JLP blasts Duncan's political record

[Sickko]

JLP blasts Duncan's political record
PAUL A REID, Observer writer
Monday, August 06, 2007


SANDY BAY, Hanover - Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie has warned residents in Hanover to vote for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the upcoming general elections or suffer the consequences.
Addressing supporters at a rally in Sandy Bay in the parish Friday night, Mckenzie said neither of the People's National Party's (PNP) candidates, DK Duncan in Eastern Hanover, nor Ian Hayles in Western Hanover, meant them any good and were only seeking power.
But McKenzie reserved most of his venom for Duncan describing him as having a dark past and saying he would bring "terror and dishonesty" to the parish.
He told the large crowd not to laugh at Duncan's chances, saying the PNP candidate "was a part of a system that destroyed" Jamaica.
"He was a part of a system that brought terror, that brought fear in the hearts and the homes of Jamaican people," McKenzie said.
According to the Kingston mayor, Duncan "presided over a ministry that was called the Ministry of Mobilisation that was there to terrorise poor people".
"Here is a man with a radical background, a man who up until today has not repented for the sins, for the crimes that he has committed against the Jamaican people," McKenzie said.
The PNP, McKenzie said, had taken Duncan "out of the junkyard, used a vacuum cleaner and vacuumed him down, put a coat of orange paint on him" and imposed "him on the people of Eastern Hanover".
"[He needs] to tell the Jamaican people why he presided over a ministry that was of great concern to all Jamaicans, ask him to explain the movie that he starred in Spanish Town in the 1980 general elections, ask him why (former PNP president and Prime Minister) Michael Manley run him out of the PNP. Ask him why. one of the safest PNP seats in Kingston and St Andrew. he had to run leave that Constituency," McKenzie said.
Friday night, the mayor also told the voters in Hanover to ask Duncan "what role he played for another party in the 1997 general elections".
Duncan was an advisor to Bruce Golding while he was president of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), leading up to and during the 1997 general elections.
McKenzie warned the voters not to elect Duncan saying, "the same level of terror and dishonesty that he brought in Kingston is the same thing him gwine deliver pon you here if you make the mistake to make him the MP."
The mayor was also dismissive of Hayles, saying he was dishonest as he told people everywhere he went that he was born in that parish.
"If he saw the truth naked in front of him he would not know the truth and that is what the PNP has sent to Western Hanover," Mckenzie said.
"Him is not a Comrade. Him wasn't even a true Labourite, but is a man who love power and will do anything possible, humanly possible to hold on to power," the mayor added.
The Sandy Bay rally marked the end of the JLP's week-long tour of western Jamaica. The tour began in Savanna-La-Mar last Sunday, moved to Falmouth on Tuesday, and Cambridge on Thursday before making its way to Hanover on Friday.

[Sickko]

Now we are back to the politics of the 1980s where the JLp tried to scare voters with talk of communism and gun ships off shore with cannons pointed at the country.

What McKenzie never told the crowd in Sandy Bay was despite Duncan's alleged atrocities under the PNP, Golding saw nothing wrong in hiring him as his personal advisor while he ran the NDM.

Also he never told the crowd that Ian Hayles who he called a Mickey Mouse was also on the fast track in the G2K and the Labour party before he left and was not thrown out as he said Duncan was.

What about the JLP people who were thrown out but invited to light candles, sing sankies and find their ways back home...

A classic case of dodging the entire truth...and politicians being politicians

[Assasin]

when a politics time the fools come out eeehhh.

Anything to get that vote? I rather pay attention to the real issues because enough people have change sides and have take advantages of oppurtunities on both sides and I don't see nothing wrong with that. They have a right to change them mind.

[Willi]

Now we are back to the politics of the 1980s where the JLp tried to scare voters with talk of communism and gun ships off shore with cannons pointed at the country.

What McKenzie never told the crowd in Sandy Bay was despite Duncan's alleged atrocities under the PNP, Golding saw nothing wrong in hiring him as his personal advisor while he ran the NDM.

Also he never told the crowd that Ian Hayles who he called a Mickey Mouse was also on the fast track in the G2K and the Labour party before he left and was not thrown out as he said Duncan was.

What about the JLP people who were thrown out but invited to light candles, sing sankies and find their ways back home...

A classic case of dodging the entire truth...and politicians being politicians

LoL

True.

The vibesmasters have foot in mouth disease!

[Lazie]

Laugh yes Willi. A last week we a hear how a him people waan fi hear and how Bruce boring. Now this.

Apparently the mayor realize what the people want to hear.

[Exile]

Hmm..is this the movie when he drew his 9mm when they came to kill Michael Manley in Spanish Town.? Ok then.

[Willi]

Hmm..is this the movie when he drew his 9mm when they came to kill Michael Manley in Spanish Town.? Ok then.

No exile, I am from there and there is blame to go on all sides for this.

PNP gave as much as they received, indeed many say they precipitated it, as they were convinced that they were about to be attacked. There was a lot of unnecessary presumptions and escalations, as all sides were psyched up to prepare for war.

DK was in violation of Jakan law to even have a gun at a political rally.

Manley was warned at the gates of the town that trouble would be brewing and he consciously decided to go take it on. No one was backing down and it was gunshot, sirens and helicopters the whole night, the whole damn night. We felt like we were in Beirut!

Now I look back at how immature and reckless ALL our politicians were then. No need for rose lenses for any of them as none had clean hands!

Orville Taylor wrote a good article on our PMs yesterday. I will post it.

[Willi]

Numbering our leaders
published: Sunday | August 5, 2007


Orville Taylor, Contributor
We are 45 tomorrow. Let's evaluate our political leaders since Independence.
Geriatric Alexander Bustamante was the first. Rumoured to be a brother of Norman Washington Manley, that makes him the first child. In any event, as far as we know he was an only child. A single ruler, an autocrat, it was 'number one' or nothing. After joining the Jamaica Workmen and Tradesmen Union, he fought with its founders for control until he was ejected.

In opposition, he prodded Manley into a referendum in 1961, leading to the collapse of the West Indies Federation. The cliché "one from 10 leaves zero" clearly attributes the number one to him. This number-one status is, however, unmatched by performance. Elected on the back of Jamaican workers, he barely enacted any pro-worker laws the National Insurance Scheme originated under his watch. Quite significant, because in the Chinese numbers games, number one means grey hair.

Donald Sangster served for only two months before his untimely demise. Therefore, nothing can be said about his stewardship.

'Great black hope'
Hugh Shearer, the 'great black hope', presided over a period of strong investment and development. However, like Bustamante, he shortchanged the workers who elected him. His proposal of the Industrial Relations, and Termination of Employment Bills in 1971, was too little too late. To his credit, he lent Jamaica's voice to the anti-apartheid movement. His activism led to the United Nations General Assembly establishing International Human Rights Day in 1968.

Yet, ironically, he prevented Black Power movement founder Stokely Carmichael and University of the West Indies lecturer Walter Rodney from entering the country and suppressed many Afrocentric texts. In the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade, that is a strong indictment. Shearer's number is three. The third Prime Minister was born in 1923, became an active unionist in 1943, and represented the Jamaica Labour Party in three chambers - the parish council, Senate and House of Representatives. He oversaw the construction of three new alumina refineries and three large convention hotels. Interestingly, number three means loss of memory and Shearer died with Alzheimer's disease.

Social-oriented leader
The fourth member of his clan, Michael Manley, was born in 1924 and is Prime Minister number four. The most social-oriented leader in our history, he gave voting franchise to the youth, humanised Rastafari, legalised 'bastard' children and in four years enacted more pro-worker laws than in the four decades spanning 1944 and 1974. His policy of free education, surprisingly now opposed by his People's National Party, allowed many of its present critics to become professionals.

With an international presence still unrivalled in the developing world, his magnanimity placed little Jamrock on the map. Nevertheless, for all the pro-poor achievements, Manley piloted an economic disaster and ended his first tenure with an unemployment rate of 30 per cent and a dollar that was weaker than a politician's excuse. Notably, during his regime the paradox of new rights for the poor and working class and erosion of human rights emerged. The evil Suppression of Crime Act and its constant abuse by the security forces is an indelible stain. Number four means sex, wine, wedding cake, hugs and kisses. Yes! That's Michael. With several wives (including other people's), number four is definitely his.

The Seaga years
'Deliverance' came under Eddie Seaga in 1980. Our fifth Prime Minister was born in the fifth month, began promoting Jamaican music and culture in 1955. He lost five general elections and retired in 2005 at age 75 the promised economic miracle did not materialise, he kept the Jamaican dollar at $5.50 to the U.S. and reduced unemployment to the lowest in 50 years.

Still, he was dogged by his autocratic style and some of his faithful lieutenants mutinied and became the 'Gang of Five'. Number five means spider or 'Bredda Anansi' and something else that I can't print.

P.J. Patterson, the sixth, is most distinguished for his length of tenure and space between his words. Number six means copper and gunshot, but since P.J. is the most peaceful Prime Minister in our history, this can't possibly be his number.

However, it also appropriately means bones and tomb. Indeed, several skeletons emerged in his scandal-riddled administration. Furthermore, the gun murder rate shot upwards during his watch. Nevertheless, he reaffirmed Jamaica's role as CARICOM's leader, reduced unemployment to 12 per cent and oversaw the most housing solutions ever.

Still, this icon has two associated numbers. This father of two, the second dark-skinned Prime Minister of Jamaica, was first elected to Parliament in 1972, became Prime Minister in 1992, completed two double terms and last won elections in 2002.

I am out of space, so let's move to Sister Seven. Seven ministers have embarrassed her. 'Mr. Pampers', with cement, NetServ, Universal Access Fund, etc., etc.; Bobby's bungling which took a 'toll' on her support in Portmore; Horace Dalley from one health debacle to another; A.J. and Colin dropped Trafigura, Maxine's two non-existent schools, and incompetent officers give the impression that the ministry is in a bad shape; and Roger with his recent tomfoolery on stage. Thankfully, her former detractor, K.D., has retired and gone back in the 'box'.

Nonetheless, her tenure has been too short because she is using P.J.'s 'mandate' and he is still working behind the scenes. Nevertheless, if she performs half as well as she did as Minister of Labour, she will succeed. If she wins, will she change course?

Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

[Willi]

I think both sides should sign a pact to excludes VIBESMEN from their campaign rallys.

This would save them both lots of embarassment and help to keep the discourse at a high level, focussed on issues.

The cass cass they dredge up is even counterproductive as it is devoid of logic and is damning to their own interests as much as it is to the opponent!!!

I say ban McKensie and Clarke!!! I prefer to be "bored" WITH ISSUES AND SERIOUS TALK, THEN TO LISTEN TO IMBECILIC DRIVEL. But that is just me.

[Sickko]

and who you think going to stay at mass rally to listen to serious issues Willi?

Clarke is not really a rabble rouser as even Bruce and senior JLP people expressed surprised at his commnets, the main rabble rousers in the PNP are Danny Buchanan and KD Knight, they are the ones who make all the inflamatory remarks.

Trust me people dont go to mass rallies to hear serious speech, the leaders best learn to hold that for another forum...the transport centre in Lucea was packed when we got there for the PNP rally but more than half empty when the PM went into the issues speech..the packed Independence Park in Sav emptied quickly when the people realsied Bruce was not going to hype them up just like Sandy Bay on Friday.

I guess the crowd in Cambridge could not leave as the narrow country roads were blocked tight and so the crowd was forced to stay.

[Sickko]

What you saying, take it down to the level so the people can gwaan hype up? Isnt that is opposition to what you have tried to preach here Lazie?

[Mosiah]

Sign a pact?!? Do they ever keep their word? The JLP is, in my opinion, a party with very serious credibility issues. From Seaga's calling of the 1983 election on a voters' list that was not yet done, to a "gospel concert" held over the weekend when they had promised no political rallies.

The Sioux have seen more honourable pact signers.

[Lazie]

What you saying, take it down to the level so the people can gwaan hype up? Isnt that is opposition to what you have tried to preach here Lazie?

Yuh nuh understand sarcasm?

[Lazie]

Sign a pact?!? Do they ever keep their word? The JLP is, in my opinion, a party with very serious credibility issues. From Seaga's calling of the 1983 election on a voters' list that was not yet done, to a "gospel concert" held over the weekend when they had promised no political rallies.

The Sioux have seen more honourable pact signers.

Huh? Peter Bunting nuh have big concert when there should be no rallies? The JLP having credibility issue is the norm, afterall ... dem wear green. Unuh gov't was caught with their hands in the cookie jar ... unuh have credibility issues wid them?

[Assasin]

unnu mek people laugh. The PNP much more credible?
Individuals in both parties have some credibility but on both sides you have those who have no respect for others.

Was it very credible of the Minister of Finance to "Run wid it" to win an election and the way the PNP deal with their two most recent scandals?