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| File: Keith Rowley and Patrick Manning holding hands for a photo-op in San Fernando |
Take the latest example of how the PNM and Rowley are behaving with respect to the demolition of the illegal Highway Re-Route camp in Debe last week.
The PNM is furious and has made Jack Warner its target. In fact the moment Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar appointed Jack as Minister of National Security the PNM was "damn vex", probably because it was frightened that Jack might bring crime under control, something the PNM could not do with its blimps, SAUTT and all the million-dollar hit-and-miss crime fighting schemes dreamed up by Patrick Manning and Martin Joseph.
So now Rowley and his tribe want to hang Jack. But they should know that if you want to hang a Jack you must have the right cards - and they don't.
They are calling the demolition of the camp a serious national crisis, so serious that the opposition leader wants Kamla to recall Parliament immediately to deal with it.
His "deep concern" for this group lends credibility to the suggestion that this is part of the opposition's master plan to try to try to pull down the government.
After all the movement has admitted that it is a political entity and its allies include anti-government unions like the Oilfield Workers' Trade Union, which has said it will do all it can to topple the government. And then there is Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), which used to be a part of the People's Partnership until Ancel Roget bullied David Abdulah to leave.
Wasn't Dr Rowley the man who said the illegal occupation of State lands is anarchy and that the PNM would not tolerate a state of lawlessness or political disorder? That's when he was a minister in cabinet. So going after people who illegally occupied state lands was right then and is wrong now? No wonder nobody is taking Rowley and the PNM seriously these days.
The question that arises is this: Why are Rowley and company so vocal in their support for this group that has illegally occupied state lands, hindered national development and might have already cost the state millions of dollars by their actions?
And to make their case in favour of Wayne Kullalsingh and his supporters they are deliberately circulating misinformation about what really happened in Debe last week Wednesday. The critics are saying Jack was 'directing' the security operation when in fact he was just there as an observer.
Let's be fair. If you want to knock Jack and the government find just cause but this Re-Route thing is not the smoking gun. The state acted on legal advice from the Attorney General to remove people who had been illegally occupying state lands. It used soldiers to do it and had police on site to keep the peace.
That's what happened. How this translates into a national crisis that warrants the recall of Parliament and the calls for Jack's head truly beats me.
Rowley is a master of double speak. He should check his own record before bad mouthing people. He was throwing out people who illegally occupied state lands and offering no apology for doing so. So why the crocodile tears for this group?
When he was dealing with illegal occupation of state lands as a cabinet minister Rowley stated that the PNM would not encourage "lawlessness and land-grabbing". Now that he is sitting on the other side, "lawlessness and land-grabbing" is not only acceptable but he and the PNM are making heroes and martyrs of the people who are breaking the law.
As far back as 2004 Rowley was going after people illegally occupying state lands. Commenting on a land grab at Cashew Gardens he said, "This is anarchy.” He said then lawlessness was one of the greatest impediments to national development. But what is he doing today? He is encouraging lawlessness and and cuddling with people who are hindering national development.
It's strange how time and circumstance can alter how politicians view what is right and what is wrong!
Jai Parasram | Toronto 03 July 2012
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