NIGERIA'S UNENDING ASSASSINATIONS, HALLMARK OF A FAILED STATE!

In another futile attempt to silence the media and prevent the world from knowing the extent of their brigandage, the political establishment top-heavies in Nigeria, have assassinated the assistant political editor of Lagos-Nigeria based Guardian newspaper! Mr. Bayo Ohu, whose lifeless body is pictured here right, was killed by hired hit-men early hours of yesterday's morning, in his home at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb.

Reports reaching Icheoku.com said that the late Mr. Bayo Ohu allegedly was working on some story concerning certain politicians in Lagos state before he was brutally dispatched from this earth? What a country of killers Nigeria have become that will go to any extent to silence the good-men in order to keep their atrocities from seeing the day light? And this is the same country whose Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili was grinding axe with Sony Pictures because her country Nigeria, was in her own words, portrayed unkindly in the movie, "District 9"? Icheoku says, Madam Dora Akunyili should try and fix what is broken in Nigeria and she will see the same film-makers portray her country in a much better flattering light? It does not lie in the mouth to just proclaim the effort being made to fix the humpty-dumpty Nigeria; but Madam, should please show us the evidence on the ground that her message of re-branding is sinking in! It is indeed regrettable what is going on in Nigeria.

This is another killing too many, and Icheoku asks, when will Nigeria become safe again for decent human-beings to freely inhabit the territory without fear of a sudden violent death in the hands of paid marauders? The death of Mr. Bayo Ohu is regrettable and since Icheoku does not have confidence that his killers will ever be found, we can only ask God to please forgive him his sins and receive his soul in his paradise. To his grieving family, our sympathies; and to his colleagues at the Guardian, take heart.

His death once again, is a reminder to many observers of what Nigeria and Russia share together - killing off the fifth estate! The perils faced by journalists working in some nooks and crannies of this world? Bayo Ohu's death adds to the roaster of prominent journalists killed in Nigeria in circumstances suggestive of hired assassination to silence them and prevent a story from making it to the open or as a revenge for what had been previously written? We may recall that Dele Giwa, then Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, was killed through Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida's parcel bomb on October 19, 1986; Godwin Agbroko, the Editorial Board Chairman of ThisDay newspaper, was gunned down on Oshodi-Mile Two Expressway Lagos during Olusegun Obasanjo's regime on December 24, 2006; and Abayomi Ogundeji, another member of the Editorial Board of ThisDay newspaper was killed during the present Umaru Yar'Adua government on August 17, 2008. Icheoku asks, when will these madness ever stop?

DESPOTISM, THE CURSE OF AFRICA - by Emeka Umeagbalasi of Klinreports.com!

"It is alarmingly disturbing that when the Europe and the North Americans are busy, finding their way to the moon, Africans are busy heading back to the forest (cave)." Since the immortal statement above, was made by the late Julius Nyerere of the Republic of Tanzania in 1994, the greater number of South American and Southeast Asian States had joined the North American and the European States in the league of credible and stable democracies or the comity of civilized nations. A greater number of African States, in the contrary, have chosen to remain in the comity of dynastic or hegemonic democracies. The two-thirds of the Africa’s 53 States are still ruled by tyrants, despots or autocrats.

It is based on the above scenario, that we condemn, unreservedly, the recent emergence of Mr. Ali Ben Bongo in the last presidential “election” in the oil-rich Republic of Gabon. Mr. Ben Bongo is the groomed successor-son of the late President Omar Bongo, who died in office in June 2009, after spending 42 years in power. Mr. Ali Ben Bongo, a former foreign and defense minister, under his father’s reign, was controversially declared “winner” by the Gabonese electoral commission on Thursday, 03/09/09, after winning 42 percent of the total votes cast, not even up to fifty-percent? His father, Omar Bongo came to power, via a junta coup in 1967. He survived many coup attempts. And before his death in office, he had manipulated the Gabonese constitution so as to be allowed limitless stay in power.

On 1st day of September 2009, Colonel Murmmar al-Ghaddafi of Libya marked his 40th year in power. He came to power with his Islamic-Arabic Socialism and Nationalism in 1969. He had been linked to several horrendous killings around the world; including the 1989 Lockerbie Aircraft bombing that killed 259 passengers. Today, Colonel al-Ghaddafi is the chairman of the African Union and one of his sons, Mutassim al- Ghaddafi had been groomed to succeed him, in the evident of his demise.

Similar sad situations are found in Egypt, where President Hussein Mubarak had been in power since 1981 (28 years), after the death of President Anwal Saddat. President Mubarak had groomed his son, Gamal Mubarak as his successor. He had ruled Egypt with emergency powers since 1997. The leaders of Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea and Congo Republic (Azadine Ben Ali, Obiang Mbasago and Denis Sesseou Nguessou) have ruled their countries for up to, or nearly 30 years, having come to power between 1977 and 1979, President Jose Edwardo Dos Santos of Angola had been in power since 1978 (31 years).

Those who came to power in the 80s are: President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe,1980(29 years), President Paul Biya of Cameroon, 1982 (27 years), President Yuweri Museveni of Uganda, 1986 (23 years) and President Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan, 1989 (20 years). President Blaise Campore of Burkina Faso also came to power in 1987 (21 years). The 1990s Presidents are: Idris Derby, Chad (1990 or 19 years), Paul Kagame, Rwanda (1994 or 15 years), Isaias Afoweki, Eritrea (1993 or 16 years), Mr. Menes Zenewi of Ethiopia (1992 or 17 years) and Yahaya Jammeh, Gambia (1994 or 15 years). From-father-to-son dynastic rulership had been instituted in the Republics of Togo and Democratic Republic of Congo, while from-military (khaki) - to- civilian (agbada) rulership is in vogue in the Republics of Central African Republic and Mauritania.

In Niger Republic, President Mamadou Tanja, whose final term of office is expected to end by December 2009, had assumed emergency powers, and dissolved the constitutional court and the parliament, all in his bid to manipulate the Nigerien Constitution so as to stay in power in perpetuity. Nigeria’s case is not far from being the worst. Apart from the fact that the present regime of Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua is criminality-tolerant, electoral brigandage, political and economic banditry have been scientifically entrenched in Nigeria’s body polity. The WADATA House has become the Center for Research and Implementation of Armed Robbery, Bullion Van Robbery, Bank Robbery, Unsound/ Non-collateral Bank Loans and Science of Election Rigging.

In all, seventeen (17) African ruling despots have stayed in power for 431 years. Where some of them had died their sons, groomed to succeed them, have taken over through the artificial ballot legitimacy. A case in point is Mr. Ali Ben Bongo of Republic of Gabon. For lack of credible criteria or parameters, African Union has become worse than the proscribed Organization of African Unity, which died in 2001/2002.

Now, “when the EU, the OAS, the ASEAN, and even the CIS, are busy entrenching credible electoral, economic and political democracy in their body polity, African States, with few exceptions, are busy surrendering themselves to the shackles and manacles of rabid dictatorship, dynastic despotism and unprecedented white collar criminality”.

THE 47 DUMB AND DUMBER, PLUS 1 SMART, WHO WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR?

What a hot seat, Anambra State, Nigeria governorship seat, which every Dick, Tom and Harry in the state wants at all cost possible? But first, the incumbent governor of the state has to be unseated, but will Governor Pete Obi agree? A hopelessly, politically 'foolish' people, novitiates and ridiculously so unseasoned in the art of real politiking, the Igbos of Anambra State of South East Nigeria? Imagine 48 candidates applying for one governorship position?

48 candidates running for one governorship position and you wonder who is advising these pretenders to the office of the governor of Anambra State? Who are advising these people? Who are their David Axelrods? Who constitute their electoral exploratory committees? Who are their political consultants? Who conducted their polls and assured them they stand a chance of securing their party's governorship ticket for Anambra state? Icheoku fears that some Alhaji up north, has sold kites to these guys that he has the ears of President Umaru Yar'Adua and could make them governor of Anambra state; hence the bilking these guys their hard-earned money? Icheoku says, why can't these guys be more realistic of their chances at being "selected" the PDP governorship candidate and be more pragmatic in their mad quest to become the state's next mega-looter of the state's treasury? What happened to alliances and politicial blocs, wherein people with the least chances of becoming the candidate come together to support another more formidable candidate; and each in return agree on trade-offs and the concomittant horse-trades of appointments and contracts awarding? But not in Anambra State, Nigeria, where everyone thinks he is smarter than the guy next door and hence the melee of candidates. Now 48 of them from just one political party, the PDP are lining up, salivating greedily, to covet the job currently held by Governor Pete Obi?

Five people running for one office is a fair number, even ten; but forty-eight, that is both laughable and ludicrous! A total raving madness, that Icheoku suggests, they should all have their heads medically-examined for some schizophrenic disorders? Who says the Igbos of Nigeria have come of age or learnt anything on real politics or how to effectively politik? Regrettably, they have not and this is the principal reason why they are ususally short-changed in Nigeria. They have not learnt their lesson on how to be astute politicians? At 5 million Naira payment for the forms and another 250,000 Naira cost of declaration of intent, each of these "traders and contractors" of Ananmbra state would have so far enriched the coffers of PDP by 252million Naira? Money that could have been used ,ore wisely to better the lots of so many jobless Anambra State people; and who blames the youths when they go on kidnapping rampages, abducting these 'hooligans' for ransom?

A group of more politically savvy people, who know what they are doing, would have held pre-caucus meetings to determine among themsleves, best possible persons with the most chances, and streamline the candidancy around them? A reasonable plausible number would have been a preferred option, rather than all of these 48 wildebeests, being herded into throwing away their 5 million Naira in their mad-quest for governorship ticket? But no, every Tom, Dick and Harry in Anambra State sees himself/herself as the most qualified and suited for Governor Peter Obi's job; and hence 48 of these irrational human-beings are falling over the head of each other, in a mad fury, wishfully thinking to claim the coveted trophy in Anambra State? Icheoku condemns the excessively number of these candidates, as well as their naivette, for recklessly doling out 5 million Naira each to enrich the PDP; with no chances in hell to secure the governorship ticket? What happens to the time-tested calculated risk approach to issues, one may ask?

According to the reports, forty-eight candidates collected forms of expression of interest for nomination for the 2010 governorship election in Anambra State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); while thirty-two of them eventually made it to the next stage - the party's primaries slated for next month? Whether 48 or 32, Icheoku says, that is still too large a number of people coming from one state and for one governorship position. This is a litle insight on the number of people that will queue up in the event the Igbos are allowed to produce the president of Nigeria in 2016, maybe 1000 presidential candidates will join the race then for Aso Rock? As we recall, during the last chairmanship fight for the PDP, 28 Igbo people actively ran for the office. They could not settle on a consesus candidate, leading to the imposition of big nose Vincent Ogbulafor on the Igbo as their chairmanship candidate. So, Icheoku asks, when will the Igbo people become politically matured enough to learn certain fundamental lessons of productive politics?

Some of these wanna-be governor include Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Uchenna Emordi, Chuma Nwofor, Senator Annie Okonkwo, Senator Ikechukwu Obiora, Senator Emma Anosike, Dr Harry Oranezi, Chuma Nzeribe, Tony Nwoye, Udemezue Chukwura, Damian Okolo, Chief Kodili Okelekwe, Dr Alex Obigbolu, Professor Austin Ilochi Okafor, Ekwenze Solomon, Mbamalu Emma, Barrister Mike Nkwocha, Ugochukwu Sonny Jerry, Mrs Eucharia Azodo, Mrs Caroline Nwosu, Lady Chinyere Ogualili, Kenneth Odidika, Deacon Bernard Okeke, Mrs Chika Ibeneme, Princess Catherine Egwu, Engr E.O Efobi, Dr Emeka Eze, Dr Amachukwu Ezeike, Mrs Victoria Nwakwo, Mrs Ifeoma Love Ebe, Engr. Bethran Dim and Mrs Nkoli Imo, Chief Okey Muo-Aroh, Chief Basil Iwuoba, Chief Michael Okechukwu, Dim Ifeanyichukwu, Emoh Uchenna Pius, Nwandu Emeka Gibson, Valentine Ozigbo, Uba Ukechinyere, Obiagoli Obasi and Victor Osita? Who the brightest bulb in the chandelier is, is anybody's guess but who the henchmen of Nigeria politics has annointed is within the crevices of their warped minds which only next month's primaries will reveal. So until then, Anambra state people can only wait and pray in anticipation of who eventually gets the nod of approval and ritualistic-oath, before one deity or shrine, to fly the flag of the party at the election of February 2010.

But a party of direction would have, as suggested by Uche Emordi, "do everything possible to trim the number of candidates seeking the party’s ticket in the February 2010 gubernatorial election in the state." What a madness of ambition by these 48 Anambrarians? According to one observer, "Anambra State has indeed become one of the theatres for some of the most absurd political engagements in the annals the country." As rightly summarized by one observer, the 48 wanna-be governorship candidates of Anambra State are made up of two groups of people - "the contenders and the pretenders," and Icheoku couldn't agree any more!

With the latest disqualification of about 17 of the 48 applicants so far, how the PDP eventually settles on one candidate during their forthcoming primaries, is anybody's guess? But Icheoku says, what a people, the Anambra state people of Nigeria; a land where everybody is full of 'smarts' but with no real political intelligence? And it is not as if these human-beings are queuing up to do anything beneficial for the people of Anambra state; no, they are just getting ready to loot the treasury some more! With these 31 candidates now left to contest the primaries fixed for October, only God knows, how many of them will be kidnapped, maimed and/or even killed before that time; just to clear him off the way? Who also knows how many more millions of Naira will be washed down the drain in the process of votes buying, thug hiring, voodoo, bribery, settlements, hit-men hiring and all manners of political brigandage just to emerge the candidate? And after that, there is Governor Peter Obi to clear off the government house before the party begins its carnival of looting? But whatever happens, Icheoku is keeping a watchful eyes on the outcome of the Peoples (Un)Democratic Party's primaries in Anambra state, a state with too many people with "too much knowledge!"

PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER, MAY NOT BE WRONG?

Icheoku commends President Jimmy Earl Carter for standing up to be counted, at this hour of great need; a time of political intensive correctness in the country when such a wise voice goes a long way to suit frayed nerves. Every conscientious observer knows the fact is as clear as the daylight, that President Barack Obama is getting a toxic raw deal in the hands of racist right-wingers, sons of confederates, some of whom had earlier vowed and prayed that he fails!

While everybody is trying to play it safe, hiding under the time-tested safety net of "I don't want to bell the cat; " the brave God-fearing peanut farmer from Georgia, and former president, Jimmy Carter spoke up! Icheoku says, bravo Jimmy, we appreciates your bravery and candor.

Any grown up who have ever lived or worked in America will understand President Jimmy Carter's position very well. A country so engulfed in self effusiveness and sense of superiority that it does not matter your qualifications, - 'a black-man is always a black-man', inferior to his white counterpart and does not know what he is talking about? I write this with personal experience and assert the 'how dare you open your mouth' is always ever present in many workplaces throughout America, when and where they tolerate your presence? So it is not out of place for some of these 'tea-baggers' with their newly discovered leader Congressman Joe Wilson, to be questioning the qualifications of President Barack Obama to be their president; and it does not matter to them that he may be the brightest bulb in the chandelier of all past presidents and presidential candidates? In their warped thinking, once the president's skin-pigmentation is black, that automatically makes him "inferior" to them and hence disqualified to be their president? A plausible deduction for all these vitriolic opposition to anything Barack Obama?

So, Icheoku says, President Carter fully and completely articulated the raison d`ter for all these "real Americans" obtrusively and cantankerously hollering that President Barack Obama is going to destroy their America? Even when he astoundingly pulls in a big catch like the Somalian pirates, they still brand it perjuratively? President Carter is right about these hillbillies and Carter is a man who should know, being from the south, a bastion of racism? Any other contrary position such as came out of the White House today, is merely a politically correct statement to allow the continued joggling of the ball by the Barack Obama's presidency. Anyone who says race is not part of the 'force-majore' that fuels the present 'protests' is very economical with the truth and only the truth shall set America free!

In Carter's own very well articulated words, he said, "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man. Racism inclination still exists. And I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of the 'belief among many white people, ............ that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country.' Icheoku says, if one were to ask, upon what basis was this assumption founded, the answer will be certainly none whatsoever; leaving the conclusion that racism is the only cogent driving force to what is currently going on in America! A racism being pushed into the forefront by former slave owners' descendants, who surprisingly now have a black-man-president in "their" White House and is highly resentful of the audacity! Pitiful indeed that this is happening in 21st century American. However, unlike President Jimmy Carter, Icheoku however disagrees that it is "among many white people" otherwise, President Barack Obama would not have been elected in the first place - he garnered 42% of white votes; and we believe the drama being seen on television does not have anyone from that bloc of 42% Obama voters?

Icheoku equally appreciates the very difficult mine-field President Barack Obama has to walk daily, and understand his politically correct responses to the curve-ball questions being thrown at him repeatedly by the press! President Barack Obama is walking gingerly on a very fine-line, in order not to upset the apple cart of America: - an apprehensive white, a surprised blacks and other dumbfounded minorities; each of whom have special needs and are constantly gnawing at the president's limbs for attention. Therefore, we understand the president's tactical withdrawal from the racism dust-up, as a well-reasoned option and the most apposite response under his circumstances. It is a somewhat Catch-22; if he agrees with President Carter, then it will be a total upheaval as he will now be forcefully re-branded "a very angry black-man in our White House with his socialist agenda?" His position, President carter full understands and will not hold it against him. Possibly a telephone call went out to Carter before the disclaimer? So it is politically smart of the president to tell the world that he does not agree with what President Carter said and not being subjected to a lie-detector makes that line easier and simpler? But the same listening world also understand the racial shenanigans in America's under-belly! Icheoku says, if President Obama "does not think it is based on the color of his skin," then what?

Finally, Icheoku calls on all past and living Presidents George H. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to jointly address a news conference in support of President Jimmy Carter in calling on all Americans, especially the right wing element of the Rush Limbaugh led republican party, to please give President Barack Obama a break and pray he succeeds! According to a popular aphorism, "to the victor, his spoils" and these people should never forget that there was an election on November 4, 2008! Also these breed of Americans must not be allowed to disrupt by protest what they could not win by ballot! It is a new day, America!

KANYE WEST IS NOT A JACKASS, ANY APOLOGY?

Icheoku asks, will the president now apologise and invite both Kanye West and Taylor Swift to a "beer summit" at the White House to smooth out the seams of the MTV Video Music Awards incident? Or is the Cambridge policeman and Professor Gates' somehow special and different? After-all the Cambridge policeman "acted stupidly" by arresting Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr at his home and without any reasonable basis whatsoever, both in fact and in law?

Now that Kanye West acted off-script and earned the title of a "Jackass" from the president, Icheoku says, may be the president should give a 'shout-out' to Kanye; and express his regrets while assuring the artist that he did not mean to call him such a derogatory name! And to quickly mend fences, he should bring the two to a beer/wine fest at the White House lawn? Or must the president wait for NAACP or BET or the Hip-Hop association of America to raise hell or for his name to be dissed in a song, before a mea culpa?

As far as Icheoku is concerned, 'Jackass' is more derogatory than 'Acting Stupidly' and hence Kanye West deserves an apology for being so maligned. Kanye West is not a jackass by any definition; but a very successful enterprising hip-hop artist, who has done well by and for himself; and has also been very vocal in defense of the black race! His Katrina comment that President George W, Bush do not care about black people touched so many white nerves in America and is still reverberating in America! Kanye also helped campaign and in mobilising voters for the president's election; as well as participated in his January 20, 2009 inauguration balls? At least the president owes Kanye some 'minimal' respect?

Or is it possible that the president was pandering to the more vociferous white press and electorates when he apologised and invited the Cambridge white police officer and Professor Gates to a White House beer outing? It is our position that this time should not be any different and that Kanye deserves and should receive his due.

Icheoku therefore call on Kanye West and urge him to please call a press conference to denounce being branded a Jackass! A presidential apology might equally be very soothing to the damaged ego of KW! But for Kanye to keep silent and do nothing, amidst such a labelling, will only help fester the notion that he is a crazed-out dumb and dumber! We love our Kanye and our Kanye is not a JACKASS!

JOE WILSON, THE REBUKE OF A HILLBILLY!

With a 240-179 votes, the United States House of Representatives disassociated themselves from the thuggish outburst of Congressman Joe Wilson, republican from South Carolina! The way to go, Congressmen and women!

Icheoku says to the Congress, not only were you disrespected but your invited guest, President Barack Obama was himself frontally disrespected by the racist redneck hilly-billy from the Appalachians of South Carolina? Your action, reprimanding Joe Wilson is a good step in the right direction which will checkmate any such virulent unwarranted outburst in the future.

This cow Joe Wilson first elected in 2002, sat through former President George W. Bush six years in office without for once, raising an eyebrow to all that happened during that presidency; but only to jump up like a petulant ragamuffin, on an orchestrated and choreographed planned attempt to diminish Obama's presidency, to interrupt the president while he was addressing the United States congress? But he did not succeed as Americans and the world at large understood where he was coming from, judging from the peculiarities of American politics, especially those former slave-owners of the deep South!

How uncivilized and uncouth this fellow from the mountains of South Carolina is, that will publicly and in such a public place, meant for some serious businesses, mouth-off at the President of the United States of America? In Saddam Hussein's Iraq his tongue would have been cut off so that he will never use it again for such disrespectful outburst? In addition to our earlier expressed opinions on this matter, Icheoku reiterates that Joe Wilson also owes an unreserved apology to the American people for showing such disrespect to their president, their congress and inside their congress building? The people to take primary responsibility for this congressman's rudeness, are his people of South Carolina who sent him to Washington to represent them. Except they share the same thuggish characteristics as Joe Wilson and hence could not find anything troubling or wrong with his misbehavior, which greatly diminished the people of South Carolina, Icheoku calls on them to also reprimand Joe and make a disclaimer that his act is not theirs and they disassociate themselves from his intransigence! Imagine an Iraqi Shoe-Thrower from South Carolina? If they are not accomplice to Joe Wilson unwarranted disrespect to the highest office of the land, then let them recall him or admonish him or vote him out; but to ignore it and pretend it is no big deal or that it is warranted; will only solidify what is already known of the people from that region of the country; and that Joe's outburst was deliberately targeted at the president, because he is occupying "their" White House?

Icheoku says, what a loser this Joe Wilson is, who still could not accept what November 4, 2008 brought into being! Who really owns America? The Indians? The early settlers? The slaves? The later immigrants of which the president's father, belongs to? Who indeed owns this country that the likes of Joe "You Lie" Wilson is huffing and puffing about, pretending as if his dad was Christopher Columbus or one of the Indian high chiefs? Not this time, Joe! There is no more slaves to own; we are all in this together as co-equals!

Once again, Icheoku says Mr Joe Wilson is yet to take personal responsibility for his disrespectful action; he has not voluntarily apologised to President Barack Obama, the United States Congress or the American people for his outburst? "His republican party officials made him call the White House", period! So, until Joe 'The Thug' Wilson, realises the gravity of his mistake and is contrite and seeks personal forgiveness, Icheoku says, he should remain the pariah which his disdain for a 'black-man who happen to be the duly elected president of the United States of America', has turned him into. Icheoku declares Congressman Joe 'You Lie' Wilson a racist redneck hillbilly!

Icheoku congratulates the former President Jimmy Carter, for braving to call it for what it is - "Joe Wilson's heckle was based on racism"! According to President Carter, "there is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president". Icheoku says, to these racists rednecks so identified by President Carter, President Barack Obama is here to stay and will serve out his four year term in office and God willing, another four year second term. President Barack Obama was duly elected president of this country by an overwhelming majority of Americans of all races on November 4, 2008! However, for some palliative and if that may help your migraine, please be once informed that President Barack Obama does not have any slave blood running in his veins; biologically and technically, he is not an African-American so called, but an African-African or better still, a Kenyan-American! Regrettably, most of these hilly-billy cave dwellers are not educated enough and are incapable of nuancing issues; hence they paint everyone with the same broad-brush without distinguishing what is what? If only these scoundrels of the present time, would see the president for who he is - not their slave descendant, but a true son of a Kenyan who came here to study, may be their blood pressure would have automatically been lowered or come down?

But for the heck of argument, assuming President Barack Obama's health care reform would benefit undocumented immigrants, Icheoku ask, were the early pilgrims left without any help when they first arrived these shores without any Visas or authorisation from the Indians who 'owned' the land? Who documented the forebears of this Joe Wilson? Were they not themselves illegals and undocumented aliens when they first got here back in the days? Did they not forcefully breach the shores of the new world without first asking for permission from the Indians to be allowed to come in? And he is also an immigration attorney who 'gamed' the system for the benefit of immigrants, whose money, paid his fees and lined up his bank accounts?

So to the Joes of this world:- Joe the Plumber, Joe Six Pack, Joe the Iraqi Shoe-Thrower, and Joe Tea Baggers, is now added a newly minted 'Joe You Lie Wilson!' What a club of infamy to belong by a United States Congressman from South Carolina, Joe Wilson? Some of today's world most notorious persons, whose hatred for other human species make their blood so boil over, as to exhibit such animalistic behavior! A shameless, hateful bunch who thrive in racial divisions to fodder their nests and propagate and sustain their warped agenda? Shame on you 'Joe You Have Not Apologised Wilson'

GANI FAWEHINMI BURIED, SINGING 'DON'T CRY FOR ME NIGERIA'

As the last honest man standing and the only man who has no price tag in Nigeria, finally rendezvouses with mother-earth, Icheoku says on behalf of Ganiyu Oyese Fawehinmi, "don't cry for me, Nigeria!"

Nigeria had all the opportunity in the world to hearken to Gani's message of 'change-we-can-believe-in,' but chose to play possum-deaf? Nigeria maintained a conspiratory silence while Gani was being persecuted, tortured and nearly assassinated by the goons of Nigeria bankrupt-leaderships of Obasanjo, Buhari, Babangida, Abacha and Abubakar?

Like Jesus Christ said, when Gani was thirsty Nigeria did not give him something to drink? When he was hungry for change, Nigeria did not give him the food of change? When Gani was naked with the despondency of Nigeria, he was not clothed with good governance? When Gani was isolated and marked for elimination, Nigeria did not come to his aid or come screaming at lung-full in his defense? When Gani was in prison, Nigeria did not visit him? Nigeria remained aloof while his tormentors had a field day grinding him into 'another-compromised-Nigerian' but he was unyielding and remained steadfast in his conviction that there could be a better and improved Nigeria? Nigeria sold Gani short for a pot of porridge and looked the other way while the decrepitude Nigerian leadership had their respective ways with Gani, trying so desperately but in vain to break his resolve? When Gani was denied SAN-ship despite being the best there is in his legal profession, and having contributed more than anybody living and/or dead to the development of legal jurisprudence in Nigeria, Nigeria pretended it was no big deal? Really, and SAN-ship is the height of legal professionalism in Nigeria? When Gani screamed that the 'cup be taken away' Nigeria did not rush to his rescue? When Gani complained and sang about the asphyxiating and debilitating conditions in Nigeria, Nigeria did not join his chorus?

But belatedly now, Gani is dead and a country obsessed with morbidity, which readily praise-sing the dead than the living, is falling over each others' head to posthumously tell a now "deaf and dumb Gani" how he was the best Nigerian ever had? But does the dead hear such stupid pretended praise-singing? Hell nope! Imagine even Babangida and Obasanjo now queuing up to honor Gani in death which reminds Icheoku of the biblical query, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" How dare these two thieving evil-bastards commiserate with the passing of the great one, Gani; who, were he capable of doing so in death, would have rejected their so called shallow and contrived emotive eulogies?

Icheoku asks Nigerians, when Gani was alive what did they do to let him know that his efforts were appreciated? What did they do to let Gani know that they felt his pain at the despondency and hopelessness that is Nigeria? What did they do to let Gani know that he was not fighting in vain and that he had their support and goodwill? What did they do to convince Gani that he was not a "deranged lunatic" shouting himself hoarse on top of an isolated mountain somewhere in a desolate outback? What did Nigerians do to encourage him to push on and fight on to the light at the end of the tunnel? It is simply too late now, as the dead does not hear and Gani has gone, alone and lonely! It was very unfortunate that in a country of over 150 million people, Gani could not find even ten honest men and women to join his operation 'Fix Nigeria Project?' In his futile battle to make Nigeria a better place, Gani was alone and dejected, and left to be harangued by his enemies - the demented leaderships in Nigeria! Because of this nonchalance by Nigerians, Gani died an unhappy man; his efforts frustrated, without accomplishing his number one priority - his dream project to give Nigerians a good present and a better future?

Therefore on this day of our Lord September 15, 2009 as Chief Ganiyu Oyese Fawehinmi, SAN is buried in the ancient hallowed grounds of his ancestors in Ondo town, Ondo State of Nigeria, Icheoku says, Nigeria keep your sympathies to yourselves as Gani does not need them! Gani says to you, 'don't cry for me Nigeria!' According to his message from the distant land so far away, Gani said, "your silence and inaction were too conspiratory and facilitated my demise and for you to now pretend otherwise is the height of hypocritical treachery!"

What a hypocritical nation Nigeria is, that will one day, possibly very soon, queue up to tell the world how Olusegun Obasanjo was the best Nigerian that ever lived; and/or how Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida did not afterall kill Dele Giwa and that he was rather "Saint IBB?" Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's two most despicable human-beings, who severally, violently and viciously suppressed the message of Gani Fawehinmi; repeatedly tortured him in their futile attempt at silencing him and keeping him quiet forever. But now in Gani's death, both men have come forward to confess that Gani was right and they were wrong? That Gani was genuine and that they were fake? That Gani could not be compromised and they were both compromisable? That Gani was sincere and they were dishonest? That Gani was upright and they were crooks? That Gani was loved and they were hated and loathed? That Gani meant well for Nigeria and they were evil geniuses? That Gani loved Nigeria and they hated and still hate Nigeria? Two heartless beasts, who Gani had accused of all manners of brigandage, constitutional violations, corruption and gross incompetence? And the comparisons goes on without end? Icheoku says, if these two Nigerian soldiers of fortune, coup plotters and traducers of the Nigerian society, OBJ and IBB, were brave enough, this is the time for both of them to fall on their swords; and bow out of the scene as rejected men who have confessed to their misery. By acknowledging that Gani was all that they were not and cannot be, these duo have admitted that they were both skunks and the reason Nigeria is on its head today!

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor very well articulated our jive here when he said that "all those shedding crocodile tears over the demise of Chief Gani Fawehinmi actually preferred a dead Gani to a living one." Continuing, this man of On High posited, "if all these eulogies we read daily, were a true reflection of who Chief Fawehinmi was, why did these people let him go through all the hardships?" His summation, "their eulogies are not sincere?

Another sympathiser said, "Gani really died of frustration and not cancer;" - a condition induced by Nigerias who refused to be moved by their dire condition to join him change their course? According to Solona Olumese, "for the first time in independent Nigeria, a man is in death acknowledged as a true Nigerian, who was not soiled by religious bigotry or ethnicity or crude politics?" Icheoku says, that man's name was Gani Fawehinmi! Continuing, Olumese said, "As a lawyer, he wanted to see just laws; as a politician, he wanted to see social justice. As Nigeria rotted and grew increasingly more corrupt, Gani challenged governments and institutions (including his own professional body, the Nigeria Bar Association), legislation and public policy. As Nigeria continued to slide backwards, his anger and frustration showed, but his energies never flagged. He endured threats, intimidation, arrests, beatings and even attempts on his life, but his will never sagged. There was no cowardice in him, and no regrets;" except that Nigerians remained complacent and would not join his campaign for a better Nigeria, Icheoku adds. Olumese continues, "He refused to surrender, or to be compromised. Even some greedy lawyers who helped fertilise corruption in NIgeria by providing legal backbone to some of the nation’s worst and most profound bandits in power and who made Gani throw up (pewk) while alive, were falling over themselves in praise of a Gani dead?" Icheoku agrees with Olumese Solana that "it is worse to lie to Gani’s memory than to have tried to hurt and humiliate him while he was doing his patriotic duty."

In Abubakar Tsav's own words, "many people mourning Gani Fawehinmi are not sincere and honest. You can see clearly the level of ungodliness in some of those crying for Gani now that he is dead. Why must they wait for him die before they acknowledge and appreciate his worth? Even his constituency, which denied and delayed him the award of SAN are today pouring encomium on him. He floated a political party and stood for presidential election but nobody voted for him; yet they "loved" him? What type of people are we, Nigerians - a world of deceit and false pretense?" According to Tsav, Gani was a great man and Nigeria will not have another like him for a very long time, because unlike Gani Fawehinmi, most Nigerians are greedy, selfish, deceitful, unpatriotic and corrupt.

Icheoku joins these pundits in quering the sanctimonious outpouring of grief by Nigerians, especially those eulogising Gani as the best there was; and yet could not make a way for him or at least listen to his message of change? Like biblical John the Baptist, Gani Fawehinmi was in the desert of Nigeria shouting for change for several decades, but nobody heeded his call?Nigeria, a very pretencious and untruthful people, who like the Shakespearian plebians, will someday, be singing a dirge for "our own dear Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo - the best father of the nation?"

Once again, the good has been interred with his bones in Ondo and Nigeria is worst for it; because they let a golden opportunity slip away? Their inability to adopt a well-intended piece of humanity who would have changed their lot for the better, was very telling and regrettable! Therefore, on this occasion of Chief Gani Fawehinmi's final committal to mother earth, looking up at the flood of eulogies pouring in on his behalf, Icheoku believes that Gani would be singing to Nigerians, "don't cry for me Nigeria!" Icheoku says, so long Gani; may your spirit haunt those sub-human species holding Nigeria hostage! Sleep on fearsome one, and may you reincarnate to finish the work which you started. Rest in peace GOF. Adieu!

PATRICK SWAYZE, YIELDS TO CANCER!

In Nigeria, Gani Fawehinmi died of cancer and some people claimed Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida caused it? Really, what a nation of believers?

However, in more civilized societies like the United States of America, cancer is known as a growth which sometimes may be malignant or benign; and could occur in any body tissue with reproducing cells. Science disproves the notion that it is caused by human beings, including Babangida; but that could be triggered by some human habits such as smoking, like in the case with lung cancer?

Be the synopsis as it may, it is with heart filled with sympathy that Icheoku reports that actor Patrick Swayze lost his battle with pancreatic cancer today, September 14, 2009. Mr Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing" was 57 years old.

Icheoku says it is about time the hunky actor rested from the malignant cancer which has ravaged him these past twenty months; at least he will suffer no more! According to reports, Patrick Swayze died peacefully in Los Angeles California. Unfortunately however, Pat did not 'last until they find a cure' for cancer; as he had wished in an interview with ABC Barbara Walters? Swayze was survived by wife, Niemi. Icheoku says, sleep on Mr Swayze. Adieu!

VAN JONES, JUST ANOTHER ANGRY BLACK-MAN?

Attorney Van Jones is an angry black-man, so what? But which black-man is not angry in America, giving what these folks have gone through and are forced to endure daily; just because they have a darker shade of skin pigmentation? Icheoku says, any black-man in America who is not angry, is an exception rather than the norm; and literally does not deserve the black-blood flowing in his veins! Such a person might as well be an Uncle-Tom and Van Jones is not that type of an 'a-hole!'

Van Jones deserves to be mad as hell at a system that formerly enslaved his people, kept them down for so long, discriminated against them, gave them lower opportunities, deems them unemployable, raped their women, hung their men on tree-tops, confined them in inferior neighbourhoods, gave them lower credit lines at higher interest rates, gave them mortgages at rates far higher than their other counterparts in America, denied them educational opportunities through separate but equal segregated schools of yore and which continues till today in the form of private and public school systems, as well as in so many other discriminatory practices which had helped sustain and maintain the chasm between various racial divides in America. So why would Van Jones not be mad and angry at such a pretentious and subjugating society, one may ask?

The irony of it all, what we may call the joker of it, is that all those people fostering these discriminations are usually the first to complain about those "angry black-men;" and you ask yourself, which planet are these pretenders from? Are they telling us that there is no discrimination in America or that those black-men being discriminated against are not supposed to be angry at a system which does not give them a fair fighting chance? If fortunes were to miraculously shift today and they find themselves in the shoes of those 'angry' black-men, would their reaction be any different? Will they not themselves pick up arms in defence of their essence, being and manhood? To these people who beat a people and expect them not to cry, Icheoku says, take a good look at yourselves, your surrounding environment including your office and tell us how many people with different skin coloration work there with you? Tell us how many people with different skin pigmentation that you see each morning as you drop off your kids to school being dropped off in your children's schools? How many persons of color are your neighbors and/or friends? How many colored people are your lawyers, doctors, book-keepers, and/or even restaurateurs?

The problem with racial injustice and inequality in America is that it is being forced underground, more subterranean; it is becoming more and more underground as people are discouraged from discussing it for political correctness? Icheoku says, we need to talk about our differences more often, freely and frequently, in order to continue to breakdown barriers and walls of suspicion; towards understanding ourselves better and become more galvanised as a people. If Van Jones is mad and angry, he is not the only one; he is just one among millions of other black-men who feel heavily shortchanged by a society, which still see them first as 'niggers' irrespective of whether that nigger is a very special person or is a Yale or Harvard law graduate or even the president of the United States of America? So Icheoku says, Van Jones is not the only mad and angry black-man in America and should be left alone. He was not alone in speculating what could have gone awry with September 11, 2001 as many Americans wondered how the terrorists could have pulled such a feat without being detected? Even 700 Club Robertson once claimed that Israeli Sharon was struck by God because of his dalliance with Palestines? So why would Van Jones purported speculation be a crucifixion tool in the hands of bigoted racist Americans?

The Oakland California environmentalist-activist and President Barack Obama's former green-jobs advisor, who was helping chaperon America's transition to a green-tech economy; was forced out of his new dig because of brewing brouhaha of his "anti-white establishment" past? According to the narrative, Van Jones' former organisation, Color of Change, took on Fox Network's Glenn Beck after he branded the president a racist because of his "stupidly" comment about a Cambridge cop who arrested Professor Louis Henry Gates without any reasonable ground? Glenn Beck in fighting back, dug up Van Jones past activism including:- a 2005 profile after the Rodney King verdicts in the early 1990s, where Jones considered himself "a communist?"; his membership of a group that dreamed of an American multiracial socialist Utopian society called 'Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary Movement, or STORM.' There was also a video of Van Jones wherein he called Republicans "assholes" in a speech he gave earlier this year in Berkeley California? Also there was a 2004 petition which Van Jones had signed calling for an investigation into whether the Bush administration had allowed the 9/11 terrorist attacks to happen in order to sway public opinion for a war against Iraq?

So in a way, Van Jones' cup was literally 'filled' as far as those fanning the embers of racism in America are concerned; and President Barack Obama, who is heavily constrained juggling the white folks, his primary black constituency and other racial divides of America, and who does not ordinarily have the same leeway as any other average Joe white-boy in the White House would have, could not save him? Van Jones had to throw in the towel and scamper for the hills for his safety, from the vampires calling for his blood; and in order to spare the president further hounding as a "socialist angry black-man who has deep seated hatred of white people?" Van Jones who was tagged an evidence of the president's socialist inclinations; is the founder and executive director of Bay Area Police Watch, an organization committed to stopping police misconduct and protecting victims of abuse. Van Jones works directly with individuals who have suffered from police harassment, intimidation, and brutality.

But unbeknownst to these villains, what they say and/or do only increases the level of resentment against their ilks; and the forced exit of Van Jones from the White House office will only serve to the perpetuate the "they really do not care about us" thinking among the black-folks of America! Icheoku says, shamelessly though, these bigots are never seen asking why these American black-men are angry in the first place, which could have since helped solve the problem of their angriness! Rather they perpetuate and propagate the stereotypical hateful-anger which they deploy so effectively to keep and maintain their subjugating status-quo in place, with every black-man being seen as a pitch-fork devil who must be kept at his place in a far distance. Icheoku hopes that Van Jones episode coming shortly at the heels of the Professor Louis Henry Gates incident, both of which truly depict the state of racial tension in our society, will help move race relationships forward; and begin earnestly to heal the wounds of racism in a society which still sees a person primarily through the lens of color, the miracle of Obama's presidency notwithstanding!

PRESIDENT YAR'ADUA, SACK MICHAEL AONDOAKAA NOW!

A cat with nine lives, President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria! He has made a dramatic recovery and in the battle for his life, he appears to be gaining the upper hand? Looking at his most recent picture, it appears that the Nigeria President have turned the corner in his ailment. We are grateful that the president has been spared the hammer of death; and pray that such magnanimity of God/Allah will strengthen him, turn him loose and enable him to now govern; no longer worrying or exacerbated where his next emergency doctor will be flown in from?

Icheoku wishes that 'Mr Slowman' Yar'Adua can now speed up governance a little bit, starting with the removal of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Micheal Aondoakaa! He is the type of Attorney General no one would wish on his worst president; and Yar'Adua is not our most favorite president, being a corroborator in the charade of May 2007.

Michael Aondoakaa has not investigated how the former Attorney General Bola Ige was murdered by Olusegun Obasanjo? Mike Aondoakaa has shielded former governor of Delta State, James Ibori from prosecution. Mike Aondoakaa was instrumental in removing Nuhu Ribadu from the good work he was doing at the EFCC. Mike is known to be frustrating attempts by Farida's EFCC to seriously tackle the criminality of corruption in Nigeria. Mike frustrated the president's amnesty by disappearing when he was supposed to harmonize the process to effect the president's desire to resolve the conflict of the Niger Delta. Just few days ago, he claimed that three suspects wanted by the EFCC have been cleared by the same agency which later denied the report, claiming that they have not cleared the suspects? He talks too much for an Attorney General? He is also interested in the governorship of Benue State, with James Ibori's active support and sponsorship? Mike's activities at the Justice Department marks President Umaru Yar'Adua as not being serious with fighting corruption or that he compromises it otherwise why let such a blatant 'shielder' and protector of James Ibori be your chief law enforcement officer? He has made too many contradictory statements about law enforcements in Nigeria especially with clearing some suspects and resisting and frustrating EFCC from clearing the cesspool of corruption in Nigeria! All these should be a matter of great concern for the president, and being a well known source of embarrassment for the presidency, his immediate off-loading from the government is the best possible solution. That Micheal Kassie Aondoakaa is corrupt is deducible from the company he keeps, his friends and actions; such as trying so hard to frustrate the investigation by EFCC of known corrupt former government officials such as Governor James Ibori & co.

In short, Michael Kassie Aondoakaa is no longer a fit and proper person to continue to lead the Nigeria justice department and should be fired or forced to resign immediately. Any attempt to continue to keep him therein, in total disregard to Nigerians public opinion, will spell disaster for President Umaru Yar'Adua's future political aspirations and diminish him and Nigeria as a place where you pay to play and where corruption thrives unabashedly!

Peradventure, the president has recovered enough to summon the strength to call for Aondoakaa's immediate resignation and fire him if he does not do so. It is our candid opinion that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mike Kassie Aondoakaa is an epitome of what a chief law enforcement officer of a nation should not be and therefore should be let go! Such a political liability is just too much of a payload to carry into 2011 elections; and the world continues to view Nigeria as a pay to play nation where there is a price-tag for everybody? What an image! And what has Mike done or doing about it? Nothing of course! Icheoku therefore, heretofore call for the immediate sacking of Micheal Kassie Aondoakaa from the Justice Ministry that law enforcement in Nigeria may once again proceed smoothly, uninterrupted and uninhibited.

TAIWAN'S FORMER PRESIDENT CHEN SHUI-BIAN, IMPRISONED FOR LIFE!

Call it obsession if you like, but the only reason corruption have eaten so deep into the body-fabric of the Nigerian polity and still metastasizing, is Nigerians lack of determined deterrence! There is a lack of consequence for criminality which is the reason Olusegun Obasanjo is still walking the landscape of Nigeria, a free man!

In a civilized society where corruption is frowned at like Taiwan, Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo would have long been put away for life in prison for his atrocities in office. And were Nigeria to be Taiwan's mighty neighbour and big brother across the strait, Olusegun Obasanjo would have since been tied at a stake and shot to death for what he did wrong while in office. But no, he is a Nigerian and one of the henchmen-marauders therein; who are holding Nigeria hostage since Independence in 1960?

That his inept, highly corrupt and mischievous eight years in office is being celebrated as if it was just yet another eight years of picnic in the park and not being held to account is another example of Nigerians behaving badly and condoning looting by another section of the country! Icheoku says, until Nigeria starts getting tough with her corrupt officials just like the Taiwan example, the world can only look on and lament the appetite for corruption and the level of corruption bedevilling Nigeria; and then bemoan the lack of will to eradicate it, even to an acceptable barest minimum.

Icheoku asks, is there any lesson learned by Nigeria from what happened in Taipei with the life sentence handed over yesterday to a former president for his corrupt practices? Taiwan Ex-President Chen Shui-bian was sentenced alongside his wife, who would qualify were it in Nigeria, as the first lady! The learned court in Taiwan has figured out that first ladies are always welding too much powers in their husband's administration - the example of Turai Yar'Adua of Nigeria; and decided to similarly hold her accountable for the sins of office of her husband. Their children were not spared the rod by the courst either, as evidence abound of the excesses of such first children as then Segun Obasanjo?

In addition to his life imprisonment, the former President Chen Shui-bian was ordered to pay fine to the Taiwan state, the sum of $200 million Taiwanese-dollars as a restitution to the nation for corruption and money laundering he engaged in while serving in office as president. The court also yanked all his civil rights including right to stand for an election or vote for or be voted for! Far reaching and the Nigerian courts need to brace this stare decisis! There was also a standing threat to confiscate his assets in event he fails to pay his fines. Gladly enough his wife, the former first lady was equally yoked with her husband in his punishment, until death do them apart. Not even the former president's closest advisers were spared as they too received heavy sentences including his very close adviser Ma Yung-cheng, who received 20 years in prison and lost his civil rights for ten years. Another aide was sentenced to 16 years.

Icheoku says, kudos to the Taipei District Court, the prosecutors and the people of Taiwan for holding your former president accountable. The proposition now is 'if the former president could be made to account for his corruption, who else in Taiwan is above reproach? The answer is none, hence every other lesser Taiwanese mortal will strive to be upright; knowing fully well that he or she is such a small fly for the laws of Taiwan having seen the hand that was dealt their former president. The way to go Taiwan as no person should be allowed to be above the law of the land; - the example of the Untied States of America. But unlike Nigeria, where corruption has grown into an 800-pounds gorilla and still fattening! Icheoku is particularly happy with what went down at Taipei because of the example it showed, and pray the former president received a fair trial.

The Taiwanese verdict is very reflective of a country that is serious with fighting corruption and not Nigeria, which hamstrings its own anti-corruption agency, EFCC; and frustrates it from going after well known highly corrupt officials who are well connected? Also it shows that it is usually not only the president that is corrupt; but a retinue of hangers-on who disappear as soon as his curtain of power falls; and turn around to blame the president for all the ills of society as if he acted alone! Like Judas Iscariot, they always and easily betray the person who lost out in the power struggle and hurriedly form new alliances with the new man of power; which shames the word, loyalty.

Once again the Taipei court's sweeping decision, holding the president, his wife, children, friends and advisers accountable, shows a court well grounded in the realities of a president's life. No president acts alone or by himself in isolation, engages in corruption; no they are usually goaded, aided and assisted by numerous hangers-on and egomaniac family members, who try to cash in on their God-given access to the president, and bilk people seeking contracts and contacts in the government mercilessly. Icheoku salutes the courage of the Taiwanese judiciary for taking on such a political elephant and also the political establishment, for allowing the rule of the law to take its place! At this sage it does not matter if the planned appeal succeeds, as the Taiwanese state proves that the law is no respecter of person. The Taiwanese society is better off today with the judgment. Way to go Taiwan!

JOE WILSON'S APOLOGY, NOT CONTRITE ENOUGH!

Admitted the President and Commander-In-Chief of the United States of America, Barack Obama, has on behalf the presidency and the American people accepted the apology of Congressman Joe Wilson; Icheoku says the apology is not good enough and should have been rejected!

In rascally Joe Wilson's own words, "Republican leaders wanted me to contact the White House and state that my statements were inappropriate?" The necessary implication of his statement being that, "but for" the leadership of his Republican party, Joe Wilson would not have apologised for his inexplicable guffaw? Really? So this thuggish South Carolina Congressman has not yet realised what he did wrong and is still holding out that his uncouth behavior represents the best of South Carolina; and that it is ok to be disrespectful to the president and in such a public way? In essence, Joe Wilson is stating that if not for the prodding and instigation of his party officials, he would never have realised that what he did was wrong and called for an apology? Would he have adamantly stuck to his gun thereby further demeaning and damaging the people of South Carolina; portraying them as a very disrespectful people who sent one of their very own 'reflection' to Washington DC as their ambassador? Icheoku says, the orchestrated apology fell flat on its face as it showed no remorse, contrition and a reflection of the wrongfulness of his outburst; his obstinate position evidences one who still believes in the correctness of his wrongful disorderly outburst. So techincally, Joe Wilson did not apologise as he never would have nor wanted to, except for the pushing of the republican party officials? ON the apology, Joe Wilson was saying, it was not my act; they made me do it!

If the president is a liar, please Joe Wilson show Icheoku the evidence! House Bill on Health Care Reform HR 3200 Section 246 is clearly very instructive that 'no illegal aliens would be covered under the health care reform plan.' So Congressman Joe Wilson, we challenge you to prove your case by producing your evidence to the contrary; we are waiting for your rebuttal to affirm your deranged outburst. Even Sean Hannity of the Fox Network went out of his way to misrepresent what the president said just to malign the president's effort to fix what is broken. According to Sean 'Insanity', the president called Insurance executives 'bad people'; whereas what the president said on record is that 'their action does not make them bad people but they are only driven by profit of the marketplace ..' Lord God have mercy on these lunatics; imagine the extent these confederates will go just to try to 'diminish' the presidency just because 'THAT ONE' is occupying it, - 'their' White House? They are seeing red because some institutions they had set up over the years to rob millions of Americans their hard earned money and deny them benefits when the need arises, are being put under the surgical knife, by a brave president who wants to do right for and by the American people! And their cry of blue murder is becoming as thunderous as it is deafening; as we have never heard before. Another one of these lunatic fringed right-winger even carried a placard which read "Keep the government out of my Medicaid" and you wonder who is medicaid but the government and vice versa?

There is no American who does not agree that there should be reform of the health care industry except for these racist rednecks whose only duty's war-cry is bring 'him down at whatever cost!' Which American does not have a tale of woe in the hands of these insurance companies that would readily deny you coverage and even off-load you, once a debilitating illness sets in? As for a personal experience, I lost a close friend sometime around November 2007; his insurance dropped him because in their own subjective assessment, 'his life is not worth the estimated cost of $500,000 required to treat him?' My friend, just 43 years old, married and with two sons had religiously and regularly paid his $600 per month premium without fail. About ten years down the road of strictly adhering to his obligation to pay premium under a subsisting health insurance policy contract; one day he was not feeling too good and went to see his doctor. MDS (Leukaemia) was diagnosed, his insurance company was contacted to pony up for his treatment but they dropped the ball on him; they denied him coverage and ultimately dropped his coverage! The rest is now history as the young father of two died shortly afterwards; however after friends and family had rallied around to see him through a bone marrow transfer operation and subsequent chemotherapy and radiation courses. Whether the later intervention was too late or my friend would have lived had the insurance company shown cause and lived up to their obligation under the contract, Icheoku does not know; but suffice it to say the insurance company acted like a scam artist by reneging on a due obligation after accepting consideration thereto.

Once again, who is against Health Care Reform but the recalcitrant racist Republicans who by their constant action are portraying themselves as uncaring, unfeeling, racists-KKK operatives who would rather hold out against anything from the presidency just to protest "THAT ONE" who is "illegally" occupying their White House and who does not fit their image of a White House occupant? This is the single most fathomable reason why this 'thug' from South Carolina broke every rule of decent conduct and decorum of the Congress, and shouted on top of his lungs at the President of the United States of America; accusing him wrongly in the process! Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina thinks he is disrespecting President Barack Obama, but no, he is only diminishing himself while trying to belittle the presidency of the United States of America. But as far as he is concerned, the office and the president is one and the same thing; and attack he must to Barack Obama.

As a descendant of former slave owners, the Congressman was seeing before his eyes, "a boy" who can be shouted at, at will and expected to obey and answer 'Yes Sir!' It is all in his mindset of the 'good ole-boi,' the lord and master? It is in his head! Like his other cohorts, he is still in denial of the fact of November 4 2008 which was made official on January 20, 2009. However Icheoku has a proposition, if it is going to make these breed of humanity saner, we want to reiterate that Barack Obama has no slave blood in him; rather he is an African-African who was born in America! So instead of thinking that a slave descendant is their president, it could be psychologically safer and healthier for these people to see President Barack Obama as an African Kenyan and not a 'nigger-slave' descendant?

Now Congressman Joe Wilson, Icheoku asks you once again and with due respect, to formally own up responsibility for your unwarranted outburst, be contrite about it and apologise freely and formally to the President, the people of South Carolina that sent another confederate redneck to Washington DC and to the American people in general for embarrassing the office of their president! Anything short of this is unacceptable and we shall continue to hold you out on this fatal error of judgment, fuelled by a furry of racism running in your genetic gnome! To the people of South Carolina, Icheoku asks, when will you people start disavowing all these your politicians who are painting you in a bad light, not mindful that their actions and utterances reflect badly on you who they represent - or is it a case of birds of the same feather? Oh South Carolina are these politicians the best you can offer? Governor Mark Sanford? Congressman Joe Wilson? And we shall not forget the KKK Capo who had an affair with a slave-descendant while hammering away at African Americans; and who swore his biracial daughter to an oath of secrecy, compelled her to remain under the radar until his demise! We are reflecting on the late centurion, Senator Strum Thurman, also from South Carolina!

Possibly Congressman Joe Wilson's outburst was a case of a liar calling another person, who happen to be the president of the United States of America, a liar? According to Politifact.com, a nonpartisan site dedicated to fact-checking the claims of "candidates, elected officials, political parties, interest groups, pundits, talk show hosts, concluded "Obama wasn't lying when he said the health-care reforms he's proposing would not apply to illegal immigrants. In their own very summation, "Obama can make a pretty thorough case that reform doesn't apply to those here illegally. We don't find the public option argument enough to make the case that Obama 'lied.' We rate Wilson's statement False." Icheoku says, America, now you know who the real problem is, - racist republicans who would maintain and sustain their opposition to the president without any reasonable basis whatsoever, simply because of his skin pigmentation, period!