Hon. Hood, permit me to express my disappointment. I had hoped that when you offered yourself to hold political office, your experience as a pastor would have been brought to bear. I expected, Sir that, somehow, you would take things to a higher and nobler plane but it appears that in the political melee you have only added to the pain, disillusionment and sense of betrayal being experienced by the Grenadian people.
But from Mr. Budhlall’s article, it would appear that he does not consider these admirable traits as qualities which our country sorely needs in its leaders at this time and around which all patriots should rally. Indeed, the article seems to have forgotten that it is all of these worthy qualities of the Political Leader in which the nation believed when it voted the National Democratic Congress into office on a platform of change. And we the people cannot understand what has happened to that change agenda
Those examples, Senator Boatswain, speak to your rather laissez-faire track record as Minister of Finance. I am perplexed as to how, now in opposition, you seem to have all the answers as the Real Economist. But Calypsonian Beast has thrown some light on the matter. It is Politician’s Alzheimer’s – yuh memory bad!!
Permit me to offer my congratulations and best wishes on your bold and courageous move. It is always heartening when enthusiastic and competent young persons offer themselves in the interest of the service of we the people – as you described it, “an opportunity to do something more for the country. My interest, Madam, is in good governance. My concern is that those who offer themselves to hold high office in the service of we the people – whatever maybe their political alignment- are competent and will bring to the high office integrity and accountability.
Senator Bowen, we the people understand that politicians all over, opposition or in
government, elected or nominated, engage in the practice of POLITRICKS. However,
Senator, we the people expect our representatives to demonstrate a measure of
responsibility and respect for we the people. Responsibility and respect suggest, Sir, that
they should refrain from dragging this sensitive, fundamental and sacred matter of the
voter registration system into the gutter of “politricks”.
Hon. Minister, permit me to offer my solidarity and re-affirm my confidence in your competence and commitment as the Minister of Youth Empowerment. You are eminently qualified to hold that position both by training and experience. You are also an accomplished sportsman. No one knows better than yourself the opportunities that sport offers for self-advancement. And furthermore, Hon. Simmonds, we the people have expressed that confidence in you and have elected you to office.
So as we wrap up 2007, our question is mission accomplished for whose benefit? The National Stadium is clearly a monument to the Political Leader and Hon. Prime Minister – one that will burden Grenada dearly for years to come. The burden is on the back of Grenada and Grenadians. But who cares? The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister got his damn stadium!!
The Perspective comments on the outcome of the case against Fazel Sayed, a 35-year old Indian national charged with the murder of his wife, Gillian Celestine. Sayed had fled to England where he was arrested in July 2002 and spent more than three (3) years awaiting extradition to Grenada. He was convicted in April 2006 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Following hearing in the Court of Appeal, his sentence was reduced to 22 years to run from the day of his arrest in July 2002.
I read the NNP Perspective: Bills Passed in Parliament. The Perspective informed that the government continues to deliver on its promise of good governance. It then went on to elaborate on a number of bills passed in Parliament to facilitate accountability and transparency.
We are aware that the political culture that pervades Grenada and the rest of the Caribbean is one in which the “old boys’ club” prevails, favours are to be repaid and a blind eye turned to certain wrong-doings. It is also a numbers game which promotes “win at any cost”. Changing the political culture and political environment that characterizes Grenada is an enormous challenge but one that must be confronted if Grenada is to rise from the gutter politics into which it has been dragged. Among other things, it requires that leadership, at all levels, leads by example.
