Badjohnism by ‘developed society’

THE EDITOR: The Prime Minister’s clarion call to the country to achieve developed nation status by the year 2020 resonates within the hearts of all true-blooded Trinidadians and Tobagonians. But wait! If developed nation status is reflected in the actions of the United States and the United Kingdom in respect of Iraq, and the United States in particular on the International Criminal Court, then we have to re-examine that priority. Politicians are by nature manipulative and no political system is immune from their Machiavellian machinations, but the cynicism displayed by Bush and Blair exceeds anything seen in the Third World.

One thing Bush has proven by his invasion of Iraq is that he believes violence can be a solution and he doesn’t care what the rest of the world thinks. How in all good conscience can any one of us tell our sons that they should not use violence to solve problems when the most powerful man in the world demonstrates in no uncertain terms that he is committed to the use of the most brutal violence against an almost defenceless nation in the face of opposition from the rest of the world? Where are the distinguishing features of developed society in such actions? Is this what a developed society is all about or is it just plain and simple “badjohnism?”

One of the features of a developed society that our nation has already exhibited, and the Prime Minister must be given recognition for this, is the refusal to be bullied by the United States into capitulating on the principles of the International Criminal Court. Unlike some of our Caricom colleagues, who do not have the guts to withstand pressure, the government has shown true grit. Now that is the action of a developed nation. And we did not have to wait until 2020 for it to happen.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH
Carapichaima