![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/commentary2.jpg\" "\\"commentary\\"")
On Thursday September 15th 2011 a \u201cvery powerful\u201d message was delivered at the Harlem Plaza in Newtown. At one of the \u201cpeoples\u2019 gathering\u201d a former Prime Minister of Dominica issued what could otherwise be referred to as a clarion call for a grass roots type process to overhaul the Dominica constitution so as to reflect the dreams and aspirations of the Dominican people.<\/p>\n
Those who heard that speech however could not doubt the very subjective, highly partisan, politically frustrated and emotionally charged nature of the messenger. The messenger was not speaking like someone with the conviction and gumption of a tried, tested and matured political philosophy. One could not discern the statesman like characteristic that must of necessity drive such important messages.<\/p>\n
The former Prime Minister was expressing more frustration with the results of his most recent political strategy which is presently being played out in the High Court rather than a genuine desire to evoke positive change lead by collective action. Upon hearing the submission I arrived at certain conclusions which at the time were not informed by the views of Dominica\u2019 first Prime Minister Patrick John on the matter. In his privileged position as Premier back in 1977\/1978, Mr. Patrick John led the process for independence and would have played a significant role in the development of the document.<\/p>\n
In its September 22nd 2011 issue the Chronicle published a terse response to that remark by Mr. Edison James. That response is credited to Mr. Patrick John. Essentially, Mr. John was saying to Mr. James that he ought not to assign his frustrations over his many failed efforts at unseating Mr. Skerrit on the constitution. He chided Mr. James for acting out of emotion rather than sheer conviction.<\/p>\n
According to the Chronicle Patrick John reminded Mr. James that when he, Mr. Edison James was Prime Minister he commissioned a review exercise of the constitution with prominent Dominican jurist Telford Georges as Chairman.\u00a0 In the Chronicle story, Mr. Patrick John is attributed to making the observation that the report of that review exercise should be placed before the house for discussion.<\/p>\n
Was Mr. John telling Mr. James that he should stop his long absenteeism from the parliament? Here\u2018s a direct quote from the Chronicle. \u201cHe insisted that politicians should not criticize the constitution simply because whatever is in it is not to their benefit at the moment. If they keep changing the constitution because of something that is not to their benefit, then there is no need for a constitution\u201d.<\/p>\n
The public knows that Mr. Patrick John, Dominica\u2019s first Prime Minister is an avid supporter of the UWP against the party he once led. His voice on political issues raised by the UWP carries a certain amount of currency within the rank and file of UWP supporters. Therefore, if what the Chronicle has ascribed to him is true, then save for the CIA backed and financed operatives on \u201cRight on Cue\u201d, the political forces that are arrayed against Mr. Skerrit are divided to their core and seemingly are crumbling one by one.<\/p>\n
Historically, the view has been advance that important messages such as what Mr. James delivered at the Harlem Plaza on September 16th 2011 ought not to be lost on account of the messenger. Such messages we are told are far more important than the messenger who, often times, not in this case though, does not command any social status. I submit now that this viewpoint is not always correct and true. In this very instance, in the context of local political happenings, the posturings and machinations of the messenger and his past utterances have only served to subject the messenger to a rigorous scrutiny.<\/p>\n
The constitution reform messenger was and still is in a position to effect real, objective, above reproach and lasting change to the politics of Dominica. But he must first rise to the highest ideals of statesmanship. Political and partisan only driven brinksmanship will not deliver the kind of constitution that is called for. We need a process that is devoid of and not driven by partisan considerations only. Certainly it has to be a process that will not marginalize any sector or group of the populace (UWP or Skerrit supporter). It must be a process that is all encompassing and untainted with calls for social unrest and a disruption to the body politic of Dominica. That is what is required in Dominica.<\/p>\n
In this case in point the message is packaged out of sheer frustration within the UWP leadership and in its present quest (court case) to unseat a duly elected government. The messenger, Mr. James, killed the message before it could see daylight. I agree with PJ. We cannot rush to amend the constitution each time we are faced with a crisis or disappointment.<\/p>\n
Now I understand why the UWP and their present brand of sympathizers have found Mr. Skerrit guilty of crimes they allege he has committed. In their desire to change the constitution, are they asking for certain provisions that goes something like this? (see below).<\/p>\n
Schedule LVXXX – Trying Roosevelt Skerrit and His Supporters.<\/p>\n
Section 1001. \u201cAny time certain so-called journalists go on radio and say that Roosevelt Skerrit, Isidore, Ambrose George, Bubbles and others etc are suspected of committing a crime, even without any supporting evidence then they are guilty. A mere suspicion of committing a crime and making the accusations on the airwaves of a certain radio station shall be sufficient for a guilty verdict against Skerrit and his supporters\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Such suspicions include, ownership of villas, purchasing of garbage bins at ridiculous prices, manipulation of contracts processes, bombing Follow\u2019s House, Friendship with Susan Oldie, securing campaign finances, appointing friends to positions of authority in the Public Service etc.<\/p>\n
Section 1001. \u201cAny accusation against Roosevelt Skerrit including his supporters shall not go to the established court of the land to be tried by judge and jury once it has been broadcast on a certain radio station. Once the accusation is aired on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon the punishment shall be swift and effective\u201d.<\/p>\n
Section 1002. Any time that the opposition raise issue with any or all of the state\u2019s institutions as not supporting their cause, then the functionaries at these institutions, once they were appointed by the Skerrit Cabal shall demit office immediately and make way for opposition appointed individuals.<\/p>\n
Section 1003. As long as Roosevelt Skerrit hold on to the position of Prime Minister then all his rights to be defend himself shall be suspended and he shall be tried by the people on a certain station with a certain journalist as justice on the bench.<\/p>\n
The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Dominica News Online, hence we take no responsibility for any of them. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On Thursday September 15th 2011 a \u201cvery powerful\u201d message was delivered at the Harlem Plaza in Newtown. At one of the \u201cpeoples\u2019 gathering\u201d a former Prime Minister of Dominica issued what could otherwise be referred to as a clarion call…","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-45603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n