Columns

Do you know that forgiveness is powerful? That its benefits are overwhelming and that it benefits the forgiver more than the one who is forgiven? Well, it is true! No wonder the Bible speaks so forcefully about it.

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School Debating Team for their splendid performance in the British Virgin Islands where they represented Anguilla proudly in this year’s Annual Leeward Islands Debating Competition, over the weekend. While they did not bring back the gold --- they were strong finalists and fierce competitors to the very end.

Loosing the election was the best thing to happen to Victor Banks. In the end the whole country, friends and foe alike will come to recognize his qualities, capabilities, differences, and his more egalitarian, less parochial style of politics. This is good for the country. And is at the opportune time because now Banks does not operate under anyone’s shadow --- neither does he have to suppress his own thoughts. He is a leader and comes at a time when we can raise the political bar and stop doing politics “limbo style”.

It is obvious that there is much contention, bitterness and rancor among us, so it is now time for us as a people to stop, think, reflect and take stock as to how our words and actions are affecting each other, our youth, our community, our country in particular and the world at large.

In an address Broadcasted by Radio Anguilla on Monday, February 14th, 2011, at approximately 7:50pm, the Elected Representative of the Sandy Hill Constituency, Jerome Roberts, stated in part:

In my July 16th, Article, “A picture paints a thousand words,” I first used the label “three ring circus” to describe the behaviour and style of the AUM Government as they continued on their charade of manipulating the truth hoping, thereby, “to paint a glorious picture of an open and transparent Government that is for all the people”.

While I would like to apologize for the absence of this column over the past two weeks’ publication of The Anguillian, I must remark that much has been transpiring on the international scene, as well as on the home-front, causing us to realize that the noteworthy day of God’s judgment is advancing quickly.

Have you ever stopped and realized that there is a vast array of information about leadership that can be derived just from reading the Bible? Yes, the Bible is a great source of wisdom and inspiration. It can teach us how to be successful as well as how to guard against failure.

I was unable to listen to or attend the opening of the Chamber of Commerce Fair on Saturday, February 5, 2011 because of other events, not the least among which was the celebration of the lives of some cherished Anguillian women. We are blessed as a people to have such a heritage of strong women who have maintained our communities over the years in countless and differing ways.

A competent government develops policies appropriate for the situation and carries out these policies effectively and efficiently with minimum social cost as well as economic costs. The application of these criteria leaves the government of Anguilla open to tremendous criticism. What exactly are the present government policies or the vision and plan for the island other than silly talk about independence? The problem is money, and independent or not, will into the future remain the problem unless government focus on the economic situation and cool it on the politics.

Last week Monday was exactly one year since the passing of my dear friend and ardent supporter David Leroy “Feddie” Bryan. As I said when I eulogized him at the celebration of his life on February 13, 2010: “Stoney Ground would never be the same without him!” His passing came just before the elections --- so as a strong supporter of the Anguilla United Front his untimely surrender to his suffering spared him the disappointment of his party’s defeat at the polls. Those of us who knew and loved “Feddie” would appreciate his passion for Anguilla and his belief that the Anguilla United Front was the party best suited to deliver the goods. “Feddie”, we were humbled by your loyalty; emboldened by your confidence; and will continue to be inspired by your memory! May your soul rest in peace!”

Have you ever considered what contributes to leadership failure? Well, in this world of global economic changes and challenges, it is imperative that those who are placed in leadership positions be mindful of the pitfalls of leadership and be guarded as to what contributes to leadership failure. Hence there is no better time than now for leaders - all those in leadership capacities - to take the time to step back, reflect on what they are doing, and take action to change how they handle themselves as leaders. The more they stop, reflect, and course correct, the more likely they are to avoid some of the reasons why Leaders Fail.

It was my pleasure to be back on the rock, last Thursday, after a refreshing vacation --- but I was extremely disappointed with the obvious lack of rainfall over the three weeks of my absence. Especially in the context of the high levels of precipitation (albeit in the form of snow) in many parts of the United States from whence I journeyed. Yet in the midst of my disappointment I remained confident in our island’s historic resilience even after longer periods of drought. I took notice, however, that there was no drought affecting the seeds of discussion on the issue of Independence around the island.

When Anguilla chased the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla Government out, it was allegedly because Mr. Bradshaw was keeping all of the “grant-in-aid” money in St. Kitts and as such robbing Anguilla of its fair share of the development funds sent to the colony. This was ostensibly the real reason why we fought against the constitutional arrangements then in place. The outcome of this fight was that Anguillians preferred to be ruled directly from London and not from Basseterre.

Most everyday now, we in this part of the world rise to the sound of further ruffling of a fragile, fickle kind of world peace – or what is left of it. Various nations around the globe, one by one, are experiencing a critical degree of strife and uneasiness, and we pause in awe to witness civil disturbances via various means of modern-day media. But while we stay at home and face our own political and economic uncertainties, we must be conscious of the fact our local situation is only part and parcel of the general distress that this world is reeling under.

My friends, have you ever given any serious thought about what determines the success of a leader/ nation? Or have you considered why some leaders or nations are termed as being successful while others are not? Well, if you have not, the time has come for each of us individually, and collectively as a people, to stop, reflect and think on what causes a leader or a nation to be successful.

This serial, “A Great Day’s Coming” puts into perspective the day of pending judgment that is imminent and soon to come. It is a day that most people would prefer to avoid talking about, but from man’s standpoint, it’s a day that will surpass all other days in terms of its dreadfulness— an awful, most somber day for those who are not prepared for it.

For some time now, this question has been the topic of much discussion and debate. Is there any better time than now to again bring it to the forefront and answer it seriously, as a people and a nation, for it will determine our destiny.

Last week in my column I paid due respect to the “brilliant presentation” made by the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Evans McNiel Rogers, as he sought to bring Anguilla and Anguillians back to a state of reason and balance. Already the New Year began, as 2010 ended, with the Chief Minister continuing to “provoke panic, alarm, subversion and diversion on our streets and in our prisons”. Mr. Rogers’ comments demonstrated sound leadership throughout his speech but in particular he spoke with great wisdom and understanding when he said among other things:

All things work together for good! Do you believe it? What do you think? What are your thoughts? With all the chaos and confusion in the world and around us, does that saying seem true? Is it applicable to us in Anguilla, at this very moment in our development?