Tweet
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Hoisted by their own petard</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Christopher Burns
Monday, March 19, 2007
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>"I am very impressed with what I have seen and I am impressed with the facilities," remarked Malcolm Speed, CEO of the International Cricket Council. "This opening ceremony is by far the best. This is world-class," said veteran West Indian cricket commentator Tony Cozier.<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=70 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Christopher Burns </SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>"Cricket's ninth World Cup has been officially opened with a spectacular Caribbean ceremony showcasing the best of West Indian musical talent," graced the front page of the internet edition of BBC News International.<P class=StoryText align=justify>As great as these comments may be, they are still mild in comparison to the triumphant smiles on the faces of most Jamaicans, because this occasion has given us another reason to feel proud. We stepped up to the plate and showed the entire world that "wi little, but wi tallawah".<P class=StoryText align=justify>This column extends congratulations and thanks to everyone, especially the hundreds of talented school children and community activists who volunteered, to the various artistes and performers, for making the opening ceremony a true "boonoonoonoos" affair. This column also says special thanks to Robert Bryan, Martin Lewis, Chris Dehring and other LOC members for delivering as promised.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In the midst of the jubilation and moments of level-headed nationalistic fervour, however, are pockets of malevolent political twits who, despite being hoisted by their own petard last Sunday, are still pouring cold water on the significance of our achievement.<P class=StoryText align=justify>They should be ashamed of themselves because, instead of the bombshells of governmental embarrassment and failure they were hoping for, reactions to Jamaica's handling of the opening ceremony and to the splendid surroundings at Sabina Park have been numerous and thrillingly positive.<P class=StoryText align=justify>So disappointed were some that one talk-show host, known for his fondness for arriving at philosophies of his own (all of which are made up of his private notations and cynicisms), began his programme the day after the opening ceremony with a contemptuous dismissal of the successful opening ceremony.<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=330 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Part of the spectacular opening ceremony of CWC 2007 in Trelawny. </SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>With predictable and spiteful sarcasm, he moved to diminish the overwhelming accolades the country has been getting. Unable to contain his distress, he grumbled, "Well, the opening ceremony took place last night, but there are more important things to talk about." He then went on to talk about himself. While this host is well within his rights to determine what is or isn't important, I am sure a disastrous opening ceremony would have become his celebratory mantra. Then again, jackass said, "The world nuh level."<P class=StoryText align=justify>It is also simply astonishing that as great as things have gone and are going, some people, mostly mean-spirited political nitwits, are still unable to control their disappointment. They are obviously disappointed because their hopes for failure did not mater
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Christopher Burns
Monday, March 19, 2007
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>"I am very impressed with what I have seen and I am impressed with the facilities," remarked Malcolm Speed, CEO of the International Cricket Council. "This opening ceremony is by far the best. This is world-class," said veteran West Indian cricket commentator Tony Cozier.<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=70 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Christopher Burns </SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>"Cricket's ninth World Cup has been officially opened with a spectacular Caribbean ceremony showcasing the best of West Indian musical talent," graced the front page of the internet edition of BBC News International.<P class=StoryText align=justify>As great as these comments may be, they are still mild in comparison to the triumphant smiles on the faces of most Jamaicans, because this occasion has given us another reason to feel proud. We stepped up to the plate and showed the entire world that "wi little, but wi tallawah".<P class=StoryText align=justify>This column extends congratulations and thanks to everyone, especially the hundreds of talented school children and community activists who volunteered, to the various artistes and performers, for making the opening ceremony a true "boonoonoonoos" affair. This column also says special thanks to Robert Bryan, Martin Lewis, Chris Dehring and other LOC members for delivering as promised.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In the midst of the jubilation and moments of level-headed nationalistic fervour, however, are pockets of malevolent political twits who, despite being hoisted by their own petard last Sunday, are still pouring cold water on the significance of our achievement.<P class=StoryText align=justify>They should be ashamed of themselves because, instead of the bombshells of governmental embarrassment and failure they were hoping for, reactions to Jamaica's handling of the opening ceremony and to the splendid surroundings at Sabina Park have been numerous and thrillingly positive.<P class=StoryText align=justify>So disappointed were some that one talk-show host, known for his fondness for arriving at philosophies of his own (all of which are made up of his private notations and cynicisms), began his programme the day after the opening ceremony with a contemptuous dismissal of the successful opening ceremony.<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=330 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Part of the spectacular opening ceremony of CWC 2007 in Trelawny. </SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>With predictable and spiteful sarcasm, he moved to diminish the overwhelming accolades the country has been getting. Unable to contain his distress, he grumbled, "Well, the opening ceremony took place last night, but there are more important things to talk about." He then went on to talk about himself. While this host is well within his rights to determine what is or isn't important, I am sure a disastrous opening ceremony would have become his celebratory mantra. Then again, jackass said, "The world nuh level."<P class=StoryText align=justify>It is also simply astonishing that as great as things have gone and are going, some people, mostly mean-spirited political nitwits, are still unable to control their disappointment. They are obviously disappointed because their hopes for failure did not mater