Director of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Sites, Dr. Francis Severin, believes that Parliament is an agency of the country’s democracy belonging to the people and no one else.
He made that statement while delivering the Eleventh Annual Dame Eugenia Charles Memorial Lecture held at the Fort Young Hotel on Thursday night.
According to him, it is backward for anyone, especially the Speaker of the House of Assembly to frustrate elected members.
“The Parliament is a tangible instrumentality or agency of our democracy. It belongs to the people and no one else,” he said. “Therefore it is obstructionist and backward for any one person, especially the Speaker, to frustrate elected members of the house.”
He continued, “What supposedly represents Parliament in many of our Caribbean countries is quite disappointing, to say the least” and expressed the view that the Speaker should be a referee rather than patriarch or matriarch.
Dr. Severin stated that it is quite common in the Caribbean for members of Parliament who do not form the majority party to be treated as though they do not represent significant sections of the population as well.
“Autocratic rulers and the MP’s tend to take advantage of their parliamentary majority to bully members of the opposition who, if they lack the requisite debating skills and experience can find themselves perpetually assaulted by preponderance of government MP’s who themselves may lack the debating skills as well as elegance, decorum..,” he remarked.
“This situation is often exacerbated when there is a speaker who does not understand his or her role, and or sees his or her role as ‘chief bully’ or ‘bully in charge’ on behalf of the Prime Minister whose favour the speaker enjoys,” Dr. Severin added.
He noted that this is the tragic reality in countries ruled by autocrats who brook no opposition and who expect, “total and unconditional” loyalty from those in key positions such as, “Speaker of the House of Assembly.”
Dr. Severin spoke on the topic: “Dem belly full, but we hungry: Insights into autocratic rule.”
Ha ha ha, some people are killing brain cell to come up the must stupid excuses to defend the indefensble
Doc, they don’t have anything academically to contra your lecture, only character assassination
Poor pitty those clowns on Kaire
TO; FORREAL THIS IS WHAT YOU WROTE AGAIN LIKE A COWARD HIDING BEHIND A BOGUS NAME.
My comment.. I speak for myself. I did not mention Skerrit and my career did not depend on anything I did not earn..Additionally I do not subscribe to guilt by association..of belonging to a certain social class.
“shillingford I am not surprised that you and your kind would feel like I stepped on your toes, after all Eugenia made you all live like queens and kings, being of the of the one % had and is still toxic right???but before you go on with your harping let me remind you, is we the poorer class that gave you all the opportunity to gain financial and political power,yes the famous cole wosh brigade, a country with know knowledge of it’s past, is like a tree with no roots,this is what must built upon to go forward,you are lashing out at skerrit,but seem to forget the many dead innocent poor people children that were killed and buried in the hills by the police executing orders by the then…
Message boards are meant to be anonymous and uses handles of your choice that is the beauty of the internet as long you are not abusive or insults other posters, we can have decent discussions and agree to disagree. You may choose to use your own name that is your choice. However, it is not a requirement for someone to use their own name.
Calling people coward and saying they are hiding behind a bogus name is totally uncalled for and that is 99% of all posters. We may also think people who use their real name when posting on a message board are nothing more than attention seekers of some sort, because really it is totally unnecessary but your choice of a handle as well as it is someone else choice to use a handle other than their real name on message boards which is a more normal thing to do.
By you calling a poster using a handle coward you are calling all of us cowards for using our handle and I find it to be very irresponsible.
A wise man once said: “If you engage in argument with a mad person, people observing you will have great difficulty in working our which one of you is man”.
My advice, take it like, take a deep breath and forget ‘For Real’
This speech should be archived right alongside that of Dr. Martin Luther King….
i am curious is the Annual Dame Eugenia Charles Lecture meant to be only anti-government? i have yet to hear about one of these lectures that speaks otherwise. Who are the people who put the lectures on and who chooses the topic?
It is very interesting about these lectures, the all have one theme regardless of the title or the lecturer. Have anyone spoken of what makes an effective opposition? Just wondering.
Was this anti-government? I did not hear Dr. Severin mention our government once but of course, if you feel it applies to our government and its leadership be my guest and put on the cap. As far as I am concerned this lecture was about autocratic rule and the injustices and corruption that come with it, applicable anywhere and not just Dominica.
A United set of Wicked People trying their best to destroy the image of the country. They come in all way, shape and form. But WE the KIDS on the block can’t be fooled. These are not the days when only those who had the BIG names and the Cash could have attended high school. Today every household has a child or more in high school. We ALL seat on the same bench. It’s left to the individual to choose his/her path. Doc. WE are not so stupid as you and the others who support you think. We can read through the lines. Your speech was just another disguised version of the preaching of the opposition party. Why do you think Matt likes playing it over and over again? You ALL can fool your people but not us… The KIDS on the block. You ALL are a set of POWER hungry people and will do anything to achieve your goal.
What has happened is a classic example of “Animal Farm”. This labour system started with an “all shall eat” motto. Now its “some shall eat” and “some are more equal than others”. The very people who said they were going to be there for the poor are now the oppressors of the poor. If one is not red and really red there are no opportunities for he or she. In the churches, in the village councils etc. One has to be submissive to this labor system, total worship. One has to do as he or she is told. I honestly think the only reason that there is so much desperation to remain in power for so long is because those in authority has been dishonest. There is too much at stake. But history has taught us what is in the dark must come to the light all systems have an end eventually. Repent or seek forgiveness before its too late.
HURT FEELINGS……..LOOK A TISSUE.
You are in denial, and will remain that “Kid on the Block” for a long time until you are able to think independently and professionally with an open eye and don’t let other inept people think for you. Go do your own research of the growing poverty in Dominica created by this inept PM Skerrit and his corrupt Labour Party Government. Corruption and bad government and governance stares you in the face and is blocked by false and silly allegiance to a the worse Prime Minister Skerrit Dominica ever had.
Dr. Francis Severin has given you a lecture to digest, comprehend, analyse and all you are able to come up with is a guilty conscience of ignorance, blindness, denial and false loyalty to a failed government and an immature Prime Minister and ministers without balls to recognised that we have in office an autocratic leader and system in Dominica.
You been awarded with 100 thumbs down for your blindness and stupidity. Go around Dominica and tell us where there is meaningful…
viewsexpressed, My reply to you is, Democracy is the PEOPLE and WE the PEOPLE have spoken over and over again for 15 years and come the next general elections in 2020 we will speak again by voting Labour! By the way, who cares about your thumbs up or down? for sure not me. You ALL are a set of people with a motto… If it’s not YOU ALL’s way, then it’s no way… Is this democracy? Your party is the WORST opposition party that has ever recorded in the history of politics in Dominica. A party lead by the most arrogant opposition leader in the world.
“The Parliament is a tangible instrumentality or agency of our democracy. It belongs to the people and no one else,” he said. Well said and the truth. I would like to world to tell our PM Skerrit that fact. Democracy is dead in Dominica, as things go this looks like a 1 (one) man state.
Why pick what you want as the truth, regarding your opening statement and them say “Democracy is dead in Dominica,” is Dominica really ruled by one man, don’t you see the paradox in your thinking, why can’t you be consistent with the truth.
the statement is senseless because animals do not vote but politicians do, Dr Severin is overwise
Well put together, my college sociology teacher.
Very very well said my SMA classmate (Dr. Sev). Bro Germain and your big sister Mademoiselle Severin (our french teacher) taught you well.
At SMA, civics was a very important part of the curriculum and those of us who paid attention (like you sir) are no strangers to the meaning of democracy and the role of government and opposition in such a governance system. You sir have shown real courage in speaking out against the autocratic form of governance being exercised in our land. God bless and protect you classmate as you seek to enlighten us as a nation and save us from the demise that lay ahead if we do not change course.
Always Assertive!
Not everyone sees colour but many do. Many people live their lives on core principles.What we in the Caribbean have noticed political power influences many in negative ways. Though the words from their mouths seems honest but their actions is otherwise. And their only response to those uttered word of truth will be to destroy the messenger. In the words of Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus”In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king” go so deep that it hurts the conscience of those carrying the “Hon. title.
I told you so, Doc, Tony, Simeon, McIntime Douglas and the senior citizen from Kings Hill were going to come after you with everything, also added to the list was Regie. Pastor Rodney who supported you was not speared. According to mammie, he is impotent. This was not only an animal show, but a triple X show, thank God, most of our children, I hope were asleep. It would have been unfortunate for them to have heard the many descriptions of you especially by Tony. Had they been awake and listening to the Xrated show, they would have heard such comments like how you buried your head in the sand and your posterior in the air. They would have heard how your lecture stunk with rank ignorance. You were classified as an idiot of intellectual dishonesty. You are sycophantic, a crook, a criminal and controls jokers like Linton. I love this one, you are the new Pharaoh. He ended by not asking the people of Dominica to judge your lecture, but to be left in hands of God, Wow.
Thanks to Q95, on Sunday afternoon, I listened to the speech in its entirety, and I asked myself, why were Tony, Simeon and Regie, so offended. Ninety five percent of the speech by Dr. Severin were quotes from Bob Marley, Peter Torsh and Mr. Bedford.
Doctor Love, who feels it knows it and they felt it. Truth stands on it’s own and does not need a defense. As Fidel Castro their Comrade said, “History will absolve him.” Trust me Dr. Severin History has your back and so does the down-press in Dominica. Now, the reverse is true for the oppressors, they are very hungry for revenge while we are feeling hopeful because there is a New Sherriff in Town fearless, articulate and super intelligent. Thank you sir.
Those who feel spoken to and whop fits the cap, put it on!
Yes Doc., a cornered rat makes unpredictable and irrational moves. That diatribe by Tony and his accolades reflects entirely on them and not the honorable Dr. – note, not the honorary Dr. – and what they are, a school play ground clique of supporters of the class bully. The more they blow off the more they’re damaging their own image. Let them stew in their own juice I say.
Sir you could not put it better than that well said Speaker of the house has an AGENDA TO KEEP THE HUPROCRITE LABOUR PARY WITH ALL THERE DIRTY DEAL IN OFFICE WITHOUT QUESTIONING THEM WELL SAID
Like the famous Jamaican artist clearly stated Doc “you throw your corn you ain’t call no fowl” but alas the intellectual political fowls which you so eloquently described will soon begin to cackle. Not only would your father be proud of you but Socrates the famous Greek philosopher who walked the streets of Athens with a torch in broad daylight searching for one Honest man would also have been proud to know that in Dominica today there is at least one intellectual, honest man who is not afraid to share his point of view. I hope that our young persons who find themselves caught in the middle of a vicious cycle of unscrupulous role models will listen and dissect
every word that you have spoken and be comforted that all is not lost and out of the ashes will rise a better Dominica. Thanks Sir for a beautiful and educational lecture.
Why would you get the notion that wisdom and truth can be found in halls of academia. This was a lecture on autocratic rule ,is Dominica governed by autocratic rule, don’t you see the dishonesty by Dr. Francis Severin. The late George Orwell once said quote “Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them.”
Gary my boy, I am sorry but this time you are truly caught on the back foot, admit it.
the closing of Ariel tram Roseau valley
closing of breeze’s mat canfield
killing of agriculture to m=name a few is economical terrorist
crime against the people of Dominica
While this presentation is superior in many ways it has penetrated the core of our political challenges in this country, there are those who paint it as ‘everybody against red’! Intellectuals like Dr. Severin has to be respected for his forthrightness but more so his impartiality as a responsible caretaker of education. By education I mean the dissemination of information to the public for it to decide facts from opinion from a historical and democratic perspective.
Power and the fear of losing power are associated with actions that are unfair, discourage healthy discussion, stifle protocol, hinder the attraction of new and innovative thinking and distance bright minds from the field of public service. Doc, thank you for speaking on our behalf as a nation and not colour.
Dr. Severin you are misinformed. In no western nation is there a form of democracy as the Athenian Greeks would have understood it. Back then, the people of Athens did indeed cast the ballots for this or that policy. Today, the situation is quite different, we have representative democracy. Politically that brings about two huge changes. Today, the people no longer decide policy by their own direct votes, only their chosen representatives do that.
Today, voting (not to be mistaken for democracy) only serves one central political purpose. That is to
leave a peaceful means in the hands of the general public to cause one crowd of office holders to leave
office while another newly chosen crowd enters because the general public had chosen them instead. The
vote today essentially serves only the central political purpose of avoiding an internal political as well as
civil war in order to turf one crew of office holders out and to replace it with another one.
Now Severin u need to understand that Unlimited majority rule (which is how the Athenians understood their own democracy) today exists only inside legislatures where a political party has gained that majority of seats and therefore now constitute that majority. When representative democracy degenerates politically, it becomes the unlimited rule of those in the majority in the legislature OVER the general public. When it degenerates even further, it becomes the unlimited rule of the Head of the party which has that majority, hence severin you do not understand that the sole purpose of representative democracy is to produce the unlimited rule of one man.
,……but the office holds by one man, democracy dictates that this office is there or given in isolation to be abused, apply thievery, misuse and abused of public funds and ignores accountability.
Within a democracy it is called open corruption and an abuse of state funds and resources. A total disrespec.t.
Thanks for your comment and information.
Dr. Severin did well to generate feedback and information and education
It is an interesting analysis, but you rightly used the term “degenerates”. It is only when it degenerates or allowed to degenerate that it leads to the logical consequential outcomes that you outlined. But Representative Democracy was not intended to degenerate by virtue of the varied other institutions of society that were intended to balance the “Structure de Politique” – like the Judiciary as an example.
Where these institutions lose their virtue or mandate, then and only then the degeneration leads to the outcomes that you outlined.
Representative Democracy, therefore, does not, in and of itself lead to “the unlimited rule of one man”. It is the degeneration of the counter-balancing institutions that erodes Representative Democracy to near nothingness and leads to “the unlimited rule of one man”.
.
In that sense therefore Dr. Severin may not or ought not to be deemed wrong.
All our politicians (I MEAN ALL) should be subject to training in Parliamentary…
You overlook the fact that the Athenian model was one based on proportional representation and not the firs-past-the post system we inherited from the British , which can lead to under-representation of a large part, if not a majority of the electorate. It is also open to gerrymandering. Personally I prefer proportional representation as a truer reflection of the Athenian ideal and representation of voters diverse wishes and interests. It is for this reason also that I reject the House of Lords in Gt. Britain as archaic and undemocratic with its unelected peers, no different from a curia of cardinals.
Ever since Pericles and the Athenians, the theory of Democracy has had as its central principle: unlimited
majority rule. In that sense, any democracy belongs in the category of totalitarian governments. If the majority is unlimited in its political reach, then anything goes. There are no limits upon what a majority can do. That, even today, is counterpoised by the theory of Limited Government. That was the enormous achievement of those men of the Enlightenment who wrote the American Constitution. The central principle in their minds was that POWER – political power – had to be divided. So America was not a democracy it was a republic, hence a democracy results in what we have in Dominica today. Dominicans need to study history of Classical Greece, Republican Rome, the England of 1215 and 1688, the America of 1776 and 1787, the Poland of 1981, the Germany and Romania of 1989, and the USSR of 1991.
Dr. Severin, is wrong, totally agree.
Dominica now belongs 100% to Dr. Skerritt. We all hate him and he knows that. He lies all the time and he knows that we know that. We want him to go and he knows that too.
Despite that, he’s there, right in our faces and even got his lackey to tell us all to ‘suck salt’.
Now, who’s the boss, Dr. Skerrit, or the ordinary man in the street?
Dominica today, is suffering a Democracy deficit, and you have articulated this rather eloquently in your arguments. Well presented, Sir! If only our politicians were more men and women of your ilk, what a great nation we could have been!
You imposter, why do you not find a different name for your comments? A few of you have a habit of using names that others are using and are cantankerous and sensless about it, Are you ignorant or what? Silly. Who are you trying to impress?
Hahaha, hauled up by your own petard cantankerous lady yourself.
Well presented, my former history teacher at the DGS. Right on point!
Everyone has a favorite Party. They all see things differently. This is where arguments could erupt. One has an opinion; another has a different opinion. Therefore, we must be free to agree and disagree.
Francis has his. This in no way will make me feel he is wrong. He is entitled to his opinion as I am to mine.
Francis, one day, if the good Lord wills, we will see again. Keep fighting for what you think is right to do and say. It will not make me feel less of you. I know you want what is right for all. I will not dispute it. This is maturity.
I recall your parents and how disciplined they were (RIP). I wonder if they will agree with you on this one except democracy do belong to the people..
Nice seeing your picture again. You are looking well. Keep on keeping well.
When I talk with your family in T & T I will mention you. I was informed you always visit them when you are in T & T.
God bless you, your wife and daughter.
No, not everyone has, or has to have a favourite party. I will always vote for the candidate, who I think has the best interest of Dominica at heart and not his/her own. It does not matter what political colour they wear. It is the country and its people that matter and not a little flag, free t-shirt or party cap. About time we get away from all, that cheap nonsense and start thinking for ourselves.
Sadly you, The Truth Be Told, you missed the entire point of Dr Severin’s presentation and the purpose of the annual Dame Eugenia Charles Memorial Lecture. Can you believe that you made such an eloquent presentation into an issue about the messenger, Francis. This is not about Francis and the depth and breadth of his arguments are bigger than Dominica – they are about Democracy! You missed that point! Dominica today, is suffering a Democracy deficit, do you get the point?
Imposter and copy cat. You do not know more others. Keep your views to yourself.
So you think you have a copyright on truth? In Russia they have a big newspaper called Pravda, which means “Truth”. So who’s truth is truer, yours or Pravda’s? You should come of your high horse and be more humble. you are not God.
The truth is I am not sure what is it you wish to say, have said, or want to say. Please help us out.
This is a damn, great, overdue lecture knocking on the doors of a corrupt, inept, disruptive Labour Government. the worse leader and government ever to hot Dominica. It is a pappyshow and Pappy for Roseau would have done better.
Thanks Dc. Severin
I wish to complement you on a well prepared lecture. Those laborites who thought you were afraid of Skeritt after his barrage of mapuis on you a year ago, must now rethink what kind of gentleman you really are. Tighten your waist, Doc, from Saturday, your second time of baptismal by fire and political mapuis will begin. Expect the likes of Tony, Simeon, McIntime Douglas, the senior citizen from Kills Hill to saturate the airwaves with hate, on the radio station hosting the animal show, throwing everything possible at you. On thing, in fact two things, Mr. Linton will get a break for the week and no one can accuse you of begging them for duty free concession.
Since you hear Matt replaying something over and ever again on his show, read through the lines… Politics involve!
Kid, you ever watch GIS? Well, they keep playing their same government propaganda over and over and over I am surprised the tape does not wear out but most of the people they showing in their poverty long time dead garcon.
Politics….sure you are right, but not the type of the Labour dirty politics you are involved in with these bunch of corrupt government people. YOu know who they are , I leave you to point the fingers at them, you may need more than 10 fingers to do so.
Well done Dr. Severin, this has been overdue.
viewsexpressed, why do you think UWP DID NOT complete a FULL term in office? Was it of their CLEAN politics you and them were involved in? You may need more than your shallow brain to understand the reason. Like Dr. Severin said, Democracy is the people and Democracy have spoken and will continue to speak with Labour.
that’s interesting…how when the shoe is on the other feet how it hurts the then born again patriots, can mr severin point out to me a time in Dominica’s history when the house speaker have been equal to the opposition,did mike douglas ever had a fair chance with then speaker of the house during the tenor of the then regime of mary Eugenia Charles, who was and still is severin’s goddess, when I hear this man and his people continue to honor and immortalize this woman, i just reel to the fact that Dominica’s political divide is so real, following the kidnap and murder ted honeychurch, Eugenia Charles regime and the then police state made peter pay for paul, in their own words or according to them then, skerrit have not done a fraction of that yet, but yet to them he is a dictator…how amazing, but i guess severin is appealing to the born yesterday morning, not to people like me that born before yesterday morning,we have lived and suffered through Dominica’s many changes
Eugenia had more balls than many a politician today!
She certainly had more balls than Tony Astaphan will ever have for sure.
To:For real..bringing up Eugenia Charles and Dominica’s history does not change the fact that Speaker Alix Boyd Knights’ conduct is out of order.. Citing other cases of misconduct does not change the fact..two or more wrongs do NOT MAKE A RIGHT…nor does personal attack against Dr Severin Who are you anyway hiding behind this bogus name???
shillingford I am not surprised that you and your kind would feel like I stepped on your toes, after all Eugenia made you all live like queens and kings, being of the of the one % had and is still toxic right???but before you go on with your harping let me remind you, is we the poorer class that gave you all the opportunity to gain financial and political power,yes the famous cole wosh brigade, a country with know knowledge of it’s past, is like a tree with no roots,this is what must built upon to go forward,you are lashing out at skerrit,but seem to forget the many dead innocent poor people children that were killed and buried in the hills by the police executing orders by the then Eugenia’s government, and you all have the nerve and audacity to reflect on Eugenia Charles,you did not know two wrongs don’t make a right then,you and your kind need to go of peacefully into the night, because you all never fought for the betterment of dominica.only the 1 %…same BS
So you do not think that the Opposition, as Lennox are out of order and disrespectful? I suppose it depends whose side you are on.
They have no respect for the Speaker of the House. If they are out of line, they need to be brought in line. Otherwise.
The problem with some people of this era they do not know their place. If they acted in that manner in bygone years, they would be booted out of the legislature. They may have been asked to resign. I endorse informing them and giving them what they deserve.
My married parents are disciplined and respectful. This is how they brought up their biological children. We are to respect people and their position. Those who have this upbringing will appreciate it and act accordingly wherever they may be.
Some people show their true colors. Lennox has projected t very well. His disrespectful attitude is unbecoming. He is not to be complimented but to be reprimanded and chastised.
Get rea and stop being deceptive and divisive and diverting fro the matter before hand. In the days of Michael Douglas the Speaker then was called upon just like Dr. Severin did, and it was done by many people then, that I why, if you recall one of the reason that this lead to John`s and the Labour party downfall.
I take it that you are also rightfully calling for the downfall of this Corrupt Skerrit led Labour Party. It is nice to know that you are n board and putting the decency of Dominica\’s politics ahead of this corrupt 2016 Labour regime.
According to you
Skerrit has not done a fraction of that yet??? Man get up from your slumber,and stop the fiioolishness…Skerrit has been the worst leader to lead this country by a long way,and any other terrible leader in the future will not surpass him…Do we have a main export crop? Skerrit had VAT,ALBA,VENEZUELA, CHINA to his assistance.Even you with the cesspit of puffery that you have spewed, would make Dominica the Pearl of the Caribbean with these hundreds of millions..Dont forget our passports…Can you give us a list of who have them, on the left of a page, and how much was paid on the right..Stop being an accomplish accomplice brohther. CALL A SPADE,A SPADE!!!
@forreal December 2, 2016
Well spoken! You have my commendation.
so I guess by the logic of your argument you’re trying to say that every new regime should either continue or find new ways of making the people suffer? Are you condoning the blatant cruelty, victimization and corruption perpetrated by this regime? you’re bringing up things that happened in the time of a past regime as though that justifies what’s happening presently in the country. in time of Miss Charles were there not people who spoke out against the ills of her regime just as this gentleman has done? I mean are we really serious in this place? wrong is wrong whether it was in the past or in the present. I take it that unlike your allegations against this gentleman’s inaction during Miss Charles reign, you’re one who’s standing up and speaking out against this KABAL?? right?? right?? are you?? huh?? I strongly doubt it.
Kid on the Block, the question is, why is Dominicans like you allowed a corrupt Labour Government to stay in office for so long. They have killed our industries, offered handouts to people, insult poor families and people by reducing them to mendicancy and poverty. and handouts, it is a damn shame.
The question is what has this corrupt Labour Government got to show apart for the riches PM`s surrogates has blemish upon while the poor people and poverty Dominica go down the gutters.
Go to talk to Skerrit and his bunch of corrupt friends…..fleecing Dominica
Well said Dr,but the opposition members are also cowards.. Six or eight members of the opposition?That’s more than enough to match up to the speaker and the other wickeds elements of the DLP…They must stop leaving their balls in their freezers when they are going to Alix house..
You’ve entirely missed the point..
@me My friend our parliament plays an integral part in our democracy,and if one person is highjacking our parliament to suit her party’s dirty and sinister political objectives,then we DO NOT HAVE a democracy, so in our attempt to regain it,we have to stand up like men and women…Let me reiterate that the UWP members of parliament,must show to the nation that they are men…,,,they are showing the entire country that they are softer than ice cream..,,AND I AM NOT IMPRESSED!!! Cowards cannot effect change!!!By the way I am no Labourite..I hate this DLP to the bone…I am a Dominican by birth.
The opposition is right on Q. Have Skerrit on his Knees
More people like you guys need to come out form a non partisan independent watchdog group. Call out both opposition and government Parliamentarians. Expose their ignorance, and ensure that the quality of our lawmakers improve. People in this day and age who do not have a working knowledge of field Should not be in charge of any ministry. No one would hire skerrit to be a treasurer of any group, not even a social league saving account but he finance ministass of Dominica. The mediocrity we accept is mind boggling. If democracy truely belong to the people let’s make it happen. Enough of those lecture time for action.
DR SAVARIN YOU HAVE DONE YOUR JOB. I KNOW YOUR MIND IS AT PEACE.
Our government is a cesspit, full to overflowing, you can reek the stench as soon as you enter Roseau and Portsmouth even worse at times.
Wow, Why don’t you examine your mind set Belief without evidence is the very hallmark of an irrational mind.
Dr. Severin your utterances are worthless, the speaker as any referee has the right to stop the game when a foul or penalty occurs so stop spewing rubbish!!!! That’s why i won’t go to your lectures nor listen to them live cause you still live in the days when only all you ja Roseau could be educated during the freedom party days, those days are over Roosevelt Skerrit has ensured that EVERY HOUSEHOLD HAS A UNIVERSITY GRADUATE and is that all of all you VEX ABOUT!!!!!!!!! But Democracy is ALIVE AND WELL IN DOMINICA and when idiots like the opposition attempts to isult the speaker by saying she has a demon in her they will be put OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!!!!!! They need to follow the rules, and like you said democracy belongs to the people!!!!!!!! In case you missed it mister belly full big shot great talker PARLIAMENTARIANS ARE PEOPLE TOO!!!!!!!!
Joe, your thoughts are outdated and foolish and bind. The Speaker needs no help where and when she applies self inflicted wounds and insults at herself. What a lol..lol…
Thanks Dr. Severin
Joe, this sounds like a rearguard action my boy? Are you on the retreat?
Joe, Dr Severin’s comments were worthless to you but you cared enough to type such a lengthy paragraph? Quite contradictory. Second, now! because a statement is repeated loudly and very often, it does not necessarily make that statement true. We would wish that every household in Dominica has a university graduate, but we are not there as yet. Third, there are those of us who enjoy intellectual discussions so we will enjoy them in your absence. The rest…I’ll leave others to comment on.
and those graduate are NEP workers?…………..all u conscience MUST torment all u day and night…………..with all want you are getting while the poor people are begging and crying, their tears MUST deal with you and the cabal.
You will find this among some people as Francis. He is practically a young person. I know he is a nice person but it is obvious who he supports.
Alix was brought up with respect and would never disrespect those who are in authority. She deserves respect. In her position, she has the right to demand respect in the House. It is her position to put law and order in the House.
Lennox has no respect for the PM and Alix. He actually hates them. So what type of person is he? I would not want to see someone as that be PM of Dominica. God help Dominica should this happen. If it would, it is then his supporters will feel what it is like to have a dictatorship government and it may be worst.
The grave mistake they make is, they think they are the ones who are always correct.
There is a true story. “A soldier was marching with other soldiers. He said all of them are out of line. He alone is in line.” Figure that out. about the Opposition and supporters.
Are you talking about that same lady who called herself a vermin?
You have written rubbish. Go listen to the lecture of Dr. Severin again. Pup yourself in a closed room, hold a dictionary close by and listen attentively.
how many of those so called university graduates have a job?? oh wait… NEP….
Hold strong Dominicans, his time coming to answer for crimes against Dominica, all dictators going down – Gbago was arrested
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCe66kcm31c&spfreload=5
Keep holding on to your silly fallacy. It is only by ignoring facts and evidence you can believe such nonsense.
You are vindictive for nothing. Always think before you talk/comment and act. The day this happens there will be chaos in the land, It will be the Opposition and supporters as you, your punishment. All of you haters better take note.
my college lecturer a man with fiber…. moral that is..
Sadly though many people have been involved in creating the beast, now no one can control it.
This speech MUST be translated to creole in order to have maximum effect…..
stupes , where have you been, have you taken a good look at the american election.do your home work sir get the clouds out of your eyes and readdress that matter.i believe the president elect is Donould trump have ask to jail and rebuke and send back home any one found of burning the USA flag, although it falls under freedom of expression. just recently members of congress of USA are asking for the jailing and charging of 10.000 us dollars to protestors that are protesting against trump. they have said that is equal to economic terrorism and they have no right to prevent others from going about their daily businses. so sir where does that fall.
What has that got to do with our own urgent issues at home? It is Dominica we have to cure, the Americans must take care of their own ills.
Some demonstrators are radicals. These are out for trouble. They are also paid by a non Donald Trump supporter. Those radicals are using an opportunity to project their lack of respect. Why would any patriotic national burn their country’s flag? They are like Linton. They cannot concede that their Party lost the US election.
It could be called economic terrorism. If it isn’t, what is it? They are destroying property and causing economic hardship for those who lost their property. Among them are business owners. Over an election? Those are lawless, wicked people. They do need to be arrested, charged and imprisoned. They could not do that in Cuba, China, North Korea and Russia, as an example. People in the democratic world are too free. These do not appreciate their freedom.
Let the Speaker run your home for you and you will be very happy Sir
If you let them run your home, they will know what you are like. It may not be a pleasant experience.
Dominica needs to be drainded completly,Skerrit and the so call wicked speaker day will come.Skerrit you can and will not stay in power forever.
Don’t worry his day will come and so will that of the old speaker. Nothing lasts forever.
Your life will not last forever. Who knows, how soon that will come?
Is it possible to have the full text or audio of the lecture posted.
Admin: We are working on getting the video recording
Mr. Cadette People like you should speak out. Dominica is no one’s personal property. There are still honest people who can’t be bought.
Surely probably that is not what you intended to portray – that I was bought – I HOPE
. I worked as Director of Telecoms for 15 years and was never bought by Minister of government or Companies or anyone. 
:-D. I live by integrity, honesty and objectivity.
I meant the insinuations in your last sentence
In no way i am accusing you of being bought Mr. Cadette. That is where one of our problems lie. Many of us are very comfortable, we are employed we are making our own monies and we do not care for those who are suffering. People like you who live by integrity, Honesty and Objectivity should speak out. Dr. Severin did not have to speak out but he has seen the need to. Many times people who speak out are branded as being opposition. That is not the case. We just need to have a just society which will result in a better Dominica in the future. We need a strong democracy a strong government and a strong opposition. The latter i don’t see happening soon as this present admin. has established themselves so deeply. They know all the nook and cranny of the system. They are able to use massive sums of monies in their campaigns which easily tilts the balance. The very people who complain for 4/1/2 years are the very people who laugh with joy when they get their ply, cheques and materials…
Thank you Dr Severin,you have put the issues squarely on the table and let the chips fall where they have.You showed courage and patriotism to speak up against injustice in Dominican politics and you are to be hailed and congratulated.I hope that the people who are most guilty of doing the wrong things You mentioned,will not harden their political hearts and seek to become more entrenched in their own beliefs,but will seek instead to act democratically to return the democratic power to the people.For myself I’m not expecting Skerritt to ameliorate his ways of governance,because his pride just allow him change course,becausr it will prove he is autocratic and wrong.
Jonathan St. jean what have you done for your country lately?
Alot, he has done a lot in Castle Bruce, the South East, Dominica in agriculture. Who are you and where have you benn? What have YOU done lately.
This was a lecture by Dr Severin about democracy or the lack thereof.Why are you trying to make Jonathan St Jean the subject.Now show me where it states in the Constitution of Dominica,that I have to make a contribution which you approve of before I can give my point of view on matters pertaining to Dominica.@dayabdnight vision,i can’t be silenced.Don’t waste your time and stick to the message not the messengerAre you capable of doing that? I doubt it
Mr. St. Jean, the level of arrogance we are seeing from the “people who are guilty” – they will never examine and humble themselves.
Jonathan, we are in a dictatorship. History shows us that Dictators NEVER voluntarily give up the reins of power. It has to be wrestled from them. Do some research on dictators and this will be confirmed.
Our parliment is one swamp that definitely needs to be drained.
Everything in Dominica now is F’ing politics in all way shape or form. How can the country progress when every one is talking about crime, crime, crime but WHO ARE THE CRIMINALS? Bear in mind when you point your pointing figure at someone, three more are pointing at you.
The saying is – “When You Point a Finger at Someone, There Are Three More Pointing Back at You”….. FINGER you babbling fool!!!
You that KID ON THE BLOCK, you are always under every post defending Skerrit and his rogues!!!! smh!!!!! NEP not giving you enough work to do….. you are so idle!!!!
jamming, who do you want me to defend? Lennox and his POWER HUNGRY politicians that have nothing GOOD to say about the country? What is wrong with you people is that if it is not you ALL way then no one should say or do nothing. You all are the only ones with a plaster to cure every sore.
Cant stomach the truth huh. I know the truth hurts justget some paracetemol
he doe have a choice…. the death trap of a hospital have anything else to offer apart from paracetamol?
Just shut up..?
defend your red clinic and NEP eh bro… skerrit have to give people like you one paytay atteh…. not even alcolado dat will revive all you
Very well communicated and fair point. Glad this has been mentioned…