Please let other parents know that Pirate candies sold in Costco contain Melamine, the ingredient in milk product that has caused many infant deaths in China. There is a new warning put out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate coins are being recalled in Canada. FDA has not recalled this particular brand yet (at least in my knowledge). Do not let your kids, nieces & nephews, siblings eat this one in this Halloween. http://news.gc.ca/web/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=421359

Allah Yarxama. Samir & Imaan buddy.

Good news indeed. Good news for the innocent women and kids caught up in this bloody conflict. Good news for the folks who want to get Tigre troops out of the Somali soil. Good news for the millions and millions of Somalis who are sick ‘n tired of senseless killings in Benadir. ARS and TFG have done their part -- they’ve tried their best. Looks like the two opposing parties are on the same page on the two crucial (immediate) issues: Foreign troops inside Somalia & Power sharing scheme!! Now the memorandum of understanding has been signed, the two sides have to do two important things. First off they have to deliver the goods. Stick to the chapter and verse of the agreement even if the opposition tries to derail it. Secondly, they have to reach out to other players in the conflict. ARS has to do more on reconciling multi-faceted insurgents. On the doom-gloom and drive-by-commentators in this forum, I say the galss is half full! The Ethiopian problem has been resolved on paper. Implementing the agreement depends on several insurgent fronts. They can derail this imperfect agreement and prolong Tigre “occupation” and by extension Somali suffering or they can embrace it and facilitate Ethio’s complete withdrawal from Somali soil. If this agreement fails because of insurgent militia won’t let up the attacks against Tigre mercenaries and/or TFG militia, the end result will be more violence where one side of the equation gets extension, support, and token legitimacy and the other side fragments to what might be described as Afghan-like mujahidin warlords -- multiple mujahidin fronts vying for supremacy. We see numerous shortcomings both in the process and in the final communiqué. But still we support it because it’s better than nothing.

PL -- Safe Haven for Piracy! By Gar-Eexo Inna Col-U-Joog *Cantrabaqash for SOL kor Joogto Oct 23 (Genuine Grapevine Report) -- Allay-Badday crew, an amateur pirate outfit, in Eyl district has no quarrel with Garowe admin. They know the staff. They have friends in Bossaso too. They also have the implicit protection of their kin who happened to be the dominant clansmen in the area. Put it simply, if admin in power succumb to the increasing international pressure and risk sub-clan civil strife, pirates are confident that they can hold the fort. They have the numbers and they believe they can stand toe to toe with PL militia. It is now believed that the pirates have elevated their motto to one for all and all for one to new heights. They had welcomed in the past and will welcome now malcontents willing and ready to execute orders of criminal intent regardless of clan or regional affiliation to Allay-Badde ranks. Given the well financed operation they have run this year coupled with increased earnings from ransom payments, analyst believe that they are armed to the teeth. Attacks are up this year and as a result the ransom payments climbed to $50 million dollars for the first nine months of this year. Staggering income considering the average income of the residents of the area! Our reporter in PL Mr. Quuqle said that Allay-Badday leading figures are oblivious of the threat they pose to the international trade routes. When asked if they can take on NATO-Russian joint force, Qarsho-Hambade, the operation manager of Dhow-E, retorted quickly ‘the question is can they spot Dhow-E’. Qarshe-Hambade went on to explain how fast and how small the Dhows employed by Allay Badde are. Puntland admin are between rock and hard place. Puntland State, a clan construct founded by threatened and cornered clans, is in political hot water. The admin will risk clan strife if they take on unemployed fishermen now turned to piracy. On the other hand they are asked to keep the lid on piracy activities or risk military intervention. Oblivious to the unchartered water his clansmen are cruising in, a low rank clan chieftain in the area was quoted saying Kuli fidma cinda geel waa ... pointing finger at Bossasso direction. Our reputable reporter has dug up the issue -- ala Waxa La Yirri journalistic style -- and quickly unearthed numerous grievances filed by the union of fishermen in Garacad to Eyl corridor. The mu’aamarad weeye uttered by the low ranking chieftain is referring to foreign commercial mega boats in cahoots with the Garowe admin sweeping the sea of fish. Foreign commercial boats put small and primitive wooden boats of the area out of biz. What started as safe guarding the livelihoods of the fishermen in Eyl and its surrounding operation has now metamorphosed to an emerging threat to marital order. The fact that PL leaders are gearing up for next year’s presidential election didn’t help the current admin. Desperate for parliamentarian votes -- clans send their rep to parliament and reps vote for president and whoever gets most votes wins the election by simple majority rule -- Gen. Cadde is campaigning hard in Nugaal and voter rich Eyl sub clan is in Nugaal. It is a tough call for Cadde. He has to do a delicate balancing act between not pushing malcontents over the cliff (and as a result risk Bossasso-Garowe trade road shutdown) and military intervention. Our reputable reporter has heard whispers through the grapevine that the political stability for this successful clan construct is teetering on the brink of collapse. And that’s even without the piracy problem. Run Sheeg, Waa Ceeb Sheeg Cantrabaqash News Desk

Xiinoow folks can not stomach the call for peaceful resolution to this bloody conflict. That's it. How else could you explain the constant chaps uttered by the cyber warraiors. Defeat them in the battle ground or engage them weeye hadalku. Halla dirriro dagaal waxaan ahayn daawo lagu waa is nomadic philosophy whose time has come to an end. Let's be lil civilized and do biz with our enemies and give our next gen a fighting chance to live in stable and peaceful Somalia. LB, Yours is pure nonsense and you know it! You are all over the screen buddy. Focus on the ball, will ya. Looks like all your critiques have been addressed and frankly even preempted. On Inna Yussuf and the TFG he leads, awoowe I share your disdain. On TFG’s and its weaknesses, Ethiopian leverage over its policy and militia, that too has been acknowledged. What are you on? On the reconciliation push, I said that the chances of success in this effort are slim. I even touched upon the fact that accord reached by the two leading figures alone won’t cut it so long they are short on the delivery track. What are you against mister? That folks are exploring ways and means to bring closure to this prolonged and costly conflict!! Or are you fond of the mayhem and carnage -- an orgy of violence as William James would have put it? Awoowe I don’t share your jingoism and your call for misguided holy war! If it is the end of “occupation” that you want, awoowe deliver it for me and you will find me cheering for the glorious boys who kicked butt. Just make sure it is quick and the cost is as low as reasonably possible. Can’t do it! Is the bar too high? Well, let’s explore other more reasonable venue. We may fail. That is possible. But try we must.

Xiin, Will do. SS, Never mind. I should have used the pm.

Many thanks Northerner. Unless they modify the contract, Allah forbid, I will see you there Insha'Allah. SS, no worries Qallanjo. I will hook you up What's up with you, you know what. I didn't hear from you two. How did it go?

I see a mujrim whose dulmi is exceeded only by Ceydiid's and Yeey's of the world. Not to mention that he is the reason Somalia is on fire. The idea that Somalia have fallen in the depth of Bulaacad and when he was at the helm we were onle knee deep in the same Bulaacad and hence we must reminisce the days of golden rule tells me something about folks who convinced themselves that Inna Siyad was a benevolent ruler. Adduunyo. It could be the case that Inna Barre cheerleaders are either young or were not at the recieving end of his brutality.

Oh beauty! Right there! u gave me the perfect excuse. Back in the day I used to play banooni -- not kubad mine u -- as we call it then. But lately I haven't got the opp or the time to play. By the way assume that all Kista boys know one or two about soccer. You won't go wrong on that assumption.

I resist the temptation for hunting petite fruitcake that serves as a side dish. So minyaro biz is not my forte. Xiin and Castro are the leading manly men in this dept. I've been busy awoowe. Work, personal stuff, etc.

Bringing all warring Somalis to the dirrin is not an easy task. This is a very difficult proposition. Even if they manage to sit down and negotiate terms it is highly unlikely that they will be able to deliver the goods. Given the history of the conflict and the numerous efforts that ended up in the waste basket, cynics have a reason to doubt another attempt in bringing the conflict to a closure will succeed this time around. Still having willing partners at the command posts helps reduce the violence to tolerable levels. All signs indicate that we got two major players who are willing to strike a deal. Inna Yussuf is in a pressure cooker. Shariif has a point to prove. They both have a political price to gain if they prove that peace is possible. The model Shariif and Inna Yussuf adopted as the main framework for lasting peace and political reconciliation is not the perfect model. Absence of any other effort toward that end, however, theirs becomes the default one. The other competing model offered by other factions is a continuation of the war -- war they must win. If the folks who are pushing this approach have what it takes (military hardware, logistics, bases, trained soldiers, and above all the support of the masses) to defeat the other side, it would have been ok to consider this route. Guerrilla war, hit-and-run tactics do not cut it. These tactics can sure frustrate an army but the backlash is costly -- a cost civilians have to absorb. Knowing what we know today the fact of the matter is they don’t have the resources needed to attain the goal they set for themselves. It is true that their forces are highly motivated, extremely brave, have the ability to disrupt peace, and able to prove that TFG has no legs to stand. But proving that Swiss cheese has holes is not the end game here awoowe. It is like stating the obvious. Mush has been made about the Ethiopian presence and the need to drive them out by force. The concern of Ethiopian presence and its incessant interference in Somali affairs is a concern shared by many. It is legit concern. The argument that Ethiopian presence in Somalia serves as a hindrance to the peace effort is a valid one. What is a hollow argument is the one that suspends any meaningful dialogue between opposing Somali factions prior to Ethiopian withdrawal. One can make their withdrawal as one goal out of the important outcomes of the dialogue! The way ARS loaded this peace caravan is not the correct way. There is room for improvement. The knot is not tied properly there and the rope is not strong enough to hold things in place! But more importantly, the goods the caravan is carrying to the needy people on the other side of the mountain is assistance urgently needed and should not be delayed. In Boholaha Xargaga -- a rough terrain this caravan has no choice but to go through -- one must expect the unexpected. Let them talk this one out. There is no harm in talking. And remember short of winning a decisive victory one has no choice but to engage his enemy. Awoowe it is the way of the world. Xiin how is that for badhi-taar

Will do that Nuune. I will be single till next June since kids are in the middle of school year. So make it quick for I can save u hotel expenses -- they gave me a villa. How about that for a change.

November 30th is the date barring something comes up. I'll def give u a ring this time. I am bringing my soccer gear with me. If we cross path expect a quick tuuneer. On other note, wifey is bent to hire a booyeeso!! Somehow for some reason unknown to me that's all she cares about!! What'sup with that dept? What you know awoowe?

Where are you at buddy? Are ur digits same or you changed the number?

Looks like I will be moving to Abu Dhabi in a month or so. In fact I have signed the contract the other day -- Degree authentication which is a pain in the neck as it has to go through two different agencies and State Dept plus UAE embassy & medical certification is what is holding me back. Are there any SOL families with school age kids? Are there reputable schools with Islamic curiculam? I've googled schools in UAE and the only reputable school I found is American School (14 grand per kid).

My man Taleb is getting the attention he deserves. Not only that, he is cashing in big time. Good for him. He was on PBS's Jim Lehrer Newshour last night. Fascinating theory! Read the book...you won't be dissappointed.

Very briefly if I may let me help you out and share what malcontents of this site brought to the table so far. In his effort to answer the very same question Xiin tabled, my man Oodweyne ended up committing a fallacy not to mention his trademark ad hominem by identifying the TFG, unknowingly I must assume, as a faction in the conflict and then proceeded to characterize it as a weak and Vichy type of collaborationist kind and puppet entity. He went on to degrade it and slung mud everywhere accusing everyone of being in the closet supporter of “uncle” Yey. I beg you not to go down on the same route. Aight. Here are the answers I’ve so far identified from this board’ 1. Gaalo-raac vs. Islamist 2. Dabuthilif vs. Patriots 3. TFG vs. UIC 4. Occupiers vs. Resistance 5. Interest groups that sat on valuable loot vs. those determined to reverse that trend 6. Foreign interest groups taking sides in local contest in order to shore up a “friendly” regime they deem not to be an existential threat to their national interests. 7. All the above -- rendering this conflict a three dimensional conflict Btw both posts are directed to bro Liqaye.

I have this feeling, deep down, that there is a deliberate attempt to dupe Somalis into believing (or even accepting the proposition) that peaceful end to this never-ending cycle of madness is impossible. In fact the opposite is true. The trouble with Somali factions is that each faction wants to become the last faction standing. More worrisome to that troubling subculture is the loud cheering the determined factions receive from folks like the ones that populate this forum. Given the nature of the conflict, the pervasiveness of foreign interferences, and the determination of the personalities spearheading the drive to prevail by any means necessary, this conflict is unwinnable however you look at it. From that it follows that the best course of action is either to let the conflict take its course to its logical conclusion which Allah forbid will alter the regional map in a very dramatic way at the expense of Somalis OR employ common sense and talk it out on a dirrin. Waxa u dhaxeeyaa waa tororog. The trouble with the first option is the duration and the cost in terms of blood and treasure. Chicken-Hawk game is a game Mr. Sherrif is not willing to play. To some abstaining that kinda game is unforgivable breach to the “liberation” commitment and makes him a textbook example of naïveté or political novice who is out of his depth. Don’t be surprised if Kelligii Muslim squad question his faith in Islam and make that issue a fair game in the propaganda program Liqaye’s premise that there is no faction to negotiate with is a canard. I mean how could that be so? The very idea that the ragging conflict in Somalia has no drivers is absurd. You see one cannot assert that the civil war grew out of deep-seated differences between competing factions (tribal based or morphed into other X-based interest groups) and by the same token reject bringing the conflict to a closure through negotiation precisely because of the absence of viable faction to do political transaction with -- namely peacemaking. TFG with all its shortcomings and blunders has constituents on the ground. I even go farther and assert that the apparent segmentation of Somalis on the ground has exposed marked factions. The fact that some sat it out, others are against it and are willing to pay the ultimate price to defeat it, and still others are for it and want to contain the mayhem into distant corners is a testament to the depth of this conflict. This is beyond indifference or complacency. Brother Liqaye please do tell the variables of the conflict as you see them and what is the ultimate price participants are fighting over. Your answer to this question will simply identify the active contestants. I urge you to support the special dirrin -- the oval shaped type with impressive colors -- rolled out for these contestants you yourself have identified. The other option as you may well know is to wait for one side to prevail. Pick the side you support, find a water tight justification, close your ears, and shout out unintelligible and familiar sound bites in their support. I can guarantee you will find “well said”, “could not agree more” kudos. Later.

Of course Xiin is on the money. The case he had been advancing, peaceful resolution to Somali conflict as being the only vaiable path forward, is irrefutable. No, Sherrif is not the best that could happen to Somalia. He has made numerous mistakes both in the policy front and at the tactical end. At issue is not whether Sherrif has three standard deviation points on the IQ Gaussian curve above and ahead the rest. No. Not at all. At issue is getting Somalia out of the bottomless pit. Surely folks would agree it is a humongous and monumental task -- ending the conflict. Animosity between contesting folks are deep, emotions are high, and grievances whether legitimate or not are numerous. There is no easy way out. However, there are several options on the table. Fighting the other side tooth and nail is one of them. Sparing no effort to end the stalemate through dialogue and by extension stabilizing the country is another option. In his finite wisdom he saw the latter route as the more attractive option. I have my theories why that is the case. One of my theories is that Sherrif, unlike Col. Aways, have no clannish agenda. In this regard, he does not care about the staying power of other clans in this seemingly never ending struggle for power and resources. He does not have a price (in the millions), and label as well hanging over his head. Col. Aways does. All he has in mind, I think, is getting Ethiopia out of Somali soil, “legitimizing” the org he heads as a legitimate opposition whose agenda is limited to domestic causes, and stopping the TFG on its tracks prior to 2009 when its token "mandate" is set to expire. TFG has used terrorism card on its opposition successfully again and again. Ethiopia has made terrorism the central argument in its determination to install "friendly" regime in Mogadishu. Sherrif was getting advice from the Diaspora to move in quickly, give TFG a run for their money before the 2009, and position Asmra Alliance as a coalition between nationalists and "moderate" Islamists that is open for substantative dialogue with TFG. Granted Djibouti conference has not borne fruits yet. It will never bear fruits so long malcontents refuse to see Ethiopian backs heading west. The reason is not that the agreement was bad for Somalia and its inhabitants. It is not as if Somalis will miss the frightening and deafening sound of the big guns. No. The fact remains that significant force on the ground and their allied leaders in Asmara are dead against it because they won’t have any neutral forces deployed until mutually agreed resolution is reached. Get thsi: they won’t negotiate either with anyone. Awoowe that does not make sense to me!

I see. Awdal, that I know. But whether it translates Aw Dal is another matter. In any event Awdal is not the creation of Inna Barre. He might elevated it to provincial status based on the majority clan rule but the name preceeded him.

^That's the thing with the folks. MMA simply said the name Awdal is the historical name of the region. He was absolutely right. You riducled him for saying so and accused him of "making sh*t up" in nanoseconds. Now he's backed that one up with facts, you went haywire and picked up the trivial comment in the post. Why is it so difficult for the folks to simply say I stand corrected.

Take cover dhuubo. Fly girls are on their way in droves.

Pujah, qallanjo the man changed his position on Iraq. Even I, of all people with Obama biases, noticed it. Politically speaking, his move to center is justifiable. But Obama is not the man he used to be. Blame American style politics if you must but it is clear that he needs Hillary rednecks, independants, and moderate GOPers in order to beat his rival. That I understand. But don't tell me he has not changed his strict standards for immediate Iraq withdrawal.

^Comes with the territory. I expect more of these kind of "attacks" from both media and GOP operatives.

^Don't bother buddy. Nerds simply love this gadget. It is awesome. It is hackable. Just awesome. Go the nearest Apple outlet and play with its features and report back. That being said, I wasted few hours (I know) on iTunes update errand. I bricked my phone. The Apple failed its customers today. Out goes the PC add. Their server is down. It crashed. Total mess. Pretty disappointed!