Senior Counsel Tony Astaphan refuses to respect my opinion that the Honourable Lennox Linton is a champion for Dominica on issues of national concern re; the Privy Council case between Mr. Bryne v. Lennox Linton and that is for Tony!
Politics is intimately connected to dispute, and debate. And on that note, I am minded to encourage informed public debate on many important issues in the country. But I shall do so with reasoning, tolerance and civility.
In so-doing, I will not crucify a messenger because he/she disagrees with my point of view. I am therefore not interested in SC’ disrespectful approach in debating an issue; maybe when Tony Astaphan speak a language to help the ordinary man in a constructive language, then we can debate.
I welcome debates because there is a national cost for failure to instigate and sustain discussions and debates. But we must recognize that it is natural for us to have divergent views, and I will not attack a messenger or get emotional to a point where I have the worse things to say about a person simply because he/she has a different opinion or point of view.
Incessant discourse in the intellectual space is healthy, but the SC should edify his listeners instead of using his talent and intellectual capital in political strategies which are unproductive in the national development matrix.
How pleasant would it be if Senior Council would use his talents to influence the government of Dominica to improve the judiciary such as building a rehabilitation center and training schools for our young people, and to help younger lawyers in their development and training; just to mention a few items of national importance?
We have a duty to be circumspect in our political/social engineering, because our acceptance of shallow reasoning, declarations and conclusions may hurt us somewhere in our history. and SC would have distinguished himself in history as one of the most divisive and polarized figure in Dominica. But again that is for SC, for it is just a matter of time before such voices spiral into political oblivion.
I shall not retreat but fearlessly serve with a cloak of service which is directed by our Lord.
I do not wish to be shortsighted, I have more relevant and important issues to think out-I am concerned about my extended family of Roseau South- job creation, repair of our roads at Wall House, Castle Comfort, Kings-Hill, Eggleston, Housing for my brothers and sisters at Newtown… I am concerned about how I am going to improve the life of our children at Silver Lake, and agitating for better health care services for my people, and Tony is not one these ordinary people in demand of such basic needs.
While Tony is busy using machinations, spins and deception in his hungry pursuit of maintaining the political status quo in Dominica; I am busy pursuing improvement of lives in my extended family of the Roseau South Constituency, and Dominica by extension.
While I am on this podium, I take the opportunity to express sincerest gratitude to the people of Dominica who have stretched their lending hand to our fire victims of Newtown and those still limping by the effects of Tropical Storm Erika.
A special thank you to our brothers and sisters who are in the diaspora- your efforts are immeasurable in the development of Dominica.
Let us pray and work as we continue to build our country remembering our families who suffered loss of loved ones and had major property losses: to the people of Petite Savanne, Coulibishrie, Paradise Valley, Colihaut, Dubique, and Delices & Boetica-hang in there! be strong! Dominica be strong!
We shall rise!
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Boss my conclusion is that this was not a case between Dominica and somebody. It was not a case about Layou River Hotel and Citizenship and Investment Program. It was a case where one man accuse another man of something he could not prove to be true. So how comes de accuser who was found by the court to have malicious intentions be a Champion of Dominicans? Boy some people really thinking upside down.
You are a politician: Tony is a lawyer. Two different professional careers; two different individuals, with two different points of view. You make gold- plated promises to citizens: in other words, when one scratches the surface, there may be brass underneath. Tony defends citizens: whether guilty or not, it’s based on the Law of the country.
“While Tony is busy using machinations, spins and deception in his hungry pursuit of maintaining the political status quo in Dominica; I am busy pursuing improvement of lives in my extended family of the Roseau South Constituency, and Dominica by extension”. I simply copied the bolded statement in this piece.
As you attempt to point out the fault of another and boastfully big-up yourself, please remember Mathew 6:2-4. ” Thus when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who’s sees in secret will reward you.”
You are a young man with a great future. Please do not get caught up in Linton and Tony tit for tat schoolboy yard fight. Continue to do your good work.
OLD!!!!
Why is Mr. Francis trying to force his opinion on readers. The issue that was before the courts was not whether Lennox was a champion on issues concerning Dominica but whether he had defamed Keiron Pinard-Byrnes by his utterances, the ruling of the Privy Council( Lennox’s court of choice) stated that the words uttured by Lennox in relation to KPB were in fact defamatory and that Lennox would have to pay cost. That was what the court was asked to consider and it was done leaving absolutely no doubt. So Mr. Francis stop this dishonesty.
You are an idiot. It is not Lennox that took Pinard-Byrne to the Privy Council but the other way round. Lennox had no choice! |Anyway, Lennox lost and Kieron P.B. won. Basta
FORT, it was Lennox that asked for the Privy Council ,and lost
I am disappointed that the Hon. Joshua Francis did not do as Tony did and that was to explain the law as he sees it based on the recent ruling of the Privy Council. Tony did exactly what he understands to be the ruling, never mind his partisan sway. I would think that Joshua Francis would have done a similar exercise as per his party’s and leader’s view of the said ruling. But will any of such views change what is now essentially law throughout the British Commonwealth countries (both independent and still associated colonies). I expected much more as the topic seem to suggest and lure readers. Hatred of Tony on one hand and hatred of Lennox on the other will not change the ruling. Even of the UWP were to win the next elections, out of sympathy for Lennox’s role in the matter, that will not change the ruling. Ask Lennox himself how he plans to utilize the arguments in same ruling to his credit. I have said enough.
He did, you failed to listen, let alone heard him. YOu are focused on undesirables so you will miss out on substance….
Well said Joshua, you are an honourable man and the true meaning of Senior Counsel should be bestowed on you. An Honorary SC should be bestowed on Hon. Lennox Linton. He has worked and committed himself to decency and god governance. I dare anyone to challenge me that you will find these qualities within this current corrupt DLP regime.
very very poor, you don’t like Mr Linton. you want him to go to jail, you might just get it. SAD.
Great Job Honourable Joshua Francis show the Senior Counsel what is decorum and class. All the Senior Counsel does is try to denigrate others. The Senior Counsel should be invoked from this man.
Very juvenile! This tit for tat manner in attempting to resolve issues must cease. Mr. Francis, we are all entitled to our opinion, however, our opinion can sometimes be proven to be wrong. Unfortunately, you are not doing any justice to yourself in this situation. I am appalled by your actions. Mr. Linton may have convinced you that he was championing the cause of the people, however, he did not provide the required evidence to substantiate his claim. You are accusing Mr. Astaphan of the exactly what you are guilty of. As an Attorney, you should know that any court of law judge a case based on evidence and not hear say. You need to stop playing politics and be realistic. Stop the role playing! This is a clear cut situation of what the facts are and not what a few want to hear. Mr. Linton has failed, and if you are a true friend, stop the games!
This man is made up of Moral Fiber, something that is so lacking in the DLP.
Leave Tony alone. LENNOX LINTON was found guilty and he will now pay the price. He has to be held accountable for his ,…………….. mouth. We now need to concentrate on our HEALTH SYSTEM now. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is our number one priority now.. HELP US
Well said Mr Francis. . We in Roseau south are fortunate to have you as our repersentative. God bless you and your family.