₦airaland Forum

The whole structure of Nigeria is wrong. You can't build a democracy on a structure and consitution set up by military dictators for their own benefit.
There is more than enough reason for a national conference.

Can we talk about Nigeria for once?

[quote author=ndu_chucks link=topic=403588.msg5576163#msg5576163 date=1267018683]Don't underestimate the political sagacity and genius of certain quarters who are bent on retaining power 2011 and beyond. This return of Yar'Adua was well planned and orchestrated with the full knowledge of Jonathan, George W. Bush, Condolesa (spelling), and other top officials in Nigeria.

I suspect that the whole thing was designed to prevent the invocation of section 144 which would oust Yar'Adua for good. They know that Jonathan is a weaklin that would not have the guts to force the FEC into action while Yar'Adua is in Nigeria.

The only way Yar'Adua leaves office before 2011 is if he dies. From the information I have, the presidential quarters have been well equipped to sustain anyone on life support system for years!

Goodluck Jonathan needs to assert himself immediately by telling the country the true condition of Yar'Adua and by sacking all the members of the kitchen cabinet immediately! Jonathan is still the acting President. Yar'Adua must prove that he is fit and well enough for office before he can take over from Jonathan.

Mallam Goodluck, wey your balls? make you no let Turai and Yar'Adua people control you, or we no go remember you well for history.[/quote]I have heard this thing too, that it was actually the US that ochestrated the return of Yar Adua from Saudi (with Obama's say so). But to what end?
Their state dept have made a number of pronouncements on Nigeria today, advicing that nobody takes advantage of yar Adua's presence to forment mischief, Iwu should be sacked and thatthey support Jonathans policies. That makes me feel that their actions are more in line with precipitating section 144 (Yar Adua is right here with us, so there's no withholding access to his true state of health), but I can't be sure.

As to the bit about Jonathan, I agree with reservations. His actions will depend on what he knows and his style of keeping his thoughts in the shadows; if this plays against him we will surely remember him very poorly.

otawa:
as long as Yaradua is physically in Nigeria and he could talk, then forget about GoodLuck.

The only option left now is to impeach or kill Yaradua.

The cabal has finally play their JOKER. what a master hand!

Have you seen the amount of communication from the US state dept and Africom on todays development? They don't want Yar Adua's presence fouling any gains Nigeria has made in the past two weeks. They didn't send such a powerful delegation just last week for nothing (Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, Ms Rice, President Bush). Progressive Nigerians can count on a powerful friend.

The cabal just played a joke on themselves. . . It will last as long as this evening, then begin to fade.

This resignation thing is just a rumour the fu'cking cabal is apreading, because the desired result of Yar Adua's presence in the country is failing. The senate did'nt even acknowledge his return this morning.

They are fighting a losing battle.

Yar Adua will soon exit the presidency.
All these things are stunts by the criminal cabal to hold unto their jobs, its the last roll of the dice for the vultures.

Seriously, we need to see the back of Yar Adua and all the beasts hanging unto his misfortune.

[size=14pt]Nigeria VP to run state affairs as Yar'Adua recovers[/size]
Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:04pm GMT 

ABUJA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Nigeria's Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will continue to run state affairs while President Umaru Yar'Adua recovers after three months of medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, the presidency said on Wednesday.
"President Yar'Adua wishes to re-assure all Nigerians that on account of their unceasing prayers and by the special grace of God, his health has greatly improved," Yar'Adua's spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi said in a statement.

"However, while the President completes his recuperation, Vice President Jonathan will continue to oversee the affairs of state," the statement said. (For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: af.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Nick Tattersall)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE61N10620100224

If that happens, the US might attack us, they will not be comfortable with extreme people in charge of Nigeria.
They have already engaged seriously and gelled with Jonathan.

http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=4070&lang=

AfroCynic:
Beaf, where is the volunteer office, I want to join MEND, please. If Jonathan resigns, if they force him out, let the country go as it may, let everyone return to their father's backyard. I will be through with this country. If the so called Southerners cannot once and for all reject this curse that North has held over the country!

This one done pass be careful.

I don't think there's an office. But try http://mendnigerdelta.com.

Nigeria will move one step closer to war if Jonathan is forced out by the army or any Northern cabal. It looks like a joke, but those guy's are committing political suicide.

[size=14pt]TESTIMONY: Carson Examines U.S. - Nigeria Relationship[/size]

Bureau of African Affairs Print Share WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb 23, 2010 — Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, expressed support for the Nigerian people as they "work through their democratic institutions to resolve the challenges facing their nation," during a testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, February 23, 2010.

"Our bilateral relationship with Nigeria remains strong and we can continue to press forward our mutual strategic goals," said Carson.

He identified the following mutual goals -- achieving free and fair elections, building the capacity and commitment to fight corruption, promoting economic development, resolving internal conflict and enhancing Nigeria's role as a regional leader in conflict mitigation, and developing other influential actors in Nigeria such as the state governments and faith communities."

The complete testimony is available below:

"Examining the U.S.-Nigeria Relationship in a Time of Transition"

Mr. Chairman, Ranking member Isakson, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today on Nigeria -- one of the most important countries in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the United States' most strategic partners. I particularly appreciate the abiding interest of the African Affairs Subcommittee in Nigeria. I have just returned from a visit there and am pleased to share my insights on the evolving situation as well as the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship.

First, let me express our shared hope that President Yar'Adua, who remains absent from the country for medical treatment, will fully recover. His absence over the last few months challenged Nigeria to find a path forward consistent with its constitution and in line with democratic principles. The National Assembly's resolution that officially designated Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President demonstrated Nigeria's resolve, and we commend the commitment of all elements of Nigerian society to constitutional process and the rule of law. We will continue to support the Nigerian people as they work through their democratic institutions to resolve the challenges facing their great nation.

My visit to Nigeria underscored the continuing importance of Nigeria to U.S. national interests and the value of our bilateral relationship. It also provided an opportunity to discuss areas where the United States can engage with Nigeria on issues of importance to both countries. My meetings with a broad spectrum of political, religious, and civil society leaders across Nigeria focused on our shared values and goals, including efforts on governance, elections, anti-corruption, countering violent extremism and regional security. I stressed that the elections scheduled for April 2011 must be credible -- Nigeria cannot afford a repeat of 2007. The February 6 elections in Anambra state, while deemed credible, suffered from poor logistics and administration, and as little as a 16 percent voter turnout. This is one area where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is in need of improved leadership, must do better.

Our bilateral relationship with Nigeria remains strong and we continue to press forward our mutual strategic goals -- achieving free and fair elections, building the capacity and commitment to fight corruption, promoting economic development, resolving internal conflict and enhancing Nigeria's role as a regional leader in conflict mitigation, and developing other influential actors in Nigeria such as the State Governments and faith communities.

Elections: While Nigeria has accomplished much in the past 10 years, it still faces many challenges to meet its full potential. Nigeria's 2007 elections were marred by poor organization, widespread fraud, and numerous incidents of voter intimidation and violence resulting in the deaths of more than 300 people. The 2011 elections must be better. As such, I have urged Nigeria's leaders to make electoral reform one of Nigeria's highest priorities. I have stressed the importance of achieving peaceful transition of civilian rule through transparent, free, and fair elections. We have supported Nigerian organizations by printing Electoral Reform Commission (ERC) recommendations in English, Hausa and Yoruba, as well as organizing symposiums, seminars, and other venues to educate stakeholders.

A U.S. Agency for International Development and United Kingdom's Department for International Development team just completed a joint electoral assessment in Nigeria. We continue to urge Nigeria to implement the reforms needed to move closer to credible election processes and a peaceful transition of civilian rule through transparent, free, and fair elections. We are prepared to provide technical assistance to Nigeria's election commission provided they demonstrate a willingness to fulfill their primary role of strengthening election administration.

Good Governance: The challenges Nigeria faces are principally ones of governance. As Secretary Clinton said clearly, "The most immediate source of the disconnect between Nigeria's resource wealth and its population's poverty is a failure of governance at the federal, state and local level." Endemic corruption is a known culprit, but so is the failure to hold political leaders accountable to the people. Improving governance is the foundation of U.S. efforts in Nigeria at the federal, state and local levels where we seek to improve transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. There can be little progress in reducing child mortality, fighting poverty, creating jobs, and improving the business climate without improved governance.

Economic Development: We seek to support economic development in Nigeria by advocating for improved business climate, increased power generation, and transparency in the extractive industries. Endemic corruption is a major factor behind Nigeria's consistently low ranking (125 of 183) in the World Bank's "Doing Business" report. U.S. companies have to follow the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the USG has been aggressive in pursuing companies that violate it. We will support those Nigerian institutions and organizations that fight corruption and inefficiencies that hinder economic growth.

We welcome Nigeria's efforts to reform its energy sector. We are actively engaged in seeing that Nigeria's reforms advance its own energy security and provide the income the nation needs to invest in development. We applaud Nigeria's participation in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and encourage Nigeria to finalize implementation of EITI's revenue transparency methodology and independent validation.

We embraced President Yar'Adua's commitment to increase power generation to 6000 megawatts by the end of the year and we hope Acting President Jonathan takes on this pledge. Major infrastructure improvements are critical to developing manufacturing and other non-oil sector industries. This is a real challenge for Nigeria and absolutely essential for the progress and development of Nigeria and its people. The decline in the country's infrastructure -- from poor roads to power shortages to reduced health and education spending -- has led to a decline in social indices, reduced manufacturing and food insecurity. Regional Security Cooperation: Nigeria's commitment to regional peace and security remains exemplary in a troubled continent. Nigeria has provided the largest number of peacekeeping troops in Africa. It has fielded troops to trouble spots in West Africa and to Darfur, and played an important role in returning stability to Sierra Leone and Liberia.

We seek to enhance Nigeria's role as a U.S. partner on regional security, but we also seek to bolster its ability to combat violent extremism within its borders. Nigeria is a partner in counterterrorism efforts, and it is in this context that Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with their inclusion on the Transportation Security Administration's "Countries of Interest" list. Nigerians perceive this as collective punishment for the actions of a wayward son, when in fact they shared our outrage at the attack and have been providing assistance to the ongoing investigation. Let me be clear, our friendship and relationship with Nigeria is strong and continues to be based on a wide range of important bilateral issues.

We condemn the chronic politically-motivated, inter-religious violence in Plateau State, especially around Jos. The conflict flared again in recent weeks, resulting in the killings of more than 100 civilians. We urge all parties to address the hostility between religious and ethnic groups and bring perpetrators of such acts to justice. The tensions in the north have religious overtones and are perceived by outsiders as fighting between Christians and Muslims; in fact, the real conflict is one of politics. Political leaders in Nigeria must recognize this and with the help and support of national religious leaders promote a dialogue between groups to resolve issues peacefully.

President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo last year called for mutual understanding and partnership across gender, religious, ethnic, and nationality lines. To meet this call, we seek to expand our diplomatic presence in key African countries, most critically, in northern Nigeria. Having representation in northern Nigeria will allow us to engage key Christian and Muslim leaders in the north, support the vibrant civil society, and report on political, economic and social issues.

Niger Delta: While we are currently experiencing relative calm in the Niger Delta, this region remains at the forefront of our bilateral agenda. By October 2009, the Nigerian Government persuaded all major militant leaders to renounce violence and surrender arms in exchange for amnesty, government stipends, training opportunities, and pledges of greater development for the Delta. Nigerian officials followed up the amnesty program with a series of consultations with Delta stakeholders, including ex- militants. To date, security has improved considerably in most areas of the Delta, but ex-militants have staged protests in Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta States over lack of progress on rehabilitation and reintegration.

We commend the Government of Nigeria for initiating the amnesty process and urge the implementation of the post-amnesty programs. We support efforts to establish mechanisms for positive changes in governance, curb activities of criminal elements operating with impunity in the Delta, and provide economic opportunity and needed services for residents of the Niger Delta. We have coordinated closely with the international partners and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to identify opportunities to assist the Nigerian Government in this endeavor. The UNDP sent a letter to Minister of Defense and Amnesty Committee Chairperson Retired General Godwin Abbe in December 2009 offering to engage on the Niger Delta.

During her August 2009 visit to Abuja, Secretary Clinton agreed to establish a U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission that would allow the United States and Nigeria to engage on key bilateral issues including regional security and counterterrorism, and advance discussions on governance and transparency issues, Niger Delta post-amnesty progress, and economic development.

Mr. Chairman, we are enhancing our bilateral engagement with Nigeria, despite the enormous challenges we face. We remain encouraged by the Nigerian people's commitment to their country's democratic foundation and Acting President Jonathan's public and private commitments to reform. We will seize the opportunity to work with the Government of Nigeria in these efforts. Our goal is to help Nigeria fulfill its potential as a regional leader, but the Government of Nigeria must first address the need of its citizens.

Thank you again for the opportunity to discuss our bilateral relationship with Nigeria. I look forward to answering your questions.
Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations


http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=4070&lang=

Updates as they happen

1333 - Officials of the State Security Service (SSS) ransack office of the Vice-President.

1326 - Unconfirmed reports quote sources at Aso rock as saying that the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will resign at the 2PM meeting and some ministers might go with him.

1245 - Action Congress says the "mere presence" of the president is not enough for him to resume power. Publicity secretary, Lai Muhammed, says the president must now write a letter to nation assembly to announce that he is fit for office.

1239 - Senate begins third reading of Section 145 ammendement bill. On the same day that it passed the second reading.

1232 - Army official detailed to receive president at airport this morning claims that Mr. Yar'Adua "walked" into the waiting ambulance. This is unconfirmed.

1220 - Secretary to the government of the federation, Yayale Ahmed, announces that the weekly federal executive council meeting has been postponed. The Acting president will still meet with his cabinet in his office at 2pm but this will be a private meeting. No reference made to President Yar'Adua's health or return. He is not expected however to attend the meeting between Goodluck Jonathan and his cabinet.

1153 - Senate goes ahead to conclude debate amending section 145 of the constitution without any mention of President Yar’Adua’s return.

1135 - Jonathan is waiting, trying to avoid embarrassment by staying away and waiting for the president who is taking eternity to come out

1134 - Senate makes no reference to the president's return and continues session on amendment of Section 145 of the Nigerian constitution. However various groups are seen fervently huddling together during recess.

1131 - A security detail is guarding the president’s chair to ensure Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan does not sit on the chair.

♦One hour after the weekly cabinet meeting of ministers was supposed to have commenced, there is no sign that it would hold, as all the ministers have stayed away.

Neither the Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan nor his aides have also turned up. This is very unusual, as they (the Acting President and his aides) always keep to time in past meetings. Mr Jonathan had locked out some ministers from past meeting for lateness.

However, aides to the ailing President, Umaru Yar'Adua who returned to the country, early this morning were seen at the chambers. Mr Yar Adua's (Aide-de-Camp) ADC, Mustapha Onoedieva
and Chief security Officer Yusufu Tilde were seen at the council chambers for a while earlier today, but they also left.

No presidency official is willing to talk yet.

President Umaru Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria early this morning, and was carried from the airport in an ambulance. A terse report on Nigerian Television Authority this morning said he has been taken to a ‘clinic.'

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5531463-146/live_updates_-_yaraduas_return_.csp?CSPCHD=0010000100003tlv5XV90000007u1kSXezftkiw57agLrt0Q--

[size=14pt]US fears 'uncertainty' over Nigerian leader's return: envoy [/size]

The United States is concerned that the return of Nigeria's ailing president could spark "renewed uncertainty" in the major oil exporter, Washington's top envoy to Africa said Wednesday.

Recent reports "continue to suggest that President Umaru Yar'Adua's health remains fragile and that he may still be unable to fulfill the demands of his office," said the envoy, Johnnie Carson, in a statement released by the US embassy in Lagos.

"We hope that President Yar'Adua's return to Nigeria is not an effort by his senior advisors to upset Nigeria's stability and create renewed uncertainty in the democratic process".

"Nigeria needs a strong, healthy and effective leader to ensure the stability of the country and to manage Nigeria's many political, economic and security challenges."

http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=100224114407.k7cuarfi.php

^
Yar Adua is in no state to return. Game over.

[quote author=~Bluetooth link=topic=403431.msg5574698#msg5574698 date=1267007296]the exco memebers are sitted and there is no presence of yaradua or jonathan, probably maybe the two are meeting on the way out of this logjam.'[/quote]Thinking about it again, the FEC meeting is unlikely to hold today. Matters sorrounding Yar Adua's exact state of health are more important, like you suggested, Jonathan is most likely with Yar Adua at this time (I doubt they are meeting though, a man who arrived in an ambulance isn't exactly meeting ready).

^
. . .But you were tasking yourself . You had nothing new.
I surely never felt tasked.

===Since biina refused the hug, Beaf would have donned the champion gloves again to deliver some more intellectually wicked and deft left hook, straight jab and uppercut combinations. . . But I respect the civilised forumers who have asked for to the exchange to end. O yes, I'm a gentleman! ===

. . .Some PHCN workers sha

elbat:
@Biina and @Beaf you guys are really great guys in your own individual rights cos you both helped us to see matters from both sides of the coin. I am however appalled at how you have allowed the differences in your opinion to degenerate into a personal level where you are not taking snipes at each other. Please it is not acceptable and debases both of you.

This somewhat epitomises our significant problem in Nigeria where to find people to collaborate effectively is a big challenge. There will always be difference of opinion but the example of the rainbow shows we can have a blend where all the opinions unite and point us to the pure divine the truth, the light that shines out the darkness of ignorance,

Guys, I wish to aknowledge your contributions and give a toast to your uniqueness, Anyone supports me, please give a toast to this too, a new beginning of mutually benefically collaboration and discourse.

Now my point of interest, I hate people who talk to much, what actions can we elicit from all this discussions? I have come to a point where I believe, find the right people with the right ideas, we should be able to get the bulldozers to bring focus to the ideas because ideas alone don't move mountains of corruption and ineptitude, executors do.

Thanks for the kind words. They are much appreciated.

===pours cold water to revive fainting biina. . . hugs him ===

Its a bit strange that all the FEC hawks are out of the country and Yar Adua returns?
There are a lot of calculations and intrigue, plus there are reports that the Obama (sahara reporters) is behind Yar Adua's return, so that our issue's can be transparently resolved.
The US has gelled with Jonathan and sent a very powerful representation, just last week.

. . .We be watching.

Lets wait and see what happens at todays FEC meeting. Yar Adua will not be there.
Mamora (minority leader) has already told Gbenga Aruleba that fit people do not need ambulances. Now the govt and Nigerians can finally have full access to Yar Adua.

I say, he is unlikely to ever resume office.

[size=14pt]Nigeria leader unlikely to resume office immediately[/size]

ABUJA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has returned from Saudi Arabia but is unlikely to immediately resume office, a presidential adviser said on Wednesday.
"He is here, he landed this morning," Emmanuel Egbogah, presidential adviser on petroleum matters, told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry conference. Asked if Yar'Adua would immediately take over executive powers, he said: "Doubtful". (For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: af.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Joe Brock; Writing by Nick Tattersall)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDEWE320LY20100224

biina:
You made uninformed claims (i.e. we needed to decentralize power supply and followed it with some shallow arguments for it) , and I simply called you out on it. I dont see the 'unwarranted rudeness' in pointing out that someone doesn't know what they are talking about. Leaving posts like yours unchallenged will simply misguide less knowledgeable people. All you have done since then is avoid the core issues, hunt and peck at side topics, and tried to use snide remarks to win the argument. You would rather we debate the different  ways to convert energy, without any reference to the feasibility or practicality of such technologies in Nigeria.

Despite posing you some direct questions to help you get started, I am still waiting for you to  explain how your proposed decentralized solution will work (I mean practically, and not some abstract ideas like solar panels that seem to have dropped from the sky).

Every thing you have suggested is either negative or from pre-history, that goes for the so called "questions" you have asked.

I made statements about areas that would never occur to a technological dinosaur and spare tyre, so you were shocked, confused and said the foolish things that led me to respond both with deep knowledge and in kind.
If you don't know something, the proper thing to do is ask nicely and not pose like some "expert know-all".

You have shamelessly promoted the copying of technology from others. How do you imagine those countries got their technology? Who did they copy? [size=14pt]Olodo![/size]
We, the progressive minds will soon free your negative type to join Boko Haram.

Empty, unprogressive loudmouths like you want to sit down, hold fellow Nigerians back and scream, "oh gas and coal are the only way". . . Truth is, gas and coal are the only way to negative, mentally enslaved, less creative, wooden and unsophisticated minds that can never in a million years, think outside the box.
[size=14pt]It is the duty of younger generations to force progressive and desired change through, we must develop regardless of your negative, timid, doubting, unprogressive type. We will forcefully promote those who can see around the curve and dictate a rich and fulfilling future; the era of the blind pointing the way forward is gone. You sir, are a dinosaur.[/size]

These are some of the things I pointed out;
[list]
[li]We can generate electricty from our abundant solar energy (as an example, I pointed out that Spain, a European country with much less sunshine than us generates more electricity than Nigeria's current output)[/li]
[li]Expensive solar cells and batteries are not required to convert solar energy into electricity[/li]
[li]Thermoacoustic engines are cheap, robust and simple ways to convert solar energy, FREE[/li]
[li]The manufacture of thermoacoustic engines is easy and will provide ready employment for Nigerians[/li]
[li]Wave energy is an abundant FREE source that is currently wasting in Nigeria, while we throw rocks into the sea at bar beach[/li]
[li]Biogas is yet another cheap and wasting source of FREE energy in Nigeria[/li]
[li]Biogas can be obtained from our everyday waste products (food, faecal etc)[/li]
[li]The US is very interested in the Indian energy decentralisation through the harnessing of biogas (I gave you a link to a 17 MB US DOE research file)[/li]
[li]Wind energy, particularly at our beaches (where there are always strong winds) is yet another source of untapped FREE energy[/li]
[/list]

I can almost bet it that you work in PHCN (or similar backward agency); I'm waiting for you confirm it, cos I've got some spare tears waiting . Right now, I have better things to do than engage with a backward thinking dimwit.
Nigeria is sick and tired of people who keep saying, "we will do it like tradition says, because our fathers did it that way".

[size=14pt]Oniparaga! Olodo![/size]

www.nairaland.com/attachments/180447_ROTFLMAO_gif3d0c775232c7f27cf80592785b9635b6

Jonathan will sit on the presidents seat at todays FEC. According to Sahara reporters, it was Obama that helped eject Yar Adua from Saudi.

The US can further help a friendly country by stationing an aircraft carrier nearby to stop those id!ot Yar Adua worshippers.

We a sick of those criminals and basta'rds.

Saudi has simply vomited a guy that was beginning to strain diplomatic relations.

We wish him rapid recovery, but the country has been held back long enough.
The man was brought back under cover of darkness into an ambulance (after 3 months?), no pictures of a triumphant president in robust health waving from the aircraft gate.
He can now hand over quietly, his condition can no longer be hidden.

rookie:
@Beaf and Biina

I'm appalled at the exchange of personal attacks. It's one thing to disagree with an opinion and it another to present your argument with a condescending tone - this is needless as it does not make your opinion any stronger.

I didn't draw first blood, I only responded to unwarranted rudeness.

Sadly, Nigeria is held back by people who think that loudness somehow equates to intelligence. Well, they are in for a shock; a confident new generation is pushing through and reclaiming what belongs to Nigerians. . . We are a generation thats not cowered by loudness, we bloody kick a'ss.

^
People hate MS only because its some sort of cool religion for the great unwashed.
I say, use Windows, Linux or whatever comes your way and wherever your target is.

===A little history===
In the early days, Netscape had the best browser and sold it (I think for £4.50 or £9.00, I can't recall). Netscape was looking good to be where MS currently is, everyone wanted their stock, they were like gods.
MS came along and wanting a piece of the web action, created a browser with more bells and whistles than Netscape. . . And gave it away for free.
Poor Netscape couldn't cope and on the night of their demise, drunken MS staff went around to Netscape offices and dumped a huge IE inflatable in their swimming pool. That is were a lot of MS hatred stems from (even by those who don't even know why they are hating).

^
Am I the one now making the news?
You saw how the other thread was derailed (I no even fit post for dat thread), so this is another chance. . .