Ronald Thwaites | Respect due ...

More than most else, Jamaicans want to be respected. We are used to hardships, but intolerant of being violated – both physically by the abrogation of our freedoms, as well as mentally when people, especially ‘ginals’ and the powerful, try to give us a six for a nine for their own selfish advantage.

Don’t insult our bodies nor our intelligence about what is fair. Because injustice has been so much a part of our history and present, advantage-taking makes us ‘renk’. We don’t like when people “tek wi fi fool-fool”. That’s why many of last week’s events have (not “would have”!) aggravated and insulted our sense of personal and national well-being.

CRUEL AND UNFAIR

Take the treatment of the Haitian arrivals. What kind of coarseness of spirit would lead the government to arrest and charge these refugees in the court for nothing more than seeking safe haven and then deport them back to certain distress - all the while while mouthing concern for Haiti’s plight? What will those responsible say on Judgment Day? Or is it that in our shameless idolatry, we don’t check for a final reckoning any more? Have we no mercy?

Next is the dribbling quest by those who obviously have something to hide to demean the Integrity Commission and the auditor general. How else to describe the diatribe, based on flimsy hearsay, cowardly spoken in the protected parliamentary chamber last Tuesday, cussing and probably libelling respected officials who are prevented by law from responding? This despite the prime minister’s clearly ineffective order to stop such attacks. Why isn’t his authority respected even by his own followers? So, it’s a free-for-all then?

POOR LEGAL ADVICE

Contrast all that with Dr Barnett’s crisp and convincing deconstruction of the contrived legal pretext regarding the tabling of auditor’s and anti-corruption reports. Once again, our liberties end up being protected, not by those elected to defend us, but most often, only by lengthy and expensive recourse to the courts.

Now comes the late-week judgment in the Everton Douglas et al. case where the liberty of the subject, pitted against a lawless State apparatus has been vindicated by the Court of Appeal. We remain under severe threat from criminals and El Salvador mimics in authority. Recall the way Justice Morrison was traduced for his defence of habeas corpus and his striking down the unconstitutional excesses of the states of emergency.

Although every libertarian will be pleased with the outcome of this case, no Jamaican can fail to be concerned at the poor quality of legal advice which this government is relying on, resulting in repeated court defeats and massive waste of taxpayers money. And then they expect that we are to have confidence when these same losers are put in charge of constitutional reform! Stop taking us for fools. At least two ministers should resign in the face of this judgment.

MORALS AND POWER

Consider next the fog around the accreditation of the same-sex diplomatic couple. Simple truth is that the Jamaican people consider such liaisons repugnant to our moral values. Wriggle and deny as much as you want, the truth is that both the United States and several European countries tie their assistance and collaboration to our acceptance of their standards. They will not be backing down.

So what level of respect for our principles and independence are we going to demand? There should be no disrespect for anyone on the basis of their sexual orientation. It is a different matter to foist on us implicit legitimation of the institution of same-sex marriage which is contrary to our law and values. Brace yourself for the escalating pressure even if we dodge this particular instance.

RESPECT DEMANDS

Respect and sensitivity are necessary attributes to virtuous politics. If a minister is the subject of law suits touching and concerning his probity, innocent as we hope he might be, the decent thing to do is to step aside from his or her office until exonerated. Then come back with a clean slate instead of hanging on, courting suspicion and disrespect.

When people feel they are denied the full story about individuals and institutions which have a public character and on which many have to depend, they feel ill-done. So the happenings at National Commercial Bank (NCB) are not just some big-people’s business. This is a large national institution which profits hugely from the custom of the Jamaican public.

Over many years, Messrs Hylton and Cohen have gained considerable regard and trust as stewards of our savings. There was every indication that the bank’s majority shareholder and board felt the same. Then all of a sudden that confidence is reversed and these managers are fired with no reasons given.

NCB has much higher ratings than the National Growth Council for effective management. Respect for customers and shareholders demands a convincing narrative to justify such harsh actions even as profits soar. Having plenty money or political influence must mean more reverence, not less, for the public’s concerns.

PETROJAM AGAIN

So if Petrojam has not lost $5 billion, why would they need a big, big loan from us who have no alternative but to buy their product at whatever price they choose to sell it? This is a government company which doesn’t look good. The scandals of a few years ago have resulted in criminal court cases, hush-money severance deals for sweethearts; an incomprehensible pricing policy which beggars all of us and broken international goodwill. All that adds up to a pretty bad record. Petrojam should be contributing to the budget, not borrowing from it.

AND EVEN MORE

Sadly there is even more going on that demeans us. On what basis are we to forego the bauxite levy from Windalco? Their kind of mining despoils the Rio Cobre, renders agriculture impossible, ravages peasant culture, yet they cry inability to pay tax. Add to that the plan for casino gambling, producing nothing, fleecing the many so the few can profit, teaching the worst of habits and all described as “prassperty”. Just like the donkey.

Stop taking people for fool. We “cry respect”.

Rev Ronald G. Thwaites is an attorney-at-law. He is former member of parliament for Kingston Central and was the minister of education. He is the principal of St Michael’s College at the UWI. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.