COMMENTARY: A response to Mr Astaphans onslaught on Dr Severin

I believe the onslaught on Dr Severin by Mr. Tony Astaphans give us great insight into the objectives and intentions of those he speak for as it relates to the citizenry of our beautiful country.

His statement has to be analyzed in the context in which we live – The Dominican context.

This context is one in which politics is all the population talks about. The discussion and debates of the society is totally dominated by the things recognized politicians do and say, sometimes even more by their pundits. This societal space can be described as the lowest and worst social arrangement a society can ever reach. In this space, dishonest and deceptive voices of scalawags crowds out the voices of wisdom, inspiration and truth.

So I am not moved at all to see and hear Tony fighting vehemently to own that kind of space. This in essence describes his attack on Dr. Severin. He failed miserably to point to one single untruth in Dr Severin inspiring delivery.

His objective and those he speak for is clear. It is to terrorize and intimidate others like Dr Severin who desire a more inspiring social space where the capable people can speak truth to power in academia, education, theology, health care, agriculture, sports and culture, science and technology and craft a progressive agenda going forward together as a nation.

These conversations serve as holy water to the demon spirits of men and women whose objectives are to use their position of power to lie to the powerless to reference a quote used by Dr Severin in his inspiring lecture. Their reactions serve to give justification to the effect of holy water on demons.

Mr Astaphans and his gangsters got the message loud and clear. Dr Severin won’t be terrorize nor bullied to silence. His voice is one of inspiration in a dark society of lies and deception. His courage serves as a light bulb and power source for the noble men and women of this society to stand up and be counted. An initiation and open invitation for voices of inspiration to shine on the dark corners of deception, corruption, pessimism and fear that Tony want to deepen in our beautiful country.

Stand up ye noble men and women of Waitukibuli.

Let our nation have this conversation.

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38 Comments

  1. December 14, 2016

    Is Dr. Severin speech posted on YOUTUBE……..?

  2. Wa Papa
    December 13, 2016

    Very interesting. Politics consumes us in Dominica from the little man to the big man, those that aren’t academically inclined to those who are. After listening to the Dr. message, there is no doubt in my mind that based on the political climate in DA there was a political slant to it. To prove my point, the DLP supporters are now criticizing his approach while the UWP supporter embraces it. Legitimate questions can be asked of the Doctor of the true audience that he intended to reach and whether he believe that the timing of his speech’s was relevant and or would cause such division. It is my view that the doctor, an educated man knew what he was doing and doesn’t need anyone to defend him. He sow his seeds and he should be responsible to reap the rewards. Interestingly, independently thinking people mostly without political bias continue to stay away from the discussion.

    • Freelance
      December 13, 2016

      They stay away at the detriment of the ordinary people, the powerless. They stay away and also remain silent for the very same reasons Dr. Saverin highlighted in his presentation. Go back listen carefull so that you hear. While you at it remember the saying ” the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who stay away and for those who remain silent amidst the atrocities taking place”. The saying goes the Masses are very important during the election process as soon as the politicians win government the ‘M’ in masses become, absolutely silent. And people like those who stay away enjoy the exploited powerless. Nuff said.

  3. Danziger
    December 12, 2016

    Is haters we have in country. Tony palais meme pasque ou ni droit à la pawol comme tout citroien, alors di yo foetay ou LAPAIX pour now et pour TOUTJOUR. Amen

  4. Dr. Charles Chang, PhD (politics)
    December 12, 2016

    Dr. Sanford, as a fellow Kalingo, I respect the motives of your article. However, you are wrong.

    Dr. Skerritt has done and is continuing to do great things for Dominica. He has increased its revenues from practically zero to more than $4 million a month from the sales of our passports. He has worked tirelessly to get us non-recourse loans and grants in the multi-millions from the EU, China, Japan and other countries. He has raised our profile as a country in the world by assisting the appointment of the first ever Dominican leader of the Commonwealth and has contributed more than $400,000 or our tax money to helping our friends in need .

    All of Dr. Skerritt’s efforts have resulted in a far higher standard of living for Dominicans; increased money spent on education, health and our social needs and the best quality of life in the Caribbean.

    Instead of knocking this man down, we as Dominicans should cherish him as a leader and fight those who seek to belittle him.

    • Boy, you are nothing more than a sick idiot who deserve a serious kicking! When I read where you mentioned the four million dollars per month, I thought you were simply being sarcastic, but as I continue reading I discovered you are a simple jackass!

      In the first place I do not know who issued you a PhD politics, because I have never heard of a PhD in politics, however, there is such a discipline to people as ” Political Science. Politics can be anything, including the rubbish wrote here.

      Dr. Skerrit!

      Doctor of what how many years has Skerrit spent in a University, he studied and graduated, and went to graduate school? I do not know where supper idiot and clowns like you come from, you might as well ask Dr. Crapo Skerrit to give you a job to sell his passports, and pay yourself all the proceeds, that might make you Skerrit equal!

      Damn stupid clown, academia (academic) degrees are earned, not bought!

    • Anonymous
      December 13, 2016

      Dr. Skerrit is not a Ph.D. He bought his honorary degree from a third rate private university in India, just like you buy a take-out curry.

    • viewsexpressed
      December 13, 2016

      Dr. Chang PhD?, lol. Well, the Kalinago Territory & people are the most impoverished deprived community in Dominica. The Labour Party under this corrupt, inept PM Skerrit, has turned your people into beggars, for votes and loyalty. U R disgraceful. With your PhD not able to offer an assessment of Skerrit’s dirty scheme and come up with a positive developmental plan for your Kalinago people. You are despicable and I am ashamed of you and blind allegiance to visionless leader who knows nothing of development. Name us one thing of value and development that Skerrit has done that has made and continues to make a difference in the best interest of the Kalinago people? Your assessment of Skerrit’s work is wrong, devious, despicable as evidence has shown me, visiting villages, appear poorer and in deep poverty. It is an insult to have this inept PM buying votes and allegiance of vulnerable Carib people thru the Red Clinic and political acolytes delivering handouts to families in need…

    • viewsexpressed
      December 13, 2016

      “Instead of knocking this man down, we as Dominicans should cherish him as a leader and fight those who seek to belittle him.” I will assure you, so called Doctor that this we will continue to do. We will continue to knock his corruption and stupidity down. We are not in the cherry picking and to cherish despicable corrupt leader like Skerrit. he has NOT earned it. His entire government is a fraud. May I refer to Dr. Francis Severin`s lecture at Fort Young last week, entitled, 2Dem Belly Full, but Dem hungry……a hungry man is an angry man”. I am telling you that we are angry as we have no development in our villages. We are struggling.
      You insulted us, Dominicans with this stupid, patronising, false accolade of Skerrit and his corrupt government. Where the hell do you live Chang? Let me leave you with the famous words of your corrupt icon Skerrit: “Go to Hell, go to Hell, none of your damn business, go to hell”. And go suck corrupt salt. “No law, no constitution can stop…

    • Reasoning
      December 13, 2016

      You chang hang one of the people hurting Dominica,you seems to be one of those benefiting from the crumbs of dr.punjabi :?: For you to be able to write how people’s lives are so good,when in fact the people are eating poorly and begging hungry,means that you are speaking for yourself! I cannot understand that someone who should know better can stoop so low to discredit a real Doctor in the person of Mr. Serverin for such a outstanding lecture to enlighten and educate the public who you chang and the illegal rogue prime mistake are misleading, this is criminal on your part!!!

      • Freelance
        December 13, 2016

        Why waste precious time on those two fake doctors Chaing and Skerrit. The thing is they have equal opportunity to holdl public lectures as PhD’s on any topic they deem fit. But guess what they will not find a high school nor a university that will allow them to speak on their behalf why? Simple ; they will have to provide the school or university with their qualifications and with those fake degrees they go j by no where lol. Secondly the Kalinagos should look out for imposters in their area such as Dr. Chang. Since That sounding more like Chinese rather than Kalinago.lol

    • rasta
      December 13, 2016

      Dear Dr.Charles Chang I am not too sure whether your PHD as you so proud to display is in poli-diot but how can one boast of a revenue base in selling passports? The Dominica economy is at it’s worse.
      Lets look : Dapex close down, Dominica Coconut Products close down, the Arial tramp close down, Pubic Works Corporation in intensive Care Unit(ICU), A bail out had to be given to Whitchurch, Roseau like a curfew city at month end, all major capital projects are given to Chineese and now the Bajans come on the scene while our local contractors sit by and watch. Yet you have the audacity to claim him as a good leader.Let me them ask you, can a country survive on selling passports? is it a natural resource? King sharvez had the natural resource called oil yet with his similar practice as Skerrit the people in venezula are starving.Finally what are our export revenues? Zero. My advice to you sir is stop playing politics and do a crash course in economics. PHD- it amazing!!

    • December 13, 2016

      Dr. Charles, must be living in a bubble, :-D :-D :-D :-D
      Way to go Skerrit, moving from being the breadbasket of the Caribbean, to selling passports to cruks and criminals and we call that DEVELOPMENT, PROGRESS? Dr Charles is another educated fool :-D :-D :-D

  5. December 12, 2016

    I am. Glad that Tony Astapam en absentia is making the people of Dominica see that he is protecting his assets. He has no love for the red or blue shirts.

  6. freedom till I die
    December 12, 2016

    Good commentary Dr. Sanford, you couldn’t have said it better.

  7. December 12, 2016

    Dr. Severin spoke the politics of the UWP, calling people who don’t subscribe to his elitist and autocratic ideas deplorable names. So he got a political broadside from Tony, so what? If you walk in rain regardless of who you are you will get wet.

  8. December 12, 2016

    Dont blame Tony, he got nothing of substance to offer the Dominican public

    • December 13, 2016

      He is empty, blank, can’t learn anything from him :-D :-D :-D

  9. Doc. Love
    December 12, 2016

    Tony will terrorize anyone who does not adore Skeritt. Sometimes I wonder if Tony loves anyone else on this earth as much as he loves Skeritt, because as far as Tony is concerned, Skeritt is omnipotent. However, whether we love Tony or not, we must admire him for his unending love and devotion to Skeritt.

  10. KID ON THE BLOCK
    December 12, 2016

    Another mouth piece of the UWP.

    • Laura
      December 12, 2016

      um…duh!

    • Jonathan St Jean
      December 12, 2016

      You have been deceived by lies and deception.You can’t tell up from down.

    • Concern citizen
      December 12, 2016

      Truly an other mouth piece for the UWP
      Ma Dominique has 3 category of children, they are 1, the FIELD SLAVE 2, the YARD SLAVE and 3, the HOUSE SLAVE, please be Ernest to your self and tell me which category U fall in
      I don’t blame Tony As Taphan and Roosevelt c.v. Skerrit, but I will blame U and all the others who think like U. Zot k bonn evec lay volle corrupt Dominique zo la!!!

    • December 12, 2016

      kid on the bock you have’nt grown up yet.

    • viewsexpressed
      December 13, 2016

      Well said, Dr. Severin, I have listened again and will do so again. Well lectured. We are Thanful.

    • Freelance
      December 13, 2016

      You should change your name to “Kid of the blokes” rather kid on the blocks., that’s all you have to offer on the subject matter. I was at the, lecture the Doc did not call names except that of Dyer however he laid a context using quotes from like minded scholars and entertainers such as Professor Beckles, Trevor Munroe and Peter Tosh and Bob Marley respectively to highlight aspects of autocratic leadership operating within so called democracies. The UWP, Freedom erra and obviously that of present ruling party regime fell into context. The problem seem to be that the DLP found it more relevant to them given their autocratic corrupted role in government. So to bad if the cap fits wear it brother !

  11. For the love of D/ca
    December 12, 2016

    Well said Claudius Stanford!

    Central to the philosophical discussion of those in power lying to the powerless and other-deception (interpersonal deceiving) are divided into two kinds: definitional or conceptual. What’s endemic in D/ca are the questions of how they set about to define lying and deceiving to the powerless, as whether lying is always a form of deceiving. The likes of Dr Severin are questioning what are normative — more particularly, those in power – their moral. Dr Severin’s presentation sought to educate – change mind-set through use of source material / anecdotes. It included the questions of whether lying and deceiving are either defeasibly or non-defeasibly morally wrong, whether lying is morally worse than deceiving, and whether, if lying and deception are defeasibly morally wrong their use optionally on certain occasions, or obligatory.

    His conclusion rightly highlights that in Dominica lying and deception is rife among those in power.

  12. Roger Burnett
    December 12, 2016

    “…Dr Severin won’t be terrorized nor bullied to silence…His courage serves as a light bulb and power source for the noble men and women of this society to stand up and be counted…”

    I wholeheartedly concur.

  13. DC
    December 12, 2016

    Glad you are out of hibernation Mr . Sanford. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, no one is being bullied. Just like you have the right to analyze the message, Tony has the right. In my view it was bias. He did not comment on the unruly behavior of Danny Lugay or Lennox Linton. Mr. Severin, my former teacher lost my attention. Sounds like he was speaking on a political platform. Stop using acquired knowledge to divide the people!

    • Me
      December 12, 2016

      Pray, how do you get knowledge that is not acquired???

    • Jonathan St Jean
      December 12, 2016

      I don’t recall Dr Severin singling out anyone anywhere in particular.This was a masterful presentation which echoes across the Caribbean.You take from it what you want and analyze your own reality from it.If you wanted to see Dr Severin stoop to the gutter, well he did not.He quoted notable Caribbean intellectuals to send a message to Caribbean people.You have disappointed your teacher because you are showing that you did not learn well what he was teaching you.At least I hoped you would learn how to research and present a paper properly.

      • December 13, 2016

        He singled out members of government. The UWP hierarchy and their supporters were in a joyous mood as they celebrated Dr. Severin for using their talking points in his presentation.

      • Joe
        December 13, 2016

        He did single out Marigot and Salisbury as enemy to the ruling party… his speech was full of hugwash and BS!!!!! Nothing could be learnt from that as everything was non-factual…. in the future the organizers of this lecture will have to carefully decide who they choose… That was of poor taste!!!!!!

    • rasta
      December 12, 2016

      Dear DC Bob Marley sang this song” Who the Cap fit let them wear it…. I throw me corn…but me no call no fowl.” Dr. S did not call any name neither Skerrit nor Linton. The truth is always a hard pill to swallow.
      Rastafari!!

    • viewsexpressed
      December 13, 2016

      DC, correction: Tony Astaphan does not analyse, he terrorises those who differ with him and his master , inept Skerrit. And many of us will be out of hibernation like Dr. Sanford, rather than being a fly on the wall and see our Kalinago people and other Dominicans suffer under Skerrit ably supported by his political clown, fast food tirade Tony Astaphan. What Tony says is rubbish, what Skerrit says and does is childish and immature and politically incorrect. He is disgusting.
      Well said Dr Severin. You have uplifted us to a level of understanding in how autocratic and corrupt leaders behave in government while they prey on the backs of the ordinary poor and vulnerable families and people.
      We in in place a very Corrupt and abusive Labour Government, led by blind political bats.

    • Just Passing Through
      December 13, 2016

      Seems like some UWPites are seeking leadership of their party. Who will it be?

      Clearly, the UWP would rather Tony or for that matter any supporter of the DLP who notice the non- to -subtle political attack on the ruling government go unchallenged.

      They would rather we didn’t noticed what was being said; that they would like to use their democratic right to say anything; but mind you, no one else should use their own democratic right to critique the lecture. What was the point of the lecture if it cannot be critiqued?

      It would not surprise me to learn that the good doctor changed some of his lecture because of the audience. He spoke for almost half the lecture and it was as if the audience was lost; as soon as it seemed that he was taking aim at the government the audience came alive and started to clap and in my opinion the lecture changed focus. It was not political you say? Then why are the comments seen so differently? Because it is what it is.

  14. rasta
    December 12, 2016

    well said sir stanford

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