"Michael Scales - the Gambia needs genuine debate about its state of affairs today not un-necessary character assassination”

Scales Told To Mind His Business

By Samba Baldeh

 I think everyone that reads the Pa Nderry Mbaye's Freedom newspaper knows that he has made a lot of improvements and has also raised a lot of issues that are of national (Gambia) importance. At the same time there have been some postings that you just wonder why. But just like FOX News and MSNBC almost never see face to face, every brand has its own style agenda and approach and I think Pa needs a big applause for what he does. That being said I think it was a good thing to raise the issue of NADD; where I thing he may have missed some of the points was when he did not first try and have an interview with the person he accused of illegally/unconstitutionally leading/representing NADD. If he did neither him nor Halifa has mentioned it so far. Also I think before alleging anything, he should have put his concerns first and wait for a response. The other thing I think could have been done was for him to write to the NADD leadership and ask for clarifications on what he deem wrong. I just wanted to throw that out there...

 But now I want to address this headline "Halifa Sallah's arrogance was only matched by his intransigence. Shame on Sallah and all those who believe they are the only “wisdom" in The Gambia." by Michael Scales - who ever the heck you are and whatever business you have in Gambian politics. I think it is just laughable for you to call Halifa arrogant and intransigence without giving one reason why you call him names. The editorial as is could ignite a very good national debate but spins and careless and baseless name callings like you can reduce it to the "Bantaba gossip" where no one pays attention or want to participate. If you cannot participate intellectually and honestly to what Pa wrote and the response Halifa gave, I think you should just quit and may be send Pa an updated picture of yourself.

Just yesterday an allegations of coup or people being arrested for that reason, people missing, no freedom of expression, the human rights group that is off iced in the Gambia is about to relocate, all major businesses are moving out, people are going hungry and prostitution of kids by tourist is at its highest, unemployment rate is to say the least at its highest, corruption is the order of the day, crumbling school system and so on and so forth, our young dyeing at sea just because they have no hope back home; if you cannot contribute to the genuine discussions about these issues, I honestly don’t think Pa should even give you a platform for ranting just for the sake of it.

Hate or like Halifa, I believe he is not only a patriotic and genuine Gambian but a practical and intelligent politician whom up to now I believe is out for the good of all Gambians and honestly Africa.

So instead I would like to caption my response/message like this "Michael Scales the Gambia needs genuine debate about its state of affairs today not un-necessary character assassination"