Dearest Mama,
Hope all is well at your end. Thanks for your note reminding me about Pappay’s (Charles Taylor’s) birthday, and the inauguration of Obama as U.S. President. Before discussing Pappay’s birthday, I really want to say that from where I sit, Obama’s elections and inauguration have left me pondering over two things: Obama Democratic Convention Speech was held on the night 45 years after Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I have a Dream Speech," and Obama’s inauguration took place a day after Martin Luther King's Day in the U.S.A. In the U.S. Martin Luther King’s Day is observed on the third Monday of January, and this year it fell on January 19th, ushering the inauguration of Obama.
Regarding Pappay's birthday, it’s partly because of the birthday I travelled to The Hague to watch the last parts of the prosecution’s witnesses and also see what Taylor was doing for his birthday. The last few days of the prosecution’s presentation was tensed: A man who had both hands hacked off during Sierra Leone's civil war testified, A rape victim testifying against Taylor described her unbearable pain, and journalist Hassan Bility testified against Charles Taylor.
Mama, unlike in the past where Taylor’s birthday was celebrated with pomp and pageantry, this time I got the feeling that Pappay almost forgot his birthday. In fact, when he was reminded about his birthday, Pappay stopped momentarily in his track, stared briefly at what seemed to be the tip of his foot wear, and then he quickly lifted his head and looked far ahead. Mama, before I could read his expressions or connect his actions to facial countenance, Pappay had become aware of his environment and taken on his mode- easy strides and expressionless face as he was being taken to the courtroom.
Mama, while Pappay was in the court room, I found out in my own fashion that the tradition of celebrating birthhdays with showiness doesn't exist at The Hague; at least not in the part of The Hague where Taylor is held. Unlike in the past where Taylor’s birthday was celebrated with pomp and pageantry: songs/music written and sung in his honor; events organized to celebrate his natal day; government offices closed to celebrate his birthday, this time, Pappay spend his day facing victims of atrocities carried out by rebel group and during his administration.
It was awkward to see Pappay- a man who once summoned authority, now without status or authority. As I stood there looking at Pappay, I reflected on the degree of power he once held and wielded as rebel leader and during his years as President of Liberia. You’ll recall that during those days, when Pappay stood up, it seemed the World around him trembled; and when he walked, everything stood still. I can tell you that things are quite different at The Hague. On January 28, 2009, Pappay spend his 61st birthday in prison, reminiscing days of old when his birthday was a national events celebrated with showiness and splendor.
Actually, while en-route to The Hague, I had anticipated that Pappay would have stack of mails containing birthday cards and photographs from some of those we considered his “close’ friends, including the “queens” and “missuses.” Mama, Pappay had only a few pieces of mails in his room – none from his ‘circle of friends.”
When I had the opportunity, I seized the opportunity to ask Pappay about his birthday and his days at The Hague – was he in communication with his friends and families? Pappay paced back and forth, and then briefly held his chin. He responded to my inquiry by giving me a brief lecture: “Betrayal brings about …..anger. That’s because people remember their friends and the happy times they have spent together, and then the idea of betrayal…. At the end of the day, when we sit back, people remember friends who might have hurt them or betrayed them at some point of time.” At that end, Pappay became silent. I then knew that it was time to return home.
Mama, during my trip home, I thought about home- Liberia and the ritual of celebrating presidents’ birthdays as holidays, which over the years became an obsession. Before becoming president of Liberia, Taylor who was still head of his rebel group, together with his supporters converged on Monrovia in January, 1996, and celebrated his 48th birthday in grand style, while those he professed to be liberating were going to bed hungry daily. That tradition of celebrating his birthday in pomp and Pageantry continued throughout his administration.
President William V.S Tubman birthday which was a national holiday was celebrated November 29 of every year. When William R. Tolbert succeeded President Tubman, Tolbert’s birthday on May 13th was also a national holiday. President Samuel Doe continued the legacy; his birthday was May 6 of every year. And so, Charles Taylor’s birthday, January 28 was added to the calendar.
Mama was there any “Happy Birthday” announcement in the newspapers for Charles Taylor? How big was the advert? Was it a full page? Oh, if you see any advert, kindly let me know the size and the sponsor. I am just curious.
Talk to you later.
always, musue
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Random Thoughts: Dependency Syndrome - A Society of Predators and Sycophants
Dearest Mama,
I understand your interest in hearing my views on the implications of predators or predation and sycophants on our society. I also received several communications from our compatriots requesting a short discussion on these issues. Personally, I wanted to write on the topic few months ago, but have been preoccupied with getting the claws of predators from my flesh. At the moment, I have large wounds that may take several months to heal.
Mama, let me forewarn you that this is a broad topic, and this communication may not touch on all facets of the issues, but I will attempt to set the premise for future discussions.
“Predator” is mostly associated with conservationism, which is a process where one animal feeds on another that is attacked. Sometimes, the predators may or may not kill their prey before feeding on them, but the act or practice of plundering or marauding; or the act of capturing of prey as a means of maintaining life almost always results in the death of the prey. The word sycophant refers to a person who, acting in his or her own self-interest, tries to win favor by flattering one or more powerful persons, at the cost of his or her own personal pride and in most instances, at the expense of his or her peers.
Mama, when a society has a human (political) predator, life becomes difficult for others that are taken as food by predators, particularly those that are helpless or unable to resist attack. Most human predators are even more cunning that animal predators. Predators may hunt actively for prey, or sit and wait for prey to approach within striking distance, and then they pound on the innocent preys who are struggling to live a simple life. What makes this more challenging for human beings is that when greed and power comes into play for human predators, their minds operate like animals, and even below the thinking capacity and reasoning of animals. If living in the midst of predators is difficult, then imagine what’s happening in our society where predators and sycophants are rubbing shoulders? Mama, I have experienced the handy works of predators and sycophants. Believe me, when it comes to greed and power, predators and sycophants put aside common sense and reasoning; they move head on without any consideration for the implications of their actions on other human beings, including innocent children. It’s kind of scary looking at some of the consequences of sycophancy, and victims of the predators and sycophants in our society.
Mama, it is sad see that of all the beautiful things in our world, people can select and become exceptionally good at the art of sycophancy. People who select to become sycophants prey on colleagues or co-workers who simply desire to uphold and maintain their dignity, rather than engage in flattery. In a world where competition is much more encouraged, while collaboration and coordination is gradually being pushed under the carpet, sycophancy and predation are gradually becoming acceptable norms and practices within various institutions. To beef up the practice of sycophancy, in spite its implications it has on progress, every and all acts carried out by sycophants in the world of sycophancy are considered "right," and any attempt by non-sycophants to question such unfair practices will ultimately be faced with isolation and or intimidation. Quite funny ehn! But the goal here is to protect their territory, and also claim other territories with complete disregard for the implications their actions will have on society.
Sycophancy is almost everywhere, and when sycophancy strikes, predator becomes the cleaner. Sycophancy is no longer carried out in subtle manner, we see it when subordinates praise their bosses’ second-rate performance for becoming their favorites. Even in schools, students pay unnecessary compliments to their teachers in order to secure better grades. I see it when the helpless pay needless respect to their phony “experts” and hierarchs. Look at the way a person, or politicians praise their so-called leaders in spite their unprofessional conducts and corrupt practices; that’s sycophancy. I see it, and you can see it in the advertisements sponsored by an unknown official of some unsuccessful organization applauding someone's unworthy appointment to a position.
Foolishly, sycophancy is grossly displayed when suddenly ‘social justice persons and groups’ start to sing their own praises, trying to draw the attention of some groups and take credit for the hard work of others. It is even cheaply visible when even those imprisoned for wrongful deeds try to claim that they are heroes or heroines. And when true heroes or persons who have worked hard to maintain their reputation, or when an independent minded person question unfair practices, sycophants and predators feel challenged. They hurriedly set in place some of their syco- behaviors and preda-tragies to destroy that person’s accomplishments, or the hard earned efforts of such groups.
Mama, I don’t know when sycophancy emerged, but when sycophancy was born, it came with its twin- the predator. And ever since their birth, sycophancy and predation have been walking side by side. Call them the destructive two!
It may be difficult to say exactly the roots of sycophancy, but perhaps, it has to do with the injustices, and the manner our ancestors were forcibly programmed or trained to take on their ‘masters” point of view, their bosses way of thinking and logic, and to always sing praises to higher ups. Mama, this “dependency syndrome” is an attitude and way of life that is embedded in our society, and has corrupted institutions in our society.
Mama, when a person engages in sycophancy, they corrupt two major qualities for leading a successful life: their integrity and self-respect. The cycle of sycophancy continues to exist in our society because after a sycophant becomes a leader, he or she is surrounded with sycophants, and there is a birth of more and more sycophants. In that process, predators prey on non sycophants. The elimination of non sycophants and the continual promotion of sycophancy destroys efforts for progress. Moreover, when sycophancy becomes a recurrent practice, it creates a system where ineffective persons are placed, or find themselves as heads of institutions, thereby obstructing development at the institutional and national levels. Most importantly, upcoming sycophants, or new breeds of sycophants desperate to prove their loyalties and committments to the profession of sycophancy begin to vigorously hunt down non sycophant and independent minded persons as a way of impressing their bosses.
The question then becomes, how do we rid our society of sycophancy; how do we discourage the birth of human predation? We must first begin by doing the following:
1) Believing in ourselves by acknowledging and valuing our competence, and ability to progress in life, instead of feeding on another person’s weakness for sweet talk.
2) Recognizing that as human beings, we are entitled to certain inalienable rights. Some of these rights, precisely articulated by United States President Franklin Roosevelt known as the Four Freedoms that humans "everywhere in the world" ought to enjoy: Freedom of speech and expression, Freedom of religion, Freedom from want , Freedom from fear.
Whenever you have an opinion, or want to ask a question, and you are beginning to feel intimidated, remember two things: Believe in yourself, and recognize that by nature of being a human being, you have the right to life, and that includes the four freedoms.
Mama, one last point, which in any case is not the least point is to resist becoming a member of the cheering squad of ineffective leaders and systems. Most importantly, let us learn to leave our own trails, rather than follow the cataclysm trails of others.
In whatever you do, ask yourself: Am I a [supporter of] sycophant, a predator or a professional seeking to promote good practices, or am I selling my soul to the devil and destroying the lives of others? Let's always remember that, "To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction," it may take some time to see the consequences of your action, but it does come, and at the appropriate time.
always,
musue
I understand your interest in hearing my views on the implications of predators or predation and sycophants on our society. I also received several communications from our compatriots requesting a short discussion on these issues. Personally, I wanted to write on the topic few months ago, but have been preoccupied with getting the claws of predators from my flesh. At the moment, I have large wounds that may take several months to heal.
Mama, let me forewarn you that this is a broad topic, and this communication may not touch on all facets of the issues, but I will attempt to set the premise for future discussions.
“Predator” is mostly associated with conservationism, which is a process where one animal feeds on another that is attacked. Sometimes, the predators may or may not kill their prey before feeding on them, but the act or practice of plundering or marauding; or the act of capturing of prey as a means of maintaining life almost always results in the death of the prey. The word sycophant refers to a person who, acting in his or her own self-interest, tries to win favor by flattering one or more powerful persons, at the cost of his or her own personal pride and in most instances, at the expense of his or her peers.
Mama, when a society has a human (political) predator, life becomes difficult for others that are taken as food by predators, particularly those that are helpless or unable to resist attack. Most human predators are even more cunning that animal predators. Predators may hunt actively for prey, or sit and wait for prey to approach within striking distance, and then they pound on the innocent preys who are struggling to live a simple life. What makes this more challenging for human beings is that when greed and power comes into play for human predators, their minds operate like animals, and even below the thinking capacity and reasoning of animals. If living in the midst of predators is difficult, then imagine what’s happening in our society where predators and sycophants are rubbing shoulders? Mama, I have experienced the handy works of predators and sycophants. Believe me, when it comes to greed and power, predators and sycophants put aside common sense and reasoning; they move head on without any consideration for the implications of their actions on other human beings, including innocent children. It’s kind of scary looking at some of the consequences of sycophancy, and victims of the predators and sycophants in our society.
Mama, it is sad see that of all the beautiful things in our world, people can select and become exceptionally good at the art of sycophancy. People who select to become sycophants prey on colleagues or co-workers who simply desire to uphold and maintain their dignity, rather than engage in flattery. In a world where competition is much more encouraged, while collaboration and coordination is gradually being pushed under the carpet, sycophancy and predation are gradually becoming acceptable norms and practices within various institutions. To beef up the practice of sycophancy, in spite its implications it has on progress, every and all acts carried out by sycophants in the world of sycophancy are considered "right," and any attempt by non-sycophants to question such unfair practices will ultimately be faced with isolation and or intimidation. Quite funny ehn! But the goal here is to protect their territory, and also claim other territories with complete disregard for the implications their actions will have on society.
Sycophancy is almost everywhere, and when sycophancy strikes, predator becomes the cleaner. Sycophancy is no longer carried out in subtle manner, we see it when subordinates praise their bosses’ second-rate performance for becoming their favorites. Even in schools, students pay unnecessary compliments to their teachers in order to secure better grades. I see it when the helpless pay needless respect to their phony “experts” and hierarchs. Look at the way a person, or politicians praise their so-called leaders in spite their unprofessional conducts and corrupt practices; that’s sycophancy. I see it, and you can see it in the advertisements sponsored by an unknown official of some unsuccessful organization applauding someone's unworthy appointment to a position.
Foolishly, sycophancy is grossly displayed when suddenly ‘social justice persons and groups’ start to sing their own praises, trying to draw the attention of some groups and take credit for the hard work of others. It is even cheaply visible when even those imprisoned for wrongful deeds try to claim that they are heroes or heroines. And when true heroes or persons who have worked hard to maintain their reputation, or when an independent minded person question unfair practices, sycophants and predators feel challenged. They hurriedly set in place some of their syco- behaviors and preda-tragies to destroy that person’s accomplishments, or the hard earned efforts of such groups.
Mama, I don’t know when sycophancy emerged, but when sycophancy was born, it came with its twin- the predator. And ever since their birth, sycophancy and predation have been walking side by side. Call them the destructive two!
It may be difficult to say exactly the roots of sycophancy, but perhaps, it has to do with the injustices, and the manner our ancestors were forcibly programmed or trained to take on their ‘masters” point of view, their bosses way of thinking and logic, and to always sing praises to higher ups. Mama, this “dependency syndrome” is an attitude and way of life that is embedded in our society, and has corrupted institutions in our society.
Mama, when a person engages in sycophancy, they corrupt two major qualities for leading a successful life: their integrity and self-respect. The cycle of sycophancy continues to exist in our society because after a sycophant becomes a leader, he or she is surrounded with sycophants, and there is a birth of more and more sycophants. In that process, predators prey on non sycophants. The elimination of non sycophants and the continual promotion of sycophancy destroys efforts for progress. Moreover, when sycophancy becomes a recurrent practice, it creates a system where ineffective persons are placed, or find themselves as heads of institutions, thereby obstructing development at the institutional and national levels. Most importantly, upcoming sycophants, or new breeds of sycophants desperate to prove their loyalties and committments to the profession of sycophancy begin to vigorously hunt down non sycophant and independent minded persons as a way of impressing their bosses.
The question then becomes, how do we rid our society of sycophancy; how do we discourage the birth of human predation? We must first begin by doing the following:
1) Believing in ourselves by acknowledging and valuing our competence, and ability to progress in life, instead of feeding on another person’s weakness for sweet talk.
2) Recognizing that as human beings, we are entitled to certain inalienable rights. Some of these rights, precisely articulated by United States President Franklin Roosevelt known as the Four Freedoms that humans "everywhere in the world" ought to enjoy: Freedom of speech and expression, Freedom of religion, Freedom from want , Freedom from fear.
Whenever you have an opinion, or want to ask a question, and you are beginning to feel intimidated, remember two things: Believe in yourself, and recognize that by nature of being a human being, you have the right to life, and that includes the four freedoms.
Mama, one last point, which in any case is not the least point is to resist becoming a member of the cheering squad of ineffective leaders and systems. Most importantly, let us learn to leave our own trails, rather than follow the cataclysm trails of others.
In whatever you do, ask yourself: Am I a [supporter of] sycophant, a predator or a professional seeking to promote good practices, or am I selling my soul to the devil and destroying the lives of others? Let's always remember that, "To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction," it may take some time to see the consequences of your action, but it does come, and at the appropriate time.
always,
musue
Random Thoughts: You Have the Power - Be an Agent of Positive Change
Dearest Mama,
Thank you for the wonderful letter. I also received some letters from those at the fireside when you read my New Year’s note. Some of our kinsmen reacted positively to my note. For example, Mr. Sandy in a comment regarding my Random Thoughts letter said, “I like the piece and the creativity used in bringing to fore Liberia's unbridled corruption. I strongly agree with you that corruption in Liberia is a norm or way of life.”
Well, among the respondents expressing alternative views, Mr. Guano, apparently troubled about my comments on corruption said, “I will recommend that since you want to use your dearest mama as a shield to cover up your political reportage, you should not publish it on FrontPage Africa.” Wow! I didn’t realize that Guano was the CZAR Of Journalism, and the regulator of how corruption and other political issues should be reported. When I received Mr. Guano’s letter, unlike his three paragraphs, I wrote a single sentence: “This communication is to acknowledge that your e-mail was received.” As to what I am doing regarding his letter of ultimatum, this is exactly what I am doing: writing!
Mama, you can only imagine what would have happened if Mr. Goaho had the final say about my communication to you and others. It’s kind of scary how some people use their power, but then it’s even terrifying when those who don’t have power begin sending out clues depicting how they will use power. Mama, how do you describe such forceful and uncontrollable feelings that manifest in such manner – just simple letter to you on New Year’s resolution and corruption that provokes such feeling? Is it embedded rage, anger, wrath or something else?
Wrath almost the same as rage and anger falls almost within the same category, and they have the same, or almost the same meaning. They are feelings that can manifest as a result of rejection of the truth and also the desire to settle scores outside of the confines of the law. In most cases, someone with such rage or anger can show displaced aggression – that is the rage or anger is vented against someone or a group of people who are not directly a cause of the person’s anger.
Mama, an example of such wrath was displayed during the war in Liberia. You remembered how people were killed – some randomly and others targeted. In both cases some of those engaged in such acts were enacting their own form of justice, because they believed that the authorities didn’t or wouldn’t respond to the cause of their rage.
Another recent display of such wrath or rage occurring in Monrovia is the stance taken by citizens against “armed robbers”. We read recently that citizens are beating and physically assaulting and sometimes killing “thieves” and “armed robbers.” According to reports from Monrovia, citizens are ignoring the law and have decided to take on their form of justice because of what they consider insufficient response by authorities in curtailing robberies in Monrovia. The reaction by citizens falls within the category of rage and anger.
Mama, as we move from one point to the next in life, we will meet people who will push our last button; we will also find ourselves in situations where we will not be judged by our capabilities, but by our looks or other factors; we may even meet people who will despise us just because of who we are.
How we respond to such situations? The manner in which we handle our feelings during such situations or afterwards determines who we are. Ask yourself how will you treat a waitress, an unattractive person, an innocent child, someone outside your (political, racial, social, etc) circle, a bus driver, or a homeless person after you've been treated unfairly by others? Do you hold grudge and display anger or rage later?
Mama, I quite remembered you telling me that my response to others after such experiences determines my ability to control the development and growth of hatred and anger that lie dormant in all of us. I have seen it, and I have felt it Mama, and I know it - our everyday actions determine our character. We all make mistakes along the way, but what is our general pattern? That is the question we should ask ourselves as individually and as a people. At home, our partner, children, and family members will do something that upsets us at some point. It is how we respond to what our partner, our friends and colleagues do that defines what type of colleagues or partners we are.
I have also seen people (forcibly) influencing others into accepting and supporting their idea and beliefs. This force of will is almost always temporary, because people do mature, or sometimes they will someday have a taste of freedom, after which they will realize that they have been manipulated. This realization of how they have been exploited tend to create confusion and friction. Mama, we have seen this in Liberia and other societies- many people blindly accept what they are told by others, including those in positions of authority, be it in political, religious and educational positions. I believe that we should always use our mind, our intelligence, our reasoning and intellect to analyze and dissect situations, theories, and the ideas shared by others to determine whether or not something is true. This position can be challenging, it has been for me – I am not a conformist, believe me, it has been difficult for me, and it is still challenging. I rather think for myself and question others than swallow everything, which ultimately breeds hate, anger and wrath inside of us after recognizing how others manipulate and suppress our abilities to use our basic senses.
Mama, kindly inform all of our people out there that they should not believe that they "don’t know who they are" and therefore must wear the identity of others. No, No! We should remember that it is the authorities - the political, the religious, the educational authorities who educated our forefathers and mothers by giving them orders, rules, regulations, informing, forming in their minds their view of reality. It is this forced view of reality that shut the minds of our forefathers, pushing them in a state of dormancy, and ignorance, and when that little light flickered, rage and anger set in.
Let’s remember that an idle mind is a fertile ground for rage and hate. Let’s nurture our creativity so that we can become agents of positive change!
Always,
Musue
Thank you for the wonderful letter. I also received some letters from those at the fireside when you read my New Year’s note. Some of our kinsmen reacted positively to my note. For example, Mr. Sandy in a comment regarding my Random Thoughts letter said, “I like the piece and the creativity used in bringing to fore Liberia's unbridled corruption. I strongly agree with you that corruption in Liberia is a norm or way of life.”
Well, among the respondents expressing alternative views, Mr. Guano, apparently troubled about my comments on corruption said, “I will recommend that since you want to use your dearest mama as a shield to cover up your political reportage, you should not publish it on FrontPage Africa.” Wow! I didn’t realize that Guano was the CZAR Of Journalism, and the regulator of how corruption and other political issues should be reported. When I received Mr. Guano’s letter, unlike his three paragraphs, I wrote a single sentence: “This communication is to acknowledge that your e-mail was received.” As to what I am doing regarding his letter of ultimatum, this is exactly what I am doing: writing!
Mama, you can only imagine what would have happened if Mr. Goaho had the final say about my communication to you and others. It’s kind of scary how some people use their power, but then it’s even terrifying when those who don’t have power begin sending out clues depicting how they will use power. Mama, how do you describe such forceful and uncontrollable feelings that manifest in such manner – just simple letter to you on New Year’s resolution and corruption that provokes such feeling? Is it embedded rage, anger, wrath or something else?
Wrath almost the same as rage and anger falls almost within the same category, and they have the same, or almost the same meaning. They are feelings that can manifest as a result of rejection of the truth and also the desire to settle scores outside of the confines of the law. In most cases, someone with such rage or anger can show displaced aggression – that is the rage or anger is vented against someone or a group of people who are not directly a cause of the person’s anger.
Mama, an example of such wrath was displayed during the war in Liberia. You remembered how people were killed – some randomly and others targeted. In both cases some of those engaged in such acts were enacting their own form of justice, because they believed that the authorities didn’t or wouldn’t respond to the cause of their rage.
Another recent display of such wrath or rage occurring in Monrovia is the stance taken by citizens against “armed robbers”. We read recently that citizens are beating and physically assaulting and sometimes killing “thieves” and “armed robbers.” According to reports from Monrovia, citizens are ignoring the law and have decided to take on their form of justice because of what they consider insufficient response by authorities in curtailing robberies in Monrovia. The reaction by citizens falls within the category of rage and anger.
Mama, as we move from one point to the next in life, we will meet people who will push our last button; we will also find ourselves in situations where we will not be judged by our capabilities, but by our looks or other factors; we may even meet people who will despise us just because of who we are.
How we respond to such situations? The manner in which we handle our feelings during such situations or afterwards determines who we are. Ask yourself how will you treat a waitress, an unattractive person, an innocent child, someone outside your (political, racial, social, etc) circle, a bus driver, or a homeless person after you've been treated unfairly by others? Do you hold grudge and display anger or rage later?
Mama, I quite remembered you telling me that my response to others after such experiences determines my ability to control the development and growth of hatred and anger that lie dormant in all of us. I have seen it, and I have felt it Mama, and I know it - our everyday actions determine our character. We all make mistakes along the way, but what is our general pattern? That is the question we should ask ourselves as individually and as a people. At home, our partner, children, and family members will do something that upsets us at some point. It is how we respond to what our partner, our friends and colleagues do that defines what type of colleagues or partners we are.
I have also seen people (forcibly) influencing others into accepting and supporting their idea and beliefs. This force of will is almost always temporary, because people do mature, or sometimes they will someday have a taste of freedom, after which they will realize that they have been manipulated. This realization of how they have been exploited tend to create confusion and friction. Mama, we have seen this in Liberia and other societies- many people blindly accept what they are told by others, including those in positions of authority, be it in political, religious and educational positions. I believe that we should always use our mind, our intelligence, our reasoning and intellect to analyze and dissect situations, theories, and the ideas shared by others to determine whether or not something is true. This position can be challenging, it has been for me – I am not a conformist, believe me, it has been difficult for me, and it is still challenging. I rather think for myself and question others than swallow everything, which ultimately breeds hate, anger and wrath inside of us after recognizing how others manipulate and suppress our abilities to use our basic senses.
Mama, kindly inform all of our people out there that they should not believe that they "don’t know who they are" and therefore must wear the identity of others. No, No! We should remember that it is the authorities - the political, the religious, the educational authorities who educated our forefathers and mothers by giving them orders, rules, regulations, informing, forming in their minds their view of reality. It is this forced view of reality that shut the minds of our forefathers, pushing them in a state of dormancy, and ignorance, and when that little light flickered, rage and anger set in.
Let’s remember that an idle mind is a fertile ground for rage and hate. Let’s nurture our creativity so that we can become agents of positive change!
Always,
Musue
Random Thought: Reflecting on '09 Resolutions: Are They Within Our Range?
Dearest Mama,
Hello, hello, hello. The spirit of the New Year is already in me.
Are you feeling it already? I hope so. Well, in the U.S.A, people are saying that that the spirit of 09 started with the political change that resulted to the elections of Barack Obama as President of the United States. Well, it’s New Year, and most people are making resolutions for 2009. I just gathered that some people are mixing small and large wishes for the New Year.
Some people’s resolutions are that Obama will overturn the financial crisis in the U.S.A, and polish the image of the U.S.A abroad. A Liberian on the East Coast in the United States wishes to complete his studies with flying colors; another wishes to find a “soul mate;” while one man sitting cozily near his wife wishes for three things this year: Peace in the Middle East, take his wife on a cruise to the Caribbean, and an end to Corruption in Liberia. I almost wanted to ask this man; why of all the other romantic places in the World he is keen on taking his wife to the Caribbean.
My interest in knowing why he wants a cruise to the Caribbean isn’t because I am inquisitive, (maybe just tiny winy curious), but after he mentioned an end to corruption in Liberia, I stood up, used my hands to stroke the imaginary dust off my ‘behind’ and walked away. I couldn’t help thinking, “end to corruption in Liberia.” Does this man even understand how long corruption has existed in Liberia? Does he understand that corruption is deeply entrenched in that society? As I began playing the mind game with myself- picturing the different corrupt practices, and how people have come to see those practices as a way of life, I wanted to make a U turn to this man’s home. My intention was to just explain some of the corrupt practices and why it may be impossible that that particular wish- end to corruption was almost impossible in 2009.
As I stood there contemplating whether I should make that U turn, I started giggling. I quickly looked around, hoping that passersby don’t see me. If people saw me standing there alone and laughing, they would begin making ugly assumptions. I didn’t want that. So I pulled out my cell phone, held it to my ear, pretending that I was on the phone. And I laughed to my delight. It was fun laughing, and being able to successfully con the nosy passersby. Mama, you want to know why I was laughing. I was laughing at all the trickery attitudes of some of our people back home. You know, during those days, I mean before I crossed the ocean, I heard many stories of how some government officials had to back down on promises to weed out corruption from certain institutions, or withdraw their intention to take stance on certain undemocratic practices. These officials would announce that they would get rid of people engaged in corrupt practices.
Sometimes these officials would be almost specific about areas where they would focus on tackling corrupt or unfair practices. But guess what, after making those big announcements, at night they would then be reminded about their own direct and indirect roles in fueling those corrupt practices. Take for example, Mr. Man, or Madam Woman is the Boss of a certain institution. This Boss sends a note to the Port, directing that a certain item or a container is released without going through appropriate inspection. Tax is also waived on this item. After some time, Director of Port also goes to Mr. /Madam Boss to “assist” with passing certain papers through the system. No question asked; the paper goes through the system quickly. Then one day, this Boss wants to take action against the Director of the Port for being inefficient. Is it possible for Mr. or Madam Boss to take punitive action against the Director of the Port? If you are the Director of the Port, what will you do? This act of ‘looking out for one another,” also called, “you wash my back and I scrub your back,” is just one of the practices that fuels corrupt practices, allowing it to become a part of the norms within institutions. So, when people are making New Year wishes, perhaps we should start asking ourselves whether our resolutions and wishes for the year are within our range.
If we are making wishes for corruption to end in Liberia, can we be sure that the officials are also making resolutions to stop dispensing funds from the national coffers for their personal use? Picture this: Mr. or Mrs. Boss is sitting in Liberia, strategizing how much to steal from the national coffers, while you are sitting at another end of the World, wishing that corruption ends in Liberia for 2009. Who is closer to your target: You, or the Boss who is not only closer to the target, but already alert and waiting to pound on the target, as always, and again and again.
Well, to get rid of corruption, government will have to institute measures that will curb and remove some of the conditions that nurture and breed corruption within the Liberian society. The preventive measures against corruption will have to be concurrently initiated, and simultaneously carried out in various public institutions; they must be accompanied by stern actions against those who flout regulations aimed at curbing corrupt practices. Curtailing corruption in Liberia will definitely take a lot of work. Measures will have to be put in place to clamp down on the existence of ‘network' where certain self- interested persons continue to use their connections through this network to preserve their status without merit. Let’s ask ourselves whether that is possible within 2009. Is it? Can that really happen when even at this moment, people are floating gifts from one parts of the city to the next for the New Year to give government official. Just listen keenly, you will hear goats bleating because they are being dragged against their will, chickens chuckling, sheep baaing, ignitions of large small, and all colors of vehicles scurried across the city of Monrovia.
Well, Mama, for me, you already know my most important wish and resolution for 2009. Second to that is to do more writing. I know I had the same resolution last year - to write more than ever, but I wasn't able to, but I am hopeful this year, maybe because I can stand, beat my chest and say that I witnessed the beginning of a new era. Oh, by the way, I heard that Mr. Putor’s resolution is to increase his income for the New Year so that he can sustain his lifestyle – take care of his official family at his home, and also maintain his “lil” girlfriend.
Mr. Man lil girlfriend has threatened to leave him if he doesn’t buy her gold set, (necklace, earrings, and bracelet), in addition to releasing her suits from Mr. Abu, the tailor. Mr. Man said last year, he also made a resolution to live a decent life; that is to stop the infidelity, but he said he cannot resist the “lil girl.” “Every time I see her, he said, “My heart beats kutu, kutu, kuuutu, kuuutuuu.” Poor man, hope he doesn’t get heart attack. Mama, so what’s your resolution?
Resolution is all about admitting whatever mistakes we made and completing the old year with a promise, which is the resolution to change or do things differently during the New Year. To that end, with my precious jewel at my side, I’ll say: Any where the new year finds you, and whatever you are doing during the New Year, I hope the beautiful star that bring in the New Year fills your heart and your home with happiness. Happy New Year!
Always,
musue
Hello, hello, hello. The spirit of the New Year is already in me.
Are you feeling it already? I hope so. Well, in the U.S.A, people are saying that that the spirit of 09 started with the political change that resulted to the elections of Barack Obama as President of the United States. Well, it’s New Year, and most people are making resolutions for 2009. I just gathered that some people are mixing small and large wishes for the New Year.
Some people’s resolutions are that Obama will overturn the financial crisis in the U.S.A, and polish the image of the U.S.A abroad. A Liberian on the East Coast in the United States wishes to complete his studies with flying colors; another wishes to find a “soul mate;” while one man sitting cozily near his wife wishes for three things this year: Peace in the Middle East, take his wife on a cruise to the Caribbean, and an end to Corruption in Liberia. I almost wanted to ask this man; why of all the other romantic places in the World he is keen on taking his wife to the Caribbean.
My interest in knowing why he wants a cruise to the Caribbean isn’t because I am inquisitive, (maybe just tiny winy curious), but after he mentioned an end to corruption in Liberia, I stood up, used my hands to stroke the imaginary dust off my ‘behind’ and walked away. I couldn’t help thinking, “end to corruption in Liberia.” Does this man even understand how long corruption has existed in Liberia? Does he understand that corruption is deeply entrenched in that society? As I began playing the mind game with myself- picturing the different corrupt practices, and how people have come to see those practices as a way of life, I wanted to make a U turn to this man’s home. My intention was to just explain some of the corrupt practices and why it may be impossible that that particular wish- end to corruption was almost impossible in 2009.
As I stood there contemplating whether I should make that U turn, I started giggling. I quickly looked around, hoping that passersby don’t see me. If people saw me standing there alone and laughing, they would begin making ugly assumptions. I didn’t want that. So I pulled out my cell phone, held it to my ear, pretending that I was on the phone. And I laughed to my delight. It was fun laughing, and being able to successfully con the nosy passersby. Mama, you want to know why I was laughing. I was laughing at all the trickery attitudes of some of our people back home. You know, during those days, I mean before I crossed the ocean, I heard many stories of how some government officials had to back down on promises to weed out corruption from certain institutions, or withdraw their intention to take stance on certain undemocratic practices. These officials would announce that they would get rid of people engaged in corrupt practices.
Sometimes these officials would be almost specific about areas where they would focus on tackling corrupt or unfair practices. But guess what, after making those big announcements, at night they would then be reminded about their own direct and indirect roles in fueling those corrupt practices. Take for example, Mr. Man, or Madam Woman is the Boss of a certain institution. This Boss sends a note to the Port, directing that a certain item or a container is released without going through appropriate inspection. Tax is also waived on this item. After some time, Director of Port also goes to Mr. /Madam Boss to “assist” with passing certain papers through the system. No question asked; the paper goes through the system quickly. Then one day, this Boss wants to take action against the Director of the Port for being inefficient. Is it possible for Mr. or Madam Boss to take punitive action against the Director of the Port? If you are the Director of the Port, what will you do? This act of ‘looking out for one another,” also called, “you wash my back and I scrub your back,” is just one of the practices that fuels corrupt practices, allowing it to become a part of the norms within institutions. So, when people are making New Year wishes, perhaps we should start asking ourselves whether our resolutions and wishes for the year are within our range.
If we are making wishes for corruption to end in Liberia, can we be sure that the officials are also making resolutions to stop dispensing funds from the national coffers for their personal use? Picture this: Mr. or Mrs. Boss is sitting in Liberia, strategizing how much to steal from the national coffers, while you are sitting at another end of the World, wishing that corruption ends in Liberia for 2009. Who is closer to your target: You, or the Boss who is not only closer to the target, but already alert and waiting to pound on the target, as always, and again and again.
Well, to get rid of corruption, government will have to institute measures that will curb and remove some of the conditions that nurture and breed corruption within the Liberian society. The preventive measures against corruption will have to be concurrently initiated, and simultaneously carried out in various public institutions; they must be accompanied by stern actions against those who flout regulations aimed at curbing corrupt practices. Curtailing corruption in Liberia will definitely take a lot of work. Measures will have to be put in place to clamp down on the existence of ‘network' where certain self- interested persons continue to use their connections through this network to preserve their status without merit. Let’s ask ourselves whether that is possible within 2009. Is it? Can that really happen when even at this moment, people are floating gifts from one parts of the city to the next for the New Year to give government official. Just listen keenly, you will hear goats bleating because they are being dragged against their will, chickens chuckling, sheep baaing, ignitions of large small, and all colors of vehicles scurried across the city of Monrovia.
Well, Mama, for me, you already know my most important wish and resolution for 2009. Second to that is to do more writing. I know I had the same resolution last year - to write more than ever, but I wasn't able to, but I am hopeful this year, maybe because I can stand, beat my chest and say that I witnessed the beginning of a new era. Oh, by the way, I heard that Mr. Putor’s resolution is to increase his income for the New Year so that he can sustain his lifestyle – take care of his official family at his home, and also maintain his “lil” girlfriend.
Mr. Man lil girlfriend has threatened to leave him if he doesn’t buy her gold set, (necklace, earrings, and bracelet), in addition to releasing her suits from Mr. Abu, the tailor. Mr. Man said last year, he also made a resolution to live a decent life; that is to stop the infidelity, but he said he cannot resist the “lil girl.” “Every time I see her, he said, “My heart beats kutu, kutu, kuuutu, kuuutuuu.” Poor man, hope he doesn’t get heart attack. Mama, so what’s your resolution?
Resolution is all about admitting whatever mistakes we made and completing the old year with a promise, which is the resolution to change or do things differently during the New Year. To that end, with my precious jewel at my side, I’ll say: Any where the new year finds you, and whatever you are doing during the New Year, I hope the beautiful star that bring in the New Year fills your heart and your home with happiness. Happy New Year!
Always,
musue
Saturday, May 17, 2008
US Local Elections: Major Fenty Endorses Jack Evans, Evans Swaps to Obama, Kicksoff Reelection Campaign
Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) at a cook out he organized to kickoff his reelection bid, also used the occasion to publicly switch his endorsement of the Democratic Party Presidential candidates from Hilary Clinton to Obama.
Evans took the stage with D.C Mayor Adrian Fenty and Council Chairman Vincent C. Gary to announce his switch. He said he decided to make the switch because his ward (Ward 2) overwhelmingly voted for Obama in the District primary, and he wants to see a Democrat in the White House.
"There is an enormous difference in having a Democrat in the White House and a Republican in the White House," Evans said to supporters at the Kennedy Recreation Center, located in the historic neighborhood of Shaw.
Evans said the venue for the kick off of his reelection bid was strategic, because it represents the challenges the city has faced over the years. The Kennedy Recreation Center, one of D.C’s historic was dedicated in 1968 by Robert F. Kennedy on behalf of his brother, John F. Kennedy following the riots in the wake of Martin Luther King's assassination. It gave a lift to the neighborhood, but after several years, the place became dormant, Evans said of the Recreation Center.
Evans described the ongoing renovation at the playground and the face lift in the surrounding environment as revitalization for the neighborhood.
Evans flanked by Mayor Fenty and entourage told supporters that his vision for the neighborhood aligns with the hope of the people of the neighborhood; that is why he is running a campaign on ‘youth and energy.” He vowed to provide the change needed to revitalized the neighborhood.
Mayor Fenty said unlike others who after getting elected become unavailable to their constituents’, Jack Evans remained accessible for 17 years.
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Random Thoughts: Charles Taylor Breaks Prison, En-route to Monrovia
Dearest Mama,
Did you hear the News? Charles Taylor Broke jail and is en-route to Liberia? I am actually breathing heavily. I have been running, running to send you this telegram since I can not get through the telephone lines to Monrovia.
Mama, you are the first person to hear this news from me. Tell all of the family members and close friends to get out, but please, please whatever you do, do not go to Ghana. Given all the problems between the refugees and Ghanaians, the refugee camp outside of the capital of Ghana, Accra is not an option.
I heard that "intelligence" is keeping Taylor’s prison break a secret because they do not want to create chaos and insecurity in Liberia and the sub region. Perhaps the most important reason for keeping Taylor's escape from prison secret is to protect the image and credibility of the International prison security system and the Special Court.
Mama, do you think Taylor is on his way to Liberia? When I reflect on his last statement before his forcible exile, when he concluded that speech: “And I say, God willing, I will be back. God bless you, and save the state, ” it is obvious that Taylor first destination, whenever he is out of prison is Monrovia.
Prior to that last phrase, ( And I say, God willing, I will be back...) a vowed he made to return to Liberia, Taylor openly said that he did not want to leave Liberia, let alone the presidency that had given him the power and control he had sought for many years. In Taylor’s own word, "I am stepping down from this office of my own volition. No one can take credit for asking me to step down. I did not want to leave this country. I can say I have been forced by the world's superpower."
Also in his departure message, Taylor said, he was fulfilling an old promise: "If I were the problem, which I know you know I'm not, I would step aside ... I would become the sacrificial lamb, I would become the whipping boy that you should live."
In a solemn voice, Taylor added, "I say to you if I have injured or hurt anyone, I ask you to forgive me. Because for those of you who have injured me, I say to you today, this Sunday afternoon, I forgive you." "What is most important is that you live, and that ... there is peace. These are very, very tough times, but I hope that as the international community is here, that our friend the United States who have been the architect of this 'anybody-but-Taylor-policy' ... that they will bring all of the good for you. I wish you all of the good."
Cahrles Taylor also took time in his farewell message to lash at those he considered against his presidency: "If (the Americans) say they will do nothing as long as I am here, this further threatens your survival as a people. I can no longer see you suffer, you have suffered enough. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I will always remember you wherever I am. And I say, God willing, I will be back. God bless you, and save the state."
Mama, you remembered that fateful day Taylor steeped down, or that hot sunday Taylor forcibly left Liberia. When ever I think about the day, his speech comes to mind, I am immediately reminded that he relinqished power with the intention of returning with full force. Imagine the efforts, the risk and lives destroyed just to become president.
After I was told about the escape of Charles Taylor, I thought about two distinct incidents; his escaped in 1985 from the House of Corrections in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and his 2006 disappearance from his Seaside villa in Nigeria where he resided after forcibly sent into exile. According to the Massachusetts House of Correction where Taylor was held, on September 15, 1985, he and four inmates escaped from the jail by sawing through a bar covering a window in an unused laundry room. Eventually all four who escaped with Taylor were captured. Taylor fled the United States.Let’s look at what happened in 2006. According to a statement by the Nigerian government, Charles Taylor disappeared from exiled home on March 28. On March 29th, he Taylor was arrested while trying to cross the border from Nigeria into Cameroon.
Mama, do you think Charles Taylor is actually capable of breaking jail at the moment? If he broke jail, will he come to Monrovia to assemble his old group, or will he form another group in another area? Do you think his old guys or cronies will give him their support at this time? Lets look at the missus, will they abandon their present connection for the “Pappay”? Is he still the King for the Queens?
Mama, this news is just an April Fool. Today is April Fool, or All Fools Day. Unpack the baggage and tell me what the missus and Pappay children and buddies are doing after reading this April Fool. Were they worried to hear that "Pappay" broke jail, or sad?
always,
musue
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
Did you hear the News? Charles Taylor Broke jail and is en-route to Liberia? I am actually breathing heavily. I have been running, running to send you this telegram since I can not get through the telephone lines to Monrovia.
Mama, you are the first person to hear this news from me. Tell all of the family members and close friends to get out, but please, please whatever you do, do not go to Ghana. Given all the problems between the refugees and Ghanaians, the refugee camp outside of the capital of Ghana, Accra is not an option.
I heard that "intelligence" is keeping Taylor’s prison break a secret because they do not want to create chaos and insecurity in Liberia and the sub region. Perhaps the most important reason for keeping Taylor's escape from prison secret is to protect the image and credibility of the International prison security system and the Special Court.
Mama, do you think Taylor is on his way to Liberia? When I reflect on his last statement before his forcible exile, when he concluded that speech: “And I say, God willing, I will be back. God bless you, and save the state, ” it is obvious that Taylor first destination, whenever he is out of prison is Monrovia.
Prior to that last phrase, ( And I say, God willing, I will be back...) a vowed he made to return to Liberia, Taylor openly said that he did not want to leave Liberia, let alone the presidency that had given him the power and control he had sought for many years. In Taylor’s own word, "I am stepping down from this office of my own volition. No one can take credit for asking me to step down. I did not want to leave this country. I can say I have been forced by the world's superpower."
Also in his departure message, Taylor said, he was fulfilling an old promise: "If I were the problem, which I know you know I'm not, I would step aside ... I would become the sacrificial lamb, I would become the whipping boy that you should live."
In a solemn voice, Taylor added, "I say to you if I have injured or hurt anyone, I ask you to forgive me. Because for those of you who have injured me, I say to you today, this Sunday afternoon, I forgive you." "What is most important is that you live, and that ... there is peace. These are very, very tough times, but I hope that as the international community is here, that our friend the United States who have been the architect of this 'anybody-but-Taylor-policy' ... that they will bring all of the good for you. I wish you all of the good."
Cahrles Taylor also took time in his farewell message to lash at those he considered against his presidency: "If (the Americans) say they will do nothing as long as I am here, this further threatens your survival as a people. I can no longer see you suffer, you have suffered enough. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I will always remember you wherever I am. And I say, God willing, I will be back. God bless you, and save the state."
Mama, you remembered that fateful day Taylor steeped down, or that hot sunday Taylor forcibly left Liberia. When ever I think about the day, his speech comes to mind, I am immediately reminded that he relinqished power with the intention of returning with full force. Imagine the efforts, the risk and lives destroyed just to become president.
After I was told about the escape of Charles Taylor, I thought about two distinct incidents; his escaped in 1985 from the House of Corrections in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and his 2006 disappearance from his Seaside villa in Nigeria where he resided after forcibly sent into exile. According to the Massachusetts House of Correction where Taylor was held, on September 15, 1985, he and four inmates escaped from the jail by sawing through a bar covering a window in an unused laundry room. Eventually all four who escaped with Taylor were captured. Taylor fled the United States.Let’s look at what happened in 2006. According to a statement by the Nigerian government, Charles Taylor disappeared from exiled home on March 28. On March 29th, he Taylor was arrested while trying to cross the border from Nigeria into Cameroon.
Mama, do you think Charles Taylor is actually capable of breaking jail at the moment? If he broke jail, will he come to Monrovia to assemble his old group, or will he form another group in another area? Do you think his old guys or cronies will give him their support at this time? Lets look at the missus, will they abandon their present connection for the “Pappay”? Is he still the King for the Queens?
Mama, this news is just an April Fool. Today is April Fool, or All Fools Day. Unpack the baggage and tell me what the missus and Pappay children and buddies are doing after reading this April Fool. Were they worried to hear that "Pappay" broke jail, or sad?
always,
musue
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
Thursday, March 27, 2008
What Will Happen If the Temporary Protective Status Is Terminated?
Dearest Mama,
I have been away from this column for some time. In my absence, notes were sent by some fans. I really appreciate the Get Well notes from Kweme Cooper and Emmanuel Barpley. Let them know that the notes warmed my heart.
Mama, I also appreciate your recent visit: traveling from across the Oceans to visit me made a lot. I wish you did not have to leave. I was sad to see you depart. When you bid me farewell, I felt so sad, my heart broke. As Don Williams says, "Some broken hearts never mend," and that is how I feel about your recent departure. So, I hope you stick around as you always did over the years.
Before I can get on another subject, I was wondering whether it is because of reports circulating that those on immigration was about to deport immigration who do not have permanent status, particularly those with Temporary Protective Status? Is that the reason why you left abruptly?
Mama, those with Temporary Protective Status is not illegal immigrants. In the U.S, Temporary immigration status (TPS) is for foreign nationals currently residing in the U.S. whose homeland conditions are recognized by the US government as being temporarily unsafe or overly dangerous to return to (e.g., war, earthquake, flood, drought, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions). According to U.S Citizen and Immigration Services, TPS does not lead to permanent resident status. As the name indicates, it is temporary, granted anywhere from 6-18 months, with extensions.
When I heard that the government was considering terminating the Temporary Protection Status and returning those with such immigration status back to their countries, I feel so sad. If the U.S decides to terminate the TPS, several thousand persons will be affected. Many of those on TPS fled their individual countries because of war, conflicts, and other disasters and sought refuge in the U.S; with the hope of beginning a new life. The refugees and most of those with Temporary Protective Immigration Status were hopeful that the Temporary Protective Status given them would be extended after few years. Now, it is like some of them have just started to settle after many years of labor, and then they have to start preparing for life elsewhere. I am wondering whether all of the people on TPS will actually leave. I am asking if they will leave because if they do leave, where will they go? Will they return to their homeland - the same homeland they had fled; the homeland they have been away from for more than a decade; the homeland where some of them witnessed brutal violence; the homeland where most of their families and friends were killed; the homeland where their properties were destroyed, and their lives were threatened; most of all, their homeland where they no longer have any attachment?
Most of those on TPS have become accustomed to electricity, and other modern technology in their new settlement which is lacking in their home countries. Some of those on Temporary Protective Status have purchased homes, engaged in businesses, and other productive ventures.
In many undeveloped and war ravaged countries, not only is electricity lacking in rural areas, but modern technology is considered a luxury in large cities. In addition to the lack of electricity, internet services and telephone, most underdeveloped countries do not have adequate health care services, and safe running water.
If all of the people on TPS are returned to their respective countries, where will they sleep, where will they work?
It is a known fact that most war ravaged countries lack housing to accommodate even those presently in those countries. Take for example, Liberia. During the war, proprieties were destroyed including private and public housings, leaving most families roaming homeless. In addition to the destruction of building, hospitals in the capital city and also in the rural areas were destroyed, school building and other public and private institutions were looted and either burned or broken down. The massive destruction of public and private properties leaves many people homeless, and in abject poverty.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees and local media reports indicate that the lack of housing and other facilities is making the resettlement of Liberians displaced in their home country and the reparation of Liberians from neighboring countries a herculean task. For example, most Liberians repatriated from neighboring countries within the West African Sub- region are making the transition in their home country: the lack of housing, jobs and health facilities.
Mama, two days ago someone sent me an e-mail asking what will happen to those who own cars, houses and those who have huge credit card debts? The person wanted to know whether those with huge credit bills will be allowed to leave the U.S without paying those debts. I have not responded to that e-mail because I really don't have the answer. I will have to find out. How can I research that without alerting the credit card companies, is another story. Mama, do you think that by accepting a credit card I will understand the policies?
Mama, if all the people on the TPS return, how will they cope with the lack of the basic social services: health care, education, daycare, etc? Talking about the different skills and education these people have acquired in during their stay in the countries that awarded the Temporary Immigration Status, how will they utilize the skills acquired to contribute meaningfully to society? How will Martha and others who are presently working as nursing assistant employ those skills in countries that lack Nursing Homes? How will Thomas and other continue to use their social work skills in countries that do not provide public assistance to those who need food stamps, low income housing facilities and cash assistance from their governments? What will Nuku and others do once they return to their respective countries and realize that they cannot use their skills to prepare taxes for individuals and families, even if those individuals were employed during the year. Kristo says he doubt that he can continue his night shift job at any of the airline companies back home. Is that true?
Mama, did you hear about the immigration proposals at the national Legislature in the U.S? I learned that several immigration enforcement bills were proposed before Congress. The proposals have some provisions in them that will affect asylum seekers, and the extensions of the time that they spend in immigration jails.
I also learn that some people were lobbying to include immigration enforcement provisions in the 2007 defense authorization bill (H.R. 5122). I will try to get information on this to send you.
Mama, until I can gather information about the credit cards issue and the bills before congress, let me leave political issues and discuss other concerns common to our wellbeing. I heard about the Lassa fever outbreak. Is it true that the fever claimed the lives of almost ten persons in our clan? I thought Lassa was no longer in our clan.
According to one health expert, Lassa is a viral hemorrhagic fever, known to be prevalent in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and parts of Nigeria. Humans become infected with Lassa from contact with rodents that are infected. The virus can also be transmitted from one human to another through direct contact with body fluids.
Mama, if people can get infected through contaminated rodents – mouse, rats, squirrels, etc, what strategies will be used by the health people in our clan to handle this issue? Imagine the number of rodents in our clan. Mouse and rats are competing with human beings for sleeping places, and food in our clan. Last week, Kotokollee said that a mouse was on the family's bed and several cockroaches were in the kitchen pots.
Given the competition for pots, pans and sleeping places between the rodents and our family back home, I wonder where the new arrivals in our clan will fit in the struggle.
Mama, I need to close this note, but before I do so, I want you to know that I have been thinking about you. When will I see you again; when will we hold hands and eat kola nuts together?
Always,
musue
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
I have been away from this column for some time. In my absence, notes were sent by some fans. I really appreciate the Get Well notes from Kweme Cooper and Emmanuel Barpley. Let them know that the notes warmed my heart.
Mama, I also appreciate your recent visit: traveling from across the Oceans to visit me made a lot. I wish you did not have to leave. I was sad to see you depart. When you bid me farewell, I felt so sad, my heart broke. As Don Williams says, "Some broken hearts never mend," and that is how I feel about your recent departure. So, I hope you stick around as you always did over the years.
Before I can get on another subject, I was wondering whether it is because of reports circulating that those on immigration was about to deport immigration who do not have permanent status, particularly those with Temporary Protective Status? Is that the reason why you left abruptly?
Mama, those with Temporary Protective Status is not illegal immigrants. In the U.S, Temporary immigration status (TPS) is for foreign nationals currently residing in the U.S. whose homeland conditions are recognized by the US government as being temporarily unsafe or overly dangerous to return to (e.g., war, earthquake, flood, drought, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions). According to U.S Citizen and Immigration Services, TPS does not lead to permanent resident status. As the name indicates, it is temporary, granted anywhere from 6-18 months, with extensions.
When I heard that the government was considering terminating the Temporary Protection Status and returning those with such immigration status back to their countries, I feel so sad. If the U.S decides to terminate the TPS, several thousand persons will be affected. Many of those on TPS fled their individual countries because of war, conflicts, and other disasters and sought refuge in the U.S; with the hope of beginning a new life. The refugees and most of those with Temporary Protective Immigration Status were hopeful that the Temporary Protective Status given them would be extended after few years. Now, it is like some of them have just started to settle after many years of labor, and then they have to start preparing for life elsewhere. I am wondering whether all of the people on TPS will actually leave. I am asking if they will leave because if they do leave, where will they go? Will they return to their homeland - the same homeland they had fled; the homeland they have been away from for more than a decade; the homeland where some of them witnessed brutal violence; the homeland where most of their families and friends were killed; the homeland where their properties were destroyed, and their lives were threatened; most of all, their homeland where they no longer have any attachment?
Most of those on TPS have become accustomed to electricity, and other modern technology in their new settlement which is lacking in their home countries. Some of those on Temporary Protective Status have purchased homes, engaged in businesses, and other productive ventures.
In many undeveloped and war ravaged countries, not only is electricity lacking in rural areas, but modern technology is considered a luxury in large cities. In addition to the lack of electricity, internet services and telephone, most underdeveloped countries do not have adequate health care services, and safe running water.
If all of the people on TPS are returned to their respective countries, where will they sleep, where will they work?
It is a known fact that most war ravaged countries lack housing to accommodate even those presently in those countries. Take for example, Liberia. During the war, proprieties were destroyed including private and public housings, leaving most families roaming homeless. In addition to the destruction of building, hospitals in the capital city and also in the rural areas were destroyed, school building and other public and private institutions were looted and either burned or broken down. The massive destruction of public and private properties leaves many people homeless, and in abject poverty.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees and local media reports indicate that the lack of housing and other facilities is making the resettlement of Liberians displaced in their home country and the reparation of Liberians from neighboring countries a herculean task. For example, most Liberians repatriated from neighboring countries within the West African Sub- region are making the transition in their home country: the lack of housing, jobs and health facilities.
Mama, two days ago someone sent me an e-mail asking what will happen to those who own cars, houses and those who have huge credit card debts? The person wanted to know whether those with huge credit bills will be allowed to leave the U.S without paying those debts. I have not responded to that e-mail because I really don't have the answer. I will have to find out. How can I research that without alerting the credit card companies, is another story. Mama, do you think that by accepting a credit card I will understand the policies?
Mama, if all the people on the TPS return, how will they cope with the lack of the basic social services: health care, education, daycare, etc? Talking about the different skills and education these people have acquired in during their stay in the countries that awarded the Temporary Immigration Status, how will they utilize the skills acquired to contribute meaningfully to society? How will Martha and others who are presently working as nursing assistant employ those skills in countries that lack Nursing Homes? How will Thomas and other continue to use their social work skills in countries that do not provide public assistance to those who need food stamps, low income housing facilities and cash assistance from their governments? What will Nuku and others do once they return to their respective countries and realize that they cannot use their skills to prepare taxes for individuals and families, even if those individuals were employed during the year. Kristo says he doubt that he can continue his night shift job at any of the airline companies back home. Is that true?
Mama, did you hear about the immigration proposals at the national Legislature in the U.S? I learned that several immigration enforcement bills were proposed before Congress. The proposals have some provisions in them that will affect asylum seekers, and the extensions of the time that they spend in immigration jails.
I also learn that some people were lobbying to include immigration enforcement provisions in the 2007 defense authorization bill (H.R. 5122). I will try to get information on this to send you.
Mama, until I can gather information about the credit cards issue and the bills before congress, let me leave political issues and discuss other concerns common to our wellbeing. I heard about the Lassa fever outbreak. Is it true that the fever claimed the lives of almost ten persons in our clan? I thought Lassa was no longer in our clan.
According to one health expert, Lassa is a viral hemorrhagic fever, known to be prevalent in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and parts of Nigeria. Humans become infected with Lassa from contact with rodents that are infected. The virus can also be transmitted from one human to another through direct contact with body fluids.
Mama, if people can get infected through contaminated rodents – mouse, rats, squirrels, etc, what strategies will be used by the health people in our clan to handle this issue? Imagine the number of rodents in our clan. Mouse and rats are competing with human beings for sleeping places, and food in our clan. Last week, Kotokollee said that a mouse was on the family's bed and several cockroaches were in the kitchen pots.
Given the competition for pots, pans and sleeping places between the rodents and our family back home, I wonder where the new arrivals in our clan will fit in the struggle.
Mama, I need to close this note, but before I do so, I want you to know that I have been thinking about you. When will I see you again; when will we hold hands and eat kola nuts together?
Always,
musue
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Sleeping With the Enemy: The Silent Destroyer
By: Musue N.Haddad
"Your spouse is considered the nicest person in the community, but when your spouse comes home, your spouse beats you; your spouse terrorizes you; your spouse degrades you, " this is one victim's illustration of the predicament of domestic violence.
Although domestic violence is largely obscured, hundreds of women including pregnant women and new mothers are slain annually in various communities in different parts of the world. In Japan, domestic violence cases jumped 17.2 percent in 2005 to a record 16,888 incidents, with nearly all of the victims being women, the National Police Agency said recently. The figure was up from the previous record of 14,140 cases set in 2004, the agency said in an annual report marking International Women Day.
In the UK, between April 2005 and December 2005 the Crown Persecution service said it dealt with 35,231 cases, according to reports at the TUC's Women's International Women's Day conference, suggesting that cases of domestic violence are increasing in England and Wales. In Sweden, assaults against women have been increasing in recent years, with 22,400 reports filed in 2003.
In Spain, the number of women killed by their partner or ex-partner has continued to increase since 2001. In France, a woman is killed by partner every four days. In the United States, 1,000 to 1,600 women die at the hands of their male partners ever year. The estimated number of deaths due to intimate partner violence in the United States does not include those women and children who die home-less on the streets avoiding batterers, according to experts. In Africa, although very few cases are reported due to cultural practices and perceptions, domestic violence is prevalent.
Although women around the world continue to break political, social, and economic barriers - Angela Merkel chosen as the first female Federal Chancellor in Germany, Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia as the first female president in Africa, and Michele Bachelet, the first elected woman President of Chile, women and children continue to be faced with high level of violence.
"Unlike the so-called "war on terror", the "war on women and girls" is not on the global political agenda. It takes its toll in battlefields, bedrooms and backstreets - the greatest hidden human rights scandal of our times, made all the more scandalous by being present in every part of the world and in almost every aspect of life," Amnesty International said in a report published on International Women's Day.
In all countries, few domestic violence killings make headline news. Unlike Laci Peterson's homicide case which became a national headline news for some time in the United States, the deaths of other pregnant women including Yolanda Coles, eight months pregnant and shot in Richmond, Kerry Repp, 29, shot in her bedroom in Oregon, Kathleen Terry 22, run over in Idaho, Tasha Winters, 16, was shot in Indiana the day she told her boyfriend about the baby, Marilyn Hassab, 29 was stabbed to death by her husband in New Jersey, Rebecca Johnson shot in Oklahoma, and many others cases of pregnancy and homicide produced a few community local headlines and then faded.
Domestic Violence is a serious, widespread social problem in America, Africa and other parts of the world. Domestic Violence isn't just hitting, or fighting, or an occasional mean argument, according to experts. Advocates say domestic violence is the abuse of power wherein the abuser tortures and controls the victim by calculated threats, intimidation, and physical violence. Actual physical violence is often the end result of months or years of intimidation and control.
Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc. (WEAVE), an organization that provides holistic services to domestic violence victims in the District of Columbia described domestic abuse as a violence that can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuses are not usually seen as criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence. Domestic violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while.
Experts say that in most countries, there are no reliable national statistics on domestic violence because there are no efficient and effective systems to track domestic violence cases. However, in most instances, victims are ashamed or afraid to report domestic violence for fear of being judged or afraid of further reprisal from their batterers.
Margaret Tolbert –Wallace, a Registered Nurse who has interacted with several victims of domestic violence in an interview attributed the increase in domestic violence homicides to bureaucracy hitches that tend to intimidate victims and sometimes the lack of timely support for victims who seek assistance.
"Even after escaping, many victims find it easier to return to their situation either because supports are delayed or they are being judged or marginalized by society," Ms. Wallace said.
Ms. Wallace said some victims who escaped into shelters and transitional homes are sometimes faced with situations of marginalization and control. She described this situation as "a cycle of abuse," which she said ought to be removed in order for victims to have confidence that "there is a world out there that is ready to help them and not subject them to further abuse."
Family violence affects every country in the world, including even the most developed. Women in the richest and poorest level of society find it most difficult to escape violence - the poor because they have no means to escape and are afraid to reach out to institutions in society that probably would marginalize them and the rich because they have too much to lose, Margaret Tolbert Wallace said.
Samantha, (not real name) who has two children left her abusive husband. She said there is a certain level of misunderstanding when it comes to the public's perception of domestic abuse victims. According to Samantha, this comes in the form of judging the victim by asking such questions as: could it be true that such a nice person is a batterer?
While Samantha battled with the public's perception of whether her former husband was an abuser, another victim said she was always assessed critically by others: "Why didn't she leave or fight back? or disengaged from the victim by saying, "I will never accept that."
For Samantha and other victims of domestic violence, programs marking International Women's Day must highlight how victims of abuses are affected particularly children who are exposed to violence, and also educate communities on the implications of assuming that someone is the type of person that is a victim or a batterer.
The American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence describes both victims and batterers: "Victims may be doctors, business professionals, scientists or judges, among others. Perpetrators may be police officers, sports heroes, CEOs or college professors or lawyers".
In November 2005, the World Health Organization held its first ever study on domestic violence. In its study, the WHO reveals that intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence in women's lives - much more so than assault or rape by strangers or acquaintances. The study reported on the enormous toll physical and sexual violence by husbands and partners has on the health and well-being of women and children around the world and the extent to which partner violence is still largely hidden.
In the United States, a Resolution, [S.RES.282.IS ] introduced to the Senate in 2005 indicated that approximately 8,800,000 children in the United States witness domestic violence each year. The Resolution furthered that witnessing violence increases the risk of children developing long-term physical and mental health problems, future struggles with substance abuse. The document also highlighted that a boy who witnesses his father's domestic violence is ten times more likely to engage in domestic violence than a boy from a nonviolent home.
President George Bush signed the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 into law on January 5, 2006. The Violence Against Women Act of 2005 contains initiatives to help children exposed to violence, train health care providers to support victims of abuse, encourage men to teach the next generation that violence is wrong, and provide crisis services for victims of rape and sexual assault. H.R. 3402 is part of the Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005. It also continues efforts to improve the law enforcement response to violence against women and provide supportive services, such as transitional housing, to women and children forced to leave their homes because of violence.
Samantha and other women in the United States are hopeful that the signing of the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 by President Bush is a major step towards ensuring that women and children are protected against their batterers and also against being judged and marginalized by society.
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
"Your spouse is considered the nicest person in the community, but when your spouse comes home, your spouse beats you; your spouse terrorizes you; your spouse degrades you, " this is one victim's illustration of the predicament of domestic violence.
Although domestic violence is largely obscured, hundreds of women including pregnant women and new mothers are slain annually in various communities in different parts of the world. In Japan, domestic violence cases jumped 17.2 percent in 2005 to a record 16,888 incidents, with nearly all of the victims being women, the National Police Agency said recently. The figure was up from the previous record of 14,140 cases set in 2004, the agency said in an annual report marking International Women Day.
In the UK, between April 2005 and December 2005 the Crown Persecution service said it dealt with 35,231 cases, according to reports at the TUC's Women's International Women's Day conference, suggesting that cases of domestic violence are increasing in England and Wales. In Sweden, assaults against women have been increasing in recent years, with 22,400 reports filed in 2003.
In Spain, the number of women killed by their partner or ex-partner has continued to increase since 2001. In France, a woman is killed by partner every four days. In the United States, 1,000 to 1,600 women die at the hands of their male partners ever year. The estimated number of deaths due to intimate partner violence in the United States does not include those women and children who die home-less on the streets avoiding batterers, according to experts. In Africa, although very few cases are reported due to cultural practices and perceptions, domestic violence is prevalent.
Although women around the world continue to break political, social, and economic barriers - Angela Merkel chosen as the first female Federal Chancellor in Germany, Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia as the first female president in Africa, and Michele Bachelet, the first elected woman President of Chile, women and children continue to be faced with high level of violence.
"Unlike the so-called "war on terror", the "war on women and girls" is not on the global political agenda. It takes its toll in battlefields, bedrooms and backstreets - the greatest hidden human rights scandal of our times, made all the more scandalous by being present in every part of the world and in almost every aspect of life," Amnesty International said in a report published on International Women's Day.
In all countries, few domestic violence killings make headline news. Unlike Laci Peterson's homicide case which became a national headline news for some time in the United States, the deaths of other pregnant women including Yolanda Coles, eight months pregnant and shot in Richmond, Kerry Repp, 29, shot in her bedroom in Oregon, Kathleen Terry 22, run over in Idaho, Tasha Winters, 16, was shot in Indiana the day she told her boyfriend about the baby, Marilyn Hassab, 29 was stabbed to death by her husband in New Jersey, Rebecca Johnson shot in Oklahoma, and many others cases of pregnancy and homicide produced a few community local headlines and then faded.
Domestic Violence is a serious, widespread social problem in America, Africa and other parts of the world. Domestic Violence isn't just hitting, or fighting, or an occasional mean argument, according to experts. Advocates say domestic violence is the abuse of power wherein the abuser tortures and controls the victim by calculated threats, intimidation, and physical violence. Actual physical violence is often the end result of months or years of intimidation and control.
Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc. (WEAVE), an organization that provides holistic services to domestic violence victims in the District of Columbia described domestic abuse as a violence that can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuses are not usually seen as criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence. Domestic violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while.
Experts say that in most countries, there are no reliable national statistics on domestic violence because there are no efficient and effective systems to track domestic violence cases. However, in most instances, victims are ashamed or afraid to report domestic violence for fear of being judged or afraid of further reprisal from their batterers.
Margaret Tolbert –Wallace, a Registered Nurse who has interacted with several victims of domestic violence in an interview attributed the increase in domestic violence homicides to bureaucracy hitches that tend to intimidate victims and sometimes the lack of timely support for victims who seek assistance.
"Even after escaping, many victims find it easier to return to their situation either because supports are delayed or they are being judged or marginalized by society," Ms. Wallace said.
Ms. Wallace said some victims who escaped into shelters and transitional homes are sometimes faced with situations of marginalization and control. She described this situation as "a cycle of abuse," which she said ought to be removed in order for victims to have confidence that "there is a world out there that is ready to help them and not subject them to further abuse."
Family violence affects every country in the world, including even the most developed. Women in the richest and poorest level of society find it most difficult to escape violence - the poor because they have no means to escape and are afraid to reach out to institutions in society that probably would marginalize them and the rich because they have too much to lose, Margaret Tolbert Wallace said.
Samantha, (not real name) who has two children left her abusive husband. She said there is a certain level of misunderstanding when it comes to the public's perception of domestic abuse victims. According to Samantha, this comes in the form of judging the victim by asking such questions as: could it be true that such a nice person is a batterer?
While Samantha battled with the public's perception of whether her former husband was an abuser, another victim said she was always assessed critically by others: "Why didn't she leave or fight back? or disengaged from the victim by saying, "I will never accept that."
For Samantha and other victims of domestic violence, programs marking International Women's Day must highlight how victims of abuses are affected particularly children who are exposed to violence, and also educate communities on the implications of assuming that someone is the type of person that is a victim or a batterer.
The American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence describes both victims and batterers: "Victims may be doctors, business professionals, scientists or judges, among others. Perpetrators may be police officers, sports heroes, CEOs or college professors or lawyers".
In November 2005, the World Health Organization held its first ever study on domestic violence. In its study, the WHO reveals that intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence in women's lives - much more so than assault or rape by strangers or acquaintances. The study reported on the enormous toll physical and sexual violence by husbands and partners has on the health and well-being of women and children around the world and the extent to which partner violence is still largely hidden.
In the United States, a Resolution, [S.RES.282.IS ] introduced to the Senate in 2005 indicated that approximately 8,800,000 children in the United States witness domestic violence each year. The Resolution furthered that witnessing violence increases the risk of children developing long-term physical and mental health problems, future struggles with substance abuse. The document also highlighted that a boy who witnesses his father's domestic violence is ten times more likely to engage in domestic violence than a boy from a nonviolent home.
President George Bush signed the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 into law on January 5, 2006. The Violence Against Women Act of 2005 contains initiatives to help children exposed to violence, train health care providers to support victims of abuse, encourage men to teach the next generation that violence is wrong, and provide crisis services for victims of rape and sexual assault. H.R. 3402 is part of the Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005. It also continues efforts to improve the law enforcement response to violence against women and provide supportive services, such as transitional housing, to women and children forced to leave their homes because of violence.
Samantha and other women in the United States are hopeful that the signing of the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 by President Bush is a major step towards ensuring that women and children are protected against their batterers and also against being judged and marginalized by society.
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
Friday, December 21, 2007
Santa Claus Under Attack; Costly Gifts for Liberian officials
Dearest Mama,
How are you celebrating Christmas? Are you doing anything interesting? I want to know what you will be doing during this holiday season. For us in the U.S.A, several programs are already taking place at the community and national level in celebration of Christmas. Some of the festivities include religious programs, musical carnivals, outdoor and indoor games, family reunions, among others.
Do you know what's happening in other parts of Monrovia? Are "interest" groups sending government officials costly gifts again? Whenever, the holiday season is around, exorbitant gifts are scurried from one corner of the city to the next. The question we should ask ourselves is whether gifts such as posh car, deed to plots of land, large building, and envelopes containing stash of cash, precious stones, and other exclusive and expensive gifts are given without any strings attached? I guess our public officials need to be weary of such gifts, because the price for taking such gifts usually means compromising one or more principles, which can adversely affect a person’s integrity; and or have an effect on government’s policies, and the nation. Let our people look at it this way: anything coming from "interest" groups has strings attached. Interest groups are everywhere – they can be public and private institutions, and individuals, who will take advantage of every situation – good or bad to push their agenda. Let us beware that "interest" groups come wearing different cloaks. Christmas being the time of sharing gifts, our desperate interest groups will most definitely be at the forefront of dishing out gifts, and not just ordinary gifts, but ones that are elaborate. The presenting of large and expensive gifts is aimed at capturing the attention of the receiver.
The tradition of giving large gifts to government officials and those in powerful positions has existed in many countries, but continues to prevail in Liberia because of the country's fragile democractic system and deplorable economic situations. When a nation is faced with economic situations, while at the same time struggling to establish democratic virtues, those who have benefited from the chaos will always try to undermine the development process. These forces are what policy anlaysts refer to as 'interest groups." Interest groups usually benefit in a divided situation. They take advantage of the division: economic, political and other divisions to sell their interests to parties.
Mama, let me move away from Liberia's wild tales and look at the wild stories of Christmas.
Talking about people taking advantage of situation, I just read that some thieves in Australia took advantage of the absence of owner of a warehouse and stole several tons of Christmas food. Instead of just stealing and leaving the scene, the thieves left a note for the owner of the warehouse. They wrote "Thanks. Merry Christmas", on the wall. Now, that is just more like it: stealing from someone, and then leaving them a complimentary greeting. What an Ironic!
That is not all the news I want to share with you Mama. In this part of our world, we have Santa Claus; you call him Father Christmas in your parts of the world. Mama, Santa has come under attacks here.
One of the most recent attack on Santa came from a medical doctor. The doctor said that Santa Claus, that is Father Christmas has to slim down. The doctor said that Santa's size (big size, large stomach) doesn't make him a good role model for children. According to the the Boston Herald, acting U.S Surgeon General,Rear Adm. Steven K. Galson said, ""It is really important that the people who kids look up to as role models are in good shape, eating well and getting exercise. It is absolutely critical," the acting U.S. Surgeon General said in an interview after a presentation on obesity at the Boston Children's Musueum.
.
Now, lets ask ourselves: Who is Santa? How did this story of Santa begin? Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa" is a legendary and mythical figure who, in this part of the world, is described as bringing gifts on Christmas Eves or Christmas day to children. Mama, the present new outlook of Santa Claus as a fat, jolly man or elf wearing a red coat and trouser with white cuffs and collar, and boots, became popular in the this part of our world during the 19th century.
Mama, the attack on Santa for his size is not only in America. In Australia, Santa has been banned from saying, " ho, ho, ho." Though "ho, ho, ho", was considered the laugher sound of Santa, the term "ho" is refer to whore or prostitute. So, now Santa can not say "ho, ho, ho."
For some time, Santa has not been carrying pipe. That is because, Santa was stopped from carrying a pipe in his mouth. I guess the banning of the pipe, (even though Santa did not use it for smoking) was to discourage smoking. This time around, Santa might have to join the diet regiment. Who knows the next thing that will be stripped from Santa.
Mama, the information I just provided are not all the attacks Santa has experienced for Christmas 2007. If you thought what I just told you about Santa was wild; I will then beg you to sit tight. For what I have to tell you is wacky. In Brazil, drug traffickers shot at Santa Claus. Given all the pressure for Santa to lose weight, drug traffickers in Brazil shot at Santa Claus. Santa Claus was in a helicopter, on his way to a children's party when the drug traffickers thought that it was a police helicopter, and started shooting. Had Santa been riding in his sledge, the possibility of him escaping unharmed would have been very slim.
There are more wild stories about Christmas to share, Mama, but I want to hear from you. So until I can hear from you, I wish you a Christmas and a New Year that is filled with happiness. During this holiday season, lets' remember, that though this is a season when we exchange gifts and extend best wishes to others, we must remember that each day is a gift. Therefore, our season of celebration doesn't have to stop at the end of the holidays.
Always,
musue
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
How are you celebrating Christmas? Are you doing anything interesting? I want to know what you will be doing during this holiday season. For us in the U.S.A, several programs are already taking place at the community and national level in celebration of Christmas. Some of the festivities include religious programs, musical carnivals, outdoor and indoor games, family reunions, among others.
Do you know what's happening in other parts of Monrovia? Are "interest" groups sending government officials costly gifts again? Whenever, the holiday season is around, exorbitant gifts are scurried from one corner of the city to the next. The question we should ask ourselves is whether gifts such as posh car, deed to plots of land, large building, and envelopes containing stash of cash, precious stones, and other exclusive and expensive gifts are given without any strings attached? I guess our public officials need to be weary of such gifts, because the price for taking such gifts usually means compromising one or more principles, which can adversely affect a person’s integrity; and or have an effect on government’s policies, and the nation. Let our people look at it this way: anything coming from "interest" groups has strings attached. Interest groups are everywhere – they can be public and private institutions, and individuals, who will take advantage of every situation – good or bad to push their agenda. Let us beware that "interest" groups come wearing different cloaks. Christmas being the time of sharing gifts, our desperate interest groups will most definitely be at the forefront of dishing out gifts, and not just ordinary gifts, but ones that are elaborate. The presenting of large and expensive gifts is aimed at capturing the attention of the receiver.
The tradition of giving large gifts to government officials and those in powerful positions has existed in many countries, but continues to prevail in Liberia because of the country's fragile democractic system and deplorable economic situations. When a nation is faced with economic situations, while at the same time struggling to establish democratic virtues, those who have benefited from the chaos will always try to undermine the development process. These forces are what policy anlaysts refer to as 'interest groups." Interest groups usually benefit in a divided situation. They take advantage of the division: economic, political and other divisions to sell their interests to parties.
Mama, let me move away from Liberia's wild tales and look at the wild stories of Christmas.
Talking about people taking advantage of situation, I just read that some thieves in Australia took advantage of the absence of owner of a warehouse and stole several tons of Christmas food. Instead of just stealing and leaving the scene, the thieves left a note for the owner of the warehouse. They wrote "Thanks. Merry Christmas", on the wall. Now, that is just more like it: stealing from someone, and then leaving them a complimentary greeting. What an Ironic!
That is not all the news I want to share with you Mama. In this part of our world, we have Santa Claus; you call him Father Christmas in your parts of the world. Mama, Santa has come under attacks here.
One of the most recent attack on Santa came from a medical doctor. The doctor said that Santa Claus, that is Father Christmas has to slim down. The doctor said that Santa's size (big size, large stomach) doesn't make him a good role model for children. According to the the Boston Herald, acting U.S Surgeon General,Rear Adm. Steven K. Galson said, ""It is really important that the people who kids look up to as role models are in good shape, eating well and getting exercise. It is absolutely critical," the acting U.S. Surgeon General said in an interview after a presentation on obesity at the Boston Children's Musueum.
.
Now, lets ask ourselves: Who is Santa? How did this story of Santa begin? Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa" is a legendary and mythical figure who, in this part of the world, is described as bringing gifts on Christmas Eves or Christmas day to children. Mama, the present new outlook of Santa Claus as a fat, jolly man or elf wearing a red coat and trouser with white cuffs and collar, and boots, became popular in the this part of our world during the 19th century.
Mama, the attack on Santa for his size is not only in America. In Australia, Santa has been banned from saying, " ho, ho, ho." Though "ho, ho, ho", was considered the laugher sound of Santa, the term "ho" is refer to whore or prostitute. So, now Santa can not say "ho, ho, ho."
For some time, Santa has not been carrying pipe. That is because, Santa was stopped from carrying a pipe in his mouth. I guess the banning of the pipe, (even though Santa did not use it for smoking) was to discourage smoking. This time around, Santa might have to join the diet regiment. Who knows the next thing that will be stripped from Santa.
Mama, the information I just provided are not all the attacks Santa has experienced for Christmas 2007. If you thought what I just told you about Santa was wild; I will then beg you to sit tight. For what I have to tell you is wacky. In Brazil, drug traffickers shot at Santa Claus. Given all the pressure for Santa to lose weight, drug traffickers in Brazil shot at Santa Claus. Santa Claus was in a helicopter, on his way to a children's party when the drug traffickers thought that it was a police helicopter, and started shooting. Had Santa been riding in his sledge, the possibility of him escaping unharmed would have been very slim.
There are more wild stories about Christmas to share, Mama, but I want to hear from you. So until I can hear from you, I wish you a Christmas and a New Year that is filled with happiness. During this holiday season, lets' remember, that though this is a season when we exchange gifts and extend best wishes to others, we must remember that each day is a gift. Therefore, our season of celebration doesn't have to stop at the end of the holidays.
Always,
musue
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
Monday, December 10, 2007
'What Freedom Do We Seek'
How important is a person’s right to life, liberty and nationality? Does anyone have the right to curtail your freedom of thought, conscience and religion, to work, to be educated, and to take part in government? These issues are the focus of discussions and themes of programs at the United Nations, Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, local and international human rights organizations around the world in commemoration of International Human Rights Day which falls on December 10.
Simply said, the day, December 10, marks the global commemoration of International Human Rights day. It also marks the beginning of the observance of the 56th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Liberia was one of the 48 countries that adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration often called, A Magna Carta for all humanity, outlines the human rights standards the United Nations believes should be enforced by all nations. On that day in 1948, the global human rights community categorized “atrocities” as “violations” that should not be condoned but readily acted against.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, consists of wide range of rights, has stirred more that 60 human rights instruments, all of which form the international standards of human rights.
The Declaration recognizes the "inherent dignity of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world" and is associated to the recognition of fundamental rights towards which every human being seeks: the right to life, liberty and security of person; the right to an adequate standard of living; the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the right to education, freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and the right to freedom from torture and degrading treatment, among others. These are inherent rights to be enjoyed by all human beings in all parts of the world including -- men, women and children, all groups- ethic, religious, illiterate, minority groups in society. These rights are entitlements and not “gifts” to be enjoyed at the discretion or whims and caprices of anyone.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which came into being just about three years following the founding of the United Nations accentuates the importance of human rights in promoting world peace. Unfortunately, after 56 years following the declaration of this revered document, its application remains far-fetched. The application of the document remains illusive because most governments continue to flout the laws and infringe on the rights of citizens. The breach of the laws by government is not a result of ignorance but simply because most government officials around the world find it very gratifying to terrorize and create havoc against their own people. Today, millions of people live in fear because their rights are being violated with impunity. The reckless disregard for human rights is most prominent in Africa; a continent marked by poverty, underdevelopment, high illiteracy rate, conflicts and almost all factors that hinder development of society and advancement of people.
Although Human Rights Day is observed by almost all states that adopted the human rights instruments, governments that deliberately and systematically contravene the international instruments also observe the day as a sort of propaganda strategy to continue to “white wash” their image to the outside world while at the same time unleash terror on their people.
Turkey one of the signatories of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments has consistently observed International Human Rights Day. This year, 2005, Turkey like Liberia, India, Colombia, Pakistan and other countries around the world have outlined several programs as parts of the global commemoration of Human Right Day. In contrast to eloquent speeches and fanfare activities marking Human Rights Day, fundamental freedoms and human rights, particularly freedom of expression, women’s rights, religious freedoms, trade union rights, and cultural rights are violated by the Turkish government. There are also reports claiming Turkey has a zero tolerance policy against torture and ill-treatment.
The recent prosecutions of journalists Hrant Dink and Burak Bekdil, novelist Orhan Pamuk, Professors Oran and Kaboglu and publishers Fatih Tas and Razip Zarakolu are just a few of the contravention of the international conventions by the Turkish government. Several individuals are held, sometimes prosecuted and, in some cases, convicted, for expressing non-violent opinions in Turkey.
As for the Indian government, its delegation to the Office of United Nation Human Rights Commission recently vowed to uphold the declaration. In its own word, the delegation addressed the head of the Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, “ Mr. President, I offer on behalf of the Government and the people of India our deepest allegiance to the cause of human rights everywhere.”
Contrary to that government’s pledge, in India, torture and ill-treatment are considered common. Derechos Human Rights in its recent reports on India says, “Every year thousands of people are imprisoned for political reasons, often without charges of trials.” The report furthered that torture and ill-treatment are common, and hundreds have died in custody, adding, hundreds more are victims of extra-judicial executions or forced disappearances. The human rights group said that armed groups in India commit grave human rights violations, including killings, tortures and rapes, with impunity.
Another country that has gained prominence at the United Nations is Liberia. Liberia was a founding member of the United Nations as well as a founding member of the African Union, formerly the Organization of African Unity. Liberia is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and has also been among the first state to sign most of the 60 international instruments of human rights. Over the years, successive Liberia governments have celebrated International Human Rights Day with pomp, pageantry and brilliant speeches pledging to uphold the principles of human rights.
In spite its radiant international record; Liberia has a grim and in-depth human rights record that has affected every facet of that society and its people. While President William V. S. Tubman of Liberia strongly championed the independence of Africa States abroad, dissenting views were stifled at home. Tubman breached almost every clause in the declaration and the Liberian constitution. He changed the constitution to allow himself to remain in office. President Tubman gagged the press and introduced a system of government spies to report on political activity. Tubman ruled Liberia from 1944 until his death in 1971.
Successive Liberians governments also practiced the culture of impunity and infringements on the rights of citizens. Perpetrators of abuses roam about freely and sometimes they are appeased. Impunity has therefore become an acceptable norm in Liberia. The practice of impunity and gross human rights violations is what led to the decades of war that resulted in the death of over 250,000 persons and an estimated one million refugees and internally displaced persons.
The Transitional government under the administration of Gyude Bryant is accused of blatant and widespread corruption with complete disregard for public outcries. Within the short period of his administration, Gyude Bryant administration has become famous for opened corruption and illegal possession of government properties.
Amnesty International and other human rights groups reported in 2004 of thousands cases of rape without any report of persecution. The report has been published, followed by alerts calling on the Bryant’s government to investigate. The Bryant’s administration has not initiated any investigation into the report of widespread rape. In 2004, Kofi Annan condemned rape. Annan said, “I deplore the fact that sexual and gender-based violence continue to be used as a weapon of war in African conflicts. Every effort must be made to halt this odious practice, and bring the perpetrators to justice." In spite the Secretary General’s statement, the Liberian government continues to remain silent although rape is considered a crime against humanity and a war crime.
This act of silence on crimes against humanity calls for reflection on the statement of an avid supporter of free speech, Judge Learned Hands. Hands, a famed American Judge in a statement on May 21, 1944, four years before the birth of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights said, “A society in which men recognize no check upon their freedom, soon becomes a society where freedom is the possession of only a savage few.”
As Liberia finally prepares for the inauguration of a newly elected government following almost two decades of conflict characterized by gross violations of human rights, Liberians should think about Judge Hands statements and ask themselves: “What freedom do we seek?” Do Liberians seek the freedom enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that seeks to promote global peace or a freedom where according to Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The so-called "new order" of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.”
In order to rid the Liberian society of the practices of “special privilege for the few” and ensure that the Universal Declaration is applied, Liberians must speak out against violence. Liberians must also call for those who have committed human rights abuses to be brought to justice, including pledging to surrender former President Charles Taylor currently in exile in Nigeria to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where he faces a 17-count indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Liberians in every parts of the world and in spite their background and social status within society must take every opportunity to speak out against ethnic discrimination and inter-communal violence. Lastly but not the least, Liberians should call for the strengthening of the independence, impartiality and funding of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, so that it can vigorously pursue human rights concerns and promote human rights education throughout the country. It is only by speaking out and calling for justice that sustainable and lasting peace can be achieved in Liberia.
While calling for justice and peace and speaking against ills, Liberians should be inspired by Clarence Darrow who was a defender of the poor and down trodden: “You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free.”
Liberia and Liberians can enjoy freedom, the freedom they have long wanted, the freedom their forefathers have fought for; the freedom that provides jobs for those who can work; the freedom that guarantees respect for civil liberties, freedom from fear, equal opportunity for youth and for everyone and all other freedoms in this new chapter of that country’s history by advocating that those responsible for crimes under international law to be held criminally responsible, truth established and victims obtain full reparations.
In order to have peace and justice, Liberians must remember that they are the voice of those who have been killed and also the voice of the voiceless including: R. Vanjah Richards, Dr. Stephen Yekeson, Wuo Tarpiah, Nowai Flomo, Samuel Dokie and his family, Mai Myers, Manna Zakay, Aloysious Kiah, two Nigerian Journalists Kris Imodibie and Tayo Awotusin who were killed in Liberia, the hundreds of persons who were killed during the September 11, 1998 and April 6, 1996 anarchies, those falsely incarcerated, those who have been raped and tortured, those who have been affected by violations, persons whose land and proprieties have been illegally taken. At the same time while reflecting on the victims, Liberians should also visualize the pains and agonies the perpetrators who are roaming freely have inflicted on their victims.
In commemoration of International Human Rights Day, Liberians and citizens of the world ought to reflect on peace and realized that peace is the fruit of justice, it is that moral virtue and legal accord which ensures full respect for rights and responsibilities, and the just distribution of benefits and burdens. Given the scale and nature of human rights abuses in Liberia, justice and forgiveness are both essential to healing, peace building and rebuilding process of that country. Let peace and justice prevail and let it begin with each person.
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
Simply said, the day, December 10, marks the global commemoration of International Human Rights day. It also marks the beginning of the observance of the 56th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Liberia was one of the 48 countries that adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration often called, A Magna Carta for all humanity, outlines the human rights standards the United Nations believes should be enforced by all nations. On that day in 1948, the global human rights community categorized “atrocities” as “violations” that should not be condoned but readily acted against.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, consists of wide range of rights, has stirred more that 60 human rights instruments, all of which form the international standards of human rights.
The Declaration recognizes the "inherent dignity of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world" and is associated to the recognition of fundamental rights towards which every human being seeks: the right to life, liberty and security of person; the right to an adequate standard of living; the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the right to education, freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and the right to freedom from torture and degrading treatment, among others. These are inherent rights to be enjoyed by all human beings in all parts of the world including -- men, women and children, all groups- ethic, religious, illiterate, minority groups in society. These rights are entitlements and not “gifts” to be enjoyed at the discretion or whims and caprices of anyone.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which came into being just about three years following the founding of the United Nations accentuates the importance of human rights in promoting world peace. Unfortunately, after 56 years following the declaration of this revered document, its application remains far-fetched. The application of the document remains illusive because most governments continue to flout the laws and infringe on the rights of citizens. The breach of the laws by government is not a result of ignorance but simply because most government officials around the world find it very gratifying to terrorize and create havoc against their own people. Today, millions of people live in fear because their rights are being violated with impunity. The reckless disregard for human rights is most prominent in Africa; a continent marked by poverty, underdevelopment, high illiteracy rate, conflicts and almost all factors that hinder development of society and advancement of people.
Although Human Rights Day is observed by almost all states that adopted the human rights instruments, governments that deliberately and systematically contravene the international instruments also observe the day as a sort of propaganda strategy to continue to “white wash” their image to the outside world while at the same time unleash terror on their people.
Turkey one of the signatories of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments has consistently observed International Human Rights Day. This year, 2005, Turkey like Liberia, India, Colombia, Pakistan and other countries around the world have outlined several programs as parts of the global commemoration of Human Right Day. In contrast to eloquent speeches and fanfare activities marking Human Rights Day, fundamental freedoms and human rights, particularly freedom of expression, women’s rights, religious freedoms, trade union rights, and cultural rights are violated by the Turkish government. There are also reports claiming Turkey has a zero tolerance policy against torture and ill-treatment.
The recent prosecutions of journalists Hrant Dink and Burak Bekdil, novelist Orhan Pamuk, Professors Oran and Kaboglu and publishers Fatih Tas and Razip Zarakolu are just a few of the contravention of the international conventions by the Turkish government. Several individuals are held, sometimes prosecuted and, in some cases, convicted, for expressing non-violent opinions in Turkey.
As for the Indian government, its delegation to the Office of United Nation Human Rights Commission recently vowed to uphold the declaration. In its own word, the delegation addressed the head of the Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, “ Mr. President, I offer on behalf of the Government and the people of India our deepest allegiance to the cause of human rights everywhere.”
Contrary to that government’s pledge, in India, torture and ill-treatment are considered common. Derechos Human Rights in its recent reports on India says, “Every year thousands of people are imprisoned for political reasons, often without charges of trials.” The report furthered that torture and ill-treatment are common, and hundreds have died in custody, adding, hundreds more are victims of extra-judicial executions or forced disappearances. The human rights group said that armed groups in India commit grave human rights violations, including killings, tortures and rapes, with impunity.
Another country that has gained prominence at the United Nations is Liberia. Liberia was a founding member of the United Nations as well as a founding member of the African Union, formerly the Organization of African Unity. Liberia is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and has also been among the first state to sign most of the 60 international instruments of human rights. Over the years, successive Liberia governments have celebrated International Human Rights Day with pomp, pageantry and brilliant speeches pledging to uphold the principles of human rights.
In spite its radiant international record; Liberia has a grim and in-depth human rights record that has affected every facet of that society and its people. While President William V. S. Tubman of Liberia strongly championed the independence of Africa States abroad, dissenting views were stifled at home. Tubman breached almost every clause in the declaration and the Liberian constitution. He changed the constitution to allow himself to remain in office. President Tubman gagged the press and introduced a system of government spies to report on political activity. Tubman ruled Liberia from 1944 until his death in 1971.
Successive Liberians governments also practiced the culture of impunity and infringements on the rights of citizens. Perpetrators of abuses roam about freely and sometimes they are appeased. Impunity has therefore become an acceptable norm in Liberia. The practice of impunity and gross human rights violations is what led to the decades of war that resulted in the death of over 250,000 persons and an estimated one million refugees and internally displaced persons.
The Transitional government under the administration of Gyude Bryant is accused of blatant and widespread corruption with complete disregard for public outcries. Within the short period of his administration, Gyude Bryant administration has become famous for opened corruption and illegal possession of government properties.
Amnesty International and other human rights groups reported in 2004 of thousands cases of rape without any report of persecution. The report has been published, followed by alerts calling on the Bryant’s government to investigate. The Bryant’s administration has not initiated any investigation into the report of widespread rape. In 2004, Kofi Annan condemned rape. Annan said, “I deplore the fact that sexual and gender-based violence continue to be used as a weapon of war in African conflicts. Every effort must be made to halt this odious practice, and bring the perpetrators to justice." In spite the Secretary General’s statement, the Liberian government continues to remain silent although rape is considered a crime against humanity and a war crime.
This act of silence on crimes against humanity calls for reflection on the statement of an avid supporter of free speech, Judge Learned Hands. Hands, a famed American Judge in a statement on May 21, 1944, four years before the birth of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights said, “A society in which men recognize no check upon their freedom, soon becomes a society where freedom is the possession of only a savage few.”
As Liberia finally prepares for the inauguration of a newly elected government following almost two decades of conflict characterized by gross violations of human rights, Liberians should think about Judge Hands statements and ask themselves: “What freedom do we seek?” Do Liberians seek the freedom enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that seeks to promote global peace or a freedom where according to Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The so-called "new order" of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.”
In order to rid the Liberian society of the practices of “special privilege for the few” and ensure that the Universal Declaration is applied, Liberians must speak out against violence. Liberians must also call for those who have committed human rights abuses to be brought to justice, including pledging to surrender former President Charles Taylor currently in exile in Nigeria to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where he faces a 17-count indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Liberians in every parts of the world and in spite their background and social status within society must take every opportunity to speak out against ethnic discrimination and inter-communal violence. Lastly but not the least, Liberians should call for the strengthening of the independence, impartiality and funding of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, so that it can vigorously pursue human rights concerns and promote human rights education throughout the country. It is only by speaking out and calling for justice that sustainable and lasting peace can be achieved in Liberia.
While calling for justice and peace and speaking against ills, Liberians should be inspired by Clarence Darrow who was a defender of the poor and down trodden: “You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free.”
Liberia and Liberians can enjoy freedom, the freedom they have long wanted, the freedom their forefathers have fought for; the freedom that provides jobs for those who can work; the freedom that guarantees respect for civil liberties, freedom from fear, equal opportunity for youth and for everyone and all other freedoms in this new chapter of that country’s history by advocating that those responsible for crimes under international law to be held criminally responsible, truth established and victims obtain full reparations.
In order to have peace and justice, Liberians must remember that they are the voice of those who have been killed and also the voice of the voiceless including: R. Vanjah Richards, Dr. Stephen Yekeson, Wuo Tarpiah, Nowai Flomo, Samuel Dokie and his family, Mai Myers, Manna Zakay, Aloysious Kiah, two Nigerian Journalists Kris Imodibie and Tayo Awotusin who were killed in Liberia, the hundreds of persons who were killed during the September 11, 1998 and April 6, 1996 anarchies, those falsely incarcerated, those who have been raped and tortured, those who have been affected by violations, persons whose land and proprieties have been illegally taken. At the same time while reflecting on the victims, Liberians should also visualize the pains and agonies the perpetrators who are roaming freely have inflicted on their victims.
In commemoration of International Human Rights Day, Liberians and citizens of the world ought to reflect on peace and realized that peace is the fruit of justice, it is that moral virtue and legal accord which ensures full respect for rights and responsibilities, and the just distribution of benefits and burdens. Given the scale and nature of human rights abuses in Liberia, justice and forgiveness are both essential to healing, peace building and rebuilding process of that country. Let peace and justice prevail and let it begin with each person.
Copyright © Musue N. Haddad
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