N/AA, you must be confusing a meritocracy system with the 4.5 tribalism!! This is not a system where talented are chosen on the basis of competence or achievement nor is it a system where the healing the wounds of Somali psychic is high on the priority list. You dissappointed me young man for you seem to think that TFG is clean enough about this sort of charges and by doing this now will compromise its credibility and legitimacy. Maa caleesh awoowe!

Losers and Winners TFG has won the war. It's victory over ICU forces was won with Ethiopian might aided by American advanced surviellance capabilities and logistical assistance. It is a Neocon victory as much as it is Ethiopian one. Neocon victory because Bush prevented a failed state becoming a safe haven for Islamists as his spinners put it and bey extension becoming an operational ground for Al Qaeda. Ethiopian victory because a viable challenger and independent entity with plans to right a historical wrongs arising in its backdoor have been eliminated. Yet TFG led its supporters to believe that these powers come to Somalis aid in order to bring back normalcy and the rule of law. Today TFG found itself a situation where it relies Ethiopian soldiers for its security. This fact alone compromises the TFG's credibility and legitimacy. A temporary regime chosen from armed leaders who have been contesting power for last sixteen years to find ways and means to solve the core Somali problems and guide the country during the reconciliation periof and heal wounds is now engaged in a deepining conflict with some specific clans in and around Benadir and some pockets in central regions of the country. TFG has failed to carry its specific mandate. Instead it created a new mess far more complicated in its implication on top of the mess it set out to solve. Notwithstanding that today TFG is so confident and assured by international support, it ceased to be flexible on the issue of genuine reconciliation where the process is owned by Somalis. These events led the editors of Waxa-la-Yiri magazine to conclude that the Somalis, all Somalis in all walks of life are the real losers. As the saying goes, they are caught between ruthless, ambitious, and unsophisticated leaders AND bitter and frustrated lot whose sole mission has now become to frustrate the TFG plans and its Ethiopian protectors by any means necessary. It is not a good place to be. When one door is closed the chances are there is another one open. Waxa-la-Yiri editors are pragmatists in their outlook and we look for practical ways that have chance of succeeding. We, the editors of Waxa-la-Yiri magazine, consider the TFG as the part of the problem not as part of the solution. Waxa-la-Yiri recognizes also the fact that TFG position, military, economic, and diplomatic sense, has been enhanced by the unfortunate events of past several months. If Somalis are to have stable Somalia peaceful with itself and free from foreign interferences, all parties that have stake in the future of Somalia must accept unconditional preliminary meeting where possible option open to them can be explored. Waxa-la-Yiri in principle opposes the Ethiopian presence in Somali soil. Likewise Waxa-la-Yiri questions the feasibility of the current policy of the TFG which is basically use might to tame the resistance. TFG's understanding of the nature of the conflict at hand and its plans to resolve it scares the hell out of the editors of this magazine. We pray that the folks at the leadership level find both the vision to realize that force alone cannot solve the core issues that are at play here and the courage to open a dialogue with the folks that really matter.

SCW my man BOB, Sxb good to hear from you again. Knowing where you came from and the street knowledge you have plus the Hard Knock kinda schooling you went through during the difficult times of surviving the streets of Eastleigh, I'm confident that you will outsmart all the Zulu warriors in down under of Africa. Ahem! tell me about Zulu ladies. I can't help imagining Mashalaaye BOB digging the Zulu thang! Or are you a changed man? 2pac used to sing about one of his homies becoming Muslim not that I'm implying that you are a player or something like that but just can't help having these thoughts about great BOB doing lil hussling stuff down there *smiling* My man AlxamduLilaah I have no complaints. Doing lil xamaali in far and away location from home sweet home. But that will pass. As to your critical post lambasting Faraxs in our age I gotta tell ya baba that cultures evolve and 40 years from know you will be a dinousour in ur hometown Majengo in Kismayo. Just so you know in the states we are struggling to teach our kids Somali and Islam. They have an accent in ashahaadada. It is unbelievable but it is that bad in that department. Part of the problem is there are no products (software, books, and what not) that can compete with Walt Disney. Kids always find Walt Disney far more interesting and engaging than what Islamic products out there offer. Very frustrating wallahi. Now do lil extrapolation there and grown up Faraxs that are not qaat addicts are either Hashish or crack addicts. Not all of them ofcourse but the trend is there. I really feel sorry for the teenagers who emigrate to the states without father figure to emulate...or at least look after them. We've being there and I know I was a rebel and my old folks used to check Animal Waste manholes that run thru Farjano to haul waste from the Meat Factory to Qaryoleey beach for my dead body cuz I used to dissapear with my homies. In these days it was common occurances to lose kids to these open manholes (an unmitigated safety hazards) and sharks that roamed just the west side of Calaleey beach just off Suuqa Xoolaha. You can imagine what these teenagers will encounter in the real world - in the ghettos of the states. It is brutal. Our future Faraxs will be victims of three unfortunate circumstances: Qaat, Civil War, and American Ghettos where majority of Somali refugees end up when they come to the states. Faraxs are product of their time awoowe. Chcek out Dubai sxb. You never know you may like it.

In the Aashuun features contraversial and provocative articles compiled by the editors of Waxa-la-Yiri magazine. The editors will take on contemporary issues of the day chief among them nomad politiking. The TFG and its Ethiopian protectors is destined to the legendary Waxa-la-Yiri hot seat. We will borrow few ideas and editorial styles from The Economist slick format, Newsweek and Time's short and sharp commentaries, and in-depth coverage style of Harbors. The ICU and its long term plans, its platform, its leaders, and how these plans have been executed by the said leaders and hegemonic designs of the Neocon-Tigre coalitions had for Somalia will be weighed in. What could have been done to abort these designs is another angle that we will explore. The current mess Mogadishu residents have found themselves in and the TFG's failure in securing a practical and workable deal with real movers and shakers of Benadir who oppose to the idea of reconciliation under the gun of Ethiopians is another explosive subject we intended to take on. It stirs passions! That we know. It is our intention to reason with the forumers and have them walk through different scenarios that might work and drive Rthiopians out. The issue of security is another neglegted issue we would like to explore. To reconcile contesting groups inside Somalia, Somalis have to make security arrangement that is acceptable to all parties. For this to happen, TFG needs to address the issue of "occupation". Likewise the groups that oppose to the TFG's ways of bringning the "enemy" in order to negotiate from position of strength has to address the issue of security of Benadir. There is implied tautology here. Nomads will be engaged so they can get the sequence right. All in all, we are looking forward to roll the "dirin" alla Kismayo style. All the shaah is on the marketing branch of this media power house. All are welcomed. No censorship whatsoever. Bring on ur "niiq" and "naac". We are anticipating a plethora of accusations and mind-reading exercise. Finger-pointing is also acceptable. All we ask from u is to bring in a dose of healthy reasoning. We're confident that nomads who congregate here have both the comprehension and reasoning ability to make a coherent and logical statement after they exhaust the fingerpointing exercise. See ya later losers

lol Ahem! Idaamle editor is Somali and he is on the same page with Ina Yusuf as far as the TFG agenda (whatever that is) is concerned. If not him, who? On the other hand, this TFG is all about clan. No surprise there. May I remind you that the 4.5 formula leaves ample room for Ina Yussuf's sub-clan. They are just taking their share of the TFG positions! Remember TFG is made up of a group of armed warlords who agreed to share the token positions in the Transitional Institutions per clan qouta. The funny thing is this kind of political "bias" is not limited to the "non-entity" of TFG. Even Bush administration chose Tony Snow as their White House Spokesperson. Tony was far left neocon radio personality who later became FOX anchor. He does spin like there is no 2morrow. Baba this is the ugly side of politiking and its legit to pick ur team on the basis of their loyalty and their partisan credentials. It just so happened that ours is based on clan. Welcome to the "institutionalised" negative tribalism. It is a whole new ball game. Siyad Barre and the military jnta he led chose communism as an ideology of the state. They declared tribalism as the enemy of the state and allocated a budget in its eradication. They didn't follow through the program they instituted but at least in its haydays it was the stated line of the military government that politics based on clannism is a bad idea. Yet that system was accused of hidden clannish agenda and was opposed by clans for clannish reasons. Abdullahi was one of them. Think about it baba! Today is the opposite. The founders of the current framework of the Federal Institutions are riding at the back of 4.5 clan (segmentalized constituents) as the bedrock the political process of the post-conflict Somali state will anchor on Knowing the facts, as they are and not as they oughtta be, about nomad politiking what is it that made you frown upon hearing this news?

There you are Mr. Oodweyne. How life has been treating you lately buddy? Yeah awoowe, long time no see. Gotta feed the young ones, ya know! This is an attempt to induce a meaningful discussion. And yes you are right power hungry lords have hijacked the proceedings of the said conferences in order to realize a selfish interest but make no mistake these men have always had their constituents who were ready to do their bidding for the sake of their clannish interest. Nevertheless Somalis desire to end this long national nightmare was and still is real. My question is simple. How come Somalis are both with and against these tyrants of theirs? I smell complacency on one hand and real, honest, and genuine call for peace on the other. I just probed the forum on the subject of peace and the time and the blood we invested in its attainment and we have nothing to show the effort we put in this fleeting goal. I am not fluent in Arabic but I still remember a qoute I heard from my Egyptian teacher back in my days in Sakhawdin School and it goes like this: Wa minal cajaa'ibu cajaa'ib, qurbu dawaa' wamaa ileyhaa wasuul. I'm parapharsing him but in a nutshel it means the solution is within reach yet it is unreachable!! My question is why? I fully understand the role power hungry politicians have played in disrupting peace whenever they thought they are not getting the top seat they were after. I'm fuming with frustration sxb. Look what has happened to us. Xabasha is in a position to dictate what kind of government Somalia should have and who should and should not attend this important gatherings (Islamist and nationalist are out) and her fav personalities are in under the cloak of civil servants, Diaspora, and Suufiis sect of Islam. Let me throw lil spicy nuts there while I'm at it. What you make of the argument that from the get-go the Ethiopian hand in Somali politics has been the real and only effective force that's been doing the real steering in the pot. From the proxy war in conjuction with the rebels of the military regime in power back then waged in the name of the grieving clans to the clannish contest that followed the fall of that regime, Ethiopia was the enabler, supplier of weapons, and the real king maker behind the Somali tragedy. This argument is a refutation to the view that Somalis alone bear the responsibility of ruining the country and rendering the life in Somalia unbearable. I happended to hold the view that this problem goes deeper than few lunatic personalities. Ethiopia is clearly part of the problem but still it is just a one variable. There is more to this than I thought. Negative tribalism alone can not explain this either. I listed what I thought is the underlying forces that kept Somalia at the bottom of the pit for two decades and counting. I assumed the negative tribalism is the blood that runs through the vains of the beast...

Well most of the shrewd and calculating folks I converse with would have at least made an attempt to know what makes the beast they're dealing with tik before they get into how to tame biz. For now let's leave the "how" for the second thread aight. First let's define the variables so we are in a position to solve the equation or put differently let's assign variables first and come up a problem statement and from there position ourselves in an angle where we can devise a "how" approach to tackle the situation. Deal? aight! Peace has tirelessly been pursuit but every time Somalis' effort toward that goal ended in vain. Now one has to note that Somalis' political disagreement, which basically is based on simple clannish platform (distrust all known political systems), is the underlying problem here. Having said that, however, let me say that it is my considered opinion that Somali political problems have farther been aggravated by constant and unceasing foreign interferences. Add to that the quality of the leaders at helm there and it is no wonder that Somalia is in a such sorry state. With that simple background, let's try the first method: define variables. X. Deep held clan animosity that forces the contesting parties to deny their nemesis any political power both real and perceived. Nomadic philosophy of victors "exact what they can" and losers merely grant "what they must" rules the day. Kind of "winner takes all mentality". Y. Interest groups both at regional level and at international stage whose interest is to shape Somalia in a way that tames the nationalistic aspirations the country has been known to harbor and denies Islamists to realize their declared objective which is to govern this geopolitically significant real estate under the dictates of Shari’ a Z. Lack of wise and prudent statesmen who are clean and credible enough to lead the country through this difficult time. The current clan personalities owe their prominence to the support received - military, political representation, and what have you - from one or both of the interest groups mentioned above. S. Painful history of squandering public trust to the point where secession and fragmentation is seen as a check to the central-periphery power if it ever materializes again. S = national collective history = constant. f(x,y,z)* S = tragedy in monumental proportion Now Mr. anniga how to modify the defined variables, so the field under which these variables get induced and act against the interest of Somalis is rip for a change, is all yours. f'(x,y,z) = S + (cessation of hostilities, permanent Ethiopian withdrawal, and genuine and honest reconciliation meeting where the core Somali problem is discussed, dissected, and resolved) Entertain me buddy.

Here we go again I won't waste my time and dignify this silly post of yours by responding to it. Kalligii Muslim use your noodless better! Waa talo!

Why?

Obama's rise to political ladder makes me suspiscious. What is it special about him. He is a politician. There are scores of them out there all seeking the dem nominations. He is an eloquent speaker. That's not it! hmmm! dunno! Nevertheless I'm rooting for him. He's got my vote simply because he is someone who might reform criminal justice system, ease institutional racism, take on corporate immunity, and bring in a dose of "colored people" world view to the table...a rear view thru mirror kinda view but nevertheless diff view. Anything that chnages the dominance of neocons and cowboy texan (high and mighty) mentality. No to Pax Americana mentality. looking forward the preseidential debates...it should be fun. As to this Howard down under world, a vegamite eating, kongaroo taming aussie, he is simply putting his nose to where it does belong...Dems don't turn to Aussie for an advise

oops! wrong thread

Nurradin is onto something. He is a biz man and to sell books, taking on Islam has become a good marketing move nowadays. He is technically right in saying that Somalis, in general, have never being a practicing Muslims. That's a fact. He is wrong in implying that learning and practicing Islam (in the way of Hijab) is a worrisome trend. And the "Afghan biz" comment speaks volumes of his world view as far as so "clash of civilization" is concerned. He seems to be saying that practicing Islam as a way of life leads to backwardness if that is a word. He is a Somali. He is also a Muslim. And as such he is entitled to comment on Islam and the state of Somali culture. As the sweet sounding young lady did, one ought to challenge his views instead of indicting him. my taano

^ your rant makes sense to this oday though! Boby my man are you surviving in the Zulu country. I'm worried about your safety as Zulu attacks on economic migrants keep popping up in the news? Back to the topic...tell you what Bob there will be men and mere males in each and every era. As you know they all come with two balls but what separates man from male is not whether he cheers for an athlete or adheres to ancient culture...No sire! Having principles and not losing sight of the bottom line is what makes Farax a manly Farax.

Grey, cloudy, rainy Seattle is all that you are missing Qallanjo. I was there for three weeks and kids couldn't enjoy the outdoor thang. No wonder Family Fun Center and Imax/Science Museum are popular destination for kids in this city. WSU student, by any chance?

Condoms work. Granted they sometimes fail but by and large they are useful preventive tool. I don't see the connection of having more than one wife and the HIV!! If one is sick with desease like this one, one should not marry period. It is irrelevant the number of wives/husbands a patient sleeps with so long he/she is infected with HIV and other STD deseases.

^ and who can blame him? Imagine three lovely fruitcakes lined up for your picking...all yours. This is what fantasy is made of Dayuum! Add that it is halal and it is normal in the neighborhood. Nothing is wrong with it and all is done in the light of the day. No wonder Xiin and Castro have been loud about the minyaro biz But then again the nagging, the whining, the cat fights, the jealousy, the responsibilities associated with the whole biz, the financial burden, the balancing act and what have you will wipe out whatever intial joy one might have experienced....

Wa caleykum Salaam Mr. Fuuf aka Ooji Wlc back sxb. How is the tubaako coming along? Great, I hope Admin is picking on you! Whatever happened to the Ma-shallaaye kid who grew up in Majengo where the lions are tamed and qubbo are skinned Goat herders from Nugaal valley picking on sharks in the mool? This is crazy awoowe... I don't wanna hear this cuz it scratches my overinflated pride in all things Kismaayo. Plz handle! On a serious note, have you read the papers lately? We are taking a beating from Uncle Sam and his sidekick Zenawi. Poetry section is calling ur name buddy. A poem for the recent events will do.

Hambalyo ciyaal SOL. Sanad wacan oo wanaagsan Allaha ka dhigo. The trafic bottleneck is a big minus. It can get very frustrating at times... I gotta tell u guys UAE sucks big time in this area.

Castro's proposed solution: 1. Dissolve the government, keep the parliament, and call for elections and see if the old man gets elected. Or 2. Fight and fight and let the winner rule the land. Xiin agrees with the proposal outlined in my post. He has his reservations but in principle, he thinks that's the way forward for now. Now let's tackle Castro's line of reasoning. First off I don't know what to make of your thought process sxb. You want to keep the parliament! Is that what I'm hearing from you? So you want to keep Al Xaaj Mussa yalaxow, Inna Aideed, Barre Hiiraale, and Qanyare I really do think this is some sort of slip or typo cuz this line of reasoning is not in line with your overall publicized take of the situation. I'll let you clarify this one. Moving on...to dissolve the government point. How you do that? Not a bad idea but then again how would you do that. Surely that stunt alone would solve half of our problems. Hold elections as a referendum of Abdullahi's standing huh! lol I guess this one belongs to the record books. My man where will the election be held and for who? As to fight till the occupation ends suggestion again what's your plan for waging effective and succesful guarilla war? Are you positive that negative tribalism won't in get the way. Who will fund the guarilla war? As the saying goes, it is easy to propose impossible remedies. With absence of unity, any attempt to drive the "occupiers" will not come to fruition. Awoowe ever heard Timacadde's memorable lines: Gardaduub haddii loo xidhoo, gaadhna ka ahaato, Gacantii nin lihi goynayaa waa gumudantaaye, Nin walaalkii geed ugu jidhaa, geesi noqon waa Pointing fingers and namecalling aside, the best game plan is to put an offer TFG can't refuse. The Ethio presence in Somali soil is unsustainable. Uncle Sam wants to see stable Somalia whose leaders are under his thump. The situation in Somalia is a headache to the region and almost all the players want to an end to this ghetto yard in the neighborhood (out of self-interest). Now it stands to reason to make a move that would win the support of interest groups. Support the TFG but with conditions. You can always throw the popular caveats such as "democracy" in order to give opposition parties in the West some ammunitions for their partisan politiking consumption. Inna Yussuf is extremely clannish man. Deep down he knows how the clan equation works out and all its derivatives. He needs the support of key sub-clans in Mogadishu and he fully understands without their genuine support Benadir is ungovernable. He also understands that Ethiopia's help is limited once the major offensive is over. The only thing that can save hiom is an insurgency for that wins him Uncle Sam and Zenawi's unconditional support. This tells me that there is a room for negotiation. It will be clannish in nature and it will be about Benadir. Once that deal is reached. The road for national reconciliation is open for travelling. That is the forum where the core Somali issues will be settled. among the issues that will make to the agenda include but not limited to Long standing grievances Looted properties Flexible power-sharing scheme (war-time or post conflict and permanent ideology based kind) Type of government (secular vs. theocracy) Fedaral vs Centeral state (regional provinces under strong central government) Constitution (final draft) Somaliland question etc.

Nope

Absolutely. But then again you want to engage with folks that have the capacity to show you the holes of your argument if there are any, right? The trouble is when folks resort to namecalling tirade as substitute for an argument.

It is getting personal nowadays lol

Tukaale, do you have any new ideas? I would like to hear them.

Awoowe kursigu soo maaha waxa Somali isku leysay. Ma nimuu u muuqdaay baan waraaqa ilaabin Wallee cadkanoo ku cunay ama ku ciideeyay Weeye sheekadu Ku gal Maandeeq, qallanjadaan indhaha saa iyo saa ula raaceynay waa kaa Amxaarku yirri waa good lay. Maxajabad daboolayd waxuu gaal u dukhuulaayey!-dii Inna Abdille sheegay waleynan ka sokeyn.

I like Torono. By far it is the cleanest city i've ever been.