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Keeping the cameras out of Parliament <DIV class=KonaBody yJQdZ="true">
THE EDITOR, Sir:
It is agreed that our Parliament, consisting of Government and Opposition members, is the head of this nation. It is also agreed that being a democratic Parliament, the Members are allowed to speak freely on issues, in Parliament. But, what in the world are they thinking, having the electronic media present at their "de-b-hates" and broadcasting to the nation, every hateful and disgusting happening-every insult, every accusation (false or true), every shameful or silly behaviour, every disrespectful word they say to each other?
I have one question: don't they have a Speaker anymore? And if so what role does he/she play? I know things have changed a whole lot since the old days, but shouldn't the Speaker be pounding that old gavel and ordering the "Honourable Members" to take their seats, if and when they get "out of order"?
By the way, the media will never broadcast that important handshake after the debate and the "NO hard feelings Bro. Let's have a drink." I think it would be great if the media representative(s) could, out of care for Jamaica, even invite the "Honourable Disputing Members" to shake hands for the cameras. That would send a good message to our nation, that you can disagree but still not be enemies.
Is not the present situation like having Mama and the Papa, the head of the household, fighting before their children, disrespecting each other, and then turning around and telling the children to live in peace and love one another, and most of all, don't fight? That might appear to be rank hypocrisy to many, a "do as I say but not as I do" kind of thing. Many parents have lost control of their children because of the example they set.
Dangerous example
In addition, aren't the parliamentarians setting a most dangerous example for the communities, that they represent, and indeed for the nation as a whole?
My first advice to them is, fight all you want, but not in front of the children or the nation! Are we to listen to them telling us that we must be tolerant with one another and live like brothers and sisters in our communities, regardless of what party they vote for? Sirs, Madams, Wake up! Your actions speak so loud we can't hear your words! Your constituents will see how you behave in Parliament, and therefore, you dare not tell them how to behave in their communities when they have a dispute. 'As the Parliament goes, so does the nation'.
My second and most urgent advice must be keep the cameras out of the Parliament. Do what you need to, and say what needs to be said, but not before the cameras.
I know that this is like appealing to Caesar about Caesar, but if our Honourable parliamentarians decide that they should "act up" in public, (just like unruly and bratty kids) then they are sending a wrong message not only to the young men and women living in this country, and to the little kids as well, but they should bear in mind that there are Jamaicans and others living aboard, who are very proud of this country, and who will not miss a single newscast if they can help it.
I am, etc.,
A concerned Jamaican </DIV>
THE EDITOR, Sir:
It is agreed that our Parliament, consisting of Government and Opposition members, is the head of this nation. It is also agreed that being a democratic Parliament, the Members are allowed to speak freely on issues, in Parliament. But, what in the world are they thinking, having the electronic media present at their "de-b-hates" and broadcasting to the nation, every hateful and disgusting happening-every insult, every accusation (false or true), every shameful or silly behaviour, every disrespectful word they say to each other?
I have one question: don't they have a Speaker anymore? And if so what role does he/she play? I know things have changed a whole lot since the old days, but shouldn't the Speaker be pounding that old gavel and ordering the "Honourable Members" to take their seats, if and when they get "out of order"?
By the way, the media will never broadcast that important handshake after the debate and the "NO hard feelings Bro. Let's have a drink." I think it would be great if the media representative(s) could, out of care for Jamaica, even invite the "Honourable Disputing Members" to shake hands for the cameras. That would send a good message to our nation, that you can disagree but still not be enemies.
Is not the present situation like having Mama and the Papa, the head of the household, fighting before their children, disrespecting each other, and then turning around and telling the children to live in peace and love one another, and most of all, don't fight? That might appear to be rank hypocrisy to many, a "do as I say but not as I do" kind of thing. Many parents have lost control of their children because of the example they set.
Dangerous example
In addition, aren't the parliamentarians setting a most dangerous example for the communities, that they represent, and indeed for the nation as a whole?
My first advice to them is, fight all you want, but not in front of the children or the nation! Are we to listen to them telling us that we must be tolerant with one another and live like brothers and sisters in our communities, regardless of what party they vote for? Sirs, Madams, Wake up! Your actions speak so loud we can't hear your words! Your constituents will see how you behave in Parliament, and therefore, you dare not tell them how to behave in their communities when they have a dispute. 'As the Parliament goes, so does the nation'.
My second and most urgent advice must be keep the cameras out of the Parliament. Do what you need to, and say what needs to be said, but not before the cameras.
I know that this is like appealing to Caesar about Caesar, but if our Honourable parliamentarians decide that they should "act up" in public, (just like unruly and bratty kids) then they are sending a wrong message not only to the young men and women living in this country, and to the little kids as well, but they should bear in mind that there are Jamaicans and others living aboard, who are very proud of this country, and who will not miss a single newscast if they can help it.
I am, etc.,
A concerned Jamaican </DIV>
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