EMAIL RESPONSE: POST ELECTIONS BLUES & TRANSITION: Say it ain't so George!

John,
Thanks for the compliment. I will post this response along with your email.

I didn't say we can't prosecute them. I said it was a waste of my time to criticize them because there was just no accountability at all. I didn't say the rest of us should "shut up." We had a legislaive body that made laws just to accomodate themselves and their interests, an executive branch that was focused on material things, and a very weak judiciary. Hopefully Bryant won't try to take the car home like his legislators are doing. My guess is the days of granting monopolies, especially to foreigners, is over. We need effective Liberianization policies that will at the minimum give Liberians an incentive to invest in the private sector and the opportunity to thrive in business.

In my opinion, a case against those criminals will not be effective on an individual basis on several fronts. Firstly, an individual could be easily intimidated, not have the funding to hire a great lawyer(s) who will be dedicated to his case, and not have the support system necessary to pursue such a case to the extent that it may last a very long time. Secondly, the case against these guys are crimes against humanity, not necessarily any one person and they are all in violation of international laws. Thirdly, the U.S. has a "system" that's proven and has worked. They can enforce the final decision of the courts. I am not sure we have the system, the infrastructure, or the collective fortitude to enforce adverse decisions against these criminals at this point in time. We need the backing of the international community couple with sancions if we don't follow through. Finally, the court will be so clogged up with the numerous individual cases, some of probably no consequence, but most of significant weight that it may paralyze the functionality of some courts. Additionally, we may not have the staffing to handle that kind of volume. I did not say the government should make this a priority or the first order of the administration. I am simply saying Ellen shouldn't be dismissing the idea of bringing Taylor to Liberia and then handing him over to the Special Court in Sierra Leone as someone else's responsibility.

Take care and let's keep working towards a better Liberia. Both infrastructurally and morally.
----- Original Message -----
From: CUFFEY11@aol.com
To: libpatriot@verizon.net
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 6:35 AM
Subject: Re: POST ELECTIONS BLUES & TRANSITION: Say it ain't so George!


Dear Vah,
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! That is what I was talking about the other day.Let the brothers drink from the fountain of knowledge and intellitualism.Your analysis on most issues were crisp and to the point.
On the issue of not criticizing an interim government I strongly differ because they are still accountable for good governance regardless of their mandate. For an example should we shut up when the government or the chairman purchase an armor car for over half a million bucks when he is heavily protected by the UN peace keepers? Increase the price of Rice when he has practically given monopoly to George Haddad and his other cronies?
On the issue of prosecuting Charles Taylor and other warlords I have a different approach and its not for the sake of peace slogan.I personally believe in the judicial system.If whoever have a case against people like the George Dwehs and Prince Johnsons and to name a few,take your case to the courts.With surmountable evidence those guys can be brought to justice regardless of their positions in the government.We see it work here please tell me while it cannot work over there.I just don't think the government should make it a priority.
Anyway bro. thanks again for the insight and look forward to hearing from you very soon.


Always,
JBC 11