Action, not a bagga mout!

Neither Bruce Golding nor Andrew Holness seemed to have learnt much from the mantra of their late mentor, Edward Phillip George Seaga.

His catchy but important mantra was “Action not a bagga mout".

Every time I hear the JLP squealing like petulant teenagers over the dual citizenship issue, this comes to mind. 

Let me state unequivocally up and front, I personally don’t believe any member of the legislature should be allowed to have one foot in one foot out. For they make the laws that affect us all and when they make bad decisions, dual citizenship allows them the out when things go awry.

So, when leader of the Opposition Mark Golding who has British citizenship, says those who have dual citizenship should be allowed to sit in parliament, I disagree with him vehemently.

The constitutional anomaly allowing some legislators to have dual citizenship and be in parliament while barring others, is found in sections 39 and 40. It allows anyone who is a citizen of a Commonwealth country and is a resident in Jamaica for the immediately preceding twelve months, to be appointed to the Senate or elected to the House of Representatives.

But, guess what, in our constitution, dual only means American!

(I am wondering what we get from being members of the commonwealth anyway, apart from occasionally eating, drinking and making merry with the leaders of other former British colonies! Is it that we can’t stomach the thought of not celebrating British imperialism which oppressed our ancestors for centuries?)

Now considering how our love of foreign shifted radically from England to the United States since 1962, one would have thought our brilliant politicians would have sought to clarify the issue by now.

No sir, this nonesense had remained conveniently tucked away for 46 years, until January 2008, when attorney Abe Dabdoud who was a PNP candidate, thought he could get into parliament via a back door, by having the courts remove West Portland MP Daryl Vaz because he held a US citizenship.

Vaz had beat him at the polls.

Dabdoud failed but the country received a rude awakening as quite a few other JLP MP’s had to renounce their US citizenship, while those PNP MP's who held Commonwealth citizenship at that very time (I know of two at that time) watched in amusement.

This is where the bagga mout comes in.

For despite the grief it caused at the time, Bruce Golding, the then Prime Minister, did not think it important enough to try and undo the anomaly and chaos in the country as a result of that quirk in our constitution.

So, no action was taken following the weeping and wailing in the JLP and the bagga mout that prevailed for months on end!

(Oh, I forget, Golding must have been too taken up with Dudus to pay too much attention to parliamentary matters!)

Then came October 2017, when we had another bout of weeping and wailing over the same issue, as the PNP put up former Medical Association of Jamaica president, Dr. Shane Alexis to be their candidate in a by-election in St. Mary.

Alexis was legally nominated as although he was born in Canada, he had lived in Jamaica for decades but had never applied for Jamaican citizenship.

 Canada is a commonwealth country.

By then, young Andrew Holness had become prime minister, but he too took no action, once the bagga mout subsided.

Now here we are again in 2024, and the bagga mout from the JLP and its surrogates over the same issue, is once again becoming overwhelming.

You see, Mark Golding, leader of the Opposition, though born in Jamaica, has British citizenship. 

Oh mercy me!

Because some noise makers are belatedly realizing that they have no legal grounds to demand Golding’s withdrawal from parliament, they are now using words like morality and hypocrisy, in the argument.

Would someone like to tell me who are the moral and non-hypocritical politicians in our parliament?

Those who give themselves 200% and 300% salary increases while giving deserving people 40%? Those whose financial accounts can’t be verified for 3 years or have illegally enriched themselves off the backs of taxpayers?

After Barbados (little England) got rid of the British monarchy as head of their government, our government, having been shamed by their bold action, established a Constitutional Reform Committee to do the same.

But they don’t seem to want to reform thoroughly, for if we get rid of the British monarch as our head of state, why aren’t we getting out of this expensive and useless Commonwealth club, (also headed by the British monarch), replacing the Privy council as our final court, (wouldn't it be justice to resume hanging, if only for those who murder children!) and get rid of all those British titles bestowed on our citizens?

And why are we seeking to replace the overpaid and useless ribbon-cutting  Governor General with an equally useless ceremonial president?

Does any Jamaican think we will ever achieve effective constitutional reform under a bunch of bureaucratic tinkerers?

I certainly don’t think the ongoing fiasco will be anything but another total waste of money and energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FIRST REVIEW!

                       

 After much hesitation, I published "Looking Back......the struggle to preserve our freedoms" in November 2015.

This was a Semi-autobiography which was dominated by my activities between 1970 and 1980, first as a PNP activist, then as a JLP activist.

This was the period when my little island was on the verge of a civil war.

The publication got great reviews, but none better than in a humorous 45 minute interview with Cliff Hughes on Nationwide Radio.

Listen to it at;  https://youtu.be/Bye6K9uwmzo.

After that, all copies on the island sold out instantly. However, paperback and kindle versions were still available on Amazon.com at; Amazon.com : looking back by Joan Williams.

When I migrated to the USA, I relaunched it at Pembroke Pines Library in Broward County, Florida, in 2017 (Joan, my views: Florida launch of "Looking back...." (joan-myviews.blogspot.com).

The reviews from the Jamaica Observer, Caribbean Today and Caribbean National Weekly were so good that the book has continued to do very well, especially with Jamaicans living abroad.       

To tell you the truth though, I have not been paying much attention to it, except to glance at the monthly sales logs which Amazon sends me.

Then out of the clear blue sky, about two weeks ago, I got an email from Amazon advising me that the book had been selected to become an audiobook. 

The voice would be done by AI,(Artificial Intelligence) they said. 

To tell the truth, I never visited the link they sent me until I got a follow-up email from them asking me how I felt about the project?

That’s when I finally listened to it on Audible at; LOOKING BACK......... by Joan Williams - Audiobook - Audible.com,  and I could not believe how good it sounded!

I immediately shared the link widely on my blog and was pleasantly surprised that by the following day, a 5-star review was posted on the page.

I have reproduced it below.   

                                     THE REVIEW

“Title: "Looking Back: A Riveting Account of Jamaica's Turbulent Political Years (1970-1994)" by Joan Williams

 

Rating: 5/5

 Joan Williams's "Looking Back" offers a compelling narrative of Jamaica's political upheavals during the crucial years between 1970 and 1994. For readers like yourself, who may have left Jamaica during this period, this book serves as an invaluable window into the tumultuous events that unfolded under the leadership of Michael Manley and Edward Seaga.

 Williams provides a ringside view of Jamaica's political landscape, delving deep into the ideological clashes, social unrest, and economic challenges that gripped the nation. Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, she paints a vivid picture of the power struggles between the People's National Party (PNP) under Manley and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) led by Seaga.

 What sets "Looking Back" apart is its ability to offer nuanced insights into the complexities of Jamaican politics. Williams doesn't shy away from addressing the controversies, violence, and human toll that marked this period. Yet, amidst the chaos, she also highlights moments of resilience, community spirit, and the enduring quest for social justice.

 One of the book's strengths lies in its balanced portrayal of key political figures. Rather than resorting to simplistic caricatures, Williams presents Manley and Seaga as multifaceted individuals with distinct visions for Jamaica's future. By exploring their policies, personalities, and legacies, she enables readers to grasp the motivations driving these leaders and the impact of their decisions on the country's trajectory.

 Moreover, "Looking Back" offers valuable lessons for understanding contemporary Jamaican society and politics. Williams skillfully connects past events to present-day realities, illuminating the roots of ongoing social issues and the enduring legacy of this pivotal era.

 In conclusion, "Looking Back" is a must-read for anyone interested in Jamaican history, politics, or society. Joan Williams's engaging prose, thorough research, and insightful analysis make this book a captivating journey through Jamaica's turbulent past. Whether you're a newcomer to Jamaican history or a seasoned observer, "Looking Back" offers fresh perspectives and profound revelations that will leave a lasting impression.

 Everett Smith, Esq.

Law Offices of Everett Algernon Smith, P.A.

POB 8487.

Coral Springs, FL 33075.”

 I am extremely grateful to Amazon for having selected this publication, for such prestigious treatment, for as we are often reminded - “Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.”

 If I can play even a small role in ensuring that Jamaica never again treads that path, it will be well worth it.

 Your feedback is invited; gratestj@gmail.com

 

Joan Williams, former local host, looks back to go forward

(This is a reproduction of the article appearing on the front cover of the hard copy of "Bookends" on Sunday 18th November 2017. Bookends which is the book review section of the Jamaica Observer, is edited by Sharon Leach.)

Jamaica had its share of activists during the 1970s. Several of them have written about their experiences in that heady period of political tribalism.

Add Joan Williams to the mix.

On October 21, Williams launched her memoir, Looking Back.. ...the Struggle to Preserve Our Freedoms, in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

She told the Jamaica Obsever that she was influenced to revisit her firebrand years of the 1970s, after years of observing "apologists" for the Michael Manley government revising history.

"Reading so many versions written by those who were behind the Socialist thrust and seeing how they try to sanitise what really took place, I had to record my own experiences for I have never found anything that told the other side of the story," she said.

 'Looking Back' focuses mainly on the Seventies, a divisive decade that saw then prime minister Manley experimenting with democratic socialism. He was fiercely opposed by the right-leaning Edward Seaga, head of then main Opposition Jamaica Labour Party.

Williams, her husband and infant son returned to Jamaica from Canada shortly after Manley was elected prime minister in 1972. They were drawn to his passionate campaign of change for working-class Jamaicans and were members of the PNP at one stage. 

They switched allegiance to the JLP in 1974 when Manley declared democratic socialism as his government's mantra. Williams, like many Manley critics, details some of the period's tragic incidents such as the 1976 State of Emergency and Green Bay affair of 1978.

She lays blame for these and other atrocities at Manley’s feet.

The JLP also comes in for criticism, particularly Seaga whom she blames for alienating some of the party's most talented members because of his autocratic leadership.

"I am driven by a 'Jamaica first' attitude, so if I see a party acting contrary to what I consider to be the best interest of the country, I take immediate exception" said Williams. She notes that the PNP and JLP "have failed Jamaica miserably".

The book, her fourth, is not all politics. A chapter revisits the death of her son Thor in 1995. He was visiting Jamaica from the United States when he was shot and killed in St Andrew.

Twenty-two years later, Williams is still affected by the incident, especially as initial media reports about the incident said Thor was shot after attempting to rob someone.

"It was very tough to write about my son's murder. He was the first of my two children and my only son, and after 22 years the pain and bitterness remain as severe as it did in 1995," she said.

Separate chapters are dedicated to persons Williams respected; talk show hosts Anthony Abrahams and Wilmot 'Motty' Perkins.

She recalls the early days of groundbreaking radio show, The Breakfast Club, which she started with Abrahams, who died in 2011.

There is a revealing recollection of the fiery Perkins' battle with cancer, to which he succumbed one year after Abrahams's death.

'Motty Perkins was number one; he was never intimidated by anyone. Tony Abrahams was another. He was absolutely brilliant and I salute him most for revolutionising morning radio," she said.

Williams believes that, had Manley retained power for a third term in 1980, Jamaica today would resemble two of its regional neighbours.

"l used to look back and regret my days of activism and the sacrifices I had to make, but after I travelled to Cuba in 2014 to meet relatives, and saw how browbeaten and disillusioned the people there were, I regret nothing for I could never have survived in the type of society the socialists were trying to impose on us during the Seventies," she said. "Every day, I hear the news coming out of Venezuela which mirrors the madness we went through in the Seventies. I thank God we escaped what would have been a fate worse than death."

— Howard Campbell

Nb. Looking Back is available in paperback and ebook format at;
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Alooking+back+by+joan+williams&keywords=looking+back+by+joan+williams&ie=UTF8&qid=1513357246

https://youtu.be/LvUJXyiJKKM