Dear Editor,

When the threat of a hurricane is present, the standard practice is to store food and other essentials, batten down, and wait out the hurricane. For many Jamaicans this has become an art, and our politicians are no exception. They have apparently become so adept at this that it now seems to inform their leadership strategy in dealing with crises. The aim is to come out “looking good”. That is to say, don’t end up in a legal bind – ethics is a perishable item and is not needed.

In being battened down they will say nothing incriminating, but will frustrate everyone into giving up and moving on. Hence, the high-profile resignation of the day. And this might only be a symptom of the mental resignation that is probably taking place across the island.

What is disheartening is that there is no apparent rationale for the persistent selfishness and arrogance of the current government. Hey guys, you’re not looking good. Your curious explanations and denials are not working for you.

When you have two people at a press conference and the one who has a milder manner makes no statement, which might help your credibility, the implications are grave. It may be that the mild-mannered man may not want to incriminate himself with the lies to be brandished. Or it may just be a confirmation of the suspected arrogance of a leadership that has no regard for the people of Jamaica.

Are we going to just stand by, or stand back and let them have their way?

And for the record, much like the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden would not have needed to be caustic for its eating to have had the terrible effect it did, the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips situation presents a similar situation. But then, maybe I’m missing something.

Charles Evans

charles.evans@ncu.edu.jm