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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Dec 2006 : 23:36:53
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Will you feel insulted if anyone tells you fool(s) is/are trying to fool you. Now as things stand in Gambia, it is a game of fooling or being fooled. Jammeh is fooling himself after knowing that he did not win the elections by genuine votes. Those around him are fooling him by pretending he is lord saviour. The rest of society now get fooled by standing aside and believing that a win of change will blow from the West to sweep Jammeh away into the deep Atlantic Ocean. For you and the rest, you either do something about this interlogging maze of things or you too are part of it. Are you fooling or being fooled? Tell society what you think and your position in this game of folly.
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Karamba |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2006 : 23:41:17
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I agree 100%. He pretends to be democratic. but is a dictator! Gambian people are very loyal to their country and therefore don't like to speak out against the president. Opinions in public are very different to opinions in private. This is sad, because it shows that people are frightened to give an opinion in public infront of their own people.   |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 00:34:11
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gambiabev,
You got it. It is that civilised nature of Gambians Jammeh is misreading as though he is in control. It is like story of "The Emperor's New Clothes." A naked emperor was fooled by his tailors that on his innauguration like Jammeh's they would sew him clothes so beautiful that stupid people would not see it. They waved their empty hands around the emperor as though dressing him. After a while, they told the emperor it was OK for him to step into the crowded street where invited guests and bystanders stood waiting. The emperor was in reality walking naked and everyone pretended he was wearing the invisible clothes for fear that they might be seen stupid. When he got the end of the road, a liitle innocent child broke up the silence: "He is naked, he is naked!!" There and then everyone came to themselves and the emperor continued walking naked pretending nothing was wrong. |
Karamba |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 11:44:16
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| definately a case of the emporers new clothes, my visits to gambia opened my eyes to this fact. |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 16:36:16
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quote:
Originally posted by jambo
definately a case of the emporers new clothes, my visits to gambia opened my eyes to this fact.
SO LIVING IN FOOLS PARADISE |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2006 : 00:18:56
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Sadly I think the problem is twofold: firstly, some people are indeed frightened to speak out when they think (or indeed, even know) they are being misruled - and, in the current climate, who can blame them?
Secondly, too many people do actually believe that Jammeh IS their saviour - because when you don't have proper education, or a proper forum to debate ideas, you tend to believe what you are told. (Happens the world over).
Eductation has to be the key. But I know that that takes time.
But isn't it true, that for their own reason, the West supports Jammeh. If this wasn't the case then why did the European observers (British amongst them) at the recent elections declare them to be totally free, fair and balanced??!! The wind of change may be a long time coming if people are looking outside.
So - are we fooling - or being fooled - to answer the original question.... both, I fear!
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2006 : 04:08:54
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Lily,
Two points you raised deserve attention for sound debate. The issue of education or information. It takes an informed society to make calculated decisions. Some times even educated populations can be baffled if they fail to embrace the power of information for liberation. It all depends on how people relate through information as a medium for socialisation.
About international observers on the elections in Gambia. They have been organised to perform just a role in the drama. It was a matter of agreeing to agree with no option of sharing frank opinion. After all what is their stake? Some of those on the observer mission only acted according to their Terms Of Reference (TOR) predetermined set of matters decided by the host country. Do you appreciate how their hands got held behind them? It is all part of international schems and endless protocols. What more ? |
Karamba |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2006 : 10:34:04
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Karamba
I agree with you and you are absolutley right: information - unbiased, impartial - is essential both for a society to flourish and for a society to develop its education programme. Difficult, we know, in a country where even the Radio and Television Service is so tightly (though denied) controlled by government. As for the education - I have hopes that the children of the children I know may have the opportunity to be independent thinkers. I know a number of young Gambians here in Britain, striving through university - if just some of them return then maybe there will be a chance.....
And yes, I totally take your point about hands tied. Though I was disappointed that no one even hinted that the election was all too neat! And yet I was in Gambia earlier this year when the 10,000 march was going on (yes, I have "my" T shirt). Such a show of support for The President ahead of the Summit (?!). What a complete farce - but people were, quite lieterally, afraid NOT to go. And, by default, I suppose later NOT to vote. Again, it is not difficult to persuade people that the all knowing "eye" knows how you've voted......
Yet, in the end, isn't it true that all it takes for evil to triumph is for the good to say nothing?
What to do? What to say? .......... slowly, slowly encourage people to learn to think independently, to question (carefully) without fear - and how to do this? Ahh back to education: informally (through discussion) and formally (through discussions and visits with teachers).
I am sorry Karamba - this has become a long post. I shall finish now. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2006 : 13:43:08
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Lily,
Never too long especially with that stuff of sense. You saw it all. In principle, it was called free and fair. In practice, it was stage-managed. That is the game. Those who played it knew what they did. When they invited the observers, the stage was already set for what the hosts wanted seen. All Jammeh wanted (and got) out of it was/is the number favour. How he got it, don't ask moral questions!
I enjoyed your digestive assessment and like to say thank you. |
Karamba |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2006 : 14:22:09
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karamba and lilly, look at the facts people voted for jammeh, because they did not see the opposition
people keep pointing at yaya, but where was the opposition this time last year if I remember rightly there were 4 oppostion parties and they could not agree with each other.
education helps, but this situation has not been helped by the opposing parties.
if they could get the to the USA to canvass how come some of them could not get to BASSE. Also too many ministers and civil servants are lining there own pockets and it is an accepted fact.
Look at the situation with the vice president and the money loans, is that the presidents fault NO. |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2006 : 14:56:26
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Karamba, thanks for your thanks. These are just thoughts but it's good to be able to have a forum to discuss them
Jambo, you have a point. People did vote for Jammeh and on that count of course he won the election, but surely people voted for him not just because they didn't see the opposition. Also through "advice" from people in their families and in their villages.
I doubt that any of the opposition parties were given equivalent airtime on radio or tv (as happens - proportionally - in democratic societies). Or that their points of view were discussed in schools or colleges. Of course, they should have been more united and travelled up (and around) the country much more - but again, all this requires experience and organisation - maybe next time?
I completely agree that too many ministers and civil servants are lining their own pockets. But who is their role model? But seriously, do you honestly think that the President doesn't know what is going on in his own Country and that the Vice President was able to keep things from him?
Best wishes, Lily
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2006 : 00:02:20
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Lily,
Simple as it is many people tow the political line for personal economic reasons only. They do all in their might to score economic gains by political means. All they want is daily bread and more, at very high cost to the present and future of a whole generation. |
Karamba |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2006 : 00:09:26
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| Yes, I know you are right. But does it always have to be so?! |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2006 : 00:58:21
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No, it does not have to be so. To stop this happening, it starts with you, me and the next person(s)who says no to it. There is always a cure to social ills. When more people say no to something, it's got to stop. With Gambia, the few who are enjoying count it as their lucky times. It is time that this changes start from you, me and the rest. "One, one coco full a basket" B.Marley |
Karamba |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2006 : 11:47:37
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karamba, the changes start with us, BUT gambians have to change, I am not sure where you are based but I went to conference one of the seminars was aid for africa, that old topic.
the speaker gave some facts and figues about remittances to africa, the findings stated that if African used the money they were sent they would rise above poverty in the next three years, ( i think it was that I shocked) but I asked my friends who send money back to africa what they thought and they agreed.
The money they send back for education, to build a house, to buy a business if the family used it for that they would be in a better position in 3 years time.
This is not a political issue, but a cultural issue, how many members of the bantaba have sent money back for school fees, or to buy bricks for the house only to find it used for a mobile phone, new clothes etc.
The change starts with the africans, uptil then other nationals will play to this mind set and africa will stay the same, or take longer to move forward. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2006 : 12:48:59
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Jambo,
We can go round it and eventually to agree on a move. It starts with one, then two, then three to the highest numbers. What is more a problem at this moment is that everyone thinks it takes the next person not us. If you are convinced that it starts with you and me, we have a good start already.
The other bit about people back home not using the remittance properly is a whole matter. When people don't sweat for something, it is hard for them to value it. That does not mean any of us don't value gifts. This is about people elsewhere who imagine that money remitted to them is flowing from gold taps and theirs is only to chill out with. That can be a way of irresponsible spending. Again the sender gets to tell the receiver that money comes from the icy cold of factories and wet floors. To send £10 appears small. That is still someone's sleepless hours. Let the receivers take responsibility. |
Karamba |
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