Nothing that happens, nothing that we do, or contrive to do, requires that anyone is held responsible for any of the consequences of our, or of “Gord’s” action.
By now we are all aware of the consequences arising out of last Sunday’s “Flugtag” Event at Chagaramas.
As we all know by now, the event created the worst traffic jam ever experienced in Trinidad, and residents of the northwest peninsula were terribly inconvenienced for over twelve hours. Fortunately, or perhaps because “Gord is ah Trini”, no emergencies arose or were accentuated by this gridlock.
By now we are all aware of the consequences arising out of last Sunday’s “Flugtag” Event at Chagaramas.
As we all know by now, the event created the worst traffic jam ever experienced in Trinidad, and residents of the northwest peninsula were terribly inconvenienced for over twelve hours. Fortunately, or perhaps because “Gord is ah Trini”, no emergencies arose or were accentuated by this gridlock.
Apparently there was no need for ambulances, fire engines or the like to try to penetrate the blockage. I cannot help but wonder, however, the fate of persons who may have needed to get to work, to the airport, or other “must reach” destinations. We do know that tens of thousands of people were either trapped in their homes, or could not get back to their homes, for hours.
But of course, no one was responsible for this massive traffic blockage. We know this to be true, for everyone we can think of has stated emphatically that they were not responsible.
But of course, no one was responsible for this massive traffic blockage. We know this to be true, for everyone we can think of has stated emphatically that they were not responsible.
This includes the event promoter, the event sponsor, the sponsor’s local agents, the Chagaramas Development Authority (on whose property the event was held), the Police Service, the ODPM, the Coast Guard, the EMA, and a plethora of government agencies and officials.
“Not me! Ask someone else! I wash my hands”.
“Not me! Ask someone else! I wash my hands”.
Every time something needs to be done, or some responsibility needs to be taken in our country, everyone who should take charge, or accept some degree of responsibility, starts “sticking” and says “not me, take this to Herod”.
And “Herod” sends the issue back to “Pontius Pilate” who eventually washes his hands and the event, whether crucifixion or flugtag, just “happens” without sanction or prohibition.
But if no one was responsible for the massive, day-long traffic jam, what about the tragic fact that three people lost their lives in consequences indirectly connected to the event?
In my opinion, none of the three drownings can be said to be the direct responsibility of the event organizers, the CDA, or, indeed, anyone on the list of “disclaimees” above.
But if no one was responsible for the massive, day-long traffic jam, what about the tragic fact that three people lost their lives in consequences indirectly connected to the event?
In my opinion, none of the three drownings can be said to be the direct responsibility of the event organizers, the CDA, or, indeed, anyone on the list of “disclaimees” above.
I have heard, mostly on talk radio and blogs, that the “organizers”, because they created the traffic jam, should be responsible for the deaths. That, in my opinion, is tantamount to persons leaving home to attend, say a cricket match, and while overtaking cars on the highway, crash and kill themselves, and we hold the organizers of the cricket responsible.
Even if the event “caused” the traffic jam, the decision of persons to clamber into small boats without life jackets was their decision, not the event organizers. The decision to take their boats up the coast to “hustle a little bread” by charging people for a sea-ride to Chagaramas, was the choice of the boat operators.
That their boats were manifestly unsafe and overcrowded mattered not to them, and not to them alone. Hundreds were ready to clamber into those boats.
We as a people simply have no concept of the consequences of our actions. That is why we drive recklessly, work unsafely and clamber into unsafe small boats. The name of this condition is Ignorance, and I make no apology for identifying it as such.
The irony in all this is that two simple individuals have accepted the responsibility for their actions, even if the wider society, including Government (for ignoring boat safety in the face of repeated tragedies) refuses to acknowledge that we encourage and perpetuate the Ignorance which brings tragedy to us.
The irony in all this is that two simple individuals have accepted the responsibility for their actions, even if the wider society, including Government (for ignoring boat safety in the face of repeated tragedies) refuses to acknowledge that we encourage and perpetuate the Ignorance which brings tragedy to us.
The mother of the child who drowned and the boat operator have both acknowledged their failures, and I feel for them. And I am deeply touched that the mother has forgiven the boat operator, who now appears to be in deep remorse.
But what of the young man who got there early, and spent the night, but decided to go swimming at 1.00 am and drowned? Did the event “cause” that death? Was he drunk? We should be told, because it is important to know, for the sake of others not yet drowned, how critical it is not to swim when drinking.
While I cannot hold the organizers or the authorities responsible for the deaths of three people, I do hold them responsible for organizing and allowing that event on the same day as the Annual St. Peter’s Day Celebration, which itself always causes gridlock. For this they must be held accountable to the thousands of residents they grossly inconvenienced last Sunday.
But what of the young man who got there early, and spent the night, but decided to go swimming at 1.00 am and drowned? Did the event “cause” that death? Was he drunk? We should be told, because it is important to know, for the sake of others not yet drowned, how critical it is not to swim when drinking.
While I cannot hold the organizers or the authorities responsible for the deaths of three people, I do hold them responsible for organizing and allowing that event on the same day as the Annual St. Peter’s Day Celebration, which itself always causes gridlock. For this they must be held accountable to the thousands of residents they grossly inconvenienced last Sunday.
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