Quit now, Prime Minister
Dear Editor,
I believe that I have finally found the perfect example of one who, though having immaculate command of the English Language, is woefully bereft of intelligence. Perhaps it is to spare myself the embarrassment of having to admit that I was so easily fooled into thinking otherwise that I am convinced that there is much more to this than meets the eye. Of course, that thought is not new. When I was growing up, there was an often-heard expression, “Dis nuh so-so suh. You need fi check it out,” or some such thing.
So in this technological age a prime minister wants to make contact with the Leader of the Opposition… but can’t? Are we at war? Sorry, wrong question. I suppose our prime minister has not recovered from tropical storm Nicole. Poor man.
Although it is the exclusive purview of the prime minister to choose the members of the commission of enquiry into the Dudus/Manatt et al affair, one would have expected him to be clearer. I’m not really sold on a commission of enquiry, but if you’re going that route, show some good faith. Law or no law, it cannot be that the man in the middle of a pickle is the one who is to exclusively set up a commission of enquiry at the expense of those who are questioning. Dat nuh mek nuh sense! The avoidance of conflict of interest is a universal principle and we must not allow it to be broadsided. The adage is that justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.
It is clear to me that Mr Golding has acknowledged that his role as prime minister has been compromised and is now behaving as if he has nothing to lose. I do not know if there is another prime minister in Jamaica who came with greater promise of bringing necessary reform to our political culture. And, by George, I don’t think there’s been a greater letdown. Earlier I would have sympathised with him, but not now. Sir, quit now and don’t wait until things get worse.
Charles Evans
charock01@yahoo.com