Editor’s note: The Dennis Joseph Weekly is one of a series of new columns being introduced by Dominica News Online. This column will be published every Thursday.
In this series of weekly opinions bearing my name I hope to stir you dear readers to read not just to confuse and confute but to weigh and consider.
The word “truth” to my mind applies back to the time when only God existed. Then He created the heaven and earth, made man and gave him a space called Eden, He appointed Adam the first Prime Minister gave him a woman secretary of state to help him and a Constitution by which he must operate and then split.
The Constitution was quite simple “You shall not eat of the fruit of this tree but all the other trees you may eat of their fruit.” By the time He returned the man had become corrupt and ate the forbidden fruit and lied to cover up, “The woman made me do it.” Yah Right!
Corruption and lies then entered the world and since that day mankind spares no effort to improve on those qualities. Yes God tried the forbidden fruit thing and even he could not make it work, so when I hear of efforts by government cheerleaders and the political leadership to classify Q95FM as the forbidden fruit that should be avoided by our ears and yet note the increased popularity of the station I ask, “Don’t these guys read the Bible?”
It did not work then and will not work now.
In one of the most intense scenes reported in the Scriptures two men stood facing each other in the morning hour; one whose tortured and broken flesh was dripping blood and the other proudly representing the power of the Roman Empire. “Don’t you know I have the power to crucify you?” Pilate asked. Jesus said “I have come into the world to testify truth and my followers bear witness to my truth,” and Pilate the Roman governor replied philosophically, “What is truth?
The activities of May 29th 1979 are still much talked about 33 years later and a CD release seems to celebrate the carefully crafted speeches of those who had a dog in the race and who needed to impress the people that this was a genuine stance for something worthy and not just another plain home grown overthrow of a government by emotionally stirring up the people and then themselves replacing that government. Their victorious side of the matter is oft repeated even as a tale in a local history book yet there seems to be something elusive about the truth of May 29th that causes the stories not to be a conclusion of the matter but a renewed struggle to reach out for the truth.
I am not a doctor of philosophy but truth needs no special degrees, rather it stands alone and defiant unmoved by the darkness that usually surrounds it. It is said that out of the mouth of babes comes forth wisdom. The late historian Carter Woodman puts it, ”Truth could move multitudes even with untutored language.”
What is the truth of May 29th? Was it a sudden urging or a well designed and devised plot to destroy a popular leader? Has it been clear who shot Phillip Timothy or is it best to let that rest in peace too? Would May 29th have happened without the leadership of the upper class and if so is it the uppers who are the ones capable of moving the minds and hearts of the ordinary people to rise up?
A well known one time radio personality and longtime teacher nicknamed “Brain” placed an idea in my head which I found irresistible, that I know this thing and so why let others tell it Confucius said, “real knowledge is knowing the extent of your ignorance,” and so join me about one year from now on May 29th 2013 when I will release a book at Jays Bookstore which will tell of the journey of Patrick John, the man at the nucleus of our most politically remarkable events Independence Day, May 29th and more and of the “somethings happening” leading to, on and after those days for believe me all are tied. It will be a collection of evidence of those who really know and lived the May29th chaos when the Freedom Party and their” boy” Charles Savarin led a rebellion that plunged this nation into a constitutional crisis in which our whole form of government almost came tumbling down.
I hear talk of repeating May 29th. Well we got away once, should we allow things to get to the point where we have to test fate again? When I listen to those, all of them, who were at the forefront of urging the demise of the Dominica Labour Party and who promised after May 29th to seek out and destroy all labourites in every nook and cranny and who are now groveling at the feet of the DLP begging for a job, I think of the words of the Prince in the closing Act of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, “All are punished – all are punished.”
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Hmmmmmm! In response to a well written article authored by Dennis Joseph (great stuff by the way) on the “alleged” truth of 1979, I note that a regular DNO blogger who uses the named “1979” appears to be responding promptly, sharply, astutely and with great passion to almost every comment posted either in support or against the author’s expressed opinion. “1979” has already posted no less than 6 responses to a single article by Mr. Joseph- which leads me to ask for full disclosure and the truth. Is “1979” the blog name of Dennis Joseph? In other words, is Dennis Joseph defending the opinion expressed in the article through his blog name “1979? In any event both Dennis and 1979 seem to be intelligent guys and we don’t mind reading their refreshing, shrewd and incisive comments.
nope sorry, I am not Dennis Joseph, I’m just a little boy who grew up next to the roseau river….. played marble hole next to phillip timothy’s memorial in the yard of the ministry… and whose neighbours were shot down in cold blood by the defense force.. forcing my father to cut his dread locks….
who is 1979???????? 
maybe that should be a new headline for DNO???
if only we knew who 1979 is we would say….
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MISTER NUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that little boy, what mister know about 1979…what mister know about ANYTHING????????????
LOLOLOLOL
I always enjoy his articles…
I do not know anything about May 29,1979 I have been living in Canada since April 1974, I was in Dominica in November 1979, but my people are not in politics, they did not talk politics to me.
I also do not know who Dennis Joseph is, but I hope that if he is going to use the Bible as ground for his coming discussions on DNO he better make sure that he knows what he is using from the Bible.
I saw that he used a statement from Pilate to Jesus and Jesus response to Pilate; both conversations are in the Bible but they do not belong together. One is in chapter 18 and the other one is in chapter 19
Pilate had asked Jesus if He was a king and Jesus answered to Pilate saying: “You said it right. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into this world, that I may bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who of the Truth hears My voice. That was the time Pilate said to Jesus “what is Truth”? This conversation is at chapter 18
The next idea of Mr Joseph is in another conversation at chapter 19 when Pilate said to Jesus: “Do You know that I have to power to crucify You, and the power to release You? To that comment of Pilate Jesus said: “You could have no power at all against Me, unless it had been given to you from above”.
Therefore Mr. Joseph please be careful when using the Bible, if you plan to do so, some of us have enough trouble as it is, trying to do the work of Holy Spirit, because people’s minds are bound by a web of carnality.
Anyway even if Pilate asked Jesus “What is Truth” he did not wait for Jesus’ answer because he was too be busy dealing the fame in his mind of having the authority over Jesus.
But Jesus has told us that “if we abide in His words, we are His disciples indeed, and we will know the Truth and the Truth will make us free”
Hence the “Truth of Life” has nothing to do with the system of this world–good and bad.
I am referring to the Gospel of John at chapter 18 and 19 sorry about that
you make very tiny sense and you do that frequently.
@Winston Warrington
And the man is who about to prove he knows what “truth” is by using a question of one the chapters of the Bible, with the answer of another chapter, makes a lot of sense to you eh!
That is why the apostle Paul tells us that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing”–you are one of those.
I WISH I could see the faces of those posting on this article. something tells me that they hold all the pieces to the mystery of 1979….. one thing is for sure something went seriously wrong in our history….and unless we mend what has been broken..the future does not seem very united for us……. BEFORE YOU STONE ME TO DEATH know this!
There are those who are profiting, building and entrenching the power for future generations of their families while we continue to bicker and batter down each other for a few grains of rice….. (are we scavengers?? or yard dogs waiting for a bone at our masters kitchen door??)
we may well need the “girl with the dragon tattoo” to crack this one wide open…
Man we respect you a whole lot. However we question your ability to tell the truth and nothing but the truth because you were closely allied to the Patrick John. Hopefully you’ll preserve your legacy & respect.
Your point re the role of the upper class in the overthrow is vital & true. However don’t forget that the birth of the Freedom Party was a response to repressive legislature that would kill free speech which is why it is called the Freedom Party. Also the protests were a response to anti labor/union laws, repression & threats of violence to workers.
You’ll be great at highlighting the positive things about Patrick John and that is need but please tell the truth & tell it well.
The truth about the downfall of Patrick John in my opinion had nothing to do with the shut your mouth bill. Mr. Joseph himself knows that after many labor party youngstars had lobbied very hard to have Patrick appointed as political leader over the much favoured Roseau loved ROP,certain top ranking Roseau big boys weren’t going to just lie and play dead.One of Patrick’s first big move was to remove rice and sugar from the business sector because these commodities were used as a weapon in terms of the regular shortages.The manager was a windsor park boy named BogoRoy with no business degree. The radio station was managed one time by Dennis and later Frampton, two ordinary guys with no big names.Chief account at the housing corporation was a river side boy named Paterson,the Housing Manager was Guy who lived in Pong, the people’s bank was managed by Marky Dorival and Gage covered the waterfront union.Patrick had covered himself in Housings,Banking,Radio, the Union and business with those no big name youngsters. That was to much for the big business boys of Roseau who had all the economic power,therefore,Patrick had to go.The rest is history.
I wish to add that while the other banks in Dominica were employing foreigner as Bank managers,Marky Dorival was the first Dominican to manager a bank in Dominica.In the sixties and seventies those of us who did not belong to the bourgeois class had some serious difficulties especially finding top jobs.
it would seem that the first point to strike would be the big blue building between the two cemeteries with a compass and ruler as it’s logo….. therein lay the orchestrators bathing in virgins blood…
Sorry. The first Dominican to manage a bank in Dominica was Mr. Francis Dupigny, who managed Barclays Bank now First Caribbean. He also managed Barclays in British Guiana (Guyana today).
I await patiently for the release of that book, we all need to know the truth and nothing but the truth so help us all, and yes those who vowed to destroy the goodly labor party as deceased Romanus Bannis would say, are now benifieries seating at the labor table while the real laborites are waiting for the crumbs at a weekly red clinic
Mr.Dennis Joseph… I would love to hear from you about DA’s Mulitimedia and music business…..From GPU to the powerful ads etc. you made back then for the radios….I still remember….
Powerful stuff, looking forward to part 2.
Of course, those kids on here won’t understand nothing you wrote. lol
It is amazing how someones perception can be used to establish what is truth.I would also like to add, why is it the Bible story of creation is being used as a source or foundation to establish truth.It seems to me that Mr Joseph is doing grave injustice as to what the word truth is. Mr.Joseph is engaging himself in lazy and wishful thinking coupled with his Politics, he should know that Political beliefs, and religious beliefs can be dangerous enemies of the truth.If Mr Joseph is seeking the truth he should follow the advise of the great Inventor Thomas Edison Quote “To those searching for truth — not the truth of dogma and darkness but the truth brought by reason, search, examination, and inquiry, discipline is required. For faith, as well intentioned as it may be, must be built on facts, not fiction — faith in fiction is a damnable false hope.”
It is interesting though that Mr Joseph brought up
the event of May 29 1979.Ironically no one was ever charged in the death of Phillip Timothy.The book which Mr Joseph is plugin,i wonder if he has found out anything regarding this young man death.There are some questions which needs to be asked regarding that Day.What were the standing orders given to the Defense Force the morning of the demonstration and who gave those orders? The family of this young man would like to get some closure after all these years.On the other hand I hope this book is not just based on old Political rhetoric as demonstrated in some of the things said in the above column.DNO thanks for introducing this new column bringing new food for through.Mr.Joseph is passionate about his writing. I would like to thank him for his contribution to forum.
Well, Joseph does admit he is “not a doctor of philosophy.” If he was–as well as a historian–he would not make such a naive statement as “truth needs no special degrees.” While he is not an unintelligent man by any mans, Joseph would not survive in any philosophy class if he said things like that. I suggest he read some Richard Rorty.
how then did Ben Franklin and Thomas Eddison bring light into our world, if it had not been for their faith in something unseen??? one may be tempted to blurt out “motivation” but how can one be motivated toward an end if there is no belief in the outcome??
I love this stuff…..very stimulating discourse.
…because 1) Franklin was trying to learn about electricity’s properties and possible uses and 2) Edison was merely a businessman who did not invent the light bulb but simply improved upon the designs of I believe over 20 people before him? I fail to understand your question, 1979. Inventers either invent through long study and work or come across a good idea by chance–and often the two are combined.
my question revolves on the power of our belief or what we call “faith”. I think before we are propelled towards any direction, there must first exist some sort of belief that we are heading toward a desired result….no matter the length of study, and scientific calculations the “idea” or “theory” is fueled by faith or a belief in the outcome or the end result…
where then does the word “theory” come from?? yet all things that have been proven as fact, first existed as a theory, or and “idea” in someones head…. they then had the belief to pursue that theory and prove it as fact….
Dennis must remember that there was a commission of enquiry into the events of May 29 1979, when everything was investigated and the general public was encouraged to contribute.
Did he appear before the commission? Will his opinions, his “truths” be opposite to the findings of the commission? Interesting.
Well one man’s truth could be another man’s lie. I guess we all try to present the truth as we see it through our own eyes; we being mere humans after all.
I am not judging you sir, well not yet, I will await the publishing of your book first. But in presenting the truth I do hope that you present the whole truth from all angles and not just yours.
Because it is amazing sometimes that the defenders of the former PM and his regime always seem to place the blame squarely on the other man’s foot and he is given the role of victim, but one has to ask where is his culpability in all that?
Your book would be more truthful if you can give the facts from both sides of the issue. You do have a customer in waiting right here.
Mr. Joseph be careful! Writing about certain truths attracts poisoned darts from the shadows of home and abroad. If you are really going to tell the truth, it would be safer to allow your writing to surface after our generation passes. Even so, I look forward to reading your “Opinions”.
I was a huge fan of your newspaper column…can’t wait to read more from you.
I find the sentence “I hear talk of repeating 1979” most instructive in trying to assess the writer’s focus. And then the writer asks pointedly: “Should we allow things to get to the point where we have to test fate again?”
This is interesting and I would ask the writer how does he propose that we disallow things from getting to THAT point? But then he delivers his own coup-de-grace when he plays God and decided “all are punished.” Right on, good sir. Write on!!!
dennis must interview bro. germain of S.M.A. days for that book.
I’m deeply disappointed, sir, that a column about “truth” begins with the assumption that the bible is true. How dare someone seeking truth do something as horrifying as explore other possibilities.
Whose the Man with the Master Plan? We know who and what!!!!!!!!!!!
Wasn’t it Shaft?
?????????
DNO why not print Q95.
print Kairi instead nuh DA
Can’t wait! I am salivating like Pavlov’s Dog!
YOU SPEAK OF TRUTH? I HOPE YOU WRITE THE TRUTH
next week
Nice! looking forward for this week article
Oh my God.
what?? spit it out..
Mr.Joseph great article,i was just seven years old i remember all that.Over the years i have read many books and never forgot those days.Well said will be reading more.
Denis Joseph will soon write about the Coup attempts against the Eugenia Charles Government. It is sad when we see biasness in others and not in us. Write on DJ but dont forget that others can write too.
so then write!!!!!! this is the only way to put together the pieces of the puzzle and canvas the entire crime scene….
so what is ur point then begin write. U seem to know what the man is about to write. U afraid man of the truth student, u talkig about biasness. Take it easy, relax and wait, do not be afraid.
intreating article’