Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:14 hours 46 min ago
Bas: No answer for power-seekers
Published: 5 Nov 2009
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday yesterday shrugged off criticisms levelled by his estranged party deputy Jack Warner following Panday’s meeting on Tuesday with Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
Panday said: “When this country has so many problems from crime to roads and food prices to medical facilities, I don’t intend to deal with peripheral matters by people who are desirous of power. I have no time for them. They’re irrelevant to T&T’s politics and should be taking care of their constituency. “I intend to deal with the national issues—constitutional reform and crime—so I have no answer for power-seekers and armchair critics.
Let them wallow in their own filth. They have nothing else to do.” Panday said UNC would mount a series of meetings in villages to educate the public on Proportional Representation and other aspects of UNC’s constitutional reform concept. Panday said he had no plans to go on walkabouts. “Feeling up pumpkin and bhagi in markets don’t win votes,” Panday quipped.
SOUR GRAPES WARNER AND
SOUR GRAPES WARNER AND DOOKERAN -
What came out of the meeting with Dookeran and Warner, what deals did you cut? What came out of your first meeting of Warner with the PM what deals did you cut up to now we do not know what was discussed? Dookeran Panday invited you to unity talks you did not respond. Dookeran if the PM had invited you would you have gone? Dookeran you had no problem with Gillian accepting an invitation to sit on a government commission but you had a problem with Sharon Gopaul Mc Nicholls accepting a Senatorial appointment from the Opposition. When you were on the Opposition back bench did you not join with the government to pass some legislation? What were the deals then?
Mr. Panday - Dignity is
Mr. Panday - Dignity is Required:
Mr. Panday, you are the Leader of the Opposition Party. Your role is a very important one and we extend to you the respect that goes along with this position. However, we do not condone the type of 'back street' language you have elected to use in suporting your decisions.
May I ask that you rise above it, and stand up like a man, defend your position, and malign no one in the process. Respect yourself and show that you have the dignity and professionalism to be a leader.
We have enough filthy language overflowing in this country, already and must put a stop to its spread, now.
Remember the younger generation are looking on and learning from what they see the elders doing. Work on becoming a positive role model for the remainder of your political life.
* * *
Very good move to go on tour educating the public on Proportional Representation, and UNC's Constitutional Reform concept. This is a good thing. So please stay on message, and let nothing distract you.
Gardenia
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME -
GARDENIA MY FRIEND
A rose by any other name is still a rose. This is not a Bishops tea party it is politics. The children are familiar with much worse words and some would probably use something more appropriate. I do not want you to see this as a personal attack as I see you as one with less of an agenda, I feel you mean well. You sometimes incorrectly attribute my blogs as aimed at you when it is really a general statement. I would have to go back and re-read your blog to see the connection. You are not unkind and vicious. Others you have to wonder what their motivation is,
1) There are some who have a genuine disagreement with Panday's modus operandi as I at times do. He does have many failings. I have a problem when they are blown out of proportion.
2) There are some who would not accept an Indian Leader. An Indian Leader means that Africans would not control the treasury.
3) There are some who would not accept a Hindu Leader. We know of tribal differences between Hindu and Muslims. Many Presbyterian Indians having been converted look down on their Hinduness as sinful.Many Christians detest non Christians and feel that a Christian Leader came from GOD. There are many black Muslims who see an Indian Leader giving Indian Muslims an advantage over non Indian Muslims.
4) There are those in the business community who feel that a Labour Leader is not fit to run the country. The Leader must be pro business and must come from within their ranks.
When you read some blogs you realise that you are not hearing criticism on the issues but it goes deeper it is almost hate, Race, Religious, maybe class. I have heard preachers on the radio telling their flock not to vote for Panday, and the sinfulness of Hindus. For years many have wanted to put Indians in their place, and see Panday as an upstart. They might be willing to accept a nice Christian Indian boy. I am neither Hindu, nor Indian but I remember when Africans were subjected to the same insults. Interestingly a lot of us have quickly forgotten that it was our Indian brothers who joined hands in the struggle. Ghandi started his struggle in South Africa against apartheid and has been an inspiration to black leaders such as Martin Luther King, Mandela and even Barack Obama. Panday with all his apparent faults did inspire some along the way to STAND UP, to STAND TALL and he is hated by some for having done that and for making Indians believe that they were good enough to run this country. There was a vicious rumour spread for years that Indians did not want political power almost suggesting a kind of weakness inferiority, a lack of their leadership skills. Just as it was said that black people could not run a business. The psychology and sociology of the whole thing is quite intriguing.
Mr. Fairplay, Sir, Thanks
Mr. Fairplay, Sir,
Thanks for your kind words, and constructive criticism. Much appreciated.
Sorry to disappoint you, but I do have an "agenda" and that is to hold ALL politicians accountable for their actions. Mr. Panday is no fool, and he is an astute polititian and could 'rumble' with the very best, and has the class and dignity to conduct himself in a professional manner. In other words, he is not wanting. He had to give a response, and with his excellent command of the english language he could have done so using some of the best language at his command, without electing to use unacceptable slurs. I may have been schooled along the 'old fashioned style' but I do have a preference, and that is we all try to steer away from being enticed into using language that can take away some of the 'shine' from our persona. I spend a lot of time around impressionable children, and I recogise the roles we as adults have to play in their lives. So you see Fairplay, why I do take a firm stance when persons like Mr. Panday take steps backward instead of forward. I hold them at a higher standard because I know that they can do better, and need to be reminded that a conscious slip of the tongue will not do. When Mr. Panday was the Prime Minister and appeared on the world's stage he made T&T very proud when he addressed audiences. I cannot say the same for Mr. Manning who makes us cringe every time he opens his mouth on the world's stage. His pompous and arrogant personality comes hurling through his words, like he did at the U.N. recently. My friend, I khow you meant well, I appreciated you taking the time to enlighten me in the ways of the world. Not many people would do the same. (You may still be a young man, but I am certain that you remember the warnings that if you used unacceptable language you would have your mouth washed out with 'blue' soap. That was also instilled in me.) I will take your words under advisement. Have a lovely day, my friend. Smile!
Gardenia
NOT WANTING TO BE REDUNDANT
NOT WANTING TO BE REDUNDANT -
I do not want you to see this as a personal attack as I see you as one with less of an agenda ( or no agenda), I feel you mean well. You sometimes incorrectly attribute my blogs as aimed at you when it is really a general statement (and really more pertinent to others). I would have to (at times) go back and re-read your blog to see the connection. You are not unkind and vicious (like some others) .I emphasise this again as I do not see you the way you sometimes think that I do.