The politics of strange

By Garth A. Rattray

I am disappointed, and surprised, that to date there has been no statement of relief at the innocence of deputy mayor of Montego Bay, People's National Party (PNP) Councillor Michael Troupe.

There has been no form of apology from those who pressed fervently, unreasonably and prematurely for his resignation before the case was heard in the matter of charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition laid against him arising out of a lottery scam raid.

It brought to memory an unpleasant experience I had when I was selling a motor car to a very eager buyer. He begged for use of the car under a contractual agreement for purchasing it in two payments. But the dastardly fellow used it to transport ganja and was intercepted near Bath in Clarendon.

Lucky for me, no documents were found, and he told the police that the car was his but he had not completed the payments. Had the papers been in the car, or if he had told the cops that the car was still in my name, I, too, could have been charged and my name besmirched forever, because the law would view him as my agent.

I also recalled the February 2007 predicament of Lloyd Myrie, former PNP candidate for North West St Elizabeth. He was charged with indecent assault and carnal abuse of a 15-year-old girl, the daughter of his employee. She subsequently claimed that she received death threats and was placed in the witness protection programme.

Myrie was jailed and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars because of the allegations. He also resigned as caretaker for that constituency. He was eventually freed of all charges in May 2008 because the girl absconded the protection programme and signed a confession to a priest. Mr Myrie never entered representational politics again, and some will always believe her false allegations.

innocent people

In the pursuance of their duties, from time to time, the police will have to lay charges against absolutely innocent people - even if they, the police, have reason to believe that the persons being charged are not guilty of anything. Once an allegation is made, or if evidence or 'intelligence' suggests that a person may be involved in a criminal activity, the duty of the police is to put the matter before the courts and let due process take its course.

In other words, anyone can officially accuse any of us of anything and cause us to be charged and put before the courts. Sometimes spurious or malicious allegations can destroy someone, even when he or she has been proven to be unfounded or untrue.

With all this in mind, I viewed the repeated calls for the resignation of Deputy Mayor Troupe as political theatrics. The sombre visages and solemn tones failed to convince me that those calling for his resignation were really serious.

Even though we are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, Troupe's leave of absence didn't assuage the calls for his resignation. Of course, because of the circumstances of the find, it came as no surprise to me that Troupe's son admitted to the crime.

It's extremely strange that, in their constant quest to upstage, outdo, embarrass, belittle and best their opponents, politicians conveniently forget that they often end up appearing fanatical, unreasonable and set dangerous precedents.

The tables have turned. Having been indicted under Section 14 of the Corruption Prevention Act, instead of resigning, Jamaica Labour Party Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz chose to take a leave of absence. If politicians jump on every perceived opportunity to 'campaign', people will stop taking them seriously - and when their opinions and voices are genuinely needed, their utterances may be chalked up to 'politics as usual'.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.