Ethiopian Review shold be praised for what it is doing. For me and many others it has become a source of information and a venue to organize our voices in the diaspora.

But there are other areas that Ethiopian Review Can improve, lest it would saw the seeds of its own destruction.

This forum is becoming a forum for hate mongers and absolute morons who do not understand the basic principels of democracy and the rule of law.

The crucification of Al Amoudi for exercising his democratic right and the canonization of Lidetu for taking a hardliner stand is a sign of unstable mind that is vacillating between blind hate and blind love. This is not a culture that produces or even supports the development of democracy. It is a culture from which the lies of Meles, Mengistu and Amin are born from.

I am worried that the current attack on Berehanu Nega and other moderate voices within CUD will soon deteriorate to a full-blown hostile attack and soon after deteriorate into a systematic crucification supported by baseless accusations. Why am I feeling that I am stating the obvious.

Mamo Qilo

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com

Mamo Qilo,

Growing up, I read plenty of Mamo Quilo's mishapes. I have learned my lesson not to listen to Mamo Qilo. Though I loved the character in story bookes, I want to leave Mamo Qilo as a character. So, what ever you say, I take it as good as what Mamo Qilo is capable of saying

Mamo:

What are you suggesting?

Regards,
Moderator

Mamo Quilo, You are the real one....People are emotional creatures. Our emotional expressions have a greater messsage than our reasoned out arguments, which are mostly our unreal feelings. Crying, shouting, laughing, hating, loving...all express our real feelings. Quilo, I like your reasoning but still it doesn't show your real mind...Don't be ashamed of saying 'I love you' when you raelly do...and say 'I don't' when you really don't. By doing so you become an honest person...Remember don't say 'I love you when you don't'. How many times have done so...?
As to Almoudi, he should have weighed the implications of openly supporting a hated regime....Lidetu is a true son of Ethiopia...how long has it taken him to get where he is. His honesty doesn't make him unrational, but rather to to his cause. Many of us haven't done an iota of what he has, but rather filled in asylum applications with exagerated stories...He could have done that without any exagerations...The 'rational' one always do that...they know how to lie to get what they want to. The heroes like Lidetu never fled leaving behind their poor poeple... Quilo, who is better? You or Lidetu....

Mamo Quilo,

It surprise me, despite everyone's attempt to explaine it to you why they are disappointed by sheik Alamoudi, you keep on saying that anyone who is not with Shek's is hatemonger. If I am not mistaken, you do not support Meles and yet you defend Sheik Alamoudi who support Meles in finance. Please read hagerwodads message. It will give you a good reason why many are not happy with Sheik Alamoudi.

Mamo Quilo,


Correction. I mean posts by Hagere Ethiopia not Hager wodad

CUD is like a God given MIRACLE CHILD for a great majority of Ethiopians as demonstrated on Gunbot 7 and all over the world as demonstrated by the Ethiopians in diaspora. Though it is a new entity as a coalition, the parties in the coalition are not new to the politics of Ethiopia. Moreover, the individuals, both the rank and file and at the leadership level, are seasoned and level headed politicians. However, the recent incident in relation to Ato lidetu's resignation is a mind boggling to me. I know it is healthy and democratic to have opinion differences and still work together concentrating on the major issues. But, Ato Lidetu's resignation is uncalled for and damages the image of CUD in the face of the international community. It also causes disappointment and destroys public confidence in your ability to handle differences. Ato Lidetu, in my opinion, is wrong in arriving at the decision he reached at when examined in terms of the timing i.e He did it at a time when more understanding and cooperation is expected more than ever before. To sum up, I urge you to convince Ato Lidetu in a democratic manner and through gentle persuasion to examine and re-examine his stance regarding his resignation and take back his position. This noble mission has to be accomplished soon using your accumulated wisdom and Ethiopian excellent mediation talent. The days when "enachenfalen" and "enashenfalen" were a serious bone of contention are gone. The days when the "difference" between "lab-ader" and "wez-ader" used to cause the deaths of thousands are gone for good, never to come back. We are in a completely different era. The elderly guys in the CUD have to take a father image to the energetic and smart guys like Lidetu. Lidetu in return should also keep an open mind to learn from accumulated wisdom of the senior citizens in the CUD. I want to hear your reaction on my comment.
Hagere Ethiopia

Email: hagere_ethiopia

City: Addis Ababa

Mamo Qilo:
I thought you gave up on Alamoudins case. I thought case closed. As far as defending Alamoudin is your bread and butter, I know you will do it to the last drop of your pen. Let me inform you one thing. Alamoudin at present is out of sight. The only place you find him is in his castle (hiding corner), Sheraton. Nowhere else he goes for socialising and drinking as he used to do before the betrayal. He is now hiding his head in shame. But also he fears for his life. The families of those massacred golden sons and daughters of Ethiopia have heard about the blood party. The entire Ethiopian people have heard about it. The independent print media here at home gave it a wide coverage for a week or so. A lot still being said about it. A man like Mamo Qilo are just opportunistic scavengers and can't rescue him from public outrage. Sialk Ayamir yilal yagere seww: A man who used to be received anywhere he goes with applause and standing ovation is now confined to the office bar at sheraton where he meets people like you who never ever dare to tell him the truth. Your like i.e the scavengers surround him and laugh when he laughs. They echo any insult he forwards against anyone. Huh, it is truly painful and irritating watching a man created in God's image behaving like a dog. Come here and join the scavengers. Qilo, you better close this case. If you don't, I have a lot more which I so far withheld being restrained by Ethiopian modesty.

Email: hagere_ethiopia

City: Addis Ababa

Mr. Mamo:
Please do not worry about the hated mongering people who do not understand other language except violence. This is a good analogy of the mindset of CUD with South Africa recent corruption. Cud forefather who has stolen the whole country will be in the rank of criticizing South Africa president to sack his soul mate and fabricating history that Meles has stolen 41 million.
Meles regime has built twelve high school; however, the villain Haile and Derg with his accolade of Meoson have built one junior high in Somali region in the last 70 years. This is crime agaisnt humanity when it comes to deny education for 5 million people and talk about the rigged election.
As Somali saying " One will see only his own interest unless his/her is force to pay attention to the otehr side of the coin"
Read this interesting article about corruption and fill the blank.
An authority on the ANC and the Mbeki presidency noted that: "Zuma turned it into a struggle for the soul of the ANC. Mbeki had no choice but to sack him. Had he not done so he would have become a lame-duck president". Bear in mind that last week ANC MPs who were found guilty of cheating on their travel expenses resigned from Parliament.

There are unconfirmed rumours that as the world congratulated President Mbeki for the bold step in sacking a senior government for corruption – a very rare thing in corruption-riddled Africa – he also heard from several African presidents and prime ministers.

Apparently several of them have written to President Mbeki accusing him of setting" a bad example", and saying he is a not a good ruler. They complained that if they followed the example of Mbeki and sacked corrupt leaders, and if their MPs who have inflated their transport claims resigned like the ANC legislators, they would have no government and Parliament left.

Email: shirdons@yahoo.com

City: Washington DC

Mamo Qilo:
I thought you gave up on Alamoudins case. I thought case closed. As far as defending Alamoudin is your bread and butter, I know you will do it to the last drop of your pen. Let me inform you one thing. Alamoudin at present is out of sight. The only place you find him is in his castle (hiding corner), Sheraton. Nowhere else he goes for socialising and drinking as he used to do before the betrayal. He is now hiding his head in shame. But also he fears for his life. The families of those massacred golden sons and daughters of Ethiopia have heard about the blood party. The entire Ethiopian people have heard about it. The independent print media here at home gave it a wide coverage for a week or so. A lot still being said about it. A man like Mamo Qilo are just opportunistic scavengers and can't rescue him from public outrage. Sialk Ayamir yilal yagere seww: A man who used to be received anywhere he goes with applause and standing ovation is now confined to the office bar at sheraton where he meets people like you who never ever dare to tell him the truth. Your like i.e the scavengers surround him and laugh when he laughs. They echo any insult he forwards against anyone. Huh, it is truly painful and irritating watching a man created in God's image behaving like a dog. Come here and join the scavengers. Qilo, you better close this case. If you don't, I have a lot more which I so far withheld being restrained by Ethiopian modesty.

Email: hagere_ethiopia

City: Addis Ababa

Ibrahim,
I invited you this somali proverb:

Someone who works has always sufficient, someone who begs has never enough.

Keep begging Meles Ok? Do you feel this is the correct way to support your country? Please weak-up.

Email: belayt01@yahoo.com

City: Addis Ababa

Re: A Call to Moderator

Mamo, I have read many of your postings on her and it has been interesting to read them. I must say that you seem to come out as a neautral observer of the current situation in Ethiopia. However, if someone does read your posts and try to understand your view then two things are clear: You will defend Al-Amoudi regardless of what he does and you will promote the republican party. As a person who knows lots of dirty deeds that Al-Amoudi has done to many people in the world I know surprised about his recent endorsement of EPRDF. It is totally his right to support any party and it is also his responsibility to accept the views of those people who objected to his support. Al-Amoudi in reality is a servant and thus front man for Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz who is Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defence and Aviation
and Chairman of the Saudi Strategic Storage Program, SSSP. You may read more about a Swedish employee who used to work for Al-Amoudi and the questions he has for him at www.workinsaudi.com Al-Amoudi, tried to shutdown that site several times but he failed. Well, I have to apologize for my fellow man to spend so much time talking about a man who is not worth our time.

Mamo, secondly, you also recommend Ethiopians to always approach the Republican party to get their points across. I do not think Republicans or Democrats differ much with regards to American foreign policy. Block voting is as attractive to Democrats as to the Republicans.Be fair and provide us with evidence of how the Republicans responds better to their supporters requests? Otherwise, I believe your attachment with the Republican party is purely emotional and therefore please do not insult our intelligence.

My advice to my fellow Ethiopians would be to hire an International PR firm to expose the dictator Meles regime. To make this campaign even more effective it should not be associated with an opposition party officially. A temporary non-profit org should be created and hire such a PR firmly simple to expose all the crimes dictator Mele's regime has committed. By having an org which is not associated with the opposition party it will be viewed as a non-political organisation which wants to safeguard Ethiopia. Thank you for your attention.

There is no question that the Ethiopian people will previal and destory the EPRDF regime.

Email: abd@hotmail.com

City: UK

Mamo Qilo:
I thought you gave up on Alamoudins case. I thought case closed. As far as defending Alamoudin is your bread and butter, I know you will do it to the last drop of your pen. Let me inform you one thing. Alamoudin at present is out of sight. The only place you find him is in his castle (hiding corner), Sheraton. Nowhere else he goes for socialising and drinking as he used to do before the betrayal. He is now hiding his head in shame. But also he fears for his life. The families of those massacred golden sons and daughters of Ethiopia have heard about the blood party. The entire Ethiopian people have heard about it. The independent print media here at home gave it a wide coverage for a week or so. A lot still being said about it. A man like Mamo Qilo are just opportunistic scavengers and can't rescue him from public outrage. Sialk Ayamir yilal yagere seww: A man who used to be received anywhere he goes with applause and standing ovation is now confined to the office bar at sheraton where he meets people like you who never ever dare to tell him the truth. Your like i.e the scavengers surround him and laugh when he laughs. They echo any insult he forwards against anyone. Huh, it is truly painful and irritating watching a man created in God's image behaving like a dog. Come here and join the scavengers. Qilo, you better close this case. If you don't, I have a lot more which I so far withheld being restrained by Ethiopian modesty.
Email: hagere_ethiopia

City: Addis Ababa

Email: hagere_ethiopia

City: Addis Ababa

Mamo,

It is important that you understand the reason for many people's dismay at Moudi's support for EPRDF. Most of the people you are criticizing regarding this issue fully appreciate his right as an individual to cast his vote as he pleases and also appreciate the tremendous economic contribution he has made through his investments and personal philanthropies. The disagreement is on using his influence and financial support for a bad and illegal cause. How could you be okay with him continuing to support EPRDF after what we saw happened following the election? He is a man of high stature and influence, so it is in his best interest to stay in the side of justice, freedom and greater democracy.

With regard to Ato Lidetu, you need to read an article on Ethiomedia written about him this week to understand why he is being "canonized". Would you call those who "canonized" Nelson Mandela unstable minded people? This is a man who risked and continues to risk his life in his fight for justice for the Ethiopian people. If he means a lot to the Ethiopian people, particularly to those in Ethiopia (not to you and me writing this from the comfort of our office in a secured western nation), what is wrong with showering him with praise? I see no problem.

I am one of those who criticize Moudi for his naivety and applaud Lidetu for his brave work, but I can tell you I have a very stable mind.

Getahun

Email: samuel_van@hotmail.com

City: Vancouver, canada

Getahun,

You do not have to tell me that you have a stable mind. I can see that from your writing and reasoning.

Let me now get back to the essence of your message, which I agree with 100%, both in form and the substance of what you said. One hundred percent, no less.

You wrote: "It is important that you understand the reason for many people's dismay at Moudi's support for EPRDF. Most of the people you are criticizing regarding this issue fully appreciate his right as an individual to cast his vote as he pleases and also appreciate the tremendous economic contribution he has made through his investments and personal philanthropies. The disagreement is on using his influence and financial support for a bad and illegal cause."
I have expressed my own view why I thought his decision to support EPRDF was misguided. I have said this in more than one occasion. I never opposed or attacked people who expressed their disappointment with his decision while respecting his right to do so. The people I am criticizing are people who fabricate stories and try to crucify him for exercising his inalienable right. Expressing your views about elections and voting (if he did) to any party you choose is an inalienable right, just like breathing. You need not explain or ask an apology for it. I am sure you would agree with this. What I have consistently opposed is the anti-democratic and illegal tendency of some of the people who make pile up accusations after accusation without bothering to substantiate their accusation. This is a tendency (culture if you will) that is anti democratic in its nature and illegal. I hope you would agree.

You asked :How could you be okay with him continuing to support EPRDF after what we saw happened following the election?

Getahun, I have not heard of any public statement he has given supporting your claim. Can you direct me to any source where he did so. If so, I will be the first to make my views known on that. The story about Mele's daughter (son, depending ho writes) is a story that needs to be addressed in its proper context. Al Amoudi has a hotel he runs. If Meles has reserved a party for his daughter at the Sheraton, Al Amoudi cannot cancel it. By the way Meles's daughter was not the only girl who gave party at the Sheraton and it was not on the day of the killing. So where do you find fault in Al Amoui on this? Or is there something you know that I do not know Al Amudi has done that shows his continued support to PRDF after the killing?

You wrote: "He is a man of high stature and influence, so it is in his best interest to stay in the side of justice, freedom and greater democracy." I say Amen!

You wrote: "With regard to Ato Lidetu, you need to read an article on Ethiomedia written about him this week to understand why he is being "canonized". Would you call those who "canonized" Nelson Mandela unstable minded people?"

I say: In all earnesty I do not think Lidetu is Mandela. Let us give the young man a chance to prove himself. Let us not rush to vilify some and canonize others. That was the gist of my message.

I personally feel that Lidetu's resignation was a bad mistake. I also feel that we need leaders who show wisdom and temprament, in addition to their willingness to sacrifice their lives. I am sure you have seen my views on the student movement. No one questions the brevity and selfless sacrifice the leaders of the student movement showed. Yet, they lacked wisdom, mature temprament and patience that are necessary to lead and navigate through a complex political environment. A true leader is first and foremost a true follower. Mandela was one person who balanced selfless sacrifice for his country and people with wisdom, maturity and patience and an admirable ability to chart a long-term plan in the face of a strong adversary.

Getahun, finally I must say thanks for your seasoned reasoning and civility.

Mamo Qilo

Moderator,

Sorry for my late response on this thread. In a way my reply would be a bit too late, since you have already acted upon the issues that I thought were undermining your credibility and chance of influencing the political discourse while providing a credible venue for us to organize around.

First I thought your decision to post a message with titles such as the following three is misinformed and counter to your objective of providing an objective ground for discussion. here are some examples.

1. CUD still dealing with the election Board
2. Ato Ayalew Resigned ....
3. David vs. Goliath – Al Amoudi vs Mirchaw

You have since locked the first two threads. I think that was a smart move. I would even suggest you should delete them from your page.

Your message about David and Goliath is unfortunate, at best and shameful at worst. It is a shame that you decided to canonize Mirchaw to the level of David. As one who is involved in the press and one who should defend a free press, the firs thing one should know and respect is to have a balanced view. Mirchaw being David? What Mirchaw is good at is decorating his venomous and divisive attacks with colorful Amharic. If one cannot see beyond the colorful language the baseless vendetta and divisive demagogy, one is intellectually challenged. Sorry for the strong language, but I had to be honest.

Mamo Qilo

Mamo Qilo,

Thank you for elaborating on some of my disagreements with you in regards to the points raised in this thread.

With regard to Mr. Al Moudi, I have no new information to accuse him of continuing to support EPRDF. The onus is on Mr. Al Moudi to publicly express his disappointment on what transpired after the election. Otherwise, continuing to be silent would be tantamount to standing by his original public support for EPRDF.

With Ato Lidetu, I am not putting him at par with Nelson Mandela. You have correctly analyzed the differences between these two gentlemen. However, we have to recognize the significance of his contribution to the current political theatre. For example, I call my father my hero and I will praise him to the extent possible because only I know how much he means to me. Ato Lidetu has the same influence on some people and we should respect their “canonization” of him if that’s how they feel.

I will stop here on this subject as I have made my points clear on these subjects. We are all in arms to bring justice to our people and the kind of ideas that you bring are invaluable to this cause. Keep it up, please.

Regards
Getahun

Email: samuel_van@hotmail.com

City: Vancouver, canada

Ato Hagere Ethiopia,

I read both you and Mamo Qilo. You both write with lucidity and both of you have good command of the English language, though your English seems to be more refined. I must say from the get go that on the topic of Al Amudi I am half way between you and Mamo Qilo. I think you seem to go too far on the left and Mamo seems too far out on the right. I think the middle ground expressed by Getahun is what seems to appeal to me.

I must express my disappointment with your tendency to engage in personal attacks. You come with insults. This is the second time I found your messages offensive. One was when you suggested Mamo Qilo sleeps with Al Amoudi, which I thought was tasteless. Now you claim Mamo Qilo is a hired gun or in your own words Al Amoudi is Mamo's "bread and butter" and Mamo is "just opportunistic scavenger" Your statement that "it is truly painful and irritating watching a man created in God's image behaving like a dog" shows your lack of civility and respect to your readers than your contempt to Mamo Qilo. Shamelessly you suggest that you have a lot more which you have "so far withheld being restrained by Ethiopian modesty." God save us from your assault.

regards,

ST

it is okey for people to say what ever they want to say, and you have a right to accept it or reject peoples idea.
so mamo qu
what is your problem, you trying to shut people up knowing just because this guy from your religion is getting attacked and you scared the cud people will make up an all elites govenment.
relax brother it is going to be alright. and what makes you think this forum discussing dicides the future of ethiopia? oh man.

so let people say what ever they want to say it is free world after all.
God bless with love

Getahun,

I am glad that we agreed. This is what a civilized discussion is all about.

In that spirit I have one last question to you: You said: "With regard to Mr. Al Moudi, I have no new information to accuse him of continuing to support EPRDF. The onus is on Mr. Al Moudi to publicly express his disappointment on what transpired after the election. Otherwise, continuing to be silent would be tantamount to standing by his original public support for EPRDF."

Is this a fair statement both from a legal and lofical point of view. From a legal point of view we are saying he needs to prove he is innocent of the crime or wrong doing we are accusing him of. from a logical point of view does it follow that if one supported a government durinng and before the eleection that he would support it after the addis murder?

As I have beensaying, democracy does not always give us what we want. But we need to respect democratic and judicial rules. As the saying goes, those who fail to do so neither deserve nor get fredoom.

Thanks again for rasing this discussion to a civilized level. I hope others will follow suit, but I doubt.

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com

Mamo Qilo,

I don’t believe our discussion of Mr. Al Moudi is that of a legal but a moral and ethical one. I am not accusing him of any illegal act. So, there is no legal basis to analyze this issue. But from a logical point of view, Mr. Al Moudi made quite a stir when he publicly campaigned for EPRDF. Many people agreed that, while it was not a wise move by him, he was entitled to campaign for the party of his choice. So did many business owners and taxi drivers for the opposition. However, having realized the public outcry from his support for EPRDF and the murderous and illegal acts of EPRDF after the election (and the abortion of democracy by EPRDF when faced with imminent defeat), Mr. Al Moudi should have publicly, once again, should have made it clear that he was against the violent acts of the party of his choice. By keeping silent, however, he is effectively standing by his original support for EPRDF.

By the way, Mamo, this is my opinion and there will be people who will disagree with me for various reasons. While our opinions may influence people, they do not make us right or wrong.

Regards
Getahun

Email: samuel_van@hotmail.com

City: Vancouver, canada

I am eagerly awaiting to see what Hagerethiopia and his likes would be like with out "being restrained by Ethiopian modesty". Hopefuly, ER will have "sticky" forums for all that.

Email: jaduethio@yahoo.com

City: DC area

Getahun,

I am in total agreement with you. There are areas we disagree. For example, I find it hard to argue on moral and ethical grounds. For it is difficult to make generalization. Whose ethics and whose moral value becaose as issue. But I do not think we should dwell on this. We respect each others opinion and move to more relevant issues. Thanks again.

Mamo Qilo

Email: mamoqilo@yahoo.com