By H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr.
Yhap, I do not know you as you pretend in your latest write up and will explain in this short response. I am simplifying this as much as possible.
- In the first place, I have never allowed proxies to write for me. It would be grossly dishonest on my part to allow proxies to write articles and then affix my name. I have never done that and will never do such! I do not do AI either. This is not my way. What you read in “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise!” is me writing, conscious of the fact that these are footnotes of history. This is the way I know how to write, in caustic polemics when dealing with political neophytes!
- I am not interested in your biography or the relationship with my siblings or family members. Their acquaintances are not my acquaintances. Their friends are not necessarily my friends. I believe this is known in the Brownell and Fahnbulleh families.
- Your argument that: “I know him well. We are not friends, but neither have we been enemies…” made me shake my head in pity when I read it. Unlike you and others, I take my politics very serious, especially in the context of the political struggle in this country! I neither drink nor smoke and I do not do nightclubs, bars or drinking spots. These are for others. I long ago passed the stage for entertainment! This is the reason I have very few acquaintances. I do not know you as you are implying.
- You averred that: “Our professional lives occupied different spheres. His was politics. Mine was Liberia’s energy sector. Yet our paths crossed repeatedly during the Sirleaf administration…We met often at the Executive Mansion and, on more than one occasion, sat across from one another in the office of the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs….” This is not true. The only time I remember meeting you was in Dr. McClain’s office and we never discussed “matters of national importance.” I was national Security Advisor and never once attended cabinet meetings. I concentrated on security matters, and these were dealt with by the National Security Council and many cabinet ministers never had the privilege of sitting in that august body not to mention ordinary citizens, professionals or well learned technocrats!
- I do not know what impression you are trying to create with this idea of familiarity. It is possible that you discussed “matters of national importance” with others at the Executive Mansion but never with me. Had there been discussions of such nature with you, I would have remembered. The one and other time I met you at the Executive Mansion was in Dr. McClain’s office and I am convinced that I did not stay in your presence for more than two minutes. I knew you were there to discuss the renovation of the Executive Mansion because I overheard Dr. McClain as I walked through the door. I do not know you as you are trying to make out but this is irrelevant.
- You are wrong when you argue that: “Dr. Fahnbulleh or his proxy seems preoccupied with the family into which I was born.” This is so infantile. I do not care into which family one was born. I deal with individuals within the context of their defence of the follies of a social class! Follies must be condemned in history. All excuses and attempts to whitewash such follies can only be considered dishonest misrepresentations! Some people misrepresent because they are ignorant. These must be helped with simple explanations. There are others who misrepresent because they want to hide certain historical realities! These ones must be identified and shown for what they are— hypocrites and falsifiers!
- I do not know your story and do not care to know. I have better things to do with my time. Your closing argument that: “Your proxy may understand the politics of the moment but clearly does not understand the history of the relationships involved,” is an attempt at social and historical grandstanding! I am surprised that you and many others did not listen to my testimony at the TRC. It was nine hours and carefully crafted for the historical records. Maybe your attention span is low, and you did not have the patience, or you were simply dismissive because you had formed your erroneous opinion about the role of Boima Fahnbulleh in the tragedies in our country!
- Come again and let us deal with the historical issues if you so desire. Please listen to the testimony at the TRC before you come. This will forego unnecessary repetition! Come prepared, because at the moment, you are dancing on the edge.
- Yhap! THIS IS THE REAL BOIMA FAHNBULLEH. I write the way I feel, not hinder by any fear of losing friendship or relationship!!
