Dear Editor,

Why does Michael Scales think he could tell Gambians what is good or bad for their nation? As I understand it, Scales has many times written that he is a friend to some of Gambia’s most senior officials, but that they later fell apart. However, Scales never explained why he is not in Jammeh’s good books anymore but still keeps pretending that he is a Saint and knows what we Gambians don’t even know. This notion is practically impossible and a sheer bluff!

Gambians are proud to see anyone contribute in the current debate concerning our beloved country including the contributions and contradictions of Scales. However, he cannot dictate anyone or anything as he is not capable or qualified to do so. Gambians have their own minds and if he thinks he can continue using Pa Nderry Mbai to defame people, then he must be a joker. Scales should be honest enough to outline who deserves to be sued - Pa Nderry or innocent men and women taking all the insults and abuses from Mr Mbai.

How can Scales be sure that Dr Habib or other Gambian writers and contributors are not real persons? To be honest, I don’t know Dr Habib as a person, but I spoke to people who know and respect him well as a true Gambian. If Scales can attack Gambians with his friend Pa Nderry Mbai, Dr. Habib is equally capable to defend those Mr. Mbai continues to maliciously defame. Having previously married to Gambian woman or a past relationship with a Gambian girl is not a qualification to be arrogant against our people. Thus, Scales' thinking that he can threaten Gambians is sheer nonsense and a big shame as he must bear in mind that Gambians are no one’s objects. After all, who the hell does Scales thinks he is?

Cherno Sowe, Manchester, UK

Editor's Note:

The above letter was simultaneously mailed to almost all the Gambian online publishers, including Michael Scales' publisher, Pa Nderry Mbai.

Furthermore, it's should be made abundantly clear that Gambians contributed immensely in making Yahya Jammeh the dictator he is today. When he started insulting our parents all over the country in 1994 and threatened to bury Gambians 'six feet deep'; we all shut up. He then went a step further arresting people on mere suspicion of coups and killed them. Again, Gambians retreated in their homes and said The Almighty God will take care of him.

After commiting all these heinous crimes against innocent and defenseless citizens in the name of 'national security', and having seen no reaction from a single Gambian challenging his authority; no popular uprising or defiant 'civil disobedience' in any form or shape, Yahya Jammeh believed he could do whatever he wanted. And to this day, Jammeh believes he owns this meandering strip of land called the Republic of The Gambia.

This was why when school children took to the streets on April 10, 2000, president Yahya Jammeh ordered their massacre when he was half a world away in Communist Havana, Cuba. He did it because he knew Gambians will only murmur amongst themselves without confronting his government. And so president Yahya Jammeh has ultimately become the most powerful, the most brutal dictator and the most corrupt African leader in recent history - thanks to our own culture of timidity.

Gambians have taken similar approach towards this maniac called Pa Nderry Mbai. The simpleton is allowed to unnecessarily rip through innocent Gambians for no reason. But mark my words, Nderry only libels against those he knows will bring no serious legal actions against him. Unless those Nderry maliciously wronged, drag him to court for libel, he shall continue ripping through their mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts and sisters and brothers.

To some extent, he has succeeded in bastardizing Gambian media; distorting facts and fabricating stories that never took place. Surprisingly however, some Gambians take his words as gospel truth just as they do for president Yahya Jammeh!

The same US laws that the idiot claims protect his free speech, are the same laws that protect everyone in this country from libel. And whether you live in Alaska or Hawaii, please go to any district Court in your area and pay a filing fee of $250 if you have sufficient proofs the idiot has unjustifiably wronged you and your family.

Court is the only surest way to restrain this bastard in North Carolina! Never negotiate with him.