| By
Max Sterling
Wasn't
it just last week I told you that wonders never cease in Grenada?
I was elated to see the editorial of this newspaper as forceful
as it usually comes addressing the alleged impropriety of one of
the senior members of the official opposition National Democratic
Congress (NDC) of Hon. Tillman Thomas.
In a private discussion with some close to Grenada Today, we agreed
that the level of corruption in Grenada is so widespread that it
will take a miracle to clean up Grenada after "Little Black"
is booted out of office by the masses through the polls.
I want to advocate that route as I have no plans to support it otherwise.
I do not have all the facts as they relate to the impropriety of
this individual, but what I can say is that I do not know the accused
well enough to make any comments one way or another.
What I am prepared to say is that I was never comfortable with the
individual. Anyone who hides in the shadows of anyone else to project
himself/herself - whether to sound like the great Maurice Bishop
or even Eric Gairy - the mystic and true social revolutionary, for
example, needs to wheel and come again.
I have always advocated that people must be themselves and stop
lurking in the shadows of someone else. After all the people whom
many of us want to be like were themselves - why can't we be ourselves,
too?
The NDC is going to have all sorts of experiences in order to test
its resolve, its strong philosophy, and its commitment to integrity
and the tenets of democracy. No one can deny the credibility of
its leader - Hon. Tillman Thomas - which is a serious plus for the
party in the aftermath of the exit of the flawless gentleman in
Sir Nicholas Brathwaite as its leader.
Tillie, as he is more affectionately referred to may not have matching
charisma as Bishop and Gairy. He may not have matching weight in
his nobility as Sir Nicholas Brathwaite, but surely he can match
his (Brathwaite's) level of personal integrity and character.
This is not something that can be said for or about "Little
Black". It is a pity Dr. Alexis, a man I will always have time
for, was out of sync with his timing to have departed the NDC when
he did although I could very well have understood his "fedupness"
with the pettiness within the ranks from the level of the then leader
to the floor.
A man as forthcoming as he is known to be; a man as valuable as
he is on the political debate floor; a man as committed to the tenets
of democracy as he is - needed to find peace in a group which was
cohesive than the then NDC was capable of with all the chiefs and
very little Indians at that time.
That said, his integrity and consistency and commitment to democracy,
could never be questioned, thus making him qualified to be a leader.
The cosmic forces have planned thing in such a manner that he has
not been doing so well politically, because a greater plan for him
was ordered.
His expertise as Grenada's foremost Constitutional legal authority,
and I dare say the region's - is required in these times in an undistracted
manner especially as the sitting NNP administration is bent on ruling
outside of constitutional provisions. I firmly believe when his
work in that direction is over he will receive the signal to give
it his all on the political arena once more when Grenada returns
to some form of political sobriety.
The cancerous effects of NNP's corruption have been affecting many.
Only the strong who are prepared to fail with honour rather than
to succeed by fraud, will survive the temptation. The last eleven
years presented challenges to many who have had it hard to make
ends meet but who are prepared to walk with dignity notwithstanding
their material deprivation.
For the strong, the eleven years have been a worthy training period
for their resolve to remain strong in the face of all the adversities.
Whereas for the weak whose priorities are not well ordered, material
acquisitions as symbols of success remain right up there with oxygen,
and hence they fall victim to the temptation and lose their hopes.
When in politics, we must recognise that an extra woman is a TAX
we cannot afford to pay.
Many of us have identified the official Parliamentary opposition
(NDC) as the most qualified party ever in Grenada to be considered
government-in-waiting. In fact, this is something first mentioned
by resident diplomats here. If they (NDC) thought it was going to
be easy, they have another thought coming.
It has been well ordered that they be tested so as to see if they
can rise to the occasion before being presented with the position
of leadership of Grenada. Within their ranks they will have challenges
similar and even worse than that of the impropriety issue they now
have to deal with.
People are awaiting their response to this current issue to see
if they can pass the test to be granted the opportunity to take
up governance of Grenada. As anti-corrupt as they have come across,
having to resort to the Patrick Manning style of dealing with the
opposition, we have to first see how they will deal with issues
on the other side of morals among their ranks first before we can
entrust them with power of governance.
It is imperative that they show themselves up as different and not
just mere more of the same in waiting. I have every confidence that
the NDC under Hon. Tillman Thomas' leadership will do the right
thing and let the chips fall where they may. I agree that the party
should deliver all the moral support needed by the accused, but
in the same breadth the full weight of the party's discipline needs
to be meted out to the accused if found guilty.
If it means expulsion from the NDC's executive, the party itself,
with a strong demand for a resignation from the seat - so be it.
Of course, one cannot demand that the accused resigns from the seat
as the party has no agreement with its elected members to so do
when found in breach of morals and trust. This gives the party an
opportunity to upgrade its own party constitution to make it policy
that when an elected or appointed member of parliament is found
to be wanting in integrity and sound character, he/she must not
just resign from the party but must resign from the seat in parliament.
This will show the Kleptocracy how decent people carry on the people's
business. Of course if the accused does not want to resign, he should
be publicly offered to the corrupt Mitchell administration since
the accused would have exhibited true qualifications to be co-opted
as a full fledged member of the NNP.
I am glad to hear that the rumbles from the NNP are quite muted
on this issue which the opposition is taking seriously with a view
to addressing to the full satisfaction of the people it represents.
After all, no one on the side of the Kleps is qualified to criticise
the NDC for having such an accused in its ranks - not even the pot
hound who seems to take the lead on this one playing "heself"
in the media.
This is as good a time for all the property owners that a certain
t'ief has wronged in the name of real estate and property management
to come forward to show him up for "he" inherent impropriety.
I recall Little Black standing in our chambers and saying loudly
that he does not have any rapist on his side of the house.
What a laugh as no one on the other side was accused of raping anyone
in any government ministry while doing overtime work - forcing the
victim to seek political asylum in New York. The only problem there
is that I am sure although the accused may be qualified to join
the other side by virtue of the "accused" may be guilty
of, Little Black may not want any competition in the raping and
t'iefing departments.
I am prepared to allow due process to prevail in this matter before
I get ahead of myself. I congratulate the Grenada Today for the
strong position it took in its editorial of the last issue. I also
congratulate the leadership of the NDC for the swift action to have
this matter addressed once and for all. I congratulate them in advance
for the anticipated right decision on this one.
I know of a mouthpiece and penman of the Kleptocracy who worked
with every insurance company in Grenada and collected poor people's
premiums and never turned in the money. This individual can be seen
very close to the Kleps as if to give life to the proverb: birds
of a feather flock together. That should be reason enough for them
to keep quiet on this recent issue affecting a senior member of
the other side.
A word of caution to all who live similar lifestyles to the accused
- it is just a matter of time for you! When the roll is called for
the next polls - whether at the right time or prematurely - I am
sure the jail door will bang loudest for Little Black and his disciples
than for any other.
|
