^^ What's also important is how Reer Marka feel about Md. Indhocade's administration. Are they happy with his leadership? Hypocrisy is amazing. So, Max'd Dheere is a hypocrite for pointing out the fact that both Md. Indhocade and Md. Hiiraale control areas in Somalia through a mixture of means (force, mild diplomacy, etc.), although neither was elected or appointed by the natives? Comparitively, Md. Max'd Dheere was invited to rule Jowhar and the Shabellaha Dhexe region by the community elders who wanted peace and a isbaaro-free home - both of which he turned into successes. However, Md. Kashanre, if its hypocritical to compare Md. Hiiraale and Md. Indhocade, who then in Somalia is more fit to be compared to the angelic Md. Hiiraale (who, it seems, is always in the right )? Or is Md. Hiiraale above comparison, in a different class of warlord all his own? Max'd Dheere hit the jackpot, regardless of his political reasoning. If he's a hypocrite for any reason, Max'd Dheere is a hypocrite for overtly labelling Md. Indhocade an "occupier" yet managing to sign a peace deal with him (as mentioned by Cabdalla Deerow). But, it seems you missed that major hypocrisy to run to the rescue of an angelic-warlord - among many, it seems, here on SOL Politics.

^^ Somali culture was influenced, true, but so are other cultures the world over. Let's not forget, people, that we live in a global community of cultures whose values overlap and interconnect in more ways than one. But we do have certain aspects of Somali culture that are uniquely Somali, most prominently af-Soomaali, that connects a group of people in four officially distinct nations (Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya). What about things like buraambur, xeer Soomaali etc.? Was that adopted from another culture? I don't even know.

On one hand, I truly feel MMA's story because I've been helped by fellow Somalis in the name of Soomaalinimo, and I've helped others. On the other hand, I truly recognize that some aspects of Somali culture are the primary reason we're in this current sh!thole. A love-hate relationship.

^^ Everything that goes up...

^^ Homie, if they (U.S. authorities) want you, all laws are actually against you. In times of war, U.S. presidents are known to suspend certain "civil liberties." Remember that Abe Lincoln suspended habeas corpus under the pretext of the nation being "at war" - the legality of such an action is still being debated, over a century and a half later. However, I don't think the article captured the true essence of the entire saga. Get this: Since 1978, when the FISA court opened, 19,000 requests for warrants have been made and only a handful rejected. A commentator on CNN said that number is less than 10 cases rejected. If the Bush admin used legal channels, it would've been a virtual green-light and they wouldn't be stuck in this mud. But does George care...? That's a whole new topic.

^^ True that controversy sells but we don't know what's really inside him. He says he's reformed - and I'll take his word for it. What matters is the substance of his writing: he shares the truth about U.S. global empire, how it became, its visions and goals, etc. Confessions of an Economic Hitman is still one of the best books I've ever read - regardless of the author's inner intentions. Yet, the world continues to play the U.S. game. That's the tragedy - not John Perkins' intentions.

Currently, the U.S. doesn't have the military backbone and manpower needed to open yet another offensive theater of war on a different continent. For now, the likes of Chavez and president-elect Morales will be allowed to yap their lips off. Perhaps an assassination, in the old tradition of Gen. Omar Torrijos (nationalist Panamanian president) - a plane crash in 1981 screaming CIA assassination. But not a full-out military assault on Bolivia or Venezuela. I think its too early to judge Morales. Although he speaks, he has yet to meet the Jackals - the giant oil firms who function as neo-colonial governments in his country and others. How he speaks after direct talks with the Jackals will determine his leadership. Interesting though, despite America's best efforts, more populist leaders rise in South America. Oppression breeds resistance - historical and undeniable truth, ain't it?

Originally posted by khayrqabe: The little boy replies, "Well, while Capitalism is screwing the Working Class, the Government is sound asleep, the People are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit." I had to laugh! Good one.

^ My favs: "It's an enormous country - you know, it's bigger than Texas! Or as big, I guess - I haven't looked lately." Reporter: "Mr Secretary, what do you think of the situation in Georgia?" Rumsfeld: "Who else had their hand up?" And the best: "If I know the answer I'll tell you the answer, and if I don't, I'll just respond, cleverly."

Middle Shabelle regional governor Maxamed Cumar Xabeeb (Max'd Dheere) speaks publicly about recent comments by federal minister Cabdalla Deerow regarding the recent peace agreement signed between Lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle regional adminstrations. In his comments, Max'd Dheere questioned the difference between Yusuf Indhocade - Lower Shabelle leader - and Barre Hiiraale - Jubba Valley governor - since both are from Galgaduud region. Its hard to miss the tribal overtones of his comments, but I believe he hit the jackpot. I think the only difference between Indhocade and Hiiraale is that Hiiraale is part of the TFG and supports it, while Indhocade is proactive anti-TFG. Other than that, the two men have two things in common: both from Galgaduud region; and both control areas by force (because neither was elected by the natives). Max'd Dheere's comments hit the issue at the heart without assorting to cheap diplomatic talk. Many on SOL believed him to be a follower for certain individuals, but more and more Max'd Dheere continues to show that he's indeed a leader independent of others' influence. How does the SOL community view his remarks?

Congrats to those students and unique graduation attire indeed! East Africa University - I always thought that to be a highly ambitious name. But those people in Bossaso always shooting for the stars. Madaxweynaha ayaa waxa uu xariga ka jaray Dhisme Cusub oo ay dhistay hay,ad Kuwait ah kaasoo loogu tala Galay in ay wax ku dhigtaan Kuliyada Dhaqaalaha iyo Kuliyada Computarka. Excellent!

Presidential welcome for the leader of autonomous Puntland State of Somalia, General Maxamuud Muuse Xersi Boqor (Cadde Muuse). Puntland isn't the same since Cadde left a couple of months ago to get kidney surgery. Reports of official corruption are abundant; government employees and militias haven't been paid in months; and the Cabinet, inherited from C/llahi Yusuf, is full of greedy ministers with no vision and no sense of dignity. What changes will Cadde Muuse make? What changes must he make to secure a better future for the state and people of Puntland? P.S. I don't see PL Labor & Sports Minister Siciid Jamac Qorsheel in the pictures, although the report said he arrived with the President's delegation.

Originally posted by mini: personally i don't give a darn about christmas I second that.

Originally posted by Castro: Finally, it's been my experience that the most successful Somalis are those who (literally) keep their distance from other Somalis. I don't understand the mechanics of this but for some reason, whenever our people live in close proximity in great numbers, they simply don't succeed as much as those who live further away or in cities with few Somalis. I'm glad you said "my experience" because I do beg to differ. From my personal experience, I've duly noted that life is what you make it to be. Somalis or not, if others' influence on you is so great as to become your reference point (of sorts) between success and failure, then I'm afraid that speaks volumes for your perosnal character, and cannot (and should not) be interpreted as a reflection on the Somali people. What of the countless doctors, professors, lawyers and other professional elite who were educated in Somalia during the good ol' times? How did the fact that their instructors, administrators and fellow students being majority Somalis affect their academics? Like I said, life is what you make it to be, sxb. Nothing more, nothing less. However, I do agree with another previous statement you made: War dadyahow naftiina iyo reerkina nin walba ha ka adkaado. Forget this community rubbish you're chasing. Well said. Soomaalidu waxay ku maah-maahdaa: Laba qaawan isma qaado. Basically, help yourself first, before trying to help others. That's one of the principles I live by. By xiin: you must agree with the need to provide some help for the community to succeed. I can agree to that. However, you must also agree to Rule #1: Help yourself first.

I was reading the link Samurai Warrior provided for the 2005 Somaliland budget. Some interesting numbers: Security Services : Ciidanka Qaranka 39,464,354,920 (SL Sh.) / 5,856,114 (U.S. Dollar) Ciidanka Booliska 15,499,411,200 (SL Sh.) / 2,299,957 (U.S. Dollar) Ciidanka Asluubta 6,290,707,200 (SL Sh.) / 933,478 (U.S. Dollar) Social Services : Wasaarada Waxbarashada 7,163,075,000 (SL Sh.) / 1,062,928 (U.S. Dollar) Wasaarada Caafimaadka 4,386,348,000 (SL Sh.) / 650,890 (U.S. Dollar) Presidential Services Qasriga Madaxtooyada 2,600,419,200 (SL Sh.) / 385,876 (U.S. Dollar) Madaxweyne Ku-xigeenka 1,151,200,000 (SL Sh.) / 170,827 (U.S. Dollar) W/Madaxtooyada 11,482,761,458 (SL Sh.) / 1,703,927 (U.S. Dollar) TOTAL 2005 BUDGET : 148,252,211,709 (SL Sh.) / 21,999,141 (U.S. Dollar) Ciidanka Qaranka + Ciidanka Booliska + Ciidanka Asluubta = $9,089,549 (roughly 41.3% of 2005 SL Budget) President + Vice President + Madaxtooyada = $2,260,630 (roughly 10.2% of 2005 SL Budget) Health + Education = $1,713,818 (roughly 7.8% of 2005 SL Budget) The Hargeisa administration is spending a massive percentage (roughly 41%) on its security services, yet during the October 29th battle, Puntland militias managed to capture double the number of POWs Somaliland did. Money well spent or wasted? :confused: Furthermore, Ministry of Health plus the Ministry of Education comprise a total of 7.8% of the 2005 SL Budget, which is lesser than the 10.2% delegated to the Presidency and its various salaries. What message is Hargeisa sending to the world: that the Presidency is more important than the ministries of health and education combined? :confused:

Originally posted by Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar: Xuseen, a trained agriculturist from Berkeley, ayaa runta u sheegay the only doqon around is... ...the militiaman. But how does that particular militiaman, who knows no other way of life, realize this? Education. I posted this article because its one of the few from the motherland that has a positive twist to it. Xuseen M Iimaan is, among others, a hero in my eyes. He personifies whatever I believe to be the true Somali citizen: educated and compassionate. More of him spells success for the whole Somali nation. Often, the difference between success and failure is determination. Xuseen has this.

I fail to see "the joke" here. Mohamud Ahmedinejad, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is overtly expressing his views, instead of smiling for his enemies and stabbing them in the back. Where I grew up, we call that real talk. "If someone were to deny the existence of God... or prophets and religion, they would not bother him. "However, if someone were to deny the myth of the Jews' massacre, all the Zionist mouthpieces and the governments subservient to the Zionists tear their larynxes and scream against the person as much as they can," he said. President Ahmedinejad is absolutely correct in this part of his statement.

Originally posted by Suldaaanka: 3. Puntland ayaa ka ciidanweyn Somalilandna kaa asmici maayo. Since we're on the topic of numbers, I was wondering what you're take was on these numbers: ...Xafladani oo ay ka soo qayb galeen Taliyayaasha Ciidamada Somaliland iyo Maamul Goboleedka Puntland ayaa waxaa la isku waydaarsaday Maxabiis Tiradoodu dhammayd Xagga Somaliland 24 Maxbuus oo laga soo daayey jeelasha Garoowe iyo Boosaaso , iyo Xagga Maamul Goboleedka Puntland 12 Maxbuus oo laga soo daayey Jeelka Dhexe ee Maadheera ...

Cinwaanka aad kor ku qortay baan ka soo horjeedaa. Hadii Somaliland iyo Puntland ay yihiin maamulo ku dhisan hab-qabiil (waana xaqiiq), waxaa xusid mudan in ummada aad u sheegtid in maanta dhowrka maamul ee ka jira koonfurta Soomaaliya ay iyagana ku dhisanyihiin hab-qabiil. Tusaale: Waxaad sheegta mas'uul awood ku leh gobolka Banaadir oo jabhadii USC ka tirsaneen? Tusaale kale: Waxaad sheegtaa mas'uul awood ku leh gobollada Baay iyo Bakool oo u dhalan jabhada RRA? IWM. Arrinta qabiilka iyo maamulka waa arrin khuseysa Soomaaliya oo dhan ee ma aha arrin u gaara Somaliland iyo Puntland. Anigu waxay ila tahay hadii maamul hab-qabiil ku dhisan nabadgelyo lagu heli karo waxaa waajib nagu ah inaan soo dhaweyno, sababtoo ah maamul la'aan baa wax walba ka daran.

^^ This type of case might be getting its first documented edition, but drug dealers within the Somali American community have been prevalent since the early to mid-90s. MPLS is a relative newbie compared to old school niggas who used to keep Diego streets ablaze in the '90s. "I said, 'Stop selling the drugs!" she says. "He said, 'I need the money.' I said 'I'm calling the police.' He said "I don't care.'" At least the homie is honest. In Capitalist (Corporate) America, everyone is out to get the quick buck, regardless of the means. Do we blame the individuals (i.e. drug dealers) or the system (Capitalism)? We should realize that this issue transcends beyond the myopic borders of Somali social customs and into the fray of Capitalism - such a system doesn't offer much for disenfranchised youth, Somalis included. If it did, we'd see more successful Afro-American youngsters in American life.

The Cuban kid hijacks another thread! Why am I not surprised? Olol: You're well-versed points are certainly not lost on me, sxb. I work in an educational establishment with a fairly sizeable Somali student population. To be honest, I am dissappointed with the performance of these students most of the time. It seems as if "fitting in" is more important than getting good grades and preparing oneself for a future in college and beyond. Like someone mentioned, it has to do with parenting. However, have we forgotten that some of the Somali kids didn't come to the U.S., for example, with their biological parents? :confused: I don't know the exact percentage and I don't want to guess, but I do know for sure that a sizeable number of Somalis came to the U.S. with "sponsors," sometimes with relatives-as-parents and even worse, strangers-as-family. How do those kids cope with the "culture shock" in the U.S. vis-a-vis the kids that came with their biological parents? That would most certainly be an interesting study that could perhaps shed more light into the whole saga. Originally posted by OLOL: As I contemplate of the future of my younger brothers and sisters who have never been to Somalia and have no profound bond or link whatsoever to their homeland other than what they hear from us, I've often felt they have been cheated by their parents and older generation. Ain't that the truth! Its on us to remedy that fatal mistake, however.

D/P

I came across this Reuters article (Dec 14, 2005) about the establishment and operation of Mogadishu University, despite the adverse conditions of widespread insecurity and lack of uniform political administration. If anything, I learnt from reading this article that we do have Somali heroes, such as the founders of the University who left the comfort of their homes in North America and elsewhere to help spread the message of education and peace back to the motherland, where it really matters. Doesn't this article speak for the resilience of the Somali people? Of course, this is just a single example, but in reality, there are hundreds of other examples with countless heroes who sacrifice for their country, but who'll never get a chance to land their honorable name in the international press.

Originally posted by Rowda: You are right, this guy been here long enough to know the diff b/w motel 6 and 5 start hotel yet failed, all I can say is cheap cheap cheap f'cker! The difference...? :confused: So if your date took you to Hilton Hotel and offered cash, you'd do him? A most facinating twist to the tale.

Often, in politics (Somali or foreign), psychotic killers and freedom fighters are two sides of the same coin. An unconstructive, even divisive, thread, I must add.