Devon Dick

Gleaner reader Wayne Lumsden claimed that he was "confused by a certain statement" I made because he "cannot recall ever reading that Prime Minister cited the 'dead cat' comment made by Vasciannie in the past as his reason for objecting to his appointment" and that columnists "should report fairly and truthfully" (January 3).

It seems to me that if Lumsden is saying that it was not the "dead cat" comment by Vasciannie why Prime Minister objected to Vascianne's appointment as the country's Solicitor General, then he should have told us the reason. Furthermore, Lumsden should have stated what his position would be if the reason Golding objected to Vasciannie was over the "dead cat" comment.

Perhaps Lumsden would have noticed that he is the only one who objected to the assertion about the rationale for Golding's action.

In fact, I could inform Lumsden that I was encouraged to peruse two tapes in which Vasciannie made certain comments and the reason I was encouraged to watch and listen to the tapes was because it was believed that those Vasciannie tapes would convince me also that Vasciannie was not a fit and proper person to be the Solicitor General.

Forgive

My respectful advice to the Prime Minister is to forgive that comment. The Prime Minister, like Vasciannie, has used pointed metaphors. The Prime Minister likened the PNP leadership to having their brains infested by termites. I encouraged the Leader of Opposition to forgive the metaphor and resume the Vale Royal talks. I am happy that she said she would resume talks in spite of no apology. I wish the PM would do a similar thing. The Honourable Bruce Golding in the past had made some very harsh statements about the JLP and he established the NDM, which ran against the JLP, an action which some believe cost the JLP an electoral victory. Nevertheless, he is now part of the JLP again.

I am afraid that th to lack of forgiveness is frightening. It is a bad example for the country, especially one that suffers from a high murder rate predicated on reprisals. The other problem is that this fiasco could descend into a constitutional conundrum and an acrimonious litigation process. Furthermore, we had an unhealthy precedent in the region. Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and a devout Christian, dismissed the country's Chief Justice because of alleged misbehaviour. As you are aware, the Chief Justice challenged the dismissal and won. Let Jamaica not take this road.

Compromise

The situation calls for a compromise. It is time for former Prime Ministers P.J. Patterson and Edward Seaga to be treated as elder statesmen and their intervention and collective wisdom sought or offered and used in this potentially explosive crisis. There is too much mud-slinging which does not augur well for governance. I believe that the July 2007 judgment by the Supreme Court that the PSC acted not only unadvisedly but in a "cavalier" manner was a serious indictment against the PSC that warranted the resignations of those members involved in the decision, if they did not successfully appeal that ruling. However, if they are to be dismissed, due process should be followed. To me a possible compromise would allow for a new PSC and allow Vasciannie to be appointed.

I am aware that the Prime Minister has spiritual giants and eminent lawyers advising him, but I would suggest that he heeds this small, simple, shrill voice encouraging him to forgive and let sleeping cats lie.