PUT ULAA AND LIBERIA FIRST

By: Rev. J. Samuel Reeves, M. Div., M. A.

In few days, September 23-25, 2006 the historic city of Philadelphia will host the ULAA Convention and hopefully help ULAA reach a higher moral ground. The freedom tasted by the founding fathers of America in Philadelphia will hopefully inspire Liberians into a greater virtue of nationalism. I cherish the hope that what transpires in Philadelphia this weekend will help Liberians in the United States transcend manipulative and arm twisting politics that have seemingly made ULAA more of a spectator in the affairs of Liberians living in the United States and Liberians living in our beloved Republic of Liberia.

Delegates from the different states are certainly going to be faced with the choice of sanctimonious and uncritical advances to support a candidate that failed to share his brilliant ideas, outstanding knowledge and noble plans with the administration he currently serves as vice president. I believe that it is the height of hypocrisy for the vice president of ULAA to unveil transforming plans in a year of election when the Liberian people living in the US and Liberia could have been far better than we are. On the other hand, there is an agent of change, in the person of Emmanuel Toe, who in actuality has the idea, the substance, the fact and a realistic plan to make ULAA an active and positive player in the growth and development of our beloved country, Liberia.

Delegates from the states that converge on the city of brotherly love and the historic landmark of American freedom should not permit their independence, commitment to a better ULAA and love for Liberia to be overtaken by fancies, sentimentalities, imaginative and makeover politicking by ULAA and palaver hut politicians that major in wining elections, but minor in helping ULAA progress to the level that will benefit Liberians living in the United States and in the Republic of Liberia.

Delegates should put ULAA and Liberia first and make this ULAA election a mandate for change from the overwhelming weight under which ULAA continues to struggle for survival. Some of my dear friends have shared immense statements about integrity, honesty, ability and maturity, I respectfully disagree with the apportionment of these words, but they have the right to make choices as they feel. Personally, I feel that the delegates representing their respective states need to know that many of these well written statements by people on the other side have failed to articulate that these attributes are inseparable from the accomplishment, achievement, performance, execution and action of those that served at the helm of ULAA’s leadership in the past or who are currently serving ULAA in top positions.

Honesty is the embodiment of realistic change. When the opportunity to serve was given to the candidate on the other side, he took our votes for granted and failed to deliver the beef.  Integrity is to look beyond self-aggrandizement. The candidate on the other side failed to look beyond election year politics. Hence, he did not fully invest in the administration he was elected to serve. Ability is to work tirelessly for the advancement of the ULAA one has sworn to protect and serve. There is no evidence that the candidate on the other side deserves promotion for his honor of service. Maturity is not the absence of vision, but the dream of farsighted giants who maximize their efforts to make ULAA practical and Liberia a resounding success. The candidate on the other side is in this to win and I have endorsed Mr. Emmanuel Toe and his team because I believe that they are in this to win, to lead and to transform ULAA into a service oriented entity.

I call on all Liberians, especially delegates that will be casting those crucial ballots to reflect soberly on ULAA’s past; become agents of change for a better ULAA and to consider the benefits their votes will bring to Liberia and all Liberians.

My fellow Liberians and friends of Liberia, In union strong success is sure, we cannot fail…With hearts and hands our country’s cause defending…With God above our rights to prove, not only that we will, but we must over all prevail. I thank you and may God bless the Republic of Liberia.