Tweet
No need for harsh words at Jamaica
Story Created: Nov 27, 2013 at 10:21 PM ECT
Beginning with our Prime Minister’s tactless utterance in Jamaica “that Tri*nidad is no longer an ATM machine for the Caribbean”, political pomposity has been a hallmark of this Govern*ment.
There is little justification for offensive talk unless it boosts our ego and superiority complex; had National Secu*ri*ty Minister Gary Griffith simply con*-fined himself to the three or four valid grounds for deporting a visitor, and more importantly in a normal spoken tone, Ja*maica could have had little basis for complaining. Not long ago, I, too, had to show my return ticket to enter Barbados.
Griffith however indulged in a verbal rampage—“Trinidad is not a mall where people come and go as they like...”—sounding more like a rum shop orator, raising the rhetorical temperature, engaging our Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Dookeran, and his Jamaican counterpart and ludicrously leading to the PM sending him to Jamaica—merely to explain that the deportees did not satisfy the immigration officers of their bona fide visitor status.
Trinidad should regard Caricom people as our Caribbean brethren first and secondly as our customers, who provide year-round employment for thousands of Trinbagonians in our factories. We should not wait for a threatened boycott of T&T products.
On a personal note, I find the Jam*ai*cans a very friendly people. Although I had made several short visits to Jamai*ca over the years, I was better able to appreciate and enjoy the kind and friendly disposition of Jamaicans in all spheres of activity when spending a more relaxed vacation a few years ago.
From the immigration officer, the cus*toms and security staff at the airport, to the simple store clerk or coffee shop attendant, they were all friendly and made me feel welcome. It was as if an edict had come from on high, “This is a special visitor, take care of him”. My soft spot for Jamaicans has admittedly prompted this letter.
Michael J Williams
via e-mail
Story Created: Nov 27, 2013 at 10:21 PM ECT
Beginning with our Prime Minister’s tactless utterance in Jamaica “that Tri*nidad is no longer an ATM machine for the Caribbean”, political pomposity has been a hallmark of this Govern*ment.
There is little justification for offensive talk unless it boosts our ego and superiority complex; had National Secu*ri*ty Minister Gary Griffith simply con*-fined himself to the three or four valid grounds for deporting a visitor, and more importantly in a normal spoken tone, Ja*maica could have had little basis for complaining. Not long ago, I, too, had to show my return ticket to enter Barbados.
Griffith however indulged in a verbal rampage—“Trinidad is not a mall where people come and go as they like...”—sounding more like a rum shop orator, raising the rhetorical temperature, engaging our Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Dookeran, and his Jamaican counterpart and ludicrously leading to the PM sending him to Jamaica—merely to explain that the deportees did not satisfy the immigration officers of their bona fide visitor status.
Trinidad should regard Caricom people as our Caribbean brethren first and secondly as our customers, who provide year-round employment for thousands of Trinbagonians in our factories. We should not wait for a threatened boycott of T&T products.
On a personal note, I find the Jam*ai*cans a very friendly people. Although I had made several short visits to Jamai*ca over the years, I was better able to appreciate and enjoy the kind and friendly disposition of Jamaicans in all spheres of activity when spending a more relaxed vacation a few years ago.
From the immigration officer, the cus*toms and security staff at the airport, to the simple store clerk or coffee shop attendant, they were all friendly and made me feel welcome. It was as if an edict had come from on high, “This is a special visitor, take care of him”. My soft spot for Jamaicans has admittedly prompted this letter.
Michael J Williams
via e-mail
Comment