THE words of the popular song no longer bring up the face of the beautiful Marcia Griffiths. Today it brings up the picture of ‘Dudus’, complete with wig, and later being escorted to the waiting plane on his way to the USA for incarceration.

Neither image is flattering in the portrayal of one of the most feared persons. So the relevance of the plea bargain process is something of a curiosity to us in Jamaica where this is not a familiar legal alternative.

For us non-legal types, it simply means that the wider the range and louder the vocals, the less severe the sentence. The process has thus far been crafted in a way that could be bordering on deceit. It seems that in the face of evidence linking Dudus to some brutal killings, the US has decided to forego the greater crimes in place of some extensive singing.

So with 12 alleged witnesses willing to testify to the more serious allegations, why opt for a plea bargain that will in all likelihood produce a lesser sentence than that given to David Smith, or even Buju Banton?

Always the conspiracy theorist, I refer my readers to a previous article which was entitled ‘Fiction’. In that I set a scenario of the semi-submersible craft with a crew of four, a payload of four tons, and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.

This Colombian cartel connection was in possession of a stealth craft undetectable by normal radar. So perhaps the opening song could be about networks outside of Jamaica, but very much a part of international smuggling or even terrorism.

The next could be a song that taints politicians of both sides and some business persons as well. So even as we speak, warrants could be in the preparation stage, but only after some early tip-offs to ensure escape. But if that is so we will know very shortly. However, I don’t buy this theory myself.

The next is a variation of the previous song, with the twist that I call the “J Edgar Hoover” lyrics. That is to say, names have been called on both sides but the USA will neither reveal them nor prosecute them. Instead they will hold those cards close to their chest as they seek to influence successive governments in areas of interest to the US commercial concerns.

This takes care of the UN votes as well as the disposal of government assets to their firms. So look out, because the next time we sell the JPS or similar entity with guaranteed profits, it will be to a favoured company.

But singing can be very dangerous as the second line intimates: “I shall sing, as long as I live”! We all can remember the mysterious death of Lester Lloyd Coke aka ‘Jim Brown’ while in the care of the State before he could sing. It seems more dangerous to sing in Jamaica than elsewhere, as in the case of Christopher Coke there’s “no visa required”. So either way ‘Dudus’ will probably get a short sentence, a new identity (hopefully not in a dress this time), and live comfortably in Kansas.

The Opposition has called for him to be tried in Jamaica and that is laughable. He has been here for all 18 years that they were in power and they couldn’t catch him. ‘Zeeks’ is still to be tried, and there is no finality to the allegations of bridge bribery, although evidence caused convictions in the UK; no finality to Trafigura, the Cuban light bulb case, and many others too numerous to mention. Some like Green Bay, Orange Lane fire, the Red Mud Lake episode and Armadale, are still outstanding.

The PNP, filled as it is with lawyers, has also failed to perform in upholding the rights of the people of this country. Both parties pretend to stand up for human rights, but it is only a play, and not as funny as an Oliver Samuels performance.

Both protect each other by pretending, but their real motivating factor is a shared disrespect for their fellow Jamaicans. They currently are like a card pack with 60 Jokers (all wild cards). I regret that there are a few with integrity who may be victims of this broad brush, but the adage “show me your company and I’ll tell you who you are” applies.

We really need a public concert in order to expose the real culprits posing as leaders. The integrity apparatus of both parties is failing to disqualify those persons of dubious reputation, and they can be seen every night on the news making great statements before party supporters as if nothing had been wrong. If these come back as ministers or parliamentarians we had better leave.

Perhaps we are doomed and our tune should be Lou Rawls’ “This song is gonna last forever, after we are dead and gone, the memories will linger on forever”.

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