(The opinions presented in these articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the Hay family!)
If I didn’t know any better I would think Prime Minister P.J. Patterson had died (where he might have gone is debatable!), as it’s only when someone passes into the Great Beyond that people have nothing but good to say about them… nuh true?
The accolades saturating the pages of both the local and foreign media have lauded him as the best thing since sliced hardough bread. But all this begs one elementary question: if PJ was the super-duper leader and role model that people now claim, how come Jamaica is in such a fine pickle of peppers?
They say politics makes strange bedfellows; I wonder how many of these same bedfellows are going to stick around now that PJ’s changed into his pajamas.
Chances are they were mostly fair weather friends, as such is the game of politics the world over. It’ll be interesting for sure, but even more remarkable will be to see how his successor, Portia Simpson-Miller, is going to piece together this Sad Sack of a country that’s been going downhill since the PNP took root in the 70’s.
I also question if Jamaican politics are anything like Cayman’s. By that I mean it will be interesting to follow Portia now that she’s at the top of her game, and see if she’ll expose all the hanky panky or cock-ups of her predecessor’s rule?
Probably not, as they come from the same political party and the only ‘decent’ thing to do would be to shovel more of the same on top of the pile in order to keep things chugging along. I’ve heard from Jamaican quarters that this recent game of musical chairs will produce more of the same old, same old..., if you get my drift.
I shouldn’t be too hasty to judge but considering Sister ‘P’ has publicly declared to one and all that she was “appointed by God”, may the Lord have mercy on all Jamaican souls because this columnist really truly believed that Prime Ministers were chosen by humans, democratically elected by majority vote from within the governing party.
Having said this, I for one refuse to be part of this silly ritual of weeping crocodile tears because PJ Patterson’s been “put out to pasture.” PJ may be a nice guy and all that. He’s certainly well educated and an eloquent speaker but the legacy he leaves behind cannot and should not be eulogized in such a sickly syrupy fashion.
Like I said, it’s only when people croak that one is allowed to get away with this.
Back to the bedfellow’s theory. You ever notice how no one has time for anyone unless they become rich and famous and of course if they’re a Caymanian Minister then everybody wants to be their friend?
Even closer to home, it could be me just being full of myself, but since I began my column, people are being nicer to me. Even those whom I can’t stand, or more to the point, those who can’t tolerate me, are being friendly. I’m not sure what to make of all this. (I hear I have a big fan club in the Brac; maybe I should go and live among my kind.)
I mention this observation, not be self indulgent or important but to illustrate a point. My point: at the PPM gala evening at the Ritz Carlton in February, I saw at least a dozen faces of people I know were kow-towing to McKeeva’s side when they were in power.
Kurt’s lot could do no right at the time but now that they’re the ones with all the clout, these people have changed their tune.
Howszat? These people have no self respect or shame. I wouldn’t go to an ‘enemy’s’ house or break bread with someone I didn’t like or respect.
Now for goodness sake don’t twist what I’m saying and assume I’m for one minute suggesting that one shouldn’t try to work with any government that is in power, but to straddle the fence so blatantly is downright shameful.
The extravagant event at the Ritz was more a social event than anything else so why on earth would the opposition-ites want to rub shoulders with those who, only a short time ago, were touted as the wrong set to rule our rock.
The word ‘hypocrite’ immediately springs to my mind. These people simply jump catboat whenever it suits them. If brown-nosing (I believe that’s the acceptable term for it nowadays Madam Editor), is the stepping-stone to success, I am doomed to walk this earth a complete and utter failure, downtrodden by the La-de-dahhs that walk among us.
I can live with that. Sucking-up is way too much hard work and I stink at it.
