Gordon Draper was present in Parliament — by his absence

THE EDITOR: We in TT are likened to vultures (corbeaux) that are too busy feasting on a carcass to be concerned about how the stench stinks the environment. We have become a country overrun by pettiness and indifference, while we sit back and wring our hands. However, the same thing cannot be said of Suzanne Mills, in her recent Newsday opinion on the late Gordon Draper, which I found to be most enlightening. Just to highlight the matter: Here was a PNM representative for Port-of-Spain North St Anns West, who won a general election on a PNM ticket, who chose to stay away from Parliament from 1997 for most of the Fifth Parliament. Not because of failing health or on Government business but allegedly for the purpose of engaging in gainful employment in London.

Suzanne Mills’ attempt to catch his gaze, with a view of striking up a conversation, on their encounter at Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados was rebuffed, along with a half-wave from her to him that was ignored. This was as a result of the Newsday story that implicated him, that could be categorised as the malaise that is being allowed to take over the country; people in responsible positions acting irresponsibly. They see themselves above the law, so much so that their conduct no matter how reprehensible is above question. This type of behaviour is a common practice of Government. “See nothing hear nothing” when it comes to reprimanding those of its fold. Alleged misconduct occurs, from time to time, without any action from our Government.

On his return from his sourjourn in London, Gordon Draper was quoted as saying to reporters that he had not neglected his constituency in any way for the simple reason that during his absence from Parliament, he was always in touch with his constituency chairman, and he had left a group of people in charge. In other words, by the wave of a wand Gordon Draper was able to transform our Parliament to a corporation. One gets the impression that Gordon Draper felt consciously present in Parliament by his absence. Who are the courageous, dedicated people in TT citizens like Suzanne Mills, who in spite of all the “flak” endeavours to “tell it like it is” no matter what? Or the late Dr Rudranath Capildeo of the DLP, the forerunner of Gordon Draper, both choosing to spend the greater part of their time in London, while being elected members of Parliament?

We should not forget that our sense of purpose must be stronger than other people’s limitations. By our actions, we continue to sow the seeds of discontent. We continue to ignore serious pressing matters confronting us which unbeknown to us have blossomed into a malaise which we find difficult to contain because that too has become “Trini-to-the-Bone.” We in TT compulsively do things the same way and expect to get different results. We believe that by just avoiding serious issues that need addressing renders them null and void. If we are not careful, we could all end up like calypsonian David Rudder, singing praises of TT, while we seek sanctuary in foreign countries.

We can all rest assured that there are budding Drapers and Capildeos poised and ready to exploit our complacency, vulnerability and naivet?. This expose on Gordon Draper, although it may have the same effect as “water on a duck’s back” is no reason for anyone to shirk his/her responsibilities when it comes to getting the truth out. The fact that Gordon Draper is now deceased does not make the story or the incident less poignant. To my mind, this Newsday opinion can only be upstaged by the incident involving the TT pastor who undertook to make the dumb talk and the deaf hear, on one of our radio-talk shows just recently.

ULRIC GUY
Point Fortin