Columns

By the time this weekly journal reaches its outlets the National Day of Prayer 2004 would just have been history, having taken place on Thursday May 6th. This, being the 4th annual observance of its kind, puts Anguilla in a privileged position among other states like Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tortola and the United States, which participate in the event each year.

The caption seeks to stir convincing debate on the cause of remote incidents of crime which have taken place in our small community, here of late. While some folks defend the idea that a lean spell in the economy has contributed significantly to these incidents, it is my opinion that the kind of economy whichkeeps Anguilla going is modestly favorable for the support of those who would diligently seek to be served by it. Further, criminal acts, like those that crop up from time to time, result primarily when the will to do good is overpowered by the will to evil.

To the general public, lawyers may sometimes appear to be a mysterious and cloistered group, shrouded in mystique and governed by a set of rules which the layman finds puzzling and difficult to understand. It might also seem that lawyers converse in a secret language which only they can comprehend, using antiquated words like “notwithstanding”, “hitherto”, and “aforementioned”. Why, you may ask, are laws not written in plain English which everyone can easily grasp? And why do lawyers dress in black gowns and white bands, and address each other as “my learned friend”?

When I heard the harsh exchanges between Hubert Hughes (Leader of Opposition) and another caller on the Talk Your Mind programme, on Wednesday night 7th July, I said to myself that the upcoming elections goin be bitter. Hubert struck the caller a few low punches and it sounded as though they landed where they could hurt most. If that is happening now, before the campaigning starts, one could imagine what will happen when it does start.

There was something about the late Jeremiah Gumbs that on learning of his recent passing tempted me to think that the last Anguillian patriot had fallen. However, I knew that was not true so I tried to put my finger on the quality that had given rise to that sentiment and concluded that it was more than the singular role that remarkable Anguillian had played in our island’s history. Was it his distinctive appearance? That may have had something to do with it because we know what a sensitive issue hair still is to black people and if Cousin Jerry did not possess the qualities of a statesman he was sure to have been suspect on many an occasion. On a black man in the sixties, that beard would have signaled Black Power or some other revolutionary image, and it would have fit too when one considers his role in the Anguilla Revolution. That full beard was a strong part of the image that many Caribbean children have had of the white God we were told lives in the sky. But Jerry Gumbs was not white, did not live in the sky and was no God even though he earned a chapter in the book on Anguilla’s salvation. That was the image of Moses as he descended from Mt. Sinai with the 10 Commandments and in our infrequent conversations during Mr. Gumbs’ later years, I sometimes discerned the sadness and sometimes the anger that caused Moses to break those stone tablets when he found that Anguillians had begun to worship the golden calf. But Jerry Gumbs was no Moses even though he came from humble beginnings to become Anguilla’s Ambassador Plenipotentiary using his own resources to plead Anguilla’s cause for freedom, just when we needed him most.

 

As more and more women of childbearing age continue to use illegal drugs there is concern over the effects of illegal drug use during pregnancy. Consumption of illegal drugs is not safe for the unborn baby or for the mother.

Every society around the globe has its affairs controlled or dictated by the measure of its resources. Whether these affairs involve jobs for the populace, investments for further economic development, the regulation of immigration, political climate, criminal activity, violence, or whatever, in general the quality of a national economy invariably has some effect upon the issues that affect the population at large.

A fundamental principle of our judicial system is that every citizen should have access to the courts in order to have his wrongs redressed and his complaints heard. Very often, however, the man in the street is deterred by the perceived complexities of the court system. He views it as a piece of worn machinery which creaks along slowly and is hindered by red tape and delays. He cannot understand why his case cannot be heard and concluded in a matter of weeks rather than months. In some cases, for these reasons he may even decide not to pursue his legal remedies.

The time has come once again to act in response to three primary factors. One is the need for Anguillians to know more about the rock itself as a tiny little space that is the centre of the universe. Two is the need for us all to know more about the history of the rock before the Anguilla Revolution and three is the need to find ways and means of promoting and fostering self-knowledge in ways that are creative and attractive to children and youth in particular. Another factor comprises all those residents of the Lower Valley who year after year want to know when I’m going to do something at The Yard again. Some of you may remember those famous Yard Concerts of the 1980’s; others may remember the radio programmes and the special exhibitions. I even remember sometime in the eighties when people like Marcel Fahie and Clement Ghold joined me in an all too soon abandoned attempt at African Studies sessions at the ALHCS Library on Sunday afternoons. Just last month I even got a special request for the one day Bob Marley exposition that was mounted sometime during the 1990’s. This time, in response to repeated requests by persons in the Lower Valley community to continue cultural activity in the neighbourhood, I am pulling together a team of interested persons who can form the Management Committee for the proposed Athlyi Rogers Study Centre (ARSC) at Triple Crown Culture Yard in The Valley.
 

The large number of road traffic injuries in many Caribbean countries, including Anguilla, has become a major public health problem. April 7th is World Health day and the theme this year focuses on road safety.

While the season of Easter is upon us, and the crucifixion is being now commemorated, it is fitting that our attention be directed towards the sufferings of one man whose solitary life of austerity, love and sacrifice has forever changed the course of human history.

In most modern societies, including Anguilla, there exists an identifiable document or group of documents known as the constitution, embodying the most important and fundamental rules which regulate the country’s system of government. The constitution is regarded as the supreme law of the land. The authority to make all other laws is derived from it, and it also confers on the various branches of the government the power to carry out their various functions. In less than a handful of countries, including Britain, the constitution does not exist as an actual written document, but instead is comprised of a collection of well established rules and conventions.

By Alex Richardson

What is the Constitution?

In most modern societies, including Anguilla, there exists an identifiable document or group of documents known as the constitution, embodying the most important and fundamental rules which regulate the country’s system of government. The constitution is regarded as the supreme law of the land. The authority to make all other laws is derived from it, and it also confers on the various branches of the government the power to carry out their various functions. In less than a handful of countries, including Britain, the constitution does not exist as an actual written document, but instead is comprised of a collection of well established rules and conventions.

Anguillians had a scare on Monday 8th March when news went around that Roy Rogers, Speaker of House of Assembly, had collapsed with a stroke and had to be taken to our Princess Alexandra Hospital. Thankfully, the news was not that bad. According to a release from the House of Assembly, Roy was hospitalised “with a condition that affected his facial nerves and muscles” and that his physician in Puerto Rico, where he subsequently went for attention, said “he should make a full recovery over the next few weeks.” Roy is back in Anguilla and is alive and kicking.
In fact, he is actively considering his political future – running for elections. He had always planned to contest the Valley North seat for the United Front once Eric Reid, the incumbent, had thrown in his towel. But now that Reid is about to do the Front is backing Neil instead. It seems that Neil is the preferred candidate for that seat in the 2005 elections.
Some weeks ago I put forward the view that if Roy wins the seat for the Front, Victor Banks’ chances of becoming Chief Minister would be enhanced. And that if Neil wins it, Osbourne Fleming’s chances of holding on to the Chief Minister’s position would be enhanced. I also said that failure to agree on a single candidate would split the Front but the split has been avoided. Victor appears to have abandoned Roy and to have thrown his weight behind Neil. So instead of a split between the two factions of the United Front – between Osbourne and Victor – the most likely split is one between Victor and Roy.
Such a split may yet be avoided if Roy is persuaded to continue as Speaker of the House. However, if he holds fast to his position to contest the seat – if he does not change his mind – he will most likely find himself standing alone because Victor will have to campaign on the United Front’s platform with Neil and others.
When Victor’s ADP linked up with the ANA, in 2000, to form the United Front, the ADP ceased being a potent political force. The union castrated Victor politically. He has always been the weaker partner in the coalition and is therefore in no position to stand up for Roy. He cannot tell the ANA faction that since Eric Reid is not contesting the seat, Roy should contest it in keeping with the 2000 understanding between the two parties. The parting of ways between Victor and Roy will definitely signal the burial of the ADP. It was dead once Victor joined the Front. The days of the ADP as a leading political force in Anguilla are numbered.
And Victor, it seems, is content to continue as Minister of Finance and to perform the role of Osbourne’s best man. Incidentally, rumour has it that it was Victor who encouraged Neil to come back home to contest the Valley North seat, but I am not going down that road.
I am somehow convinced that rumours were invented in Anguilla. And if they were not, nobody has perfected the art of spreading them better than Anguillians. I recall how, in the lead up to the 1994 elections, opponents of the ADP attempted to destroy its leader by way of rumour. I quote John Benjamin (1993): “When I was asked to be the campaign manager, and I heard about the drugs and the rumours about drugs, I personally carried out the searches. I went and see the Commissioner of Police. I went to the CID. We went and spoke to the Governor and all three of those said they have no grounds for suspicion and that . . . [he] is clean.”
Then after the results of the elections were declared, Albert Hughes (Belto) could not be located, so the rumour went around that he was lost. Let Edison Baird tell you the full story: “Bunton (Osbourne Fleming) sent three people to look for me and he couldn't find me . . . One fellow went up by my house. Another fellow went Sandy Ground. Another fellow went North Hill and I was right in The Valley. They put out a rumour that Belto lost and Belto was right in The Valley.”
However, it is no rumour, but fact, that Ralph Cornwallis Hodge will be contesting the Valley North seat in 2005. He confirmed it on the Talk Your Mind programme aired over Cool Radio (103.3 FM) on Wednesday night 17th March. He will be running as an independent candidate. Notwithstanding that he is of the view that political parties in Anguilla “on a lot of occasions are only parties of convenience,” Ralph has not ruled out the possibility, down the road, of aligning himself with some party.
To be honest, his performance on Talk Your Mind was impressive. He was articulate and came across as having a good grasp of social and economic issues. He came across as a man who knows what he is about and has already lifted the level of political debate. He did not hesitate to point out that: “One of the things . . . lacking in politics, locally, is the whole question of caring . . . The whole question of honesty, transparency and accountability.”
Listeners to Talk Your Mind got a relatively good insight into his views on several issues affecting Anguilla. With respect to the economy he said that, “We are going to have to broaden the tourism industry and provide rooms for the middle and lower ends.” And that “greater numbers (more people) are required in Anguilla at the moment if business is to survive – if the Anguillian economy is actually to progress from where it is at the moment.”

Ralph saw a properly developed financial services sector as having the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the island’s economic growth. So too, he said, could a manufacturing sector and the proper organisation of the fishing industry. He observed that airport and seaports development must be a priority.
On the question of foreigners in Anguilla he commented as follows: “It would be very foolish for us in Anguilla to believe that we can do . . . without foreigners. The important thing is that we must have policies in place to control whoever comes into this island, but certainly we need a partnership between people from Anguilla and people who do not belong to Anguilla. They will bring skills. They will bring capital. They will bring a lot of things that we do not have. And they will bring attributes that will certainly assist us in developing a better and more vibrant Anguillian society.”
In the area of social development, Ralph noted that we need institutions that cater for our youth, the mentally and physically challenged and the elderly. With regard to the youth, in whom he seems to have a special interest, he said “we need to develop a very vibrant vocational education activity in our education system.” He added: “The people who have been involved in politics for the past many years, if they are honest, they would admit that they have given very little attention to youth development, to sports development.” Furthermore: “We provide buildings. We are not providing programmes.”
In response to the Talk Your Mind host’s (John Benjamin) question about his own qualifications for political leadership, Ralph observed that people entering politics should be caring, should be prepared to work for the interest of “society in general” and should be aware of the workings of civic groups in our community. He pointed out that they must be versed in the workings of our political and administrative systems; and must possess a certain level
of academic training to enable them to communicate effectively with their counterparts regionally and internationally. He felt that he met those qualifications.
Regrettably, many of our politicians, past and present, do not understand the operations of our political and administrative systems. They do not understand the provisions of our Constitution. I cannot forget hearing Belto say (1996): “The Executive Council is the highest court of the law in every country.”
Regrettably, too, many of them do not share Ralph’s views on eligibility for political office. According to Kenneth Harrigan (1989): “It’s very good to be a college graduate. But if you take all the college graduates to run Anguilla they will run it in a hole. You need a mixture. You need a half duncy person like me to mix wid dem.” The people believed him and he won his seat and a ministerial appointment. He remains undefeated and is ready to run in 2005.

Actually, during the 1994 elections campaign he tried to show that despite his academic limitations he was able to represent Anguilla adequately on the international stage. Hear him: “When I got to London I was picked up in a fancy car – limousine. And can you imagine me with my tie and suit. . . ? As a man with no degrees, you have to be a talker. You got to be a crier. When we finished having lunch [he] said to me: 'What could we do for Anguilla?' I said to [myself], 'By, God I got him!'”
Nashville Webster, a former Minister of Communications and Works, used to seek re-election on the grounds that even though he was not well educated he was a hard worker. He once told a public meeting (1984): “I remember Christmas before last that I worked. I spoil a brand new shirt and pant. I took off my shirt and worked from 8 o'clock in the morning on the generator myself and gave you power that night, 11.30.”

As regards Ronald Webster, our great revolutionary leader, his strength was his charisma. He told his listeners in 1972 to “put your confidence in your representatives and they will in turn treat you with utter tenderness and care.” His party won. In 1981 he told them, “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God believe also in me.” And his party won again.
All politicians have their strengths and weaknesses. And after hearing Ralph’s exposition on Talk Your Mind, I believe that the time has come for us to hear from all the candidates to understand better their preparedness for political office. It is time to hear where they stand on the many important issues and problems confronting our country. We need to hear what measures they would take to resolve them. The spiraling crime situation readily comes to mind. We need to hear their plans on the way forward for Anguilla.
To this end, I am advocating the holding of a series of public debates involving all candidates vying for political office in the next general election. I envisage these being conducted at two levels: the constituency level and the national level. These debates could be organised and conducted by non-partisan organisations or other civil society groupings.

In putting forward the case for national debates, I make the point that too often people get elected without the electorate knowing what they stand for. Too often they get elected without standing for anything. Too often voters end up getting a six for a nine. The debates, which I strongly advocate, would help to eliminate the aforementioned deficiencies in the practice of our politics and afford the electorate the opportunity of hearing the different viewpoints of the candidates. The debates would lift the level of political discourse, increase political awareness among the electorate and minimise the extent to which they vote on sentiment rather than on issues. In other words, they would contribute to the making of a more rational-voting electorate. Their institutionalisation in our political process could go a long way in helping us grow politically.

The debates would expose candidates to the glare of public scrutiny and help voters distinguish between politician and statesman. It has long been recognised that a politician thinks of the next election while a statesman thinks about the next generation. A politician thinks of self. A statesman thinks of country. A politician is master. A statesman is servant. A politician believes in secrecy. A statesman believes in openness. At this point in our history, Anguilla could do well with fewer politicians and more statesmen.

This disorder affects approximately 10% of the male population, many of whom fail to seek treatment and suffer unnecessarily. It affects men from all social structures, backgrounds and ages, but many younger men are reluctant to admit to this disorder due to embarrassment.

These words are etched in my memory:

Should I have known your life was so short
I probably would have told you get a fire burning
It only takes a spark.

By: James R. Harrigan

It was with the well-being of the family unit in mind that President Bush called for a constitutional amendment, on February 24th, that would prohibit gays from marrying in a most repulsive arrangement, which I call a “same-sex” craze. A leader with the preservation of family values at heart, the President has repeatedly expressed his dissent regarding homosexual marriages.

In this world where a sense of new morality seems to be replacing the conventional values that help to determine the difference between right and wrong, many are becoming side-tracked and enveloped in a stubborn craze. It’s a kind of deceptive craze that drives people to define what is right as being wrong, and what is wrong as being right, O.K., or at least permissible. And with all the frenzy brewing over the issues of human “rights” relative to matters that would have otherwise been considered as being outrageously immoral, the advocates of wrong in light of pure morality seem to be prevailing.

Listeners to BBC Caribbean Report on Wednesday afternoon 4th February 2004 would have heard a recording of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Lester Bird, giving the Hadeeds, a business family, hell. He was speaking at an ALP rally in Urlings, Antigua, on Tuesday 3rd February. I do not normally concern myself with the politics of the neighbouring islands preferring instead to concentrate on the politics within our own house. But the fact that Bird is supposed to be a senior Caribbean leader, and most likely an advocate of Caribbean integration, has caused me to become extremely worried about his outburst against the Hadeeds.

As the countdown to our general elections begins, I thought it would be useful to give a very brief historical overview of party politics in Anguilla since the 1960s when we began holding our own elections.