You suggested that the US treasury is depleted, I beg to differ, my brother. To understand the funding of the war, you will have to understand debt financing. I will try to put it in a nutshell for you. Most western nations (including the US) raise money to carry out projects like the “two wars” and the $787 stimulus package. No country with sound economic policy will run through its cash reserve, but a smarter and wiser option is debt financing. That is, issuing (as in the case of the US) Treasure Bills, Bonds, and/or notes. The instructments are used to finance debt. The treasury debts are sold to nations with an agreement of future payment. The countries (issuer) sells the debt in exchange for USD. In Feb 2009, the US passed a $787 billion stimulus through debt financing; if this debt is for 30 years it would be worth about 3.4 trillion dollars at 5% interest rate. This include compound interest, and principal payment at the end of the term. If you have questions let me know OK, I hope I can explain this further…..

When I come to Liberia, I will be speaking on this as well, along with financial instruments including the complicated derivatives (the culprit of the recession not the war my friend)…..Again, you are invited if interested…OK.

Bnker

You mentioned the sactions, and no nation even western nations can survive or improve under such condition, good point. However, I would refer to to Cuba. They have been under sanctions for years, yet they were able to use their resources including human capital and improve. Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world at almost 100% and one of the world best medical facilities anywhere, better than the US…and this is a “island nations” that was under sanctions and still is somewhat. Besides their primary natural resource is “sugar cane”. So it’s possible that nations can survive unders these conditions.

Second, you mentioned the global crisis and the two wars as you put it,”US treasure has be depleted, monetary value declined, and the economy is in a free fall, with unemployment being as high as 10% as the result of the two wars as being the major contributor..” The US unemployment is not because of the war, its because of risky and irresponsible investment in mortgage back securities and financial instruments call derivatives. While the US dollar is sliding, the war was not the culprit, it is the mortgage meltdown again. It is true that monetary policies such as printing money and lowering interest rates were instituted to combat rising unemployment by stimulating lending which will lead to economic expansion, the US has not hit inflation (though the possibility exist in the not too distant future). But the economic decline is not because of US war….if this was so then China, Japan, German, Britian, emerging markets and less developed countries would not be hurting as well but they are….simply because of globalization….

I hope I provided some light…..

Btw, thanks for the brief history lesson on the 1997 election and your avowed support for CT. I don’t have a problem with your support at all. I think it is health for the process as long our (Liberians) individual difference are resolved through the ballot then we are fine. IF CT comes and you choose to vote for him fine….as I mentioned in an earlier thread the argument is not, who speaks or can rally, but who can deliver—numbers are out there to show and CT didn’t. Again, if you want to argue the sanctions, I suggest that you study Cuba and learn how they sustained themselves with sactions and even as the world price for sugar dropped and is still low–what policies were implemented to keep themselves still strong. NOTE: I AM NOT A COMMUNIST!

Bnker, I remembered in one of your recent posts, you told us that President Taylor is a forgotten chapter in Liberia history. You didn’t only stop there, but you went to say people are not talking or concerned about Taylor’s trial. On the other hand, you are telling us that President Taylor has supporters, especially among the youth in certain quarters in Liberia. I don’t know where you are getting your information from. But, one thing I know however, it is not based on facts. Besides, which one of your daily posts you want us to believe. bnker, you suggested about “CT” being a “dark chapter” because about 250,000.00 death, people lingering in refugee’s camp, and etc. Bnker, his NPFL was not the only one that allegedly killed, may people to linger in refugee’s camp, ect. We knew all of that and we still voted for him. Nevertheless, knowing what we know now, we will still vote for him. So you have not said anything new. On top of that, President Sirleaf participated in the same election President won in a knockout blow. She had about 12% of the total vote cast. Whereas, President Taylor had over 75% , while G. Henry Andrews, the election commissioner, said, they were still counting votes upon votes all in favor of Taylor and he decided to cut it off. I personally worked at voter registral in Little Bassa, Grand Bassa county in 1997. We registerd about 532 eligible voters in that center. Out of the 532, Taylor had 526 votes, the late Baccus Mathews had 1 vote, Ellen and the rest had no votes. We disqualified 5 votes based on voters over zealousness in voting for Mr. Taylor. They took their indelible finger prints and painting Mr. Taylor face instead of gently putting their thumb in the space provided for the candidates.

While I oppose his rule in Liberia, I am not in favor of the trial. I guess some find it difficult to reconcile; well, its possible. I think he and others need to face justice in Liberia. The prosecution is throwing everything and hoping something sticks. As the cross examination continues, we shall see what happens.

Greeting and thanks for commenting. I am not questioning Taylor ’s popularity in some quarters and within some demography, still it does not warrant an outright assumption that CT wins Ms. Sirleaf in 2011 (if allowed to contest). There is absolutely no fact to render such conclusion. I still think the chatter about CT is not as loud as it was two years ago or even a year ago….slowly the name Charles McArther “Ghankay” Taylor is coming a whisper. So you think Taylor is not a dark chapter in Liberian history? Let see, a combined death toll of 250,000 people, hundred of thousands of people lingering in refugee camps (many of which made little or no advancement academically), understanding the future value of economic toll unprecedented.

How can anyone say that Ellen lacks the ability to lead (it sounds like Brunskin—the candidate who compromised the future of Liberia by not endorsing anyone)….Gosh, I am baffled. Let’s see, Ellen’s administration was able to waive approximately 2.3 billion with a “B” off our debts, some of which CT accrued. She got Liberia somewhat on track on the MCC goals. Her administration developed our PRS. This administration has brought in over 2.3 billion of foreign direct investment. Further, lending rates at commercial banks declined from 18% (during CT administration) to 12.4%. Liberia prior to the global meltdown experienced a growth rate of 9%, while West Africa ’s was 5% (if you need references, I can provide you). Oh yea, I guess you find lights in may quarters too (did you observe that there are street lights as well)? I am not in no way insinuating that this administration does not have shortcoming—they do many of them too.

Ok, lets look at the development CT brought over his years…gosh, I find it difficult to recount…maybe you can help me here (provide proof also please). Well, Liberia can now boast of being a nest for mercenaries (Liberians, not withstanding the expat that were with the NDPL). Furthermore, a generation of young uneducated and ill-prepared people to compete in a global environment…do you understand these children (including you) are the future of tomorrow?

So the argument should never be who is a better speaker or who “open our eyes”….the question should rather be, would the success of any administration past, present and future provide political stability, economic growth and future prosperity for you and your children. We need to consider the greater good rather then allow our individualistic tendencies to overcome our national pride and progress.

In regards, to the bi-elections, UP not securing outright 50% majority does not necessarily mean it’s a referendum on Ellen presidency. Remember it was not Ellen, it was Urey running. These are two individuals with two different characteristics. So would you say that because CDC failed to secure an outright in 2005 means that Weah was disliked? You and I know that would be foolish assumption. Case in point, about a month ago, three states (in the USA ) held bi-elections and the Dems lost some key races. Some in the Republic Party said it was proof that Obama was losing favor, but survey and exit polling suggested that there were underlying factors and not the Obama factor as some suggested. So, I think it’s rather premature to suggest that Urey inability to get an outright means Ellen failed…Ellen is not running and there is no statistical data or polling showing such. Now if there is, please let me know where I may find it. And, I would rather not hear, our famous line in arguing, “my man, I telling you”, that does not cut the cake in debates.

I hope I helped out a bit there. On my visits to Liberia ; I think it rather rash to assume as you put it, “unlike you that just come and go in few days”. The nature, frequency, and length of my trips were not disclosed, so rather than conclude, I recommend that you ask questions. During each trip, I gather facts do surveys, gather data and study them. At the moment, I am working on a 50-75 page document on Liberia . Let keep in touch, before I come to Liberia in May I will give you my local # and invite you to one of my speaking engagements, OK.

Thanks for the post….Be blessed by brother!

I it sounds to me that they are reporting the news. It’s just not favorable as people would want it to be. I still say where is the proof that the prosecutor is paying of the newspaper. I simply asked for proof I’ve seen none. Until I can see that, anything said after this is not relevant.

Proof of the claim that the prosecutor is paying the new democrat is immaterial. These people are bent on destroying Taylor at all cost. They failed to acknowledge evidence that support Taylor which is unprofessional because the prosecution seeks that truth and the fact, regardless of the party that the information favors. Bringing evidence against the prosecutor will be of no use, so it is meaningless making the effort.

concernig the new democrat, you and I know that it an anti Taylor media. So there should be no pretense about that. Media outlets tend to have political alliance or lineage. For instance, FOX News for instance tend to carry pro-Republican news here in America. We know that Tom Kamara the chief editor of the new democrat is aligned with camps that oppose Taylor, be it Amos Sawyer of prior administration or Ellen, the current one.

I would be surprised if the new democrat carried a balanced report on this Taylor case. At least we have seen now that Britain, Canada and America supported the importation, through executive outcomes and sandline, of 35 tons of arms and ammunition, that incuded 2,500 pieces of AK47, into Sierra Leone admist a UN arms embargo on the country. Yet Taylor is being tried for the same activity that they engaged in.

Yes, Tejah Kabba mortgaged Sierra Leone diamond for arms and mercernary to reinstate him into power, admist a UN Arms embargo. Kabbah complicity is clear, yet he is not charged but Taylor is.

Well it is good that this trial came about. At least we know now so that if Taylor is

news paper should be reporting the news and not making the news, like in the case of the New Democrat news paper that is making the news, instead of reporting the news. This has nothing to being Taylor’s supporter.