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Letters to the Editor
2009
The
Need for Two United Methodist Conferences in Liberia: A Contextual
Approach
-
No
Need for Two Conferences
Dear
Editor,
I
respectfully disagree with Katrina Innis in her article “The
Need for Two United Methodist Conferences in
Liberia
: A Contextual Approach” published in the Liberian Dialogue on
December 28, 2009.
This
paper lacks the substance to qualify for an academic exercise.
It is merely personal reflections with lots of questionable
assertions and aspersions instead of a historical approach.
Splitting
the church into two is not a new phenomenon.
The same issue was raised in 1984 at the Liberia Annual
Conference held at the
Paynesville
United
Methodist
Church
.
It
was a provocative approach to the term of the bishop.
Liberia
was then part of the West African Conference –
Liberia
,
Ivory Coast
,
Sierra Leone
and
Nigeria
. The Global Ministry in
America
has since relinquished control over
Liberia
.
The
issue was to elect a bishop for life, which was supported by Bishop
Kulah but opposed by the youth. Nelson, Early and the current dean of
students at the
University
of
Liberia
(name forgotten) vehemently opposed the idea, to the extent that it
almost split the church into two.
Kulah
was elected but the term was never finalized as Bishop for Life until
further changes were made. The
church remained together until the election of Bishop Innis.
Let
us look at your reasons for splitting the church.
1.
Solving Problems: You stated that it is not feasible. Why? No
reason was given except your assertion that he spends most of his time
in the
U.S.
You should have stated the failure of Bishop Innis to perform his
duties in
Liberia
as opposed to being away. Remember, Bishop Innis was a staffer in
Bishops Warner’s and Kulah’s offices.
2.
The second reason is that the
“one Bishop fits all” system has made the Bishops become lord unto
themselves. You
have to explain how a bishop is elected for the layman to understand.
You also have to explain how the cabinet of the bishop works,
such as conflict resolution within the church or inter-personal
relationships. “One
Bishop fits all” is the same as “one size fits all” in the
truest sense. How does
this relate to the Liberia Annual Conference?
3.
UMC – the Largest Denomination: As a scholarly paper for your
instructor/professor, your paper could have traced the growth of UMC
in numerical terms. You
could have provided statistics, which is available in the Liberia
Annual Conference Report, to back up your argument.
To say that the UMC is the largest denomination in
Liberia
is not academic. Do you
know how many Baptists in
Liberia
? Do you know how many Presbyterians in
Liberia
? Do you know how many Catholics in
Liberia
? Your argument could have compared the number of Methodists to other
denominations in the country before making that assertion.
4.
Contextualizing Methodism: This is not bereft of worship
services in Methodist churches in
Liberia
. I was a member of
Miller-McAllister
United
Methodist
Church
in Ganta,
Nimba
County
and transferred my membership to S. Trowen Nagbe United Methodist
Church, Sinkor,
Monrovia
. In both churches, respective pastors contextualized worship services
that reflected African (ethnic) backgrounds.
In these churches, worshippers preached, sang and danced in
predominant ethnic languages side by side with the English Language.
I agree with you that it is not a sin to worship in
one’s context. In 2008, I was in
Liberia
and saw how vibrant S. Trowen Nagbe UMC has become by incorporating
worship services that reflect cultural background. Currently, I am a
member of Campbell UMC, CA, which has a large presence of Africans in
the area. This “Western church” is gradually incorporating its
worship services to reflect African backgrounds.
Another
aspect of contextualizing Methodism in
Liberia
is evidenced by the training of lay leaders to read and write in Mano,
Bassa, Kpelle or Kru for the translation of the Bible into those
languages for worship services. In addition, adult literacy materials
were produced in these languages to strengthen local congregations in
their spiritual growth.
This
provides a slippery ground for your argument to split the church into
two conferences for the sake of having more than one bishop.
5.
Corruption and Witchcraft: Cite an example of corrupt practices
in
St. Paul
’s District or Mowen District so as to lend credence to your
argument. If you cite witchcraft as an example of corrupt practice,
bring it to the attention of the Bishop’s Cabinet in a
well-documented manner. The
Book of Discipline provides avenue for such an investigation.
But making such a sweeping statement does not hold water in
academia.
6.
The fifth reason why the church should split is because it will
allow the Conferences to be more competitive.
How
can this help
Liberia
? I have lost count of the number of districts and circuits in the
annual conference, but how feasible can this work?
Is this not similar to the proverbial story to split the baby
into two halves?
I
congratulate you, Katrina Innis, for bringing up the topic as
part of a dialogue in the reconstruction process.
However, if you were to revisit this topic for another paper, I
would advise that you provide a historical background to the
development of the Methodist Church in Liberia, the administrative
units of the church with their duties and responsibilities; a
comparative analysis of other denominations; the selection and
retention process of the Bishop and his cabinet; disciplinary measures
within the church; views and commentaries from prominent church
leaders about the need for a split etc.
If
you do these, you will be contributing to the dialogue. I wonder
what grade your instructor/professor gave you for the paper?
Joe S. Kappia
P.O. Box 110311
Campbell, CA 95011
Dear Editor,
Happy New Year to you and your staff!
My name is Rev. Levi Christopher Williams and I wish to partially
respond to an essay by Katrina Innis titled, "The Need for Two
United Methodist Conferences in Liberia: A Contextual Approach."
A fuller response may be forthcoming.
Having read through the essay, which claims it seeks to provide reasons
to justify the establishment of two conferences in Liberia, I find the
"reasons" are not justifiable but are simply personal
attacks against the leadership of the Church that provide no evidence of
the claims.
Let me begin at the point where the writer acknowledged
"...no human being is without fault." Ordained in 1980
at the age of 20, I was the youngest person to be ordained in the
Liberia Annual Conference. My wife and I who were married in 1986
were divorced in 2004; I am now re-married. I admit my shortcomings, as
do Katrina and those who are seeking to destroy the Liberia Anual
Conference. I am sure we agree that the Church is greater than any
individual. Our limitations do not negate our memorable
ministies we had in Liberia; Julius was youth director when I was
Dean of the Gbarnga School of Theology and Director of Communications of
the UMC in Liberia. Julius and others like me led the way for the United
Methodist University to come into existence.
Katrina seeks two conferences in Liberia. How do we go about
achieving that goal? Will personal attacks on Bishop Innis serve
the problem, if it is a problem at all? Do we have the membership
beyond two hundred thousand members, to seek another conference?
Did she identify the requirements of the Book of Discipline for the
establishment of a new conference? The "contextual
approach" she mentioned, is it lacking in the Liberia Annual
Conference"? As she disrespects Bishop Innis, does she expect
the leader she advocates to be respected?
In my recent book, "You Can Win Conflicts and Build Healthy
Relationships," I summarized my experience with the Concern
Methodists, of which "Katrina Innis" may be a part.
That conflict can be traced to 1984. In what I call the "rule
of shifting agenda," I assert in my book that the longer a conflict
lasts, the more it is likely the reasons for the conflict may change.
If Katrina has a legitimate claim, let her present evidence and
scholarly claims. But to personally attack the Bishop of the
Liberia Annual Conference is selfish does not help her case, if she has
one.
Let it be known that I, Rev. Levi C. Williams, will remain on the side
of the Church and its leadership as I did in supporting Bishop Arthur
Kulah for twenty (20) years. They do have an option. If they
don't like the UMC, they may form their own Church. Isn't that why
we have denominations? But I appeal to them to please stop
attacking Bishop John Innis, a man who loves God and loves the Church.
He and I may have had our differences, but that is the nature of human
relationships. As of now, my loyalty is with the Church, of which
Bishop Innis is God's representative.
Currently I am a Lecturer of Theology at Marian University in
Indianapolis where I teach Asian Religions and Old Testament. I am
also Executive Director of The Center for Peace and Development.
I hope you will publish my response. You may contact me at the addresses
provided.
Be blessed,
Rev. Levi C. Williams
Dear
Mr. Editor
Thank you for the publishing the article on the UMC in Liberia.
This letter is in response to my name being mentioned in this
story. I would like to
denounce Ms. Katrina Innis and others , and disassociate myself from those
who may be bent on splitting the UMC in Liberia.
I pray that they exclude me from personal attacks against the
current Bishop or any Bishop in the Church.
Regardless of my past, present, or future, I do not hold anything
negative against the Church or the Bishop, the leadership of the Church.
It makes no sense for me, as an Elder in the Church, to desire
being part of a group of Christians that advocates splitting of sowing
discord in the Church. I
believe in resolving problems and conflicts from within, if any.
I
do not have any problems with the Bishop or his wife.
I am not even a member of the Conference in Liberia, even though I
am a United Methodist from Liberia. I
would like to remain in my area. I
am happily married, thank God, and do not need to be dignifying
accusations people make. In
this connection, I denounce Ms. Innis’ position, and dissociate myself
from her personal tirades against the Bishop.
I don’t think she loves the Church enough, and I am not her fan
either. I would seek to have
a full response in due course from Ms. Innis and her compatriots.
The Church cannot improve when people such as Katrina are bent on
tarnishing people’s reputations, or exploiting people’s situation to
foster their personal aims and objectives.
I don’t even know of a Katrina Innis, of all the Innis family I
personally know and interact with daily.
I hope she can withdraw her unnecessary and immature letter and at
the very least, take my name out.
I
pray that the Church (UMC) in Liberia, and Liberia as a whole, can heal
from the years of conflicts, confusions, and war that has plagued Liberia.
Many Liberians need psychological or psychiatry help and Katrina
Innis is one of them. I hope
she can get some help.
Thank
you, Mr. Editor, for the job you do, and for publishing this letter.
Peace blessings!
Sincerely
Pianapue
Kept Early
pianapueearly@gmail.com
Bodioh
Siapoe Needs Adequate Care and A Loving Home, Not Family Feud
Editor,
Of all your writings, the article on your visit with Bodioh brought me a
lot of joy. Thanks to you and your wife for visiting “Ras”
Bodioh. I found the story sad overall because of the seemingly
helpless state Bodioh is experiencing. Yet, I am very happy that
he looks very good, relatively speaking; and he still has his strong
sense of humor. Trying to decipher his message through his slurred
speech caused me a lot of unforgettable sadness when I spoke to him some
two months ago. I had imagined a totally deplorable state of
being. But your pictures give me a new and hopeful perspective.
We will keep on praying! Once again, thanks for bringing Bodioh front
and center. I will call you for further discussion on the Rasta.
Regards,
Cyril Lurlay
Metro Atlanta, GA
Editor,
Friends or Foe?
Thanks to the inquest and concern you and
your family have shown to my dear uncle, Bodioh. Your family have not only
proven this statement true whether be it platitude or not that a friend in
times of trouble, illness, and not wanted dead, is certainly a friend in
deed. If my uncle was still politically militant, as his colleagues knew
him to be, he would have been in a ireful mood turning his so-called
friends into adversaries for not paying just a visit in times of need.
Friends that are learned web-searchers, not limiting the likes of J.
Milton Teahjay, Tarty Teh, Morris Kofi, Teah Jardia, and Mr. Glay just to
name a few have not post or blog a line to the betterment or speedy
recovery of their friend. I speak for myself that these masquerading
leaders of so-called good ought to know that there is no form or faction,
or conflict between friends or nations that cannot be quenched by love. I
hope my message doesn't come across as distasteful, but a reminder to the
creed as to "what friends are for" recitation. The most
devastating weapon a man can hold against his friend is the silencing of his
mind. I always believed that a man, no matter how evil he is that exposes
his thoughts is less dangerous than the ones that keep theirs silent. I'll
close on this note that is familiar to you all, I'm speaking "truth
to power" and in the same token holding your feet to the fire to do
your part as friends. May God bless you all.
Sam
Denver, Colorado
I can be reached at 303-695-5683.
Wehtoe,
Many thanks for the info on
the brother. I will call him today.
God bless
Glay
Sungbeh:
My brother, like I said earlier, this is your finest work. The pictures
were heart-wrenching. I want to propose the following steps:
1. Let the friends and relatives of Bodioh ask their
spouses to put 50% of their holiday gift money aside, to be sent to
him.This would mean more, in the eyes of God. I
am going to BCC this email to Marilyn now. It is my gift; this is what I
want done.
2. Let us engage the Liberian leader in his area,
asking for their help in resolving the family issues. We can make
personal financial commitment to his sister, if the wife and court
decide to put him in the sister's custody.
3. Let each of us know and realize that this could be
you or me. Remember the saying: Never
send to know for whom the bells toll. They toll for thee! We
should not see Bodioh in the wheelchair. We, instead, should see
ourselves.
Again, thank you my brother. Personally, I promise to reach out to this
son of Sinoe/Liberia.
Let each of us call to mind the great times with Bodioh and reach out.
Wilfred Harris
Metro Atlanta, GA
Thank you very much for taking such a trip. That's what friends are
for. Thanks to your wife also. She's such a great person. Thanks
again.
Ida Lewis-Bonal
Bro. Sungbeh
What more can I say to you, God bless you for the
visit you made to Siapoe, my childhood friend. Many thanks to you
and your wife. You have demonstrated a great deal of friendship to
Siapoe.
James C. Blyee, Jr.
860-597-9753
Tewroh,
Thanks to you and my sister for the visit to our brother and the story; it
is heart warming. I will give you a call.
Siahyonkron Jglay Kpa-kay Nyanseor
I
don’t think the way he brought Bodioh’s family matters in the open was
fair. Unless Bodioh specifically requested him to do so, I thought the man
needs some privacy here. Worse of all, publishing the story without
the wife’s side of the story and portraying the mother of the man’s
children as some uncaring “foreigner” got me thinking what the
intent could be. Which one of us will want to be shown in a wheel chair at a
long term care facility? I can bet, certainly not Bodioh. I commend Mr.
Sungbeh for the visit, care and concern and I thank his beautiful wife for a
job well done but, I thought he could share the information with trusted
friends and family members rather than listserv and internet magazine. The
enemy likes to see that!
Dennis Jah
Editor's Note:
I need not respond to Mr. Jah's knee-jerk reaction to
my piece.
"LAMA
Board Gives "Dialogue" Editor 90-Day Ultimatum?"
Laughable!
Editor,
I read both articles so I am now
familiar with the details and why they were written. I fully
support your position on the issues involved. You have no need
to worry about what people in our community will say about you
regarding your performance. As a journalist, it is your duty to
be analytically objective in your reflection. My impression
right now is that this is the time for Liberians to
abandon the corrupt aspect of our culture and adopt
transparency in our decision making.
Thanks for standing up as the
only watchdog in our community.
Jlator Gewleh,
North Carolina
Adoption,
Politics and the State
Greeting's in the Name of Our Lord Jesus
Christ!
After reading the article, "Adoption,
Politics and the State";
we wanted to be a voice of a Family in the United States who is in the process
of adopting
a little boy from and Orphanage near
Monrovia. Our agency presented a picture of this sweet, lovable, big brown eyes,
little boy, who our family has been praying and loving since we first seen
his picture!
This little boy has had us the
parents, 3 big brothers, and a sister waiting! Grandparents, Uncles,
Aunts, cousins, church family and friends waiting and praying for him everyday!!
Our family has have gone through a
series of home studies, reference letters, finger prints, physicals from our
doctor, vaccines, (yellow fever and typhoid) to travel to Liberia and
not to mention all the time and money into bringing home a son and a brother.
Our family first began our adoption
journey 2 years ago. In May of 2008 we accepted the referral of this wonderful
little boy who has anemia and has malaria. We have sent vitamins, clothes,
books, family pictures, coloring books, colors, toy cars, some treats and most
of all prayers for health and safety. These items are not easy to
send, it is very costly to send such stuff, but so important for this little boy
to know we are his other family in the United States, who love him, even
though we have not met.
Today as we wait, we have his
bedroom, clothes, and love of a family and extended family waiting and counting
the days until we can travel and bring him home.
This little boy will always have his
"family" in the Orphanage. We can not express how much our
hearts pray everyday to take him home, to be able to give him the availability
of clean water, Doctors who can help him get healthy, schooling and
unconditional love!!
Since our journey, we have found several
families who are also waiting to bring their Liberian children home.
All our hearts cry out tears of pain, for these children. God has placed
this love in our hearts for the children in Liberia, to be also our children.
Please continue to help us
continue to bring our children home soon!
God be with You All,
Mark & Kristi Van Voorst
and Family
Hull, Iowa
USA
Sirleaf
Administration is on Track to Become the Most Corrupt in the History of the
Modern Liberian Nation
Tewroh-Wehtoe
Sungbeh, article would not have been necessary, had all of those who voted for
President Sirleaf in the elections, taken the time and done the research
closely tracking her historical quest for the Presidency. Mrs. Sirleaf
did not seek this position in order to better the condition of her people.
Nor did she do it out of patriotism for her country. Suffice it to say that
her political history is rife with undermining those who have been her
allies. See her interaction with the Tubman, Tolbert (particularly the
Tolbert administration), Doe and
Taylor
administrations. Her Machiavellian approach to the acquisition and maintaining
power lacks one thing. He indicated that when you do battle with the Prince
you should not only wound the Prince. He should be killed. Mrs.
Sirleaf has not done that. The chickens are “coming home to roost”.
Very good article.
Joseph Diggs, MD
Nashville,
Tennessee
Sir/Madam
Mr Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh writes
interestingly (Monday May 25), on the presidential context of present-day
Liberia. A few interesting observations, true...but, hardly researched.
Unfortunately, his opening (and
especially the headline) almost closes the door to credibility.
"The most corrupt administration (i.e. Ellen J. Sirleaf's) in
History"!!!!!!!!!!!
How can anyone, who has lived IN
AND THROUGH the decade before and after millenium year, in Liberia surmise
that any era could be "more corrupt" than the beautiful Liberian
people had to endure in those 20 years, is impossible to fathom.
Such writing, I am afraid, only
epitomises a "culture of denial" that is almost in harmony with that
of leaders of those years, and with the culture of impunity that went with it.
Elsie.
President
Sirleaf's Guided TRC Appearance Did Not Help Her Image
Editor,
I generally agree with many of the views
you express on your homepage.
But you need to get your goal cleaned up. If it does not benefit Liberia
as a country then YOU have to change!!
Reading your attack on President Sirleaf, I have to wonder why you are
doing it. Even if all the accusations in Woewiyu's "Open Letter to
President Sirleaf.." was true it would never be anywhere near
enough to get the President charged at the Human Rights Court and for
sure never convicted. If you have followed any of the cases that have
been before the court, her "crimes" are at best "bad
judgment" at that court!
Second if you did get your way, would it
help Liberia, I do not think so!
There is no other person who the rest of the world trusts and all
support would seize for at least a couple of years.
If you are interested in justice then you would have picked the leaders
of the different groups and then you might have got some success and at
the same time created a precedence that those who commit atrocities will
not get away with it.
But the more I have read your views I get the impression that you are in
this "struggle" to create a name for yourself so you might one
day
become president. So you are really no different than the ones you
accuse. If you keep doing what you are doing and succeed, Liberia most
likely would end up in some kind of war again because nobody could agree
on a new leader and democracy would most likely not get a second chance
for a very long time.
If you are interested in improving Liberia then write about the
corruption at Monrovia Port, Roberts International Airport and get the
law about who can become citizen of Liberia changed so it does not say
anything about race! That and what you already are doing about war
criminals, just go for the real murders and not for everybody you can
think of. Take the top commanders from the different fractions and
that's it.
I am a potential investor in Liberia. I would not invest to make a
profit, but to create jobs. If I break even that would be just fine with
me. The above issues are what holds me and countless others from
investing and doing what we can to get Liberia on foot again.
I am white, born in Canada and have no relation to Liberia.
Yours sincerely,
Allan Folming
Editor's Note:
This is not about me or
The Liberian Dialogue, this is about Liberia and the people of Liberia.
I am sure if the Prime Minister or any other leader of your country
violated Canadian law, that particular leader would face the judicial
system, isn't it? Why is Liberia different?
So are you saying that
because of the so-called vacuum in political leadership in Liberia
today, President Sirleaf should be left alone and not answer to charges
of her alleged role in the civil war, and also should be left alone to
do whatever she wants to do and not be scrutinized by the press and
other interesting parties?
I know you are eager
to invest and make money in Liberia, however, Liberians are also eager
to establish genuine rule of law in their country, where you and other
investors (including Liberians) can also do business and live in peace in a genuine
democracy.
Airborne
Toxic Chemicals to Fight Armyworms in Liberia, A Danger to the Environment
Dear
Sir/Madame:
I
hope this email finds you well. Please note that I am a Liberian
and also student doing Masters Program (MSC) in Environmental
Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,
Kumasi-Ghana. Interestingly, I am about to commence my project- thesis
documentation on the environmental problems in Liberia.
Against
this setting, I write to seek your collaborative working assistance
where such numerous environmental problems would be outlined for our
considerations.
Best
regards,
Catherine
Ama Woods
Dear Editor,
I saw your article, " Airborne
Toxic Chemicals to Fight Armyworms in Liberia, A Danger to the
Environment"
dated Feb. 3, 2009, http://www.theliberiandialogue.org/articles/c020309tws.htm
that mentioned Liberia Environmental Watch (LEW).
I am looking for information regarding LEW as per my thesis work on
environmental organizations working within current and former war
zones. When I've attempted to access their website:
liberiaenvironmentalwatch.org I've been diverted to another page.
Could you please provide me with contact info re Lew?
Thanks,
Lorna
Lorna
Tychostup
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lornatychostup
Iraq Consultant
845.489.8038 (US cell)
845.853.1391 (efax)
skype: hummingbird1
+00962 795972818 (Amman)
+00964 07707705168 (Iraq)
2008
The
TRC Comedy Hour Now Playing At a Pavilion Near You In Monrovia
As the TRC continues to conduct its questions of all those that were
responsible for war crimes in Liberia, one cannot help but wonder
who is actually in charge of the proceedings. It continues to appear
that the accused are determining how the inquiry should
proceed and what questions should be answered.
I would like to see some discussion about this posted on your site. Am I
the only one who feels this way or is there someone else who shares the
same sentiment?
Elaine Peabody
3rd Grade Teacher
Thelma Jones
QUESTION
-
ERIC
BRACEWELL
Hey man,
What's up with Eric? I saw him couple of weeks ago at the Royal
Hotel Restaurant. He must be in some deep shit for the ATF to be hunting
him. Soo very sad man. I hope he surfaces and clears his name.
Reader from Monrovia, Liberia
End
of An Incredible Football Journey - John "Monkey"
Brown - 1940 - 2008 -
A Tribute
Thank You
I read your tribute to Mr. John Monkey Brown and just wanted to say thank
you. He was a hero to many of us while growing up. I did not know that he
had died.
My sympathy to his family and to you as well.
Emmanuel Dolo
Calling
for Another Religious Holiday? Why not "National
Religion Day," and "President's Day?"
There is no problem with celebrating Christian holidays. Because of JESUS
CHRIST's death and resurrection we all would be lost and doomed for hell. So
let's celebrate Jesus Christ as often as we can and not some man's birthday
whose soul may be lost and unrepented.
DeaconEGrant@aol.com
"Vote
of No Confidence?" Richard Tolbert Ought to Take His Arrogance Elsewhere
Dr. Richard V. Tolbert
Chairman National Investment Commission (NIC)
12 Street, Sinkor
Monrovia, Liberia
Phone: +231-6-550-560
Email: Bentol333@yahoo.com
Editor's Note:
Mr. Tolbert,
We are glad you took the time to read the August 2008,
The Liberian Dialogue article, "Vote
of No Confidence?" Richard Tolbert Ought to Take His Arrogance Elsewhere,"
in which you did not only disagree with the piece but claimed you "don't
know whether Singbeh's diatribe was the result of simple ignorance,
misinformation or just plain malicious recklessness." For your
information, Mr. Tolbert, our brand of journalism is not about survival, and
protecting and patronizing politically powerful government officials in
Liberia, but to report the facts as we see them and provide biting and
hard-hitting analysis of current events. Your negative and condescending
reaction to the piece validates the claim made in the piece about your
leadership style, which is naked arrogance and reckless disregard of others
and the rule of law. By the way, and ( I know you don't care) but my last name
is spelled with a "u", as in Sungbeh.
Editor
Can
Barrack Obama Ever Be President?
Editor,
About your September 24, 2008 article entitled: Can
Barrack Obama Ever Be President? I feel as though if America
lives up to its creed that all men are created equal, then why could he not
be president? Abraham Lincoln has said in his Gettysburg Address that
"All men are created equal with certain inalienable rights as
endowed by our creator." So with this being said, then why does race
place a role in this country but yet we say that all people are equal that
live here? We have a great hypocrisy upon democracy within this country.
Some Americans do not want a so called minority President, why? People
are people. If we as a society are so race-conscious then why does the
statue of liberty have inscribed: "give us your tired, your poor your
huddled masses yearning to be free, the wretched refuse of your teeming
shore. send these homeless tempted-tossed to me I lift up my lamp to the
golden door." If this country symbolizes freedom in this statement then
why can not a minority be president? We can not say that we symbolize
freedom and say simultaneously that we would oppose a minority as president.
This is why I say there is a hypocrisy upon democracy in this country. The
whole civil rights era was all about equality right? Let's not talk
the talk about equality, but yet let's actually put it into practice. Words
are meaningless unless we put into actions what we claim that we stand for
and believe in.
Sirpanhandle@aol.com.
| Augustus
B. Bishop Marwieh -1928 - 2007
Mr. Editor,
I have followed your contributions on issues
concerning Liberia and I am very impressed. The late Bishop Marwieh
was a mentor and father in-law to me. He was very touched and
impressed by your accomplishments. The Liberian Dialogue is one of my
favorite sources.
USA:
Rev. Hananiah Zoe
Elk Grove, California
Cell: 916 647 1354
Africa:
18th Street
Monrovia, Liberia
00(231) 7708-7919
|
Rename
Soccer Stadiums After Wannie Bo-Toe and George Oppong Weah
Mr. Editor:
I am tired of people not respecting history, but seeking continuously their
selfish gains. I am a Liberian, now living in the United States of America, a
one time " Poor Teacher" of MCSS, a Student Organizational Leader, a sportsman
and a onetime Administrator of a sport organization, a Corporate Assistant
Manager, and an advocate of positive change in our society. I would like to
shortly comment on those who are constantly trying to undo history for their own
personal recognition.
Let us respect history and give unto 'Ceaser what is Ceaser's.' Let us know
and respect the fact that Mr. Samuel K. Doe, Liberia's 20th President; despite
the odds; did some good to be recognized. I did not serve the Doe's presidency
in any position of benefits, nor I am one from his corner. During his tenure I
served the Liberian people in one of the most honorable positions, " A Poor
Teacher" in a government school, my primary institution of learning. Never
benefited from any government's sponsored program, either directly or
indirectly.
Based on the brief information above, I would like for us all to for once
respect history, and stop trying to undo history for our own present glory. What
will our past be when we can no more write or speak? Leave the issue of the SKD
stadium and that of the ATS. Concentrate on building new ones and than name them
as you wish. Development is a growth process, concentrate on building and stop
trying to rename or undo history.
Thanks,
Albert L. Cooper, Jr.
Florida, USA
"Iron Ladies
of Liberia" - A
Review
Mr. Editor,
I like the review. It raises some good
points.
Thanks for the coverage and I do hope your readers take the time to
see The Iron Ladies of Liberia.
I'd love to include the Liberian Dialogue in
our discount program. I can set you up with a discount code that would allow
your readers to get $5 off?
Can we do that?
Thanks,
Annie
Eastman
Associate Producer, Just Media
Bodioh Wisseh
Siapoe, A Fighter to the End
Mr. .Sungbeh,
While perusing through my email this Saturday afternoon, June 7,
2008, I came across reading your very nice posted tribute to our dear friend
and brother, Mr Bodioh Wisseh Siapoe, who is presently undergoing some of
life's difficulties in a Colorado Hospital in the state of Denver.
May I, in the same tone say thanks for expressing such kind words to
our dear brother and friend, and further hope the good Lord will shine his
ever-forgiving hands for Bodioh to quickly regain his strength to come back to
us from where he is now, to continue the good work he has long started.
I heard of Mr. Siapoe's poor health condition from his cousin, Nagbe
Sloh a couple of days ago, and have even made some contribution towards the up
keep of his children, and will wish others will do the same to help our brother
and friend. Again Mr. Sungbeh, thanks and much greetings to you and family.
May the Good God hear our prayers for our dear friend.
J.B.Weanquoi
Minnesota
Hello.
It was with great distress that I read Tewroh-Wehtoe
Sungbeh's piece about Bodioh on The Liberian Dialogue. I have been a friend of
Bodioh's for over ten years and had been in touch with him just a few months
ago.
I immediately called Tshiela and discovered the sad truth,
that my dear friend was indeed in a coma. I have called her a few times since
and have had no luck contacting her. What do you know about Bodioh's
condition?
Thank you,
~Nancy Thompson
(I live in New York State and was a reporter on Radio Free
Liberia, which then became Radio Africa International.)
Editor's Note:
We have not heard anything new regarding Bodioh's
condition as of the date of this posting, July 6, 2008.
Mandingo Man Seeking Asylum in the U.S.
Greetings!
My name is Simana Basu and I am a legal
intern at the American Friends Service Committee. Firstly, I would like to
commend you for all the work that you have done for your community back at home
in Liberia, as well as here in the United States.
Secondly, as you are
heavily involved in the Liberian community, I would like to ask for your advice.
We are representing a homosexual Mandingo man who is seeking political asylum in
this country. He has been
violently threatened by local members of his
community and even his own family members. He does not wish to return to his
home, as he fears for his life.
We are trying to put him in the best
possible situation to stay in this country. As an avid member of the Liberian
community, I ask for any opinion you have on the status of gays in Liberia (and
in particular, the Mandingo community).
If you do not wish to comment on the topic, I would
appreciate it if you could point me to anyone you know of who may wish to
comment on the overall position of homosexuals in Liberia.
This kind of information will help us to back up our client's
case that he was facing persecution for his sexual orientation and therefore
should be allowed to stay in the U.S.Feel free to call me or email me back at
your convenience.
I truly appreciate your time.
Simana Basu
Rutgers
School of Law, 2010
Legal Intern
American Friends Service
Committee
p: 973-854-0269
http://www.afsc.org/
Editor's Note:
This is an urgent matter that needs urgent attention. You
can call Simana Basu at 973-854-0269, if you have any
information to add to this case.
Thanks,
Editor
Thanks
for your article on your brief interaction with me when I visited
Atlanta
,
Georgia
last
March.
From
all indications you are passionate about this issue of Out-of-Country Voting. I
should therefore like to recount to you some moves we made on this matter when I
served as Chairman of the ULAA Board, initially during the national presidency
of Mr. Arthur Watson and lately during Mr. Wettees term.
It
was ULAA, under the Watson administration, that grasped the need for Liberians
who are in these United
States to
vote in the general and presidential elections in
Liberia
. To give momentum to this effort, ULAA
mobilized prominent individuals, key media institutions, and ULAA member
chapters to push the cause. To give major boost
to the effort, ULAA linked up with the European Federation of Liberian
Associations (EFLA).
I
can still recall the involvement of individuals like Mr. John Morlu, II (now
Auditor General), Ciata Victor (Webmaster of The Liberian Connection), Mr.
Dionysius Sewbe, in sensitizing the public on the issue.
We
held several teleconferences to exchange ideas on strategies and
approaches. At the height of it all ULAA
dispatched National President Arthur Watson to Monrovia where he held direct
meetings with the Elections Commission Chairman Francis Johnson-Morris and her
Commissioners, Transitional Chairman Gyude Bryant, Governance Reform Commission
Executive Director Toga McIntosh, Ambassador Jacques Klein, U.S. Ambassador John
Blaney .
The
Union Leadership also had rounds with the International Foundation for Electoral
systems (IFES) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), all of
which were very responsive to the idea. At the
end of all this, ECOM Chairman Francis Johnson-Morris sent ULAA a letter of
response in which she practically outlined the impossibility of the OCV becoming
a reality during the 2005 elections.
I
have attached some of the documents so that you can update yourself on these
moves that were made by ULAA.. It was
unfortunate that we did not get our way the first time around. We however have continued to fight for this
worthy cause.
In his recent visit to the
United
States ,
ECOM Chairman James Fromayan was a special guest of ULAA at the National
Leadership Council Quarterly Meeting, under the gavel of National President
Wettee, in Trenton
where
the issue was again re-introduced. We
hope to continue on this path.
You
can rest assured that our commitment to this case did not come only at the time
we stepped forward to vie for the ULAA presidency. It is a cause we hold dear and a cause we
will fight for whether we are at the helm of ULAA or not.
Greetings!
Anthony
V. Kesselly
267-825-0488
one of the presidential aspirants/ULAA. I read your article
posted on theliberiandialogue.org, entitled, "What are the Candidates
Saying...?" Please email me your number or call me at
773-354-6365.
Regards,
Mariah Seton
773-354-6365
A brief summary of life in Liberia from an
eyewitness account
05/05/08
Hello there Sungbeh,
Its been a while since we communicated. Well, I am as busy as a bee here in
this country. Its been like that since I landed. The hustle is not easy, but
that's the only way you can make it here.
Just to give you some insight of what it is like here on the ground. For one
thing, I have never seen so many white people in Liberia since I was a boy. The
sad thing about it is that they are all under the big umbrella of "NGOs."
That says one thing to me, and that money is really here in Liberia but only
for the NGO's. They have the best of our country, they live in the best areas,
have all Suv's with Liberian drivers, house boys, nanny care takers etc. Now
tell me, who is really benefiting from the re-construction process?
The whole thing in all of this is that you cannot really blame these folks
because we as Liberians permit this to happen, and we just exist in our own
country from one day to the next making no provisions for the future. This is
typical with all the Liberian businesses; medium, small and the common street
vendors. Every venture is instant gratification or no business at all. Make
profit instantly from every sale or deal.
One Black American friend I met a few weeks ago was on his way back to the
states told me point blank..."Liberians are not yet ready for business" He came
here with excess of a million dollar to invest in the oil palm business, making
various by-products from palm nuts from oil to soap, to even canning and
bottling the oil to sell in supermarkets around the world. But his contact here
in Liberia who is a "G-man| wanted 30% up front before the deal could go thru.
Can you imagine he brings nothing to the table because this man financed his way
here willing to bring in all the equipment and technical know-how in order to
start the venture. But here is our man, wanting 30% up front. He is now back in
New York by now. Then in the construction business. Wow, that's a big mess. The Lebanese
bring in all sub-standard goods here, and one has no choice in the matter but to
be a voiceless consumer. A common wheelbarrow lasts less than one month, and
even at that you have to re-enforce it with steel bars around it. The common
linoleum for floor is as thin as a sheet of paper. There are absolutely no
building codes, let alone qualified persons to enforce the law here. People just
build sporadically anywhere, and everywhere. Whether in an area marked off as an
alley, in wet lands, swamps, etc.
They way they do it here is that they build the house first, then they do a
make-shift road to the house. No perception of drainage system, underground
utilities, detention pond. As a matter of fact, there is absolutely no detention
pond in Liberia, nor people who understand the need for one. When these things
are brought up, they tell you..." my man you better leave those people thing
alone before you create enemies for yourself.." as was the case when I did the
inspection of the Tucker bridge back in January. Till now the only thing that
has been done is that they put a fresh coat of paint on it. But the main
structural components are still in a fatigue state. This is typical with all
bridges in the country and the ones that haven't crumbled as yet but on the
waiting list to crumble.
Then the idea of fixing the roads have dwindled down to re-surfacing only,
not widened or built properly to accommodate the population growth. Then there
is the issue of work ethics. There is a common saying here now that if you want
your work to go on well without delay and cost over runs, do not hire Bassa
people to do your contract. This was my worst experience with them and I learned
it the hard way. I mean those Bassa guys are really lazy. They ask for food
everyday on the job, one bag of rice, one 5 gallon tin of oil, and a box of
smoke fish. In addition to that, you must pay their way to and from work daily.
They come in at 9:30 am, eat from 12:00 noon to 1:00pm and then want to quit
work at 5:00 pm.
With a crew of 18 men you get approximately 42 blocks laid per day, Imagine a
job with 4,000 blocks how long that would take, plus what it would cost to feed
and transport them to and from work? And they want you to buy the tools for them
to work with also. Now can you actually say that we are serious about
business?
Well, I will stop here for now but will follow this up later, OK? Just wanted
to give you a brief idea of how it is here.
A concerned Liberian businessman on the ground.
A brief summary of life in Liberia from an
eyewitness account
Mr. McCritty,
Your article is very interesting and to the point. The questions asked are
serious and true questions. Not only the Lebanese but, foreigners are taking
over Liberia just for the love of money. I went home the end of last year and
saw, many Chinese people walking around Monrovia doing businesses that should be
done by Liberians.
I am one of those who have written on several issues pertaining to this
same issue. Several months ago, I wrote about the situation at Kendijah and, I
had so many criticism. Keep on writing, someone will listen to us one of these
days and I hope it is not too late.
Be blessed and have a good evening.
Mrs. Thompson
Goodbye to
Kendaja National Cultural Center? Why?
Mr. Editor,
So, the land have been sold? Does this include the burial
grounds used on
the property? Many, many people are buried there.
Are the people who
presently live there being compensated for their
land, and are they being
taken care of properly? Or are they going to
be like the people who inhabited
West Point who were displaced in the
late 70s after the flooding in their
area?
Nuku w
Chicago
Remembering
what he said decades ago, vs. what he did later, and what we added to the
debate
Mr. Sungbeh:
I just read your short commentary of February 14, and I'm
writing here to compliment you for the points you made. This is a discussion
that needs to be brought to the public square. Good luck, and God
bless.
Charles Nance
2007
Unprecedented
and Frivolous
What a nice piece Mr.
Sungbeh? If it were not for peace within the community, I would recommend
that Sue be made to pay any damages that LAMA may incur because of her
action.
Remember that we went through this same period of event when
Charles Sirleaf left office. The community went down until Mabel Greene was
elected to revitalize the association. In fact Mabel was able to set up a
committee to help bring the community together at that time.
Again, thanks
for your very educational and informative piece.
Happy Holidays to you and
your staff.
Mansuo Bouquia
Mr. Sungbeh,
This is an excellent piece of writing. I think the officers need to meet
separately to discuss among themselves their position on the issue.
The Ministers' committee that met with the Williams' family today did not
represent the Community well, and I am happy that it was voiced by so many.
Will keep in touch. Thanks for the in-depth analysis of the situation.
Regards,
Walter Skinner
In response to Abdoulaye W. Dukule's 'RANT'
Journalism,
friendship blurred...The Perspective and an American paratrooper - Part
I
Mr. Editor:
I am briefly responding to the
'RANT' Dr. Abdoulaye W. Dukule, Associate Editor of The Perspective.org, an
Atlanta-based online media vented on your site. I will share with the readership
of Liberians in the Diaspora, the UNPROFESSIONAL, UNETHICAL and YELLOW
JOURNALISTIC practices of this one-time advisor to the Chairman of the Interim
Government of National Unity (IGNU), Dr. Amos Sawyer.
In Part II of 'Journalism, friend blurred...The
Perspective and an American paratrooper', I will make available to your
audience the countless emails exchanges that occurred today (Dec. 11, 2007)
between Dr. Dukule and I; in what I have termed 'A NEW LOW' in his professional
career - if there is any left.
Mr. Editor, what Dr. Dukule termed as
'TRASH' ('Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's Advocacy for (AFRICOM) in Liberia and The
Progressives Propaganda'), has been published by the following online media: THE
LIBERIAN DIALOGUE, THE LIBERIAN FORUM, FRONTPAGEAFRICA, TLC AFRICA and THE
LIBERIAN TIMES (Nov. 2007). I will strongly recommend that the good old DOCTOR
do a thorough research prior to writing or better yet, launching an attack. I
want to believed somehow, old Doc just doesn't get it.
Mr. Editor,
thanks for allowing our voices to be heard and not yielding to CENSORSHIP,
CRONYISM and YELLOW JOURNALISM. Let me be very clear, there are some excellent
writers/reporters at The Perspective.org and certainly, Theodore Hodges comes to
mind-'FAIR AND WELL BALANCED' in his reporting. Take a look into your mind's
eyes and imagine having Dr. Dukule at the Ministry of Information in
Liberia-CENSORSHIP will be his hallmark.
Masu
Fahnbulleh
In response to Masu's fabrication
Journalism,
friendship blurred...The Perspective and an American paratrooper - Part
I
I read a
posting by Mr. Masu Fahnbulleh where he tries hard to bunch people together in
what he terms as progressists." Masu seems like a desperate young man who is
searching for fame at the expense of others, either he knows them or not, either
he knows anything about them or not. He seems obsessed with "making sense" when
he actually has nothing to say. He talks about the progressists being against
AFRICOM and he associates me with the progressists. The contradiction, a major
one, is that I was among the first writers to support the idea of AFRICOM.
Nyanseor whom he calls my protégé, is against AFRICOM. Nyanseor is the publisher
of theperspective.org and he is my elder, he has been in the US long before me
and I only met him once in my life. If anything, I should be the protege of
Nyanseor. One has to have the mind of desperate man like that of Masu to make
such claims.
It is rather
unfortunate that Mr. Masu does not attempt to publish the article he submitted
to me but rather writes about my comments. I still have a copy of that article
and I dare Mr. Masu to have it published in any reputable and respectable
publication.
I am well
tempted to express my disappointment but then again, Mr. Masu has a few life
lessons to learn and I won't be the one to teach him. All I can say is that as
Associate Editor of Theperspective.org, I will always try to stop trash from
getting published in our pages. We don't care who he writes about, as long as it
not trash!
Mr. Masu
sounds very much like someone looking for a job whenever and if AFRICOM goes to
Liberia. To do that, he doesn't need to fabricate lies on others. Next, he will
be finding "communists" and "terrorists" everywhere in Liberia and justify why
he should be there.
Dr.
Abdoulaye W. Dukulé
Associate
Editor, Theperspective.org
Editor's Note:
Our Mission Statement and our record of 5 straight
years of providing hard-hitting, back-to-back biting analysis of the issues in
our country, without fear or favor speaks for itself.
Our Mission Statement clearly states:
"The Liberian Dialogue is a non-partisan,
issue-oriented web magazine whose mission is to provide a forum that will
facilitate the healthy exchange of ideas among Liberians and others in
discussing the future of our country. We at The Liberian Dialogue will do our
best to provide you with insightful commentaries from all angles, even from
those whose views we may disagree with, simply, because we want to encourage the
free flow of ideas that will be a catalyst for democracy in Liberia one
day."
By carrying Mr. Masu Fahnbulleh's article, we lived
up to our Mission Statement and our commitment of being a non-partisan
publication that is open to all views. Does that mean we are not reputable and
respectable? I doubt it seriously!
We are proud of our record, and we can match that
record against any "reputable and respectable" on-line or off-line Liberian
publication anywhere, because The Liberian Dialogue is beholden to no special
interest.
Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh
Editor's Note:
This will be the last response to this particular
article from the individuals, to be published by The Liberian Dialogue. Others
are encouraged to respond if they are willing to do so.
Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh
Who supervises
Chief Justice Johnnie N. Lewis?
Greetings,
Dear Brother,
I believe it would be the duty of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees to
supervise Judicial Conduct, unless there are other preliminary judicial
commissions your country has to supervise judicial conduct. However since you
speak of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, I am convinced the House and
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairpersons should be contacted for your
grievance. The Congress has the power to set rules and laws; not withstanding
the power of impeachment.
Hubert Bass
African-American
Mr. Sungbeh,
I think the behavior of the Chief
Justice is something that needs to be a concern of all Liberians. But the quick
call to change the law just because of one person is not the right way to
go.
Also calling for the President
intervention is also wrong - you know very well whether for good or bad reasons,
the President should keep away from the Judiciary. With the state having some
very high profile cases in front of the court, you will not want for the
President to be admonishing the Chief Justice.
It is the Legislative Branch that has
the authority to impeach or reprimand the Chief Justice and I did not see a
mention of that in your article. You and others have rightly called for not a
too power Presidency, I'm just surprise you are calling on the President to be
the all powerful President. She just can win with you guys and gals.
D. Smith, Mpls, Mn
Editor's Note:
Smith,
Did I call on the president to fire the Chief
Justice? I don't think so. I asked for presidential intervention; for the
president to speak on the issues regarding press freedom and the recent abuse
and intimidation of journalists by Chief Justice Johnnie N. Lewis. I made a plea
for a national referendum to possibly get rid of this guy, and I also made a
call, if possible, to rewrite the clause in the Constitution regarding lifetime
appointments to the Supreme Court, to make it easy to get rid of people like
Johnnie N. Lewis. If there was ever a reason or a time to rewrite the law
regarding lifetime judicial appointments, this is one.
T.W.
Sungbeh
George Kiadii is my father, I am
looking for him
My
name is Elliott M. Kiadii. I am the son of George Kiadii. I would like to thank
everyone who helped me get in contact with my father. I appreciate the support.
I gave all thanks to God first, then the editors of The Liberian Dialogue for
posting my letter, and also all the other people who called me trying to help me
gain contact with my father. I appreciate the support. I did get in contact with
my father, Mr. Kiadii and we have spoken on the phone many times now, and also I
try to stay in contact with him through e-mail. My mother's health still is not
the best, but my father has promised me he will try everything in his limited
power to help me. He has sent me some funds to help me stay in school. I just
pray that he will be able to help me more. I sometimes feel like a burden to
him, but unfortunately this is my last resort. I want to be successful and
sometimes you have to humble yourself and utilize your resources. I am still
very eager to see my father face to face. I am however starting to understand
why people speak so highly of my father. Please continue to keep me and my
family in your prayers, especially the relationship between me and my father. He
is a good man, I want you to know that! And I truly appreciate everything he has
done for me as of late and as stated before I hope and pray he will continue to
help me through college. Again I say thank you.
Elliott
M. Kiadii
Open letter to
Pres. Sirleaf: The expiration of TPS, and president's lobbying efforts to stop
possible deportation of Liberians to Liberia
Dear Mr. Editor,
Mr.
Patrick Savice made a good observation in his little piece. I have been holding
such view about begging US government for us to keep staying. But I better not
hit too hard at this issue because I am not home yet. Patrick made his
observation and cleverly advanced suggestion. However, he is living in Brazil.
Will Patrick begin the process by returning home now?
Thomas Kai Toteh
Patrick J.D. Savice's response to Toteh
I am glad you and I are on the same page.
I hope, God's willing to share a bottle of Club Beer or cafe with you on
my return before Christmas.
May the Almighty be with you and yours.
Patrick J.D.Savice.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
National examination decision unfair
to students
Editor,
I have read almost all of the stories on The Liberian Dialogue, and to some
extent agreed with you. Thanks for all the points made. However, what can
Liberians in the United States do in making sure our country's educational
system is once more better than what it used to be? Over the years, I have
noticed Liberians outside of our country only talk but do not help the system.
By this time, you should be able to understand the quotation, "Deeds not Words.
I wish I would hear that the editor of The Liberian Dialogue is coming to
Liberia to help in areas which he has problem with.
Wiah S. Toby
Paynesville, Liberia
Get rid of the Ministry of
Information
Editor,
You are a great writer. I came across an article "Get rid of the Ministry
of Information" on the main campus of the UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA, written by you
(A TYPICAL LIBERIAN). I was captivated by your smartness as indicated by your
analysis of the topic under consideration. You are right and right again. The
Ministry of Information only stretches its muscles on government favored issues
and concede those negative initiatives of government. Keep up the good writing.
EDMUND M. ALLEN
Student of Economics and Mathematics
UL
Open letter to Archie Williams,
Director of Civil Aviation: What are you afraid of?
Mr. Editor,
I have followed the developments in Liberia before
and after my arrival in the United States of America. Liberians have traveled
all over the world yet and still we tend to make the same sad mistakes over the
years.
When will Liberians learn from their mistakes? We
lost over 500,000 lives and we are not still God fearing to correct those
mistakes. Let state some of the examples; putting unqualified personnel in high
positions, corruption human rights abuses, sex for favor of employment,
misplacement of qualified personnel in other areas of government, nepotism,
sectionalism, tribalism, etc.
I have read and listened to people coming in and
out of My Mother's Land to note with dismay that we Liberians are not yet ready
to start the process of genuine PEACE in the country. The TRUTH and
RECONCILIATION COMMISSION is dead before delivery. When will we learn. How can
qualified Liberians return home when we have corrupt officials all over the
place.
I hold my peace for now.
Thank you very much.
Sylvester Barjolo, Sr
Worcester Massachusetts
A traveling President Sirleaf and a
toothless Press Union of Liberia
Mr.
Sungbeh,
Thanks for the nice piece on the
"Traveling President and a Toothless Press Union of Liberia." The Liberian Press
is an embodiment of the "Great Rip Van Winkle Syndrome" ("Rip Van Winkle" means either a
person who sleeps for a long period of time, or one who is inexplicably (perhaps
even blissfully) unaware of current events*). With Universities and Colleges in
Liberia
offering journalism degrees, we still have a mediocre press
in the country. Most of your articles reflect the views of some of us who desire
to see a new and productive era in Liberia . Liberia remains
a sleeping giant in several aspects. There seems to be a natural conversion to
the "Rip Van Winkle Brigade" when so-called Liberian political activists join
government. The performance of the Justice Ministry and the Judicial System,
including some other Ministries, is a reflection of the "Rip Syndrome". It seems
that Liberians are still sleeping in Liberia ! We need to wake up from
mediocrity, incompetence and corruption! A Country that does not know the
quality of food its residents eat, the quality of water its citizens consume,
and knowledge about the air residents are exposed to, ought to be ashamed of
itself. We find place to bury the dead, but we choose to disperse our wastes
indiscriminately. Liberia faces a disastrous future in
terms of the consequences of neglecting the impacts of our economic activities.
Yes, "our eyes are closed". "The struggle has been permanently abandoned" in
favor of "sleeping", self-pursuit and survivalist tendencies. Again, thanks and
let's remain awake and rev up the struggle!
Thanks
George Fulley
Siaway
Washington
,
D.C.
The "Doctors" the "Professors" and
Counselors at law
Dear Editor:
I read you articles / postings a lot
and want to say thanks for the good work of enlightenment. The most recent one
about “Doctors” and how it used in Liberia is really sad.
But this concept of “putting a
handle to names” – as we say it in Liberia has its roots grounded into
America history during the
heydays of slavery in north America when Blacks
were stripped off of everything including self –worth and even their
identity.
So following the post-war era in
these United
States , the days of Blacks catching up,
they found their identity and value
in things such as academic degrees; church positions such as Deacons; jobs, etc.
As you know the roots of our history, this ideology was
transported or imported into Liberia , and made good use of during
the Tubman era which has left an indelible mark on the Liberian
society.
You are right about
your observations. I some times wonder about this too. And this has nothing to
do with down playing education, but it seems as if when there is no “handle” to
your name than you are nobody or than you have not achieve anything. If our
degrees were more than just papers, Liberia / Africa
would be a better place.
But on the other hand, since they
are “Paper Hanging Decoration” (as some one calls them in Worcester , MA ) without positive impact on national
development, that’s why I believe during the elections in Liberia
, it was chanted “you know book, you don’t know book, I will vote
for you”!
Remember Bruce Shirley says in his
book, Church History in Plain Language, “every generation has a residue of the
past and a germ of the future. This is exactly the case in Liberia .
Please keep up the courage to
keep the flag flying!
Yours,
Roland S. Weah
Knuckles'
resignation and presidential arrogance
Dear Mr. Editor:
I hope your desk is strongly editing articles that are sent to your agency
for publication. The article by Mr. Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh is nothing but a mere
repetition of words and sentences. The arrangement of his paragraphs do not make
any sense at all. Mr. Sungbeh could have written just one paragraph opposing the
president's acceptance speech on Knuckles' resignation if he did not intend to
use this time to be so rude to the president. In the first place, Mr. Sungbeh
who seems to be a long writer needs to understand that paragraphs do not begin
with "and/And" I would assume that Mr. Sungbeh is just looking for some
publicity as a young man coming up. There are some issues that Mr. Sungbeh
mentioned (closing of a news agency for publishing articles of sexual
nature). Mr. Sungbeh consider the action of the justice Ministry wrong, if his
research had landed him on information as to what a publisher can/cannot display
in LIBERIA would have given him a better sense as to why the
Justice Ministry took that action. Mr. Sungbeh should be ashamed of himself if
his kids, or teen sister/s were to see these kind of graphic display and still
think it was right to display them because someone left them behind.
Korpo
Editor's response to Korpo
Sir or Madam Korpo,
You did not say where in the English language
it says a
paragraph cannot begin with "and/And." However,
what I noticed
in your diatribe is another presidential
supporter saying whatever he or she
wants to say to protect
a leader who is leading the nation into
dictatorship.
By the way, did you check the errors in your little note
to
the Editor? I want my daughter to be a good citizen, at the
same time,
I am opposed to censorship. Because once a
government interferes with the
publication of materials, it
leads to state-sponsored draconian measures,
which spells
dictatorship. I noticed Liberians and their presidents
are
not used to hard-hitting criticism and analysis of their
government.
As a result, anyone who is seen as coming on
strong on a sitting president is
seen as "rude." I am not
being rude to the president. I am analyzing her
policies.
Have a good day.
Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh
Knuckles' threesome photo betrays
trust of a loyal Pres. Sirleaf
Dear Mr. Editor
I wonder sometimes how emotions can overpower reason and
self-respect in respectable men holding high offices. Ghosh, it chills my blood.
The guy had the audacity to record his cheap actions - demeaning a very
respectable office!!!. It reminds me of tales back in Africa of what young girls
go through in order to secure secretarial jobs in high offices.
This is so
disgusting. He should be FIRED!!!!. This is a disgrace to
Africa. Sex is
supposed to be a private issue, not a public affair.
What a shame.
I am
glad that this issue was made public. The guy should be ashamed of
himself.
If he has any sense of respect flowing in his veins, he should
have resigned
by now.
What a shameless act!
Evelyn Wamboye
Dear Mr. Editor,
I was taken aback by your decision to publish the controversial
"Knuckles' Threesome" graphic photo on your Web site. Even though you prefaced
it with warning, you could have darken sensitive areas, or better yet, just not
published the photo. It was a clear indication of your lack of judgment. Others
who visit your site could be turned off by such
publications, especially,
when it was not necessary for you to have
published the photos in such
graphic manner.
I know what your intentions were, but the graphic nature of
the photograph was, in my view, unnecessary. Peace and blessings!
Pianapue Kept Early
Richmond, Virginia
Dear Mr. Sungbeh,
It was disappointing for you to have posted the sexually explicit photo of
the alleged Willie Knuckle's sex act on your web site. Remember, your site is
not only visited by matured adults, but children who may visit your site. I hope
you will take it down and don't be part of this national disgrace.
Thank you.
Morlu's petition to impeach Pres.
Sirleaf laudable, but can the Liberian people stomach another
crisis?
On the Arrest of Mulbah K. Morlu and
Governments Cancellation of all Demonstrations
Like roaches, they are
hard to kill
Those of us who are wise,
and have some sense of perception, know all too well that this has all the
markings, ideologies, wordings, and MO of the "Wild Bunch" of the late 70's,
leading up to April 12, 1980.
We must take notes, and
govern ourselves accordingly. For nobody knows what evil lurks in the sick minds
of failed politicians, unproductive citizens, and down right lazy people, who
thrives on the misfortunes of the innocent, and yes... ignorant. PLEASE HELP TO
SQUASH THIS BEFORE IT TAKES ROOT. We have too much to lose here, and we have
come much too far to start all over.
Mccritty, Monrovia,
Liberia
Why resurrect Pres. Tubman's
autocratic legacy?
Hello,
I just read the fascinating book, Inside Africa, by John Gunther. Of course
he spoke a lot about Mr. Tubman, a mixed review based on even worse rulers. How
are things going, now? Roads, etc.
Joe Edward Mack
Disappointed and
disgusted
Sungbeh, thank you so much for
helping the work of our hands in tackling the environmental problems in
Liberia.
Morris Koffa, Bowie
MD
Mr.
Sungbeh,
Greetings, it was nice talking with you over the weekend. I was very happy
to hear your voice since I last talked or saw you in the 90s and early 80s.
Also I am over happy to have logged on to your web page and reading some
of your editorial postings. Thanks for a job well done. Let keep in touch
regularly as times permit.
J.B. Weanquoi, Minneapolis, MN
"Annual Krao convention rocks Georgia
in finale"
Dear Mr. Sungbeh
How are you?
Thank you for attending the Krao convention at Atlanta. I probably
shouldn't write you this but I feel compel to do so. I am surprise about your
coverage of my speech. You gave the impression that I attended Georgia's Peach
Convention.
My speech addressed issues - achievements and problems - as well as
congratulated the Georgia Chapter for a job well done. Yet you chose sections
that question my purpose and ability as a national chair. I guess, as a
journalist, you have the right to frame your articles from your perceptive.
However, In my view, your obligation is to be fair and balance regardless
of who the players are. In my case, you were not fair nor balance in reporting
what my speech was about.
At any rate, I thank you for your attendance and hope you will be kindler
and gentler in your coverage at our next convention.
Benedicta Satiah - Outgoing National Chair, NKAA
"Annual Krao convention rocks Georgia
in finale"
Dear Sir,
In reading your coverage of above-captioned, I was left wondering as to
whether the out-going national chair remarks mentioned by you did not hold any
other significance than the obvious salutation concerning Georgia's peaches.
Your commentary on that portion of her rather extensive paper begged the
question what else(?). After salutation did she say anything else, and her
comments on the death of a predecessor, how in your mind did this attach an
importance to the convention? Is that all you had to report on someone who was
giving an account of two years of stewardship? It would have been better to
have just left her presentation out of your report.
I was at the convention, and your placement of Mrs. Satiah paper is totally
your prerogative. However, after you mentioned vote of thanks from the host
chapter's leadership, your report was really exhausted. Alas, your style! I
still do not know what you were attempting to inform the readers about Mrs.
Satiah's speech that was not really about peaches and death announcement.
Sincerely,
MY MAN
I see nothing wrong with a President giving
money to her citizenry. As you are aware, Liberia is a society in which there is
no welfare, no philanthropist and the Red Cross sells the donated clothes i.e.
"dongafleh". Therefore our people look to those in society that have power and
assumed wealth i.e., Presidents, Bishops, Paramount and Town chiefs as well as
Superintendents to fill that gap.
As a son of the former United Methodist
Bishop I know first hand how that works. My father made it his duty to give a
bag of rice to the elderly in society. Further every Christmas we killed a cow
and divided it amongst friends, neighbors, family and the less
fortunate.
Contrary to your belief I am not a partisan nor did I vote for
Ellen. I have no agenda. However I must question your agenda! I was the one
seated by you at the town hall meeting in Atlanta at the Four Seasons
Hotel.
GROW UP!
kulahb - Atlanta
"Presidential candidate visits LAMA,
brought message of hope "
Hi Sungbeh;
Thanks for the report from Wettee's meeting in Georgia with the
community. It gives the public a very vivid picture of what happened at the
meeting from an independent perspective. Good job for the public's
interest. One question before I go, did you have the
chance to eat some of the fine dishes the Candidate brought from Ohio? (laugh).
Take care and let's stay in touch.
Slewion
"Acknowledgement"
Hi,
This is a note to let you know that I have just reviewed your magazine.
Thanks for the great work and keep it up. Occasionally, I will review your
magazine to get acquainted with your views.
Sincerely,
Thomas G. Johnson, Sr. - New York
"Congratulations"
Dear Sir / Madam,
I visited your excellent site and want to
congratulate you with this contribution to a better understanding of Liberia and
its people.
Dr Fred van der Kraaij -
liberiapastandpresent
"Downsize with
compassion"
The Editor,
As much as I share your concern for those who have
been laid off because of the downsizing exercise of the government, I'll
disagree with you that it is the government responsibility to find work for
these laid off workers.
If we are waiting on the government to solve the high
unemployment that is plaguing our country and not the private sector, then we
will be stuck in this condition for a long time.
Unlike a socialists state where the government is
responsible for the full employment of its citizens, a democratic state like
our have to only create the environments ( good governance, security and a good
justice system) in which the private sector can provide the needed
jobs.
To have a lean and an effective government, we will
have to endure some tough times. What opinion writers like yourself have to
emphasize is whether at the end of this painful exercise we will be better off
as a nation or not. But concentrating on the immediate pain is not farsighted.
To have something better tomorrow, we have to endure hard times today. I can
assure you our people are not in the street begging - lot of our people are
getting up everyday to find some means of carrying on.
We who have the means in this country( USA) have to
keep helping our families and friends back home in this difficult times of
transition. Getting it right this time is the all most
important.
Diaimoi Smith
Mpls, Mn
A call to boycott
Editor,
I read your article with interest in that it relates to the unity of
Liberians, regardless which of the 50 states they're located. We Liberians need
to learn by now to be tolerant and inclusive of each other. But it's sad to see
that we haven't learned yet inspite of all that we've been through. We haven't
seen yet what greed, segregation, eye service, lip service, sycophancy and the
rests have done to us, everybody wants to make a name for themselves in inorder
to gain recognition. Therefore they are intolerant of those they think will
"take their glory" if included in a bigger and united effort for the common good
of Liberia. It's so sad, let's continue to pray for Liberians.
Rev. Claudius Cooper, Rhode Island
"Tale of two events"
Sungbeh,
This is one of the best
that I have read.
Jaryeneh (kru for Mabel),
GA
"Lead or resign: A call to President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf "
Mr. Bodioh
Siapoe:
First of all, I'd like to thank you for responding to my email.
I'd also like to commend you for acknowledging the fact that there are fewer
elitist progressives today who share political viewpoints with you. Frankly,
thank God that there are fewer elitists and that said group is not the majority
of the Liberian people. Due to the decreasing number of elitists, the Liberian
people rejected your point of view as well as the candidate that you supported
in the last election.
Your only claim to fame is how much intricate
vocabulary you can fit into a sentence. You and your associates use diction and
terminology that the common person cannot understand. Use of the biggest words
in the English language is not going to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, nor
give medicine to the sick. Native and Cougua elitists have produced speeches
and political theories that have no meaning to the common person. Your sense of
reality is driven by overblown rhetoric and the exaggeration of
history.
It was an insult to the memory of the people of South Africa,
especially Nelson Mandela, when you compared the political history of Liberia to
that of the apartheid regime in South Africa. By way of your train of thought,
why not compare the political history of Liberia to Nazi Germany? These gross
misrepresentations paired with the severe lack of understanding for the
proportionality of history are some of the reasons why the so-called
progressives are the relics of Liberian politics being put in historical dust
pan.
The Liberia in which I grew up was full of promises and dreams. I
went to school with natives, Cougua, whites, and Middle easterners. There were
no separate school buildings for the different groups, like would be present in
an apartheid regime. There were no separate cafeterias, dormitories, hospitals,
etc. Where was this apartheid practiced?
What you progressives fail to
realize is that human biases can't be legislated. Of course, there were and are
people amongst the Cougua who feel that they were superior to the Native people
because they were coming from a so-called advance culture. It is no different
from the way some of you progressives think currently. You think very highly
of yourselves because of your educational achievements and your social status.
What is unique about Liberia is the fact that, not withstanding the short coming
of men, the Constitution guaranteed the freedom of every citizen. The attitude
of people feeling superior was greatly being diminished from 1822, to
independence in 1847, up until the total unification of the country. Finally,
upon the ushering in of the Tolbert administration, this attitude had become
significantly less prominent.
You called me an ungrateful Liberian
because I do not recognize the "great" work of Mr. Baccus Matthews for the
Liberian people. Sir, after 28 years, I can see the result of the "great" work
originated by Mr. Matthews. I am not grateful for the murders of over a quarter
of a million of my fellow men, women and children. I am not grateful for
children being forced to have sex with their parents. I am not grateful for the
mass graves that started popping up for the first time in the history of
Liberia. Finally, I am not grateful for the destruction of my beautiful
Liberia. So, therefore, Mr. Siapoe, I am not grateful for anything Mr. Baccus
Matthews has contributed to my country; not a thing.
Don't even think of
saying that it's not Mr. Matthews fault that all of these things happened.
According to your own stance, the ends justify the means. Therefore, whoever
takes credit for the end result should also take credit for the means. If we
follow your line of reasoning, which I don't agree with, Mr. Matthews is
responsible for bringing about multi-party elections in Liberia. If he is the
chief architect, shouldn't he also be responsible for all the carnage that
befell Liberia from 1980 to 2003?
Mr. Baccus Matthews is the most
unprincipled, opportunist political prostitute I've ever seen. Let us examine
the track record of the man. Is it true that Mr. Matthews was a top official in
the murderous regime of Samuel Doe? Is it a fact that Mr. Matthew was also an
advisor to the murderous regime of Charles Taylor? To further exemplify his
unprincipled tendencies and his many years of political miscalculations, Mr.
Matthew backed the most ridiculous stooge in the last election George Weah. With
all the suffering he brought unto the Liberian people for all these years, Mr.
Matthews had the audacity to once again insult the good sense of the Liberian
people by presenting Mr. George Weah as the best candidate to solve their
problems. With all the highly educated people in the progressive movement, is
George Weah the best you guys can offer to the Liberian people?
On the
question of the President spending taxpayers' money to pay the legal expenses of
Charles Taylor; I will let you know what I think about that if it comes about.
What I can't understand about you progressives is how quickly you call for
action without fully understanding the consequences of that action. I know you
take yourself to be a serious man. Did you seriously consider the consequences
of the President resigning over a non-substantive issue such as Taylor's legal
fees and the political implication for the Liberian People? Being fully aware
of our recent history of instability and the untold suffering of our people, how
can you as a serious man call for more instability for the people? You
progressives don't really care about the people. They are all pawns in your
chess game.
If you and others are going to hold the President responsible
for her initial role in removing the murderous regime of Samuel Doe, I think
people who were also associated with both murderous regimes of Samuel Doe and
Charles Taylor should be held culpable, too; unless there is a double standard
in the progressive movement. The progressive's rule: guilt by
association.
Thanks for your time.
Diaimoi Smith
Mpls, Mn
Mr. Siapoe's
response
Diaminoii:
'Nuf said already. Have a wonderful
lifetime!
Bodioh Siapoe
Unbought, Unbossed and
Fearless
410.800.6253
2005/2006
Let the Voters
Decide Ellen's Fate
MR. Sungbeh,
This is where we do not see eye to eye. Even though Ellen did not go in the
bush, she is no better than Kromah, Taylor, Conneh, or any other warlord. She
and others put money together to destroy Liberia. What kind of strong woman she
is? To throw the stone and hide behind. She and the rest of them needs to be
tried for TREASON. She could have gone to the ballot box if she
was not pleased with what was going on. Not suffer her people. She will be
worst than Taylor. If Ellen is willing to lie
about her parents just to be president, Keep a close eye on her. Since
the over throw of Tolbert, is Liberia any better off? All they did because of
greed, selfishness, and being ambiguously ambitious over what
they thought they could not have. We proud Liberians have ended up in as
lawless, uneducated and beggars. What a shame. It is all about
corruption. During the war I don't remember ever reading anything
about Ellen visiting displaced or misplaced Liberians to render
any kind of help. All she wanted was for Monrovia to be levered. It was all
about Ellen and what Ellen wanted at the lives if innocent and poor Liberians.
We need to put right where right belongs. Ellen And her boys brought Liberia
down. I can go on and on and on .Speaking of Corruption, Who is more corrupt
than the US? They are suffering us blind and you and everyone knows it. Ellen
will be the Liberia's problem. Thanks
Joyce Deline, GA
Will the real
Sinoe County Association please stand?
To The Editor:
Thanks for the wonderful piece written on the current status
of the Sinoe County Association in the United States dated July 16, 2005. I must
clarify that the enclaveal meetings of Liberians in the United States are well
intended. My understanding of this practice is twofold. 1) To remind citizens of
Liberia descended from each enclave about the horrible conditions of their
brothers, sisters, uncles and other relatives left behind and the need to assist
them logistically due to a dysfunctional national government. 2) To install development projects to meet
the people’s needs complimentary to government programs if they exist in the
different enclaves. When initiated
projects are implemented in the different enclaves alongside government
programs, together they may form the basis of improvement in the people’s
lives.
In fact, national development should be seen as a joint
project of government and citizen groups in partnership that shall be realized
through implementation of small projects in the different enclaves. I am
convinced that the enclaveal meetings of Liberians in the United States do have
well meaning intents and their value must be cherished. Those involved in this
type of developmental strategy deserve the support of all Liberians.
Meanwhile, I wish to reflect on the unhealthy state of the
Sinoe County Association. To me the issue of concern is not money or how much
each subgroup raised at its national convention. It is the inability and the
lack of respect we have for our own rules and each other. Rightfully so, I must
apologize to all the people of Sinoe County for the selfish and irresponsible
act of few people in our ranks led by Mr. Z.T. Major, the immediate past
president of the association, who had the responsibility and duty to educate his
followers on the importance of constitutional rule. Instead this gentleman and
his cronies installed egoism and personality cult right in the center of our
beloved organization.
Right now, I beg and bet any of those people to offer us
(Sinoeans in the United States) detailed report on the progress of any project
going on in Sinoe County, and financial reports of Liberians sponsored by the
association. This is the time to combine resources and build schools in each of
the districts of Sinoe County to cultivate the minds of an entire generation of
children lost to the civil wars. This is the time to encourage some sort of
healthcare delivery system in the regions of Sinoe County. However, we are now
wasting our time discussing personality conflicts and the disregard for our
common principles and rules. What a disaster!
Are there sound minds in that camp?
Jlator Nah Gewleh
Member, Minnesota Chapter
What Oppong
Did Not Say In Atlanta
Mr. Sungbeh,
I am responding to your article on the web:
"What Oppong did not say in Atlanta". I enjoyed it and applaud your view on
Oppong's interest to hold the most powerful position in Liberia. You made your
point very clear and explicit in the article. First of all let me introduced
myself: I am a Liberian ...born in Grand Bassa County (I partially lived there)
grew-up in Robertsfield, Smell-No-Taste and later I moved to Monrovia prior to
coming to the states to join my mother. I spent most of my years in America
living in Dallas, Texas. Today, I live in a small Texas town where I am going to
school to earn my bachelor's in nursing. Oppong running for president? When I
first heard about it I thought it was just one of those Liberia so-called
rumors. Now as things approaches, it doesn't seem like a rumor anymore. Are we
really going to sit around and entrust our newly redeemed country into the
hands of someone who is not well-equipped and prepared to lead? Are we going to
prove to the world that Liberia is truly one of the most illiterate countries in
Africa? Oppong already disqualified himself from the entire race by saying that
money can buy brains. This proved that he cannot be a role model to the youth of
Liberia. I think we can do better to prove to the international community that
we deserve better and we can do that. Bye.
Thanks,
ACD, Texas
Mr. Sungbeh,
I thought by now you would have known that Weah, after all those years
spent in Europe and
America ,
refused to improve himself. I question his education. He doesn’t even know how
to construct a simple sentence how then do you expect him to explain his
platform ---he doesn’t know what to say.
Upon his arriver in Liberia to declare his intension for the presidency,
about 99.9% 0f his followers were all ill responsible people---ex child
soldiers, the less busy street people and the very ones who sang for ex rebel
leader—Taylor.
I must admit that Weah is patriotic and has done so much for his country,
most especially when help was most needed. Liberians living in the different
refuge camps across the region can testify about his generosity but, this does
not mean that he’s going to make a good leader when become president.
I have personally interacted with Weah on numerous occasions and have
found out that he is very immature and a good womanizer—thanks to goodness I was
not victimized. He doesn’t know how to
react when under stress and can sometimes become violent.
He couldn’t even manage ‘Junior Professionals’ his little club, how can
we entrust our fragile country into his hand.
I would like to advise Weah to just go ahead being UNICEF goodwill
ambassador, continue his humanitarian work and forget about politics.
Eileen Samuels
What Prompted Joe Wylie's Doomsday
Warning?
Mr. Editor
Hello, May I say thanks for the good work? I really enjoyed
reading your articles on the Liberian Dialogue website (especially the piece on
Joe Wylie). I am a Liberian residing in Manchester, England. I am originally
from Sinoe County. I just wanted to ask you if there is a discussion section to
your website. If so, could you please set me up on it so that I can look the
discussions up? Please do not use the address and telephone number you see at
the foot of this e-mail because they will change very soon. I hope to hear from
you soon by e-mail. Cheers, Anthony, UK
Like Doe, Like Weah
Mr. Editor
Thanks for your reply, we can respectfully
disagree. However there are no educational, social, economic qualifications to
become a president. The constitution clearly states who is eligible to then run
for office. As a matter of fact a lot of instances it boils to a popularity
contest. You don't have the right to tell Mr. Weah what to try his hand at. What
you do have is the right to vote, and by your vote and others it will then be
decided. Doe was unlike Weah, Weah has been on the international scene before
attempting to be President, Doe was an illiterate master sergeant. Sports in a
lot of ways is like politics, look at how many American athletes use it as a
platform to a career. Now this is my case and would like to continue to have a
dialogue with you, There are many presidents that have not had a stellar
academic portfolio who did a great job. The great USA have had nine presidents
who did not go to college, one who could not read or write and had to be taught
by his wife. Hope to keep in touch with you.
Edwin
Time To
Revisit Contracts, Enforce Labor & Environmental Laws
Mr.
Editor
Having worked for Bethlehem Steel and as Controller for
LJV Operating Co. I find your following comments off the mark for Bethlehem's
interest, there never was any payments above or below the table, regrettably the
depletion of the high grade ore was the real demise of the mine, admittedly the
coup put the nail in the coffin. If you have not read Maddy's book please do, as
I knew her father and family and find it is a true story in regards to
Nimba.
The multinational companies which never had any interest,
whatsoever, in the well-being of the Liberian workers went in there anyway,
established themselves with the Liberian government as serious business
partners, than make their under-the-table illegal financial payments to
successive Liberian presidents to undermine wages and stifle employee
dissent A. Alan Zimmerman
A House
Divided: ULAA & ALNC's Painful Saga
Mr. Sungbeh
I think your account of what transpired in
the session "A Way Forward" is not correct. I did not try to impose my will on
anyone and believe me none of what transpired at the conference was
orchestrated. The session was intended to find ways of implementing the
resolutions. Most of the delegates wanted ULAA to be the implementing
organization. However, when the Steering Committee was organized ULAA agreed
that the Committee would be independent and autonomous. The European Federation
also joined the effort so it would be a Diaspora effort. The task of the
Steering Committee was simply to organize the conference. This task was
completed on April 16. I was not asking for anything other than a mandate to
move forward. There had to be a structure to take the resolutions to the public
and elicit the cooperation of the international community. Both ULAA and EFLA
wanted a mandate to take the resolutions for implementation and Watson's appeal
was not to only let ULAA do it but to continue to use the Steering Committee in
collaboration with EFLA. You had every opportunity to seek clarification if you
were not sure what was going on. This is good journalism my
friend.
Thanks
Mydea Reeves-Karpeh
Editors,
Mr. J.J.Jackson's observations aren't factual and are unreliable. I
don't think he's someone that knows what he placed on the web-site/e-mailed.
Because if he knows LURD's sponsor(s), he should definitely know model's. These
two warring factions are nothing else but the same brothers, cousins, sisters,
uncles, aunts and even dad and son(s)' stuff. The large family thought it wise
that being two was logical, enabling them to wisely and successfully attack the
Taylor's regime. So, the family did form MODEL and she was sent to the eastern
part of Liberia. Their mission was to start from Grand Gedeh and move onto
Gbarnga whilst, LURD attack from nothern Liberia, causing a total confusion on
Taylor's camp. So, Mr. J.J. Jackson I don't think Oppong should be falsely
accused. Where Lurd's getting/got her financial assistance, MODEL's getting hers
from there also.
Moreover, i think you should pls. be very sure before e-mailing your
unbelievable and disgusting thoughts. I, in your place firstly apologize to the
Weahs and to the bosses of MODEL who are in your area. Those guys are the ones
that used to work for the Liberian people before the war. I think you should be
moderate in describing the financial standing despite you guys being in Penn..
Despite my apology to Mr. Weah you falsely accused and the bosses of MODEL, I
think you should apologize also.
Editors, I reckon you guys know that what Mr. J.J.Jackson wrote is
a complete rubbish. He lives in America and is accusing someone without
evidence. Can i say that Oppong's about to form another faction in Minnesota,
because he has been here twice this year unofficially. Please Mr.J.J.Jackson,
don't be kiddish. You're really a Liberian. Our entire history's oral. We don't
even have a dependable history. Mr. Jackson pls. be quiet if you're on vacation
or if it's a day-off.
Robert Gaye,
Minnesota
Mr. Editor
I read your article titled "Are
George Weah's hands in blood?"
Please be informed that many of fair minded
Liberians are being directed to this article and some are taking serious look at
this man, George Weah.
What caught my EYES was a question, why most Rebels
want this man?
why some of those like Tarty Teh who was most critical to
Taylor are on has BANDWAGON?
what is his qualification?
Lets keep the fire
BURNING. This man should not sit on that presidential seat. if we allow it, we
will be sending a bad message that qualification does not matter. An that all
you need is when you have money and spend that on Rebels and to KILL
YOURS
PEOPLE.
Thanks for the enlightment.
thanks
Charles
Quitee
African Christian Radio
I visited your website
and I was deeply thrilled. The
wide range of resourceful commentaries got
my
reading impulse and appetite excited. Thanks a lot for
positive
initiative!
I am a Liberian journalist, to be specific serving as
one of
the editors of The Vanguard newspaper.
I wholeheartedly wish to be a
contributor to this
website.
Ernest.Maximore, Monrovia, Liberia
Sungbeh, Thank you very much for the information
about Liberian politics. It is unique and informative. I am hoping that you
continue to inform the masses.
I have not been able to communicate with you,
because I missed place your business card. Keep with the good work you are
doing, by sending out brilliant information.
Peace,
James Sackor, Albany, GA
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