Thursday, June 4, 2009

History Remains Unchanged

A repeat of history, not so. The political pandering never ceases to amaze me, when you think you have seen it all someone else shows their colors. In fact in days gone past there appeared to be more respect for the police and the authority og the Speaker of the House.

If the opposition is so much in up roar by the actions of the Police, National Security and the Speaker of the House, why are they not prepared to go jail for their convictions. I am not impressed by the actions of the opposition when they go half way in demonstrating their so called convictions and solidarity. Go to jail spend a night in Central, like your fore bearers. They are All form both sides only prepared to talk the talk, for the most part none are ready to walk the walk.

This leads to my next disappointment, which is the press. The desire to sensationalize the actions of the MP Hanna, they compared her to her fathers action in 1965. Yet this is not the case, as the older Hanna was allowed to be removed from Parliament by the Police under the directions from the Speaker who is the final authority in this instance. See the photo in todays Tribune. Regardless of his convictions he had respect for the law. No show boating here. This is comparable to the actions of Dr. martin Luther King, Ghandi, and Nelson Mandela. These are true leaders and examples to be followed.

This refusal to submit to the orders of the Speaker in the first instance by MP Hanna, in the second by her colleagues and finally by the Police, is a clear indication in my opinion of the climate of disregard for the law that exist in this country. Do we now expect the average citizen to comply with the law, if the thise who create the laws and rules refuse to subject themselves to it. It sends a message that accountability and responsibility is but a figment of our imagination and anything goes.

Please understand and be clear that I am not saying MP Hanna should not stand up for what she believes, this is her duty as a representative for the people. However this duty also extends to her requirement to submit herself to the authority that gives her that right. Not to move because you feel you are right now empowers all persons who feel they are right to disregard the police and the law because in their opinion they are right.

Further this refusal to comply with the law, is compounded when her fellow members support her, is this disrespect for the position of the Speaker. Then the cherry on top is the police who appear to be powerless to enforce the law.

The message is clear to me do what you like and do not worry about the consequences, you will not be punished.