the war, their propaganda was, Sa.Lone soja nar the best in the sub region, bullet nor dea go thru cople saiyo, sergin Marah dae loss, Sim Turay nar the best marksman, e dae shoot five cent from the air, Lms Turay nar pardle, ee so strict nar wan tem for year ee dae laugh. But as soon as the first bullets were fired at Bomaru, they all started shaking like jelly's. 200 of them AWOL from Teko barracks, some of them even poured acid on themselves just to dodge the draft.

This incompetent government keeps bigin up the Guinean army as if we will face another Shock and Ore in reclaiming our land from the Guineans. I am not advocating war here, but for my land, i will really like to see how these one foot in the grave oops boot and the other in a city link halfback slippers who are demoralised to the extent that they had to steal matter wodo, ferna and coal pot from our poor village folks during the war. Would take on the new British trained, battle tested Sierra Lonean soldiers. Guinean dae fet Guinean dae fet. Give me a break. Please don't get me wrong, but with all their missiles, the Nigerian Alpha Jets, the Sand Line and Executive Outcome Mercenaries didn't our afrc and Ruf brothers and sister give them a bloody good hiding? Was it not because of their respect for our battled hardened Sierra Leonean Soldiers that they coined the phrase Guinea soja bombard dae Sa.Lone Soja advance sae? If we can mortgage Kono to bring back that useless Kabba i see no harm in doing the same to Rutile Moyamba and Iron ore Port Loko for arms to chase these CRAZY BALD HEADS out of our yard.

But with Major Gen. Haw Haw Conteh as defence minister, a foreign minister who thinks that Tibet is Yenga and and a rogue trader as president in charge, taking the whole of Sierra Leone may just be a piece of cake for the Guineans.

Shameful indeed! Shiorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Subject: Re: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Cowar
From: Sendeh Lee
To: All
Date Posted: 15:10:07 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-69-203-69-251.nyc.res.rr.com at 69.203.69.251

Message:
This Poem is for oona all dem Sabi Sabi Analysts

Men say they know many things;
But lo! they have taken wings, —
The arts and sciences,
And a thousand appliances;
The wind that blows
Is all that any body knows.

by Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862

The date of the Author's Bio only goes to prove that the Armchair Analysts phenomena is nothing new:

As it was with them yesterday so it is today and tomorrow will not be any different...

and like Thoreau aptly puts it,"The wind that blows Is all that any body knows."

or as Pa Sheki once said "Elephant hade norto pekin load"

I wonder if anyone on these fault finders would have performed better than if they were president or defense minister.

Subject: Re: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Coward Mo
From: Concern
To: All
Date Posted: 13:49:42 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 196-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.196

Message:
It is only a mind that negates democratic values can utter what you have narrated about the Defense Minister. Do you expect the man to order a war against Guinea?
Today's world is entwined with democratic norm. Are you in slumber?. Why are you so deceptive in distorting the fact about Yenga ?.
The APC inherited the Yenga quagmire and none of you say anything when Guinea bullied our people during the SLPP wandered tenure.
A low Grade San san boy as we all know lacks dictum and hardly cares of climbing life's ladder. I will say that the Defense Minister tact to declare that Sierra leone is not prepared to go to war with Guinea, shows that our country has out moralistic leaders in the wheel of power.
Go Palo, your valor is what Sierra Leone needs.

Subject: Re: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Coward Mo
From: yankuba kai-samba
To: All
Date Posted: 14:07:50 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: y020855@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: 82-45-184-233.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.184.233

Message:

"The APC inherited the Yenga quagmire and none of you say anything when Guinea bullied our people during the SLPP wandered tenure."

Dear Concern

You may wish to read the evidence below against your assertion as quoted above. Regards

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT KABBA ON YENGA
Yankuba Kisamba, FORMER SLPP SECRETARY GENERAL UK AND IRELAND BRANCH.10/7/2006

07 July 2006

"Your Excellency

I am writing to you about the occupation of Yenga by the Guinean soldiers and the absence of a clear position from your Government on the apparent threats to our territorial integrity and national security.
Officials of your government have issued conflicting statements on the continuing Guinean occupation in Yenga. Your Ambassador to Guinean, Dr Saccoh was reported to have said that the Guineans soldiers were in Yenga to defend their territory from the spill over of the war in Sierra Leone . That being so, should the Guineans not defend their territory from within their own border? Is there any arrangement between your government and your Guinean counterpart over the continuing presence of their soldiers on Sierra Leone soil in peacetime? You yourself have cautioned the media not to blow the Yenga issue out of proportion. Your current minister of interior has also said that Yenga was not an issue. Your foreign secretary has hardly said anything of any significance on this vital issue or made a position statement on what is a blatant violation of our territorial integrity.
Information received from local and international media, as well as eyewitness accounts, including the local chief of Yenga suggests contrary views from the above. There are reports of harassments and sexual exploitation, molestation of local inhabitants, exploitation of our resources and the forcible removal of our people from their land by the Guinean soldiers. The UN secretary General, Kofi Annan has expressed concern on this situation and acknowledged this to be a threat to the regional peace in a statement issued before his recent visit to Sierra Leone .
I understand Guinea has laid claim to Yenga and have encroached on Sierra Leone 's northern borders as well. If this is correct, this would appear to violate the charter of UN Articles 2(4) which provides that : All member states shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any manner inconsistent with the purpose of the UN. The action by the Guineans is unfriendly, provocative and in breach of that UN charter.
Moreover, and equally important is Article 3 of the AU charter which guarantees all member states the right to their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Resolution AHG/16 as adopted by OAU heads of states and government in Cairo - Egypt in 1964 pledged themselves to respect the colonial borders that existed on their achievement of independence. In other words national boundaries as inherited at independence was inviolable. Sierra Leone gained its independence in 1961. The Guinean incursion is, therefore, a flagrant violation of the AU charter and has no justification both historically and in law to seize any piece of Land from Sierra Leone .
May I take the liberty to draw to your attention one of your speeches in which you said that our security forces were sufficiently trained and have the capability ready to defend our borders. So in the light of the current threat to our borders, you may think it desirable to have more permanent Sierra Leone security personnel in Yenga to protect our citizens.
Mr President, your Government has not told the people of Sierra Leone why the Guinean soldiers are still in Yenga, especially when they were not part of an authorized international monitory force. The only explanations given by your officials, thus far, are at variance with the Guinean's claim to the ownership of Yenga and that is an area of considerable concern for the people of Sierra Leone who are entitled to their long-term security and peace. In view of the conflicting accounts over this matter, I would, therefore, ask your Government to come up with a position statement so that parliament and the country at large will have the opportunity to debate on and other issues surrounding it.

In the meantime, I appeal to you to use your good office to ensure that we have our country back before you leave office in 2007."

Yankuba G. Kai-Samba

Brussels

Subject: Re: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Coward Mo
From: Concern
To: All
Date Posted: 13:49:01 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 196-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.196

Message:
It is only a mind that negates democratic values can utter what you have narrated about the Defense Minister. Do you expect the man to order a war against Guinea?
Today's world is entwined with democratic norm. Are you in slumber?. Why are you so deceptive in distorting the fact about Yenga ?.
The APC inherited the Yenga quagmire and none of you say anything when Guinea bullies our people during the SLPP wandered tenure.
A low Grade San san boy as we all know lacks dictum and hardly cares of climbing life's ladder. I will say that the Defense Minister tact to declare that Sierra leone is not prepared to go to war with Guinea, shows that our country has out moralistic leaders in the wheel of power.
Go Palo, your valor is what Sierra Leone needs.

Subject: Re: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Coward Mo
From: Bra Enviable
To: All
Date Posted: 11:33:25 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ah10.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.202

Message:
"Low Grade San San" Your response above is the most creative and interesting I have read in a long time. That was creative!

Subject: Re: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Coward Mo
From: concern
To: All
Date Posted: 11:16:41 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dc5147926e.adsl.wanadoo.nl at 81.71.146.110

Message:
It only a mind that negates democratic values can utter what you have narrated about the Defense Minister. Do you expect the man to order a war against Guinea?
Today's world is entwined with democratic norm. Are you in slumber?. Why are you so deceptive in distorting the fact about Yenga.
The APc inherited the Yenga quagmire and none of you say anything when Guinea bullies our prople during the SLPP wandered tenure.
A low Grade San san boy as we all know lacks dictum and hardly cares of climbing life's ladder. I will say that the Defense Minister tact to declare that Sierra leone is not prepared to go to war with Guinea, shows that our country has out moralistic leaders in the wheel of power.
Go Palo, your valor is what Sierra Leone needs.

Subject: Re: Bra nor kill me laff. This is sooooo funny!!!
From: Bombali Granat Soja
To: All
Date Posted: 11:06:32 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.212

Message:
"...When it was our poor defenceless youths fighting a turf war with those overzealous trigger happy, armed to the teeth Koidu Holdings mercenaries in Kono, the invalid apc defence minister was quick to don a military fatigue and KAK CHEST LEK BOMBALI GRANAT SOJA..."

"...Was it not because of their respect for our battled hardened Sierra Leonean Soldiers that they coined the phrase "Guinea soja bombard dae Sa.Lone Soja advance sae"?..."

Low Grade San San bombard day. Witty Bra Enviable enjoy day.

Me mammy tiday oh! Ar go die with laughter.

Subject: Re: Bra nor kill me laff. This is sooooo funny!!!
From: Kack chest lek Bombali granat pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 11:23:57 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.82

Message:
I am going to sue Low Grade San San for corrupting my name. I was officially baptized with "Kack chest lek bombali granat pikin" by my forumite father, the one and only Candid Opinion. Hold on a minute; lawyer Iscandri is on the line....Well OK he just advised me that I do not have any legal legs to stand on! Nice humorous dissection all the same, Soldier!

Subject: Re: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Coward Mo
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 10:55:36 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
"...rogue trader as president in charge..."(Low grade san san)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beware, my friend, of the "seditious-libel Law", attorney General Serry-Kamel will send the "APC TASK FORCE" (did I hear you say "grand children of the ISU"?) to get you.

Subject: Re: APC Palor Conteh, an Invalid Koroma Minister or a Coward Mo
From: Oooops
To: All
Date Posted: 05:45:44 03/29/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 196.207.236.54

Message:
I thought you were in diaspora,so how do you know this???

Subject: for SLPPer Winers
From: Global Rise in Price of Rice
To: All
Date Posted: 09:42:26 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 152.4.22.103

Message:
Rising rice prices spark concerns across Asia
Global supplies tumble, sparking protests, hurting aid agencies

A rice seller prepares rice for sale in Phnom Penh, where the prime minister announced a ban on rice exports for two months to stabilize the cost of the country's staple food.
View related photos

Chor Sokunthea / Reuters

updated 4:47 p.m. ET, Thurs., March. 27, 2008
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine activists warn about possible riots. Aid agencies across Asia worry how they will feed the hungry. Governments dig deeper every day to fund subsidies.
A sharp rise in the price of rice is hitting consumer pocketbooks and raising fears of public turmoil in the many parts of Asia where rice is a staple.
Part of a surge in global food costs, rice prices on world markets have jumped 50 percent in the past two months and at least doubled since 2004. Experts blame rising fuel and fertilizer expenses as well as crops curtailed by disease, pests and climate change. There are concerns prices could rise a further 40 percent in coming months.
________________________________________
The higher prices have already sparked protests in the Philippines, where a government official has asked the public to save leftover rice. In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered a ban on rice exports Wednesday to curb rising prices at home. Vietnamese exporters and farmers are stockpiling rice in expectation of further price increases.
Prestoline Suyat of the May One Labor Movement, a left-wing workers group, warned that "hunger and poverty may eventually lead to riots."
The neediest are hit hardest.
Rodolfo de Lima, a 42-year-old parking lot attendant in Manila, said "my family will go hungry" if prices continue to rise.
"If your family misses a meal, you really don't know what you can do, but I won't do anything bad," said de Lima, whose right foot was amputated after he was shot during a 1985 gang war.
Others might not be so restrained, said Domingo Casarte, 41, a street vendor.
"There are people who are hotheaded," he said. "When people get trapped, I can't say what they will do."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts global rice stocks for 2007-08 at 72 million tons, the lowest since 1983-84 and about half of the peak in 2000-01.
The higher prices are stretching the budgets of aid agencies providing rice to North Korea and other countries, particularly with donations already falling.
Jack Dunford, head of a consortium in Thailand helping more than 140,000 refugees from military-ruled Myanmar, said soaring rice prices and a slumping U.S. dollar are forcing cuts in already meager food aid.
"This rice price is just killing us," he said. "This is a very vulnerable group of people under threat."
China is among several countries in the region that subsidize rice prices, an increasingly expensive proposition.
Rice prices have almost doubled in Bangladesh in just a year, sparking resentment but no unrest yet. Repeated floods and a severe cyclone last year have cut production, forcing the government to increase imports.
In Vietnam, a major rice exporter, the crop has been hit by a virus called tungro and infestations of the brown planthopper insect.
Farmers there say they are not benefiting from the higher prices.
"The rice price has gone up 50 percent over the past three months, but I'm not making any more money because I have to pay double for fertilizer, insecticides and labor costs," said Nguyen Thi Thu, 46, a farmer in Ha Tay province, just outside Hanoi.
Another farmer, Cao Thi Thuy, 37, in Nam Dinh province, 75 miles south of Hanoi, said exporters have actually been paying less for rice over the last week.
"If the world prices are going up still, then Vietnamese rice-exporting companies are benefiting, not us," she said. "They tell us that now weather is better, and rice can grow more easily, so we should not expect higher prices."
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, worried about anything that could spark a "people power" revolt against her, is assuring the public that rice won't run out or skyrocket in price during the traditionally lean months of July to September.
This week, she arranged the purchase of up to 1.5 million tons from Vietnam. She also has ordered a crackdown on price manipulation, hoarding and profiteering on subsidized rice, and will hold a food summit April 4.

Culled from The Associated Press

Subject: Re: for SLPPer Winers
From: Salone Police
To: All
Date Posted: 10:20:42 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-196-225.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.196.225

Message:
But these countries can both feed themselves and have surpluses.

What is the President's long term strategy to guard against such global shortfalls? Definitely, it is not about giving tractors to local farmers in the north who gardky know how to use these tractors and do not even have the land and consummables to use the tractors. Government's rice production policy and initiative must be controlled by the state because the state has a lot of excess labour in the prison system, army, and hordes of unemployed youth to produce enough food for the whole country.

I think our party should stop blaming SLPP for everything. We are now in power and we should show the people of Sierra Leone what we can do. I hope President Koroma re-directs the energies of these APC propagandists to positive projects rather than just damning the SLPP. At the end of the day, if we do nothing, the people of Sierra Leone will vote us out and say that we had the chance and we did nothing to even feed them. Let us be careful how we direct our passions, gentlemen.

Subject: Big Endorsement for Obama
From: Kawusu
To: All
Date Posted: 09:24:56 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4575eca0.dyn.optonline.net at 69.117.236.160

Message:
Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has just endorsed Obama. Victory is around the corner.

Subject: Bra Enviable take your jingoism somewhere else!
From: Bai Bureh
To: All
Date Posted: 09:20:11 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: 194-237-247-130.customer.telia.com at 194.237.247.130

Message:

Remember we are dogtired after ten bloody years of war.Our military and resources were stretched beyond the elastic limit and the consequences are there for all to see.We are worn out thin by the daily struggle for bread and butter the basic requirement for just a survivor.We are even worried if our kids will live to see the next day due to diseases, malnutrition and wosrt of all poverty.We don't even need to mention the ever-crumbling infrastructure and the falling education standards.

Take your war drums to Kroo bay or Bomeh for safe keeping until it is the right time to sound them.There are so many wars to be fought in Salone but of prominence is the war against negative attitudes.Boy go to the mirror and take a hard look at the man you see and revise your thinking.

Diplomacy is no weakness in problem-solving.We have done it in mathematics in schools and colleges;first world nations have done it before and it worked bigtime.Why not now and in our case?

Yenga will still be there while we solve the significant problems that warrant the most attention at the moment and by the time we finish with these problems we will be in a stronger position to apply the WHEN-GENTILITY-FAILS-BRUTALITY-PREVAILS rule.

Bra where were you during the Kabba regime? Is this the way you were inciting the regime and inflaming the citizens to another senseless war? Or are you just trying to implement another evil SLPP design with the primary objective of marring the image and achievements of the young APC regime? Do you want the world to perceive Salone as a warlike country? We don't want to be another Israel or Palestine with war in our schools or universities curricula.

The bottomline is EBK has chosen the path of a peaceful solution as echoed by his defence minister and nothing will change that approach.That is no cowardice or weakness but tactfulness and I believe the conscious majority is with him.

Subject: Re: Bra Enviable take your jingoism somewhere else!
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 09:26:48 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
There we go again..
Missing the point he raise by a whole chasm..

His point was even peaceful negotiations are best from a tik behen the doe mentality.. Guinea must be made to think we have Jets if we have only kites..
Nuclear Bombs if only we had bangers...

That way.. when Paolo fart.. they smell it in guinea..

Subject: Re: Bra Enviable take your jingoism somewhere else!
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 17:26:36 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 89.243.197.77

Message:
Guinea must be made to think we have Jets if we have only kites..

Nuclear Bombs if only we had bangers...

That way.. when Paolo fart.. they smell it in guinea..

Hahahahahahahah, Candido, I wouldn't have responded to this topic but you made me.

I can't stop laughing bra help me. Are you always like this?

Subject: Re: Bra Enviable take your jingoism somewhere else!
From: Bai Bureh
To: All
Date Posted: 11:24:36 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-90-182.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.90.182

Message:
Boy tik-behen-doe method will not work.Infact which kind of stick Salone will be 'keeping behen doe'? Right now the only stick we have is 'porka'.

How can we make Guinea think we have Jets if we have only kites.. Nuclear Bombs if only we had bangers...
when they are well informed about us? Any military bravado we play now will be suicidal as Guinea will call it off at the speed of light. Don't forget we have Guinean nationals who are spying for their homeland.

Remember Sadam played a lot of bravado only to hand the americans the easiest walk-over in war history.

Subject: Re: Bra Enviable take your jingoism somewhere else!
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 17:29:21 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 89.243.197.77

Message:
Bra, thanks for keeping the peace. I agree with you but this guy Candido makes me laugh too much.

Subject: Re: Bra Enviable take your jingoism somewhere else!
From: Guinea Man
To: All
Date Posted: 10:15:39 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
"That way.. when Paolo fart.. they smell it in guinea"--------byCandid Opinion

I like that, Candido. When Palor farts the quake can be felt in futa djallon. Then all guinea man dem go lay nar the hill dem en nar the forest dem, en nar the water dem!!!

Just laughing at the pun and envisioning the katakata way go cam when guinea man dem go begin bombarder.
I don't think that anybody on this forum would like to see a war between the two sisterly countries of salone and la guinee. Not even the president with all his powers can call our forces to arms to wage a war without full parliamentary approval.

The last time we came closer to declaring a war was whwn our territory was allowed to be used by ecomog to bomb Liberian targets during their war. Taylor made a promise that salone too would taste the bitterness of war. Indeed, we tasted the bitterness of war for nearly eleven years. Today, much of salone lies in ruin and battered in many places beyond recognition. Our people suffered with limb and life and our confidence as a people shaken to its core. Salone became a territory where even angels feared to tread.

War? We want no more war of any sort, save the war of rhetoric on a forum like this and such other platforms. That's why Kabs, the original owner and life-time owner of Cocorioko, should be always tolerant to all and sundry, even those who want to make war, to have to make that war only on this forum of patriots by the might of their pens or their speech. But a war where shots will be fired among us or between us and any other country, we say "asterfurrlahi".

Subject: Remembering James Hardley Chase
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 09:12:59 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Pedro, nar name da wan dae you call so bobs! James Hadley Chase..." (Fen Plaba)

------------------------------------------------------
Following is a fraction of the "Chase" that I can remember reading. Reading these books gave me a head start about the USA. Can you add to the list ?

---Tiger by the tail
--- Well now my pretty
--- The doll's bad news
---The whiff of money
---There is always a price tag
---You find him, and I will fix him.
---Make the corpse walk
--- Do me a favor, drop dead
---Miss shanway waves a wand
---You are dead without money
---Sucker punch
---the way the cookies crumbles
---double shuffle
---Believe this you will believe anything
--- an orchard for miss Quan
---Gold fish has no hiding place
---An ear to the ground
---You never know with women
---The things men do
---The dead stays dumb
---You are lonely when you are dead
---etc., etc., etc., etc.

Subject: Re: Remembering James Hardley Chase
From: Mensa
To: All
Date Posted: 14:20:29 03/29/08 ()
Email Address: unikad5@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 82.99.197.208

Message:
Thank you Dr. C. Curtis-Thoman for refreshing our memories with these wonderful James Hardley Chase titles. If ever some of use have the little ability to write or express ourselves eloquently, I think we owe it all to that great man.

I would also like to take this opportunity to throw some light on the relationship I had with a childhood brother who is presently using the log-in name: Bai Bureh. Where in the world is Bai Bureh? I thought he should have been amongst the first to comment! He must have missed the headline.

Back on track, Bai Bureh was a James Hardley Chase hunter. He was always lucky to pounce on new titles, swiftly read them, and later come to impress us with the story. I can still envisage the tall, fair, lanky fellow, cracking laughter, acting out each and every scene .... as if to make us look unfortunate for not having read the new titles.

Thanks again for helping us reflect on those beautiful moments in our lifetime.

Subject: Re: Remembering James Hardley Chase
From: Pedro da cintra
To: All
Date Posted: 09:33:34 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: 194-237-247-130.customer.telia.com at 194.237.247.130

Message:
-No orchids for miss Blandish
-The flesh of the orchids
-Lotus for miss Quon
-The soft centre
-Mallory
-Just another sucker
-You've got it coming
-You must be kidding
-Come easy, go easy
-Coffin from Hong Kong
-Joker in the pack
-Want to stay alive
-Eve

Subject: Re: Remembering James Hardley Chase
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 09:50:20 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
and No orchids for Ms. Blandish was my favorite. Would you believe that I have read all of the James Hardlet chase novels and all of the Executioner series "Mack Bolan", all of the James Bond series, Everything written by Mario Puzo " The god father" " The valachi papers" ets ets

Subject: Re: Remembering James Hardley Chase
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 10:04:22 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
Its a small world....Chase knew Graham Greene..

----http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hadley_Chase

In 1946 Graham Greene, who was a very good friend of Chase's, selected a Chase novel, More Deadly Than the Male (written under the pseudonym Ambrose Grant), for publishing under the Bloomsbury logo.

~~~~~Greene was in salone and wrote a book while in salone.. one of his best.. Heart of the Matter..

-------http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Greene

Throughout his life, Graham Greene travelled far from England, to what he called the world's wild and remote places. The travels led to him being recruited into MI6 by his sister, Elisabeth, who worked for the organisation, and he was posted to Sierra Leone during the Second World War.

------http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9507E2D91530F935A15755C0A9669C8B63

In the end, it was a simple candle, knocked over by one of the squatters, that put an end to the famous City Hotel, lighting up the nighttime sky in Freetown the way its guests had long ago.

The City Hotel, which Graham Greene turned into one of Africa's enduring literary landmarks in ''The Heart of the Matter,'' had survived the end of the British empire, the postcolonial slide into squalor and decay and in the last decade, rebel invasions that destroyed many other buildings on the street.

But in the predawn hours of May 2, a few days before British paratroopers landed here and helped save Freetown from yet another rebel assault, and a couple of weeks before the start of the rains that might have made the old building's wooden beams more resistant to the hungry flames, the fateful candle was tipped over on the second floor. Several of the surviving squatters said at least four men died.

-------------------------------------------------

If only i could find a publisher..
"Coffin from the Mosquito Coast" anyone??????

Subject: Re: Remembering James Hardley Chase
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 22:51:32 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
VERY EDUCATIONAL. THANKS.

Subject: Re: Remembering James Hardley Chase
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 09:40:53 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
sounds like we have a lot in common, my friend.

From your list I like " want to stay alive...follow these instructions...."

Thanks !

Subject: Re: Remembering James Hardley Chase
From: Bugsyb
To: All
Date Posted: 13:03:31 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: aburneynic@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: acbda155.ipt.aol.com at 172.189.161.85

Message:
Trusted Like a Fox
The Vulture is a patient bird

Subject: Lines are coming back.. to stay
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 08:11:03 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
http://awoko.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=2267&cntnt01returnid=345

AWOKO NEWSPAPER

Extra long queues at SL. Commercial Bank... Medical Doctor collapses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sierra Leone Commercial Bank
Dr John F. Miatta yesterday collapsed at the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s Savings and Withdrawal Department due to delay at that institution’s customers’ service.
The doctor collapsed to the astonishment of dozens of customers and bank officials, forcing bank activities to halt for a while as medical relief was administered to the medico and his bank transaction fast-tracked.
Our reporter spoke to the doctor after he regained consciousness and he disclosed that he went to the bank as early as 9:30 to withdraw money.
Dr Miatta lamented that since that morning, “I have not eaten any thing nor drank water and it was almost 12:30 when I collapsed and started vomiting at the cashier’s window. As you can see I am very hungry and sick, that is why I came to the bank to withdraw some money but the cashiers at this bank are very slow and limited to only three windows but only two are functioning today.”
He added that several efforts were made to withdraw the money, but the queue was too long and some security personnel from the Mount Everest working at the bank, “are running a syndicate with the bank’s cashiers, which compounded the situation.”
“I saw one security officer collecting a withdrawal slip from a customer to expedite his bank transaction for a small fee, while a top ranking female prison officer was also attended to by one of the bank’s cashiers at the window,” he complained
He intimated that the slow customers’ services at the bank had led to corrupt practices by some cashiers and security officers working at the bank who exploited customers for the sake of quick service, living other customers in the queue in distress.
-------------------------------------------------------

Before i left salone.. i used to sell spare parts..
This was the norm.. back in 87, 90, 91..
You pay to get yoru own money out of the bank..

With the governement pushing for investment.. this is one of the worst kind of news coming out of salone..

Queue at the banks indicate improper money management in the economy..
It cuts down on circulation..
It creates a false sense of scarcity..
It puts a brake on free flow of goods..
It stiffles the time from acquiring to consumption..
In sales.. thats a no no...hence credit cards and ATM..
The american economy wants you to part with your money.. so it tries to create the shortest distance between that money in your pocket/bank and the merchant..

Commercial bank is now adding willful bottlenecks...
Cant these f*&$#kers understand that the more transactions the better the bottomline..

FOR THE BANK...
FOR THE RETAILERS..
FOR THE TAX BASE..

Kabs.. i would expect a follow article to butress the Awoko article so the EBK economic dream would not be dampened by stupid bank managers trying to line thier pockets..

Subject: Re: Lines are coming back.. to stay
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 08:45:07 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.82

Message:
It is not the'long lines' Candido. The man was just hungry. He should have gobbled a plate of 'Cookry' before going to the bank. Those lines at the bank....Well this is rich! They were already there from the days of Tejan Kabba! True or False?

Subject: Re: Lines are coming back.. to stay
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 09:20:57 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
How does that help EBK run the country like a "BUSINESS"???

Regardless of if the man was hungry or not.. if he was dying or not.. the point is the lines are not normal for a service oriented company..its not service when you have to wait 3 hours to get 5000.00 and this style of bank teller chaping was left back in the dark days of Momoh and Citilink and Ben Kanu full drum with money..

My point or the issue i raised was not political.. it was economical... Lines are not good.. they where not good then, now.. and will not be good for EBK's own marshall plan.. I do not want to retire to salone and go collapse nah bank... 10 years from now..

SO MOVING FORWARD... this should be drilled into them useless motalmans at the bank that... they are behind the desk at commercial bank because my money deposited keeps them there.. and service is King..

Government owned bank for that matter..

Subject: Re: Lines are coming back.. to stay
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 09:55:32 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.82

Message:
"My point or the issue i raised was not political.. it was economical"........Candid Opinion

I know. Just couldn't help ribbing The Great One this Friday morning. My, aren't we testy today.

Subject: Re: Lines are coming back.. to stay
From: Sad
To: All
Date Posted: 08:19:04 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-255-233-44.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.255.233.44

Message:
As Bandele used to say, oosai den tie cow .....

Subject: APC - Leave our Zebra crossings alone..
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 08:01:22 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
Awoko Pool...

Is it proper for the APC party colour (Red) to be painted over the national flag (Green White And Blue)

Yes 4%
No 96%

Maybe in Tonkolili..
But the world over.. from Peckam to pemahun...
Zebra crossings have always been............well.. Zebra..

Enter the APC...add a resident minister south that did not take driving lessons and road signage and colors to learn to drive and did not understand that Black & white not only saves lives.. but are not party colors..

Now if this was one of those story you padi was telling you nah junction siting on the markit stall or under the tree while you are downing some brade en aborbor..this is where you say........

"Lajilaaaa !!!!!!!!....red zebra crossing...?"
Bo na lie...

But it is true.. Bo town was painted red.. even the salone flag got a party makeover..

APC.. we like oru Green, white en Blue just fine..

--------------------------------------------------------

I only wrote this because its fridayyyyyyyy.. and i want to bring notice to the Awoko Poll..

We do not want RED zebra crossings..
There is some read between the lines undertone here but i cant finger it right now..

Subject: Re: APC - Leave our Zebra crossings alone..
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 08:40:13 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.82

Message:
Hmmmmmmmmm!
Now I am suspicious about the choice of the national tricolors of green, white and blue by the SLPP fathers of Independence. Considering the bad luck the country has suffered through by association with SLPP Green, maybe it is time we reconsidered our national flag.
So in the interest of fairness to the other party- APC- and to end the country's bad luck spell, why don't we just change the colors of the flag from green, white and blue to Red, White and Blue? I believe this is something that we all can enthusiastically agree on, right Candido? And I bet you, my SLPP brothers like Kalos, Kawusu, Bra Enviable, Sengbe, KNice and others will support this mightily. This is a very serious proposal and I say this with no irony at all. It is our only hope for salvation, and our only chance to avoid the Zimbabwean train wreck? Dr Curtis-Thomas, how do you like my brilliant analysis? Do I hear an Amen from the pews?

Subject: Re: APC - Leave our Zebra crossings alone..
From: Bombali Granat Soja
To: All
Date Posted: 11:35:35 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.212

Message:
"...Considering the bad luck the country has suffered through by association with SLPP Green, maybe it is time we reconsidered our national flag..."

In this context; da contri geh bad luck because dem berry (bury) Pa Shaki nar parliament building near Sir Milton. As soon as dem exhume the former ehn bury ahm orda sai, the contri go geh good luck.

Now Fen Plaba that analysis is what dem call brilliant. Kaiche me drift?

How the Friday, Greener?

Subject: Re: APC - Leave our Zebra crossings alone..
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 11:54:21 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.82

Message:
The Friday go sweet tonight. Ar dae go gamble nar casino.
Don't forget the Obama bet. I think you are going to have to sing all those stanzas to your Bo school small boy!

Subject: Sierra Leone: Minister Desperate to Jail Editor
From: Prisoner
To: All
Date Posted: 07:50:54 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58

Message:
Sierra Leone: Minister Desperate to Jail Editor

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Concord Times (Freetown)

27 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008

Rachel Horner and Kevin Hill
Freetown

Transport and aviation minister seems desperate to jail Jonathan Leigh, after he denied accusations levied against him by managing editor of Independent Observer newspaper in a series of articles printed in January of this year.

Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay's denials in court came in the trial of Mr. Leigh, who could face up to 7 years imprisonment if found guilty under Sierra Leone's criminal libel and defamation. These laws punish those who are found guilty of "injuring the reputation" of government officials.

The minister dismissed claims made in the Freetown based newspaper including building a mansion in the first two months after taking office, accepting all-expenses paid to travel to Morocco, returning from an official visit to London with 25 cases of luggage, benefiting from 'flag of convenience' arrangements.

He also denied claims of immoral behavior, including being divorced three times, having 6 children and a pregnant girlfriend.

The Minister agreed he travelled to Morocco, but as part of an official visit to negotiate a bilateral air service agreement between Sierra Leone and Morocco to establish a local air carrier in the country.

When asked about his reaction to the accusations in the Independent Observer, Sesay said, "a lot of people talked to me about these articles, including the head of state. If what is said is true, then I am not qualified to be a minister." The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has recently filed a lawsuit with Sierra Leone's Supreme Court, seeking to overturn Sierra Leone's criminal libel and false news laws.

The Association sees the laws as open to abuse by those in power, endangering the freedom of expression necessary for journalists to keep the public informed.

The tiny, poorly ventilated, court room No.5 was packed with observers, including deputy minister of education, youth and sports Dr. Algassimu Jah. As the Minister left the courtroom, a crowd of supporters followed.

Lawyer for the accused Ibrahim Sorie Koroma asked for an adjournment in order to prepare a cross examination of the Minister.

The court case was adjourned to Wednesday, April 3.

Subject: Will Food Prices Derail The Govt?
From: Sam
To: All
Date Posted: 07:48:15 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-76-19-137-141.hsd1.ma.comcast.net at 76.19.137.141

Message:
Because of food price inflation, Vietnam and India have announced that they are cutting overseas rice sales. As if that was not bad enough, India will be raising rice export prices by 50%! I don't have data on Thailand yet, but those three countries are responsible for most of the rice imports into West Africa - Nigeria which can better afford it also imports a lot of American rice which is (or should I say used to be) way more expensive that Asian rice.

A lot of rice sold in Liberia is from India and Liberians almost overthrew their govt some years back because of rice prices. Who know what this will do. Charles Taylor still has supporters such as Edwin Snowe who will take any opportunity to derail the Sirleaf govt.

How will our people fare? Someone who just came back from SL this month said rice is now Le90,000 per bag and the worst is ahead.

Subject: IMF threatens to withhold support on account of revenue shor
From: Money
To: All
Date Posted: 07:39:35 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58

Message:
IMF threatens to withhold support on account of revenue shortfall

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has threatened to withhold future budgetary support to the ruling APC government if they fail to meet their revenue target for the first quarter. The New Vision reports that of the Le 41 billion targeted for the first quarter, the government was able to raised Le18 billion with a short fall of Le23 billion.

The report says the government’s desperation to bridge the short fall - as time is running out- has put immense pressure on the National Revenue Authority (NRA) to salvage the situation in order to continue receiving support from the IMF and other development partners.

Subject: Re: IMF threatens to withhold support on account of revenue shor
From: Sam
To: All
Date Posted: 07:51:39 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-76-19-137-141.hsd1.ma.comcast.net at 76.19.137.141

Message:
How exactly are they budgeting? Are they drawing numbers out of thin air? Budget/Revenue shortfalls are par for the course in government, but how do you suffer a 43% shortfall in a near term forecast?

Subject: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Reality
To: All
Date Posted: 04:17:06 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.145.119.76

Message:
What the heck is wrong with Zimbabweans. Mugabe took power in
1980 in a country that was not only a model for Africans, but was a net
exporter of food. Today the country is experiencing inflation rates of
100000% and the average monthly wage can only buy two loaves of
bread, all because of an idiot like Mugabe who has brought the
country to its knees. Yet they flock to his rallies where he blames all
his failed policies on the West. Are there norm left in Zimbabwe or is
everybody a chicken.

Well Zimbabweans look to the small West African country of Sierra
Leone for example. When AFRC soldiers overthrew our democratically
elected government, we engaged in such massive public disobedience
that neighbouring countries came to our aid to chase these morons out
of power.

When the democratically elected government which we had given our
lives for to restore failed to deliver. We told them thanks, but look for
other jobs. Go be history teachers, but we are no longer ready for your
stories of a bright future.

Zimbabweans, you have to kick that dinosaur out of power. Don't listen
to any more of his lies. A frog that does not have buttocks when it is
young is not going to have one in old age. Chinua Achebe says "the
chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted from the day it is
hatched." Please get rid of that animal before you guys start eating
dried animal dung for breakfast.

If the majority is massively against you and vote so, rigging will be
difficult. If he rigs, let everybody embark on civil disobedience, you
guys have been cowards for so long that it is beginning to stink. Have
some guts and chase that relic back to whatever village he came from.
You people have nothing to fear, but fear itself.

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 04:59:48 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Do not forget that Mugabe is a ruthless tyrant and a dictator. In 1987, Mugabe abolished the position of prime minister and made himself executive president (did I hear you say "...like Siaka Stevens"?), which meant that he was head of state, head of the government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He abolished the clause in the constitution that reserved twenty assembly seats for whites and every six months he renewed the state of emergency that gave the government the authority to detain the people without trial. As if this is not bad enough, you have to "watch your words" in Zimbabwe ! Among the many repressive laws enforced by Mugabe is one that makes it a crime for any CITIZEN to make an " abusive, indecent, or obscene statement" about Mugabe even if the speaker is not in Zimbabwe. In a recent case that demonstrates the absurd side of this law, a Zimbabwean named Arnold Bunya told his brother, while the two were riding a bus, "Do not be thickheaded like Mugabe." Overheard by a government security agent, Bunya was sentenced to two weeks in jail.

President Mugabe would sure like to have APC's Serry-Kamal as his attorney General !

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Reality
To: All
Date Posted: 05:10:04 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.145.205.130

Message:
At least Siaka Stevens knew when it was time to quit. This buffoon
does not.

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 05:15:21 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
I agree with you!

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Alfred Moyo
To: All
Date Posted: 06:38:14 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
Nothing really is wrong with Zimbabweans but an unbreakable umbilical attachment to a leader who led years of guerilla warfare to liberate their country from Ian smith's brand of colonialism.

Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980 and it took South Africa another fourteen years to gain its own independence in 1994. Why this nexus between Zimbabwe and South Africa?

If Mugabe had taken an anti-white stance before South Africa's independence it would have been almost impossible for South Africa to be independent even by now. But after south africa's independence Mugabe became conspicuously snubbed by the west and all attention and focus became lavished on Nelson Mandella.

Heart nor get bone. Even Cain became jealous when God's attention was paid more to Abel. Mugabe must have been politically hypnotized by western voodoo politricks and his ways of doing things became only a matter of time. To hit back, the whites in Zimbabwe had to be dispossessed of agricultural lands. The intention, maybe, was to incite and stir similar patterns in South Africa. But they too are on some timebomb.

All in all, the very highly educated, erudite and eloquent Mugabe has now been made the victim of western voodoo politricks. Will he make a comeback? I am not sure, in spite of his tremendous resilience.
Sadam was in a similar situation when one western magazine had this on its front cover: "Sadamned You Do; Sadamned You Don't".

Our western cousins have long hands, very deep patience and pockets, and cunning craft. If they want you only God Himself can redeem you. And if they really, really want you God Himself might even allow their fury to prevail, even if temporarily, as men's fury could not be quenched even against Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 06:55:29 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.85

Message:
Interesting analysis. So because Mugabe felt snobbed by the West, he took his ball, went home and tyrannized his people? Hey, with our megalomaniacal African leaders, that could just be the truth!

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 06:49:15 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
your position seem to justify the tyranical and dictatoral nature of Mugabe! The man needs to retire.

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Alfred Moyo
To: All
Date Posted: 07:48:58 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
I agree he must retire after 27 years as leader. He is now fully compensated for any struggles he undertook to liberate his country. But as you know, liberation fighters like Mugabe don't like to be pushed. They like it when they jump on their own free will.

Any attempt to make it look like a defeat by the white man will arouse the fighting mode, that extra adrenaline that induces the urge to stand up and fight to the death.

In all this ball game with the colonialists the tyranny suffered by Zims is only a by-product. It was not the intended goal to make black Zims suffer. Mind you, the original ploy was to seize lands from white Zims and give them to black Zims. But it backfired as the west came to the rescue of their white brethren in Zimbabwe by demonizing Mugabe and throwing all manner of things at him: kitchen sink and all its water and debris.

Today, Mugabe is seen as a tyrant because he fought back. Not even his own people now seem to appreciate the long wrestling he has undertaken on their behalf against foes whose clutches have dug not only too deep into his own torso but have ripped in the process vital arteries and veins that carry blood and food to all parts for the entire Zimbabwe to stand as a strong and healthful entity. It's just a matter of time before the edifice crumbles.

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: ST/
To: All
Date Posted: 08:57:11 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 74.94.45.117

Message:
>>In all this ball game with the colonialists the tyranny suffered by Zims is only a by-product. It was not the intended goal to make black Zims suffer. Mind you, the original ploy was to seize lands from white Zims and give them to black Zims. But it backfired as the west came to the rescue of their white brethren in Zimbabwe by demonizing Mugabe and throwing all manner of things at him: kitchen sink and all its water and debris<<

------------------------------------------------
Greetings.

It wasn't a ploy but a solemn promise made to the people.
Some would say it backfired when corruption, nepotism and bad economic planning came into play as far as dividing the fertile lands they received.
(Large % going to his supporters and family, etc., no training or support on how to run a large agri-bizness)

I was a strong supporter of Mugabe, even over that of his ally and future rival the late Joshua Nkomo.
And even subsequent elections after that.

But he has shown time and time again over the past ten years or more that his tenacity as a fighter that earned him his position didn't translate into
diplomacy - abroad and, against his rivals at home.

His place in history is secure.

He is not seen as a tyrant because he fought back in the mid to late 70's.
He was a hero.

He is seen as one because he has been acting like one for too long now.
But unfortunately again it shows a revolutionary hero
does not make you a seasoned diplomat.
And vice versa !

So those of us old as dirt like myself that cheered his victory long ago look to his rivals for real answers to Zimbabwe's future.
And we see the ''west being the root of all evil there/political defeat is defeat by the white man'' - as a simplistic position.

ST/

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Alfred Moyo
To: All
Date Posted: 11:04:36 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
Thanks for your illuminating post.

There is a time for all seasons and for all things: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to be a freedom fighter and a time to be a lackey; a time to win and a time to lose; and all these things will happen after God's will and in man's discernment. For do we not have brains so that we may think?

I hope Mugabe will use his brain to think wisely and learn that there is a time for every thing. May the struggling people of Zimbabwe think wisely too after the manner of God's teaching through Solomon that there is always a time for every purpose. Perhaps this time, it's a time to change political leadership in Zimbabwe bloodlessly like it happened in salone in 2007.

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: KLA
To: All
Date Posted: 10:03:59 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 164.82.84.3

Message:
Welcome Sahr T..

Indeed Great things were expected of Bob Mugabe..

Maybe power does corrupt... over time!!The NEW AFRICAN UNION must put in place term limits for presidential positions as soon as possible.

tstm

Subject: Re: What is wrong with Zimbabweans
From: Sahr T/
To: All
Date Posted: 17:14:52 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 74.94.45.117

Message:
Yes.
Term limits.
The New, New African Union.
I read every day.
Good to see you and some of the old guard still out there.

st/

Subject: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 04:16:18 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
"By faith Abrahim obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and he went out not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a foreigner in the land of promise, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise,for he expectantly looked for the city which has foundations, whose builder is God". (Hebrews 11:8-10).

Most times our coming to the diaspora is akin to that of Abraham"s. We usually leave everything to faith and let the Lord take control of things. The Lord specializes in imposibilities; creating the earth out of nothing, opening the sea for Israel to pass through, incarnating Jesus in the virgin birth, resurrecting the crucified Christ, etc. My favorite chapter in the Bible is Herbews 11. Most times we do not know when or how the Lord will work the impossible in our lives. Faith is putting our trust in God as we move into the unknown future. I remember landing in the USA 20 years ago with $350 (three hundred and fifty US dollars) in my pocket. Three hundred dollars was used to learn how to drive and to get a driver's license. I was then left with fifty dollars and a six months visitor's visa, and I ALSO WANTED TO ATTEND 8 YEARS OF COLLEGE TO BECOME A PHYSICIAN!

How did I pull this off ? FAITH, my friend, FAITH ! Continue to read and ENJOY!

Hebrews 11:8-12 provides two incidents from Abraham's life that illustrate the life of faith. One (verses 8-10)is the story of his call to leave the Mesopotamian home of his ancestors. We need to note several things about the experience. First, that he obeyed. Like Abel, Enoch, and Noah(verses 4-7), Abrahim's faith was active. It was not merely accepting something from God, it was also doing something in response to His will. Faith is an active sort of thing.

Second, Abrahim's faith did not operate by sight. As verse 8 puts it, "he went out not knowing where he was going". Leon Morris ("The Expositor's Bible commentary") calls that phrase the "classic statement of the obedience of faith". Some people want to know the beginning from the end in every detail before they act. But that is not the way of faith. Caution is often important and necessary, but it can also be crippling to spiritual growth.

Third, Abraham was a strange kind of heir. Generally we think of inheritance as property handed down from parents to children. It is generally tied quite closely to home and family closely. But God did not tell Abraham that he would inherit his father's home or lands. To the contrary, he commanded him to leave his ancestral home and land for a place that he had never seen.

Fourth, heirs ordinarily expect respect, but Abraham lived as a foreigner or resident alien in the promised land, suffering at times from lack of respect accorded "drifters" by those who already owned the land. That situation, once again, echoes that of christians across time, who have a heavenly promise, but are often despised by the powers that be in the present ages.

Fifth, Abraham never received the promise in his own lifetime. Instead of a regular home he dwelt in a temporary tent. As Leon Morris notes, "the whole land had been promised to him, yet he did not have a proper house in it". Up to the end of his life the only part of Canaan he owned was the firld he had purchased as Sarah's burial place. As if that was not bad enough,neither Isaac nor Jacob inherited the land !

Sixth, Abraham's faith extended beyond earthly rewards to the heavenly. "He expectantly looked for the city which has (secure) foundations, whose designer and builder is God". Faith appreciates the here and now, but its real goal is the eternal. Thus even though Abraham had his hopes on inheriting earthly Canaan, he never lost sight of the fact that THIS EARTH WAS NOT HIS HOME.

As we live in the diaspora, then, we may not get all our dreams fulfilled, but we should look foward to the heavenly because that is where our secure foundation is.

THE LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALWAYS.

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Pedro da Cintra
To: All
Date Posted: 04:52:40 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: 194-237-247-130.customer.telia.com at 194.237.247.130

Message:
Doc you nar ORIGINAL BORBOH PAIN lek me.
My story is similar to yours.The only difference is I have come to europe only five years ago and sponsored myself right through and today here I am, an engineer practising in european industries! If I go into the nitty-gritty it will be a volume and people will mistake it for a James hadley Chase classic thriller.

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 07:07:57 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.85

Message:
Pedro, nar name da wan dae you call so bobs! James Hadley Chase was my favorite writer growing up. We used to scrounge bookstores for the latest Chase novels. So many sweet memories in Bo Town.
I have an engineer buddy in England, Dr Ananza Sesay. Know him?

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 08:35:42 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
Me hair rise bobs.....
JHC was the bomb..

But this is about our own individual journies into canaan.. the land of milk and honey..

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 08:35:25 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
Me air rise bobs.....
JHC was the bomb..

But this is about our own individual journies into canaan.. the land of milk and honey..

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 05:13:47 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Let us then praise GOD FOR HIS MANY BLESSINGS !

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Blessing Davies
To: All
Date Posted: 07:12:45 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
Amen. Your account of Abraham and of his sons are quite right with regard to the lands they were promised. Abraham was indeed a man of God who feared God by obeying God all the way, to the extent that he was even prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac only to please God.

But he was also a man of action who could even fight when it came to that. That was demonstrated when he took up arms, together with a band of men, to pursue those who had made away with his cousin's, Lot's property. Abraham, through the blessings of God became very wealthy and powerful. He was no ordinary man by spiritual and worldly standards. He walked with and spoke with God.

The Jews were strangers in Canaan which had been promised them for habitation but it was in Egypt while sojourning there for generations that they ammassed exceeding wealth. During their exit from Egypt the Israelites took all their possessions away and brought them home.

Sojourners everywhere, be therefore reminded about planting something that can be carried back home as did wise men/women long before us.

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 07:29:36 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
An excellent, three dimensional commentary !
Thanks for the comment. "NUFF RESPECT"!

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 07:16:19 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.85

Message:
Truly inspirational!

Subject: Re: Is your life in the Diaspora akin to that of Abraham's ?
From: Blessing Davies
To: All
Date Posted: 07:56:10 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
May we all find favor with God as He did unto Abraham and his seeds. Amen.

Subject: Will this "War against Terrorism" ever be won ?
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 03:44:59 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
ONE MAN'S TERRORIST IS ANOTHER'S FREEDOM FIGHTER. It is hard to give a concise definition of terrorism. Most people will say that it denotes various tactics that serve various causes, ranging from the purely personal (e.g. the Foday Sankoh saga) to struggles for independence or freedom from oppression. I see terrorism as the systematic use of murder, injury, and destruction, or the threat of such acts, aimed at achieving political, religious, or racial ends. Terrorism is as old as the story of mankind, but for the sake of brevity it is better to begin the trace from the first century. So, lets start from the first century then.

FIRST CENTURY: Here we have the DAGGER MEN; They were the hard core of the Jewish Zealots and were called SICARI, from the Latin word word for DAGGER. These millitants opposed the Roman rule of Judaea in the years preceding the leveling of the Jewish Temple and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. They murdered Roman officials and high-ranking Jews they considered enemies of the fight to liberate the Jewish people from Rome.

11th CENTURY: THE ASSASSINS: Thier mode of operation was murdering prominent enemies.This was considered a religious duty by this Islamic sect. From its stronghold in Syria and present day Iran, the group terrorized the Middle East. They were also called HASHSHASHIN, becaused of their ues of HASHISH.

1773: " TERROR AND TEA" : the dumping of tea into Boston Harbor by colonists in American Indian costumes to protest British tax policy. Since it involves property damage as a means of political coercion, I can safely call this a terrorist act.

1881: THE DEATH OF A TSAR: Radicals in Russia assassinated Tsar Alexander 11 after failing to start a peasant uprising in opposition to the Monarchy. The government eventually eliminated the group that was responsible for this act, amid widespread antirevolutionary sentiments.

1914: The BALKAN BLOODSHED: this was the prelude to World war 1. Some of the national groups encompassed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire resented their subservience to the Austrian Monarchy. When a radical serbian nationalist shot Archduke Ferdinard of Austria, heir to the throne, and his wife as they toured the Bulkan. Again, as said earlier, this provided the spark that ignited World War 1

1963: THE KU KLUX KLAN: This racist group reacted violently to the Civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, carrying out bombing campaign that would earn the city the nickname "bombingham".

1972: Here, a palestinian terror group killed two and seized nine Isreali athletes at the Munich games/olympics. All nine were subsequently killed when rescue mission failed. Of course you know "Jewman" will not let the spilling of a Jewish blood to go unpunished. Needless to say that thoes responsible were subsequently tracked down and killed.

1983: Sixty-three people died when the American Embassy in Beirut was attacked by suicide bomber belonging to the terrorist group, HEZBOLLAH. Later that year, more than 240 U.S. marines died in another suicide bombing. Now the terrorist had seen first hand the effectiveness of suicide bombing !

??????? 1991 : THE RUF OF SIERRA LEONE/ NATIONAL PATRIOTIC MOVEMENT OF LIBERIA: Led by Foday Sankoh and Charles Taylor respectively began a series of carnage that took the lives of thousands, and left more incapacitated. Charles Taylor is now on trial for his role.

1995: Timothy McVeigh set off a truck load of ammonium nitrate fertilizer bomb in front of Oklahoma City Federal building, killing 168 people, including 19 children.

ALSO, members of the Japanese religious cult AUM SHINRIKYO released the deadly nerve gas, Sarin, into the Tokyo subway system during rush hour. This killed 12 people and sickened thousands. I have had a phobia, for good reason, riding subway Train since then !

I am not maginalizing the PAN AM BOMBING OR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TERRORIST ATTACK.

WILL THE WAR ON TERROR EVER BE WON, COMPLETELY ? The answer is a big NO.The reason is that many of these groups attract an array of nationalists, political ideologues, and religious zealots. Some groups are multifaceted , incorporating politics and social programs, along with violence. Some groups have various cells and lack a command and control unit which set the stage for an out of control movement. Some terrorist groups have been dismantled, but the risk of regrouping remains a possibility. LETS DO A GLOBAL SEARCH OF THESE GROUPS:

1. AL QAEDA: Will this group ever be completely dismantled ? NO. This grop at a minimum operates in at least 68 countries, and without a central command it is going to be " a long day ".

2. THE NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENT( COLUMBIA)
This leftist group is a leader in kidnapping for ransom. It also attacks government oil pipelines and energy infrastructure.

3.REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF COLUMBIA(COLUMBIA): COMMUNIST INSURGENTS that uses kidnapping and mass murder in its fight to overthrow the Columbian government in its fight to "redistribute wealth".

4.UNITED SELF-DEFENCE FORCES OF COLUMBIA:(COLUMBIA) This right-wing coalition of paramilitaries was formed ( like the Sierra Leonean CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE) to fight leftist insurgents, but it often targets civilians.

5.SALAFIST GROUP FOR CALL AND COMBAT: (ALGERIA)
A powerful Islamic group aims to topple Algeria's secular government, expel foreign influences, and advance AL Qaeda's agenda in Africa and Europe.

6.ISLAMIC RESISTANCE MOVEMENT (HAMAS). This terriorist group has bases/ followers in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Lebanon. Its aim is to destroy Isreal and extend Muslim rule across the Middle East.Gets financial support from various sources.

7.PALESTINE ISLAMIC JIHAD: Led by operatives based in Lebanon and Syria, this radical group aims to replace Isreal with a Palestinian Islamic State.

8. AL AQSA MARTYRS' BRIGADES(West Bank, Gaza, Isreal): A deadly uncontrolled terrorist group.

9. KACH AND KAHANE CHAI(Isreal and west Bank)This group has been officially outlawed since the massacre of 29 Muslims at Hebron in 1994 (the so-called Hebron massacre), but still operates undeground. THIS GROUP SEEKS TO TO EXPAND ISREAL BY DRIVING PALESTINIANS FROM THE WEST BANK AND THE GAZA STRIP.

10. HEZBOLLAH:(Lebanon) Formed in 1982 after the Isreali invasion of Lebanon. This group , backed by Iran, has as its goal the destruction of the Jewish State.

11.ASBAT AL ANSAR: (Lebanon): An AL QAEDA backed extrimist group practices terrorism by attacking both domestic and international targets within Lebanon.

12.ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF UZBEKISTAN:(Central Asia) A homegrown Islamist coalition seeks to replace Uzbekistan's secular regime and advance the regional goals of Al Qaeda. IT uses bombing and kidnapping as effective tools.

13. CHECHEN SEPARATISTS(RUSSIA):
Seeking independence from Russia. Have killed Moscow-backed Chechen officials, including Chechnya's president.

14. RUF, KAMAJOH, CDF, ISU ( SIERRA LEONE) : Dismantled/disarmed/outlawed and its leaders dead, captured, or facing trials. Will these SATANIC WORSHIPPERS EVER REGROUP? I PRAY NOT.

15.MOROCCAN ISLAMIC COMBATANT GROUP(MOROCCO):
A Moroccan Islamist group, linked to AL QAEDA and implicated in the recent bombings in Midrid and Casablanca.

16.REAL IRA (Northern Ireland)
An offshoot which was formed when the IRA declared a cease-fire in 1997. Its aim is a united Ireland, free from British rule.

17.JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH (South east Asia)
Responsible for a number of deadly bombings across Southeast Asia, including the deadly BALI NIGHTCLUB ATTACKS IN 2002.

18.ETC, ETC, ETC, ETC.

As noted from the number of terrorist organizations, the potential exists for some of these groups to be infiltrated or linked, or merged with other groups which will mean more deadly attacks. The war on terror is being waged globally, but with poverty being ever present especially in developing countries, the fight will be a long one and victory is uncertain. As these terrorist strike, everyone now feel unsafe, leaders fortified their security and curtail public appearences, ordinary citizens feel unsafe to travel or even walk the streets, and the terrorists (and its hard to tell who a terrorist is) are everwhere and nowhere at the same time. It is getting scary out there especially if you carry an American passport. In the past it was a pleasure, indeed a pride, to carry an American passport, now it seems as if it is catalyst for quick death.

WILL THIS WAR AGAINST TERRORISM EVER BE WON ? I DO NOT THINK SO !

Subject: Re: Will this "War against Terrorism" ever be won ?
From: Pedro da Cintra
To: All
Date Posted: 04:45:44 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: 194-237-247-130.customer.telia.com at 194.237.247.130

Message:
Doc I beg to differ.Hezbollah and hama are not terrorist groups but freedom fighters or mujahideens.

REASON: Do the acid test.Let the Israelis stop the settlements,dismantle the wall and leave Palestinians' land.

RESULT:The two will cease to exist as mujahideen groups.

Subject: Re: Will this "War against Terrorism" ever be won ?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 05:04:02 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Again ONE MAN'S TERRORIST IS ANOTHER'S FREEDOM FIGHTER. It is hard to give a concise definition of terrorism. I appreciate your comment.

Subject: This odd world! A tragedy that could have been avoided!!
From: Pedro Da Cintra
To: All
Date Posted: 02:33:14 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: 194-237-247-130.customer.telia.com at 194.237.247.130

Message:
Seems this couple have no demons to help them and so failed collosally!

Subject: Re: This odd world! A tragedy that could have been avoided!!
From: SAM
To: All
Date Posted: 05:16:37 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-44c7e83c.dyn.optonline.net at 68.199.232.60

Message:
THEY MISSED THE POINT OF GOD HELP THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES.

Subject: XXXXX
From: XXXXXX
To: All
Date Posted: 22:48:09 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69

Message:
Three men huddle in a corner to smoke heroin away from the crowds and vendors of Old Bazaar in Pershawar, Pakistan. In the city of 300,000, there are 40,000 heroin users. Afghanistan supplies the drug. Next photo
PETER TOBIA / Inquirer

Subject: Finally, FEN PLABA unmasked!!!!!!!!
From: Kalos
To: All
Date Posted: 21:30:42 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-231-210-224.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.210.224

Message:
Got him, Fen Plaba na man.

Subject: Lol dis nar Fen Plaba en Mbalu
From: Bai Bureh
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:49 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: c83-248-90-182.bredband.comhem.se at 83.248.90.182

Message:
Nor joke with dingo woman dem den go kill you.

Subject: Re: Finally, FEN PLABA unmasked!!!!!!!!
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 05:04:16 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123

Message:
Kalos my brother, where were you? Yep, I can see a lil' bit of me in that 'played' playa back in the days!
Keep posting!

Subject: Sweet Gospel
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 21:22:07 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-231-210-224.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.210.224

Message:
Yes

Subject: Sweet Gospel
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 21:19:45 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-96-231-210-224.washdc.fios.verizon.net at 96.231.210.224

Message:
Yes.

Subject: The End Of Mugabe
From: Prayer
To: All
Date Posted: 21:10:25 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58

Message:
Final push for votes in Zimbabwe by Godfrey Marawayika
59 minutes ago

HARARE (AFP) - The three main candidates in Zimbabwe's general election were making a final push for votes Friday on the eve of polls which could bring an end to President Robert Mugabe's 28-year grip on power.

After an election campaign which has been full of bitter rhetoric but largely devoid of the violence which has overshadowed the run-up to previous ballots, analysts believe the outcome is too close to call and could well up with a run-off if no one obtains an absolute majority.

Mugabe, at 84 already Africa's oldest leader, has been confidently predicting a sixth term in office. His two main challengers, long-time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and former finance minister Simba Makoni, say that his only hope of victory is rigging the outcome.

"Evidence on the ground suggests that none of the three political gladiators is set to get the 50 percent plus vote," said Eldred Masungure, a lecturer of political science at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare.

"Zimbabwe should gear itself for a re-run."

The election campaign comes at a time when Zimbabwe is grappling with the impact of the world's highest rate of inflation -- officially put at 100,580.2 percent -- and an unemployment level which has breached the 80 percent mark.

Once seen as the region's breadbasket, the country is now suffering from previously unheard of shortages of even the most basic foodstuffs such as cooking oil and bread.

Mugabe, who has ruled the ex-British colony since independence in 1980, has blamed the economic chaos on the West which imposed sanctions intended to only hit his inner circle after he allegedly rigged his 2002 re-election.

"The British, the Americans and those who think like them, would rather see our children, the old and the infirm suffer under the weight of their evil sanctions they have imposed as part of their desire to effect the regime change in our country," he said during a visit to Harare central hospital on Thursday.

With relations with the West at an all-time low, the government has barred observers from anywhere in the European Union or United States from monitoring Saturday's poll.

That task has instead been assigned to groups from organisations such as the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

While they have so far given preparations a clean bill of health, the opposition has drawn up a list of complaints and says the government is in clear breach of agreements reached during SADC-mediated talks.

"We are getting, by the second, evidence of the manner in which Mugabe and his cronies are assaulting this election," Tendai Biti, secretary general of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), told reporters.

Tsvangirai himself warned Mugabe in an interview published Friday that if Mugabe tried to "steal" the upcoming election, the situation in the country would worsen.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Tsvangirai called on Zimbabweans to "protect" their vote, and said that Mugabe would not be able to contain popular anger with a rigged election.

"It is the people who have to respond," he told the business daily.

"He (Mugabe) will not have stolen it from Morgan Tsvangirai -- an individual -- but from the people. Such will be the overwhelming groundswell of popular feeling, he will not be able to contain it."

Makoni, once one of Mugabe's top lieutenants until he left the government in 2002, has refrained from insulting his old mentor even though the president has called him a political prostitute.

However in an interview with AFP this week, he said the economic meltdown which took hold since he left office could take more than a decade to repair.

"This is not about the first six months after March 29 or even the first five years ... it could range from 10 to 15 years," he told AFP.

While there have been no reliable polls, another prominent former minister who has since turned his back on Mugabe agreed there was every chance that a run-off would be required within three weeks of the first polling day.

"The mathematics of it, if you look around where Tsvangirai is popular and likely to get support, where Mugabe is popular and likely to pick more votes, none of them is guaranteed 51 percent, and that's what will cause a run-off," former information minister Jonathan Moyo told newzimbabwe.com.

As well as voting for a president and 210 members of parliament, the 5.9 million strong electorate will choose the make-up of councils nationwide.

Subject: Rising Rice Prices Spark Concerns
From: Global Rice Price up by 30%--Breaking News
To: All
Date Posted: 19:19:41 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.231.23.240

Message:
By PAUL ALEXANDER Associated Press Writer
© 2008 The Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine activists warn about possible riots. Aid agencies across Asia worry how they will feed the hungry. Governments dig deeper every day to fund subsidies.

A sharp rise in the price of rice is hitting consumer pocketbooks and raising fears of public turmoil in the many parts of Asia where rice is a staple.

Part of a surge in global food costs, rice prices on world markets have jumped 50 percent in the past two months and at least doubled since 2004. Experts blame rising fuel and fertilizer expenses as well as crops curtailed by disease, pests and climate change. There are concerns prices could rise a further 40 percent in coming months.

The higher prices have already sparked protests in the Philippines, where a government official has asked the public to save leftover rice. In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered a ban on rice exports Wednesday to curb rising prices at home. Vietnamese exporters and farmers are stockpiling rice in expectation of further price increases.

Prestoline Suyat of the May One Labor Movement, a left-wing workers group, warned that "hunger and poverty may eventually lead to riots."

The neediest are hit hardest.

Rodolfo de Lima, a 42-year-old parking lot attendant in Manila, said "my family will go hungry" if prices continue to rise.

"If your family misses a meal, you really don't know what you can do, but I won't do anything bad," said de Lima, whose right foot was amputated after he was shot during a 1985 gang war.

Others might not be so restrained, said Domingo Casarte, 41, a street vendor.

"There are people who are hotheaded," he said. "When people get trapped, I can't say what they will do."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts global rice stocks for 2007-08 at 72 million tons, the lowest since 1983-84 and about half of the peak in 2000-01.

The higher prices are stretching the budgets of aid agencies providing rice to North Korea and other countries, particularly with donations already falling.

Jack Dunford, head of a consortium in Thailand helping more than 140,000 refugees from military-ruled Myanmar, said soaring rice prices and a slumping U.S. dollar are forcing cuts in already meager food aid.

"This rice price is just killing us," he said. "This is a very vulnerable group of people under threat."

China is among several countries in the region that subsidize rice prices, an increasingly expensive proposition.

Rice prices have almost doubled in Bangladesh in just a year, sparking resentment but no unrest yet. Repeated floods and a severe cyclone last year have cut production, forcing the government to increase imports.

In Vietnam, a major rice exporter, the crop has been hit by a virus called tungro and infestations of the brown planthopper insect.

Farmers there say they are not benefiting from the higher prices.

"The rice price has gone up 50 percent over the past three months, but I'm not making any more money because I have to pay double for fertilizer, insecticides and labor costs," said Nguyen Thi Thu, 46, a farmer in Ha Tay province, just outside Hanoi.

Another farmer, Cao Thi Thuy, 37, in Nam Dinh province, 75 miles south of Hanoi, said exporters have actually been paying less for rice over the last week.

"If the world prices are going up still, then Vietnamese rice-exporting companies are benefiting, not us," she said. "They tell us that now weather is better, and rice can grow more easily, so we should not expect higher prices."

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, worried about anything that could spark a "people power" revolt against her, is assuring the public that rice won't run out or skyrocket in price during the traditionally lean months of July to September.

This week, she arranged the purchase of up to 1.5 million tons from Vietnam. She also has ordered a crackdown on price manipulation, hoarding and profiteering on subsidized rice, and will hold a food summit April 4.

Things are so tight that Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has asked people not to throw away leftover rice and urged fast-food restaurants, which normally give customers a cup of rice with meals, to offer a half-cup option to cut waste.

The Philippines is facing "a perfect storm," said Sen. Mar Roxas, president of the Liberal Party. Problems coping with rising rice prices are compounded by higher oil prices and a U.S. economic downturn, which could reduce the money sent home to families by Filipinos working in the United States. Such remittances underpin the economy.

Philippine farmers say the country, which has become the world's largest importer of rice after being an exporter in the early 1970s, has shot itself in the foot by developing some former rice paddies for housing and golf courses and planting more lucrative crops on others.

One Asian country, Japan, is encouraging cuts in rice production. Rice prices there have been falling in recent months as people eat less rice and more bread.

Subject: Re: Rising Rice Prices Spark Concerns
From: Rice price up 30% to record
To: All
Date Posted: 21:00:01 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.30.160.185

Message:
By Javier Blas in London and Daniel Ten Kate in Bangkok

Published: March 28 2008 02:00 | Last updated: March 28 2008 02:00

Rice prices jumped 30 per cent to a record high yesterday, raising fears of fresh outbreaks of social unrest across Asia, where the grain is a staple food for more than 2.5bn people.

The increase came after Egypt, a leading exporter, imposed a formal ban on selling rice abroad to keep local prices down and the Philippines announced plans for a large purchase of the grain in the international market to boost supplies.

Subject: Geert Wilders' Anti-Islam Film
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 18:44:55 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123

Message:
The right-wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders who has well-known anti-Islam views made and promoted this Islamophobic propagandist film, despite the admonishment of the Duthch government not to do so. It is already on the web. I bring it to the attention of the forum. Long live religious tolerance.

Subject: Traffic Report
From: Forum Statistician
To: All
Date Posted: 16:54:08 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-34-87.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.34.87

Message:
424 Unique Visitors

Hits % Date Analysis
6749 100% 27/Mar

Hits % Country Analysis
2733 40.4% Network (Mainly USA)
1765 26.1% Unresolved Hosts
1540 22.8% Commercial (Mainly USA)
284 4.20% United Kingdom
212 3.14% USA Educational
68 1.00% Netherlands
47 0.69% USA Government
43 0.63% Germany
20 0.29% Non-Profit Making Organizations
16 0.23% Sweden
12 0.17% Finland
5 0.07% Italy
2 0.02% USA Military
2 0.02% International
14 Total Countries

Subject: Don't blame the Fullahs, Madingoes, Susus in Sa/Lone !
From: Soriba
To: All
Date Posted: 15:38:20 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: soyanka @yahoo.com
Entered From: at 212.71.37.140

Message:
The Fullahs and the Madingoes are considered two of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa if not in the whole Africa. We all know what the partition of Africa caused to most of the ethnic groups in Africa by the Europeans. Shattered or devastated to perpetual destruction. In Sierra Leone, these ethnic groups have already given us wonderful leaders and statesmen of high repute. But why should these three groups are always accused or even termed to be foreigners by the layman.

In my personal observation,I blame the previous governments for doing nothing to curb the influx of the three tribes from our sister neighbours- Guinea, Liberia, Mali and even Mauritania. These people have been lured into Sierra Leone by our diamonds. But for the fact that no one was there to check thier movement, most have succeeded in penetrating into the populace without a trace.

The indegeneous Fullahs, Madingoes and Susus in the soil of Sierra Leone are known citizens without any dispute. However, the idea of having a Malian or Guinean from the same tribe visiting Sierra Leone should not automatically qualifies them being citizens. This is an absolute disgrace to our national security system. It is true that when they come to our country, some of their tribesmen help to provide them with shelter and passports.

I would like to bring to the notice of the current government that Sierra Leoneans in the Middle East have been suffering from 'patroitc disgrace' by having our passports dumpped by students, who came to study with Sierra Leone scholarships awarded by various Arab state on the eve of graduation. The Sierra Leone Embassy in Riyadh can give a testimony on this. And mind you, all of the passports dumpped or relinquished to our Embassies in the Middle East are mostly from Fullahs, Madingoes and few Susus.

The questions I would like to ask and I would like to get answers, Why should these 'infilterators' deprive our citezens from having those scholarships? Who are those that help them to obtain our passports? Why can the government hold the immigration responsible for the issuance of passports to those opportunists?

If the govrnment cannot put a check on this humiliating phenomenon, the three tribes mentioned above will ever remain to be questioned by disgruntled nationals, especially when the idea of a national database or personal ID is still a dream.

Subject: Re: Don't blame the Fullahs, Madingoes, Susus in Sa/Lone !
From: Abu Sillah
To: All
Date Posted: 08:25:58 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
Assuming you are posting from a country other than the place of your birth, can citizenship be granted to non-indigenes where you reside?

Sierra Leone is/was not the Garden of Eden. All tribes there came there at different times. Do you know how many indigenous sierra leoneans went to Liberia, Guinea, Gambia, Europe, America and have become citizens there?

Bo, duya. Ecowas sef don tok say the pipul nar west africa nor need passport for go nar any ecowas country. Lef dis kine long tem tok, me fambul.

Subject: Re: Don't blame the Fullahs, Madingoes, Susus in Sa/Lone !
From: Soriba
To: All
Date Posted: 01:14:56 03/29/08 ()
Email Address: soyanka@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 212.71.37.74

Message:
I believe Mr. Sillah is strongly in support of lifting the artificial boundries created by the the European imperialists. It sounds good. My question, is Africa ready for that?
I was on transit in Abidjan years back together with a Madingo brother from Sierra Leone. Just after collecting our luggage we sensed a problem in communicating in French. My friend tried to speak in 'Bambara', a language similar to Madingo, as he could understand their utterances. The airport officials insisted in speaking French to us, a situation that was very embarassing. In most French speaking African countries, you are treated differently if you don't speak the language.

The other point Mr. Sillah should take note of is that Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are not only sister countries with a common union 'Mano River Union'but also neighbours. If all of us want to lift those borderns, lets sit and talk on the modalities of unifying the three countries. In the meantime, let Sierra Leone take serious actions against illegal immigrants, I repeat the word "ILLIGAL IMMIGRANTS" and their accomplaces.

We are never going to let anyone, that is of a national security and social threat, to go free without the due course of the law of the country.

It is true the Europeans are unifying but each one is maintaining individual state identity.Sierra Leone should not continue to be left loose for people to come in and melt in our communities without a trace.

We can no longer sit with folding arm watching our passports being dumpped without any tangible reason. The Sierra Leone Fullahs, Madingoes and Susus should continue to help building the tiny nation of Sa/Lone.

Subject: Re: Don't blame the Fullahs, Madingoes, Susus in Sa/Lone !
From: Tangains
To: All
Date Posted: 01:34:54 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 196-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.196

Message:
Soriba, this is not a secret. These so-called Sierra Leoneans that have madingo, fullah and suss extracts are being helped by their tribal folks who got Sierra Leonean passport under dubious way.
I remember when I was in Guinea, when the rebels and kamajors were causing havoc in our country, this so-called Sierra Leonean made it clear to me that I am too concerned about Sierra Leone. He is thankful that he can call Guinea a home.
What I will like to see is the governmnet to shield all these so-called Sierra Leoneans from strategic positions in our diplomaric offices. They have sold our passport to their so-called tribal folks. This is still continue. They helped their tribal folks to have citizenship in many countries in the world. It is an insult to our intelligence for allowing these devious citizens to occupy sensitive position. We voted APC to minimise the excess of the SLPP deliberate scheme to push these Guinean Madingos, Fullahs and sus. The immigration must vigorous in their serch to get rid of illegal immmigrants in our land. they are swelling in number and at the end of the day they will out-numbered our people.
This happened in Bumba where a migrated took the chieftaincy through Kabbah.
We need to curtail the large flow of these Guineans into our land. I prefer caucasian to come in large number than africans who have no respect for our laws and country. I am a strong nationalist who will never compromise with those who are usurping our values.

Subject: Re: Don't blame the Fullahs, Madingoes, Susus in Sa/Lone !
From: Indigenous Salone Fulla
To: All
Date Posted: 07:07:02 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: nicoleconsult@hotmail.com
Entered From: 82-45-184-233.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.184.233

Message:
Tangains

Unless this government take serious steps to reverse the immigration abuse and curtail the influx of Guineans in Sierra Leone, Salone will forfeit it national identity.

Sierra Leone national security is compromised when you have sensitive positions given to Guinean extractions who have split loyalty or none at all towards Sierra Leone. These people are only in Sierra Leone for diamonds.

Take a man like the late the Suma, after stealing money from the SLPMB, Suma invested everything in his ancestral home -Guinea. Even after his death, he showed where his loyalty lies by making sure his body was returned to Guinea for internment.

Frank Jalloh, also of Guinean ancestry, was made the principal immigration officer in Sierra Leone. Today it is estimated that the number of people of Guinean extraction, Mandigos, Fulla's and susu's are about to swamp other ethnic groups in Sierra Leone.

To crown everything, Sierra Leone elected a sweet-talking, crafty, ungrateful and selfish mandigo man as their president, without finding out more about his background, and whether his ancestor, who migrated from Guinea, entered Sierra Leone legally through the northern border of Sierra Leone. You know what he did, he brought the issuance of Sierra Leone passort under his personal control at the state house.

Imagine we go to war with Guinea over Yenga with that kind of countless undocumented illegal Guineans in Sierra Leone.

There is a serious danger to Sierra Leone national security with a large number of migrants from neighbouring Guinea holding sensitive positions locally and in our embassies abroad and especially now that Guinea is threathing our sovereignity.

Wake up Sierra Leone, it is time to act and protect our security and national cohesion.

Subject: Re: Don't blame the Fullahs, Madingoes, Susus in Sa/Lone !
From: Sandor Man
To: All
Date Posted: 08:47:59 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
Before venting all your outpouring on unimportant tribal matters, please pick up your telephone and call VP Samuel Sam Sumana at state house and say to him in mandingo "please tell me a little bit about yourself".

You'd then come to the realization that your so-called tribal compartmentalization is nothing more than an anthropological construct, signifying very little between fulas, mendes, limbas, temnes, konos, mandingoes, baules, akans, mossi, asantes, wollofs, etc.

Subject: Re: Don't blame the Fullahs, Madingoes, Susus in Sa/Lone !
From: elvsik
To: All
Date Posted: 16:32:34 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: elvisk2004@yahoo.co
Entered From: host-24-225-153-86.patmedia.net at 24.225.153.86

Message:
Please tell me exactly who have a right to citizenship or who is a citizen in Sierra Leone. If you do not know, please check the Sierra Leone Constistution for reference before you reply to this.

Subject: Eddie Grant; Thanks for resolving this issue. "Nuff respect"
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 15:35:08 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Posted by Eddie Grant on March 26, 2008 at 14:49:40:

In Reply to: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes? posted by Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas on March 26, 2008 at 14:07:46:

Why this old news bro?

Have you just surfaced in this forum? if so, be adviced that we're fully kept abreast with current trends of events in Salone as they unfold. So will appreciate if you don't drop old news here. No harm
meant.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas on March 26, 2008 at 15:39:33:

In Reply to: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes? posted by Eddie Grant on March 26, 2008 at 14:49:40:

"Why this old news bro"? (Eddie Grant)
-----------------------------------------------------

answer: because if we do not learn from our history we will make the same mistake again. Do we want another attorney General Serry-Kamal who acts like Solomon Berewa ? Did the APC Do an exhaustive investigation of what went on and took corrective measures to prevent its occurrance ? If the answer is no , then this CANNOT BE "OLD NEWS". Do not forget that the Head of state is not "Sierra leone's god", rather he is a civil servant employed by "we the people" and, like an employee, when anything goes wrong we have to get answers. Also, please note that thousands of people visit this forum. Your views does not reflect the views of these people, so that I am a bit perplexed by your comment "... be adviced that we're fully kept abreast with current trends of events in Salone as they unfold. So will appreciate if you don't drop old news here".

If you own this forum and you think that my very valuable contribution is disturbing you and "your followers" just let me know... "mr head prefect" and my contribution on the forum will be withdrawn... "no harm meant", if you will allow me to borrow your phrase.

"THIS COCORIOKO FORUM has been set up to provide Sierra Leoneans with a vehicle through which they can express their views about matters affecting their country..." AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING.

PLEASE HAVE THIS FOR DINNER:
"...The Commission finds that the departure from recognised legal and constitutional standards was the result of deliberate planning and authorisation by the Government of Sierra Leone..." (SLTRCR)

DO WE WANT AN APC THAT WILL DUPLICATE THE SLPP?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Eddie Grant on March 27, 2008 at 15:20:25:

In Reply to: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes? posted by Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas on March 26, 2008 at 15:39:33:

Hey bro, You may have missed my point here. I'm not trying to dismiss your contribution but rather just saying we've already absorbed the news long ago.

Since I recently come across your name in this forum, I assumed you were are a new comer. But don't be put off by my comment, and infact I did not own the forum I'm a participant myself so have no right or reason to ask you to leave the forum.

I'm grateful that your response is quiet civil and it shows your maturity and understanding as opposed to that long lost Tamba Moiwo who unfortunately can read but can't comprehend.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Eddie Grant:
Thanks for your gentlemanly resolution of the issue.

Subject: Given its successes, I would not mind owning Cocorioko !
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 13:36:14 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Important message from the Publisher of COCORIOKO
Written by Cocorioko Newspaper Limited

Thursday, 27 March 2008

It has come to the notice of the Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of COCORIOKO that certain individuals are going around telling people that the COCORIOKO newspaper belongs to them and that the Publisher and Editor-In-Chief is employed and paid by them. The Publisher and Editor-In-Chief , Rev. Wilfred Leeroy Kabs-Kanu, wants to inform the public and readers in Sierra Leone, the United States and all over the world that these statements are false and misleading.
The sole owner and proprietor of COCORIOKO is the Publisher and Editor-In-Chief, Rev. Wilfred Leeroy Kabs-Kanu. I have never been employed by anybody to run COCORIOKO. Nor has anybody ever invested any sum in the newspaper, as also being spread by persons spreading these false stories. At least two members of the board --Messrs Alex Mansaray and Foday Mansaray have from time to time helped to pay our reporters in Sierra Leone , but I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT FROM ANYBODY TO RUN THE PAPER----AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN PAID ANY SALARY OR RENUMERATION FOR MY SERVICES .

This newspaper was first established by me at Fourah Bay College , the University of Sierra Leone , in 1973 , during the Njai-Bah STUDENTS POWER era , as graduates of the college who were students between 1973-1975 can testify. The newspaper was set up to help promote the aspirations of the first revolutionary students' government of FBC, led by the then student revolutionary leader, Mr. Boubaccar Njai-Bah. I was then the Public Relations Officer (or Propaganda Minister ) of the student government. COCORIOKO was one of the most popular newspapers on the campus during the era of the Njai-Bah government,and this government , with COCORIOKO as its mouthpiece, sowed the seeds of the famous 1977 students demonstrations, led by Hindolo Trye. 2007 was not the first time that COCORIOKO has played a pivotal role in changing governments.

The Publisher and Editor-In-Chief decided to revive the newspaper in 2003 and COCORIOKO was reborn to help fight corruption, abuse of power and political misrule in Sierra Leone.

COCORIOKO was and continues to be a purely voluntary enterprise undertaken by the Rev. Kabs-Kanu as his own personal contribution to the task of bringing positive changes to Sierra Leone. Right now, COCORIOKO is not a business enterprise and it is not being run as a business and we charge no fees for all the services we are rendering. We have few advertisements and receive only token fees from the advertisers to offset our expenses --Payment of ISP provider , hosting companies of the newspaper and the forum and salaries of reporters. We do not charge regular fees for advertisements.

Because I wanted the newspaper to expand and also stop the paper from being a one-man enterprise , I advertised publicly on the forum and the newspaper columns two years ago for new members to join and form a Board .The role of members of the Board was to help the Publisher run the paper , not for any one of them to assume control of the publication . At that time, I asked for members of the three main political parties---APC, SLPP and PMDC-- to join to create a healthy balance. Unfortunately , no SLPP or PMDC member accepted the challenge. Only Messrs Alex Mansaray and Foday Mansaray joined me and I appointed both men to different positions in the board. Later, I appointed other members. NO BOARD MEMBER OF COCORIOKO IS RECEIVING A SALARY . They are all performing voluntary services. ONLY THE REPORTERS RECEIVE SALARIES and no one individual pays them. We depend on the voluntary contributions of some board members and adverts to pay our reporters.

As a result of these false and misleading stories going around, all matters pertaining to COCORIOKO should be directly addressed to the Publisher and Editor-In-Chief, with immediate effect . No pecuniary or business transaction involving COCORIOKO must be carried out with anybody representing COCORIOKO without the knowledge of the Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of COCORIOKO . No articles are published in COCORIOKO without the expressed permission of the Publisher and Editor-In-Chief and questions pertaining to the publication of articles should be addressed to me first .

I believe that for the sleepless nights I am having to make sure that this newspaper is read all over the world everyday, it is very unfair to me for any individual or persons to go around telling the world that they own the newspaper and that I am working for them. It is unfair to my wife, children and other family members who cannot enjoy all the closeness and intimacy we were supposed to have been having because of the volume of time I spend on this newspaper. It is also unfair to the readers and fans of this newspaper who are being given the false impression that certain individuals own the paper.

The newspaper will surely continue its expansion and it will definitely go into a print edition , but the management will remain the same. There will be no change in the ownership of the paper.

We want to appeal to those spreading these stories about the ownership of COCORIOKO to stop deceiving the public.

Published by the COCORIOKO Newspaper Ltd of Franklin Township, Somerset, New Jersey. The Publisher and Editor-In-Chief is Rev. Wilfred Leeroy Kabs-Kanu, Esq. Other members of the board are the Assistant Editors-In-Chief Mr. Joseph Seidu Sherman and Dauda Sekou Bangura , Senior Editor Mr Jacob Sax-Conteh. Board chairman is Mr Foday Mansaray. Freetown-based reporters: Joseph Kamanda and Olu Faulkner Columnists: Oswald Hanciles , Kai Toteh, Emmanuel Abalo, Financial Correspondent: Mohamed Sowe. Sports correspondent: Ashmed Barrie and Mr.Muckson Sesay: Web Developer and Technical Support Director. Send articles to kabbskanu@aol.com or kabbskanu@aol.com, or kabbiekanu@yahoo

Subject: Re: Given its successes, I would not mind owning Cocorioko !
From: Lawyer
To: All
Date Posted: 13:57:25 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host-24-225-149-60.patmedia.net at 24.225.149.60

Message:
It is good that Kabs came outto establish the true ownership of Cocorioko.The courts are filled with cases of adverse possession of other people's properties by conmen.

Subject: Who made Kellie Conteh a Brigadier-General ?
From: Alimamy Mansaray
To: All
Date Posted: 13:31:33 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host-24-225-149-60.patmedia.net at 24.225.149.60

Message:
I have just read the ONS's response to We Yone newspaper and I was surprised that Kellie Conteh referred to himself as Brigadier-General. It must be a mistake, isn't it ? I knew that Kellie was a Brigadier.I did not know he was a Brigadier-General. Somebody enlighten me. I also read the word "Insistencies" in his response. Is that an English word ? Please see the ONS response underneath.

ONS Responds to We Yone
18 March, 2008

Sierra Express, Freetown

ONS Responds to We Yone Newspaper

Very recently, We Yone Newspaper of the ruling APC published a story about the overhaul of the Office of National Security; it has not been received with levity by the ONS and ONS has responded. Here what the ONS wrote back:

RE: BEWARE APC... OVERHAUL ONS NOW

It is with utmost dismay that I refer to the publication in your Wednesday 12th March edition of We Yone captioned 'BEWARE APC.OVERHAUL O.N.S NOW' and to request that you kindly publish with similar prominence this response in a situation that is obviously a very important national security matter. While I will not bother to interpret the message behind such a backward thinking on how to run a state security apparatus, I will certainly wish to use this opportunity to educate your readership and many more of our compatriots who may genuinely wish to be clear about a few facts regarding what the publication raised.

Firstly, the outgone Government under the leadership of the erstwhile President Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah never interfered with the recruitment of officers into the Office of National Security. He was particularly protective against the institution being politicized and hence his constant insistencies that we put in place the best procedures for recruitment. With his expressed permission, the ONS was at liberty to recruit its officers based on standard procedures and processes developed in collaboration with government and our donor and development partners. We intend to keep these standard recruitment procedures intact and discourage political inference as much as we humanly can.

You are informed that every personnel within the ONS was recruited through this tested and rigorous procedure, and that at no point in time have we as an institution alluded or subscribed to partisan politics during recruitment. All unauthorized persons were cautioned not to interfere into our entire recruitment process. Gladly, we are proud to report that His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma who has succeeded President Kabbah fortunately and rightly share similar goals and aspirations for the security sector institutions never to be politicized again as they were during the old APC and SLPP of long gone years.

We must all be proud as Sierra Leoneans to be having these kinds of leaders today, who strive to take politics out of such professional outfits like the security sector institutions.

Secondly, while the ONS has relationships with the intelligence community, it is not an intelligence collection agency. Having said that, I wonder why you are misleading your audience into believing that the sad chapter in Bo was as a result of a failure of the intelligence community. That is an insult to the intelligence community to say the least. What happened in Bo was the subject of lawlessness, indiscipline and disrespect for authority by all sides to the fracas. If you must find some institution to lay blame on for such failures in our forward match to development, please learn to muster sufficient guts to lay it squarely where it belongs and not venturing into areas in which you are evidently ignorant.

The said publication may be an anathema to many Sierra Leoneans on account of the fact that it is published by no less a newspaper than that of the ruling party. The rancor in this publication portends a deliberate effort by some individuals or group of individuals, to smear the positive image of the Office of National Security which Government and its international partners have built over the years and continues to build to become one of the finest of its kind in the region. To say the least, the writer has said much more about himself and his likes than he has said about anything else and his call for the current staff to be replaced by APC stalwarts is a sad and disgraceful line of thinking.

The publication tells us that while President Koroma is constantly appealing for the entire citizenry to focus on bringing the nation together and strengthen our collective resolve to develop the nation there are those who still spend their time targeting institutions that they must toe the party line and must wear party colours. I wonder what would happen whenever another Government comes into power or what would have happened if the last administration had heard and listened to this kind of madness!

If you are trying to help some of your kind to gain employment and particularly so into the ONS, please find a better way to do it, for you can be assured that we cannot be intimidated into buying into/condoning or supporting such a strategy. If this is the idea, I am afraid it is ludicrous as such an institution like ours can only contend with qualified individuals with integrity, forthrightness and absolute commitment to serve the legitimate Government of the day and people of Sierra Leone. We are certainly not perfect (like all other human institutions) but we aspire to develop, cultivate and nurture the finest qualities in all our officers to the level befitting the expectations of such an important outfit. Whenever authorized and funded to recruit, please be assured that we will recruit officers based on our standard recruitment procedures and will continue to develop the ONS into a truly apolitical security coordination office to provide the best secretarial services to the National Security Council and to foster collaboration and cooperation within the sector. Please help His Excellency the President and his Government, and indeed all of us the public, to keep politics out of our security institutions so that they may perform their duty sincerely, objectively, professionally and in the most neutral manner in the interest of the state and the well being of the people.

In this regard I implore you to desist from this act of calumny, public misinformation and incitement in our collective effort to ensure peace, stability and the socio-economic development of our beloved Sierra Leone.

I have taken the liberty to copy other press houses to increase the chances of helping to educate the public on the issues raised in the publication.

Yours faithfully,

Brig-Gen (Rtd) Kellie H. Conteh

National Security Coordinator

Copy to:

The Secretary to the President

The President of SLAJ

Subject: Re: Who made Kellie Conteh a Brigadier-General ?
From: Salone Police
To: All
Date Posted: 22:08:48 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-196-225.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.196.225

Message:
A Brigadier is a Brigadier-General.
The General rank of the army begins at Brigadier-General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and then General of the army.

A Brigadier is above the rank of Colonel

Subject: Re: Who made Kellie Conteh a Brigadier-General ?
From: Man pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 17:47:54 03/29/08 ()
Email Address: man-pikin@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-72-79-112-227.nwrknj.east.verizon.net at 72.79.112.227

Message:
A point of correction. Kellie Conteh was not a Captain but a Major.

Subject: Re: Who made Kellie Conteh a Brigadier-General ?
From: Soldier
To: All
Date Posted: 17:47:26 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 196.207.236.54

Message:
As far as I know, he was a Captain, who was a prominent member of NPRC and became a Brigadier under NPRC, who flushed APC.He is now a red-blooded APC.Too much for me to digest.

Subject: Re: Who made Kellie Conteh a Brigadier-General ?
From: Man pikin
To: All
Date Posted: 17:46:27 03/29/08 ()
Email Address: man_pikin@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-72-79-112-227.nwrknj.east.verizon.net at 72.79.112.227

Message:
Point of correction. He was not a Captain, but a Major.

Subject: A Tactless Soldier And A Clueless Foreign Foreign Minister
From: Bra Enviable
To: All
Date Posted: 12:54:23 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ln1-34-gm5m491.gsu.edu at 131.96.89.184

Message:
As Guinea-Conakry solidifies its grip on Yenga by taking more Sierra Leonean villages in that easternmost vicinity of Sierra Leone, one thing has become clear in Freetown. The current APC government has few tacticians and a generous supply of blunderers. By formally saying that Sierra Leone will never go to war with Guinea over Yenga, Zainab Bangura and Palor Conteh have proved that the two of them are clueless administrators tasked with handling national security issues . Barely out of war, Sierra Leone cannot afford another war. However, no intelligent negotiator is willing to exhibit his own weakness by telling the opponent that he is willing to turn the other cheek, and sustain more bullying, without wanting to take legitimate acts of self-defense. Zainab Bangura and the Minister of Defense have officially made it known that Sierra Leone will never go to war with Guinea over a Yenga. These incompetent ministers have unilaterally declared a non-aggression pact with Guinea while Conakry is busy planning and executing more acts of aggresion against Sierra Leone.

I do not expect much from Zainab Bangura because she is only dimly imbued with the intricacies of international relations. I am much more moved by Palor Conteh's self-defeating stance than with Zainab Bangura's diplomatic barrenness. Even a barely-trained soldier knows that deceit and deception are the bolts and nuts of national security issues. Without necessarily wanting war, a soldier on duty must maintain the impression that in the absence of peace, he is ready to put up a good fight. This deceptive stance is often mounted through periodic tough-talking, gestures suggesting reconnaissance, and the putting up of acts intended to send the message that when all else fails, the nerve to fight is alive and willing to be used. As a soldier, Palor should have known that enemies can be deceived into misperceiving their opponents. Our tactless Defense Minister has given away a national security secret by simply telling the Guineans that Sierra Leone is willing to sustain more bullying without ever assuming a defensive posture. We do not want war, but we cannot afford a tactless soldier at the apex of our national defense force, giving away valuable national security secrets to an opponent thirsting for territorial expansion. Conakry is sure to seize more territories because at least for now, Sierra Leone lacks a Foreign Minister who can stoke international revulsion against Guinean aggression. During future acts of aggression, Guinea will feel even less perturbed in its audacity because our topmost soldier in the Defense Ministry has not shown the ability to talk like a soldier in the firing line.

Subject: Re: A Tactless Soldier And A Clueless Foreign Foreign Minister
From: Saspo
To: All
Date Posted: 01:54:19 03/28/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142

Message:
We need the right people in the right place. Otherwise EBK's good plans may not come through.

Subject: Re: A Tactless Soldier And A Clueless Foreign Foreign Minister
From: Alternative Thinking
To: All
Date Posted: 07:13:59 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: nicoleconsult@hotmail.com
Entered From: 82-45-184-233.cable.ubr03.enfi.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.45.184.233

Message:
Let's be fair with Zainab, what did SLPP Momodu Koroma did on Yenga or as a foreign minister? Nothing, he was only promoted by president kabba from his personal bag carrier to official bad carrier.

Subject: Re: A Tactless Soldier And A Clueless Foreign Foreign Minister
From: JOE LAHAI
To: All
Date Posted: 04:33:52 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: joelahai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.211.227.47

Message:
DID I HEAR YOU SAY "GOOD PLANS"?

Subject: A Clueless Foreign Foreign Minister
From: Lanre
To: All
Date Posted: 15:56:31 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe0002724ee123-cm0017ee63cb9a.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com at 99.236.35.191

Message:
Its in situations like that at Yenga that requires the experience and frankness of someone like Ambassador Leigh. I remember when he was ambassador to Washington during the junta/war era. He proved to be very dynamic and instrumental in pushing Sierra Leone's case at the UN and the State Department; he was mostly over CNN and other channels highlighting our interests, but Zinab Bangura? It shows that she lacks that experience and thoghness...
JL was tough and articulate and he sure made a lot of progress at that time. I wish the present government can see virtue in that and invite him to advice or serve as our international representative.
Thanks.

Subject: Re: A Tactless Soldier And A Clueless Foreign Foreign Minister
From: General Moshe Dyan
To: All
Date Posted: 13:24:13 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Well said, my friend.

Subject: Re: A Tactless Soldier And A Clueless Foreign Foreign Minister
From: Machiavelli
To: All
Date Posted: 13:04:08 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.91.143.4

Message:
My brother, you fit be Machiavelli. Didn't Shakespeare also teach that "...to beguile the time, look like the time?"

Government bizness is not for the unsavvy. It requires "tremendous cerebral exertion" as was put by someone on this forum only yesterday.

Subject: Check This Out
From: Onliner
To: All
Date Posted: 10:38:10 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-34-87.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.34.87

Message:
Check this!

Subject: Nothing is Shameful than been barred by FIFA for Untidiness.
From: Low Grade San San
To: All
Date Posted: 11:23:33 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-154-251-40.range86-154.btcentralplus.com at 86.154.251.40

Message:
Nothing is Shameful than been barred by FIFA for Untidiness.

SLPP never built any infrastructure in Sierra Leone, so they don't know the value of them. SHAME ON THEM. Thoronka On Cocorioko. March 26 2008

You mean my good old reverend Kabs have the idle time to print this insulting garbage from Thoronka all in the name of fair and balance journalism? He called slpp supporters stupid? When he is the one writing like a complete idiot. He said shame on the slpp, when it is his apc that has been baned from playing FIFA matches in our national stadium simply because they cannot even tidy up an unkempt dressing room.

How high are these international huddles that even a paralysed government cannot jump? I would have understood if the ban was about serious Health and Safety issues.lek stand seven crack en dea shake, the first aid room nor geh bandage or the presidential stand nor geh enough latrine or there are not enough thugs oops APC Task Force to look after FIFA President Seb Blata.

But unkempt dressing room and bad pitch? And Thoronka is blaming the slpp for this. When all you need for a dressing room is a well vent room, a treatment table, white board to write on during team talk, a fridge, showers, a bath or Jacuzzi, lockers, Benches, yes benches not sofas.For players to sit on when lacing up or during team briefing. A Kit man and a cleaner to keep the place tidy.

How much does it cost to maintain a pitch? jos relay the pitch, cut the grass, water the grass, mark the park, fix net, check the score board for make sure sae ee dae wok, en blow the whistle for leh the game begin. Is that too high for this paralytic and incompetent apc to jump? Am not surprise we have failed this test. Because after turning it into a camp for the displaced during the war, all we have been using our national stadium for of late is to either lunch albums like, tutu party, APC INJECTMEMT NOTICE or for go watch 419 Nigerian Aki en Paw Paw. Which doesn't need any clearance from FIFA except from the stadium manager.

If Thoronka really Cherish the Siaka Stevens Stadium like he is going on.Then he should be ranting at his apc for not spending a bit of the money that was left by the Kabba slpp. Or for not borrowing money to refurbished it. Just like they did with the Koroma electricity. And please Kabs don't tell me the slpp left nothing. Because even our new Cheque book man Samura Kamara has admitted that indeed the slpp lef cash.

Thoranka is blaming the sllp for not building anything in Sierra Leone. Hence, SLPP never took good care of the infrastructure left in their care.

Well, let Thoronka tell us who built Njala University College. Lunsar, Makeni Magbroka Matotoka highway. Did his apc look after the foreign reserve the slpp left in the sixties? Not at all, they blew everything and left us in debt. And they had the audacity to not only leave us in debt but them also lef we pan war. And FIFA now banning us for untidiness, just shows how incompetent this apc government is. Now, that is really Shameful.

So leh the VP start another 80mill one day cleaning the STADIUM DRESSING ROOM

Subject: Re: Nothing is Shameful than been barred by FIFA for Untidiness.
From: JOE LAHAI
To: All
Date Posted: 04:42:06 03/28/08 ()
Email Address: joelahai@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 41.211.227.47

Message:
NO, LOW GRADE SAN SAN; I BEG TO DIFFER. THERE IS SOMETHING MORE SHAMEFUL THAN THE FIFA BAN FOR OUR UNTIDINESS, AND THAT IS: THE APC TELLING SIERRA LEONEANS THAT THEIR GOVERNMENT WILL SELL RICE AT 20,000 LEONES PER BAG, ONLY FOR THEM TO HIKE THE PRICE TO 100,000 LEONES SIX MONTHS INTO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

Subject: BAD MINDED PEOPLE
From: Bad heart
To: All
Date Posted: 10:33:42 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-140-12-182.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.12.182

Message:
Can you imagine because of dollars , a job link that will help our own people get good jobs in canada was deleted by cocrioko. what a shame. this was free service that does not even require a fee and it was deleted.

we know you guys need money, but what about us heping our country reduce the unemployment rate by helping our people find work overseas.

Subject: Re: Bad Minded People
From: Forum Prefect
To: All
Date Posted: 10:50:41 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-34-87.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.34.87

Message:
The Cocorioko forum has bee installed with a software that deletes headline and handles with for e.g: "ALL CAPITAL LETTERS", like what you just read.

The software also deletes headlines and handles with for e.g: "all small letters", like this.

Subject: Re: Bad Minded People
From: Why all these restrictions?
To: All
Date Posted: 12:29:35 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-140-12-182.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.12.182

Message:
Is this why Cocorioko is losing its footing?

Subject: Re: Bad Minded People
From: Forum Statistics Bureau
To: All
Date Posted: 13:50:14 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-34-87.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.34.87

Message:
What statistics have you about losing footing?

Here's our statistics in black and white:
-------------------------------------------
356 Unique Visitors
(This means that these are 1st time visitors)
--------------------------------------------

Hits % Date Analysis

5148 100% 27/Mar

Hits % Country Analysis
2221 43.1% Network (Mainly USA)
1400 27.1% Unresolved Hosts
952 18.4% Commercial (Mainly USA)
218 4.23% United Kingdom
169 3.28% USA Educational
47 0.91% USA Government
46 0.89% Netherlands
40 0.77% Germany
20 0.38% Non-Profit Making Organizations
14 0.27% Sweden
12 0.23% Finland
5 0.09% Italy
2 0.03% USA Military
2 0.03% International
14 Total Countries

P.s. Talking about bad minds, these statistics only reflect 0.55 of the rest of the day.

Subject: SIERRA LEONEAN WORKERS NEEDED IN CANDA
From: canadianimmigrationconsultant@hushmail.com
To: All
Date Posted: 10:13:36 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: canadianimmigrationconsultant@hushmail.com
Entered From: c-69-140-12-182.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.12.182

Message:
With Sierra Leonean considered as a priviledge class in resettling refugees in nice and cold Canada with an oil boom greater than oil opec countries combined and with preparations for the 2010 olympic games eating up all the workers in the country, why are Sierra Leonean workers not coming to canada in droves?

Is it the selfishness of Sierra Leoneans already settled in canda or is it lack of knowledge?

If you know someone who wants to come and work in the oil booming province of Alberta or the olympic and paralympic feverish Vancouver, please send us an email and we will help that person immigrate legally to Canada.

Sorry no felons and for Sierra Leoneans only. Charity begins at home and I am tryng to help my country only at this time.

This is a free service but applicants are responsible to pay for the government fees, travel expenses, employment agency fees and visa fees.

Email:canadianimmigrationconsultant@hushmail.com

Subject: Re: SIERRA LEONEAN WORKERS NEEDED IN CANADA
From: cabadianimmigrationconsultant@hushmail.com
To: All
Date Posted: 10:16:59 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-140-12-182.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.12.182

Message:
CORRECTIONS:
It should read CANADA NOT CANDA.
and there are two websites.

www.bcjobs.ca
www.gov.ab.ca
thanks

Subject: Totangi a Victim of APC Lies and Smear
From: Tamba Moiwo
To: All
Date Posted: 09:32:26 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: moiwo@hotmail.co.uk
Entered From: gateway-303.energis.gsi.gov.uk at 62.25.109.196

Message:
We always knew folks like IB and his type are out to 'even scores' on any perceived threat to their plans to loot.Now Kabs you tell us who are the unpatriotic scumbags?
Just read what his appointed panel emerged with....Know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free...norto so Revo???

UNDP funded NCS exonerated over financial impropriety

A committee set up by the Minister of Information and Communication, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, to look into allegations of financial impropriety of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded National Communication Strategy (NCS), has exonerated the project of any wrong-doing, saying the National Consultant, Kalilu Tutangi was a victim of bad press. The committee comprising the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Karim Sei and Christian Lawrence of the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), say allegations in the media that the National Consultant had misappropriated over US$530,000 UNDP funds were false.


According to the report which was submitted to the Minister, the committee noted that they found no evidence of project funds diverted to political party activities or election campaign as alleged by the media. What may have been the reason for persistent media attack according to the report was the disparity in the salary structure between the National Consultant and the remaining staff, which they agreed may have caused some animosity among staff members, New Vision reports.

Subject: How a million leones became one hundred thousand
From: Fuzzy Math from SLPP's Kelfala Kallon
To: All
Date Posted: 07:34:28 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-255-233-44.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.255.233.44

Message:
Perhaps an explanation of the link between the money stock and the price level will make the above analysis clearer. Assume, for instance, that Sierra Leoneans as a whole produce only 100 bushels of rice in a given year. Assume also that their total money stock during that year is a million leones. All other things being equal, each bushel of rice will sell for a thousand leones.

Prof: Not true. selling 100 bushels at a thousand leones each will never result in one million leones. Could this be the same math you used to conclude that SLPP won the presidential election? LOL

Subject: A very interesting discussion
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 07:22:09 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
FODAY MANSARAY FOR DEPUTY BANK GOVERNOR????? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by FBC GUY on October 19, 2007 at 09:14:36:

I hope you have all heard of the widely rumored plans to appoint another square political peg into a national economic round hole. I know that most of you are true patriots eager to see the development of our dear Sierra Leone. Now let’s turn to the point of Mr. Foday Mansaray’s speculative appointment. I hope and pray that rumors of Foday’s appointment are a mere joke and not a serious idea. As you rightly said, EBK should not trivialize the position of the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank. The Central Bank is charged with directing the economic nervous system of the nation. It does this with the understanding and tact implementation of sound monetary policies. To a large extent, the Bank of Sierra Leone directs economic growth, inflation, foreign exchange rate, interest rates, foreign trade, seignorage , IMF and World Bank transactions; without pressure, and with much independence, from the politicians.

I don’t think Foday Mansaray understands a clue about the serious and prime signifance of the operation of the Central Bank. It is pathetic that an all-important institution such as the Bank of Sierra Leone is about to be cast into the pit of dishonor and disgrace for political compensation. Real Estate coursework which Mr. Foday Mansaray is claimed to have completed usually lasts for three months. Yes! National Association of Realtors’ coursework takes just three month to complete, and in many cases, a High School Diploma (GED or GCE O’levels) is not a prerequisite. Besides, even a bachelor’s degree in economics does not necessarily qualify someone to assume the position of a deputy Bank Governor. I join all forumites here who believe in sanity of Central Banking to oppose Mr. Foday Mansaray’s rumored appointment. I also join all compatriots to ask EBK not to the critical and all important tasks of the Central Bank by appointing Foday Mansaray. There could be some other positions Foday can occupy with his self-acclaimed mortgage expertise. NASSIT is one such place where Foday can contribute immensely in the development of commercial housing in both the capital and provincial areas of Sierra Leone.

Finally, please allow me to make some recommendations for this vital position of Governor and the Deputy;

1) Mr. Edmund Koroma----Head of NASSIT, former lecturer in economics at Fourah Bay College
Edmond has a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. Edmund is a sound and much disciplined guy. He was my former lecturer at Aureol.

2) Dr. Sanpha Koroma----Former Governor of the Bank, holds a PhD in Economics and very enterprising guy, who pioneered our monetary policies on the right footing during the turbulent periods of the rebel war.

3) Dr. Raymond Gilpin: PhD in economics from Great Britain?, former Director of Research at the Bank of Sierra Leone, a honest and hard-working guy, who supervised my undergraduate dissertation at FBC. See below some updates on Dr. Gilpin.

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:aY-D1qlJJnoJ:https://www.mccdc.usmc.mil/FeatureTopics/Africa/files/Products/keynote.pps+Raymond,+Gilpin,+Sierra+Leone,&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us

4) Dr. Victor A.B. Davies (VAB) —PhD; Oxford University, VAB also possesses a double masters in economics; He is former lecturer and acting head of economics department, Fourah Bay College. VAB is hard-working, multilingual, has consulted for the IMF, World Bank, UNDP, DFID, AERC. I have the greatest respect for this guy for his academic discipline and honesty. VAB has written many articles on topics related to central banking in Sierra Leone. Such topics include seignorage, capital flight, direct foreign investment, balance of payments, exchange rate evolution in Sierra Leone, etc. See his profile below;

http://users.ox.ac.uk/~scro0562/cv-acad%20jo%20market%20march%2007.pdf

5) Dr. Kelfala Kallon; PhD Economics, Professor of Economics, United States; Dr KK has undertaken ground-breaking and rigorous research that relates to the historical trend in inflation in Sierra Leone. Dr. K is also the first Sierra Leonean who undertook a thorough analytical study of the political economy of Sierra Leone. His paper on inflation is currently out of print because of the global demand and the first-class econometric- savvyness of his methodology. Dr. K’s paper can only be obtained from Oxford University by subscr1ption or purchase. Dr. K understands the rigors monetary policy, exchange rate issues, Central Banking, Open Market Operations, inflation, interest rate and exchange rate targeting, seignorage, balance of payments, international trade, foreign direct investment etc etc. HOWEVER, KNOWING DR KALLON AS A VERY PRINCIPLED GUY, HE MIGHT OUT REJECT ANY OFFER FROM THE APC. DR KALLON IS A GENETIC-SLPP MEMBER AND WILL NOT BE COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH APC. BUT AGAIN FOR THE SAKE OF NATIONAL UNITY, ANYTING IS POSSIBLE.

Subject: Re: A very interesting discussion
From: Rubbishman
To: All
Date Posted: 17:50:05 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 196.207.236.54

Message:
Sanpha Koroma is the best amongst the lot.However, he is not Dr and holds no Ph.D.Please recheck

Subject: Re: A very interesting discussion-What's interesting?
From: Brabanxx
To: All
Date Posted: 07:53:53 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: brabanxx@aol.com
Entered From: static-216-83-121-130.sniparpa.net at 216.83.121.130

Message:
What is your point Doc.? Foday Mansaray as Deputy Bank Governor was just a concoctive sarcasm brewed by Sylvia Blyden, Alpha Saidu et el.

Subject: Re: A very interesting discussion-What's interesting?
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 08:01:34 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
I am more interested in the other EDUCATED INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED and their ACHIEVMENTS than in Mr Foday Mansaray. I did not write the article, so STOP BEING PARANOID!

Subject: Re: A very interesting discussion-What's interesting?
From: Joe John
To: All
Date Posted: 08:29:43 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wanglobe.hilton.com at 192.251.125.85

Message:
The very thought of making Foday Mansaray a deputy bank governor is reckless and irresponsible. No one in his or her sound mind would even thought of that. It has to be a joke. Foday is not even qualify to be a department bank manager, not to talk about deputy governor. That is an insult to the country herself.

Subject: Re: A very interesting discussion-What's interesting?
From: elvisk2004
To: All
Date Posted: 16:52:52 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: daudayainks@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: host-24-225-153-86.patmedia.net at 24.225.153.86

Message:
We did not need all this news or rumors. We have seen several of those who are highly educated, go down Sierra Leone get the position and sink our country down. Now politics or position you name it is not about education. you must get love for the country. I support Foday Mansaray if they call him for that position - if he failed then we wil take him out.

I am sick and tired of all this degree holders and I did not beleive in their degree or course of studies. For example to get a B.A in London, America, Canada and even South Africa you can spend up to $55,000.00 so those degree they got are questionable. They are all cackroach, lie, thiefs, greed, and selfishness to our mother land Sierra Leone. Let calm down and put away personal stuff. We are all the same.

Subject: I hope this tendency to steal does not run in the family !
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 07:05:52 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
"...In my opinion, President Koroma started violating this oath the moment he became President of Sierra Leone. For instance, there was a criminal case against the President’s bodyguard, Leatherboot, for savagely beating up Tom Nyuma at the Country Side Hotel in Bo during the election campaign. Allegedly, the President’s brother also had a case to answer for some stolen Bumbuna cables. Rather than have these cases go through the proper judicial channels, both were quashed immediately after the President took the reins of power. (Additionally, Leatherboot was promptly absorbed into the Sierra Leone Police as a presidential bodyguard at lightening speed). Unless the President issued secret pardons to the accused persons in these cases, the swiftness with which these alleged criminal matters were disposed of leads to the obvious conclusion that His Excellency did not administer the laws of Sierra Leone without fear or favor in these instances..." ( Prof. K. Kallon)

Subject: Mountain out of molehill
From: Reality
To: All
Date Posted: 04:46:44 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.147.235.51

Message:
Kabs man you have to stop treating every rumour you hear as headline
news for public consumption. Only fools will be convinced by anyone
that the paper, Cocorioko, does not belong to you.

Some of us were reading this online paper even before you converted
it into an APC mouth piece. As long as you know that this paper is
yours, don't let any rumour on the contrary bother you. The asset I am
most proud of is my 2008 limited edition $95000.00 luxury Lexus. If any
bloke goes around claiming it is his, that will not even bother me. The
girls know better.

Subject: Re: Mountain out of molehill
From: alarie
To: All
Date Posted: 13:19:42 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
$95000.00 lexus, what model is that? Wow and I am still struggling with my 193 GS model with almost 300thou miles on it and it still runs like a champ

Subject: Bet you didnt know these little facts did you?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 02:56:28 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
CANCEROUS FOODS / PRODUCTS

INSTANT NOODLES

Dear instant noodle lovers

Make sure you break for at least 3 days after one session of instant noodles before you eat your next packet! Please read the info shared to me by a doctor. My family stopped eating instant noodles more than 5 years ago after hearing about the wax coating the noodles - the wax is not just in the Styrofoam containers but it coats the noodles. This is why the instant noodles do not stick to each other when cooking.

If one were to examine the ordinary Chinese yellow noodles in the market, one will notice that, in their uncooked state the noodles are oily. This layer of oil prevents the noodles from sticking together.

Wanton noodles in their uncooked state have been dusted with flour to prevent them sticking together. When the hawker cooks the noodles, notice he cooks them in hot water and then rinses them in cold water before cooking them in hot water again.. This process is repeated several times before the noodles are ready to be served. The cooking and rinsing process prevents noodles from sticking together.

The hawker then "lowers the noodles in oil and sauce to prevent the noodles from sticking if they are to be served dry. Cooking instructions for spaghetti require oil or butter to be added in the water when boiling the spaghetti to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Otherwise, one gets a big clump of spaghetti!

There was an SBC (now TCS) actor some years ago, who at a busy time of his career had no time to cook, resorted to eating instant noodles everyday. He got cancer later on. His doctor told him about the wax in instant noodles. The doctor told him that our body will need up to 2 days to clear the wax. There was also an SIA steward who after moving out from his mother's house into his own house, did not cook but ate instant noodles almost every meal. He had cancer, and has since died from it.

Nowadays the instant noodles are referred as "cancer noodles ".

SATAY LOVERS (BARBECUE)

If you all eat Satay, don't ever forget to eat the cucumber, because eating Satay together with carbon after barbequing can cause cancer.
But we have a cure for that... Cucumber should be eaten after we eat the Satay because Satay has carcinogen (a cancer causing element) but cucumber is anti-carcinogenic. So don't forget to eat the cucumber the next time you have Satay's.

PRAWNS (SUGPO) & VIT C

DO NOT eat shrimp / prawn if you have just taken VITAMIN C pills!!
This will cause you to DIE in ARSENIC (As) toxication within HOURS!!

PORK AWARENESS

Try this and see whether the pork you bought has worms. There goes with your "Bak Kut Teh" for those who love it. Most men love to eat this so watch out before it's too late. If you pours Coke (yes, the soda) on a slab of pork, wait a little while, you will SEE WORMS crawl out of it. A message from the Health Corporation of Singapore about the bad effects of pork consumption. Pig's bodies contain MANY TOXINS, WORM and LATENT DISEASES.

Although some of these infestations are harbored in other animals, modern veterinarians say that pigs are far MORE PREDISPOSED to these illnesses than other animals. This could be because PIGS like to SCAVENGE and will eat ANY kind of food, INCLUDING dead insects, worms, rotting carcasses, excreta including their own, garbage, and other pigs. INFLUENZA (flu) is one of the MOST famous illnesses which pigs share with humans. This illness is harbored in the LUNGS of pigs during the summer months and tends to affect pigs and human in the cooler months.

Sausage contains bits of pigs' lungs, so those who EAT pork sausage tend to SUFFER MORE during EPIDEMICS of INFLUENZA. Pig meat contains EXCESSIVE quantities of HISTAMINE and IMIDAZOLE compounds, which can lead to ITCHING and INFLAMMATION; GROWTH HORMONE which PROMOTES INFLAMMATION and growth; sulphur containing mesenchymal mucus which leads to SWELLING and deposits of MUCUS in tendons and cartilage, resulting in ATHRITIS, RHEUMATISM, etc.
Sulphur helps cause FIRM human tendons and ligaments to be replaced by the pig's soft mesenchymal tissues, and degeneration of human cartilage.

Eating pork can also lead to GALLSTONES and OBESITY, probably due to its HIGH CHOLESTEROL and SATURATED FAT content. The pig is the MAIN CARRIER of the TAENIE SOLIUM WORM, which is found in its flesh. These tapeworms are found in human intestines with greater frequency in nations where pigs are eaten. This type of tapeworm can pass through the intestines and affect many other organs, and is incurable once it reaches beyond a certain stage. One in six people in the US and Canada has RICHINOSIS from eating trichina worms, which are found in pork.

Many people have NO SYMPTOMS to warm them of this, and when they do, they resemble symptoms of many other illnesses. These worms are NOT noticed during meat inspections.

SHAMPOO!!!!!!

Cancer-causing substance in shampoos. Go home and check your shampoo. Change before it's too late... Check the ingredients listed on your shampoo bottle, and see they have a substance by the name of Sodium Laureth Sulfate, or simply SLS. This substance is found in most shampoos; manufacturers use it because it produces a lot of foam and it is cheap. BUT the fact is, SLS is used to scrub garage floors, and it is very strong!!! It is also proven that it can cause cancer in the long run, and this is no joke. Shampoos that contains SLS: the new Hemp Shampoo from Body Shop etc. contain this substance.

The first ingredient listed (which means it is the single most prevalent ingredient) in Clairol's Herbal Essences is Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Therefore, I called one company, and I told them their product contains a substance that will cause people to have cancer.. They said, Yeah we knew about it but there is nothing we can do about it because we need that substance to produce foam. By the way Colgate toothpaste also contains the same substance to produce the "bubbles". They said they are going to send me some information.

Research has shown that in the 1980s, the chance of getting cancer is 1 out of 8000 and now, in the 1990s, the chances of getting cancer is 1 out of 3, which is very serious. Therefore, I hope that you will take this seriously and pass this on to all the people you know, and hopefully, we can stop "giving" ourselves cancer-causing agents.

Notice
Reduce the amount of tea you consume
Do not eat bread which has only JUST been toasted
Keep your distance from hand phone chargers
Drink more water in the morning, less at night
Do not drink coffee twice a day
Reduce the amount of oily food you consume
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm
Do not take alcohol more than one glass/cup/serving a day
Do not take pills with cool water
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping
Getting less than 8 hours of sleep affects your health
People used to napping will not get old easily
If you can't get do early morning runs, 5pm-8pm in the afternoon is a great time for jogging
When battery is down to the last grid/bar, do not answer the phone. The radiation is 1000 times
Answer the phone by left ear. It'll spoil your brain directly by using right ear
Do not use headphones/earphone for extended periods of time. Rest your ear awhile after 1 hour
Forward this to friends whom you care about.
Take Special Care of Your Health

Subject: Easy Money
From: Jim Day
To: All
Date Posted: 21:44:09 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: beckym25@aol.com
Entered From: pool-72-83-220-137.washdc.east.verizon.net at 72.83.220.137

Message:
Make Money Fast by Transforming 6 Dollars into Thousands of Dollars

Here's a legal way to supplement your income by earning thousands of dollars using the standard mail delivery service.
IT WAS PROVEN on Oprah and is COMPLETELY LEGAL!

You Can Laugh at Money Worries if You Follow This Simple Plan!
This is an opportunity for people who would like to work at home, and is an opportunity for them to invest time to get the lifestyle they have been wanting!

READ ON: Read this entire message carefully! (Print it out or download it.)
I found this on a bulletin board, and decided to try it.

Step 1: Get 6 separate one dollar bills, get 6 pieces of paper and write the following on the paper PLEASE PUT ME ON YOUR MAILING LIST. Wrap each dollar bill in each note, and include your name and address. Next mail the envelopes to the six people on the list.
Step 2: Now take the number 1 name off the list below, and move the other names up (6 becomes 5, 5 becomes 4, 2 becomes 1, etc.) Make sure to add your name as number 6 on the list.
Step 3: Now post your article to at least 200 newsgroups and message boards. The more you post the more responses you’ll get, and the more money you’ll make!
DIRECTIONS TO POST: (1)=open a blank word processor file(MS Word, Notepad, etc.), and place your cursor at the top of the blank page. From the edit menu select paste. Past a copy of this letter onto the word processor document so you can add your name to the list. (2)=save your new word processor file as text file. (3)=Log on to search engines like yahoo.com, google.com, altavista.com, excite.com, etc. then you search with the subject “money making message board”, “millionaire message board” or “money making forum” etc. (4)=Visit these message boards and post this article as a new message by highlighting the text of the letter and selecting paste from the edit menu, paste it. Fill in the subject, this will be the header that everyone will see as they scroll through the list of the posted groups. Click the post button, submit button, etc. You are done with the first one! Just copy and paste the same letter to the other groups. It will take about 30 seconds for each group. Remember the more newsgroups or message boards you post the more money you will make! You have to post a minimum of 200. That’s it! You will be soon be receiving money from all over the world, you may eventually need to rent a P.O. Box due to the large amount of mail you will be receiving. If you want to stay anonymous, you can make up a name to use, as long as the postman will deliver it. Just make sure all addresses are correct. When your money begins to come in, give it the first 10 percent to charity with spirit and share a good fortune!

The List:

1.Nichlas St. Lawrence, 689A Victory Hwy., West Greenwich RI 02817
2.Ryan Joseph, 338 N.College St., Newcomerstown OH 43832
3.Meg Nunn, 528 17th Place, Snohomish WA 98290
4.Benjamin Richards, 1587 Moonbeam LN, Chula Vista CA 91915
5.Ryan Miller, 588 Railroad St., Newcomerstown OH 43832
6.Robert McLeod, PO Box 496, Oxon Hill MD 20750

Subject: Re: Easy Money
From: Big time Con man
To: All
Date Posted: 01:38:04 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: 194-237-247-130.customer.telia.com at 194.237.247.130

Message:
Please Jim no monkey business,no 419 in this forum of honest people. Can you give examples of people who have benefited from this exercise?

Subject: Re: Easy Money
From: Beware
To: All
Date Posted: 05:05:47 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 32.147.251.220

Message:
God save this forum from Nigerians. Amen

Subject: BOMBSHELL : Ernest Koroma never called Sylvia to apologise
From: Newsbearer
To: All
Date Posted: 21:12:45 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host-24-225-149-60.patmedia.net at 24.225.149.60

Message:
Ladies and Gentlemen,

A top APC member of the government has revealed that the President, Mr. Ernest Koroma, never called the Publisher of Awareness Times, Sylvia Blyden, to apologise to her for being arrested recently for the cartoons of the president. Infact, it was Sylvia who called the President to complain to him and it was then that the president told her that he regretted the arrest and he had not asked anybody to arrest her. When asked why the President did notcome out to contradict Sylvia , the APC minister replied: "You expect a whole President to bring himself down to that level ? He just let it ride. Ernest has more important matters to address ".

Subject: Sylvia
From: Deemdeen
To: All
Date Posted: 16:44:43 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: deemdeen@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-178-112-146.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.178.112.146

Message:
Although this is old news, I am appalled at the special treatment loud mouth Sylvia has received. While I believe in freedom of expression, Sylvia has to be more responsible in her journalism. While it is perfectly legal to challenge the ruling APC when they are wrong, publishing stuff that is meant to insult is not the best way to go. As for the Mr. Kemal, he needs to really cool down. This is not the time intimidate opponents of the government. We have to allow people to express their opinions, and if they are wrong, we have to counter by writing the truth.

Subject: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 14:07:46 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
Sierra Leone President assures Newspaper Publisher:
I have nothing against you

By Awareness Times

President Ernest Bai Koroma has yesterday evening telephoned Dr. Sylvia Blyden, the Publisher of the Awareness Times Newspaper to personally assure her that he had nothing against her and that he did not even know of her invitation to the Police until after his weekly Cabinet Meeting ended last evening.

A Confident Sylvia Blyden arrives at CID yesterday morning

Blyden had been invited to the CID to make a statement on allegations of defamatory libel against President Ernest Bai Koroma. The Police accused that the publication of a two-horned caricature of the President fell under defamatory and seditious libel alongside one hitherto unknown crime of "ridiculing the President".

The detention of Sylvia Blyden by the Police had led to widespread condemnation of the new Government of Ernest Bai Koroma, both locally and later around the world when the news was broadcasted via the BBC and over the Internet.

As news had spread of her arrest, angry Sierra Leonean women and youth had converged at the C.I.D. to denounce what was perceived as a threat to the Nation’s culture of freedom by the new APC Government of Ernest Bai Koroma.

During his phone call, His Excellency specifically assured Blyden that as far as the published two-horned caricature of him was concerned, he had not complained about it to anyone let alone go to the extent of ordering her arrest over the publication, as had been widely speculated yesterday leading to riotous scenes in the capital.

President Koroma spoke with the Publisher immediately following his weekly Cabinet meeting. The telephone call to Dr. Sylvia Blyden was reported by his close aides to be his very first action taken immediately he finished the Cabinet Meeting.

After His Excellency’s conversation with the Publisher, President Koroma handed over the telephone to the Secretary General of the ruling All People’s Congress, Victor B. Foh who was also with him at his office at State House. Victor Foh strenuously assured Sylvia Blyden that the APC would never seek to clamp down on press freedom.

"You are our daughter and sister. The APC will never seek to suppress your freedom as we respect you and your right to freedom of expression just as we respect all Sierra Leoneans," Victor Foh assured Sylvia Blyden.

Also speaking with Sylvia Blyden last evening from State House was the acting Minister of Information and Communication, Mohamed D. Koroma who further re-iterated his boss’ assurances.

"The President is your big brother. Why will he order your arrest? You have been misled if you believe he sanctioned what happened to you today. We are only now coming out of our Cabinet Meeting," Minister Koroma assured.

Meanwhile Presidential Aides who also spoke to the Awareness Times’ publisher have further assured that the mere fact that the President took time off his extremely busy schedule to telephone and render the personal assurance to Dr. Sylvia Blyden was a sign of his sincerity towards her well being.

Several other prominent figures in the APC including Hon. Ibrahim Bundu, the Chief Whip in the Sierra Leone Parliament, also made contact with Sylvia Blyden at the C.I.D during which Bundu assured her that as soon as the weekly Cabinet Meeting ends, he would discuss the issue with both the President and Attorney General.

Another person who expressed concern yesterday for the welfare of Dr. Sylvia Blyden was the First Lady, Sia Nyama Koroma who telephoned Blyden during the time she was at the C.I.D. Sia Koroma only learnt of the detention through a BBC broadcast.

Similarly, many APC Ministers and functionaries also telephoned the newspaper Publisher yesterday to express their sympathy.

Although a handful of the APC’s Task Force thugs attacked the C.I.D. and neighbouring opposition SLPP Party Headquarters during the time Sylvia Blyden was at the C.I.D., it was clear by the end of the day that the top APC hierarchy was totally against the detention treatment meted out to the newspaper publisher by the Sierra Leone Police.

Also of very interesting note is the fact that as compiled by staff at her offices and according to her phone records, Dr. Sylvia Blyden received a record number of 1,673 (One Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Three) phone calls yesterday on her Celtel, TiGO, Africell and Comium numbers. All of them (including dozens from outside Sierra Leone) were in solidarity with her plight.

Although there was quite a lot of condemnation of Koroma around the world yesterday, it has now turned out that the President neither sanctioned nor knew of the detention.

This now raises the question as to why Serry-Kamal ordered the detention.

© Copyright by Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Pedro Da Cintra
To: All
Date Posted: 01:43:34 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: 194-237-247-130.customer.telia.com at 194.237.247.130

Message:
Come on Doctor, why are you still living in the past? This is stale news, let us move on! A lot has been happening around such that this piece falls into the oblivion black hole. You cannot afford to remain static in a dynamic world! Can you?

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Tamba Moiwo
To: All
Date Posted: 05:30:56 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: moiwo@hotmail.co.uk
Entered From: gateway-303.energis.gsi.gov.uk at 62.25.109.196

Message:
'falls into the oblivion black hole'

Were you the guy who 'discovered' Serra Lyon'? Bra, please go back to your bore-hole. En whilst you are at it, please spare us the quips and cliques--Lonta!!!!

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Pedro Da Cintra
To: All
Date Posted: 06:14:13 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: rastafari_ish@hotmail.com
Entered From: 194-237-247-130.customer.telia.com at 194.237.247.130

Message:
Boy if you still have some productive palm trees left in Bo, Kenema or Kailahun, chill out with some fresh palm wine aka from God to Man.You can be the best palm wine tapper in the south-east and become famous!

Or you can take a break and benefit from the other goodies the shining sun has brought to the palm tree.Enjoy the fat red palm fruits with lots of oil to extract for your jakitomboi or jolabaytay. I know your mouth is now watering with nostalgia.Lol.Yes that is the power of the sun!

Remember this: THE SUN IS SHINING OPEN THE DOOR AND LET THE GOODIES COME IN.

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Main Man
To: All
Date Posted: 08:39:35 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wanglobe.hilton.com at 192.251.125.85

Message:
Tamba Moiwo, you are here eating bread and butter that is why you are talking about sun shining. You have no clue what people are going through in that country right now. You will find out later.

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: tamba moiwo
To: All
Date Posted: 09:44:18 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: moiwo@hotmail.co.uk
Entered From: gateway-303.energis.gsi.gov.uk at 62.25.109.196

Message:
You may wish to refer those comments to that moniker'Pedro Da Cintra Oman!

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 14:49:40 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.216.42

Message:
Why this old news bro?

Have you just surfaced in this forum? if so, be adviced that we're fully kept abreast with current trends of events in Salone as they unfold. So will appreciate if you don't drop old news here. No harm meant.

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Tamba Moiwo
To: All
Date Posted: 05:35:57 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: moiwo@hotmail.co.uk
Entered From: gateway-303.energis.gsi.gov.uk at 62.25.109.196

Message:
'So will appreciate if you don't drop old news here'.

Why are you guys so irritable at the mention of this news? Som man nor bin dae -so why slap a blanket 'old news' label on this very important issue?

Speak the TRUTH even if this means your Party loses face--na dis pwell Salone Masi!!!

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 15:39:33 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
"Why this old news bro"? (Eddie Grant)
-----------------------------------------------------

answer: because if we do not learn from our history we will make the same mistake again. Do we want another attorney General Serry-Kamal who acts like Solomon Berewa ? Did the APC Do an exhaustive investigation of what went on and took corrective measures to prevent its occurrance ? If the answer is no , then this CANNOT BE "OLD NEWS". Do not forget that the Head of state is not "Sierra leone's god", rather he is a civil servant employed by "we the people" and, like an employee, when anything goes wrong we have to get answers. Also, please note that thousands of people visit this forum. Your views does not reflect the views of these people, so that I am a bit perplexed by your comment "... be adviced that we're fully kept abreast with current trends of events in Salone as they unfold. So will appreciate if you don't drop old news here".

If you own this forum and you think that my very valuable contribution is disturbing you and "your followers" just let me know... "mr head prefect" and my contribution on the forum will be withdrawn... "no harm meant", if you will allow me to borrow your phrase.

"THIS COCORIOKO FORUM has been set up to provide Sierra Leoneans with a vehicle through which they can express their views about matters affecting their country..." AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING.

PLEASE HAVE THIS FOR DINNER:
"...The Commission finds that the departure from recognised legal and constitutional standards was the result of deliberate planning and authorisation by the Government of Sierra Leone..." (SLTRCR)

DO WE WANT AN APC THAT WILL DUPLICATE THE SLPP?

Subject: Re: APC Serry-Kamal and SLPP Berewa same power-conscious genes?
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 15:20:25 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.67.1

Message:
Hey bro, You may have missed my point here. I'm not trying to dismiss your contribution but rather just saying we've already absorbed the news long ago.

Since I recently come across your name in this forum, I assumed you were are a new comer. But don't be put off by my comment, and infact I did not own the forum I'm a participant myself so have no right or reason to ask you to leave the forum.

I'm grateful that your response is quiet civil and it shows your maturity and understanding as opposed to that long lost Tamba Moiwo who unfortunately can read but can't comprehend.

Subject: Fen Plaba: Re; Stadium Ban
From: Kawusu
To: All
Date Posted: 13:26:08 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4575eca0.dyn.optonline.net at 69.117.236.160

Message:
Korthor Fen Plaba,

I am a passionate football lover and I'm really disappointed with the ban on our national stadium by FIFA due to APC neglect. Now, where do you expect me to watch international football matches when I am in Freetown this summer? Are you guys thinking of northernizing sports by constructing a new stadium in the axis of Northernization - Bombali, Port-Loko, Tonkolili? Korthor, do not forget Bo Town since you went to Bo School.

If Obama is a distant relative of George Bush, then Fen Plaba may probably be related to Kawusu or Sengbe. Is he???

Subject: Re: Fen Plaba: Re; Stadium Ban
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 14:28:21 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.89

Message:
Kawusu, you are mistaken about the axis of Northernization. It is not Bombali, Port Loko or Tonkolili. It is Freetown itself or Rokiamp. Therefore we will just rebuild the Stadium there and let you enjoy the football games.
By the way, I will be in Freetown this summer. I would love to hang out with you over there whenever I can shake off those titys who would be lying to me that I am a stud.
About the genealogy thing, I won't be surprised about the many interconnected bloodlines amongst us. Sengbe is already my Bo School big brother and, of course, you Kawusu are my blood brother no matter what the DNA results say, or the green or red blood that courses through our political vessels.

Subject: Re: Fen Plaba: Re; Stadium Ban
From: Stupidity
To: All
Date Posted: 13:57:11 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host-24-225-149-60.patmedia.net at 24.225.149.60

Message:
Who should be blamed ? APC or SLPP ? Kawusu, lef stupidity

Subject: The Blame Game again?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 18:45:53 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.70.181.113

Message:
I am amazed by the fact that we are again playing the blame game when it comes to matters of National interest. The APC has been in power for about 6 months now and simple things like fixing the stadium to bring it up to international standards should be done without casting blame on the SLPP. The APC is heading this government now and blaming the SLPP for matters which they could have and should have acted upon is what I call the blame game. Doesnt the president minister of sports know that it is his responsibility to make sure that he assigns people to take care fo the dressing rooms of the stadium? It bothers me a lot when peoplle do not take responsibility. Lets assume for arguments sake that the SLPP during their tenure, did not upgrade the dresssing rooms to bring it up to international standards, does that excuse the failure of the new government to act accordingly?

Sooner or later we as a nation will have to learn the salient truth about life and progress, which is that most excuse givers do not progress. We have become a nation of excuse givers and we pass blame like a baton at a 4 x 100 meters race and we do not take responsibility for our actions. What the president must do or should have done, was to summon the minister of sports and ask him WHY he did not have the national stadium inspected and a work order for any necessary repairs made. It is quite embarassing to have the world governing body on Football issue a ban for our stadium. It is also a national embarassment.

Let the chips fall where they may and somebodys behind should be on hot coals as a result of this.

Those who have ears let them hear.

Subject: Re: The Blame Game again?
From: Sam
To: All
Date Posted: 23:07:11 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-76-19-137-141.hsd1.ma.comcast.net at 76.19.137.141

Message:
Thank you for bringing this up. FIFA banning our national stadium is a disgrace, but to blame the SLPP?! I am not an SLPPer and completely support EBK as he seems committed to our development, but by reading all the blame game articles, global economic crisis for high prices in SL, SLPP for not maintaining the stadium etc, I think I figured out the APC's plan. If we fail to deliver, we can just blame everyone else.

SLPP sucked, yes. But if this is a simple issue of dressing rooms not being up to code, can Mohamed Thoronka tell me why the govt with our new APC sports minister, did not bother to make sure we would pass inspections?

I was very young when the stadium was built so forgive this question if I'm way of base, but in his "SLPP should not rule Sierra Leone any more" article, Mohamed Thoronka stated that " can understand why the SLPP neglected the national stadium. They don't know what it cost the APC government to build this national structure or other valuable infrastructure. SLPP never built any infrastructure in Sierra Leone, so they don't know the value of them. Hence, SLPP never took good care of the infrastructure left in their care. SHAME ON THEM." My question is.. wasn't the stadium a gift from either the North Koreans or the Chinese, I forget which. I know one of them built it, and if we were going to turn to the commies to build our stadium, I assume it was because we let them "spread" their propaganda and we got a stadium and conference hall out of it.

Subject: Re: The Blame Game again?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 02:55:09 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
I agree with most of what you say, but disagree with you on the issue of the effect of the global economy on the present economic trends in sierra leone. As a non oil producing nation, sierra leone would be one of the hardest hit economies with the rise in global oil prices and its attendant rise in the price of all other comodities and the falling dollar to which most commodities ncluding the price of oil is tied to.
Here you go again playing the Blame game your way.

One other question is why is it that many folks like you make the claim that you are a non slpper? Do you have to be one to constructively criticize? I submit that you are in fact an SLPPer Only because you vainly attempted to distance your self from the SLPP

Subject: Re: The Blame Game again?
From: Tamba Moiwo
To: All
Date Posted: 05:21:48 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: moiwo@hotmail.co.uk
Entered From: gateway-303.energis.gsi.gov.uk at 62.25.109.196

Message:
"why is it that many folks like you make the claim that you are a non slpper?"

Simple! Any deviation from the chorus of 'batoliners' is construed as 'SLPP SOUR-GRAPES,WHINGERS'.No doubt one ought to and should look at the BIG picture. I commend your forthrightness in conceding that playing the blame game is in no one's interest. We either hang heads together or we die seperately---APC,SLPP,XYZ will pass away but that geographic colunm Salone will be forever(not APC style)remain till the end of time(whatever that constitutes).
Thonkara's opinion about SLPP should not rule Salone any more is a brazen attempt to ursurp the democratic rights of the PEOPLE---wudat na you ba? As reckless as his opinion, he finds a medium to publish because Kabs and his type love nothing but SLPP -bashing. As a 'seasoned'joindalist,he ought to rise above the fray and if he is to marshall any ounce of support,such Poyo-bar chit chat must be brutally edited to reflect his 'high standards'.
Alieu, insipte of your APC credentials, you remain a brother and one who speaks truth to power even if that power happens to be YOURS. Good on you dude..

Subject: Re: The Blame Game again?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:12:43 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
"Alieu, insipte of your APC credentials, you remain a brother and one who speaks truth to power even if that power happens to be YOURS. Good on you dude.."

Are you being patronizing or what? I remember when the SLPP was in power and you would say anything in support of them even when you knew that som of the things that they were doing were really bad for the country. For example, I recall your deafning silence when the campaign teams of the APC and PMDC were violently turned away from campaigning in Kailahun. Back then you said "Nothing". That was very telling. I have just showed you by example what it means to speak "truth to power".

I believe that if the APC continues the blame game then they would be sidetracked on its mission to recreate SL into a much better place than it met it. When we are proclived to blame each other and past administrations for anything and everything, then SL suffers. Its time to take responsibility for our actions and I will let off a sound bite or two whenever I find my party placing blame where there should be none on the SLPP or where they should have taken responsibility as the party in power right now.

"Thonkara's opinion about SLPP should not rule Salone any more is a brazen attempt to ursurp the democratic rights of the PEOPLE---wudat na you ba? As reckless as his opinion, he finds a medium to publish because Kabs and his type love nothing but SLPP -bashing. As a 'seasoned'joindalist,he ought to rise above the fray and if he is to marshall any ounce of support,such Poyo-bar chit chat must be brutally edited to reflect his 'high standards'"

May I add that Mr. Thonkara is entitled to his opinion and the mere fact that you want to deny him that smacks of SLPP highhandedness which is what we would have to deal with for the next 5 years had their plans to rig the elections worked. The new people and awareness times forums are venues for much anti APC rhetoric I have not seen you criticise them on their journalism so why pick on Kabbs. Kabbs has never been anything other than a middle of the road journalist. He has posted articles from many SLPP people including your two so called gurus of economics kelfala kallon and "wachtamacallhim". When I enter the coco forum there are no bars to posting by anyone. To say that Kabbs maintains an anti SLPP forum is not true and you must always learn to speak the truth and stop this idea of creating propaganda mislabels

Subject: Re: The Blame Game again?
From: Joe John
To: All
Date Posted: 10:03:01 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wanglobe.hilton.com at 192.251.125.85

Message:
Alieu, as you rightly put it, it is the same blame game everywhere. SLPP is no longer in power, whatever that was left to be done, has to be done by the party in power.
There are certain people, when the support a party, that party will never do anything wrong, so in order to change that country, we need to first change the mind set of the people. By all indications, SLPP did a lot of good things in that country. I am really suprised at people who have been fortunate to come to this part of the world and are still backward in thinking.

Subject: Re: The Blame Game again?
From: Joe John
To: All
Date Posted: 10:02:20 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wanglobe.hilton.com at 192.251.125.85

Message:
Alieu, as you rightly put it, it is the same blame game everywhere. SLPP is no longer in power, whatever that was left to be done, has to be done by the party in power.
There are certain people, when the support a party, that party will never do anything wrong so in order to change that country, we need to first change the mind set of the people. By all indications, SLPP did a lot of good things in that country. I am really suprised at people who have been fortunate to come to this part of the world and are still backward in thinking.

Subject: Re: The Blame Game again?
From: Joe John
To: All
Date Posted: 10:01:21 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: wanglobe.hilton.com at 192.251.125.85

Message:
Alieu, as you rightly put it, it is the same blame game everywhere. SLPP is no longer in power, whatever that was left to be done, has to be done by the party in power.
There are certain people, when the support a party, that party will never do anything wrongm so in order to change that country, we need to first change the mind set of the people. By all indications, SLPP did a lot of good things in that country. I am really suprised at people who have been fortunate to come to this part of the world and are still backward in thinking.

Subject: Re: Fen Plaba: Re; Stadium Ban
From: Salone Police
To: All
Date Posted: 13:59:33 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nat1-whar.wcjc.cc.tx.us at 207.80.112.1

Message:
Does it matter? Can't we just revamp and maintain the stadium to international standards?
C'mon guys.

Subject: Re: Fen Plaba: Re; Stadium Ban
From: Prince Green
To: All
Date Posted: 06:58:28 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-34-87.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.34.87

Message:
Message:

I am not putting a curse on the country,but if we do not stop the polictical blame and search ourselves, we will always be under the ban from all angles, not just FIFA.
Only few people can raise their hands and say they have not done any damange to government property. Some did it out of ignorance [schools and college riots], some out greed, the popular one is polictical sabotage.
We want the country to move on that's why I am not going to elaborate on the following issues : Was the A.F.R.C coup neccesary?
What happen with electric cables from bumbuna to kingtom which was almost on its finally phase? Who destroy the all water pipes guma valley and World bank funded for us to get clean water.

Subject: Re: Fen Plaba: Re; Stadium Ban
From: prince green
To: All
Date Posted: 03:15:12 03/27/08 ()
Email Address: jagbondal@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: host86-137-190-94.range86-137.btcentralplus.com at 86.137.190.94

Message:
I am not putting a curse on the country,but if we do not stop the polictical blame and search ourselves, we will always be under the ban from all angles, not just FIFA. Only few people can raise their hands and say they have not done any damange to government property. Some did it out of ignorance [schools and college riots], some out greed, the popular one is polictical sabotage. We want the country to move on that's why I am not going to elaborate on the following issues : Was the A.F.R.C coup neccesary?What happen with electric cables from bumbuna to kingtom which was almost on its finally phase? Who destroy the all water pipes guma valley and World bank funded for us to get clean water.

Subject: WATER QUAY/CUSTOMS
From: AL. KHAN
To: All
Date Posted: 10:24:09 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: alhajie@comcast.net
Entered From: c-76-111-111-102.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 76.111.111.102

Message:
Guys,
Have you been at water quay lately? I have something to share and tell me if I am wrong.when you go down at the quay,towards the examinations office, you walk through an old delapidated bord walk. I belive it must have been there for over 50yrs. I am quite sure that it has never been repaired neither the Govt. is thinking of fixing it.Taking into consideration the amount of money generated by customs, you will think it should be repaired by now. When you walk through there, you can see the ground underneath, from the missing boards etc,and I belive it is over 40ft from the ground. From the last experience I got, I belive those customs guys are pocketting over Le.2.million per each container processed. Let's say just minimum, 15 containers are released, which means, they will pocket Le30.million, well multiply that by 20 days that means they will steal about le.600 million from the govt,a month and never think about repairing the board walk. "This is very serious man" CAN we think of a solution? Good luck.. Remember this involves lives if that board walk ever collapse.

Subject: Re: WATER QUAY/CUSTOMS
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 10:44:38 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.89

Message:
Water Quay has become a festering sore of corruption, a frustrating choke hold on economic progress, and a national disgrace. My suggestion is to privatize the operation over there. Let a private company with good business practces run the place, collect revenues and pay taxes and a share of the profits to the gov. A joint venture or other arrangement is preferable to the in-your-face corruption that currently obtains in that port.
All this should go hand-in-hand with the quay transitioning into a free port of course.

Subject: Fifa bans Sierra Leone stadium
From: Bbc Sport
To: All
Date Posted: 09:15:54 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58

Message:
Fifa bans Sierra Leone stadium
By Mohammed Fajah Barrie
BBC Sport, Freetown

Fifa are unhappy with the dressing rooms and the state of the pitch
Sierra Leone's only international stadium has been banned by football's world governing body.

Fifa made the move because of poor dressing rooms and a sub-standard pitch at the national stadium in Freetown.

Fifa has told the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) to name a neutral venue by 4 April for their 2010 World Cup home qualifying matches.

The Leone Stars are due to host Nigeria on 7 June and will also play South Africa and Equatorial Guinea.

"I'm disappointed at the decision and I'm going to make representation to Fifa that everything will be in place before 7 June," SLFA secretary-general Alimu Bah told BBC Sport.

"We'll ask Fifa to reverse their decision, so that we can host our World Cup matches at home."

This is not the first time Fifa has banned the national stadium.

In 1992, the venue was suspended for one year due to overcrowding.

The Leone Stars had to use the 28th September Stadium in neighbouring Guinea to play host to Senegal and Togo in qualifiers for the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

Subject: Re: Fifa bans Sierra Leone stadium
From: alcole
To: All
Date Posted: 09:53:56 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 69.74.168.162

Message:
What a shame for our country. Wakeup Sierra Leone!!!!!!!

Subject: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: Charles Curtis-Thomas, BSN, RN, MD(Hons), MPH
To: All
Date Posted: 08:59:16 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
The dust, if you will,has now settled on this Governor Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal. The more I think about it, the more it becomes hard to make sense of it all. Prostitution is the oldest profession and the Lord told us how to handle this issue when it occurs. So then to put everything into perspective, I had to revisit one of my earlier articles that I wrote on this forum...as usual "unu go lek dis wan".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: "DA VINCI CODE" WON'T TELL YOU(PART 2) (unu go lek dis wan)
From: Dr. CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS

Since I wrote part one of this series, I have been wanting to write part two, but, as those who write will attest,writing is a jealous mistress that demand undivided attention. This is a dramatization of "the life and times of MARY MAGDALENE". As I ask the Holy Spirit to improve my writing so as to spread the WORD, I have use a new form of writing in order to bring the story of Mary alive; I am venturing into a new realm of marrying, as it were, biblical facts with plausible fiction. Personally, the story of Mary has special meaning for me as it shows that Christ is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo forgiving and loving who without condemning the past offers every soul a new future; also, it examplifies how the world is soooooooooooo quick to "cast the first stone" on us when we sin forgetting that all have sinned. Who was the real Mary Magdalene ? From the temple to the tomb, the enigmatic woman appears throughout the gospels, never very far from Chris's shadow. Speculations run rampant about her true identity. Was this mysterious disciple just a HARLOT, or as some suggest(including me long time age when I did not know any different), the secret wife of Jesus?.
So, then, sit back as I attempt to dramatize this story. "UNU BOUND FOR LEK DIS WAN".

"GRAB HER!" an angry voice shouted, shattering the early-morning silence. The heavy wooden door opened, slamming against the wall with a thud, making a deeper hole in the already-damaged plaster.

Startled by this sudden invasion, Mary's heart froze. It appeared the day she had feared most had come.

"ADULTERER! PROSTITUTE! RARAY GIRL! BOWARAH ! AHSHAWOO! RANCHER! LONG-STEP MATRESS!CALL GIRL! LADY OF THE NIGHT! beeeeep, beeeeeep, beeep!" the invaders shouted. Contempt dripped from their leering faces, like saliva from the mouth of rabid dogs. The Temple Rabbis and Priests and Elders poured into her small, private place of business, intent on the kill.

Her customer slipped from beneath her sheets, cast her a sheepish shrug, and put on his pants and shirt, acting not at all surprised by the intrusion.

THIS IS A TRAP! she thought as she gaze at the men standing against the wall in the shadows, their embarrassed faces shrouded with the last remnants of night. Several of these men were her former customers, but she knew that to identify them now would only intensify her impending punishment.

From time to time, in order to maintain a semblance of piety and to appease the devout among the people, the scribes, priests, and Lawyers (no, Alieu Iscandri was not among them) would make an example of one of the out-of-town prostitutes by parading her through the streets for the gawking bystanders to curse and spit on. Then, in a mockery of pious zeal, they would violently expel their victim from the holy city through the Dung Gate, in a display of artificial indignation.

I SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN MAGDALA, Mary though as she clutched the flimsy bedsheet. Gathering the bedding about her to hide her nakedness (yes, she was caught in the very act), she struggled to her feet.

"SEIZE HER! DON'T LET HER GET AWAY," one of the priests snarled while another lunged for her. A third person, a Temple guard, grabbed her by her upper arm, his nails digging into her tender flesh. Mary tried to resist, but the man's grip was like a vice. The terrified woman began to tremble uncontrollably. She had been suspicious when this NEW CUSTOMER appeared at the door of her room so early in the morning, but she could not resist the money. THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF ME,she thought.

"Get her some clothes." One of the Lawyers snatched her from the guard's clutches. "Humph! I say take her as she is, naked," a scribe defended. "It will be more convincing." "No, He is in the Temple, and we cannot take her to the Temple like that!" an older priest added with final authority as he ran his eyes lustfully over her quivering body.

One of the men leaning against the wall handed the priest a crumpled and dirty robe that had been draped over a small stool. "Put this on. Hide your shame if you still have one"! the priest snapped, tossing the soiled garnemt at the quaking woman. Grateful for even the crude covering, Mary snatched the robe from the man's outstretched hand and wrapped it about herself. Though a prostitute, she still had a sense of modesty. Under the gaze of the continued lusting eyes of her accusers she covered her naked body. Her fingers trembled as she tied the belt of the dirty, oversized robe about her waist.

Upon command of the older priest, the two Temple guards seized her arms and pulled her toward the door. The Rabbis stepped back, allowing the guards and the woman to pass. She exchanged a knowing glance with one of the Rabbi, who is a current customer. He lowered his eyes in shame. Revered leaders of his stature would never touch a woman with her reputation, in public that is.

The guards dragged her through the streets. Their muscular fingers bruised her olive skin. Her long, splendid hair, her pride and glory, fell tangled over her face. She struggled to maintain her footing over the rocks along the roadway. WHERE ARE THEY TAKING ME ? she wondered. Up ahead loomed the holy Temple. THE TEMPLE? Her panic grew. WHY THE TEMPLE?

She could hear the shouts and curses from spectators as they passed. Curious housewives and merchants began to fall in behind this strange procession.

OH GOD, Mary prayed desperately, PLEASE DON'T LET MARTHA AND LAZARUS SEE ME AS I REALLY AM. A sick, hopeless laugh burst through her sobs. HOW CAN I EXPECT THE PURE HOLY ONE OF ISREAL TO HEAR THE PRAYER OF SUCH FILTHY SINNER SUCH AS I ? I HAVE GONE SO FAR, TOO FAR FOR GOD TO EVER FORGIVE ME OR HEAR MY PRAYERS.

A movement off to the side of the narrow street caused Mary's breath to catch in her throat. Priests were PICKING UP SOME OF THE LARGE STONES that were intermittently scattered in front of the buildings, used to hold open shop doors. "They are going to stone me!" she gasped. A small pack of agitated dogs followed the procession up the street yapping at the unusual early-morning excitement. Mary wailed. "They are going to stone me to death, and then those scavenging dogs will eat me AS THEY DID JEZEBEL!"

She had heard the story of Jazebel many times, growing up in a faithful Jewish home. But she had never imagine her fate would be the same as that of AHAB'S wicked queen. On her left she saw a shopkeeper picked UP A ROCK. A FISH SALESMAN ON HER RIGHT DID THE SAME. "Why are they taking me to the Temple?" Mary asked the guard who held her right arm, her eyes filled with perplexity and pain. "Why don't they stone me outside the gate?" The guard said, "you may still have a chance. If they stone the Teacher, they may probably let you go. He is the one they want."

The procession finally reached the temple. The priests paused to shake the dust from the bottom of their robes and folded their hands together within the blue tasseled sleeves of their fine, white garments to assume a respectable religious demeanor. The procession moved further to where Jesus was standing. Surrounded by a wall of onlookers making an escape impossible, the guards released their grip on Mary, and she collapsed, trembling, at Jesus' feet. Above the dim of shouts and mocking, she heard her accusers presented before Jesus their lethal charge against her.

"Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law , commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?" The terrifying array of emotions caused Mary to lose consciousness briefly. Crumpled on the cold marble pavement as she was, no one even knew she fainted--no one except Jesus who'd missed nothing about the young woman. Long before she'd enter the courtyard, long before she had taken the first stranger to her bed, long before she's taken the first step that would lead to her mortification, He had anticipated this moment in time.

Mary regained consciousness. The courtyard atmosphere had changed. It was strangely quietly. She peeked out from under her disheveled hair to see Jesus calmly tracing words in the dust of the Temple floor. At first she could not make out the words. She watched as He stood and said, "HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, LET HIM CAST A STONE AT HER FIRST".

Mary cringed, expecting a hail of stones to descend upon her. Instead she heard a thud and someone walking away. Opening her eyes, she watched as the Teacher stooped down once more and continue writing. What was He writing ? She listened to the whispers of the diminishing crowd. He was ENUMERATING the sins of the Temple officials, including those that had slept with Mary, for all to see.

After what seem like an eternity, the gentle hand of Jesus touched her shoulder. She brushed her hair from her face and raised her eyes. Mary saw Jesus looking back at her WITH INFINITE COMPASSION. On His face was a slight quizzical smile, as if He were wondering why she would be groveling in such an undignified manner in this holy place. Standing slowly, she gazed about and noticed that the Scribes and Pharisees were gone. THE HYPOCRITES WHO HAD ENTRAPPED HER HAD FLED THE TEMPLE. Then Jesus addressed her with a term of respect: "Madam, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?"

Mary looked around bewildered and said, "NO ONE, LORD". And Jesus said to her, "NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU; GO AND SIN NO MORE.

Mary thought this was too good to be true. "GO AND DON'T DO IT AGAIN"? I am an adulterer, a prostitute, an ahshawoo, a raray girl, a bowarah! AND HIS ONLY REBUKE IS "GO AND SIN NO MORE"?

Could it be true she was free to go ? She had been reprieved, rescued from her just punishment. Her initial instinct was to flee the place as quickly as possible, but she felt constrained by an overwhelming gratitude to thank the ADVOCATE. Willingly Mary threw herself at the Master's feet and poured her heartfelt appreciation mingled with tears. As she did, she looked at the ground and saw the words "ADULTERER, PROSTITUTE, RARAY GIRL, AHSHAWOO,AND BOWARAH" staring back at her.

Before she could seek answers in the face of the gentle Teacher, a strong morning BREEZE CAME THROUGH THE TEMPLE COURT, ERASING THE ENTIRE CATALOG OF HER SINS ETCHED IN THE DUST ! At that moment Mary felt an enormous burden of guilt lift from her soul.

"GO AND SIN NO MORE"! "HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN LET HIM CAST THE FIRST STONE"!

COPYRIGHT 2006, C. Curtis-Thomas, MD
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas is a Sierra Leonean-born physician living in the USA. He is also Founder and Director of The Center for Medical Education and Advancement, College Park, MD, USA.
(240) 603-7651

Subject: Re: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: M.D. Honors
To: All
Date Posted: 12:37:53 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nc-67-232-9-206.dhcp.embarqhsd.net at 67.232.9.206

Message:
Can you please tell us the Medical Schools that offer an honor's program in medicine at the MD level?

MD(Hons)??????

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Subject: Re: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: Dr. C. Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 13:37:27 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
I do not under normal circumstances waste time with people who have low self-esteem and consequently "hide" their identity. Be man or woman enough, remove your tail from between your legs, come out in the open and discuss issues freely. Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.

If it will please you, the school I attended uses three grading systems, i.e., PASS, FAIL, AND HONORS. Needless to say that because of my brilliance and HARD WORK, I got HONORS "LEK WATA". This state of affairs was not surprising to those who have followed my educational trend from: certified Nursing assistant; State Enrolled Community Health Nurse; Dip. in Druggistry; BSC in Nursing; and, finally, Doctor of Medicine WITH HONORS.

HOPE THAT THIS CURE ONCE AND FOR ALL "DEE WITCH WAY DAE PAN UNU" BAS.... PEK............!

Subject: Re: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: M.D. Honors
To: All
Date Posted: 14:49:08 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nc-67-232-9-206.dhcp.embarqhsd.net at 67.232.9.206

Message:
"...If it will please you, the school I attended uses three grading systems, i.e., PASS, FAIL, AND HONORS..."

Will you be kind enough to name this Medical School so that I can recommend it to my nephew? He would like to attend medical school in the future.

My real "identity" does not play a role in this request.

Thank you.

Subject: Re: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: CHIEFDOM POLICE
To: All
Date Posted: 15:49:33 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE A "SEARCH ENGINE" ON THE INTERNET ? IF NOT GET SOMEONE TO HELP YOU.

Subject: Re: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: M.D. Honors
To: All
Date Posted: 16:15:07 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nc-67-232-9-206.dhcp.embarqhsd.net at 67.232.9.206

Message:
With all due respect, 'Dr' Curtis, there are so many medical schools in the world that the use of a search engine on the internet is not going to help in this case. I would like to recommend a "medical school" that has a grading scheme similar to the one you attended to my nephew.

Would you please help me in this regard?

What is the name of the Medical School you attended that offers an MD (Hons) degree program?

I am NOT trying to antagonize,or upset you. I simply need your help.

Thanks a bunch.

Subject: Re: MD Honors
From: Brabanxx
To: All
Date Posted: 17:20:54 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: brabanxx@aol.com
Entered From: c-68-44-34-38.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 68.44.34.38

Message:
The link below will give you info. for an honours programme at the University of Miami. Good luck to your relative.

http://www6.miami.edu/dualdegree/

Subject: Re: MD Honors
From: M.D. Honors
To: All
Date Posted: 17:33:40 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nc-67-232-9-206.dhcp.embarqhsd.net at 67.232.9.206

Message:
Thank you very much, Brabanxx. But my enquiry is in relation to an Honors program in medicine at a Medical School. At the University of Miami?

Subject: Re: MD Honors
From: Brabanxx
To: All
Date Posted: 17:53:04 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: brabanxx@aol.com
Entered From: c-68-44-34-38.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 68.44.34.38

Message:
Honors Program in Medicine

» Download supplemental application

The Honors Program in Medicine (HPM) is offered to mature high school seniors with strong academic ability and achievement who seek careers in medicine or medical science. Students can earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD) in 7 or 8 years.

Students undergo a highly selective screening process and are admitted simultaneously to the College of Arts and Sciences to the School of Medicine. Accepted students are assured of a place in medical school after 3 or 4 calendar years of undergraduate work.

The above is a cut and paste from the link I supplied. It is stated clearly that there is a school of medicine @ the University of Miami. Do yourself a favour, call or request additional info from the University directly.

Thanks, Brabanxx

Subject: Re: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: Kabs Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 16:42:27 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host-24-225-149-60.patmedia.net at 24.225.149.60

Message:
Please stop the harassment. Dr. Curtis does not have to mention his university here.You know the nature of the internet. You don't know who is who. People are hesitant about posting their telephone numbers, addresses and names of employers. Some have done so and paid the price.

If you want your nephew to attend the same University, why not send the doctor a private mail ?

Curtis is a certified doctor.

Oh yes, I know my supporters would get mad with me again for this : "Nar you always dey defend en promote people dem , but den nor dey ever cam to you defence "

I know that, butI don't do it to please the people I defend or promote . I do it for God's sake. God will reward me one day for my clean heart.

Subject: Re: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 17:11:18 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
What will life be like without the Rev. Kabs-Kanu ?
Thanks for coming to the rescue. If it was the "fos-tem Curtis, Chiefdom police bin for don gather am long tem" !

"NUFF" RESPECT, SIR!

Subject: Re: Prostitution, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and forgiveness.
From: forum observer
To: All
Date Posted: 12:55:42 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: foa@comcast.com
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
your mother paid the doctor's tuition with the money she earned from prostitution why not go and ask her?

Subject: Behold Obama is our Cousin!
From: Black Republicans for Obama
To: All
Date Posted: 08:25:10 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-69-203-69-251.nyc.res.rr.com at 69.203.69.251

Message:
Foday Sankoh maybe Hinga Norman's cousin,Earnest Koroma maybe related to Berewa ,John Leigh may be a relative of SAJ Musa and Sylvia Blyden may well have blood links to Rev Kabs Kanu etc,etc......but without Genealogical research and DNA testing nobody knows the real facts....it therefore becomes prudent in politics to guard against ill will and animosity towards others ...in order to avoid the unintentional annihilation of your own family
Behold Obama is our own son!

Read this piece culled from CNN March 26 to understand my drift!

(CNN) -- Perhaps, now the candidates will play nice.

For all their insistence on how unlike they are from one another, the three U.S. presidential candidates share some noteworthy family connections, the New England Historic Genealogical Society has found.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is related to Canadian Prime Minster Pierre Trudeau.

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, who has made his opposition to the Iraq war a linchpin of his campaign, is distantly related not only to President George W. Bush but also to another wartime leader -- former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Because of his shared ancestry with President Bush, Obama is also indirectly related to his rival on the Republican side, Sen. John McCain.

McCain, it turns out, is a sixth cousin of First Lady Laura Bush.

Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton, is related to beatnik author Jack Kerouac, Canadian Prime Minster Pierre Trudeau and Camilla Parker-Bowles, wife of Prince Charles of England.

Clinton also shares ancestors with Grammy Award-winning singers Celine Dion and Madonna.

The senator won a Best Spoken Word Grammy for the audio version of her book, "It Takes a Village." Rival Obama also snagged one in the same category for his book "The Audacity of Hope."

Conservatives who sometimes accuse Democrats of being in bed with liberal Hollywood elites may have been handed one more round of ammunition by the Society's findings.

Clinton, the Society said, is related to Angelina Jolie. And Obama is related to Jolie's boyfriend Brad Pitt.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society, founded in 1845, says it is the oldest such organization in the country. Members spent three years tracing the lineage of the candidates.

Among its other findings:

McCain, the Vietnam War veteran who spent five years as a prisoner of war, descends from a long line of kings: Scottish King William the Lion, English King Edward I and French King Louis VII.

Obama, the son of a white woman from Kansas and a black man from Kenya, is "related to millions of contemporary Americans - perhaps even a significant percentage of the population," the researchers said.

He is cousins with six U.S presidents, including Lyndon Johnson, Harry Truman and Gerald Ford. He is also linked to American artist Georgia O'Keefe, the Duchess of Windsor and two men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Most surprisingly, Obama -- the man who could become America's first African-American president -- is linked by ancestry to Robert E. Lee, who commanded the armies of the Southern slave-holding states during the American civil war.

Bedfellows, it turns out, make for strange politics.

Subject: Re: Behold Obama is our Cousin!
From: alcole
To: All
Date Posted: 09:57:08 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 69.74.168.162

Message:
That is right, I might be related to Al Sharpton or Late Sheku Toure.

Subject: Re: Behold Obama is our Cousin!
From: And Bra Enviable May be related to Kabs Kanu
To: All
Date Posted: 08:54:09 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142

Message:
And Bra Enviable may be related to Kabs Kanu. Who knows?

Subject: Local Government Minister Blamed! As Trouble Brews at Tonko
From: Standard Times
To: All
Date Posted: 08:21:02 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58

Message:
Local Government Minister Blamed! As Trouble Brews at Tonko Limba Chiefdom

STANDARD TIMES

Posted by Ishmael Dumbuya on Mar 26, 2008, 03:30

The paramount Chieftaincy arrangement in the Tonko Limba Chiefdom in the Kambia District is heading towards the wrong direction with little hope of any immediate resolution, especially when accusing fingers of double standard and bias are being pointed at the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Dauda Kamara.The ugly dimension that may sooner or later transformed itself into an uncontrollable drama if not forestall has almost caused P C Momoh Kandeh Kogba Bangura to be a worried man. Worried! This is so, because his authority as a traditional head is beginning to be watered down and now viewed by many as an insignificant figure in the midst of the people in his community.

Rather, sadly the symbol of power and authority now rest with the newly elected Regent Chief of the Chiefdom Chief Kalie Fatima popularly known as Kalie Bon Poroh.

Views held by most people are mixed, and the is that the Local Government Minister Hon. Dauda Sulaiman Kamara who happens to be a member of the Bubuya ruling house has been accused as the brain and political manipulator to dethrone the Paramount Chief for several reasons which in the estimation of some people range from his political affiliation with the opposition to his relationship with members of other political parties, including the Minister. These and other allegations they have described as not in the interest of their APC party.

A member of the Madina ruling house explained in a telephone interview with this reporter the current trend of the Tonko Limba Paramount Chieftaincy affairs, which he described as begging for urgent attention. He accused the local government minister of not playing the necessary role to avert trouble in the chiefdom “ Such a situation requires somebody who is neutral and impartial to bridge the gap, but not somebody who is preparing the groundwork for trouble” He remarked. The Minister “the speaker claimed, is conniving with Kalie Bon Poroh to oust PC Momoh Kogba Bangura”

When this reporter contacted Hon. Dauda Kamara on Thursday 20th March 2008 for comment about the development at the Tonko Limba Chiefdom, arrogantly he said if anyone wants to get information about the Chiefdom he/she should go there.

Hon. Patrick Lahai Kargbo, Member of Parliament of the district when asked to comment terminated the interview abruptly and said ‘I cannot take interview through telephone”.The situation in the Tonko Limba Chiefdom, no doubt could be described as very unpredictable.

Subject: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 08:10:52 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
On President Koroma’s Democratic Credentials

By Professor Kelfala Kallon (USA)
Mar 17, 2008,

President Ernest Koroma’s self-evaluation of his performance during his first five months in office, which appeared in the March 5, 2008 issue of Awareness Times, would have been comical if his claims were not so insulting to our collective intelligence. For example, in spite of the economic hardships his government has wrought on the people of Sierra Leone, President Koroma claimed to have done much for the country during his five months in office. Particularly amazing and perhaps most galling was the President’s claim that "his All People’s Congress (APC) government has within five months succeeded in deepening the democratic process and unifying the country by effecting a smooth transition that has never happened in the history of Sierra Leone".

In the United States, when the President gives an address about the state of the nation, the opposition is given an opportunity to respond. It is in this tradition that I shall respond to the President’s self-evaluation in a series of essays on his record. Because of the blatant preposterousness of the President’s claim that his administration has deepened democracy and fostered national unity in Sierra Leone, this first essay will critique President Koroma’s democratic credentials.

Democracy, as I understand it, requires not only "majority rule with due respect for the views of the minority" but also a heightened respect for the rule of law. Most importantly, democracy demands that each and every citizen enjoys the full protection of the laws of the land without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, and political affiliation. To wit, our Constitution recognizes and protects the fundamental human rights and freedoms of all Sierra Leoneans. And to emphasize these protections, it requires our president to swear an oath that he would discharge his duties "according to law, . . . preserve, support, uphold, maintain and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone as by law established," and most importantly "do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."

In my opinion, President Koroma started violating this oath the moment he became President of Sierra Leone. For instance, there was a criminal case against the President’s bodyguard, Leatherboot, for savagely beating up Tom Nyuma at the Country Side Hotel in Bo during the election campaign. Allegedly, the President’s brother also had a case to answer for some stolen Bumbuna cables. Rather than have these cases go through the proper judicial channels, both were quashed immediately after the President took the reins of power. (Additionally, Leatherboot was promptly absorbed into the Sierra Leone Police as a presidential bodyguard at lightening speed). Unless the President issued secret pardons to the accused persons in these cases, the swiftness with which these alleged criminal matters were disposed of leads to the obvious conclusion that His Excellency did not administer the laws of Sierra Leone without fear or favor in these instances.

Also, even as President Koroma was being sworn into office, his supporters were busy vandalizing the offices of the SLPP in broad daylight, and in full view of the police. When this became known to him, the President apologized to the SLPP and assured the party’s leadership that the law will bring the culprits to book. However, contrary to what one would expect from a President who has been rhetorically embellishing his democratic credentials, President Koroma has never publicly issued a strong condemnation of this wanton act of lawlessness and victimization of the SLPP. Instead, he has sat by idly while his supporters and lackeys have gone around the country wantonly intimidating and persecuting members of the SLPP and other innocent citizens like Pastor Conteh with impunity. The recent case of his minister leading APC thugs to destroy the Bo SLPP Office and subsequently ordering the arrest of the Mayor of Bo are to date the most glaring demonstrations of the historical propensity of the APC for lawlessness and violence. Thus, when one peels the rhetorical chaffs off the President’s claim to love and respect democracy, all one is left with is a President who has overseen the reintroduction of the APC’s culture of violence and lack of respect for the rights of other Sierra Leoneans who disagree with them politically.

This lack of respect of the rule of law is not the exclusive preserve of only the President’s supporters. Indeed, even President Koroma has exhibited an utter disdain and disregard for the rule of law by illegally bludgeoning the erstwhile Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone from office even though the Constitution granted the power to remove the latter to only a super-majority of the members of Parliament. When his minions in Parliament ratified this most egregiously offensive assault on the "separation of powers" in our Constitution, the President became emboldened enough to illegally remove other supporters of the SLPP from their respective positions without due regard to not only the constitutional rights of these individuals to legally earn their livelihood, but also the contractual obligations of the government to these Sierra Leoneans.

Given the history of the APC, the recent sacking of the erstwhile Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should warn all Sierra Leoneans that President Koroma is intent on applying to the Judiciary the same unconstitutional methods he has employed against other state functionaries that he perceives as SLPP members and/or sympathizers. As in the first coming of the APC, it should be now apparent to all who care about Sierra Leone being a land of laws not a land of strong men that President Koroma is dangerously reincarnating another "conclave" of APC judges whose primary loyalty would be to the President, not to the rule of law.

Another key pillar of democracy is respect for, and protection of, the people’s right to be informed, on the one hand, and their right to freely express their opinions, on the other hand. The perpetual harassment of the employees of the New People newspaper and now the publisher and proprietress of Awareness Times, Dr. Sylvia Blyden, suggests that the President falls very short of what one would expect from a democrat.

On the issue of Dr. Blyden’s predicament particularly, I am amazed at the President’s claim that he neither knew about nor ordered her detention. Yet, I am sure that the President is aware of a State House press release which threatened to use the Public Order Act, 1965 against Dr. Blyden – which was essentially a threat to detain her without charge. And this is exactly what subsequently happened. Thus, unless President Koroma wants us to believe that he is so cocooned by the sycophants around him that he is oblivious to what is happening within even State House, no sensible person would believe that he knew nothing about Dr. Blyden’s detention, even if he did not authorize it. Indeed, if we accept the counter proposition that the President is really unaware of what is going on in State House, we should then justifiably conclude that he has sub-contracted the presidency to the caboodle around him. Because President Koroma is much too intelligent to be so stage-managed, the only sensible conclusion one can make from his claim of ignorance about the very bad things that his appointees and supporters are doing is that his style is a very resplendent reminder of Siaka Stevens’ first law of politics – namely, "use your thugs to terrorize your political opponents and then feign ignorance about the whole thing." This too is chillingly frightening for the future of our nascent democracy.

In my opinion, the most preposterous evidence that the President used to shore-up his democratic credentials is that he has arrested no one. Perhaps the President needs to be reminded that the human and constitutional rights of Sierra Leoneans are not grants of presidential magnanimity. Moreover, our President needs to be reminded that, as John Stuart Mill, the great English philosopher and political economist, once opined, depriving people of the right to legally earn their livelihood, as he has done to the countless SLPP supporters he has illegally dismissed, is a worse fate than imprisoning them. In this regard, therefore, I will borrow a familiar phrase from the President by characterizing his claim that he has imprisoned no one as "nothing to write home about".

Finally, President Koroma claims that his government has engendered national unity. Yet a cursory look at his appointments leaves no one in doubt that his is, first and foremost, a Government of the North, by the North, and for the North. As expected, some of his demagogic supporters have argued that what appears to critics as a Northernization policy is merely a manifestation of the President’s desire to surround himself with people that he trusts. Nothing more needs to be said here if the President of Sierra Leone, who claims to value national unity, trusts only Northerners — except that in the interest of truth-in-advertizing, President Koroma should perhaps rename his All Peoples Congress (APC) as the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC).

In a nutshell, therefore, when one honestly compares President Koroma’s record on promoting democracy and national unity with that of Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, the most charitable conclusion one would make is that President Koroma’s record is, to borrow his favorite phrase once again, "nothing to write home about". I suspect, however, that if Shakespeare had been alive today, he would have off-handedly dismissed the President’s preposterous claim that he has deepened democracy and fostered national unity in Sierra Leone as an ‘old wives’ tale that is "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing".

© Copyright by Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 10:29:16 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.89

Message:
Kelfalla Kallon is still alive? What a wonderful surprise. I thought that troll from the divisive past had gone the way of the dinosaurs. Well I guess it is okay that the man who first used the propagandic 'Northernization' sobriquet to sow seeds of division is still at it. Oh well....
How about them Broncos Prof?

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Mr. Northerner
To: All
Date Posted: 10:34:53 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nc-67-232-9-206.dhcp.embarqhsd.net at 67.232.9.206

Message:
But "that troll" 'speaketh' and 'writeth' the truth, and nothing but the truth so let him be, Mr, Northerner.

We dare you to bring forth evidence to refute his statements in that article.

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 11:09:52 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.89

Message:
You call the recycled drivel pouring like spittle drool from Prof Kallon's lips 'the truth'? You call his one-sided bromides the sweet truth? His article is so one-sided, it refutes itself.

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Candid Opinion
To: All
Date Posted: 12:41:58 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns.nucleusns2.com at 12.44.12.126

Message:
Fen Plaba-----"You call the recycled drivel pouring like spittle drool from Prof Kallon's lips 'the truth'? You call his one-sided bromides the sweet truth? His article is so one-sided, it refutes itself."

Its easy to make it 2 sided..
What is your own side..?

-----Leh the omeleh waka.. leh de day do da day-----

Give us another dimension to that "trolls" synapstic
excesses.. The Prof don hib the work.. if nah field we been dey so dey play 2 shilling...

"Ah Challenge you" should be your next word..

FP--"Ah Pick" candid..
Prof--"Ah pick" Mensa..
FP--"Ah pick" Eddie Grant..
Prof--"Ah Pick" Bra Enviable..

Candid--Me foot dey hart, ah get kack toe..(balance the heavy weights).

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas
To: All
Date Posted: 13:05:36 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: c-69-143-232-169.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.232.169

Message:
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh !

Talking about something being very funny, this takes the cake. heheheheheheheheheheh

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Mr. Northerner
To: All
Date Posted: 11:40:59 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nc-67-232-9-206.dhcp.embarqhsd.net at 67.232.9.206

Message:
Yes!

Prove your refutation with some evidence, please.

I am inclined to believe the highly esteemed Professor, based on the evidential reports from the ground in SL, more so than your subjective loyalty to the concept of "northernization" in the political dispensation we are now witnessing in that country.

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 13:21:03 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.89

Message:
Mr. N, to quote the always quotable Candid opinion, "Me foot dey hart, ah get kack toe".
The whip you wielded against my naked kanda about my "subjective loyalty to the concept of northrenization" is undeserved. I am the ultimate anti-regionalist; never believed that there was a southernization during the SLPP Triassic nor do I believe a northernization rages right now. It's all made-up graffiti by the SLPP spin factory. The bumper stickers that the esteemed Prof Kallon has strung together from the SLPP ragsheets don't amount to jack. However, I am quite mellow today and about to take the kids to Chuck E Cheese. I will then implore them not to humbug Daddy on Saturday because I have to engage in a battle of refutations with Uncle Northerner and hopefully Prof Kallon. Get ready to unsheath your swords, gentlemen, Saturday morning.

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Salone Police
To: All
Date Posted: 13:45:19 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nat1-whar.wcjc.cc.tx.us at 207.80.112.1

Message:
Ok Mr. Fen Plaba, as a former atypical Salone Police officer, I'll look at the evidence.
Let us talk about the cabinet. I think President Koroma has too many dead northern wood in the cabinet as deputies. Surely, there are more competent Sierra Leoneans who do not have to be APC loyalists. Our presient is President of Sierra Leone after all not President of only APC members.

Give it to the idiot, Tejan Kabbah, his cabinet had a balanced northern content.

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 14:52:00 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 165.155.200.89

Message:
Officer, I promise to present the evidence to refute the allegations of the honorable Prof Kallon ASAP. However one thing I would like you to chew on a bit is that a Northern-sounding name does not necessarily a Northerner make. I know many Kamaras, Sesays and Koromas who are dyed-in-the-wool Mendes who can't speak a lick of Temne, and who can discern no connection, however remote, to the North. I am pretty sure that some of these folks have been factored in as northerners by the avid mathematicians of tribal equations.
With the kind of intertribal rabbit-hopping Sierra Leoneans are so fond of, a day will come when all these crazy tribal fault lines will be completely obliterated and we can be finally be free, at long last. I am a product of this cross-tribal love fest (50% Madingo and 50% Koya Temne). My four kids- starting from the sweet days at Aureol- are the wonderful products with Mende, Mende-Krio, and Fourah Bay Queens.

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Brabanxx
To: All
Date Posted: 17:44:05 03/26/08 ()
Email Address: brabanxx@aol.com
Entered From: c-68-44-34-38.hsd1.nj.comcast.net at 68.44.34.38

Message:
Fen Plaba, may I through you and with you ask this question? What factor(s) determines the tribal/regional affilliation of a typical Sierra Leonean? What can one expect to be on one's tribal tag if one were to be born in Marampa of a creole father and a kono-kisi mother, grew up in Freetown and Marampa with kisi relatives, speaks kisi and understands temne.

Subject: Re: Dear President Koroma ; I am troubled by these allegations !
From: Fen Plaba!
To: All
Date Posted: 18:16:31 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-4577b27b.dyn.optonline.net at 69.119.178.123

Message:
Brabanxx, this is one of the reasons why this obsession with tribal factoring is so repulsively ridiculous. In the example you just stated, how can any reasonable person pigeon-hole that fella with the usual soporific tags of tribe? Many of us have gone through experiences that make us soar above the usual inflictions of tribal branding. We have to be proud of the tribe but it shouldn't define who we are. How about our diasporan compatriots who have raised wonderful children with different races and nationalities? Is it not enough that they be accepted as Sierra Leoneans? Do they also have to show their tribal/regional tattoos?
Bro, you really put this tribal claptrap in its ridiculous context with your example. That is why otherwise good people, like Kelfalla Kallon, who rap incessantly about 'Northernization' bore the hell ot of me.

Subject: who made fullahs alien into sierra leone
From: medkay
To: All
Date Posted: 08:10:34 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 85.136.130.84.dyn.user.ono.com at 85.136.130.84

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The issue of being a sierra leonean is long overdue to the lack of inebtitude of the sierra leone immigration department.I lived in greater free town and know how immigration connived with foreign nationals especially guineans and nigerian to obtain sierra leone passport.Inmigration officer like Mr.sumah,Sheriff,Kabbah,and timbo all are of sierra leone guinean back ground and have been facilitating to obtain sierra leone passport by guinean,nigerian,and ghanian.This are the people we are proud of being true sierra leonean.True say talk me.Lonta.

Subject: Sierra Leone: 7 Villages Deserted at Yenga
From: Security
To: All
Date Posted: 07:47:17 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-058.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.58

Message:
Sierra Leone: 7 Villages Deserted at Yenga

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Concord Times (Freetown)

27 March 2008
Posted to the web 26 March 2008

Mohamed Vandi
Kenema

More than one thousands residents are reported to have been forced out of seven villages surrounding the disputed border town of Yenga in the Kailahun district.

Paramount chief of Luawa chiefdom Mohamed Kailondo Banya affirmed this during a visit of Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana to the chiefdom.

He said seven villages around Yenga have been deserted due to daily threats from the Guinean forces deployed in Yenga.

"Our people are still under Guinean threat. More than one thousand of these residents have deserted their villages for fear of losing their lives," he said.

He said what is frightening them the most are the heavy artillery planted towards their villages which reminded them of a pending war.

Chief Banya called on the government to take the Yenga intimidation as top priority and seek a peaceful resolution to the problem.

He said the people of Kailahun have put their political differences aside and are now prepared to support the All Peoples Congress government.

"On another serious note, our roads in the entire district are in a deplorable condition. This unfortunate development has warranted the increase of transportation cost to Le 30, 000,' he said.

He noted that prices of local commodities have increase because traders cannot afford to transport their goods to urban centers.

He lauded the government for its plan to upgrade the Kenema-Kailahun highway and observed that there are delays in the implementation of the project.

Meanwhile, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation Zainab Hawa Bangura has always insisted that the long standing relationship between Guinea and Sierra Leone could be jeopardized by the Yenga issue.

"This government cannot consider any forceful means instead of the peaceful negotiations that are still ongoing. Sierra Leone does not have the military and economic power that guinea has. Besides Guinea helped us a great deal during the war years," she had told a weekly press briefing recently.

Subject: File an action at the International Criminal Court
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:24:23 03/27/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198

Message:
Its about time that we end the peaceful co existence and "quiet" Diplomacy on the Yenga Issue and adress the issue in a court of Law. Sierra Leone is a signatory to the ICJ statute and can bring acase against Guinea ther. Take an example from the Cameroon Bakassi matter. We either do what is expedient or else we all shut up.

Enough talking. The president should start acting. Summon the Ambassador to State House. Issue a strongly worded message to the ambassador. Recall the Sierra leone ambassador to guinea for consultations.

Prepare and file a law suit against Guinea with the International court of Justice at the Hague. It takes resolve to do this. The last SLPP govt did not show any resolve on this issue and the failure by this government on this issue will signal an ominous trend. Take the right moves and whatc Yenga become a part of sierra leone again.

Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: 7 Villages Deserted at Yenga
From: Eddie Grant
To: All
Date Posted: 14:33:12 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 78.146.216.42

Message:
This issue must be addressed, its quiet distressing to hear that our people are being intimidated by those unscropulous nasties in the guinean army their assistance during the war is no excuse for illegal occupation of our country. I wish the government follow up on diplomatic negotiations and in haste to resolve this issue once and for all, because anxiety is begining brew.

When one think that part of our country is being occupied illegally by people from another country it brings shame because you feel helpless. While I agree with the government position for not waging war, I also think that the disclosure by the foreign minister that Sierra Leone don't have the military might like Guinea is a blow to our national soverignty and a sell off to our teritorial integrity. Statements like this from a high profile figure may seem to please our citizens but the truth is it's dangerous as it plays in the minds of those rogue Guinea troops who will shamelessly interprete this to mean their illegal occupation can go on unchallenged.

The government must find solution to this problem fast.

Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: 7 Villages Deserted at Yenga
From: Sam
To: All
Date Posted: 08:40:02 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-76-19-137-141.hsd1.ma.comcast.net at 76.19.137.141

Message:
Guinea is an ally, Yenga aside and any mess could destabilize our country and the region, something that we have laudably recently overcome, especially when one considers that in other parts of Africa, you have rebel led instabilities that have been going on since the 70s. List me among those that see a military option as a VERY last resort.

However, these comments coming out of govt officials worry me greatly. The minister of defense has ruled out a military option publicly and now our minister of foreign affairs has publicly stated that Sierra Leone is unfit to go up against Guinea militarily. Wow! Can they shut up? Why not just let the Guineans know that we will just beg them for our land back and if they don't feel like it, they don't have to give it up.

What these idiots should be doing instead of making those type of statements, is sending subliminal messages, with statements such as Guinea's stability is quite precarious and if there was a war, with Lansana Conteh having one and a half feet in the grave, it would not bode well for our beloved brothers. So we would rather they hand over the territory instead of us taking it by force. An agitated Guinean army once riled up might just decide to go all the way and take over the govt. This would be put more diplomatically of course. If they thought we were serious, Guinean officials who are now thinking about their livelihood and future post Lansana Conte, would quietly push for a handover.

Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: 7 Villages Deserted at Yenga
From: Salone Police
To: All
Date Posted: 13:50:16 03/26/08 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: nat1-whar.wcjc.cc.tx.us at 207.80.112.1

Message:
We don't have the military muscle to take back Yenga by force.