by Max Sterling
After several "bum bashes" which attracted many of the nation's under-aged and exposed them to the elements where several Grenadians are now scared that a lot of our young women of school age could be sporting growing stomachs soon - the election date has been announced.
In Prime Minister Mitchell's own words, July 8th, 2008 is earmarked as "Liberation Day" for Grenada, Carriacou & Petit Martinique. As some people are saying - "But wait nah. Liberation from what?" It would appear that even Dr. Mitchell recognises that Grenada needs to be liberated from him and his deep seated misbehaviour in public office.
I want to believe that he was ill advised to make this announcement which has not taken anyone of consequence by surprise. I recall not too long ago a certain member of his inner circle who is known for his chameleon tendencies was heard to have said to some very good friends that he doesn't know why "the man don't just call the election and done. He done know we lose already. I need to go back to my normal life where I don't have all the hassle."
This is an inner circle member talking like that. These so-called friends of his are known opposers of the NNP. The message is clear that they feel it and it is better he calls the elections sooner than later. Mitchell has displayed time and time again that he has no tolerance for anyone who is not prepared to tow the line.
As a result he has been surrounded by nincompoops who have been known to tell him what he wants to hear while they continue to gain free passage to material prosperity at the expense of the unsuspecting masses. With nomination day on June 18th, 2008 - intelligence suggest that Mitchell hopes to target both Burke and David of the Congress Party hoping to stir up some uncertainty about their eligibility as candidates given their status as Canadian citizens.
Let us see if the Supervisor of Elections, Nordica Mc Intyre would be a party to the moves by the NNP to try and block both David and Burke from contesting the elections.
What Mitchell forgot or rather chooses to forget is that when the framers of the constitution framed our national constitution - they were mindful that George Hosten - who was at the time Minister of Finance under the Gairy administration was a Canadian citizen.
This is the same man Mitchell ran against in 1972 when he posed with Blaize's GNP and got a sorry beating! So we hope the Supervisor of Elections stp playing games and declare her hands. History might not be too kind with her in the coming days.
The Congress Party has to be on the look out for Mitchell pulling out all stops in order to avoid his date with destiny. They have to warn their supporters to take it light; not to be too anxious and allow their anxiety to run away with them to the point where they get sucked into any brawl with the lesser intelligent mortals who are known to support the ruling NNP administration.
Grenadians need to show Mitchell what really is "people's power" on July 8th by sending him a clear signal that he is really going to be different from Eric Gairy, Nicholas Brathwaite and George Brizan - all of whom could live in the society after they are out of office without any fear of a foreign government making overtures to prosecute or indict them.
History absolved Eric Gairy, so much so none of the several crimes attributed to him during his 1967-1979 reign ever stuck on him - as time proved all the propagandists wrong.
In the case of Brathwaite - he honourably stepped down after promising his constituents that he would serve them for one five year term and when that time expired he demitted office.
Today he sits on his verandah enjoying his spectacular view of the inner and outer St. George's harbour while entertaining his buddies and looking on at the disgrace the nation fell into since June 1995 under the able hands of king dregs, himself.
I want to believe that Mitchell's claim that July 8th, 2008 is liberation day is all part of providence - as in the last days of corrupt rulers they shall be tripped by their own words.
Did you not hear Mitchell say on Sunday that ".....this election means so much to me"? Don't you realise that this election is about him and not about the people or the country for that matter?
What he is trying to say is that as long as he is Prime Minister: * Nobody could call on him to account for the Call Center money that his family owes the national coffers!
* He will be immune from prosecution in the Unites States!
* Nobody will ever see the briefcase video tape as he will not use his office to request it.
* He will offer protection to Gregory Bowen - his deputy who is in serious legal troubles in the United States!
* Nobody will ever be able to press charges against him for misbehaviour in public office!
My humble advice to one and all is to avoid the negative justification that you as a people deserve the government you get.
It is my fervent belief that you deserve better and if you deserve better you've got to vote for better.
From now on, all registered voters are advised to check the voters' list as often as possible between now and election day to ensure that your name is where it is supposed to be.
Do not allow what happened in 1999 and 2003 to happen to you again. Make sure that your name remains consistent with your registration. There were many people whose names were on the list when they checked before the 2003 general election in particular and when they went to vote on the morning of November 27th, 2003 - their names ended up somewhere else.
Be vigilant as vigilance will ensure your key to liberation from Mitchell and the darkness he represents in public life. In closing, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased fifteen year Wesley College student who was stabbed to death last week Thursday on the school's compound.
I am sure fellow students and teachers alike of that school are getting the support and comfort which they so badly need at this time. The family of the fourteen year old who is alleged to have committed the act, must be remembered in our prayers also as they too have a different measure of grief to deal with.
More of these developments are on the horizon to happen as long as Grenada remains in darkness under an administration whose membership dishes out disrespect to the people on a daily basis.
When you would hear a Prime Minister whose name has been called in the nastiest of ways receiving money from an international fraudster would say:
"Is me dam money.....Ah only sorry he din gee me more!" What can you expect?
I want to congratulate the main opposition National Democratic Congress for hitting the road running with their response to Mitchell's announcement of the election date.
That's the way to go! Keep up the pressure and maintain the momentum! You are on to something!
Remember - July 8th is Liberation Day for Grenada, Carriacou & Petit Martinique. I always said to you when you asked how long? - Not Long! All in the fullness of time!
