RODDY AUSTIN, cricketer and avid Wanderers fan, was a unique character about whom many tales abound.
One day, apparently, Roddy was watching Wanderers play at Banks. An umpire didn’t show up. Roddy was asked to deputise.
Banks beating ball, Wanderers up against it. Finally one got through, hitting the batsman plumb in front. Whereupon an elated Roddy erupted: “Got ’im!” And, with finger pointing heavenward, he did a wild war dance.
It didn’t go down well. Not that anyone doubted Roddy’s integrity. Or that the batsman wasn’t out. But Roddy was the umpire. Not only must an umpire be impartial, he must show no hint of bias.
Peter Wickham is big on polls. No one has ever questioned his integrity. He also interprets the findings of his polls. Nothing wrong with that either.
The Wickham agenda, proclaimed by himself day in day out, is known to all – no flogging in schools, no 11-Plus, no hanging, etc.
Which brings us to the local political scene. He who attacks a government is invariably branded a supporter of the opposition. And somehow, it seems, the Wickham agenda is being seen as the Barbados Labour Party agenda.
Perilous economy
Thus Matthew Farley, ignoring our perilous economy and health issues, says that to get his X, politicians must declare their hands on virtually all the Wickham issues mentioned above.
Maybe Wilfred Abrahams was flying a kite, but Bajans, tolerant of kites but mindful how a bull can ruin one’s sleep, would have none of it.
I can’t believe it. The Bees were set for a landslide victory in the last election. Many feel they amazingly lost because of an old lady on a bus.
Are they going to be sidetracked by a foolish buggery non-issue to risk defeat again?
Actually it isn’t a non-issue. NATION reader Michael Turton writes: “Our next election is going to be very interesting. Will Christians vote? The issue is going to be in their face and, depending on who wins the elections, Barbados may very well change the law on homosexuality.”
I am no big Christian, no Bible expert. But this I believe. First, that the God who made this universe can sway the forces of nature. If He could send the flood, calm raging waters, nearly wreck Jonah’s ship, put plagues on Egypt . . . .
If He can’t, why do we get the Dean or somebody to thank God after every near disaster in that we were spared? Why do our very laws describe natural disasters as “acts of God”?
Secondly, so-called “acts of God” don’t mess around, don’t discriminate. The good, the bad and I will go down.
No big sins
Some say there are no big sins or little sins. Yet God loved David, a terrible adulterer, and forgave him. He obliterated everybody from Sodom and Gomorrah for homosexual leanings.
I see a big difference between tolerating buggery as we do. And making it a legal national activity in defiance of God’s perceived abhorrence. If the next election is reduced to a contest between the Buggery Legalising Party and the Don’t Legalise Party, I would have no choice.
Nor will it be only Christians. The Rastas condemn it saying Jah created “man and wombman” to procreate. The Jews are clear: “Torah law expressly forbids the specific act of male homosexuality”. Over eight Muslim countries retain the death penalty for such acts. One Hadith reads: “When a man mounts another man, the throne of God shakes.”
Too high for me
All that is too high for me. My friends at Junction Hardware have a product on sale. Maybe designed for boats but I didn’t wait. It’s called “Bottom Gard”. I’m covered!
Happy 70th birthday to Cedric Burke, a fellow trooper from our good old days.
Richard Hoad is a farmer and social commentator. Email porkhoad@gmail.com.
