Rumors of War in Maryland: Breakdown of Leadership? May 10, 2008 Two nights ago I was asleep when my phone rang. I picked it up. I said “Hello!” The person on the other line said nothing but was breathing very hard. So I got nervous. I kept saying, “Hello!” Then I stopped. Suddenly he settled down. And softly said, “There is fighting in Maryland between Rocktown and Warchekeh (my spelling). People are reported dead and others seriously wounded.” I paused momentarily. I realized he mentioned Rocktown. Then I said to myself, “I knew this was coming.” Because rumors of war had been in the area between Rocktown and Hoffman Station. But by mentioning Warchekeh, he threw me in “no man’s land”! How did Warchekeh come to fight Rocktown? Never have I heard of any misunderstanding between them.   Warchekeh is situated in the Pleebo/Sodokeh District. Rocktown is located in the Harper District. Research tells me, both peoples’ farmland intersect. I learned Superintendent Sie-Teba Neufville ordered the arrest and detention of the Paramount Chief and Commissioner along with 26 other citizens of Rocktown. A Bond was arranged and the Chief and Commissioner were set free. Suddenly, they were ordered rearrested and detained. Why? I have not found out the answer yet. My Concerns: Not a single member of the Legislative Caucus has condemned this violence. None has traveled to Maryland to show interest, ascertain the facts and show sensitivity. Both Districts in combat are represented by Hons. James Bannie and Bhofal Chambers. None of them has condemned the violence either. None has traveled to the area to help resolve the crisis. Evidently the Caucus has launched a campaign of silence in the face of death and pain. Its action is irresponsible, insensitive and inhumane. It is an affront to the basic principles of peace, justice and the enhancement of democracy. For an ounce of blood of any Marylander is the blood of all Marylanders. No one has the right to shed others’ blood! The Superintendent’s action worsened the situation when he arrested the leaders and citizens of one side of the conflict and let the others off the hook. It is unjust, unfair, illegal and detrimental to the wellbeing of the County. If two people fight, both have to be arrested. Only through final investigation can the guilty ones be detained. But to pick up few from one side and let the others off the hook makes mockery of justice. I ask, as superintendent of Maryland, can he be arrested for the violence of few Marylanders because he is the leader of the County? Or can Ellen be arrested for the violence of few Liberians because she is the leader of the Country? By arresting the leaders, Sie-Teba took away his bargaining chip and opportunity to negotiate or make peace. Only with the leaders can he negotiate and settle matters. He violated the Law and common sense by arresting leaders and citizens of one side of the violence. The Legislative Caucus’ silence shows lack of leadership. It is this attitude by the Caucus that polarized the County. It is responsible for the breakdown of peace and unity in the County. The Caucus has lost its leverage and authority in the County. Its authority to influence peace and unity in the County is undermined. Both the Caucus and Local government are a lost case. None can deliver our County from the impending doom. Therefore, something MUST be done by peace-loving Marylanders! Otherwise Maryland will sit in the bottom while other counties move forward in progress!   THAT’S OPINION! THAT'S HOW I FEEL! T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell ************************************ Rumors of War in Maryland: Conversation with Bhofal Chambers (May 13, 2008) Few days ago, Rocktown and Warcheukeh clashed in a machete fight resulting into the death of two and few more injured citizens. Currently, 46 citizens of Rocktown, including the Paramount Chief and Township Commissioner are arrested and detained to face court trial in a matter of days. Since the fighting, many events have unfolded. The Nyanbo (my spelling) Chiefdom, comprising of all Grebos of the Pleebo/Sodokeh District, convened an emergency meeting in Monrovia attended by Hon. Gloria Scott, junior senator of Maryland County. Representatives Bhofal Chambers and James Bannie of the Pleebo/Sodokeh and Harper Districts respectively, did not attend. The continued failure for these two representatives to attend all-important meeting center on the impending war, is baffling the minds of many Marylanders. Because both men represent the two Districts at war. And giving the fact that two citizens have been killed in this fight, one would expect these two Honorable gentlemen to value their citizens and constituents’ lives by taking serious steps in discouraging violence and impending war.   This dire situation prompted our impromptu discussion with Dr. Bhofal Chambers, representative of the Pleebo/Sodokeh District, at Innovative Technology Internet Café in Monrovia on Monday, May 12, 2008. Dr. Chambers walked in the Café to conduct computer work when we invited him to a Discussion. Mr. George Nubo (publisher and co-owner of The Perspective Online Magazine and proprietor of Innovative Technology Internet Café) and me sat with Dr. Chambers when he informed us that he was never invited to the meeting of the Nyanbo Chiefdom in Monrovia. And that’s why he did not attend. But he told us after that meeting, a delegation met with him at his Capitol Building office. We posed series of questions to him as to his failure to travel to Pleebo. But pressured and forcefully replied, “I’m in contact with the leaders of Pleebo via cell phone.”  Mr. Nubo and I asked him why he has not yet traveled to Maryland to ascertain facts on the ground, console the families of the dead and citizens of his District and as well help to resolve the crisis. He told us he was very busy. He then he revealed that people in Maryland (he didn’t say who) were planning to assassinate him/them. So until the crisis is resolved, he’s not traveling to Maryland. We followed up by asking Dr. Chambers who are those wanting to assassinate him/them. But he continuously refused to name names. We asked him who does he expect to resolve the crisis. He told us President Sirleaf dispatched a team to the County for that purpose. So the team will resolve the crisis. We tried to encourage him to go to Maryland. He became furious and adapted a nonchalance attitude. He said, “I will do what I want, not what others want.” He made another shocking revelation: He said one of the reasons behind the fighting is to distract the Caucus from auditing the local government. He said the people (he never called names) behind this “sinister” act are sowing seeds of “disunity” amongst the people to derail the auditing process. Even though it was our first time hearing of a pending audit, we tried not to accept his excuse when dead bodies and injured citizens are lying around in Maryland. So we asked him why he has not come out openly to condemn the violence on both sides. His answer was simple, “I’ll do so at a time of my own choosing.” We followed up by asking if it won’t be too late by the time he decides to condemn the violence. Dr. Chambers remained unmoved from his previous stance. “I’ll do so at a time of my own choosing. PERIOD!” he emphatically said. When asked, Dr. Chambers said he was not aware of reports the Nyanbo Chiefdom were demanding the arm of their falling citizen from Rocktown or else face a full-blown war. He also denied hearing Fishtown and Middletown are joining ranks to help defend Rocktown against any attack. The Discussion began to civilly heat up when it abruptly concluded. Dr. Chambers unceremoniously left the room and walked out.   aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa