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Nov
1
Written by:
Godfrey Smith
Monday, November 01, 2010
They were sincere and enthusiastic, the young politicians whose remark (that surely I am a PUP) I perhaps too hastily rebuffed.
I couldn’t accept the accommodating gesture because I don’t know what it means to be a PUP. Their sincerity and hopefulness shouldn’t be infected with cynicism though, lest an epidemic of political nihilism be unleashed.
Cynicism’s bitter weeds sprung up when ideology, the life-blood of politics, was exsanguinated from that ignoble profession, and replaced by a now entrenched, incentive-based tribalism.
Both major political parties were at one time hitched to philosophical moorings of one kind or the other. For Price and the PUP it was independence and social justice. For Esquivel and the UDP, it was a pro-US, pro-investment leaning.
A case could have been made then that each party had an identifiable, ideological stance, now distorted and made ridiculous like reflections in fun house mirrors.
Where ideology was driven by the desire to achieve some basic underpinning policy, tribalism is driven by the desire for patronage.
When ideology reigned, the parties debated the merits of West Indian Federation versus Central American Federation, independence versus colonial status, populism versus a businesslike approach to governance or whether the mixed economy approach or an open door policy on investment would yield better results for the people.
Floreat tribalism. Policy debates are banished. Blue and red war colors are painted on. Campari and cash are doled out, followed by the incantation of slogans to make the party faithful oblivious to objectivity and common sense.
PUPs cite economic inertia, investment drought and judicial interference as reasons why a “totally arrogant” UDP administration now has to go. The fact that people cited corruption, aloofness and a love of oligarchs as reasons why a totally mendacious PUP administration had to go has long faded into the thick blue fog of political amnesia.
Their rebuttal is that while it took the people seven or eight years to become fed up with the PUP, they are already fed up with the UDP in just two and a half years. They ignore the possibility that if the people are indeed fed up with the UDP, it has less to do with the comparative merits of the two parties and more to do with deepening cynicism.
It is cynicism born of frustration that keeps the pendulum sweeping forwards and backwards between the two parties, guaranteeing that each will eventually get its turn to govern regardless of whether it has good leadership, good candidates or vision.
Caught in a kind of looping Poe-ian horror, the electorate barely escapes plummeting into the pit of PUP corruption only to find itself prostrate to the descending, lacerating scythe of UDP incompetence. Each party subjectively sees its choice of torture as manifestly more acceptable than the other.
Mark Espat, closet aspirant to leadership of the PUP, disparaged PUP leader John Briceño for being a “pendulum addict”. By this he meant that Mr. Briceño is content to wait for the political pendulum to swing back in favor of the PUP rather than leading the party to victory with a bold, reforming vision.
Mr. Briceño is distinctly short on leadership qualities but he’s no political dunce. To be fair, people were so fed up with PUP corruption and lies that they neither noticed nor cared that Mr. Barrow had articulated no policy whatsoever for dealing with the country’s problems. Save for the anti-corruption measures he promised a UDP Government would implement, no plan was presented and none demanded by the people.
Mr. Briceño should not be judged too harshly for being a “pendulum addict” in a system of tribalism where the universal creed is “patronage not policy”.
Mr. Espat has lusted for leadership of the PUP for at least six years. He lacked the courage or patience to commit to the trench work necessary to build confidence, support and momentum. His preferred method of internal ambush and sabotage against whoever was leader guaranteed that he could not trustingly be crowned king.
He exposes and frustrates his admirers with his serial, skulking forays at leadership only to melt away, broodingly, into the shadows. In politics, there is greater success in being a whore, that a cock-tease.
The breakaway band of four PUP parliamentarians seems muddled in its thinking. As four of only six elected representatives, they have strategic, enviable leverage. Lacking confidence in Mr. Briceño’s leadership, they demanded key roles as deputy leaders of the PUP. Briceño, emboldened by accommodation with the PUP old guard, turned down the demand and called their bluff.
If the four had no confidence in a Briceño leadership, one among them should have challenged him. Having missed that opportunity, if they can’t stomach his continuing leadership, they have two choices. They can either choke on their own bile or have the balls to walk over from the National Assembly to the Governor-General and request that he appoint a new Opposition Leader.
On Monday October 18th, four of seven MPs in the Barbados Labour Party ousted Mia Mottley as Opposition Leader in favour of the retired leader, Owen Arthur. It just won’t do for the Belize four to resort to the worn-out, juvenile tactic of eternal sulking and boycotting meetings. Given its recent past, the party needs a decisive, historic act to restore its revolutionary credentials.
In the meantime, the PUP has emerged from its October 17th National Convention in Dangriga Town with muscular support, if questionable unity. It gained old guard support but lost the support of four of its six elected MPs and, true to mendacious old form, gamely lied about why two of the boycotting four were absent.
There were no statements on why or how this was a new and different PUP. But who cares? There were enough slogans and UDP denunciations to rally and energize the tribe.
Despite its lack of coherent, convincing leadership, the PUP sincerely believes that it is entitled to be elected to govern in 2013. If Mr. Barrow keeps making reckless empty promises, like, most recently, solemnly promising that each and every victim of Hurricane Richard will be assisted with housing, Mr. Briceño may not have to wait two terms for the pendulum to swing in his favor.
But back to the question of what being a PUP means. The rule of Price, Esquivel, Musa and now Barrow demonstrate that the legacy of a party-in-government is defined by the personality and character of its leader (see Flashpoint for Thursday, January 22nd 2009). What does this say about a Briceño PUP?
Copyright ©2010 Godfrey Smith
33 comment(s) so far...
Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Godfrey, my good man, you speak as though you were never one of the pendulum hangers-on, hoping that it swung in your favour. When you beat George Price's nephew in Pickstock in 2001 you said it was the end of a dynasty. Now you are writing a book on the leader emeritus to fortfify his lasting dynasty. In 2003 you won not because you were a credible candidate (if you were you would have surely beat the bearded fool in 2008) but because you were riding the pendulum. After the pendulum smashed into you with the UDP tsunami, you went into a self and party loathing hole, only to surface every now and then with slap dash flash criticism of the very people who supported you throughout your time in office. Your colleagues despise you, the people believe you a fraud and even your family has rallied against you. Word is the doctor smith will run in Pickstock. Good luck to him. I hope he wins and is a better area rep than you ever were. Perhaps you truly believe what you said, "it's better for a politician to be a whore..." That is what you have proven to be.
By barley blair on
Monday, November 01, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
BARLEY BLAIR...EXCELLENT COMMENT!!!! LOL. Let me tell you something Godfrey. The difference with Barbados and Belize is this: Owen Arthur led that island with dignity, transparency and skill whilst Said Musa ran Belize into the ground. Under the leadership of Owen Arthur Barbados became ranked as the first developing country on Transparency International's corruption free index list (I think somewhere around 16-20 in the world). Belize on the other hand wallowed at 90 under the reign of Said Musa and your bunch! The analogy with Barbados seems like a nice one the make if you don't consider the facts doesn't it? Truth be told the people of Barbados still have faith in Arthur, he is loved by Barbadians. Musa and anybody else who would be leader of the PUP do not enjoy those sentiments with us Belizeans!!
Barrow has been a disappointment and he must go, the sooner the better, but what are the people of Belize to do when the so called intellectual politicians like you offered no good alternative when you were in power. To the contrary you sat by idly and allowed the tribalism to flourish! It was YOU who made the G String 7 fail at its attempt to right the ship of state. So don't come here with your preaching about having balls to do what is necessary. When it came your time to stand up to Said and Ralph YOU had no balls to do so! You greedily took the Ministry of Tourism. It can be said I am sure that you were a cock tease to the G7 but preferred to be a whore for the status quo. Your article ranks of hypocrisy!
By SaID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Touche BB & SOWB!!! Godfrey is indeed one of the biggest hypocrites and imposter Belize has bred. The man reeks of greed. He didn't care about the people in pickstock, he cared about his pockets and now wants to shy away from it. He is not a genuine person and Belizeans are seeing that more and more. If it is true that Dr. Smith is running for politics, I hope he is not a user like his younger brother.
By Precision on
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Touche BB & SOWB!!! Godfrey is indeed one of the biggest hypocrites and imposter Belize has bred. The man reeks of greed. He didn't care about the people in pickstock, he cared about his pockets and now wants to shy away from it. He is not a genuine person and Belizeans are seeing that more and more. If it is true that Dr. Smith is running for politics, I hope he is not a user like his younger brother.
By Precision on
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Barrow and company will be re-elected precisely because the PUP simply shuffled the deck and hopes that things look different this time around. But, look carefully: the "old guard" is back and they're 'laying in the cut'...waiting.
By Gadfly on
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
We do not have to agree with Godfrey's analysis but it does not help Belize to gore him, for we fall into the same trap that the Hon. PM has systematically entwined himself--personal attacks on persons we disagree with, instead of addressing the issue and see how we can improve Belize given the failings of the PUP and the UDP.
By Oliver on
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Oliver, Godfrey must be gored at every opportunity so as to remind him and us of the indignities he committed and continues to commit on the people of Belize. He has no authority to talk about what it takes to be a good leader and politician.
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Well, it looks to me that , not unlike Barbados which brought back Owen Arthur, we need to bring back either Mr. Price, or Mr. Esquivel. Although in opposite parties, one could serve as advisor to the other, a counter-balancing force. After all, California brought back Jerry Brown after 2 decades.
By Rab on
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Said Oliver Wilbert Barrow, goring Godfrey only helps Godfrey--that is, if he is prepared to mend his ways; it does not help Belize. What helps Belize is constructive criticisms and solutions, the latter of which the UDP is lacking and the former of which they are good at but only in opposition.
By Oliver on
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Oliver, Godfrey must be gored at every opportunity so as to remind him and us of the indignities he committed and continues to commit on the people of Belize. He has no authority to talk about what it takes to be a good leader and politician.
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Belize is in a quandry. The only people that offer themselves up for Political Office are deviant little boys, mere shadows of men who have nobody's interest at heart but their own! As for our current PM, he has proven that he shares much in common with the uneducated, ignorant lot that make up the pool of persons who offer themselves to the electorate every 5 years!
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
You can't we stick to the issues instead of going on personal attacks. Stick to the issues. Can't Belizeans do that? This is why we are were we are as a society....we keep attacking people instead of dealing with the issues.....
By Diana on
Thursday, November 04, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
People are the issue!
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Thursday, November 04, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Wrong again Gadfly, two years into Musa and Fonseca's brutal and catastrophic reign, they had already successfully negotiated more "secret" deals that filled only their own pockets and which the Belizean people would only find out about years later when honest politicians like Prime Minister Dean Barrow (then leader of the opposition) had the balls to expose. Please don't lump Prime Minister Barrow along with the likes of Musa & Fonseca. There simply is no comparison. If you can't see that then you are as blind and hypocritical as Godfrey Smith!!
By Savag on
Friday, November 05, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Good point about shadows of men, Said Barrow.
Good point about sticking to the issues instead of going on personal attacks, Diana.
Good point about goring Godfrey only helps Godfrey and about constructive criticisms and solutions, Oliver.
By RAGM on
Friday, November 05, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
To all who pursue personal attacks from afar: GROW A PAIR.
By Gadfly on
Monday, November 08, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Savag: You cannot read. Try reading my first comment again.
By Gadfly on
Monday, November 08, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
"honest politicians like Dean Barrow"... Savag, I thought Mose Hyde had dibs on moisturizing the PM's genitals. But it seems he has competition. Mind you choke.
By barley blair on
Monday, November 08, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
DEAN BARROW .....HONEST POLITICIAN...LOL...LOL....LOL....LOL...LOL.....and the PUP neva thief neither!! I tell u...we have blinders on in Belize!
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Monday, November 08, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
I sorry di day mi pa gimme di name BARROW!!!! Mussi dats why I kinda lee arrogant n think I know everything!
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Monday, November 08, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
So Savag's hero, Dean O, is flouting Belize's improvement on the corruption index but is deathly silent on the the fact that we have plummeted on the human development index. More babies are dying during childbirth, healthcare is out of reach for 90% of the population, poverty is soaring to failed state status and crime continues to escalate. But all is well in Barrow's eyes, because he and his ministers are better at hiding the fact that they theif. Is it blinders, Said Oliver, or are we truly unable to see what plagues us?
By barley blair on
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Godfrey, did you hear what Dean Zero said about the Bar Association members being a bunch of hypoctites and frauds? LOL...that is the only thing the PM has gotten right in a long time! What he forgot to mention was that he was a member of the Bar as well and that the description aptly applies to him too!!!!!!
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Monday, November 15, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
All I have to say to the Hon. PM is "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
By Bar Member on
Monday, November 15, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Everyone goes back and forth claiming who's party is the worst.. Belize politics isn't about love for our country, it's about personal taste: "yu rada eat di spile beans or di spile pigtail"?
http://lorenzo-g.blogspot.com/
By LG on
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
everything that mr smith says is not worth a single read. he talks as if he was never the mr smith who was a minister or attorney general. those of you who commend him are just as played out as mr smith or you are just some "don't give a damn die hard party supporters instead of rational belizeans"
By Carla on
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
weh happm, gadfri? wi di wayt fi mo.
By RAGM on
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Gadfri realize seh nobody check fi he n ih feelings hurt suh ih nuh wa write no mo!
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Friday, December 17, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
Ah tru Gadfri? Yu stop write? Madaz... da fram November 1 yu nuh babble some crap fi we! Almost 2 months!!!! We gaan on?
By Said Barrow on
Monday, December 20, 2010
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Re: The Triumph of Pendulum Politics
While I disagree with the PM tactics it's hard for me to sympathize with Channel 5. They are crying foul and screaming to high heaven about restricting freedom of speech. However, I challenge anyone to make a comment adverse to the PUP party leader or to the campaign mananger or any of the golden boys and see if it is published. They don't allow free expression on their website but they want all Belizeans to jump on their bandwagon. This issue is one more example of the hypocracy that has enveloped our beautiful country.
Look at the comments that are allowed to be published on the Flashpoint website about the selfsame author. I admire that. What I do not admire is Channel 5 and it's local enforcers of the overlord's doctrine to play mind games with my people. So let this issue die a natural death and let's get back to the most important issues facing the country: educating our people and providing opportunities to find work so that they can enjoy their God given right to the pursuit of happiness.
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Thursday, December 23, 2010
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