Letters

Senator Taylor, Leave the President Alone

Mr. Editor

Almost two weeks ago as usual I tuned my radio to one of the local stations and guess who was on the air waves talking about plans to have the President of Liberia, Madam Sirleaf impeached? She was no other than former president Charles Taylor's first lady, now Senator of Bong County and a prospective president of Liberia come 2011, Madam Jewel Taylor.

When President Sirleaf, standard bearer of the ruling Unity Party, during the party's convention in Bong, appealed to top partisans in her government to find jobs for their partisans, Madam Taylor, who is doing her utmost to get into the driver's seat come 2011, took to the airwaves and described the President's statement at the convention as unconstitutional. Oh my God!

I am not bothered by her threat to get some of her allies to remove the President from office because that is just a political joke. That is because Senator Taylor cannot get the required votes for this abominable plan. What really irritated me most is when this former first lady became so vociferous and called the President's action preposterous. For God's sake, as one of the first ladies of Charles Taylor, she must be aware that such a statement during her husband's presidency would have made landed one in jail.

I Beg to Differ with Justice Ministry

Mr. Editor

The story captioned “Angry Crowd Burns Police Officer to Death” published in your Monday, March 1, 2010 edition is rather sad and unfortunate. I wish to extend profound condolence to both the bereaved families of Preston Davies (the late), a resident of By-Pass and of the late police officer Amos Tutu.

Having said this, I write to state emphatically that I do not buy the assertion contained in the February 28, 2010 news release from the Ministry of Justice that the late officer had gone to the By-Pass to arrest a criminal gang. Which police officer in his or her sound mind would venture into a criminal-invested area to singlehandedly arrest a criminal gang? Of course, none would dare venture alone.

Another point worth noting before I put down my pen is that many Liberians have no confidence in our justice system and therefore are resorting to 'mob justice' as the most acceptable approach for seeking justice. Undeniably, 'mob justice' is wrong. Nevertheless, it should send a signal to the Judiciary and the Justice Ministry to immediately put their houses in order if the nation is to be diverted from the path of lawlessness.

Let me close with this line from Bishop Michael K. Francis written June 11, 2001: “No society can thrive if justice is not at the core of its existence.”

Jahbulleh Cicero Dempster
3rd Street, Saye Town, Sinkor

Continue the Good Work, Roland

Mr. Editor:

The article captioned “Sons of My Father – Demosthenes and Cicero” published in the Friday, February 19, 2010 edition of your newspaper and written by my senior brother, Roland Tombekai Dempster, Jr., was spectacular. I was captivated by the narration of Demosthenes and Cicero, the great Greek and Roman icons after whom our late father named by older brother and me.

29th Birthday Congratulations

Mr. Managing Director:

As a Liberian and a nationalist, it is with great enthusiasm, pride, encouragement and hope for the future of our country that I write to say "happy birthday" to the Daily Observer on its 29th birth anniversary.

Prince and Politics

Mr. Editor:

For the past few days, Senator Prince Y. Johnson of the Liberian Senate dared to touch the sky in the fulfillment of his political responsibility. His presidency quest unveiled in recent times in Monrovia experiences punches from some members of the public. According to them, Senator Johnson’s declaration is like a round nut fitting itself into a square hole, while some people, perhaps with similar political ambition, fear the force of his influence. And so they devote time and effort towards developing negative innuendos to undermine his dream instead of preparing themselves for the race at hand. “He is not a presidential material, especially so as he has a military background” is all they can say without reference to his current status as a politician applauded by his people. Some of these people resist him only to pacify the 'International Community', which they claim, does not want an ex-general turned politician to become president. Amidst these huge criticisms comes the question: Can such a man become president?

Re: 'Legal Issues' of Feb. 8, 2010

Re: ‘Legal Issues’ of Feb. 8, 2010

Mr. Editor:

In your issue of February 8, 2010, under the ‘Legal Issues section’, page 8, there is an article entitled, “The Supreme Court Violates the Constitution - 1975”. The article inter alia states that “the four had chosen to go to jail rather than pay an unconstitutional $17,000 -fine that the Supreme Court had imposed. (The Constitution held that no fines for those ‘held in contempt’ should exceed Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00)”.

To Win in 2011, Ellen Must Change Course

The Editor,

Now that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made her intention known by announcing her candidacy for president of the Republic of Liberia in 2011, and as a staunch supporter of the President, I want to express my feelings about a few things that have gone right and a lot of things that have gone wrong since she took over the helm of the ship of state four years ago.

I Love Liberia

The Editor:

I was born in Liberia. I am an American citizen, but I spend the first ten years of my life in Liberia and my heart is still in Liberia. When I was running for Texas State Senate and Congress, everyone in Houston knew that Liberia would always be in my heart. I lost the election for both positions. My older brother still lives in Liberia. God bless the USA and Liberia. I read about Liberia whenever I can in your news paper.

Sam Houston
Texas, USA

Living with Lasting Impressions

Mr. Editor:

Some events just seem to capture your imagination and stay in your memory, becoming even more vivid as the years fade into oblivion.

Don't Demonstrate Against GAC, Morlu

Mr. Editor:

My attention is drawn to the recent demonstration by some women of Liberia at the offices of the European Union (EU) in Mamba Point, calling for the removal of Liberia’s Auditor General, John Sembe Morlu, without any knowledge of Morlu’s contributions towards the building of a vibrant society. I guess the women were ill-informed.

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