![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/dno\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/commentary1.jpg\" "\\"commentary\\"")
I speak here to all sides including myself. Like everybody else, I have my own biases. I have never pretended to be what I am not.<\/p>\nI speak here to all sides including myself. Like everybody else, I have my own biases. I have never pretended to be what I am not.<\/p>\n
I also appreciate that not everybody will support the issues, positions and opinions I have dared to share with the public. But, as it is their right to choose, I am also within my constitutionally guaranteed right to choose as well. Because I do not subscribe to the ongoing media based, partisan crusade, mask under the very attractive guise of seeking after the truth, does that make me unintelligent, lacking immoral and ethical values that I should not be heard?<\/p>\n
Does that make me less of a human being? Sorry to disappoint. I have been following developmental issues here for more than 30 years and so I do possess an acute mind for politically and partisan-driven subterfuge activities. When I see wrong doing, I know it. When I see hypocrisy and selfishly driven programs, I know it. When I see a media frenzy of \u201ceverything negative in Dominica, I know it. When I see farmers calling \u201csour grapes\u201d after the fact with nothing to show for all the intelligence, experience and technology they possess, I know.\u00a0 When I see a well planned, but disguised program intent on fanning the burning embers of conflict and anarchy, I know.<\/p>\n
But even with my own biases, some may say petty, politically-bias views I do have the ability to see, judge and act. I am confident that I can rise to the occasion in an objective way, whatever the issue. I repeat. Who does not have biases? I am sure there will be a response promoting a bias for good, accountable and transparent governance, ethics, democracy, freedom to information etc. Whilst we might differ on the strategy (the how) for achieving the same within the confines of the law and our institutions, we all do agree that these are exceptional qualities that any country would want to aspire to.<\/p>\n
In present day Dominica we seemingly are caught up in a suicidal act of trying to be the only one (person or group) to bring development to Dominica. And if it is not me or my party that brings development to Dominica, then nobody else shall. It is as though we have declared open warfare (some say political tribalism) on Dominica\u2019s development. Every discussion topic in the media, whatever the subject matter, has to take on a partisan slant. Even when obvious development (social, infrastructural etc) takes place before our very eyes, we chose not to acknowledge the same for fear of appearing to be softening up as it were. So we hold dear to opposing and opposing at all costs, never relenting, forever dissenting.<\/p>\n
In certain sections of the media, when the news about Dominica is damning of its people and institutions, not to mention government officials, it is promoted to the farthest corner of the world. When the news is endearing to the aspirations of the Dominican people and gives a certain amount of kudos to the government it is criticized as nonsensical, not representing the truth and in large measure swept under the carpet. One popular talk-show host told me once that promoting the success of government is the job of the GIS. His job is to look for the \u201cother side\u201d.<\/p>\n
This situation is getting worst by the day. It is as though a certain level of irritancy has set in as the \u201cpeople\u2019s\u201d response that has been advocated, has not materialized. But we continue to speak for the \u201cpeople\u201d nevertheless. In so doing we have become immune to the barriers that we ourselves have placed between us \u2013 supposedly a civilized people. Frankly speaking, these barriers will only result in a retardation of Dominica\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
I have advanced the foregoing view points to illustrate how far we have gone. I am however very mindful of Prime Minister Skerrit\u2019s constant public submission that he does not believe that his ruling Labour Party is endowed with all of the answers and strategies for Dominica\u2019s development. Given the frequency that he has repeated that statement, I have concluded that he is extending a participatory hand to whomever wishes to assist with other ideas and strategies that would compliment ongoing development programs. This is laudable indeed.<\/p>\n
In our political system, it is expected that those who seek to replace the present government will be loathed in offering any such assistance without consideration to the possibility of upstaging the ruling party. That is the nature of our politics. Any less of an expectation would be foolish. According to a former prime minister, this is \u201cthe cut and thrust\u201d of our political system. It does not mean however, that in attempting to score political points when going after the opportunistic \u201cpolitical jugular\u201d of our opponents, we must be in constant, never-ending \u201ccutting and thrusting\u201d at each other. I hereby submit that there is much political kudos to be gained by both sides when government and opposition are seen or appear to be working together.\u00a0 The threat of political strife, chaos and confusion in society would be greatly reduced. A peaceful country is what we all seek after. Can we therefore find a common formula for advancing that which we all desire? Is it beyond us to be civil with each other rather than the absolute character assassination that has become a daily development in our country?<\/p>\n
The search for peace and understanding among our people is not as elusive as we might think. First of all we have to desire it \u2013 and desire it badly. Before we desire peace, understanding and respect among us we must first of all recognize that there is need for a more cordial, Christian relationship between our people. On the face of it, even when we stand proud and refer to ourselves as Christians and \u201cborn again\u201d we are constantly at war with each. Recently, a pastor was heard in one of the \u201cpeople\u2019s parliament\u201d crying down fire and brimstone on the government and its supporters.<\/p>\n
Wait a minute. Shouldn\u2019t that \u201cman of the cloth\u201d, an espoused Christian \u2013 meaning a Christ-like person, display greater expressions of love, tolerance, non-judgmental attitude and understanding of the country\u2019s leaders? Has he lost sight of the need to pray for our leaders – and in this case both government and opposition? Shouldn\u2019t he have been praying for God to imbue all our leaders with wisdom, truth, justice and understanding and to allow God to decide who among our leaders are better equipped to deliver on these social, spiritual ethical and moral virtues? Shouldn\u2019t he have been praying for a more equitable, just and Christian society? Isn\u2019t that his responsibility as the representative of Jesus among his people? I wonder what his congregation is like. If all are of the same political, partisan complexion, something definitely has got to be wrong. That would be defying the law of human nature in every way. Consider that even from among the twelve that Jesus himself chose to specifically walk with him, one went amiss. Jesus cleansed ten lepers, only one returned to say thanks. Human beings do not think and behave alike on every issue, all the time.<\/p>\n
Our speech, either by way of innuendos or straight name-calling tends, only to heap coals of political and social dysfunction fire on each other\u2019s head. When will the character assassination cease? Our Christian values must determine how we treat with each other. When we believe that the other human being can never do any good but only evil, and embrace unto ourselves soaring moral and ethical values to the high heavens, we are but evil, and certain less than Christian. When will we recognize that we are becoming less human when we see only sin, wrong doing, immorality and disgrace in another human being? Is that what we were created for? Aren\u2019t we all created in his image and likeness?<\/p>\n
This is not to say that we ought not to call a \u201cspade a spade\u201d or identify and speak about wrong doing in the society. Absolutely not.\u00a0 I submit with every fibre of my being that any \u201cwrong doing\u201d remains a \u201cwrong doing\u201d irrespective of who does it. The difficulty arises when we see and highlight the \u201cwrong doing\u201d of the other side and then turn an utterly blind eye on the \u201cwrong doing\u201d of our side, our associates and well wishers. At this juncture, the question must be asked:\u00a0 Is it fair therefore to identify, scrutinize and publicize, for months, years on end now, the perceived, as yet \u201clegally unproven wrong doings\u201d of the government and in the same breath uphold the other side as repositories of high moral values and ethics, when the opposite is the unqualified truth. When we take such manipulative stances, we then lose the moral right to speak about any other wrong – irrespective.<\/p>\n
But there is but a faint light of hope down the tunnel. This is the season of hope and so I draw strength and optimism from the following incidents. After the 2004 and again after the 2009 general elections, Prime Minister Skerrit offered an apology to all those he might have wronged during the \u201ccut and thrust\u201d of the general elections campaign. The day before Mr. Brisbane delivered his petition to the president, he submitted on radio that in his present and past campaigns, he has made mistakes along the way. He has not been a perfect human being. Sir Brian Alleyne, eminent regional jurist, has offered a mea aculpa for his role in not pushing for the establishment of the position of \u201cParliamentary Obudsman\u201d during the 15 long years that he served in government, including two stints as attorney general. Senior Counsel Tony Astaphans is on record acknowledging his own shortcomings on one or more issues he has defended and offered an apology. These are all positive indications that all is not lost.<\/p>\n
Sadly, I am not aware of any occasion when the official opposition in Dominica or its more recognized media operative (s) has for once volunteered an apology of sorts or recognition of their own frailness for any action done or left undone. It has been a life size ego all the way. To this day years after the infamous bugging allegations against a former Prime Minister, there is still talk in certain circles of \u201cthere is no smoke without fire\u201d. You would want to think that the public apology and the money that was paid as a result would have brought closure to that sorry episode in our political life. That attitude is food for aloofness and will not assist in nation building. In fact it has become feisty occasions, like sharks in a bloody frenzy.<\/p>\n
As a God-fearing country, we can certainly do better. We can begin by exercising simple decent courtesy to each other. Each one of us is deserving of recognition. We can achieve so much more as a nation if we learn a few simple lessons for respecting each other and the various talents that each one of us brings to the development process of Dominica.<\/p>\n
Yes! We have issues. We will never agree all the time on the same development agenda, how it should be achieved and who should lead it. But we agree that the differences ought not and should not be stronger than the bonds that unite us. There are many of us who do not and perhaps will not get any opportunity to settle elsewhere. This is our land – our very own, so we have to build it. How can we do that? We can start with respect for each other. An appreciation for each other\u2019s worth. There can be \u201cunity, even in diversity\u201d. Let us therefore seek to maximize on the areas we agree. Let us maximize the positive attributes of each other. Let us cultivate greater respect and love for each other. Where necessary, let us settle whatever our differences are within the limits of established judicial review systems. Importantly, we must commit ourselves to turning down the evil rhetoric and partisan vitriol that has gripped our nation for so long.<\/p>\n
May the celebration of the coming of the Christ child, bring us new hope. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to everybody.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I speak here to all sides including myself. Like everybody else, I have my own biases. I have never pretended to be what I am not. I also appreciate that not everybody will support the issues, positions and opinions I…","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n