No one can doubt that the World is changing before our very eyes and there is little or nothing we can do about it. And at the same time we cannot isolate ourselves from what is happening abroad, because what is affecting people in any corner of the global village to-day, or this month, or this season – can very well be on our doorsteps this time next year. We have to learn to sift the artificial from the substantial, the uplifting from the rubbish. We need feedback, we need ample exposure, we need even confrontation at times to keep us focused, and to be prepared and ready to stand up and say it as we see it, to those who are responsible and have the authority to change things – and to make things happen for the good and welfare of all our people. Having those needs to help us ensure, or to be sure., that those who have duties to perform are in fact performing – do not necessarily mean that we are complaining, or opposing those in control because we dis-agree with what they are doing over-all. On the other hand, because you support a party, or a Minister, or a particular programme that is being implemented – that should never be a barrier to saying it as you are seeing it. It has always been my very firm position, that to avoid being forthright and frank with those you support – because you do not want them to feel that you are against them or opposing their plans – that manner of behaviour amounts to a much greater measure of dis-service, than telling them as you see it. And as we move along towards the first anniversary of this Government of change – there can be no doubts in anyone’s mind, that there are many issues in contention that need very frank and forthright questioning, and or observation directed at those in control and authority. To the same extent and level of concern expressed by the Prime Minister at the NDC’S convention two or three weeks ago – when he stressed the absence of support by members, on call-in programmes on T/v and Radio since after the Elections in July last year, and his very strong plea that the process must be resumed to keep the party’s flag flying and its programs in the public domain – members and supporters must be at the ready to tell them where and when they are falling short, and why they have to turn back before it becomes too late and the damages irreversible. A major flaw in the whole operation in my view, is the almost total absence of information from the P.M. himself on T/V and Radio – at least every other week – so that the people can see and hear him inside their very homes, telling them what is in fact happening about their business. The Prime Minister, by his manner of speech, his sincerity of purpose, and the humility and dignity with which he carries himself on an everyday basis – was the central figure around whom the people as a whole lavished their support and approval of the NDC throughout the Campaign. Some of the happenings since July eighth, inside the Governmental structure, are beginning to show-case a very different picture – as though those now in control are beginning to behave with such indifference and dis-regard for the views and concerns of the very people who put them there – that many on the floor of the convention two or three weeks ago, were at pains to remind those controllers, that just as they put them there in July, so too can they remove them whenever.. And in taking an even broader outlook of the whole concept of change as was voted for last July – we have to go beyond what has been the backward political norm, of every in-coming Government seeking to only provide handshakes for those seen and recognised as party supporters. We know that the controllers of the last regime were chronic abusers of that so-called norm, and many of our people suffered gravely as a result. But if we are serious and sincere about making changes that will truly benefit all our people, for the betterment and development of the society as a whole – then we must move away from that ancient policy, and move into and adopt the more Christianity – oriented principle, of doing unto others as we would like them to do unto us and those close to us. That is not to say that square pegs must be left in round holes, or that those seen and recognised as stooges and potential traitors, must be left in positions of trust and authority to do their thing, as it were. Those types must be weeded out, and placed in areas where they cannot disrupt or derail the new plans and policies. On the very much broader concept of collective responsibility, among the representatives elected by the people as a team to operate and unite as such a team under one Captain – the signs of the times thus far, and the echoes coming out of the inner chambers, where the power Barons meet and discuss and take decisions or arrive at conclusions – the pictures emerging and the sounds emanating therefrom are giving or creating very serious causes for concern. It must have sounded like mere rhetoric and not very persuasive, to hear the Prime Minister imploring the party members at the recent convention, to unite and portray a solid front and depth of support of the NDC, and let their voices be heard on the public media programmes expressing that support. While at the same time individual Ministers seem to be saying and doing their own thing, in connection with their respective Ministries, and which seems to be in contradiction with the expressions of the Captain of the team, on the one hand; and on the other hand is not in keeping with the provisions in our Constitution, that the Cabinet of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to Parliament and the people for all things done by or under the authority of any Minister in the execution of his office. As many are pointing out – in connection with the recent decision by the Commissioner of Police for dealing with the Vendors in the “Wall Street” area in Grand Anse; the COP falls under the Minister for National Security (the P.M.), but the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Peter David, was the person publicly making statement about the matter, and who seemed to have had the decision reversed. Business people in the area were in agreement with the COP’s decision – because their businesses were affected and they have to pay taxes and rent and what ever else have you, while those Vendors pay nothing. But the rationale advanced for putting them back is that they have to make a living. Who doesn’t? The same scenario is being enacted in connection with the people’s property in the south of the Island and in St. Patrick. The last Government entered into all sorts of very suspect and under-hand deals in disposing of the people’s property – with nothing at all – not even one cent for stamps – going into the Treasury or the land Registry, for the most valuable areas of lands of hundreds of Acres. And to add high powered Insult, to the already very un-scrupulous and in most cases illegal dealings – those documents were signed on behalf of the then Government of the day, the day before Elections, and in one or two cases the very day the people were in the process of throwing the same Government overboard and out of office. And despite the foregoing – which were well known by those in the Tourism Ministry – those with authority and responsibility for that Ministry were making serious efforts to keep these deals on-going. Were those efforts the collective decision of the Cabinet Ministers as the People’s Representatives? The people are talking, Honourable gentlemen, and there is a feeling of un-certainty and dis-quiet among the rank and file of your very party; as well as a kind of Guilty complex, that what they raved and ranted about, as the best team to put the changes in motion – that team is now letting them down, and the defeated opposition elements are laughing at them and casting scornful and derogatory remarks. And please guys – do not dismiss the above by saying there is no hard and fast evidence but just speculation. In Cases like these, the perception of the majority, and the absence of any evidence to the contrary – are by far the most authoritative. In other words – once that perception raises its ugly head, the onus is not on the majority to prove anything – at least not just yet – but on your collective responsibility and solemn duty to dis-prove the doubts and mis-conceptions. To put it another way, as we would say in the process of administering the Criminal Law – the burden of proof shifts from the Accuser to the Accused, because it is the latter who is in the position to supply the necessary information to dis-prove the allegation or mis-conception. On a more general note, but just as important because it concerns the life and death of our people – is the burning issue of the reckless driving of Bus Drivers in particular on our roads. It is not that other crazy youngsters do not behave just as bad, and many times worse then the Bus Men – but the latter have many more lives at the mercy of their hands and careless behaviour every time they get behind the wheel. Two or three weeks ago two Buses loaded with School children collided on the Beaulieu Public road and both capsized. Only the hands of God or Jah prevented a massacre. Last week Wednesday night Mrs. Shirma Williams, the wife of Armand Williams Q.C. now residing in Barbados, was not so lucky and in fact lost her life on the Palmiste Public road when she was struck down by a Bus. That stretch of road from just outside Grand Roy to the Mt. Nesbit gap has been a racing track for years, and although we have Newlo with over Three Hundred Students getting on and off Buses five days a week – there is no “sleeping police” or “hump”, not even a Pedestrian Crossing on the stretch. Now that a life has been sacrificed maybe action will be taken. And while the road authority is in St. John , the other death trap as you descend from Dougaldstan towards the Cuthbert Peters Park in Gouyave, should be made safer – before a Bus goes into the River full of passengers. We seem to always wait until a tragedy occurs before taking remedial action – signs of the times we live in I suppose. By Lloyd Noel INSIDE GRENADA NEWS