Linton bowls to Skerrit: SIX
Linton to Skerrit: SIX again.
The huge ‘waves’ just moments ago rocking the Blue section of Windsor Park Stadium have been stilled. Men take their final gulps of Kubuli. Ladies sip nervously on their peanut punch, blankly staring defeat in the face.
The masses packing the Red section are on the edge of their seats. Horns blowing, flags waving, women whining… Just 3 more runs to win. 4 balls to go. And just one wicket standing. There could be no greater Tanti Merle moment!
The blaring music lowers as the joka on-field announcer thrusts the wireless mike in front the batsman. “It looks like you have the hot bat Sir. Is this it?”
“We going to finish this right now!” Skerrit bellows.
Red section erupts. “That’s right my PM. Footay yo! Quasay yo!”
The announcer dashes across the pitch to the bowler. “Ah Mr. Linton, not looking as good as it was just an over ago eh? What you going to do now?”
“Just watch!” Linton replies. He bowls a faster one.
“No ball!” Overstepped badly. Linton gives Umpire Doctrove one look! But his classmate is the top test match umpire – so he has to comply. Awkward laughter settles down to hushed suspense.
2 more runs to win. Linton boldly flights the next ball outside the off stump.
Skerrit makes an almighty slug. It looks like another maximum…But it’s a thick outside edge. High, high, high, the ball billows toward the square leg boundary. Sun in my eyes…I’m not sure it will go all the way – Sikiri is under it! And Lugay is rushing in as well…
Why?
Can you picture a friendly’ cricket match between Red and Blue? What would be the benefits and risks of such an event? What would be the implications for Dominican democracy?
The Gridiron Club Dinner in the United States, is a black-tie event hosted by the most prestigious journalist club. Politicians from the President down laugh at themselves while poking fun at each other.
The next day, it is business as usual with opponents at each other’s throats for political advantage. But for that one elegant night, all bitterness and rancor it set aside for pointed laughs and giggles. Take your licks with smile shrug it off with dignity. That’s what is expected of everyone. What does that tell supporters? ‘Hey listen. Politics is not everything. Don’t kill yourself for us. We can get along and you should too – with your neighbours and for our country.”
Instead, in Dominica, what do we have?
Bus drivers complain that usual customers are now boycotting and rather wait for another bus. Neighbours separate into rigid camps viciously taunting each other, unable to cooperate even on Community Day of Service. Divided employees sap corporate morale. If one has ever hinted criticism of the party having heavy majority on the job, the retaliated persecution feels more callous than racism. If you happen to have a favourite outfit that is the wrong colour, talk to the wrong individual, or dare pass by the wrong rally, chances are you will be spied upon, branded and reported as “a red” or “a blue.” Neither can one find refuge from politics in the church. Nor is there any peace in being neutral because the assumption is that ‘if you’re not with us, you’re against us.’
Why not?
My mission is to focus of the many good things about this election. Enthusiasm was high. Voter turn out was huge. Much more than at Carnival or Independence, overseas Dominicans were glued to their computers and social media. Of course, there is work to be done in finally clarifying their crucial voting role – as well as addressing recurring grievances such as tracking foreign funds for massive campaign spending.
But I must admit, maybe like you, I got nervous when the airport communication station burnt down. I worried when opposing motorcades zipped past each other. People hanging out of dangerously overloaded vehicles screaming obscenities were armed with big flags on long sticks. These could easily joust opponents from their precarious perches. With sewo replacing organized debate, even well-educated colleagues argued which of the ‘bloodless’ tragic traffic fatalities were superstitious sacrifices for political supremacy. SMH… Indeed, we give thanks and praise that things did not get much worse.
Nothing binds our people together like cricket. And Dominica is fortunate to have Emmanuel Nanthan as vice president of the West Indies Cricket Board. It would be fair to say that he would know a thing or two about organizing a unique cricket match. How about if half of the team comprised actual candidates, with least two females? At the toss, teams get to pick between Shane and Liam as honourary captains – something like that.
“Where have you been?” many readers ask. Ah, now you know! I conclude my election observations by recommending this friendly clash between Team Dominica’s “Change is a Must” and “Labour ka Twavay.” Anyway you cut it; this would be a guaranteed victory for Dominica.
Citizens by far, are mostly of the opinion that the election is over; so let’s get on with our lives. Teams shaking hands after the match would go a long way in reducing tensions, binding up the nation’s wounds and restoring healthy tranquility. Can you think of a more wholesome holiday gift to ourselves? Despite traditional resistance to new ideas, in the interest of a mature democracy, I’ll toss up this one right on the middle stump. You never know, someone with more influence than me might take a swing at it!
Dr. Sam Christian is specialist surgeon who runs the Urgent Care on 137 Bath Road. It is a private practice ‘Casualty’ that offers timely medical care, office surgery, acupuncture and microdermabrasion. He is Medical Adviser to the Dominica Cancer Society and author of the faith and fitness nutrition book, ‘Mannafast Miracle.’ Dr. Christian can be reached at 440-9133. For more information, log on to the Urgent Care website
Here’s my Blue Team:
Linton (Captain) Fontaine, Lugay, Francis, Monelle (Wicketkeeper) Spags, Isaac, Shirley, Edison, Prevost and Matt.
My selection for Red Team:
Skerrit (captain) Pinard, Darroux, Daniel, Tony (wicketkeeper), Blackmore, Charles, McIntyre, Douglas, Sylvester and Nanthan,
May the best team win!
Sam only if this was that simple. When you have arrogance ruling the land you can’t easily forget that.
I reject your idea of a cricket match but love your writing style and sense of absurdity regarding Skerrit. Skerrit will only agree with his legal team tells him to for they are responsible for him being there. Lets forgive but not forget there I am ‘out’ Sam- no thanks for your match invitation
Reason why the I have it always. Some professionals are steeped in self preservation.
Opportunists disguised as Human.
Interesting idea….a cricket match, Red vs Blue would help to bring our people back together….That said, when Blue loses the match, will they accept defeat, though?
Dr. christian, I think you have the capacity to understand the little intangibles in life; it’s no wonder you came up with this ‘icebreaker’ idea. Unfortunately though, it would probably take a ship bigger than the TITANIC to do just that. According to the philosopher Oliver Wendell Holmes, ” MANY IDEAS GROW BETTER WHEN TRANSPLANTED INTO ANOTHER MIND THAN IN THE ONE WHERE THEY SPRUNG UP” but as unenlightened beings we lack the sophistication to value such acts instead we continue to harbor negative emotions (anger, frustration, resentment and hatred) to the end and have become captives to our own selves. Folks are known to have been at the grave site of their supposedly loved ones unable to say ‘good bye’ because of those feelings.
Juxtapose alongside your idea should be the right enema to treat this form of constipation. In that case, you would first have to make the two sides ‘climb Jacob’s ladder’ in order to see the other side.
According to Elbert Hubbard, “An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.
Sam,,,,although I haven’t read the whole thing I applaud you. Great gesture and it should be done for healing of the Nation. I wish marijuana was already legalized, so they could smoke a Peace pipe together and ‘laugh’. Americans find humor in theirs and so should we.
Doc that is a great idea. Of course i will be in red in full support of my party. And we will be victorious once more. And as usual team blue will cry saying we cheated.
On a more serious note though. I do agree with you doc,a friendly game between both parties would be great and would help in the healing of the nation
Sadly, at this time of Christmas and the birth of the king of peace, many lands are riven by conflict and bloodshed. We are grateful for peace on Dominica but must never take such peace as we have for granted. What the good doctor is saying is that it is time to move from conflict to common ground. May the powers that be, on both sides of the aisle, move above the divisions which scar our land to find some unity of purpose on the field of cricket. Our country and the desired spirit of peace can only gain from such wisdom as expressed in this article. With wise and peaceful effort all our problems can and will be solved.
did you have influence when you marched on the financial center?
The pen is mightier than the sword. You just proved that!
Dr. Christian – The mockernewsdesk endorses this idea wholeheartedly!
Thank you Dr. Christian but we continue to show love for our PM we would not want him to be injured but the opposition especially its leader who hates correction and will want to do anything to get him out, short term or indefinitely. Once you are ignorant nothing can change you not even being a part time cricketer will change that. We don’t want another Huges and not in Dominica. The labour party have won and accepted lost where they lost and is well on course to continue working.
Good idea but definitely not in favour of it.
Good to have you back again, Dr. Christian. And since Christmas Day is just a few days away, I take the privilege to wish you and your loved ones a very “Merry Christmas” Yes indeed! Merry Christmas–no such thing as “Happy Holidays” for me.
On the note in your message here, I am telling you one thing! This is the first time I have ever been so involved in the things of politics–being in Canada for so long and until 2010, I was not even using the Internet–this would mean that I was also absent from the 2009 election.
Whether it was on DNO or on face book, I simply felt damn bold to speak for the sake of my people and our Dominica, and as usual, my God and yours too, didn’t disappoint me. For He gives me hope and hope in Him cannot disappoint us. My dream on the early morning of December 08 told me that I had victory–and as soon as I was out of bed, December 08, God reminded me of that dream–it is along story.
But O man!, I hated the tension even if it did not last too long. But thanks to God again, He gave me a dream to keep my hope in tact; and I had a face book friend keeping me up to date. I knew that God had worked as I had called out to Him on behalf of our people and our country.
And that is what the result is–the people of Dominica have spoken, and as Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said–that voice of the people is the voice of God–I agree with him!
And, all of this took place fairly and squarely!
Doctor you might have forgotten to mention the rip banana skin on the field only to trip the blue players.
I second the motion.
Sampie, I thoroughly enjoyed that game of cricket, I laughed my head off.
Yeah!
People need to calm down. That’s a good idea. Turn out would be great. We could raise some funds for some worthy cause.
Just love this piece love the writing style
one team would pay the opposite bowlers to play nice or bribe the umpire not to call the wickets which would be fairly taken
You were once involved in politics with the Real Labour Party. You wanted to change the government then. What happened why you were so uninvolved when the opportunity came to change the Government? And how did you arrive at “Citizens by far, are mostly of the opinion that the election is over;” I hope not through a Bajan poll.
My friend, nothing is settled until it is settled right. The opposition has grievances over the conduct of the elections; not least what happened in Grand Fond. I hope you are not suggesting that the opposition should just sweep these issues under the carpet and “…let’s get on with our lives.”
It was Gabriel my friend. This is Sam.
You are well aware that Dr. Has never been embraced or trusted by the Labour establishment since his criticism and demonstration on which you speak. So to suggest that he has been paid off to write and speak as an impartial statesman does the same disservice his article comes out against.
The article was about cricket. Your main point is however is that you disagree with the conclusion that “Citizens by far, are mostly of the opinion that the election is over.” That being the case, you are free to provide evidence to the contrary. That being the case, the demonstrations at the electoral commissions should swell daily until it caves in to demands. That being the case, there will be widespread disinterest in Christmas and the New Year in favour of bye elections in the disputed constituencies.
Let’s see which vision of Dominica’s immediate future prevails…