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Editorial
You deserve more, Ms Ann-Merita Golding
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
In yesterday's edition, Ms Ann-Merita Golding says she isn't too bothered by the bashing that her father and prime minister, Mr Bruce Golding, has attracted since taking office in 2007.
According to Ms Golding, who is pursuing doctoral studies in Audiology at Nova Southeastern University in the USA, she has got so used to the utterances of her father's critics that they hardly bother her anymore.
In the affectionate tone typical of a doting daughter, she describes her father as a man of integrity with an inexplicable love for his country, who can do no wrong in her eyes.
We can't blame Ms Golding for her obvious deep love for her father and the unwavering support she affords him. Indeed, Mr Golding is to be commended for being a good father to his children, a role in which too many Jamaican men have been found wanting.
However, no matter how rosy the lenses through which we choose to view the story of the past 11 months, no matter how far in Mr Golding's favour anyone tries to slant it, the verdict can only be that the prime minister has compromised himself, his family, his administration and the entire country.
From his destructive decision to defend Mr Christopher 'Dudus' Coke against the United States' extradition request, to his sanctioning of the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair, to his current refusal to come clean about the entire sorry situation, he was and remains horribly wrong, to put it mildly.
It is irrelevant whether Mr Coke, who waived his right to an extradition hearing in Jamaica and is currently in the US awaiting trial on drug and gun-running charges, is found guilty or innocent. Or that the method by which the US secured the evidence against him appeared — on the face of it — to be illegal.
Those are matters which are to be argued by the relevant lawyers who are dealing with the case.
What is and will continue to be of paramount importance as far as Mr Golding's reign over this country is concerned, is the quality of the leadership he is capable of providing, given the implications of his behaviour.
Yes, he has apologised for carrying the country to the brink of anarchy, but his current resolve to move on past the several concerns expressed by the many who are legitimately afraid of getting back into the water with him is unacceptable.
It doesn't matter how charming, how hard-working, how devoted he may be, Mr Golding must — for his sake and ours — confess the sins of yesteryear before laying claim to any meaningful form of absolution. The same thing goes for the Government senators who sanctioned Mr Golding's bad behaviour and have not, to date, retracted their folly.
We expect nothing less of our leader who, to be quite frank, owes all of us -- his daughter included -- much more.
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8/27/2010
I agree that the PM must come clean with the Jamaican people and must account for his actions in the MPP & extradition matters. However, I have to say that I find this article to be in poor taste. Ms. Golding gave an open and honest interview, and did her father proud. She did not try to sell the readership on the PM or spin anything (leave that for others). I firmly believe that this article smacks of the personal and has no place in a modern Ja. And no I am not a JLP flunky or apologist.
8/27/2010
The Chief servant is behaving as if he the chief Master.
We are tired of the chief servant telling us lie him must hess the spot
8/25/2010
Bruce Golding, the leader of Jamaica is not tantamount to Bruce Golding the father. This young lady should not interject herself into Jamaica's politics in this manner.
8/25/2010
Was this article written by the opposition? they show up in all forms and different colors like "LIZARDS."
8/24/2010
Calling for another confession ? So that we can get another spin again? I do not see the point. As for comments below about child speaking of relationship with her father. I understand the sentiment but the PM ceased to be just a father when he came into the office and said he was "chief servant" When people don´t trust their "servants" , the "servant" has to go. Try Audley or Tufton or ... but PM SG and AG are compromised. If they stay then they are as bad as PNP and Trafigura
8/24/2010
Get off the Prime Minister Back; he has done nothing wrong.
8/24/2010
I am no fan of the current Bruce Golding. A fan yes, when he headed the NDM and what he stood for as outlind in their policy document. This editorial should not have linked (though not malicious), his daughter or his family in any way to his and his government's pathetic behaviour. I liked the interview..beautiful lady. Go Bison!!
8/24/2010
Amen!!. Ms. Dunkley.
8/24/2010
How dare you! Deserve more of what? It's a child speaking about her relationship with her father, which has nothing to do with the Dudus or Manatt saga. An article which you should have read and left alone. Really classless!
8/24/2010
What a low blow by the Observer. Set up this somewhat naive young lady for a useless "interview" then attack her the next day. Whatever issues we may have with the PM, his family should be off limits. They neither offered themselves nor were they elected to public office. Leave them alone. Reminds of that ugly episode that transpired when his wife simply went to church to worship her God. We have become a nation of vultures willing to feed on the distress of others for our amusement. Disgusting.
8/24/2010
The PM non-responsiveness to date has given fodder for this type of liberty taking, he has in no uncertain terms allowed not only himself, but members of his family including the first Lady, his party and the government to be greatly damaged by his actions. All of those afforementioned are fair game today.
8/24/2010
Ms Ann Golding need to remember that once she agrees to an interview she is subjected to criticism...however the press and the public must be respectful and treat her on her own merit...Bruce might be a very reckless politician that dosen't stop him being a very good father.
8/24/2010
@ Hugh Maxwell, I support you 100% she deserves more & that 11-yr-old girl who was killed at Tredegar Park she deserves better peace & security, do your duty as Father and PM, APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT?
8/24/2010
Bruce Golding a man of integrity !! What else could a daughter say? This man is bordering disgrace to his family. Such UTTER DISOPPOINTMENT
8/24/2010
Simply, people must be held accountable ?. If this was the Prime Minister's call when he was in opposition, then he should be aware that the same performance standards apply now.
8/24/2010
I sense no malice or ill will toward Ms. Golding - she freely spoke to the press and as such must expect some response. The article does not downplay Mr. Golding's role as good father to his daughter, but as father to the nation he has failed miserably - setting bad example after bad example.
8/24/2010
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. So, you interview the PM’s daughter; get fodder for your paper, then dig in your claws in this highly presumptuous piece. What class!
8/24/2010
She opened herself to this sort of criticism once she gave the interview. Poor child. Golding arrogantly declared: ".. they want to know about extradition and Manatt, Phelps and Phillips. But let me make one thing clear, they could issue statements until... the columnists write their columns and the editors will write their editorials, I am not allowing anything to distract me anymore from the work that I will have to do," Perhaps later he will have need for Ann's skills in audiology.
8/24/2010
I agree with the editor and I will say again: affection makes us false" and void of good reason, equity, truth and justice, and that goes for me, and every one of us. If one can refute what the 'editor' said as being false,(regarding Golding) then bring it on, but sentiments will not do. People have 'itching ears' and want someone to scratch it for them. But sorry, the editor is going to make it itch even more and not scratch it for them. Well done editor. She deserves more, indeed!!!!!
8/24/2010
Not a Bruce fan but Editor pass him place man. Apologize to di lady.
8/24/2010
This story about th PMs daughter is irrelevant and should not be getting this kind of attention. It does not deserve your editoral space. the PM's family life and his daughter's feeling about him are of no relevance to the governance of Jamaica. The critisism of the PM's involvement/handling of Dudus extradition will continue are fully justifiable. I would suggest that Ms. Golding focus more on her studies and avoid giving interviews because once she does this she is fair game herself.
8/24/2010
I was one who commented in yesterdays story that once she started giving interviews she has become a public figure. This editorial has proven this as what I suspect started as a light hearted interview has her now embroiled and intertwined with the folly of her heartache.
I hope her college roommate plugs out her high speed so she can't read this article to break her little heart anymore.
8/24/2010
She deserve more of what? How dare you. Observer, this lady speaks her mind, she spoke about her dad in a loving way, as any children should of their loving parent, and now you are telling her that she deserve more? Unname writer, did you know your so-called dad? maybe, just maybe why you would react to this lady story in such manner. Typical jamaican, full of hate.
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