RE: Asantehene: �I�ll Arrest Techimanhene Just Like A Hawk Grabbing A Fowl If...�

One story on our site (peacefmonline.com) which has generated so much interest and whipped up impassioned reader commentary is the one captioned: Asantehene: �I�ll Arrest Techimanhene Just Like A Hawk Grabbing A Fowl If�� Much as Peacefmonline appreciates its active reader participation and indeed encourages it, the current trend of insult-laden comments appearing on our site is a serious cause for concern for all well-meaning Ghanaians both home and abroad. This rostrum is supposed to be mounted with acute sense of decorum and guided by nothing short of public decency. Ideas sure do vary and every issue that engenders national discourse such as the one above needs to be approached with the view to resolving rather than inflaming them. Any abuse of the facility will be playing into the hands of our foreign detractors whose warped opinions about our continent would not allow them to acknowledge our progress in any respect. More so, on a global platform like this, one could use a heavy dose of circumspection in addressing issues, for the sake of our own dignity as a sovereign people. The average view of the Western world regarding African social advancement is that it is merely cosmetic. The West believes that beneath the skin of African civilization lies a thick layer of tribal allegiances and sensibilities. They know that no matter the level of his education, the African will always see issues from a tribal standpoint. That it only takes the needle of tribal affront, whether real or perceived, to puncture this delicate veneer and out would gush all the venomous reactions which, if not dealt with tactfully, could easily turn the hands of time back centuries. It is against this background that we would sincerely entreat our readers to weigh all the options when they decide to post a comment. Creators of the forum had the option of subjecting all comments to strict editorial standards before accepting and posting them. By deciding on the prevailing format the assumption was that readers would help us make it an arena of ideas rather a cesspit of foul language bereft of substance. Maybe the time has come to start practicing the old adage: �IF YOU DON�T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY, DON�T SAY IT HERE!�