Battening down for the political hurricane
Published:Friday | September 3, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
When the threat of a hurricane is imminent, the standard practice is to store up on food and other essentials, batten down, and wait the hurricane out. For many Jamaicans, this has become an art, and our politicians are no exception. They have apparently become so adept at this that it now seems to inform their leadership strategy in dealing with crises. The aim is to come out "looking good". That is to say, don't end up in a legal bind - ethics is a perishable item and is not needed.
In battening down, they will say nothing incriminating, but will frustrate everyone into giving up and moving on. Hence, the high profile resignation of the day. And this may only be a symptom of the mental resignation that is probably taking place across the island.
What is disheartening is that there is no apparent rationale for the persistent selfishness and arrogance of the current government. Hey guys, you're not looking good. Your curious explanations and denials are not working for you.
Grave implications
When you have two people at a press conference and the one who has a milder manner makes no statement which may help your credibility, the implications are quite grave. It may be that the mild-mannered man may not want to incriminate himself with the lies to be brandished. Or it may just be a confirmation of the suspected arrogance of a leadership that has no regard for the people of Jamaica. May I say it again, you are not looking good.
The question is, are we going to just stand by, or stand back, and let them have their way?
I am, etc.,
CHARLES EVANS