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Cry, beloved country
Lloyd B Smith
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
A man's reputation is what other people think of him, his character is what he really is."
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln
THE current "bangarang" surrounding the prime minister and JLP leader Bruce Golding with respect to how he has handled the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips affair as well as issues with respect to the United States extradition request for Christopher "Dudus" Coke all boils down to the character of our chief servant.
Mr Golding's detractors have repeatedly pointed to Mr Edward Seaga's (right) earlier assessment that the Golden One did not have the stomach for tough leadership and was indecisive.
Mr Golding's detractors have repeatedly pointed to Mr Edward Seaga's (right) earlier assessment that the Golden One did not have the stomach for tough leadership and was indecisive.
1/1
Of course, in today's Jamaica, character means very little. It is money and power that matter. However, it is instructive to remind ourselves that any self-respecting, civilised country that does not demand good character of its political leadership is destined to become a failed state. Character matters.
Barbara White in her book, Seven Qualities of a Good Leader, points out: "A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honesty and integrity. A good leader "walks the talk" and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads."
Bruce Golding came to power on a platform of change and thus set a very high bar, not only for himself but the government and party that he leads. Two wrongs do not make a right, so to use the Trafigura affair which occurred during the People's National Party's 18-year rule as a means of excusing Golding for this latest transgression is disingenuous and merely designed to score cheap political points.
A man of character must possess and exude moral force and integrity. Mr Golding's detractors have repeatedly pointed to Mr Edward Seaga's earlier assessment of his then presumed successor in which he stated inter alia that the Golden One did not have the stomach for tough leadership and was indecisive. Perhaps this is what might have inspired Mr Seaga to have sought to introduce character education in the school system. Values and attitudes must be taught in an environment where there has been an absence of character-building through parental intervention, community reinforcement and exemplary leadership. After all, it has been said that "character is like the foundation of a house - it is below the surface."
If Mr Golding was a man of character he would have done the right thing and resigned from his post as prime minister. This is irrefutable. What has happened is that he is being held hostage in his own party because, should he go, there would be a domino effect, especially for those whose fortunes are at this time inextricably bound with his being seen as the chief distributor of scarce benefits and spoils. Some don't want to lose their posh jobs that come with a variety of privileges while others are the beneficiaries of contracts and privileged positions which would dissipate should Golding call it a day. Throw in the overwhelming influence as well as affluence of West Kingston strongman Christopher "Dudus" Coke and the picture becomes even more "clearly unclear". Note with interest that the prime minister's wife, Mrs Lorna Golding, has been reported as saying that her dear husband cannot reveal everything. In other words, "water more than flour".
In a more informed society where democratic principles are upheld and principle takes precedence over everything else, Mr Golding's resignation would have been an inevitable consequence of his behaviour in the House of Parliament when he sought to answer questions raised by the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips affair. However, this is Jamaica where dreams may come to die and where party politics and narrow sectoral interests take precedence over the people's business and principled leadership.
I wonder what Mr Golding says to his children when they ask him about this sordid affair? And what legacy does he wish to leave for his grandchildren? Does character matter no more in the cut and thrust of our parliamentary democracy? Is the JLP more important to Mr. Golding than the people whom he was elected to serve? I was more than perturbed to hear Information Minister Douglas Vaz asserting that if he knows Mr. Golding then he would be putting his party at the centre of his deliberations (or words to that effect). The chickens have indeed come home to roost. Where is the statesmanship in all of this? Where is the display of good character?
Those people in the JLP who see no wrong in what has transpired with Mr Golding and therefore feel that he should not resign or apologise to the Jamaican nation have done a great injustice to this country and have exhibited a level of contempt unprecedented in the history of Jamaican politics. Their very body language and the way that they treated members of the Press, after and during that Ocho Rios meeting, was most despicable. In the same way that a green-clad woman claiming to be a member of the Shower Posse verbally chastised journalists at the gate of Vale Royal, the prime minister's residence. "O judgment thou art fled to brutish beasts and men have lost their reason!"
Lest Mr Golding forget: "A man's character is his fate." (Heraclitus.)
Hiding behind technicalities and using all kinds of obfuscatory tactics in order to create a smokescreen are acts of deception and dishonesty that must not be condoned by well-thinking Jamaicans. Let us call a spade a spade. A spade is not a shovel. The JLP hierarchy needs to recognise that the Jamaican people both here and abroad are hurting. They are disappointed and disenchanted because Bruce Golding was seen as the last man standing who would bring about meaningful change on the political landscape. Do they realise that there has been a betrayal of trust? Are they aware that many Jamaicans, including supporters of the PNP, voted for the JLP because of what they had perceived about Mr Golding being a man of strong character?
The only reason the people of this country have not taken to the streets is they do not see a credible alternative at this stage of the political process. And the JLP leadership knows this, which is why they are treating the Jamaican populace as "fool-fool" and can be easily manipulated in the context of this scandal being subject to the nine-day-wonder syndrome.
What has emanated so far from the JLP and the Golding administration is collective irresponsibility. Indeed, they may have won the battle but will most certainly lose the war. Cry, beloved country!
Lloyd B Smith
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
A man's reputation is what other people think of him, his character is what he really is."
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln
THE current "bangarang" surrounding the prime minister and JLP leader Bruce Golding with respect to how he has handled the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips affair as well as issues with respect to the United States extradition request for Christopher "Dudus" Coke all boils down to the character of our chief servant.
Mr Golding's detractors have repeatedly pointed to Mr Edward Seaga's (right) earlier assessment that the Golden One did not have the stomach for tough leadership and was indecisive.
Mr Golding's detractors have repeatedly pointed to Mr Edward Seaga's (right) earlier assessment that the Golden One did not have the stomach for tough leadership and was indecisive. 1/1 Of course, in today's Jamaica, character means very little. It is money and power that matter. However, it is instructive to remind ourselves that any self-respecting, civilised country that does not demand good character of its political leadership is destined to become a failed state. Character matters.
Barbara White in her book, Seven Qualities of a Good Leader, points out: "A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honesty and integrity. A good leader "walks the talk" and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads."
Bruce Golding came to power on a platform of change and thus set a very high bar, not only for himself but the government and party that he leads. Two wrongs do not make a right, so to use the Trafigura affair which occurred during the People's National Party's 18-year rule as a means of excusing Golding for this latest transgression is disingenuous and merely designed to score cheap political points.
A man of character must possess and exude moral force and integrity. Mr Golding's detractors have repeatedly pointed to Mr Edward Seaga's earlier assessment of his then presumed successor in which he stated inter alia that the Golden One did not have the stomach for tough leadership and was indecisive. Perhaps this is what might have inspired Mr Seaga to have sought to introduce character education in the school system. Values and attitudes must be taught in an environment where there has been an absence of character-building through parental intervention, community reinforcement and exemplary leadership. After all, it has been said that "character is like the foundation of a house - it is below the surface."
If Mr Golding was a man of character he would have done the right thing and resigned from his post as prime minister. This is irrefutable. What has happened is that he is being held hostage in his own party because, should he go, there would be a domino effect, especially for those whose fortunes are at this time inextricably bound with his being seen as the chief distributor of scarce benefits and spoils. Some don't want to lose their posh jobs that come with a variety of privileges while others are the beneficiaries of contracts and privileged positions which would dissipate should Golding call it a day. Throw in the overwhelming influence as well as affluence of West Kingston strongman Christopher "Dudus" Coke and the picture becomes even more "clearly unclear". Note with interest that the prime minister's wife, Mrs Lorna Golding, has been reported as saying that her dear husband cannot reveal everything. In other words, "water more than flour".
In a more informed society where democratic principles are upheld and principle takes precedence over everything else, Mr Golding's resignation would have been an inevitable consequence of his behaviour in the House of Parliament when he sought to answer questions raised by the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips affair. However, this is Jamaica where dreams may come to die and where party politics and narrow sectoral interests take precedence over the people's business and principled leadership.
I wonder what Mr Golding says to his children when they ask him about this sordid affair? And what legacy does he wish to leave for his grandchildren? Does character matter no more in the cut and thrust of our parliamentary democracy? Is the JLP more important to Mr. Golding than the people whom he was elected to serve? I was more than perturbed to hear Information Minister Douglas Vaz asserting that if he knows Mr. Golding then he would be putting his party at the centre of his deliberations (or words to that effect). The chickens have indeed come home to roost. Where is the statesmanship in all of this? Where is the display of good character?
Those people in the JLP who see no wrong in what has transpired with Mr Golding and therefore feel that he should not resign or apologise to the Jamaican nation have done a great injustice to this country and have exhibited a level of contempt unprecedented in the history of Jamaican politics. Their very body language and the way that they treated members of the Press, after and during that Ocho Rios meeting, was most despicable. In the same way that a green-clad woman claiming to be a member of the Shower Posse verbally chastised journalists at the gate of Vale Royal, the prime minister's residence. "O judgment thou art fled to brutish beasts and men have lost their reason!"
Lest Mr Golding forget: "A man's character is his fate." (Heraclitus.)
Hiding behind technicalities and using all kinds of obfuscatory tactics in order to create a smokescreen are acts of deception and dishonesty that must not be condoned by well-thinking Jamaicans. Let us call a spade a spade. A spade is not a shovel. The JLP hierarchy needs to recognise that the Jamaican people both here and abroad are hurting. They are disappointed and disenchanted because Bruce Golding was seen as the last man standing who would bring about meaningful change on the political landscape. Do they realise that there has been a betrayal of trust? Are they aware that many Jamaicans, including supporters of the PNP, voted for the JLP because of what they had perceived about Mr Golding being a man of strong character?
The only reason the people of this country have not taken to the streets is they do not see a credible alternative at this stage of the political process. And the JLP leadership knows this, which is why they are treating the Jamaican populace as "fool-fool" and can be easily manipulated in the context of this scandal being subject to the nine-day-wonder syndrome.
What has emanated so far from the JLP and the Golding administration is collective irresponsibility. Indeed, they may have won the battle but will most certainly lose the war. Cry, beloved country!