Chicken Battle and-Budgetary Allocations

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Rawlston Pompey

Tuesday, 22 January 2013 02:30

By Rawlston Pompey

It was well known that many indigenous small business operators in Antigua and Barbuda, had utilized their entrepreneurial skills, expending negligible capital, derived from savings and had single-handedly embarked upon investments that were seen not to have been economically “...viable and/or sustainable.”

Yet even when feasibility study showed “...grim profit outlook,” many had taken the risks and had made the ultimate sacrifices in various business ventures as encouraged by current administrators. Even operating under severe financial constraints, many continue to believe that their individual and/or collective efforts would help in providing employment opportunities and “...stimulating economic growth.” Many were mindful of the National Anthem that gave citizens the assurance that “...Each endeavoring; ...All achieving.” Invariably, that which the National Anthem suggests had seemingly been ignored by a privileged few. Many entrepreneurs believed in the “...Self-Fulfilling Principle of achieving success, however limited, and accordingly had invested in the nation.

PURSUIT OF PROSPERITY
Many citizens were strengthened by the Constitutional provisions for “...hope of economic prosperity,” particularly, those who would aspire in achieving set goals. It may have been for these reasons, that Senator Paul ‘Chet’ Greene had displayed adamancy, a passion and consciousness, that “...indigenous people shall be availed opportunities for Self-empowerment and self-sufficiency.” Such would have been consistent with the Constitutional principle (c) that allows for citizens to “...Assert their conviction that their happiness and prosperity...CAN BEST’ BE PURSUED’ in a democratic society in which all persons, may ...to the extent of their capacity, play some part in the national life.” Frequently, policy-makers and Ambassadors seemed to have ignored these principles in promoting “...Foreign Interests” under the guise of “...Foreign Direct Investments” (FDI). Citizens with special skills and/or talents have used them “...occupationally, prudently and productively” as “...navigational instruments” through life’s difficult and winding turns and away from the abyss of financial despair. Frequently, these skills were used “...creatively and/or entrepreneurially” through farming which many had eked out their livelihood, not only by the “...sweat of the face,” but also without incentivized subsidies as in the case of “...Chicken Farming.”.

FOREIGN INTERESTS
Frequently, they were seen to have promoted policies or acted as advocates against local interests. Citizens facing constant struggles, know very well that though intellectuals may  have been placed or placed themselves in position for noble reasons, some of questionable exploits had invariably fared better, capitalizing on“...pecuniary advantages.” Conversely, others placed in invidious situations, had constantly encountered and endured the “...harsh realities of life,” a situation faced daily by Chicken Farmers and threats posed by those “...promoting foreign interests and profitability under the guise of investments. Forty three years ago, Sir MacLean Emmanuel had argued against the “...Slave Mentality” in turning Antiguans into “...Hewers of wood and Carriers of water,” while they get “...Starvation Salary foreigners get fat pay.” Sir MacLean was as insightful, philosophical and prophetic, as he was concerned that “...All those Foreign Banks and Insurance Companies (Offshore) were sending away all the money to Foreign Banks.” He had urged and implored “...Teenagers to take it cool;” and gave assurance that “...We go build you Technical Schools;” That they may acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to be so positioned as to be empowered to as to aspire to “...Managerial positions even in foreign entities; ...That they may manage their own affairs; ...Earn livable Salaries and an Improved quality of life” [Song: Technical School: 1970].

SOCIAL JUSTICE
There was no doubt that Dr. Mc Chesney ‘Mac’ Emmanuel and Senate Member Honourable Paul ‘Chet’ Greene are two of the finest intellectuals among the nation’s populace. There was also no doubt that both had noble intentions. Though they have always articulated well on important matters of State, they appeared to have shared no commonalities on the “...Contentious Chicken Project” (CCP). Dr. Emmanuel had seemingly viewed the proposed project as “...bringing economic prosperity.” Senator Greene saw the venture as having the potential for displacing local chicken farmers. The latter had demonstrated clearly that he was not unmindful of the Constitutional Principle (b) that states “...The people of Antigua and Barbuda respect the ‘PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE’ and therefore, believe that the operation of their economic system should result in the material resources of their community being so distributed as to serve the common good.” Seemingly, these were the principles that had occupied the attention of the conscientious Senator.

MEN OR MICE
There comes a time when individuals shall make a distinction between "…Men and Mice…". Invariably, situations and/or circumstances, courage and convictions have often helped them in making such distinction. In systems that seemed endemic with trickery, deception, strife, news-mongering, turmoil, bigotry and hate, consequences frequently came to those who have dared to express disgust.” However, counting the cost of public dissent, there comes a time when a man shall “...stand up and be counted” or be “...knocked down for the count.” In boxing if fighters were lucky to hear the number “...8,” then they might be up before the count of “...10.” This may have been the position of Honourable Dr. Edmond Abdul Michael Mansoor.”  Though not “...fighting for Chickens,” the Honourable Senator may have been spurred into “...Executive Fights.” Seemingly guided by deep conviction, if only in doing well to humanity-specifically seeking meritorious rewards/incentives for “...highly productive employees,” he spoke passionately, bringing “...shock and awe” to all a sundry.

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ADMINISTRATIVE CONCERNS
From where he sat, he may have seen “...goodness, badness and ugliness; ...crookedness and wickedness.” It was obvious that he had “...grave administrative concerns,” and sought to highlight critical areas that necessitated corrective measures. He noted with particular concerns “...erratic fiscal policy decisions; ...financial mismanagement and indiscipline; ...lack of transparency and accountability.” Most importantly, he saw the critical need for democratic principles to be at work and the fundamental individual right to the “...enjoyment of freedom of speech, being recognized and respected. Though he may eventually pay a price for dissent, with “...courageous candor and fervor,” he had shrugged off what, inferentially, may have been some of the most troubling deviations from that which represents good governance and a burden from his conscience.

LOW/HIGH END EARNERS
While “...Low-income earning Chicken Farmers” endeavored to eke a living from restless toiling and painstaking struggles, those who had the benefit of “...institutionalized intellect,” were said to have been enjoying “....high-end earnings,” thereby subsisting on “...Alarming Livable Salaries” from favored positions within the public service. These were the ones who were required only to use their “...intellectual skills, advisorily or consultatively,” in sensitizing and promoting public policies.” Their tasks masked under “...patriotism,” included persuading policy-makers in “...seeing economic viability,” from intellectual perspectives for “...national development and the common good.” This arguably, may have been the most “...contentious disparities,” Senator Dr. Mansoor had fervently argued. [Senate: Jan.14, 2013].

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
These appeared to have been some of burning issues he had silently and privately endured, and finally, “...publicly cried out against within the Senate Chambers [Jan. 14, 2013]. Senator Mansoor succeeded in forcing Finance Minister Honourable Harold Lovell into coming to the airwaves, where he wittingly shifted the seemingly “...contentious, if not secret appointment” to the “...Collective Responsibility of Cabinet” [Cleveroy Thomas: Radio Observer: Jan. 17, 2013]. With or without consequences, Senator Mansoor appeared to have taken the position that he shall be a “...Free man on Earth as it is in the Heaven.” Said the Senator “...If democracy is going to work, you have to be able to talk.” It may have been for these very reasons when social commentator Jameson “Kublai Mannix et al were arrested in connection with the “...Carlisle Bay Hotel Expansion Protest, ironically represented by Attorney-at-law Harold Lovell” [Montserrat Reporter: Aug.3, 2001], he sang “...I would rather be a ‘free man in my grave’ than to be a slave in my country.”

QUESTIONABLE POLICIES
There were other vexatious issues that he had bitterly frowned over- “...Policy-directions; ...questionable and inconsistent governmental employment practices; ...lack of meritorious incentives and ...disparities in remunerations for non-productivity,” while others “...Judges/Magistrates/Police/teachers/nurses” toiled painstakingly and assiduously in “...high-risked, hostile and dangerous environments” had fared no better. These, like the breath of life, appeared to have forced “...God’s Spirit” from his “...body, mind and soul.” Thus, as fate may have had it, he had lived the biblical “...one hundred and twenty years” [Genesis 6:3] as a loyalist and team member, yet in a plethora of “...unfulfilled expectations, exasperation, tolerable and intolerable denials.” That which he may have omitted, may have been that which he had considered to be “...best practices.”

GOD’S STRIVING SPIRIT
For positive attributes and attitudes to prevail in any “...reasonable creature in being,” the “...Spirit of God” must be in the flesh. So, saith the Lord “...My spirit shall not abide in humanity forever; ...For they are flesh; ...Their days shall be one hundred and twenty years [Genesis 6:3]. If there were manifestations of such irrefutable biblical truths, then it may have been evident in the reactions of Senator, Honourable Dr. Mansoor, when “...God’s Spirit” had apparently left him stranded, but standing in the Senatorial Chambers [Jan. 14, 2013]. Deeply perturbed, frustrated, wounded and grounded,” he had relieved his conscience of that which may have congested his mind, bringing him almost to the point of organizational ostracization. Empathetic, after his bizarre “...administrative experiences,” attorney-at-law, Leon ‘Chaku’ Symister was quick in suggesting that organizations “...thrive on healthy and frank discussions.”

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CONCLUSION
In true democracies, “...Freedom of Expressions” and or dissent were to be accepted without egregious consequences and/or violations of democratic principles and “...Natural Justice.” Senator Mansoor, like Senators Joanne Massiah and Anthony Stewart with “...hang-ups over Budgetary Allocations” may jointly sing, whether with glee, disappointments or regrets, “...And now the end is here; ...And so we have fired the last volley from behind the curtains of the Senate; ...My constituents and friends, we have said it clear; ...We have stated our Case; ...The outcome of which we are not certain; ...We have endured a tenure full of inglorious dissatisfaction; ... Of our bitter experiences and noble intentions; ...We said what we had to say; ...And even though, ‘REGRETS,’ we have had a few; ...But as bold as a Lion;...We have told the nation and you; ...We have said it the way we saw it” [Revised Song: Frank Sinatra: My Way]. They may also say with conviction; ... With partial moral support from Leon ‘Chaku’ Symister and blessings descended from the heavens; ...We are blessed; ...Our Conscience is refreshed and our Hearts are at peace and rest.”

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