THERE is general consensus that a correct analysis of situations and events need objectivity (and distance in space and time, too), in order to arrive at a fair and balanced conclusion. The difference between an objective analyses, say by a disinterested professional on one hand, and a subjective other is well founded. There exists on this island a wide chasm between the things which grab and amuse idle minds as compared to that which excites busy and engaged persons. Such a demarcation is blurred however, when the latter is nudged and prodded by partisan, subjective politics and acts uncaringly, as to consequences.
Subjective and unethical conduct in high places, by persons assumed to be cut from superior intellectual cloth, lays bare some common assumptions of society. Subjective amateurish conduct is more likely to grab news headlines when it emanates from a respected institution as Parliament. It is doubly disturbing when the high standards demanded of such institutions are undermined by the very persons who ought to uphold them.
In this regard, it may be opportune to take a fresh look at Parliament perchance to reset the rules which determine who serves there. At the moment there appears an experienced legal mind which manipulates the Parliament. Its aim is to reduce a certain Member of Parliament (MP), to ‘a no-body transit driver’ – and a member of the canine family. In the process a petty mind which lurks behind academic qualifications is revealed, and Parliament is inadvertently trashed, neutered and emasculated.
It is also troubling when Mr. Speaker, whoever he/she may be, is seen as a ‘political-mouthpiece’ of a government whose modus operandi is the avoidance of openness, lack of transparency and which hides behind others such as the DPP and the IMF. Leaders who promise transparency but, avoid being interviewed by fair and independent journalists are to be viewed suspiciously. Such leaders prefer to substitute doctored press releases bearing blatant lies, and presented by well paid political operatives. Such conduct reduces both government and parliament to a farce and a national joke. In the eyes of a cynical public which knows and sees all the anxiety created by its economic woes is heightened, rather than diminished.
It has become obvious even to government apologists that, the sitting of Parliament of July 2015 will be remembered for at least one thing only – a heated ten-minute exchange between an MP and Mr. Speaker, wherein the former frankly suggested that the Speaker ought to know his place, and his role in the chamber, and that a Speaker was ill equipped to offer advice on matters outside his purview. To add fuel to the fire, the MP also strongly suggested that if the Speaker wished to join the debate he ought to vacate his high chair, and do the manly thing, by subjecting himself to the will of the people, in general elections. Only then will the chair be able to intervene, disturb, contradict, and vent its views during a sitting. Otherwise, a Speaker must allow free and unfettered flow of debates as suggest by Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice – the gospel on parliamentary procedure.
It is important to note that, the simple meaning of words used in parliament is to be similarly interpreted by members, as well as by the public it serves. Often, exchanges in parliament resonate more forcefully in the public domain because they hit a chord which citizens feel strongly about. Clearly, some issues resonate because they may have awakened memories of an earlier time when Parliament was seen as an extension of public political theatre. The connection has been exploited by calypsonians one of whom sang about a former Speaker fondling indiscretion.
And speaking of calypso, the latest ‘since when that’s your role …’ exchanges in Parliament were taken to the streets this carnival. Some masqueraders were bent on ensuring that spectators who may have missed the original exchanges would have a solid bite from the free entertainment and portrayal at Jour Ouvert,’ carnival 2015. No financial outlay or special invitation was needed to spice-up the perceived bacchanal from parliament. Saint Lucians are masters at enjoying such free theatre; the more spiced-up and vulgar, the better the entertainment, for some.
Now that the dust has settled, it is time to review what really went down that day in parliament if only to avoid such exchanges in future. A review and factual analysis may be difficult in a small, partially literate society, still grappling with its past and of its reluctance to take bold steps into unchartered territory, it deems risky.
As if to mitigate the risk of an uncharitable finger pointed at it, the Speaker’s office issued a long and detailed statement on the role of Mr. Speaker in Parliament and its relations with MP’s.
Was that long dissertation too little too late? Whose interest is it meant to serve? The priority of this parliament seems to be a quick passage of time which would allow members to qualify for a pension. Today’s politics is turning off many people. Yet it remains interesting and funny, to observe men and women who overestimate their importance, thinking they’re God’s gift to society. They seem to believe that their exit (from politics), would stop the sun from rising or the moon from shining, in its turn.
My political sense tells me we have not heard the last of these silly exchanges in parliament. Notwithstanding the hasty missive from the Speaker’s desk, much more needs to be done. For my part, a more professional approach would be to call a private one-on-one meeting with MP’s to explain what is expected of each (and the Chair), in what remains of this parliament.
We may not have heard the last of ‘since when that’s your role’ as the silly elections season approaches. That exchange and others will be beaten to death during the next elections campaign. Every event will be blown out of proportion, every statement analyzed to death. Political speeches will be transferred to the Parliament and MP’s will act out the campaign in there, to the chagrin of Mr. Speaker, and a more discerning public.
The transfer from dodgy platform rhetoric to Parliament will include unnecessary, sometimes vulgar language. Parliamentary procedure will again be bastardized by MP’s who know better. Will ‘qualified’ lawyers who are not canines and liars be returned to parliament? Mark my word; the things that grab us may do more harm than good this silly season. ‘How is me un’h?’ And, ‘how come that’s your role?’ will seem like child’s play in the weeks and months ahead.
Lamentably, a more vexing problem is that after the dust has settled on the silly season, there will be other discredited and flawed personalities seeking support from elected MP’s, to hoodwink the nation, and create new wealth for themselves.
Much Ado About Nothing
Matinee showings at Gaiety and Clarke’s
CIRCA ????
The real chasm revealed was the “Grand Canyon ” sized disparity between ‘barely Standard 6 or USA grade 5 levels and Oxford University class Masters’ + educated – MP’s.
That distinction was clearly reveled by the overly sensationalized “exchange”.
You need to examine how the Chairman of the most powerful House and Ways committee controls sessions. in the US Congress
Even the speaker of the New York City Council has powerful leeway that is far more dramatic than what transpired between Guy and Hon Foster.
In this round of Mongoose and rattler- the Rabbit has the big gun, oui.
Therefore the real GRABBER is that the olde political cloth of St Lucia never cultivated a nurturing cadre of internship to motivate educated youth for future p\olitical service.
Your remnants, PEETAR, from your political model of service motivates me to gravitate to Colombia or Mexico:
Hey, with your auction to the highest bidder does it really matter to you whether the commodities exchange is sic “talcum” powder at $100 p\er gram or Johnson’s baby \owder at $7 a p\ound-
but of course –
as long as your cut –
was assured-
straight up.
Judas Priest the following song is yours for sure;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtuoFv4dcwM
“out there is a fortune waiting to be had-
you think i’m gonna let it go-well you are mad –
you got another thing coming”….
Well preached by Peetar as Judas Priest
Holey Peetar,
Oh, how I scoured the archives to give you this custom fitted character EDDIE- in this clip- he gives such a generous portrayal of your recent/ current PROFILE. With a Savile Row suit and tie he can even double for you-physically!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzGzccrBJ4A
NB Don’t you just like the theme of making a “piss pot o money” by any means possible-
albeit a fettered modern slave.
MACH BETH:
I hungered last week for your opinion about the article addressing the character Mary Isaac, and honestly was quite disappointed when you tendered none — I thought of drafting your opinion then, but settled for being patient.
Let me be honest, you are a frigging Genius ! I don’t want to flatter you with praise, but I had to say thanks or feel like an ingrate, and this Superfly depiction of Josie left me no choice but to say , BULLS EYE !
Acknowledging Sweet Pea & His Sunday ritual /
Perhaps a biblical croissant for your Sunday cocoa and bakes et lamowee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY8hhoYeVTw
at least you are INfamous-
even as you bushwack for that elusive fortune-
amidst the jingle of de tossed farthings-in the equine stables-post polo games- by the entourage -on their transition to the great house for martinis and loaded biscuits.
that entice your ravenous, insatiable, materialistic -appetite!
There was a very knowledgeable and wise fellow who went by the pseudonym DR. OPTICAL; he would call Josie by no other name but “JUDAS”. DR. OPTICAL made significant contributions to these blogs since he had actual/personal historical information of Kenny Anthony and many of the politicians including JUDAS JOSIE. I read in one of the blogs that DR. OPTICAL had passed on, may Allah grant him the Paradise, but he never ever called Josie by any other name than Judas..
Son-of-Man is sooooo in with Jesus that he has even assumed his name; but, by the next full-moon, this lunatic will be back in love with Muhammad, and the name Jesus will be ‘out the window’ again.
Some time ago, a blogger noted for his contributions to our enlightenment, noted how you contributed nothing to the readers of this award-winning newspaper.
I confess I did not fully encompass the magnitude of his statement, until now. TOM TOM CITIZEN KANE are you such a bottom feeder that you find such pleasure in being a troll ? then as a negro slave proclaim the realization of your dream working an eight to five job with two-weeks vacation working for the Robber Barron Banker ?
I never told you my patented work on missile technology for the Los Alamos National Laboratory, home of the Manhattan Project. See TOM TOM CITIZEN KANE, working for Honeywell is not my idea of success; you should be like me and try being your own boss.
We are keepers of the watchtower-in the best interests of St.Lucia.
The Mary article met me at a time my focus needed precision on some pertinent matters.
She is an elusive one learning from the Guy orchestrations.
We must be wary of giving her the gift of the Phoenix while ensuring her abysmal projection.
For her haunting political closure, the hunting strategy of the indigenous nomads of the Kalahari is ideally suited.
Stay sharp.
A very God’s blessing YEAR/ DAY 2 U MY BROTHER ” JESUS” ( JUST……….US)
It is true that I had pass on to the next realm but the CHARIOT OF THE GODS
have brought me back..
My brother JESUS/ SON OF MAN I am very well and kicking.
May ALLAH BLESS U WITH THE DEW OF SPRING.
/
DR. OPTICAL
I had inquired about you and someone had maliciously stated you had transited into the Hereafter, but this is obviously not the case. It is good to know you are still striving towards your Lord. It is Allah who has created Death and life; in the Hereafter there is no more Death, so the Prophet told us that one of the worst punishments of Hell is the hunger as it only gets worse into eternity, because the foods of Hell does not alleviate hunger; Dha-ri is one of the foods of the Hell. This is a complete Chapter of the Quran:
Surah Al-Ghashiya
In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful.
Has the story reached thee, of the Overwhelming (Event)? (1)
Some faces, that Day, will be humiliated, (2)
Labouring (hard) weary― (3)
The while they enter the Blazing Fire― (4)
The while they are given, to drink, of a boiling hot spring, (5)
No food will there be for them but a bitter Dhari (6)
Which will neither nourish nor satisfy hunger. (7)
Other) faces that Day will be joyful. (8)
Pleased with their Striving― (9)
In a Garden on high, (10)
Where they shall hear no (word) of vanity: (11)
Therein will be a bubbling spring: (12)
Therein will be Thrones (of dignity), raised on high, (13)
Goblets placed (ready). (14)
And Cushions set in rows, (15)
And rich carpets (All) spread out. (16)
Do they not look at the Camels, how they are made?― (17)
And at the Sky, how it is raised high? (18)
And at the Mountains How they are fixed firm?― (19)
And at the Earth, how it is spread out? (20)
Therefore do thou give admonition for thou art one to admonish. (21)
Thou art not one to manage (men’s) affairs. (22)
But if any turn away and rejects Allah― (23)
Allah will punish him with a mighty Punishment. (24)
For to Us will be their Return; (25)
Then it will be for Us to call them to account. (26)
In the end did I punish those who rejected Faith: and how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)! (26)
Seest thou not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colours. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of colour, and black intense in hue. (27)
And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colours. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. (28)
Those who rehearse the Book of Allah, establish regular Prayer, and spend (in Charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a Commerce that will never fail: (29)
For He will pay them their meed, nay, He will give them (even) more out of His Bounty; for He is Oft-Forgiving Most, Ready to appreciate (service). (30)
That which We have revealed to thee of the Book is the Truth― confirming what was (revealed) before it: for Allah is assuredly― with respect to his servants― well acquainted and fully-Observant. (31)
Then We have given the Book for inheritance to such of Our servants as We have chosen: but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by Allah’s leave, foremost in good deeds; that is the highest Grace. (32)
Gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk. (33)
And they say: Praise be to Allah Who hath put grief away from us. Lo! Our Lord is Forgiving, Bountiful, (34)
Who, of His grace, hath installed us in the mansion of eternity, where toil toucheth us not nor can weariness affect us. (35)