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Please Forgive Me
Published: Tuesday | May 25, 20100 Comments and 0 Reactions
Robinson
Gordon Robinson, Contributor
The prime minister wants our trust and forgiveness. Some wonder, should they oblige? In his own words, the many mouths of Bruce will answer:
Opposition Leader Bruce Golding (October 10, 2006) on Trafigura:
After he referred to a meeting with "Government officials at the highest level" attended by Trafigura president, Claude Dauphin, on August 23, 2006,
"Who attended that meeting with Mr Dauphin? Was the prime minister in that meeting? Was Mr (Robert) Pickersgill in that meeting? Were arrangements worked out at that meeting for contributions to be made to the PNP, and what were those arrangements?"
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (May 11, 2010) on Manatt:
"Dr Ronald Robinson, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and (JLP) deputy general secretary, while on a private visit to Washington, was invited by Mr Brady to attend a meeting at the State Department but declined ... . He did attend an informal meeting between Mr Brady and a representative of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips on November 20 to discuss the matters in relation to which the firm had been retained."
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (May 11, 2010) on the justice minister's duty:
"The Government maintains that the information presented in support of this particular request is unacceptable because it's been used in violation of Jamaican law and in contravention of the expressed order of a (Supreme Court) Judge. For the minister to ignore this violation and issue the authorisation to proceed would be to condone and legitimise this violation and would be a dereliction of duty."
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, (May 17, 2010) on the justice minister's duty:
"I wrestled with the potential conflict between the issues of non-compliance ... and the unavoidable perception that ... the government's position was politically contrived. I felt that ... fairness and justice shouldn't be sacrificed in order to avoid that perception. In the final analysis, however, that must be weighed against the public mistrust that this matter has evoked and the destabilising effect it's having on the nation's business. Accordingly, the minister of justice, in consideration of all the factors, will sign the authorisation for the extradition process to commence."
In six days, a 'dereliction of duty' becomes a 'destabilising effect'.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (Tues-day May 11, 2010):
"Some argue that this is a matter for the Courts and not the minister to determine. They are wrong!"
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (May 17, 2010):
"... the minister of justice ... will sign the authorisation for the extradition process to commence."
Don't forget the Bruce Golding who, as JLP shadow finance minister, in the 1995 budget debate, told Parliament, "Separation of powers was a nice, acade-mic concept completely unsuitable for Jamaica but who, within a year, founded a new party on the fundamental platform of separation of powers:"
NDM President Bruce Golding (September 2, 1999):
"I was associated with gunmen. But being associated with gunmen isn't a criminal offence." And -
"For example, guns to Spanish Town are like what fish are to Old Harbour Bay. They're there and they're brought into play at elections and we know that." But -
"I can say quite boldly that there was nothing in which I was involved that involved any criminal activity ..."
Bruce Golding (February 25, 2000) when asked "Would you ever consider rejoining the JLP?"
"No! The JLP's determination to retain much of the old political order isn't something I could ever accept again."
Bruce Golding's MOU priorities on rejoining the JLP (September 2002):
" Re-examine the issue of separation of powers and ensure that it's placed before the people in a referendum as an option.
Develop practical initiatives to eliminate political tribalism and garrison politics."
Still waiting? By thy deeds ...
NDM president Bruce Golding (July 1999) on solutions:
"The NDM remains committed to ... fundamental political and constitutional changes ... rejecting the notion that the country's problems can be solved by simply removing the PNP from office."
Opposition leader Bruce Golding on trust and solutions (October 17, 2006; Trafigura debate):
"A government cannot function without that trust. It's necessary to refer the matter to the ultimate arbiters! It's time to go back to the people!"
Prime Minister Bruce Golding on trust and solutions (May 17, 2010):
"I'm aware that trust can only be restored by forgiveness and atonement." This being followed immediately by a request for forgiveness minus any offer of atonement except for a bare, facile apology. The speech sounded good. He looked sincere. But sounding good and looking sincere are 'Driva's' specialties. He's been there, done that. Should we forgive? Trust? You decide.
Peace and Love
Published: Tuesday | May 25, 20100 Comments and 0 Reactions
Robinson
Gordon Robinson, Contributor
The prime minister wants our trust and forgiveness. Some wonder, should they oblige? In his own words, the many mouths of Bruce will answer:
Opposition Leader Bruce Golding (October 10, 2006) on Trafigura:
After he referred to a meeting with "Government officials at the highest level" attended by Trafigura president, Claude Dauphin, on August 23, 2006,
"Who attended that meeting with Mr Dauphin? Was the prime minister in that meeting? Was Mr (Robert) Pickersgill in that meeting? Were arrangements worked out at that meeting for contributions to be made to the PNP, and what were those arrangements?"
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (May 11, 2010) on Manatt:
"Dr Ronald Robinson, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and (JLP) deputy general secretary, while on a private visit to Washington, was invited by Mr Brady to attend a meeting at the State Department but declined ... . He did attend an informal meeting between Mr Brady and a representative of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips on November 20 to discuss the matters in relation to which the firm had been retained."
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (May 11, 2010) on the justice minister's duty:
"The Government maintains that the information presented in support of this particular request is unacceptable because it's been used in violation of Jamaican law and in contravention of the expressed order of a (Supreme Court) Judge. For the minister to ignore this violation and issue the authorisation to proceed would be to condone and legitimise this violation and would be a dereliction of duty."
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, (May 17, 2010) on the justice minister's duty:
"I wrestled with the potential conflict between the issues of non-compliance ... and the unavoidable perception that ... the government's position was politically contrived. I felt that ... fairness and justice shouldn't be sacrificed in order to avoid that perception. In the final analysis, however, that must be weighed against the public mistrust that this matter has evoked and the destabilising effect it's having on the nation's business. Accordingly, the minister of justice, in consideration of all the factors, will sign the authorisation for the extradition process to commence."
In six days, a 'dereliction of duty' becomes a 'destabilising effect'.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (Tues-day May 11, 2010):
"Some argue that this is a matter for the Courts and not the minister to determine. They are wrong!"
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (May 17, 2010):
"... the minister of justice ... will sign the authorisation for the extradition process to commence."
Don't forget the Bruce Golding who, as JLP shadow finance minister, in the 1995 budget debate, told Parliament, "Separation of powers was a nice, acade-mic concept completely unsuitable for Jamaica but who, within a year, founded a new party on the fundamental platform of separation of powers:"
NDM President Bruce Golding (September 2, 1999):
"I was associated with gunmen. But being associated with gunmen isn't a criminal offence." And -
"For example, guns to Spanish Town are like what fish are to Old Harbour Bay. They're there and they're brought into play at elections and we know that." But -
"I can say quite boldly that there was nothing in which I was involved that involved any criminal activity ..."
Bruce Golding (February 25, 2000) when asked "Would you ever consider rejoining the JLP?"
"No! The JLP's determination to retain much of the old political order isn't something I could ever accept again."
Bruce Golding's MOU priorities on rejoining the JLP (September 2002):
" Re-examine the issue of separation of powers and ensure that it's placed before the people in a referendum as an option.
Develop practical initiatives to eliminate political tribalism and garrison politics."
Still waiting? By thy deeds ...
NDM president Bruce Golding (July 1999) on solutions:
"The NDM remains committed to ... fundamental political and constitutional changes ... rejecting the notion that the country's problems can be solved by simply removing the PNP from office."
Opposition leader Bruce Golding on trust and solutions (October 17, 2006; Trafigura debate):
"A government cannot function without that trust. It's necessary to refer the matter to the ultimate arbiters! It's time to go back to the people!"
Prime Minister Bruce Golding on trust and solutions (May 17, 2010):
"I'm aware that trust can only be restored by forgiveness and atonement." This being followed immediately by a request for forgiveness minus any offer of atonement except for a bare, facile apology. The speech sounded good. He looked sincere. But sounding good and looking sincere are 'Driva's' specialties. He's been there, done that. Should we forgive? Trust? You decide.
Peace and Love
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