Editor's Note: Due to the fighting in Liberia and in response to Abraham Massaley's request address to Liberian journalists in the Diaspora to pray for their homeland, Counselor Charles W. Brumskine recently wrote: "I like to join Abraham in beeching all of us to pray for our country and our people back home. That is exactly what my household and I are doing." In reaction to Counselor Brumskine's call, asking the Liberian people to pray for peace, J. Nagbe Sloh sent the following comments to The Perspective.

Before he died in 1978, my father had always told me that the same rope that hangs monkey would hang baboon, and that it is therefore not a good thing for baboon to dance when monkey is being tied.

I remembered that saying this evening when I read a note to Liberians from Counselor Charles Brumskine, asking Liberians to "pray for our country and our people back home," adding, "That is exactly what my household and I are doing."

At first, I thought this Charles Brumskine was another Liberian genuinely concerned about Liberia and its people. Little did I know it would be the Charles Brumskine who was Charles Taylor's most trusted spokesman and public relations man in Monrovia during the civil war. In fact, after the 1997 elections, Taylor appointed Brumskine Grand Bassa Senator and President Pro Tempore of the Senate for arrogantly defending the unimaginable mayhem and property destruction rained upon Liberians and Liberia by Taylor and his NPFL.

Now that I know who this Brumskine is, I am sorrowfully reminded by that eloquent voice of this learned lawyer when, in the heat of the NPFL's atrocities and plunder, he was a very loud voice in defense of the NPFL. I remember how Counselor Brumskine, Gus Kouwenhoven, and some other ice-hearted Liberians took to the airwaves and used newspaper pages to defend Taylor and all other NPFL gangsters.

Yes, I remember how they abused the protection provided them by ECOMOG and Sawyer's Interim Government, and got away with impunity. They fought the Interim Government and ECOWAS on behalf of Taylor and his gangsters while at the same time enjoying the safety and luxury of the Liberian people's sweat, Hotel Africa.

I guess that during those days, Counselor Brumskine either did not know or forgot that Liberia and Liberians needed the prayers of his household and himself. When the Liberian people were crying for God's help, especially during Taylor's "Operation Octopus," Brumskine rejoiced, clapped, danced, and defended the killing of Liberians and foreigners by the NPFL. So, why does he want to pray now? Have you discovered something, Counselor? Me, I just want to know, because I still remember how you helped Taylor and his NPFL rain terror on the same people and country you "pray" for today.

During those days, I still remember, no one could make sense to you and your friend Gus, that sucker of Liberia's blood. Even the Liberian women, through the Liberian Women's Initiate, tried fruitlessly to calm you down. You and Counselor Benedict Sarnor were too hot to handle when it came to defending Taylor. You flew from country to country, pushing Taylor's killing agenda. So, why now, Counselor? What difference would the prayers make today that it could not make when you were aiding and abetting Taylor's war machine? Me, I just want to know, because I still remember how wicked you have been to the Liberian people while working for your masters, Taylor and his NPFL.

Yes, I welcome prayers for Liberia and Liberians, but the ones from people like Brumskine will further hurt Liberia, because God knows that the Brumskines are politicking with the blood and sweat of His children. Good night, and tell Counselor Brumskine to pray for himself. The Liberian people will pray for themselves. After all, what he helped plant is what Liberia is suffering from now.

May God bless Liberia!