I DECLARE THAT YOU WILL NEVER BE DENIED VISA..HOLD YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORTS..(na wa)

Interesting stuff from here

‘I hope you all brought your International Passports as we announced last week. Everybody, raise your International Passports. Lift it high to the heavens.

I decree and declare that, in Jesus name, your passports will never be denied visa. Favour will accompany your passport wherever it gets to in Jesus name.

You have to be careful of the people you allow to touch your passport. Some of you allow people touch your passports anyhow, not knowing that those people want to draw you back in life. They don’t want you to have the opportunity to travel so that life can be good for you. So they rub fetish things on their hands and touch your passport and that is why you keep getting denied visa.

Now, raise your passport again. I cancel the effects of every negative contact your passport has made. I decree and declare that you will never be denied visa anywhere your passport reaches, in Jesus name.

I challenge you today, after this anointing service, go and apply for that visa. You and all your family. You won’t be denied.’

This is just a brief summary of the exact scenario I witnessed in a church recently.

Is it just me or is there something wrong with this scene? If we don’t think there’s something wrong with it, then maybe we are facing a bigger problem than I envisaged. This is the level of desperation that the Nigerian system has subjected its citizens to. A life where 6 months Visa has now become a prayer point. And when the Visa is obtained, the whole church dances as a show of thanksgiving for 5 minutes. It is not a good sight to behold. This is synonymous to misery. Where going to another man’s land has become the main essence of some people’s Christianity.

At this service, I could see the reactions of the congregation to these prayer points. The zeal was apparent on their faces, as they lifted their passports high. They kept shaking their head and prayed fervently to God to make the ‘impossible to become possible.’

In my own opinion, some people have decided to take advantage of the vulnerability of suffering Nigerians and used it to trivialize the Christian walk. We now conduct International Passport anointing services. The pastor here portrayed the situation like getting out of Nigeria is synonymous to living a better life. It was as if, once you get out of the country, your life will suddenly be better. There was no talk of job opportunities there, no talk of education, nothing. Just get out of Nigeria and you will immediately start walking on streets of gold.

They failed to mention that the reason why some Nigerians are being denied Visas is because they don’t fill their forms accurately. Some don’t have enough means to take care of themselves when they get to this ‘Promised Land’, some don’t even have where to stay when they get there. But we must all try their luck and apply, mustn’t we? Who knows, the anointing might work when they CES officer sees our passport, so he will refuse to check our application and automatically give us Visa to his country. And woe betide us if we are denied, oh well, the witches caused it.

Well, as it is the culture of the average Nigerian to blame someone, I must also look for someone or something to blame for this appalling scenario I witnessed. But who? Is it the government that doesn’t ensure that Nigeria is not a country in which every single citizen is dying to run out of? Is it the pastor that has decided to base his anointing on anointing passports, rather than people?

After all, he must make a living. Or is it the desperate citizens that have decided to turn a blind eye to the endless opportunities in this country, even though it seems like we are going down by the minute? Who exactly will my blame wand point to if I spin it? Well, I refuse to spin it for now. After all, the saying goes, it is the instrument of your need that God will use to draw you closer to him. And what is the need for most Nigerians now? Visa to the Promised Land.

By Atilola Moronfolu

CORNY PICK UP (TOASTING) LINES...that actually worked!!!

Ladies, these are some pick up lines, you have fallen for some or some of you fallen for none and still standing..Which would you fall for and guys which would you use if you had to ? or better yet, give us some of your pick up lines ever used, on a male for females, and on females for males....

1. The corny-but-cute hello:
“This guy who was so not my style came over to me and my friends and asked: ‘Do you happen to know how much a polar bear weighs?’ We said ‘no’ and kept walking, and then he said, ‘Well, it’s enough to break the ice. Hi, I’m Brian.’ We all cracked up and kept talking to him.” The nonsensical approach:
“This random guy came up to me at a party, looked me straight in the eyes and said, ‘Baby, you’re sexier than socks on a rooster.’ I had absolutely no idea what he meant, but I thought it was funny and I liked how unusual it was. It got us talking, trying to figure out what that line meant!”

2. The mom-approved intro:
“I was at a local bar one night, and this guy sat next to me and said, ‘Would it freak you out if I said that I’ve already told my mother about you?’ I said, ‘No, why?’ Then he told me that he’d actually stepped outside, called his mother and asked her how to approach me. I thought it was adorable that he was a mama’s boy.”
—

3. The “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” method:
“I fought tooth and nail with a guy over a parking space and won. When I came back out to my car, there was a note on it that said, ‘I like your style. Call me.’ It was very unexpected, and I loved the approach. See, it pays to be a lover and a fighter.”
—

4. The win-her-with-flattery strategy:
“This poker party I was at started to get very crowded. As a group of girls walked in, this guy came up behind me and said, ‘I think you’re going to be asked to leave soon. You’re so pretty, you’re putting all the other women to shame.’ I tend to be very shy, so his compliment really helped crack my shell.”
—

5. The line with artistic flair:
“I was shooting pool with friends, and some guys offered us a friendly challenge. Midway through the game, one of them looked at me and said, ‘Do you remember Crayola crayons? Well, they used to have this color called Blizzard Blue. It was my favorite color, and your eyes are actually Blizzard Blue.’ I thought it was so cute! He had me right there.”
—

6. The overly confident come-on:
“I was at an office party when a guest of a coworker introduced himself and said, ‘Blueberries or strawberries?’ Confused, I asked what he meant, and he replied, ‘I just want to know what kind of pancakes to make you in the morning.’ He said it with such a straight face that it was like a scene in a funny movie. I didn’t eat breakfast with him, but I did give him my number.”
—

7.Hey, if I kiss you, will I get slapped?” He did kiss the girl in question, but he didn’t suffer for it afterward.
Which would you like? Have a great day!

RAPE AND PAEDOPHILIA: Some tips to reduce this evil!!

*I read this elsewhere and thought to share.Its certainly not 100% foolproof but it sure helps*



1.Warn your girl/ child never to sit on anyone’s laps no matter the situation including uncles.

2.Avoid getting dressed in front of your child once he/she is 2years old. Learn to excuse yourself.

3.If you have to hire a house-help please kindly take them for HIV screening to determine their HIV status, properly interview them and make up your mind to treat them well. Remember that the more you ill-treat your helps, the more your child will be ill-treated by the helps when you are not in. Some househelps don’t have to beat the children so you may not find scars but the child’s food may be mixed with spit, urine or feces and that would make the child sickly.

4.Never allow any adult refer to your new born as ‘my wife’ or ‘my husband’

5.Never tempt your husband with your younger female family members

6.Avoid unnecessary familiarity and make sure you take care of your husband by yourself lest you lead him into temptation.

7.Whenever your child goes out to play with friends make sure you look for a way to find out what kind of play they played together because young people now sexually abuse themselves.

8.Never force your child to visit any adult he or she is not comfortable with and also be observant if your child becomes too fond of a particular adult.

9.Once a very lively child suddenly becomes withdrawn you might need to patiently ask a lot of questions from your child

10.If you don’t teach your children about sex the society will teach them the wrong values.

11.It is always advisable you go through any new material like cartoons you just bought for them before they start seeing it themselves.

12.Teach your 6 year olds how to wash their private parts properly and warn them never to allow anyone touches those areas and that includes you.

13.Blacklist some materials you think could threaten the sanity of your child (that includes music, movies and musicians) and let them understand the value of standing out of the crowd.

14.Once your child complains about a particular person, don’t keep quiet about it. Take up the case and show them you can defend theM

Do you think it helps?? Have any more tips to add?

TEN THINGS NEVER TO SAY IN BED

....as discovered in cyberville



1. “What did you eat for dinner?”

You know this is really just a nice way of saying “baby your breath stinks”, and trust us, he’ll know it too. Unless you want him to stop kissing you altogether, this is one thought you should keep to yourself.

2. "Is that it?"

Yet another ego-crushing blow you shouldn’t strike with during sex. If you care about him, you won’t go there. No man’s at the top of his game all the time - are you? Cut him some slack.

3. "Did you pay that bill?"

If you’re thinking about finances in the middle of sex, you’re definitely not enjoying yourself – no question. He will instantly feel that he’s failed you.

4. "Stop sweating on me!"

Nobody wants to sleep with a diva. If you want to get hot and heavy without getting hot and sweaty something’s wrong.

5. "It could be better!"

In the heat of the moment, a man will undoubtedly ask you at least once if you’re enjoying the experience. This is not the time to crush his ego. If you’re truly not satisfied, save your opinions for a conversation when you’re both wearing clothes okay?

6. "Hold on, let me get that!"

If the sex is great, you shouldn’t even realize the phone is ringing, never mind want to answer it. Think about it. How would you feel if he stopped to grab his phone? Exactly!

7. "Are you done yet?"

Translation: “I didn’t want to do this anyway, so can you hurry up and finish already.” This is what we like to call an instant mood killer.

8. “You used to be better at that.”

Again, no one is great in bed all the time. How would you feel if he said this to you? This will make your lover instantly insecure, which can create a problem that will carry over to the next time, and the time after that. Be kind!

9. “Oh [name that’s not his]!”

Never mind how obviously inappropriate this would be, if you can’t remember who you’re sleeping with, you shouldn’t be sleeping with anyone at all.

10. “Are you sure the kids are sleeping?”

No man, or woman for that matter, will want their blissful sex thoughts interrupted by thoughts of their kids. Check on this beforehand, and be sure the coast is clear.

Four-Year-Old Girl 'Genius' Joins Mensa

A four-year-old who can already add, subtract, draw figures, write in sentences and read advanced books has become one of the youngest members of Mensa.



Heidi Hankins sat an IQ test after nursery teachers said they were struggling to find activities to keep her challenged.
The average IQ score for an adult is 100 but the exceptional youngster achieved a staggering 159 points - just one mark shy of scientist Albert Einstein.

She beat number cruncher Carol Vorderman (154 points) and is only slightly behind Big Bang physicist Stephen Hawking (160 points).


Heidi's father Matthew, from Winchester, Hants, is hoping she can skip a year when she starts school to ensure she does not become bored.

The Southampton University lecturer, 47, said: "We always thought Heidi was bright because she was reading early. I was curious about her IQ and the results were off the scale.

"I got her the complete set of the Oxford Reading Tree books when she was two and she read through the whole set of 30 in about an hour. It's what you would expect a seven-year-old to do."


He said Heidi is a head taller than her classmates, and at 115cm (3ft 10in) more physically resembles an average six-year-old.

Dr Hankins added: "We don't push Heidi at all. She has taken up everything herself and teaches herself.Click to see more

I wish we all have children like this!

The real Madonna?

Madonna needs no introduction. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2008, she has sold over 63 million albums with 12 No. 1 hits. She’s recorded 11 studio albums with two additional live albums and three soundtracks.

Madonna is arguably one of the most accomplished female artists of all time, but not so much as a talented actress. She had parts in flicks like A League of Their Own and Evita.

Here she is without makeup.Looking nice!

HELP (3) Spiritual battle!

Hi

Following this and this story. Here is one more unedited and true story of suffering and faith that touches the heart.




I was born around 1968 and married my high school sweetheart at the age of 20. A day before the traditional marriage, somebody from my father's side of the family confronted me and said it would be over her dead body before I will have any children since I chose to marry before some of my elders who were still unmarried. I gave my life to Jesus that same year and started praying. I was unable to have children until this woman died after FIVE years of marriage.
On February 22nd, 1989, I fell into an Aquarium glass that almost killed me at Fola Agoro where I was working then as a sales representative, while I was in the hospital, a family member showed up in my dream and said I would not survive the attack. I prayed fervently and asked the Lord to take care of the situation. I survived. (The person died).
In 1992, ( I forgot the exact date), somebody threatened to kill me in my dream, when I woke up, I prayed that God should deliver me from this attack. I went later that day to Mosafejo Market in Oshodi and fell into a big Canal where you board Ketu busses. It took three strong men to drag me out of that pit. I survived again.
Two years after I joined my husband in the States, I had a terrible dream that I was being deported even though I had a "Green Card". On May 31st, 1997, three months after the dream, we visited Nigeria, and my husband left and ran away leaving me and our 3 years old son. God used my boss, Rev. Bosun Ayinde and his wife, Mrs. Peju Ayinde, of Akinola Cole Crescent, Ikeja, with the help of Immigration Officer Popoola and Custom Officer Nta to get me back to the United States after two and a half months of suffering and struggling.
On June 3rd, 2003, after two days of another terrible dream from these wicked people, my three children with their father, (my new husband) were involved in a terrible car accident. All hope were lost, but I cried to Almighty God who performed the greatest miracle of all! Everybody Survived!!! I continued praying and fasting.
On February 25, 2008, I saw in my vision, these wicked spirits told me that they will not rest until they destroy me. I responded that the Lord God whom I serve everyday will avenge and vindicate me as I never do anything do them, and that God will fight my battle for me. The next day, at 6:30am, there was a terrible storm in Atlanta that destroyed GA Dome and World Congress Center. Unfortunately my home was among those that were destroyed. To God be the glory, my three children and their father survived the disaster (I was at work). Halleluyah!!!
The Bible says many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord his God delivered him from them all.
My brethren, this is the reason I fight and seek the destruction of my enemies and I also extend these prayers to others who might be going through what I have been through.
I pray that the Lord who had delivered me from all these calamities will deliver you too in Jesus name. Amen.
-------------------------


As written by Taibatu O.O.

8 things Men (claim) they want Women to know!!

What is a man really thinking. For just about forever, women have tried to interpret the male species. While, in theory, every man is different, research has found a number of surprising parallels. From his fear of commitment to his fondness for cuddling, certain emotions cause many men to freeze up rather than open up.
Here are some of the top secrets your guy may be keeping from you:

1. Saying "I love you" is complicated.

Those “three little words” could be the most complex in the English language. While some men prematurely pull the trigger on the "L word" (a recent study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that guys tend to say “I love you” first, often driven by the idea that their partner will be more likely to have sex with them) — other guys just aren’t that good at getting the words out. Instead, they show their love through their actions. How can you know for sure? Those actions may be a truer indicator of his feelings than any passion-fueled colloquy, says Irina Firstein, LCSW, a relationship counselor who has advised couples in New York City for more than 20 years.

2. Commitment really does scare me.


Men often have a harder time picking up on subtle relationship cues — and because of this, your man may not be aware of the point in which your bond has moved to a higher expectation of commitment. In fact, some guys get anxious about becoming attached, even if they seem to enjoy the relationship. "Men often 'rubber band,' withdraw, or pull back if they feel like the relationship has moved beyond

beyond their comfort zone," Firstein notes. This new territory can take a man by surprise — even if you felt like he was forging ahead at the same pace you were.

3. I get performance jitters.

Do men think about sex a lot? Sure they do, but their fears of sexual inadequacy may be just as frequent. If a man has ever had an unsuccessful go at sex (and most of them have! — flopped romps can be triggered by common missteps such as drinking too much), his stress in the bedroom can stockpile — which can eventually lead to sexual dysfunction. Many men will even avoid sex rather than talk honestly about their fears with their partner, and this can harm both the sexual health and the emotional health of a relationship.

4. I'm not crazy about monogamy.

Some men stay mum about the extent of their sexual desires. "Freedom, and particularly sexual freedom, and variety are typically more important to men than to women,” says Firstein. “Many married men feel that they love their wives and, at the same time, have no problems cheating." This difference between men and women can be one of the most damaging to a couple because of the sense of betrayal it can create (even if he never actually strays).

5. I wants you to initiate sex sometimes.

You may think sexual desire is hard-wired in men, but with every attempt at turning you on comes a threat of rejection — even in the most established relationships. That’s why it’s such a turn-on when a woman makes the moves, allowing him to skip the risk altogether. And it’s not just sex he wants: One recent study from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University actually found that cuddling and caressing in a relationship are more important to men than women.

6. I'm depressed.

Depression has no gender bias: It can strike anyone, including the most macho of men. However, studies show that men who are depressed are less likely to open up about their sadness or lack of energy than women. Instead, they are more likely to avoid sex, say they’re overtired, or drink more. "Some men are uncomfortable about feeling sad, and their sadness or depression may come out as anger," warns Firstein. Depression is one of the most dangerous secrets a man can keep, so if you think a male in your life could be depressed, it’s important to let him know that you’re concerned.

7. I'm afraid of my own feelings.

Many men just don't handle their feelings, such as doubt, very well, and tend to have a hard time opening up. "Because many men are problem solvers and are uncomfortable talking about feelings, there are a number of intense feelings that don't get expressed with words, but rather acted out," notes Firstein. The good news? Men aren’t Neanderthals. The emotions are there; they just need to be uncovered. And if ‘fessing up about his feelings remains a stumbling block, he may need to seek relationship advice from a professional.

Another BIG secret men keep?

Men need (and want) intimacy just as much as women do. Mutual respect, trust, support, and communication — these relationship musts are just as important for a man's emotional and sexual health as they are for a woman's. When both partners are able to open up and let their relationship develop at its own pace, that love will be nurtured by positivity — rather than stunted by secrets.

Source: (BlackDoctor.org) 7 Things Men Hide From Women

A reply sent to a pretty girl seeking a rich husband.. OUCH!

A young and pretty lady posted this on a popular forum:

Title: What should I do to marry a rich guy?

I'm going to be honest of what I'm going to say here.

I'm 25 this year. I'm very pretty, have style and good taste. I wish to marry a guy with $500k annual salary or above.

You might say that I'm greedy, but an annual salary of $1M is considered only as middle class in New York.

My requirement is not high. Is there anyone in this forum who has an income of $500k annual salary? Are you all married?

I wanted to ask: what should I do to marry rich persons like you?

Among those I've dated, the richest is $250k annual income, and it seems that this is my upper limit. If someone is going to move into high cost residential area on the west of New York City Garden(?), $250k annual income is not enough.

I'm here humbly to ask a few questions:
1) Where do most rich bachelors hang out? (Please list down the names and addresses of bars, restaurant, gym)
2) Which age group should I target?
3) Why most wives of the riches are only average-looking? I've met a few girls who don't have looks and are not interesting, but they are able to marry rich guys.

4) How do you decide who can be your wife, and who can only be your girlfriend? (my target now is to get married)

Ms. Pretty

A philosophical reply from CEO of J.P. Morgan:

Dear Ms. Pretty,
I have read your post with great interest. Guess there are lots of girls out there who have similar questions like yours. Please allow me to analyse your situation as a professional investor.

My annual income is more than $500k, which meets your requirement, so I hope everyone believes that I'm not wasting time here.

From the standpoint of a business person, it is a bad decision to marry you. The answer is very simple, so let me explain.

Put the details aside, what you're trying to do is an exchange of "beauty" and "money" : Person A provides beauty, and Person B pays for it, fair and square.

However, there's a deadly problem here, your beauty will fade, but my money will not be gone without any good reason. The fact is, my income might increase from year to year, but you can't be prettier year after year.

Hence from the viewpoint of economics, I am an appreciation asset, and you are a depreciation asset. It's not just normal depreciation, but exponential depreciation. If that is your only asset, your value will be much worse 10 years later.

By the terms we use in Wall Street, every trading has a position, dating with you is also a "trading position".
If the trade value dropped we will sell it and it is not a good idea to keep it for long term - same goes with the marriage that you wanted. It might be cruel to say this, but in order to make a wiser decision any assets with great depreciation value will be sold or "leased".

Anyone with over $500k annual income is not a fool; we would only date you, but will not marry you. I would advice that you forget looking for any clues to marry a rich guy. And by the way, you could make yourself to become a rich person with $500k annual income.This has better chance than finding a rich fool.

Hope this reply helps.
signed,
J.P. Morgan CEO

Dang!

The Head of a female robbery gang defends alleged actions: "I was tortured and nearly raped ...fallen victim to many wicked men"

Nneka Orji, the head of a female robbery gang arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lagos has confessed that she and her girls derived joy from torturing their male victims because they were once victims of robbery attacks perpetrated by guys.

Speaking on their mode of operation, the lady who hails from Otolo Nnewi, Anambra State, said: “I had been a victim of the crime for which we were arrested. I was tortured and nearly raped. But for the leg kick I gave to one of the criminals who attempted to rape me after the gang had duped me of my life savings, I would have been raped.

“If I mention the amount, you would not believe me. I have fallen victim to many wicked men. Some who said they wanted to marry me later became gold diggers and abandoned me after milking me dry. These wicked acts made me to hate men, especially the criminally-minded ones.

"I am not an armed robber because we did not operate with gun. Ours was more of brain works. We obtained by false pretence, otherwise called 419," 27-year-old Nneka said.

“However, God gave me a reliable fiancé. His name is Mr. Okey Holland from Nnewi. He travelled to Holand on a business trip and we hope to do our traditional marriage and a society wedding the moment he returns from Holland.

“For now, I reside with my uncle, one Mr. Ikechukwu Ndu of No. 14, College Road, Ogba. He knows that I am into 419 business.

“I was arrested for armed robbery when we did not rob with arms. In fact, what we did was not armed robbery. It was a common 419 deal. Why it looked like armed robbery was that our victim, a lady, jumped out of our operational vehicle, shouting ole! ole!! (robber! robber!!), which attracted an irate mob and the police at Alausa (Lagos). We were arrested and handed over to SARS.

“The officer in charge of SARS, SP Abba Kyari, even instructed the investigating police officer, Coporal Ediga Augustine, not to put us in confirmed armed robbery cell until he had finished the investigation. Our business is to defraud people. We are not armed robbers.”

Asked what role he played in the gang, she said: “My role is very clear. I played the role of a catcher. I speak the word to the victim and if it catches him or her, others will start working on him or her.

“For instance, if a victim enters our cab, my role is to open up a discussion by speaking the word, like telling him or her that we had dollars in the vehicle or that a foreigner or an Alhaji wanted his dog to sleep with me but I ended stealing plenty of dollars from him before I escaped. I would tell the passenger that the problem was how to change it or where to take it to.

“If the passenger is foolish and expressed interest, we would start working on him or her. But if he or she did not show interest, we would drop him. I was also a victim before I joined them.”

Asked how they were able to torture men without guns, she said they used to push stubborn men out of their vehicle while in motion, making them to sustain serious injuries.

“At times, we would pull their manhood with our hands until they felt serious pains and made forced promise to the gang not to involve the police,” she added.

According to an insider in SARS office in Lagos, Nneka and her four other accomplices will be charged to court soon for robbery. But Nneka is begging them not to do so, she's insisting that they are "common criminals" and should be treated and tried as such.

Sex Tip: In Praise of an Old-School Sex Act from Melissa Gira Grant

Please enjoy this well written, HANDy article, enjoy!

In the universe of sex maneuvers, there are exotic entries (“ice cream stand,” anyone?) and more low-rent tricks. The oft-overlooked hand job is definitely the latter. But I’ve always found something sincere about them; the hand job is endearing, partly because it’s so selfless and partly because it has such adolescent beginnings (in the parking lot after the tenth-grade formal, obviously). It would be a real shame to treat it as beginners-only just because of those early experiments.


So why has it been downgraded to mere foreplay? I think it’s because, as we’ve grown out of all that pubescent enthusiasm, we’ve started to think, Eh, why bother? He can do that himself. But hand sex is real sex, and sometimes it’s the perfect way to get frisky on the quick. For instance: Hand jobs are great in the shower, where they’re really not that far from “Let me wash that for you.” If you’re feeling daring, they’re well accommodated under a coat in the quiet car of a train (where I’m fairly sure they’re not explicitly banned). And a “good morning!” hand job shows a partner you care. My point: There’s almost always a good reason for a hand job. Here, a few friendly guidelines.

How to give a good one
First, dispel the notion that your hand is a substitute lady part. It’s a unique tool all its own. While the muscles in your vagina can certainly squeeze and hug, the hand has range (and fingers!). Also, you already have the skills you need: You’ve opened jars, you’ve shaken cocktails, you know your way around a Wii. The rest is just personalizing your technique and letting your hand be awesome at what hands are awesome at. Tease, stroke, rub—pressure counts. Be in control a little. If you want to see how you’re doing, make not-scary eye contact. (Think, Oh, hello there, isn’t this a fantastic hand job?—not Hey, what next? Need some help down here!)

How to get a good one
Yes, hand jobs are for women too! But a word of caution: Some pioneering gents discover the clitoris and think that’s that. “Hey, look,” they say to the other men, “if we beeline for this one spot, all our sexing will be complete!” That’s wonderful but terribly limited. You have a lot more real estate, so you may need to give him a tour. And if you plan to focus on the hand job portion of your evening, consider using some lube (water-based, if condoms are going to get involved later). Of course, hand jobs can go both ways at once. How to get started? Pull him against a wall and put his hand between your legs while you go for him too.


Melissa Gira Grant is the coeditor of Coming and Crying, a collection of true stories about sex

Source

No one asked their names.... The 17 murdered...

Source Al Jazeera and LA Times
Two U.S officials stated that an Army staff sergeant who allegedly gunned down civilians in southern Afghanistan this month will be charged Friday with 17 counts of murder.




Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, 38, was on his fourth combat deployment when the killings occurred. He is also likely to be charged with six counts of attempted murder and assault, one of the officials said.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the charges had not been made public.

Many details of the attack, one of the worst civilian casualty incidents in the decade-old war, have not been disclosed.

In the days following the rogue US soldier’s shooting spree in Kandahar, most of the media, focused on the “backlash” and how it might further strain the relations with the U.S.

Many mainstream media outlets channelled a significant amount of energy into uncovering the slightest detail about the accused soldier We even know where his wife wanted to go for vacation, or what she said on her personal blog.

But the victims became a footnote, an anonymous footnote. Just the number 17. No one bothered to ask their ages, their hobbies, their aspirations. Worst of all, no one bothered to ask their names.

In honoring their memory, I write their names below, and the little we know about them: that nine of them were children, three were women.

The dead:
Mohamed Dawood son of Abdullah
Khudaydad son of Mohamed Juma
Nazar Mohamed
Payendo
Robeena
Shatarina daughter of Sultan Mohamed
Zahra daughter of Abdul Hamid
Nazia daughter of Dost Mohamed
Masooma daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Farida daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Palwasha daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Nabia daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Esmatullah daughter of Mohamed Wazir
Faizullah son of Mohamed Wazir
Essa Mohamed son of Mohamed Hussain
Akhtar Mohamed son of Murrad Ali

The wounded:
Haji Mohamed Naim son of Haji Sakhawat
Mohamed Sediq son of Mohamed Naim
Parween
Rafiullah
Zardana
Zulheja

They did not deserve to die, this is yet another example of this horrific and disgusting war. We sometimes need to make a little effort to recognize the plight of the victims who are caught up in the violence. It's all well and good to keep cheering on soldiers, but there have been many acts of barbarism and cruelty committed by both sides. Please do not turn a blind eye to this kind of tragedy. These victims and their families also deserve our respect and condolences,
May their souls rest in peace.

I hope one day we will also shame the perpretators of the seemingly endless acts of terror in Northern Nigeria AS WELL AS name the victims of the vicious Boko Haram sect!

I INVITE GOV ALIYU TO SHUT UP-lifted from Mallam El Rufai's facebook wall

This is a long but interesting read. I wonder how far we can go as a nation if we cant accept the truth and generate ideas to improve our economy and by extension our lot!

Enjoy

Wole Soyinka did me a great favour recently. To put it in the language
of today's online communities, he did a little trolling. He provoked the
thoughtful sections of the Northern political and media establishment -
and establishment spokespersons they are though they may not be aware of
it nor pleased by it - to speak their minds. Some of these turned out
calmly rational as seen in Mahmud Jega's or predictable as seen in
Mohammed Haruna's or very suitably unfounded as exemplified by Sam
Nda-Isaiah's. Some others offered very ugly words like those written
with a quill pen by Adamu Adamu or the dismissive put-down as was the
one tweeted by Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim.

In an essay published in Newsweek and a series of interviews granted the
media, Soyinka essentially charged that Boko Haram is plainly an
instrument in the hands of those Northerners no longer in power looking
for a way to reclaim it. He did not found any real supports for his
claim which is what made Nda-Isaiah's equally unsupported response a
like-for-like match. But he sprinkled a lot of the usual saw dust that
gets into the eyes of Muslim Northern Nigerians like Ibrahim; a certain
contempt for their religion, and an equally dismissive attitude to what
he makes of their culture. No reader of Soyinka's recent comments could
fail to get the impression that these are really people whom he does not
like at all. His words very deliberately underscore the common
perception of Northerners as unproductive.

Each time that matter has been raised Mohammed Haruna has written a
column. It is always the same old same old: the North, through its
agricultural produce, contributes more to the country's GDP. He is
right. But he will soon be wrong. In Lagos throughout the 70s, all the
rice consumed in our household came from Baro and all the groundnut oil
from Bida, both places in Haruna's Nupe Kingdom in Niger State. Today
our oil comes from Singapore and our rice from Thailand. Tomorrow our
rice will most likely come from Ikorodu in Lagos State because right now
as Governor Babangida Aliyu, the gasbag of Niger State, heckles for a
larger slice of the Federal dole, Governor Tunde Fashola in Lagos, bless
the man, is hard at work toward self sufficiency in rice production.

It is said that those who are always talking have no time to listen.
Just the other day, Governor Aliyu declared that he knows the sponsors
of Boko Haram. In other words, he claims to know those who have
sponsored widespread murder and terror. How can we take him seriously,
or not consider him complicit, when he has irresponsibly failed to say
who they are? I invite Governor Aliyu to shut up. If he does so, he
should be able to listen and think. He has complained that what his
State gets is largely spent on salaries. Tough luck. How about a plan
for paying salaries from revenues and taxes derived from a once again
vibrant Bida economy? How about self sufficiency in groundnut oil
production? Does he ever go to Bida where - as I saw last year -
abandoned oil mills are all over the place? No. Governor Aliyu is always
on the Minna-Abuja road, a route defiled by no less than fifty fat
billboards which speak to his megalomania as opposed to the so-called
Chief Servant they crudely announce. Where is Chief Aliyu's plan for oil
and rice exports out of Baro, a port on the now partially dredged River
Niger once productively linked to the hinterland by a busy railway line?

It happened just two months ago so no one has forgotten but additional
money from the partial removal of the fuel subsidy has now come to Niger
State. Why won't Governor Aliyu release a transparent plan to show the
poor people in Agaie, Zungeru and Awuru and the elite in Minna whom he
says he serves exactly how it will be utilised, what new jobs it will
create, what better teachers it will employ? The same applies to the
other governors. Why haven't they come up with their subsidy
reinvestment programmes similar to what the Federal Government has now
clearly made a commitment?

When I saw in Finance Minister Okonjo-Iweala's SURE programme a
commitment to spending 60 per cent of the funds earmarked for
investments in Information Technology "in the relatively disadvantaged"
North, I contacted two Northerners in the field and urged them to study
the document with a view to seeing what they could do to get our people
to make the most of that opportunity. The depressing response of one of
them who is employed by a leading international firm is highly
instructive. This is what he had to say:

"I'm disenchanted. Why so? I am expected to sell technology to
Northern States (among others) yet they are the most uninterested
customers. Yes young tech businesses are there. Without the primary
patronage of their own governments, how can they show their mettle
and make others turn to them? I wonder if you saw what the Urban
Shelter guy said about how Fashola helped to approve and exceed
their request for land in Lagos, without having to meet them;
because he wanted to support a Northern owned/based company wanting
to do business in Lagos.

"Sadly it seems to me that Northern Tech would be best served
growing their business outside Arewa."

Remember the latter half of that last sentence. In a recent discussion
with a highly successful Northern businessman engaged in industry and
agriculture in a couple of States in the east and west ends of Southern
Nigeria I got to understand exactly why he is located there:
indifference, disinterest and obstacles every time he has approached a
government in the North despite his good brand. Haruna will soon be
wrong.

Is it any surprise that poverty is the wages of that Northern attitude?
Is it any surprise that other Nigerians like Soyinka have become very
impatient with the North and its self-inflicted woes, the depth and
ugliness of which has now resulted in an endless chain of massacres and
daily disruptions to people's lives?

Adamu Adamu mocks Soyinka's Yoruba pronunciation of a Kanuri word. He
has forgotten that it is the sighted that lead the blind, and hasn't
noticed how the Yoruba are taking control of his own Hausa such that a
Hausa word suya, which means deep frying can go into Yoruba, assume a
different meaning and make an entry back into Hausa with the corrupted
meaning adopted. He hasn't fired up Google Maps and seen the Yoruba
imprint in it, in the way that Hausa street names have been spelt. He
has forgotten the globacom ads and the biannual greeting Barka de
Sallah. Has he compared the Yoruba wikipedia with the Hausa, Kanuri or
Nupe versions? Unlikely, because he hasn't realised that as Muslim
Northerners have neglected Western education, those who have embraced it
the most are the ones defining the age in which we live.

Shouldn't anyone looking at recent State-by-State breakdowns of School
Cert and JAMB results wonder whether it really makes any sense for the
child who has consistently come bottom of Class 1 to be promoted to
Class 2A rather than be made to repeat it or put in Class 2B or Z where
he can move at the pace of his equals? Isn't that what the argument for
a restructuring or a dissolution of Nigeria into more manageable parts
about? The awful truth is that Muslim Northern Nigeria has held
Nigeria's progress back or put another way Nigeria has inhibited the
progress of Muslim Northern Nigeria.

Yes. Re-read it. I said it. Go and think about it. Compel Governor Aliyu
to think too, and act.

by Shehu Dikko
shehuspen+paper@gmail.com

OH SUGAR, HOT DANG!

Meet Karrine!

Karrine Steffans (born August 24, 1978 is an American author, most notably of the Vixen series of books. She has worked as an actress and as a hip hop model, having appeared in more than 20 music videos, many by multiplatinum-selling rap artists. She has also written vividly about herescapades. Here is an excerpt.

JUELZ SANTANA: How was it? It was good. He's really wild in bed, and don�t let the 'No homo' stuff fool you, because he is definitely not a homo in bed. His d*ck is like a baseball bat, but it�s thick too like a overgrown German sausage. He likes to pull hair a lot, and he actually likes it better when a girl rides.

50 CENT: What's your story? 50 cent and I have had our share of sexual encounters. We kick it every time he comes to L.A.. His d*ck is not as big as I assumed it would be. It was probably about 7 1/2 inches. But it's not a big disappointment because he can eat pus*y like no other.

How did you meet? I know a few studio owners, so when he was out here recording with Game, I went in to meet them. It jumped off from there.

Does he have a fetish? Yes, 50 loves ti**ies and a*s. I happen to have them both so I guess that's why he immediately came on to me.

He came on to you? Actually he did, I wanted him either way, so if I had to come on to him, or he did, I was still going to get him.

YOUNG BUCK: Was Young Buck good in bed? He was the best I ever had. His d*ck was like the Energizer Bunny. It kept going and going. The sex lasted for hours at a time. It was the best I ever had and it got better each time.

Was this a ongoing relationship? It wasn�t a relationship really, it was more of a sex thing. It lasted about 5 months.

When did you meet Young Buck? I met him through one of my friends. She was dating one of his cousins or someone related to him. She introduced me at a party and he took me back to his hotel after that.

Was he famous when you met him? Not really, he was known through G-Unit but this was before his CD came out. Any other celebrities you would give a try? Yeah. There�s a few, but I doubt any of them would be better.

USHER: Were you in a relationship with Usher, or was it just for the sex? I wouldn't dream of being in a relationship with him. YUCK. It was just for sex, but the sex was NOT all that good either. I kinda felt sorryfor him. So I fu**ed him.

Were you disappointed? Um yeah. Because it was after a concert when we �fu**ed� and it was smelling like straight up FISH up in backstage in his dressing room. It was NOT me either. So I'm like babes? What's that smell. He tried to make it seem like it already smelled like that when they got to the arena. I'm like whatever, can we get this over with.

How was the sex? It was fu**ing horrible and on top of that it was smelling back there. This man is not packing, his d*ck is way small and he was having a hard time trying to find my hole. Then ol� boy did something out of this world, he yelled out something Haitian. I was sick to my stomach. I got dressed and ran out of there.

Are there any celebs you�d want to sleep with? Yes! Just not Usher. I�d fu** Lil Jon before I have sex with Usher again. I really would want to have sex with that guy Tyson Beckford, now he is packing, I seen some movies.

List of Rappers

Mystikal - long Trick Daddy - long and full of energy Twista - medium Will Smith - long Xzibit - long but comes to quick Kool G Rap - Long but cant f**k Talib Kweli - medium Redman - hung like a banana Black Thought - medium Russel Simmons - small Khujo from Goodie Mob - very long Ja Rule - Long and full of energy Jay-Z - Real thick and juicy but you cant stand looking at him when he�s on top OutKast - Both big but Big Boi is bigger and fatter Dre�s is long and slim Pete Rock - big Puff Daddy - medium Rakim - Long Mobb Deep - havoc is big but Prodigy is small M.O.P. - Long pipes but Danze has a smelly body odor Nas - small Nelly - medium Scarface - medium Snoop Dogg - too long Ol� Dirty Bastard - may his big d**k rest in peace Clipse - They�re both long but they cant f**k and Pusha T�s breath stinks Common - Long but too skinny Da Brat - can eat a p**sy. Mos Def - long but his breath stinks Timbaland - long and fat but can't f**k and comes to quick Too $hort - long and thick but talks to much s*it in bed Q Tip - long but skinny. He has an a**hole personality Mase - Long but he has an a**hole personality too Master P - nice and long and can f**k Method Man - Long but comes to quick Missy Elliott - pu**y has a bad odor 50 Cent - medium/long Big Punisher - The same size of a can of air freshener Busta Rhymes - Big and long bit cant f**k. Just because you are left sore he thinks he did something. Canibus - real long Noreaga - Long but he cant f**k Lil Wayne - nice and long Kanye West - Big but he cant f**k KRS-One - small LL Cool J - Nice and fat The LOX - All of them are big except for styles. styles is very tiny. And J Hood is abnormaly fat Ludacris - Just perfect. Long and fat DMX - Long and can fuck forever Fabolous - big d**k but comes to fast Fat Joe - small at first but when erect he�s impressive. Wyclef - Long but his breath stinks Ghostface Killah - Long but he comes to quick

While readers are trying to recover from that shock, she goes on to write this

Sometimes, in relationships, the pleasure is all theirs. Alone, I am a superhero. With you, I am a mere mortal. You deplete me. I’m tired of being your upgrade. We are not equally yoked. You really deserve someone more basic. I’m tired of pretending your mediocracy is okay with me. I’m tired of pretending I don’t miss G650′s. I’m tied of pretending you’re not a burden.I’m tired of pretending I don’t deserve a f-cking BOSS! I’m tired of you driving my car. Stop telling me you love me as if you’re doing me some sort of favor. I don’t need you to love me. I love me. I’m tired of pretending like you shouldn’t be intimidated by the other men in my life. Cuz you should. I’m tired of pretending as if I support your bullshit dreams. I’m tired of pretending your d-ck isn’t the smallest d-ck I’ve ever seen in my life. Cuz it is. I’m tired of pretending your favorite rapper didn’t just beat it up on Friday. I’m tired of paying for everything.

I’m tired of you taking all this sh-t for granted as if you ever deserved any of it. Give me my Mac back. For real tho. I’m tired of washing your wack ass clothes. I hate your whole face. I’m tired of acting like the sex is good.I hate when you roll all the way over onto my side of the bed to hold me. I’m over here for a reason. Did I mention I’m tired of paying for everything? Okay.I’m tired of giving you the game.I’m tired of pretending you’re anything more than a bum. I should’ve just hired you as a cook and kept it moving. I’m tired of congratulating you for accomplishing minuscule sh-t. I’m tired of you begging

I’m tired of moaning when I can’t feel anything!I’m tired of having to think about someone else to get off. I’m tired of having to lock my phone when you’re around.I’m tired of taking showers with you. Can I get a moment! Damn! Yes. He’s better than you. Next question. All night. ‘Til 6 in the morning. Next question.Yes. And I didn’t have to pay for none of it. Next question. Presidential suite. Next question. About 10 inches. Next question.69. Next question. Like a boss. Next question. Balls deep. Next question. I’m tired of having to pretend you’re not the 3rd worst decision I’ve ever made.

You should really be with that one chick who bagged our groceries this weekend. That’s more your speed.

Source

Why do people go to this kind of length to get attention?

HELP 6 (HUSBAND CRIES: SHE WAS RAPED RIGHT IN MY PRESENCE, NOW I CAN'T TOUCH HER!)

By my thinking any one of us can be silently going through terrible ordeals in our lives thinking we are alone, and believing there is no solution, no way out, well there is a way out! All you need to do is speak out or write anonymously, someone somewhere will respond to you. You are never alone, certainly not in blogsville. So I was browsing blogsville when I came across some stories. They claim to be true life stories and the writers actually need our advice, love or just a silent prayer. I couldnt resist but bring some of them to them to my blog so readers who have gone though a similar experience can play agony aunt and give them solutions. Or you can even give them some tough love as well. They will be published from time to time in a series titled 'HELP', this is the sixth part.....You can findHelp 1 Help 2 Help 3 Help 4  Help 5  just by a click
So I came across this sad story...:(

I am a man in my late 30s, a father of two boys, I got Married five years ago and I loved my wife dearly.

We met when we were in school, I knew she would be my wife the first day I met with her, so I did not ask her to date me, rather I asked her to be my wife. She did not hesitate accepting my proposal because she told me she felt the same way about me that very first day.

All our friends envied us when we fulfilled our promise to each other by getting married. Some of our friends actually confessed that they felt the day would never come and we might not get married. But to the glory of God, our day of joy was a glorious one.

Our almost similar background might have been responsible for our determination to make things work, especially our marriage and the home we intended building together.

I am a product of a broken home. My sister and I were raised by my mother and I know what she went through. Her situation made me to promise myself to work hard so that I can take care of my immediate family and also take good care of my mother.

My wife was raised by her mother, but not because her parents were separated or divorced; her father died when she was still a baby. Although she tried to go into another relationship, which did not work so she decided to train her child alone.

Probably the need for a complete family was our drive; we tried all our best to make our home what we wanted.

Things were going as we planned until a fateful day about 18 months ago when my cousin who lives in the United Kingdom came to Nigeria and stayed with us. On this day, my cousin travelled to our home town to see his mother. We finished dinner late and after making sure that our boys were fast asleep, we retired into our bedroom. The television set in our room was on, that was the reason why we did not hear the armed robbers until the door of our room was banged.

To say I was shocked would be putting it mildly because we were not expecting anybody at that time of the day and if my cousin was going to come back, he wouldn’t have come into the house at that hour of the night. The door was not locked, so they gained entrance into the room without hassles.

When we discovered who they were and their number, I asked my wife to lie low and decided not to struggle with them because they were fully armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.

They asked me to produce my cousin who just returned from the UK and I made them realise that he wasn’t around. To confirm my claim, two of the robbers stayed with my wife in the room, while four of them took me round the house.

When they discovered that my cousin was not at home, they relocated our children from their room to ours. They carted away all the money we had, some electronics and all our handsets. As they were about leaving, the alleged head of the gang said he wanted to have sex with my wife. I begged him, and my wife did too. When I made move to save her, the other members of the gang beat me.

He asked them to stop beating me and said my punishment would be more severe. They made me watch as he raped my wife in the presence of my kids and two other members of the gang.

The dastardly act lasted for a few minutes, but it was the worst minutes of my life.

Dear Friends, I cannot get this scene out of my mind, even up till now. Since then, I have not been able to sleep with my wife and this fact is already generating problems in my home.

After the incident which we are yet to discuss with any other person, my wife saw the doctor; she took series of tests, HIV test inclusive. She was certified negative. But I really cannot have sex with her again. I have come to realise that this is killing her, but I just cannot. I have tried several times but I cannot hold an erection.

Please, help me. Like I stated above, I don’t want to lose my home and family. I know I need help, but I don’t know where to seek it from.

Terrible story! Please advice...

"THE SHIT LIST" I found this Interesting Read: What say you?

This picture just depicts my feelings that things are always quite different for women!!! Enjoy the piece though

By Jill on 2.13.2012

So a commenter in the Chris Brown thread just pointed out that Janet Jackson was apparently banned from the Grammys a few years ago because of her nip slip at the Super Bowl. Two which my response is twofold: (1) What the holy fuck; and (2) Aren’t you SO GLAD that the term “nip slip” has left the general lexicon? Me too.

But really, Grammys? An extra half-inch of titty is “HELLO NO!” but a dude beats the shit out of his girlfriend and the Grammys are the victim?

Anyway, Chris Brown is the worst, but the worst thing about people who are the worst? There are so many other people who are also the worst that I didn’t even know about. And as soon as you write about someone who is The Worst, someone else is like, “Well what about X person who is equally terrible or maybe even WORSE? Why aren’t you writing about them?” To which I say, well, it was the Grammys and Chris Brown was right there on stage and so therefore it was timely, but there’s no reason to exclude mention of other Worsts. Some of them we’ve covered. Like Charlie Sheen. And Mel Gibson. And Roman Polanski. And Woody Allen.

But damn there are worsts I didn’t even know where worsts until today. Like Michael Fassbener? I don’t even really know who he is, but fuck him. And apparently I’m the only person on earth who didn’t know about this Sean Penn business, maybe because I was like four when it happened, or maybe because the entertainment industry just sweeps these things under the rug and looks the other way. And I’m sure there are so many other people who are equally The Worst. So let’s make a list, yeah?

Would love to read your thoughts! oh and Happy st Valentines day, I mean the true meaning of St Valentines day


Bisuous

Mena

Whitney Houston Dies at 48 ( 1963-2012 )

There are very few talented musicians on this earth. One of my personal favourite departed yesterday. I still cant believe it. Her voice was a force to reckon with! Wiki describes it better -->

Her voice was was a mezzo-soprano .Her vocal range extended from G below middle C (G3) to high B-flat (B♭5); she could belt out to treble F (F5). She came in third on MTV's 22 Greatest Voices,and sixth on Online Magazine COVE's list of the 100 Best Pop Vocalists with a score of 48.5/50.In 2008, Rolling Stone listed Houston as the thirty-fourth of the 100 greatest singers of all time, stating, "Her voice is a mammoth, coruscating cry: Few vocalists could get away with opening a song with 45 unaccompanied seconds of singing, but Houston's powerhouse version of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" is a tour de force." Mariah Carey stated, "Whitney has a really rich, strong mid-belt that very few people have. She sounds really good, really strong." While in her review of I Look to You, music critic Ann Powers of Los Angeles Times writes, "[Houston's voice] stands like monuments upon the landscape of 20th century pop, defining the architecture of their times, sheltering the dreams of millions and inspiring the climbing careers of countless imitators," adding "When she was at her best, nothing could match her huge, clean, cool mezzo-soprano."

Houston's vocal stylings have had a significant impact on the music industry. She has been called the "Queen of Pop" for her influence during the 1990s, commercially rivaling Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. Stephen Holden from The New York Times, in his review of Houston's Radio City Music Hall concert on July 20, 1993, praised her attitude as a singer highly, writing "Whitney Houston is one of the few contemporary pop stars of whom it might be said: the voice suffices. While almost every performer whose albums sell in the millions calls upon an entertainer's bag of tricks, from telling jokes to dancing to circus pyrotechnics, Ms. Houston would rather just stand there and sing."
He added the comments on her singing style: "Her [Houston's] stylistic trademarks―shivery melismas that ripple up in the middle of a song, twirling embellishments at the ends of phrases that suggest an almost breathless exhilaration―infuse her interpretations with flashes of musical and emotional lightning."
Elysa Gardner of Los Angeles Times in her review for The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack praised highly for Houston's vocal ability, commenting, "She is first and foremost a pop diva―at that, the best one we have. No other female pop star―not Mariah Carey, not Celine Dion, not Barbra Streisand―quite rivals Houston in her exquisite vocal fluidity and purity of tone, and her ability to infuse a lyric with mesmerizing melodrama." Houston has been commonly referred to as "The Voice," in reference to her exceptional vocal talent.

More about Whitney Houston's death: Medics performed CPR for about 20 minutes
February 11, 2012 | 6:32 pm Beverly Hills paramedics found singer Whitney Houston unresponsive at a room at the Beverly Hilton hotel and declared her dead after performing CPR on her for about 20 minutes, officials said.

The Beverly Hills Fire Department said they were called to the hotel around 3:30 p.m. and she was pronounced dead around 4 p.m.

Her cause of death was unknown.

Whitney Houston, Houston, 48, was in the Los Angeles area for a musical tribute for music executive Clive Davis and had performed earlier this week.

Houston was planning to attend Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party Saturday at the Beverly Hilton hotel.

Earlier this week, the 79-year-old Davis perused page after page of guest lists in a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where he conducts business when he’s in the Los Angeles area. Among those Houston was expected to rub elbows with: Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Akon, Cee Lo Green, Miley Cyrus, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Jennifer Hudson, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello and Diana Krall.

“It’s a great time where everybody can set down their swords, so to speak,” Davis said, seated on an overstuffed divan next to a coffee table cluttered with papers, CDs and videos. “I was grateful that, inviting them to my home, that they would feel comfortable and just keep coming back, and they've kept coming back every year to where it's expanded to be this incredible haven for musicians.”

Houston had drug and alcohol problems for years, and in May her spokeswoman said she was going back to rehab.

Publicist Kristen Foster told the Associated Press on Saturday that Houston had died but did not provide further details.

Houston was kown for such hits as “How Will I Know,” “Saving All My Love for You” and “I Will Always Love You.” She also starred in movies such as “The Bodyguard.”

I will always love and miss her..May her soul RIP

Mena

Aaaaaaaand on a lighter note.....'he had it coming'!??

I choose to start February on a lighter note. Tis one of the months to be jolly eh?. I wont pretend that people are going through challenges one way or the other, but one thing I can say is after the rain and thunder and lighting the sun always comes up.

In addition I think while focusing on ways out of our challenges and in adversity, we should NEVER loose our sense of humour.

Here are some jokes I saw online.....

On their wedding night, the young bride approached her new husband and asked for $20.00 for their first lovemaking encounter. In his highly aroused state, her husband
readily agreed. This scenario was repeated each time they made love, for more than 30 years, with him thinking that it was a cute way for her to afford new clothes and
other things that she might need.
Arriving home around noon one day, she was surprised to find her husband in a very drunken state. During the next few minutes, he explained that his employer was going through a process of corporate downsizing, and he had
been let go. It was unlikely that, at the age of 59, he'd be able to find
another job. Calmly, his wife handed him a bank book which showed more than thirty years of steady deposits and interest totaling nearly $1 million. Then she showed him certificates of deposits issued by the bank which were
worth over $2 million. She explained that she had 'charged' him for sex, and these were the results of her savings and investments. The husband was so astounded he could barely speak. Finally he found his voice and blurted out, 'If I'd had any idea what you were doing, I would
have had sex only with you.' That's when she shot him.

OUCH!



Jonathan left work early one Friday afternoon. Instead of going home, he spent the weekend (and his money) partying with 'the boys'. When he finally returned home on Sunday night, Patience, his wife really got on his case and stayed on it.
After a couple of hours of swearing and screaming, Patience paused and pointed at Jonathan saying, "How would you like it if you didn't see me for a couple of days?!?"
Not believing his luck, Jonathanlooked up, smiled and said, "That would suit me just fine!!"

Monday went by, and Jonathan didn't see Patience. Tuesday and Wednesday went by and he still didn't see her.
Come Thursday, the swelling went down a bit and Jonathan could see Patience a little out of the corner of his left eye.

Have a fab day!!!

Does the African Child who succumbs to conformity grow up to be the lazy intellectual scum

Hi its been a crazy start to the year, from one unfortunate event to the other..and its still JANUARY! I hope the rest of the year will bring peace and good tidings.

I have a list of books I would love to read and a few I read as a child but I would love to read as an adult. This internet culture certainly slowed down the reader in me but its not dead yet! LOL. I finally found four books on my list whilst at a conference in my current location. Glad I didnt have to order them all the way from Amazon. They are titled, Confessions of an economic hitman, The art of War, Power Thoughts and I dared to call him Father Between working almost 12hours, sometimes taking work home, trying to keep in touch with friends and family who are livid I dont contact more often and trying to keep drama away from where I reside, I shall read them!lol

So back to the title of this blog: I refer to an old post; The African, when he is a child, is mostly being groomed for conformity, first, by her/ his parents, then her/his relatives, and finally the society and its contents and try to link it certain points within the article titled "You Lazy (Intellectual) African Scum!" by Field Ruwe.

I can see how a child groomed to please the society, might turn out to just be intellectually lazy, with some feigning intellectual laziness just to save their lives! As it is, our society is riddled with corruption, bullying, lack of justice, poverty, selfishness, religious and ethnic intolerance. I think its about time our society evolve in such a way that every opinion is welcome and every idea is at least listened to if not acted upon. A lot of socio-economic advancements in the world we live in started from a single thought allowed to blossom, and most times such thoughts are best produced in the face of adversity!

Here is a reproduction of the article (still trying to figure out if 'article' is the correct description.) Enjoy

They call the Third World the lazy man’s purview; the sluggishly slothful and languorous prefecture. In this realm people are sleepy, dreamy, torpid, lethargic, and therefore indigent—totally penniless, needy, destitute, poverty-stricken, disfavored, and impoverished. In this demesne, as they call it, there are hardly any discoveries, inventions, and innovations. Africa is the trailblazer. Some still call it “the dark continent” for the light that flickers under the tunnel is not that of hope, but an approaching train. And because countless keep waiting in the way of the train, millions die and many more remain decapitated by the day.

“It’s amazing how you all sit there and watch yourselves die,” the man next to me said. “Get up and do something about it.”

Brawny, fully bald-headed, with intense, steely eyes, he was as cold as they come. When I first discovered I was going to spend my New Year’s Eve next to him on a non-stop JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston I was angst-ridden. I associate marble-shaven Caucasians with iconoclastic skin-heads, most of who are racist.

“My name is Walter,” he extended his hand as soon as I settled in my seat.

I told him mine with a precautious smile.

“Where are you from?” he asked.

“Zambia.”

“Zambia!” he exclaimed, “Kaunda’s country.”

“Yes,” I said, “Now Sata’s.”

“But of course,” he responded. “You just elected King Cobra as your president.”

My face lit up at the mention of Sata’s moniker. Walter smiled, and in those cold eyes I saw an amenable fellow, one of those American highbrows who shuttle between Africa and the U.S.

“I spent three years in Zambia in the 1980s,” he continued. “I wined and dined with Luke Mwananshiku, Willa Mungomba, Dr. Siteke Mwale, and many other highly intelligent Zambians.” He lowered his voice. “I was part of the IMF group that came to rip you guys off.” He smirked. “Your government put me in a million dollar mansion overlooking a shanty called Kalingalinga. From my patio I saw it all—the rich and the poor, the ailing, the dead, and the healthy.”

“Are you still with the IMF?” I asked.

“I have since moved to yet another group with similar intentions. In the next few months my colleagues and I will be in Lusaka to hypnotize the cobra. I work for the broker that has acquired a chunk of your debt. Your government owes not the World Bank, but us millions of dollars. We’ll be in Lusaka to offer your president a couple of millions and fly back with a check twenty times greater.”

“No, you won’t,” I said. “King Cobra is incorruptible. He is …”

He was laughing. “Says who? Give me an African president, just one, who has not fallen for the carrot and stick.”

Quett Masire’s name popped up.

“Oh, him, well, we never got to him because he turned down the IMF and the World Bank. It was perhaps the smartest thing for him to do.”

At midnight we were airborne. The captain wished us a happy 2012 and urged us to watch the fireworks across Los Angeles.

“Isn’t that beautiful,” Walter said looking down.

From my middle seat, I took a glance and nodded admirably.

“That’s white man’s country,” he said. “We came here on Mayflower and turned Indian land into a paradise and now the most powerful nation on earth. We discovered the bulb, and built this aircraft to fly us to pleasure resorts like Lake Zambia.”

I grinned. “There is no Lake Zambia.”

He curled his lips into a smug smile. “That’s what we call your country. You guys are as stagnant as the water in the lake. We come in with our large boats and fish your minerals and your wildlife and leave morsels—crumbs. That’s your staple food, crumbs. That corn-meal you eat, that’s crumbs, the small Tilapia fish you call Kapenta is crumbs. We the Bwanas (whites) take the cat fish. I am the Bwana and you are the Muntu. I get what I want and you get what you deserve, crumbs. That’s what lazy people get—Zambians, Africans, the entire Third World.”

The smile vanished from my face.

“I see you are getting pissed off,” Walter said and lowered his voice. “You are thinking this Bwana is a racist. That’s how most Zambians respond when I tell them the truth. They go ballistic. Okay. Let’s for a moment put our skin pigmentations, this black and white crap, aside. Tell me, my friend, what is the difference between you and me?”

“There’s no difference.”

“Absolutely none,” he exclaimed. “Scientists in the Human Genome Project have proved that. It took them thirteen years to determine the complete sequence of the three billion DNA subunits. After they

were all done it was clear that 99.9% nucleotide bases were exactly the same in you and me. We are the same people. All white, Asian, Latino, and black people on this aircraft are the same.”

I gladly nodded.

“And yet I feel superior,” he smiled fatalistically. “Every white person on this plane feels superior to a black person. The white guy who picks up garbage, the homeless white trash on drugs, feels superior to you no matter his status or education. I can pick up a nincompoop from the New York streets, clean him up, and take him to Lusaka and you all be crowding around him chanting muzungu, muzungu and yet he’s a riffraff. Tell me why my angry friend.”

For a moment I was wordless.

“Please don’t blame it on slavery like the African Americans do, or colonialism, or some psychological impact or some kind of stigmatization. And don’t give me the brainwash poppycock. Give me a better answer.”

I was thinking.

He continued. “Excuse what I am about to say. Please do not take offense.”

I felt a slap of blood rush to my head and prepared for the worst.

“You my friend flying with me and all your kind are lazy,” he said. “When you rest your head on the pillow you don’t dream big. You and other so-called African intellectuals are damn lazy, each one of you. It is you, and not those poor starving people, who is the reason Africa is in such a deplorable state.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say,” I protested.

He was implacable. “Oh yes it is and I will say it again, you are lazy. Poor and uneducated Africans are the most hardworking people on earth. I saw them in the Lusaka markets and on the street selling merchandise. I saw them in villages toiling away. I saw women on Kafue Road crushing stones for sell and I wept. I said to myself where are the Zambian intellectuals? Are the Zambian engineers so imperceptive they cannot invent a simple stone crusher, or a simple water filter to purify well water for those poor villagers? Are you telling me that after thirty-seven years of independence your university school of engineering has not produced a scientist or an engineer who can make simple small machines for mass use? What is the school there for?”

I held my breath.

“Do you know where I found your intellectuals? They were in bars quaffing. They were at the Lusaka Golf Club, Lusaka Central Club, Lusaka Playhouse, and Lusaka Flying Club. I saw with my own eyes a bunch of alcoholic graduates. Zambian intellectuals work from eight to five and spend the evening drinking. We don’t. We reserve the evening for brainstorming.”

He looked me in the eye.

“And you flying to Boston and all of you Zambians in the Diaspora are just as lazy and apathetic to your country. You don’t care about your country and yet your very own parents, brothers and sisters are in Mtendere, Chawama, and in villages, all of them living in squalor. Many have died or are dying of neglect by you. They are dying of AIDS because you cannot come up with your own cure. You are here calling yourselves graduates, researchers and scientists and are fast at articulating your credentials once asked—oh, I have a PhD in this and that—PhD my foot!”

I was deflated.

“Wake up you all!” he exclaimed, attracting the attention of nearby passengers. “You should be busy lifting ideas, formulae, recipes, and diagrams from American manufacturing factories and sending them to your own factories. All those research findings and dissertation papers you compile should be your country’s treasure. Why do you think the Asians are a force to reckon with? They stole our ideas and turned them into their own. Look at Japan, China, India, just look at them.”

He paused. “The Bwana has spoken,” he said and grinned. “As long as you are dependent on my plane, I shall feel superior and you my friend shall remain inferior, how about that? The Chinese, Japanese, Indians, even Latinos are a notch better. You Africans are at the bottom of the totem pole.”

He tempered his voice. “Get over this white skin syndrome and begin to feel confident. Become innovative and make your own stuff for god’s sake.”

At 8 a.m. the plane touched down at Boston’s Logan International Airport. Walter reached for my hand.

“I know I was too strong, but I don’t give it a damn. I have been to Zambia and have seen too much poverty.” He pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled something. “Here, read this. It was written by a friend.”

He had written only the title: “Lords of Poverty.”

Thunderstruck, I had a sinking feeling. I watched Walter walk through the airport doors to a waiting car. He had left a huge dust devil twirling in my mind, stirring up sad memories of home. I could see Zambia’s literati—the cognoscente, intelligentsia, academics, highbrows, and scholars in the places he had mentioned guzzling and talking irrelevancies. I remembered some who have since passed—how they got the highest grades in mathematics and the sciences and attained the highest education on the planet. They had been to Harvard, Oxford, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), only to leave us with not a single invention or discovery. I knew some by name and drunk with them at the Lusaka Playhouse and Central Sports.

Walter is right. It is true that since independence we have failed to nurture creativity and collective orientations. We as a nation lack a workhorse mentality and behave like 13 million civil servants dependent on a government pay cheque. We believe that development is generated 8-to-5 behind a desk wearing a tie with our degrees hanging on the wall. Such a working environment does not offer the opportunity for fellowship, the excitement of competition, and the spectacle of innovative rituals.

But the intelligentsia is not solely, or even mainly, to blame. The larger failure is due to political circumstances over which they have had little control. The past governments failed to create an environment of possibility that fosters camaraderie, rewards innovative ideas and encourages resilience. KK, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, and Banda embraced orthodox ideas and therefore failed to offer many opportunities for drawing outside the line.

I believe King Cobra’s reset has been cast in the same faculties as those of his predecessors. If today I told him that we can build our own car, he would throw me out.

“Naupena? Fuma apa.” (Are you mad? Get out of here)

Knowing well that King Cobra will not embody innovation at Walter’s level let’s begin to look for a technologically active-positive leader who can succeed him after a term or two. That way we can make our own stone crushers, water filters, water pumps, razor blades, and harvesters. Let’s dream big and make tractors, cars, and planes, or, like Walter said, forever remain inferior.

A fundamental transformation of our country from what is essentially non-innovative to a strategic superior African country requires a bold risk-taking educated leader with a triumphalist attitude and we have one in YOU. Don’t be highly strung and feel insulted by Walter. Take a moment and think about our country. Our journey from 1964 has been marked by tears. It has been an emotionally overwhelming experience. Each one of us has lost a loved one to poverty, hunger, and disease. The number of graves is catching up with the population. It’s time to change our political culture. It’s time for Zambian intellectuals to cultivate an active-positive progressive movement that will change our lives forever. Don’t be afraid or dispirited, rise to the challenge and salvage the remaining few of your beloved ones.
Field Ruwe is a US-based Zambian media practitioner and author. He is a PhD candidate with a B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism, and an M.A. in History

'Mena

Thoughts on The Latest Act of Terror

On the 21st January 2012, bombs went off in various locations, majorly police stations, within Kano State and almost at the same time. This bombings were closely followed by shootings. At last count 162 people were killed. They say more bodies are still buried within the rubble.

Before this date there has been instances of shooting and bombings in various states in Nigeria. The highest casualty report was that of the Jos killings were more than 500 people, mostly women and children were slaughtered by a group of people whilst asleep.

While there are several theories that creep up when each attack take place, the fact remains that some bloodthirsty, cold hearted mass murderers and terrorist are on the prowl to injure and kill large numbers of Nigerians for whatever purpose that suits them!

Nigeria itself is turning out to be a paradox and an irony. It is the story of a supposedly independent state with an entrenched, structured leadership where people in some states prefer to express themselves through peaceful protest while in other states some group of people prefer to express themselves by taking the lives of as many people as they can.

The current democratically leadership has openly stated that we should learn to live with terrorists and has admitted that security reports states that these terrorists are everywhere including the government itself.This can be true as a known terrorist was reportedly hosted at a governor's lodge. It can also be true as a major suspect arrested for last Christmas day bombing dramatically escaped from prison. How soothing.

Are we to accept that there is no way for our SS and police detectives to trace these evil before it occurs? Who supplied the sophisticated weapons? Who sponsored the killers? Large amount would have changed hands. The families and friends and people around these killers will know when these people act strangely, will know the state in which they left their houses and even after the evil event, will certainly know from the stench of blood, and ammo on their skin that this person is acting suspiciously. You dont kill one person and remain the same say less of taking the lives of several people. You dont shoot a gun without living traces in your person. You dont make a bomb without leaving traces in the places they are made. So what is our security and intelligence doing??

Even after such killings occurs, cant the bullets be traced to locate the suppliers? Cant the DNA from bits of skin, saliva or hair left on the used up ammunition/bombing devices left at the scene be extracted and stored securely? Cant eye witnesses be invited to give their own accounts of what went on and to describe in details the killers they saw. In this age of camera phones surely someone would have captured it. A videocameraman for Channels TV, recording the scene was reportedly shot dead (May his soul RIP) but cant the tape of what he captured be repaired and watched to see what he saw? So many questions.

Terrorism knows no race, religion, age or gender and is fuelled by hatred! For instance, the Kano bombings claimed the lives of people of diverse religions and ethnicity! Eye witness reports states that in one of the affected areas, muslims and christians hid in a mosque terrified and praying while the shooting lasted.

I wonder how an average citizen is expected to protect themselves from sudden terrorists attacks? Many of the bombings are sudden and unexpected. There is absolutely no guarantee of security of life and security particularly as those that have the power, the secret intelligence, the resources to tackle these acts seem unsure of how to handle it. Or are they aiding it?

There is only how long you can kill people and expect the survivors to remain scared and quiet. If the leadership seem inept at handling such issues, the survivors will surely rise and fight back. These terrorist should ensure they have enough ammunition and bombs to murder people in their hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions who have been pushed to take matters in their own hands! Because if they dont, a terrible and severe form ofviolence will be meted to them. And when the people finish with them, they will certainly turn on the government they voted whose responsibility is to secure the lives and properties of such citizens in the first place.

I hope this terrible day of reckoning does not have to come....

I commiserate with the families of the victims and pray that the souls of all who lost their lives, in acts of terror, within various states in Nigeria, Rest in Peace.