I begg to differ Ngonge Salgado and Carlos are usual the work-horses of Real boming up and down the flanks. Ronaldo and Beckham and Figo (who missed a Pen last night) are simple not doing anything. Manchester i think are showing that they are still in there with a good display against the very strong Lyon. From the little I saw of Real’s recent games, Figo looked to me like the only attacker who looks bothered and tries. I agree about Beckham and Ronaldo, they are not pulling their weight. Carlos and Salgado are good going forward (I didn’t dispute that) but they’re defenders saaxib and as defenders they’re average (to say the least). Was just pulling your leg on the Italian point. Knew you would give me a good update.

Do you think they'll ever sell Totti? He's wasted in that team, saaxib. Wasted I tell you. He should be playing for some team in a far away land with Liver Birds and a big River. Somewhere in the vicinity of Stanley Park.

Originally posted by IL CAPO: When was the last time you saw Salgado being mocked and not only once or twice but through out the whole 90 minutes by one single player? Ronaldinho just did that with ease and in that match he demonstrated why he is the best player in the world and if he doesn't win Fifa World Player of The Year come December then to hell with Fifa. Peace. I agree on the Ronaldinho point. However, regarding Salgado, he gets mocked all the time, saaxib. By players inferior to Ronaldinho! Roberto Carlos is another. Real has never been a team with a strong defence (even when Hierro was in his prime). When that team is not playing well upfront, the defence is always shown up to be mediocre. But, when they’re firing on all cylinders, they all look great. There are a few players hitching a ride on the backs of the outstanding guys (Salgado and Carlos are definitely ones of them). It looks like we’re entering a new era in European football these days. The giants of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayer seem to be fading away. Any news of those technical Italians, any at all? I’ve stopped following them ever since Channel 4 lost their rights (don’t think I’ve missed much either).

They’re talking about Gerard playing as a striker, man! Gerard a striker? :eek: The bad luck of Banitez this season is making people pine for the days of Gargamel (houllier). I hope things will improve soon though. I’ve already written off this season.

Much Ado about waxba

^^^^^ Heh. Seems that my boredom thread is akin to the early signs of autumn! Like a leaf falling of a giant tree, once you see it drifting down, the trepidation sets in and you realise the deluge would follow. Still, not my fault, chief. Welcome back by the way.

Heh. I’m waiting for this cyber torrent of yours to cease and my earlier questions to be addressed, fraudster. It is simple stuff really. Why are you unable to reply? What’s with all this guff? Now, instead of writing a page’s worth of nonsense, how about writing me a couple of lines that address my disagreement with you and prove that you’re talking from a position of knowledge rather than one of sentiment and emotion, saaxib. Can you do this? Am I correct in assuming that you strongly refuse the idea of integration (not that you’ve defined what you understand by that idea), you vehemently reject assimilation (not that you’ve defined that one either) and you passionately abhor any that would discuss it or consider it! Am I on the right track here? If I’m wrong, correct me and tell me what do YOU stand for and why? It really is not that hard, saaxib. Come on; surprise me with a reasoned argument.

I call you a fraud, my dear charlatan because you are one, saaxib. You can blabber on all you like; you can question my faith, nationality and principles too. But, unless and until you address the earlier statements in your first reply to me, you leave me with no choice but to consider you a fraud. I explained it before and I’ll explain it again. If you decide to make generalised statements regarding religion, come with proof. Your word alone is not good enough. You questioned my faith based on some qualified comments that I made yet you refuse to show your source for believing that you’re right. Could it be that you actually don’t know and these brush-off comments were nothing but the hasty actions of a misinformed man? Like the amateur fraud that you are, when Viking joined in with what he thought was correct, you dismissed it and asked for proofs! The cheek! Anyway, lets not go over old ground (if you have to, just go and read the thread again). Now, we are at the point where you present us with your reasons and proofs, saaxib. Think you can do that without questioning the faith of anyone or waffling on about Somali pride and other irrelevant things? I have faith in you; I believe that despite your obstinate tendencies, you do actually have a sound mind. Like I said, I’m a patient man. I’ll set here waiting for your false pride to fade off and the fraudster in you to be banished. You can do it, I know you can. I await a positive reply.

OG, like I said. It's open for all. Just give a description. In fact, strike that. In your case, I would like a description of a person closer to home. Tell us about your grandfather (I’m not being sarcastic here by the way). This way, you will not have to rely on information you got from SOL.

^^^^ As much as I’m dying to hear about the greatness of all our SOL members, I’m afraid I’ll have to deny myself that great pleasure, dear. I was talking about politicians mainly. However, any others who are not politicians but you consider to be the “stars†of Somali present and past are also worth reading about.

Since this political section has been a disaster of late and almost all the threads, responses and opinions have been subjective ones. Here is a topic we can all agree on and be as prejudiced as we want. It might even turn out to be an educational topic for all. Let us compile a definitive list of all the Somali political icons across the ages. Choose a personality and give a brief description of their achievements or why you chose to include them in this list. Make it interesting and informative. It’s possible that some might decide to mention a few non-political personalities. Fine, just try to give their description a slight political slant so as they fit in with the general theme of this thread. I repeat, this is meant to be a subjective list not a good guy list. You can include the worst people imaginable as long as you justify their entry in your descriptions. Come on you budding propagandists and amateur spin-doctors; let the adulation begin!

Heh. My dear little fraud. You keep twisting, turning and wriggling out of a simple request, saaxib! What could be the matter I wonder! How could it be that somebody with absolute conviction could not stand up for what he professes to believe in? Are you absolutely sure that Islam and Somalnimo is what you advocate? Sure these ideas are all yours and nobody helped you form them? This is something you’ve given a lot of thought to I assume! Take your time; don’t rush with the waffle, saaxib. I’m a very patient man. I’ll wait for you to organise your thoughts and return with a worthwhile debate and proofs. One thing though, as much as I would love to chase you around this thread, I find it distasteful that you would reduce a grave matter like someone’s faith into a joke. I know you’re a fraud and it’s obvious you’re being a troll here, however, you seem to have chosen the wrong subject to make a game of, saaxib. There are a couple of pointless subjects in the women’s section, care to resume this little game there, son?

My "tiny" flag keeps getting bigger and bigger everyday, saaxib. I noticed that it annoys a few people and, frankly, their nonsensical tantrums seem to get on my nerves as the days go on. So, lets just annoy each other.

And again Still, if all else fails, how would you imagine Somaliland’s return to the fold, saaxib? Think there would be a way to convince the people that this might be the best option? On the other hand, how would those vehemently anti-Somaliland view things should it get its recognition? Will they still bury their heads in the sand? It’s all hypothetical but it’s much better than all this business of “hear me weep, my wound is bigger than yoursâ€. Try to change sides for one day only and let us see what new madness we're able to come up with.

^^^^^

^^^^ Once you’re done waffling away about your ill-defined Somali culture and pride in Islam, maybe you can provide the proofs for your earlier statements, dear Mullah.

Heh. Now this is getting silly. Looking forward to Mutakallim's input here.

^^^^^

I like Mr Moti. I could talk all day about the greatness of Mr Moti but I will not. Sometimes, the best praise is no praise at all! Let his words speak for themselves. Let his foes make all the noises and thus elevate him higher and higher! WOMEN, listen to the Cambodian sage, for he has all the surveys. WOMEN respect the Cambodian sage for he knows all your tricks and manners. WOMEN, appreciate the Cambodian sage, for he craves your wellbeing.

Heh. Thanks a lot, Bee I’ve already been married for five years (got the three kids too). I have none of the problems of this western sounding couple. We are Somali. We don’t live on our own. As with most other Somalis, we always have visitors staying (sometimes for months). Life is never as dull as this scenario describes (and is not likely to be). Plus, with all those visitors about, how could a man neglect his wife. It’s the best time to tease her and make her blush with codes, signs, signals and stuck out tongues behind everyone’s back. Like I said, we are Somali and in Somali families, your life is never your own to get bored with. In addition, Somali men are not silly enough to have affairs! Somali men usually just get married again (as I intend to once my probation is over - He’s looking at you, Bee ). Again, in all seriousness, I really doubt this scenario would apply to many Somali couples. There are too many discrepancies in it and it comes across as being too WESTERN! What Somali wife, upon receiving a letter of her husband having an affair, would first of all; confront him alone and secondly; not leave a black bag with all his belonging left by the front door? Fantasy I tell you, fantasy!

With thanks to the site below, I’ve recreated an ill-written scam letter (along the lines of those famous Nigerian scams) on behalf of Mr Yusuf. Enjoy. The original was here Dear Sir, SEEEKING FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE (TRANSFER OF US$200.5MILLION). It is my pleasure to request your assistance on this business proposition, which if pursued to its conclusion, will be of great benefit to both of us. This request may seem strange but I will crave your indulgence and pray that you view it seriously. My name is Mr Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed of the Democratic Republic of Somalia. I was the former president of the autonomous state of Puntland. Due to the military crisis and instability in my country, I was chosen to lead a parliament full of warlords. Now, I am the president of the Republic of Somalia. My new prestigious position has been recognised by the African Union, the UN and the Arab League. My parliament and myself aim to rebuild our country and restore the vital infrastructures. We have requested and been promised financial aid from various rich countries and organisations. Due to the nature of our country and the rampant instability, we could not receive the money in Somalia. All our benefactors have decided instead to deposit the money into a specially created bank account in the Netherlands. Here is where you come in, sir. (I need a reliable and Trustworthy foreign partner like you who can assist me to move this money as the beneficiary. My inability to move the money out of the Netherlands all this while lies on my lack of trust on our supposed Goods friends (Western, African and Arab Countries) whom have suddenly became hostile to those of us who have worked with late president Siyad Barre or any of the warlords that followed him.) Though we have not seen nor met each other, but I would want this transaction to be properly handled with modesty and honesty to a huge success within two weeks, this money in question is state fund as it is a DEAL between you and I, Hence the need for secrecy considering the security implications. Thus, if you can assist me to move this fund out of the Netherlands, you will be entitled to 30% of the amount, while the remaining 70% will be for my poor and hungry Somali people. Please contact me through the telephone number as stated above for further discussion. Please also note that you will be required to assist me in any profitable area of investments in your country. I shall be sincerely glad if my request is rendered, for am really counting on you for your help. Kindest Regards, Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed President of Somalia (Former president of Puntland and war hero) PS This was inspired by another thread. :cool:

Heh. I had a friend who faced a similar problem, saaxib. He too was raised outside Somalia and barely spoke any Somali (never mind knowing anything about tribes). With the influx of Somalis to the West, he had the chance to mingle with this new (to him) community and pick up a few sentences here and there. He learned a bit about tribes but not enough to make him a complete fanatic. He met and fell in “love†with a Somali girl and tried to marry her. Her family refused and unashamedly cited his tribal lineage as the reason for their refusal! The man was heartbroken, dejected and confused. He told everyone he met about this situation and asked for help. Finally, he told one of his cousins. This cousin was (is) a typical Somali. He’s the type that openly boasts about his tribal pride and would look down his nose at anyone who doesn’t belong to his “prestigious†clan. Anyway, despite all the shortcomings of this cousin, he was still someone who was cunning and could think on his feet. His advice to my friend was that he and the girl should elope! It’s a well-known and long practised Somali tradition that makes a mockery of family rejections. The friend was in “love†with the girl and she was in “love†with him. They eloped. Her family made a great fuss. They threatened both with all sorts of harm. They threatened the girl with disownment! They finally gave in and accepted the whole thing (I still don’t think they like him though). Shall I say Taxi for two? For no reason whatsoever, this reminds me of another story; A Sujui man was getting married. On his “meher†day, when he took his “elders†to the bride’s house to meet with and conclude the “nikaax†with her “eldersâ€, and when the Sheikh was asking what the agreed amount of the “meher†was, the bride’s father said £6000! The Sujui man had only agreed £3000 with his bride to be and was taken aback by the father’s new figure! He couldn’t speak good Somali and didn’t trust his broken Somali to hold up in such circumstances and in such “exalted†company. So, instead of speaking, he let go of the old man’s hand and got up. Everyone in the room looked at him! He said “Salam caleekom†and was about to leave the room. They asked him where was he going and he said “ I don’t want to get married anymoreâ€. After frantic discussion and pleading, they finally managed to sit him down again and conclude the marriage with the agreed upon figure of £3000. It seems the father had forgot to consult with his daughter and said the first figure that came to his head! There are many pitfalls and obstacles in Somali culture for those of us who are not steeped in it or familiar with it. However, like the Sujui guy above, you can only go by what you believe in. If you waver, change your long-held principles or shy away from speaking your mind, unscrupulous Somalis will swallow you whole! Waji Loox is the name of the game, my friend.

Heh. Sitting on the fence on an online forum is the best place to be, dear. You should try it sometimes. I chose the avatar for the lovely photo of a musical instrument and weapon. But, seriously, why do you always fall for such obvious rubbish? Since you’re a firm believer in Somaliland as a nation, do you think the tantrums of a few anonyms people on an online forum will take anything away from the sovereignty of that place? I’d like to see you contribute more to the serious threads about Somaliland, you never know, you might even get me cheering and waving the flag (I do have a flag you know).

^^^^ But, but, but, she ended her honqaco with the word PEACE, dear. Surely that's worth something!

^^^^^