President of the Dominica Evangelical Association (DAEC), Pastor Randy Rodney, has pointed to the importance of opposing views in a democracy saying they are important in the development process.
He was addressing a government-organized National Rebuilding and Economic Partnership Consultation on Monday at the Goodwill Parish Hall.
“In Dominica, one of the hindrance to unity is the false notion that the individual who does not agree with my idea is against me and an enemy of the whole,” he stated. “I submit to us what we now need to move away from that false notion.”
Pastor Rodney said that while opposition is generally viewed as the intent to halt progress and prevent the accomplishment of vision “it is necessary for proper growth and very vital in the development process.”
“In developing democracies, opposition must be viewed as another’s opinion of accomplishing the same good since in practice we all seek the opportunity to enhance the same nation,” he stated. “Healthy debate, the honest debunking of different views are all necessary for resilient building.”
He gave a suggestion for dealing with opposing views and opinions.
“Our response, therefore, should be focused on managing rather than eliminating opposition,” Rodney remarked.
Pastor Rodney?This guy is a joker and calling his self man of God, no wonder people turning away from so-called Christianity in Dominica, Rodney you are my relative and also one of the biggest hypocritical person ever.
Two hands is certainly better than one but how do you build a house with your brother if he is consistently trying to brake it down.
………..or moreseo, “where your brother and one with exceptional skills and knowledge is consistently trying to guide you to the right path and stopping you on this journey of bobol and obvious corruption. Have you not heard the saying: “1`m my brothers keeper…..” but Skerrit is lost in the abys of hard-core fellows and so called advisors who has stained him politically. Skerrit is lost politically, and ignorant to the discipline of good governance, accountability and decency in running the office of Prime Minister. Skerrit is a failure.
Hon Linton is a decent patriot…..he has exposed the many bobol and corruption practices of this corrupt Bobol Labour government
@ Viewsexpressed ,Please get back to the trees where you belongs or better yet to the RUM shop with your alcoholic friends.
viewsexpressed
I have always known that the manner in which a person manages the little sphere of influence which they have, their level of accountability and probity in matters placed in their charge at a lower level is an indicator of what they are likely to do if elevated to a higher level.
Now, I would like you to stop looking at Skerrit for a while, we all agree he is on his way out. Take a hard look at how the other side, particularly the leader manages issues within his sphere of influence. How he takes or does not take responsibility for his own actions; how he takes or does not take advantage of people’s naivete and extorts or does not extort from them what they do not even have in order to bail himself out of self-inflicted situations.
How he deals with accusations of corruption within his own grouping even in the face of evidence. Corruption is corruption. How high is his level of accountability in fund-raising through public donations etc. I’m waiting.
Opposition does not mean to oppose for the sake of opposing it means you are the other or one of the other political parties.
It does not mean constant criticism, chastisement and negativity that polarizes and splits the population , it means expressing better ideas and working to achieve your version if its better whether you are in power or not because that effort will be seen by those who do support you.
It doesn’t mean decrying your own country on the world stage for political capital that has no value nationally it means promoting your country as a representative that can be taken seriously to continue partnerships and relationships established with other governments so as not to derail the positive progress already taking place but to bring your own version to the table and show and prove that it is an enhancement or better than groundwork that has already been done.
It should be an upgrade not a complete reinstallation and upheaval.
…There is nothing to derail because there is positive progress taking place in Dominica. I don’t know where you sit or ARE YOU LOST TO THE OBVIOUS LACK OF DEVELOPMENT IN Dominica. Please list the progress in social and economic development that has taken place in Dominica in the past 17 years in our Suffering Dominica under this failed leader and corrupt Labour government.
Hon Linton and the UWP Team and supporters are aware of their roles in opposition and has performed admirable waiting to enter government to clean up Skerrit`s and his corrupt Labour Government political, social and economic woes. We are worse off due to lack of leadership and a corrupt and failed government.
viewsexpressed
Do you realise that you had a Freudian slip? You actually said that there is positive progress taking place in Dominica.
Just as you are asking for a listing of the progress made under Mr. Skerrit and his government, could you oblige us by listing the admirable performance of the opposition waiting to clean up his mess?
It is the evidence of their preparedness to replace him which will convince some people and win them over, not the daily dose of cursing and screaming nasty epithets at Mr. Skerrit. That has been done for twenty years on radio and more recently social media locally , regionally and internationally. He is still there. I thought he was supposed to be the stupid one.
UDOHREADYET
I rather think you are more ready than you think. I agree thoroughly with your analysis. I doubt that there is any sensible person who would say there should be no opposition but you have outlined very accurately the major non-patriotic and destructive behaviour of the current opposition. I don’t think even supporters can argue against the truthful and accurate profile of the present opposition which you have presented.
We have always had opposition parties and for the most part there has always been INTERNAL conflict, but this is a new low gone international.
With social media we pretty much get a glimpse of the activities of regional and international governments and oppositions. Apart from sitting President Trump who seems to be giving Russia more credence than his own intelligence and other professionals, can anyone give an example of an opposition party or government which seems to have a dedicated purpose to denigrate and destroy its own country?
When everybody thinks alike there is no thinking. A strong Opposition is a good thing for any country. It’s a government in waiting. If and when the incumbent government disappoints, this strong Opposition becomes a viable option. The opposition must be constructive and responsible. The Opposition should offer alternative, sensible and practical initiatives and solutions to the country’s problems. They should also praise the government when it is deserving. If I oppose your policies, this should not make me your enemy. Ask yourself if there’s merit in my criticisms. No one is always right, conversely, no one is always wrong. Only by our collective efforts can Dominica overcome the enormity and multiplicity of her problems.
Ibo France
Another good analysis of the role of the opposition. Agree totally with your sentiments.
Now it would be nice if you would also share your thoughts on whether the actions and utterances of the present opposition fit the profile of a mature government in waiting which you just prescribed.
This would be good for us and for the opposition itself so that it can do some self-examination and prepare itself for the eventuality of Mr. Skerrit’s tenure as Prime Minister coming to an end, and also assuming that his party loses the elections.
The more we give comfort to the opposition and its leader that the things that they do are acceptable, the less ready they will be to assume office. In fact, the longer that they will keep Mr. Skerrit in office.
Randy first outing he already talking politics. every body know that he is a workers but after all keep politics out of it as the leader of our organization.
What s wrong in being a member or supporter of UWP or DLP. If you or any other thought that he was a DLP, that is supporting the decent values for DLP, if they have one, what is wrong with this also. We all know that the DLP and its government have and continue to practice corrupt practices to win elections.
We must be open and transparent for our country and for children coming up.
Well put Pastor Rodney. God Bless
Finally someone with some sense. There’s hope for DA after all. That’s right pastor explain to them what a democracy really entails. Thank you.
They have not done anything to help after Maria.
Well I was expecting to hear what is he Randy’s plan to help in the “rebuilding” effort because that was wat the meeting was about.
I also would have expected him to tell the opposition to make tangible effort as their contribution in the rebuilding process
But what else do you expect from Randy? Good thing Karesah already warn us many years ago “DON’T PLAY WITH THE PASTOR ROD” so we know him.
Hope he doe make the evangelical association pass like M-WAD DAPEX DAAS AND THE WATER COMPANY THAT YET TO EXPORT A SPOON OF WATER.
BECAUSE ALL OF THEM IS ONE COMMESS.
But I wish the organisation well. And I know the members won’t allow you to politicise the DEA because a vote of no confidence will be in other Randy.
Preach the lords gospel not your political views. NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR POLITICS.
Yes, because as the opposition party they have all the resources at hand to help their constituents. And members of the ruling party make it very easy for them to extend a helping hand.
That was really a great speech – well put and delivered – may we listen
Seems like some peoples’ eyes are being opened slowly. Hopefully those eyes will be FULLY opened. Pastor, Rodney, I am not a religious person but I agree fully to your inner an outer search/acknowledgement of the truth. “No man is an island” and even in the most intimate relationship the parties do not agree about everything. The thing is, we all have a part to play in this circle of life and NO ONE has all the answers. It is high time that our present administration come to their senses. There has been TOO MUCH DIVISION in our nation and it is time that all the cards are placed on the table. EVERYONE on this island is IMPORTANT and their voices must be head in order for there to be WHOLENESS. We need to realise that as a race of people, WE are the ones to encourage PEACE among ourselves. The outside world is not going to do it for us. We need to cast our DIFFERENCES aside and come together and work together for the betterment of our island.
HOTEP (PEACE)