Are Boko Haram Just Psychotic Male Chauvanist Pigs
I’ve just watched John Simpson’s report from north eastern Nigeria on the BBC.
I’m left with the thoughts that led me to write this post.
I’ve read extensively about Islam and can’t see how any of Boko Haram’s actions have anything to do with the religion.
In fact, in the early days of Islam, women were equal and over the centuries education has been a large part of the religion. In fact, but for early Islamic scholars and thinkers, we wouldn’t have the mathematics we have today.
Boko Haram are just thugs and should feel the full force of all right-thinking people in Nigeria and the wider world.
The Canadian Family in Penang
Years ago, C & myself were waiting for the Penang Hill Railway to get on top of Penang Hill. I can’t remember exactly how we got talking, but it could have been a can of Coke in the hot weather and this Canadian family with three children helped clear up the mess. It turned out they were two teachers and had sold up all of their possessions and were going round the world. They were obviously educating their children as they travelled.
They had started in the UK and then crossed Europe by train to take a ferry to North Africa, where they crossed the Sahara in a truck. Gradually, they progressed through Africa to Dar Es Salaam, from where they took a dhow to India. When we met them, they were living in a two dollars a day flophouse in Penang. In a few days, they woukd be off and hoped to get to Darwin.
I asked if they had had any trouble. They said, only really the baboons. But then babons are the hooligans of Africa. Although, their son had broken his humerus, somewhere in Northern Nigeria. The local head man introduced them to the local bonesetter, who felt it all back into place. Later in Lagos, the Canadian High Commission, got them an appointment with the best orthopaedic surgeon in Nigeria. When he looked at the arm, he just gave a knowing look and said that the bonesetter was better than he was at puting broken bones back together. He’d not had any trouble since. I wish that bonesetter had put my gammy arm back together.
I always wonder what happened to that family. I assume all was well, but it would have made the travel book of the decade. I suspect, the authorities would have something to say, if a family tried it now.
The Tragic Death of two Hostages in Nigeria
Italy and the UK seem to be falling out badly over Britain’s failure to give warning that they were taking action. Read about it here on the BBC.
Robert Fox in the Standard says we are right and takes a strong line to say so.
This is an except from his report.
To have given advance warning of the rescue raid would have been to court further disaster.
The smuggling mafias of Nigeria undoubtedly have direct dealings with the Boko Haram terrorists who took the two engineers last May. They would pick up rumours of a possible rescue, particularly if it had to be delayed even for a day or so.
The information would have got out, either in Italy or in Nigeria or both. Some Italian commercial organisations and self-appointed go-betweens might then have tried to raise ransom for Mr Lamolinara.
A number of Italian hostages have been ransomed in several world trouble-spots, including Nigeria,
in recent years. Few national governments are as hard line on not paying ransom as the UK.
There is a lot more in the same vein here.
The fact that we don’t pay ransoms, is a policy I totally agree with.
Dami Killers Should Have Been Hanged
This was front page headline in the Evening Standard and it is the words of Damilola Taylor’s father Richard on the release of the two Preddie brothers who killed his son. Read the story of the case here.
I of course don’t agree, especially as the brothers were just 12 and 13 when they killed his son. They actually got eight years youth custody for manslaughter.
I know what it is like to lose a son, but I can’t help feeling that the Death of Damilola Taylor was avoidable, if the various agencies and parents on both sides had taken more care and stood by their responsibilities.
But what I object to, is that newspapers are increasingly going on that the death penalty is the solution to the problems of violence and knife crime. But we all know sensationalism sells newspapers.
One point we should always remember, is that the Taylor family relocated to the UK to get treatment for Damilola’s elder sister’s epilepsy. Surely with all it’s wealth Nigeria could do more to look after the people rather than descending into endless criminality and religious violence.
There’s Always Some Bad News at Christmas
This year it was the pointless but deadly bombings in Nigeria. It’s when things like this happen, how anybody with any knowledge of the world’s great religions could see them as anything other than unwarranted mass murder.
Stupid Calls From the United States
I have my old phone number at my previous house diverted to my mobile phone. It must be very frustrating for the scammers from the United States, who keep rnging me from Delaware, as O2 now properly display their number. so I let them ring and then end the call.
This is a new phenomenon. Until perhaps two weeks ago, these scam calls didn’t give a number, but now they do, so I can treat them with the contempt they deserve. After all, if they are important calls, the caller would probably know my e-mail address, so they’ll do that instead.
It’s funny though that all these calls seem to be from the United States, so is that country, now the new Nigeria?
A New Twist on an Old Con Trick
Be warned about this new scam, that appears on a first read about how a resoureful US doctor got her money back from the Nigerian scammers.
Good day,
I am Dr. Sarah Lindsey, I am a US citizen, 48 years Old. I am one of those that took part in the Compensation in Nigeria many years ago and they refused to pay me, I had paid over $20,000 while in the US, trying to get my payment all to no avail. So I decided to travel over to Nigeria with all my compensation documents, and I was directed to meet Mr. Michael Craig, who is a member of COMPENSATION AWARD COMMITTEE, and I contacted him and he explained everything to me. He said whoever is contacting us through emails are fake. He took me to the paying bank for the claim of my Compensation payment.
Right now I have received my compensation funds of $1,500,000.00 Moreover, Mr. Michael Craig, showed me the full information of those that are yet to receive their payments and I saw your name as one of the beneficiaries, and your email address, that is why I decided to email you to stop dealing with those people, they are not with your fund, they are only making money out of you.
I will advise you to contact Mr. Michael Craig directly through the below information.
ZENITH COMPENSATION HOUSE
Name: Mr. Michael Craig
E-mail:
Phone: +234 702 719 2947
You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting you and telling you that your fund is with them, it is not in anyway with them, they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until you have nothing. The only money I paid after I met Mr. Michael Craig was just $420 for the paper works, take note of that.
Thank You and Be Blessed.
Dr. Sarah LindseyTrustee/Treasurer, Grameen Foundation Inc.
25 Beaver Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10004
But look at the Japanese e-mail address, the Nigerian phone number and other clues, like the use of Good Day and Blessed, which show that this is another attempt to part you from your money.
Use the Delete key immediately.
Can FIFA be Trusted?
Yet again we’re seeing allegations abut the voting for a major sports event. In this case it’s the 2018 World Cup, with delegates from Nigeria and Tahiti being accused of being prepared to sell their votes.
FIFA seem to be taking control, but I do wonder if their voting structure makes it very difficult to get everything squeaky clean.
The Anonymous Widower 