Gordon Robinson | International Domino Awards 2018

I can't believe we're already at the 10th annual Domino Awards, named for the Khooky Khast of Kharacters from my teenage domino years, starring that happy-go-lucky idler, the Dunce.

First up: the international awards.

The Dunce Award: Who said "Men are, you know, disposable" (to explain why he demanded special counsel Robert Mueller leave Ivanka alone, but believed it was OK to investigate Jared)? Who denied Trump had anything to do with hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels by asserting the money "was funnelled through a law firm and the president repaid it"?

Who said "collusion is not a crime" in supporting Trump's denials of collusion with Russia in the election hacking scandal?

But the piece de resistance came in the following exchange during an interview with 'Meet the Press' Chuck Todd:

Dunce Award Winner (DAW): When you tell me that, you know, he should testify because he's going to tell the truth and he shouldn't worry. Well, that's so silly because it's somebody's version of the truth, not the truth."

Todd: Truth is truth.

DAW: No, no, it isn't truth. Truth isn't truth. The president of the United States says, 'I didn't ... .'

Todd (startled): Truth isn't truth?

DAW: No, no, no."

THAT has cemented this year's Dunce Award for RUDY GIULIANI. Rudi: "if a macca, mek it jook yu!"

The Dunce-Move of the Year Award:

British Prime Minister THERESA MAY is a repeat winner for her ham-fisted mangling of Brexit. A simple manoeuvre, known as democracy, involving implementing the will of the UK people as expressed in a free and fair referendum, has been converted into an intricate process of "negotiation" politicking, misinformation and scheming. David Cameron, a vocal opponent of Brexit, did the honourable thing and resigned as soon as the electorate rejected his views.

Britain voted to leave the EU. Leave! Not stay and collaborate on back-room deals or transitional periods. Britain went its own way, independent of any 'union', for more than nine centuries. British people want to return to that status. Britain will be no different to any other non-EU member by simply leaving.

But, like HIV, Britain just won't leave. Some pundits are promoting a third 'option' (the first two being leaving with or without a 'deal'), namely, another referendum. DWL! If that produces the same result, they'll ask for best three of five. Then best four of seven.

There's no democracy at Westminster, where democracy is alleged to have been born. There's only manipulation and 'polytricking' to get what politicians want. Theresa, your Dunce Move has resulted in your expanded notoriety as the first UK prime minister whose government has been voted in contempt of Parliament. Congratulations. "If a macca, mek it jook yu!"

The Archbishop's Award for International Personality of the Year:

Spanish-American CHEF JOSE ANDRES became a Puerto Rican hero in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (September 2017). He didn't show up with cameras rolling to throw paper towels into crowds. He reached out to Eva Bolivar, a Puerto Rican restaurateur/event planner he'd never met and, when she responded, asked her what she needed. Maria destroyed her restaurant but AndrÈs, through his non-profit organisation World Central Kitchen (WCK), equipped Eva to operate out of her restaurant's kitchen and, with his daily hands-on help, in five months, 64,000 meals were provided nationwide to those in need.

Despite the hurricane's devastation of roads and infrastructure, social media was replete with ordinary people's photos of AndrÈs crossing treacherous areas to bring vats of food to residents. The hot meals gave thousands of hungry Puerto Ricans necessary nutrition, but it also gave them hope.

Chef Jose Andres and WCK didn't stop there. He has made it his duty to help wherever natural disasters have cut devastating swathes. Recently, with fellow celebrity chef Guy Fieri, he provided Thanksgiving meals for volunteers and survivors of California's recent deadly camp fires.

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.