PerspectIve: Holness Should Not Bow To Blackmail From Judges et al … No Way …

Despite daggers drawn at the throat of PM Holiness the jury is still out as to whether or not the PM should bow to blackmail.  There has been considerable public debate on the permanent appointment of Chief Justice Sykes.  This matter is not as clear cut as some may wish us to believe that it is.  It is the sole prerogative of the PM or if he chooses to consult with say his cabinet etc.  Leadership at the best of times can be a lonely role to play.

Whom Do You Trust?

There is the conventional wisdom that sharing certain information with close associates should lead to better decisions, really, is this so?

In theory this may be so, but when confidentiality is key then the 64 million question is whom do you trust.  Even in the White House with the most elaborate security system in the world, yet there are leaks. So leaders are never sure who to trust. Whether you are running a redevelopment project with a million dollar budget or just a simple church project like say a fish fry to raise funds.  The control of information is critical for the ultimate success of the project. Trust me, been there, done that.

Computing Interests

It is my further perspective that the known saying “man to man is so unjust, you really don’t know who to trust.”  You can make that quoted statement be gender neutral if you so wish. You may genuinely be trying to share certain techniques you have developed which have found to work for you yet this technique may be stolen and used elsewhere. Much to your disappointment. This alone forms the basis in many industrial espionage law suits. Even artistes have won law suits because trusted associates have plagiarized their lyrics, chords, moves or art form.  This was never expected as this was restricted accessed information.

Judges Want To Dictate?

What is really happening in this instant case as it relates to the appointment of a Chief justice is that certain elements in our democracy feel they have earned the right to dictate to the PM and by extension the Executive who it should appoint and when. It is surprising that the judges allowed themselves to be so duped.  You would have expected a higher level of thinking if not conduct from them.  For example, withholding their services to pressure Holness et al is the last thing we would have expected.  We hope we misunderstood the true motives of the judges. What a passa, passa?

Blackmail

In this my final perspective in this article, it is abundantly clear that for Holness to do as dictated would be tantamount to blackmail and PM Holness should not bow to blackmail.  We say take as long as you wish by making sure the most thorough due diligence is done. This is no ordinary decision that has to be made.

What is your perspective? This is ours. Let us get your feedback.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.