WHITE SLAVE MASTER!

PRESIDENT of the Senate Dr Linda Baboolal yesterday suspended a rowdy sitting of the Senate following an outburst from Leader of Opposition Business, Wade Mark, who angrily called Minister of Science Danny Montano, a “slave master”.

The Upper House had suddenly become very heated as President Baboolal laid down the order of Government bills to be debated to the dismay of Mark. President Baboolal rose to announce “Civil Aviation Bill” instead of the Kidnaping Bill which the Opposition had anticipated. At Baboolal’s announcement, Mark angrily said: “I was only told about this bill by the acting Leader of Government Business at 1.20 pm today. I came here today prepared to deal with the Kidnaping Bill. You can’t trust this Government. You come here with disrespect, utter contempt. We cannot proceed that way.” Apparently ignoring Mark, Baboolal called on Minister of Works Franklyn Khan to rise to pilot the Aviation Bill. At that Mark shouted: “We are protesting! We have the undertaking of the Leader of Government Business (Dr Lenny Saith — absent from the Senate) that we shall be dealing with Bill number one, and that is on the (Hansard) record.”

Baboolal retorted that the Government had listed both bills on the order paper. Mark continued: “We protest!” Danny Montano, himself seated, derided Mark for addressing the Chair while seated, shouting to him: “If you can’t stand up to speak you have no business being here.” At that Mark shouted at Montano: “You think this is a slave plantation? You think you are a slave master? Who do you think you are talking to?” A stern President Baboolal suspended the Senate for what she said was 10 minutes but what seemed twice that time. Even as Baboolal exited the chamber to let things cool down, Mark continued shouting remarks at Montano, “You feel you are a white person and could talk to people so! I’m not taking that from you! Catch yourself boy!” When the Senate resumed Baboolal lamented that senators’ disorderly behaviour had caused the suspension. She ruled: “Shouting across the floor is against the rules of the House, calling members names is against the rules of the House, and sitting in your chair and addressing this Chair is against the rules of the House and will not be taken lightly.”

Apparently referring to Mark’s objection, she added: “The Government regulates its own business and whatever bills are listed it can take in any order.” Montano rose and apologised for having spoken while seated, saying: “Madam President, I’d like to apologise to you and everybody for the flagrant breach of the standing orders.” All eyes then turned to Mark. He remained seated silently. He later told reporters he had still been “boiling” and had told the President he would make a statement the following week.  Independent Senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie rose and lamented the incident and called for the Senate to be adjourned. She said: “I have been in this House for years and today has been the worst I have seen and heard in this chamber. Our behaviour degenerated to a very low level. It saddens me. The type of remarks used made me think that in our hearts there is hate, hate for people and hate for each other, a hate we can’t reason why it is there. It bothers me that this behaviour will go out to the public. People who are supposed to respect each other are behaving like beasts. “For me, talking with other members, I am not in a mood to discuss the Kidnaping Bill or Civil Aviation Bill. I’m not sure members would listen to one another. I want to suggest we adjourn the House until we are in a mood and have an attitude to do the people’s business in a respectful way. ‘I’m a very sad person, not angry, but sad. The behaviour was unnecessary.

“We can do better than that. We need to apologise not just to each other but to the entire community of Trinidad and Tobago. If we can’t sit down and dialogue in a civilised way, what can we say on the Kidnaping Bill? I feel we should adjourn this House.” She suggested Senators should seek advice from their predecessors and the general public on how to maintain decorum while holding discussions. President Baboolal agreed saying: “I join the sentiments expressed by Senator McKenzie. I feel a sadness. It’s unfortunate things reached a stage. I hope it doesn’t happen again.” Acting Leader of Government Business, Minister of Community Development Joan Yuille-Williams, endorsed: “We on this side wish to support those comments. This bill is very important and maintaining the dignity of the House is very important. If this adjournment means we’ll have a better Parliament, we move the Senate be adjourned.” Put to a vote by Baboolal, the Senate voted to adjourn, with one dissenting voice.

Afterwards Montano and Mark each defended their positions. Montano told reporters he had apologised for speaking to Mark while still seated, but said that Mark had committed the worse breach of parliamentary protocol by speaking to the Senate President while seated. Montano said: “He was flagrantly disrespecting her.” Mark said he had vehemently protested what he called the Government’s trampling of the Opposition’s rights, adding: “When my “friend” chose to throw words, I exploded. I’ve been in Parliament 13 years. Normally I’m a very cool chap, but I exploded. I take a deep resentment to anyone attempting to disrespect me...Parliament is not a tea-party but I expect every senator to respect each other.”