Now all the spite, all the malice, all the hate and all the nastiness comes together at one time.
In my lifetime I believe there has never been one like Ralph Gonsalves — vicious, malevolent and always ready for cheap, political point-scoring at the expense of the weak, vulnerable and those he calls dunce. He also demonstrates the most shameful ineptitude and incompetence and he’ll stab anyone in the back to protect his political continuance in power. That is why if you notice I never address him as Honourable, in my eyes that is not a word to use as right of office, its something that has to be earned.
He is authoritarian, anti-libertarian, secretive, oppressive, unjust, a self-confessed liar and represents everything that is bad in politics. He would be far better suited to joining the Castro government in Cuba, or the Maduro government in Venezuela, even, perhaps, the Assad government in Syria. He is the antithesis of democracy, the enemy of freedom. He shames Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and has done more damage to the cause of Caribbean socialist politics than anyone ever before. He even made Hugo Chavez look reasonable, personable and relevant.
Usually, when politicians get spiteful, it’s one-on-one, and they find relatively subtle ways of getting back at each other — in the opposition party someone gets skipped over for a judgeship, or a legislator loses a choice committee assignment at CARICOM. That kind of thing is common and, in Caribbean politics, sometimes expected.
It all comes to a head when the Gonsalves government refuses to allow a shipment of aid to the opposition party leader, Arnhim Eustace of the NDP, to be cleared free of duty and charges. Gonsalves claims that he was offended by something that Eustace had said about NEMO. Because there is clear evidence of mal-distribution of aid in the past under the undue influence of some within the ULP, NEMO has allowed itself to be a political pawn on behalf of the ULP hierarchy. People who belong to the NDP party have been refused aid. People from the ULP party who did not need aid got it. This, to me, is among the lowest point of his career. Not considering the accusations of rape and sexual crimes against women.
All sorts of people and groups brought in aid, the Lions, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Rotary, private people. They all got approval for duty free concessions, no duties no taxes, no tailgate or any other such charges. But when the NDP was consigned a batch of aid — aid for the people — it was announced that the Cabinet had not approved it. I for one would never believe it was the Cabinet that did not approve it. It was Gonsalves that did not approve it. The Cabinet would rubber stamp anything that he told them to.
As far as I am concerned, bringing in aid items duty-free at the time of an emergency, or following a disaster, is not a concession; it’s a basic human right. For Gonsalves to punish the contributors from the diaspora who sent the consignment, and more so to delay the distribution of the same to the needy, is an utter disgrace and proves to me this man should not be prime minister. To administer spite, malice, hate and nastiness to thousands of people, because he, Gonsalves, took objection to what one man had said, must be the act of a seriously mentally ill individual.
Of course his application of spite, malice, hate and nastiness is sheer evil, but it is also unfortunately supported by political colleagues and supporters, even if they say nothing they are supporting him by saying nothing.
I know I keep ramming this home, my family were all decent labour folk. This Unity Labour Party is not the old Labour Party. It is a party hijacked by a group of Marxist’s, led by Ralph Gonsalves. And aren’t we paying for that?
It really is only the greedy and the ignorant that support the ULP, and the ULP government, as it is administered and I believe fully controlled by Gonsalves his cousin, and son. I liken it to a family owned plantation administering to its field slaves.
Peter Binose, self appointed keeper of the whistle
cc
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ONCE AGAIN MR BIGNOSE (BINOSE) YOU ARE DISPLAYING YOUR HATE FOR THE COMRADE THE GREAT AND MOST RECOGNISED POLITICAL LEADER IN THE CARIBBEAN AND ELSEWHERE….YOU ARE A POLITICAL DUNCE AND IS BLIND AS A BAT….NO WONDER LOUD MOUTHS LIKE YOU AND THE PEOPLE WHO BEHAVE AND THINK LIKE YOU ARE ALL SUFFERING FROM BAD MINDS AND DYING SLOWLY FROM WITHIN DUE TO HEART FAILURES AND ILL HEALTH…YOU HAVE NO SHAME AND YOU WILL SOON BITE YOUR FORKED TONGUE..
Would any person punish a thousand people to ultimately punish one man? The answer is yes, under Hitler if one man in a village did something wrong, they took a dozen men or more, lined them up and shot them.
So the anomaly is not unheard of, but most of us never thought that behaviour would ever happen again, least of all in Saint Vincent.
No normal person, a man with all his correct faculties would punish a thousand Vincentians just to ultimately attempt to punish one.
Is this not the act of a protected coward, and perhaps also a very mentally sick person? Or perhaps someone who has been taken over by Satan, or is a disciple of Satan.
Most certainly not the act of a Christian regardless of any claim to be one. Carrying a bible, going to Church, preaching verses and texts from the Holy Book does not make a man a Christian.
Its the behaviour and the values held that make a man a Christian.
If a man is virtueless and is seen by some as a sex monster, a sex predator, a rapist, would he be a true Christian, or a disciple of the Prince of Darkness, Satan?
The NDP should stop trying to make some cheap political points which only make matters worse for needy people and just turn the shipment over to the Red Cross or Salvation Army.
They will never do this, of course, because they are more concerned with trying to shame the government than helping those in need.
The NDP is no better or worse than the ULP.
Poor we!
Peter,
Why does more than half the population of SVG still vote for Ralph Gonsalves?
Were these items coming to Mr. Eustace as an individual or to the New Democratic Party?
I know of a law on the books of St. Vincent & the Grenadines where political material can come into the country free of duty once a date for the general election is announced. I am not sure how much time is allotted before the actual date of election for duty free items consigned to a political party to enter to enter the country.
It is high time for a new political direction in SVG.
Mourine, a few red T shirts, bottles of strong rum, greed and ignorance are the main ingrediants.
Political material has little to do with aid. You cannot send aid in as political material.
C. Ben-David, just like all the rubbish people you are supporting this kind of disgusting behaviour, you are supporting wrong, what kind of person are you?
None of the groups mention choose to seek duty free from Cabinet.We all cleared our stuff with the help of NEMO .We had no problem with customs.
Now its reasons like this why i did not give anything to the so call aid relief or aid programs , look at all the people doing their best out here to organize collect and send relief to SVG , making the effort and giving of their time and money, asking for and collecting supplies and what you get for it ? a kick in the teeth from whom ? the government of the said SVG , simply saying in other words if your aid dont come through the ULP it dont come into SVG or you pay full price for it , this is the vindictive nature of one ralph gonsalves to our people and who calls himself a prime minister of a country , and what is worst is that it seems to have others that support this behavior , to top it all off most of those who support him in the parliament are young men and women who are expecting the the populace of the country will soon be going to the polls to vote for them , the sad part of it all is there are Vincentians that will , my reason for not giving .
I sent directly to my family but the people who voted for this gunsalves man deserve nothing but to swim in their own s**t . St.Vincent will see nothing from me no matter what happens until the people find their senses to get rid of this vindictive character and the rest of the lot from the political arena of SVG
If Peter weren’t so bright, I would venture to assist in answering that question of why the COPY-CAT MARXIST-LENIINIST [aka COMMUNIST] Ralphie seem to ‘win’ the last few general elections in ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES.
Yuh see, me compatriots, JAMES FITZ-ALLAN MITCHELL so thoroughly mess up the country, and was so increasingly ARROGANT, NARCISSISTIC, AND HUBRISTIC, that the good people of SVG just doan relish the stupid of idea of returning what they still consider as ‘Mitchell’s party’ to power.
Mitchell’s term was just that disgusting and disorienting. “Son” even still yet continue to forlornly ‘fancy’ himself, engaging in the cynical attempt to hijack the COCAO project, and SHAMELESSLY seeking to BAD-MOUTH THE SUCCESSOR PROGRAMMES, POLICIES AND LEADERSHIP of the NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
James Mitchell, to this day, is still so much POLITICAL ALBATROSS around the neck of the NDP.
The embarrassing I-man evinces LITTLE SIGN OR SEMBLANCE OF true STATEMANSHIP.
He exhibIts ABSOLUTELY NO RESPECT FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, DUE PROCESS AND THE FREE MORAL AGENCY OR SOVEREIGN DECISIONS OF THE MEMBERS, particularly the rank and file of the MEMBERSHIP of the NDP.
PLEASE notice his utter sabotage of democratic decision-making in his contrived DENIAL OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NDP TO THE THEN POPULARLY FAVOURED Mr. Jeremiah Cephus SCOTT.
A nasty case in point of lack of loyalty, and actual contempt for a man, a leading functionary, who had faithfully, loyally, backed and supported him – – – who had substantially helped to turn the political tide in his favour, away from MILTON CATO’s SVG Labour Party – – – and who had won the hearts and minds of the general membership of the NDP.
Could Mourine tell us about the ETHICS of the HOTEL CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS that were rendered SPECIALLY DUTY -FREE and, when ONLY ONE HOTELIER or tourism practitioner had received his, THEN THE DUTY FREE STATUS FOR FURTHER OR SUBSEQUENT SUCH ‘HOTEL’ MATERIALS WERE PROMPTLY REMOVED FROM SUCH DUTY FREE STANDING?
This observer and ‘umble citizen ain’t saying that anything ontoward halppened. Man just asking – – – in the interest of political transparency.
A cousin of mine [whom the ole folks in my family used to tell to address as Martha Mitchell] had something to do with AVES ISLAND [Bird island]. A then gigantic, COSTLY project was built on the southern end of Bequia, overlooking Aves. The real estate value of Aves, and, supposedly, the lands on that southern end, near DERRICK – PAGET FARM – SOUTHSIDE, etc., dramatically SKYROCKETED – – – dramatically from mi family’s former AVES near-total uselessness.
My alternative contacts in the Ollivierre family, to whom much of the Bequia island lands belonged, cried shame to me that THEIR LANDS were disgracefully undervalued. But, Aves was very highly, ‘satisforially’ valued, from near uselessness.
Man would not say for sure that any political shinanigans took place with these real estate,-STATE ‘ACQUISITION’ transactions. Me “NA-NO”!
But, as a conscientious Vincentian citizen, me go war’h fuh know, what really went on there. As a national, I consider that I was NOT informed of the detailed specifics of such important national transactions.
If it was a case of CAESAR APPEALING TO CAESAR, how, on this good earth are we to know what the true facts of the case are?
In the interest of fairness, fairplay, transparency, and JUSTICE, let us have a thorough-going investigation of all those apparently questionable dealings, at least, fpr the authentic historical record and for posterity.
OTTLEY HALL AND UNION ISLAND ARE STILL ON THE BACK-BURNERS, stifled and obsfuscated by the usual juridical obstructions and legalistic tap-dancing.
This political nincompoop DID ultimately THROW THE MT. BENTINCK SUGAR FACTORY given to the people of SVG via grant and concessionary terms by Dr. Eric Eustace WILLIAMS and the people of TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, BACK INTO THE SEA as he had arrogantly promised with the usual political spite and malice.
WITHOUT ‘consulting us, FIRST’ – – – as he had LOUDLY, PUBLICLY, PROMISED, Mourine. Even his stalwart Campaign Manager and Senator JULIAN ‘Bucky’ BOYEA puked on hearing that ARROGANT non-dialoguic “CLOSURE” speech [harangue] by the NARCISSISSTIC “I-man” Mitchell.
Mournine and Peter, ‘tory dey fuh tark, but time nah permit at present. Sorry, Sis, the two RED MEN are and were OUR TWO WORST PRIME MINISTERS IN SVG.
The Black men, ROBERT MILTON CATO and his relative ARNHIM EUSTACE were our best —- particularly the former, our FIRST PRIME MINISTER IN SVG, who led us to political independence preceded by amicable ‘Statehood in Association with Great Britain – – – in concert with our fellow Eastern Caribbean States.
Mourine, I often strongly disagree with you on so many political issues – – – after initially gushing over one of your earliest articles on another earlier site. I am on record that I believe that a man whom I believe to be your brother is one of the greatest Vincentian patriots alive today and for all our SVG national history to date.
But, whey ‘appen. Ah mean, Arnhim too BLACK fuh yuh, or your taste and liking ? He nah “white” enough ? How come yuh readily accept the two RED MEN, so?
Is it because, also, that the RED COMMIE is a cousin of yours – – – even if he supposedly in a different party than you – – – and yuh hesitant ’bout he ATHEISTIC COMMUNISM – – – which he used to so LOUDLY, PUBLICLY, ‘preach’ everywhere for umpteenth years. Check the Youlimo ‘FREEDOM’ trash paper, or the Youlimo SVG COMMUNIST PARTY trash paper ‘JUSTICE.’
Check THE VINCENTIAN, or THE NATION newspaper in BARBADOS.
Check his cheap polemic tracks on the COMMUNISM shelves at the UWI
By the way, another cousin of mine married Mitchy’s mom and brought up the rest of his sibling in ST. LUCIA, while cousin Martha proved, I believe, to be his beneficiary. One reason other commentators do really understand Sir Milts decision to let “Son” get the chance to replace his uncle as candidate in Grenadines, is that they fail to understand Milton Cato’s familial relation to the BAYNES brothers. Even the LUCIAN national hero SIR JOHN COMPTON fully understood that connection. Commentator Kenneth John never did; or at least he has never communicated thus in any of his numerous (usually biased, partisan) writings.
Of one thing I am convinced, Mourine: Mr. Arnhim EUSTACE is A DECENT MAN.
That, Sis, IS AN ABSOLUTELY RARE COMMODITY in VINCENTIAN AND WEST INDIAN POLITICS.
EVEN RARER, STILL, IN SVG AND CARIBBEAN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.
Sorry, but no apologies.
James F. “son’ Mitchell, in my ‘umble opinion, was a political charlatan and just another corrupt West Indian politician, and political lier. I have closely observed ‘im, and that is my political perception.
Notice how ‘he tongue TUN, in relation to his OPPORTUNISTIC GRENADINES SESSIONIST GAMBIT, once he was given POLITICAL POWER?
How utterly, totally, dastardly CYNICAL.
ONLY fuh he ALONE.
I want SECCESSION, unless I AM GIVEN POLITICAL POWER.
I WANT THE PREMIER-SHIP, otherwise I won’t join in any COALITION or ALLIANCE.
Now, “ME — I-MAN — WANT “COCOA” !”
BLACK POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN SVG HAD PROVEN, since Universal Adult Suffrage in 1951, HAS PROVEN TO BE MORE STABLE, BALANCED, PRAGMATIC, AND SANE.
In SVG for the past 60-odd years, POLITICALLY SPEAKING, ‘white man can’t jump’.
The political red-men, though given so many years of political leadership, have proven to be utter, complete, un-mitigated politico-socio-economic DISASTERS for our beloved, but now sadly OPPRESSED, Home of the Blessed (HAIROUNA) – – – the unique SVG.
Peter,
You are indicating that more than half the voting population in SVG cannot reason, dumb and ignorant.
If that is so no matter who is in power then SVG cannot and will not move forward.
Are we to believe that it is ash to ash and dust to dust for Vincentians because the are dumb and ignorant?
Mourine, Unfortunately populations of all countries have a degree of ignorant people in the populace. It’s certainly not just SVG. I have met British, American, French and Spanish people who are equally as ignorant as ours.
Being educated in many case does not necessarily cure ignorance, its a human fault found in many people.
Our ignorant have been hoodwinked into believing everything that a certain man says, when the man is a confirmed and self confessed liar, one who I believe to be amongst the worlds worst serial liars.
Then we have a collection of people who do not believe what he says but hang on to the table cloth hoping some crumbs will fall off, and also those people who will support to keep their jobs and positions.
Difference is in the UK and America and most so called civilised countries, people, the electorate are not offered trinkets and goodies as bribes to vote in a certain direction, for a certain party, for a certain man. Because those offering such bribes would go to prison and be banned from ever standing again as a candidate.
I am sure such behaviour here is also illegal, it requires enforcing.
Peter,
I do not like calling our voting population ignorant because of their choice in electing a govt. no matter the reason.
Remember Peter these are the very people we are trying to attract to form govt. to turn things around. There is good and bad in every organization so let us stay away from attacking voters as we may be also attacking some of our very own.
I like the way you it. I agree that Jerry Scott would have been the best choice by far. Be that as it may, the present leader supported Sir James in every single action he took be it good or bad for better or worst.
Not one single minister resigned under the James Mitchell, was it that they all agreed with him or were part of his every move?
Every Politican comes into office with all good intention.
Dear IWN,
When young persons today come out of school no education we sometimes blame the school or the teachers but I want to stand here today and blame the adults or so called adults of this nation.
I can’t confirm or deny the claims made by the write above but what I found so interesting is the responses.
Mr. Junior Bacchus above mentioned that “None of the groups mention choose to seek duty free from Cabinet. We all cleared our stuff with the help of NEMO .We had no problem with customs.”
But none of the adults commenting on the article saw it fit to respond to Mr. Bacchus statement but instead we gone down this lonely road over politics and makes no obvious sense.
I am new the page but I can see that the “self appointed keeper of the whistle” is very misinformed about a lot of things. But please adults I am begging you have a civil discourse and discuss the valid points only.
Editor please permit me to ask what kind of Journalist are you?
ps. no disrespect intended just trying to determine if you do investigative work or you basically report the news in some detail.