Faarax-Brawn Posted June 25, 2008 HARGEISA, (Reuters Life!) - U.S. pop star Clay Aiken appealed on Wednesday for the world not to forget Somalia, where conflict and hunger have created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Aiken said U.S. and international interest in Somalia had been minimal since failed military intervention in the early 1990s. "There hasn't been much discussion of Somalia since the early 1990s in the U.S.," said Aiken, a U.N. goodwill ambassador, on a visit to Somalia. "The American population kind of got a bad taste of Somalia in the early 90's and hasn't really had much interest in the country since." Somalia has suffered relentless civil conflict since the 1991 toppling military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. In the latest cycle of violence, an Islamist-led insurgency against the Somali government and its Ethiopian military advisers since the start of 2007 has killed thousands and made one million people homeless. "It's the most dangerous place for a child to be," Aiken said. "In the lower part of the country, southern part, I feel it's a more desperate situation than any place we've ever been." Aiken, 29, who was travelling on behalf of U.N. children's agency UNICEF, was in Somaliland, a relatively peaceful northern enclave of Somalia that has declared itself independent but not been recognised internationally. While there have skirmishes with neighbouring province Puntland, Somaliland has functioning political institutions. "In Somaliland, you really do have a sense of people who really want to help themselves, who want to do better, who want to effect change for themselves, that is very hopeful," he said. Somaliland authorities hope a high-profile visit like Aiken's may bolster their case for world acceptance of their separation from Somalia. For 12-year-old, Ubah Mohamed, her wants were simpler. "I understand he is famous. I hope he will give us food and build a school for us," she said, near to a refugee camp. JB,Warka nagu shub dee!, Did you scream markaad aragtay Clay? oh Poor Somaliland,always playing second fiddle. They couldnt even get the REAL AMERICAN IDOL winner haye? (Rueben himself). I guess,it is fair to say I am sorry....Sorry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STOIC Posted June 25, 2008 Lol@ Aiken in Hargeysa.I'm sure he is doing this as a great ambasador for the UN, but I can't get over the image of Aiken going one time berserk at Diane Sawyer on air .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miriam1 Posted June 25, 2008 oh my, :eek: had to google it, to confirm, it wasn't an Onion article wonder which of the hotels he stayed in... Ps. Who is Rueben? one album wonder..Somaliland got the *real* winner! bet you now a legion of american suburbanites just discovered somaliland Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N.O.R.F Posted June 25, 2008 Who is this guy and when did SL become part of the UN's 'famous type people' route? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
money Posted June 25, 2008 laga-roone(fag)in HarGaysee? as UN goodwill ambassador? Hoognayeey! ba'nayeey! that is what my grand-mother would have said .... who is next? madam Elton John? the UN as an organization is just BS! maxaa Qaniisiinta loo geeynaa meeshaas? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pujah Posted June 25, 2008 Nice Somalia is back in the news. PS I wonder if Mr. Obama's foreign policy goes beyond Iraq and the Middle East to include the rest of the world and specifically Africa. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faheema. Posted June 25, 2008 ^ Like invading Zimbabwe to overthrow Mugabe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kool_Kat Posted June 25, 2008 Originally posted by money: laga-roone(fag)in Har Gay see? as UN goodwill ambassador? Hoognayeey! ba'nayeey! that is what my grand-mother would have said .... who is next? madam Elton John? the UN as an organization is just BS! maxaa Qaniisiinta loo geeynaa meeshaas? 'Balo, balo, balaa ka dhacday meesha?' bay aniguna Ayeeydey dhihi leheed... Inaba caadi ma'ihid yaa Money... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted June 25, 2008 Pujah...Is that Obama's new seal. He is getting ahead of himself. Unfortunately, America's policy towards Somalia isn't going to change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faarax-Brawn Posted June 25, 2008 ^Have you & Pujah donated to Obama yet?---$5 makes a difference. L0L@Stoic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miriam1 Posted June 25, 2008 Originally posted by Che -Guevara: Pujah...Is that Obama's new seal. He is getting ahead of himself. Unfortunately, America's policy towards Somalia isn't going to change. Didn't you hear? Its called positive thinking. Envision yourself achieving your goals, and success will be around the corner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
money Posted June 26, 2008 F...Obama ...I will vote for Nader! http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/06/nader_critiques.html Nader told the Rocky Mountain News, in an interview published today, that Obama is trying to "talk white" and to appeal to "white guilt." "There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader said in what the newspaper described as a wide-ranging interview on Monday. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards." Asked to clarify whether he thought Obama does try to "talk white," Nader added: "I mean, first of all, the number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law. Haven't heard a thing." "He wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician," Nader said. "He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
- Femme - Posted June 26, 2008 Something about Clay Aiken makes me want to stomp on little kittens. And I like little kittens. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pujah Posted June 26, 2008 Originally posted by Che -Guevara: Pujah...Is that Obama's new seal. He is getting ahead of himself. Unfortunately, America's policy towards Somalia isn't going to change. LOOL This seal was retired the very next day after some ridiculing from the media. I will keep it tho’ cuz I just love it FB I do more than just donate man, I am a regular volunteer and did couple of get out the votes for them both on foot and on the phone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faarax-Brawn Posted June 26, 2008 ^Nice! Volunteering wax ma tartee,beesada dhiib,Jiib azzka tahay maxaan dhahaa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites