If like me, you’ve just started to read this thread, don’t waste your time reading every post. My summary below tells you all you need to know. Heh. It’s funny how these threads change course halfway! I clicked on this thread to find out about the “horror†mentioned in the title. As you already know, when someone clicks on a thread, it takes you to the last comment posted. I read DA’s “Please Do†post, then read the one above it about little girls and FGM, I was still trying to work out where the horror lay. I carried on upwards with the private conversations of nuune and co. Still no mention of the boys! I clicked on the previous page. Still nothing! I carried on reading. Saw some girls complaining about FGM, could it be that the girls, in a moment of despair and anger at the hideous practise of FGM, decided to retaliate and chop off some poor boys’ bits? :eek: This idiotic and implausible thought drove me to read the rest of this thread and sustained me through the boring bits. Where is the horror (apart from the usual boy-girl-fight)? I decided to start from the beginning. Aha! Should have done this earlier really. Some little boys in a far of land got abducted and mutilated by alleged witch doctors? Hmmm, sad story. Hope the culprits are caught. Nothing to see here really. Move on. I carried on reading the thread, somebody was trying to awkwardly highjack it and focus on a problem closer to our hearts! Their strong feelings and opinions on the topic of FGM got the better of them and their words. Their words appeared to imply that the pain of these mutilated boys was minimal and negligible when compared to the pain of FGM; I started navel gazing for a second. I carried on reading. An argument on who suffers the most pain ensued! I continued to read while chuckling to myself. This was going to be one of our usual emotional pillow fights. It was. In between the rants and hissy fits, someone posted some good information on the curse that is FGM. Some of the men refused to be blamed for this bad practise and put the blame entirely on the shoulders of women. Some of the women refused to be blamed for it either and appeared to kick the blame back in the men’s direction! The game of ping-pong continued. My chuckling continued. This thread looks like it will carry on in this vain for a while to come. Now, new reader, you have two choices: Are you going to talk about FGM and all the problems associated with it? Or Are you going to defend your gender and shift the blame? I personally would like to hear more about FGM (my gender don’t bother me that much).

^^^ I have never come across this poem before. However, curiosity got the better of me and led me to type the first few lines into google! Amongst the endless junk, I came across a couple of Christian websites questioning the miracle of the holy book and trying to argue that it’s origins (wal ceyado bi Allah) were from the poems of this Jaahili poet. I’ve also stumbled across the following website (wouldn’t recommend it if any of you is unsure of his/her caqeeda). STRANGE!! Think I’ll suppress my curiosity and sidestep this doubt-raising quandary for now.

Though I think you’re still toying with me, dear. I’ll tell you how it’s done: To correct your avatar, click on mailbox, change/update profile (I think). Then scroll to the bottom and change your avatar image. FF:

^^^ Stop grinning at me and go do some work, sis. :cool: There are lots of other personalities to go through. Can’t do them all on my own.

^^^^^ How amazingly blinkered can one person be, saaxib! In one sentence you protest that you don’t like people analysing your character, yet, in the same breath, you mention your suspicions that Juma and I might be the same person! Your lack of self-awareness is endearingly comical. Ok, ok you forced me into a corner. The game is up. I have nothing left but to confess and apologise. I am indeed Juma. Sorry to have misled you, people. Since I’m in a confessional mood, I might as well confess to all my other secret personalities. I’m Juma, raula, J-11, Sullen Sue, Shoobaro, Grab Tujiye and Qac Qaac. My sister (7 of 9), and I are unemployed layabouts. We own two computers and are forever inventing new personalities to confuse the rest of you. In fact, you don’t exist, saaxib. You’re a figment of my sister’s poor imagination. Everyone is! :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Garab Tuujiye: Ngonge nin yahoo waan kugu raacsanahay waxa aad sheegeysid laakiin waxaan jecleen sida aad isku aragtid nin wax kaste yaqaana...waraa gabdhaha have a point so stop being hard headed sxb.... Heh. I dangled the bait and got more than I bargained for, a shark no less! You give me too much credit there, saaxib. Ng, ever modest and helpful, if only there were more men like u around...i wouldn't be so naive as to go into this world alone and misguided...may god bless u with extra humility...amen! p.s.-about my avatar....care to help me? im pc challenged apart from biting arrogant ppl's heads off, which u are not part of, i assure u on mother teresa's grave... Oh, stop teasing me, dear. It’s not fair at all. What’s with the evangelical sermon by the way? Lost, misguided, Amen and even Mother Teresa got a mention! You’re trying to get me to say a hallelujah, aren’t you? As for your avatar, you’re asking me to help you? That’s a huge step you took there (even if it was done sarcastically)! I sense the start of a beautiful friendship here. Here is my suggestion for a new avatar (you don’t have to take it of course). Edited.

^^^ Slowly but surely, we are making progress. Acceptance was the first step, now all you have to do is shadow me around and try to ape my style. You can bring your friend along if you like. PS I seem to be the only one who advises you and helps you on this site! I bear that burden with great humility and dignity. So, in my capacity as your mentor and role model, let me tell you that your avatar is not visible! You don’t have to thank me, dear. Thank my giving nature. Back to the topic: Any comments on my correct points? (FF is allowed to speak no need to put your hands up).

^^^^ That would be telling

^^ Can't recall Juma claiming it was, saaxib. Or were you adding him to the list just so you appear fair? :rolleyes:

^^^ Heh. There you go galloping in again! People in glasshouses are presumably so posh they’re unlikely to worry about the hubbub of the common herd nor will their tiny stones reach the exquisite palaces. At least you varied your style a little and didn’t blame the “oddness†on some deformity at birth or some such thing this time. Glad to see you give your emotions the slip and take my advice for once. Keep it up. ** Considers taking this promising lass under his wing ** ** Still considering ** Back to the topic: I still don’t see why the emphasis is on testing shortly before getting married! The whole approach is very negative and reeks of mistrust! If this is a matter of health, surely people should be worried about their well being all the time, not just when they’re getting married? If testing is important, then it must be important whether you’re married or not! Am I missing something out here? Or is this one of those new things that are forever being added to the wedding list? - Camera man - White dress - Nice Suit - Chauffeured car - Wedding hall in a reputable hotel - Gold - Medical certificate - Cake The thing about the above list (yes including the testing) is that none of it lasts. It’s for one night only. If the person you tested on your wedding day is the promiscuous type, that certificate would be as useful as the wedding dress: One Time Use! Seeking a false sense of security is not to be scoffed at I suppose. :rolleyes:

There are some odd characters on this website.

I still can’t get my head round this idea of peacekeeping forces, saaxib. What peace and keeping it from whom? What sort of weapons and artillery do usual peacekeeping troops use? Will their presence alone deter the troublemakers from making trouble? What rally irks me though is that the fact that they’re African troops! Couldn’t we ask Pakistan or Bangladesh to send their own troops, they’ll do a much better job than the incompetent Africans. :mad:

By John Doraemi Al-Jazeerah, October 25, 2004 The Bush administration has attributed the bulk of the Iraqi resistance to a character named “Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.†There are many people asking the legitimate question, does Zarqawi even exist? Given the credibility of Bush and company – the people who brought us phantom weapons of mass destruction, false links between Saddam and bin Laden, forged uranium documents, and a stack of other untruths – there is little reason to accept Bush’s super-boogeyman on faith alone. As pointed out in the Asia Times (Oct. 15, 2004): “Not a single source, anywhere, claims to have actually seen ‘Zarqawi’ since late 2001 in Afghanistan. Ask the Pentagon. Ask the CIA. Ask the Federal Bureau of Investigation. No one, on the record, is able to independently verify that ‘Zarqawi’ actually exists.†Mainstream US corporate media has not challenged the administration on this point, nor on most of the other lies, distortions, omissions or obvious international crimes they have committed. Rather Reuters, ABC, and Washington Post have uncritically raised the phantom warrior to the status of a “Zarqawi movement.†Never mind they haven’t made the case for Zarqawi the person, alive and breathing. "’We want to know what proof there is that Zarqawi is in Fallujah,’ Hatem Maddab, a member of a Fallujah negotiating committee, told Arabic Al Jazeera television (…) ‘Zarqawi is like the weapons of mass destruction that America invaded Iraq for,’ (…) ‘We hear about that name (Zarqawi), but he is not here. More than 20 or 30 homes have been bombarded because of this Zarqawi and his followers but only women, children and the elderly have been affected.’" (1) Why doubt the official story? Q: Just who has this alleged “Zarqawi†targeted primarily? A: Iraqis. Q: What is “Zarqawi’s†GOAL in Iraq at this time? A: To trigger a civil war between Sunnis and Shi’ites. "… ‘Zarqawi’ also released a statement - but with a different voice, saying he was determined to ‘ignite a civil war between Sunnis and Shi'is’. Curiously enough, that's exactly what US intelligence wants, a rehashing of the same old British maxim of ‘divide and rule’.†- -Asia Times (Oct. 15, 2004) Most people learned of the alleged existence of “Zarqawi†when Nicholas Berg was apparently beheaded in May of 2004. There are several serious problems with the Berg evidence, however. 1) The video that was allegedly put out by “Zarqawi†showed heavy editing, with a soundtrack completely out of synchronization from the images. Why? 2) The alleged voice of “Zarqawi†– a Jordanian national – did not have a Jordanian accent, according to CNN’s Arab language experts. (2) 3) The man in the video had two perfectly good legs, whereas the actual Jordanian Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was reported to have had his leg amputated. 4) Why would a man who deliberately identifies himself wear a black mask to shield his identity? 5) The “Zarqawi†in the video wore a golden ring, which is forbidden, and is a telltale sign that the killers were not Jihadists. 6) Nicholas Berg wore an orange jumpsuit – standard prison issue – so are we to believe that “Al Qaeda†fighters bring along US styled orange prison wear to clothe their victims in? For what possible reason? 7) This atrocity served the purpose of diverting media attention away from the Abu Ghraib torture abuse scandal, that had just shocked the world. Zarqawi’s Dubious Existence Predates the Iraq War (II) “Zarqawi†was introduced at the United Nations, by Colin Powell on February 5th 2003. Like most of Powell’s bogus information, Zarqawi’s role was also proven to be untrue. Powell claimed that “Zarqawi†was the missing link between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. Powell also claimed that “Zarqawi†was running a poison and chemical warfare training camp in northern Iraq. No evidence has ever come out linking Saddam Hussein to Zarqawi, or to bin Laden. Even Bush and Rumsfeld have admitted as much. As far as the alleged chemical and poison laboratory is concerned: “Ansar al-Islam - the Islamic group that uses the compound identified as a military HQ by Powell - yesterday invited me and several other foreign journalists into their territory for the first time. 'We are just a group of Muslims trying to do our duty,' Mohammad Hasan, spokesman for Ansar al-Islam, explained. 'We don't have any drugs for our fighters. We don't even have any aspirin. How can we produce any chemicals or weapons of mass destruction?'" - The London Observer's correspondent in Northern Iraq, February 9 2003 After the camp was destroyed by cruise missiles, US inspectors also came to the same conclusion: “A specialized biochemical team scoured the rubble for samples. They wore protective masks as they entered a building they suspected was a weapons lab. Inside they found mortar shells, medical supplies, and grim prison cells, but no immediate proof of chemical or biological agents.†- - Jim Sciutto, ABC News, with US Special Forces in Northern Iraq " (ABC News, 29 March 2003) This alleged chemical weapons story is even more bizarre than it appears. When Colin Powell tells the UN, and the world, that this camp is evidence of Saddam Hussein’s connection to Islamic terrorists, he neglects to tell us that the camp was in the Kurdish “no fly zoneâ€, and not controlled by Saddam’s forces at all. The area was a US protectorate! “Zarqawi†has been a creation of US foreign policy, a myth, a fable, the most convenient man in Bush’s alleged “war on terror.†Much like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy “Zarqawi†is a mythical creature that leaves gifts for those in position to take advantage of them. He is a manufactured enemy, built to specifications, and his presence ensures outrage and an escalation of the conflict. I do not believe in Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. Source: Al Jazeerah.info

lol@ZU Stop giving me ideas, saaxib. I’m fasting and the last thing I need to think about is DA shouting at me. Don’t think I have enough strength to cope with that.

I love reading Man Of Freedom’s drivel. Great stuff, saaxib. Keep it up. At least nobody is taking notice of your signature, eh?

^^^ You know those 49 games were not all against Southampton and Charlton, don't you?

Hasna, If you’re being serious here I’d say don’t listen to anyone. Nobody at all. I personally doubt that there are many Somali bigots (apart from the warlords of course). The rest of the Somali population, I suspect only resort to tribalism out of fear, mistrust and paranoia. When it comes to the warlords, you really don’t have to listen to anyone or read any website to know if they’re good people or not. After all, they’re not called “warlords†for nothing. We’re backward, illiterate and impulsive nomads that try to punch above our weight and forever live the lie that we somehow matter in this world. We fight over a poor and mostly semi-arid land that we mistake for the best spot on earth! We boast about our lineage to great men who couldn’t save themselves from the pathetic worms of the grave! We give the word lifeless a bad name. But, since we’re all these things and more, and we have no choice in the matter, we might as well fight our corner and brag about our greatness. After all, Bees, Ants and tiny insects have kings and queens. We’re bigger than them all. Surely that’s something to be proud off? Sorry, I got carried away there! You were asking about politics? Erm, listen to the BBC I guess. :rolleyes:

Heh. Juma, they're not going to address your points because they really can't. It's all up in the air, saaxib.

In other news, the people of Burco city have also sent a huge bouquet of wild flowers and a gigantic card signed by every resident of that great city, to the Somaliland police headquarters. In addition, the Women’s institute of Barbara City has also sent five boxes of newly sawn uniforms to the same destination. The entire population of Hargeesa came out after Friday prayers, headed by his Excellency president Reyaale, to congregate and celebrate outside the aforementioned headquarters. These celebrations were in response to the great effort and dedication of the Somaliland police in finding three-year-old Abdi who got lost in the Hargeesa market while his father was busy haggling with a Qaat seller! NGONGE news takes this opportunity to also add its voice to the millions of people inside Somaliland (and outside) who sang the praises and appreciated the efforts, vigilance, fair-handedness and dedication of the Somaliland Police force; may the Almighty keep them always the shinning jewel in our humble crown. Little Abdi, now safe and sound in his mother’s bosom, has revealed that his ambition and single goal in life now is to join the Somaliland police force as soon as he grows up. He also indicated his desire to grow up fast, have a glass of milk and chase next door’s goat around the neighbourhood! His repentant father stopped him from speaking to us though and instead, took an oath to never haggle with a Qaat seller again. He also hinted that he might quit this awful habit altogether. We acknowledge the part the Somaliland police have played in this amazing turnaround in this family’s fortunes but must thank Almighty Allah for all our good fortunes and providing us with such a great police force. BREAKING NEWS! In recognition of the superiority and diligence of the Somaliland police, The American Federal Bureau of Investigation, Scotland Yard of Britain and the International Interpol have each sent groups of experts to Somaliland in order to learn from and observe our mighty boys in action. The boys in blue (sometimes they wear green and sometimes yellow. In fact, they wear whatever is available at the time. As long as their police hats are on nobody really seem to care what else they wear) have done us proud.

Originally posted by x_quizit: Thxs Ng, for once again blowing things outa proportion and insinuating ur own backward and highly emotional thoughts, i see that i hit a nerve and if u dont wanna get tested, thats on u, dont hide behind me dear boy...u seem to have missed the whole point and the word "might"...therefore not generalizing but giving a possible answer as to why some ppl shy away from it.... p.s.-dont let fasting get to ur head...in due time u might regain what few brain cells u had to begin with....ciao Should have known how pointless it is to spit against the wind Carry on.

Originally posted by x_quizit: For those of u who are anti-test, might that be cause maybe U got something to hide/got a skeleton in ur closet ud rather not reveal? or if its just a personal choice, be smart about it. Still as emotional as ever I see. Heh. You know; you could have worded your piece much better if you left out all the assumptions and just highlighted the importance of getting oneself tested (regardless of impending marriages). That way, you would have got your point across clearly without having to employ your flawed guesses and reduce other people’s opinions into one where they have something to hide! This impulsive habit of yours discredits any sound arguments you’re making, try to curb it a little so I (and any others if at all bothered) can enjoy reading your strong opinions. Still, fascinating opinions everyone. Keep going. :cool:

Talk about reinventing the wheel Boraamborki eidow xarrago baad si fiican o baratay saaxib ** Waffle Waffle ** ** Wibble Wibble **

^^^^ lol

lol@Old lady..eidow Xarrago, ha la yaabin, woxo ola jaida wax kale mala! lakin af gaalko o badli kari waayay..Or the words have let him down! Maybe he means wise lady but got mixed up with the two words. arr eidow xarrago wale waa shabaab dee

Warya AYOUB, mind where you point that "straw" of yours, saaxib. It seems to have got in Smith's eyes