Nationalism and patriotism are conduits through which most people express pride and love for country, IDEALS, their fellow countrymen and pride in their identity. Sadly even NAZIS still glory in their dark past. A past rooted in hate and marked by counter protests that are USUALLY overshadowed by heavy police presence.
The recent publication of a cartoon by a Danish cartoonist brought to the fore the worst display of religious fanaticism ever witnessed in contemporary history. A few died in cities across Pakistan - albeit in defense of their religious fate. I wonder what would be the reaction in most west African countries if on their independence day France, Belgium or any other colonial power launched counter celebrations to pay homage to the virtues of their colonial days.
For me, that would be tantamount to taunting and a lack of respect for the high esteem that surround the respective days of independence. In some of those countries, many PERISHED in their fight for independence. Their societies paid a hefty price for their freedom.
Many nations of Africa, especially around southern and eastern Africa were riddled with outright racism and pseudo subjugations by colonial masters that sought to rob them of their HUMAN DIGNITIES. Liberation from those very HARSH forms of tyrannies are usually accompanied by violence and calls for revenge.
I am very SAD that RIGHT WING talk show host Glen Beck will chose the Memorial Day of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech to host His restoring America day events. The timing of his counter event is not only wrong but clearly intended to desecrate the honor of Dr King - my honest opinion.
I will urge ALL peace-loving men and women to condemn Mr Beck for his unnecessary trivialization of such a key milestone in our modern history and this SILENT attempt to malign the many who died in the fight for equality in America.
Every now and then when a Jewish cemetery is desecrated the world shudders. The agents of evil will stop at nothing until they are countered with logic, truth and JUSTICE.
Indeed, this is a SAD day in America
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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( 0 / 0 )The dusts have finally settled on Sheikh Kafumba Dukuly, II resignation from the CDC. A resignation which I believe was inevitable and indeed a good OMEN for the party. In this brief writeup I intend to express my independent thoughts on Sheikh Kafumba Dukuly's resignation deviod of political tint.
To go through Sheikh Dukuly's list of his numerous travails during his ill fated travel to the United States will bore readers of this piece. His troubles are understandable but I am at a loss as to why he blames the CDC as an institution because of the action of a very FEW people.
What were Sheikh Dukuly's expectations before and during his travel to the USA ? Sheikh Dukuly, The RIGORS of life in America compel citizens and residents to adhere to an unwritten code of existence. Work, bills and work. Once this vicious circle is broken an individual is not only exposed to very harsh circumstances but stands the chance of losing a lot. The DAILY grind leaves very little time for other events - if not planned well in advance.
For Sheikh Dukuly to imply that CDCians both in the USA and Liberia abandoned him is NOT only unfair but disingenuous. No one will forsake a friend in his hour of need especially so when he or she is hospital bound - this criticism is simply unfair. I believe very MANY CDCians have traveled for CDC functions using their limited resources. They did NOT imagined a GRANDIOSE welcome party or to be the SOLE focus of their host(s) attention during the duration of their stay. This is in no way meant to undercut the importance of Sheikh Dukuly's visit but an attempt to drive home a reality.
Lastly Sheikh Dukuly, alliances, allegiances affections and affiliations do wane. To insinuate that some CDCians will, out of malice, try to malign and or harm you in any way, shape or form is completely ludicrous. I believe the CDC will respect your desire to quit and wish you all the very best in your political future.
In the cause of the people, the STRUGGLE continues.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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( 0 / 0 )George Weah a Political Bastard ? Really ?
I have done several carricatures of Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and many times have been ROUNDLY SCOLDED for the manner in which I presented her potrait. It is universally accepted that cartoons and carricatures are regular part of politicking meant to send silent messages and provoke debates. But directed at Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf they are perceived as derisions emanating from degenerates.
The Unity Party so-called proponents of decency and mutual respect are suddenly very SILENT because the CRUDE language is directed at Mr George Weah. Had it been the other way around there would have been hues and cries for a return to decency, CIVILITY and a sense of mutual respect despite our political persuasions.
Liberians I believe will NOT be inspired by such diction which is not only wrong but distasteful. They add no value to the national debate but robs it of the legitimacy that it deserves.
I will HUMBLY urge the EDITORIAL staff of the LiberianJournal to edit such vitriol-laced posting in detail to ensure that published articles are WORTHY of public consumption.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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( 0 / 0 )Dr Amos Sawyer's Proposed "County Superintendents Election Bill".
Dr. Amos Sawyer is once again the focus of discussions in Liberia and Liberian circles in the diaspora. Our TIRELESS politician has proffered a “County Superintendents Election Bill”, concocted by his governance commission, to the senate for consideration for passage into law.
Liberians from different political persuasions have expressed their views on this proposed bill. There are some who question Dr. Sawyer's very motive for proposing this bill – meant to weaken and undermine the administration in Monrovia - I will only hope that the Liberian legislature peruse this bill in detail and make a reasonable decision. A passage of this bill will have wide-ranging implications on the political future of our nation.
While I have read only available snippets of the proposed bill I would pose series of questions to its proponents.
* Can there be a reconsideration of the six year term limit to four years ?
* Can the REMOVAL process of an elected superintendent be elaborated upon in details - modalities and the officials responsible for his/her actual removal ?
* Will the elected superintendent be responsible for revenue generation and disbursement for their respective counties ?
* How would the CENTRAL government FINANCIALLY account for POOR counties who LACK sufficient sources of revenues ?
* How about security ? Will the national police and or Army within the territorial confines of the elected superintendent be answerable to the ELECTED superintendent or the government in Monrovia?
* In what situation(s) will the NATIONAL government be allowed to INTERVENE in the internal affairs of the respective counties once this bill is passed?
* With the hyper-partisan nature of our politics, how do we resolve dispute(s) between a superintendent and the president ?
Dr Sawyer, it is quite easy to imagine a political ideal, no matter how far fetched it seems, but we should always imagine ideals that are both practical and achievable. To a large extent this is an advocacy for the imposition of a pseudo-federalist system in Liberia - a system which we are NOT prepared for both financially and politically – couple that with our false sense of tribal identities.
I would urge the legislators to THROW OUT this bill and encourage Dr sawyer to assist in strengthening the existing local governance structures in whatever possible and or INNOVATIVE ways his Governance Commission can.
In the cause of the people, the STRUGGLE continues.
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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( 3 / 5 )Unity Party and the 2011 elections
The march to the 2011 elections in Liberia is nearing its "fever pitch" stage. Almost every Liberian political party and their agents are fine tuning their respective strategies to ensure victory.
The ruling Unity Party, buoyed by its recent win in River Gee, is all but overcome with a false sense of invincibility. Her partisans are so confident of a victory that some, including Samuel P. Jackson, have even started placing orders for their "inaugural" garments.
Lost in this political euphoria is the state of our nation and the welfare of ordinary Liberians. We as a people have experienced paternalistic politics before. A politics that over promise and under deliver. A politics that is deeply rooted in euphemisms, vapid slogans and outright corruption. A politics that operates on the failed “trickle down” mentality – wherein the majority is expected to eat the crumbs falling off the minority tables.
Daily, the Unity Party is shamelessly boasting of her myriad achievements. Non-tangible achievements that have added little or NOTHING to the quality of life of ordinary Liberians. Poverty continues to rise, unemployment is at a record high, and hopelessness and a sense of national paralysis are becoming the norm. Yet in this political imbroglio the Unity Party sees success. A success wherein the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. A success that reinforces our political divide and is unknowingly sowing the seeds of future political strife.
Like the fabled ostrich, the leadership of the Unity Party hides its head in the sand and pretends the problems of Liberia would resolve itself and or just dissipate.
Most Liberians are yet to decipher the reelection campaign strategy of the Unity Party. Some are tempted to proffer the idea of CONTINUITY. Continuity of what? The same old failed policies? The same old nonchalance regarding corruption? The same old impotence?
After a crippling war Liberia and Liberians deserve better. A government that values innovation, a government that welcomes constructive criticisms, a government that will do all within her power to create jobs, a government that will ensure that the fight against poverty is not only SLOGAN based, a government that will be GENUINELY interested in the reconstruction of destroyed national infrastructures, a government that will be HEAVILY invested in the health care of its people, a government that will value and promote quality education. And lastly, a government that is interested in NATIONAL UNITY.
The Unity party has exhited its inability to LEAD and LACK of vision. Indeed, Liberia and Liberians deserve better!
In the cause of the people the STRUGGLE continues!
Benjamin Kofa Fyneah
Gainesville, Florida
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