Columns
Is it that hard to resign, Mr Prime Minister?
Chris Burns
Monday, August 30, 2010
Mr Prime Minister, if there were nothing improper to hide, protect or to gain from months of obfuscation, why were you so belligerent in defending the so-called "constitutional rights" of Christopher "Dudus" Coke, only to genuflect to pressures from the same Uncle Sam you "traced" earlier? If your intentions were pure, why didn't you or your Cabinet colleagues tell the truth, tell it early and tell it all from the start? Mr Prime Minister, if it was indeed the Jamaica Labour Party, and not the Government of Jamaica which hired Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, why are you and your Cabinet colleagues continuing to respond to questions in your substantive roles as government officials and not as JLP operatives? Why, in your capacity as leader of the JLP, have you not instructed party officials to produce the contract between the JLP and Manatt? Why is the government so unrelenting in its quest for us to "move on" when Manatt continues to say it was working for and on behalf of the government?
Mr Prime Minister, why do you think it will be easy to bamboozle the Jamaican people into accepting mediocrity over excellence and uprightness? Do you take us for idiots? Finally, why is it so hard to resign; hath you no sense of shame? Sir, the actions of the Jamaica Labour Party government, under your leadership, particularly over the last fourteen months, have confirmed beyond doubts that which many have known for a while, but refused to accept. It has confirmed that the Jamaican body politic is rife with men and women who pretend to be altruistic, but who have absolutely no awareness of the value of either honouring their moral responsibility or ethical obligation to the people of Jamaica.
By your collective words and deeds, you have confirmed that it is your insatiable appetite for power and glory that is most important at this psychological moment, not quality governance based on trust. Sadly, this confirmation has been brutally exemplified by your collective contempt and utter disrespect for the intelligence of the Jamaican people. And as terrible as these deficiencies are, the situation gets progressively worse with each passing hour because when it comes on to possessing even discernible quotients of moral values or a sense of duty - simple standards that should govern thoughts and actions - you are as morally bankrupt as you are all ethically deprived.
Metaphorically speaking, you have all got away with "blue murder" because too many of us just "can't bother" to stand up for something as fundamental to the proper functioning of our democracy and the rule of law and resolutely demand your immediate resignation. It is as though we have relinquished our responsibility as citizens and have adopted a kind of blind followership from which despots are made. For while I am infuriated by your government's callous behaviour, I am equally annoyed by the near collective "Que Sera, Sera" attitude of some of my fellow citizens because I know it is within our grasp to do better.
It cannot be that we continue to allow indifference to push us to the curb only to watch uselessly as things continue to fall apart. We have to speak out and not allow fear to shove us into the cul-de-sac reserved for wimps. This apathy could not have been more palpable than when the government imposed the largest tax package in the country's history, but of the approximately 2.9 million people living in Jamaica, only one man I recall took to the streets with placards. He demonstrated in front of Gordon House and at the Ministry of Finance. Yet, several motorists who were also forced to pay higher gas tax ridiculed him.
Like some of our leaders, many of us have been bad stewards of our political independence. For, in no decent democracy would Bruce Golding, Dorothy Lightbourne or Douglas Leys be allowed to continue in office - people power would have risen up against them like mad-ants in a bowl of sugar. Instead, we continue to rest on our laurels, tails between our legs, and hands under our "future" while pretending things are hunky-dory. So, we the people cannot divorce ourselves from some of the problems that betide us simply because we do not take our politics seriously and know when enough is enough. We keep providing the same kind of followership, yet expecting different outcomes. It is as though we are confused about the role of government, and do not know when to reject foolishness, such as the intellectual dishonesty that keeps flowing from certain quarters about economic recovery, when the details from the very institutions point to contradictory economic metrics and serious problems with the fundamentals of the economy.
How many of us have taken note of the current $10.2 billion loss at the Bank of Jamaica and the likelihood that taxpayers could be forced to offset it? How many of us know that the current revaluation of the Jamaican dollar, positive though it may be in some instances, is taking place because of lower demand for the greenback and buoyant inflows of loans - loans that are increasing the national debt? We heard the same nonsense, premature and skewed analysis at the end of the State of Emergency from people who ought to have known better, as they painted pictures of Armageddon. How many of us know that, according to police statistics, the average murder rate is now lower than it was during the much-touted State of Emergency? Yet, we allowed special interest and political "jack sprats" to hijack and politicise an issue so central to the preservation of the rule of law and to our constitutional rights.
Sadly, our political leaders know that we do not always examine the issues with detectable diligence much less to scrutinise their actions. They know that we are not au fait with our constitutional rights. They know they have succeeded in making many of us so politically polarised that we cannot speak or act dispassionately, and they know how and when to wind us up and the let us loose like gigs. That is why neither the prime minister, the attorney general nor the solicitor general has resigned. But it is not too late for them to acquire the sense of shame and duty that would impel reasonable men to resign in the interest of Jamaica.
Burnscg@aol.com
 
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8/30/2010
Mr Golding seems to listen too much to the backroom strategy boys, and their panic. What sounds good in the back may be great folly in front. THERE IS ONLY ONE VERY MAWGA chance left. COME CLEAN FULLY, THEN work on economy. No SIZZLE, NO WIZZLE, NO HYPE, NO GRIPE, no guilt trip on editors,jus' de troot. People know Phillips 2004 precedent did not paralyse PM unduly. He ran into the STREET to PRAISE illegal evidence in Traffigura. Gave lady big job for bank a/c revelation. STAND, Mr PM for us
8/30/2010
@Paul Gentles. You detected the Rub. The JLP continues to defend Golding and Lightbourne because they are all culpable. If Golding falls the entire government falls. Who do we have to replace the JLP? The equally corrupt PNP. This is why civil society needs to fund and support a third party before the next election. We have to reform the constitution and libel laws in order to protect our country from this evil insidious parlimentary dictatorship. Jamaicans have to force change. JLPNP will not.
8/30/2010
Thank you Chris. this nonsense that is PNP pushing MPP issue as suggested by the Observer cartoon is quite disingenuous. I adds to the anger i feel as an intelligent person watching dirty politics triumph over decency and good governance. The govt. will get away with it because " black man busy" trying to survive and the rest have their nose in the trough.
8/30/2010
Bruce also understands the wrath of Portia and the people that will come down on him for the wickedness he has perpetrated on the innocent innercity people because of Dudus(international kingpin). It is high likely that the corruption is not only confined to dudus, but to everything they put their sticky fingers on(tax dollars). They borrow and overspend 3x more than the PNP, they yap 5x more than the PNP and they have not one visible improvement to Jamaica initiated by them. Bruce is a failure.
8/30/2010
Well said Chris Burns. You've done a remarkable job with this article. You've made some salient points and ask to pertinent questions.
This PM is selfish and has no shame. Really, an embarassment to Jamaica and Jamaicans throughout the world.
As tyhe caption states,
'In no decent democracy would Bruce Golding, Dorothy Lightbourne or Douglas Leys be allowed to continue in office.'
@ rag monty, i suggest you consult a dictionary. There are also quite a few online versions.
8/30/2010
Resign? I dont even believe Bruce Golding the 1 person who can set a date for an election, will be willing to do so. They complain the PNP wants back power, but the people want to give back PNP power. No shower can substitute 4 POWER. So people can sit and wait 4 election, Bruce is planning to spend the rest of his life in Ja house. Look at the genocide of tivoli gardens, his own supporters, the people living in seige. Bruce will have to be dragged from Ja house, he is in no way contemplating.
8/30/2010
Well said Chris! For if the US law prevents a Party from holding Government talks, and, if Manatt insists that they were dealing with the Jamaican Government, and, if there is no contract between the JLP and Manatt, and, if the only contract states that the Jamaican Government is the party being represented - johnww.wordpress.com -, why then would anyone believe the PM?
If stalling the extradition for economic reasons was the aim, why would the GOJ not have held emergency talks with the US? Why?
8/30/2010
Good points! I know PNP & JLP supporters want govt to serve the country and the people and do it honestly and with some transparency. However, these same PNP/JLP supporters must be willing too to hold their own party/leaders accountable & not just blindly defend or tolerate deception/corruption from your folks while in the same breath condemning it from the other side. You lead by example not excuses. Don't ask for a better JA then hold back progress by harboring slackness.
8/30/2010
@Rev Leslie Bonner we are not affriad to take a stand if Paul Bogle didnt take a stand against injustice where would we have been today ? 73 people my correction 74 were killed in an attempt to silence the people Christopher Dudus Coke one person was even killed in his own private resident (CLARK) the people need answers dont try to use religion in an attempt to silence the people politicians must be held accountable.
8/30/2010
Oh, can it Rev. Leslie Bonner; no one listens to the nonsense anymore. The fear-mongering is losing its impact. I always did think religion couldn't prove vengeance in this life, so it speaks about vengeance in the next life, when there's no one around to validate the claims. But guess what, a lot of folks have thrown out their fears and can now laugh at your threats about eternal torment. And think about it: many countries are managed sucessfully without the bible and promises of heaven.
8/30/2010
Did I just read elsewhere on todays publication that the GoJ discussed the Dudus with the JLP and thereafter turned over the matter to the JLP to handle ?
Surely this culd not be a highly confidential classified secret law enforcement matter ?
8/30/2010
For you lot out there hopelessly trying to polarize people's perspective - When Seaga was in power the jlp didn't have a chance,not because of the party but who led it. People saying bruce have lost moral authority to lead does not equate to jlp should go - that said,the more the members remain quiet in acceptance that he should go then the louder will be the cry for them ALL to go.
8/30/2010
Mr. Burns in any "decent democratic country" it is the will of the people that always prevail. We could call for resignation till the cows come home, until the people decides it is time for Bruce and others to go they will remain. One of the best method to decide when they are to go will be a general election. When this is called and if the JLP wins I hope we stop the calls and finally accept the will of the people.
8/30/2010
@ Rev. Leslie Bonner...are attempting to use religion to silence people on the Dudus issue you are wasting your time? This matter is about corrupt politicians and they must be held acountable by the people who elected them and who they work for. To ignore this under this using the pretext of religion is misleading and irrelevant. I believe in spiritual laws such as karma but this issue directly involves our physical well being and must be fought at the physical level also.
8/30/2010
What a well constructed and reasoned tongue lashing!
Will he take heed?
Not likely, unless more revelations force him outward. Let us see if Leys and/or Lightbourne will become casualties.
8/30/2010
Wow..Chris talk the things dem...Finally an article in the observer that lays out the malfiesience of this govt. With the SG colluding with the AG for the JLP a private entity is astounding. Yet they say it was not the Govt that hired MPP, if so why was the govt's top lawyer in 7 months of emails with MPP. As to resignation we need to make it a matter of law that once any MP or Minister is accused of something he steps aside until it is resolved. It comes down to lack of respect for the people
8/30/2010
The Dudus/MPP case is a pointer not just to the systemic corruption of the political system but also of a serious cultural problem. For too long Jamaicans have accepted this garrison politics which resulted in the corruption of politicians and even the escalation of crime. For too long the dons have been revered as community leaders and a kind of Robin Hood figure. This cultural tolerance has blinded society on a whole from seeing the egregious nature of the Dudus/MPP issue. In this kind of climate politicians don’t have to stand on any principles and so this is why no one will resign or will be held accountable.
8/30/2010
You said it all my brother you nailed it they have no shame.
8/30/2010
Chris Burns, you have hit the nail dead center on its proverbial head. Thanks for speaking up for the otherwise emasculated and impotent mass.
8/30/2010
Listen folks, What you know of evil for another you know for yourself, JUDGE NOT IS NOT JUST A LITTLE BIBLICAL POETRY, it is law, and when you Judge, you make this law operative in your experience, if Bruce Golding and his administration is guilty of something, THEY WILL PAY, not buy your hands, but the working of this infallible law. . Watch, therefore, take care you enter not into temptation, to Judge another, "Vengeance is mine" saith the Lord of Hosts, and this is a terrible law to set in operation. You are the only one who can set it in operation against yourself, and it is possible only by trying to injure or judge another,. "Judge not" is a hard, fast law, and there is no escape, from it, by the same judgement, you judge, it shall be applied to you, God will have His way, VENGEANCE IS MINE, Watch, THEREFORE THAT YOU BE NOT TEMPTED TO JUDGE. LET THE LAW HAVE ITS WAY
8/30/2010
Was trying to understand but there were too many big words. I know the basis of your argument is for the PM to resign but could u please use words the average man like me could understand in your next piece. Would be nice to also understand the intricacies that surrounds your position
8/30/2010
Amen brother!!!!!
8/30/2010
The prime minister does not resign because he is in bed with the media. If it were the PNP who were so compromised the number of front page editorials would have forced the whole government to resign already. And the pm knows it.
As far as Mr. Leys is concerned, I understand he was up for Qeeen's Counsel but I hope the Lawyers, especially those who are priveleged to have a similar honour do not allow it to be sullied and compromised by him refusing to accept it or give it back.
Bu
8/30/2010
Well said. It's an insult to the Jamaican people when things like these happen and the PM and his colleagues remain in office. The NEW and DIFFERENT PM has shown as we all know that and politicians on a whole, first priority is to stay in power, put party first and Jamaica last.
8/30/2010
What is even so troubling and ethically depraved, is the assertion by the so called "young Turks" within the Cabinet and Parliament that "the Prime Minister did nothing wrong" .
So the question then become, who will they aspire, or seek to lead in the near future since they too have become morally bankrupt ?.
8/30/2010
Jamaicans are only worried about "What would happen to the economy if they resign" words of the mostly affluent that's being parroted by those that can't feed themselves. The country will not collapse if they go.The only thing that will keep politicians in line is a constitutional amendment.but notice we are not calling for that.
8/30/2010
Beautiful! Simply beautiful! May Jamaica hear you and come to it senses and force Bruce to be ashamed and leave office. Jamaica sense of national decency is at stake!!
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