Comments on: Spotlight on Teddy Fikre: Q & A with Owner of Browncondor.com

By: Genet

Genet — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 23:39:36 +0000

I had to come back and post this. I just read this and i think Teddy answers all the doubters nicly. Keep it up Teddy!

http://browncondor.com/events/2012/07/20/be-yena-sem/

By: Nunu

Nunu — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:42:44 +0000

Teddy, as a man who strive for change in our community you should first change urself and the way you communicate with the masses. I had the opportunity to peruz through your blog and what i read sounded more like an angry teenager ranting rather than a 37 yr old Mba graduate. Clear your mouth first, and then maybe someone will take u seriously

after reading all ur rantings and name calling,i can officially say ive lost interest or the patience to hear wat else will come outta your mouth..sound like a thug to me

By: Tessema

Tessema — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:19:46 +0000

I never encounter an Ethiopian that challenge us in public. Along the way he rattled the snakes’ nest to bit him.

He is a pioneer in showing us we are afraid of the truth. As long as he sticks with truth telling going against him will empower him further for the better.

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:36:14 +0000

I do wish a long life to Teddy but not for anything he said or done.

By: Hiwot Legesse

Hiwot Legesse — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 04:24:45 +0000

I am the ex wife of Teddy. We dated all throughout college. Even though our relationship did not work – I still have much respect for him. He was kind, considerate and an interesting person to have a long or short conversation with. I wish him the very best and miss him to pieces.

By: Genet

Genet — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 01:51:27 +0000

Great piece Tadias! I came here because I saw Teddy’s comment on Facebook. Sure enough he said it right people are here bashing Teddy just proved Teddy right. 18 comments and 85% negative feedback even though you know deep in your heart what Teddy said was true. I had to see this with my own eyes the majority of the people here just showed to the rest of the world how full of poisin our community is. Great job Teddy dont pay attention to anyone just stay true to yourself. I read trhoug your website and you have yourself a new dedicated reader! As Hirut said you are the Eyasu Ethiopia’s been waiting for!

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:09:10 +0000

I can point out a lot of disagreements I have with Teddy but I today I just want to point out. Long live Teddy!!!

By: Chekol

Chekol — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 05:32:57 +0000

I’ve read a couple of Teddy’s post and articles and he seems to be arrogant, ignorant, and misinformed.. with a journalism degree and too much time on his hands. Although some of his articles may have some truth and depth, most of them seem to be over-exaggerated, unstudied and anger-driven.

By: Detroit

Detroit — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 05:04:00 +0000

President Barack Obama will always receive a royal welcome in my town! Go Obama 2012! After the supreme court validated Obamacare and with news headlines already declaring Obama’s a historic presidency, such as the following from the New York Times, only six month before the election, the opponent Governer Mit Romney will have a long, hot summer chasing the energetic incumbent President whose public persona has been suddenly elevated for good! Obama is a celebrity, if you will.

(The New York Times on Health Care Ruling and what it means for Obama: A Vindication, With a Legacy Still Unwritten, June 28, 2012) “For Barack Obama, who staked his presidency on a once-in-a-generation reshaping of the social welfare system, the Supreme Court’s health care ruling is not just political vindication. It is a personal reprieve, leaving intact his hopes of joining the ranks of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan as presidents who fundamentally altered the course of the country.”

But then, elections are unpredictable and we Americans are notorious for making stupid mistakes. Hope not this time.

By: Ras

Ras — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 03:55:59 +0000

hahah Ratling some sneaks man!!! Bravo! Ante Rebash. you should change your name to Ashebir

Seriosly tho, be postive, postive man. Energy where it flows from the source is the most imporatnt always. Once in a while take a momment to reflect and listen to your own heart-beat Teddy and others around you and those on the other side of the computer screen.

By: Tessema

Tessema — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 23:53:07 +0000

I agree with Herut, he is a leader with passion and has the integrity and the honesty to make fundamental positive changes. The information, the technology, the rule of laws… gaps between the two worlds we live under is taking a toll on him like most of us. That seems to frustrate him more than anything. When he closes that gap he will move mountains.

The only thing I advice him is not to react as an American on issue concerning Ethiopians. Again, it is a matter of time before he figures it out.

Thanks Tadias providing the platform for unconventional individual. Sometimes you have to shake up things to see fundamental changes. Be brave to throw out the PC culture.

By: negash

negash — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 23:14:46 +0000

You sound like a guy who’s terribly consumed his own monstrous ego. To me it seems that your frustration emanates not from whatever ‘injustice’ and ‘suffering’ that both Ethiopians at home and in the diaspora are confronted with, but rather by the lack of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of Ethiopia’s diverse cultures and history and severe identity crisis(es)most likely due to your upbringing being black or the marginalized ‘Other’ growing up in America. You jump from subject to subject and have nothing solid, relevant, or constructive to offer or communicate. From reading your interview with Tadias, I honestly believe what you urgently need is a psychotherapist and not like-minded Ethiopians who could help dethrone the leadership in Ethiopia and/or cower Obama’s reelection campaign into begging you to please change your mind and have mercy on them. Dude, you’re not the center of the universe. At best, you’re a lousy narcissist. Do not blame your inadequacies and obvious immaturity on Ethiopians.

By: Hirut NJ

Hirut NJ — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:55:47 +0000

I like Teddy! If he losses the profanity and the unnecessary name calling of individuals, I swear he has the brain, the inner capability to be the "Eyasu" he is searching. What he needs is balance, discipline, and less self-grandiosity. He's got the ingredients of what it takes to be an MP. Hey, here is a positive idea for you Teddy! Why not launch a campaign to have Ethiopia reserve a seat in "Parlament" for a represeatative of the Ethiopian Diaspora in the United States. The Italian-Americans have an MP in Italy . So why not Ethiopians? It's helps to improve the people-to-people, diaspora-homeland realtions through a formal democratic channel. So that way, we can show EPRDF how elections are done correctly, with debates and the whole shebang!!! What do you say Mr. Fikre? But you can't win this one with spewing insults. Then, you got my vote cause this is constructive and worth fighting for! But, again, if one wants to be a successful leader, political goals can only be achieved by being open to strange bed-fellowships.

By: Selam

Selam — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:43:42 +0000

Thank you Meron well said.

“It’s getting better, it will get even better by November and Obama will be re-elected with a landslide victory with or without your supoort!”

yes Obama will do it again. I will do my share to have him elected.

We have to be the solution for our own people in Ethiopia and not expect for Obama to solve OUR problems. He has his plate full.

People in Ethiopia will bring the changes needed, not people like Teddy who sit in America and cry for attention. If you want to fight go and fight in the land of Ethiopia. Political changes is not done by remote control from the US, Europe etc.

Obama has done a great job just in the last 3 years and he will do more.

People like Teddy are just here to complicate things and to divide us even further etc.

I can’t read more than a couple of lines of what he writes without thinking “does he really care?”

He offends women repetedly etc.

By: Alem

Alem — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:27:50 +0000

Teddy is honest man. He says what he thinks. He is not like most of those fake habeshas. It is great that Tadias Magazine interviewed him.

By: meron

meron — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:29:19 +0000

Obama got my vote in 2012! Yes, Yes, Yes! I did not vote for Obama in 2008 encouraged by the so called Ethiopians for Obama, I voted for Obama on my own out in the boonies in my state. I voted for Obama not for President of Ethiopia but for President of the United States. As far as I am concerned, despite what the hatemongers would say, Obama has been the best he could be for his country’s interest and security, from the war on terror to health care and many more. Yeah, yeah, the economy??? It’s getting better, it will get even better by November and Obama will be reelected with a landslide victory with or without your supoort! I got his back, no problem! I am dismayed by the reasoning against him. It is not that “Ethiopians for Obama” lied to Obama, it is more like “Ethiopians for Obama” lied to Ethiopian-American voters. Sorry, I was not aware when I was campaigning in the cold in Nebraska that I was electing president of Ethiopia?? Woy good!

By: S.N.

S.N. — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:32:24 +0000

Deeply disappointed and dismayed with Obama as well. Not voting for him!

By: Alula Aba Nega

Alula Aba Nega — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 05:37:14 +0000

me again, i just read some of the stuff, garbage he wrote….oh oh….Listen, TEDDY jegna, Drink free speech responsibly! Eko.

By: Alula Aba Nega

Alula Aba Nega — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 05:16:53 +0000

Sad even those mongst us who were fortunate enough to have grown up in the LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE- are embracing undemocartic ways when it comes to their homeland. The young man may love Ethiopia in his heart as he said, but the road to hell is also built with good intentions. Ethiopia is not just name, Ethiopia is not the majectic mountains, Ethiopia is not the histtoric churches. ETHIOPIA is the PEOPLE, pure and clear as crystal. If you tear apart your people, how can you calim to love Ethiopia? ETHIOPIA is already the LAND OF THE BRAVE (jegna) but we are not THE LAND OF THE FREE. What we need today more than anyting people who can bring out the best in us not the other way around.

By: Samuel Getachew

Samuel Getachew — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 04:54:14 +0000

I met Teddy in Ohio in 2008 while volunteering for the Obama campaign. When I became a candidate in Toronto for city council – Teddy was always ready to give me advice. When it seemed the task was too high to climb in my effot to be a city councillor – as most Ethiopians decided to be mere observors – Teddy never gave up on me. He would often call to encourage me – use his won networks to mobilize – and often write positive articles to encourage me.

That meant the world to me. As an aspiring journalist – I interviewed him a few times. He was often open up his own personal struggles to be an example for most of us and has shared his aspirations for our communities. I am thankful for that. I wish more people were.

Most might disagree with his approach – as I have often done so – however, I have no doubt – he has a big heart and has a positive vision for a country he left as a toddler.

In a community that often doubts and discounts grassroot leadership – Teddy is a unique and smart voice. I wish him the best in his historic effort in 2014. It would be a privilage to come to the US and help him. He is a great patriotic Ethiopian – I wish him every success and happiness in the world – Samuel

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/samuel-getachew/ethiopian-running-congress_b_1511922.html
http://swaymag.ca/people-community/qa-with-ethiopian-activist-teddy-fikre/

By: Alula Aba Nega

Alula Aba Nega — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 04:51:31 +0000

If I understand the dude correctly, reading behind the lines, he educating you how ludicrus politics are in Ethiopia by being even more ludcrius than reality. Just like Rush Limbaugh. Free speech baby!

By: Dawit

Dawit — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:45:28 +0000

Yeah I used to love Reading Tadias but you guys messed up having him interviewed :’(. Teddy Fikre is know as a devil/psycho in DC area. RIP TADIAS.

By: mz

mz — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:02:42 +0000

I knew Teddy from the campaign days four years ago. He was a genuinely nice guy trying to do something good. It looks like his innocent soul got the abesha treatment, which can drive anybody mad. Hope Teddy finds himself again because the negative energy is not worth it. It will consume you alive! It goes without saying Thank you Tadias for giving him the platform! Long live democracy!

By: yupitis

yupitis — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:00:03 +0000

Mr. Fikre I admire your passion and commitment to your country but I am worried that towards the end you expressed your desire for renowned ethiopian artist to be recognized on American stage and institutions. I think that is precisely what is wrong with the rest of the world. I feel that no culture thinks they are awesome until they are recognized by American institutions. Don’t get me wrong I love all the artists you mentioned and I want all ethiopian artists to be respected and to succeed in their realm. However, It matters to me that we respect and honor our own such as Mahmoud and Teddy for their gift and for the way they represent our culture more than an American doing so. I don’t care if Mahmoud never secures an invitation to the Kennedy Centers as long as we value his talents and all that he has contributed. I feel that is how culture grows and prospers, when we start validating each other every one follows.

By: Abiye Tekle

Abiye Tekle — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 20:41:16 +0000

I enjoyed this interview of Teddy wholeheartedly without any reservations, Teddy tells the truth with a biblical touch. Teddy resembles in his writing and speeches an Indian writer and activist in Arundhati Roy whom i admire and respect deeply. I expect to see you writings in books and major periodical in the near future.