GAVIN NEWSOM, SIMPLY TOO LIBERAL FOR CALIFORNIA?

It is with sadness that Icheoku received the news of the sudden withdrawal of the Democrat governorship candidate wanna-be and mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom, from the race. We say with sadness because on the surface, Gavin looked like the ideal candidate for a California governor, both in his looks and progressive brand of politics; but it would appear that California may not really be what it appears to be and hence Gavin's bid could not take flight. Gavin Newsom, a man who I have personally met, shook his hand and had a conversation with; appeared and sounded like a man with the right type of vision for California. But like all tides of men, he possibly came ahead of his time as California is not yet liberal enough to give a safe passage to their governor's lodge, a man who thinks and acts like Gavin Newsom. This unreceptive crowd of Californians forced Gavin's hands and he jumped-out; what a sudden exit!

To many uninformed observers, California is a very liberal state? But to those who know better, California is not just the Bay Area of Northern California, the home of unapologetic liberal politics. To the informed mind, California is geographically, politically and religiously three states lumped into one, technically speaking? There is the liberal San Francisco Bay Area Northern California and some parts of Los Angeles 'state'; there is the conservative San Diego area of Southern California including some outer areas of Los Angeles 'state'; and then the Modesto to Sacramento hinterland valley-axis of ultra right wing conservatism 'state!' That is the nature of a state which has been intra-fighting itself to death over practically every issue; and goes both ways in its electioneering politics. Republican and Democrats alike, can win elections into California's governorship lodge anytime one of them out-mobilizes the other. The same State that produced Nixon, Reagan, Djukemejian, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the father and son Brown duo, Gray Davis as governors, a mixed-bag of both parties. California is notorious for always dragging issues out as disparate people who populate the various parts of the state always have different things they would rather is done with the state's money. So now you know why the squabbles and sometimes shutting down of government that constantly goes on in Sacramento? That is the nature of the state that Gavin Newsom tried to woe for her governorship, but which gave him a cold shoulder, forcing his sudden exit from the endeavour.

His campaign ran out of steam so early that to continue in the face of what was obvious would have been foolhardy; - no cash and no favorable opinion polls, the two most import must-haves in American electioneering politics. He has the looks and the gait, I have met him, but that alone was not sufficient as was proved in the past with the defunct pretty face and good haired Senator John Edward's presidential campaign? To be successful, one must in addition have the needed 'mojo' which cash-money and high favorable ratings provide, which supplies the needed air beneath the wing of politics. Icheoku asks, but why did Gavin Newsom's campaign flop-out so early in the game since we refuse to buy into the political-speak, in which he tried to explain away why he aborted and called off the effort as family and city hall issues-related?

In Gavin Newsom's own words, "With a young family and responsibilities at City Hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to - and should be - done?" Icheoku says, what a typical politician not forthcoming with the truth and real reason why he hurriedly threw in the towel? He met and married Ms. Jennifer Siebel, got her pregnant and now have a daughter with her; so he had always known that he has a 'young family' before he stepped forward to offer himself to serve. He is also the elected 2nd term mayor of San Francisco and so fully aware of the 'responsibilities of the City Hall' long before he threw his hat into the ring? It is also not for 'lack of time' that Gavin pulled out, no, as he was fully aware and possibly anticipated the rigorous time-consuming effort a governorship run would be in California before he said, please send me to Sacramento! He is not a political neophyte, after-all he was a former supervisor and now in his second term as a Mayor, so he had a good insight on what demand on his time the governorship run will entail? Somebody is not telling all here. Icheoku postulates, it was because Gavin Newsom found out that he is not marketable in a state-wide election in California; and that no investor was willing to part with his cash and burn it in an un-winnable candidate, that forced him to abruptly end his sputtering campaign!

It was the same virus that killed-off opposition to Prop 8 that also fatally afflicted his campaign effort - his advocacy for an unfettered right for gay men and women to freely marry! Gavin Newsom instantly became a polarising political figure in California the day, the hour, the minute and the second he declared 'whether you like it or not, gay marriage is here to stay' and threw the gates of San Francisco City Hall open for the flood of marriage of homosexuals witnessed in 2004. The conservatives and christian right wings Californians saw him as drawing a line on the sand and immediately marked him for elimination, politically. Having earned the title of their 'Enemy Number 1,' all their resources and battle tanks were trained on him ever since, waiting for any opportunity to exact their vengeance; including his now failed governorship-run. First they pushed Proposition 8 through; and have fought off every attempt to overturn it ever since up to the states Supreme court and the legislature. They have the money and political muscle to do a duel with Gavin Newsom and now that he has quit his governorship bid, is it a fair assessment to say the christian right wing Californians have extracted their pound of flesh? But where were the GBLT with their money and why did they not fiercely back a Gavin Newsom, trying to become governor of California and most likely would have signed into law their right to marry? Why did the gays, bisexuals, lesbians and trans-genders of California not reciprocate a well earned favor to a guy who placed all his future political aspirations on the line just to help them gain the right to marry whoever they chose and love. Where was the quid-pro-quo? Why did they fail to rally around his effort at the governorship? Why did they abandon Gavin Newsom in his greatest hour of need, forcing him to jump ship mid stream with his quest for California's governorship?

Further, former President Bill Clinton's recent endorsement may have done-in Gavin Newsom's governorship aspiration. That blessing of Clinton may have served to remind many California's Obama supporters that this Gavin Newsom went rogue and pitched his tent with the Democrat old brigades during the last Democrat presidential primaries when he sided with Hillary Clinton instead of his fellow youthful and ebullient Barrack Obama. Could this endorsement have proved lethal to his now botched campaign by provoking a people still seething at Gavin Newsom for then taking the wrong side, who now decided to pay him back by maintaining a deaf ear to his message and not opening their wallets for his campaign effort? Icheoku believes that Gavin Newsom, a youth, erred in not supporting a fellow youth, then aspirant Barack Obama and that it played a major role in his campaign loosing traction, derailing and finally ending in its today's moribund state. Californians could not have technically rejected him because they considered him too young or over-ambitious since youth is now in, and they overwhelmingly voted for President Barack Obama!

The only consolation is that he is still young and may be appointed into a position in the future or wait long enough for Dianne Feinstein to quit politics and Nancy Pelosi upgraded to the senate, so that he may try his hands in an opened house of representative seat. His political territory now, for all intent and purpose, appears restricted and confined only to the Bay Area of Northern California where his views, vision and brand of liberal progressive politics are shared by the majority. But his chances at a state-wide office seems diminished; but at least he still have a job, being the mayor of San Francisco which will subsist till January 2012.

Whatever he chose to do thereafter, Icheoku wishes him good-luck; but the two decisions he made which made him a polarising political figure in California will haunt him for a long time if not forever. His unabashed support for gay marriage and not supporting President Barack Obama during the primaries are two errors of judgment which any clever politician would rather wish he never made. In politics, every action has its consequences and although they may seem forgiven but are never forgotten. His attempt to suddenly portray himself as a candidate of change and largely targeting his appeal to young voters with a heavy Internet presence and online fundraising failed because when the youths were pushing through the brick-wall of the establishment Democrats trying to get Obama through during the last primaries, he abandoned the bloc and went with the old hacks - the then Hillary Clinton squad. Now he wanted to reap where he did not sow, invoking a bloc of the Democratic party he never identified with during the primaries and he got a resounding rejection! With a Field Poll showing him 20-points below his prospective rival, who has not even declared his intentions; and a war chest also suffering 7 to 1 disadvantage; he had no option but to throw in the towel and quit. Icheoku believes that he did the right thing by deciding not to spend the next seven months in a primary contest he couldn't win. It is our well considered position that anybody thinking that Gavin would have done otherwise, is not a calculating person and must be living in the land of wishful thinkers. At least the smarts in him correctly read the political landscape and he decided to cut his losses and run away, which is the only meaningful thing to do under the circumstances and he just did that. We wish him the best of luck.

One of the lessons of the now defunct Gavin Newsom's attempted run for the governorship of California is that California is not as liberal as it appears to be; and also that San Francisco and Los Angeles areas do not correctly reflect California. Any attempt to try to read California using data collated from these two geographical areas would most likely result to a faulty statistical sampling as they do not correctly represent the entire California landscape. Gavin's rejection also shows that hot-button issues like gay marriage should not constitute any politicians mantra, but should be merely caressed by such politician who still have plans for future state-wide office. Finally it marks the end of the political gravitas of former President Bill Clinton, a man who could not even put his wife Hillary into the White House; and now his endorsement of Gavin Newsom could not provide the shot in the arm needed to avoid the end which was just witnessed. But whether Gavin Newsom was simply too liberal or too radicalised for governorship of the state of California, Icheoku cannot categorically state, but his rejection does not sure look good for obtrusively liberal progressive politics in a motley, diverse, varied and multi-cultured state like California. Once again, good-luck Gavin with all your future endeavors!

AS BODE GEORGE REPORTS TO KIRIKIRI, ANY LESSONS LEARNED?

Icheoku have for so long, resisted the temptation to join the lynch-mob, calling for the head of Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George over his 'dereliction of duty' while overseeing the affairs of the Nigerian Ports Authority as its chairman from 2001 to 2003? Total tab involved is said to be about 85 billion naira? He was not accused of stealing the sum or misappropriate it for himself; no, his crime was 'by-passing the Hausa-Fulani man in charge of the Ministry of Transportation to award such a huge contract?' Really? So their thinking was, 'how dare you develop such an independent-streak and audacity not to get a clearance from us, the Hausa-Fulani overlords of Nigeria before discharging the duties of your office? Chief Bode George is a southerner, from Yoruba west; so what gave him the impetus to act without first checking with the feudalistic north, before awarding contracts of such amount? This is the crux of the matter, the big deal for which he was indicted and now sentenced?

Icheoku does not carry water for Chief Bode George and our disdain for his then boss, Olusegun Obasanjo and aversion to corruption is of general knowledge. But what we are against is using someone of his personality as a sacrificial lamb to show a pretended appetite to fight corruption by the north controlled EFCC, Ministry of Justice and the Presidency? The heat is on them after Hillary Clinton's umbrage, to prove that Nuhu Ribadu was not removed simply because of his 'effectiveness and that he was over-reaching into forbidden territory' but that Madam Farida is as well competent? If Bode George had corruptly enriched himself with the 85 billion naira sum in question, Icheoku would have called for his being tied at a stake and with a barrage of lead, dispatched to the world hereafter. So the question is why would Bode George be imprisoned for just 'doing the right thing but following a wrong procedure;' when so many northerners, looters of the national treasury are oppressively holding sway in the country with wealth stolen from the national treasury with impunity and suffered no consequence as a result?

Who have held Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida accountable for all that he took from the Nigerian coffers particularly the $12 billion Gulf war oil windfall? Who has held Abdulsalam Abubakar accountable for the 16 billion naira power supply contract which he failed, refused or neglected to execute after collecting 91.1% of the contract sum as mobilization fees thereto? Who held Muhammadu Buhari accountable for the $2.8 billion missing oil money which he helped himself with when he was NNPC chairman under Olusegun Obasanjo's first missionary journey to Nigeria's seat of power at Dodan Barracks? Who has held Atiku Abubakar accountable for all that he stole while at Nigerian customs and excise and as vice president of Nigeria? Who held Senator Jubril Aminu accountable for the $12 million dollars SIEMENS bribery scandal? What about Olusola Saraki and FESTAC 77 and the unbridled looting that was witnessed then purchasing buses and coaches at hyper-inflated prices? Should we talk about NPN's Umaru Dikko and the scandalous rice contracts he embarked on as Transport Minister during Shehu Shagari's lacklustre government of yore? Barkin Zuwo's bedroom banking of state's money is still fresh in memory? How about the sugar merchant Aliko Dangote and the list of other northerners bilking Nigeria goes on and on ad infinitum! And if that was not already enough pilfering, recall that Nigeria has recieved as income an amount in excess of $700 billion dollars since coming of age in 1960 and that northerners has been in charge for more than 39 of Nigeria's 49 years of existence, so where is the money, Nigerians? So why Chief Bode George?

The gist of the matter is that all Nigerian public officials have sinned and fallen short of glory; so it does not make sense to just single out Chief Bode George under the circumstances just because some uncircumcised northerners said so! Admitted that some apologists will refer Icheoku to the last name of the judge who convicted the NPA6 to say it does not sound northern; but to this group we say, the north have perfected playing southerners against one another. But who the heck are these northerners that preach holier than thou, when their only job or clearly defined business/means of livelihood is fleecing and scheming Nigerian coffers; either as ten per-centers or brazenly dipping their filthy hands inside the coffers of the Nigerian treasury? Chief Bode George is corrupt and so what; at least that was not the charge for which he was tried and now stands convicted? Is he the first or only corrupt person in Nigeria and why not start with the north whose penchant for stealing from the government in Nigeria is widely acknowledged? If really Chief Bode George is corrupt and 'embezzled' 85 billion naira, why only the two years imprisonment slap on the wrist sentence? Where in such pitiable sentence lies the deterrence? Where is the intended statement that corruption is frowned at, being made by such conviction and punishment? What amount was he asked to refund back to the government as restitution? How many of his assets were confiscated or seized or asked to be forfeited? In short, the sentence does not fit well or support a crime 'committed' by Chief Bode George and Icheoku encourages an appeal under the circumstances.

In a more advanced and law-abiding country, where deterrence is always the objective of judicial punishment, a person who messed with 85 billion naira and was convicted on 47 counts out of 63 counts charges, will not just receive a mere two years imprisonment? No, such sentence as was handed down here is apologetically infinitesimal and proves there was more than met the eyes. What about two years each for every billion naira resulting to a total of 170 years? How about two years for each count resulting to 94 years? What about ten years for each one billion resulting to 850 years behind bars? Talk of deterrence and the United States of America proudly comes to mind of a place where criminals often receive 1000 years imprisonment; and politicians alike such as the former Louisiana governor who is serving 400 years imprisonment for embezzling $400,000 dollars? Also remember the imprisoned Republican Congressman Duke Cunningham of Southern California who had everything with his name on it or some semblance of his ownership taken from him and auctioned off; from a Rolls-Royce to floor carpets just to make reparation for his corrupt enrichment? Such is what we are talking about and which Icheoku envisages for a Nigeria that is serious with fighting corruption and punishing corrupt public officials who misuse what is trusted in their care by reason of their office.

If Chief Bode George fretted away 85 billion naira, then justice demands that he at least get one year for each billion which would have put his prison sentence to at least 85 years in addition to an earth-scorching restitution order, with a lien of forfeiture levied on anything bearing his name or any close resemblance. Whatever it takes, just make that statement that Nigeria is tired and cannot continue to aid and abet corruption within the system. May be 85 life sentences or possibly 850 years would have been a preferred sentence to compensate for the 85 billion naira but surely not two sorry years? But is the proverbial half bread better than none true in this case of Chief Bode George, a yesterday's man of power now convicted and gone to prison? Icheoku does not buy into the argument that the gist of the conviction lies in its symbolism and that it far outweighs the severity of any sentence that would have been otherwise imposed under the circumstance? That it says so much for a previously untouchable Nigerian to now forever carry, barring a successful appeal, the toga of a convicted criminal? That Chief Bode George being otherwise denuded and defrocked is worth more psychologically, than his thousand years behind bars? Which ever side of the divide you find yourself, our position is that majority of past and present Nigerian leaders are very corrupt and severally corruptly over-enriched themselves; that a more soul-searching introspective steps ought to be taken to rout out the endemic and entrenched corruption in Nigeria. It has to be total and complete covering all past people in leadership positions especially in Northern Nigeria!

In his judgment convicting Chief Bode George and co, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole said: "When public office is abused, the entire populace is assaulted. This must not be condoned or treated with kid gloves. If the quality of service in our public life is to be altered to the appreciable standard of the civilised world, the right deterrent should be given. For the right deterrent to be served, therefore, sufficient firmness must be demonstrated." Icheoku says, what a complete hogwash that this judge raised his hand like a giant only to flop it like a weakling midget. He was high in pontification and sounding the right tone, only to chicken out in handing out his jelly-sentence of two and half years? Why raise the hopes of millions that finally, a king who does not know Joseph has ascended the throne and called for rendering of account by Chief Bode George and co, only to just slap their wrists with such a baby-sentence? Icheoku asks this Justice Oyewole, where in his two and half years prison sentence was his suggested "not treat this matter with kids gloves" factored in? Was two years the "right deterrent" for a 85 billion Naira scam-contracts? Icheoku concludes that Justice Olubunmi Oyewole did not show any firmness with his two and half years prison sentence for Chief Bode George and co; which we believe is sure to be overturned on appeal for being too light a sentence or better still for not being meritorious?

Continuing the judge said, "The penalty for disobedience to lawful order is a maximum of one year imprisonment. I hereby sentence all the defendants to six months imprisonment ... and to two years for each of the abuse of office convicted counts of contract splitting and inflation." Icheoku queries, why did the judge make his order to run concurrently instead of consecutively, if he is serious about providing deterrence? Who in corrupt Nigeria would not readily head to prison for two and half years after such a 'massive loot', if that is all it takes to keep such spoils of corruption; after-all in Nigerian prison you can buy yourself any amount of freedom including conjugal visits with your spouse or a paid service-provider, once the right amount exchanges hands? Conviction on 47 counts for just two and half years rather sounds as ridiculous as it was too demeaning to the psyche of that Nigerian that strives to be upright and do good? Also why did the judge not make the sentence in addition to payment of fine; after-all the objective is to deter future abuse? If they are being sentenced for abuse of office and fraud, is it not the proper thing to do to at the same token, deny them the spoils of such abuse? So where is the restitution order, Mr. Justice Oyewole?

Conviction on 47 out of 63-count charge of conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, inflation of contracts and contracts splitting just received two and half years imprisonment? Tell it to the marines! It is also instructive to note that this was one of the fastest trial proceeding ever recorded in a Nigerian court, notorious for its frustrating judicial logjam, which is sometimes perpetrated by conniving lawyers to wilfully and purposely obstruct and delay justice for the opposing side? Just under one year, from October 29, 2008 to October 26, 2009 bearing in mind that the framed suspects in Pa Rewane's 1995 murder, are still languishing in prison ever since, awaiting indictment which seems not to be coming and five of them are known to have so far died in the prison custody? So what happened to accelerate Chief Bode George's trial and conviction; or are the north trying to land the big fish, Olusegun Obasanjo as recently predicted by El-Rufai?

Since the sentence will run concurrently, each man will spend two and a half years in prison instead of at least the more reasonable one hundred and seventeen and a half years, unless an appellate court overturns Justice Oyewole's verdict. Icheoku reiterates that the six convicted men were not accused of making any profit or unjustly enriching themselves by their action at the ports authority; no, they were merely accused of not following bureaucratic orders? Could this probably explain the two and half years sentences given to each of them, which will probably be overturned on appeal for lack of merit?

Icheoku queries, since when has disobedience to ordinary administrative authority or bureaucratic orders, which did not result to any financial crimes, amount to a criminally prosecutable offence? What these convicts allegedly did was simply exceed their authority but they did not flagrantly enrich themselves or profit from whatever it was they did? So where lies the crime except in the wombs of time, when the appellate court will uphold their convictions or just throw the damn thing away as ridiculous and laughable? But until the later happens Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George stands a convicted criminal of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CCFRN)! What an award to get in one's golden years! It will be recalled that Chief Bode George was chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 2001 to 2003 and also Director-General of the then Yar'Adua-Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2007. He was also the former South West National Deputy Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Now as he sits in Kirirkiri maximum prison in Lagos awaiting the outcome of his appeal, whether the stigma of a convict stays with him will depend on the its outcome, otherwise what a way to finish a career that saw him in charge of a naval command as well as a post retirement good run in politics, including a public office! What a sorry lesson in the ephemeral and fleeting nature of power, that this former governor of Ondo State, former naval commodore, a PDP chieftain and former chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority now sits in prison, a convicted felon?

CHIEF (DR.) AUSTIN CHUKS-ORJI, A TRANSITION!

Bay Area Nigerian community of Northern California, United States of America, with heart filled with sorrow, announces the departure to eternity of one of her founding member!

Chief Dr. Austin Chuks-Orji passed on, following complications from surgery, at Kaiser Hospital, Antioch, California, USA; on Monday October, 26 2009.

Until his death, Austin Chuks-Orji, a businessman, was a prominent member of Nigerian community in Northern California. He was also the Ogbuenyisiogu II (High Chief) of Obe town in Nkanu, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Arrangements for his final and last journey, and rites of passage to join his ancestors in Nigeria; including a USA wake-keeping, will be announced in due course.

Signed: Attorney Dozie Ezeife

Son-in-law

USA

tel:510.706.4741

THE DAUGHTER OF "YOU'RE FIRED", GETS "HIRED!"

As a wife, that is! Her name is Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald and wife number 1, Ivana Trump of New York; and she is beautiful. She came of age as a woman on Sunday October 25, 2009 when she said her 'I do' to Mr. Jared Kushner of the Kushner family, also of New York. Jared is the publisher of New York Observer and also a principal in his father, Charles Kushner's real estate conglomerate.

It was a high society wedding, before five hundred of their nearest-and dearest, carefully chosen guests; made up of family and friends. The vows took place under a large Jewish tent, huppla before the reception at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Jared had popped the question, 'will you marry me' in July this year, after a two year dating of Ivanka.

Ivanka wore a Vera Wang wedding gown, which was inspired by Grace Kelly's wedding gown which she wore during her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier III. She also had on a $265,000 dollars worth of jewelry from her own collection, including a $45,000 hair clip, $130,000 diamond drop earrings and a $90,000 Art Deco-inspired bracelet? What an exhibitionist display of the obsessively super-duper rich and famous! Her wedding outfit was described by one observer as simply "majestic" and "demure." The wedding planner and floral designer is the world famous Preston Bailey.

Jared, a Jew, made Ivanka convert to Judaism as a pre-condition to their marriage; which Icheoku does not find objectionable as it has already proved who is on the driver's seat between this two millionaire kids and children of billionaires. In other words, it showed that Jared Kushner is not a girlie-man; but a man who wants to remain a man, whether or not he is married to the daughter of a man who derives joy in telling his apprentices, "You're fired!" Jared's manhood is still in tact and was not put away in a testicles lock-box; Rush Limbaugh, please accommodate the steal!

At 27 and 28 years respectively, the couple have pretty well come of age. Icheoku wants to believe they thought it real through and were not just two infatuated 'high school' sweet-hearts on a fantastic fairy-tales voyage to find their 'princess and her Knight in shinning armor?' In her Tweeter message, Ivanka had tweeted, ".....everything is simply perfect"; Icheoku prays that her married life stays as perfect! Admitted her father, The Donald, is on his third marital voyage from Ivana to Marla to now Melania; but you never know? Congratulations Mr. and Mrs Kushner.

OJUKWU OR UWECHUE, WHO IS THE BIAFRAN-WAR VILLAIN?

It is not quite very often that Nigerians hear such 'frank' assessment of what transpired in Nigeria, especially coming from one of the poker-players of Nigeria; a man who should know? Just recently, Mobolaji Johnson fired a salvo at Ojukwu accusing him of causing the Nigerian civil war; now shortly after, Chief Raphael Uwechue has thrown another below-the-belt punch at Ojukwu, blaming him for losing the war? What a double whamy, bilateral attack on a man who is widely regarded by many Igbo folks for stepping in when every other person was no where to be found, in defense of the Igbo nation? According to the Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State high chief, former Nigeria ambassador to Mali and President General of Oha-n-eze Ndigbo, 'Ojukwu's over-bearing attitude botched the attempted secession of Biafra from Nigeria!' In other words, Chief Raphael Uwechue said, 'but for Ojukwu Biafra would have succeeded;' or better still, 'blame Ojukwu for the failure of the Biafran struggle?'

Icheoku says, for Chief Uwechue to make such disparaging remarks about and concerning the person of Generalissimo Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and in such a public way, chronicled in a published book and questioning his war efforts leaves so much to be desired; as it could exacerbate the disunity among the Igbo nation. Ojukwu to so many Igbo sons and daughters is a war hero, who when duty called, showed up and answered the call to stop an orchestrated extermination of Igbo people in Nigeria. They revere him as the man who stood between them and an assured annihiliation; telling them to their face, ENOUGH! It is Ojukwu who said to Igbo sons and daughters throughout Nigeria, come home and I will guarrantee you safety! To so many Igbo sons and daughters, Chief Raph Uwechue is the President General of Oha-n-eze Ndigbo; prior which his fame or acclaim is limited to only the many who are knowledgeable in the politics of Nigeria and may be his local community of Ogwashi-Ukwu and environs? Now the million dollar question is, who will the Igbos believe in this war tales or who would they follow into battle, assuming duty called again? Icheoku asks, who between Ojukwu and Uwechue is the villain here; and whose effort or lack thereof caused Biafra to capitulate?

Should Chief Ralph Uwuche be forced to recant his written statement or resign the office of Oha-n-eze Ndigbo President General, which he holds in sacred trust for the Igbos, now that he has denigrated an Igbo idol, a war-hero? What is the best way out of this woods which Chief Uwechue's suppposedly letting the cat of the box, had placed the Igbo unity? Icheoku does not fully know the logistics of the Bafran war or the other subterranean reasons why it was 'the only war of survival to fail' in recent recorded history? Who did what and how did it impact the effort so negatively that it compromised an otherwise worthy cause? Should the Igbos or other participants in that war of survival now regurgitate what transpired over forty years ago and not just leave it for history to judge? But should the story be told now, then it requires accounts from both sides of the divide - that is the only way for the Igbo nation to truly know and understand what sabotaged the Biafran war efforts. The chief protagonists of the war and its alter-ego, Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu should therefore shed more light on the war effort and tell the listening world how such an oportunity was let go; so that the Igbos could know how their war of survival was really managed and what or who caused their defeat therein which ripples they stilll suffer from in today's Nigeria? Added that the three Rs of reconcilliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction were never fully implemented after the war which continues till today?

If what Ralph Uwechue has started, being himself a solid Igbo son is not checkmated forthwith, it may give rise to other vicious attacks, especially from the other side of the war-divide; which will now feel empowered and licensed to start piling-down on Ikemba Nnewi and who knows how it will end? Only Ojukwu's forceful rebuttal of the vituperation of Uwechue, is capable of putting the fire out, otherwise the present skirmish may linger for so on without a foreseeable resolution? But will Ojukwu accept the gauntlet from Uwechue for a fight of the century, who knows? According to Chief Uwechue, "ego and quest for absolute control by Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu ruined Biafra." It was his assesment that Ojukwu assumed the cloak of a maximum ruler and no one else mattered to him and before him. In the words of the high chief, “By keeping Ojukwu constantly enveloped in an atmosphere of superiority, it made him, as a matter of habit, distrustful and disdainful of other people’s judgment, impatient with their opinions and finally simply authoritarian.” Continuing, the President General of the Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, Oha-n-eze Ndigbo said, “It is a sad but instructive irony that Lt. Col Odumegwu Ojukwu, one of Africa’s one-time most brilliant political promises, was the man that led his own people with such a lack of ingenuity into what was clearly a foreseeable disaster.”

Some of the other charges Chief Uwechue levelled against Ojukwu include, alienating so many talented Igbo, using iron hand to establish his authority; missing out on numerous opportunities to use diplomatic front to market the cause of Biafra, shunned so many wise counsel and advice on the way forward especially on the need for a compromise? Also that Ojukwu shunned the second best option to a total seccession, confederacy; which was earlier agreed upon at Ghana's Aburi accord; and which arrangement is more agreeable to majority of other African states! Instead Ojukwu demanded the resignation of the Igbo think-tank who had counselled such action. For him, 'Ojukwu lacked tact, never took advice, suffered what could pass for inferiority complex and was simply power drunk.' His verdict, "Biafra could have survived if only Ojukwu were smart enough to understand the politics of alliances in the country?" But who had the magical crystal ball to know what would have happened in any event? Not Icheoku and sure not this Ogwashi-Ukwu high chief, who took over forty years to now tell the world how Ojukwu dropped the ball on Biafra? But is anyone listening and should we believe what he is saying concerning Ojukwu's handling the Biafran war?

Icheoku says, whether Ojukwu would have gone for a more tactical route of settling for what is available or most likely to succeed, a confederation; is now irrelevant as the cause of Biafra is stagnated and in a suspended abeyance. Who knows whether the same parties with interest who strafed Biafra-land and killed millions of women and children with their MIGs, F-14s, including Britain, Russia, Egypt etc would have allowed even a confederating Biafra to stand? We understand the politics of the war was as religious as it was economics; so not even Chief Raphael Uwechue was in a position to read the minds of these soldiers of fortune to know what was motivating them? Mercenaries who waged a war of attrition against the people of Biafra, causing them the humiliating defeat which they suffered and which psychologically still affect them still today, in a Nigeria, still smarting from their so called war-victory against the Biafrans? Our position is that Chief Uwechue should tread cautiously as his present trajectory might only succeed in widening the gap of mistrust amongst the Igbos of west River Niger and those on the eastern side. Let the house of Igbo not be divided to forestall a collapse, as disunity among the Igbo has already deprived them a lot so far, of what they were ordinarily entitled as a matter of right, being part of the entity called Nigeria.

Whether Biafran war effort fell victim to youthful exuberance or lack of a clear vision and a determinate war-campaign strategy, which questions the rational of the campagin west of river Niger to Ore and the rest of the Midwest; will be a matter for another day's discussion? Why didn't Biafra saturate the Biafran nation with their troops and not dissipate their energy adventuring into the Midwest; were they trying to conquer Nigeria rather than securing their territory? What was the objective, both short and long term of the incursion into Midwest? There are simply too many 'whys', 'if' and 'buts'; but now is time to look forward and not be yoked down in what has since become an un-salvageable part of the Igbo man's history. Icheoku says, the way forward is how to manage the Igbo nation's unity, preparatory to their full re-intergration back into Nigeria with a Nigerian presidency of Igbo extraction come 2016.

The Hausa-Fulani north as well as the Yoruba west are more deft in politics as they reconcile divisions to achieve a common objective or interest more easily than the Igbos. This saw the Yorubas supporting one of their most derisive sons, Olusegun Obasanjo throughout his eight ignominous years in office? The Hausa-Fulani have also since forgotten that Buhari's coup was against their Shagari; that Babangida moved against one of their own Buhari; even the slaughters of the Middle Belters during the failed coup against Muritala and again during Orkar's failed coup seem to have been put in the back burner? Therefore, if these other disparate groups could understand the permanency of interest and not necessarily who did what, in politics, Icheoku asks, why not the Igbos? Also the names dropped by Chief Uwechue including Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Dr, Kenneth Dike and Dr. Mike Opara are all dead with no one to either collaborate or rebut the assertion that Ojukwu bungled Biafra; this begs the question, why now, Ralph?

The only plausible explanation may be just to join issues with the peoples' Ikemba Nnewi Odumegwu Ojukwu and instigate another tussle for supremacy among the Igbos of the west and the east of the Niger! Our opinion is that Chief Raph Uwechue would have let the sleeping dog lie and let matters concerning who did or did not do what in Biafra rest; in order to allow the Igbo nation to galvanize, move forward and strategize for their emerging political rebirth in Nigeria. Only a united Igbo can get into Aso Rock in 2016 and this divisive allocation of fault about a defunct Biafra will not cut it. Such is what the detractors and antagonists of the Igbo nation crave for, so that they can find a crack through which to come in and botch the seeming unity coming back to Igboland. Our dear Ojukwu, please ignore joining issues over this matter so that it might die a natural death in the interest of the greater Igbo unity. The Igbo's pre-occupation now should be how to support one of their own march into Aso Rock come 2016 and any other thing should be seen for what it is - a DISTRACTION!

FYI:- For more 'earth-shattering', 'unbelievable' and somewhat 'outlandish' claims and assertions, please read Chief Ralph Uwechue's book titled "Reflections on the Nigerian Civil War – Facing the Future."

EDWARD HINDS, THE MURDER OF A CATHOLIC REVEREND FATHER!

When the news broke that the pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chatham, Morris County, New Jersey, United States of America was dead, many observers wondered what went awry? Icheoku speculated whether Reverend Father Edward Hinds was a gay-man, killed for a gay-love gone wrong; or a pedophilia priest whose past eventually caught up with him?

However, now that the janitor of the same St. Patrick's church has been nabbed for his murder, Icheoku waits to see whether 64-year-old murder suspect, Jose Feliciano is a scorned lover of the priest or an abused parishioner or a former molested alter-boy who decided to take his revenge on the priest? Was he possibly just a cuckoo-nest inmate who just lost it and decided to take it out on the priest in a random act of violence?

The murdered priest was last seen alive around 11 p.m. on Thursday night, October 22, 2009; and when he failed to show up for his usual morning mass on Friday, it became a cause for great concern, owing to his reputation for punctuality. A search party found his bloodied body around 8.00 a.m., still wearing his black clerical robes, black garb and white collar, in the rectory kitchen of his northern New Jersey parish house. According to the investigation, there was a significant amount of trauma and injury to the body; Edward Hinds was killed with a knife following an argument, he was stabbed 32 times! Icheoku says, what a rage killing to stab a person for 32 times and queries what were the two men arguing about? Forensic analysis could only point at one direction, a love gone awry and a scorned gay lover who would not take it any longer or be just dished like that? It is possibly a lover's rage that made Janitor Jose stab Reverend Hinds repeatedly for 32 times; an over-kill meant to send a message?

Late Reverend Hinds, 61, was born in Morristown, New Jersey; was ordained priest in 1974 and had been at Patrick's parish since 2003. He was the vice chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson and secretary to the bishop from 1978 to 1985. According to one parishioner, "Everybody loved him;" but Icheoku retorts, except for the killer?

According to one Monsignor Kenneth Lasch, Hinds had left instructions for that he deliver the eulogy in the event of his death? Icheoku asks did Reverend Hinds have a premonition of his impending death, or had reason to suspect that somebody was going to whack him so soon; that he implored an older retired monsignor; who by age, ordinarily, supposed to pre-decease him, to deliver his eulogy? If so, what did he do to become a marked man with a bulls-eye put on his back? What infractions earned him the cross-hairs? These are some of the questions facing the homicide team as they try to unravel the motive behind this gruesome killing by Jose Feliciano? It will be recalled that this murder was the first violent death in Chatham, a ten thousand people of/from New York community west of Newark, since 1990? A safe community it has been for so long, until Jose spilled the blood of the holy man of God, Edward Hinds.

Like everything else in life which abhors a vacuum, the Diocese of Paterson has already appointed another Reverend Father Owen B. Moran, to take over from where death stopped Reverend Hinds. Icheoku wishes the St. Patrick parish God's guidance as they seek courage and strength during this sad and difficult time, and solace to bear the loss! We also pray for the repose of the soul of the departed man of God; may the soul of Reverend Father Ed Hinds now rest in peace.

For additional information on late Reverend Father Hinds, you please visit the church's website st-pats.org/

THE OBAMA FAMILY PORTRAIT, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

They sure look good, the First Family, that is! The kids, especially Shasha looks very smashing in her pose. First Lady Michelle looks resplendent too. Malia appears happy and President Barack Obama looks well settled in. Icheoku says, photographer and portrait taker, Ann Liebowitz once again proved why she is simply the best; - one of a kind.

CHINYELU SUSAN ONWURAH, A FEMALE OBAMA OF THE UK?

Icheoku says, the wind of change which blew over the United States of America last November 4, 2008; seem to have gone off-shores; and now blowing the world over? From Russia to Italy and now to the United Kingdom, people of African descent are becoming more audacious and proactive in participatory politics in their "white" countries, despite all racial obstacles strewn in their paths. Thanks to the miracle of President Barack Obama last November 4, 2008 in the United States of America. In a loud shrill voice, another feline has hollered, "Yes I Can" as she threw her hat into the race to become a British member of Parliament (MP), representing Newcastle central district!

A Nigerian descent and British citizen, Ms. Chinyelu Susan Onwurah, is running for the House of Commons, to become the first black female member of parliament from Newcastle! The Labour Party (LP) has selected her as their candidate, to represent Newcastle Central district; in the 2010 parliamentary elections. Icheoku says congratulations CSO; and hopefully this Amazonian will win and add extra impetus to the raging wildfire of the new order, the "YES WE CAN" battle-cry which is infecting the world like epidermal virus; at a rate never imagined nor forseen? Happily enough the world is believing with them. Possibly, another Margret Thatcher in the making?

The 44-year-old Chiyelu Onwurah was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, of a Nigerian father from Awka Anambra State and a second generation Irish mother. She is running for the seat being vacated by retiring veteran MP Jim Cousins; who is leaving after 22 years in parliament representing Newcastle central district. The engineer-turned politician, studied Electrical Engineering at the Imperial College of Science and Technology and also holds an MBA from Manchester Business School. Icheoku does not know much about her private life; but it would appear she is a UK version of America's Condolezza Rice, to whom career meant everything; and men and family can wait? And like President Barack Obama of America, Chinyelu Susan Onwurah has an African father and an white mother. Obama's father is Kenyan who married Barack's American white mother while Chinyelu's father is from Nigeria and married Chinyelu's Irish descent white mother.

Chinyelu is among the over 80 blacks and other minority ethnic candidates from the main political parties who are running for office in various constituencies throughout UK in the next election. Icheoku prays that the good Lord who swept President Barack Obama into America's White House will also provide Chinyelu Susan Onwurah the much needed tail-wind to get her into the chambers of the British House of Commons! Admitted that she hardly knows Nigeria, but Icheoku like many other Diaspora Nigerians and people with some connection with Nigeria, are rooting for her success in the forthcoming election. It is one heck of a "can do" spirit in display and she will surely do it! When she wins, it will be a strong message, loud and clear, that the genie let out by President Barack Obama in the most audacious manner, can no longer be put back into the bottle. Once again, congratulations and God's speed, Chinyelu Susan Onwurah! Chinyelu can do it, YES SHE CAN! So vote for Chinyelu Susan Onwurah for parliament!

BENUE STATE, THE BAN OF OGOGORO?

Russia and majority of Eastern Europe is known for their vodka? Scotland is known for their whisky? France is known for their cognac-brandy and bubbly drinks including champagne? California is known for their wines? England is known for their gin? Jamaica is known for their rum? Now therefore, could any government officials of Benue State, Nigeria tell Icheoku what is wrong with Nigeria being known for Benue State's local gin, OGOGORO?

Icheoku says, instead of the prohibition on ogogoro, the government of Benue State should regulate their production, distribution and consumption; and tax the activities as may be deemed appropriate for revenue for the state. Also they can start an out-reach program to educate the locals on the dangers of over-consumption or advise them to dilute the 'pure' alcohol with water before quaffinf them down? There is nothing wrong with any alcoholic beaverage including ogogoro, provided it is consumed as expected; and its prevalence does not in any way result to social disharmony! As was proved in America during the days of prohibition, whenever government seeks or attempts to legislate out such activity, they usually succeed only in driving it underground, thereby creating a source of untold wealth, for men with heart who will then embark on the underworld trade in the product; and like the mafia, will then become ruthlessly wealthy from such racketeering? The solution therefore is to let the sleeeping dog lie, at most regulate and tax it.

According to reports coming out of Benue State, Ogogoro activists in the state have gone to court to challenge the "Local/Illicit Gin (Ogogoro) Prohibition Law 2009" which purports to make illegal, the production, distribution, transportation, possession and consumption of the clear-liquid, the vodka of Nigeria, Ogogoro! Icheoku condemns this thoughtless government's excessive intrusiveness into a purely private affair/sector of the people of Benue state; which activity has been with the people as long as memory could recall, preceeding the state's creation and will sure outlive these present government trying to outlaw it? It is our position that the state should have encouraged rather its present acts of chastisement and indignation of an activity which means a lot for the people. But whether Governor Suswan has signed the legislation into law and what pushed his hands is not yet within our knowledge?

Why disturb this small scale industry which employs quite a handful of Benue State people and saves them so much money as well as foreign exchange which would have ordinarily been spent on imported foreign counterparts? What happened to Nigeria made goods, including drinks and Ogogoro? Did this confused government officials in Benue state think through their action, regarding employment opportunities, and the attendant consequences of the current prohitbition, including the millions engaged in production, distribution, transportation, sales and consumption of the clear-liquid? Where would they now go; and do what? Ogogoro, also known as ethanol, dry gin, moonshine, homebrew, akpeteshe, Sapele water, jembele, Kparaga, kai-kai, push-me-I-push-you, crim-kena, kin-n-kana, Sonsé should just be left alone and not be prohibited. It is highly beneficial for its extensive use and could be another source of revenue generation for the state! With 60% alcohol content, who says this Nigerian homebrew could not be made an export-market product to help generate needed foreign exchange? Also what about the spirits of the land that drink only ogogoro during offerings and brides, whom it is used for their wedding/marriage libation? What will happen to these group of disproportionatly affected people now that ogogoro is prohibited? It is simply not a good law and should be reversed or not signed into law by the governor, if not yet signed! There is no palliative remedy which this law seeks to urgently achieve.

If some people over-dosed on the alcohol and died as a result, so what; after-all it is not the first thing to have ever killed people? People die in airplane accidents yet planes are being manufactured and still flown in? Guns kill people yet gun-manufacturers have not ceased doing business? Food poisoning also kills, so why the fuss about ogogoro killing four alcholics? What needed to be done is to regulate its production to ensure compliance with quality controlled chemical compositions; and dilute and water it down to a tolerable and acceptable percentage may be to about 40%. Just treat it like any other alcoholic beverages from anywhere in the world and there will be peace in the land of ogogoro. That four people died as a result of alcohol poisoning is not enough reason for the wholesale ban of the product; people die everyday and even from motor accidents and yet motor manufacturers are still doing business. To ban ogogoro in this way is not the solution to avoid future poisoning, as it is akin to throwing the baby away with the bath water. It is too broad and so over-reaching; since because of just four deaths, several millions of other ogogoro-loving peoples' happiness is now being mortgaged. The law is just another colonial mentality legislation, which brands everything Nigerian inferior while anything foreign is superior? What is the difference between ogogoro, gin or vodka; but in labelling and their country of origin? Even the process of fermentation and distillation are practically the same; especially with America's moonshine? Pour three of them in a glass cup and you wont know the difference?

But to win the present case, the plaintiffs need to prove more than just 'challenging the powers of the House of Assembly to pass such an unfriendly law?' They will not succeed on this ground since the legislature reserve the right to pass any law which they may deem fit as geared towards maintainingg law and order; and which may generate revenue for the state? The grounds for the action would have been undue economic hardship which would adversely affect their means of livelihood. They could also raise the issue of deprivation of revenue to the state in form of taxes which hey pay on income from their engagement in the ogogoro business? That there is no over-riding public interest for the law; or social disorder the new law is meant to curb or protect against? Further they could generally plead 'unconstitutional and over-reaching as it violated their right to life as it jeopardises their means of livelihood since a hungry man is guarranteed to die of hunger; and such other fanciful forensic grounds as may weigh favorably on their side and persuade the trial judge to see with them.

They can also specifically plead that they are being specifically targeted due to different political viewpoints which they hold against the PDP government of the state? Better still, a political dimension wherein they pursue the matter through the electorates and constituencies might be a better approach? But as far as we know, "the Benue State House of Assembly has the legislative power and competence under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make the law banning the brewing, consumption and trading in Ogogoro or any other alcoholic or intoxicating drink." So, these ogogoro dealers must find another convincing evidence to persuade the court to do their bidding. Admitted that if the new law conflicts with an existing federal legislative list already covered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act 2004, and other relevant laws regulating alcoholic drinks; then maybe, they may have very good ground to canvass untra-vires; provided of course there is no lacunae in the federal law that accommodated the states action?

That ogogoro is cheap, inexpensive and readily available may be a strong point weighing against the drink in the eyes of the Nigerian oppressors, Benue State chapter; who derive joy in seeing the common man suffer and languish in pains? Also may be some foreign alcoholic beaverages manufacturers, smugglers and importers lobbied the legisalture for the ban in order to take over the market, being vacated by the ogogoro dealers? If anything calls for civil disobedience, Icheoku says, this prohibition sure looks like one and the people of Benue State must not allow their government to unduly restrict their use of the only thing that still makes them happy in these days of so much want in motherland. Statistics shows that ogogoro has not killed any more people than any other drinks taken in excess; or even the hardship or road accidents in Nigeria; so why single that out for prohibition? Further, ogogoro has other beneficial use being an anti-cholesterol agent, used in washing pig meat (pork) to reduce the cholesterol level and to prevent arteriosclerosis. It is also used in washing snail and dog meat to remove their slim; Ogogoro is a choice-drink for both the old and the young people of Benue State and a 'good source of energy' to farmers who use it as energy-booster during their farming season? Icheoku says, ogogoro being an 'energy-drink' is somewhat debatable; but hey, we have "Redbull", "Monster-drink", etc; so why not?

According to one commentator, "once the liquor is banned in Benue State, then the sale and consumption will go underground!" Icheoku collaborates this with reference to the moonshine nightmare in the United States of America's Appalachian belt? The good old redneck hillbillies just went further away from civilization, into the caves, taking their moonshine distillery with them? The solution is just regulate the activities, with chemists appointed as inspectors to ensure compliance to quality control and alcohol content of the brew? Organize the indusrty, the state can build cottage industries to harmonize the process of ogogoro distilling with a view to branding it formally, as a sort of gin for both export and local market? Call it "Naija Gin" or "Nigeria Dry Gin" or even "Tiv Gin" if you like; but let Ogogoro be! Leave the 'energy-drink and poor man's viagra' alone!

CATHOLIC CHURCH, WILL THEIR PRIESTS NOW MARRY?

Icheoku asks what happened to our Lord's instruction, "to carry your cross and follow me?" Did the Vatican think through its most recent decision or were they just selfishly being moved by what is in it for their faith? If they want to swallow up the Anglican faith, why must they make such grave concession to permit the inbound flocks to come back with their bags and baggage? Why must they grant the Anglicans' cache-blanc re-admission back into the catholic church; including their priests right to marry?

If Icheoku recalls very well, the Anglican church used to be part of the Roman Catholic Church before monetary matters, St. Peter's pence, drove them out of the fold? It is equally instructive to note that marital preferences and differences, played a major part too in the split between both churches. In 1534 the then King of England, King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment, which riled him so much that he bolted away with his subjects to form the English(Anglo)-Catholic church aka Anglican, permanently splitting from the Rome(Roman)-Catholic aka Catholic church. Now the Pope Benedict XVI, desirous of a bigger congregation, is giving them a free passage with all their baggage back to the catholic church?

Icheoku says, if the objective of Vatican is to entice back the Anglican traditionalists, who loathe gays and lesbians and women ordination, how then does the church plan to reconcile the likely priestly-marital friction that will ensue with the celibate catholic priests; who may find such condescension objectionable and unacceptable? According to the Vatican plan, the anticipated change will allow conservative Anglicans from around the world to join the Catholic Church while retaining aspects of their Anglican liturgy and identity, including married priests! So the question remains, what will the celibate catholic priests now do or will they fight for equalisation of the priesthood along a level playing field, sort of?

With an already 1.1-billion strong membership, what the Catholic Church is doing is tantamount to a hostile take-over of the Anglican Communion, coveting the just 77-million-strong Anglican Communion! In the words of one of the protagonists of this marriage of convenience, "this is a moment of grace, perhaps even a moment of history, not because the past is undone but because the past is transformed!" So Icheoku asks, will the catholic priests' compelled celibacy be equally transformed, so that they can now openly keep dates, girlfriends or boyfriends and marry if they choose to. This and only this will complete this current transformation of the past which the church has just embarked on with this unconditional re-admission of the strayed Anglican flock! It is to be noted that Anglicans in United States of America are known as Episcopalians.

Icheoku says, this very Pope Benedict XVI is really up to something earth-shattering! It was just recently that he made a daring move to rehabilitate four formerly ex-communicated ultra-conservative bishops, including one Holocaust-denier; in a bid to bring them back to the catholic fold? Now he is allowing married priests of the Anglican order back to the catholic church, unconditionally and still married? Who knows what next is up his sleeves? But will this new Papal vision, which will allow married Anglican priests and their seminarians to become ordained as Catholic priests while still remaining married, now become a source of friction with those celibate catholic priests who will feel betrayed by the easy accomodation? Could it be a case of the biblical parable of the prodigal son, now come back to life in 2009; with wayward Anglicans now being rewarded to the chagrin of the good old Catholic faithfuls?

However, the proviso that married Anglicans cannot become Catholic bishops seems to be discriminatory, as the bar has no reasonable justification or basis whatsoever; after-all it is those same priests who eventually rose to become bishops. In one heck of grammatical enunciation, the Vatican said, "the new model doesn't create a new rite, but rather an Anglicanized liturgy within the Latin rite?" Icheoku says, what a wonderful syntax and synchronization of words, but will that make it acceptable? Anyway, Icheoku, alongside a dumbfound and doubtful world is watching to see how this marriage of two polar-opposites plays out; but we do not find this latest papal adventure amusing, to say the least. Our verdict is that it might lead to an unmanageable upheaval in the catholic family, especially on the issue of priestly celibacy!

BALLOON OVER COLORADO, A HOAXY JOYRIDE?

He is a Harry Porter look-alike who with his family, conspired to keep the world gasping in prayers for his safety, as a helium filled UFO-like balloon floated over the skies of Colorado; supposedly with him trapped inside?

The cat was somehow let out of the bag when the innocent little boy blurted out on CNN Larry King Live, that they did it for show! In Falcon Heene's very own words, retorting to his dad, he said, "you had said we did this for a show?" His flabbergasted parents were shocked to hear their dark concocted story laid bare and every effort at putting the genie back into the bottle was rather too late; and now the authorities in Colorado are planning a felony charge indictment for the 'gone with the balloon' hoax of the year!

Icheoku says, what would people not do just for their 15 minutes fame and few thousands of dollars from a prospective reality television show?

Richard and Mayumi Heene, the parents of the six year old-boy, Falcon Heene are known for their lust for fame and money having appeared in Wife Swap and were allegedly marketing a reality TV show with some studios in Los Angeles? They came up with an elaborate hoax to attract the most airtime free publicity by alarming that their boy had become airborne in a helium filled balloon contraption?

Icheoku says, the bad thing about such hoax as this is that someday, a more serious situation might arise with disillusioned populace and media saying it might just be another hoax thereby loosing some valuable time before help could be summoned.

Now it is being said that the boy may not have even been hiding in the attics as claimed, during the intense five-hour search for him on Thursday, October 16, 2009? Falcon Heene may have been two blocks down the road playing on the swing in the city park when the whole safety and emergency team Colorado could muster were pursuing a passenger-less balloon, floating high in the skies of Colorado?

The scam temporarily shut down Denver International Airport and caused the National Guard to scramble two helicopters in an attempt to rescue a boy, believed to be trapped inside the flying-saucer like homemade balloon; that coasted more than 50 miles across two counties before finally deflating for a touchdown; but did not produce the object of the find and rescue effort? When the boy was not found, he was thought to have fallen out somewhere along the 50 miles ride and hence began the grim search for his body. The hoax played out on live television to millions of viewers worldwide.

The parents are facing charges including conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant. Federal charges were also possible since aviation was implicated leading to the scrambling of two National Guards helicopters to join the find and rescue effort. If convicted, the parents face up to six years in prison and a fine of $500,000.00? Icheoku asks, was it worth it, Mr Richard and Mayumi Heene?

What a way to raise children, teaching their three young boys how to be trained liars and lying to authorities at ages 10, 8 and six? According to reports, the three Heene's sons knew of the hoax and one of them had told authorities that he saw his brother get inside the balloon's undercarriage shortly before it launched into air. However their very young age precludes any charges from being brought against them, being minors.

What a dysfunctional family who craved to live in the limelight so much that they would cause such a global pandemonium just for their selfish interest? All just for lights, camera and action! A crazed-out parents who would readily co-opt their very young children into a scheme of lying to the authorities, in their futile attempt at pulling off the biggest hoax of the century? Icheoku says, shame on you Mr. Richard and Mrs Mayumi Heene!