Originally posted by Totti: Cheslki? Man U? Arsenal? even Lpool? You die hard fans still hoping to reach the final and support your team ? :cool: Well Champions League Final here i come Baby loooOoOol my mates just let me know that he can get tickets, Istanbul 2005 here we come so come what may cheslki Barac Juventus Milan, am there mate Whats turkish for Gettin in there?? Northener, I think it's time we start sweet talking this guy, don't you think?

^^^Continue, continue and I promise to tune it down a little. I’m truly stunned that you’ve perceived my words as bullying! PS Welcome back Johnny B.

Edit.

Adunayada waxa jooga dhad oo maleeya midnimada iyo wannaago inaay bilaash tahaay. Wax'anaan kuula yaabayn, qof asalkiisu UNKNOWN yahaay ayad tahay. Habeen burco sheego, malin naah Khaleej sheego, lakiin ogow weliga baah fish and ships ayad tahaay. Abtiyo orodo abaha ku dhee micnaha siyasaad ii baar. You’ve wasted your breath writing all of that when all you had to say was : ‘ab tirso’. ** Somali attitude mode on ** Silence, adeer, ano ab tirso o ma bahni, family name kalya kugo filan. :cool: Hade aad reer Burco tahay, Hargesa ama Boorma wad i garan doonta. Marka, carada naga daa oo sheekada Somaliland eno wad. ** Somali attitude mode off ** On a serious note, your response is nothing different than the usual responses I got from die-hard Somalilanders in the past 14 years. How long do you aim to carry on using the same excuses? How long are you going to use the poor dead women, men and children as a reason for the existence of a country? Do you really believe a country can be created just because its citizens are angry with their previous government? Do you really believe all those that embraced the idea of Somaliland are as fickle as that? The anger might have been a factor in the beginning; it might have been the fuel that gave the people energy to declare Somaliland’s independence! But, I refuse to believe that many of the intelligent Somalilanders I’ve lived amongst, met or am related to are as shallow as to still believe on an idea based on anger and sulking! It’s obvious that many Somalilanders have moved on from that and view that state with a different eye. It’s clear that many have more reasons for believing than mere anger and grief. Sadly, none of them are attempting to formulate their vision of Somaliland into words because they’re always faced with knee-jerk defenders like yourself. You mistake patriotism for blinkeredness, saaxib. I’m sure you’re going to take this as a personal attack, though I also assure that it is not. You lack confidence when it comes to Somaliland and it’s evident in the way you deal with any criticism directed its way! Is it because some ‘non-Somaliland’ nomads are reading this? Is it because I’m giving them a chance to have a go at your beloved Somaliland? Do you think my words (or theirs) will make a difference? Do YOU not believe in Somaliland? What does Somaliland mean to YOU? Ponder these questions, saaxib. I hope you do it with a cool mind and a calm temper. Anyways, the flaw with NGONGE’s semi-credible criticism is he overlooks the main obstacles in Somaliland’s progress namely lack of recognition, warring borders, lack of skilled labour, an economy that strives on handout, etc. Unfortunately these problems are intertwined and achieving one without the other is not a piece of cake. There is no point pointing out that the cup is half empty. Rome wasn’t built in a day n neither will Somaliland. But I think it looks bad that certain Landers have taken it upon themselves to frown on the agreeably slow paced development of Somaliland while there are a hundred more people willing to do the same out of utter spite. Rome was not built in a day! Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country! Action speaks louder than words! The cup is half empty! I’m being silenced with clichés! Shall I give you another cliché, Ame? Here goes: “the main obstacles in Somaliland’s progress namely lack of recognition, warring borders, lack of skilled labour, an economy that strives on handout, etc. Unfortunately these problems are intertwined and achieving one without the other is not a piece of cakeâ€. My criticism, as I’ve already stated in these pages (and in the past) is not one related with buildings, economy or skilled labour. It’s one questioning attitudes, vision and ideas. Ame, I’ve met many Somalilanders that are not too bothered about recognition! They argue that with recognition come corruption! These same people vehemently claim to believe in an independent and sovereign country called Somaliland! They sell everyone such a foolish idea and all of a sudden, many Somalilanders are also arguing that recognition is not that important! Well, IT IS important and should be the one overwhelming aim of every so-called Somalilander. No ifs, no buts and NO excuses. Again, after 14 years of independence (14 years of celebrations), questions should be asked about where Somaliland is now, where it should be heading, is it ahead of schedule, underachieving or standing still? I believe it to be almost stationary! Whatever has been built or improved in Somaliland I attribute to the citizens of that place (the same with Puntland and Somalia). The government though, is underachieving and nobody is taking it to task for such shabby performances (the opposition is no better). I question and criticise the attitude that says ‘ don’t criticise us because there are lots of enemies around wanting to see our downfall’. Such an attitude should not be adopted by a so-called independent, sovereign and confident country (so much for Africa’s best kept secret, eh?). Not until people start questioning the direction their country is taking, the efforts being made to obtain recognition and the self-indulgent attitude of Somalilanders will the country move forward and achieve half of its goals. To sit around and agree with each other on everything regarding the progress of Somaliland for fear of giving outsiders a chance to have a bite at you, is counterproductive and is a symptom of an immature country. After 14 years, is it not a fair question to ask why is MY country (hear that silence) still immature? PS I can still see that writing this on this forum still bothers some of my fellow Somalilanders. We could easily take our discussion into a Somaliland site. But, would it really make a difference? Would it stop non-Somalilanders from reading it?

Ayuub, thanks for the JFK sound bite, saaxib. I can’t help noticing that you’ve taken my words to heart though! In fact, I’m half-tempted to get into a pointless brawl with you over your defensiveness of Somaliland with the words: Somaliland meyad ega xigta (or some such nonsense). The president is the face of Somaliland. His policies govern the fate of that land. His words (whether you agree with them or not) are the viewpoint of his country! When you celebrate 14 years of independence, it’s not a religious, cultural or traditional celebration, saaxib. It is, for all intents and purposes, a political celebration. Could it then be a farfetched and daring effrontery on my part when I question the leader of that land? Maybe my words come across as mere rants, maybe I have become a grumpy old man, maybe I’m missing the plot! It’s all opinion I suppose. Pipedreams and sandcastles don’t interest me. Solid foundations, informed citizens and energetic governments do. Right now, sadly, such things don’t exist in Somaliland (or Somalia). Valid criticism is faced with comments such as that JFK nonsense that you’ve just posted (what exactly did you think I was doing by airing these views of mine? Trying to annoy you perchance?). Perhaps I should become a demagogue and try to appeal to your emotions in order to show you that this government is not firing on all cylinders! Maybe I should invoke the souls of all those fallen fighters; the sacrifices of the poor and the hard work of the honourable, then compare it to the government’s achievements in the last 14 years! As long as I’m faced with rhetoric such as yours, I am and will always be a Somaliland critic. In being so and doing so, I believe (call me mad) that I’m doing much more than those that build buildings or wave flags! For buildings are easily destroyed and flags, as we’ve already seen with the flag of the Somali Republic, are effortlessly discarded. Ideologies though, never die. Here is an idea, saaxib (and I hope you don’t take any of my words as a personal attack). From now and until the 18th of May, whenever you get a free moment to yourself, try to sit and think about what Somaliland means to you. Just to save you some time and make the task slightly more difficult, I’ll ask you to ignore all the usual drivel about it being home, being the land of your ancestors, etc.. Try to think of it as a nation, an independent, democratic and ‘sovereign’ nation. Think about what it can do for YOU, where do you want it to take you and how you would like to see it heading in the next five years. If you come back with any positive answers, I hope you’ll be good as to share them with me. If you don’t, I urge you to spread the word to your fellow Somaliland citizens and take the mist out of their eyes. Maybe then people will be more informed and Somaliland will really start to have a brighter future. PS I realise that criticising Somaliland in this forum might seem distasteful (maybe even an act of treason) to you. What with all these people that don’t acknowledge its existence, joining in the discussion every few minutes and putting Somaliland down. But, like a hungry man that ignores the flies as he tucks down into his plate of nice food, I implore you to take no notice of the sideshow and focus instead on this scrumptious dish I’ve served up for you.

Heh. The comment above was not a dig at you, saaxib. Honest. This is the second time someone accuses me of trying to ‘appear’ indifferent/black sheep, etc! What gives? I disagree with the view that Somaliland (and Somalia) is doing great. I believe it to be a distorted view that relies more on hope and sentiment than fact. It worries me that most Somalis seem to hold that view! Those back home can hope all they want (frankly, it’s the only thing that would keep them going). They can also feel great about the smallest development. But, you and I should not be satisfied with what they deem sufficient. I’ll keep repeating that in the strongest possible words, because, believe it or not, this site (and others on the net) is the closest we have to a broadcasting news medium. You were right on one thing though, when it comes to Somaliland issues, I’m always itching for an exchange. What better time to review the progress of that place than the month of May? My hope is that the questioning will start now, that someone will start trying to measure the progress of Somaliland this time. That though time will be set aside for remembering all those that fell in the name of freedom, the bulk of the time will really be dedicated to reflecting on how their efforts were repaid!

^^^ Pots and kettles, saaxib. Adeer, madhbakha ka wada baxa. :mad:

Heh. Ame, being indifferent would entail ignoring all topics dealing with Somali/Somaliland issues, wouldn’t you say? Can’t say I didn’t expect such a reply. After all, Somaliland is doing great. It’s democratic, buildings are sprouting all over the place and there is even a university or two. Might as well sit on our laurels and enjoy the fruits of 14 years of hard work. Somalia is also great. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing some of the photos that Rahima posted on another thread. They were breathtaking! Ah! Sorry, can’t doe fake praise. Somaliland is a tip. Somalia is a dump too. Half of the photos people post on this site about Somalia are misleading pictures (not any fault of the Nomad posting them might I add). For example, LST posted photos of the Somali Sea! They were beautiful, but the sea does not normally get affected by conflict. It has been and will always be that beautiful (with peace or without). Rahima’s photos were of hospitals that (if I may hazard a guess) were built decades ago, the pride seems to originate from the fact that these hospitals are still standing! In fact, two thirds of all Somali/Somaliland photos that I’ve seen so far have either been of old buildings or natural sights. The few new buildings and establishments are primitive ones in any person’s eyes (Somalis excepted). The politics of Somalia/Somaliland is exacerbating, archaic and static. After more than 14 years, YOU should be expecting MORE than these tiny crumbs that we get from time to time. To say that those that can do and those that can’t criticise, misses the whole point. Do what exactly? Live in self-delusion? Have conferences In LA?

Earlier today, I watched an interview that the president of Somaliland gave to the Arab news station Al Jazeera. Now I know that I’m an eternal cynic (I try to make allowances for that when I comment on such topics), I really was not impressed with anything he said at all. I found myself completely disagreeing with all his viewpoints on terrorism, Ethiopia, Arabs, the West, Israel and the rest of Somalia! It’s no secret that I’ve never been happy with the progress made in Somaliland, but watching and listening to this “president†speak, only deepened my anxiety and bewilderment at the state of that nation. This man is an ignoramus, an ill-informed, ill-prepared and inarticulate simpleton. He sat there with a confident and knowing smile on his face then proceeded to use arguments and justifications that would shame a three-year-old! On this occasion, I really hoped that the old saying: “Nations get the leaders they deserve†were not true. Funnily enough, I experienced similar feelings when reading and listening to interviews the president of the Somali TFG gave! Don’t these men have any advisers? Are there no able and sensible speechwriters? Sadly, my only prediction regarding Somali affairs is that neither Somaliland nor the Somali Republic is going to have any good news any time soon. By my reckoning, there will be no recognition for Somaliland for at least ten years (should those in charge continue to think and behave in the same way). I also don’t have much hope for Mr Yusuf’s government making any positive advancements in the near future.

^^^ You’ll always be a girl in my eyes, sweetie.

After seeing my total number of posts, it seems that I shamed Mr UD into finally making an effort and trying to catch up with me. Ame, men leading women astray? :eek: I would delete that if I were you, my strong, independent sister. It gives up the wrong image (females as lost sheep needing a man to lead them).

^^^ You and Phanta in a politics thread? :eek: Amazing! Oh well, at least LANDER will be happy that someone is taking notice of his war cry

Heh. The photo of those dogs broke my heart. PS I'm really talking about the dogs. What was the point of them?

What if I forget and keep it for more than two weeks? Will you remind me to take it off? :mad: Anyway, I'm told that my current avater is good enough for the job. Tsk! Can’t stand fair-weather somalilanders! :rolleyes:

I’m still feeling the bruises of the last time I went to such an event. I bet the audience this time will be even younger than the one last time (the average age was 20 last time). Could it be that after 14 years of “celebrations†people are starting to become more cynical about such events? Oh well, I don't enjoy being the pooh-baah of this thread, I'm sure there are others that are more natural at it. Here goes:

Of course they could. However, most of those that hold conflicting arguments yet use proofs from the Quran and Sunna also claim to be rational and cautious! It’s about time that Islam (or rather the interpretation of it) was reformed. In the past, when groups of people (sects and what have you) were in conflict, those in charge (i.e. the stronger not the more righteous) called the tune. Even in contemporary Islamic history, with places like Iraq where the Sunni’s dominated the Shica; or Bahrain or in Saudi Arabia, those in charge where the ones setting the course to follow. Then there are places like Egypt that suppress and suffocate Islamic movements, which leads to accusation of corruption and cronyism on those that are favoured by the regime (e.g. the great institution that is Al Azhar). I needn't mention Somalia and the rejection of groups such as Al-Itihad. The question still remains, how does one know which is the correct group to follow when all groups base their arguments on the Quran and Sunna? Do we wait for one to triumph over the rest and then follow the victor? Do we follow the most logical of these groups? What if they confound us with tortuous yet logical arguments? Where would that leave the layman?

(At the end one wonders which sect is on the right path? which obviously can be avoided by doing a little research given that u have some basic knowledge of the deen) Could it?

^^ They're not coming.

^^^^^ UAE: BRITISH WOMAN ARRESTED FOR TAKING PAIN KILLERS Brighton, 26 April (AKI) - The ex-husband of a British woman facing four years in a Dubai jail for taking prescribed painkillers, says he is very worried about her health. Tracy Wilkinson, 44, a sports therapist, has spent seven weeks in prison in the United Arab Emirates after being arrested while on holiday, initially because of a mistake on her passport. The mother-of-two from Balcombe, a West Sussex village south of London, was then asked for a urine sample, which showed traces of codeine and temazepam, prescribed by her doctor, in her body. Officials informed her that in the UAE codeine was a banned substance and that although she was not actually carrying the drug they told her that it was an offence to have traces of the painkiller in her system. The British Foreign Office has been working to win her release and her ex-husband, retired police officer Robin Wilkinson, 50, has told the Brighton daily, The Argus, that he believes she could be freed on Saturday. "She appeared in court last Saturday but the case was adjourned for another week. There is so much red tape. First the GP [general practicioner] report had to be translated and then they wanted proof the GP was a doctor," Wilkinson told the Argus "Tracy is very down and is getting tired. She's in a bad way but she'll pull through it. She's a strong lady," he said. Tracy Wilkinson has told reporters that she is "an emotional wreck." "I've developed dysentery and caught head lice," she said, describing her condition in prison. "They just won't believe me. I've had reports from my doctor sent over but they say they want them translated into Arabic." Wilkinson said his ex-wife had been travelling to Dubai for many years. Wilkinson said he and Tracy's teenage children, Robert, 18, and Kate, 19, both from a previous marriage, were extremely worried about her health. Tracy Wilkinson, who runs the Balcombe Osteopath and Sports Injury Clinic, is known as the woman with the "magic touch" and has treated top sportsmen, including members of the Brighton Bears Basketball team. In Britain, there were calls from campaign group Fair Trials Abroad (FTA) for the Government to do more to secure her immediate release. "Dubai is trying very hard to promote itself as a nice, safe place and so this case should be taken very seriously indeed. The UAE should realise how important it is to their tourism trade," FTA director Stephen Jacobi said. Source

:mad: :mad:

I bet you’re wondering why I posted such pointless news. This woman is British and not Somali. It looks like she’s going to get released. Could it be that senile old NGOGNE is trying to show you all that famous Arab double standards again? Those amongst you that enjoy our national sport of belittling Arabs are of course free to rant and rave about the hypocrisy of it all. What really caught my eye about this story was not the fact that she was British or that she might get released. What really worried me about this report is the fact that one can be arrested if traces of any drugs are found in their system! A copy of this news item (preferably with Somali translation) should be circulated to every Somali community (particularly marfashs). This is no laughing matter, people. I’ve met many Somalis on their way back home who are partial to the odd ‘mejin’ when flying to Dubai before catching a connecting flight to whatever part of Somalia they’re going to. Can you imagine if any of them got caught and tested in Dubai? They’ll, most probably, get the full 14-year sentence for using a prohibited substance. Unlike the lady above, there will be no doctor’s notes to come to their rescue there. Be a sport and spread the word, please.

A British woman who spent eight weeks in a Dubai prison after codeine was found in her urine has been released. Tracy Wilkinson, 44, from Balcombe, West Sussex, tested positive for codeine, which is banned in Dubai but was legally prescribed by her UK GP. The painkiller was found in her system when a urine sample was taken while she was in custody in the United Arab Emirates over a passport error. She was bailed on Saturday and will be back at the court in Dubai on 7 May. Stephen Jakobi, from the campaign group Fair Trials Abroad, said the hearing was the first time all the relevant papers had been seen by the court. Codeine is a banned substance in the United Arab Emirates, even if it is just in the bloodstream, and Ms Wilkinson had been told she could have faced up to four years in jail. The mother-of-two was said to be "excited and grateful" at being released. Her ex-husband, Robin Wilkinson, 50, from Handcross, West Sussex, who has been supporting her, said: "They have released her while further inquiries are made into the documents that have been placed before the court. "They seem happy that the drugs were prescribed now." Mr Jakobi complained about the length of time he says it took for Ms Wilkinson's doctor's report to be translated and then certified by the Arab state's foreign office. Remain in Dubai "It appears this is the first time the courts have got a proper look at the documents," he said. "I honestly feel that is a shambles [after eight weeks] and these things should not be allowed to happen." Mr Jakobi added that he would be surprised if Ms Wilkinson was not on a plane home after the next court hearing. "One must be pretty confident that she could be sent home next week," he said. A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed her release on bail and said she was required to remain in Dubai until 7 May. "Consular staff continue to provide support and assistance to Ms Wilkinson," he added. Source