Golding, an honest politician
Published:Tuesday | June 1, 2010 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
KNOWING FULL well that I will be blasted by many of my countrymen for what I believe, I am convinced, however, that the facts cannot lie. I strongly believe that Mr Golding is the closest Jamaica has ever come to having an honest politician. Indeed, he is courageous and has humbled, if not humiliated, himself while those who throw barbs have not once shown any atonement.
On numerous occasions, other members of Parliament (MPs) have refused to acknowledge that they know, associate or arm gunmen in their constituencies. Even if they did not directly give a weapon to an individual, this is done via their councillors with their knowledge and blessing. Not in all my years has any MP outside of the beleaguered prime minister admitted to any act of wrong-doing. When scandal after scandal arises, the party machinery kicks into 'spin' gear and draws a curtain of stone around that individual. Then the usual nine-day wonder or youthful exuberance or sung Sankey kicks in and it's all over.
In extreme cases, they are asked to or forced to resign and nothing further is said. They, and the opportunity to admit to the wrong, are gone. In spite of the length of time Mr Golding took to uncover the Manatt affair to the public, again, he still was honest. Has any of his other 59 parliamentary colleagues to this day admitted to anything?
No reward for truth
There is one thing about Jamaicans: we like to demand the truth, and when we do get it, we either say you should have not said anything or cry for the person's head. We never seem to encourage or reward the truth. Could it be that this is why only Prime Minister Golding is the only politician to have been associated with gunmen? Is it because he is, as it stands, the most honest of the lot?
It is time we remove the green or orange glasses from our eyes and use the black green and gold ones that clear up our vision. When will the other MPs man up and start speaking the truth and spilling the beans? Despite his damaged reputation, Mr Golding can be the only one to stand under that banner.
I am, etc.,
Marcus Whelby