INEFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND SNOW JOBS

  There is only one test for leadership: to lead, and to lead vigorously.  But just as important is effective  leadership. Of course, if a person (0r a group of persons) aspires to be a leader then one would hope for his/her leadership to be effective. A good example of ineffective leadership is the donkey that is in charge of Venezuela right now. More than six million of his countrymen have fled, most for economic reasons, and some for political ones, but this has taken place in what is potentially one of the wealthiest countries in the world. But Maburro stays in power with the very competent help (in staying in power) of the Cuban dictatorship. Without the Cubans and their very efficient security system which takes out (either by murder or lock up or both) any potential opponent the idiot would have been toppled long ago.

But this is not about Maburro and his incompetence, nor is it about those hypocrites who are clamoring for Cuba et al to attend the Summit of the Americas but are refusing to criticize Maburro and company as vigorously as they do the United States. This is about Trinidad & Tobago and the total and complete ineffectiveness of our leaders in dealing with the crisis concerning children's homes in this country. And this is about the snow job that those in charge are trying to pull on us  on this issue. A 'snow job', by the way, is defined as "an effort to deceive, persuade or overwhelm with insincere talk". And that is exactly what the Government is trying to pull on us: a snow job.

But let's deal with their ineffective leadership first. As this is being written (today, Saturday 4th June) nobody has yet been removed from his/her post or even suspended. And yet the evidence in the public domain suggests strongly that last night and the night before, and the night before, and so on, that a child was abused and that she/he will be abused tonight.  In a million years you cannot argue that "appointing a committee" and leaving everyone in place for the time being until the committee reports is an example of effective leadership. Look, I'm not going to argue about the ineffectiveness of the Government's economic policies nor am I going to argue about the proposed sale of the Petrotrin refinery or anything else for the time being. While all these issues (and more) are important they pale in comparison to this one.  My overriding concern is for the children - and the sad fact that abuse is still taking place and NOBODY has been charged or held accountable.

And here is where we come to the various snow jobs. Although, one can say with a great deal of justification that BOTH sides of the political divide have clearly dropped the ball on this one, the fact is that the Rowley led Government has been in power now just a few months short of seven years. And yet in that time the only thing that appears to have been done to save the children has been the appointment of several committees. Dr. Rowley's ministers, like Camille Robinson Regis and Ayanna Webster Roy, have tried to say that this Government cares, to which I say: really? But nothing has been done. People who were there yesterday are still there today. Let's not even talk about the millions that have gone down the drain. So? What exactly is being done RIGHT NOW to prevent further abuse? And don't tell me that you are "investigating". 

Mr. Prime Minister, the house is on fire and instead of arguing about who started the fire, use your office to put it out - NOW! We can argue later about who is really to blame. Of course, you needn't bother if you really believe that these kids aren't worth saving. But most right thinking people (including me) think otherwise. ACT NOW! SAVE THE KIDS!!