Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley’s reaction to the Prime Minister’s declaration of a Limited State of Emergency in the land was indeed thought provoking.
Not that the response itself seemed to have been engendered or encouraged by a rational and politically judicious process, but more so for the fact that it persuaded one to reflect upon a few years ago when Dr. Rowley sat in the nation’s Cabinet.
It was thought provoking that the Leader of the Opposition could criticise the People’s Partnership for lacking an anti crime agenda when there were some 2868 reported murders under the PNM between 2002 and 2009; reaching a record high of 550 in 2008.
It was thought provoking that the Leader of the Opposition could criticise the People’s Partnership for lacking an anti crime agenda when there were some 2868 reported murders under the PNM between 2002 and 2009; reaching a record high of 550 in 2008.
It was thought provoking to listen to the Opposition Leader’s reference to the Prime Minister’s initiative as a “panic” reaction when a few years ago he sat clueless and philosophically naive in the face of his leader’s insistence of being familiar with the notorious “Mr. Big”.
It was thought provoking indeed as it brought memories of the PNM’s “panic” in importing Professor Stephen Mastrofski, Edward Maguire, Jeffrey B Snipes, Jon B Gould and Major General Cameron Ross who produced plan after plan, unconvincing to the layman.
It was thought provoking indeed as it brought memories of the PNM’s “panic” in importing Professor Stephen Mastrofski, Edward Maguire, Jeffrey B Snipes, Jon B Gould and Major General Cameron Ross who produced plan after plan, unconvincing to the layman.
Dr. Rowley’s jab at the Prime Minister provoked recollection of the Anaconda, Baghdad and Weed and Seed initiatives which the statistics suggest bore little fruit.
A Limited State of Emergency exists today in15 nations across the globe, imposed to deal with varying state of affairs including natural disasters, civil unrest, ethnic clashes and violent crime. These countries include Japan, New Zealand, Bolivia and parts of the USA.
A Limited State of Emergency exists today in15 nations across the globe, imposed to deal with varying state of affairs including natural disasters, civil unrest, ethnic clashes and violent crime. These countries include Japan, New Zealand, Bolivia and parts of the USA.
The Prime Minister’s call is therefore not without international precedent. In all cases the underlying justification has always been the maintenance of the rule of law, public safety and the welfare and preservation of the constitutional rights of law abiding citizens.
Our Limited State of Emergency has the potential to bring results in changing the public’s perception about the Government’s concern for their safety and welfare. In 48 hours the entire nation feels a real sense that positives can be derived. That in itself is a psychological victory which can translate into tangible success.
Already the Prime Minister’s decision has found favour in the Caribbean. The main Opposition in St. Kitts has already urged the Denzil Douglas government to follow the example of Trinidad and Tobago to implement a limited state of emergency to deal with the crime situation in the twin island Federation. The Opposition in St. Kitts has said, “PM Kamla has done something and is exhibiting true leadership and is showing a genuine willingness to deal with crime in her country.”
The Prime Minister’s inventiveness is deserving of public support. She has stated publicly that the national picture of crying mothers and hapless children is the one that concerns her most.
Our Limited State of Emergency has the potential to bring results in changing the public’s perception about the Government’s concern for their safety and welfare. In 48 hours the entire nation feels a real sense that positives can be derived. That in itself is a psychological victory which can translate into tangible success.
Already the Prime Minister’s decision has found favour in the Caribbean. The main Opposition in St. Kitts has already urged the Denzil Douglas government to follow the example of Trinidad and Tobago to implement a limited state of emergency to deal with the crime situation in the twin island Federation. The Opposition in St. Kitts has said, “PM Kamla has done something and is exhibiting true leadership and is showing a genuine willingness to deal with crime in her country.”
The Prime Minister’s inventiveness is deserving of public support. She has stated publicly that the national picture of crying mothers and hapless children is the one that concerns her most.
This horrific, morose and sometimes morbid image can only be repainted if individually and collectively we rise to the occasion and support her political wisdom. A return to the "Trinbago" that we all know; thought provoking indeed.
Respectfully,
Ashvani Mahabir | Attorney-at-Law & Research Consultant
Respectfully,
Ashvani Mahabir | Attorney-at-Law & Research Consultant
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