There's entirely too many apologies flying around here. It's pretty much impossible to make any kind of statement without someone somewhere either misinterpreting it or getting offended by it. We're all adults here, and like NG said: if you have the clarity of mind to post your ideas then have the intestinal fortitude to hear what everyone thinks about it. If anyone isn't open minded enough to believe opposing ideas exist or if they lack the commitment necessary to defend their position without resorting to cheap sideshows to avoid the real issues, they will have a hard time. You want to sell me something, you better be prepared to stand by your product. There no sheep here, if you want zero resistance and mindless followers, go peddle that sh!t somewhere else. ****End of the day Rant proudly brought to you by Kleenex. Kleenex: If you're gonna be a baby about it in here, stock up on Kleenex**** .

I'm just using my Freedom of speech!

Originally posted by chubacka: An how much do you expect the scientists an economists to tell you about FGM? More than a fashion model could. Kinda the same way I'd be more inclined to dismiss views on problems facing the Somali people presented by someone who can't even speak the language.

Northerner, I have no problem with issues being brought to light. What I do have a problem with is WHO brings these issues to light and how. I'm not going to speak for the rest of the world, but I (personally) have no desire to listen to any Moral or social issue presented by anyone who chooses to excel in life solely on how they look or how they walk (Model). If she/he is a model, an actor or a singer, she/he has no authority to stand at a podium and start pointing fingers when they're part of the problem....(Yup, F#$% Bono too!) I prefer to get my enlightenment from the scientists, the economists and others who have dedicated themselves to their causes. But thats just me... .

Man, this girl was waving the circumcision issue like a get outta jail free card. Talking about how she would want to bring light to the world about this. And then, she tells the girls she can’t have sex because of her circumcision..... Flip the channel and I hope I never see her again.

This ought to get it to page 20 and beyond. The writers strike is KILLING ME, nothing to watch on TV and then I flip the channel and see some busted-a$$ chick who looks like Golum from LOTRs..claiming to be Somali.... and a victim of FGM (Freedom of speech at work) on America's next Top Model. Hands down the most pathetic shyt I've seen or heard in a long while.

So far we've gone from: 1) Freedom of speech - Where parties that shall remain unnamed felt a fear of being banned for saying what they wanted to say. then we got to 2) Human Rights - Where the unnamed parties accused others asking them questions and violating their human rights thus destroying any argument they made in support of issue #1. Now we're at 3) Right to privacy - Where it seems we all have a "DON'T TALK TO ME OR ABOUT ME BUT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO TALK TO YOU AND ABOUT YOU" Phenomenon going on. Lets keep going, true democracy is in reach! .

Aaah, so that's what I've been doing wrong all these yrs.... Free lunch pulls in the honeys huh?

Some chick the Second cup talked me into a "caramel macchiato"....I couldn't figure out why coffee would be over $5...Until I took a sip. Akon & Gwen stefani kicked into my head: "Whooooo hooo! Yiiii hooooo! (Konvict remix)" That stuff was great!

Cara, sorry I was out to lunch. I think Cadaan is a workaholic and the 12hr shift is actually a good thing. Stargazer is a little dyslexic and misread the title so he/she gets:

I really don't see what the complications are. What happens if (God forbid) he has to represent at a press conference? Is he really that far from an interview with Stephen Sackur and a guaranteed psychological breakdown?

Cara, sorry to hear about your purchase...but...

Serenity, did you skip the earlier pages of this thread? Originally posted by marcassmith: ^No i am the offical spokesman for the society!, if you have a enquiry, let me know!

Since we're not complaining... can I post a deal for all the Canadian members? Staples Business Depot: Toshiba Satellite A100-WA1 Notebook Computer $247 + tax Features: * 1.86GHz Intel® Celeron M Processor 440 (533MHz FSB, L1 Cache 32KB/32KB, L2 Cache 1MB) * 1GB DDR2 (2 x 512MB) 533MHz RAM, expandable to 2GB * 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive * Built-in DVD Super-Multi Double Layer Drive * 15.4" Wide XGA TFT with TruBrite™ Screen Technology * ATI RADEON® XPRESS 200M with up to 128MB DDR shared video memory * Atheros Wireless LAN (802.11b/g) * 10/100 integrated Ethernet LAN, * V.92 56K Data/Fax Modem * Ports: 4 USB 2.0, RJ11, RJ45, IEEE1394, external microphone port, headphone port, RGB, S-Video Out * Canadian Bilingual Keyboard * Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Basic * Software Included: InterVideo® WinDVD™; TOSHIBA Disc Creator; Ulead DVD Movie Factory®; Norton Internet Security™ 2007 (90 day trial version) * Dimensions: 360mmW x 267mmD x 36.8mmH * Weight: 2.8kg (6.1lbs). 1-year Limited International Warranty. They're out of stock online, but you can still find some in store.... Good luck.

Good Morning all, Looks like this has yet again spawned into more than it deserves to be. Firstly, this whole issue with the "Real Name": Its on the website, its on his youtube profile page (which he attaches to every post) and if I was out of line on that one, I apologize. Secondly, Serenity when you say there is no need to associate his views with those of the orgs he is part of, it will probably offend other people, especially when he hasn’t stated his opinions as those of QMSS. That's what I've asked since way back in page 4 You're a leader of an organization trying to unite Somali people, yet on a number of occasions you have pointed out particular groups within the Somali community that you deem as sub par and don't quite fit in with your image of a united Somali community. My question is: is this your personal view or this the view of your organization? And neither he nor any member of the group have given an answer. The answer maybe obvious to you but I personally would like to know, and if you or him or anyone else out there feels that question is too personal or out of line, maybe you can answer this one: If you cannot handle inquiries about your public stand on issues, how do you expect to represent any group that has to communicate and relate with the public (Somali or otherwise)?

This is getting a little too serious, let's lighten the mood with this short story: The Pastor's A$$ The pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won. The pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again, and it won again. The local paper read: PASTOR'S A$$ OUT FRONT. The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in another race. The next day, the local paper headline read: BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S A$$. This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey. The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent. The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day: NUN HAS BEST A$$ IN TOWN. The bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey, so she sold it to a farmer for $10. The next day the paper read: NUN SELLS A$$ FOR $10. This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild. The next day the headlines read: NUN ANNOUNCES HER A$$ IS WILD AND FREE. The bishop was buried the next day. The moral of the story is . . . being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery . . even shorten your life.

Originally posted by marcassmith: I am actually the founder of that organisation! And was presidency for the first two years! It’s always nice to see people do background research and taking the initiative. Despite this, I resent that you have used 'lil' in your sentence. Don’t belittle me please. All I ask is that you give respect, its mutual (!). You have been on my case since I have joined this forum. Check the website: www.qmsomalisociety.com You did it yourself. and try to calm yourself, its very ungentlemanly....Some might mistake you for me. But all jokes aside, lets get serious about the conversation. .

Originally posted by marcassmith: Why? I didnt think your the type to expose people sxb. i am very disappointed in your behaviour towards me. dont dish my private business on SOL. Oh, Sorry about that, but it was on the "committee" link of the site you posted earlier. But sorry for putting a spot light on you like that. Originally posted by marcassmith: *****Let's just skip this part***** P.S as radical as i might appear, i dont believe in evolution! Its a shame you started this statement off with such promise of civilized debate then almost immediately crashed into personal remarks. So let's agree that I am the animal... and lets also agree that you've began taking pleasure in taking shots. Good for you. Now back to the issue at hand, what do you do about us undesirable, somali-speaking, uncivilized people who don't measure up to your standards? This time lets try to focus. Because, now its not only you but an entire organization that you're representing. Are you willing to here and now discard everything QMSS has achieved because you can't find the words to tell us what you do and how it benefits us all? . [ February 19, 2008, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: Femme Fatale ]

Understood, my bad! So why are you so mad about this conversation I'm having with *******? Just 2 guys having a talk about the nature of things. You are more than welcome to participate, seeing as you're in the field of social service. But, you've always shown support for Marcus, and never really clarified if you're a supporter of his radical ideas of separating the useless Somalis from the rest. What say you? are we uniting the people or picking & choosing? . [ February 21, 2008, 06:13 PM: Message edited by: Femme Fatale ]

Originally posted by LayZie G.: U doggy dog, if you weren't looking for trouble, you shouldn't have "hit and run" as you normally do, the marcas is a royalty around these parts. This is interesting. I'm a little conflicted as to whether you really believe I was looking for trouble or were you just itching for a fight yourself. Either way, unprovoked attacks and name calling (Mr. Mug shot?)... laakin gabar walaashay aa tahay oo caashaq haayo. So I forgive you, for not knowing how to deal with all these feelings that are running thru you. Whatever you have to say or do to make it through this, you go ahead, I'm with you. ,

Layzie, Even when I'm not yelling or name-calling and just trying to have a decent conversation, you feel it necessary to start instigating. I'm in a Zen state of mind today, so I'll leave you to work out your anger issues. Marc, Are you still composing that answer for me? .

I did...didn't I?

Are there any other members of Queen Mary Somali Society on SOL who might be able to give us a secondary view of the organization?

Ok, Former leader.... the question is still unanswered: Originally posted by underdog: You're a leader of an organization trying to unite Somali people, yet on a number of occasions you have pointed out particular groups within the Somali community that you deem as sub par and don't quite fit in with your image of a united Somali community. My question is: is this your personal view or this the view of your organization? .

I'm on your case because you have a Bill Clintonian way of avoiding questions directed at your beliefs and interpreting them as personal attacks. Lets not backtrack into past events...lets move forward. You're a leader of an organization trying to unite Somali people, yet on a number of occasions you have pointed out particular groups within the Somali community that you deem as sub par and don't quite fit in with your image of a united Somali community. My question is: is this your personal view or this the view of your organization? .