Editorial

Perspective: Phillips Has Foot In Mouth Disease? Is It Curable? … Stay Tuned …

The Opposition Leader made a comment on the platform which has been viewed as a put down as it relates to the illness of retired government Minister and seven (7) term MP Derrick Smith (JLP).  This comment is unfortunate. None of us should play God. We do not know how long we will live or what our morbidity will be. Least to mention our mortality. Vision has decided not to repeat these alleged comments.

Verbal Diverticulitis

Dr. Peter Phillips would have naturally been expected to instead focus on the invaluable contribution made by Hon. Derrick Smith. Smith instead
should be celebrated. At the time of Smith’s retirement he was leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives. Too many politicians are inflicted with a not so rare disease described by me as “Microphone Diverticulitis Syndrome” aka “verbal diarrhoea” We are not aware of any known cure … although it is quite widespread especially among the political class.

Apology

Dr. Phillips did offer a clarification or an apology of some sorts.  This is supposed to be a PM in waiting who is being judged by his utterances.  Under our form of government where the winner takes all, there is little or no chance for the Opposition Leader to do much apart from criticizing. So when assessing Dr. Phillips as a possible alternate leader it is mainly his constructive suggestions to better our lives and sound policies proposed which help us to determine if he should get the nod to take over the reins of government … or to once more be confined to the political wilderness. So when he indulges himself in empty, if not stupid insensitive utterances, he is just shooting himself in the foot.
Enough said on that subject for now.
Poetic Commentary

           Ode To Lose Lips

When you are inflicted with lose lips …
Do invest in a zip …
Not one found on a clothing mall strip …
Instead think twice before you speak …
Ensure utterances will not make your future bleak

Engage firmly your brain …
Before empty thoughts cause you irreparable pain …
Phillips is endowed with a fine intellect
Do not let lose lips make you a reject …

Already as a politician you are a prime suspect …
Do not let your critics ever question your intellect …
Avoid egotism or ever court  idolatry …
Such is like the road to adultery

Some maladies erode leadership effectiveness …
As ” follow fashion” does for uniqueness  ….
If not curbed … may be deceptive & an unwanted trick ..
By eating away your credibility …. as the clock does tick …

We urge you Dr. Peter Phillips … let not a lose lip …
Sink your prospect of future leadership …
. .  … ………
Foot Note
We do hope Dr. Peter Phillips is not afflicted with foot in mouth  disease … as there is no known cure.

What is your perspective? This is ours.

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

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