BY

LLOYD NOEL

"The point has been repeatedly stressed that it is worthless to offer prayers and sacrifices to God unless, at the same time, one defends the rights of the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the labourer - all those whom today we would call under-privileged".

That statement came from The Roman Catholic Bishops of the Antilles, in their publication entitled "Justice and Peace in a New Caribbean" - in the Nineteen Seventies when politics was red hot in the region as a whole but especially in Grenada.

We had our Independence struggles from 1973, which peaked on November 18th at Bhola"s Junction in Grenville, and precipitated the Duffus Commission of Inquiry into Eric Gairy's brand of politics in 1974, soon after the onset of our Independence. And then, of course, we had March 13th, 1979, and thereafter the disgraceful rest is sad history.

For a couple years now the region has been again on the boil - with the talks and more talks, and opening dates and postponements, and who are ready to come on board and who are not, and the fears of free movement, and the ability to compete on the financial and economical stage, all in the build-up and concept of the CSME and the CCJ.

And maybe by pure coincidence, while we again have an ongoing Commission of Inquiry in Grenada - into the allegations surrounding the actual sum of US dollars, received by our Prime Minister in a Brief Case from Eric Resteiner in the Swiss village sometime in 2002/03 - we also have a statement from the same body of Bishops of the A.E.C., after their meeting in St. Lucia last week, concerning the problems surrounding the very CSME, and by extension the CCJ.

Maybe the principle that triggers action and or statements from those Church Leaders, is only meant to come into play when the situation has reached a state of desperation; I don"t know for sure. But I am always concerned, that our Spiritual Leaders, at home and in the region (CARICOM), are leaving their intervention - albeit by words of wisdom - much too late or not at all, even when it is very obvious that their Christian flock of their faithfuls are suffering untold hardships, and clearly on the road way to greater injustice.

Their reluctance or timidity always surprises me, because in every CARICOM State, and especially in our own backyard in the Spice Isles, the Prime Ministers and most of their Ministers are very keen and practicing Church-goers and Christians. From all appearances, it does seem, therefore, that those Church Leaders have ready access to open and listening ears and minds - so why not, on behalf of their struggling and under-privileged flock, move in early in the day, and render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's?

Nevertheless, it is not too late nor beyond repair - but the belated attempt at finding some solution should not stop there, it has to be followed up and the pressure maintained on those in control, to help them to do their duty and carry out their responsibilities to the flock. In our case in these Spice Isles the situation is not getting any better - in fact it is getting worse, and the outlook on the horizon does not look encouraging.

I have noted that the Minister of Communication and Works has been signing agreements for important projects in the St. George"s area, which are being funded by loans from the CDB. And those projects will be timely in facilitating improvements that must be completed in our efforts to host those "Super Eight" Matches of the CWC 2007 in Grenada next year.

I have also noted that the second phase of the Hospital Project, got underway with the ground breaking ceremony last week - and the Cubans and Venezuelans are on the record to build it, again in time to meet our obligations for Medical facilities pertaining to the CWC 2007.
The work at the Point Salines Airport has also started, and the surroundings already cleared to provide additional parking facilities - all in readiness and preparation for that big event next year.

Even the roads, after many complaints, have been receiving a face lift, especially on the Western side where I travel daily, and where the pot holes had been taking over the roads. So all in all things are happening, workers in the construction areas are in demand, the physical development landscape areas are visibly receiving attention, and materially we are on the move - so with the weather and the threat of more serious Hurricanes this year permitting, and other aspects being equal, we should be on the world stage come April next year.

But all the foregoing notwithstanding, I have some deep concerns; and from approaches I am getting from persons even close to the powers-that-be, they too share those concerns; as well as persons close to the opposition in Parliament. So it is not a case of political sour grapes, and who don"t like who, for whatever reason.

Liking and supporting people and parties in politics, and in public affairs generally, must be based on the core principle - that what they are chosen to do must be for and in the interest of all the people at all times.

And since as mere human beings they cannot be always right, those supporting them must be ready to tell them what and when they are doing wrong; and as conscientious Public Servants, they too must be prepared to accept the scolding or the criticisms when these are forthcoming.

It has always bothered me about politics in our land, and the region as a whole in some cases, that those in control at any given time - when something goes wrong and they are being criticised for that wrong-doing - they are frequently responding by quoting instances and occasions, when the critics or the opposition did the same or similar things in the past.

Our people in politics and politicians react and behave with such narrow-mindedness and very little depth - that they fail to see and understand, that it is not who has done, or is doing right or wrong, but whether or not what is being done is right, or is clearly wrong. The accusations, and counter-accusations, and in depth search to discover or manufacture instances, to blame others for one thing or another in our land now-a-days are very, very, reminiscent of the dangerous days of the early Seventies, when our once beautiful and peaceful Grenada changed its outlook for the worse, on all fronts.

The politics and many involved therein, are getting dirtier and more desperate with each succeeding incident; and the only results therefrom are destined to bring us all deeper and deeper into more hatred, and vendattas, and revenge - as the stakes become higher and more glamourous.

There has been allegations and accusations about those in control of our Nation affairs, from way back when; and whoever gets into the driving seat whenever, they too will have to face a similar fate as time goes on. So there are allegations and accusations, about those in the opposition who have been taking the incumbents to task in the exercise of their public duties.

The big debate now seems to be centered around the issue, that because the original accusers are now being accused themselves, for whatever the infraction in their private profession or trade, they should not have accused those they perceived were doing wrong in the past. I do not believe that the issue of those living in glass houses not throwing stones, is on par with "he who is without sin casting the first stone" - when it comes down to showing mercy or extending forgiveness to a guilty person.

As human beings, none of us living on planet Earth is perfect and beyond wrong doing of one kind or another. And as our old folks used to say, when trying to teach us to be careful about what is said and how we should react - when someone is in trouble or has done wrong - "remember we have children too, and what befalls that other Mother"s child today, can happen to ours tomorrow".

The sadness of our situation in the region now-a-days, and in our case in Grenada in particular - is that we have become much, much, too prone to bad talk, and castigate, and attempt to destroy others character or good name - all on the altar of politics.

Best of friends yesterday and for years; strong followers and supporters up to the last elections and way beyond; having shared many years of close association and personal tit-bits, and then telling the politicians that what they have done, or are doing, in their public duties and responsibilities are wrong - and all hell will then break loose, and yesterday's close buddy and trusted confidante, becomes today"s and forever worst enemy.

I do not have the answer, although I am well aware of the symptoms and the problems facing us as a people. But because, as I said earlier up front, our politicians and aspiring newcomers are always in the forefront as practicing Christians and regular Church-goers - at least many of them, and the front line leaders among those many - I keep on hoping that our Spiritual Leaders will come to our rescue, here at home and in the region, to help bring about the needed transformation.
We are destroying the very foundation of our people"s proud heritage, on the evil altar of political convenience, as the political practices get dirtier with every new incident.

We are not teaching the Leaders of tomorrow, the worthy elements of right from wrong - yet we are blaming them, even today, for going the wrong way. With this continuous dirty game of politics we are playing - what else can we expect?