April 22, 2016
While mulling over the furor over the selection and the likely appointment of the newly selected Financial Secretary, considered by others to be quite saddening, the thought comes burning, ‘What has become of the people of Montserrat?”
This should not be surprising as recently deep thinking people have been sharing about the danger of the thinking being expressed by influential and irresponsible, sometimes irrational people who with loud mouths or voices are flooding the air with distracting ignorance.
This petite woman shows no fear as with kindness she calls it just as she understands it should be. Amidst all the distraction, she touts: “It is and remains my commitment as Governor to promote diversity and inclusiveness. Diversity is one of Montserrat’s great assets. How we value and foster it contributes to making Montserrat a progressive and attractive place to live and visit. Montserrat’s Constitution makes a bold and comprehensive statement against discrimination, and thus sets out a fundamental value for Montserrat. The freedom to discuss, debate agree and disagree about ideas is a hallmark of democracy. But fostering division along racial or ethnic lines is a dangerous path that can never benefit democracy.”
It is perhaps not surprising though the diatribe that comes forth from some, joined particularly those who most likely just wished blindly, to jump on a failed and disruptive band wagon.
These disturbing utterances that spew, with regards to the Governor’s open process to appoint a Financial Secretary for Montserrat, have displayed that which is worse than any derisiveness and disgustingly, stupid behaviour imaginable.
Is this because we could have done no more than watch and listen to the very end how her predecessor and others in recent times, melt away to biding their time of departure knowing they have failed in whatever their attempt, to leave a positive and lasting legacy? They really were not the only ones, but if heads take in poison, even if it might come from ‘enriositatis’, it will filter down to the tail
When the majority of Montserrat begged for time to consider more deeply the 2010 Constitution and a three month extension to the time was nothing more than mockery, it was mockery and ridicule, spewed on those who said that it would come to haunt. Why would anyone, how could anyone forget, or did they not hear the Governor’s outline of how she went out of her way to be inclusive and to ensure that she carried out her task in a simple and inclusive way while towards the end she still took time to notice what she said, “…was unpleasant and divisive.”?
The Constitution which was rushed had flaws that could have been fixed. Instead they as usual smoothly told Montserrat that it would be easy to fix the problems, just pass it. That was no different from what transpired before and after. Sign it and then ‘we do what we want.’ Ah! that is coming to an end. The MOU of May 1, 2012 rushes to mind. Where is it today? And do not try to blame the new Government, now 18 months old. Where did it get us? Ask the same where has the Constitution gotten us. Oh, there will be some who will smile and kick back and look at their bank books.
It is difficult also to understand why with the complaints from so many quarters about the misspending of public funds in one way or another, with the sometimes not so subtle hints of incompetency, dishonesty, the hounding and threats that cause the suspicions at best, that HMG should hesitate and bother about trying to get someone allowing the Governor to involve herself in a process which she met practically stalled and bring her own touch to it.
It was surprising to learn following the 2014 general elections the expression popular along the man on the street, their delight that at the fact that the incumbent was not returned since they were of the opinion that HMG would have recalled the Constitution. They could also remember that there was the strong hint that this was likely as far back in 2009. But the opportunity was granted, but it was that strong feeling that a new government saved the day.
