Jesus and the Legal Scholar: An Analogy To The Liberian Reality

June 10, 2010

I’ve been in Liberia for more than a year. Looking at what’s obtaining on the “ground” specifically regarding how Liberians treat each other, I cannot but relate this situation to Biblical passages. Simply put, we are Christians. And so we learn very well from Christian lessons.

The Biblical “Good Samaritan” analogy is more relevant to the Liberian case as far as dealing with each other.

In the Bible, a legal expert wanted to put Jesus to a test. In fact, he wanted to get Jesus into trouble with the Laws of Rome. And so he posed incriminating questions to Jesus. He wanted to know Jesus’ thoughts about the Laws of Rome. He expected Jesus to answer him directly. By so doing, Jesus would just ride in his trap to get Jesus into trouble with the Law.

This is the question he first asked Jesus. He said, “Mr. Jesus! how can I inherit eternal life?” Jesus being of Divine Spirit knew this man’s sole intent to get Him into trouble with the Laws of Rome. The scholar did not want Jesus to slip from his hands. Because he thought he had gotten Jesus. And so he posed his questions quickly and dexterously. Jesus being All-Knowing posed a question back to the scholar. But before doing so, Jesus paused for a minute. And that was the moment the scholar took a deep breath and started talking to himself.

This is what he said to himself on the inside: He said, “Why is Jesus not talking quickly in answering my question? Why is He pausing? Has He given up on my question or what?” At first he thought Jesus would give a quick reply. And since Jesus did not, the scholar thought he had finally entrapped Jesus.

Suddenly, Jesus bounced back and asked the scholar a question. Jesus asked, “What is written in the Law and how do you read it?”

The expert got choked. He kept quiet for a minute. And then he said to himself “Dammit! Why is Jesus asking me a question instead of answering my question?”

Now this is what the scholar thought.

He thought since he wanted to entrap Jesus, he needed to bombard him with more questions. And if he continued bombarding Jesus with more questions aggressively, Jesus would say something wrong and be accused of wrongdoing.

After going back-and-forth, the expert yielded to Jesus’ question. He began to read the Law that Jesus asked him to read. After the scholar read the Law, Jesus told him that his answer was correct. Jesus then recommended that the Scholar follow what that Law says and he would inherit "Eternal life."

The expert got upset. Because Jesus did not answer his question the way he wanted Jesus to answer him. He got furious. The scholar paused for a minute thinking what else to do. And then the scholar said to himself: “How can I do this to easily entrap this man?”

Soon, he thought he had figured something smart out. He came up with a new question. This time, he thought he could get Jesus to answer directly. This is what he asked Jesus:  “Mr. Jesus, who then is my neighbor?”

Instead of providing a direct answer again, Jesus began by saying, “A man was going…”

Then the expert listened for a minute and realized this was not a straight answer. So he got choked and started talking to himself. “Where is this man going with this story?”

The scholar couldn’t understand what Jesus was doing. So he jumped in Jesus’ throat while Jesus was talking. He aggressively re-emphasized his question. But this time vehemently. He said, “Mr. Jesus, I say, who is my neighbor?”

Then Jesus went on to say, “The man was going from Jerusalem …”

As Jesus was going on with the parable, the expert got too uncomfortable and uneasy. He shouted,” I say, Mr. Jesus! Mr. Jesus! Mr. Jesus!”

The scholar shouted so much, Jesus stopped.

Then the expert caught his breathe. Then he calmly asked Jesus again. But this time he posed the question as if he was speaking to an 8-year old kid. “I say, who is my neighbor. That’s all I’m asking you. Where are you going with this story of a man? Just tell me who is my neighbor?”

Jesus continued on with the story.

Jesus said “There was once a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho …” The expert clinched a fist and said to himself, “Where is this man going with this story? Why can’t He answer my question?” Not knowing what was obtaining, the scholar decided to keep quiet this time and listen to what Jesus was saying.

Jesus continued on.

“When robbers attacked, stripped him and beat him up leaving him half dead, it so happened that a priest was going down the road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man and when he saw him his heart was filled with pity. He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn where he took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. “Take care of him and when I come back. I will pay you whatever else you spend on him.”

And Jesus concluded the parable and then asked the expert, “In your opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbor towards the man attacked by robbers?”

The teacher of the Law and expert reluctantly answered Jesus by saying, “The one who was kind to the man who was in pain is the neighbor.”

Then Jesus replied to the scholar, “You go then and do the same.” The expert looked for minute and just kicked the dust and said, “Dammit! And the case closed on that. The scholar went his way and Jesus went His way.

MORAL: If we help one, indeed we help the nation

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia, victim of police brutality and a candidate for citizenship repudiation

Senator H. Dan Morias Marylander of the Year 2012

 

The BEDELL SPEAKS & WORKS Internet Blog and SMS column has chosen Senator H. Dan Morias as our Marylander of the Year 2012.

 

In 2010 he was arbitrarily arrested, humiliated and detained twice on false charges of ritualistic killing. Several individuals in Government were suspected of politically masterminding this. In larger Liberian social and political circles, when people lie on others and they are disgraced and imprisoned and the victim is exonerated, he (the victim) sometimes keeps his distance from those suspected of masterminding his troubles for a long time. They call that “Keeping speech.”

 

That is not the case with Morias.

 

He was released because the Government had no case against him and others. In less than three months, he threw his hat in the race for the office of Junior Senator for Maryland – a position that is highly charged politically.

 

After all was said and done, he overwhelmingly won the seat. He received the highest votes over other contenders some of whom were accused for lying on him. This is something that is unheard of – a man just coming from jail on false criminal charges goes to the Polls and wins. Normally, people who go to prison for political reasons in most cases do come out swinging in political polls and elections. But to be falsely accused on criminal charges and come out victorious in a political race, is also unheard of in this day and age.  

 

Morais was in prison and most people thought the lies painted on him would have a negative impact on him if he went in the race. The opposite was true. He beat his political opponents. And becomes Junior Senator with no malice against any of those accused of lying and incarcerating him. Today, he’s working with everyone else for the betterment of Maryland County and its people. This is something that is remarkable and worth noting.

 

Morais has vision and intensity of conviction that gives him forward movement approach. With fervor, he has broad sympathy and imagination. He stands for the forward movement and upliftment of Maryland. He has faith in the people. By faith it doesn’t mean he believes in dogmas. But he believes in goodness, justice, and righteousness. He’s not contented with looking for what may be useful or pleasant for himself; he looks for what is honorable, just and good for Maryland and the people.

 

Mr. J.A. Froude, an English writer, once observed,

 

“When the air is heavy with impostors, and men live only to make money,… and the kingdom of heaven is bought and sold, and all that is high and pure in man is smothered by corruption, fire of the same kind bursts out in higher natures with a fierceness which cannot be controlled; and confident in truth and right, they call fearlessly on the seven thousand in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal to rise and stand by them.”

 

“They do not ask whether those whom they address have wide knowledge of history or science or philosophy; they ask rather that they shall be honest, that they shall be brave.… They know well that conscience is no exceptional privilege of the great or the cultivated, that to be generous and unselfish is no prerogative of rank or intellect.”

 

The type of forgiveness being practiced by Senator Morais is one that this country craves for. 

What is natural to "the flesh" (the carnal nature) when we have been hurt or abused or insulted is to strike back, to plot revenge, or to simmer in bitterness. This is "only human". But God requires forgiveness, else He will NOT forgive us. If we are unwilling--or unable--to forgive, then there is no use asking God for what He has told us He will not give.

 

For believers, dealing with the sin of unforgiveness is first priority. And there’s where Sen. H. Dan Morias finds himself – in the realm of forgiveness!

 

H. Dan Morias is many things including a senator, revolutionary, sports lover, politician & diplomat.

 

Morais is a hero. Thomas Carlyle once observed "The history of the world is but the biography of great men” reflects his belief that heroes shape history through both their personal attributes and divine inspiration. In his book On Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History, Carlyle set out how he saw history as having turned on the decisions of "heroes", giving detailed analysis of the influence of several such men (including Muhammad, Shakespeare, Luther, Rousseau, and Napoleon). Carlyle also felt that the study of great men was "profitable" to one's own heroic side; that by examining the lives led by such heroes, one could not help but uncover something about one's true nature.

 

Congratulations to Senator H. Dan Morais on his election to the Liberian Senate after false imprisonment and thanks for his mission for forgiveness!

 

He’s our Marylander of the Year 2012

ULAA: The Last Spark prompting my Travel to Liberia to serve

                                                                        August 20, 2013

I believe it was between 2004 and 2005 when Hon. Sam Mohammed Kromah was president of The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) when he and his leadership including the Board of Directors appointed others and me on its Humanitarian Commission to help our folks back home in Liberia after a 14-year generalized anarchy of violence. 

 

ULAA has been and is the largest and oldest Liberian Diasporic registered society.

 

When ULAA was functioning in its early days, I was a teenager in high school in Maryland County; deep in the southeastern keyhole of the Republic of Liberia.

 

Little did I know one day I would be opportune to serve this great Liberian organization in the Americas and that it would be the place where I would receive my last and most important spark towards national service.

 

I can recall after Hon. Kromah left the stage of leadership for ULAA, his vice president Hon. Madam Roberta Rashid took over along with Hon. Morris T. Koffa as her vice. They met us on the Commission and kept us working in the same direction.

 

The folks I worked with at the time were Dr. Carver, Saah N’tow, Martha Sinoe, Gail Farngalo, Dr. Mariah Seton and others.

 

Our term of reference was to solicit funding to help provide food and services for Liberians at home after the war and to help usher them back into the society. It was a humongous task. But we were measured up to it.

 

I recall, Hons. Kromah, Jackson (former board chairman) and Koffa traveled to Liberia to introduce our first project. During that trip, they distributed rice and other food items including educational materials and toys for kids from the Humanitarian Commission. That was the most successful and meaningful contribution of time. Liberians at home and abroad were very grateful.  

 

We continued our service to our country on the Commission until elections were held in ULAA. A new leadership was born. It appointed its own corps of Commissioners. And so we (the old commissioners) moved on to private life.

 

It was at that point my spark to go deeper into humanitarian work and national service gained momentum.

 

Even though I was no more on the ULAA Humanitarian Commission, but I could not have been so encouraged to get involved in such work that I do today in Liberia had ULAA not given me such opportunity to serve it. I am grateful to ULAA!

 

After my service on the ULAA Commission, I was so energized I began to reach out to friends and others with whom I worked on the Commission to begin this same kind of work in the same direction to help our people and country.

 

Some saw it the way I did; others did not.

 

Those who agreed with joined me to extend our work to Liberia. Some of them prefer not to be mentioned in public. So I will not mention their names herein. But thanks to them for the courage and support they have given. Some day in the future, I’m sure, they will receive their proper dues.

 

Even though service to my country did not just begin with ULLA’s boost, it was already there and sitting in me waiting for the right time. But ULAA made a significant difference on me.

 

I knew that someday after the war in Liberia, I would return to my country to help in the reconstruction effort.

 

2007 came and I was ready to move to Liberia temporarily to start my work. Family members and friends did not expect me to have done so that fast. But my passion wouldn’t allow me to wait any longer. Quickly I took off.

 

My dad had already trained me in community work. He also trained me to love my country. My Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, helped. The high school I graduated from, Bishop Ferguson High School, had its motto based on service: “Enter to learn, go out to serve.”

 

When you combine all of these factors and look through my work, there’s no reason why one cannot believe how addicted I am to national service.

 

In fact, when I graduated high school in 1980, the Government of Liberia granted me a scholarship  to travel and study in a sister African country, Ethiopia.

 

Upon my return from Ethiopia, I am one of the very few individuals among many who gave back to Liberia. I served the country for two unbroken years pro bono before returning to Ethiopia for studies on my own accord and risk.

 

I serve my country as supervisor of the adult education and literacy program in Lower Bong County. I was particularly assigned in the Faumah District. I ran the area of Zaweakomu Clan – from Bongtown, Zaweata, Hneyea (my spelling) straight through Mawah to Haindi. Every village and hamlet within this Clan saw my face and enjoyed my service. I walked distances that took me more than three hours. I left my living quarters at 7am and returned at 12am the next morning each time I went to work. I helped construct schools, centers and encouraged leaders, women and others of each community and village to learn how to read and write.

 

 I am proud to report, some of those young people who did not take education seriously prior to my assignment in the area, as a result of my help, some of them are successful today in Liberia academically. Some of them met me in Liberia and thanked me for the change in their lives.

 

Addition to ULAA boost, President Sirleaf traveled to the United States. She asked Liberians in the Diaspora to return home and help her government in its reconstruction drive. By then, I was already set and ready to go to work. I had already set up an NGO that established and registered in the US. The NGO was already functioning on the ground in Liberia. Community centers were operating; facilitators were receiving monthly Honorarium; educational materials were made available for the kids and elders who gained tremendously from the programs. We paid rent for structures and provided electric generators to provide lights for the environment and movies for the kids as part of our “Kids-After-School-Program.” 

 

In 2007 when I touched the soil in Liberia I already had work being done on the ground.

 

People who did not understand why I came to Liberia are now convinced of my work. Some of them thought my decision to come to Liberia was a “stupid” one. They thought Liberia was/is not the place for me to come and work. Some discouraged me.

 

As a result, some of the people surmised that my coming to Liberia was because I was “deported.” Others said I came to search for “big” jobs and other political greener pastures.

 

Today, there are some who claim I work for the CIA. Otherwise, they don’t understand why I am refusing to accept government’s offer for jobs. And why I am refusing to accept petitions from those who are convinced of my sacrificial work to my country for me to take elective positions.

 

All in all, I believe in not too-distant future, my critics and detractors will agree my stories are true and my work has won me significant scores.

 

 

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer worker; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia, a victim of police brutality and candidate for citizenship repudiation.

 

 

 

I Don’t Want A War in Liberia; But I See It Coming; And it Can Be Averted!

August 25, 2013

 

The Bible tells us that each time God wants to destroy a town city, people and/or nation, He first sends signs to call the people’s attention for them to repent from their wicked ways.

 

If the signs do not call the attention of the people, for God so love His children, He sends prophets. These prophets will preach God’s intent for His children to change from their foolish ways and return to Him.

 

THAT’S AN OFFER FOR REDEMPTION!

 

The Bible tells us, in some cases, if not most, a people who are doomed to be destroyed by the vengeance of God, normally dislike God’s prophets. They will condemn the prophets and pay no heed to them. An example is Jeremiah who preached in the Syrian Desert where more listened but none paid heed.

 

In our modern day, the police will brutalize the prophets and the leaders of the land will imprison and try to kill the prophets. Such an act of pugnaciousness provokes God’s anger against the leaders. And He surely will hit with His rod!

 

THAT’S REVOLUTION!

 

In the Bible and Koran we are told God punishes the “Watchman” when he fails to inform the leaders of an incoming war. But if the “Watchman” does and the leaders fail to act, God punishes the leaders.

 

We made our calls then and we are making them NOW! May the leaders pay heed. Or else…

 

1979 is a historic lesson taught! For whatever reasons, the call was made for the leaders to change their selfish and wicked ways or the God of David, Abraham would pour His vengeance on the Republic, they did not.

 

There were deaf ears to the Final Call. As a result, the Liberian nation went nose-diving and blood spilled across the country. Women and children wept while men gnashed their teeth.

 

In 1985 another clarion was blown.

 

God was tired with the disrespect to His House and His children. A call was made for His children to be left alone. The Government paid no heed. It continued to bludgeon women, men and children.

 

God had no other choice. So He swung His rod as He asked Moses to do in parting the Red Sea.

 

Consequently, the Republic again did not just go nose-diving this time, it fell flat on its face as tens and tens of thousands of God’s children were thrown in desolate places to seek food.

 

Soon churches were bombed; hearts boomed; and businesses that people worked for all their lives were also bombed. So there were bombed hearts, bombed churches, bombed businesses and bombed hopes. The nation would never ever be the same again after fourteen years of generalized anarchy of violence.

 

In 1995, the message came again.

 

Usually, when God sends His signs and prophets, they come in different forms. But the message remains the same: REPENTANCE!

 

For some unknown reasons, the leaders of the country refused to listen to the prophets. So God’s vengeance engulfed the entire nation and the leaders ended up in foreign lands for adjudication; for the Lord said He who will not listen to me, would be FULLY disgraced! I will send him or her to foreign lands where they will be mocked and belittled until they REPENT!

 

Today, the same message resounds in every corridor of the Republic: ‘REPENT or FACE the WRATH of GOD!”

 

There’s so much police brutality in the land, extrajudicial killings, rapes of little boys and girls, corruption, nepotism, misuse of power, arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention, lies, lack of law and order and the list goes on.

 

The God of our people has sent His signs of what lies ahead. Now His prophets have spoken.

 

1.       1, Get rid of the practice of CAMPAIGN of SILENCE & STONEWALLING

2.       2, Bring POLICE BRUTALITY & ENTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS to an IMMEDIATE END

3.       3. Adjudicate all cases before the courts and RELEASE the INNONCENT PEOPLE IMPRISONED

4.      4 INDICT& PROSECUTE ALL CURRENT GOVERNMENT and FORMER GOVERNMENT  OFFICIALS accused of CORRUPTION NOW!

5.      5.  HANDS OFF THE PRESS

6.       6. Return the PEOPLE’S LAND & NATURAL ENDOWMENT TO THEM NOW!

 

The leaders of this nation MUST pay heed NOW! For those who FAIL to LEARN from the RELICS of HISTORY are DOOMED to RELIVE IT!

 

 

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer worker; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia, a victim of police brutality and a candidate for citizenship repudiation

 

Maryland County: Latest Shipwreck – What I know!

June 2, 2010

 

I am still in Harper. I came ahead of President Sirleaf. I wanted to help make her visit a memorable one. Together with others wed did! I also wanted the Shipwreck Victims that I advocate for to meet with the President to discuss possible restitution to damages they incurred during several shipwrecks. The President left after she completed our work. But remain behind. And I’m still here. Each time I make a move to return to Monrovia, something new happens and it captures my mind. So I have to stick around to help in the best way I can. First it’s the case of ritualistic killing. There were arbitrary arrests. So I joined other social justice advocates and Human Rights organizations and groups to put a halt to the arbitrary arrests. Because arbitrary arrests on a jujuman “mojo” violates our Constitution which is our Supreme Law. The Case is dragging on. So I plan to leave. Then comes the aggrieved workers' case of The Tubman University. I’m asked to contact and negotiate with the University. So I speak with Dr. Collins. He doesn’t work with the University anymore. But he plays a key role in this matter. Then I speak with Dr. Dioh. He’s now a significant part of the Staff. From what he tells me, I have to speak with Dr. Russell, President of the University. So my next step is to see President Russell. Then another ship wrecks few yards off the port of Harper. See, I’m advocating for shipwreck victims. So, this recent wreck captures my attention. I have to stick around again to help the situation. Because the vessel wrecks right off the port of Harper and several citizens left in the water, the case becomes critical then the rest. If what I hear is correct, the vessel wrecked few hundred yards away from the port of Harper. Just like the second wreck that took place almost the same distance from town; chaos fill the City. Now I am pissed. Because this is not the first wreck. It is not the second wreck. It is not the third wreck. It is not the fourth shipwreck. It is not the fifth wreck. It is not the sixth wreck. It is the seventh wreck. And 90% of the passengers are Marylanders. In the name of the mother of God, I ask myself what the heck is going on here. Is Maryland cursed or is she suffering from bad leadership or the lack thereof? Whatever the answer may be, too many of our women and mothers are suffering and dying. Each time a vessel wrecks, there is a great loss. And the victims are mostly women. This time the loss is greatest – besides the investments, the leader of all Maryland County Women died in the wreck. She was on her way back from Monrovia to get a loan for the women. She also went to shop for goods to sell. Because like all others, that’s her source of income and her responsibility to the women group. The vessel (MV Havea) arrived in Harper. But it harbored few hundred yards from the Port. And then it began to go side-way taking in water on deck. Soon, it nosedived. Next thing we know, it goes deep into the belly of the Ocean. And there’s where it sits today.

 

It was on Tuesday, June 1. I was asleep. At 10pm a young man knocked on my door. I opened the door. Then he asked me if I knew what was going on in the City. I said, “No!” Then he started to explain. He said the vessel had arrived in Harper. But cell phone calls were coming in. There’s a young man we used to call “Wicked” Joe. Now this generation calls him “J5.” He’s married to a lady. I know this lady from way back. A very beautiful lady. Her name was Ayo Cole. She became Clara Nyema when she got married. She was the daughter of Mr. Achala (my spelling) Cole. Mr. Cole used to live on Marsh Street near the Glebo Church (Ascension Day). Clara is now dead in the Tuesday, June 1 shipwreck  (that is if the information we are receiving is correct). Clara was a big-time businesswoman. In fact, she was the chair of all the Maryland County Women. She was very energetic and hardworking. I know this because I worked with her more than twice on community projects. Bishop Dalieh has high regards for this lady. Because Clara, Bishop and I worked together.

 

During the wreck, I’m told Clara called her husband and told him the vessel was sinking. At that time, I’m told the vessel was leaning sideway. The next time she called, all they could hear from her was, “Oh, Lord, we are dying!” And she kept crying out loud for help until her voice disappeared from the cell phone. Every call that was made back to her cell phone in response to her many SOS calls delivered a busy or no tone. Something was evident. But nobody wanted to say it. Because hope was still alive! From 10pm up to 10am, there was no answer from her phone again. Whatever the case must have been, the husband got terrified. By morning hours, some boats engaged the waters. Some headed towards Fishtown and others towards Ivory  Coast. The ones that returned brought no good news.

 

By 11am, I joined others to the Ivory Coast by way of the Border towns. We got to a certain Border town in Ivory Coast. From that town, news circulated of a possible rescue mission. When we got there, the news was correct. We picked up seventeen passengers according to my conservative record. All of those we picked up, besides two, the rest were looking good and in good spirit. From what I observed, two were in pain. And they showed it. There is a lady with severe burns. She said it occurred from a gas container that she floated on. The other young man had a three inch metal broken in his ankle. He kept crying. The Medical Doctor at the J. J. Dossen Hospital was there. So those that were rescued were taken to the J. J. Dossen Hospital for treatment. It rain so hard we could not continue the search. In fact, we could not continue anymore because it was getting darker by the minute. And the Authority in Ivory Coast would not allow us in their country after 6pm at which time the Border closes for operation. So we left the town and returned to Harper.

 

I am very impressed with the Joint Security except the Immigration. The Maryland County Police Chief, Vat Williams was measured up to the task. A young man graduated high school with me in 1980. He’s  now in the National Security Force. His name is Wea Natt. He too was great and sharp in his performances. The former Superintendent of Maryland, G. WahMle Elliott, was at his best. He paved the way for us to enter the Ivory Coast. Diplomacy and bureaucracy was tight. But he broke through! Acting Superintendent, Hon. Regina Sampson, kept her administrative eyes working. I saw her at the Border. Everything was working well on her watch! I am very proud of the emergency leadership and camaraderie that I saw when we got to Ivory Coast! I wish this will continue!    

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer, I write, work and speak from the “ground” in Liberia!

A Tribute To Ayo Cole Nyema et al In The Maryland Shipwreck

April 2010

I join the whole Republic of Liberia today as we mourn the death and celebrate the fantastic life of legendary Clara Ayo Cole-Nyema, a diligent businesswoman a great community leader. Clara was about as close to a perfect human being as one could find. She was kind, honest, friendly, genuine, professional, and multi-talented. Clara was a beautiful and gentlewoman in every sense of the word. She was devoted to her God, her husband, family, friends and colleagues. It seems that she always had time for everyone. This was one of her many qualities that endeared her to Maryland.

Without going into an entire summary of Clara’s career and life, please allow me to share a few special personal recollections.

Like so many of us, I have strong and fond memories of sitting in the back of a community development meeting with others listening to Clara speaking on the things that affect the lives of our women and the community as a whole. I wondered how she knew we were waiting for her in the office of Bishop Nyema Dalieh to begin discussion on the process and formality of a reunion approach to the problems of Maryland County. As soon as she walked in, she bowed to us and apologized for the long wait. Then it hit me this lady was civilized and accommodating.

The stark memory of Ayo goes back when we were kids on Marsh Street (the last street moving parallel to Maryland Avenue) Harper City. There we came to know each other innocently. She was very young. And so was I.  

We snuck up to the Ascension Day Church which was used as a school building. It was few yards away from Ayo’s dad’s house. As for me, it was more than hundreds of yards away from my Aunt’s residence. But I was always there to catch up with the fun time. We waited for Ayo to come out of the Church. When she came out, she would look at us and say, "Hello friends! Do have names. And I would always be the first to say, “My name is Thomas!” And everybody would join me and say, “Wow! what a beautiful girl!" And we would run in different directions. She’s shy and we are shy too!

When on May 31, 2010 Havea (the vessel on which Ayo was riding) wrecked and I heard she was the first to call people on shore as to what was obtaining and I heard the sorrowful comments she was making before she perished along with others, I knew right away, such is life and such is the condition. Ayo was bidding us farewell forever. If there was something I could do, I would have bowed to her feet and give my life to save her. But it happened so fast. It caught every human person unaware.

May Ayo’s soul and the others on board with her who also lost their precious lives rest in perfect peace and light perpetual shine upon her.

 

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

Asbestos in the streets of Harper: Local gov’t, UNMIL & EPA powerless?

 

I am in Harper City right now as I opine this Article. I am here because I came to help make President Sirleaf’s visit to Maryland County grand. The last time (I am told) the President’s visit was not well-handled by those in charge. Few persons missed their assignments. So food was served late. Protocol was behind time. Chairs were not in their proper places. And all the other good things that make a President’s visit grand were a little bit off track. And so this time, I came to help to make it better. Marylanders have pride. I know this. And so I’m under obligation to make it better for all of us. After all was said and done, the occasion was proclaimed “very successful.” The President was happy! Marylanders were happy! I too was happy! One of our greatest sons who has been very instrumental with doable change, Archie Richelieu Williams, director of civil aviation, Liberia and I worked together to make this event grand. I’m grateful to him for his ongoing support for better programs for our people. When everything was over, the President left town. She proceeded to Grand Gedeh. But I remained in Harper. I wanted to stick around and get a feeling of how things were evolving in the community. Then the case of ritualistic killing came about. I was compelled to stick around more. I wanted to see this case. I saw the one in the 70s. That time I was in Harper during the arrests, prosecution and execution of those who were considered “guilty.” I was very young then. So I did not have the experience and academic education that I have today to make any sound judgment. This time, I consider it an opportunity to be here. I can compare notes of both cases and see what most likely went wrong in the 70s and what could go wrong again this time. But as it has always been during my working visit to Liberia, all kind of serious issues erupted just when I was ready to leave Harper. These sorts of happenings always caught me in an awkward position.

Here is one:

On April 21, 2010, I was on my way to complete a Proposal that I’m writing at an Internet café. This café is sponsored by the Catholic nongovernmental organization called, Caritas. On my way, I noticed in the middle of the streets sits scattered asbestos. A piece of zinc fell from the top of the building. And next thing I come to know, asbestos is everywhere in the streets.

See, the prior night, there was wind. It was strong as a bull. It blew so hard, tree branches came breaking like Popsicle sticks. As an Occupational Safety/Health expert, the presence of asbestos immediately captured my attention. I knew right away what was going on. I knew this was a question of life and death! And so I got concerned. I left my Proposal project and began to find the EPA, UNMIL civil affairs offices as well as the City Corporation and Local government. And this is where I found myself in a Those-see-partner-way kind of dance. The UNMIL civil affairs office was closed. When I asked where they were, the security told me they went to a seminar at the City Hall. So I went to the City Hall. I didn’t see them. And no one knew where the UNMIL civil affairs employees were. Somebody said, “They gone to drink some beers, somewhere around the block!” I laughed and the person too laughed. Then I passed on. I went to the Superintendent’s office. I asked for him. The man behind the desk said the Supt went home. This was around 2pm Liberia Standard Time. I asked if he could call the Supt for me because my phone was not with me. I placed it on charge at a booth Downtown. See, when your cell phone battery runs down in Liberia and you are not at home, you send it to a charging booth. Cause there’s no 24-7 electricity in the City. Everything else is runs by portable electric generators.  

The fella in the Supt office told me he couldn’t call the Supt. Why? He told me because he did not have credit on his phone. See, cell phones in Liberia are mostly prepaid. So if you run out of credit, unless you purchased more credit, you cannot call out. This was the fella’s condition. So I asked him to beep the Supt. You can ONLY beep a person if you have few cents on your cell. I think it’s 50 cents. But the fella told me the Supt instructed them never to beep him. Because if any of them beeped him, he wouldn’t know the caller ID. So, he could not help me. Then I asked him to direct me to the EPA’s office. He did. I knocked on the door. The EPA County coordinator let me in. I presented the asbestos situation. It was in the streets. I told him cars, including UNMIL vehicles, were running all over it as if it possesses no harm to the human person. I impressed upon him how serious this is. While responding to me, I noticed he’s a soft-talking man. He tried to thank me. It took so long to let out his words, I lost patience. The asbestos was in the air already. And the more the asbestos got in the air, the worse it became for all of us including the EPA coordinator and the UNMIL staff. Soon he realized I was inpatient. I wanted immediate attention. So he quit thanking me. He thought we go to the site for him to see the asbestos. I got a bit upset and asked him to join me find UNMIL civil affairs staff. In my mind, these people (UNMIL) understand more about asbestos than the man I was talking to. And the fact that their lives (UNMIL) are also involved in the situation, they would take immediate action. The EPA coordinator agreed. We went to the seminar. He entered. I did not. I told him I would remain outside waiting for him. Soon when he entered, he surprised me. He took a seat. I started tripping. I began to act like a traffic man. I began waving my hands trying to call his attention. He looked and he came over to me. I asked what he thought he was doing. He asked me to wait for the seminar to end. Because by so doing, we can get the UNMIL staff. This was his idea.  I rejected it. I went downstairs to find the City Mayor. She wasn’t in her office. I went to the Assistant Supt for Development’s office. She too wasn’t in. Just when I was getting weary and trying to walk out of the City Hall, I saw the Assistant Supt driving in front of the City Hall. I stopped and approached her. I explained the same thing. Then I’m reminded that she too is  a soft-talking person. As she was talking, I walked behind her until we got in her office upstairs. She was just in jail for falsely being accused of ritualistic killing. And so, her spirit was a bit down. I knew that. So I didn’t want to pressure her. But she has a job to do. I quietly walked behind her. When we got in her office, she asked me what I wanted her to do. I asked her to contact the EPA Coordinator. And she did. The Coordinator came to her office. She asked him to check out the situation and take appropriate action. The Coordinator asked me to follow him. We headed downstairs. As we got down, I saw a white girl. In my mind, she should be working for one of those international nongovernmental organizations or UN. I was right. She works for the Carter Center. I stopped her. I told her what I saw and the help that is needed. You know what she told me? She said, “I work for the Carter Center. I cannot help you!” That’s when it clicked my mind, either she had no clue what asbestos does to the human person or she was just being insensitive to the wellbeing of the people in the area. Or she is just plain dumb! Whatever the case was, I knew we all were in danger. And something needed to be done ASAP!

The Coordinator came over and asked me what the white girl said. I told him what she said. Then he giggled! He told me his sad experience with white folks in these kinds of situations. We took off to the spots where the asbestos was. At the first spot, we stopped and I showed him. At the second spot, I showed him. Then he alarmed at the second spot. It was a good amount of asbestos. And it was scattered. He stopped his motor bike. I got off and he did. Next thing I know, he was talking with the owners of the house where the asbestos came from. He asked them to remove it. As  an expert, I knew it was wrong to ask ordinary persons to remove asbestos. But there was nothing he could do. His office has no equipment and trained staff. He did what he could do to ask the house owner to remove the asbestos from the street. The person he was talking to is a kid I used to know during my formative days in Harper. But the kid is grown now. He’s a landlord. This guy was laughing at the Coordinator as he explained to him the danger of asbestos. The guy wanted to know why the Coordinator was so concerned of removing the asbestos. In fact, why was the coordinator saying he (landlord) should apply water and wet the asbestos prior to removing it? It wasn’t sounding right to him. It was sounding funny to him. So he kept laughing. That’s when I jumped in. I re-emphasized what the Coordinator was saying. The fella anxiously asked, “Is this that serious?” I said, “Yes!” He looked me hard in the eye for a second and then tried to change his attitude towards the Coordinator. He tried to make an effort to work with the Coordinator. While he and the Coordinator were talking, I left. I had some things to attend to. On my way out, I began to convict myself on the inside. And this is what I was saying to myself on the inside, “I am an occupational safety/health expert. But Here I am; I can do nothing besides complain to the Government about asbestos sitting in the streets for several hours. But like the Coordinator, what could I do other than bring this to the attention of the Authority? Virtually nothing! This is the kind of danger we face every day in Liberia.

The next day I discovered something worrisome. The Coordinator himself did not take the asbestos issue seriously as he impressed upon me. How I know?  Previously, he told me the asbestos in the streets was finally swept away. When I got in the area to check, asbestos was still everywhere in the front of Methodist Church. I asked him why? He said the Church promised to sweep it. But it did not. Then something clicked my mind. His motor bike ate up my shoes. The bike is so old and faulty it has no foot-rest. So while riding with him to the location of the asbestos, my shoes got caught in the spooks. And it ate up the back of my shoes. I showed him my shoes. When he looked at my shoes, he just smiled as if I should have known this is Liberia and that’s how things go. As a soft-talking man, he talked as if he’s nonchalant. But I believe he means well. I suspect because of the lack of national support and involvement in the Environment, he feels helpless.

As I opine this article, the asbestos is still flying in the streets of Downtown Harper. Evidently, tens and tens of our citizens including UNMIL staff, local government and myself have by now inhaled airborne asbestos. Who knows? Only God knows what’s going to happen and for how long!

I am Thomas G. Bedell writing from on the ground in Liberia!

Tribute To Moses Daba Brooks a.k.a Flag Day & Gregory Anderson

What are some of the feelings that one might feel when a friend passes away?

 

When someone that is special to us is gone it can be difficult to continue living life.

 

Things that were special to us may begin to seem pointless when you don't have that special person to share it with.

 

All of the things that we did together growing up to be what God destined us to be are reminders of the loss that we have suffered.

 

Let’s do ourselves a favor and take the time to mourn our losses for Messrs. Moses Daba Brooks, affectionately known as “Flag-Day” and Gregory Anderson.

 

Both of our dear friends and brothers gone to join our martyrs and will be lowered into the belly of the earth today, Saturday, August 24, 2013 on Flag Day!

 

May their souls rest in perpetual peace and light everlasting shine upon them until we meet again!

 

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer worker on the ground in Liberia and a dear friend of theirs.

FATHER WANT GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE SON DEATH

                                                        By: Lewis S. Verdier, II

 

The father, family with the aid of traditional leaders are demanding the government of Liberia to investigate the cause of death of the late Harrison Geeplay an engineer who was arrested and brutally flogged by the emergency response unit of the LNP in 2011 he was jail at the Harper central prison.

The late Geeplay was arrested on charges of aggravated assault according to eyes witnesses the man have has being evading arrest since the day he committed the assault. On the day of his arrest he resisted police and was brutally flogged and sent to detention where he later died months after his arrest.

According to the decease fifty eight year old ailing father, Mr. Nyanati Geeplay, his oldest son, the late Harrison Geeplay has sustained injury from the flogging and has being ailing while in prison to his death. The 33 year old man (Harrison Geeplay) died May 10, 2011.Now the chiefs and elders who joined the family of the late Harrison Geeplay in making this call has also alarm over the huge number of police brutality that occurred in 2011 which include the mad handling and brutal flogging of a social justice advocate, Thomas Bedell in Pleebo Maryland county. Mr. Bedell was flogged to the extent that he was urinating blood and body covered with soars.The chiefs also spoke of the shooting carried out by ERU when they shot a tapper Garter Doe who worked under the cavalla rubber plantation. He was shot in a riot. And many other police brutality across the county in 2010 and 2011.The chiefs and elders through their spokes man, Chief Mle Wah Prowd of Big Town told news men government have being playing deaf ears on these matters and they want justice to prevail. The chiefs have accused government of delaying justice which simply denied justice.

 

 

 

Posted by verdier.blogspot.com at 3:42 AM No comments:

INJUSTICE IN LIBERIA: Can We Sing “The Lone Star Forever” From A Deep Sense of Patriotism?

Today is Saturday, August 24, 2013 and it is Flag Day in Liberia commemorating more than one hundred and sixty years of a Flag standing and gesticulating over the Liberian nation in remembrance of what our Forefathers and mothers suffered for – FREEDOM - and brought forth in a land that we, their children, can call our own through INHERITANCE!

 

“The Lone Star Forever” is the song beautifully sung during Flag Day in Liberia. It has been sung by those on whose shoulders we stand today for centuries with PRIDE knowing that those who came long before us gave their lives for us to have a nation we can call our own.

 

Today, we are asked to sing “ The Lone Star Forever” on Flag Day with DEEP PRIDE once more to consolidate the love for our Parents’ land and the VLAUES we have to uphold each day like brittle clay.

 

Students, youths and the military marched throughout the streets of the country as an unconditional support and love for our colors.

 

In the end, “The Lone Star Forever” is sung from the throats of 3.5 million Liberians with the DEEPEST PRIDE far and near.

 

But something is wrong: This Flag Day is different!

 

The nation has taken away those things that remind us of our VALUE SYSTEM - freedom, justice and law and order.

 

Today, many citizens are languishing behind bars without due process on false charges and many have been killed and brutalized by the police without judicial review.

 

Our VALUE SYSTEM being the sum total of our ideas and beliefs is being undermined.

 

Our VALUE SYSTEM that includes every opinion we hold about life, things we like or dislike, and the importance each one has to the nation, which merges to form our unique value system is UNDER ATTACK!

 

Our VALUE SYSTEM, developed through what our Forbearers taught us and that we experienced, combined with our reactions to them, forming our preferences and our unique perspective on life are seemingly  now gone into the oblivion.

 

Ultimately, every opinion we, as a nation have in life, based on something in our National Values System has evaporated for now!  

 

Our Forbearers lived by those TRUE VALUES; they held them to their breasts and left them for us. They left them embedded in the annals of the nation and its history. Like we will expect of our children, we must hold dearly those Value Systems that make our country second to none.

 

We as a nation cannot claim to a VALUE SYSTEM and do the opposite; then actually we value something else than what our Forbearers left us.

 

We as a nation cannot claim to value TRUTH, yet lie; then there is something more important to us than telling the TRUTH. Our continued lies in the country prove that we hold some other value more deeply than what our Forbearers left us!

 

There has been weeping and gnashing of teeth of men, women and children for want of justice in the country in the cities, hamlets, villages, trenches, ghettoes and squalors of the land.

 

Too many people have gone to prison for political reasons.

 

Like many other citizens, I have suffered police brutality and injustice.

 

On June 29, 2012, fourteen months ago this August (Flag Day month), I was brutalized by the Liberia National Police.

 

Based on our VALUE SYSTEM, the aggrieved party is to submit a COMPLAINT and the Government is to DISPENSE JUSTICE! I complained! But all efforts to seek justice from the Government have proven futile. It is all STONEWALLING and CAMPAGN OF SILENCE.

 

Fourteen months I have cried justice! Today, Rodney Sieh, a journalist, is crying justice! After Rodney, who’s next?  

 

“JUSTICE, JUSTICE, JUSTICE!” is the cry all over the country.

 

But today is Flag Day and we have a responsibility as citizens. And that’s to sing “The Lone Star Forever” and wave the Flag above all else.

 

But we are deeply hurt!

 

So how can we sing “The Lone Star Forever” with the deepest PRIDE, from the inner part of our souls with the strongest plume of PATRIOTISM and love for the sacrifices of our Forbearers when we are being brutalized by police, locked in prison and relegated to a secondary position?

 

How can we sing “The Lone Star Forever!” and ask for it “to wave over land over sea” when we are being dehumanized, tortured, lied on and imprisoned for our political views?

 

Hmm?

 

How can Rodney sing “The Lone Star Forever” when he and others sit behind bars for nothing other than political reasons?

 

How can I sing “The Lone Star Forever” from the depth and abyss of my soul with a genuine magnitude of patriotism when I am bleeding in the heart, soul and body from police brutality so much so my wounds are very deep to be healed while singing the song?

 

Hmmmmm?

 

Well, our Forbearers left us with the Song and we have an OBLIGATION irrespective of the odds to sing it. So we will! Bu we will hum it.

 

We will do so quietly deep, deep in our hearts and souls so that we will be listening to our Forbearers for their response in total silence!

 

This is the country for which our Folks gave their lives. WE MUST DO SO TOO FOR OUR CHILDREN!

 

 

 

I am Thomas G. Bedell, a volunteer worker; working and speaking on the ground in Liberia, a victim of police brutality and candidate for citizenship repudiation.