PRESIDENT should be thankful that what passes for fair and balanced editorial comment in “Gambia’s premier online newspaper”, Freedom Newspaper, wouldn’t find a place in most South African papers.
“To many here in Banjul, the President Yahya Jammeh is mentally insane. His personal disposition suggests that he is indeed ill and therefore needs urgent help. Jammeh’s IQ is below expectations. Pictures never lie. Take a look at this image — in which Jammeh is acting like a retarded thug — who is about to stir a fight with his cabinet ministers. Jammeh’s ailing mental health condition is driving him crazy.
“He is not with his senses at all. He does only act like a maroon, but his actions confirmed beyond all reasonable doubts that he is indeed mentally challenged.
“To put it mildly: Mr Jammeh is an idiot — who has woefully failed as a leader and is hell bent on blaming innocent cabinet ministers for his leadership deficiencies.
“Jammeh’s case is indeed sad. He is running out of friends, loved ones and close acquaintances, thanks to his own stupidity and poor leadership qualities.
“Jammeh’s biggest threat today is fear. Fear is tearing Jammeh’s life apart. Mr Jammeh is likely to die prematurely due to sudden heart attack. He knew very well what the future holds for him. His demise is nearing, and he is doing whatever it takes to go down with the good men and women of our dear country. Gambians should open their eyes and reject this loner — whose future as a leader is bleak.
“All these hiring and firings of state ministers, including our marginalised armed forces, is aimed at distracting our impoverished citizens from the socioeconomic and political issues threatening the lives of Gambians.
“As we penned this editorial, Jammeh is busy trying to frame Chief of Defence Staff Lt-Gen Massaneh Kinteh and others. Gambians should not be surprised if Mr Kinteh & Co are not arrested and thrown in Mile Two in weeks ahead.
“If Mr Jammeh is lucky, his life might be spared by the upcoming rulers of our country. But there is no way that he Jammeh could account for the billions of dalasis he has squandered during his tenure in office. He is likely to die in jail or be publicly executed for economic crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Lest we forget
WHAT started out as an internet rumour has been confirmed: if you drive down Interstate 35 near the town of Wyoming, Minnesota, you’ll see a billboard bearing the image of a smiling George Bush accompanied by the question: “Miss me yet?”
Who paid for the ad, and what was their motivation? Are they Barack Obama supporters sarcastically hoping to remind disgruntled liberals about how things were under Bush, or are they Bush supporters sincerely hoping to remind voters of the past administration?
According to Mary McNamara, GM at the Minneapolis office of Schubert & Hoey Outdoor Advertising, the ad “was purchased by a group of small business owners who wish to remain anonymous”, ABC News reports.
“I think most people have interpreted their message to be ‘If you think it’s bad now, don’t forget how bad it used to be’.”
Wise words
“THE main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything — or nothing.” British politician Nancy Astor (1879-1964).
n E-mail gossip to: insider@bdfm.co.za