Perspective: Portia was Betrayed By Falconer and Medley? A Palace Coup? Virtually Stabbed in the Back? By trusted Aides ?

For all her sins Portia Simpson Miller did not deserve to be so betrayed. This betrayal makes the plot hatched by Brutus and Cassius to destroy Caesar look like child’s play. This trusted duo of Falconer and Medley were so revered that Portia would not have allowed anyone to have questioned them or her. Alas! These pros were in Portia’s inner circle. This duo, considered to be seasoned media practitioners and no one else would be considered competent enough to question these media specialists. It would be seen as mischief, in a real sense to interfere with Portia’s people hand picked by her.

They were large and in charge well so it appeared. Lincoln Robinson a steady and trusted team player of known competence, very professional with an unquestionably superb proven track record … was unceremoniously pushed aside for the activist Medley. Medley whom they reconed would do their dirty work and make Portia look good. Wrong, this was poor judgement indeed. Medley turned out to be an embarrassment of no mean order.

Why did it happen? Was this the moment in time when the embryo of the betrayal was being planted?

To Caesar’s credit he saw who betrayed him and died with the satisfaction of knowing he confronted his betrayer. His dying words were: “ET u Brutus”… Is it you Brutus? Still conscious his remarks suggest disbelief … being betrayed by a trusted member of his principitate. A palace Coup of no mean order. I dare say Caesar died a broken hearted man/leader. They say ” Truth speaketh from the lips of dying men”

Political Expediency …

Portia was so trusting that she would listen to no one. Medley messed up at a press brief, big time … he was allowed to apologize instead of walking. In cricket you drop a catch and the batsman goes on to score a century. Had Medley been fired then Portia may have saved her job. He damaged her irreparably. She was viewed as a leader who takes no action when only decisive action was needed. Not sound judgement, in a real sense that such an infraction demanded. Things went down the hill for Portia from then on. Mediocracy had given way to strong leadership … less mortals would have been fired immediately. You see political expediency blinded Portia’s better judgement. What a pity, eh!

Lincoln Robinson was too dignified to stoop to a lower level. His professionalism dictated that he stayed the course and do not vere off the course of the moral high ground. He was not going to shove all, degrade himself for a few pieces of silver. It was a difficult decision to take. I am proud of the road Robinson took. You can hold your head high as you go about your life, Sir.

Yes, Portia from my perspective was betrayed by Falconer and Medley, not like the form Caesar was, but betrayal none the same, in a real sense.

When you blindly trust someone and that individual(s) let you down that can be viewed as a form of betrayal. You had full confidence in them and you were misled or betrayed.

Portia had full confidence in Falconer, she made her a Senator and elevated her to be a Minister. The Defacto Minister of Information operating out of the Office Of the Prime Minister … unbridled confidence indeed. When Medley messed up Falconer likely convinced Portia to keep him on. Portia listened as she did not likely want to disturb the Apple cart and change the status quo. It was a disastrous gamble … a monumental blunder in hind sight.

As they say doctors differ, patients die …

Falconer and Medley were trusted Aides, they were seasoned media practioners who were hired to make a difference…. not betray their boss’ trust. If they in fact betrayed her trust, then they would in fact be guilty of having stabbed her in the back. Did they ever have her interest at heart?

Journalists attending Jamaica House press briefings were treated as if enemies of the state … they were belittled by Falconer, at least on one occasion called names … she adopted a confrontational posture, behaving like the so called “iron lady”. Wielding enormous power and was most obstructionist. Her relationship with the media was abrasive and confrontational. This was betrayal in a real sense. Was it not? This should not and was never expected or desirable.

The verdict is yours, my dear associates. You are never wrong … you can be trusted. Amen!

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is senior international correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.