A RECENT NATION Editorial labelling Minister Denis Kellman’s response to questions about the Grotto housing project as “political piffle” brought back fond memories of my father who died about 50 years ago. Piffle and tripe were words he often used.
While both words are used to mean nonsense, tripe is also the lining of a cow’s stomach which is a favourite food of Lowdown, much to the disgust of my sister. But today we’ll stick to the former definition.
My father was a capable man, both academically and practically, and could recognise nonsense when he heard or saw it. While he was exposed to a certain degree of “piffle and tripe” in his day, I’m sure he would turn in his grave at the level we have to endure these days.
For instance, the mouthings of the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) general secretary who declared publicly that the 50th anniversary celebrations should be non-partisan, but in the next breath expounded on the four DLP Prime Ministers (as if the three Barbados Labour Party leaders were non-existent) and promoted the DLP exhibition depicting the journey to 50.
Shouldn’t this have been a joint effort between the two parties depicting the political history of Barbados, rather than any one political party? Especially, of course, since there have been so many “crossovers” between the parties.
The Opposition claims it wasn’t invited to be part of the planning of the celebrations. I don’t recall hearing the ruling party deny this, so I’m assuming it’s true. The chairperson of the 50th anniversary committee certainly comes across on the airwaves as being the sole owner of the celebrations who mustn’t be questioned.
This behaviour occurs because most of us accept it. However, some of our older and wiser heads aren’t so accepting. Like a mature-sounding lady on a call-in programme recently who would have none of it.
In response to the repeated statement that the cost of the celebrations is within budget, but no details are available, she noted that it was impossible to have a budget without itemised details and the Government can’t spend our money without giving us these details. Furthermore, she questioned why all these Government-funded celebrations were necessary. According to her, “If the people were happy, they would celebrate”.
She has a point. Barbadians willingly celebrate Christmas with no “spoon-feeding” from Government. I’m not against a grand parade and concert at the Garrison, and even the Prime Minister’s Dinner and Ball during the Independence month and on the actual day, but under our present circumstances, money spent on the year-long activities would’ve been better spent on tangible and lasting projects.
Like repairing one road in each parish or refurbishing Errol Barrow’s birthplace to become a part of our heritage tourism product and earn some revenue. We all know Bajans’ memories are short, so the “froth and bubble” activities will no doubt be forgotten before the end of the year.
Speaking of the Prime Minister’s Dinner and Ball though, it certainly seems like a dignified event, but isn’t a black tie affair a bit “colonial” for a Government seemingly bent on ridding itself of any vestige of its colonial heritage? And there seems to be some mystery surrounding the ticket prices.
Why is it that in a full page advertisement appearing so frequently in the press there’s no mention of ticket cost? You are directed to a website which mentions a source of tickets; then you go to that website to find out the prices – $500 and $1 000 for individual tickets. There are apparently also some group prices. Another example (like the chicken wing issue) of “secrecy spawning salacious speculation”.
It will be interesting though, to see who actually attends and if they will be complaining about their mortgage payments or utility bills in the months to come. Also how many tickets will be issued compliments of us taxpayers, and to whom.
It’s good to see that an “all-embracing” human chain is again being attempted and I hope this will be a success. I assume it is to be on a Monday to capture as many schoolchildren as possible, but this may preclude a number of others from joining the chain.
The “Guardians Of Our Heritage” initiative on the grounds of CBC is certainly impressive, especially at night. The participation of 50 companies/organisations is an encouraging sign for the future of our country.
• Dr Frances Chandler is a former Independent senator. Email: fchandler@caribsurf.com