By Chorphie Charlie (July 19th 2005)
"... if Liberia is to duplicate America’s democratic practices then, why is it offensive and considered a national security threat by anti-Taylor’s proponents for our former president [Taylor] to influence his nation’s political direction and ensure that his people are not immerse in a plantation style democracy...." |
This mortified phrase, “Charles Taylor’s influence” is consistently being used by agents of Liberia’s enemies to storm-gate our peaceful coexistence. Are those proponents of such callous and demonized viewpoint exposing their inability in leadership and self-government? It appears to be the case, for what we are witnessing is a calculated ploy to mad dash alternative political viewpoints in the ensuring Liberia’s political match. Why should other Liberians not have equal rights in their support for Mr. Taylor?
Charles Taylor is a legitimate Liberian with all inalienable rights to socialize with his relatives, friends, well wishers, and supporters in Liberia without offending the peace of Liberia. To insist the opposite amounts to suffocation of fundamental or basic human rights of those Liberians in support of Mr. Taylor. How can Liberia make real transformation in the absent of due respect for fundamental human rights and respect for opposing viewpoints.
The persistent intolerance shown by those very Liberians, who in joined effort destroy our homeland, must be resisted. The process of election is a process arriving at citizens’ decision in choosing their leaders. Such choice by citizen is based on aspiring leaders’ demonstrated ability of leadership and proven purpose to nation building. Therefore, the cries by haters of democracy, in the name of an anti-Taylor’s campaign signal a dangerous attempt by those dictatorial vendors to cow the Liberian people into choosing their leader out of fear.
Why should all these so-called “great” men of democracy be afraid of one man’s influence? Is it the case that their lacking in leadership and failure to influence the Liberian people are responsible for this negative distraction? What is responsible for the failure of these anti-Taylor’s political monsters to influence the election? Currently, those crying crocodile tears against Taylor’s suppose influence are all in Liberia playing major roles in the political process. So, why are the people not listening to them?
It is about time that Liberians buckle up and remove themselves from this criminal political cage of false consciousness. In America, the opposition has the right to influence government and citizen’s decision, and it is not a crime. In America, an accused person has the right to assemble with his peers, friends, supporters, and well-wishers without being classify as a threat to America’s peace. The recent Michael Jackson’s criminal trial witness huge rallies and demonstration in favor of Jackson’s freedom, in fact most of those demonstrations were stage at the very courthouse where the trial was taking place. In America, this kind of citizen action is protected, and is what Americans call a free society.
So, if Liberia is to duplicate America’s democratic practices then, why is it offensive and considered a national security threat by anti-Taylor’s proponents for our former president [Taylor] to influence his nation’s political direction and ensure that his people are not immerse in a plantation style democracy. I am not suggesting here that there exists any evidence of those allegations against Mr. Taylor. But it is insulting and degrading to the intelligence of other Liberians who shares some viewpoints with Mr. Taylor; that they have no right to speak their mind, unless they were being “influence” by Charles Taylor. On the altar of God I pledge undying resistance to political intolerance and suffocation of human rights. “Excuse me while I throw out.”
NB: The author is a social and political commentator who resides in Philadelphia.
About the author:
Chorphie Charlie is a social and political commentator who resides in Philadelphia. He can be reached at gbanapekin@hotmail.com. |