{"id":96285,"date":"2013-06-27T09:46:54","date_gmt":"2013-06-27T13:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=96285"},"modified":"2013-06-27T09:46:54","modified_gmt":"2013-06-27T13:46:54","slug":"the-media-and-sir-brians-lecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/features\/commentary\/the-media-and-sir-brians-lecture\/","title":{"rendered":"The media and Sir Brian’s lecture"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Commentary\"What I heard from Sir Brian Alleyne, retired Chief Justice (Acting) of the OECS Court at the public lecture at the Fort Young hotel on June 18th 2013 provided another opportunity for real reflection as a civilized society. One such area that cries out for reflection is in the area of self-introspection on how we as a Christian people, particularly the Catholic faithful deal with each other regarding issues of morality, ethics and truth, the law and importantly our spiritual relationship, not only with our maker but indeed with one another.<\/p>\n

Sir, Brian was at the time speaking on the topic \u201cFaith and the Law\u201d at a public lecture organized by the Diocese of Roseau (Catholic Church) in observance of the Church\u2019s \u201cYear of Faith\u201d.\u00a0 Sir Brian\u2019s presentation does not answer all of the questions relative to all of the issues, and I did not agree with all the arguments he advanced either, but it is a sufficiently good foundation for critical thinking and the development of other interrelated subject areas.<\/p>\n

Judging from the media reports that followed the presentation, I have concluded that the media in Dominica was not present. Or those who were present were so focused on what they wanted Sir Brian to say that they just did not hear anything else. From what I have read or heard, the only two subjects that seem to attract the attention of the media are those related to \u201cBuggery\u201d and the ugly face of corruption that seem to be dogging the \u201cLegal Profession\u201d. I have not seen or heard any report or commentary on the number of other issues that Sir Brian took time out to identify and elucidate on. Alas! It says much about the interest of the media. Just to cite two other issues<\/p>\n

In his presentation, Sir Brian alluded to the absence of or none appointment of an Ombudsman since the coming into force of the constitution of Dominica in 1978. The office of Obudsman as presented in the constitution is an important institution related to the good governance of this country. I may not be too far off if I suggest that Sir Brian might have remarked that he takes some of the blame unto himself (not appointing an Obudsman) since he served for three consecutive terms as a senior member of the government of Dominica during the period 1980-1995. Sir Brian lamented the lack of will on our part (successive governments) to follow through with such an important appointment as provided for in the constitution. As a follower of developments locally, I do recall that the closest we\u2019ve come to begin dealing with the appointment of an Obudsman was during the period 1995-2000. At that time I remember there was a meeting of Caribbean Obudsmen\/women that was held in Antigua. Dominica was represented at that meeting by a member of the ruling party of Dominica \u2013 an insider from its Women\u2019s Arm. Please note that the Obudsman is supposed to be a non-partisan person representing every aspect of Dominican life and aspirations. A party insider could never do justice to the intent and spirit of that constitutional provision.<\/p>\n

Another classic omission from the reporting of Sir, Brian\u2019s presentation has to do with the role and functions of the Public Accounts Committee. This is a constitutionally provided for provision in law establishing a parliament appointed committee to monitor the management of government\u2019s finances. The Public Accounts Committee is chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and includes members from both the government and opposition benches.\u00a0 The committee has sweeping powers to investigate, look into and report to the parliament its findings on any aspect of government\u2019s finances. It can summon documents, records, personalities (holders of Public Offices), hold meetings and carry out inquiries as it deems fit and necessary into how the public purse is managed. Any \u201cwrong\u201d doing is reported to parliament and parliament is empowered to take action.\u00a0 I am careful to say that Sir Brian expressed great disappointment in the functioning or rather non-functional status of Dominica\u2019s Public Accounts Committee. I should add too that for two years the committee could not be appointed on account of the absence of members of the opposition from the parliament.<\/p>\n

Of course during the question and answer time, the comments were directed more at what government and not opposition is or not doing in violation of the constitution. In a particular comment the presenter failed miserably to hide the fact that similar sentiments and perhaps worst could be attributed to the opposition. Sir Brian was quick to point out that the opposition party in parliament is equally guilty of failing to fulfill an important aspect of its constitutional role as head of the Public Accounts Committee. Not one meeting has been held since the start of the current parliament \u2013 more than 3 years ago. Yet we daily carry the torch complaining of seeming wrong doings in the management of government\u2019s finances. As a faith believing people, we have failed to ask those responsible for such an important aspect of our development \u2013 why has the committee failed in its responsibility to live up to its constitutional functions? I thought the media would have picked that up on these and offer an informed comment. That was not to be. They chose the more sensational and did not even do a good job at that.<\/p>\n

Today we must not only demand more of our leaders in government, but we must also critically assess and evaluate all that the opposition has thrown in our direction. We should also stay far away from a Theocray, where church and state is one institution with two branches. Those we chose to lead us in the seat of government must be imbued with certain spiritual values, including truth, honesty and love of others, that will serve to inform our legislative and development pathway.<\/p>\n

From a Christian perspective, I came away with the conclusion that we, all of us have fallen short on our role as Christians. We have resorted to finger pointing, not realizing that our own fingers are pointing right back at us. We have taken umbrage with the speck in our neighbours eye, totaling forgetting the pain caused by a log in our eyes. We have laid all the blame on someone else and not me.<\/p>\n

I speak only for myself in this piece. I am not perfect as I forge a daily struggle to stay above the fray and survive everyday living a decent Christian life. From experience, it is not easy, for all too often I find myself not measuring up with the spiritual blue print that ought to guide and direct our life as Christians \u2013 followers of Jesus. I look forward to more thought provoking lectures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What I heard from Sir Brian Alleyne, retired Chief Justice (Acting) of the OECS Court at the public lecture at the Fort Young hotel on June 18th 2013 provided another opportunity for real reflection as a civilized society. 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