“ADVERSE CONDITIONS?” Louis responds to Omar Saidy-Khan

It seems like our blog is doing very well in its first week of existence. I’ve already received a lot of comments and emails in reaction to the articles. Support or criticism, all reactions are very encouraging because I feel the blog is serving its purpose of provoking thoughts and discussions.
In this post, I seek to address some of the issues raised by Mr. Omar Saidy-Khan in his evaluation of my articles entitled "Maintain Dignity Even In Adverse Conditions"- (Opinion) on the Gambia Echo http://www.thegambiaecho.com/Homepage/tabid/36/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/712/Default.aspx . Mr Khan’s concerns are quoted and in italics followed by my clarifications. I thank Mr. Saidy-Khan for taking time to not only read my postings but to care enough to react to them. I’m sure there are many others who had the same or similar concerns and I hope this posting helps you as well.

“…enemies of the Gambian people”
Funny how all of a sudden I’m an enemy of Gambian people just because I criticize, with reason, a few websites. I’d like to hear an explanation of why Gainako (who I criticized as well) published the article or why no one on The Gambia Journal or Gambianow called me an enemy.

“ They are aspiring pseudo intellectuals who try to impress you with their intellectual prowess.”
Me? Intellectual Prowess? Wow!!! Thanks for the compliment but I honestly don’t think I have any intellectual prowess. You on the other hand have proven you’re not a pseudo intellectual. Your big words have done the trick to convince me that you’re an actual intellectual and I really am impressed.

“Is it not the height of audacity for some one who acknowledges that he is not a journalist (the peer group), neither a politician, to rate in such a ridiculous manner the online publications?”
Yes it IS the height of audacity. Despite not being a journalist or a politician I have the audacity to rate online publications in MY OPINION.

“I cannot fathom what his objective is”
The reason you cannot fathom my objective is because it is so simple. Too simple for you to comprehend. My objective is to show that one does NOT need a gun like the government, a newspaper like the journalists or the title “journalist” to have an opinion or to rate an online paper. In addition, thanks to the advancement of the communications industry, you no longer need to rely on some censoring news medium to be heard.

“Who cares anyway what grade he assess these papers”
Apparently, YOU care and I thank you for caring. I don’t think you would waste precious time away from “stepping forward and doing something about the conditions of your family” to address me and my writings. Assuming YOU didn’t care though, that would also be totally cool by me. You can see on my blog that one of the options I provided as answers to how readers view about my ratings is “who cares?” There’s also the option of “absolute nonsense”. This is the type of display of tolerance to freedom of opinions that I addressed in my other article on the blog. I know not everyone cares and not everyone agrees but I’m willing and able to hear it and live with it. If you and some of our online papers you’re defending tried that, maybe we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

“To cap it all, he offers his MEAGER contribution as if we have nothing better to be concerned about.”
I don’t know about you but I personally have nothing better to do. This is IT for me. Sit at home all day and blog away.

“I do not know any such journalist and hope never to read one line of their writing ever”
Well, if you’re reading this then …”oops, I did it again”

“These courageous young men ought to be commended for what contributions they are making. I am very proud of both their efforts and the content of their articles.”
Well I’m sure you are proud. However, that does not mean that I should be too and if I’m not satisfied I’ll say it. And if you’re not satisfied with me having an opinion or expressing it, then you’re entitled to say it too and the cycle goes on.

“I can say that you should be accused of having a chip on your shoulder.”
Of course you can say that. It’s your opinion to which you are entitled and you won’t hear me crying about it.

“The audacity of your enterprise to publish an individual opinion as a credible rating”
Correction Sir, I don’t remember ever presenting my ratings as a “credible rating”. It is no more than MY opinion. You and everyone else have your opinion and you can choose share it with anyone who cares.

“I however think it too premature to launch attacks at them at this age of their lives.”
When, Sir, would be a “mature” time to launch “attacks” at them? In the words of DA FUGITIVZ “banghaas bor giss cha bamu nekeh ganchah laign koi jubanti, dor harr mu dijjah”. At 60 years of age, I’m sure you’re familiar with the translation that “one straightens out a tree when it’s a twig, you don’t wait for it to grow strong”. As a Gambian consumer of online news, I CHOOSE NOT TO SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRITY. “Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well”.

“Yaya Jammeh is all and only source of power”
On this I respectfully disagree and if it wasn’t for your seniority at 60 I’d call you myopic. The media holds a whole lot of power. More power than most of them realize or can handle. This is the reason for my demand for all of us to hold them accountable and make sure they’re doing the jobs they chose right.

“It is a common tactic, albeit a dishonorable one, to accuse folks of infractions that oneself is guilty of as a distraction.”

“Efforts to rattle Jambang’s resolve”
Firstly, how fragile is Jambang’s resolve to be rattled by little old me? Maybe he’s in the wrong business if his resolve is so weak. Besides, wouldn’t that be similar to the “dishonorable tactic” you mentioned above for journalists like Jambang to accuse the government of low tolerance to free speech if they themselves can’t handle it?

“…it is ironic that you found the “History of Basse” boring”
Honestly, I don’t see the irony Sir. I did say it was an important opinion but I think you’re having the problem that I HAVE AN OPINION and it doesn’t have to be the same as YOURS. History just doesn’t do it for me, whether it’s about Basse or Utopia. I’d rather kick back with an ice tea watching Tom and Jerry Cartoons.

“Please give a short family history to enlighten us. The claim that you are using pseudo name is very convincing I might add.”
Sir, I just don’t see the importance of whether my name is James or Omar. Whether I’m using a pseudo name is not nearly as important as the issues I’m discussing. Like your boy Jambang, you’re focusing on the less important. Tell me that The Point is not self-censoring and back it up, tell me that the Gambia Echo does not have a grudge and back it up or even tell me that Matthew K. has a better picture. Tell me that Jambang is not being a baby or that Observer is not a government tool. Those issues, Sir, are more relevant topics than my personal family background.

“Again, I am very encouraged that Mr. Friend is embarking on an online publication. It is terrific that we have more info nonetheless.”
Again, I’m glad you’re encouraged. I am equally encouraged and honored to have been worth your time.

To end, I ask, “what adverse conditions?” You cannot seriously be calling my comments “adverse conditions” for journalists. Ebrima Chief Manneh knows about adverse conditions. Baba Galleh Jallow, George Christensen, Sud FM, Baboucarr Gaye, Omar Barrow, DA Jawo, Fatou Jaw Manneh, those guys know about adverse conditions. For most of our online guys, this is not even their full time job. They clock in and out at other places and do their “journalism” in their spare time. They have no government breathing down their necks. They’re free to write and publish whatever they want and yet they cannot tolerate “a simple lash of the whip to keep them going” from a nonentity like me???

Louis Friend