The cool rulers

Gordon Robinson, Contributor

One left us on Sunday, October 25. The other visited on Monday, October 26.

William Jefferson Clinton (né William Jefferson Blythe III) delivered a powerful message to Jamaica last week. We must compete globally regardless of apparent difficulties. We must be creative; find something we can produce; produce it effectively (as a region?); and export it to the world.

What better regional resource to exploit than wind and sunshine, currently underpinning our tourism but which can be the foundation of an alternative-energy industry? Instead of taxing alternative energy solutions to death, why not shift gears and facilitate their development?

Just as Eisenhower and Vice-President Nixon represented 'The Ugly American' of the 1950s, using armed force to prop up friendly but unstable Middle East governments, Clinton, with his philan-thropic world view and unswerving belief in the fundamental equality of all, represents the new American. He's accomplished more for international relations than any other US president. Domestically, he was a beloved president and, internationally, he remains the most beloved to this day. When he speaks, we should listen.

In office, Bill Clinton was hounded by old-guard Repub-licans who reviled the decline of the 1950s world view. Rumours of private indiscretions were elevated to national-crimes status, including by hypocritical congress-men some of whose private transgressions, when subsequently revealed, made Clinton's pale by comparison. In this, he was like Gregory:

"Rumours dem spreading

Claim that a sensi mi planting

But I man a di don inna di juggling

A pure rumours a gwaan."

Gregory Anthony Isaacs, an exquisite vocalist, had the one quality shared by all the greats. Like Ray Charles; Johnny Cash; Frank Sinatra; Willie Nelson or Sammy Davis Jr, he was unique. When his songs were played, you never had to ask "Who's that?" Only 'The Cool Ruler' produced that unique sound and styling. Like the other greats listed, when he dies, it's gone forever.

Unique ability

Similarly, Bill Clinton is one of a kind. His unique ability to fit in effortlessly anywhere and to see through others' glasses is phenomenal. Like Gregory, Bill has had personal challenges. Both sought solace in the arms of different types of caregivers.

"Tell her try her best just to make it

quick

Woman 'tend to the sick

Cause there must be something she can do

This heart is broken in two

Tell her it's a case of emergency

There's a patient by the name of

Gregory.

Night nurse, only you alone can

quench this yah thirst.

My night nurse ... oh the pain is getting

worse

I don't wanna see no doc

I need attendance from my nurse

around the clock

'Cause there's no prescription for me

She's the one, the only remedy."

It's rumoured that Gregory was singing about his special nurse, the white lady. Bill also used a white lady but her name was Monica. Whatever the monicker, we all need help during stressful times, whether in politics or art. The legendary Sammy Davis Jr was once asked about his widely rumoured drug use. With his usual frankness (pun intended), Sammy reminded the eager young interviewer that he performed 340 days per year in over 300 locations. After each performance, he jumped on a plane to perform elsewhere the following night. Every audience was different but each expected the same Sammy regardless of sickness, health, happiness or sadness. Sammy challenged the interviewer to "show me the performer who can do that without help and I'll show you a failed artiste."

Although all were targets, none of these great men allowed rumours to affect them publicly.

"Don't matter what a nuff jewel mi wear

'Cause mi pants it nuh have no tear.

Shoes cost a few hundred a pair

And mi have money all through the year

A rumours dem spreading ... ."

Gregory, thanks for the memories,. Don't worry, no 'officer' can ever put his uncultured hand on you again.

"Please, Mr officer, leggo mi hand

You don't know mi and you don't

understand.

You see mi flashing a criss rental

So you take that mi a criminal."

To Bill, the worldwide Cool Ruler, let not thy heart be troubled. You're now beyond the reach of pusillanimous political agendas and duplicitous congressmen. You belong to the world now. And in case you hadn't noticed, the world loves you.

"I keep a dance just to nice up di place

Mi buy nuff liquor and red up dem face

Mek man and man have money to spend

And all di youth dem know mi a dem friend."

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.