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$500 CHRISTMAS GIFT POLL COMMENTS

 
Poll Comments
 
Date Comment
12/30/2006 3:33:35 PM US$500.00 Is just a small money which i myself have used just for family christmas gift, It couldn''t be a booby trap.these kind of gestures are commomn in most countries but because some of Liberia media institutions are not experince enough so they are raising false alarm.
from:
Anthony Wesseh
Liberian in Ghana.
12/31/2006 7:59:14 AM I think the gov''t should have evenly distributed the cash.
12/31/2006 2:54:36 PM How many Edwin Snowe are in the country of Liberia everything is a conspiracy with intent to do arm.
Let country heal its wounds
1/1/2007 8:04:32 AM Yet wait and see
1/1/2007 8:07:12 AM Nosense! Give the money to the poor children in the streets and out of school instead.
1/2/2007 5:58:17 PM Persident Sirleaf has the right as an individual and as a president to give a Christmas gift to any individual,group, institution and organization as she sees it fit.The noise about the President''s US$500.00 Christmas gift to some media institutions is an attempt by the press to turn the president''s kind gesture otherwise. The press will actually do itself good by stopping their fellow reporters from receiving handouts/bribes from people before important stories are reported. Anything other than this is purely comical.
1/3/2007 6:15:25 AM Liberians must learn to appreciate people.
1/3/2007 12:11:29 PM It is regretable that some journalists and respected individuals in our society entertain the fallacy that receiving the $5,000 indicates shameless submission to the status quo and rejecting the $5,000 is indication of independence. Such crab is rather an indication of how lowly these individuals think about journalists and how journalists themselves think aboutthemselves. Credible media houses operate on policies and not on the whims and caprices of editors. No matter how many x-mass gifts these media houses received from whoever, the policy will remain the determinant of news angles and contents. President Sirleaf no doubt knows this and certainly entertains no hope that the gift will change media reaction to natinal issues. She knows that the daily production cost for the average newspaper in Liberia is very close to $5,000 per edition.
1/3/2007 3:16:17 PM I do believed, it was indeed a set-up by President Johnson Sirleaf, because she once refered to the journalist in Liberia as checkbook. Therefore, in order to close the mouths of journalist from reporting accurately the decided to certain media institutions in Liberia the sum of US $ 500.00 dollars as Christmas gift. One thing I want for all Liberians to do is that we should watch Ma-Ellan because she think she is smart, but thank God our eyes are open from the 1980 incident that happened in Liberia.
1/4/2007 12:40:09 AM I think the president gift should have been accross the board, and not just few.
1/4/2007 2:41:53 AM These distributions should be institutionalized-subsidy or whatever to the media. christmas purses are so tacky. we need to move on from this powerful-benevolent executive syndrome.
1/4/2007 6:33:02 AM Some liberians do not like honest and kind leaders. The president''s gesture for Christmas to medial houses was done without bad remorse.
1/4/2007 6:58:33 AM We talk too much on what litte should be said.Before that money was given were writing sensational headlines in contradiction to your profession. woo woo
1/4/2007 8:00:24 AM If she had not done this, the same people would have said ''This mean gola woman, she can''t even think about us this christmas" IBW
1/4/2007 8:33:20 AM Where did the funding for the so-called gesture come from? Are these not private institutions? Why should government give gifts to institutions that should be independent? I am greatly appalled that someone like Ellen Sirleaf could condone such acts. Ellen should know and practice better than that.
1/4/2007 8:39:00 AM Why is everything looked at from such a negative view? The Executive Branch is not an enemy of the Press. Some returned it, some didn''t, get over it and move. The press should be looking at the incompetent Speaker of the House and how corrupt he is. Thanks Wilmot J.
1/4/2007 9:30:55 AM Given the current climate and the distrust that the media has for the current government, anything President Sirleaf does, good or bad, well intended or an attempt to reach out, will be twisted. Because of this, I believe that the money should have been given to some children charity. After all, the media makes money (right?); and they don''t need no hand outs. So, now that they have critized the President, it''s incumbent upon them to return the unwanted funds to the President so that she can give it to a more needy cause.
Even if she had offered scholarshiips to persons interested in journalism, she would have been criticized for trying to "buy" journalist. The media is more "suspect" than substance.
1/4/2007 10:08:31 AM I simple gesture on the President''s part, but we as Liberians must learn to be greatful and not take speculate on while the president did what she did at Christmas. Their is nothing wrong with giving gifts at Christmas. I am sure the White House gives gifts too in the US. Get over it and lets talk amount more serious matter like getting our assets back that was stolen by few people to enrich themselves including the speaker of the house. Our children need education, our schools need rebuilding, our roads need rebuilding and everything else in the country. Lets gave the President the advise and the help she needs to get the country where it needs to go. The president needs to hear and get suggestions about how to establish a manageable and good law enforcement, security and how to set up rules for our leaders to be accountable to our people instead of talking about $500.00 gifts. Please folks, lets move on and help the country heal.
1/4/2007 10:09:04 AM I applaud those media institutions that returned the so-called good faith gift. If Ms. Johnson had any good intentions she would have call for a round table meet with every media in attend and address conflicting issues. In order to stay the year on positive footing.
1/4/2007 12:11:22 PM Lets now blow this situation out of promotion.the gusture was a good one.Kudos to cyrus.Thanks for the recognition that these media groups did a good job.Get a life folks.
1/4/2007 2:01:28 PM Those who returned the money were smart enough and perhaps honest to recognize a trap when one is set. No matter what the scheme, the very act of it was dishonest. Whoever did hs egg on her face.
1/4/2007 6:38:07 PM It is unethical.
1/4/2007 7:16:12 PM too many ignorant and opportunistic abound in Liberia today!
1/4/2007 7:55:32 PM I believe the "gift" was a bribe to silence these media institutions. It is very unfortunate that all of the media institutions that have received the "gifts" from the President have not returned same. This will be an ethical violation on the part of any media institution to accept such blatant bribery.
1/5/2007 4:47:36 AM THE ENTIRE MATTER IS BEING BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION IN A MEAN GESTURE TO EMBARRASS THE PRESIDENT. THESE OF "LIBERIAN TRICKS" SHOULD STOP. WE ARE IN A NEW ERA OF SENSE AND SENSIBILITIES AND NEED TO REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO US WHEN WE LIED ON EACH OTHER - FORMER AMBASSADOR LAFAYETTE DIGGS- CHARLOTTE, NC USA
1/5/2007 7:27:05 AM THOSE WHO KEPT THE GIFTS ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO RETURNED THEM. THE MAJORITY SAW THE SENSE TO HONOR THE PRESIDENT''S KIND GESTURE.

WE ARE NOT ENEMIES. WE ARE ALL LIBERIANS BEGGING FOR THE SAME THING FOR OUR COUNTRY. STOP FIGHTING THE PRESIDENT.
1/5/2007 8:16:26 AM The Executive Branch is trying to compromise the independence of the fourth estate...
1/5/2007 10:41:11 AM Should not have been given at all.
1/5/2007 4:18:20 PM who give the money? was is the government? if so the money sholud be given back immediately. The medial should be the watch eyes of every institutations not only the government. To avoid corruprion from the medial they should return the money now. This is a new liberia. Ellen should get those who are involved in corruption and dismiss them by all means necessary. She should also bring the pass government officials to justice and set an example telling us Liberian this is a new country. This will keep her leardership trusted and she will gain the respect from every leader in the world. Be not afread but do the right thing. Thanks
1/5/2007 7:43:03 PM Those media institution that did not get any Christmas gift,made a "D" average.
1/5/2007 7:44:28 PM The president just wanted to give them some packege for the holiday and it ws not a bribe as they term it. Other presidents did that before. I believe they were expecting more than what She give that''s why they refuse it. Marchu veto Weefur
1/5/2007 11:35:50 PM Our political leaders always considered the Liberian National Treasury as their personal checking account, from which they write checks out to family members and other interested individuals. This is not the first time that the president has made this mistake. In July of 2006, she sent US$140,000 to the United States to buy party materials for the July 26th celebration. I wonder how much she is really getting pay.
The US$500 gift!!!! Hahahahahaha…….. what a gift. I wonder how much the poor and homeless in Liberia received to enable a nice Christmas and Happy New Year. Personally, I think it will be wise for the Liberian Congress to make the decision on how to help the media institutions rather than a US$500 gift. How long will it take for political power to be equally distributed in Liberia? Liberian Political Leaders please stop considering our National Treasury as your personal checking account and stop writing unfair checks.
 
1/6/2007 4:50:41 AM For me, by media institutions becoming so critical of this gesture, it is more that thier institutions are of the equivalent of $500. Media institutions are distinct organizations and $500 should in no way scare any head of such institution, except he wants to tell me he does not know what he stands for.
I hate to think if PUL finds the government as its enemy or sees the governmrnt as taboo to media institutions. I think the critics of this gesture by the government should act more mature and understand that they and the government are agreeably working together for the common good of all Liberians. And as they undertake their various initiatives, no matter how they wine and dine one should be civilize enough to appreciate the other or correct same when he goes the contrary.
My advice for the PUL and the media institutions will be that they should protect what makes them common, as well respect whatever makes them different. By this we shall go a positive long way. Happy New Year.
1/6/2007 5:52:41 AM Why only the Fourth Estate, and not the Judiciary, Legislative and the Executive. Old habits die hard.
1/6/2007 9:43:19 AM For the Analyst to make the statement that it happened during Taylor''s era and so noting is wrong with the gift tells you how far we have to go. Whether they spent the funds or not, they should find the money to return the funds to the government. On another issue, the Executive Mansion owes vendors for services which have not been paid for months. How is it that they could find $9,000 to dole out as Christmas Gifts. They could have used the funds to help the Ministry of Information build its capacity. Vivien Jones - Brockton, MA
1/6/2007 10:01:33 AM people in high position,liberia thank they own the country becase they do things and get away with it and the gov.do not a things about it.
1/6/2007 1:35:51 PM This is a tradition which has always excluded the media. Mrs Sirleaf decided to be inclusive.
1/6/2007 2:35:20 PM A gift to the media should be for the media as an institution and not selected individuals.
1/7/2007 6:14:00 AM this was a violation of the the code of ethics of the journalism profession. Journalists like some other professionals should not receive gifts from their clients.Ellen is trying to neutralize the objectivity of the media with tax payers money.
1/7/2007 6:23:11 AM I am a great supporter of the President. I would have been more grateful for that $500.00 than the 22% News Outlets that rejected the gesture. A 78% approval rating is not bad.
Until we can get our acts together, Ellen is the best person for the country right now. Stop whinning. Stop being a back-seat driver.
1/7/2007 12:48:21 PM After rebuking Greaves and criticizing the Press as "checkbook journalists", why will she wants to give such gift in good and positive intention.It works, let me bride them during Xmas; she said. Shame!
1/7/2007 12:54:46 PM Was the $9000.00 total Her own money? If so I don''t see anything wrong with that.not only She is a persident but a mother aswell She is of careing nature.She has Her God giving rights as an indevidual to make controbutions to mankind any way possible.She wants the best for all Liberian.I am pretty sure if She had enught to go around She would have done that.I mean would have given funds to every news media.

Thanks,
ED
1/7/2007 1:08:56 PM Let them get a grip
1/7/2007 3:54:56 PM Liberians should learn to be grateful; and stop complaining.
1/7/2007 5:55:27 PM Human being is human being. I don''t care whatever you do for man people will still complain.If you feel that it was bad to receive it, or good to receive it,ok for you. I dont think the President good will gesture was to close our journalists or join the lists mouths. She only did it as a mother to all of them. Probable others who did not receive, will receive theirs Independence Day (July 26, 2007) who knows. Leave the old ma. It is not possible for all media institutitons to return the money. Because all don''t look at things the same way. What you do not want others want it. Let us not major on the minor now. Thanks.
1/8/2007 4:30:34 AM The thing here is that media institution here in Liberia are weak interm of monetary strength;therefore if such gesture is done let it goes across the board.The other time media institutions,according to pass secretary the President was frustrated with the media,instead of disgusted with the media.
Liberians press are buyers when it comes to reporting stories all because of MONEY.
I think the president was going to give this money to the TOP media institution as a way of show credibility in their reporting it was going to be well recieve.I beleive the Press union knows how to select their top media institution of the year in Liberia.
Madam President next time it should done through the press union.
Madison M.Cammue
Stephen A.Tolbert Estate,Monrovia
1/8/2007 6:24:52 AM CDC and other opposition memebers of the press should try to live with this government and get out of this confrontational attitude.
1/8/2007 7:35:14 AM I think the whole thing was a booby trap, someone need to explain this to the liberian people. someone need to explain to us if there''s a seperate amount in our national budget for media institutions operating in the country.
just imagine civil servants receiving a salary of twenty nine dollar on a monthly basic, and the president is calling this a international standard.
we need to know where did she get the money from!
1/8/2007 8:19:35 AM Are these monies allcated in the national budget or is buisness as usual where the president spent the country wealth at will?
al, PA
1/8/2007 9:09:17 AM just a gesture
1/8/2007 1:42:15 PM Some of your options should incorporate one or more of other options...I believe it was a trap and I also think the media should return the monew and also whoever is responsible should be reprimanded
1/8/2007 2:12:43 PM This is a simple gesture that is being blown out of proportion.

With the recent deaths of journalists from most times curable or manageable sicknesses, due to the unavailability of funds to pay treatment, these media houses could have placed this into a "medical fund" to assist their members.

Media houses are criticizing a government that have, instead of giving out floggings, illegal imprisonments and out right censorship, tried to create an environment where press freedom is respected.

I just think the new found press freedom is strange commodity to the practitioners, that most have still not evolved from the days of yester-years.
1/9/2007 4:19:34 AM I feel that the whole thing is given too much publicity just because some of the media houses did not get .
1/9/2007 4:53:02 AM I am surprise that we are now living in a world of trust, I say this to say our dear President have no problem with those media houses for them to say that she was trying to bride them it was a simple gesture.
1/9/2007 4:55:09 AM I believed that it was indeed wrong for madam Sirleaf to have had given said amount. Owing to the fact that she accused the press of being a checque book press, infact do not give gifts to them at all, for they are the watch dogs of society. any thing contrary is an affond to the oath and proffesion. Joe Manley, Liberia.
1/9/2007 7:58:46 AM After fifteen years of hardship, this is what our nation first democratic elected Government got show to the Liberian people? This is unbelievable and unacceptable. handling country funds to media institutes and calling it " GOOD GESTURE " is a wrong and unproffesional signal the Ellen led Government is introducing.
This is a serious crime the need quick investigation. Shemmy.
1/9/2007 9:01:47 AM THE Liberian people should think about ways of creating jobs to help the government. This gesture, should not be blown out of proportion.Please leave poor President Sirleaf alone.
1/9/2007 10:44:22 AM It would be comforting to know the media did not accept this gift, trap or whatever you wish to call it.
1/9/2007 2:46:01 PM I am Gyude A. Wilson residence of USA.I am not politician,But specialize Engineer in the area of Satellite Communications. I believe that President Sirleaf need to Bring a big killer who had serve in the pass INTG,George Dweh , What happen to Mr. Johnny Nah and families? ,this man still living freely in Liberia and no one can get him I can assure all liberian that this man need to be arrested by UN or the Government of Liberia. all we will come to liberia and get him> That wiil be Grabo Kru vs Kran war.This man need to pay for what he did.
Thanks
1/9/2007 3:57:42 PM I am Rev. Ishmael D. Walters, of the International Full Gospel Church, Inc., based in the State of Connecticut, U.S.A., I am kindly asking the management and staff of Front Page Africa, to please put a poll question on your user poll comments site concerning the impeachment of House Speaker Edwin Snowe. I would like to why he is to be impeached and I do believe, not I alone but many Liberians who are out of the country like myself who get our information from your wedsite. I do belived it is constitutional to impeach any government officer or law-maker who violate the constitution is subject to impeachment by law. Thanks
1/9/2007 4:05:32 PM I believed the money was intended for media houses to at least paid their unpaid journalist for the season instead.
1/9/2007 6:12:56 PM Snowe Must Go!! Lewis Browne, Samuel Wlue, Cyril Allen and Ben Urey Must ALL face Justice!!!!!
1/9/2007 8:35:01 PM President Sirleaf knows better than give in to the thought of bribing the press. In her life time, I believe the President has earned enough money to give anyone money or gift, once such gift or money is not stolen from government''s coffers. It is not as difficult to identify the real thieves in government as it is to prove that the President is engaged in bribery. Stop the nonsense people. Focus on Snowe, Urey, and their likes.
1/10/2007 12:46:22 PM I am surprise at such a so-called statesman like harry greaves who will be all around the place insulting his colleagues, smaller brother, older brother and the rest of them. Why should a man like be give attention every day when he really has nothing to offer. This same greave had problem with the late dectator Samuel Doe, Former rebel leader and president charles taylor, and his one time close allied G. Bryant. Is this the same greaves who head was wanted by the late samuel doe or ? Please close shut up and give Liberia a chance my young man if you don''t have nothing to offer. thanks
1/10/2007 6:28:39 PM I hope those media institutions that have not return their shares of Ellen''s $500.00 will see reason to do so ASAP. If you really know who Ellen is, I advise you to return her money will prevent her from writing your name in her book of disgrace.

Returning her money will also remind her of her own saying when when she was cursing and planning to wage war on the Liberian people few years ago; She "cannot work with idiots and corrupt indivivduals".

Here she is trying to buy the media with HUSH MONEY. "What goes around comes around".
1/10/2007 6:54:18 PM Revolutionaries and comrades, when it came to the selection of EDWIN SNOWE, What in hell were you guys thinking??? Snowe is a disgrace your branch of government. How can an idiot LEADE you ALL!!???!!????
1/11/2007 5:15:22 AM I this this was a misguarded advice to the president to have given $500.00 to media houses as gift. What about other institutions that operate in the country. The practice of given should be discouraged.
1/11/2007 5:26:57 AM Here in the U.S. it is customery for the White House to have a dinner for the press that covers it. It is not unethical for the Ellen administration to extend such a gift, It would have been more expensive to have a dinner. I believe that the media in liberia need additional training in journalism as as it is practiced around the world. I am sorry to say, but what we are reading about abroad about what is being practiced as journalism in Liberia is a joke. Some of our foreing friends who have begun following the news in Liberia are often surprised at what is considered to be vices of the current admiistration. The frist branch of government is not even close to the mandate of the Liberian people. Yet, it is the Ellen administration that have brought some semblance of respect to Liberia as a nation that is being vilified. Is that what you all called free speech?
1/11/2007 6:01:12 AM That''s all it is - an innocent but sincere gesture being grostesquely blown out of proportion.
1/11/2007 6:03:16 AM This is a very small amount but the gesture is worth noting. However, it should be distributef in such a way that all Liberians will benefit
1/11/2007 6:05:13 AM It''s amazing how this simple act of seasonal gift-giving could be construed to be bribery. I mean, come on now, this whole idea of describing the President''s gift as an attempt to bribe is against all she stands. Besides, how could anyone stoop so low a to determine that $500 could be considered as bribery to a large group of people, let alone be done so openly. Shame on those who perpetuate this mis-perception.
1/11/2007 7:22:22 AM Nothing is wrong with the President giving a gift to media groups she feels deserves it.
1/11/2007 8:11:14 AM try and focus your attention on what she is doing to bring those criminals to justice. i mean the snowe,doe,wlue, and the rest of the bunch.
1/11/2007 9:16:07 AM The president did the right thing by giving gifts to media institutions, but it draws a lot of concerns. First, it draws likeness and dislikeness. Second, it is viewed as bribery. Third, money used is public funds. I believe such funds should be used toward public facilities that children will benefit from. The entire country needs infrastructure. I think it''s more profound to celebrate holidays and give gifts because Liberians need unity. I believe the more knowledgeable way to carry out such giving, is by using personal funds. It''s absolutely unethical, it doesn''t really matter how much is being used. Public funds should be used publicly.
1/11/2007 12:29:45 PM The pess must look for important issues to report to us. If a gift is given to you and you don''t need/want it, give it back. Others who need it will take and use it.
1/11/2007 2:30:48 PM The enthusiasm of Freedom of Speech is been mis-used by others. Bribery does not work in the day light, it travels in the night. Ellen is not drunk to bribe such a group of professional people in this manner. The old ma is trying to show a gesture of appreciation to the journalists.
1/11/2007 4:29:09 PM The whole saga was a booby trap by Ellen Sirleaf to prove her statement Liberian journalists are practising check-book journalism. Ellen is trying to prove so much clean hands when she''s actually the head of the criminality and killings that have marked that country for more two decades now. Let her be careful so that she doesn''t plunge that country in her bid to present a clean picture of herself. Ellen and sought finance for all the wickedness that destroyed our country today why is trying to be Madam clean. Even new bed fellow, Harry Greeves whom she claims is one of angels to repair Liberia is reported stealing Liberia''s limited resources and she''s failed to listen to the cries of the people to remove this criminal from the LPRC. Let Ellen leave those poor journalists alone. After all when she was running all around the place with her so-called liberation efforts, it was the same journalists she used.
1/12/2007 2:21:59 AM As voted.
1/12/2007 6:20:39 AM As a son of the soul, I''m glad to extend my appreciation to LPRC Board of Directors for the authorization to Mr. Harry Greaves, the new director. My love goes to the Task Force Report. However, I heartily request for Mr. Devine and Nyepan to be removed from the house of senate while Speaker Snowe is impeached and Mr. Pennue leave the house of reprehensive. These guys are not only corrupt but also criminals of Liberia. It is our money they use to affect our people psychologically for such positions. I will take this time to challenge the entire legislature for serious action against these four corrupt individuals who consider themselves honorable men. There is a challenge for Mr. Harry Greaves to honor the BOD authority. We Liberians do not need any additional prove in such a case because there are bank evidence in your report these men can counteract to define themselves as good citizens. Liberians are suffering, and it''s time for a better Liberia. We are just tired with corrupt government officials in that country. Let the criminals of our land leave positions. There are positive minded Liberians in Liberia more than corrupt officers in government. We are tire and need a new Country.

Thanks,
Trokon Smith
Maryland, U.S.A
 
1/12/2007 6:32:15 AM This is an undue enticement mastered by the executive.
1/12/2007 8:23:07 AM the immaturity of the media
1/12/2007 11:09:28 PM I think the gift given to the media sent a wrong message - it leaves room for all forms of interpretation. It is difficult to consider "Kind Gesture" as the motive other than silencing the press.
1/13/2007 4:50:30 AM There is no place for such gift in any civil society. Let the madia institutions keep away from accepting such gift. Hi, guys, be professional. Write your stories without disposition. Let the president donate such gift to ELBS.
1/14/2007 5:50:04 PM To be objective media should be independent; to assert this independence and avoid any appearance of conflict media should not accept gifts from government and vice versa (government should not offer gifts to media).
1/15/2007 1:07:01 AM Snowe Must Go!! Lewis Browne, Samuel Wlue, Cyril Allen and Ben Urey Must ALL face Justice!!!!!Revolutionaries and comrades, when it came to the selection of EDWIN SNOWE, What in hell were you guys thinking??? Snowe is a disgrace to your branch of government. How can an idiot LEAD you ALL!!???!!???? SUP, SIM, and STUDA must act Now!!! We in the disapora, are being laughed at by our neighboring brothers. SNOWE the DUMB ROGUE and MOMOH GIBBA need to be with their PAPAY GHANGAY!!!
1/15/2007 6:18:08 AM This is a good will from the president which should have been given to any other person or group. We have to thank God that we have a president that can think about the press in a positive sense.This is no bribry.

 

 

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