WHAT AM I TO DO?

The Bright Side

As you view the media, more and more people are airing their concerns about the path of our nation is on.

Each voice is different. Jobs going to Chinese nationals in La Brea and other places while locals idly lime; environmental and health issues surrounding the construction of the aluminium smelter; the exercise of absolute power; arrogance in leadership; these are but some of the many issues.

One of my correspondents commented on all the talk and the even the calls for action but noted there were few substantial suggestions as to what can be done.

I agree completely that calling for action without an action plan is akin to spitting into the wind.

Please allow me the opportunity, over a period of time, to offer a few suggestions.

I believe that there is a Chinese proverb that says “A journey of 1,000 miles must begin with one step.”

To extend the allegory, the first step is, both figuratively and literally, to stand up. 

So, you say, there many already doing that. What is my response to that? There persons are far from enough.

At this stage, the ‘silent majority’ quietly accept and grumble. There are feelings about not being able to make a difference. 

These may be driven by fear but there is also an unwillingness to be counted.

History shows that it is the ideas and philosophies of the one or the few that really effect change and not the ideas of the masses.

I do not recall any instances where the masses, without leadership – noble or otherwise, rose up and changed the course of history. 

Such instances of change by uninspired masses resulted in anarchy. Right now, we are experiencing the anarchic uprising of the criminal masses.

The French Revolution was inspired by the ideas of the few.

In Trinidad & Tobago, the inspired ideas of Eric Williams and others cut the road for internal self-government and “independence.” Makandal Daaga and his few lead the changes in the 1970s.

Like it or not, today, it is the one or the few who inspire the masses in Trinidad and Tobago.

The change process then, is simple in concept but difficult in implementation. 

The brain plans but it is the body that acts. The few develop the ideals, the concepts and the plans. I must admit that this in itself is difficult enough.

The far more difficult step is communicating with and harnessing the raw power and energy of the masses.

Things can change!

I will discuss some more practical but difficult ideas in future blogs.

THE WORLD CAN CHANGE

The Bright Side
I am a cynic and I make no apologies for that.

I must also admit that I intensely dislike all politicians. I view them all with great scepticism.

However, in a world where extremely poor leadership has been in control for decades, there is a breath of hope that is emerging.

I am growing to admire Barack Obama.

His latest success was his speech in Cairo on the Israeli/Palestinian situation. You can read it at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31102929/

Thus far, one cannot help but admire his grace, charm, balanced opinion and eloquence.

Given time and continuity, I think that the image of the obnoxious, arrogant American bully can change. That alone would be a great accomplishment.

The people of the United States of America, indeed of the world, should be proud of this refreshing brand of leadership. This has been absent from the world stage for far too long.

We ought to pray that he continues his good work and live a long, healthy life. I think that we will be all blessed in that way.

Our leaders will do well to emulate President Obama’s leadership style.

THEREIN LIES THE TRUTH

The Bright Side
I believe that every time human beings communicate, by word (oral or written) or by deed, they do so in furtherance of some specific personal agenda.

Therefore, in the human experience, truth is ill-defined.

What people communicate is their particular perspective of a given set of circumstances, shaded to further their personal agendas.

The Real Experts rarely lie.

The following is an excerpt from the Trinidad Guardian:
“Prime Minister Patrick Manning told Parliament last Wednesday that Annisette-George (the former Attorney General) had tendered her resignation because “her worst fears were coming to pass and that the anticipated conflict of interest situation (in the CLICO bailout issue) was imminent. He told the weekly post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre the following day that the potential conflict could even reach the courts.

However, Information Minister Neil Parsanlal said on Tuesday: “This should in no way be construed to mean that the former senator or any member of her family is in any way implicated by the investigations into CL Financial or any of its subsidiaries.””

Somewhere in this paradoxical muddle of words lies the Truth.

The bright side lies in two of my deceased Grandmother’s admonitions:
“Moon does run til sun ketch it” and “What in de dark does come to light.”

She had another: “One day, one day, congotay.”

THE VOICE OF ONE

The Bright Side
It seems like almost a lifetime ago, that Larry (I am no longer sure of his surname) Haywood (?) presented a radio program on what was then, Radio Guardian.

His warm, soothing voice (with a Canadian accent) caressed the airwaves as he opened his show. “This is the Voice of One – Random Thoughts about Things in General.”

To my recollection, his commentaries sometimes voiced intelligent minority opinions and at other times, those of the intellectual, silent majority.

Some of us, Elders, may recall that Dr. Eric Williams saw the Trinidad Guardian media as his nemesis.

Last night I saw and heard another “Voice of One”. His voice was not soothing but raspy. His demeanour, though outwardly calm, had a sense of urgency. His accent was definitely Trinbagonian. His thoughts were not random but finitely specific.

What Dr. Keith Rowley expressed was minimally disconcerting, if not downright alarming.

To my mind, he expressed both the opinions of the intelligent minority as well as those of the intellectual, silent majority.

What is the Bright Side? It is that there is at least one individual who is brave enough to stand up and speak out.

I think that he is right. Democracy and Freedom are destroyed one day and one action at a time. Incumbents, the world over, have weakened and eliminated institutions to remain in office. All this while the “democratically free” sleep, avert their eyes to what is going on and remain silent and inert.

Do not be fooled. Dictatorship in transition temporarily tolerates free speech and thrives on complacency.

In a land where speaking out can be detrimental, I hope that Dr. Rowley’s example would inspire others to wake up, take a stand, speak out and ACT.

DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

To my readers who may not be able to understand my cryptic satire, you may go to http://www.trinidadexpress.com or http://www.tv6tnt.com for the Trinidad news

ADAGES

The Bright Side
It seems that our President is a man of adages.

Seems like he believes and loves to practice the following:
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
“Silence is Golden.”

Let us add another:
“Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.”

Our President is truly a great source of folk wisdom.

THERE IS BEAUTY EVERYWHERE

Port of Spain by Night(Click to enlarge)

The Bright Side

“With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”
Desiderata

There is beauty if we look for it.