southhall, lol Jamaal-11, I think these pics look way better than the actuall Southall.

Safi, amazing stuff. Mansha Allah Welcome back Inadeer. Good to see you still working on your writing like always. Never give up your passion. good stuff.

Nomads, the politics forum was designed for discussions like these. We need to discuss topics about corruption in Puntland, Somaliland, Mogadishu and the rest of Somalia as it is reported by the international media without getting defensive or turning everything into qabiil. If we can't discuss issues like "saving closing airports" or how to improve the country's infrustructure in general, what other topics are we supposed to talk about in this forum? Ma inaan qabiil mar walba isku caydhsanaa? Mr Oodweyne, Horn Afrique, Samurai and Bari Nomad always post news articles and analysis as they are reported by the media. These articles about corruption in the goverment, military campaigns, etc, actually encourage real political debate while at the same time informing the nomads about the issues back home. I actually find these articles to be very refreshing and entertaining at times.

The Real Reason Americans Bash the French It's not because they are so different, but because they are so similar Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2003 (Time.com) -- First, a confession. Last winter, during the interminable debates at the United Nations before the invasion of Iraq, I thought — and wrote — that if the U.S. and Britain went to war against Saddam Hussein, France would join them. That was a triumph of cynicism over judgment — a cynicism shared, though this is no excuse, by top officials in the U.S. State Department — and it was, obviously, dead wrong. France stayed out of the war. For a few months this seemed like a catastrophic error on France's part, as Saddam was toppled and the Bush Administration puffed out its chest like a rooster that had just enjoyed half the henhouse. But now the U.S. needs help in Iraq, and France — in the eyes of Washington — is being awkward again. That has acted as a cue for a new burst of Francophobia in the commentariat, with suggestions even that France is becoming an enemy of the U.S. This is nonsense on stilts. You can make any argument you like about whether France's policy on Iraq makes sense, but it is hard to claim that France has been either inconsistent or motivated by a desire to see the U.S. fail. In a long interview with TIME in February, President Jacques Chirac laid out his policy with admirable clarity. France, he said, had no difference with the U.S. "over the goal of eliminating Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction." The point of distinction was simply that Chirac thought that war — which he believed would outrage Arab and Islamic public opinion and "create a large number of little bin Ladens"--should be a last resort. His prediction was better than mine. France's view on the current situation — that the Islamic world will more easily accept the new reality in Iraq if political authority is vested in the U.N. and then rapidly handed over to Iraqis — is entirely in line with France's long-held principles. That position may be mistaken, for conventional wisdom holds that nation building can't be hurried, but it is not self-evidently absurd or anti-American. So why the new round of Paris bashing? Three reasons. First, there is something about Dominique de Villepin, the oleaginous French Foreign Minister — with his dashing good looks, his volumes of poetry, his love of the word logic — that just gets under American skins. Second, there is continuing resentment in Washington that six months ago France did not just agree to disagree but actively lobbied other members of the U.N. Security Council against the American position on Iraq. That may have been unwise. But there is no evidence to support the most serious charge that some Administration supporters leveled against Paris back then — that France tried to persuade members of Turkey's Parliament to vote against allowing U.S. troops to transit Turkey on their way to Iraq. But it is reason No. 3 that is the most interesting. The Administration and its supporters think — and this is going to shock you — that France is pursuing an independent Iraq policy out of naked self-interest. Chirac, in this view, is seeking to curry favor with the Islamic world and using France's disagreement with the U.S. to re-establish its political leadership in the European Union and become a rival to U.S. power. Yet given the amount of oil in the Middle East, a Western government that does not want to be in the good books of regimes there is either energy-rich or brain-deficient. France is neither. And France's attempt to shape the European project in its own image is at least 50 years old. Given the continuing unwillingness of Europeans to pool their sovereignty in a true political union, France is no more likely to succeed in this effort now than it has been in the past. There's more. It's a bit much for the U.S. to criticize a nation for pursuing policies that enhance its own interests, since — you'll be shocked to hear this too — that is precisely what Washington does. In a famous Foreign Affairs article in 2000, Condoleezza Rice, who later became George W. Bush's National Security Adviser, established the pursuit of national interests as the bedrock of U.S. policy. You may think, as I do, that most Administration decisions in the past few years have benefited the world as a whole, but there is no point in imagining that those decisions were taken for any reason other than that they suited Washington. Rice put the position perfectly: "There is nothing wrong with doing something that benefits all humanity, but that is, in a sense, a second-order effect." France, in other words, is behaving just like the U.S., which makes me think the real reason for the latest outburst of Francophobia is embarrassment over the fact that the reconstruction of Iraq has been handled so poorly that the U.S. needs international assistance. It is American incompetence, not French venality, that has got Paris back in the big game. Admitting that is something the Administration finds hard to do. http://www.time.com/time/columnist/elliott/article/0,9565,489596,00.html

Grinov, I think you are being disrespectful to HornAfrique. Any story reported on the News can be posted here for the nomads to comment and HornAfrique only did that. No need to get personal saxib. As for the Kismayu Militia disarming what they called "thugs", this is nothing but a publicity ploy. The ones who really need to disarm are the the Seeraar and Hiiraale militias themselves. Confiscating protection weapon from the weak and the unprotected tribes deosn't mean Kismayo is being made any safer. It only means the civilians in the city don't have any protection against the JVA thugs roaming around the city daily.

Originally posted by MeriDian: Hey peoplez, I waz wonderin if you people knew that it is stated in the Ethiopian constitution that any region of their nation may secede if they wish, all u need is a referendum with a majority of votes. For the last hundred years, Ethiopia has been "Ethiopianizing" the Ogaden region with non-Somali Ethiopian ethnic groups like Oromos, Amharas and such in order to lessen the posibility of any legal sucession. If a referundum was taken today in the Ogaden, I wouldn't be surprised if the vote turned out to be "NO" for separation. There is just too many Oromos and Amharas in JigJiga, Diredawa, Dhagaxbuur, and all over.

Good to see you all back.

Originally posted by Ameenah: Oh, just out of curiosity - what do think of Punland and Sland forming one state - would that work? Ameenah, my indadeero, welcome back. I know what you did last summer. Don't freak. This is just the name of a movie. London was ok. I guess Barwaaqo did take your word seriously and did help organize a good dinner for your inadeer. Back to the topic, Ameenah, it is always not a bad idea when more Somalis are coming together in some sort of a goverment. But as long as Seeftabanaanka, Faysal Cali Waraabe, and the rest of the militant regionalists, strongmen are alive, such idea might never materialize.

Good article Bari_Nomad. I enjoyed reading it. Like always, it is not entirely the reporter's fault for misinfromation. It is the so called Somalis who feed the media with opinions rather than facts. Hargeisa does have postal service, banking system, electricity and running water. It is also a good thing to see Somalis willing to go back to rebuild their country.

Van who? You must be kidding.

Kcabuji, I agree Chelsea will be very dangerous now that they got Makalele, Crespo and Veron. Man U will probably fall victum to Chelsea firepower but Arsenal is still solid.

I just want to say that I did appreciate your big welcome for me. To all the nomads who showed up, I loved how you took the time to show up and eat with the moderators of Somalia Online (hey, only two were missing.) Blue Oceans Restaurant was cool specially that funny waiter. Let me share with the nomads what I remember from the meeting? I am sure they won't mind it. I remember 1. Barwaaqo's garbasaar or should I say Masar. 2. How I hijacked my good friend Sophist off the street on my way to the restaurant. As always we had a good converstation about life, work, school and Somalia Online. 3. Juxa, the lawyer and here conversation about an issue that needed Somalia Online moderators' attention. 4. Suban and her complaints about the "thief" who stole her username. 5. Jamaal-11 telling me a story about an old Somali guy who married 4 wifes and how he played with them when they gave him an ultimatum to choose who he loves the most. Very tricky man I say. 6. Shaqsii telling me how he wants to become a billionare in Mozambique. 7. Wildcat7 looking all surprised when I told her she is WILDCAT7. 8. Muraad telling us a story about a Somali man who decieved all the ladies in his home town with "door keys". 9. Mujaahid being teased by Sophist about his sunnah beard. 10. Shujui making fun of my "American" accent. Or should I say "Canadian". Big thanks to Barwaaqo and her sister Jamaal-11 Sophist Muraad Shaqsii Shujui Mujaahid WildCat7 Juxa Suban Miskin Rookie_Of_the_Year and thanks to YACQUUB who didn't make but took the time to call me.

Welcome back OG_Girl. Good to see you again.

The legend is back. welcome back to the nomad world. There is no place like home.

There goes our pride. We are now "donkey eaters"? UK is a wonderland.

Didn't we discuss this topic many times? Check Camel Milk Debate forum or the Islam forum for more opinions on the same subject.

It is completely against our moral values as Muslims and Somalis to be associating with a lesbian. Since this person made open sexaul advances on you, your communication with her should now be limited to "hi, hi" only. That is my advice. We are just different. Avoid her and move on with your life. That is it. Good luck sister.

Regardless of who will be in power, Somalia needs some sort of a governement.

Congrats sister. Wiil iyo Caano.

Buraanbur is going through some tough times. We can only hope this ancient part of the Somali culture survives this present onslaught by the new generation.

I wish I was in T.O. Have fun girls. The conference is something more worthwhile than that Carribana crap. A line-up of distinguished Muslims from all walks of life. I must admiy I hate SQUARE ONE though. I think it is a boring mall.

Zaylici, I knew that was your article as soon as I saw "Haille" and the University of Minnesota email. Good to see another great article of yours. Well done bro.

Jizakallah brother Nur.

Well done Jabarti. Your hard work towards helping Somali youth will soon pay off. We solute you brother. Keep the nomad positivity going. How Ottawa's newest immigrants are dealing with suburban life and a reputation for violence Jabarti, the youth co-ordinator at the Somali Centre, runs basketball camps and other programs to help Somali teens adjust to life in Ottawa. Abdirizak Karod was filled with dread the day he heard that "non-whites" were being blamed for street violence. A clash between youths had led to a stabbing in Barrhaven, prompting Jan Harder, councillor for the suburban community, to single out "non-whites" from other neighbourhoods as the perpetrators. Mr. Karod didn't know any more than what he had heard on the radio, but as executive director of the Somali Centre for Family Services, he braced for the worst. "I hope they're not Somalis," he said to himself. That would only give people more reason to point fingers. It didn't take long for his fear to come true. On open-line talk shows, he heard accusations levelled at the children of Somali immigrants, even though it wasn't clear who had been implicated in the Barrhaven street fight. To Mr. Karod, the race of the offenders was beside the point. What bothered him was the perception that if there was trouble, Somali teens were bound to be behind it. He doesn't minimize the problems within his community. But having spent the last decade mediating his share of culture clashes, he knows how easily the actions of a few can tarnish the reputation of many. More than half of the city's 8,300 Somalis are younger than age 19, so when Somali teens capture headlines, people take notice. The way he sees it, Somali youths have sometimes been unfairly blamed at the first hints of neighbourhood unrest. Truth is, conflicts have a way of taking on cultural twists in a city still coming to terms with its newest immigrants. Sometimes, says Mr. Karod, those twists can mask the problems that push a community into crisis. In a large room at a south-end community centre, Mr. Karod observes quietly as Iman Ofleh tries to turn a dozen high-spirited teens into well-adjusted young adults. It's graduation day for the class of mostly boys who have completed a swimming course, paid for by the Somali Centre and the City of Ottawa. When the program began five months ago, Ms. Ofleh, who has experience as a youth worker, volunteered to teach a workshop on leadership skills. Every Sunday afternoon, before the swimming lesson, she would lead a crash course on teamwork, time management, and job-hunting, knowing that her students would only wade into such topics if they were paired with a fun activity. The ruse worked so well that Ms. Ofleh had to turn people away. "For every three kids who wanted to get into the program, we could only take one," she says. The profiles of Ms. Ofleh's students point to the reason the Somali Centre has made youth programs a priority. Many in the class are between the ages of 14 and 16, and come from low-income families. A number live with single mothers, whose husbands were killed or lost in Somalia's civil war. Beginning in the late 1980s, thousands of these fragmented families arrived in Ottawa as refugees, settling in public housing or low-rent pockets of the city. The influx of newcomers -- who spoke little English and knew little of the rituals of middle-class suburbia -- introduced customs that disrupted established rhythms, sparking tensions in countless neighbourhoods. Among other things, Somalis were criticized for socializing at street corners after dark -- a treasured tradition from their homeland. Their children were blamed for starting street brawls. The most high-profile troubles took place in the west-end community of Leslie Park, where fights among youths -- black and white -- prompted the media to portray the conflict along racial lines. Within the Somali community, culture shock only told half the story. While parents struggled with a new life, their children were adapting too quickly. Many spoke English better than Somali. Some sneered at their parents' attempts to learn a new language. For this younger generation, gathering at the street corner into the small hours of the night was not necessarily a reminder of the homeland. It was a teenage reflex to be loud, playful, and sometimes obnoxious. As a community worker in southeast Ottawa, where a majority of the city's Somalis live, Mohamoud Hagi-Aden has watched these generational conflicts tear families apart. He describes the spiral that afflicts teenage boys in particular. Many are the head of their household because the families are fatherless. Their mothers wield only a measured influence. When the boys are expelled from school, they often hide it from their parents and drift into petty crime. Mr. Hagi-Aden says a Somali boy's aggression and contempt for the law can be traced to religious beliefs as well as traditional practices. In many cases, boys are granted more freedom than girls. Without a healthy respect for structure and discipline, boys quickly learn they can get away with more. "They feel that since they're in Canada, they have open access to whatever they want," says Mr. Hagi-Aden. "They feel entitled to it, and they don't feel they necessarily have to work for it." Such conditioning isn't unique to Somali communities. Sikhs in British Columbia confront similar issues as a deadly Indo-Canadian gang war rages. Likewise, the Chinese communities in Vancouver and Toronto are putting aside worries about image, to examine the complex culture that turns young men toward a life of organized crime. Mr. Hagi-Aden worries the situation within his community is getting worse. "From the parents' perspective, they feel they've lost everything by leaving their country, and now they've lost control of their children as well. Parents are stressed because the very people they're trying to make a better life for are losing their future, and they can't do anything thing about it." l As early as 1993, when the influx of Somalis peaked, community leaders have wrestled with the youth issue. The problems that afflicted all teens -- boredom, powerlessness, a desire to belong -- were compounded in the Somali community by poverty and generational clashes. In response to concerns about young people who couldn't speak their own language, the Somali Centre recruited volunteer teachers, and organized weekly "heritage" classes. More than 300 children attended. That same year, a sympathetic principal at Ridgemont High School, which had a number of students from Somali families, invited the Somali Centre to run an after-school program. There were workshops on health and crime prevention, as well as courses on Somali culture. To attract kids to the program, a basketball league was organized. The idea was to create a safe haven, allowing Somali youths to play and seek support. In this way, their elders hoped to learn some of their struggles and concerns. By 1995, the Somali Centre was organized enough to receive government grants, allowing staff and volunteers to arrange summer camps for teens. They also hosted weekly picnics at Vincent Massey Park. Community leaders knew their efforts weren't enough. Teens were still starting fights. Some dropped out of school, and ran away from home. The Somali Centre receives funding from all three levels of government -- Canadian Heritage, the Ministry of Citizenship, and the city of Ottawa, as well as from the United Way ($40,000 for 2003), but given the limits to its funding, the centre could only do so much. The situation stood in stark contrast to the city's Vietnamese community. In the 1980s, thousands of refugees fled Vietnam, and found strangers in Ottawa ready to help them find shelter, food and jobs once they arrived. "In the early years, there was nobody helping us from the Canadian community," says Jabarti, the youth coordinator at the Somali Centre. "We had to do everything on our own." These days, much of Jabarti's time is spent mediating conflicts that arise when young people get in trouble at school. He keeps endless file folders of complaints, many of them launched by the teens themselves. Together, these grievances paint a portrait of the struggles they face, whether real or imagined. The offences typically range from fighting to threats to sexual harassment. When incidents are reported, they trigger vaguely worded letters from school officials, suggesting the teen "may have committed an act that makes his presence at school disruptive." In almost all the cases, the offenders are handed a maximum penalty of 21 days suspension -- a punishment Jabarti considers too harsh. He points to one letter notifying a student not to return to school until he had sought anger-management training. Despite completing the counselling, the student was turned away from the Ottawa Carleton District School Board school, says Jabarti. "That tells me nobody wants these kids to succeed. Instead of helping them, they are pushing them out of school, and sending them to the streets." The Citizen tried several times to contact the board's safe schools co-ordinator Dan Wiseman for comment on the incident, without response. In March, when a series of youth-related attacks prompted Councillor Diane Deans to consult police and community groups in the city's south end, Jabarti represented the Somali Centre. Among other things, he raised concerns that Somali youths were being singled out by police. "There was a perception that Somali youth are treated differently than other youth," says Staff Sgt. Scott Nystedt of the Ottawa Police. "We made it clear that we weren't targeting Somali youths. We're targeting youths of all backgrounds who are responsible for this behaviour. Yes, some youths were of Somali background but there were youths of other backgrounds too." Staff Sgt. Nystedt, who heads the force's race relations and diversity unit, spends more time with the Somali community than any other immigrant group. He applauds efforts by leaders to educate police about their community, and encourage Somali youth to join the force. "The Somali community here is very proactive. They have sought out the police, and they don't take no very easily." Indeed, the relationship seems well developed compared to Toronto, where the police are only starting to reach out to the city's Somali community. Staff Sgt. Nystedt says concerns over youth crime have largely been responsible for the close ties that have been developed between the police and Somali leaders. "In my experience, they are very concerned about their youth committing crimes, and they are working hard to address it." http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/archives/story.asp?id=9AC9E4A8-71BA-4DDE-B203-BCDB94AFE862 [ September 02, 2003, 01:59 AM: Message edited by: Admin ]

SMITH, inadeer, did you understand what I wrote above, or you just one of those who like to spice up their posts with personal attacks on the first line? Saxiib, as much as I wish to see a peaceful, united Somalia, I don't like inaan naftayda beenbeen ku maaweeliyo. My belief is that Somaliland will not accept this new system. If you disagree with me on this or have a much more credible evidence to prove me wrong, then present it in a civilized manner and tell me why Somaliland will accept this new "Somalia".