Having
taken more than one for the road (quite a few drinks too many perhaps), I have
been, to invoke Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb for 100 days.
But
I can assure you that my work is not over.
When
a few weeks ago, a very dear comrade close to the ruling National Democratic
Congress in-boxed to say he has not heard any public commentary from me, I said
to him: I don’t have the luxury to do a running commentary on day-to-day
Grenadian politics.
I
added facetiously; I have resigned from making enemies. I am busy making a
living.
And anyhow my constituency, that runs from Bermuda to Guyana, is bigger than
his anyway.
Inspite
of popular beliefs, I don’t get up every morning thinking of politics; nor do I
interpret everything in political terms.
Sometimes
I just don’t have enough information or research time to comment properly on
some issues; and sometimes at other times, unlike what I did not do enough of during
my limited cricket days, I choose to leave some balls outside the off stump.
I
say these pieces now only because of this so called 100-day observation – which
is frankly an American inspired non-sense, since you cannot judge any
government properly in that time.
After
all, this government has just been turning on the lights and changing the
carpets; and the new furniture has just arrived.
And cabinet only had time to do one collective silly facebook live on a bus
tour to the Trade Center. Additionally, Andy Williams has not had enough time
to even think about posing in the Prime Minister’s car, nonetheless.
We fired a few cooks and caregivers in that time too, but what the heck. By
this time in the very first New National Party administration we had gotten rid
of Richard Duncan already anyhow.
So, what is Daisy* fussing about?
The
NDC talkshow host has called for ‘ethnic cleansing’ and its online
editor says we are not moving fast enough to clean-up house (pun and all
intended).
Like
an efficient sou-sou hand – they say – we’ve passed the time for swapping one set
for another set.
But
I don’t want to get cynical, so I have turned off my radio. For anytime I
listen I begin to feel that Grenada is not a country – just a bad idea.
As
we mark 100 days since Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has been sworn in –
unlike some of the self-designated leaders of his party’s mob front, I am not worried
about him.
We are gratefully moving forward in his safer hands.
Additionally,
he is a kind of Munich man who first learnt to blow his bubbles at Teacher Bridget’s
school. So, I know his foundation is strong.
My
worry is about the rest of us.
PM
Mitchell (D) has spoken well about change – but I am not sure he understood us.
I am not sure we understand him.
The
PM might be about setting up the future. But the rest of us are about settling
scores.
We
never wanted change. Just give us exchange.
Listen
to the daily irreverent vileness financed by overseas party donations, and
you’d understand.
We don’t have a problem with sons-of-bitches, once they are ours.
We
want all the senior people the police force to be moved; and every little cook
we saw in a campaign rally, be put to pasture.
We want the trade unions to shut up, because Keith Mitchell used to demand that
too.
We now want the opportunity to cuss Daisy and Grimes, because Keith Mitchell
used to cuss them too.
And anybody who complain about that, we simply ask: “Wey dey the day”
when Keith Mitchell used to do the same thing.
Let’s
turn Calistra Farrier and Kellon Bubb into enemies because Keith Mitchell did
that too.
Some
of the yellow people say Farrier and Bubb never said anything when Keith
Mitchell was in power; well Amazing Grace!, because these deaf people
can now hear.
The
“Whataboutism” that permeates is stronger than River Antoine rum. It’s not yet
even the after party, and people who have none, are already drunk on power.
So
Mr Prime Minister I am sorry. We are making extremely harder for you. It's
unfair that you have to watch the chickens and make the omelet at the same
time.
I
once told a previous Mitchell that Grenada can’t be fixed. And I am darn
serious. So just manage as good as you can, and the Spirit of Tan Do-Do in Bamboo
in Munich will be well pleased.
It’s
unfair to ask you to fix this broken house, when 30 thousand people are walking
around with broken-hearts, eternally damaged by the “gimme de thing” era.
You've been speaking about change – but that’s small change.
How
about the big dollar wine? Replace one set of large paying cronies, with just a
new set. No sweat. Keith Mitchell did the crony thing for donkey years. He has
a doctorate in it.
Learn
from Papa.
But seriously, don’t bother with change. Just give us exchange.
The
green people had their Mitchell; now yellow people have theirs.
Mr
Prime Minister, let the people get the government they deserve. Not the one you
will like us to have.
Wey
you de dey
all these years? Don’t you know that our governance is synonymous with
pettiness, vendettas, rumour and victimization?
Your
folks are calling for blood. Give the people what they want. George Worme says
if you don’t, you’re sure to get one term.
One
proviso though: Listening to Worme is hazardous to a long-term career. Ask
Tillman Thomas how this turned out.
A
few years ago – in a jurisdiction I would not name – we had just finished a
successful campaign and earned an unlikely victory for a first-time leader,
with an almost new slate of candidates and winners.
After
a grand swearing in a few days later of the cabinet, I went up to that leader
again – offered another congratulation – and reminded him that I am leaving
“tomorrow” but we will be in touch.
His
retort: You leaving tomorrow? So, you think you’d bring me in this thing,
and then your turn your back and go?
We
had a good chuckle.
But
beyond the laughter, there was a serious point.
Opposition
is easy. Campaigning is fun. But governing? That’s where the stuff gets
serious.
Sorry
Prime Minister Mitchell, the people brought you into this thing. And
unfortunately for them, the carnival is over.
I
once told a new political entrant the easiest thing you will do in politics is oppose.
You don’t have to be brilliant; you just must sound like you’re brilliant.
So over to you now Norland Cox!
PS:
I might have something more to say in another 100 days – because I never get
weary yet!
