posted
From reading recent posts at BNW, it appears that some forum members are confused about the rules of engagement that operate now and were implicitly adopted by all members of these forums, including those of us who were present at the birth of BNW. So, this is as a good a time as any to rehash some of those rules and their corrollaries. Please, feel free to add your own thoughts below.
1) If you can't take it, don't dish it out.
2) For the purpose of your opponent's response, your post laced with personal attacks and insults, even if it also contains some worthwhile discussions of the issues, is as intellctually valuable as your opponent's response totally devoted to personal attacks against you.
3) There is no rule requiring your opponent to hide his personal attacks against you in a long post that masquerades as a "discussion of issues" just because you thought it was clever for you to embed your personal attacks in a long post.
4) No harm is initiated against the flow of intellectual discourse when a person decides to suspend discussions on the issues until the personal attacks embedded in your long posts are fully addressed.
5) If you launch a personal attack on a member of these forums because of what s/he wrote about a public figure, whom you admire, you should be prepared to receive attacks against yourself and anyone else that your opponent chooses to attack.
6) If you initiate insults, embedded or otherwise, you have no right to determine when the insulting exchanges should stop.
7) Africans tend to look down upon people with only one degree if that degree is in a Language, or its literature, especially if it is the native language of the degree holder. Therefore, if the only work products of your Ph.D. in the English Language are lengthy posts laced with insults, you should consider getting a second major and refrain from announcing in an Africentric forum, such as BNW, that you have such a degree.
Posts: 65 | From: Good Old USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Where have you been? You should have named Mallam Ukaobasi and njiko unigbo in this write-up. It is a long overdue rebuke of those troublemakers and architects of "embedded personal attacks" on this board.
Mallam, I hope you are paying attention Posts: 449 | Registered: Mar 2001
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If any of your "lessons" are about me and my writing style, I really don't see where I am such an offender except perhaps one or two posts where I just got down and dirty. Otherwise I think it may be that I've been just too effective for the sensibilities of some...but I won't let that deter me from calling it the way I see it. I can take as well as I can give. As I have said elsewhere, I make use of irony and innuendo in my rebuttals(and I don't have an English degree), and I like to think I do it without glaring personal attacks for the most part. It bothers me that people cry foul when an opponent fairly gets the upper hand using time-tested oratorical methods that should be fairplay. Am I to handicap myself before I take part in a discussion?
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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Maan by the way congratulations on your achieving Senior advocate status!
Frankly your eloquent and passioned well reasoned postings on this board has mesmerized many including myself.
My brother keep up the good work. Reading your postings have been like a balm of reassurance that others are viewing the same events and coming away with conclusions similar to those which many on this board hold.
Its good to have you on board.
quote:Originally posted by Funmi Onodipe:
4) No harm is initiated against the flow of intellectual discourse when a person decides to suspend discussions on the issues until the personal attacks embedded in your long posts are fully addressed.
I once tried to implement this rule in a thread in which Daud had goaded me with a comment, but Daud's long reaching connections apprehended me, as the thread was closed by the admin to prevent further damage to the ambience of the thread.
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
When I joined this board in October of 2004, my aim was to contribute to a rich and hopefully tide changing discussion towards making Nigeria a better place. I acknowledged the fact that things are far from being right, but I was misunderstood. I was also "put off" by the spate of attacks on persons rather than a healthy discussion of issues. I stopped posting, but followed discussions and "rejoined" when I noticed that issues were once again being discussed. It will be quite unfortunate to allow emotions to have the better of us and that's why I don't add my reply to "popular" threads as some of them tend towards "emotional masturbation" geared towards a feel-good result rather than genuine discussion of issues. I'm a Nigerian, but even some of my friends had said I'm not a typical Nigerian (whatever that means). I understand the civil war not from what I read from books but from the stories my father (of blessed memory) told me of the happenings. He saw the senseless killings of Igbo in the north and was himself almost killed in Kano because he wore a French suit (the short sleeve jacket popular in his days), thank God he could speak Yoruba fluently and had to relocate to Lagos immediately to avert any reoccurrence. I find it very funny when people write with extreme stereotypes about tribes, ethnicity, gender etc. I may sound emotional about this (some may say that’s exactly what I've accused some people of being) but it saddens me when I see things that a couple of Nigerians are struggling to correct being openly encouraged. I belong to a group of young Nigerians headed by an Igbo man (yes an Igbo man named Patrick Okigbo please see ( http://www.visionnigeria.org ) and our vision is to correct the wrongs and build a nation where equity, justice and fairness is availed to all irrespective of ethnicity, religious affiliation, or social strata. I believe it will happen despite being regarded as traitors by some (some Yorubas think one is crazy to associate so closely with an Igbo man, some Igbo's also think it takes a crazy Igbo man to have a genuinely close Yoruba friend). When will this end? Will it ever end? If Nigeria must break up (I still think we will be stronger together) can it be done in such a way that I will be able to get a visa and visit my friends in Port Harcourt and Aba without fear of being lynched? Can it be done in such a way that the Igbo man that has spent so much money building hotels in Abuja won’t be deprived the benefit of continued ownership? Is this the type of discussions my children will grow up to continue?
Posts: 105 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Let me add that some people that are purportedly protecting Yoruba interests on this board may be far from being Yoruba. Some can't even spell their Yoruba names correctly!!! God will judge all evil doers, either here or hereafter!
Posts: 105 | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
There are also some voodoo cultists who think that the only way to spell a Yoruba name in modern times is the same way that their babalawo fathers spell it. God will punish those people.
Posts: 65 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Thanks brother. I want you to know that you are very much appreciated!
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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You got to realize that many here and those on the ground in BiafraNigeria are afraid of the truth and will "...cry foul when an opponent fairly gets the upper hand using time-tested oratorical/[commonsense] methods that should be fairplay." This is why the Yoroba/Hausa rulers of nigeria decided to kill credible competition because everytime the level playing field is even, the Igbo/Biafrans outcompete and win; the rest of nigeria is left stamping behind. So they impose unnatural policies against commonsense to spite the Igbo and to guarrantte that nigeria remains a part of the Dark Continent.
You are a true Igbo/Biafran patriot. Do not flinch; stay the course, and continue to shine the light on the foolishness of the yoroba/hausa rulers of nigerian. Congratulations for earning Senior Advocate.
[ February 07, 2005, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: Amadi O. ]
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 642 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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You got to realize that many here and those on the ground in BiafraNigeria are afraid of the truth and will "...cry foul when an opponent fairly gets the upper hand using time-tested oratorical/[commonsense] methods that should be fairplay." This is why the Yoroba/Hausa rulers of nigeria decided to kill credible competition because everytime the level playing field is even, the Igbo/Biafrans outcompete and win; the rest of nigeria is left stamping behind. So they impose unnatural policies against commonsense to spite the Igbo and to guarantee that nigeria remains a part of the Darkness Continent.
Thanks brother. You do shed light on a lot of things for me and I will without doubt hang in there and "re-double" my efforts to make our case on important issues.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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Put a sock in it. Get over yourself. I don't understand the basis for this irrational outburst of yours:
quote:Fumi,
If any of your "lessons" are about me and my writing style....
It bothers me that people cry foul when an opponent fairly gets the upper hand using time-tested oratorical methods that should be fairplay. Am I to handicap myself before I take part in a discussion?
When I decide that you deserve a message from me, you will read from me directly. For now, please stop hallucinating. I don't know who tied your hands behind your back. But, given your excessive chest-beating so far (Norman this, American that), I am not surprised that someone forced you into that position.
YORUBA SAYING: The thief always manages to catch an innuendo, including that intended for others.
Posts: 65 | From: Good Old USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Maybe you should be put on notice that any attack/insult on Greg will not go unchallenged by me henceforth. The man has taken undue and unfair bullsh.i.t from too many posters today alone especially the CAMEO writers so now cut whatever you think you may have out or we'll get back to othniel’s era where nothing refreshing was discussed but insults and more RAIN. I really don't see the "personal attacks" in Greg's writings maybe the direct hit on Antoine which he accepted fully although I considered it mild by my standard which you should be familiar with. The man is not a fluke, he even admitted to the veiled snipe once in every few days or so. Whether folks like it or not, sometimes it become imperative to drive home your points by shredding an irritating writer to bits in defense of one's loved ones. We (Greg), do not like obasanjo’s style of governance and when you support the tyrannical government of obasanjo, you’re bound to receive what you call “insults” from many, yours truly included, so?
Olusolaa:
quote:…and our vision is to correct the wrongs and build a nation where equity, justice and fairness is availed to all irrespective of ethnicity, religious affiliation, or social strata.
Please how long will it take to build this mess of “one nigeria?” The simple truth is that it will never work, ever! A forced marriage never works either one of them could bail at random and this also is the reason nigeria should demarcate now. obasanjo should therefore, not go against the popular wishes of the people who are well worn out from this nigeria stuff to start the process of peaceful separation otherwise when our predictions come to pass in 2007 and beyond, let it be said loud and very clear that I’ll be the first to rub whatever in.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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If you think that you can scare me with your foul-mouth, I suggest you think again, and do it very fast, very fast. I have seen too many of your type in the past, and they all crawled back into the snake holes they came from. Only a JJC like you would accuse me of being an Obasanjo supporter. I have taken Obasanjo to task in this and other forums in more ways than anything your crude methods has been able to manage. The first time you rared your foul head at me, I ignored it. It will not happen again. So, do your worst.
Posts: 65 | From: Good Old USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Thank you for covering my flanks. I can more easily now address myself to the center. It is said that a man who never listens, never learns. Well, I have been listening, and what I hear concerns me somewhat, but not to the question of our victory. That is assured. When enemies make accusation of genocide, be you sure that genocide is being planned by them. So, I can and do expect personal attacks as the only means of their counter-attack. However, such feeble thrusts can be deflected without delaying the attainment of our goals.
You rightfully pointed out that the subject matter here should be Obasanjo and his poor governance, but now an advocate's person is to be debated. This is a weak and beggarly conthrivance designed to draw attention away from the true issues. It is a ruse, diversionary, and a confusion of issues. It is, in fact, a non-issue, but it serves a purpose for those who do not agree with our positions on certain matters.
Will our cogent discussion now degenerate into mutual castigation by opposing camps? Our readers deserve better and it is up to our forces to ensure that the real issues are kept before the public.
If we do, in a sense, have to break camp for another and more advantageous position from which to make our advance, it behooves us as hardened soldiers to endure such necessity, to the end that our objectives may be attained and none of our plans miscarry. Therefore, to take the higher ground now, and frustrate the ambush laid for us in the swamp, is not difficult, since we have been fighting very close to its border all this time. Whatever it takes, let's keep the true issues before our readers and frustrate this present diversion. Mazi MeBiafran, your valor in these matters inspires me. Thank you for you bold leadership.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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You are full of surprises, aren't you. I didn't realize that we weren't on speaking terms. I never did you a wrong that I can remember. I could kick myself for that.
At any rate, I can see that the floodgate of personal insult is fully open as far as you are concerned. But as I said before, this ambush is laid in the swamp, a home away from home for slithering land creatures, a place of which I know little, but I see you have no difficulty navigating its murky depths. I therefore leave you to your own devices, and abandon you to your own hooks and nets. I hope, however, that you come out of it okay, so that we can tackle real issues one day, and separate the good from the bad, and stop this childish nonsense.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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Before I let you have it since this is our first encounter as I could recollect, if you could show where I insulted you in the past without any justifiable excuse, my apology would be prompt and sincere otherwise watch out. And thus we go!
quote:I have taken Obasanjo to task in this and other forums in more ways than anything your crude methods has been able to manage.
Little one, I guess it never occurred to your ignorant state to link us to the site where your opposition to aremu was discussed in detail? Listen up! Unlike Greg who to me is a very honorable gentleman I do not care an ounce of being seen as such therefore here we are (you & I). I come down to the same level of a fool just to inflict as much pain as possible. Whoever you are, I cannot recollect ever having heated exchange with you unless you have other handles which shouldn’t surprise me going by your custom, if you know what I mean. During the terror reign of your mentor, othniel, no noise was heard from you about maintaining decorum but here you are today with unwashed upper telling the room what not to write. Could it be because you’re after all a TOUT also? If you’re not exposed to detail writings that in the end explains the writer’s stance I suggest next time you skip Greg’s or anyone’s post you find copious/lengthy since we are not in Junior High where your one-liners get you a passing grade, em, “D.” Your turn child! FASTER!
Greg:
My dearest LEARNED brother, you make me blush with those niceties under normal circumstance I would’ve taken the high road as our respected brotrher once counseled but not with this village minion, fumi onodipe as the only language a motor-park tout understands does not have anything to do with civil discourse. This tout’s feelings towards you borders on abject jealousy, the dude is innately angry at your intelligence and COMMAND OF ENGLISH as a language that is second to most of us. This person allowed her primitive upbringing to overshadow her sense of appreciation. You wished this underground crook of late, fumi onodipe would “come out of it okay, so that we can tackle real issues one day, and separate the good from the bad, and stop this childish nonsense.” The only way this character would come out ok is if I’m linked to his/her previous denouncements of obasanjo’s thieving misgovernance, in that case I’ll as usual come out and show atonement to this person as for now, IT’S ON!
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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If you were not mentally retarded, you would have been able to go to Google and type in "Fumi Onodipe."
For your information, I also typed in "MeBiafran" in Google and the only things I saw were the junk you have been writing on this board, except the appearance of a similar handle as part of an e-mail address.
Fumi:
Don't waste your time on this clown. He is evidently clueless.
Posts: 91 | From: London | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
You should have named Mallam Ukaobasi and njiko unigbo in this write-up. It is a long overdue rebuke of those troublemakers and architects of "embedded personal attacks" on this board. -Daud.
When one reads a Tiv goat make such statement,i just but laugh.Daud,incase you donot know,i donot "embed"anything in my writeups.When i think you deserve some bashing,i give it.I donot need to embed anything.Afterall,you all bash Igbo leaders here for fun. Anu ofia!
The last time I read something about an "adekunle" he was in abuja pan in hand begging for leftovers like in benjamin adekunle so, is this starving war criminal a family?
In case you missed njiko's "When one reads a Tiv goat make such statement,i just but laugh." This applies also to you as a Yoruba HE GOAT so, next time it may benefit you to speak properly and when asked. Moronic retard of the highest order! I see you guys are on the run from Gamji, your twisted lies never make it to the open anymore? Nothing could be more satiating than to engage an IGNORANT yoruba like yourself because it is those of your kind that make the good ones like ADDY look bad.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
Some of you Igbo haters that come here pretending to be saints just crack me up.While a few noble guys like Olusolaa might mean no harm,his insistance that we should not discuss whatever past but move on to some "glorious" future is just somewhat untenable.History usually repeats itself on those who failed to learn from it.To build that bridge of trust across the Niger or the Benue is very noble.But it is even nobler that we take cognisance of the reasons for our mutual heightened distrust then work assidiously towards confidence building measures in that relationship.Because only God is capable of that infinite goodness,Men of goodwill have proposed a Sovereign National conference by all stake holders in Nigeria to fairly restructure the nation with inbuilt checks that would not only mitigate the abuse of power by the executive but would also go a long way to reassure all peoples of the determination to correct all our past injustices for the sake of saving the Nigerian unity.Such concrete confidence building measures is our only hope to save Nigeria and put her on the path of greatness not some fanciful sweet talk shows by a handful of idealists as i fear for this national dialogue and vision nigeria.org.
quote: If you think that you can scare me with your foul-mouth, I suggest you think again, and do it very fast, very fast. - madam fumi
Whence I live, FAST means swift/quick/speedy so on. I'm still rrrrrrrrright heeeeeeeeere waiting for the insults you promised. Look you here woman, this fella ONLY gives respect to those that are eminently qualified like, Addy, Olusolaa and to some extent bababoyz and Kunle. How many times would I state that our interest should be about shining the spotlight on the corrupt entity you call nigeria? Your slow response time is really upsetting me due to my excitement after I read "and do it very fast, very fast" but looks now like all dishes with no food. C'mon lady, let's get it ON! How ya like such vanity plate, RAW ONE!? That's moi!
The challenge is to link me (us) to where I insulted you in the past as I remind you how much disdain I hold for liars.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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Fumi wrote you on February 07, 2005 11:08 PM asking you to reply fast. What took you so long? Were you consulting your masters to tell you what to say? You did not respond until February 08, 2005 03:32 PM, more than sixteen hours later. That is not fast, considering that all you did was copy the same "motor park" vomit that you are known for, and that you have already posted in other threads. Even you could do better than that, especially since you wish to become a spokesman for Greg who can speak for himself and is far more coherent than your mad man's discharges.
Anyway, how come you came all the way to America to become an errand boy, a slave to an African American, Greg, when it was your great grandparents that sold African Americans into slavery in America. What a twist of fortunes! Huh!
You have to learn to be your own man and stop looking for someone to follow. Remember, your master, Ukaobasi, is only a Mallam; his boss is Alhaji Abu Ghraib Anaedo.
Mallam Ukaobasi:
Forgive me for refusing to join your Okija chants. I am not an animist like you. All of us know that you own, or run, or otherwise have great influence in this forum, and we are all here at your mercy. So, quit trying to hide it.
njiko:
If the shoe fits .... Please, learn when to use spaces in your writing and how to punctuate properly. If you need some instructions, just consult Greg or Dave. I love the way those two write.
Posts: 449 | Registered: Mar 2001
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You got it all wrong. MeBiafran is my elder brother, and I have just found my way back home. He takes up for me and I am very proud of that. You and yours, however, are still selling Africans into slavery in your wonderful world of Islam.
MeBiafran and Njiko,
The diversion from the issues is in full steam right now. The opposition's chief spin doctor and mud-slinger, Mallam Daud the magnificent, has come out swinging(wow! their resources must be strained to the limit); about nothing important however, without even a reference to Nigerian politics or any of the issues. People who wanted to talk seriously have retired until the mud-slinging dies down. Still, it might be fun to throw a little mud back.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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