Parliamentary Drama Personal Attacks-Part l

Details

Rawlston Pompey

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 06:55

By RAWLSTON POMPEY

In an attempt to revisit the Suspension Order previously imposed by the House of Representatives against one of its members, a further emboldened decision, seemingly triggered by strenuous objections by Member of Parliament CHESTER HUGHES and the collective votes of the incumbents totaled NINE to SIX, was sufficient to discard Member of Parliament, GASTON BROWNE’S purportedly written apology for VARIATION of the Order.

MOTION-VARIATION OF SUSPENSION

As a consequence of the boisterous uproars that had often erupted during the debates, the more, keenly listening, observant, serene and collected citizens, had been prompted to question the sanity and/or suitability of some officials who had been elected to hold public office. That said responsible and law abiding citizens were clearly not bemused over last Thursday’s (August 3, 2010) sitting of Parliament, when the Legislative body met to consider a MOTION FOR VARIATION of the House’s ORDER OF SUSPENSION, dropped with telling effect upon one of its seemingly uncompromising members. This had resulted from an apparent “…INSTIGATED PUBLIC CHANT” during a brief adjournment at the last sitting of Parliament.

With the overwhelming support of his colleagues, the incumbents had effectively thwarted the parliamentary efforts advanced in a spirit of brotherhood and oneness by those who would truly wish to see “…BAD BLOOD DRAINED FROM VENOMOUS VEINS; … GAPING WOUNDS HEALED; …PERSONAL DIFFERENCES RECONCILED; ….HATCHETS BURIED; …ANTAGONISM, ANIMOSITY AND HATRED REMOVED FROM BITTER AN IMPASSIONATE HEARTS TO ALLOW FOR …CAMADERIE AND PRUDENCE TO PREVAIL AMONG THE HOUSE MEMBERSHIP.

RESTORATION OF IMAGE

More importantly, however, such may have been the desire of those members to “…ENHANCE PARLIAMENTARY COHESIVENESS; …SERIOUSNESS OF PURPOSE; …BOOSTING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN ITS INTEGRITY AND RESTORATION OF ITS IMAGE TO ITS FORMER GLORY.” These appeared not to have been the desire or concern of most members of the House of Representatives. Those who probably could have made a difference, understandably, were not prepared to risk becoming “…BACKBENCHERS” by voting favourable to vary the ORDER.

Additionally, it was expected that the appeals may have been considered, not only for the “…REINSTALLATION OF FULL SERVICE OF MEMBERS TO THE HOUSE, BUT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND SERVICE TO THE NATION AS A WHOLE.

THE SUSPENSION CHANT

The suspension CHANT was said to be“…BALDWIN MUST GO.” It was to be assumed that “ENCOURAGEMENT,” may have been forthcoming from Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, LESTER B. BIRD and fellow-Parliamentarians for his return to SERVICE TO THE HOUSE. In an unprecedented move, former Deputy Prime Minister and current Health Minister, WILMOTH DANIEL, who appeared to have provoked the ire and suggestions of treachery in people across the nation, had given parliamentary support to the failed motion.

DANIEL THE PEACEMAKER

Ironically, it was Health Minister WILMOTH DANIEL, who may have, in hind-sight, reviewed his apparent “…indecent haste,” in seconded the SUSPENSION MOTION, placed before the HOUSE unhesitatingly by Finance and the Economy Minister, HAROLD LOVELL, reportedly at the prompt of HOUSE SPEAKER D. GISEL ISAAC.

Such motion had resulted in the offending member’s instant suspension from “…SERVICE TO THE HOUSE.” However, as a PEACEMAKER, DANIEL was prepared to “…bury the hatchet,” but met with stiff resistance, rebuff and consternation from his affiliate parliamentary colleagues, including the member he had supported as the original mover of the contentious Motion for Suspension...

DESPERATE ATTEMPTS

There were cohesiveness and a seemingly unified approach by the Honourable Member’s colleagues and supported by the lone incumbent voice of his opposite number WILMOTH DANIEL. They had made a desperate attempt to convince the House and the Speaker to vary the SUSPENSION ORDER to allow for his return, but the majority of incumbent members appeared unmoved over what was purportedly submitted by BROWNE and read to the House in earnest by Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, LESTER B. BIRD.

HOUSE REJECTED APOLOGY

There may have also been encouragement to the suspended member from “…constituents; …supporters; …well-wishers; …friends and loved ones,” who may have urged submission to humility, irrespective of pride and feelings. However, it was evident that the Member of Parliament was adamant that he had “…breached no House Rules; …done no grievous wrong, and therefore, owed no apologies.

DRAMATIC PRESENTATIONS

The dramatic and fiery presentations, were invariably not concerned with legislative business, but instead seemed filled with personal vendetta and bitterness of people with a chip on their shoulders as big as the national debt. Additionally, they are disposed to deliver speeches spurred by emotions and with scant respect for each other and the people they represent.

Il Giardino Closed for Now Antigua St. John's - Local staff members of the embattled Italian Restaurant IL Giardino has confirmed that they are on the breadline as one of the o... read more

The moralists and the spiritualists have suggested that there was “…DECADENCE within the HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT,” as there was decadence that had permeated the wider society. This they have asserted may be observed from the debates that were frequently delivered venomously and resentfully by members on both sides of the political divide. Such decadence was frequently the cause for friction, quarrels and fights.

When it was evident that some Members had digressed so far from the subject under consideration, it was pellucid that they themselves appeared disoriented, confused and incomprehensible of their parliamentary discourse, even with assistance of the Chair and other level-headed and comprehensible colleagues. Invariably, listeners or viewers to the proceedings become dismayed, dissatisfied and sometimes madly infuriated over the level and quality of debates and behaviour exhibited.

DISSOCIATION OF MP TREVOR WALKER

In view of the apparent conundrum that ensued in the HOUSE, had there been one member of the Legislature who appeared not to have been elated or bemused over the contentious, heated and passionate debates, it may not have been too difficult to identify Barbuda’s Parliamentary representative TREVOR WALKER. Despite his presence and obvious disgust over what may have been his personal view of what may have been “…GIVEN PRIORTY,” he vehemently disassociated himself, and by extension his constituents from the unnecessary and irrelevant “…PERSONAL BICKERING AND PARLIAMENTARY QUIBBLING” over the MOTION.

INDEPENDENCE

That clearly may have been his contention over the re-visitations of not just the SUSPENSION, but also uninvited and/or unwelcomed past personal experiences that seemingly had been festered and uncontrollably prolonged. The Honourable member, despite his affiliation with the ruling administration,  and demonstrated his tenacity and independence as the lone member of the BARBUDA PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT (BPM) and representative of the people of the HOLY TRINITY constituency.

UNCOMPROMISING STANCE

In spite of lengthy passionate debates, BROWNE’S APOLOGY appeared not to have passed the litmus     test. Thus, as FATE would have it, the apology was neither recognized nor accepted nor approved by the HOUSE. Clearly not perturbed over his fate, he was prepared to maintain his uncompromising stance of INNOCENCE. Thus, he had demonstrated fearlessness and a resolve in maintaining his innocence, having convinced himself that he had committed no cardinal wrong.

REASONABLE INFERENCES

From where judicial officers sit, very often the administration of justice may necessarily impelled them to “…Apply certain Legal principles and to look and give acute considerations to the seriousness of the impact of some decisions. Hence, they may look at Practice Directions; …Take Judicial Notice and Draw Reasonable Inferences from presented facts.


As the Honourable Member would subsequently and succinctly put it, “…My comments were neither directed to the “…SPEAKER nor to the HOUSE.” Logic, however, suggested that if there was a “…BALDWIN” among the membership of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, it would have been difficult for the HOUSE or anyone of average intelligence, not to be able to “…DRAW REASONABLE INFERENCES” so as to conclude to whom such comments were intended.

CHANT OF DEFIANCE

Though the “…SUSPENSION FROM SERVICE OF THE HOUSE” do not necessarily affect the elected status of the member of Parliamentary, GASTON BROWNE, through a “…CHANT OF DEFIANCE,” may now view it as a “…CHANT OF EXPULSION until the next PARLIAMENT SESSION in November 2010.  There was public knowledge that there were intense quibbling and bickering within the official environment following the alleged offensive chant.

FRUSTRATION AND MISERY

Frequently, it is the back-biters, evil-doers, strife- makers and the war and news-mongers that have caused frustration and misery for others; …frequently it is the egregious things people do or the provocative things they utter, that bring about strained relations and apathy. Conversely, it is the stiff-necked people that usually invited trouble and collaterally, when the wrath of others descended, it also created unnecessary difficulties for others. The Holy Scriptures do offer hope and encourages that “…The one who is TRULY WISE ACCEPTS COMMANDS; but the one who TALKS FOOLISHLY will be THROWN HEAD DOWN FIRST [Proverbs 10: 8].

DEMOCRACY

If there was any way to view our DEMOCRACY, it must be seen in the context of what is obtained or allowable in civil and free societies. These, may therefore, manifest themselves in people’s actions, deeds, attitude, behaviour, expressions and compassion they show to others. In the Beatitudes, the Holy Scriptures assured everyone that “…Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy; …Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the called the children of God.” [Matthew 5: 7 &9]

LEGAL MORAL DUTY

In fact, DEMOCRACY allows for the observance of certain established codes of conduct; …societal mores, including civilized behaviour, fairness and accuracy in journalism, publication and/or responsible expressions. Thus, the democratic principles imposes both a LEGAL AND MORAL duty on every man and woman and a child not considered “…doli incapax” (incapable of committing crime).

Earthquake Hits Antigua Antigua St. John's - A 4.8-magnitude earthquake rocked parts of the Northeastern Caribbean about 1.11 am Sunday 9 June 2013.... read more

In some jurisdictions as it is within this jurisdiction, “…a child below the age of 8 years due to the presumption of innocence” enjoys this maxim. An adult person, however, may be charged with a crime committed by a child under that age, if evidence showed that the adult “…counseled, aided, instigated, prompted or coerced” such child in the commission of a crime of whatever classification.

See related stories:

Gaston's Parliamentary Suspension Upheld

• < Prev
• Next >