The Editor,
Ever heard the expression, “ignorance is bliss?” In my weak ways, let me try debating or evaluating the debaters; McGill-Weah versus Alex Cummings: Read the transcript of the verbal translation of the debate-challenge emanating from the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill and constract it with the rebuttal from opposition ANC leader Alexander Cummings and you know Mr. Cummings thrashed Mr. McGill already even before any formal debate begins.
It is shameful, embarrassing and a national disgrace that the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of President George Weah does not know subject-and-verb agreement, past and present tenses of verbs but wants to debate an eloquent opposition leader in Alexander Cummings?
Now, I think the public deserves to know the educational levels of both McGill and Cummings. As for Dr.-President George Weah who holds a “Master’s degree” and often brags about his degrees, Mr. Cummings has elevated the debate to challenge Dr. Weah himself, and rightfully so. American President Harry Truman coined the popular saying, “the buck stops here,” that as president he should be held accountable for happenings/decisions taken by his administration. This is what Cummings is telling McGill but does McGill get it?
What prompted Minister McGill to put out a debate challenge against Mr. Alexander Cummings? What was he thinking about? Mr. Fummings has now shifted the spotlight on Mr. McGill’s boss, Dr.-President George Gbekugbeh Forkay Klon Manneh Weah and rightfully so. Weah needs to fire McGill for this setup; it is a conspiracy to embarrass Dr. Weah. But does Dr. Weah get it?
McGill says that Cummings who succeeded in Corporate America and climbed to the rank of Vice President with giant Coca-Cola was a “fluke?” Realky Mr. McGill? Have you ever lived and worked in America, the world’s greatest economic and military power? But does McGill get it, too!
Indeed, “ignorance is bliss,” wrote Thomas Gray. In Thomas Gray’s poem “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College” in 1742, translated, it means “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” Face it, he said, “you were better off not knowing that, weren’t you?” The more knowledge you have, the more equipped you are to deal with life. That generally speaking, ignorance is a detestable state of mind.
But ignorance itself does not equall stupidity,” he wrote.
Thomas Gray went on: “For instance, I view myself as someone who is smart enough to realize his huge capacity for stupidity. I know there are massive gaps in my cultural and general kniwledge,” he said. These massive gaps are evident today in the Liberian culture and general knowledge deficiency…only if some of us were smart to realize same.
In summary and conclusion, Mr. Gray profoundinly wrote: “I would define my intellectual state as, at times, UNAWARE. But WHO am I kidding? In some areas of life, I am just plain ignorant, even if not by CHOICE.”–Poet Thomas Gray in 1742 and still relevant today nearly 300 years later. But what you don’t know and you think you KNOW will not hurt you but exposes your ignorance, and ignorance is our predicament in Liberia today. Just a thought and not a sermon.
Jerry Wehtee Wion
Washington, DC, USA