Bravo CL.

I don’t watch that much TV but I would blve it if folks tell me pundits and other talking heads masquerading as objective journalist refrained from using “Christian terrorism” or “Lutheran terrorist”. Producers and editors would immediately edit these out from the script. Media bias against Muslims and Islamic faith knows no bound.

Heart breaking images coming out from the affected area. Sad situation all around. The situation is compounded by deadly cocktail of decades of civil war, consecutive years of failed rains, unregulated deforestation, and high food prices. Somalis are dying fellow nomads and there is little we can do about it. Only Allah can lessen the impact of famine of this scale. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/somalis-flee-famine-along-roads-of-death/2011/07/25/gIQApW0VZI_story.html

You will have a blast Nina. Two metro areas within reach -- Vancouver, BC and Portland, WA. Mount Reiner, Hood, and St. Helen are also within reach. Natural beauty at it's best. Ocean Shores is a must see spot -- about one hour drives to the west. The best I would recommend is to book a ride from Portland to Clarkston via mighty Colombia river. Awoowe it is a beauty and you get to see three states -- 5 days total if memory service me right. As Juxa pointed out ferry ride to Victoria is also good one. Ocean Shores is my fav -- but you need to bring some dough. Bring babe with you too for company. They have horse rides on the beach. Really good. Enjoy and good luck. P.S. Tea is on me if you like sipping tea with oldies.

Somalia is a testbook example of failed state. But state nevertheless. It is a state embroiled in conflict albeit one that last more than two decades. There are forces both domestic and regional that want to keep the flames of the conflict alive in order to leverage their position to dictate the outcome of the conflict. The article is nothing more than a commentary penned by a contributor to the site. It's very telling that some nomads qoute it verbatim in order to prove the validity of their view.

The answer is yes. Powers-that be can legitimize or deligitimize any entity they want to -- regardless of the merits or legality of doing so. Awdal or no Awdal, the secession can happen. Power is an awesome thing. I happen to be on the view that secession will usher an era of lineal segmentation never seen before -- each cohesive clan with viable land will see the incentive to go it alone. Or short of that folks will settle federalism with weak central unity government as a workable compromise. Neither option serves Somalia's interest. It is no accident that Libya got the short end of the stick whereas Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, or even Saudi Arabia’s brutality against unarmed protesting civilians gets overlooked. It is not funny that westerners took action against Libya in order to protect Libyan civilians from future action by Qadafi regime! Other Arab civilians have not been accorded with the same protection. World powers (except passive China and boxed Russia) twisted Sudan and Indonesia’s hand to grant South Sudan and East Timor their independence. There is a talk that active world powers will discourage Palestinians from seeking independence from Israel’s occupation. Maxaa kuu baxay? Somalia can be carved up tomorrow not because some areas are recovering from the civil war or are choosing to govern themselves in a civilized manner. Not at all! If the big boys see their interest in reconstituting colonial injustices of Berlin kind, make no mistake they will do so. Is there oil or other mineral deposit there that can be siphoned out on the cheap? The answer to that question has more weight than the recovery path some Somali zones have embarked on.

Awoowe times are tough. Gruesome violence, grinding poverty, and deepening conflict compounded with draught! Remember tough times never last, but tough people do. Somalis will get through this one insha'Allah. Libaax awoowe I would suggest that you initiate a public awareness banner oe something similar as well as virtual box (paybal or pointer to Muslim Aid, etc)whereby nomads and other visitors who want to donate can do so if they want to. My man do your part.

I second chubacka on this. Privileged nomad please help them if you can. Folks in Somalia and in refugee camps are in a dire need for help. After you unclenched your fist, relaxed your palm and emptied your pocket of loose changes, please double it down by directing this Ramadan's zakat toward the same effort preferably through Muslim Aid -- they seem to be on ground zero and actively operating in the area. http://www.muslimaid.org/index.php/what-we-do/current-campaigns-live/horn-of-africa We pray Allah to ease their pain and suffering. Allah willing they shall overcome.

Quick word to Abdiwali: The position you are nominated for is the most thankless position out there. If you do not have the influence to steer this TFG train wreck from the edge of the cliff it’s heading to, consider saying NO now. If you choose to stay on make sure you work with two Sherrifs and use diplomacy as much as you can. Tell Farole that PL is represented and that he needs to focus on immediate issues in his zone. With that the following are few questions worth pondering on: Do you understand why Somalia is where it is at? Who are the factions, disputants, and contestants in this conflict? Why do they keep on fighting and fussing? What are they fighting for, over, and about? Do you understand TFI’s primary task is to facilitate the reconciliation process? Is negotiation between equals (numerous disputants including recovery zones, Islamists) acceptable to the entity you represent? How the factions (both clan and religious groupings) in this intractable conflict manage this pseudo - anarchy situation and reconcile their differences? Is coercion (peacemaking --since there is no peace to keep -- by a foreign entities or international organization) an appropriate response to this conflict? Ugandan and Burundian troops are protecting you from your own people! And now IGAD is asking TFG to pay lip service to the reconciliation process and declare that Somalia has transitioned to a functioning state!!!!!!!!! Is there an alternate dispute resolution process Somalis can employ to settle this gruesome, prolonged, and difficult conflict? Who can serve as a neutral 3rd party to mediate this process? Is Saudi, Egypt, or Turkey as a mediator acceptable to your entity. Turkey is interested in the plight of Somalis. Can you say no to the plan pushed by Somalis (recovery zones) and supported by frontline and regional states as well as international actors to slice and dice 9 million people into fiefdoms? Ethiopia is 90 million strong and some of the ethnic groups (not mere clans mind you) oppose to the center-periphery arrangement and opt for independence through self-determination track. Yet it will not tolerate any hint that questions its territorial integrity! Same with multiethnic Kenya! As usual Qurbo Joog will congregate in their beloved biibito, sip tea and dissect every move politicians, warlords, spokesperson in Somalia make. Most of Qurbo Joog will root for their kin, defend his actions and words, spin his fumbles, and passionately argue incessantly over minute and useless details just because they have the luxury to do so. DO NOT please us. [EDIT] Nominate Farmaajo to an important Ministry Portfolio. Not that I think ministry housed in one of the rooms in Villa Somalia amounts much. But as good gesture and good faith, bring him back to the fold -- you would have his supporters on your corner as well. Veteran Fadhi-Ku-Dirrir, Waxa-La-Yirri Wires. +++Unsolited advice to the new PM+++

Xiin, Awoowe Ngonge's question is a valid one and the answer is simply very little has been acheived. Spade hit the nail on the head when he reminded the gallery and I am paraphrasing him that the conflict is still raging on. I share that view with Spade. Farmajo went in and left Benadir as divided city in a stalemate. If TFI's primary task was to facilitate the reconciliation effort and if we use that as a metric to assess Farmajo's achievement then the score is clear. He has not achieved much. Is he a good guy? Perhaps. Has he earned a good reputation among Somalis? Yes. Has he managed aid money more efficiently? Definitely. Still, he come up short where it counts the most. Not a fault of his own though. I expected him to give Kampala Accord air time and dismiss it in toto. Perhaps he did. I am not in knee deep in this saga. There is a genuine feeling within Somalis in Qurbo that the guy is better than his peredessors. He's well liked fella. Why? I don't know. If GOP pollesters and kingmakers got this type of guy on their hands they could make him an star but alas the drama is in Benadir not in Potomac River.

General Duke;728913 wrote: 1. Failure to engage, & visit SSC regions 2. Failure to engage & visit the Eastern regions/Indian Ocean 3. Failure to complete the Bender Qasim airport/Port of Bosaso second phase 4. Failure to implement the multi party system as recomnded. 5. Failure to create enough jobs and utilize the role of the large Diaspora. 6. Wasting time on unnecessary feuds with TFG and complicating the situation. Waa runtii. Faroole is and has been a failure. I agree on 1 & 6. The way he handled SSC conflict is arguably questionable. Siding with Sakiin against Farmaajo is very telling. Oday Faroole cimaamadii baa ka dhacday. Rooting for conniving Sakiin -- I'm still scratching my head on this move!

I am not as informed about these matters as I used to be. That said, If I were to make an educated guess I would say that Sakiin has the votes, the money, and the will to finish off his nemessis. Will see.

The drive to end the transitional phase without bringing the conflict to a close is not only new but a departure of negotiated settlement track. Direct and unequivocal drive to put Somalia under regional Trusteeship is new (won’t happen but the balls!!) TFI figure heads (at loggerheads) agreed to extend their tenure for additional 12 months with the condition that the only literate person in the arena (the spoiler) will be forced out. With quick look I netted the follwoing tidbits: 1. During this time the TFI leadership will focus on ending Transitional Phase. What? How could you transition from a failed state to functioning state without bringing to an end the raging conflict. No negotiated settlement, no meaningful and genuine reconciliation, nothing, nada! Museveni’s dictat is clear; here is a list of important priority task e.g. security, etc -- go and implement it and you will handsomely rewarded with private communication channel with Political Bureau, money (fleeced from the aid burse), etc. 2. Heads of State of the region are nominating themselves for the role of becoming the Political Bureau of anarchic Somalia. They are happy to offer the passenger seat with other international organizations. The other regional competitors such as Arab League has no place in this arrangement. Bingo!! 3. Political Bureau will monitor compliance of the implementation of the important priority tasks [elsewhere of the doc, other phrase -- transitional tasks -- is used] 4. Political Bureau will have the right to enforce compliance. In other words PB will have the will and means to exact punishment against TFI in the event they deviate from the script -- all of this in the name of Somali Peace Process. 5. Peace Process is effectively owned by TCC (Troop Contributing Countries) backed by front-line states (Kenya, Ethiopia). 6. Yoweri Museveni of Uganda guarantees the implementation of what the two disputing partisans agreed. What? And I remembered he is the commander in chief of the principal partner of TCC. 7. TCC will deal with spoilers -- and here the supposed spoilers are TFI (Transitional Federal Institutions) members who deviate from the script. Humiliation is complete. So sad. Here we are on this board ululating with these vultures that are eating away bits and pieces of the carcass of Somalia that once existed.

That's the spirit.

Delete the whole thread then. That way you don't get the better of us -- nomad dhuubo dhex yar _ going kinky is a head turner awoowe.

Unfortunately I lost interest in all things Somali politics and I am not up to date. I am trying to resurrect Waxa-La-Yirri news program. To do that I am asking you to fill me in. Your input will be considered as a field report;) Don't worry, the one man army news team will exercise his editorial capacity to make a judgement call whenever his sensibilities are not in tune with what's been reported. Waxa-La-Yirri has its built-in filter updated to WLY 2.0 version -- a very robust chatter sensor with state of the art clan blind filter. We will focus on six cross-linked political forces operating within the battery limit of the carcass of Somalia that once existed [Raqdii Maandeeq]: 1. Traditional institution -- clan-based norms of xeer and its clan chieftain underwriters aka nabadoono, duubab, oday dhaqamedyo. With diminished authority, they still wield influence over their domains. 2. Religious institutions -- fragmentation notwithstanding, armed or not; these groupings will be lumped as force with a voice at the table. 3. Recovery zones -- clans at the periphery way from the center of gravity and the national seat; these successful fiefdoms are also a force to be reckon with. 4. Regional/International supported Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) -- symbolized by its latest incarnation of Pres. Sh. Ahmed & PM Farmajo led team. 5. Crowd/Mop/Marauding Militia -- gullible, confused, and misled youth (male) who seems to cheer for the very cutthroat leaders that led them into the abyss. 6. Foreigners -- front-line states and regional players --who have vested interest in the outcome of the raging conflict in Somalia. Waxa-La-Yirri will examine the state of the country and see if it can shed light on where we've been yesterday and where we are now and take a stock of the progress or lack thereof we made since last edition of WLY. Time permitting.

Aamiin. Allah waxba kuma aha inuu maankooda sare u qaado oo garansiiyo inay xalay-dhalay ka noqdaan waxii dhacay. We pray Allah to ease their pain and bring peaceful, just, and final solution to this protracted civil war.

Good stuff. I'm not pleased the fact that I have to wait till July though. Libaax iCloud is the thing. Actually IT is the headliner for the event...come to think of it. Guys I don't know if you watched the 2 hour event as I did but the gist of Steve's message is: the era of PC is over. He cut the umbilical chord of the PC -- memory -- today. With iCloud, iPad is now equivalent to PC. Have you noticed the clipping icon where iPhone's cord is cut to bring that --the fact that folks won't need PC anymore -- to home. Business acumen with great insight of everything engineering/technology is what makes Steve head and shoulder above the rest of the industry leaders. Good for him.

Noise? Afka you ku qaloocan ninyahow. I guess you are not a fanboy The man is a genuis of the Edison caliber. He will go down in history as a man instrumental in taking human-machine interface to new heights.

El Generale, thanks. Dubai is awesome -- beaches, old acquintences (a lot of folks from North America and Europe are there], well paying jobs, etc. Money was good. Wifey was more than happy. Mosques are everywhere -- no reminder for paryer time. You should check it out. Norf has been there for ages now and he'll roll out the welcoming mat for SOL nomads. Nice fella. Time was tight as we had only one car and the minute I come back from work [10 hr shif + commuting time] I was at the mercy of the lady boss No time for SOL both at work or at home. Love Guru thanks budd. Somalia ha is raacdo

The answer is resoundly NO -- refering to title question. Government's enforcement arm is what makes us safe. Suppose young guns in Dubai -- ambitious nomads trying to make it big -- make the bold move to partner Chinese and Indian pharmecuetical firms. Suppose these firms are owned by dubious biz men and they sell harmless antibiotics 80% fake/20% third grade legit ingredient. Suppose the ***** biz man in lalaland somewhere in Somalia secures the deal and imports the shipment. Because of clan based machination, his cousin at the provincial government succeeds to convince Unicef, UNDP, USAID, and other NGO take the drugs at inflated price and distribute it to X tuulo that recently had an endemic TB. In that scenerio do you think an eforcement arm with the basic barcode reader [nowadays legit med has a unique barcode] and drug lab in conjunction with public health license authority can help prevent these types of con jobs?

To be rolled out today: OS X Lion iOS 5 iCloud -- rumors are Mobileme will be relagated to the freebie land Live blog @ MacLife, Tuaw, Gizmodo, Endgadget websites. 10am here in the pacific time.

Yup. Back to the land of the free the home of the brave. We completed the project. There will be a second phase (expansion) and they are now doing FEED. I might come back November provided we got all the ducks in a row. How about you? All good? How's Dubai heat treating you awoowe. I won't miss that for sure.

Well Israel is double sided story. One narrative is that great exodus undertaken by prosecuted and exiled people to go back to their ancestral home created the state of Israel. Not only the exodus succeeded but it thrived and become a success story. The other narrative is that Zionists conspired a project so grand and so daring that they moved substantial population from all over the world to settle them in historical Palestine at the expense of the local population. The implication is that a 7th generation Ukrainian Jew has the right to evict 9th generation Palestinian from his home. For Palestinian perspective it's a tragedy with monumental proportions. For Jews it is affirmation of sort -- the return to promised land. With that background, yes Israel is a success in many ways -- economically, technology, and militarily. But unlike other nation states much of its success is subsided -- directly and indirectly -- by other state actors and citizens who sympathize with the plight of Jews in Nazi Germany. Take technology and military fields -- one can characterize ascendancy in these fields as transfer of sort.

How is your old man doing? Great I hope. Say hi to my old classmate and old friend for me pls. It's been ages...Hassan Qariidi Middle School...oh boy I feel really old now Waryee Miskiin don't tell me you are not down with fruitcakes Irresistible huh? I know:) And don't tell me you don't have a profitable side dish spitting green for ya. Biz is the name of the game there buddy and you gotta claim your stake now. By the way go get and sip tea with Sophist. All the best.