By Danielle Lobito
9/11 Anniversary: Obama Leads US In Mourning
9/11 anniversary: Leaders in tears as they salute Flight 93 heroes
9/11 anniversary: Prince of Wales joins ceremony outside US Embassy
9/11 anniversary: photographers recall day of horror – interactive slideshow
In Central Park
by Karen Karpowich
the trees are the same as they were
before September 11.
When I walk leaves still fall.
I even wear the same shoes.
But I was younger before
more circumspect.
I’d never walked in the Rambles
fearful I’d get lost
too proud to admit that I could.
Now I have fierceness, ready
to find a fresh trail or a new landmark.
I feel more beautiful these days.
My skin smoother
My heart rugged
When I find a dried leaf
in the pages of my book
I remember why
it was saved.
©2001, Karen KarpowichSource: About.com.Poetry
A lot of viewers probably laughed when a commentator said that Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is a very slow achiever. How slow is Jonathan? Let us hope that he is not as slow as a tortoise. By popular demand, BEN TV (Sky Channel 184) is expected to show a repeat broadcast of Ben Breakfast Show, presented by Flower Omowaleola on President Jonathan’s 100 days in office. It is ‘verbally explosive’.
The presidency will not find it funny because the truth is bitter, but it may not be too late for the president to sort himself out. We need a 'fast coach', not slowcoach. Like a commentator said, Mr President, please wake up! Stop ‘dozing’ on national issues. Go back to the basics…
Why did he not appoint members of the opposition in his administration since he is a slow achiever? Initially, he gave the impression that he would but later refused to. It is now clear that one political party (especially the PDP) is unlikely to make a difference in Nigeria. Not appointing the opposition was a terrible mistake although a political party declined appointments.
Governor Jang
Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau says Federal Govern-ment’s indecisiveness in dealing with perpetrators of the violence in Jos is responsible for the recurring crisis in the state.
—Vanguard
Governor Jonah David Jang blamed the Federal Government (FG) for further massacres in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, Nigeria. The problem is that the FG and Jang know some potential suspects that they would rather not 'finger' because such suspects or sponsors of terror are above the law or are ‘untouchable’.
Jang keeps saying he cannot fight genocide and terrorism on his own as a governor with security agencies in the state. If he is ever unfortunate to lose members of his family in a massacre, he would be forced to name suspects even if he cannot get them prosecuted. For now, he can afford to blame the FG.
As for the president, he is not ready to wage war on the kidnapping industry because it does not affect him and his family. Nigerians in the Diaspora may now ‘have’ to leave their credit cards with family members or instruct banks to grant loans in case they are kidnapped in Nigeria before travelling to Nigeria. The kidnappers of Nigeria's kidnapping industry can be ruthless. The abduction of footballer John Mikel Obi's father was widely reported by the media in different continents.
On the issue of assassination, no government has ever tried to make sure that Nigerian detectives are properly trained to hunt down assassins with forensic evidence in order to enforce prosecution. Different Ministers of Police Affairs and Inspector Generals of Police come and go with their 'loots' from the treasury, so how can assassins be caught?
Mobile phone network providers should be encouraged to increase camera phones for the 'one-off' PAYG phone deals. Subscribers could try as much as possible to record strange events on GSM phones. When required, such evidence could be released to the police.
So far, most people see The Nigeria Police as a corrupt government establishment that force them to part with money as per ‘wetin you carry’ or bribe at check points. Come on! The bad image of the police can be 'polished' with the removal of the Inspector General and so forth, since the IG 'turned' his rank into a laughing stock. He is known for unreasonable statements and he once tried to stop the use of mobile phones and cameras at polling booths.
