Saint Lucia No. 59. Saturday, October 9, 2004 A publication of the Department of Information Services Sandals to build new Hotel- page 3 CWC 2007: What is at stake for the Caribbean - pages 4, 5 & 8 Kenny Rogers, Maxi Priest- coming to St. Lucia - page 8 STOP BLAMING GOVERMENT New-look Saint Lucia Gazette - page 6 FOR EVERY- PM CONVERSES WITH THE NATION THING!ject was encouraged by a humorous responsible for my discomfort and ello Again, St. Lucia! Today, I want to share some thoughts conversation with a young attorney, a my plight.” Then she smiled, “After withH you on an issue that has both- charming lady, in the foyer of Parlia- all, you get blamed for everything!” ered me for some time. It is this issue ment just before the funeral procession We both laughed as we knew she had – the tendency in our society to reject of the late Prime Minister, Winston touched a raw nerve, a national hab- personal responsibility for our actions Cenac. it. The biggest recipient of national or misfortunes and to fi nd a reason The foyer was hot, humid and blame is always the Government and to blame someone else. We always sweaty. The young lady turned to me in this regard, the principal culprit, Remembering former Prime Minis- blame others, but never ourselves. and said: “Prime Minister, I am sweat- your humble servant, the Prime Min- ter Winston Cenac, QC - page 7 Curiously, my selection of this sub- ing. It is extremely hot in here. You are ister. Continued on page 2 “Take 2 ” - A fi fteen minute news review of the week. Government Notebook A fresh news package daily Every Friday at 6.15 p.m. on NTN, Cablevision Channel 2. on all local radio stations 2 Saint Lucia Saturday, October 9, 2004 The Blame Syndrome - continued from page 1 public property before our eyes and in- stead of taking the person to task, we say it’s not our business. Or we simply blame the person’s action on some un- known factor. Not for once would we consider that the property being de- stroyed is ours too. We fail to remem- ber that it is our taxes that paid for it and that it is also our taxes that will have to be spent to repair the damage. Sometimes, the person doing the dam- age, if accosted or questioned, would simply say that it was his or her tax dollars that paid for it, so he or she can do what they want to it. What logic! Take again, our attitude to our own property. In our quest to have our own homes we do whatever we feel it will take to get a roof over our heads. Some people would build houses out of ply- wood and galvanize with no regard for toilets, electricity or water, then turn around and blame the government for not providing these utilities. In other areas they would simply squat on government’s land and build houses and call on the government to provide services. Some would even build more than one house in such ar- eas and rent them out, becoming land- lords in the process and still calling on government to provide services -- this time, to their tenants. In still other cases, some property owners would simply cut up and sell house lots and encourage families to build on them without roads, sewer- age or drainage facilities. But as soon as they cannot get lights or water after building their homes in those private housing schemes, they blame the gov- ernment – not the developer, who, in the first place, caused the problems. It is said that the more we get the more we want. That too is an attitude Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony that results in blaming others when we cannot get all that we want. I can The easiest target Contractors don’t do their work and Some talk show hosts invite listeners remember a case in my own constitu- Some of it is, amazingly, understand- the government gets blamed. STEP and viewers to attack, abuse, disrespect ency. A constituent moved into an un- able. Getting blamed for any and every workers don’t get paid on time and and even lie on public functionaries. planned development and built a home. they blame the Prime Minister. They refuse to correct them, even find- thing comes with being Prime Minister, After she moved in, she wanted elec- especially in a society like ours where But it doesn’t just stop there. This ing excuses for them. After the damage is done, they then call on the politi- tricity and water. Both were provided. we believe that nothing moves or hap- “blame game” is also played by people Then, weeks later she told me that she pens without the Prime Minister. You you would expect better from. cians or public servants to respond or had bought a car and she now wanted should not wish to be Prime Minister if clarify. Policemen who get criticized for to park it near her house. So she want- you do not understand that martyrdom slow response (or lack of it) to com- You would think that the responsi- awaits you. bility of the journalist or talk show host ed me to arrange to build a ramp over plaints turn around and blame the gov- the drain that separates her home from The fact is that in times of distress, ernment for not giving them vehicles would be to correct what’s wrong, to the road. She continues to blame me hardship or disaster those affected look or for the vehicles not having gas seek to get the accusers to verify their for the easiest explanation, the one that or drivers. Public Servants who can allegations or back them up with fact. for not providing access to her home will resonate. Take some examples of not satisfactorily answer public que- But instead they encourage the allega- for her car. Mind you, the use of public the phenomenon. ries about their work turn around and tions and put the onus on the accused to money to fund what is a private need, blame the government. A union and a defend himself or herself. does not bother her. Examples of the phenomenon government ministry have an indus- Sometimes they goad their listeners. The list can go on and on… A lady is unable to get water to her trial problem and the Prime Minister On one programme, I heard a caller sug- What is the consequence? home on a regular basis because the is accused of not wanting to intervene. gesting that bullets were fired at me in national water system cannot yet meet Prosecutors lose an important case in my constituency. This never happened. But do not get me wrong. There are the needs of the residents in her area, the courts on the basis of a technical- But was it a subtle invitation to certain occasions when a Minister or the Gov- so she blames the Prime Minister. Yet ity and the government is blamed for elements to do so to prove a point? I ernment deserves blame and citizens unexplained factors cause land move- not training them enough. Persons sen- wonder. So too do many people. have a right to complain or express ments at Tapion, but the Government tenced to hang and who have appealed Right and wrong their displeasure. After all, how else are awaiting the conclusion of their and its engineers somehow get the I ask you: what has become of our could a government be held account- appeal process, but the government is blame. Someone is the victim of a sense of right and wrong? Why are we able or in check? But we cannot allow cruel and hideous rape, and the Gov- blamed for not hanging them. Senior our lives to be governed by frivolities, public servants, including Permanent so unwilling to give right where it is ernment is responsible, not the perpe- by a failure to apportion blame or re- Secretaries, personally decide to move due? Why are we so inclined to only trator. Criminals shoot each other and see the wrong and the negative? Why sponsibility where it truly lies. No on and out of government, but first they country can truly face its problems, if some end up dead and the government must blame the government – and the is it that we complain when things are its citizens are schooled into identify- gets blamed for not having a handle on Prime Minister, of course. bad but do not acknowledge when it is crime. People breach the law and dam- good or when somebody or the govern- ing scapegoats for every ill that afflicts From time immemorial, calypso- ment does something good? Why have them. So, let us reaffirm that there is age public property before our very nians have virtually accepted that they right and there is wrong in everything eyes and instead of taking them to task, have a right to publicly denigrate pub- we become so afraid to give praise and we somehow find an excuse and blame lic officials in song and on stage. They credit? that we say or do. it on unemployment – and by exten- offer the familiar excuse, with a know- But look further afield. Take our atti- Until next week, May God Bless sion, the government. ing smile, “is just kaiso…” tude to public property. People damage You and Keep You! Saturday, October 9, 2004 Saint Lucia 3 PM welcomes introduction of “Beaches” family resort chain rime Minister Dr Kenny D.