Sunday, May 17, 2009
When government fears the people
By Emelda Morgan
“When Government fears the people, it is liberty, when the people fear the Government, it is tyranny”. Thomas Jefferson
I write this column anonymously because I fear the Government, not for myself, but for my family and friends. They want to talk, but they are afraid to talk, and even if I reveal myself as the one who talks for them, I fear the consequences my talking will have for them. So, I remain anonymous.
First, I say to my Dominica people, there will be a time when you will fear no more, if only we take the necessary actions that will lead us to that time now! So listen up my Dominican people. The people who you look up to are not serving you well, it is now time to reflect, think, act, search your soul, and engage your mind. Harness your power!
I have been following what is going on in my beloved country very closely. Those who observe closely need not be a Sigmund Freud or a Rousseau to conclude that most of us have refrained from reality and analytical thinking and opted to give more credence to eloquence and celebrity, and those educated men,--who no doubt have betrayed us--, than we give to reason and truth.
We have been bamboozled and continue to be bamboozled everyday, by those in whom we put our trust. Dr. Henry David Thoreau once asked the citizens of America in Civil Dis-obedience “Do we have to always resign our conscience to the legislators?” I ask it again of my people. Why did God give us a conscience then? Not to be surrendered to the service of unscrupulous men I am sure.
The importance of truth and the faithfulness to conscience have become almost obsolete. It is now only what is politically expedient and not what is constitutionally or democratically faithful that matters.
It is impossible for anyone who is paying close attention not to notice or even absorb the profound irony that surrounds us; what is even more frightening is what lays beneath the irony- The vilification of those who seek the truth and demand it. That has always worked effectively for those who seek power or those who seek to maintain power. The time has come to deny them the use of this technique.
Those of us who are brave enough to be ruled by the laws of our conscience, to stand for truth and justice, and patriotic enough to dissent and make our voices heard are branded as pariahs, we are accused of being divisive, partisan, and vitriolic. By asking legitimate questions, that we have every right and responsibility to ask as citizens we are branded as trouble makers, and are condemned as threats to national security? That we threaten the stability and image of our country we all love so dearly?
It is a colossal mistake to think that those who fight for the cause of truth, justice, democracy, and people’s empowerment will be intimidated or coerced into silence. In time the vigilante and virtuous shall be victorious, the pariahs will become the prophets, and the truth will set us free.
It always ends up that way! There are many examples to show, Mandela in apartheid South Africa Martin Luther King in racist America, and Gandhi in India, to name just a few.
Now our country is in a time of crisis, we need men and women of conscience more than we ever needed them. Men who will opt for the laws of conscience instead of the laws of man; men who stand for justice, equality, right, and truth. Where will these men come from?
The best thing any one, especially the educated among us can do for our country Dominica is to endeavor to carry out those schemes which we entertained when we were poor, to stand with the poor and un-educated in times of national crisis. Help them to hold the government accountable, because after all the government works for them.
The people have every right and responsibility to demand good performance and honesty in the people they employ-elect to conduct their business, and when the government fails in what is required of them. The people must hold them accountable. My people let’s not be afraid to unite as one people and fight to save Dominica for Dominicans for the sake of the next generation.
“When Government fears the people, it is liberty, when the people fear the Government, it is tyranny”. Thomas Jefferson
I write this column anonymously because I fear the Government, not for myself, but for my family and friends. They want to talk, but they are afraid to talk, and even if I reveal myself as the one who talks for them, I fear the consequences my talking will have for them. So, I remain anonymous.
First, I say to my Dominica people, there will be a time when you will fear no more, if only we take the necessary actions that will lead us to that time now! So listen up my Dominican people. The people who you look up to are not serving you well, it is now time to reflect, think, act, search your soul, and engage your mind. Harness your power!
I have been following what is going on in my beloved country very closely. Those who observe closely need not be a Sigmund Freud or a Rousseau to conclude that most of us have refrained from reality and analytical thinking and opted to give more credence to eloquence and celebrity, and those educated men,--who no doubt have betrayed us--, than we give to reason and truth.
We have been bamboozled and continue to be bamboozled everyday, by those in whom we put our trust. Dr. Henry David Thoreau once asked the citizens of America in Civil Dis-obedience “Do we have to always resign our conscience to the legislators?” I ask it again of my people. Why did God give us a conscience then? Not to be surrendered to the service of unscrupulous men I am sure.
The importance of truth and the faithfulness to conscience have become almost obsolete. It is now only what is politically expedient and not what is constitutionally or democratically faithful that matters.
It is impossible for anyone who is paying close attention not to notice or even absorb the profound irony that surrounds us; what is even more frightening is what lays beneath the irony- The vilification of those who seek the truth and demand it. That has always worked effectively for those who seek power or those who seek to maintain power. The time has come to deny them the use of this technique.
Those of us who are brave enough to be ruled by the laws of our conscience, to stand for truth and justice, and patriotic enough to dissent and make our voices heard are branded as pariahs, we are accused of being divisive, partisan, and vitriolic. By asking legitimate questions, that we have every right and responsibility to ask as citizens we are branded as trouble makers, and are condemned as threats to national security? That we threaten the stability and image of our country we all love so dearly?
It is a colossal mistake to think that those who fight for the cause of truth, justice, democracy, and people’s empowerment will be intimidated or coerced into silence. In time the vigilante and virtuous shall be victorious, the pariahs will become the prophets, and the truth will set us free.
It always ends up that way! There are many examples to show, Mandela in apartheid South Africa Martin Luther King in racist America, and Gandhi in India, to name just a few.
Now our country is in a time of crisis, we need men and women of conscience more than we ever needed them. Men who will opt for the laws of conscience instead of the laws of man; men who stand for justice, equality, right, and truth. Where will these men come from?
The best thing any one, especially the educated among us can do for our country Dominica is to endeavor to carry out those schemes which we entertained when we were poor, to stand with the poor and un-educated in times of national crisis. Help them to hold the government accountable, because after all the government works for them.
The people have every right and responsibility to demand good performance and honesty in the people they employ-elect to conduct their business, and when the government fails in what is required of them. The people must hold them accountable. My people let’s not be afraid to unite as one people and fight to save Dominica for Dominicans for the sake of the next generation.
| | Home Page | Dominica |Welcome Message | Prior Issues|Flag and Symbols | Dominica Constitution | Bulletin Board |Contact Us |Local Headlines |Discussion Board |Radio & TV |Cricket | Current Issue |
// posted by TheDominican.net @ 7:48 PM
Comments:
Links to this post:
<< Home
It is sad that we have come to this in our Dominica, freedom of speech being taken from the people. To think that this writer is afraid of what may happen to his/her family because of what he/she write is frightening. Are we living in China? Is it that the Chinese influence is so strong that our people have to be afraid to speak in their own country.
We as a people can stand up and let our voices be heard and say no to oppression and yes to justice, liberty and freedom of speech for all. Wake up my fellow Dominican at home and abroad look about you and see what is going on. The very essence of what makes us Dominicans is being taken away from us, we can sit idly by and allow that to happen or we can demand a stop to the sale of our country and her people.
We as Dominicans cannot leave our fate in the hands of this government, it is time that we stand up and say enough no more! My fellow Dominicans I agree "now our country is in a time of crisis, we need men and women of conscience more than we ever needed them. Men who will opt for the laws of conscience instead of the laws of man; men who stand for justice, equality, right, and truth. Where will these men come from?" It is you, it is me, it is our moral obligation.
We as a people can stand up and let our voices be heard and say no to oppression and yes to justice, liberty and freedom of speech for all. Wake up my fellow Dominican at home and abroad look about you and see what is going on. The very essence of what makes us Dominicans is being taken away from us, we can sit idly by and allow that to happen or we can demand a stop to the sale of our country and her people.
We as Dominicans cannot leave our fate in the hands of this government, it is time that we stand up and say enough no more! My fellow Dominicans I agree "now our country is in a time of crisis, we need men and women of conscience more than we ever needed them. Men who will opt for the laws of conscience instead of the laws of man; men who stand for justice, equality, right, and truth. Where will these men come from?" It is you, it is me, it is our moral obligation.
# posted by 
: May 18, 2009 12:34 AM
: May 18, 2009 12:34 AM
I AM A PUBLIC OFFICER LIVING AND WORKING IN THE TOP ECHELONS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS. I HAVE GIVEN MY SOUL TO MY COUNTRY AND I CONTINUE TO DO SO. MY VERY HEART IS HURTING WHEN I SEE THE PAIN THAT THIS CORRUPT GOVERNMENT IS CAUSING THIS COUNTRY. THEY ARE VIOLATING THE TRUST BESTOWED TO THEM BY THE PEOPLE OF DOMINICA. THEY BRIBE, LIE, CHEAT, STEAL FROM THE PEOPLE. THEY REFUSE TO RESPOND TO GENUINE INQUIRIES, OR WHEN THEY DO SO RESPOND WITH INSULTS. EVEN IF I SEE THE CORRUPT PRACTICES, I DARE NOT SPEAK OUT PUBLICLY FOR FEAR OF RECRIMINATION AND VICTIMIZATION OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. THESE GUYS ARE DESTROYING THE ENVIRONMENT, HURTING AGRICULTURE, TOURISM AND INDUSTRY. NEPOTISM IS RANK, AND NOW THEY WANT TO TAKE UP THE DEBT OF ONE HOTELIER -A SUPPORTER, WHILE DENIGRATING ANOTHER! SHAME! DOMINICANS AT HOME AND ABROAD, PLEASE SAVE DOMINICA FROM THIS GOVERNMENT. THE TIME IS NOW....
# posted by : May 18, 2009 7:10 AM
: May 18, 2009 7:10 AM
Yes I agree we need to take our country back. We MUST come together, all of us from all political parties and socio-economic situations. We have an obligation to save our country. China is recolonailizing us and we are too deaf, and too blind to see what's happening to us. Once they drop two rains of poisioned rice in my beeging bowls we are happy they take everything else from us.. Wake up Dominicans, please!! Please!1 Please before it is too late.
# posted by : May 18, 2009 9:24 AM
: May 18, 2009 9:24 AM
Please look at the following link. Is this really what we would like to see happen to our Dominica? Wake up my people, I plead with you, it is starting to happen right before our eyes.
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1884396_1854944,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1884396_1854944,00.html
# posted by : May 18, 2009 11:25 AM
: May 18, 2009 11:25 AM
IF ALL THESE THINGS WERE HAPPENING IN DOMINICA, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT MY COUNTRY MEN WOULD HAVE REVOLTED. THEREFORE NO LIES INNUENDOS, FASLE PROPAGANDER, MISCHIEF CAN MAKE US TURN OUR BACKS ON OUR BELOVED GOVERNMENT.
I CHALLENGE ANY POLITICAL PARTY OR ORGANIZATION TO RALLY 2000 PEOPLE TO A DEMONSTRATION IN ROSEAU. THAT WOULD BE EASY TO DO ONCE IT IS DONE WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE LAWS OF DOMINICA.
THE MAJORITY OF DOMINICANS ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT IS WHY A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IS GUARANTEED AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS. SO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES CAN COME TOGETHER WE EH FRAID DEM.
FIVE MORE YEARS FOR LABOUR UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PM SKERRIT AND THAT IS GUARANTEED.
QUE YO LA QUE YO PA LA, NOUS KA BA YO LABOR
SKERRIT JHA LA, EKA WAITE'
I CHALLENGE ANY POLITICAL PARTY OR ORGANIZATION TO RALLY 2000 PEOPLE TO A DEMONSTRATION IN ROSEAU. THAT WOULD BE EASY TO DO ONCE IT IS DONE WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE LAWS OF DOMINICA.
THE MAJORITY OF DOMINICANS ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT IS WHY A LANDSLIDE VICTORY IS GUARANTEED AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS. SO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES CAN COME TOGETHER WE EH FRAID DEM.
FIVE MORE YEARS FOR LABOUR UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PM SKERRIT AND THAT IS GUARANTEED.
QUE YO LA QUE YO PA LA, NOUS KA BA YO LABOR
SKERRIT JHA LA, EKA WAITE'
# posted by : May 18, 2009 5:45 PM
: May 18, 2009 5:45 PM
I understand and share your concern. There are intelligent people like Parry Bellot who is now openly suggesting that the hand outs at the Red Clinic is a good thing while we in government have advised that this is a populist, welfare state brainwashed hand out- buying peole thing, making our hard pressed Dominicans look like beggars. How low can we get? Again, It seems that some people really do not know the difference between sustainable development and hand outs. Where did we go wrong? We went wrong when we put a 31 year old to run Dominica. Spread the news about, there are still clever peole about who cannot be bought and wish to serve our country with dignity, love and good governance
# posted by : May 18, 2009 5:59 PM
: May 18, 2009 5:59 PM
That's the problem right there. "There are intelligent people like Parry Bellot who is now openly suggesting that the hand outs at the Red Clinic is a good thing." These people are exploiting the country and the people for thier own good, they don't give a rat's A@@ about Dominica and Dominicans. They are traitors to the country. PERIOD!
# posted by : May 18, 2009 6:36 PM
: May 18, 2009 6:36 PM
"I CHALLENGE ANY POLITICAL PARTY OR ORGANIZATION TO RALLY 2000 PEOPLE TO A DEMONSTRATION IN ROSEAU. THAT WOULD BE EASY TO DO ONCE IT IS DONE WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE LAWS OF DOMINICA." Now this is laughable, but I shall not laugh instead I feel pity and sadness to think that oen of my country folks would judge the performance of his prime minsiter by how many PAID people attend a rally. This is really a joke! I were attending the clinic I would attend every rally Skeritt calls me to attend. Will you people THINK for heaven's sake. Just for one second.
# posted by : May 18, 2009 7:03 PM
: May 18, 2009 7:03 PM
HOW SHALLOW AND ASSININE CAN ONE GET! IMAGINE A PERSON SUGGESTING THAT HAVING OR NOT HAVING 2000 PERSONS GATHERED IN ROSEAU IS A DEMONSTRATION OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND A VICTORY OR NOT FOR SKERRIT! SOMEBODY IS LOSING IT ALONG WITH SKERRIT! WHO OF COURSE IS TOTALLY INSANE. EVEN HIS OWN SUPPORTERS TELL US THAT SKERRIT HAS LOST IT. BUT THEY DARE NOT TELL HIM DIRECTLY...THEY SECRETLY MENTION THAT TO THEIR FRIENDS. A CURRENT MINISTER TOLD ME AS MUCH. "SOMETHING IS WRONG , VERY WRONG IN DENMARK."
# posted by : May 18, 2009 7:14 PM
: May 18, 2009 7:14 PM
To the writer who wrote "QUE YO LA QUE YO PA LA, NOUS KA BA YO LABOR" It is not polite to write in all capital letters. It's like you are shouting. My, My you sounded so angry. The link must have hit a nerve. It must have made you think. That is a good thing that means you are starting to think. It would be better that you just come clean and say you are really afraid that this is where our beloved country is headed.
Please do try to stop shouting though, it is not healthy for you. Take a deep breath, then exhale, no need to get sick. Now that you have read the articles and seen the pictures, it is your moral obligation to look into issues that may affect the future of our Beloved Dominica; in addition it is also your moral obligation to act on the basis of what you have learned.
Please do try to stop shouting though, it is not healthy for you. Take a deep breath, then exhale, no need to get sick. Now that you have read the articles and seen the pictures, it is your moral obligation to look into issues that may affect the future of our Beloved Dominica; in addition it is also your moral obligation to act on the basis of what you have learned.
# posted by : May 18, 2009 7:18 PM
: May 18, 2009 7:18 PM
It is so right, even supporters within the government are quering what is going on, they say so and they are not happy. The latest scandal was the unnecessary and childish attack on Judith Pestaina. Some people must be nervous in the camp that the Freedom Party has a very good leader with integrity, honour, served her country, the region and the wider world well and is now ready to do so for her country under the theme of good governance, transparency, trust and sustainable government.
Dominincans please wake up like we did in 1979 and 1980.....
Dominincans please wake up like we did in 1979 and 1980.....
# posted by : May 18, 2009 9:57 PM
: May 18, 2009 9:57 PM
Well yes, we are not scared to talk openly, scared to disclose our identity for fear of what will happen to us, our families, our jobs our livelihood. Are we going to sit back and let this happen, while China and maybe other countries infiltrate the very fabric of our culture, our heritage, all what our ancestors worked hard for, resulting in a people with no freedom of speech, living in a society with no liberty and justice, and exploited by members of a foreign nations who bought sovereignty, citizenship and control of our beloved country.
Looking at those pictures make me pretty upset, but it has also made me realize that this is what is going to happen, because I read the posts of some folks here who are testifying that they are scared to talk already.
We need to unite, and bring this message across to all Dominicans, far and wide, so that they can think and judge for themselves. We need change now before we becomes servants of another nation. God bless Dominica, and God bless those, like Dr. Sam and Gabu, who have been courageous enough to take on this task of letting Dominicans know what's happening. We are a patriotic people, lets put country first, and party politics last.
Looking at those pictures make me pretty upset, but it has also made me realize that this is what is going to happen, because I read the posts of some folks here who are testifying that they are scared to talk already.
We need to unite, and bring this message across to all Dominicans, far and wide, so that they can think and judge for themselves. We need change now before we becomes servants of another nation. God bless Dominica, and God bless those, like Dr. Sam and Gabu, who have been courageous enough to take on this task of letting Dominicans know what's happening. We are a patriotic people, lets put country first, and party politics last.
# posted by : May 23, 2009 4:39 PM
: May 23, 2009 4:39 PM
What is the point of this whole article? Am i the only one to see this writer is not saying anything? I don't see any particular problem or solution just a bunch of empty rhetoric.
Ted
Ted
I understand we have many problems on the island, politically, socially etc. We have lots to deal with,our current leader is a dimwit and the rest of his cabinet are nothing but drones. Yet I can't figure out what on earth this article is talking about, what irony? Ah forget. There's no point
# posted by : May 26, 2009 11:53 PM
: May 26, 2009 11:53 PM
I do not live in your country, but I do observe a few things and basically from here in the U.K. your country does seem to lack leadership. It seems the Skerrit character has no foresight whatsoever in terms of infrastructure and living for the future.
It is also a fact that many of your current leaders have been giving you all 5 pounds when the world functions on 12, they then increases it to 9 and the average Dominican is over whelmed and grateful for his 9, not realizing he is still 3 less for the future.
Dominica is a place I have visited and loved ever since, but I can never move to a country that begs for roads and then makes me walk to save the asphalt from wearing away simply because they lack a supporting government for its people.And I say walk simply on the basis of the ridiculous import duties that seem to take from its people, everything, sometimes even their soul.......
Any prime minister that accepts a Mercedes while his people lack roads has a questionable moral standing. Am guessing he grew up as an average man of the soil, so maybe a Mercedes is something he disparately needs to get around the huge overwhelming roads and traffic jams you all may have.
I came to the island about 7 years back to do business and I was almost conned by a one Parry Bellot who I read above one writer describes as intelligent..hmmmmmmm well may be clever but certainly not honest. So if these are the people that the people of Dominica consider better than Skerrit am afraid it really might be too late if one can resort to Parry Bellot, a man who lives off his wife and flashes around the island with companies that seem to make and break like noodles.....his owned father had to sell the Food company because he was embezzling hence the sale of the company rather than pass it to him.... something to think about.....
All am saying is Dominicans, no matter what party politically ask questions, it is your right to get straight answers, after all isn't the government there to serve its people?
Shelley Shilling-ford U.K.
It is also a fact that many of your current leaders have been giving you all 5 pounds when the world functions on 12, they then increases it to 9 and the average Dominican is over whelmed and grateful for his 9, not realizing he is still 3 less for the future.
Dominica is a place I have visited and loved ever since, but I can never move to a country that begs for roads and then makes me walk to save the asphalt from wearing away simply because they lack a supporting government for its people.And I say walk simply on the basis of the ridiculous import duties that seem to take from its people, everything, sometimes even their soul.......
Any prime minister that accepts a Mercedes while his people lack roads has a questionable moral standing. Am guessing he grew up as an average man of the soil, so maybe a Mercedes is something he disparately needs to get around the huge overwhelming roads and traffic jams you all may have.
I came to the island about 7 years back to do business and I was almost conned by a one Parry Bellot who I read above one writer describes as intelligent..hmmmmmmm well may be clever but certainly not honest. So if these are the people that the people of Dominica consider better than Skerrit am afraid it really might be too late if one can resort to Parry Bellot, a man who lives off his wife and flashes around the island with companies that seem to make and break like noodles.....his owned father had to sell the Food company because he was embezzling hence the sale of the company rather than pass it to him.... something to think about.....
All am saying is Dominicans, no matter what party politically ask questions, it is your right to get straight answers, after all isn't the government there to serve its people?
Shelley Shilling-ford U.K.
# posted by : October 25, 2009 2:55 AM
: October 25, 2009 2:55 AM
I do not live in your country, but I do observe a few things and basically from here in the U.K. your country does seem to lack leadership. It seems the Skerrit character has no foresight whatsoever in terms of infrastructure and living for the future.
It is also a fact that many of your current leaders have been giving you all 5 pounds when the world functions on 12, they then increases it to 9 and the average Dominican is over whelmed and grateful for his 9, not realizing he is still 3 less for the future.
Dominica is a place I have visited and loved ever since, but I can never move to a country that begs for roads and then makes me walk to save the asphalt from wearing away simply because they lack a supporting government for its people.And I say walk simply on the basis of the ridiculous import duties that seem to take from its people, everything, sometimes even their soul.......
Any prime minister that accepts a Mercedes while his people lack roads has a questionable moral standing. Am guessing he grew up as an average man of the soil, so maybe a Mercedes is something he disparately needs to get around the huge overwhelming roads and traffic jams you all may have.
I came to the island about 7 years back to do business and I was almost conned by a one Parry Bellot who I read above one writer describes as intelligent..hmmmmmmm well may be clever but certainly not honest. So if these are the people that the people of Dominica consider better than Skerrit am afraid it really might be too late if one can resort to Parry Bellot, a man who lives off his wife and flashes around the island with companies that seem to make and break like noodles.....his owned father had to sell the Food company because he was embezzling hence the sale of the company rather than pass it to him.... something to think about.....
All am saying is Dominicans, no matter what party politically ask questions, it is your right to get straight answers, after all isn't the government there to serve its people?
Shelley Shilling-ford U.K.
It is also a fact that many of your current leaders have been giving you all 5 pounds when the world functions on 12, they then increases it to 9 and the average Dominican is over whelmed and grateful for his 9, not realizing he is still 3 less for the future.
Dominica is a place I have visited and loved ever since, but I can never move to a country that begs for roads and then makes me walk to save the asphalt from wearing away simply because they lack a supporting government for its people.And I say walk simply on the basis of the ridiculous import duties that seem to take from its people, everything, sometimes even their soul.......
Any prime minister that accepts a Mercedes while his people lack roads has a questionable moral standing. Am guessing he grew up as an average man of the soil, so maybe a Mercedes is something he disparately needs to get around the huge overwhelming roads and traffic jams you all may have.
I came to the island about 7 years back to do business and I was almost conned by a one Parry Bellot who I read above one writer describes as intelligent..hmmmmmmm well may be clever but certainly not honest. So if these are the people that the people of Dominica consider better than Skerrit am afraid it really might be too late if one can resort to Parry Bellot, a man who lives off his wife and flashes around the island with companies that seem to make and break like noodles.....his owned father had to sell the Food company because he was embezzling hence the sale of the company rather than pass it to him.... something to think about.....
All am saying is Dominicans, no matter what party politically ask questions, it is your right to get straight answers, after all isn't the government there to serve its people?
Shelley Shilling-ford U.K.
# posted by : October 25, 2009 3:12 AM
: October 25, 2009 3:12 AM Links to this post:
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
Post a Comment
Please Provide Opinions and Comments on This Article.