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Momodou
Denmark
11737 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jan 2009 : 21:56:38
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Halifa Sallah’s Letter To President Elect Obama
Re: I Care
My unfettered conscience and no less so than a sense of common destiny has compelled me to address this memorandum to you to recommend a title and content for your inaugural speech. It is my conviction that history is made by active architects of the destiny of human kind rather than passive onlookers.
It is shaped by those who look beyond the confines of the political dogmas of the past with eyes that can discern the demands and urgencies of the times and sight the road map of the possibilities of the future.
A leader would risk being put out of touch with the objective realities of the times if he or she fails to take note of the dictates of necessity, times and circumstances. Urgencies are created by historical circumstances but possibilities are created by the minds of mature and discerning leaders.
It is now your duty to embrace the type of inaugural speech which will give the world a new beginning, a speech which will inspire hope, one which will unify those who wish to spread liberty, dignity, prosperity and tranquillity throughout the universe. This is the only way you can be historically relevant. Any speech which fails to serve such an end will constitute a betrayal of history. This conclusion is the verdict of history and it is incontrovertible.
This is precisely the reason why your slogan “We can” Should be superseded by the slogan “I care.” The issues you may raise to inspire the world is attached under the cover of this memorandum.
While anticipating that you will make use of the content, please accept, honourable President Elect, the assurances of my highest consideration and humanist esteem.
Yours in the service of Humanity
Halifa Sallah
I CARE
This could be the beginning of the end of the old world order and the beginning of the beginning of the new world order. This is a world at crossroads. You are assuming the role of president at a time when the whole world is asking for a change in the way things had been done in the past.
People the world over do not want to live in the old way. They are demanding to live in a new way. Their hopes and aspirations for a better world are written in the stars. It is our collective duty to make our deeds to be the embodiment of their hopes and aspirations in order to transform dreams into reality. Will we or will we not succeed in creating a new world order which our children and children’s children will be proud to inherit in our life time? This is the fundamental question facing your Presidency.
January 20 2009 is therefore a defining moment for your Presidency. The issues you treat and the manner you treat them will either energise the hope chambered in the chest of the just of the world or quench it. You need to re-assure the world in a precise and concise manner that the United States you are going to be a President of has no interest in being seen as the arrogant dictator of the world.
It is important to affirm the Universal Principles and assure the world that your government is committed to such principles. Tell the world that long before the drafting of the UN Charter and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, those who coined the Declaration of American Independence had acknowledged that all human beings are equal and have the inalienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. You should further remind the world that when the terrible wars of the world outraged the human conscience humanity saw the need to bring all peoples of the world under a common Charter which affirms the right of all peoples to self determination and Independence, the rights of nations big or small to live as equals and to resolve their disputes through peaceful means in order to promote the spirit of good neighbourliness and Preserve and consolidate World Peace and Security. It is important for you to remind the world that the disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts being committed which have outraged the conscience of human beings and had forced them to recourse to rebellion which has given birth to the quest for human rights to be protected through the rule of Law to ensure that all persons are equal in dignity and rights, irrespective of national origin, colour, gender, and religion, so that humankind can progress to attain better standards of life for all in larger freedom.
It is your duty to make an affirmation that you are committed to the measures which will ensure the full realisation of such principles in our life time. This is what will enable us to have a world of Peace and Prosperity, a world of hope for the hopeless, a world which is fit for our children to inherit.
History demands that you work towards the building of a world where the universal communion of humankind will be realised; a world where children will have hope instead of becoming suicide bombers to protest against their hopeless existence; a world where youths will have the future clearly at sight rather than master the art of installing roadside bombs to show the agility of their intellectual endowments; a world where it would be safe for the Peace Corps to be despatched to fight poverty by promoting literacy; labour saving devices to reduce drudgery; safe drinking water in slums and villages in Afghanistan, Gaza, the West Bank, Iraq, Somalia and other troubled regions. The world needs an America which will send peace makers and civilisation builders to the world not one which sends war mongers and civilisation crucifiers. The world is waiting for such assurance.
Suffice it to say that if you were to give such assurance some will accuse you of being a dreamer. The fact of the matter is that your presidency is the by-product of a dream which had come true. It was a dream that someday the vast majority of the people in the US will determine their leadership on the basis of the Intellect, Character and values of the candidates and not on the basis of the colour of their skin. That day has come. That day is 20 January 2009. It is therefore equally proper for you to tell the world that you envisage a day when the billions which are spent on arms annually will be utilised to guarantee education for all, health for all, employment for all, social security for all, Liberty and prosperity for all.
President–Elect Obama, You have identified Afghanistan as the biggest source of threat to US security. You have promised to increase troops to win the war against Osama Ibn Laden. History teaches that the life of an individual human being is too transient to warrant a whole nation to peg its policy on war and peace on such a single person. You need to give fresh thinking to the existing US policy on Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Iran as well as the Middle East with focus on Palestine and Israel and formulate a new policy blueprint.
The demise of Saddam Hussein and the continuous disintegration of Iraq after his death confirm the need to focus more on the people who constitute a country and less on their leaders. It is a given type of people who makes a given type of leadership possible. A departure from the past requires you to engage the people of these countries in addition to their leaders. It should be clear to you that what the American people want is what the people in all Countries want. Every people in this world want a homeland under the sun which can guarantee them liberty, dignity, prosperity, security, peace and happiness. The people of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Palestine and Israel are no exception. No people deserve to be punished for the excesses of their leaders. What ordinary people need is protection from those excesses to which they are the first victims.
Any attempt to punish them for such excesses is an effort that would compel them to be hand and glove with those leaders. What do people need when they are shackled by poverty and oppression? Clearly, they do not need bombing of their shelters. They need solidarity. Those who give them solidarity on how to eradicate their poverty and oppression must become their friends and allies.
Those who increase their poverty and alienation become their enemies. It should therefore be abundantly clear that the primary task of your government is to develop a Comprehensive Peace and Reconstruction plan for Afghanistan which should start with the holding of a Sovereign National Conference involving all segments of Afghan Society involving State operatives, The Intelligentsia, representatives of Civil Society, Religious and Traditional leaders, women and youth sectors.
This conference should map out the means to involve the people in the villages in formulating a new constitution for a new Afghan Republic, a new electoral system, a new democracy, a new type of democratic leadership, a new state and a new economic recovery programme which will take into consideration the vital needs and concerns of all sectors of society. Your government should be seen to be giving solidarity and not dictating how things go. There is absolutely no doubt that the forces which are opposed to the empowerment of the people will obstruct the process through intimidation. This however will gradually alienate them from the people. Common sense therefore teaches that the United States will not be seen as a friend of the People of Afghanistan by throwing its might around through the use of deadly weapons; on the contrary, it can only succeed in doing so by giving solidarity to the Afghan people and throwing its resources and skills to fight poverty and oppression and enhance liberty and prosperity.
In the same vein, current US policy in Pakistan is destabilising and incompatible with the dictates of necessity, times and circumstances. Political science teaches that an attitude to a state should be determined by the attitudes of its people and government. The attitude of a people may determine the policy adopted by a government. The policy of a government may also determine the attitude of a people towards a given foreign government or state. In the case of Pakistan there exists a government which struggled to come to office through democratic means. The people of Pakistan in their millions have also participated in the democratic process to remove leaders who consolidated their political power by military means. Hence both people and Government are committed to the democratic process. What Pakistan needs at this juncture is solidarity for the people to reap the dividends of Democracy. This calls for the creation of an all inclusive government, the decentralisation of power and resources to the regions to promote development in the border areas, the drawing up of an economic Recovery Programme which will give more prosperity to the people and the institutionalisation of respect for fundamental rights and freedom to enlarge the liberties of the people.
These are the measures through which hope can be given to the hopeless and draw them away from any temptation to move towards self destruction through adventurism.
It is counterproductive for the US to push Pakistan to handle a law and Order situation in a war like manner which is creating a state of civil war. The end result of such a policy is more violence, more military expenditure, less peace and tranquillity, less development, less liberty and prosperity. The people will eventually conclude that their territorial integrity and Independence were better respected and protected under the former regime of impunity than the democratic one. This would be a step backward. The US policy needs to be reversed to give credibility, vitality and strength to the Democratic forces in Pakistan.
President Elect Obama, the most urgent task that has been pushed on your table by the vicissitudes of history is the problem of Gaza. The greatest weakness of US foreign policy in the Middle East is its piecemeal approach to solving the problems of the Palestinian people which will make or break the integrity and credibility of any US administration. It is a fundament al law of historical science that no nation can be free if it oppresses and occupies another Nation. Iraq provides the US with its latest lessons. What the Middle East needs is not a Piecemeal Peace plan. It needs a comprehensive peace plan. Successive US administrations have thrown their eyes of the ball and had therefore been able to capture the decisive elements requisite for a final settlement of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Your administration should take note of the fact that the primary contradiction between Israel and the Palestinian people is not about closure of border crossings and the firing of rockets on the contrary it is about Statehood.
Your administration must focus on this if it is to bring peace in the Middle East. There is need to come up with a comprehensive peace plan which will indicate when and how a Palestinian state will emerge to co-exist side by side with Israel. This Comprehensive Peace plan will include the returning of occupied Lands of other countries and the formulation of fundamental principles of inter-state policy which will guarantee the Security of Israel and Palestine in Particular and all other states in general.
Both the Israeli and Palestinian Peoples have a right o self determination and political Independence under a state whose rights to sovereignty, political Independence, territorial Integrity and National Unity are respected. If your administration provides the solidarity which will enable the Palestinian and Israeli peoples to have their own states under secure national borders and further assist each to develop the type of democratic state administration which will ensure respect for fundamental rights and freedoms and the emergence of governments determined by the will of the people; if your administration further gives support for each Nation to come up with an economic recovery programme which would address the needs of the people for prosperous existence you would have laid the bedrock of state administration which would guarantee peace, liberty and prosperity in the region for all times.
It is important for US foreign policy makers to stop putting religion as a prefix to terms such as terrorism. They should try to identify and understand the social forces with mundane causes that rely on religious slogans to promote their aspirations. Religion has been utilised by monarchs to defend their divine right to rule. It has been utilised by their opponents to rebel against the monarchies to establish Republics. It is relied on by diverse forces to give legitimacy to their causes. It is therefore important to put all conflicts in their proper social context in order not to antagonise those who have faith in given religions.
Hence history, experience and wisdom dictate that your administration should adopt a multi- lateral approach to foreign policy which should be underpinned by a balanced assessment of all major conflicts and the promotion of regional initiatives to supplement multilateral measures under the auspices of the UN to handle them.
Hence the immediate task of your government is for your Secretary of State to facilitate the convening of a regional conference in the middle East which should involve all the Arab speaking States as well as Israel, Turkey and Iran to discuss how to formulate a Comprehensive peace plan to enable the people of Israel and Palestine to co-exist in peace under secure borders. This is the way forward. Any cease fire which is not linked to a two state solution is nothing but a pretext for rearmament to wage a more devastating War. Those who claim to be outraged by the atrocities committed during such wars but do nothing to uproot its root cause will ultimately be indicted by history.
Finally, your Presidency emerges with great expectation of economic renewal. There is no doubt that there is great potential for economic renewal if the right measures are taken at the right time. Economics however is a Science. Banks and populations do not expect monies to drop as manna from Heaven. What we sow is what we reap. The major challenge of your Presidency is the need to grasp the true nature of the economic crises which grip the world.
You must admit that State, Banks, Industries, Businesses and consumers have borrowed more than they could pay and have consumed more than they could earn.
In simple and elementary terms this is what has brought about the credit trap.
Yes a new deal is possible. Your administration may use tax money to engage in massive reconstruction of infrastructure to create jobs; it may give tax money to banks to enable them to give credit to companies and consumers, it may give tax relief so that consumers can spend. However at the end of the day the state must earn more taxes to give more and this it cannot do by contracting the income of the wealthiest companies which could also head towards bankruptcy if the taxes are excessive. This will live you with no option but to borrow more to finance escalating budget deficits. The only way the state could have earned without increasing taxes is to become the owner of the banks and the other means of production itself and that would amount to socialism which you are not elected to build in the US.
This state ownership of the means of production is what China is exploiting at the moment to make huge infrastructural investments. Hence your immediate task is not to compete with China but to do what the US economic system permits your government to do and leave the rest to posterity.
It is important that you identify the driving forces of the productive base of the US economy and protect them from encroachment. Secondly, Credit should go to boost production so that the earnings of consumers will come from production rather than mere credit. Thirdly, you must identify the complimentary aspects of US
production and Consumption patterns with the other economies of the world so that trade and financial negotiations may be conducted to ensure a fair, balanced and proportionate relationship.
You must have it uppermost in your mind that all peoples of the world are tired of poverty and tyranny. There is a wave developing against poverty and tyranny. Your duty is to assure the people of the world that you care. You should recommend for governments in Africa to meet and draw up a Comprehensive Economic Recovery programme for the continent and define how they wish to develop a financial and trading relationship with the United State which will promote a balanced and proportionate development of a prosperous world. The same should be requested of Europe, Asia and Latin America.
These policies could inform the founding of a New International Economic order which will ensure universal prosperity and peace.
The world is indeed at cross roads and your Presidency can be a bridge in a divided world. This can only be if you support justice everywhere and condemn injustice everywhere. This will enable you to be loved by the people of the world and thus facilitate the solution of problems through dialogue instead of confrontation. History, the untiring recorder of events has its pen. It will start recording the words and deeds of your administration from its day of inception. The future will be your judge. Will you be absolved or condemned to eternal pillory? The future will tell. At this very moment you have inspired hope and confidence by your conduct and promises. We hope that you will continue to earn the trust and confidence which accompany your inauguration as you proceed to back words with deeds.
Halifa Sallah
Director
People’s Centre for Social Science Research Civic Awareness and Community Initiative
30Papa Sarr StreetP.O.Box 2306 S/K
Churchill Town , The Gambia
Halifas1953 @yahoo.com
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2009 : 08:52:26
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| Good letter; good advice. But considering the tone of the letter, can and should Halifa tell us what to do? |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 19:31:34
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Kay i believe Mr Sallah was addressing the President-elect. There is no "us" here. You should set your eyes on Jammeh's seat instead of the US Presidency because you have no chance with the latter. If your beef is with Mr Sallah's proposals to Obama as a citizen of the free world which President Obama intends to lead, i guess Mr Sallah have every right to make them. I don't know if it was coincidence or great minds thinking alike but Obama speech last night is certainly reminiscent of many of Halifa's proposals.quote:
Originally posted by kayjatta
Good letter; good advice. But considering the tone of the letter, can and should Halifa tell us what to do?
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 20:50:04
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Here are some uncanny similarities:
SALLAH: 'It is shaped by those who look beyond the confines of the political dogmas of the past with eyes that can discern the demands and urgencies of the times and sight the road map of the possibilities of the future'
OBAMA: 'On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics'
SALLAH: 'It is now your duty to embrace the type of inaugural speech which will give the world a new beginning, a speech which will inspire hope, one which will unify those who wish to spread liberty, dignity, prosperity and tranquillity throughout the universe. This is the only way you can be historically relevant. Any speech which fails to serve such an end will constitute a betrayal of history.'
OBAMA: 'The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness'
SALLAH: 'You need to re-assure the world in a precise and concise manner that the United States you are going to be a President of has no interest in being seen as the arrogant dictator of the world.
It is important to affirm the Universal Principles and assure the world that your government is committed to such principles. Tell the world that long before the drafting of the UN Charter and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, those who coined the Declaration of American Independence had acknowledged that all human beings are equal and have the inalienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. You should further remind the world that when the terrible wars of the world outraged the human conscience humanity saw the need to bring all peoples of the world under a common Charter which affirms the right of all peoples to self determination and Independence, the rights of nations big or small to live as equals and to resolve their disputes through peaceful means in order to promote the spirit of good neighbourliness and Preserve and consolidate World Peace and Security'
OBAMA: 'And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint'
SALLAH: 'It is important for you to remind the world that the disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts being committed which have outraged the conscience of human beings and had forced them to recourse to rebellion which has given birth to the quest for human rights to be protected through the rule of Law to ensure that all persons are equal in dignity and rights, irrespective of national origin, colour, gender, and religion, so that humankind can progress to attain better standards of life for all in larger freedom.
It is your duty to make an affirmation that you are committed to the measures which will ensure the full realisation of such principles in our life time. This is what will enable us to have a world of Peace and Prosperity, a world of hope for the hopeless, a world which is fit for our children to inherit'
OBAMA:We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace'
SALLAH:History demands that you work towards the building of a world where the universal communion of humankind will be realised; a world where children will have hope instead of becoming suicide bombers to protest against their hopeless existence; a world where youths will have the future clearly at sight rather than master the art of installing roadside bombs to show the agility of their intellectual endowments; a world where it would be safe for the Peace Corps to be despatched to fight poverty by promoting literacy; labour saving devices to reduce drudgery; safe drinking water in slums and villages in Afghanistan, Gaza, the West Bank, Iraq, Somalia and other troubled regions. The world needs an America which will send peace makers and civilisation builders to the world not one which sends war mongers and civilisation crucifiers. The world is waiting for such assurance'
OBAMA: 'To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect'
SALLAH: 'Common sense therefore teaches that the United States will not be seen as a friend of the People of Afghanistan by throwing its might around through the use of deadly weapons; on the contrary, it can only succeed in doing so by giving solidarity to the Afghan people and throwing its resources and skills to fight poverty and oppression and enhance liberty and prosperity'
OBAMA: 'To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it'
SALLAH: 'The major challenge of your Presidency is the need to grasp the true nature of the economic crises which grip the world.
You must admit that State, Banks, Industries, Businesses and consumers have borrowed more than they could pay and have consumed more than they could earn.
In simple and elementary terms this is what has brought about the credit trap.
Yes a new deal is possible. Your administration may use tax money to engage in massive reconstruction of infrastructure to create jobs; it may give tax money to banks to enable them to give credit to companies and consumers, it may give tax relief so that consumers can spend. However at the end of the day the state must earn more taxes to give more and this it cannot do by contracting the income of the wealthiest companies which could also head towards bankruptcy if the taxes are excessive. This will live you with no option but to borrow more to finance escalating budget deficits. The only way the state could have earned without increasing taxes is to become the owner of the banks and the other means of production itself and that would amount to socialism which you are not elected to build in the US.
This state ownership of the means of production is what China is exploiting at the moment to make huge infrastructural investments. Hence your immediate task is not to compete with China but to do what the US economic system permits your government to do and leave the rest to posterity'
OBAMA: 'The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government'
Thanks for the forward Momodou.
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Edited by - shaka on 22 Jan 2009 00:41:32 |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 22:49:53
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Halifa Sallah’s Letter To President Elect Obama
Re: I Care
“…It is important to affirm the Universal Principles and assure the world that your government is committed to such principles……
….…to remind the world that the disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts being committed which have outraged the conscience of human beings...…”
Reminds me of a conversation I had with a Senegalese friend.
We were talking about Gambian music the other day.
He said;
“When you get up in the morning you should clean your house before going out to meet people, hence they did clean their houses before meting you.”
Meaning,Gambian music fans would rather give their moral and financial support to none Gambian musicians than Gambian musicians, so how would Gambian music prosper. No way.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 23:12:03
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Halifa's text is readable and digestable in both content and context. On a twist of thought one wonders why the whole of this long letter could not capture even a shadow of Gambia's current crises. From the history of how Jammeh seized power to the critical limit of his state of terror.
If this was to deal with Halifa's broad generosity to salvage the world and Africa, there is serious need for him to shift attention on Gambia. |
Karamba |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2009 : 01:14:52
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Your frustration in Halifa not taking up the Gambian problem to President Obama is understood, however i don't think Mr Sallah was engaging Obama as a Gambian citizen but as a human being and a citizen of the free world foremost. Gambia's problem is and will alway remain a secondary priority to President Obama compared to the global problem and humanity in general. Therefore it would have been very selfish of Mr Sallah to dwell on the political mishaps of the Gambia, considering her relative peace and tranquility compared to other less fortunate parts of the world. Mr Sallah is just one human being among nearly 2 million Gambian citizen, therefore to entrust the burden of 'saviour of the Gambian people' on his shoulders alone is politically delinquent. The question is how do you and other Gambian citizens add worth and sacrifice in assisting Sallah towards the noble goal of liberating the Gambian people from the hand of the oppressor and restore ownership of government to the people and not a dictator, if you agree and believe that this his goal.quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Halifa's text is readable and digestable in both content and context. On a twist of thought one wonders why the whole of this long letter could not capture even a shadow of Gambia's current crises. From the history of how Jammeh seized power to the critical limit of his state of terror.
If this was to deal with Halifa's broad generosity to salvage the world and Africa, there is serious need for him to shift attention on Gambia.
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Edited by - shaka on 22 Jan 2009 01:22:03 |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2009 : 07:01:39
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quote:
Originally posted by shaka
Kay i believe Mr Sallah was addressing the President-elect. There is no "us" here. You should set your eyes on Jammeh's seat instead of the US Presidency because you have no chance with the latter. If your beef is with Mr Sallah's proposals to Obama as a citizen of the free world which President Obama intends to lead, i guess Mr Sallah have every right to make them. I don't know if it was coincidence or great minds thinking alike but Obama speech last night is certainly reminiscent of many of Halifa's proposals.quote:
Originally posted by kayjatta
Good letter; good advice. But considering the tone of the letter, can and should Halifa tell us what to do?
Shaka you are probably right that Mr. Sallah's letter is in the spirit of international (global) citizenship and I have no doubt that posture befit a man of his calibre. Nelson Mandela also wrote a similar letter to Obama but the tone is entirely different from Halifa's.
I do not generally have any problem with the content of Halifa's letter (that is why I called it a "good letter; good advice"), but if you look at the tone of the letter, it is nothing other than a lecture. I have the feeling that this is not the time to lecture Obama and the American presidency; this is a time to congratulate and offer modest suggestions to the new administration like Mandela did.
The fact that Obama's inaugural speech bore a stark resemblance to the content of Halifa's letter bears witness that he does not have to be instructed on what to do. Those illustrous ideals are in fact the cornerstone of Obama's entire campaign, but I guess "no matter how fast a horse runs...foo isi busso lafaa". |
Edited by - kayjatta on 22 Jan 2009 07:03:04 |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2009 : 16:28:21
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| I probably would not write in that tone Kay, but then again what is more wrong, censoring emotion in writing or the freedom to express yourself in whatever style. A lecture it might sound to you but Obama should be very familiar with lectures by now. He gets it every day from his advisers, speech writers, his wife, from pastors, priests and religious leaders as well as public commentators among others. What is important Kay, is that ultimate judgement and decision rest squarely with Obama as President of the USA. Nobody can or should crucify Halifa Sallah for Obama's sins. I understand your sentiments and almost celebrated the first President of the Unites States of Gambian descent when you said 'us'. Just kidding. |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2009 : 18:46:53
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With the insummountable "problems" Obama is facing domestically and the ones he is attempting to add globally, I doubt there will be any spare time to read Halifa's lengthy letter. My point is being President of the United States is not synonymous to being president of the world.
Suffice to say, it appears that the world all over is still gripped with Obamamania. We need to wake up folks, the rest of the world I mean and fix our respective problems. He is not a Messiah, he is just a human being. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2009 : 20:30:21
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quote:
Originally posted by shaka
Your frustration in Halifa not taking up the Gambian problem to President Obama is understood, however i don't think Mr Sallah was engaging Obama as a Gambian citizen but as a human being and a citizen of the free world foremost. Gambia's problem is and will alway remain a secondary priority to President Obama compared to the global problem and humanity in general. Therefore it would have been very selfish of Mr Sallah to dwell on the political mishaps of the Gambia, considering her relative peace and tranquility compared to other less fortunate parts of the world. Mr Sallah is just one human being among nearly 2 million Gambian citizen, therefore to entrust the burden of 'saviour of the Gambian people' on his shoulders alone is politically delinquent. The question is how do you and other Gambian citizens add worth and sacrifice in assisting Sallah towards the noble goal of liberating the Gambian people from the hand of the oppressor and restore ownership of government to the people and not a dictator, if you agree and believe that this his goal.quote:
Originally posted by Karamba
Halifa's text is readable and digestable in both content and context. On a twist of thought one wonders why the whole of this long letter could not capture even a shadow of Gambia's current crises. From the history of how Jammeh seized power to the critical limit of his state of terror.
If this was to deal with Halifa's broad generosity to salvage the world and Africa, there is serious need for him to shift attention on Gambia.
"Your frustration in Halifa not taking up the Gambian problem to President Obama is understood, however i don't think Mr Sallah was engaging Obama as a Gambian citizen but as a human being and a citizen of the free world foremost. Gambia's problem is and will alway remain a secondary priority to President Obama compared to the global problem and humanity in general."
Well, well Shaka, Gambia may not be significant to Obama but very much significant to Halifa.
What makes Halifa citizen of the free world makes others no less of this big family of mankind. If by permits of his unlimited freedom of expression Halifa is able to address Obama, on one foot, on the other foot it gives the same freedom for Halifa to be addressed by members of this big family of man.
Therefore, if Halifa addressed one of the brothers leaving out the issue of our small part of planet earth, anyone else is freer to call attention not as way of correcting Halifa but by extension of that freedom of expression being exercised by Halifa. If Halifa is anywhere reading this, he is in better position to appreciate what is at hand.
Gambia may be 'insignificant' by size of population or scale of land mass. It is still a home to that small population.
Besides, if Halifa considers global problems so serious, he will do even better to deal a remedial blow to the monster at home.
Halifa is a real thinker and prolific writer. Ordinary Gambians may not have the gift of speech and text to express their desire beyond certain level.
But yes, "the good life philosophers think about is what other people want."
These are observations in good fate and given Halifa's scope of tolerance, it is likely he takes no offence.
There is nothing frustrating about why Halifa did what he did. He certainly has a choice as good member of this global family. |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 06:27:26
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quote:
Originally posted by shaka
I understand your sentiments and almost celebrated the first President of the Unites States of Gambian descent when you said 'us'. Just kidding.
Okay I am glad you are kidding, but I am flattered by even the thought of it. Maybe my kids. Even the "Terminator" stands a far better chance than I do  . |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 18:22:33
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Lets hope it's Kay Jr next time around. The Kenyas have beaten us at the first attempt. Those bloody Mau Maus know where to plant the corn, don't they. You just wait until the Kabunka warriors come storming next time.
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 19:18:54
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Skaka
The Kabunkas will be next. Just wait a few more years. It will be more fitting to have a President of gambian descent in the United States. For one good reason, gambia is the forster child of the United states. We are the only country in Africa in which a sitting United States President wrote to the British Empire for independence.
So if a U.S. President of Gambian descent does happen, that would be much sweeter. The kabunkas do know how to make kings and just be patient for a moment. We will get there. I only hope that the Fulani dont beat us to the Presidency.
I am sure Dalton is busy molding his own candidate in his house. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 20:17:16
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Amen. The Fulanis, Bambaras, Yorubas, Zulus et al have got nothing on us. You just wait.quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Skaka
The Kabunkas will be next. Just wait a few more years. It will be more fitting to have a President of gambian descent in the United States. For one good reason, gambia is the forster child of the United states. We are the only country in Africa in which a sitting United States President wrote to the British Empire for independence.
So if a U.S. President of Gambian descent does happen, that would be much sweeter. The kabunkas do know how to make kings and just be patient for a moment. We will get there. I only hope that the Fulani dont beat us to the Presidency.
I am sure Dalton is busy molding his own candidate in his house.
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