I WAS MOVED to respond to a letter published on May 27 by a Felicia Anderson, regarding the level of debate in the Senate.
First, let me say I support neither party. I vote based on performance. But I was moved to respond because I viewed the letter as painting an inaccurate picture, with just one sentence thrown in favouring the Government to throw readers off the trail of bias.
I listened to the Appropriations debate and it was one of the best I have heard in the Senate. I never used to listen before.
The Senate used to strike me as quite boring. If you ask me the names of former members I would have a hard time recalling them. Anderson’s comments regarding Senator Jepter Ince were unfair.
Ince is always sound and accurate. His delivery is his style. He is an individual.
The same criticism Anderson uses for Senator Ince is the exact criticism used by the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) for Dr David Estwick.
Unbiased Barbadians will tell you that when they deliver their economic and financial data, it is clear as crystal and sound.
It also paints an ugly picture of the deeds of the past administration. I do agree they sometimes can raise it a notch, but again, a speaker’s style is his style.
The letter writer also took issue with Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner. Is it because she had the “temerity” to respond to Liz Thompson?
In debating, one side must attack the other. Senator Thompson does it always. This time Senator Garner chose Senator Thompson.
Revelations
Senator Garner is one of the most articulate and grammatically deliberate speakers I have heard in a long-time. She is obviously a highly intelligent woman. And she does her research.
Her revelations were economically relevant and devastating to the BLP that day. She was particularly lethal. And she does the damage without ranting and talking down to people. I am not a chauvinist, but I do believe women should behave like women.
I find women in Barbados seem to have a hard time accepting one of their own who comes with the complete package: beauty and brains.
It is a sad reflection on our society and it would be interesting to hear the gender analysts on that one!If I were to be critical of any of the females, it would be of Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo. Her deliveries to date have been disappointing.
She needs to prepare more. So does Cynthia Forde who has had enough experience in the house. Anderson was spot on regarding Freundel Stuart but unschooled with reference to Stephen Lashley. Anderson, you need to get back to First Aid in English.
I also agree that some of the Members of Parliament are painful to listen to – on both sides.
COLIN DALRYMPLE
