A bikini for the politician and Miss Facebook
IN the new dispensation, characters can be attacked and the anonymous can find followers. Nobody has to take responsibility for anything. It is a new time and a new world.
One of the most intriguing chapters involves the beautiful politician who set the mill spinning, when she dared to have a morning swim at one of our beautiful beaches only to find herself the centre of “chat bout” when she emerged from the water, wearing a flattering two-piece swimsuit which revealed her beautiful curves.
How do you turn on an attractive woman who had the courage to get engaged in the challenges of public service and its difficult demands? The political arena proved to be no bed of roses. The positives could be quickly remade into negatives. Everything was up for criticism. For a swim at the beach, some people said, as a public figure, there should have been more cover-up. To others, she had ruined the dignity of women serving the people.
Copies of the lady in swimwear at the beach were passed around on Facebook and the storm was underway. Then, strangely, instead of the “suss” growing, some voices emerged which decided there was no reason to continue with this one.
This seemed ready to be another Outa-whole heap. No one came forward or extended a call for resignation. Her intelligence was not questioned. The storm continued to subside to where it leaves the impression that there was no real interest left. Maybe we can get back to the place where there will always be the occasion for free speech as well as room to make a sensible evaluation of what is important as we strive to strengthen the democracy which we claim to respect and the reality of which we make use. Not to turn it into another wrecking ball against some people. Contend, yes, but why use opportunity recklessly? Honesty and integrity are key words of the times and so are words which can be used without malice or ill will.
This time, however, it was refreshing to hear another female colleague from across the aisle come to the defence of her colleague. Yes, we can oppose, but it doesn’t have to draw blood.
And, what about the remark of a noted gentleman who decided to give sartorial advice to the bikini wearer. Said he, tongue in cheek: She erred. She should have worn her hat and her gloves. Now that would get her votes.
On to more important news…
President Obama’s intention to break down the wall between the USA and Cuba might very well be the end of some 50 years of separation between the two nations. A special friend in New York who knows tourism in and out made the following observation: “Although the embargo technically remains in place, it will make it much easier for Americans to travel there. The embargo will eventually go, and Cuba could well become the fastest-growing market for domestic carriers on a scale not seen for decades since deregulation,” my friend wrote. More importantly, it cannot be business in the literal sense. Business will have to mean America being willing to put aside the ill will and fears and return to understanding real human relations and become a genuine zone of peace in the Caribbean. Fidel Castro will not be alive forever, so it is futile to spend the rest of time preserving old hatreds.
In preparing to benefit from the expected windfall, Cuba will have to improve its infrastructure, particularly for tourism. More hotels will have to be appropriately outfitted to add to what they already have. Much focus has started on the issue of climate change and other environmental matters, Cuba being vulnerable in a hurricane zone.
Meanwhile, as President Obama prepares to tackle Congress and the rest of the political system, it is not going to be easy. He will have to conquer many challenges, but he seems determined to fight the fight. One of the most formidable foes of the past, for instance, was the old-guard Cubans, whose headquarters was in a famous area of Miami where they met to pledge loyalty to the US and against any president and politician who had the temerity to even think of associating with Cuba.
Over the years, the attitude has softened as a new generation of Cuban-Americans began to be engaged in local and national politics. The final leg of the struggle is to come. With time running out for the old guard, the fight takes on a new face, according to those who have been in the struggle from the early days.
Happiness
A regular reader and I were preparing to take a philosophical stance about why some people are not in favour of “Happy Holidays”, as a Christmas greeting, a matter to which we gave attention last week. He raised the idea of differing cultural customs by which the feast day called Christmas has been named more than any other.
He wanted to know what is behind the objections to Happy Holiday to which he is not the only Christian to approve. He has no problem with Happy Holidays. “Wouldn’t Jesus want us to be happy, too?” he queried.
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