Subject: SL: The Born Again Politicians

SYCOPHANT: "A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people" is how the American Heritage Dictionary defines it. There may be other definitions but I think in the real of things, they all point to the same idea. Quite an intriguing label for a system one would hope is opening up to democratic process of social management. If the electorate could be considered the influential people from whom both the elections now camp and peace before elections camp are seeking accommodations, then "sycophant " label applies toboth camps equally.

But that is besides the point. The point being that this trend is nothing new but a replay of APC regime's strategy of social and political neutralization. One would hope that we can walk away from this strategy of governance. There is too much at stake to begin to look backward with the eye of cheap political terrorism. Why not argue or debate the issues of the country and let the electorate decide from the strength or worthiness of your argument. That would be more just and democratic. After all, the elections are being called in the nameof democracy and democracy calls for equal chance of participation withoutintimidation, coercion etc. INEC in my judgment needs to ensure that the people of Sierra Leone are able to express their views over this election without been demoralized.

We hear that the argument over elections now and peace before elections has reached some new levels with the key word SYCOPHANT sprayed on any one that even modestly attempts to suggest the postponement of elections while peace is explored first.

We hear that the atmosphere is tense. Some presidential aspirants - Thaimu Bangura, Abass Bundu according to news reports have no hesitation to suggest that their loses or supposed bankruptcy will not be recovered without the elections now. One wonders how the recovering of their expenses relates to having the elections now or the outcome of the elections. For one thing, if they win, they get paid for their services to the society but how MUCH in relation to thethousands or millions they claim they have spent. If they don't, they get nothing. I am under the impression that until the elections are held, we do not know the winner(s). It seems these guys already know that they are winners. That being the case, while waste money on the elections instead of just declaring themselves winners - if winning means recovering their expenses.

Saffa Kemokai @ Browns Mills, NJ