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Nelson has the best lines so far:
"I only know Mr Coke from media reports. I hear he is a prominent resident of West Kingston"
"You wanna piece of me?"
Brown Man Time ah di bes!!!!
And the Dudus/Manatt Oscar goes to...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Histrionics has shared the spotlight with substance during the sessions of the Commission of Enquiry on the Dudus/Manatt affair.
No judicial proceedings have held the Jamaican public so spellbound since the O J Simpson trial. Avid viewers watch it live and some, like soap opera devotees, watch the replays as well. Local TV coverage only lacks theme music such as that from the Perry Mason series.
The egotism of lawyers and nihilism of politicians run rampant and unrepentant over the pursuit of truth in the proceedings. It has become the television equivalent of the social pages. It does not get any better for the lawyers who are making a fortune and getting the free advertisement which their profession still foolishly prohibits, and for a case in which they cannot lose. Mr K D Knight will have more cases than he can possibly handle at the expense of Miss Dorothy Lightbourne.
It is a win-win for the lawyers, inducing them to postpone the business of their other clients while increasing the backlog of court cases. Participation in the hearings is mostly about being seen. Indeed, not being seen at the commission hearings is a loss of status symbol.
Those hearings are Jamaica's version of the awards ceremony of the Oscars. Dudus/Manatt Awards could be given for the most dishonest witness, best attorney in a full-length feature and best supporting attorney. Performances could also be subdivided into tragedy (Minister Lightbourne), comedy (Chairman Emil George) and drama (K D Knight). Lifetime awards could be given to Mr Frank Phipps and Dr Lloyd Barnett.
There is tragedy in that supposedly busy government ministers find time, so much time, to sit in. For example, the minister of sports and culture is there, immaculately coiffured and attired in politically correct shades; the crime-fighting minister of national security should understand that the Dudus hearings are not a threat to national security 
; the minister of state for foreign affairs maintains a smiling presence behind the embattled Attorney-General Lightbourne, suggesting an absence of important international affairs to attend to.
Some of the unemployed party hacks with looks of befuddlement are sent to be vociferous supporters of the political parties. These supporters do what they do best: behave violently, reducing the proceedings from verbal abuse to physical brawl.
Some who represent nobody and have been retired from active politics by their parties attend. These gainfully unemployed are willing to drive in from deep rural on a daily basis.
The art of being seen is to sit behind whomever the cameras will be panning on a given day. This is necessary if your national prominence is more imaginary than real and your political party does not even have one parish council seat. Their pleasure of being is barely concealed as there is no pretence at being concerned.
The photo opportunity is not lost on a raft of ex-ministers and top advisors, lawyers all, a picture of sartorial elegance, pleased to be in the public eye: in a sort of cameo appearance.
The Dudus/Manatt Commission gets the award for the best daytime soap opera. The choice for best actor/actress among the political and legal thespians is a difficult one.
But (drum roll) the Oscar for Best Actor goes to... the personality who best exemplifies honesty and person speaking the truth.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/edito...#ixzz1GUcA9O00
"I only know Mr Coke from media reports. I hear he is a prominent resident of West Kingston"
"You wanna piece of me?"
Brown Man Time ah di bes!!!!
And the Dudus/Manatt Oscar goes to...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Histrionics has shared the spotlight with substance during the sessions of the Commission of Enquiry on the Dudus/Manatt affair.
No judicial proceedings have held the Jamaican public so spellbound since the O J Simpson trial. Avid viewers watch it live and some, like soap opera devotees, watch the replays as well. Local TV coverage only lacks theme music such as that from the Perry Mason series.
The egotism of lawyers and nihilism of politicians run rampant and unrepentant over the pursuit of truth in the proceedings. It has become the television equivalent of the social pages. It does not get any better for the lawyers who are making a fortune and getting the free advertisement which their profession still foolishly prohibits, and for a case in which they cannot lose. Mr K D Knight will have more cases than he can possibly handle at the expense of Miss Dorothy Lightbourne.
It is a win-win for the lawyers, inducing them to postpone the business of their other clients while increasing the backlog of court cases. Participation in the hearings is mostly about being seen. Indeed, not being seen at the commission hearings is a loss of status symbol.
Those hearings are Jamaica's version of the awards ceremony of the Oscars. Dudus/Manatt Awards could be given for the most dishonest witness, best attorney in a full-length feature and best supporting attorney. Performances could also be subdivided into tragedy (Minister Lightbourne), comedy (Chairman Emil George) and drama (K D Knight). Lifetime awards could be given to Mr Frank Phipps and Dr Lloyd Barnett.
There is tragedy in that supposedly busy government ministers find time, so much time, to sit in. For example, the minister of sports and culture is there, immaculately coiffured and attired in politically correct shades; the crime-fighting minister of national security should understand that the Dudus hearings are not a threat to national security
; the minister of state for foreign affairs maintains a smiling presence behind the embattled Attorney-General Lightbourne, suggesting an absence of important international affairs to attend to.Some of the unemployed party hacks with looks of befuddlement are sent to be vociferous supporters of the political parties. These supporters do what they do best: behave violently, reducing the proceedings from verbal abuse to physical brawl.
Some who represent nobody and have been retired from active politics by their parties attend. These gainfully unemployed are willing to drive in from deep rural on a daily basis.
The art of being seen is to sit behind whomever the cameras will be panning on a given day. This is necessary if your national prominence is more imaginary than real and your political party does not even have one parish council seat. Their pleasure of being is barely concealed as there is no pretence at being concerned.
The photo opportunity is not lost on a raft of ex-ministers and top advisors, lawyers all, a picture of sartorial elegance, pleased to be in the public eye: in a sort of cameo appearance.
The Dudus/Manatt Commission gets the award for the best daytime soap opera. The choice for best actor/actress among the political and legal thespians is a difficult one.
But (drum roll) the Oscar for Best Actor goes to... the personality who best exemplifies honesty and person speaking the truth.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/edito...#ixzz1GUcA9O00
