|

Editorial

Messrs Seaga and Thompson: from foes to friends

Tuesday, January 24, 2012



Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga's tribute to the late Ambassador Dudley Thompson is as revealing as it is touching.

Older readers will recall that both men were political adversaries, facing each other twice -- in the 1962 and 1967 general elections -- for the tough Kingston Western constituency.

Mr Seaga, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) stalwart who won both contests, recalled in his tribute that the 1967 campaign was particularly violent.

However, one of the most important outcomes, he said, was that he and Ambassador Thompson, who represented the People's National Party (PNP), developed a very pleasant personal friendship which extended throughout the rest of Ambassador Thompson's life.

"While we did not meet frequently, when we met it was in friendship. He was accustomed, when he travelled, to bring back a little gift for my wife, a token which we appreciated," Mr Seaga said.

"At times, as minister of national security, he would call me to visit trouble spots in West Kingston together when there was an outbreak of violence. This was naturally satisfying to us both," the former prime minister and JLP leader added.

Mr Seaga admitted that this portrayal of Ambassador Thompson "as a man with a personal touch is possibly quite different from his general disposition".

However, he gave the depiction, he said, as "a prime example of those periods in our development which have proven that in politics bitterness can be replaced by betterment through friendship".

That, we submit, is a most profound statement that should remain foremost in the minds of all Jamaicans, especially at election time.

The ability of these two men -- who were poles apart politically and ideologically -- to form a friendship and work together to solve problems on the ground in West Kingston is a demonstration of the kind of civility and respect for opposing views that many Jamaicans have been eager to see become the norm here.

We suspect that on seeing the general behaviour of the electorate during the December 2011 general election, Messrs Seaga and Thompson would have felt some amount of hope that their efforts were finally bearing fruit.

The camaraderie displayed by supporters of both the JLP and the PNP from Nomination Day through to Election Day was, in the main, exemplary and worthy of commendation.

However, there still exist across the country many sycophants and political tribalists who, for whatever reason, are resisting the refreshing wind of change.

It is clear that a lot more work needs to be done to create a greater atmosphere of tolerance and respect for life.

To be fair, the leaders of our political parties have been making a valuable contribution to this effort, and that is what we saw coming out in the last election. However, they can be more forceful in their message to supporters to respect views that are opposed to theirs.

We believe that one of the more effective ways of getting that message across is to discuss issues on political platforms rather than engaging in belligerent rhetoric, as is too often the case with our politicians.

Healthy dialogue on issues, we hold, will stimulate people's minds and allow them to make informed decisions about the future of the country.



POST A COMMENT


You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

 

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.



Comment (required):

You have characters left.
captcha 5773bde236944a36a8ed2eb27e9fc740
Enter text seen above:

For information about privacy please read our Privacy Policy.

I have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions


COMMENTS (5)


4/25/2012
Interesting commentary. Since you have made prinisoovs for feedback, her comes some.With proper campaign finance reform, PIP and POP will still care about money to campaign. They just won't have as much. The politics you practise when you can only afford to park a car in the town square with loudspeakers on top and talk to people is vastly different from the kind you practise when you can pull up a bus on the corner and hand out T-Shirts and lunch coupons to everyone heading 100 miles to the conference.To make it work you have the rules enforced by the courts. I.e. If you do not declare contributions, you are not allowed to run and can even be sent to prison in some circumstances.The only major problems with public disclosure are1. Victimisation. If you donate to POP then PIP can and will take steps to ruin your business. Including but not limited to extra audits, delays in customs and even rule changes which break every business like yours when they are really pissed.2. Dishonesty. Even with public disclosure, CCOC would never have been declared a campaign account and funds going through it would just vanish.

4/25/2012
Interesting commentary. Since you have made prinisoovs for feedback, her comes some.With proper campaign finance reform, PIP and POP will still care about money to campaign. They just won't have as much. The politics you practise when you can only afford to park a car in the town square with loudspeakers on top and talk to people is vastly different from the kind you practise when you can pull up a bus on the corner and hand out T-Shirts and lunch coupons to everyone heading 100 miles to the conference.To make it work you have the rules enforced by the courts. I.e. If you do not declare contributions, you are not allowed to run and can even be sent to prison in some circumstances.The only major problems with public disclosure are1. Victimisation. If you donate to POP then PIP can and will take steps to ruin your business. Including but not limited to extra audits, delays in customs and even rule changes which break every business like yours when they are really pissed.2. Dishonesty. Even with public disclosure, CCOC would never have been declared a campaign account and funds going through it would just vanish.
Chipmunk L.
2/12/2012
Political rhetoric has damaged the hearts and minds of a large portion of Jamaicans. The thing most people fail to realize is that these politicians fail to tell them after whipping up tribalism is that they often socialize together. Think of it, they often attended the same High Schools, U.W.I or Universities overseas. The political parties only have so many seats available coupled with the size of Jamaica narrows it down. They are friends people! Once we realize that! We can be friends too.
Andre Gordon
1/26/2012
Well said Mr. Editor
John Christian
1/24/2012
Well said Editor

Designating Mandeville a university town makes sense

  2 comments

 

A tough balancing act

  5 comments

 

Time to shift from austerity to growth strategy

  4 comments

 

Adopt the Grace Foods template

  0 comments

 

Heed Bishop Gregory's advice

  3 comments

 

Now you're talking, Mr Christie!

  7 comments

 

Gov't must use tax policy, fiscal expenditure to reduce income inequality

  0 comments

 

JPS’s first task is rebuilding trust

  0 comments

 

Complete the circle of Independence

  10 comments

 

Carib should take damaging rum subsidies to WTO

  0 comments

 

Pressure in an Olympic year

  0 comments

 

Nice move to encourage Jamaicans to vacation at home

  2 comments

 

More tax raids, yes, but more finesse too, TAJ!

  3 comments

 

What would we do without PetroCaribe?

  1 comments

 

Why Monsieur Sarkozy became a one-term president

  2 comments

 

Are these the leaders of tomorrow?

  9 comments

 

Politics of appointing and recalling our diplomats

  3 comments

 

Look what we have come to!

  3 comments

 

Bloodied, but unbowed - the splendid example of Mr Myers

  0 comments

 

Just so we don't wash our dirty linen in public

  7 comments

 

Today's Cartoon


Poll

 Do/Would you disclose details of your salary with your spouse? 
Yes
No

View Results

Results published weekly in Sunday Finance


Username:
Password: