Hi,

this writing is the living witness of EPRDF leaders mentlaity.....for them all Ethiopians who opt a different ideaolgy are their enemies. The guy who wrote the article is a crazy man. He must be taken to mental clinic and be treated for Schiznophrenia. Man ...what have we become? Now we have people who do not heitiate all educated ethiopian children. Where do we go from here....?

It’s the same person that is responsible for both articles (and their titles) Aklilu Abreha, Meles’s version of Joseph Goebbels. (Am I "denigrating" again?)

It’s the same person that is responsible for both articles (and their titles) Aklilu Abreha, Meles’s version of Joseph Goebbels. (Am I "denigrating" again?)

The two articles were not written by a writer working for the state media, rather it was written by government supporter in the U.S. As you might have notices there is a war of words raging in the Internet and in many Ethiopian restaurants across the world. On the side of the opposition we have Ethiopian Review and Ethio Media and the Government side we have Aiga Forum, hambashaa, Ethiopian observer.

Mr. heavens, you seem to have very low regard and perhaps even disdain for the Ethiopian journalists, particularly the ones working for the state media. For most of these journalists, English is at minimum their second and most likely the third language they have learned. Try writing headlines in Amharic and see how you might fare.

Despite the above diatribe, what is funky in this particular blog of yours is not the headlines but your factual error. The two articles are personal opinions written not by any journalist but by an individual who resides in the US. As a "trained proffesional" journalist, how about checking your facts before jumping to any conclusions. Don't let your bias interfere with the simple facts. I very much enjoy your blog, I hope you keep it up.

Just to be clear. I meant "state journalists" as a broad blanket description for anyone who writes for a state paper. Anyway, headlines are generally written by a paper's sub-editors, not its correspondents.

Dear Z Tawek,
I don't think Andrew (I hope Mr.Heavens wouldn't mind me using his first name) was referring to their English. What was funky was the idea of the writer. I think I will find it equally wild if the walta guy wrote it in Amharic.

The guy clearly reflects the disdain and hatred of the government towards the educated. He says as a person gets more and more educated, he gets isolated from reality by spending much time in the laboratory. What was funny about this guy is that he assumes all science is done in the labratory away from the community. What about social sciences and the humanities? Isn't it done in the "real" world? Does being specialized in one area imply a complete ignorance in the other? If the EPRDF thinks getting educated ain't no good, why does the officials go after this and that distance education? (or doesn't the author's alegation hold for distance education? loool)

He says "people who put doctor eng prof suffix and prefix....". This is sooo embarrassing. These guys earned these titles through hard work in renowed institutions and they are entitled to use it! It is not like the honorary or whatever degree Meles keeps getting from the chinese lol.

I agree that an academic education doesn't necessarily mean enlightment in societal affairs. But it does not also mean a complete lack of it as the walta guy tried to depict.

I think this is getting long it seems like another blog than a comment. I have to take it to weichegud as she is having a break now.

Tawek,

In a simple language, what you are telling him is to shut up, not to say anything that contradicst with the CUD supporter's manner.

I loved reading both the articles you pointed out, it was so funny how the author of the second one tried to explain that educated people will not be good leaders because of their education.

As someone in another website pointed...
The moral is no shocking news... According to Walta "if you want to lead in Ethiopia you have to drop out of school or get 259 degrees(or was it 360?).

Dera Mr. Heavens:
I am glad you found the title (headline) of my articles funky. I thought we may need to have a little sense of humor while we are at. It breaks the ice and lightens up the mood. I have noticed that Ethiopians appear to be extremely somber when discussing political issues. I think, that is part of the problem.
Having said that, however, I like to let you know that I am not a state journalist.
I am a concerned Ethiopian. I only write my own opinion hoping to avert the impending catastrophy.
It may be beneficial to all of us to make the distinction between private individuals and hired professional journalists.

Well, I just read the above comments regarding my articles.
The article is my own personal opinion and I stand by it.
Believe you me, I am an educated person my self, and depending on the subject matter at hand, I may very well fall into the idiot or the savant category. The article is not intended to be a blanket statement about all educated Ethiopians. It is only about the mind set of some of the contemporary educated Ethiopians.
It is pointedly targeted against the individuals who are engaged in fanning hate politics under the guise of their educational achivement. We know that Ethiopians have an eleveted level of reverence towards educated individuals. And I have noticed some Ethiopians blindely following them and leaving our countries future at the alleged savants discretion. My intention is to contribute my share in order to discourage the blind follower. PS: I have noticed the arthimetic error. As I told those who pointed it out to me, I stayed very late (1:00 AM PST) writting and proofreading it. As I had to put my children to bed and had to get up early the next day. I guess I missed that one, and was hoping the editors of the website will catch it. Nevertheless, the figure should have been 359 degrees. I have got a lot of As in my math courses if you need a proof.

Andrew,

Don't you think you've gotten way over the top with your criticism of the government media. Why do I have the feeling you miss your friend Andrew Mitchell? Y'know a one way trip to Nairobi can be arranged.

Indeed Funky!

It does not really matter weather this guy writes for the government media outlets like Herald, ENA, or WALTA. But his style is indeed bizarre. The moment I saw his articles in the government media outlets, I was sure of what he talks about. But his style is bizarre and archaic. Why all these to defend Mr. Zenawi and his Agazi troops? They even did not deny that they killed. They killed yesterday and they would kill tomorrow. Their days are, however, outnumbered. To know this does not require one to have a degree in Nuclear Physics.

Andrew,

How come you didn't post my last comment? Censorship?

Hi Andrew,
question... do you by any chance know what happened to the online edition of Addis Fortune?? was wondering if you had any idea.. thanks

One interesting thing is how these pieces migrate, from Diaspora sites to ENA/Walta and, eventually, sometimes, into the state papers. It's almost a way to predict which way the wind will blow -- the current rash of calls for independence from aid and against NGOs is a case in point...it's like the party is using some of the Diaspora sites to test-market ideas....

Shame to be you Andrew,

Sorry for the offence but laying law and choosing to be silent about a repugnant human crime is being a coward. where is your journalism...I know at times you touch some critical points...but..I am puzzeled by your reluctant approach to the main issue of the country....hey may be you are afraid to get deprived of the priviladge of enojoying by being rich and having what you want at the midest of misery. After all you can not choose to be a true journalist and escape the hand of the tyrant.

Before I conclude I want you to do something for me..if you are supporting the strugle against the opressor by other means which is unkown to me, my apology to you and plase disregard the critisism.

Otherwise again shame to by you Andrew

Peace

Thanks,

very hilarious headlines, brilliant!

"...you've gotten way over the top with your criticism of the government media. ...you miss your friend Andrew Mitchell? Y'know a one way trip to Nairobi can be arranged" AMHED my Q, y do supportors of beggar tyrants always feel so macho on their way out? U must have seen how many of them r abondoned by their rich beggar tyrants when it is all over.

"One interesting thing is how these pieces migrate, from Diaspora sites to ENA/Walta and, eventually, sometimes, into the state papers..." ALEX my Observation, remember Netsle's response when it was accused of asking for compensation from the country that had upto 14 million famished citizens out of 60 million in early 2000s? Netsle exposed to the world that the government of Ethiopia was wasting more than six million dollars every year to lobby American government instead of using that money to buy grain for it's hungry people but that didn't include the other money which is being spent to do other things like Mr Abreha's things.