Is Liberia Drifting Towards Fascism: Police Brutality?

If I told you at the time when I came to Liberia as a volunteer to help in the reconstruction effort, after fourteen years of generalized anarchy of violence that I did not expect to pay a dear price in my working process, I would be lying to you.

From my training in every aspect of the struggle thru the school of The Movement for Justice in Africa, commonly referred to as MOJA, I knew as I know now, every move to liberate and seek justice in a society as ours, has a price to pay.

In some cases, I expect to be imprisoned, brutalized by police and have my life threatened. Even though there is a thinking that the war in Liberia is over, violence is still visible in every aspect of Liberian life.

When I arrived on the soil from the US, I had already set in place an NGO to drive home my desires and assistance to my “Old” country. My NGO was registered both in America and Liberia. I did not seek any assistance from anyone. My lesson from the dependency syndrome in my formative days in Liberia drove my thought process.

Dependency Syndrome is responsible for almost all of our academic institutions dropping into the oblivion. For example, Dolokeh, Nmanalu and Bishop Ferguson boarding schools. Those institutions, as I opine, are now monuments of decay.

Unless you stick around for long in Maryland, there’s no way you can ever trace these boarding schools that contributed to the growth and development of our country. They’ve all disappeared.

Why did all these intuitions disappear and perished?

Simple!

 International donors pulled the financial plug that lid the light of hope for these institutions. Since Liberians were not prepared to take over, those institutions fell apart at the hinges and dropped to the earth.

That’s why in my mind, if I rely on donors of this nature, I history will repeat itself. To avoid this, I decided to bankroll my work with the help of some revolutionary friends I have known in my formative days including others who seem to understand the cause for which I stand.

In the face of my work, I have been mindful of people who envy me. In some cases, individuals in the Government take a swing at me. Because they fear my popularity could overshadow theirs and probably threaten their jobs. As wrong as they may be in antagonizing me, the reality is, I could be attacked by anyone for many reasons other than my peaceful conduct and respect for law and order.

Such was the case when ERU police brutalized me.

On June 29, 2012, Magistrate Wesley Korkor ordered the ERU Police to arrest me in Pleebo City, Maryland County. The police brutalized me to a point that I began to feel like a murderer or a thief. I was dragged, boot-kicked in the head, chest, ribs, upper and lower back and all over my body.

Mind you, this very ERU also flogged the Lord Mayor of the city of Pleebo, Hon. Anthony Harmon, with impunity. It beat to death Harrison Geeply in May 2012. It beat student Wah Kla Neufville, Jnr. Into a coma and dropped him in the streets of Harper to die. Had an old lady not seen him, the kid would have been dead, as well.

 Anthony Wesley was beaten and threatened with death. He was Taser, tear gas and placed at gunpoint and left him bleeding in Fishtown (Harper).

Dumu Hne of Pleebo was robbed at gun point in Pleebo. US$800 was stolen from him.

Gartor Doe was shot at point-blank range for taking part in a workers peaceful protest demonstration in Pleebo. 

So who protects us from police brutality?

Besides facing the possibility of death or imprisonment, we must also behave and learn to keep quiet to appease these hired guns.

We have to find a solution to these inhumane and decadent acts of atrocities against the armless, defenseless and law-abiding people of Liberia.

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

Memorandum Against Police Brutality

To:       Hon. J. Hodo Manston/Cofounder/Acting Chair/Marylanders in Monrovia

Allen N. Yancy, III/Cofounder/Chair/Legal Funds Committee/Marylanders in Monrovia

Dr. Togaba Nah Tipoteh/PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE/Republic of Liberia-2011

Mohammed Nassar/President/FLY

Hon. T. Nma-Mle Collins/President/Kudemoweh Development Assn.

Hon. Landry Wah Bedell/Elder/S. K. Bedell Family Reunion in Liberia

            Louise Thomas Mapleh/Prominent Marylander

FROM: Thomas G. Bedell/Victim of Police Brutality

DATE:   August 2, 2012

SUBJ:  INFORMATION ON POLICE BRUTALITY & REQUEST FOR HELP

Dear Honorable Lady & Gentlemen: I trust you are enjoying the grace of God and doing well with your varied responsibilities.

This letter officially informs you of my misfortune in Pleebo, Maryland County, resulting from police brutality. Thus, I seek your financial assistance to support litigation. I intend to litigate in the Liberian court of competent jurisdiction. If I am displeased with the way my case is handled, I shall go forth to an ECOWAS court of competent jurisdiction. This is all about justice; no more, no less!

Be advised on June 29, 2012, The Liberia National Police Emergency Response Unit (ERU) physically & psychologically me in the city of Pleebo (commercial capital) Maryland County. It brutally assaulted and violated my physical person. It treated me violently as though I were a runaway slave in a pool of my own blood. I was verbally abused, teased, mocked and jailed for 24 hours in Pleebo on the order s of Magistrate Wesley Korkor, supposedly on grounds of a “Contempt of Court” that was issued by another Magistrate by the name of Hon. A. Boyee Nma.

Due to the physical, medical and psychological damage inflicted upon me as a consequence of the police violent flogging in Maryland at the hands of the ERU, internal bleeding is of deep concern to me. If internal bleeding becomes realistic in my case, without proper medical attention, chances are my life could be terminated. To manage this fear, on July 4th I was airlifted by UNMIL to Monrovia as a referral to The J.F.K. Memorial Hospital for further examination and treatment. I remained at the J.F.K. Hospital for two days (July 5-7). On July 7, I was discharged pending a Second medical Opinion. According to J.F.K, internal bleeding is not currently visible. This Medical Report is good news for me to put to rest my fears. But since Science is not EXACT, the fear of internal bleeding and other complications still persist.

The following points summarized my request for ACTION:

1.      Litigation against the Liberia National Police Department in Liberia or in ECOWAS court of   

         competent jurisdiction

2.      Request a judicial commission of enquiry of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia to

         investigate Magistrates Korkor and Nma of the Pleebo Magisterial Court unethical behaviors bordered      

        on undermining the Integrity of the Court & abuse of law-abiding and innocent citizens/litigants’ rights 

        through indecent and unlawful acts particularly in my case. Understandably, there are other cases of 

        abuse of power against common citizens who suffered severe injustice but are voiceless and unable to  

        cry out loud as I do now. In the event both Magistrates are found liable, they should be dismissed, 

        prosecuted and compelled to make good of their wrongs against me and poor defenseless citizens and

        residents.

3.     Compel the Ministry of Justice to immediately withdraw the entire ERU from Maryland County and 

        account for its past activities.

4.     An independent commission of enquiry be set up to investigate the deaths of Gartor Doe of Pleebo and 

        Harrison Geeply of Harper from ERU police brutality.

5.     Investigate rape cases that have been suppressed by the Police Department with specific emphasis on 

        the cases of an 18-year old pregnant girl raped by an Indian National who walked free and the 11-year 

        old kid that was raped four different times on four different occasions by a 40-year old man on the A. 

        Dash Wilson Farm, Old Sodokeh, Pleebo.

6.    Assist the 4th Judicial Circuit Court with a psychiatrist to prosecute the rape case involving a Rocktown 

       High Priest's wife who was raped by an Ivorian refugee.

7.    Provide permanent lodging for County Attorney and Public Defender in Maryland in order to provide 

       and enhance justice through the courts.

8.    Receive Reparation from the Police Department.

REPARATION

The term “reparation” may be defined as a repairing or keeping in repair, the act of making amends or giving satisfaction for wrongdoing, and/or the payment of damages - compensation in money of materials payable by perpetrators. it is a range of different responses to wrongdoing including Restitution, Rehabilitation, Satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition. Reparations are about repairing, making amends and compensation including coordinated set of reparative measures with massive coverage.

Against this background and consideration, what exactly do I want, one may ask, as a victim of police brutality.

1. Full disclosure of facts on all deaths by ERU including and not limited to the Gartor Doe of Pleebo and Harrison Geeply of Harper City. Full disclosure on all physical & psychological tortures, flogging... of and not limited to the Lord Mayor of the city of Pleebo, Hon. Anthony Harmon, student Wah Kla Neufville, Jnr., Anthony Wesley of Fishtown, Harper city, and yours truly, Thomas G. Bedell of Harper and the theft of the personal property and monies of Dumu Hne of Pleebo. Each and every one of these mentioned sad events must be accounted for and al others from the date and time of the arrival of the arrival and deployment of ERU on the soil of Maryland coupled with the purpose for which ERU has been deployed in the County.

2. Official apologies from either the Ministry of Justice or Government of Liberia,

3. Acknowledgment of wrongdoing by the Police Department and/or the Government of Liberia,

4. Judicial or administrative proceedings to remove all perpetrators from position of power,

5. Public memorials for those who died as a result of police brutality,

6. Forms of education,

7. Return of victim's belongings and restoration of their economic condition (i.e. business, legal rights and employment),

8. Monetary compensation,

9. Rehabilitative services to victims (e.g. medical care, psychological care),

10. Establish a PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION to advise current and future presidents against police brutality.

11. Bring an immediate halt to police brutality,

12. Legislators to pass an ACT to achieve Restitution for all victims and families of police brutality

Peaceful & Nonviolent Protest Agaqinst LRRRC for Reparation

Position Statement

Presented to Hon. J. Gble-Bo Brown

Superintendent, Maryland County, R. L.

By The Leaders, Women, Men, Youth & Farmers of The Whole Graway Ferguson Community, Cape Palmas

Harper City Hall, June 11, 2012

Hon. Superintendent, March, 2011, Refugees emerging from the Ivory Coast that were placed on The Bishop Ferguson High School Campus by The Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) headed by Cllr. Wheatonia Y. Dixon Barnes, destroyed eleven (11) sugar cane farms within the Ferguson Belt with impunity. These farms belonged to eleven tax-paying and law-abiding citizens residing in the Ferguson Belt. Several complaints were filed to your office. Additions to that, complaints were also filed in the offices of LRRRC both in Monrovia and Harper respectively. One year and three months ago today, both LRRRC and your office fail to produce positive response. As you know, the destruction of the farms was astronomical. As such, it has been an economic burden on us. The damage in terms of dollars and cents is equal to Sixty-six thousand ($66,000.00) United States dollars. After intensive Positive Action mounted on your office, which came from us and our friends, children and other social justice advocates, your office was forced to establish a “Commission of Inquiry” to investigate the matter. Even though we are not satisfied with the composition and Report submitted by the Commission which was headed by The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, its formation and activities justifies our legitimate claims.

Hon. Superintendent, having inherited the area from our Foreparents who lived there more than 100 years ago, we have done all that is required under our Organic Laws to maintain and protect the area. When the Refugees were brought into the area, we, as custodian of the area, were not informed. Yet and still, as a decent people, we gave our fullest support. But our generosity and hospitality was and continues to be abused by both LRRRC and the comity of refugee management.  

Hon. Superintendent, the failure of LRRRC and the local government of Maryland, yea Liberia, to recognize the Report of its own “Commission of Inquiry” which confirms the destruction beyond human imagination, is a clear and deliberate violation of our Rights as law-abiding and tax-paying citizens of the Republic of Liberia.

Therefore, based on the supramentioned undisputable facts, you and LRRRC have denied us the ability to obtain our full human conditions. As such, we hereby register our distaste and disdain and thereby DEMAND reparation otherwise we will resolve into NONSTOP and continuous peaceful and nonviolent street demonstrations in order to capture the undivided attention of the Liberian government. This will include and not limited to “Sit-ins,” passive resistance and PROLONG marches along the streets of Harper and maybe transfer our activities to Monrovia to meet with Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia to submit our legitimate claims.

We have called on all international and local government and nongovernmental organizations to help us out of our misery, but none came to our rescue. Even The UNICEF which is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential, continues to sit on the proverbial fence watching our children being kicked out of their class rooms only to make room for refugees. Consistent with The UNICEF Mission Statement, it is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children - victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities. But when the Refugees launched an unprovoked attack on our children and their parents, UNICEF has been sitting by and watching. Are our children considered children of a lesser god?

Hon. Superintendent, we want to summon all of you who have a practical nature, all who possess idealism, dynamism and immense sense of patriotism, all who believe in goodness, truth and beauty, to unite to support our reparation demands so that we and the Refugees can built a new society where each of us will have a peaceful and tolerant future. In this new society we will work for ourselves and enjoy what the Creator has bequeathed to us, those things that until now we have been deprived of by the LRRRC and Refugee management who hold economic-financial power in their hands. We have arrived at a decisive moment in time when it is no longer possible to go on sustaining unnecessary economic pains as a result of Refugee violence.

We are calling on all of you to bring about a change that is in the interest of the refugees and citizens of this country. We are calling on you to turn this economic bankrupt situation around, to disinvert it and head it in the right direction. We want to live life; we want to produce for ourselves and our fellow men and our children; we want to live in peace with everyone. Nor can we let anyone go on exploiting us and destroying our children’s future. We intend to put a stop to all of this because we want to live in a time of peace now — that peace we have always desired but which has been denied us.

Hon. Superintendent, we are greatly disturbed by this broad daylight violence against us. And so we are now prepared to take matters to the Liberian government. And if need be, we shall take this matter to The United Nations for redress.

Our children have been denied schooling and we, as their parents, have been denied economic progress. Therefore, we unequivocally, with all we can command from the roof our tongues, demand reparation!

We look forward to your immediate response to this human catastrophe.

Attached is a copy of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by your office and headed by The Catholic justice and Peace Commission. The Report is captioned,

                                                                       “The Committee Report

Eleven Sugar Farms reportedly destroyed at Bishop Ferguson Community in Harper by Ivorian Refugees

Harper City, Maryland County

Republic of Liberia 

Prepared and Submitted on behalf of the Committee:

Thomas B. Mawolo

Chairman

The Catholic Peace and justice Commission

Cape Palmas Diocese”

Signed - Victims:

1.       Monday Howe

2.      Alexander Harris

3.      Perry Harris

4.      Thykindon Harris

5.      Quiah Harris

6.      William Harris

7.      Nyemande Elizabeth Harris

8.      Martha Harris

9.      Victor Harris

10.   

11.   

Approved:                                                                                           

                        Victor Wade Harris/CLAN CHIEF/WHOLE GRAWAY

Attested:                                                                                                                     

                T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell/Founder/Operations/CCAC/Social Justice Advocate

cc:       Ministry of Internal affairs

              LRRRC

              Commissioner, Harper District 

             Legislative Caucus

Harper Stinks

Harper City is one of the oldest cities in Liberia. It is situated deep in the heartland and keyhole of the Southeastern Region of the country. It is the capital of Maryland (Liberia).

It used to be one of the best when I was growing up. But now if you were to ask me much about the City, my answer is, “It stinks!”

The offensive smell of feces and electric generator fumes hang like a thick dark cloud over Harper City.

Each time I walk around the City, the offensive smell is found everywhere. There are black scandal bags almost everywhere in which full or half loads of feces had been tossed close to the street-side and into makeshift garbage pits; garbage heaps, or the open areas in sections of the community.

In Harper, running water is scarce and sometimes non-existent in the inner-city community.

Public toilet and bathroom facilities to offer some dignity to the men, women and children are nonexistent. Men and women alike pee along the streets.

Flies, people and animals commingle in a maze of nastiness. When the wind blows, the residue of filth is felt all over your body including in your mouth. Corpses are embalmed along the riverside and roadside.

Flies quickly move from the mounds of filth to the mouths of adults and young babies.

Communities in the outskirt of the City are heavily infested with deadly disease-carrying rats. Big heavy rats run across the streets as I take my evening and morning walks throughout the City.

The filthy conditions common to most parts of the City create breeding grounds for the rodents.

We all know rats and mice spread over 35 types of diseases. And these diseases can be spread to humans in many ways.

Strayed dogs infested with rabies, pigs and other animals ply the streets of Harper without hindrance.

In Harper City that is a risk that we live with every day.

 RECOMMENDATION (S):

1.   Recruit student volunteers to help sweep streets on a daily basis for an Honorarium of $50 (US) monthly.

2.    Each Street by sponsored by an individual or group or organizations. For example, one person or group can take responsibility to pay the annual salary of each student volunteer.

3.    The project will be managed by The KudeNumo Peace Initiative Foundation, Inc. INC. (KNPIF) the author of Peace in the Peninsula

4.  Encourage international and national nongovernmental organizations to assist in environmental issues in the City for the common good of all including, asbestos removal, erosion, &c.

BENEFIT:

1.       Students will learn how to volunteer

2.       Students , while volunteering will receive an Honorarium

3.       Students, while learning how to volunteer and receiving Honorarium, will help clean their own community for their own good and everybody else’s

4.       Harper City will be a clean city and environmentally stable

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

Who is a True Marylander?

In Maryland many and oft a time the issue of who is a true Marylander grips the entire community to its ankle so much so it takes physical TREND.

I can recall, two young fellas clashed on the question. The debate began as an intellectual one. Later on it became physical. In no time, the Police came in and arrested both young men and took them to the Police Headquarters for investigation. The Police found out the two young men represented two extreme positions and views in the community. One of them is Glebo and the other Kru.

The Glebo folk observes that the Krus in Grand Kru County do not allow other tribes from outside Grand Kru to take jobs and seek opportunities to better themselves in the County. But, according to him, when the Krus come to Maryland, they are allowed to take any job they wish and live wherever they wish. He also goes on to observe that the Krus in time of Elections leave Maryland and register in their various counties outside Maryland. As a result, they do not register in Maryland to elect officials of Maryland. Yet they return back to Maryland after elections to live and work in Maryland. From that point of consideration, the Glebo guy concludes, such a person is not a true Marylander. Because he doesn’t take part in electing the leaders of the county, yet expects to be treated like everyone else who remains and votes in the county to elect their leaders.

The Kru guy disagrees.

He says it doesn’t matter whether or not one registers and votes in another county. As long as her lives in Maryland or born in Maryland, he or she is a true Marylander. The Kru man is also of the opinion that Grand Kru and RiverGee were once part of Maryland. That means those who are from both counties but were born in Maryland at the time both counties were part of Maryland, are still citizens of Maryland.

The Police could not solve this problem. And so I was called in. However, the Police took on the physical aspect of abuse against by both young fellas.

One of them was guilty for the physical assault.

When I went in, I asked the Police to do its job as far as the Law is concerned. I told the Police that I would do my best to delve into the question via an intellectual forum.

On June 2, 2012, I did. I called a Panel Discussion on the topic, “Who is a True Maryland.” Many calls came from Monrovia. Because the question captures the attention of several individuals who were born in Maryland and now part of RiverGEE and Grand Kru. Others include those who fathers come from different counties but mothers from Maryland. Others are those who lived in Maryland for a protracted period of time, built homes, born their children in the county but are segregated against.

The scheduled Discussion on June 2 did not materialize simply because The Lone Star of Liberia Ball Club had a ballgame with Senegal in Senegal. This came via Satellite. Most people wanted to watch the game. And so most of the invites did not show up. It was suggested that the forum be rescheduled on this Saturday, June 9.

There are two Panelists.

Mr. Bolton Dennis, former student leader of The William V. S. Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County. Currently, Mr. Dennis works for The Danish Refugee Council. He can be reached via Cell phone at +231. 886.747.426.

The other Panelist is Mr. Globa Williams, former aspirant for the office of Representative of the Harper District in the Liberian House of Representative. He’s now an employee in the Finance Department of The William V. S. Tubman University. He can be reached at, +231.886.720.937.

Serving as Moderator is Hon. Daniel Williams, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent J. Gblebo Brown, Maryland County.

We look forward to making headway into the issue making Maryland one of the best counties in Liberia.

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

The Maryland Development Conference: Success & Failure – My Personal Opinion

In order to do hazard analysis on a particular job in Occupational Safety & Health, one needs to answer the following questions:

1. Who knows best the hazards and problems of a particular job other than the person who performs that job each and every day as a regular routine?

2. Who can better recommend possible solutions to a particular problem and/or hazards centered on a certain kind of job other than the one who works the job regularly from day-to-day?

The answer to these questions will help answer the questions emanating from the recently held Maryland Development Conference in Harper City.

Here are the questions:

Who best knows the problems of Maryland County? Is it those who live on the ground in Maryland, who feel the brunt of the problem living on the ground or those living in the Diaspora who have not been on the ground over fifty years or foreign visitors instructing and administering the affairs of The William V. S. Tubman University who come from different countries around the world and have not lived long enough in Maryland to know the origin and magnitude of the pressing problems?

Recently, a conference was convened in Harper City, the capital of Maryland under the Theme: “Maryland County Development Conference…” Most of the Conference attendees came from outside Maryland. And the actual planning of the Conference was done mostly by outsiders. As a result, the end of the conference continues to trouble the minds of many Marylanders including myself. Up to now, one can clearly say whether or not the conference was a success.

From what I have learned later on, The William V. S. Tubman University facilitated and/or sponsored the conference (whatever that means).

I also learned that the conference was geared towards finding possible solutions to the current problems of Maryland including but not limited to infrastructural, human resource development and reconciliation. But from what I know now, those who designed the Conference have limited or no knowledge of the problems on the ground that they intend to solve by virtue of the Conference.

From all things considered, it is true the Conference is seemingly one whose time has come. As such, identifying burning issues and problems in the County and adapting a solution-finding approach, is a fine idea which justifies the conference as one whose time has come. Except for one reason: it started on the wrong footing!

Several questions abound therefore:

Who defined, organized and executed such a conference and its agenda?

Is it the University staff which is composed of foreigners who have not lived in the County more than three years and have not developed any direct link and contact with the indigenes of the County and/or common people so as to know how the citizens and residents think and feel?

Or stakeholders referred to as Marylanders on the ground, especially those ones who have been involved and roasted in the crises over-and-over, again-and-again without any way out?

Or is it Diasporic Marylanders, some of whom have not been in Maryland on the ground over fifty years and have no clue what exactly Maryland County looks like in terms of the prevailing situation and/or conditions?

The answer to these salient questions set the basis to the conclusion whether or not the recently held conference was a success.

Let’s take this example:

One of the vice presidents of the University is from Singapore. And she has not lived in Maryland long enough to know the name of the major streets in Harper City. But she was given the responsibility to plan the conference as to the agenda, decide who to invite and what to talk about during the Conference.

THAT’S PROBLEM NUMBER 1

PROBLEM NUMBER 2: The chair of the planning committee was born and shortly lived in Maryland. Meaning that he knows a little bit about Maryland. But whatever he knows about Maryland is as old as Methuselah or as old as the Book of Chronicles. Meaning that, he lived in Maryland long ago. Since then, Maryland has dramatically changed. He holds a doctorate degree and is a former diplomat. Evidently, he’s been away too long. Therefore, he cannot but be totally detached from the current problems on the ground in Maryland from a practical standpoint. Academically, there’s no doubt in my mind, he can diagnose the problems in Maryland. But his approach will be impractical in terms of solutions in real life.

These concerns and analysis are just what they are. No one should read them negatively!

The issues raised about the Vice president from Singapore and the Chair of the Planning Committee is in no way to belittle their contributions and/or disrespect them in reference to the Conference. The truth is they cannot plan the future of Marylanders without Marylanders, especially the ones who will remain in the crises when the bull hit the fence and everyone else flees to his or country.

Just imagine this:

Someone from Pleebo (the commercial capital of Maryland, Liberia) goes to the US; he gets to town; here he is, he doesn’t even know the immigration office; but he begins to plan and host a conference on how to solve the American people’s problems. He calls the conference. And mind you, he doesn’t consult with the Americans who have the problems. But he sends them invitation to attend. The invitation tells them they are “guests.” Evidently, the “guests” will not partake in the solution-finding approach at the conference.

Can the American people not cry out loud against such an intended good that has the propensity to turned bad? I think they will cry out! But they will not cry out with bad minds for the visitors whose intent is to help! But for heaven’s sake, the Americans are the ones with problem; and so, it is the Americans that need to solve their problems. For only a people can liberate themselves. Nobody else can do so for them!

That’s the situation of the Maryland Development Conference.

Those who planned, executed and defined the Conference are more alien to the issues of Maryland than anyone can imagine. The issues that haunt Maryland have no significant impact on the planners. And this is because if the bull hit the fence, all of these foreigners will flee to their various lands leaving the common Marylanders on the ground to swallow the bitter pill. So who needs to find solution to the problems of Maryland? Is it not Marylanders?

I don’t know what you think; but if you ask me what I think; I think it is whacked and dumb for others who have no proverbial fish to fry in a certain situation to start shedding crocodile tears! Only Marylanders can liberate themselves! Nobody else can dod so!

This is my opinion! What’s yours?

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

Senator John Akel Ballout Is Banned for insulting Dr. Russell?

On April 23 & 24, 2012, The William V. S. Tubman University in Maryland (Liberia) facilitated a “Maryland Development Conference.” 

By hearing and listening to the title of the conference one can agree it is or was in the sole interest of Maryland County. But if one delves into the implementation strategy, there’s so much blame to shift around. Even though shifting blame is not the best thing to do, understanding that every process has a problem to begin with from the onset, is one thing we need to concentrate on. That was the case with the conference. 

Put all of these together and one can conclude what happened prior to and during the Conference. All that took place prior to and during the Conference are nothing new to social scientists and the rest of us. People will disagree on issues, especially on strategy to resolving the issues. But they must have the capacity to disagree in order to agree.  

That’s the crux of this post - disagreeing to agree.

Before I got an invitation to attend the conference, I heard of the conference from individuals in the US. STRANGE!

I got my invitation one day prior to the conference. Whatever that means, is left with time and conditions to explain. 

The fact of the matter is I am the author of peace in the Glebo Peninsula between the two most troubled groups in the County: Numnoweh & Kudemoweh. 

Both Chiefdoms have been at logger head for over fifty years. Most recently, the conflict took the trend of armed hostilities when several citizens lost their precious lives. Land and boundary issues have been eating up their possibilities. And this sort of tendency spilled over in the county. As a result, the conflict had the entire County held hostage for a protracted period time.


The Carter Center and Charity Sisters of the Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas tried to usher in peace between the two peoples. But to no avail.


We got involved; When I say "We" I mean The KudeNumo Peace Initiative Foundation, Inc. commonly referred to as "KNPIF." 


We began building on what Carter Center and The Charity Sisters left behind. We came in and applied the ASAP Concept; Meaning African Solutions to African Problems. Suddenly, all the bits and pieces began to fall in place. And therefore ushered in peace and reduced tension in the County.

By reducing tension and bringing both groups together in the County, it becomes common sense that anytime a process pertaining to peace is pursued in the county, we, (author of peace in the most troubled areas - KNPIF), need to be contacted. But in this case of the “Maryland Development Conference” we were left out until pressure mounted on the organizers from the outside.

But this is not the issue under consideration. So let's move on to what is the crux of the matter here.

The issue under consideration is about Sen. Ballout. Did he really insult Dr. Russell, President of The William V. S. Tubman University for which he’s been banned?

At the Conference it was announced that Sen. Ballout insulted Dr. Russell. I wasn’t there when this announcement was made. But in the last day and last minute of the Conference, Richelieu Archie Williams realized that the fact that we (KNPIF, author of peace in the Glebo Peninsula) were left out of the Conference’s main focus and giving the fact that he worked with us to achieve considerable peace between the Numoweh and Kudemoweh people, he felt compelled to draw us in. And so he delivered a powerful speech at the Conference calling for our participation. The Conference was compelled to cell phone me asking for us to attend final part of the Conference. As peacemakers, we did not hesitate. And so I showed up at the Harper City Hall where it was full to overflow. But I showed up as an individual not an organization. I wanted to know exactly what is it they wanted from me. And I found out.

At the Conference the Ballout issue came up. 

A question was posed if what Ballout did (insulting Dr. Russell) was right or wrong. The Conference attendees said it was "wrong." 

Whether or not it is true Ballout insulted the Professor, no one from Ballout’s office was there to defend him. Consequently, a declaration was made to ban Sen. Ballout from all Special Maryland County meetings until he apologizes to the Professor. Those in favor stood up and raised their hands. That was the "Majority." And the rest was history.

Now, Ballout seems to be fighting back. But I’m thinking that it's too late.

Those who attended the conference and made that decision to ban him had all left the Hall and the City. They all have returned to their various locales throughout the County.  

How Ballout makes his case will depend on how he wields power as a senator. Otherwise, the damage is done! This will be the first in my lifetime and in history of Maryland County that a Maryland Senator has been banned by his people from attending very important meetings.

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