Caribbean News Now!

By Rebecca Theodore

The music plays triumphant. Drifting notes quiver.

‘So praise the wise, the brave and strong who built fair isles of beauty
And rich in art made richer still
The brotherhood of duty.’

Light beams from blatant eyes. Beauty is bewitched with feelings. There is infinite contentment.

Rebecca Theodore was born on the north coast of the Caribbean island of Dominica and is now based in Atlanta, GA . She writes on national security and political issues and can be reached at rebethd@comcast.net

And ‘The Comrade,’ Dr The Right Honorable Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Everard Gonsalves joins the rank of noble men.

Under heavy smog, I cast an ear to the distant chorus while ‘The Comrade’ opens the vista to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines and to the world. There is meaning to life as he establishes a vertically-oriented style of government so ideologue that even critics stop to think.

Wiretap transcripts bears incongruous tales of an autocratic style leadership and a centralized political system exercising near-dictatorial control, but his constitutional reform efforts for the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines cannot go by unnoticed.

In standing up to a woeful and lost NDP defunct form of leadership, Dr Gonsalves shows that he is not a puppet of either the US, Venezuela, Iran or anyone, but a man of sound moral principles and he leads his country accordingly, for ‘The Comrade’ dances to the music and not the instrument.

Then the chord of victory strikes. In joining the company of noted Caribbean leaders as Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago, Norman Manley of Jamaica and Errol Barrow of Barbados, it is needed in the rhyme of reason.

There is a fine refrain as ‘The Comrade’ bolsters himself locally while maintaining good relations with the US on security and law enforcement issues. He beckons to other Caribbean islands to follow, for he knows the names of reliable strategic partners and important sources of investment, tourists and trade. He does nothing to damage that relationship.

There is no fire fuelling in his back yard for he is the new architect of fundamental political change in the region. His personal political leanings have nothing to do with his leadership style. His country needs money and the ULP needs money to support the public infrastructure programs that bring jobs, and so atop a vibrant bass he reaches out to non-traditional sources of funding and ignores the overblown frustrated rhetoric of NDP critics.

Then there are pauses between the notes but this is where the art resides.

Intelligence is at its peak in St Vincent and the Grenadines. ‘The Comrade’ is not a Chavista neither an Iran satellite and will not become one. In all honorable conduct, he secures handouts from whoever will provide them, yet his freedom of action is at a top maintenance. In keeping with this pragmatic approach to foreign relations, ‘The Comrade’ performs the ‘foil play’ with the US and other colonial powers, for he knows the art of handling the notes better than the other dancers.

Honed in stereophony, I hear the last movement of Beethoven's seventh for they are fading slowly. Why waste time on NDP illusions when you can listen to the B minor mass?

Reads: 9710


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Simon Anderson:
I could not agree more with the appreciative comments and graphic semtiments from Rebecca Thedore above.

Ms Theodore, as far as I know, has nothing to gain from recognizing The Comrade's absolute GREATNESS, exceptional talent and phenomenal ability. In other words, like the US EMBASSY in Barbados and the US government itself, she tells it like it is, with no axe to grind.

With the few minutes I have at my disposal at this moment, these comments have to be made.

When I have the time, I will be back with a more complete and substantial comment on Ms Theodore's coments which are right on point.

KUDOS, Ms Theodore!

Gregory Thomas:
Rebecca, I couldn't decide even after I had read your article whether you were being sarcastic or whether you genuinely meant every word that you wrote. But how can a man of "sound moral principles" deal with Iran?

Simon Anderson:
In less than one day, Rebecca Theodore has already received more than 3,600 reads on the above article on Prime Minister Palph Gonsalves!

Theodore, who is a writer on Caribbean issues, is obviously knowledgable regarding West Indian politics and politicians. She writes from a truly independent perspective and this is obviously evident in the above article.

Theodore has nothing to gain or lose by speaking THE TRUTH, and she has done so remarkably. Some have said she did so amazingly, outstandingly and most of all extraordinarily.

Ms Theodore keenly observed that The Comrade "has joined the ranks of noble men." There however, was no need for her to reflect on his intelligence or in the precise achievements he has accumulated over the years.

Ms Theodore scoffed at the ignorant lies and rumours with which The Comrade was assailed, and even called them INCONGROUOUS TALES!.

The observation was also made that "Dr Gonsalves shows that he is NOT a puppet of either the US, Venezuela, Iran or anyone, but a man of sound moral principles and he leads the country accordingly."

She also made the phenomenal point that "The Comrade dances to the music and not the instrument."

I myself have compared Ralph Gonsalves to the likes of Eric Williams, Errol Barrow, Fidel Castro, Forbes Burnham and Michael Manley. Here, Ms Theodore does not go that far, but only selects Williams and Barrow, two of the most outstanding political leaders in the region with which to compare our Prime Minister.

On the other hand, Ms Theodore recognized the NDP as being woefully lost and possessing a defunct form of political leadership. ...The same thing I have been saying on this forum for months!

The fact that The Comrade reaches out to non-traditional sources of funding was not lost by Ms Theodore, and she pointed out that "he ignores the overblown frustrated rhetoric of NDP critics."

As far as foreign relations are concerned, Theodore recalled that the Comrade maintained good relations with the USA and other foreign governments "being a friend to all, and an enemy of none."

"A pragmatic approach to foreign relations" is what Theodore and other politically balanced individuals see in Ralph Gonsalves.

Among the other Caribbean countries, Rebecca noted that Ralph Gonsalves was regarded as a leader among his peers and even pointed the way forward for them to follow.

Theodore observes that Gonsalves "is the new architect of fundamental political change in the region." Again, this is a point I have been making, and other less informed Vincentians still fail to recognize this point, or to display any desire to embrace it.

In her infinite political wisdom, Rebecca recognizes that Ralph Gonsalves "knows the art of handling the notes BETTER than the other dancers."

...And she beautiffully concluides with a question that I frequently ask: "WHY WASTE TIME WITH NDP ILLUSIONS?

Isn't this exactly what the US embassy said one month ago?

Ah wonder if Markie Spring still thinking of debating the Comrade?

Markie, If you know what I know, just take a seat in the corner and don't embarrass yourself.

Robert Tomlinson:
Dear Ms Theodore,

My greatest respect to you Ms Theodore. The Caribbean has produced another great writer and for this I am proud. Conversely, I would like you to write an article on "the commodification of intellectual property."

You are aware of the phrase "Ye who pays the piper calls the tune". This is exactly what is taking place here and there is nothing wrong with that because I know you are much more intelligent than that. Your writing carries a very strong sense of persuasion and is capable of turning skeptics into believers the reason why you have a reputation as a sought after writer and public speaker.

However, I would like you to look at the facts. The cold brutal facts Ms. Theodore before you spew the venom of your pen. Ralph Gonsalves is not worthy of these praises. Not now and not in a hundred years.

Robert Tomlinson

Simon Anderson:
Is Robert Tomlinson a Vincentian?

Does Tomlinson know anything about Vincentian Politics?

Does Tomlinson know Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, or does he know anything about the Prime Minister at all?

I am asking because Tomlinson IS NOT IN STEP with the majority of Vincentians since 1998!

Has anyone told Tomlinson that the US government (despite the PM's occasional disagreements) regards that unquestionably, Ralph Gonsalves is the most INTELLIGENT and affable Prime Minister in the Caribbean?

For Tomlinson to accuse Ms Theodore of spewing venom, is a complete LIE. (...Just like the other NDP SUPPORTERS.) She did nothing of the sort! What she did was to praise the Comrade. She also repeated what the US Government said about Arnhim Eustace and the NDP leadership. If Tomlinson has a problenm with this, then shouldn't he also contact the US government and tell them that they are wrong?

If Tomlinson is not aware of The Comrade's achievements, one could understand his saying that the PM does not deserve those praises. However, when Tomlinson stupidly looks into his foggy crystal ball and says that the PM will NEVER be deserving of those praises "in a hundred years," one could quite clearly see his biased AND SEVERELY JAUNDICED political complexion.

Is Tomlinson aware that historically, the six top Caribbean Prime Ministers of all time are:
1) Fidel Castro
2) Eric Williams
3) Ralph Gonsalves
4) Michael Manley
5) Forbes Burnham
6) Errol Barrow

Someone aught to pull Mr Tomlinson aside, and properly school him on Vincentian politics.

Eric Williams:
Good Day Rebecca:

I never pass up an opportunity to read your articles posted on Caribbean News Now. Some of the writers on that forum just do not impress me. I am truly proud of you as a Caribbean woman and your style of writing. The fact that your articles on the site are the most read, is testament of your exceptional writing skill. I am not a scholar, but I know one when I hear one.

You most recent article about Ralph Gonsalves is dead on. I dont know if you've ever met him but your article suggest that you have. I am a Vincentian living on St.Thomas and hope to hear you speak in person sometime. And to top it off, not meaning to flatter you, you are beautiful!

Keep writing so that we may enjoy and be informed.

Kind regards,
Eric

Gregory Thomas:
Simon Anderson has not responded to my question,"How can a man of sound moral principles deal with Iran?"

What worries me is that the mere fact of calling himself "Comrade" indicates that Gonsalves is a Marxist-Leninist. Also he was a big supporter of the Grenada revolution, a regime that threw thousands into jail without trial and used torture with electrical torture machines on a regular basis.
And Simon, Fidel Castro was never a prime minister. He took power by the gun, not by the ballot box. If you think communism is what the Caribbean needs, please say so, so that we know where we stand with you and Gonsalves.

Lastly how on earth could you call Burnham a great leader? He RUINED Guyana and up to now it has never recovered.

Simon Anderson:
GREGORY THOMAS, has a question to which I would supply an answer. He wants to find out "how a man of sound moral principles could deal with Iran."

Gregory, here is my take on the question: First of all, as countries, we deal with them because we are all INTER-DEPENDENT, not just independent.

You do not "hold malice" against a country because you do not like the leader. Leaders come and go, but the country lives on. We have seen this in the case of Iran in particular, over the last couple of weeks.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has a foreign policy whose 'mission statement' in part, states that we should be "friends of all and enemies of none."

If some countries refused to deal with others because of their leaders or their policies, then should we have dealt with the USA when George Bush was President?

Doesn't the good old USA deal with China, and didn't they originally support and arm Saddam Hussein?

Didn't the USA support the regime in South Africa for many years?

You may or may not know about the atrocities which took place in Rhodesia where millions of native Africans were brutally and systematically murdered, in the not too distant past.

Gregory, there is a saying in international political circles which goes something like this: "we should not have permanent friends, just permanent interests."

Gregory Thomas:
Simon I see your point, and it is a good one. But the examples you chose were of countries continuing to have relations, US with China and South Africa, etc, whereas St. Vincent never had relations with Iran before Gonsalves initiated it. Iran wants to get a presence in the region, and it is people like Gonsalves and Chavez who are helping them to do so.

It is not a question of not liking the leader. In Iran people are hanged in the streets, using portable cranes. Some are boys as young as 17. Changing the leader is unlikely to stop that.

It seems to me from what you say that sound moral principles and politics do not mix. The policy of friend to all and enemy of none could be called opportunism.

I notice that you have evaded answering my question as to whether you are a Marxist Leninist, and also you have not justified your inclusion of Burnham in your honours list.

Simon Anderson:
WOW! GREGORY THOMAS!!!
Why would you put me through this?
It is truly difficult to have a discussion with ignorance!

Fidel Castro was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba on Feb 16, 1959, replacing Jose Miro Cardona.

In 1976 the position was abolished, and Fidel was the last holder of that position.

Gregory, your rant against Cuba only clearly displays your ignorance of political matters and makes it extremely difficult to have a discussion with you under these circumstances.

Is this because of your senior age, have been brainwashed, and do not know better -- or is it just plain and simple ignorance (not knowing better)?

Why does the word "COMRADE" bother or haunt you so much, Gregory? Does anyone or any political system have a monopoly on that word? The word "Comrade" simply means BROTHER or FRIEND.

Forbes Burnham was one of the "Caribbean" Prime Ministers who taught us to shake off the shakles of colonialism and recognize that as West Indians we have much to be proud of.

He led Guyana to become more self-dependent and jump-started a buy-local campaign which some of our countries have attempted to follow.

Guyana's financial woes were not Burnham's fault. The CIA infiltrated that country, and along with the IMF and World Bank sought to derail its economy because Guyana bluntly refused to march to the beat of their drummers.

Guyana is twice the size if Great Britain, and larger than all the other english-speaking Caribbean countres combined. It is EXCEPTIONALY wealthy, and that scared the daylights out of the USA and international organisations who simply derailed their progress.

Guyana has land, forests (lumber), water (hydro), sugar, rice, gold, silver, bauxite etc, etc, etc, and because of this, the imperialists FEAR what such wealth could do if Guyana did not toe their line.

GREGORY, DO YOU "REALLY" WANT TO CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION WITH ME?

D. Markie Spring, MBA, B.Comm:
Like other viewers I do compliment Ms. Rebecca Theodore on her contribution to this prestigious organization.

A good article spoiled by "Simon Anderson".� What Rebecca said had made the PM seemed rather inflammatory. Look! Our PM is an intellectual and praise must be given to him, but his leadership, especially, on economics has faded in the dark.

I am not a politician, but I understand economics ... one in which our Prime Minister is failing. Rebecca, did you base your argument on his intellect or his performance ... just does not add up.

Hitherto, how could "Simon Anderson" praise Rebecca Theodore for all the magnificent descriptions of the PM -- agreed by "Simon Anderson"� -- while simultaneously, questioning Robert Tomlinson's nationality? Rebecca Theodore is Dominican, so why her views are given Kudos and Mr. Tomlinson is pushed in the back seat, because "Simon Anderson"� believes that he is not a man of the soil?

It is obvious. I can go on and highlight many good and bad here, but I chose not to. Mr. Tomlinson, in my view, raised a few good points.

Rebecca, our PM is a brilliant man in his field but lacks otherwise.

I am ready to debate the PM on economics relative to SVG and our present times -- any day

"Simon Anderson's" rage is showing up his party and government. This is bad spokesman ship; the PM should find another Press Secretary.

Simon Anderson:
MARKIE SPRING, before you make any further comments on this forum, don't you think you should apologize for the lies you have told to the general public regarding political violence in St Vincent prior to our last elections?

Until you could do that Markie, how could the readers trust ANYTHING you write?

Markie, don't you think you should also admit to, and apologize for STEALING Joel Osteen's sermon, and regurgitating it on this forum pretending those thoughts were yours?

Markie, you started by complimenting Ms Theodore on her contribution, but later went on to criticize her views. Ah wonder why?

Markie, you admitted that you are not a politician, "THANK GOD," because on June 21st on this forum you wrote a column entitled "Eliminating political parties in St Vincent."

Could anyone imagine Markie Spring being a politician, and having the ability to eliminate political parties in St Vincent?

Markie Spring has absolute dictatorial tendencies, and that is why I am on a mission see that he is never elected to become a political representative in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Markie claims to be an economist, but he forgets that the Ralph Gonsalves is not only an economist himself, but even taught economic policy at University level as well.

Regarding Tomlinson, all I asked was whether or not he was a Vincenian. If Tomlinson is not a Vincentian and I am, I believe that I am much more knowledgable on this subject than Tomlinson is.

I praised Ms Theodore because she displayed a thorough knowledge of Vincentian politics despite the fact that she is not a Vincentian.

Markie, I understand that you are eager to debate the Prime Minister on economics, but all you are attempting to do is to promote yourself and your own possible future political career.

Markie, I am complimented by your reference to me a a spokesman for the Prime Minister. I am complimented as well, that you refer to me as the Prime Minister's Press Secretary. With this in mind, it only shows that I am being so effective that you obviously want me out of the way.

Markie, you cannot wish me away, which is a problem for you, since I will not go away and will always be a thorn in your side until you begin to face reality.

drew L:
Hello all!

I am not as experienced as anyone else here, I am simply a 21 year old vincentian guy.. pursuing an undergrad degree.. a neophyte compared to you all.

But, I would like to make a small contribution. I am proud to be a Vincentian, more so that at the University I attend, when one hears I am vincetian they are in awe.... "a modern day Eric Williams" lives there.. i was told by one tutor. Ralph Gonsalves and his leadership style has really done alot for St Vincent and the Grenadines! He really is an extra ordinary man! I am not financed by the ULP nor do i have a government scholarship... my parents literally work hard to finance my studies so I am not biased. I am simply giving honour where it is due.. The NDP, honestly can do better as an opposition.Eustace seems to really care for the Vincentian people and thats whats needed in politicians, he however lacks the charisma, and the leadership skills. I would personally like to see a stronger NDP, is it possible now? I doubt it somewhat but one can wish.

Markie Spring, It is always good to hear of vincentians doing well in their academic pursuits. Congrats on all you have achieved and will achieve! I would however like you to answer the questions posed by Simon that you seemed to have ignored...however simple they may seem... they are quite significant.

Simon Anderson:
YES MARKIE...Answer the questions!

The people are speaking Markie. Tell us why you reported that ULP supporters attacked NDP supporters when the complete opposite is true.

If you made a mistake, we will understand.

If you did not make a mistake, but deliberately lied, we will still understand. Who among us has never done so?

Simply "fess up," say you inflated and distorted the truth, and this too shall pass. But you must speak the truth. It is not that dificult. You could do it Markie. Just try!

isan:
I'm neither ULP or NDP Miss Theodore but i'm a Vincentian and unles your article is ridden with sarcasam, all i have to say is go live in SVG for a while and experience what the people are going through under the reign of ralph. He is only a comrade to his pockets and his stomach, him and his administration have no love of fellow vincy or country. Poverty is up, unemployment is up and education has dropped considerably.

violence has escalated beyond control.

So please Miss Theodore put yourself in us vincy shoes, before writing about the PM unless it is the one that we dream of.