You see me so, I am a MAAAAN oh!

As we all should but probably do not know, the clothes do not make the man. Especially if they are stolen. Anybody can put on a gown or a suit, anybody can own a car or a home, or anything for that matter. That does not give you the right to look down upon anyone who does not own these things.

Recently, in our home, they are starting to round up all the rogues one by one. Right away everybody starts to cry foul. Now the very thieves are being held just were they belong, in jail awaiting trial. But no, they must not be put there amongst "common criminals". Maybe we should build special holding cells now for the priviledged that are reserved for those wearing suits and polished shoes. Stealing is stealing, so remember that the next time you decide to pocket those dollars belonging to the Republic.

That oldma can throw shovel oh!

Everywhere you look, the oldma is throwing shovel. When she go this way, she throwing shovel. She always has her headtie on. Even in the hot sun. Go for it Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, show these guys how to do it. All of them wearing coat-suits in the hot sun in the background. I have never understood the need to wear the tie, the jacket, the shining shoes in our country. Please be aware that the clothes does not make the man. Too many of our people look up to these jackasses in their three-piece-suit, while they dupe you, lie to you and convince you to vote for them. Beware of anyone wearing clothes that does not suit the situation. What do they want from you? What are they trying to sell?

When push comes to shove

About a year ago we had a ridiculous amount of contestants for the top seat in government. There were twenty two presidential candidates representing the same number of political parties. The amount of acronymns flying around the media alone made me disheartened. Why you ask? Because this was typical for our beloved country. Everyone wants to become president, no one wants to do the hard work. Of the numerous parties available at the time, what distinguished between the parties programs and ambitions. Basically nothing. In the end, the personal cults around the most popular politicians prevailed. Now, a full year later, the National Election Commision, in accordance with the constitution, is requesting annual reports and commencing inspection of parties headquarters.

All of a sudden, where did all the parties go. Have they disappeared into thin air? It looks that way, so come the next presidential election in five years time, beware of the false prophets and do not forget to ask about their ideology.

When the cat is away....

Once again, as soon as our president is out of the country the trouble starts. What trouble you say. The trouble where certain elements decide to start making their own laws to please their own purposes. For example a statement from Star Radio issued yesterday. "The government of Liberia says some members of the Liberia Marketing Association are planning to demonstrate against the restructuring of the association. A government statement issued, warned any group planning such demonstration to desist. The statement issued by the office of the Vice President warned that anyone engaged in such demonstration would face the full weight of the law." I would like to know which law is being threatened upon these potential demonstrators. Do we now have a law that states that it is illegal to demonstrate? Seriously, what this statement says is that "I am the Vice President, I can order the police to come and deal with all of you if you do not conform to my wishes." Is this democracy? Somebody please inform the old man that we are in the year 2006.

Call dirt dirt

This is the spirit we need in our country, people willing to stand up to these fat, good for nothing scoundrels that call themselves lawmakers. One in their midst, one of their own has revealed the dirt that is sitting on Capitol Hill licking their fat lips with all the grease running down. He told it straight and he called dirt dirt. They book your oh, your damn greedy bunch of yeenytwe. These are the actions that make people vying to invest in our country just turn around and leave in disgust. Imagine the legislature of a country summoning the managers of companies just to be able to coerce a few dollars for a smooth ratifying process. And then turn around and threaten suspension for the person responsible for bringing this to the attention of the public. These are not the old days my people, so start doing your jobs, and let these few investors get on with theirs so that hopefully their venture will produce employment opportunities for our people. Next time, if anybody wants to book these fat pigs wasting our money on the hill, play along, make sure you record anything that they say and reveal it to the world. Then we can impeach the asses and replace them with responsible Liberians.

I will flog you oh!

Welcome to the middle ages, right here in the middle of the twenty-first century. Her we are, stuggling to survive, trying to leave the past behind us. But yet, some of our officials who feel that because they are elected have the right to do as they please. Instead of showing empathy in everyday situations, some of our leaders feel that they have the right to order their security officers to administer immediate justice according to the gospel of that official.

This behavior is a reminent of old times and intended only to humiliate the victim grossly in the eyes of the onlookers. Is this where we want to be headed, back into the dark ages? Keep me out of it and prosecute these corrupt officials/officers. It sounds to me that punishment for these kind of breaches of justice should be punished by publicly whipping the said official/officer and disrobing them. I am sure this treatment would curtail future "Do you know who I am?" from blatantly exerting their dearly won influence. Imagine having to explain to potential investors in our country that sometimes public officials dish out personal punishment on whoever they want, because they feel that their "position" gives them that right. Shame on you'all.

The power of rice

Long ago in the forties, fifties and sixties, our beloved country was selfsufficient in growing rice. All rice sold in Monrovia was grown in the interior. Trucks carrying other imported goods would leave Monrovia and head out into the hinterland and sell these goods. The currency was rice. Without criticising the Open Door Policy in the early fifties, it incouraged foreign nationals to come and do business in Liberia. This is about the time when the Lebanese started establishing their businesses. Gradually, and especially towards the end of the seventies, we were importing most of our rice. Enough said about his.

Today, we cry foul when the price of rice fluctuates with the world market price. Why? Because there are only two importers of rice who supply the whole country. Past governments have tried to control the price of the commodity by basically dictating price roofs to those importing. This would have been fine if anyone was free to start a rice importing business, but that is not the case. Instead the commerce ministry also dictates who is allowed to import rice by granting/withholding licenses to import. What kind of psuedo communism is this? Why should I as a businessman import rice at market price, ship it all the way to West Africa and then sell it for less than I have bought it. Sure, if the government subsidised me, I would very well consider.

We need to open up the market and let anyone who is willing and able import the stuff. He who sells it at the lowest price will surely be able to unload his stock without difficulty. Stop the bullshit now and free up the right to import and then collect whatever tariffs you see fit.

Take your finger out of the cookie jar

Lo and behold! Our protectors and our saviours are the same people that steal from us as soon as they get the chance. Not being armed is one thing, not having any possiblity to call headquarters is another. Not being able to respond to our calls due to lack of transportation is something we all will have to live with in the foreseeable future.

But having police officers in full uniform stealing from us when entering our homes under legal actions is as low as it gets. Imagine having officers entering your home with a legal warrant to search your home for illegal substances. When they get through, your laptop, mobilphone, cash, televisionset, stereo and even your mattress are seized. Why? Because some lowlife so-called Police Officer feels that these things appeal to him and would fit beautifully in his own home.

Come on Mrs. Police Chief, are you not in control of your officers?

Shame on all of you'all.

Stop the whining

Our gracious ex-dictator is presently cooling off in a pleasant cell in the dutch city of The Hague awaiting trial. For the last few months and even quite recently a certain acronym justice/watch organisation has been crying wolf for very long. They say that he is being treated as if he already condemned and so forth.

It is time for these people to shut up. I am very sure that if you look a little closer to this watchgroup, that those behind it are former cronies to the man. I can tell you that the nonsense that was going on in Sierra Leone with all the liberty of visitors and mobile phone, the ordering of special dishes can only happen in our part of the world. Let me tell you this, Charles Taylor is not being treated any differently than any other person awaiting trial in the Netherlands. It is not a damn hotel or recreational facility. In Liberia, he would not even have a bed to sleep in. Get real.

Legislate this

The Liberian Constitution is basically a carboncopy of the American one, although without all the amendments. The 3 branches of government (Legislative, Judiciary and Executive). In Liberia, the Legislature is divided into the Senate and House of Representatives which are elected by the people and are in charge of passing the laws of the nation.

So far all is well. In theory. The problem is that too many of these represenatives of the people do not have the best of the nation at their hearts. This bugs me to the point that it is annoying. How can serious legislative work be done when every little bit of criticism towards the peoples' representatives is met by blatant ignorance? It seems that our almighty house has spent more time summoning anyone that criticises their actions and deeds. Is this what we elected them for? To carry on personal crusades against anyone daring to challenge their almighty power.

Just recently, a prominent member of our house approached the manager of the Liberian Petroleum Refining Company underboard for fifty grand. What kind of bullshit is that? Those days are over. Luckily, the manager told the said individual to go to hell and went public with the attempt. These are the kind of people that we are dealing with, and you know the best part. They are elected for a term of nine years.

Not to long ago, when the pay checks were to be disbursed to all the employees of the various lawmakers in accordance with the authority in charge of these things, our humble lawmakers started acting up. Instead of complying, our honourable men and women cried foul. I can imagine their cries, "Who dares to challenge my authority" "Do you know who I am?" and all the other crap that can come forth when they want to continue collecting paychecks for "ghost names" and playing paymaster to their own staff with all the powerplay that can muster. Wake up people, those days are over. This is a new era, and if you all don't like it just send me a summons, and I will come give cause before the House.