All HAIL THE KING!!! Louis Reviews News for the week ending November 7, 2007

This week’s review starts with the National Assembly.

http://www.gambianow.com/news/Open-Forum/Analysis/Gambia-News-Another-Death-Knell-for-Democracy.html

Another Death Knell for Democracy

Sad news for Gambians here. Our ELECTED National Assembly members have passed a bill which empowers the president to take charge of the affairs of all area councils and municipalities in the country. Yes, it sounds bizarre but it IS what you think, the president is authorized to fire elected local government officials!!!

In her analysis of the president’s koriteh message, Amie Cham warns of a President who now “…rules with a sly hand, like a mouse nibbling at the edges of a cake it believes leads to a trap, getting to the chocolate-filled centre slowly, slowly.” I saw the president’s hijacking of the local governments as a stronger, more direct and more dangerous move in that he uses the country’s legislative to grapple more power from the people. What is to say that after taking charge of area councils and municipalities, the next step wouldn’t be to take charge of the affairs of the National Assembly and eventually becoming Abdul Aziz Jemus JunKING JAMMEH!!!

Do we fault the president? YES indeed. But at even greater fault are our elected officials of the National Assembly. During the debate in parliament, the Foni Kansala parliamentarian tried to justify the bill by stating that “mandating the president to remove a mayor or mayoress is still giving power to the people because the amendment of the act is being done by members of the National Assembly who are representing their peoples.” No Sir, au contraire. What you people are doing is MISREPRESENTING the people who trusted and elected you to look after their welfare.

I normally advocate for people to “respect the office” regardless of the occupant but this is becoming increasingly difficult to do in present day Gambia. “If you want respect, you’ve got to earn it” and I couldn’t think of a more fitting definition of “bone-headed” than the above reasoning. With all due respect Sir, your reasoning is as “sensible” as the one in the story on The Point where a man tries to convince the court that he only raped a girl because he was sex-starved after being imprisoned (http://www.thepoint.gm/Courts841.htm); doesn’t hold water. (Yea, I found that story interesting and just had to put it somewhere).

These National Assembly members make me feel like Gambians are living in a “DUMMY-CRACY”. Spine, integrity, ethics, honor and intelligence…are all foreign words to majority of our “representatives”.

Anyway, I’m sure the King, is doing his best to control his Pawns to protect and strengthen the kingdom. Remember though, that, “every pawn is a potential queen” and who knows when the tables might turn…

http://www.observer.gm/africa/gambia/bakau/article/2007/11/7/staff-changes-at-the-daily-observer

Staff Changes at the Observer

Surprise, Surprise! (rolling my eyes and tilting my head as I say that), Saja Taal has been fired as Managing Director of the Daily Observer. This story, like all other hiring and firing going on in Gambia bores me to death. Saja was fired less than a month ago, hired barely a day later, and now re-fried. Wake up tomorrow and find him made vice president or head janitor at state house will not surprise me one bit. Hey, here’s a very revolutionary idea for whoever is doing the hiring and firing…ready? Brace yourselves people…this is a Eureka moment!!! How about you THINK AND EVALUATE CANDIDATES BEFORE YOU HIRE THEM??? Huh? Isn’t that a great idea? It’s not so hard. You just have to put your mind to it and you can do it!!!

I would also like to plead with our online journalists to stop celebrating every time someone is fired. Don’t you find it embarrassing every time you celebrate and pour insults on a fired individual only to find out the person has been rehired in another capacity shortly after?

In the same story, the “new broom” at Observer, Mr. Dida Halake, is sweeping clean. He has promoted some, fired some and…get this…promised some changes in the next 6months to a year!!! Haha, what an optimist! Mr. Halake must hate the person who invented the seatbelt. Car Accidents? No Way! This man is courageous enough to foresee 6months of employment under the given conditions. Good luck Sir but I must remind you that the last time you were made Managing Director it lasted less than 2 days before Saja Taal was rehired.

“Foos Mbalah Fooset”

http://www.thegambiaecho.com/Homepage/tabid/36/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/874/Default.aspx

Senegalo-Gambian Ministerial Meeting Ends in Fiasco

http://www.senegambianews.com/article.cfm?articleID=1988

Senegal and Gambia issue Joint Communiqué as Ministerial meeting ends in Banjul

Now normally, The Gambia Echo and Senegambia News have been pretty much in sync with the stories they report. They’ve even had similar pictures on some stories. I was therefore surprised to see completely contradicting takes on the Senegalo Gambian Ministerial Meetings.

In the first story, The Echo claims that the meeting ended in FIASCO with Senegalese ministers boycotting the event and Jammeh calling it off.

In the second link, Senegambia News reports that the meeting did in fact go on and a joint communiqué was issued.

My question is who is lying because unless I’m missing something, they can’t both be true. Personally, I’m leaning more towards Senegambia News. Not only is their story corroborated by other news sources, they even go further to give the names of those who attended as well as the topics discussed. I’d say that The Echo’s Kissy Kissy Mansa needs to Kissy Kissy some more next time.

That aside, thumbs up to whoever is behind such a meeting between the two countries. We are one people with Senegal and no one can change that. Both governments must realize this and work together to serve the interests and best wishes of their people. Any smart government in Gambia will also realize that we are geographically flanked on 3 sides by a much more powerful Senegal and being friends with them would be a much better idea than being at odds with them. Be steadfast, maintain your sovereignty, but be sensible.

http://www.thepoint.gm/headlines2457.htm

Lamin Waa Juwara Appointed Interim Chairman of Brikama Area Council

Another surprise? NO. Anyone who read Waa Juwara’s interview with Freedom Newspaper could see that it wasn’t the same strong, outspoken opposition who had earned the name “mbarodi”. From being one of the strongest critics of the AFPRC/APRC to being appointed as chairman (or committee member) of not only the government but in a capacity that has just robbed the people of their voice (bill giving president authority over local governments discussed above), Waa is like a “reverse Mandela”. Anyway, whatever your reasons Waa, best of luck to you.

http://www.allgambian.net/NewsDetails.aspx?id=123

The Final Story this week is the Interview PK Jarju had with Sheriff Bojang. I’m glad someone “forced” me to read this story after I initially declined. I only remember Mr. Bojang from his essays on the Observer. This interview, however, gave me a bit more insight into the brilliance of the man. His answers had it all, witty, articulate, direct, humor, meanness and even a bit of cockiness. I will try and refrain from giving details just so you can go read it in its entirety yourself. As can be expected, I thought there were a few areas with “shady/incomplete” answers, I don’t think Kenneth Best did such a good job in keeping him “humble” as he claims but I must attest to the brilliance of the man.

I’ll quote a few lines from my favorite parts of the interview as an appetizer for you to go read it yourself…

PK’s Question: “What do you think of the state of Gambian journalism?”

Sheriff’s Answer - “…I have no respect for those journalists who fill their pages with pornography of insults and speculative editorialising just like I have no respect for journalists who turn their newspapers into mediums of deceitful sycophancy.

How can two former RVH security guards Mr. XXX and MR. YYY be headlining Gambian journalism today? Nerds and anoraks of the worst kind. Metaphors and useful proxies for the state of Gambian journalism? Isn't that sick?”

I must point out that I really don’t know anything about Sherrif Bojang’s journalistic professionalism, ethics or principles so don’t quote me as endorsing him as “a good journalist”. I can only hope that he is as professional and ethical as he is smart. That would make a great journalist Gambians everywhere can be proud of.

www.thegambiaecho.com

That’s Greek to me

Can someone please tell The Gambia Echo’s Dr. Fox that no one speaks Latin anymore (or is that German)? We know Dr. Fox took humanities in college where he learnt Descarte’s “Cogito Ergo Sum” but not all of us went to college so a translation would be appropriate. “I think, therefore I am” sounds way better. If you claim you’re trying to be original, I’m sure you also know that Descartes spoke French so the original would be “Je pense, donc je suis”.

I now leave you with an interesting quote unrelated to any of the above stories.

" I never said I cure AIDS; all what I said is I treat AIDS & get rid of the virus, " President Yahya Jammeh (according to Gainako)

CAUGHT MY EYE: Louis on the Papers, Week ending August 28th 2007

Gambianow – Two stories about Africans being killed trying to flee the continent for greener pastures in Europe. I’m glad the newspapers are writing about it and I hope our governments do more about this unnecessary loss of life. Rather than arrest those who get caught and deported I would focus on civic education to let your young men and women know the hardships and dangers involved in these trips. More importantly, more effort needs to be made in providing economic opportunities for our young and able-bodied. I’m sure most of them would gladly stay if they had something to do back home.

The Gambia Journal – Uh ooh, here we go again!!! HIV, Asthma, Hypertension and now Cancer??? I thought most doctors specialize in one area of medicine but I guess Dr. Jammeh is a general practitioner. While I have no evidence to accept Dr Jammeh’s healing powers, I have none to reject them either. I’m sure all mankind would greatly benefit if the cures work but equally great would be the damage if they don’t. I hope the president and his advisors understand this.

To the two newspapers above: As usual, thanks for informing us and representing us well.

And now to the rest – Brace yourselves people

Freedom Newspaper – reported on “Eboe Town Residents in Dire Need of Help as Flood devastates community”. Thanks for a good article. Good, malice-free reporting which only serves to inform. I hope Gambians in a position to help will do so. I’m sure the people involved will appreciate whatever you give no matter how small.

Also published the writings of journalist PK Jarju giving ways to get rid of the current government. Among PK’s methods was a military intervention by the national army. I am relieved to hear that PK’s email was bombarded with emails condemning his idea of a military intervention. He says its from APRC supporters but I say its from supporters of Gambia who value human life, peace and development. As the editors of Freedom Newspaper already touched on, any military intervention is unwelcome in our country so whoever is even remotely thinking about it needs to take a chill pill. Take a look at our neighbors like Liberia and you’ll see that we’d rather live the way we do right now than take our country back to the 19^th century. I recommend Sorious Samora’s “CRY FREETOWN” to you PK and all others who think military intervention is solution to anything. In addition, as one writer already mentioned, if PK was willing to talk the talk he should have been ready to walk the walk. While in Gambia, PK could have written something or joined the army and led this “intervention” if he had the courage he’s now trying to show. Instead, he fled and began talking in the safety of his room. Don’t try to lead people to what you wouldn’t do brother.

While I commend Freedom Newspaper for their disclaimer stating that they do not support any military action, I must say that if any, these are the kinds of articles you need to censor (instead of Louis Friend’s ratings). Any public speech or writing inciting violence is irresponsible and illegal in most societies and should not be tolerated even if it is from a “friend of the Gambia” like PK.

Senegambia News – Briefly had a headline about a “despicable former daily observer editor”. Who or exactly why they call the person despicable, I have no idea. They said the person studied at Forah Bay College but did not name names. The only reason it caught my eye is that they pulled the article a few hours later and I’m sure their readers are just as curious as I am as to why they pulled it down.

Also highlighted a thousand dollar donation from a Gambian. The Gambian spirit of “giving” is reaffirmed. I know what they do with the donation is none of my business but I’ll still go ahead and suggest that college tuition will not be such a bad investment.

The Gambia Echo – Published Mr. Omar Saidy-Khan’s reaction to my ratings entitled THE FOURTH ESTATE. I have since issued a response to Mr. Saidy-Khan called “ADVERSE CONDITIONS???”on this blog and have not heard back from him. To the Gambia Echo I ask, “why would you publish a reaction to an article you refused to publish in the first place?”

Also published a story on “Jammeh violating Sir Dawda’s Amnesty” http://www.thegambiaecho.com/Homepage/tabid/36/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/714/Default.aspx This, if true, is indeed a worrisome subject that interests Gambians everywhere. Even more worrisome would be the act of taking 5 miles of land from villagers anywhere in the country. The problem I have with this report is that the Echo did not claim to have investigated the story. In a typical manner for them to jump on anything negative about the government, they seemed to have rushed to publication. I’m not saying they did not investigate it. Just that they did not tell me they did. Instead of just taking the word of the “Jawara family member”, I would like to see them at least try to interview a chief, alkalo, someone at local government or even one of their sources in Gambia like the famous “Officer X”.

The echo also sought at the end of the above article, to respond to their “critics” including this writer. I would have responded to them in a full piece but I’ll exercise restraint for two reasons.

1. The fact that they tried to hide their response in an article totally unrelated to what I spoke about shows their cowardice. I’m sorry but it’s the only reason I can think of that would warrant them hiding their reaction behind a completely unrelated article. They can’t argue that it wasn’t worth a heading of its own because the reaction was almost as long as the main story itself. My aim is not to “rattle the resolve” of our journalists and I hope refraining from giving a full reaction will help stabilize their resolve.
2. The second reason for my restraint is that I wouldn’t know where to begin responding to the echo. In the immortal words of the caveman on the Geico commercials…”WHAAAT???” Bro, you sound just like Miss Teen South Carolina when she was asked why a lot of Americans can't locate the USA on a map. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII) I am an educated man but will someone please go to the Gambia Echo website and translate that passage to me? What on earth was that? I sought the help of a friend, a PhD holder who taught English at University level and she was as confused as I was. That passage made NO sense at all. It made me realize what Mr. Saidy-Khan said when he spoke about “my intellectual prowess”. Brothers please, I DO NOT HAVE ANY INTELLECTUAL PROWESS so please stop trying to match what does not exist. I now wish I never quoted Carlyle and Burke because like my identity, it seems to take attention away from the real ISSUES I’m trying to discuss. Just because I quoted Carlyle doesn’t mean you have to do the same and if you decide to do so, the quote needs to MAKE SENSE and be at least SOMEWHAT RELATED to what you’re writing about. You don’t just go quoting for the sake of it.

To the Echo, yours is not to compete with nonentities like me. You don’t need to quote Carlyle to prove you’re also “students of Literature, History and Political Science”. Yours is to inform the Gambian people and this needs to be done in the simplest of languages so even the youngest and least educated reader can understand what your message is. You’re right, I was wrong for starting the rumor that you write good English. You’ve proven that beyond any reasonable doubt and I sincerely apologize. Please get back to informing Gambians and quit whatever it was that you were trying to do with that “thing”. Use of big words, jargons and irrelevant quotes is impressive but only to the uneducated who think the only reason they don’t understand it is because of their lack of education when the reality is that it doesn’t make sense to even the most educated.

As I said, I’m not interested in editing your papers. However, if the editors of the echo decide to argue that their “thing” makes sense then I’ll be left with no option but to prove what I’m saying. I will, as an example, explain to their readers how the use of the word “Dickensical”(in the above article about Jammeh and Sir Dawda) is inappropriate and inaccurate in more than one way in the context it was used. Till I hear a rat squeak, I rest my keyboard.

Again, feel free to send your comments on this and all stories for publication.