Final farewell to a diligent professional
Sorry to personalise this offering very briefly but over the past week a sudden personal loss proved a major mental distraction for me. My close friend’s death actually distracted me from reading newspapers and keeping up with local issues of some significance. Which, perhaps because of age and life-long interest, is what I would normally do daily.
So I hope I’m not repeating other people’s views recklessly herein for I did glimpse a few exchanges between government and opposition – directly and by way of their surrogates and supporters.
I recall that a few columns ago I rehashed a by-gone concept of “a loyal opposition”. That was/is the practice – or intention – whereby the British regarded the parliamentary opposition as extremely responsible and actually a (critical) component of government! (Note I wrote “bygone” above – obsolete, ancient.)
For just where could you find effective government-opposition in the national interest these days? I won’t doubt that it exists but I need to be guided, accurately informed about where. Madam Mia Mottley did win all the seats in the last Barbadian General elections. Not that that was good. But last year I noticed that in a CARICOM island the government Party and the opposition “united” to confront some common challenge. A rarity!
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Hometown realities: Aggression, relentless aggression
Aggression by itself need not be always negative. To be aggressive in the pursuit of good is desirable. But all too often and consistently, political aggression here is most hostile, destructive.
It really could or should be no surprise. The PNC opposition cannot come to terms with the loss of governmental authority and power. Not being able to manage the Oil-and-Gas wealth – even though severely diminished by their own Minister’s incompetence with the initial agreement – is affecting the PNC’s collective political psyche.
So non-constructive opposition is daily and sustained. From questionable characters in the USA to official spokespersons and would-be mediocre talk-show “presenters” here, it’s all about politicising everything.
I know that the PPP government has to bear and manage national responsibility for everything. But they did not arrange heavy consistent rainfall and high tides. (Which government has managed national drainage and irrigation effectively since Independence ’66?) President Ali is not responsible for the global pandemic. Youthful irresponsible drivers and riders are currently creating fatal mayhem. Yes the government’s Police Force should prevent and enforce but an Administration alone, can’t influence change in errant reckless attitudes.
The issues of official response to the pandemic; flooding disasters and responses; crimes of home intrusions, assaults with intent, murders and rape; alleged racism; all now attract Opposition criticism with unhelpful aggression. Consistently, relentlessly.
If say, there is proof of, for example, rampant discrimination in government’s flood relief distribution then I’d support the Opposition exposing such with recorded evidence and proof. But will we, the suffering masses, ever see the Opposition sending the government solid proposals to remedy drainage – or address the COVID-19 response? Perhaps we’ll see pigs fly first. Next time assist me to list ten actions the nearly one-year-old government did, or is doing, to attract justifiable criticism and aggressive opposition.
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Safe vaccines for Joe’s comrades, please!
I won’t accept that the Brigadier’s PNC Opposition Leader Comrade Joseph Harmon wants to deliberately politicise the government’s COVID vaccination programme either to score cheap points; to embarrass and expose, or to warn that certain vaccines are actually injurious!
No – no! Even a relatively unschooled newcomer-political leader like Comrade Joe won’t callously mislead the nation about life–saving or life–preserving vaccine medication for this nation at risk. So what are the comrade’s motives then? I’ve tried to keep up with the exchanges on this vital issue.
I had no problem initially, with Comrade Harmon’s probing the Health Ministry regarding the Russian Sputnik 5 vaccines – which, incidentally, I took. He made allegations about the Arab “Middleman”, the cost of the shots and even the authenticity of the vaccines acquired themselves. The Russians have since clarified most aspects of the issue turned “controversy.
My immediate consideration now has to do with Comrade Harmon’s followers’ attitude to the Russian vaccines. Will they take it to safeguard against the ravages of Corona Virus? After all they must inculcate strong immune systems. They will be required to protest. And to vote.
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Farewell again Lennox, fun-loving but diligent
It was recalled that the Ministry of Culture’s Mashramani “czar” Lennox Canterbury, also the special projects officers, was made to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the last Carifesta that Barbados hosted – at their invitation – the Antiguans.
Suddenly, under Minister Nicolette H. Lennox’s contract was not “renewed”. But he was all set, well prepared to manage our delegation to the last Barbados Carifesta. So he – with just a bit of reluctance walked with the Antiguans.
He was professionally diligent for the ministry whether as the primary host for a visiting English School-boy cricketing team, managing overseas visits or organising Mashramani’s varied events.
Through illnesses and broken legs, Canterbury still made work look easy, never flinching from assignments as he shared good humour and even strong drink. Why do some good folks leave us so soon?
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Til next week
