COMMENTARY: The Dr. Sam I know

Dr Sam Christian leads a group of protesters at a prayer march around government buildings in 2009

In spite of being far away in the quiet American Midwest, before returning home, Surgeon, Dr. Samuel Christian always kept working for our homeland. He would later use his connections to arrange and participate on the first sister-brother kidney transplant on Dominicans.

Dr Sam Christian leads a group of protesters at a prayer march around government buildings in 2009.

But Dr. Sam finds certain trends in the country quite disturbing: the inability of government to curb the rampant replacement of local businesses by the foreigners; the fear of victimization that exists and extends to the average non-government worker who does not want to risk a possible scholarship for their children; high officials flaunting unaccounted for cash-paid properties, the undermining of traditional civil service processes through Red Clinic (Skerrit’s personal welfare program) handouts. And the very strong allegations of the wanton selling of Dominican passports to international crooks and scoundrels.

Dr. Sam applauds the courageous journalists and citizens who keep up the good fight in the media and online. He contends that only grassroots organizing can overcome the government’s war-chest of seemingly limitless big money.

Religious folks have traditionally avoided matters of nation-building in Dominica. However, Dr. Christian perceives that as knowledge increases, that will change and the church will make an unprecedented difference in due time. He has struggled with warnings by certain friends and family not to expose himself to the wrath of Skerrit’s regime. His response: ‘this is the land of my birth and I am 100% Dominican and Dominica belongs to Dominicans.’
Certainly Sam is the definition of a true patriotic Dominican, not an enemy of the state as some myopic thinking individuals, Ministers and supporters of the Skerrit’s regime may have suggested and voiced.

One such person that needs to be corrected on that serious matter is the Minister for Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development, Roselyn Paul. Ms. Paul said on state radio that individuals who are seeking to undermine the island’s Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Program are “enemies of the state.” But maybe the lady needs a fundamental lesson in recent history.

Such incendiary language was used by the murderous regimes of Hitler, Franco, Mussolini, Stalin and others which resulted in millions of people being tortured and killed. All Sam was saying Madam is the program has some serious flaws and needs to be fixed. And do you understand and/or are you exposed to all the intricacies of the program?

The real enemies of the state of Dominica Madam Paul are folks like the fugitive Iranian businessman who was waving a Dominican diplomatic passport when he was nabbed by Interpol in the Dominican Republic. Do you know that it has been widely reported that he was given safe haven in an affluent Morne Daniel suburb of Roseau for about six months while Interpol was looking for him. Can you verify Madam the credible reports that when the international authorities were closing in on the fugitive in Dominica he was given safe passage out of the island? So the question is who enabled and facilitated his exit out of Dominica? If so did the Skerrit Labour government helped an international fugitive evade justice? That is a question that the UN, U.S and Iranian authorities should be interested in.

But Sam’s unbinding love for his homeland has buffered him from yielding to criticism from all quarters. His peaceful protest around government’s Headquarters on Mother’s Day, 2009 began with a prayer vigil 6:00 a.m. He and the few courageous souls kneeled on the concrete in front of the Government’s Ministry buildings, recited and sang hymns and choruses chosen from several denominations. They picked up bags of trash as they marched around Bath Road and Hillsborough Street to Independence and Kennedy Avenues.

They held Dominica’s flag high, recited and sang Mother Dominica’s National Anthem. In response, the beleaguered and increasingly isolated Dominican PM, Roosevelt Skerrit said, ‘I heard that come tomorrow or whenever it is, they going to blow the conch shell seven times, and they’re going to walk around the ministry seven times; but I will tell them that seven is the mark of the beast.’ Of course, anybody who reads their bible knows that is incorrect. This unexpected publicity ironically provided greater resolve for the marchers.

Dr. Sam’s orderly band of prominent and ordinary prayer warriors bravely stared down heavily armed camouflaged Special Security Forces emerging from black SUVs. They extended courtesies and respect to undercover police photographers who mingled with the crowd. Strangely enough, known government provocateurs were pointed out walking seven times in the opposite direction in an apparent superstitious effort to undo this Jericho march. During extensive media coverage, Christian claimed the victory that “this corrupt house of cards now in power, will soon come crashing down.”

Sam and his brother, Gabriel, a prominent Maryland/Washington DC attorney and others like Lennox Linton, have been leading the charge for a Commission of Inquiry on Dominica’s passport for sale program. Despite pointed attacks on their integrity, the Christian brothers have been helped immensely to drive the debate about our nation’s future. Their struggle to save Dominica is not going unnoticed. People are listening and now they have hope that Dominica will soon break from the quagmire it has found itself in. Dr. Sam promises that “true Labourites” will soon strike a telling blow and suddenly the numbers won’t add up for the Skerrit Labour Party. Dr. Sam feels satisfied that he is doing his part to stimulate a promising vision of great potential for Dominica: One where foreign aid is responsibly spent – for production and development.

Sammy is confident that concerned and well informed Dominicans at home and abroad are thrilled by the opportunity of participating in this vibrant people’s movement to bring real change to our homeland. As one famous hymn of the faith declares, “Once for every man and nation, comes the moment to decide.” It is a decision we each must make. Dr. Christian asks, “Will we chose a government run by characters who seems to have all the money in the world? Where does this big money come from? Or will we choose to live in a free, self-reliant country that real Dominicans control?”

The question for Dominicans is who ordered the unlawful detention of Sam on Wednesday and who ordered that all police leave be cancelled until further notice? Some say it most likely was not Police Chief Daniel Carbon. Others content it may be Skerrit and or his highly overpaid and overpriced (new rich) attorneys in expensive tailor made suites. Some suggest that these operatives don’t necessary have Skerrit’s personal, professional image and sound decision making and Dominica’s well-being as their focus. Everyone seems to know that except Roosevelt Skerrit.

But rather they are focus on their business plans and making as much as money as they can and Skerrit fits right into that equation. Whoever or whichever it is, they grossly miscalculated their mischievous move for they have now catapult Sam to national and regional prominence. Once can only feel sorry for Skerrit, but more than that, feel a much greater sorrow for our island home tenfold. Therefore one can only conclude that our beautiful isle of splendor, isle of beauty splendor is in deep trouble with a frightening leadership and governance crisis.

Everyone who knows Dr. Sam can tell that he is a peaceful and deeply spiritual man of bold action, thoughtful and compassionate, with an unbroken record of unselfish service for the Dominican people. This is the Dr. Sam Christian I know and I can personally attest to that fact as a family friend, high school and college mate in Roseau and Washington DC.

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24 Comments

  1. Rastafari
    February 7, 2017

    Did Dr. Jno. Finn make the following statement? “before returning home”. Very interesting. Why did he return home? Dr. Jon. Finn? Can you enlighten us on the circumstances surrounding his “returning home”? You are an honest man – I suppose. Man up to the people of Dominica. Give the whole story. Because we know he did not retire and then return home. He returned home through a set of circumstances he and his brother and you Dr. Jno. Finn would wish to keep away from the public.

    • Barbara Saunders
      February 7, 2017

      Rastafari

      Before I scrolled down to the comments that was the first question I wanted to ask. If Dr. Finn knows the gentleman so well, why is such a significant feature of his biography omitted?

      Don’t get me wrong, I find Dr. Christian quite a pleasant, and personable gentleman but people like Dr. Finn must not seek to demonise people that they don’t like and try to cannonise those that they do like. Dr. christian does have a past that he probably would not like Dominicans to know about, while he is creating a present around some people in Dominica that may not all be factual. Just saying.

  2. KID ON THE BLOCK
    February 6, 2017

    What is so annoying is that, when the U.S REJECT THEM that’s the time they know Dominica and coming and make trouble for land or job.

  3. Chakademus
    February 6, 2017

    “All Sam was saying Madam is the program has some serious flaws and needs to be fixed.”

    I totally disagree. That abomination needs to be abolished!

    Even if you fix it today and put a new government to run it, in a few years it will be just as corrupt as it is today. Such is the nature of the beast. Kill that sellout and let’s properly develop Dominica.

  4. Eliza
    February 6, 2017

    Every thing that was wrong in the 70s/80s is now right. D/cans open your eyes. It is time for things to change in Dominia. Save our country. If your child/children do something wrong, do you tell them to continue you are right??? OMG That is not the way. Church leaders, union leaders where are you all?

  5. dayandnight vision
    February 6, 2017

    Tell us more about the real ‘Dr. Sam”
    Why did he leave such a well paid job in the USA and come here to try to build a clientele here?
    Tell us Phd. Finn
    That is why you spent the better of your letter talking about the Prime Minister because there was not much more you could have said about ‘That nice Dr. Sam’
    But we know more than you think Sir

  6. small boss
    February 6, 2017

    How is Dominica they want to come back home to lead, when they being here, is forced. Deportee…….. They never had plans on cominig back to build the country. They want to take over to show us the real outlaws.

  7. Tj
    February 6, 2017

    Good show Drr.Christan

  8. 100% Dominican
    February 6, 2017

    The Dr Sam I know is a considerate, compassionate and a peaceful man with a deep love and devotion for God, Dominica and the Dominican people.

    Dr Sam heeds the call found in the words of our National Anthem:

    Come ye forward, sons and daughters
    Of this gem beyond compare.
    Strive for honor, sons and daughters,
    Do the right, be firm, be fair.
    Toil with hearts and hands and voices.
    We must prosper! Sound the call,
    In which ev’ry one rejoices,
    “All for Each and Each for All.”

    God Bless Dr Sam
    God Bless Dominica and Her People!!!

  9. kingman
    February 6, 2017

    if you know him so well then why don’t you tell the people how his medical license was revoked in the USA.
    The people right to know!!!!!

    • just saying
      February 6, 2017

      Were you the one that revocked his medical licence? It is better to be thought a fool than opening your mouth and removing all doubt.

    • Sacway Sort
      February 6, 2017

      Dr. Sam came home to make his contribution. Because he can go back and work as a surgeon whenever he chooses does not mean he will run away without finishing the job in his homeland. The noose is tightening. Stay calm. Just watch.

  10. Fairness for all
    February 6, 2017

    Have to agree. Dr Sam is a man who is driven by the love and peace in his heart. He is an outstanding doctor too.

  11. papa
    February 6, 2017

    Pm fraid his shawdow

  12. KID ON THE BLOCK
    February 6, 2017

    Sir, what about you? What have you done or contributed to the country or your village- La Plaine?
    What can others say about you other than fighting Skerrit? You all so, when rejected in the US think you all can just come and do as you wish in Dominica because you come from America? Hell no!

    • freedom fighter
      February 6, 2017

      Boss keep your comments to yourself. Nobody reads this sheet. :mrgreen:

      • KID ON THE BLOCK
        February 6, 2017

        Puss, if nobody reads this sheet, how the hell you able to comment on this sheet?

    • Vex
      February 6, 2017

      You are representing your name well. Stop shooting down the messenger

    • viewsexpressed
      February 6, 2017

      A real on the block……..comments makes no sense…to much of a kid mentality to understand the bigger picture/

    • Joe
      February 6, 2017

      So true, when they get kicked out of the US and their demands are not met by the gov’t of DA, they suddenly ‘care for country’.

    • February 6, 2017

      Facts, Justice, Truth, Kid, William,Germain, Original and all your other aliases, the same applies to you as well, how much have you contributed to your village Pointe Mitchell?. Are you one of them selling Dominica Passport in , Canada?, just asking a question

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