Basseterre, St. Kitts - Firstly, allow me to publicly extend my sincerest appreciation for the international acclaim that the Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, hereinafter referred to as the PM, has afforded me as of recent times. I am certain that many a business entity across the Globe would relish an opportunity such as this, that is, for all the free Publicity, Public Relations, and Hype, from its Country’s Leader, in the manner in which you have germinated and subsequently, propagated for me, over the past few weeks. Thus, I am eternally grateful to you Sir. Actually, eternally indebted Sir!
Secondly, I must add here that I HUMBLY disagree with the PM’s conclusion as it pertains to what he argues is the explanation for the current protests being staged across St. Kitts. Actually, I am befuddled by his deductions that the People’s Action Movement (PAM), or any entity as a matter of fact, be it, NRP, CCM, or UNEP, would actually attempt to tarnish the Tourism Product that it/they would inherit if it/they were to win the upcoming Elections. Not only is this absurd, but it is also ludicrous! Why would any entity want to jeopardise the main Industry on which it would depend for the Country’s economic sustainability if it were to be victorious at the Polls? Why would any entity wish to jeopardise the very livelihood of the Constituents from whom it so feverishly seeks support? Why would any entity deprive a Nation of a lucrative economic stream and then, struggle to create alternative sources of national income if it takes office? You be the judge of this, is this not suicide for any such entity? Consequently, Sir, I HUMBLY submit that your position seems inherently flawed.
For example, as outlined in the 2009 Budget Address, the Tourism Sector has contributed considerably to the economic and social progress of the Federation, “through visitor expenditure, foreign exchange earnings, foreign direct investment and employment generation.” It was also purported that through “robust growth,” total visitor arrivals have been showing steady increases. Taken from the same document, the Yacht and Cruise Ship passenger arrivals have also been on the rise. Armed with this knowledge, I would be VERY MUCH DISAPPOINTED IN AND FRANKLY, UPSET, at anyone who dares to tarnish the reputation of my Country and with it, our developing Tourism Industry. Show me that person and I will verbally spank him/her.
As I continue, in an attempt to shed some light on the recently held protest in New York, of which the PM apparently referenced, and I add apparently here because unfortunately, I have never had the pleasure of listening to his Radio Show, I take this opportunity to categorically state that I had absolutely nothing to do with this/these event(s). With 127% exactitude, I hereby confirm that I neither had knowledge of nor did I have any input in the conceptualization and implementation logistics of said event(s). Moreover, as for the names of the Participants and/or Organizers, I reaffirm that I have never communicated by email, text, mobile call, or via any other means, with this/these individual(s). Strangely enough though, I have been advised by legal Counsel that many of the things that were mentioned and/or alluded to by the PM may be considered scandalous thus, making him liable. However, I have decided that in the interest of preserving the good name of our Nation, I now HUMBLY offer the PM an opportunity to retract his comments and publicly offer a sincere apology.
After all, over the past years, the murder rate in St. Kitts has increased dramatically with many of the murders still unsolved and this, on its own, has the propensity of driving fear into the hearts of locals and potential visitors alike. After all, quite recently, we were labeled as the “Murder Capital of the World” by a European Journalist and we all know how damaging that was and can be to our Nation. After all, I think it was only last week when our Prime Minister was accused of physically assaulting a law-abiding citizen, who coincidentally, is a PAM Executive. After all, at a recent political Rally, A RALLY THAT I WAS NOT PRESENT AT, a Political Candidate was assaulted with a missile catapulted by someone whose identity remains unknown up to today. Now! Which Visitor, which Tourist, which Investor would want to visit any destination, when s/he has received wind of the MERE POSSIBILITY that said Country’s Prime Minister has accosted a National? When there is the slightest possibility of political instability? When families cry for their lost love ones on a repeated basis? Regrettably, I must now conclude that such information being funneled to the outer world is damaging enough making it therefore ill-advised for anyone to add fuel to an already scorching fire. Along this vein, I am convinced that any Leader of ethical fibre would do nothing less than to publicly and genuinely apologize. Any Public Figure who cares for its Nationals would hasten to correct whatever misconceptions that may have been concocted in the Public’s minds. Thus, I await the PM’s apology.
With my readers’ permission, I now revisit the issue of locally-held, silent protests. Again, I HUMBLY think that the PM may have missed the fundamental issues at hand. In this, I mean that the issue is not that citizens are protesting, the real issue is the reasons which they present for doing so. The issue is not where they protest but their willingness to come forward as nationals and exercise their constitutional right of association, expression, and assembly. From a Marketing perspective, I have dissected the scenario and have calculated that the positioning of these Protesters is not linked to Tourists and Visitors but instead, to high-traffic areas in St. Kitts. For example, it was recorded that amongst the several locations, the Protesters frequented the intersection of Fort and Cayon Streets around the lunch time traffic jam. They also staged their peaceful gatherings at the C. A. Paul Industrial Site. Additionally, they congregated at the entry point to the City from the East, where Conaree opens up its arms to Basseterre. Again, from a Marketing standpoint, the target market must be locals. The medium seems to be real life people using their creativity. And gosh! The impact must be incredible if talk of these LEGAL SHOWINGS continue to surface in Newspapers, on Radio, and on the Internet.
With this in mind, I think that targeting these Protesters and other individuals seems equivalent to President Barack Obama attempting to shut down CNN. Analogous to Prime Minister Gordon Brown closing down BBC. And while we at it, should we also close down Media Houses such as the SUN, Observer, Leewards Times, and Democrat newspapers? SKNVibes and SKN List etc? Please, let us not shoot the messengers! Let us address the concerns that they report! They do not create stories, they simply report on them.
In conclusion, I now ask, is a Politician not to listen to the pleas of the electorate? Is s/he not to sit with constituents and craft solutions to a Country’s challenges? Is s/he not to discount personal convictions and embrace the Country’s people. As I recollect, the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas has never had a face to face conversation with me so if you can, please Sir, make a window in your enormously busy schedule to visit Crab Hill, Sandy Point, and chat with little, seemingly insignificant fellows like myself. No need to use newspapers and the radio waves. Let’s have a cup of coffee or a glass of lemonade. I would welcome that. However, please no alcohol, as we will all need to maintain coherence just in case any rocks are thrown at us. So do not bother to bring a case of beers or $100 to throw around.
And Sir, the international exposure is “just too much” for me. It’s so ironic in your recently held Whistle Stop, Parade, or Mini-motorcade, forgive me if I labeled it incorrectly, I was whistled at, winked at, saluted, smiled at, and all those other warm gestures. Simply too much for little old me Sir! Simply too much!
