Politics in Liberia: Pumping Up The Volume Again?

In Liberian recent political history, politicians and wannabe leaders always promised the common people a whole lot of "goodies."

Some of them promised “Liberation.” Others promised “Freedom” and “democracy.” All they tell the common people is that all that they promised would come to them (people) in its “purest” sense.

This trend comes with flamboyant speeches. Such speeches are delivered on school campuses and in marketplaces. Well, today, we have "hatai" shops. That's where most young people gather to discuss "burining" issues.

Soon, these wannabe leaders galvanized support inside and outside the country. Experience in recent time teaches that these sort of politicians were able to unleash generalized anarchy of violence on the Nation. And when that happenend, the common people and nation were overcome by violence. Consequently, tens and tens of hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children died. The nation fell apart right at the hinges. Soon, the nation began to crumble.

This bad experience leaves the nation trembling at its knees just like a feverish child.

Motherless children cried out to God and also to their Forbearers! War oozed blood throughout the the streets of the cities, shanty towns and hamlets. Because of the violence, men gnashed their teeth for fourteen years. War engulfed the entire nation and plunged it in pain and agony!

Today, seemingly, we are sliding into the same catastrophic trend. TRC “Draft” or “Final” Report is taking us there slowly but surely. There are those who condemn the Report. And there are others who support it. The "argument" or call it "debate", tears down the walls of common sense. So the participants shout at each other. They resort into violation of good diction against each other during the Hearings. And this becomes a threat to National Security. Strangely, this is all in the name of “democracy.” At least, that's what they tell us! Critics think this is “Stupideocracy.” Because they think it canot be democracy in any sense. Looking at it from a revolutionary standpoint, it all equates to lack of national consciousness and patriotism on the part of the citizenry.

This view places me on the Third line of those speaking on the Report: I call for calm. I call for us to learn a lesson from our most recent history.

In our most recent history, we indicted our leaders. We blamed them for our national quagmire. We held them responsible for everything that went wrong in the country. But we didn’t stop there. We sent some of them to their early graves. The only living one was slapped through the back-door into Nigeria. And then we sent him to White man’s country to be judged by “white justice.”

I am not saying none of our leaders did no wrong. That's not my argument by any measure!

But all things being considered, I think we need to do in-house reconciliation. We can chastise our Brethrens who have offended us. And this can be done in our own way. We need to apply our own solution that will secure our land and children’s future.

Some say we need outsiders to help us. I agree with that proposal! But we cannot allow outsiders to tell us what to do. Their reality is different from ours. So let's apply our own solutions. For African problems, demand African solutions!

We cannot forget that some of those outsiders we are talking about are the ones that contributed highly to our national collapse! Some of htme include, but not limitedt to, Libya, USA, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. I'm convinced they should all pay Institutional Reparation for destroying our country.

AND THAT’S MY OPINION, WHAT'S YOURS?

I am Thomas G. Bedell, working and speaking from on the “ground” in Liberia.

Two Presidents one ULAA: We Don't Get It, Do We?

Most Liberians think the political problem in Liberia is centered on the failure by those controlling power to share power.

Some say the backwardness of the country is due to a single person who sits on the periphery of power and does what he or she feels like against the will of the majority of the people. They also think that a particular person who is the leader of the nation, for example, the President, is the one who needs to make way for the "bad" things in the country to change and become "good" things.

These critics also feel, in order to change all the "bad" things in the country that are supposedly put in place by the "bad" leader, the leader needs to take an exit from power. The critics think by so doing, the "problem" in the country will disappear. So the need to get rid of the leader is as strong as the solution to the "problem." When that particlular leader is kicked out of office by all "means necessary," then the “problem” automatically goes away. Hopefully then, the nation will return to "sanity." All things considered, the opposite is true. Because history is replete with dissappointments in this regards.

There were those in and outside the country who felt (maybe they still feel the same today) that President Tubman (the 18th President of Liberia) was the “problem.” So they felt the "problem" which supposedly was Tubman, would go away if and when Tubman exited power by any "means necessary." They felt getting rid of Tubman meant getting rid of the "problem." All of a sudden, Tubman died. Whether natural or not, he died in office. As such, the critics expected the "problem" that was brought in by Tubman would die also with the physical body of Tubman. But they were wrong. To their utmost surprise, the "problem" remained after Tubman's death. Because they were dissappointed the "problem" did not go away with Tubman, they shifted the "proble" to Tubman successor. In this case, William Richard Tolbert - President of the Republic of Liberia.

William R. Tolbert replaced Tubman. Many were glad and happy Tubman passed on. Much applause to tolbert. But soon, Tolbert's honeymoon into power shortlived. In no time, Tolbert was accused of being the “problem.” Just as Tubman was accussed. Now they wanted Tolbert out of power by any "means neccessary." And when they tried hard and struggle hard, they were able to succeeded. In not time, Tolbert was removed violently (murdered in cold-blood) from power. But when Tolbert was killed, as was in the case of Tubman, the “problem” did not go with him. It remained behind. And it towered over all else. Dissappointment set in for those who felt Tolbert was the "problem."

Then came Samuel K. Doe. Understandably, he killed Tolbert through a military coup and took over his job as President. After Tolbert’s death, Doe and his military comrades enjoyed a high level of support from the people. There was massive support for Doe and his henchmen from the populace. Again, as in the case of Tolbert, Doe's hooneymoon was great but shortlived. He became the “problem.” The same solution that was applied to Tubman and Tolbert (murder) was applied to Doe - he was murdered.

Efforts mounted against Doe from all angles. He was humiliated and bludgeoned to death. After his death, the same “problem” that lingered on and on and that was expected to go with him, did not go with him. The "problem" remained. The same blame poured over Tubman and Tolbert was now served on him. Doe left the "problem" behind.

After 14 years of generalized anarchy of violence, Taylor became President. Prior to his seizure of power (he launched a guerrila warfare). He was exalted by almost every Liberian. As was in the past with Tolbert and Doe. This time the people were tire with Doe and so they welcomed Taylor warfare to rid them of Doe. The people wanted Doe out of power. No matter what, they wanted Doe to go, "dead or alive." So Taylor remove Doe and took power.

For few months Taylor enjoyed the hooneymoon of power. Then "bang!" the "party" was over. He was accused of being the "problem". And they believed that by kicking him out of power by any, "means necessary," like Tubman, Tolbert and Doe, the "problem" would finally go away. And the country will be "sound."

Concerted efforts were mounted. In no time, Taylor was kicked out of power. They kicked him through the back door right into Nigeria. From Nigeria they sent him to Sierra Leone. From Sierra Leone, they posted him to Europe to be judged by the Whiteman who has no idea of our pain and “problem.” The Whiteman who just doesn’t give a darn as to what we think as a people, will judge President Taylor. With all this, Taylor forceful removal from power was expected to kill the “problem” in Liberia. But guess what? The "problem" continues to haunt the nation.

Today, Ellen is President. And people are beginning to shift the “problem” on to her. What that tells me is that Liberians have not yet learned.

The failed past and their experiences, as far as the “problem” is concerned, have not taught them any lesson. They continue to still exclusively blame their leaders and consider them as the "problem" of the nation.

In as much as there may be reasons for such a claim, the opposite has been proven to be true!

A wise man in a village provided solution to this kind of situation:

Once upon a time; there was a village located downstream on a very large river. Much of the economy was built around pulling people out of the river as they floated by. Some of these people were dead; others injured. The dead were buried, the injured were revived and treated. Some had long-term disabilities as a result of their experience in that river. The village continued in its efforts to bury the dead and treat the living, developing sophisticated procedures and programs in their quest. However, no matter how much money was spent, how many programs were developed, how many great technological advances were made in the treatment of the ill and the injured, folks continued to float by the village...dead, injured, disabled. One day, a wise person came up with a radical idea...why not go up the river and find out why people were falling in the river in the first place.

The same question comes back to us as Liberians:

If Presidents Tubman, Tolbert, Doe and Taylor were considered the “problem” in our country and we got rid of them with the hope of getting rid of the “problem” but the “problem” did not go away, why can’t we stop momentarily, ask ourselves why is it that each President has been our “problem”?

Secondly, we need to ask ourselves, if we got rid of those leaders who were considered as the “problem,” and still have the “problem” lingering on, even though those leaders are forever, why can’t we try to stop and figure out whether it is true the “problem” is due to political personality?

The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) needs to learn from this backward experience and adopt to new and progressive measures. Instead of having two leaders of one organization.

Global Youth Service Day Clean-Up Campaign: My West Point Story

The Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) Event has a Planning Committee (PC) responsible to plan the Event every year. This year it organized a massive Youth Volunteer Clean-Up Campaign to mark the 2nd observance of the annual global Event. Two major areas were identified for cleaning - West Point (Monrovia) and Black Jennie (Paynesville).

I worked at and supervised West Point Township. My other colleagues supervised Black Jennie.

Here I am reporting my experiences in the Township of West Point. Please read with open eyes and open mind.

I chose West Point Township. The reason is obvious. For you see, I lived in the US during and after the 14-year generalized anarchy of violence in Liberia. Such violence, we all know, destroyed infrastructure and human resource in the country. Tens and tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children lost their precious lives. At the cessation of hostilities, all Liberians were called upon to come home and rebuild. I answered to the call.

In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected President of the Republic. So I thought I return home briefly. Why? To help in the Reconstruction process. When I got in the country I built my own NGO. The Organisation I transformed into an NGO was already functioning while I was in the US. I sponsored several Community Centers in Monrovia. When I entered the country I wanted to spread the Community Centers out. And I did.

While working on my NGO, I always took off time to partake in other community development projects, especially working with our youth. That's how I entered the Global Youth Service Day Celebration. Vision Sisters for Development (VSD) Executive Director came to me and asked for my help to build her organization. She said no one was paying attention to them. So I agreed to help. I put my education, experise, skills, talents and all I can command into VSD. Since then, I have been deeply involved with it.

Having gotten that out of the way, let's get back to my West Point story.

When I volunteered to work in West Point Township, I wanted to learn and add more to what I have already learned over the past two years that I spent working in the country as a volunteer. I wanted to compare or bring my theoretical knowledge face-to-face with the practical issues on the ground as it relates to downtrodden people. West Point is not the only place for downtrodden people in Liberia. But I thought it is an ideal place to start. So I started there. While working there, I got what I wanted. Theory came face-to-face with the practical. But something happened during the process. And what happened shifted the scope of things: See, I forgot some of the things I learned theoretically. By this I mean, I forgot some of the things I read in books. I read from Marx, Hegels, Adam Smith, and others. They skipped my mind. How did I know they skipped my mind? I made the first mistake. The Planning Committee decided to get young people from different parts of Central Monrovia to help clean West Point. In other words, we were bringing other youths from outside West Point to clean West Point. Little did we know this idea would offend the people. I realized that when I met with them. They uprightly rejected the idea. Hon. Demore W. Moore is the commissioner of West Point Township. He sounded their rejection emphatically and vehemently. He told me that this idea would never gain ground - to bring in outsiders to clean his area? No! He made this very clear. He sounded friendly. But he was steadfast, serious and firm. I had to feel him. And I did. I grasped on to the idea immediately. That's why I surrendered to their will. We all agreed West Pointers would clean West Point. And that few outsiders would be allowed to come in and help. We asked the youth of West Point to take the charge. And they did. On that Agreement, we concluded our Meeting.

The Honorable Commissioner set a date for me to meet with the "Movers-and-Shakers" of West Point including the youth. The day came and we met. The Elders and Youth showed up in great numbers. I informed them this was a Youth Volunteer Campaign to help the people of West Point. I promised them all the volunteers would be fed by us. Lone Star Communications Corporation (LSCC) was providing the food. It was providing T-Shirts with their Logo and the Logo of GYSD. LCC was also providing wheelbarrows, shovels, water and juices. All we had to do is to work. The people hailed LCC contribution and thanked them and the rest of our donors (Ministries of Youth & Sports, Labor and FOUTA Rice Corporation). Everyone rolled up his/her sleeves. And we were ready to knock out the dirt.

The first day of the Campaign came on Friday, May 1. My staff and I arrived in West Point at 7:30am. The Pep Talk was scheduled for 8am. At 8am we all converged at the TownHall. The Commissioner spoke. He thanked his people for showing up. He thanked LCC for its support. He thanked FOUTA Rice Corporation, Ministeries of Labor and Youth & Sports for their support for our youth. He and I encouraged the young people of West Point to work bristtle hard in order to clean West Point. Hon. Moore promised to work with us all along the way. And he did. At the closing of the Pep Talk, I passed on the T-Shirts provided by LCC. At 9:30am, we went to work.

We assigned teams at different points. The focus was on the beaches. But we added the Main Street. Here’s the interesting thing that happened. The Main Street is the only street in the Township. It runs from the Market (Waterside) and ends at the dead-end of West Point. Anyone who goes to West Point cannot miss the Main Street. Becasue it is the only street in West Point. And it runs deep into the belly of the Township.

We worked the whole day. We took our first break at 12noon. But there was no food. No water. I reached out in my pocket and bought some food and water. Because the young fellas were starving. And when young people begin to complain about food, one has to be very careful before it gets chaotic. West Point being what it is, could become an explosive case. So I acted immediately. After the young folks got something to munch on, we all sat and began to look into the scheme of things. That's when we started to see things we didn’t take note of in the beginning. We realized cleaning the Main Street was a waste of time. Because as we cleaned the Main Street, marketers and byepassers made more thrash. It was like we had not done anything at all in the area. Papers, plastic and thrash flew around like happy-go-lucky-don't-care. So it clicked our minds. This is what we thought: If we continued cleaning the Main Street and marketers and bypassers kept dropping thrash, our job would never show any sign of progress. And it was true. Because some LCC employees (mind you they are our sponsors) visited the area and concluded the Team working in West Point wasn't doing a "good" job. Little did they know that West Point is an exceptional case. The fact is a small piece of land mass has more than 70,000 people. This is nothing to joke about. This is what we call chaos. So we had to quit cleaning the Main Street if we wanted to make a difference. We turned to the beaches.

When we made our first move cleaning the Beaches, we saw more progress than previously seen. We saw three Beaches in West Point. But we could not clean all three at the same time. So we left Popo and Powerplant Beaches out. We cleaned Kru Beach ONLY. Kru Beach had less thrash and filth than the rest. The thrash on all the Beaches combine could run from the Executive Mansion in Monrovia to J. F. K. Medical Center in Sinkor. THIS IS THE TRUTH! That distance makes up the exact length of the entire West Point Township.

This is the interesting part: The residents told they threw their thrash into the Ocean. But the Ocean returned it back to them. EAch time they sent it back, the Ocean returned it. And so they were tired competing with the Ocean. And so they decided to let the thrash sit on the Beach. So every piece of thrash thrown in the Ocean by residents and rejected by the Ocean sat on the Beaches. It stretched deep into the belly of the Township. Soon it became mountain of thrash.

The thrash on Kru Beach was about 500 yards long and 400 feet wide. The only option was to bury it in the sand. The available dumpsters in West Point are not too closed to any of the Beaches. They are situated all the way down Waterside market. The distance from the dumpsters to the Beach is several hundred yards. Just imagine a person pushing a wheelbarrow. He's doing so in the sand. He's pushing more than 500 yards to the dumpster. He gets to hard ground. And then he has to continue on pushing towards the dumpsters. The dumpster from hard ground is several hundred yards away. By the time he gets to the dumpster, he runs out of every piece of energy. Can he return on the Beach to get another load? Certainly not! So burying the thrash in the sand was the only option. In fact, it was the most sensible thing to do. And that’s just what we did. We knew this was an ecological mess. But what else could we do? We had no choice. We had to apply ourselves to the reality and conditions on the ground.

We had to dig into the sand to bury the thrash. The areas we were digging had already been dug before. And thrash had already been buried there. So each time we dug, we ran into previous thrash. We had to move on to a new area until we found an open area with no thrash. We did all we could. In the end we cleared 500 yards of thrash in two days. We buried the thrash under the sand. After clearing the Beach, the area became very clear. Looking at it from the distance, one can now see the beauty of nature. The white sand is showing beautifully in West Point. For me, that's what I call “progress.” We cleared the Beach. Now you can see the sand. When we got there that morning, thrash covered the sand. Now the thrash is gone. The beautiful sand shows up. Marvelous!

West Pointers were happy. And that's what we wanted to see - happiness! We had cleaned one Beach. And two more Beaches remained untouched. They applauded our work. They expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. Some of them were skeptics. They didn't think the Campaign would make a difference. Because they believe the thrash would return again. But they too were happy. They could see the sand devoid of thrash for once. They were happy. We were happy. Our work as volunteers made a difference.

A total number of seven (7) youth organizations residing in West Point registered with us and took part in the Campaign. Namely, 1)Youth United to Fight Poverty (YUFP), 2) FOLAU, 3) Westside Connection, 4) WESPRA, 5) West Point Children Club (WPCC), 6) Boys and Girls of Determination and, 7) Life Safeguard (LG). A total number of four (4) outside youth-based and groups joined the West Point Campaign - 1) Taake Youth Development Association (TYDA), 2) Mission Outreach International, Inc. (MOI), 3) Young Women Initiative (YWI) and 4) Association of Disabled Females International (ADFI). It was a great experience working with people we all did not know and we have come face-to-face with. Facie Harris (YWI) who is a broadcaster at UNMIL Radio joined the Campaign in West Point. Ms. Binta Massaquoi (FWI), an employee of the US Embassy in Liberia along with Grace Johnson of FWI were also there.

The Leadership Team we set up to regulate and coordinate the Campaign includes, Munah Togba (chair), Archie T-Boy Doegmah (co-chair), Joseph Fayiah (member), Albert Tutu, Jnr. (member), Varney Phillip (member), Charles Roberts (member), and Abraham Wleh (member). All the Team members do reside in West Point Township. We are thankful for their leadership and service to their community.

The two-day Campaign was a total success. A recommendation derived from it. A core group needs to be set up to help pick up thrash that old folks cannot carry to the dumpster. The Commissioner told us that the garbbage truck does not reach inside West Point. And the reason is the Main Street is narrow. When the truck enters, it has no way to turn around. And so it stops around the Waterside area to pick up thrash. This is a problem for the old folks. They cannot walk as far as the dumpster due to old-age. So most of the thrash that s found on the Beach is dumped there by old folks. To prevent this, those young folks who are expected to be a part of the Core group that will pick up the old folks’ thrash, will have to receive a stipend. A recommended stipend of $2 to $3 US dollars per day will help them meet some of their needs. The Recommendation is being studied by GYSD Planning Committee. Sponsors are being identified to assist.

We hope people who grew up in West Point and are now successful in their own rights, living in the Diaspora and at home, can lend a financial hand to support the Cause. As per President Sirleaf's Proclamation to keep Monrovia clean on the first Saturday of each month, we are hoping to return to West Point to complete the rest of the Beaches. But funding will be needed.


Thomas G. Bedell/Secretary General/GYSD/011.231.6.920.151

GYSD: The Maxson Sahr Kpakio Miracle

Maxson Sahr Kpakio is a Liberian living in the UK. kpakios@yahoo.com. This story is all about his donation and how it changed the life of the youth and all of us in the last minute of 2008 Global Youth Service Day in Liberia.

As you may know by now, Global Youth Service Day just began in Liberia last year. It is about 21 years old in the world and 2 years in Liberia. I helped to pluck Liberia into the process.

You probably know by now. I came to Liberia from the US. I came on my own to help the Reconstruction Process. I know this is a “crazy” thing to do! But you know what? Someone has to do it. And I chose myself to be the “crazy” one. A 14-year generalized anarchy of violence destroyed infrastructure and human resource. So helping is the most patriotic thing one can do!


The month is May. I am two years in Liberia. I’m working as a volunteer. Every help I give to communities, is from my personal pocket. Living in the “Third world” and spending one’s hard-won money to help others is nothing to joke about. It is rather painful. The hardest part is when those whom we help do not understand nor appreciate the work we do. Not because they hate us. But because this idea of independence is new to them. So is volunteerism. As such, it wrenches one’s heart. For one cannot get used to spending his or her money like I do in Liberia without dropping a tear for a minute. Worse of all, when most Liberians with the pocket-power refuse to help us do our work, it adds to the frustration. Such an attitude on the part of those Liberians rips out the heart of a good man.

This is where Mr. Kpakio comes in. He made me believe that there are still few Liberians out there who care, understand and are helping in their weak but noble way. With those kinds of Liberians, I believe Liberia will thrive!

It was few days prior to Global Youth Service Day in 2008. The phone rang. It said, "ring, ring!" I was coming from an interview on Star Radio. On the Radio we talked about the youth of Liberia and the future. We were done. I walked out of the Studio. I was on my way home. It was just around 6pm, Liberian Time. Then I received that phone call. I answered. The person on the other line was very excited. I didn’t know why. But he went on talking. Soon I picked up the idea. He was thanking me. He heard my interview on Global Youth Service Day and my involvement with the youth of Liberia. He heard this all the way in the UK. So he said he was impressed. Under one breathe he told me all his impressions. Soon my spirit was lifted. It was up to the skies. So I was good for another interview. And this because listened to him. Definitely I took heart. So I prayed for him to keep talking. I was getting high on his encouraging words. My spirit was getting lighter. It ran to the next day's interview. I was ready. I could feel myself doing extremely well in the next interview. My dangling spirit was set free and repaired. It was no more entrapped in the lack of funding mindset. Prior to that, the kids and I were wondering what to do to kick off the day. Ambivalence set in. I wanted to work very hard. But at the same time I wasn’t getting the support. So I was falling apart at the hinges. As a result, I wanted to quit. All this was happening before Brother Kpakio in the UK called me. He talked. And he pulled me out of ambivalence. He nicely (with his kind and encouraging words) landed me at a point of positive spirit. At the closing of our phone conversation, he informed me he was instructing his daughter in Barnersville to give us his donation. He made it clear that it wasn’t enough. But it was his “Widow’s might.” The next day his daughter phoned me. She told me that her dad in the UK asked her to give us some money. And she wanted to know where to find me. I told her. And she found me right opposite the Justice Ministry where we went to obtain a Permit to march to a brass band. She gave me $20. From that $20 the miracle began to take shape and form.

Here was the problem: The Planning Committee of Global Youth was stranded. We had an appointment to meet the Minster of Youth & Sports. But we were out of funds to transport ourselves to Paynesville. And we had to get there. Or else, we were done for the Event. It was not going to be hosted for lack of funding. The thing was some Youth Services deputy ministers at the Ministry were giving us problems. They made promises. But never kept them. Minister Tarpeh was informed. When she heard that, she wanted to know what the problem was. But she was about to go out of town. And she wanted to see us immediately. We had no money. So we didn’t know what to do. Then “bang!” something happened. The $20 donation of Maxson Sahr Kpakio came in. Right away it became a Miracle for us. We chattered a taxi cab right away. Every Committee member got on board. Straight to the Ministry we went. As soon as we got there, the Minster was about to leave. But she held on for us. We met with her. After talking she approved $1,500.00 for our Program. Right there the $20 that Maxson sent us gave us $1,480.00. THAT WAS A MIRICLE, WASN’T IT? YEST! IT WAS!

From that $20 we all learned a lesson. I was a Kpakio Miracle. We also learned Miracles are still happening in the world as they were tens and tens of hundreds of years ago. And because of that we also learned that it doesn’t really matter how much one donates to a cause. What matter is how that donation is allocated. Brother Kpakio’s donation wasn’t that big. But it created something much bigger. And what it created solved all our major problems for GYSD 2008.

Maxson Kpakio’s donation made everything easy for us. It changed our reality in no time. It placed us on the track to move Global Youth Service Day forward. Because of that, we attribute our 2008 success of GYSD to Brother Maxson Kpakio of UK and his lovely and kindhearted family.

Thanks a million to Brother Maxson Sahr Kpakio and his family for such a Miracle in 2008! Every time we help each other, we in turn please God; and when He is pleased, He increases our blessings!

May Maxson Sahr Kpakio and his family reap hundredfold, the goodness that they sow! We will honor his name May 3 at GYSD Indoor Program! He deserves it!

Star Radio ReportLiberty Party wants City Charter amended before confirmation

Liberty Party wants City Charter amended before confirmation
Written by Vivian Gartyn
Monday, 16 February 2009

The opposition Liberty Party has called on the Senate not to confirm any appointed city mayor until city charters are amended.

At a press conference, Liberty Party Standard Bearer Charles Brumskine said the charters give authority to elected not appointed mayors.

Cllr. Brumskine quoted a portion of the charter which gives city mayors the authority to create municipal laws and levy taxes.

He argued levying taxes lie solely with the Legislature, which can dedicate the function to legislative bodies of municipality.

Cllr. Brumskine noted the action is justified by accountability to the people and as such appointed officials who serve at the will and pleasure of the President can not operate under the charter.

He recommended the repealing of all city charters to create the legal framework under which appointed city mayors can operate.

He also recommended the holding of a referendum to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling on the appointment of city mayors as another option.

The Supreme Court in 2008 ruled in favor of the Executive, giving the President the power to appoint city mayors.

Meanwhile, a group of citizens under the banner: Concern Citizens, have issued a ten-count petition asking the senate to confirm Madam Mary Broh as City Mayor.

The Chairman of the group Thomas Bedell told Star Radio Madam Broh has a proven record of transforming government functionaries and is trustworthy.

According to Mr. Bedell, Madam Broh is an honest woman, an excellent manager and an agent of change.

The Concern Citizens said Monrovia was too dirty and need someone with the skills and passion to make it better.

Mr. Bedell said it was unfortunate for politicians to be playing politics with someone who has the passion to make Monrovia resemble a city.

On the issue of violating the constitution, he said it is only the courts that determine constitutional violation.

The Concern Citizens believe some senators would put aside heir political interest and confirm the City Mayor designate especially ahead of the international women colloquium.

THIS ARTICLE WAS LIFTED FROM STAR RADIO WEB SITE

Dr. Joseph D. Z. Kortu on ULAA current Post Election Crisis

March 11, 2009, Wednesday marked Liberia’s 93rdNational Decoration Day. Cemeteries and memorials were packed with people laying wreaths on graves. Students paraded the major streets of downtown Monrovia. The Ministry of Education (MOE) staff laid Wreaths on the grave of President Daniel B. Warner on Camp Johnson Road, the State Cenotaph and William V. S. Tubman Tomb on Ashmun Street. Dr. Joseph D. Z. Korto, minister of education, concluded the Event by laying Wreath on President William V. S. Tubman Tomb. As he left the Pavilion, I engaged him in a Discussion. And this is what we talked about.

I asked him why the Ministry of Education single-handedly hosted such a National Event without the rest of National government. This is what Dr. Korto told me.

His Ministry (MOE) championed the Event to keep the “tradition” alive. He said “our fallen heroes must be honored. They made valuable contributions and sacrifices to our country.” He laid emphasis on those who died in military service. When the Event concluded, Dr. Korto said it was successful in his opinion. Because the number of students he expected to turn out came enmass. He said “As the next generation of leaders, it was good they turned out.” He continued by saying, “The students had a civic lesson from my remark. And I am glad for that!" But he expressed some disappointment, though. The rest of the National government did not turn out. But he draws confident next year’s Celebration will be better. It seemed to me then that after all was concluded, looking at Dr. Korto's smiling face, he might have considered his job done as the Man responsible for Education in the country. That is to say, he educated the students and people of Liberia on the Event appropriately. But his wish was not granted. The Legislators did not turn out. "But that's okay!" he said. I asked if he were pleased with the Celebration. He gave a resounding “Yes!” And that closed that particular chapter of our discussion.

We moved on to another topic that Dr. Korto knows very well – ULAA & its Post Election Crisis

For those who don't know what ULAA is. It is The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas. It was founded by students more than thirty years ago. Many Presidents have come and left. Dr. Korto is one. He was a two-term President. So he has the leverage and authority to discuss problems facing the Institution. What then is the problem? This how the current problem has been laid out. ULAA recently had its Presidential election. Suddenly, two opposing leaderships emerged. Chaos erupted. Since then. Each of the leadership is claiming legitimacy to the throne. Essentially, ULAA is split! Such a split, in its current state, is hampering the progress of ULAA and Liberians in the US, especially those faced with immigration problems.

I asked Dr. Korto about all this unfolding chaos in ULAA. And this is what he told me.

He said he “regrets” what’s happening in ULAA today. He thinks ULAA has a bigger job than it can ever imagined. As such, it needs to be serious. It needs to pay special attention to the immigration problem facing over 10,000 fellow Liberians in the US. This split, according to Dr. Korto, touches him at the core of his heart. Because when he was President, his administration succeeded in discussions with the US government to grant Liberians Temporary Protective Status (TPS). And he is proud his successors took the matter to another level to obtain The Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED) status. He said what this administration needs to do, instead of engaging in an in-house fight, is to forge the future of the Organization and Liberians at-large in the US. To get entangled in nonessentials makes him "sick." Dr. Korto brags his administration succeeded because of a good relationship it developed with the US government, ULAA Board, ULAA Chapters and Liberians in America. So he expects this current-day ULAA leadership to complete the task of his administration. Dr. Korto says Liberia cannot absorb the number of Liberians on DED. That is, if for our "carelessness," they were deported to Liberia.

He said, there are no jobs to absorb all of those Compatriots if they were deported. So “ULAA needs to put its house in order. When it puts its house in order, then it can address the needs and aspirations of its members and Liberians in the US.” He warns, if the two groups do not compromise and continue the business of ULAA, they will hamper and damage his and previous administration’s assiduous efforts towards legal status for Liberians on DED and democracy in Liberia.

Dr. Korto, a candidate in the 2005 Liberia Presidential election, former President of ULAA and current minister of education, said that there are several advantages for those Liberians to remain in the US for now. Among the many advantages, he stressed only one. And that is because time was against us in the Dicussion. Everybody was leaving the Pavilion. And he had to leave too. Hurriedly, he looked me in the eye and said "Remittances from Liberians in the US are very “significant” to the economy of Liberia. And so there is a need for ULAA leaders to unite and forge the Immigration Issue at hand." He couldn't elaborate any further. So I did my research. And this is what I discovered.

2005 United Nations figures suggested that remittance from African abroad were $17 billion United States dollars per annum. Virtually overtaking foreign direct investment flows which averaged $4 billion dollars in US foreign aid to all of Africa. Delightfully an irony becomes apparent: Africans are the best source of foreign currency for their respective countries. Instead of holding out begging bowls each year African governments should find ways of harnessing this source by allowing dual citizenship, facilitating overseas voting activity courting Africans abroad to invest at home and offering Diaspora tourism packages.

According to Charles Abugre in 2005 article in Pambazulla News, “some estimates suggest that Africa’s accumulated stock of capital transferred abroad between 1970 and 2000 amounted to over $280 Billion United States dollars.

The research goes further.

There is an increasing global attention on the Africans in the Diaspora as their influence not only in terms of skills but their financial impact is now being acknowledged as an alternative source of funding for ailing economies in Africa. Remittances flow from Africans in Diaspora is on the increase, sometimes accounting for almost 25% of GDP of some African Countries. It is estimated globally at $200 billion - far more than official development and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

"Remittances to developing countries from overseas resident and non-resident workers are estimated to have increased by US $10 billion (8 percent) in 2004, reaching $126 billion," noted the report, this amount is very conservative as data on remittances is very hard to capture. [http://siteresources.worldbank.org/] For example, according to Western Union, Nigerians in the Diaspora remitted up to over USD$28b into Nigeria over the course of 8 years., averaging over $3 billion annually whilst Ghanaians living abroad sent back US$ 800 million to the country – more than Ghana earned from cocoa or gold. "

In its new report 'Global Development Finance 2005: Mobilizing Finance and Managing Vulnerability' the World Bank noted that "workers' remittances provide valuable financial resources to developing countries, particularly the poorest".

AfricaRecruit with a mandate to 'create an environment that will enable Diaspora Investment flows compliment traditional financial assistance to Africa' has been using the annual Africa Diaspora Investment Forum (ADIF) as a vehicle to drive forward this agenda.

This Africa Diaspora Investment Forum attracts participants from across the globe to lead discussions on business issues and developments as well as find ways in which the potentials of the African Diaspora can be further utilized for the positioning of Africa on a global stage.
The conference has an established a history of over 20 multi-industry corporate bodies including stock markets, real estate and numerous Small / Medium Enterprises. Attendance at the event has been rising steadily with over 2,000 investors from across Europe and North America as well a robust participation from Africa. As a direct results of an increasing number of Africans in the Diaspora have engaged in various investments in Africa estimated at over 1 billion US dollars. http://www.africadiaspora.com/2005/events/ag/index.php

My Starvation Story: Thelma George and Edwina James - "Guiding" Angels

"The Gods Are Not To Blame": False Prophecies in Liberia

There are so many good things in life. One of them is being at home. Where you were born and reared. You can relate to things quite easily. That’s because you remember things the way they used to be. You may get confused sometimes when those things change. But you will always find yourself right in the scheme of it all.

I was born and reared in the far keyhole of Liberia. That’s Harper City, Maryland County. It sits in the belly of the southeastern region. Living there, one tends to feel left out in developments in the country. But that’s another story. I will leave that part alone for now. All in all, many things in the country hold common and true everywhere. No matter your geographical location. And that’s the basis of my story.

Last night was February 25, 2009. I was lying down in my bed. Usually I leave home 8am to work. I work free-of-charge as a volunteer in the country. I do this six days a week. I conclude work and return home at 9pm. I catch a bath. Grab something to eat. And then to bed I go. Usually people are still up lecturing. I know that. Because I hear them. They make a lot of noise. Still I dose off. But at midnight, I am up. I start taking phone calls. Because I am less busy at that time. Cell phones in Liberia are prepaid. So if you talk too long during the peak hours you spend more money. Many people want to talk to me. But they cannot in the day because I am busy. I too want to talk to them. but I cannot due to my busy schedule. When you work free-of-charge like me, you don't have money to spare to buy phone cards regularly. So I ask people to call me at night. That way we can talk much longer. Because Lone Star Cell Phone Company has a midnight free-talk program. Its customers can talk free to each other. And I am one of those. The free-call runs from 12:30 to 5am. And you can’t beat that. It helps a lot! So I use it all the time. That’s exactly what I was doing last night when strange things began to happen. It started at 2am. I called my sister. She too is a Lone Star customer. We were talking. Then she asked me if I heard the news. I told her “No!” And then she said her Garnersville area was noisy. I asked why? She said some prophet told the people that everyone in the country MUST fetch water before the next day. And if one did not comply, the water would turn into blood the next day. And that would bring “evil” upon everyone. So everyone around her area was busy fetching water late at night. She jokingly asked me if I had done mine. I laughed. She asked me why? I said it was funny. Why should I wake up late night and go looking for water around town? I told her I couldn’t figure that out. And she too couldn’t figure that out. In most part of Monrovia they sell water. And when the water joint is closed. That's what it is. It is closed. At 10pm everything in the City is closed. And that’s when the City becomes dangerous. Armed robbers go on the rampage. So going out at night to fetch water is a risk. She agreed with me. And we joked about it. Then a call came in for her on the other line. She bided me good night. And I did same. I dropped my line. Then “Bang!’ it all happened. Noise erupted in my neighborhood. People were outside talking loud. Then I noticed they were fetching water. One of them kept warning the rest of the people to fetch water or suffer disaster the next day. Buckets and rubber pitchers were rubbing against each other. And the warning continued. Others were banging at doors to wake people up. Soon the whole area was jam-packed. I could tell. Because the noise was increasing. No one was asleep anymore. Young girls (usually the ones that fetch water in the “Third world”) started toting water. I could hear them complaining. I was lying on my back trying to figure out what was going on. Then it clicked my mind. The first time I entered the country. One incident like this occurred. A “prophet” said everyone in the country HAD to cook and eat potatoes greens for three days consecutively. Otherwise, “evil” would befall everyone. And nobody wanted “evil” to befall them. So no one asked questions. Everyone went in the market and bought potatoes greens. Those who grew potatoes greens in their gardens began to cut them for consumption. Soon potatoes greens cleared the marketplace. At that time I was visiting Harper City – my Hometown. My aunt has been helping others with their kids. She reared them. She likes to cook. But she is old now. So she cannot go in the kitchen anymore. Having trained the kids, she let them do the cooking. But here they are. They were gripped by the “prophecy.” And so they kept telling me they had to comply. I could not convince them. So they cooked potatoes greens for three days. And we ate potatoes greens consecutively. I never felt bad about eating potatoes greens for three days. I enjoyed it. In fact I love potatoes greens. Having not eaten potatoes greens for quite a long time in the US, I was having a “ball” in Liberia. If they had increased the days, it would have been up to my taste. Cause I ate it with a passion. Then in my thinking I came back to the water “prophecy.” I saw myself now in Monrovia where I was in reality. I realized it was different. I thought the water “prophecy” was crazy! For why should I believe I should wake up from my bed at 2am to fetch water. And if I didn’t do so the next day, the water would turn into blood. The dumb stuff didn’t stop right there. It went further. The “prophet” said no one should fetch water from the regular well. It HAD to be pipe-borne water. Right there it struck me. Capitalism! During the potatoes greens “prophecy,” the price of greens was jacked up. And because of the high demand for potatoes greens, it finished from the market. Now today we have a new “prophecy.” And it is calling for ONLY pipe-borne water. And pipe-borne water in Monrovia is for sale. What could this be, I asked myself? The answer came out quickly. People had to buy the water. The army of poor is large. And when they engage the streets, profit will abound. They did. And pandemonium broke out. The poor didn’t want to pay. But the businesspeople demanded their money. Soon the demand for water was high. And it was getting to be daylight. If one did not get his water, blood would be the answer. So the businesspeople jacked up the price. Usually you buy 3-five gallon container of water for $15 (LD). Now one five-gallon was costing $30 (LD). So if you bought three of those same gallons that were sold at $5 (LD), you would be paying $90 (LD). It became good business for the businesspeople. But bad deal for the poor. The poor didn’t like it. But they had no choice. They entertained a belief in a certain prophecy. They didn’t want “evil” to befall them. So they had to paid the price. And they did. But all the hullabaloo raged on throughout the night. Then for some strange reason, another strange thing happened. Rain came down. I don’t mean it is strange for it to rain. We all agree it is supposed to rain. That’s nature! But here is the strange part. The noise ceased outside. Everyone ran indoor. You couldn’t hear a single sound outside. If you dropped a needle, certainly you would have heard the sound. That’s how quiet it was. It went mute in a second. And that’s when it clicked my mind. I heard from people when I first entered the country. They said Liberians are not afraid of guns and moving motorcars. A Liberian will hear a car honking for him to leave the road. He will disregard it. Guns will fire, he will not budge. Market women and men will stand in the middle of the street. The police will try to scare them off. They will not budge. But as soon as it starts to drizzle. And the rain is about to come down. In a twinkle of an eye, the whole area is clear. Everyone disappears. Last night affirmed that to me. As soon as I heard the rain drops on the zinc. All the noise ceased instantly. No sound was heard again. Everyone disappeared. I thought they would come back. But as long as the rain came down, no one came back out. At broad daylight they reassembled. The discussion started as to what happened the previous night. The blame game began. Others challenged the validity of the “prophecy’ even though they complied. They mocked each other for falling for another false prophecy. They all laughed and made fun. And then they departed. From all indications, Liberians can be easily swayed. They believe too many prophecies. I have seen it many times. It is my belief very soon they will be fooled to leave their country for unknown destination on account of a “prophecy” from God. And when they return, they will become aliens in their own country.

All these false prophecies that come in the name of God are not questioned by Liberians. In fact anyone who dares question them is considered an "unbeliever." All everyone does is to just comply. We all have been warned of false prophets. This is in the Holy Bible. And you can find that in the Holy Kuran too. So paying heed to them in the name of God, runs a risk for Liberians. They might someday flee their own country in the name of such prophecy. And whatever happens, the Gods will not blamed for what will happen in the end.

I am Thomas G. Bedell writing to you from the Ground in Liberia.

James Shannon: A Hero of our Time

His legal name is James Shannon. Affectionately known as “Boy-Ju”! I learned he was once an integral part of Mighty Barrolle Ball Club’s administration. That is in Liberia. During my short stay around him in Toledo, I realized he’s a die-heart “Roller” (Barrolle). James lives in Toledo, Ohio. At least, there’s where I left him when I moved out in 1990. He is one of the “Gurus” of Toledo. He’s been there for quite sometime. He was there when the legends of constructive soccer passed through. Boys like Klay Andrew. They were boys then. But now they are men now. Benedict “Mama-Musa” Wisseh, Blanca Bowman, Benrue Collins, Patrick Arthur, Solomon Siply, Forkay Nippy. And you name the rest. These giants are some of the best ballers to ever walk the face of Liberia. As ball giants when they departed Toledo, they left a big hole. Who would fill it, became the question? I had just come from Liberia. And I landed in Toledo. I didn’t have the slightest idea who all had gone through this City. And I didn't know what they left behind. By the time I found that out. The hole had just swallowed me up! And there’s where James Shannon came into my rescue.

James is a lover of the game. He was also a baller. He may not have played on the level on which some of us played in Liberia. But he had a spirit that kept the game alive in America. In the Toledo Liberian community, there were two ball clubs. Both were owned by Liberians. So the competition was high. There was always a fight for new arrivees. Both teams wanted me. Because I was good. But not as good as the legends that came through before me. Both teams had former Barrolle players and fans. And the last ball club I played ball for prior to departing Liberia, was Mighty Barrolle. So I had some degree of allegiance to the former stars of Barrolle. Each wanted me to play for his ball club. Other people talked to me to play for theirs. But James never talked to me. The League was still far away. So there was no need to hurry. There was plenty of time. We concentrated on indoor rehearsals. Becasue it was the Winter Season. We couldn't play outdoor. And there’s where the campaign began to be waged. My sibling (brother) with whom I was stopping was not a ball enthusiast. He never cared much for the game. So each time I wanted to go to rehearsals, he wouldn’t care. He had other “important” things to do. So I had to find a ride to take me to rehearsals. I called for rides all over. But only James showed up. The other guys reneged on their promises. Excuses. Excuses. And Excuses. That’s all they gave me. I couldn’t say much. Nor could I do much. I was new in town. I didn’t have my own ride. I didn’t have my own ball shoes. So I played in sneakers. And looked up to anyone who would give me a ride. Giving my style of play – very calculative – I could not function properly in sneakers. So I needed the right ball shoes. I needed a whole lot of things also. A regular ride to rehearsals. Was one. And another was a thirst-quencher during and after rehearsals. Since I had no job. And unemployed. I could not do any of those. My pocket power was nonexistent. But I hung in there. I managed with the sneakers. And I caught rides when available.

One day the phone rang. It was James. He spoke with my brother, first. Because my brother answered the phone. My brother passed the phone over to me. James asked me what I was doing. I told him “nothing!” He asked if he could pick me up. I said ask my brother. He did. He got permission. Because, you see, I was stopping with my brother. He was a brother I did not know very well in Liberia. I was too young when he traveled to America. So I had to develop a relationship with him. And the fact he didn’t like the ballgame. And that he was a very private man. I had to be very careful how I invited people to his house. Another thing is. I was taught by my parents to respect the one with whom you live. Especially so, when that person is responsible for your wellbeing. James knew this too. Because he’s been around for a while. He also knew my brother’s ways. Becasue they all lived in the City for a long time. And so he encouraged me to be respectful. That’s why each time he called for me, he spoke with my brother first. James had another thing that intrigued me. He was very particular and punctual! When he says in an hour. That’s exactly what he means. He told me in half-an-hour he would be at my place to pick me up. I got ready. In half-an-hour, he arrived. I hopped in his ride. He pulled off. On our way he told me what was on his mind. He was taking me to Footlocker. Footlocker in America sells sporting goods. I didn’t know all this at the time. I was a new “kid” on the block. We pulled up in the parking lot. He walked out on the driver side. I walked out on the passenger side. Into the mall we went. We entered Footlocker. Then he turned around to me and asked me to choose any pair of ball shoes I liked. Metaphorically speaking, I was knocked out of my shoes. I didn’t know what to do. Coming from Liberia one tends to be very honest. In this case, I speak for my generation and myself on the honesty question. I didn’t want to get something beyond his pocket-power. So I walked around the store for more than thirty minutes. Still I could not choose a pair. He realized I was confused. So he jumped in. He pointed to one pair. He asked me if it were good. He knocked me out again. The pair he pointed to was the most expensive one on the shelf. I saw it before. But I didn’t want to choose it. After all, I was not the one paying for it. He asked me if I wanted it. I stuttered. Soon I said, Okay, I’ll take it.” He told the guy to fit me in the pair. He did. It was my size. He paid for it. And we walked out.

Let me tell you a little more about James. He's a “bluff” boy. He keeps everything around him clean and arranged. His music is always the latest. If you ask me what kind of man he is in terms of music, I have to say he is an African cultural nationalist. He dresses “GQ.” His speech is perfect. He speaks the Queen's Language excellently. He loves to lecture. He lectured me until we got to a restaurant. Then he stopped. He asked me in the restaurant. He put up a meal for me. I knocked myself out again. Man! I was so full. Then we left. He dropped me off at my brother’s crib. I mean at my brother’s house. He reminded me of rehearsal the next day. I shook my head. He pulled off.

The next day I was at the rehearsal. And so was he. I got dressed. Everybody did. Soon everyone recognized how sharp I was. I was dressed like a World Cuper. From toe to head I was sharp. They did not need to wonder. They knew I wasn’t working. So I could not afford such expensive gears. They knew James bought them for me. And they were right! He always bought the best. And I was in the best! Right there and then, the message went home to everyone - James recruited me on his Ball Club. But they were wrong! James had not spoken with me on that yet. He always encouraged me to keep on practicing. To keep my skills sharped. Soon indoor rehearsals were over. We slipped outdoor. The weather had changed. It was warmer. And that’s the time I was waiting on. In Liberia we play outdoor. Not indoor. So I was happy to come into the sun. There where it all began.

One day James came on the practice ground. He had a clean and brand new outdoor ball shoes. He called me. And gave it to me. It was my size. I slipped them on. And my spirit was lifted. I knew now I had to prove my skills. No more excuses. James had made it easier for me. I warmed up. The whistle went off. And the rehearsal began. We completed it. I scored four beautiful goals. All from long distance. I shot from 30 yards. And it freaked everybody out. It was my specialty. And I knew it too. So I had fun. The outdoor league was a week away. Everybody expected me to make a decision. Who would I play for? I selected James’ Ball Club. The other guys went berserk. It created bad feelings. Both Clubs became bitter “enemies” in the same League. Soon they played against each other. And that was the worse of my balling days. The bitterness between both ball clubs became uglier. But I scored the winning goals. And we beat the other guys.

Anyway, the situation of two ball clubs fighting each other passed on.

Life continued. I still had not gotten a job. My brother moved to America when I was about five years old. He could not get me a job. He did his best. But it couldn’t work. One of the reasons for his failure was that he was too much a private person. He kept too much to himself. So he didn’t know too many people that could help. We were at home when the phone rang. This time I picked it up. It was James on the line. He asked to speak to my brother. That’s the kind of guy James is. He respected my brother. Every time he wanted me to go somewhere with him, he sought my brother’s permission. Even though I was in my mid twenties, he gave my brother the utmost respect. My brother passed the phone over to me. Then James told me to get ready in few minutes. And I did. He came over. I hopped in his ride. And down the street we went. We got at a mall. The mall was huge. He parked in the Lot. We walked in. And soon he was talking to this White dude. He called me over. He introduced me as a great baller. My head was so big I kept smiling. And then the White guy asked me if I wanted to start working that same day. I didn’t know what to say. Should I say yes? Or say no? If I said no. The dude could change his mind the next day. And if I said yes. I wasn’t ready to start that very moment. James helped me out. He told the dude I would start the next day. The dude asked me to report to work the next day at 7am. The next day indeed I was there. On the dot. I began work. I filled up the necessary papers. And became fully employed. I was a member of the working class.

My first paycheck came in. I invited James to breakfast. He came over. I asked him what he wanted to eat. He asked me the same question. I said, “I am asking the question.” And he said the same thing. I tried to overcome him. But he kept insisting. So I gave in. He bought the food. While eating I gave him my “I got a dream” speech. I thanked him. And expressed appreciation. Right there James said something to me that I have never forgotten. And what he said to me is the driving force behind this Post. Initially, it was not a big thing to me. It sounded like nothing to me. Few years later, it began to take shape. I could feel the weight. In fact, as I opine this Article, I have discovered that James gave me the heaviest and most critical responsibilities on earth. And I didn’t know it at the time.

This is what James said to me verbatim. “Thomas!” I said, “Yes!” He drew his chair closer to mine. And looked me straight in the eye and said. “You do not owe me anything. What I did by finding you a job is what somebody did for me. And that person told me not to pay him anything. The only pay the person required of me is for me to do the same thing for another person in need of help. And this is why I have done what I did for you. Remember, somebody helped me. That gives me the opportunity to help you. That person asked me to pass this on. By doing so, we all can help each other. Go on, Thomas! I have passed it on to you. And please, do not shy away from this responsibility. Help others! And when you have done so, then you will have paid me back.” After James told me this, I looked him in the eye and said to myself quietly. "Is this guy serious?" He didn’t hear me. “That’s all he wants from me? – to help someone else?” It was too simple a task for me. At least thats' what I thought. Until now! Little did I know how heavy it was. Soon I was in his shoes. I was trying to help someone like he did for me.

James Shannon changed everything for me. His appeal made the difference on me. It was like giving someone an assignment. And that assignment has continued to live with me. It changed my life entirely.

Today in Liberia I go from village-to-village, city-to-city, town-to-town, helping people. I feel like a Peace Corp. Each time I get in these areas, James Shannon’s appeal re-echoes in my head. Sometimes it appears to me he is somewhere nearby watching my every move. And each time someone I helped comes back and says, “Thank you, Thomas !” I feel I have done what James requests of me. Although it is an ongoing effort, James Shannon’s appeal has become one of the bedrocks of my current volunteer service to Liberia. Living in Liberia puzzles a lot of people. But James Shannon is not puzzled. He knows he planted a seed. And that seed has grown. Thanks to him. He is a shining example for all Liberians to follow.

Wherever James is, I say Hi-James! I wish you all the best. Your message to me is not lost! It goes on! Long life and prosperity! May your dream for people to help each other flourish and become a giant monument of hope for everyone. Glory to your name, "Boy-Ju!"

I am Thomas G. Bedell coming to you from on the “ground” in Liberia!

Is Obama Really the "First" Black American President?

Is it me or we as Black people just don’t get it?: Obama is not the “First” Black American President! Why are we thinking so?

See, every time other people define who you are instead of yourself defining who you are, and you accept it without any critical analysis, you find yourself in contradiction with yourself. And any time other people write on things that involve your life and you don't take time out to ascertain the facts before you agree, you get yourself in a confused state of mind.

Willie Lynch, to whom lynching and the lynch law is attributed, once observed, "If you don’t want the Black man to know something, drop it in the book.” The assumption is, the Black man does not read. Here is the simplistic one: Place a hundred dollar Bill in a book and give it to a Black man, the Bill will remain in the book forever. Why? We are made to believe that the Black man won't open the book. Because he won't read it. Whether or not it is true becomes another story!

So from all I know personally, each time a White man says something we (Black people) accept it to be true. Because a White man says it is true. We do not counter-check. Even though this sort of tendency does not apply to all Black people, it happens to most Black people everywhere.

Here is one of those White man's tricks. Few of them continue to say that Obama is the "first" Black American President. Now everywhere I turn, that's what Black people keep saying. They say Obama is the “first” American Black President! Most times some of our highly educated people join the show and make the same claim. This sort of claim always turns off a well-informed person.

I used to handle this kind of miseducation and misinformation with a care-free-and- don’t-care attitude. Because at the time, I could not reach too many people in helping to reshape our thought process as a people and nation. But thanks to the Internet. I can write on my BEDELL SPEAKS & WORKS! Blog and make a significant contribution to issues of grave significance. I have the power now. And I'm wielding it so very well devoid of prejudice!

What forces me out on this issues is when lately I heard in a Star Radio Studio on the “I beg to differ” Talk Show in Monrovia. Some of the panelists kept saying Obama is the "first" Black US President. I wanted to kept quite. Because the issues calls for a long debate. But I could not hold back. I had to let it go! I openly told the entire listening audience that Obama is not the "first" Black man to become President of the US. When many heard this, it broke up the discussion in Liberia. I am invited almost everywhere to rip apart this false claim circulating that Obama is the "first" Black President of the US.

Every time the White man says something, we (Black people) believe it. The White man said the earth was flat. And we believed it. Soon he changed. And then he says it is round. Whether it is true or not, we believe it too. In most cases, the White man argument always sounds good to us! As a result, we buy into it and move on without any question!

Pluto - one time a Planet was “discovered” in 1930. But it is booted out of its position by the White man in August 2006. It was sitting up there minding its own business. Whatever it did to the White man, one morning we woke up from our beds and "Bang!" the White man evicted Pluto from the Solar System. Since then we are told Pluto is no more a Planet. Without asking questions, Black man has accepted and believed it.

The White man tells us Science is “Universal. Then he comes back and says there is African and Western “Science.” In essence, he splits the Universality claim. And this is to undermine what he calls African "Science" to an inferiority position. Right away he sends us the bias message. Without delay, Black people accept it. As a result, we ban Sassywood in Liberia! But notice, nuclear weapons and waste keep floating all over the world without any attempt to control it!

We come to the Titanic Ship. It was a big ship built by the White man to challenge certain natural laws. He said the Titanic was unsinkable. So he pumped in $7.5 million to build it. He hired 2000 men to work on it. When it was loaded, it weighed 46,328 tons. About almost a mile long in length. But nature being nature, the Ship sank. On board were 22, 768 passengers. Check this out: the same White man made a movie out of the wreck to exalt his work. In the Movie nothing is mentioned about any Black man on board. It talked about only White people. Without asking questions, the black man again agrees that there was no Black man on board. Soon, research proved us wrong. Mr. Joseph Phillipe Lemercier Laroche, his wife and two kids were on board. Laroche was a Haitian; A true Black man; 100% Black; No preservatives. This Black man traveled to France to study engineering. At completion he couldn't find a good-paying job. Discrimination forced him back to Haiti. And he and his entire family boarded the Titanic. When it wrecked on April 14, 1912 Joseph died. But his wife (white) and two kids (color) survived. They continued to Haiti. Later on they returned back to France. Don’t ask me why!

Let’s talk about Black American Presidents. Joel A. Rogers and Dr. Auset Bakhufu have both written books documenting that at least five former presidents of the United States had Black people among their ancestors. If one considers the fact that European men far outnumbered European women during the founding of this country, and that the rape and impregnation of an African female slave was not considered a crime, it is even more surprising that these two authors could not document Black ancestors among an ever larger number of former presidents. The Black president’s names include Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Harding, and Calvin Coolidge. The best case for Black ancestry is against Warren Harding, America’s 29th president from 1921 until 1923. Harding himself never denied his ancestry. When Republican leaders called on Harding to deny the "Negro" history, he said, "How should I know whether or not one of my ancestors might have jumped the fence." William Chancellor, a White professor of economics and politics at Wooster College in Ohio, wrote a book on the Harding family genealogy and identified Black ancestors among both parents of President Harding. Justice Department agents allegedly bought and destroyed all copies of this book. Chancellor also said that Harding's only academic credentials included education at Iberia College, which was founded in order to educate fugitive slaves.


Just imagine what happened in most recent time when Thomas Jefferson’s slave children were identified in the United States Thomas Jefferson and his slave children: In the 1860 census in the South, there were 500,000 mulatto or mixed race slaves and 350,000 slave owners. Thus, every slave owner had on average produced more than one slave child. The slave children of former President Thomas Jefferson, and their direct descendants, are among the most carefully studied families in the history of America because of their outstanding achievements up to and including Chairman of the Board of DuPont Chemical Corporation.
Thomas Jefferson was married to Martha Wayles, the daughter of John Wayles, for 10 years before she died in 1776. Upon the death of Martha Wayles and her father, Jefferson inherited 11,000 acres of land and 135 slaves. Sally Hemmings was one of the slaves inherited. She was also a daughter of John Wayles and an African slave, and thus his wife's half sister. Jefferson fell in love with this mulatto slave after she accompanied his daughter to France, where he was U.S. Ambassador in 1787. Their first son "Tom" was born in 1789. Sally Hemmings produced Beverly Hemmings in 1798, while Thomas Jefferson was Vice President, and three other children while Jefferson was President, including Harriet in 1801, Madison in 1805, and Eston in 1808.

Beverly and Harriet Hemmings were allowed to run away in 1822. Harriet married a White person and never acknowledged her parents. Beverly ended up in England where he also passed for White. His great-grandson, Edward Graham Jefferson, migrated back to the U.S. and became a naturalized American citizen. He subsequently became CEO of DuPont Chemical Corporation, retiring in 1986 and was a member of the Board at AT&T Corporation, Chemical Bank, and Seagram Corporation.

Every time a White man says something many of us as Blacks accept what the White man says without critically analyzing it. But when another Black man says the same thing or disagrees with the White man, we come falling on him like ton of bricks asking him to provide "proof." But mind you, we never ask the White man to provide "proof" for what he claims.

White man says Barrack Obama is the "first" Black President of the United States of America. And without asking questions, we agree! But based on the information aforementioned, he is the sixth. The difference between Obama and the rest is that Obama pronounced and widely acknowledged his Blackness. The rest did not! So don't believe that Obama is the "first" US President. There were more!

I am Thomas G. Bedell. I am writing to you from on the “Ground” in Liberia.

Ten (10) Reasons To Confirm Mary Broh

One: Mary has a 98% positive record in transforming other major Government functionaries. Working people can put their full trust behind Mary to work on behalf of their interests.
Just this last week, Mary gave an excellent interview to the Press in which she articulated why she believes in serving her people and displayed a wide knowledge of the history of the city of Monrovia and contributions to the country including salary increase for all City workers including possible health care benefits, and many other bonuses to the lives of workers that have helped to propel the City forward.

Two: Mary Broh is trustworthy. Her hands are clean.

Three: Mary Broh is young and has the energy and drive to do a great job as Mayor of the Monrovia City Corporation.

Four: Mary Broh is an excellent manager. She is an excellent leader. She knows how to delegate responsibility to the right people to achieve results. It was absolutely amazing how Mary Broh organized and enhanced the Passport Department at the Foreign Ministry. No Liberian can ever remember in most recent time when a passport was ever ready within three days. Mary made it happened. Liberia is well-respected in this area than ever before by foreign governments. This is proof that Mary Broh can delegate enough responsibility to achieve whatever results are needed.

Five: Mary Broh is blunt and honest about the facts. She realizes that it would be up to a good number of years to bring Monrovia up to international standard. Instead of holding out this far fetched promise to her people Mary is offering a wider more forward looking and realistic and no-nonsense approach in changing the dull reality of Monrovia.

Six: Mary has a far wider education that will make her see things from a wider perspective. She knows the issues and the problems.

Seven: Mary Broh is very smart. Mary Broh could be earning more money working in the US, but has instead devoted herself to the Reconstruction process in Liberia and public service instead. This has been a great sacrifice on her behalf, but it proves where her values are.

Eight: Mary Broh has a vision for the country. She has a vision on what she would do as Mayor of the city of Monrovia. Mary offers comprehensive solutions to numerous issues facing the City.

Nine: Mary Broh is an agent of change. It won't be business as usual at the City Hall with big interests able to bully the public or buy their way into power. Mary Broh bluntly told powerful persons some things they didn't want to hear while at the same time holding out a strong hope to them of working hard to improve the City’s economy so that everyone can share in the Liberian dream, not just the wealthy and powerful. Mary Broh is all about hope for a better tomorrow for everyone. Everyone's invited to a partner in this new hope.

Ten: Mary Broh will hire the right kind of people based on their qualifications and not just their closeness to big “shots.” Mary is the right person for the position of mayor for the city of Monrovia whose teachings and backgrounds uniquely prepares her to make wise choices.

Need I say more?

Open e-Letter To Gus Majors, ULAA Board Chair

January 12, 2002

Open Letter To
Honorable Augustus E. Majors, Former Chair, Board of Directors,
Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas, ULAA

Dear Hon. Majors:

I trust you are enjoying the grace of God!

The date is January 12, when a copy of your "Open Letter" to the Honorable National President of ULAA, Her Excellency Madame Mydea Reeves-Karpeh reached my desk. Four points captured my attention: First, you uprightly rejected her offer to honor you for your service to the Union. Second, you strongly criticized and relegated her to a secondary position. Third, you proposed her immediate resignation. And fourth, you charge her of destroying the image of ULAA and accuse her of engaging in "corrupt" practices.

Your letter is filled with platitude of charges and claims for which I'm sure you have evidence. Though I am neither a judge nor a jury, I find a high level of frustration in your expressions. I'm inclined to agree you have worked very hard so that ULAA reached a considerable level of progress. As such, like anyone else, you expect a high level of responsibility on the part of any of its leaders. But the truth is, in community development, there are builders and destroyers. Madame Karpeh may be one of those. However, you have to allow her to demonstrate her leadership to the best of her ability. So I draw comfort the fact that you understand history, you will agree it will judge each and every one of us when the time comes.

In specific reference to your rejection of the honor, I think it is a sad mistake on your part. I believe, base on her letter to you, Madame Karpeh and her Staff realized and recognized your selfless service to the Union. While they may have qualms with you, they performed their administrative duty in compliance with the required understanding of giving dues where they belong. Therefore, whatever disagreement exists between the both of you, should not deprive you of your dues. Permit me to encourage you in rethinking your position; accept the honor when it is offered again. You deserve it Mr. Chairman!!

All being said, the following points summarize my concerns and observations or should I say, they baffled my mind:

1. In your letter you clearly agree that President Mydea Reeves-Karpeh is “corrupt”, and guilty of "deliberate constitutional violations." You make specific mention of the case of UNIBOA. UNIBOA is a community organization of the Bassa tribe in Liberia. According to you, she had a "hard time managing the Organization's money." You also make mention of her refusal to conduct fair and free elections at the completion of her Constitutional term of office a year ago. You advanced your point further by stating, she "abused, mismanaged", and “misused” power as president of ULAA. Under the same roof of your tongue, you considered her “morally incompetent” and that she "eroded any respect and credibility ULAA has tried so hard to build over the past seven years." What baffles my mind is when did you know all this? Was it prior to the 1999 Election in Columbus, Ohio or just recently? Because it is common knowledge; you were very instrumental in electing her to office. You single-handedly instituted a "delegate System" which deprived me of all my rights as a presidential candidate under the Union's Constitution to seek leadership. The Board of Directors under your chairmanship altered the Constitution and hand-in-gloves with the Election Commission created a "smoke room" caucus illegitimately electing her to the highest office of our Union against the Will of the Significant Majority. I didn't win. I shed no tears then, nor do I now. Though you knew and agreed that my leadership would resolve the conflicts existing in ULAA and that it is the only hope of our people at home and abroad, yet you selected her over me. The same bleeding hands dripping with "corruption, guilt" and "incompetence" of hers that you are highlighting now, were and are still there. According to you, you knew and you did nothing to relieve our people of more corruption. Why are you talking now?

2. In the letter, you asked her "to do the proper thing, RESIGN." Is this the best you can suggest or this is the only solution to the problem? I'm baffled in the mind the very fact you have just realized that she's incompetent to run the state of affairs of the Union. If you knew her character and reputation prior to the 1999 election and still supported her quest for the leadership, then I like to consider you apprehended. Notice, on the Liberian national platform individuals who were once hands-in-gloves with the national leadership fell from favor and suddenly became whistleblowers and stone throwers. Your attitude in this case is no different from the culture of backwardness that exists in our society today. This is causing our people grief, pain and despair.

You see Mr. Chairman, "Many are the ways of coping with the world's vicissitudes. Some people fear and propitiate evil spirits. Others order their schedules according to the display of the planets across the zodiac. There are those who assume that they carry, somewhere inside of them, a thing called the unconscious. It is mostly invisible, although it can furtively be glimpsed in dreams and heard in slips of tongue. But the unconscious is not a passive stowaway on the voyage of life; it has the power to make its host feel very sad or behave in strange, self-destructive ways. When that happens, one recourse is to go to the office of a specially trained healer, lie down on a couch and start talking".

Mr. Chairman, why are you talking now?

I propose you get your hands off Madame Karpeh! I suggest you permit her perform her task and let history be the judge. You will agree her predecessor, Hon. Dr. Joseph Korto hung on to power for ever so long at the expiration of his Constitutional term of office. You, the Board of Directors, including other so-called Liberian progressive organizations (LDI, COPLA, MDCL, etc.) sat supinely while democracy was strangled by a single individual and did nothing to discourage this tendency. Mind you, these very organizations are the ones crying foul each and every day against Liberian National governments as if they can do any better. They sit here in the Diaspora and let democracy perish right before their open eyes. I say woe on to them! The suffering people of Liberia will not forgive them! They may remain barricaded in their air-cool homes paying lip service to the people’s struggle, but when the time comes, the people shall reward them according to their deals.

Mr. Chairman, you will agree, Liberia has serious problems and needs serious people to solve them. Liberia is advanced citizenship! In order to maintain it, we must fight for justice, acceptance and tolerance for each and every Liberian person. Unless we do so, we cannot sing "All hail, Liberia hail..." with the deepest pride and dignity our Foremothers and Forefathers left us.

Mr. Chairman, just so you don’t get me wrong, I do not and never supported Madame Karpeh’s policies and activities neither did I support most of yours. But frankly speaking, you've done better for the Union than she's doing. You are more committed than she is. (This is my personal opinion) But all the same, you both lack innocence in the ills that befall the Union today. You've done your best and will continue to do so in the name of progress. I believe the Board, under your chairmanship, has achieved its maximum goal - saving ULAA from the scavengers and the political constipated gypsies who fight for her demise. For this, you are my hero! Be Good, Mr. Chairman and Do Good. Let not your little heart be troubled. Believe in yourself and your God. When powerful nations tested the will of our Foremothers and Forefathers, God helped through. So Liberia emerged as Africa’s “Lone Star” and its “democratic” aspiration. This has been written, so shall it be!

Finally, Mr. Chairman, in all these different circumstances, we cannot betray our country nor let down our Dear Departed on whose shoulders today we stand. I wish you the best in life and Godspeed!

Thank you again for your service to your people. I am,

Respectfully,
T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell/Presidential Candidate, ULAA (1999)

The Gods Are Not To Blame: False Prophecies in Liberia

There are so many good things in life. One of them is being at home. Where you were born. You can relate to things quite easily. That’s because you remember things the way they used to be. You may get confused sometimes when those things change. But you will always find yourself right in the scheme of it all.

I was born and reared in the far keyhole of Liberia. That’s Harper City. In Maryland County. It sits in the belly of the southeastern region. Living there, one tends to feel left out in developments in the country. But that’s another story. I don't intend to go into it now. Because it is not part of my story. The truth is, many things in the country hold common and true everywhere. No matter your geographical location. And that’s the basis of my story. So let me tell it to you.

Last night was February 25, 2009. I was lying down in my bed. Usually I leave home 8am to work. I work free-of-charge. Because I am a volunteer in the country. So I do this sort of work six days a week. I have a small office. When I conclude work I get home at 9pm. That's thirteen hours a day. First thing I do when I get home is to catch a bath. Grab something to eat. And then to bed I go. Usually people are still up lecturing. If you know Liberian people. They are very loud. I could hear them. in bed I dosed off. But at midnight, I am up. That's when I start taking phone calls. Because I am less busy as compared to the days hours. I have to tell you. Cell phones in Liberia are prepaid. So they are expensive. If you talk too long you spend more money. Considering my job (helping people), I have to talk longer. But because I'm busy in the day. I do not have money to spare since my work is free. And given that calls at night are free-of-charge. So I ask everyone to call me at night. That way, we can talk much longer. Here is the good thing. Lone Star Cell Phone Company has a midnight free-talk program for its customers. It runs from 12:30 to 5am. Truth be told. You can’t beat it. So I take advantage of it. That’s exactly what I was doing last night when strange things began to unravel.

It started at 2am. I called my sister like I usually did. She too is a Lone Star customer. So I can talk to her free. She and I were talking. She asked me if I heard the news. I told her “No!” And then she said her Garnersville neighborhood was noisy. I asked why? She said a prophet told the people that everyone in the country MUST fetch water before the next day. And if people did not comply, the water would turn into blood the next day. And that would bring “evil” upon everyone. Becasue of that, everyone around her area was busy fetching water late at night. Then she jokingly asked me if I had done mine. I laughed. She asked me why I was laughing? I said her question was funny. Why should I wake up late night. And go looking for water around town? I told her I couldn’t figure that out. And she too couldn’t figure it out. So both of us were in the same mindset.

In most part of Monrovia people sell water. And when the water joint is closed. That's what it means. It is closed. At 10pm everything in the City shuts down. And the City becomes dangerous place to live. Armed robbers go on the rampage. So when one goes out. He does so at his own peril. She agreed with me. So we joked about all the noise issue. Then a call came in for her on the other line. She bided me good night. And I did same for her. I dropped my line. Then “Bang!’ it all happened! Noise erupted in my neighborhood. People were outside shouting. Then I noticed they were fetching water also. One of them kept warning the rest of the people to fetch water or suffer disaster the next day. The noise of people, aluminum buckets and rubber pitchers abounded. So was the the warning to everyone to comply. Others engaged in a different job. They banged on doors waking people up. Soon the whole area was like a jute-box in a Claifornia joint. I could tell. Because the noise was increased moment by moment. No one could now sleep.

Young girls (usually the ones that fetch water in the “Third world”) started toting water. I could hear them complaining. But they had no choice. I was lying on my back. And I was trying to figure out what was going on. Then it clicked my mind. I was reminded of the first time I entered the country. One incident like this occurred. Another “prophet.” I don't know which god he prayed to. Said everyone in the country HAD to cook and eat potatoes greens for three days consecutively. Otherwise, “evil” would befall everyone. And nobody wanted “evil” to befall him. I guess Liberians have had enough painstaking situations. So no one asked questions. Everyone went in the market. They bought all the potatoes greens. Those who grew potatoes greens in their gardens cut them all for consumption. Soon potatoes greens ran short in the market. At that time I was visiting Harper City – my Hometown. My aunt has been in the business of helping other underprevilliged Liberians. She took their kids and raise them. So her house has never been empty. She likes to cook. But she's older now. She trained all the kids how to cook. Since she's older now and can't do the cooking, the kids now do the cooking. But here they are. They were gripped by the “prophecy.” They've heard many other prophecies before. And they have complied. Even though there's no evidence that when they did not comply, something ever went wrong. Yet they did not want to take any chance. They kept telling me they had to comply. I could not convince them. So they cooked potatoes greens for three days. And we ate potatoes greens consecutively. I never felt bad about eating potatoes greens for three days. I enjoyed it. In fact I love potatoes greens. Having not eaten potatoes greens for quite a long time in the US, I was having a “ball” in Liberia. If they had increased the days, it would have been up to my taste. Cause I ate it with a passion. Then in my thinking I came back to the water “prophecy.” I saw myself now in Monrovia where I was in reality. I realized it was different. I thought the water “prophecy” was crazy! For why should I believe I should wake up from my bed at 2am to fetch water. And if I didn’t, the next day, the water would turn into blood. The dumb stuff didn’t stop right there. It went further. The “prophet” said no one should fetch water from the regular well. It HAD to be pipe-borne water. Right there it struck me. Capitalism! During the potatoes greens “prophecy,” the price of greens was jacked up. And because of the high demand for potatoes greens, it finished from the market.

Now today we have a new “prophecy.” It called for ONLY pipe-borne water. No well-water. And pipe-borne water in Monrovia is for sale. So what was this all about, I asked myself? The answer came out quickly. The answer was for people to buy water. Knowing the size of the army of poor, the profit would be enormous. So when the army of poor engaged the streets, profit abounded. But pandemonium broke out. The poor didn’t want to pay. The businesspeople demanded money for their product. Soon the demand for water sky-rocketed. Daylight was approaching. And it was the deadline. If water wasn't fetched, blood would flow. So the businesspeople were happy. They jacked up the price. Usually you bought two five-gallon container of water for $15 (LD). Now one five-gallon of water is $30 (LD). So if you bought three of those same gallons that were sold at $15 (LD), you would be paying $90 (LD). It became good business for the businesspeople. But bad deal for the poor. The poor didn’t like the deal. But they had no choice. They entertained a belief locked into a prophecy. And they didn’t want “evil” to befall them. So they had to pay the price for their belief. And they did. But all the hullabaloo raged on throughout the night. Then for some strange reason, another strange thing happened. Rain came down. I don’t mean it is strange just because it was raining. We all agree it is supposed to rain. Because that’s nature! But here is the strange part.

The noise ceased outside. Everyone ran indoor. You couldn’t hear a single sound outside. At the time, if a needle was dropped, you would have heard the sound far off. That’s how quiet it was in the neghborhood. It was mute. And that’s when it clicked my mind. That what they told me when I first entered the country is true. I was told Liberians are not afraid of guns and moving motorcars. They will hear a car honking behind them in the streets. And they will disregard it. Guns will be fired. They won't budge. Market women and men will stand in the middle of the streets. The police will try to scare them off. And they won't budge. But as soon as it started to drizzle that night. And the rain began to come down. Within a twinkle of an eye. The whole area was clear. Everyone disappeared. Right away it was affirmed that Liberians are really afraid of rain. When the rain dropped on the zinc. All the noise ceased instantly. No sound was heard again. Everyone was gone. Thinking they would come back, they never did. Because the rain continued. At broad daylight they reassembled. And the discussion of the incident began. They blamed others. Some challenged the validity of the “prophecy.’ But they complied. Some mocked the other for falling for another false prophecy. So they all laughed and made fun. Soon everything ended. And they departed.

Based on these under-developments, I can now conclude Liberians can be easily swayed. Illiteracy is a problem. The long years of war and terror is another. The trauma makes it worse. For their belief in God is so strong they will give in to anyone who plays on it. So when prophecies are made, they do no critical analysis. They just comply. Soon they will be fooled to leave their country for unknown destination on account of a “prophecy” from God. And when they realize they have been fooled and try to return to their homes, aliens will occupy those homes and reject them. In the end, they will become aliens in their own country.

False prophets abound in the country. And they claim to be speaking in the name of God. You can't question them. For if you do, they slap you in the "unbeliever" quarter. And nobody wants to be in there. One can then conclude these hypocrits will haunt us for a long time with dire negative consequencies. And when that happens, the God of our Forefathers and Foremothers cannot be be blamed for His silence. For the Scriptures and Q'uran have warened us of such prophets. If we continue to believe them, we will only lead ourselves on the path of self-destruction and doomed to calamities!

I am Thomas G. Bedell. And I am writing to you from the Ground in Liberia.