Welcome to Trafiguragate - Barbara Gloudon

[Karl]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Welcome to Trafiguragate</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Barbara Gloudon
Friday, October 13, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=80 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Barbara Gloudon</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>THIS HAS BEEN a week of weeks, my friend. So, as the meeting is called to order, I urge you to pay attention as the roll is called.<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One bank account's confidentiality invaded<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One whistle-blower's identity unconfirmed<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One politician out of work<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One politician wiping egg off his face<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One prime minister severely embarrassed<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One Dutch oil trading company wondering what the hell it was doing when it believed the slogan "Jamaica, no problem"<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One Opposition leader praying "For what we have received, we give thee thanks, oh Lord, but no Amen yet, please, till my kingdom come."<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One journalism corps salivating at the story of a lifetime<P class=StoryText align=justify>. One nation of Jamaican people weary of politicking and politricking<P class=StoryText align=justify>Welcome to Trafiguragate, the biggest-littlest political sleight of hand, fast developing into another "mother of all scandals". With the scenario changing with the speed of a shape-shifter, with the thousands of words pouring out of press conferences and news breaks and talk radio, what is left for poor me to do but to go off and conduct a little Vox Pop of my own. I know what I am thinking, but what are other people saying?<P class=StoryText align=justify>Let me serve warning that my poll has none of the history and scientific accreditation of those others. I don't even have a margin for error. Forgive me. My sample group was comprised of people of such rectitude that error is not even in their vocabulary. Here's what they said:<P class=StoryText align=justify>1)This is good for democracy. Corruption - and government corruption especially - has no place in a democratic society. You ask what about the breaching of confidentiality in the bank? Yes, it is serious, but no way as serious as a foreign company doing business with the government and entering into arrangements with a member of their circle.<P class=StoryText align=justify>2) Two wrongs don't make a right. You may say the ends justify the means but that is not good enough. There are implications for the future in all that's been going on. The issues of campaign financing and confidentiality in the banking sector both require urgent consideration.<P class=StoryText align=justify>3) The PNP is losing its moral compass. This is not the party of Norman Manley or Michael, for that matter. I'm not voting for them - or the JLP either. Right now I don't like any of them.<P class=StoryText align=justify>4) Don't kid yourself that all that's been going on is about any high morals. It's all about winning elections.<P class=StoryText align=justify>5) I'm intrigued by the efforts to drag Mr Patterson's name into it. Isn't he retired? Mrs Simpson Miller must deal with it. She's the prime minster now.<P class=StoryText align=justify>6) Whatta gwan? I don't understand. Who tief de money? You mean money don't tief? Then if not, what is the fuss about?<P class=StoryText align=justify>7) Don't dem sey dem was gwine do something bout how political party get election money? So what dem waiting for?<P class=StoryText align=justify>8) I don't have a thing to say except - too much

[Karl]

RE: Welcome to Trafiguragate - Barbara Gloudon

<DIV id=printReady>

ISSUE: No fiddling with the cash
published: Saturday | October 14, 2006 <DIV class=KonaBody>

<LI>Why return the money?

In an effort to relieve the party of so much pressure in the Trafigura affair, party leader Portia Simpson Miller, ordered that the $31 million donation be sent back to whence it came.

Now this may seem as the fair thing to do especially with the controversy surrounding campaign funding, but was it really the most practical thing to do? Does returning the money make the PNP any more innocent or reputable?

The Prime Minister should keep the money, disperse the funds to parish councils to fix roads and clean drains, keep it for disaster relief or preparedness measures, or better yet, pay nurses, teachers and police their much-deserved pay increase.

Already, we are seeing where Portia is thinking about her party before the island at large. Is this a sign of what's to come?

- Rohan Wright, rkw3000@yahoo.com, Mandeville <LI>No tunnel light

Roman history speaks about Emperor Nero 'fiddling while Rome burned'. I honestly can't see how the Prime Minister can refer to the Trafigura Beheer debacle, and its possible legal and political implications, as "cass cass". Now would be a good time to call on Shaggy's 'Strength of a woman'. We are not asking her to be rash, but we need to see her act decisively.

We have a ruling party entrenched in the tradition of protecting each other, regardless of public opinion. The more blatant the travesty of justice, the more clannish they get. The supporting cast comprises an opposition party so desperate and starved for power, that again the interest of the nation is secondary.

After 44 years of 'swapping black dog fi monkey', where is the light at the end of the tunnel? All I see is the oncoming train.

- Really Concerned, markar@jamweb.net</LI><LI>

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