MORE LESSONS FROM OBAMA LAND PRIMARY ELECTIONS
Let's see what more lessons we can learn from the primary elections taking place in Obama land. There, as in Sierra Leone, a lot of money is spent trying to win elections. So definitely big money is at play in the two countries when it comes to elections but there are a few things to consider.
1. In Obama Land, there's a limit on how much any candidate can spend in the process. In Mama Salone, candidates spend any amount they like. Please don't refer us to any law. We are Sierra Leoneans living in Sierra Leone.
2. In Obama Land, foreign money is banned. In Mama Salone, all some people want is to be leader of some political party. Then they will travel throughout the world looking for people and organisations to fund their campaign. We have no reason to believe all such donations are declared. Even to party members.
3. In Obama Land when aspirants "suspend" their campaigns - a euphemistic way of saying they are pulling out, they declare the balance of monies raised. Those monies are eventually returned to the donors. What's the story in Mama Salone? The aspirant suddenly becomes rich while the donors and party supporters lose track of their cash.
4. In Obama Land, we know of a situation in which a politician used campaign money to buy expensive Rolex watches and other goodies of life only to end up in jail. Yes, in jail. In Mama Salone, they lose an election, keep all the money and manipulate the people to fight on the streets.
5. In Obama Land some politicians get half of their huge campaign budget from small donations. In fact, the ordinary people hate corporate sponsorship. In Mama Salone, there is no small donation. Who's going to put their chop money in political campaign? No way!
THE 50th ANNIVERSARY SCAR ON THE FACE OF THE ACC
The ACC is a good organisation. We love the ACC. We do not always agree with their tactics and the outcome of some of their cases. For the most part such outcomes are not in their hands and we believe they have, for the most part tried to get justice for the people.
But we have a big problem with the ACC over that 50th ANNIVERSARY CASE. What is really happening to this case? The last we heard on radio was that this case was being heard by a court in Freetown. In the period between that time and now, many other ACC cases have passed through the courts, Oscar Pistorious has been to jail and back after a long trial process and we are on the brink of another anniversary celebration.
The people of Sierra Leone are simply not going to let this case die. On their behalf we will keep asking questions. Recently, the ACC closed certain cases - the exonerated Logus on those 100 China buses allegations. What is happening with the 50th anniversary case? Can the ACC please answer the following questions?
1. Did the ACC really have a case before bringing that matter to court?
2. Did the ACC go to court just to satisfy public opinion at the time?
3. If after all these years, the case remains in the courts, why can't the ACC go there and announce that they "offer no further evidence against the accused"? It's as simple as that.
4. Is it possible for the ACC to issue a statement urging the nation to forget about that case?
5. Isn't it time the ACC told Politico to shut up about this matter?
TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES IN EUROPE: ANY SURPRISES?
In the English Premier League, like in leagues parts of Europe, the transfer window is closed again until the summer. A handful of teams have secured the services of some of the world's best footballers. Big money signings that come with great expectations of high quality performance on the field.
So let's look at a few teams:
Arsenal - As usual, Arsene Wenger brought in an unknown quantity of an Egyptian footballer playing in Switzerland. Arsene is a good craftsman who can surely get the best out of the young man. He didn't succeed with Andre Santos who was a great admirer of Van Persie. To the extent the he exchanged jersey with the him at half time after committing serious blunders leading to goals. That was his last day in English football.
Many hope Arsenal would win this year but from the look of things, that disease is coming back - they start very well and collapse towards the end into a dog fight to catch a champions league place.
Manchester City - They have continued in their belief that with money they can have anything. They have just signed a coach who delights in being the richest kid in the playground. Bizarrely, they have announced the name months before the contract of the current manager expires. What would that do for moral? We shall see.
Liverpool - Frankly, we feel very sorry for the long-suffering fans of that club. It would seem as if there is nothing they can do right - sacking players, changing the manager - still no improvement. They failed to land all the players they were linked with. Why did these people sack Brendan Rogers in the first place? Klopp is doing very badly right now. A champions league place is not guaranteed.
Chelsea - Looks like they are slowly waking up from the coma they fell into during the last days of Jose Mourinho. Instead of clearing deadwoods from the team, they have brought on and tired old Brazilian called Pato. And this thing about bringing in Hiddink whenever they are in a crisis is looking threadbare. All they can hope for this year, is Premier League survival. And that's in the lower half of the table.
Manchester United - United will finish this league in a somewhat respectable position in the table. They've spent so much money that there was nothing left to throw away in the transfer market. They have player really can't believe their luck. They are squad players with huge money in their bank accounts.
Jones - a shaky defender who doesn't play three matches in a row, Always being treated for one injury or the other. When he plays, he is more likely to give away a penalty than make a decent tackle.
Rojo - after all the noise about wanting to play for the club of his dreams, the Argentine is hardly on the field. He is sometimes late to return from holiday and like Jones he spends more time on the treatment table than on the field of play.
Shaw - Just when he was beginning to take his place in the team, the guy has gone down with serious. He should simply give up this season and hope for the best next year.
Valencia - a very loyal servant of Manchester United. His absence is telling badly on the performance of the team. We understand he is back soon. He is not likely to survive the massive clear-out next season. Luis Van Gaal should also be kicked out.
United will be thrown out of the UEFA League soon.
(C) Politico 04/02/16
