Two long-winded but very important issues have dominated the news. Firstly there is the confusing muddle that Opposition Leader Andrew Holness has put himself into over the Senate resignation letters. Secondly, the Commission of Enquiry into the incursion by security forces in Tivoli Gardens re-started this week. And thirdly – oh yes – there is a third thing – the so-called plot to kill Mr. Holness, which the police now say was “fabricated.”
Twists and turns: The media have been chewing over the conundrum of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) senators and the undated letters they signed for days now. Every commentator, politician, journalist or lawyer has an opinion on it. We have all turned into constitutional experts. Last night, JLP Members of Parliament met to discuss the issue. Delroy Chuck (the Opposition Spokesman on Justice, ironically) did not attend the meeting he himself had called for on Sunday in an email to Leader of Opposition Business Derrick Smith. In that email Mr. Chuck said Holness should resign in the wake of the Constitutional Court’s ruling that the letters were unconstitutional. I agree. But we know it is not going to happen, especially after those who attended Tuesday night’s meeting came out expressing their “full support” for their leader. It seems a mere breach of constitutional principles is not enough to make our political leaders step down. I am sure it would have been the same if Portia Simpson Miller had done such a thing; it’s not at all easy in Jamaica to get one’s party leader fired. Both parties are stuck with them.
Now what will happen to the two Senators who got caught out by signing their own resignation letters (how dumb is that) – and to the two who then replaced them, whose appointments must surely be void? One of the Ousted Ones (Arthur Williams) says he plans to attend Senate on Friday. The Attorney General says he will advise Senate President Floyd Morris on how to proceed tomorrow. What silliness this is. It not only reduces Holness’ credibility, but every single JLP parliamentarian’s too.
“Internal affairs”: Now JLP General Secretary Horace Chang says the party’s “issues” will be dealt with “internally.” I suppose he feels too much dirty linen has been aired. But no, Dr. Chang. These issues affect Jamaica, and Jamaicans. And there is something called “transparency.”
Words, words, words… Lawyers are getting dramatic at the Commission of Enquiry into the Tivoli Gardens incursion. Frankly, I am becoming so very tired of lawyers pontificating all over the local media – whether it’s their efforts to “up the ante” at the Commission of Enquiry or their views on the JLP débacle – or anything to do with politics. And most of our politicians are lawyers, too! Can’t get away from them! At the Enquiry, Mr. Bruce Golding, who presided over the massacre as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, has been testifying all week so far. In terms of credibility, for me personally the former Prime Minister’s flew out of the window five years ago, and my skepticism remains healthy. But I agree with him (and Commissioner Sir David Simmons, who is doing a good job so far in my view) that the Enquiry cannot conclude without reference to complete ballistics reports. Sir David says he is willing to postpone the Enquiry if necessary to ensure that the reports are received and considered. Otherwise justice will not be done.
The plot that…wasn’t? Sections of the media were very excited about an alleged plot to kill Andrew Holness and Horace Chang. I expressed cynicism about this in an earlier post, suppressing a mental “yawn” at this dramatic “news.” Now, the police say the plot was “fabricated” and have arrested an unemployed man of no fixed address for creating public mischief. But…but. Was he a lone wolf or did someone put him up to it? Will we ever know?
An anti-corruption Minister: Former Contractor General Greg Christie had (in March 2014) publicly recommended an Anti-Corruption Minister in the Cabinet. Now the new Greek government has appointed one – with a particular focus on fighting tax evasion. Interesting, as Private Sector Organization of Jamaica President William Mahfood just today reiterated his organization’s concern about this very topic, warning that he would continue to keep up the pressure on this issue.
Speaking of corruption, do please “like” the Facebook page of National Integrity Action Limited, which describes itself as “a non-profit organization aimed at combating corruption in Jamaica through education, encouraging anti-corruption vigilance and activism, and through lobbying the government to enforce anti-corruption laws.” NIA is well worth supporting.
Remember the Ebola scare? Well, the Nigerian man who claims a doctor at Mandeville Regional Hospital told him, staff and patients that he probably had Ebola – causing total panic – is now suing the hospital and the Southern Regional Health Authority. He is claiming damages for false imprisonment, defamation, unlawful disclosure of patient information, and breaches of his constitutional right to privacy. He might have a case.
Bounceback: You will recall my post about the telecoms merger between Columbus Communications (Flow) and LIME (Cable and Wireless), which was recently approved. Now interestingly this week, Sean Latty – who had been Managing Director of Flow for only six months – has resigned and returned to Digicel, from whence he came and where he had served for twelve years. Not sure if we can read too much into this, but maybe he didn’t like the merger.
Silly censorship: On Sunday evening, many of my “tweeps” gathered round their television sets to watch the Grammy Awards show (which goes on for hours). A local television station had bought the rights to it. There was irritation at the interruption of the program for the lotto draw. And downright disgust when the TV station decided to censor Sam Smith’s thank you speech, in which he said his former partner inspired him to write his winning break-up, I’m-so-lonely song, which we all love. Did Mr. Smith use a string of obscenities or hate speech? Er, no. He just had a male partner. That was enough. This kind of nonsense is really a joke. We are all grown-ups. Yes, gays do exist, TVJ. Get over it. Meanwhile both local stations are happy to show us scenes of violence, child abuse, rape and murder etc. Double standards!
Update: Remember that almost a year ago Executive Director of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs Faith Webster was indicted for “irregularities” following an internal audit? Ms. Webster’s court case comes up next Monday, February 16. I hope this can be resolved, fairly. Ms. Webster claims she was never allowed the opportunity to defend herself against allegations, and took legal action. Allison McLean, a director in the Office of the Prime Minister, has been supervising the office.
How can you have an exhibit of “intangible” things? I am not sure, but the Minister of Youth and Culture happily visited an Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition recently, which included some very tangible-looking drums, basketry and Rastafarian flags. Can someone explain?
Muchos kudos to Tanya Batson-Savage and the Jamaica Writers Society (with the somewhat scary acronym JAWS) which has relaunched the Lignum Vitae Writing Awards with the support of the Jamaica Copyright Licensing Authority (JAMCOPY). More on this anon.
Sandals Foundation, who collected over 100 bags of garbage from Fisherman’s Beach in St. Ann in support of the “Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica” campaign spearheaded by the Jamaica Environment Trust and the Tourism Enhancement Fund. Fantastic effort! I hope now the fishermen and residents will keep that beach clean themselves!
And to the anti-lotto scam police, who are really making inroads into this activity, which has been going on for years and has caused much grief and hardship. They are armed now with stronger legislation and efforts are paying off.
Ending with a couple of interesting things happening this coming Sunday, February 15. One is in Kingston, the other in Montego Bay…
The following Jamaicans have lost their lives in the past few days. My deepest sympathies to their grieving families. There is too much hurt.
Aleris Ramieres Acosta, Seaview Gardens, Kingston (Cuban national)
Gary Dawkins, 42, Old Harbour, St. Catherine
Alton Lampart, 46, May Pen, Clarendon
Bertram Fagan, 37, Chapelton, Clarendon
Anthony Nugent, 44, Barham, Westmoreland
Oshane Miller, Barham, Westmoreland
Jowayne Palmer, 22, Pitfour, St. James
Junior Rodney, 22, Steer Town, St. Ann
Christopher Gardner, 31, Nine Miles/Bull Bay, St. Thomas
Petchary's Blog 
Great piece @Petchary
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Thanks a lot, Ms. Donna! Hope you are well…
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The Holness saga continues. Never had the party behind him, at the base and clearly not amongst the MPs, despite the recent leadership election win. Seems like damaged goods, but those are rarely sold for less in Jamaica. Plus, the plot/no plot to *assassinate* him. That’s more *assinine* than many things in Jamaica. But, look, the place of full of asses, but too many of them happen to be elected.
The COE continues to be fascinating as it shows up different aspects of our confused rulership.
I’m sure I should get worked up about TVJ and Sam Smith, but maybe I’ll just satisfy myself with something more tangible than the TV station trying to be the national nanny. Hypocricy in Jamaica is as well developed as anywhere I’ve ever lived.
Nice post, as usual.
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Yes, the Sam Smith incident was just one more little example of the hypocrisy that rules – a small matter perhaps but all these things add up! Did you really think there was a plot, Dennis? The media have dropped this story like a hot potato now, I notice!
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I like to think that the logic of real life guides one in terms of what makes sense. I can’t see a plot to assassinate an MP who is doing a good job of erasing himself. 🙂
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