The Anniversary!

Today Feb. 7 is the first anniversary of last year's general elections when the Belizean populace namely the electors (makes a difference) cast votes that ousted the 10 year ruling People’s United Party. It would have been sweet for the country if the United Democratic Party would have also won the elections. This made Dean Barrow’s words true; he had said that Belizeans had no option but to vote for the UDP since as it seems the PUP were destined to not win. In other words, the UDP had been elected only by default and not by merit nor much less by the superiority of their plan.

Today, Mr. Barrow is marking the occasion by shunning Belize to again promise to be true. This time, the second time, it is supposed to be till ‘death do us part.’ In contrast, the oath that he took one year ago tomorrow does not promise to celebrate the anniversary of the PUP’s loss. It though speaks of being true to the nation. Today there are thousands that feel dearly that he is not being gracious to Belize or at least not to his supporters.

In the North of our land of the free, there is a slew of hard-working Beliceños, naïve to certain extent, but Belizean to the core who feel betrayed and so insulted. One of their own was killed while carrying out a task that they felt was worth risking their lives over. They were unreasonably irate over Barrow’s ‘move by 4pm or be moved.’

This ultimatum was one that will go down in the annals of history as one that is defamatory of the Prime Ministerial position. I do agree that the cane farmer’s were SO WRONG in blocking a roadway that was not theirs. It was illegal just like the previous bus stand. All mobs are illegal and I will never support one. Nevertheless, I do see their basic humanity and lack of skills to resolve problems in any other way. But, there are other ways, and that is where creative leadership and the novel formulation and execution of plans come into play.

Hindsight is many times a lousy way of determining our lives. That is what has happened here. It took the strike to allow a plan to be agreed upon. Second-guessing, if whether a certain new plan will be beneficial for ALL or not, can be countered by having creative leaders and intelligently devised plans. I am no expert at the sugar industry but my hindsight tells me that those in charge of looking forward in the industry failed with a capital F. Notice that “those in charge” mean so many people including those who were the de facto leaders of the mob. Therein lies the main reason why I say that I do not support this mob.

The strike is one; the mob as a result, although not being totally another, is yet still another issue.

And so, our Democracy continues with its growing pains. I smile when I think that Belize is just 26 years old. In the context of a human being she/he is still adolescent. Yet, growing for a nation is painstaking and maturity has no calendar. It is dynamic. So one day we may be a peaceful haven of tranquility and the other can be February 2, 2009.

March 4, 2009 will show that we rather that “despots must flee this tranquil haven of democracy.” Maybe that is why one fled today.

;)

:)

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