Lost In Translation: The Liberia-United States Relationship
Written by Paul Jackson
Friday, 20 November 2009
For more than 162 years, our political leadership and historians have
been glossing over a meaningless relationship existing between the
United States and Liberia; we have refused to accept the inconvenient
truth that this relationship is more of a symbolic than a symbiotic
one.
While our political leadership continues to feign occidental privilege and draw meaningless parallels as a result of this “special relationship”, countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Egypt rank among the world’s top ten recipients of aid from the United States of America (Washington Post, December, 2006). I cannot think of a more perfect analogy than the tale of a blissful and subsequently jaded lover who took a long time to realize that his beloved wife was having an affair with his brother.
One of the unintentional purposes of this piece is that it appears to diminish the importance of the minimum wage Liberia has been receiving from the United States, however, this is not my thrust; my thrust here is to delineate some recent trends in Liberia-United States relations that prove this relationship has been purposefully lost in translation just to support the whimsical agenda of history and its hapless participants. The term “hapless participants” is used loosely in this piece to refer to past and present Liberian leadership.
Trend Number One-President Bush’s Visit to Africa
Here’s what happened during President Bush historic six-days visit to Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin, Ghana, and Liberia, in February of 2008:
In Tanzania, President Bush signed a 698 million dollar grant to encourage conservative ideology about market forces, and to help mitigate the spread of HIV via abstinence education. Benin received a five year 300 million dollar grant to fight poverty. In Rwanda, the President gave 17 million to help with peace keeping initiatives in Sudan. President Bush did not only spend three days in Ghana, but he also pledged 17 million to help fight the spread of Malaria. In our beloved Liberia, President Bush spent roughly four hours and pledged 1 million text books. Yes, I wrote TEXTBOOKS!
Maybe it’s only me, but it appears like President Bush was punishing Liberia for being a strategic liability to the United States, and rewarding the other countries as strategic partners; but what do I know? Poor village idiot……….!
Trend Number Two- The Africom Fiasco
After the United States announced its intention to open a central military command in Africa, our illustrious President did everything, except sleep with President Bush just to have Liberia win this unenviable bid; she had no inkling that this move could have brought serious national security consequences and other adverse collateral implications on our already politically volatile nation.
Luckily, the United States was gracious enough to tell President Sirleaf, Thanks But No Thanks! The last time I checked, Africom was headquartered at Stuttgart, Germany. But it took few more months for our political administration to start working on a new scheme to endear Liberia to the United States; and that brings me to my third and final trend…
Trend Number Three- Obama’s visit to Africa
The Sirleaf administration lobbied and invoked the importance of Liberia’s “special friendship” with the United States, but Obama simply said NO! He wasn’t buying it; no way was he going to pay a quickie visit to Liberia. I don’t know which one is more ludicrous-Obama’s cold feet and snubbing of our President, or Mulbah Morlu’s prevarication about having bilateral talks with Obama in Ghana…
Conclusions:
I don’t know about you speculators, but if these trends don’t support the true nature of our make-belief relationship with the United States, nothing is going to disabuse your minds or transport you from this enchantment.
Let’s open our eyes, people, let’s accept our relationship with the United States for what it is: nondescript, childishly sentimental; it is a story that got lost in translation by historians and politicians whose only intention was to romanticize a relationship that does not really exist.
Bottom Line: Liberia is as important to the United States as Togo is to the planet Pluto.
Comments (35)
1. 21-11-2009 14:25
I haven't read the entire piece but i have one comment on the first trend.
I would much rather prefer he provided textbooks than money at this period of time. Textbooks are a tangible that can be easily tracked. In addition a textbook can be used to impart knowledge for a number of years before it needs to be replaced. Money can be wasted, abused, and misdirected more easily than textbooks. So I believe the gift of one million textbooks is by far more valuable to Liberia at this point in time.
2. 22-11-2009 00:01
This article remind me of Liberians that usually called Liberia "Small America". How will we be part of a great nation that did noting for us during our sufferings of the war. As Liberian, is time we stand up for ourselves and work to build a vital Liberia.
3. 22-11-2009 09:29
New Horizon
US-Liberia relation is under a critical review by the New Horizon of Liberia.
Africa-US-Europe-Africa relation is under a critical review by the New Horizon of Africa.
US-Europe's radical preconditions for economic aid are paramount in the review.
According to my survey and research, it appears that African scholars are fed up with the United States and Britain’s interferences in African internal affairs.
While it is true that African leaders are corrupt and are abusers of human rights, the act of using violence to change these regimes has helped to ravage the lives of the very people they claim to be defending.
In fact, most of the coups and rebel incursions in Africa are instigated by the west.
For example, late Sekou Toure of Guinea died before his actual time as a result of his socialist ideology.
Kwame Nkrumah’s overthrow was masterminded by the west as a result of his ideology (Pan Africanism); Somara Machel’s plane crash was staged by hidden hands from the west.
Dr. William Richard Tolbert’s assassination was the work of hidden hands from the west because of his nonalignment policy, especially when he favored Palestinian right to sovereignty.
The term “African Renaissance” is being applied to the new focus on the continent; the new horizon.
Jackson, your article forms part of the review as demonstrated by your scholastic approach to this subject and you automatically become a member of the New Horizon of Liberia and Africa.
4. 22-11-2009 11:50
Experience is the best lesson
The truth has been in the light ever since December 1989 and we as Liberians cannot hide from the hard truth anymore. Liberia is Liberia and The US is the the US. Let's take care of our own problems; in our own interests.
I am a big fan of some standup comedians. They say some truths sometimes. Like Chris Rock said in his Never Scared standup comedy; "The United States is like an Uncle who pays your way thru college but molested you when you were a child". From what I know now and what I have experinced, Chris Rock's assertion in his piece somehow describes the relationship between Liberia and the United States.
While it may be true that other African countries are now getting more financial aid packages than Liberia, we Liberians should be truthful that we have been there since 1847. If we sum everthing up, I think we have gotten more. But what did our past leaders did with these financial aids? On this issue, we have to put the blame squarely on our own never ending corruptive governments of Liberia. Look at how many government officials in the present leadership who have been associated with financial inappropriation. Is this caused by the United States?..No. It is our own people. I know some of us were very surprised when we travelled to some of our neighboring countries and saw some of the developments; despite been under colonial rules.
Where I may differ with the United States is when they abandoned us(Liberians) when we needed them most;during the initial stages of the Civil Crisis. It was a very painful time in our history. Knowing the US, they could've intervened and stopped the whole mess if they wanted to but they chose to airlift their citizens and other nationals but left Liberians to die for chaos that was caused by few greedy Liberians. I mean we were seeing gun battles on CNN in the streets of Monrovia and greater Liberia like watching a movie. The British sent troops to Sierra Leone and the French sent troops to the Ivory Coast; why didn't the United States do the same for Liberia? In fact when they decided to send their troops, they were instructed to stay off shore. Can you believe that? The United States is a country you love to hate but at the same time hate to loss as a friend.
5. 22-11-2009 15:08
Wow, Sasia
Sasia- I like the Cris Rock citation...... I agree with your argument, bro.............
6. 22-11-2009 15:17
I am Very Flattered
Hi Tom-
You've got me grinning from ear to ear.......I am so humbled and flattered.
I am also excited you are doing a research on the subject matter.......Kudos..........
7. 22-11-2009 18:23
Obama Pilgrimage to Liberia
President Obama has made two major trips to Africa during his term in office. The first was to Cairo Egypt to address the Muslim world. The second was to Accra Ghana to address Black Africa. Liberia is Africa's oldest Republic and it was founded by African American freedmen and their white European American sponsors. Liberia was never the symbol of African Freedom but was the symbol of American efforts to Christianize and Civilize Africa, which really has nothing to do with overall African civilization and quest for independence. Egypt is the worlds oldest civilization and the center of the islamic world (as well as the continent of Africa's major religion), so Obama visit was a brilliant move. Kwame Nkrumah in 1957 lead Ghana to independence and trigger the movement of independence throughout Black Africa. The road was not easy but Ghana has made tremendous progress and today is a symbol of Black African economic social and political progress. So Obama once again made a calculated and brilliant move and all Africans could relate to what he was addressing. J.J Roberts lead Liberia to independence 110 years before the rest of the continent began to develope their own independent republics. But whereas Nkrumah sought independence for all African peoples, Roberts sought independence for African Americans, who had been denied their rights in their native land. Total African freedom was only a secondary thought to the Americos and then only if the natives would embrace their Western Christian values. The only reason that Liberia exist is disseminate American values and civilization to the rest of the continent (and protect the native population from European mental conquest), which to me is a rich tradition. But the majority of Africa was conquered by the Europeans not American and most of their problems exist trying to ride themselves of European mental slavery. So no matter what the ties are between the USA and Liberia, it would have served no purpose in Obama going their to address the entire continent. Hopefully he will find advantage in visiting Liberia just as Roosevelt, Carter and Bush did, but those who think that Obama's trip to Accra was an insult to the Johnson-Sirleaf administration, should think again. I do think Liberia should traditionally remain America's closest allie and recipient of her major aid projects but until Liberia gets its own house in order and cleaned up, very few leaders around the world are going to want to spend time in Monrovia. Bush's gift of textbooks to Sirleaf was laughable. I didn't realize what he had given to the other counties he visited. Sirleaf awarded him the nations highest medal and he did likewise to her on her visit to the U.S, and so the gift of textbooks doesn't seem worth it in the long run, but I will have to investigate that report before I draw a final conclusion. Once again Liberia was founded because Black Americans never believed that they would be granted equal rights with Whites. The election of Barack Husien Obama has proven that the world has changed which will make a visit to Liberia by him very significant when that day finally happens. Obama is very calculatingly brilliant so just as England (which begat America) was the first nation he visited after becoming President, perhaps Liberia (which is the only nation truely created by the U.S) will be the last nation he visits during his Presidency. Lets hope the nation doesn't have to wait until 2017 for that to happen.
8. 22-11-2009 18:29
Good Job PJ
Good Job PJ!! Keep it up, for Liberia and Africa need people like you now.
Your strength lies in your pen and your pen is a non-violent approach to solving African problems.
Every little thing counts. Your contribution can help in a significant way.
You are read not only on forum but world wide. Articles like these are automatically published on hundreds of web sites related to African plight, regardless of which country is the focus of the article.
As a candid writer without implied violent motives, you have nothing to fear. Kudos 100xs!!
9. 22-11-2009 19:01
Very Amazing LD Wills!
Amazing LD Wills! Your Analysis is well laid out like building a house from its foundation to a roof level.
Obama is visiting according to the sequence of world’s political history-not by national or international political and economic interests.
You seem to be a good historian and a political/historical analyst.
Just to add my two cents other reasons for Barack Obama’s selection of Ghana:
Ghana holds the slave fortress in Cape Coast where hundreds of thousands of Africans were forced through its dungeons and loaded onto slave ships anchored along the Atlantic coastline.(Post-Gazette.com)
Paul, you are just too good, every thing you said are facts that are very vivid. Only fools will see differently, it is about time we wake up from that American madness. Thank you bro, we need more of such articles.
11. 23-11-2009 13:04
CLUELESS PEOPLE!!
How can a so-called educated person be so clueless about the many assistance the US is making to Liberia but rather comically reduce it to just texts books - not to say those text books were not a worthy contribution.
I can list the many contributions the US is making toward the construction of Liberia but here are just few:
- the national budget is being supplimented every since 2006 by the US goverment.
- the renovation of the Temple of Justice and the legislative building
This is just for the security sector of Liberia and not including education, health and general infrastructure development.
Trying doing a better research before putting this garbage up. To say that all Liberia has gotten from the US since this President took office in 2006 is text books just show how clueless some of the so-called critics are.
VICTORY SIRLEAF/ BOAKAI 2011
12. 23-11-2009 17:38
Smart, But?
Mr. Jackson-
If you could stop fighting on this forum, people will respect you as one of the best writers out there..But sometimes you get too petty and that takes away from your immense gift as a writer.
Was this for text books too????? The distortions continued by the clueless critics!!!!
I hope one day Liberia will not have to depend on any country for assistance so these kind of cheap distortions will not have currency with people who will accept any kind of garbage as facts.
VICTORY SIRLEAF/ BOAKAI 2011
14. 23-11-2009 22:44
Good Article
This is a well written article. Would have loved to read more...
15. 24-11-2009 18:00
Reality Check
This reality check is intended to guide writers. This article not only lack academic standard, but violates rules and laws that govern and protect intellectual property rights.
Whether or not words used in your article are yours, the information contained therein is not original (yours).
Therefore, they must be cited both in the text and bibliography be provided.
1. In Tanzania, President Bush signed a 698 million dollar grant to encourage conservative ideology about market forces, and to help mitigate the spread of HIV via abstinence education. Benin received a five year 300 million dollar grant to fight poverty. In Rwanda, the President gave 17 million to help with peace keeping initiatives in Sudan. President Bush did not only spend three days in Ghana, but he also pledged 17 million to help fight the spread of Malaria. In our beloved Liberia, President Bush spent roughly four hours and pledged 1 million text books.
The above information is not original. There is a source that must be cited in the text and bibliography provided to tell readers where the information comes from (honesty).
2. After the United States announced its intention to open a central military command in Africa, our illustrious President did everything, except sleep with President Bush just to have Liberia win this unenviable bid; she had no inkling that this move could have brought serious national security consequences and other adverse collateral implications on our already politically volatile nation.
Did you report this story above? This needs an in-text citation and bibliography.
3. The Sirleaf administration lobbied and invoked the importance of Liberia’s “special friendship” with the United States, but Obama simply said NO! He wasn’t buying it; no way was he going to pay a quickie visit to Liberia.
This needs an in-text citation and bibliography.
16. 24-11-2009 18:57
MISLEADING ARTICLE!!!
The $698 million dollar Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant to Tanzania that President Bush signed 2008 on his visit to that country was in the works since 2005.
What the misinformed Mr. Jackson do not know is that Liberia started the same MCC program in 2007 and Liberia is in the final stages of the program to get a similar big grant by the end of this year.
Mr. Jackson can go to the MCC website by clicking here to get educated before putting this distorted story out to fool people.
There is a plethora of sources, including Liberian papers, commentaries, and television snap shots and direct utterances I got my information from...I did not quote anyone verbatim, and did make a central reference to Washington Post because it had a synopsis on the highlight of Bush's visit...
I have no need to plagiarize; it proves that I am well read when I cite my sources instead of pretending they are mine.......
I also see your passing reference to my point # 1 as being not original-That is very true; there are also other facts in my piece that an not being original, and hindsight is telling me I should have again put the Washington Post in parenthesis...That was no attempt on my part to feign expertise over information that is far from being arcane.
After your lame criticism, I hope you are still able to grasp the recurring theme of my work.......
Holler- Paul Jackson
18. 24-11-2009 19:49
Supercilious Criticisms
Guys- Your criticism of Jackson seems so supercilious-It reminds me of the messed-up plagiarism charges Obama got during the elections.
Your guys wish yu were as informed and intellectualy stylish as the brother...Dont hate, celebrate tha man's talent.
19. 24-11-2009 20:42
Oh Wao!!!!!
Oh wao, Mr. jackson's article under screening; smoking gun
20. 24-11-2009 22:36
Good writing
Chaychaypolay, Jackson, this is a Liberian web sit as well as super information high way. Be careful!
It is in the interest of the author to accept corrections of his mistakes. I am glad that you admitted to some, with excuses.
The information provided in his article is not his. Therefore, failure to follow the proper guidelines in writings that are not reportage is an offense.
He only cited Washington Post, which he did incorrectly.
The rest of the information is not being credited. If you do the right thing you leave no room for criticisms.
If this article meets writing guidelines, Chaychaypolay, show me how and I will apologize. On a serious note: Please help save our writers from future trouble and future disgrace if you sincerely love them.
Any sound academician would agree with the fact given in the reality check; and would differ greatly with your poor assertion of “hate” and “as not informed and intellectual as the writer.”
One who is not informed would not be able to identify the writer's flaws, for they do actually exist in this article.
The one who tells the brother the truth is his real person as opposed to those who only shoulder carry him to bottom pit of a bigger disgrace.
Mr. Paul Jackson, you either take the advice or continue with your plagiarism.
But be mindful of the traffic of the super information highway.
21. 24-11-2009 23:48
It's Called FAIR USE
Mr. "Unreality Check"...
I can see you are in a serious dialectical fix; just so you know, there is something called(FAIR USE)...That allows you to use bit and pieces of a work without citations.
Mine is not a work of plagiarism or copyright infringement.....You don't understand the gestaldt of the term "plagiarism"....
Nice try, but you claim lacks validity... There's no where in my piece that I plagiarized.....
Holler-
Paul
That's what i9 did in my piece, it's fair game in academic circles.
In short, using short, attributed snippets of a piece for the purpose of commentary or education is generally considered fair use. However, reprinting an entire work without attribution for the purpose of self-promotion or profit is nullnullnull
22. 25-11-2009 00:16
Info All Over The Web........
Mr. Reality and Liberian People, it appears you to are bothered with the figures Jackson gave, I dont know where he got them from but i googled Bush's visit to Africa and got similar (not exact) numbers from other sources.
The man was stating facts, that's not plagiarism, there's a term used in English but I can wrap my head around it now.
can you guys specifically orn catergorically point out the plagiarism or copyright infringement in his article?
23. 25-11-2009 10:48
Fair Use?
“Fair use” only allows you to use some or parts (few words or sentences) of someone else’s work without their permission.
However, you must, for academic integrity, give credit to the source(s), and for honesty to your readers, cite sources of information in your work.
If you failed to cite sources in this category, (fair use) you will not be charged with copyright violation, but plagiarism. You got the point?
You may get away with copyright violation based on “Fair Use doctrine” but your reputation could be tainted for pretending that the ideas are yours.
My friend you can fool some of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.
The statistics and figures and other vital information in this article are not your making.
You are covered by “Fair Use Doctrine” to use the information without permission, but without proper citations, you are caught for academic dishonesty.
Avoid laziness and excuses if you want to be a good writer.
Liberians and your few friends are not your only readers.
24. 25-11-2009 20:57
It's Called FAIR USE
Reality Check-
Where and what is the copyright infringement? You cited MCC website but I havent been there... Your claim is a nebulous one...
Plagiarism? ! Do you really know what it is? Kindly highlight the plagiarism in my piece, and give your source.
If I wrote "Liberia was founded 1847" without a citation is that plagiarism? “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work”….That’s the definition of plagiarism, my friend… Nowhere in my piece I did that… Remove your mask and put your integrity on the line by continuing this argument without your pseudonym… Till then , brace yourself for my next article on Liberia’s overzealous rape legislation… Happy Thanksgiving, Holler…..
25. 25-11-2009 23:07
Bad reader?
Jackson, it seems you only write but don't read. I pointed out your plagiarism in my first post and did follow-ups by differentiating between copy-right and plagiarism and how you may use some or parts of another man’s ideas without his permission provided he gets the credit.
Where in my post did I cite MCC web site? Go on my friend with your fair use doctrine. But remember that if you don’t change your bad writing habit you are bound for a bigger disgrace.
Once more: Fair use doctrine only allows you to use another man’s ideas with permission and copyright violation. However, I repeat, you as a good scholar, must cite the sources of your information. The owner of a work gets pay for his work when someone uses his work. That is why copyright comes about. If the owner can not get monetary pay, he gets credit by making references to his work. If you failed to give the owner his due (credit) even though, you are not fined for copyright violation under the “fair use doctrine,” you will be committing plagiarism. I think you have enough of lesson that should guide you henceforth. You may either take it or leave it.
I hereby re-post my post#15:
1. In Tanzania, President Bush signed a 698 million dollar grant to encourage conservative ideology about market forces, and to help mitigate the spread of HIV via abstinence education. Benin received a five year 300 million dollar grant to fight poverty. In Rwanda, the President gave 17 million to help with peace keeping initiatives in Sudan. President Bush did not only spend three days in Ghana, but he also pledged 17 million to help fight the spread of Malaria. In our beloved Liberia, President Bush spent roughly four hours and pledged 1 million text books.
The above information is not original. There is a source that must be cited in the text and bibliography provided to tell readers where the information comes from (honesty).
2. After the United States announced its intention to open a central military command in Africa, our illustrious President did everything, except sleep with President Bush just to have Liberia win this unenviable bid; she had no inkling that this move could have brought serious national security consequences and other adverse collateral implications on our already politically volatile nation.
Did you report this story above? This needs an in-text citation and bibliography.
3. The Sirleaf administration lobbied and invoked the importance of Liberia’s “special friendship” with the United States, but Obama simply said NO! He wasn’t buying it; no way was he going to pay a quickie visit to Liberia.
This needs an in-text citation and bibliography
26. 26-11-2009 00:30
What Source?
Mr. Un-Reality Check-
I never insinuated that I am the originator of said information...My analyses on those figures and rationale behind the gifting were based on a conglomeration of information, written, verbal I received via a wide range of medium...You'll realize the figures vary from one medium to another.... Are you insisting that the 698 or 700 million report is the original work of a particular author? You've got to be kidding yourself; even regular footsoldiers of US foreign policies were breaking this information to the media before Bush paid his visit to Africa.... Check out the following observations:
1-Am I not privvy to the fact that President Bush pledge 1 million books, am I bound to cite the source of this information after listening to Star Radio News and reading it on Frontpage Africa or Liberian Journal? Do I also need citation that Prez Bush spent three days in Ghana and gave 17 million for malaria intervention? Even the regular village idiot realizes I was conveying free info coming out of Washington.... Your criticism is tempered by the "gotcha" kind of politics that has become so pervasive in this day and age- It is not informed by anything but a naked desire to confute.... You still havent cited the source/s I plagiarized, you've just been rambling and regurgitating the information I shared with you regarding "Fair Use...
Finally, how can you caution be about bad writing habit when all you do is hide behind a so-called pen name, and havent written a commentary all your life? I don't mean to rub it in, but I am a fairly decent writer, I have received acknowledgement from folks of many different persuasions: scholars, professors of various stripes and pigment, and everyday folks like you and myself. I am not too pigheaded to admit an error, but I refused to be subjected to your limited understaning of the word "plagiarism"...
hey guys here we go again!!! i"ll assume that all the comments on this topic are from liberians. now here is the problem: we APPLY lots of effort and energy arguing while we deviate from the problems in liberia. can we imagine how much we could achieve if we redirect our energies and efforts at the problems? it's very possible for us to disagree in a civilized manner and find a solution while we are at it. paul is simply making his observations. besides we sound like a real cliche( we want everything to fall in our laps). why should we wait for handouts? we need to do with what we have as a country and build on it(now that spells success)and again the only way this i believe can be done is by redirecting our efforts and energies.
29. 26-11-2009 14:58
CDC Defeats UP!
This is a very good sign! The Liberian people are beginning to reclaim their country.
I don't understand why people believe that the victory of the CDC in the recent Montserrado Senatorial election represented some time of revolutionary and prophetic act reflecting the changes that will happen in 2011. You people fail to remember that CDC had won that seat in 2005 for a 9 year term. The previous Senior Senator had not even served half her term in office before her premature death. There actually should never have been a special election. The President I believe was obligated to allow another CDC party member to replace the one who had died. That was only fair. I think the 9 year term of office for Senior Senators elected in 2005 is ridiculous and far too long to serve in office, but that is the reality of the excesses inherent in the 1985 Constitution of the Second Republic. That seat was not meant to be up for election until 2014! I also think it is ridiculous that Monrovians control the election of someone who should represent The County of Montserrado. Monrovia is the capital of the nation and Montserrado is mere one of 15 counties of the nation. Each one deserves their own 2 Senators each, because each one is an entity with two different agendas. The only thing we really learned about the recent election is that Liberia has to make some serious changes in it's Constitution if it is to become a truly successful and prosperous democracy!
31. 27-11-2009 13:25
CDC Defeats UP!
This is a very good sign! The Liberian people are beginning to reclaim their country.
KMS, do you drink water through your noise...Weah will only bring his own faces on board do you honestly think Weah will turn his back from another group of Liberians because of sick man like you wrong brother...last election Weah vice president was Hon. Johnson former dupty minister of Finance for administration if I am not mistaken Weah wife is from Jamaica come on my man don't spoil that poor guy champagne by making him look like a terrorist...
Most Liberians who experience the war need to be taken to rehab...and take depression pills... that include my son who were on board during the war many of you guys have obtain behavior problem..
33. 28-11-2009 14:43
Correction to post#32
Hon. Rudolf Johnson was dupty minister of Finance for administration during the Tolbert err during the same time Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was dupty minister of Finance for facial and banking affairs.
I think the world community needed to have in an intern government at least five years for reconstruction to allow Liberians put their act together for safe hand over. I am sure if that came up you'll hear them crying and nonsense political talk... due to greed where are we now? when ever you read the news one will see stuff like this: "Liberia: poor sanitation killing country Young"
are these people leading us are among us?
34. 28-11-2009 17:53
wake-up Liberians
I am very happy to see and hear liberians coming to their senses, when it comes to liberia/us, relationship.when George Weah made the comments about turning all his attentions to our european partners during his 2005 campaigne, many said that he was stupid and ungreatful to a long time friend-America. when the war started in 1989, while the u.s and other nations were pulling out, the european union and other partners were coming in to help.therefore wake-up or keep dreaming liberians.
35. 28-11-2009 18:20
Ma Ellen and youthful soccer boy
I like your comments Willy but dont forget all those youths from the various slums around monrovia, that are going to bed hungry everynight while Sirleaf and her goverment of recycle friends from Charlie-king time keep steal, will all stand with almighty CDC and let their voices be heard.and dont forget those people that made phone calls from the white house in 2005 are no longer there..hint to the wise is sufficient.
Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article.
For more than 162 years, our political leadership and historians have
been glossing over a meaningless relationship existing between the
United States and Liberia; we have refused to accept the inconvenient
truth that this relationship is more of a symbolic than a symbiotic
one.
While our political leadership continues to feign occidental privilege and draw meaningless parallels as a result of this “special relationship”, countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Egypt rank among the world’s top ten recipients of aid from the United States of America (Washington Post, December, 2006). I cannot think of a more perfect analogy than the tale of a blissful and subsequently jaded lover who took a long time to realize that his beloved wife was having an affair with his brother.
wrong brother...last election Weah vice president was Hon. Johnson former dupty minister of Finance for administration 
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