Dear Editor,
I've become convinced that a peculiar ailment afflicts persons on the political stump. The diatribe that sometimes spews from the lips of otherwise intelligent and eloquent beings on the political stump is as close to selective amnesia or myopia as I think legally allowable for public leadership. Actually, these were the opening lines of a letter published in a leading newspaper less than two months ago. Then the words were directed at Education Minister Ronald Thwaites, however the Minister of National Security Peter Bunting seems to have succumbed to a similar ailment, except in far more spectacular fashion.
The 'John Crow' comment was not only misplaced and way out of order, it betrays the courteous professional image cultivated by a somewhat likeable politician. The weeping episode aside, Jamaicans were at worst indifferent to Bunting, therefore it eludes me why one would squander so much political and personal capital in the interest of nothingness. There is no practical reason other than temporary amnesia or stage fright.
Based on his schooling, I'm certain that Peter Bunting is not shackled by a limited vocabulary, so his lexicon is wider than the statement portrays. Maybe it's from a place of anger. Psychologists have confirmed that in times of heightened tension the human psyche goes through various stages from frustration, which may have been responsible for the weeping episode, to anger which may explain this latest outburst. Interestingly, the next stage on the continuum is either fight or flight. One truly hopes Bunting stays and fights the criminals and crime.
In defence of Bunting and the People's National Party (PNP), this must be the line going forward. Since nothing was possible because of International Monetary Fund constraints, castigating the outgoing Administration and asking the electorate for more time to correct the three-plus years of maladministration is just political tactics. Add in a few high-profile announcements and a couple ground-breaking ceremonies and elections are all but won. While the spiralling crime rate would frustrate any well-thinking Jamaican, verbally tearing the Opposition apart, limb by limb, from the political platform is surely not the answer. In line with his courteous professional image, the goodly gentleman has quickly rescinded, to his eternal credit. The apology reveals the fellow was properly brought up and schooled.
Now let's get on with the business of fighting crime.
Phillip A Chambers
phillipdcchambers@gmail.com
Bunting's folly
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I've become convinced that a peculiar ailment afflicts persons on the political stump. The diatribe that sometimes spews from the lips of otherwise intelligent and eloquent beings on the political stump is as close to selective amnesia or myopia as I think legally allowable for public leadership. Actually, these were the opening lines of a letter published in a leading newspaper less than two months ago. Then the words were directed at Education Minister Ronald Thwaites, however the Minister of National Security Peter Bunting seems to have succumbed to a similar ailment, except in far more spectacular fashion.
The 'John Crow' comment was not only misplaced and way out of order, it betrays the courteous professional image cultivated by a somewhat likeable politician. The weeping episode aside, Jamaicans were at worst indifferent to Bunting, therefore it eludes me why one would squander so much political and personal capital in the interest of nothingness. There is no practical reason other than temporary amnesia or stage fright.
Based on his schooling, I'm certain that Peter Bunting is not shackled by a limited vocabulary, so his lexicon is wider than the statement portrays. Maybe it's from a place of anger. Psychologists have confirmed that in times of heightened tension the human psyche goes through various stages from frustration, which may have been responsible for the weeping episode, to anger which may explain this latest outburst. Interestingly, the next stage on the continuum is either fight or flight. One truly hopes Bunting stays and fights the criminals and crime.
In defence of Bunting and the People's National Party (PNP), this must be the line going forward. Since nothing was possible because of International Monetary Fund constraints, castigating the outgoing Administration and asking the electorate for more time to correct the three-plus years of maladministration is just political tactics. Add in a few high-profile announcements and a couple ground-breaking ceremonies and elections are all but won. While the spiralling crime rate would frustrate any well-thinking Jamaican, verbally tearing the Opposition apart, limb by limb, from the political platform is surely not the answer. In line with his courteous professional image, the goodly gentleman has quickly rescinded, to his eternal credit. The apology reveals the fellow was properly brought up and schooled.
Now let's get on with the business of fighting crime.
Phillip A Chambers
phillipdcchambers@gmail.com
Bunting's folly
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