I dont agree. Please don't give us money. Keep it in your far away banks. We will tell you what we want. We want our children to have good education like your children, so we need schools. We want medicine to treat our sick like you do, so we need hospitals. Nobody is going to waltz in and build an infrastructure for us, we need to take responsibility. It's Wishfull thinking to presume anyone would, and as the saying goes if wishes were horses beggers would ride them. What exactley do they owe us, to undertake such a challenging and arduous task; moral obligation? Appealing to their emotion just doesnt cut it, and is rather tacky to say we want what you have. With terms like "Just give us the means" and "empower us" he is insinuating that we are incapable and lack the competence to cross examine our failures, find the root causes, and fix them. So whats his reasoning, dont give us the money because we are to corrupt and lack moral fiber, but rather come build an infrastructure for us. In any case his appeal to pity/sympathy is merely passing the buck, and he fails to realize it ends at us. P.s the title itself is somewhat conflicting. Are'nt politicians voted by the people for the people, thus they are not solely at fault, we all are collectivley.

Hadad know your playing with semantics. Patriotism and nationalism have thier subtle differences. I like the way you term it recent fervor. Saxib patriotism becoumes articulated through passion and passion is spurred by war. Hisory repeatedly teaches us this; Vietnam, bay of pigs, gulf war.(Somalia's civil war is no different) Your inference that american patriotism is recent, does not hold water, its been around since the civil war. My apologies for drifting off topic

Because nationalism is a colonial instrument meant to delay the development and progress of the Third World. Proof: Nationalism is irrelevant in developed and developing nations. How would you characterize the millions of americans who have the stars and stripes proudly displayed on their cars, their front porches, even as their pc screensavers? By this defination I am a nationalist. loyalty and devotion to a nation that places emphasis on promoting the interests, cultural and social values.

This is widely used in New York and other large Metropolitan city's with Traffic light camera's. Not sure it really works, I might just give it a shot , tired of freaking tickets. The Spray Blocker

Regardless of the outcome, say your peice.... Lying is done with words and also with silence....open the book. 2 sides of the same coin, You consider it lying (by keeping quite mind you) and I consider it slander. Contemplate the fact that your preconceived notion about her might be wrong, why plant the seed of doubt in your boys head at all. Unless you personaly have indulged and "made mistakes" right along with her, and know off her "sleazy" ways from first hand experience. (and thats a whole different ballgame) Disregard my latter note, dont have any stats or facts for you guys, mere observations I have encountered.

This all depends on how well you know your friend. Snitching on the sleazbag may cause more damage than you think. If the brother is whipped and wrapped around her pinkie finger, do you think he will pay any heed to your warnings? If anything your intentions of "looking out" will put a wedge in your friendship. Sometimes silence is golden, let him find out on his own and make his own decision on whether to stay or leave. The cliche you cant turn a .... into a housewife, has been proven wrong. So what if she painted the town red in her haydays, she can always turn over a new leaf and be true to you. It has happened.

Also sky's post about brownish teeth actually he didn't mean the common Somali dabar Sky knows himself if he goes to Gaalkacyo and those regions that they all have red teeth that's why they have so many Afguduud's. The Brown teeth with is actullay "huuro" or slob teeth. This was a common feature of the people of the North west because of their excessive Khat chewing Contrary to public belief the discolored teeth phenom is not a result of excessive khat chewing or poor hygiene. In Mudug and further up in the northern regions the water dug up from wells was not purified and nomads did not subject it to any rigorous purification method. The chemical elements present caused the discoloration. Consumption over a period of time stains the teeth and results in the “rust†like brownish pigment.

Mr Baashi, wale wa lugu haya, baxso

Saxib bashi, I agree the tags do sound offensive but "animalistic" and "beast" used in this context are merely idiomatic expressions, and verily defination should not be inferred from the true meaning of the words. Jamaal said and I quote "Beast activists may include anyone who blindly follows other men's ideas without questioning. The non-thinkers." If the labelling is used to describe the trait in the above context,im all for it. If not, then im lost. Moving on Baashi you say, That being the case, how can something so ingrained in the fabric of the society be dismissed and put aside. The only sensible thing to do, in my humble opinion, is to acknowledge it and minimized to its bones stripping from all its meat and fat The question I asked in my initial response still stands, is it worth a grain of salt? I admit it might be a tad bit far fetched to dismiss/discard of it completley, but why even further entertain this parochial mentality which we all know is fundamentally defective. (14+ years of anarchy should be enough to justify my inference) Do I have a method to dismiss it? No,I dont, but that doesnt mean I have to accept or acknowledge it. The highlighted portion of your quote caught my eye. What exactley do you mean by acknowledging it and minimizing it to its bones? P.s. The Ikhwaan approach appears to be the only viable solution.

Congratulations Checkmate.

^^^ Slow me had to read that twice to get it...SMH at credit and his banana peels

YVW Jamaal, the underlying message in that book is very powerfull,fadlan make a note to read it, and trust me you wont be dissapointed.

ANN has seen its viewer volume exponentially grow in the post "SNM in Balance" period, so they continue to publish controversial articles and opinions to maintain their clientelle. Yellow journalism at its peak, no? The author is an ignoramus spewing vile and hate, but blame lies totally on the medium for giving this brand of sub standard journalism a platform. This is a classical example where business ideals dominate, and dictate journalistic integrity. How much further low will we stoop I wonder.

I am under the impression that its a state of mind; cognitive state that is reached by an individual, not a pledge to a distinctive character, or collective entity for that matter.

WTH..I got 3, and I blame it on the Caps Lock straining my sight

MARRIAGE (PART IV) That was a cold but good comeback

Jamaal,makes sense "y"eers will tear "c" apart limb by limb. The savages! Saxib, I implore you to read this Novel which so perfectly depicts the “cattle mentality†Based on a true story, it’s a short read but very worthwhile narration. Here’s a brief review. The Wave was a well-written and extremely informative study in the pressures of society, and the effects of deindividuation on a person, or, in this case, a school. What we learn while reading it is just how easy it is to be caught up in the 'cattle mentality' (to stop thinking for ourselves and mearly follow along with what those around us are doing). The somewhat frightening aspect of the book is the fact that some of the waves basic principles seem to be extreamly good logic; yet only too easily can good ideas turn astray. This book is a great read, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in Social Psychology.

I once walked in on my 6 year old neice, bless her heart, singing a song I despise. She had the volume real loud , and was singing along " my milkshake friends are better than yours damn right , they better better than yours". That was the last time she watched MTV, (at least around me )...... Happy celebrations landers, Enjoy..

Phanta :eek: :eek: ...Its been ages since I drank a soft drink, (strictly water) ....This Article should make you really freak out My craving is not food related. I yearn for solitude sometimes..peace of mind to think, relax and reflect. Away from the office politics, classroom antics, and roomate debacles!....yeah sometimes the hermit lifestyle appeals to me.

^^ No ma'am, Wouldnt dare visit that cesspool, im allergic to it.. :eek: P.s. What happened to the 7/9 persona..it was kewl?

LMAO, I guess the # of posts is the criterion here? At the rate your going, looks like I need to retract the "rookie" tag I unjustly pinned on you......Wlc and Enjoy saxib What nerve I got, daring to call them that, what was I thinking :confused: !

Wlc lidia, umayma and 007 ......and the rest of the 150+ rookies. Hope you enjoy your stay.....

Brother Caamir I think there is some truth to doubting the abilities for individuals (under psychological supposed) culture can break the fetters of contrains and reassert their identities. I also concur with you that we needs instititional safe-guards and help, and as I said in an earlier post, a framework that accomodates all future consensualists First Level............. 1 - (P+B) + Y = X Second Level.......... 2 -(P+B)+Y+c = X Interesting formula which I think has potential to be very combustible. Factors "y" and "c" in the equation together, can lead to a conflict of interest.(of course,based solely on individual merit) The coexistence of contradictory ideas,attitudes and emotions is the breeding grounds for behavioral disorders (psychopathology) why not eradicate "y" altogether from the 2nd equation and replace it with "c"? Granted, clan identities is intricately wooven into our culture,language, and history, but is it even worth a grain of salt when it has inexorably lead us to anarchy and all its attendant barbarities? I like the nom de guerre "somali Consensualist" I will use it when the ever so frequent and irritating question "war ya tahay" arises.

Innaa Lilaahi wa innaa Ileyhi Raajicuun. Allaha U naxariisto.

The feeling you get when you open the darn mailbox, and find it empty....wohoooo another day of not getting an eyesore from staring at bills