Mark Wignall | No end to the gravy train

Let me ask a most foolish question. Is it at all possible that 100 per cent of the people could perceive politicians as corrupt while in reality not a single one of them is tainted?

Answer: Yes, but not in this life, likely. Another question. How many of them do you think are corrupt? One per cent or 99 per cent. Or somewhere between both percentages?

The last question. Why is public corruption important? Why is it even a thing to tackle and criminalise when, in this society the corrupt, in politics and the broader society, are lionised especially if the resulting patronage is skilfully buttered on one’s bread.

It is obvious that in politics the perception of corruption sends a message to the corrupt Jamaicans who are blessed with the gift of gab, charm and an ego the size of a goitre. In time, it takes root in the system and becomes a rival with the public purse which then exists to maintain the feeding tree.

As far as I know, in all the discussions being held at many venues, most quite informal, community chats, over the findings of the prime minister’s (PMs) financial matters at the Integrity Commission (IC), no one has made a firm declaration that Andrew Holness has been found to be corrupt.

And even if recent polls conducted by Nationwide/Blue dot polls shows that 51 per cent of the respondents believe the PM is leading an extremely corrupt government, no court of law has ruled that the PM is wilfully doing that or is encouraging the rot.

There are, however, some matters of concern. These are matters which many people are speaking about and which govern the sentiments causing public disquiet on matters of the PM and the IC report.

First, completing the report. We are told that an independent forensic examiner was utilised. Now, even if the sub-report from this examiner was not attached, was there anything in the form of work started on date X, financial range – Wall Street, select European capitals, work completed on date Y. Findings. (Target clean). Invoice attached.

Why was the FID not engaged at that time? That comes later on, post-tabling of the report, the Integrity Commission committee in Parliament acted with alacrity and rejected the motion to refer the PM to the FID. Think of that. The first time in the last eight years the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) did anything like Speedy Gonzales in Parliament, except vote themselves a huge pay increase.

THE ENABLERS

Pearnell Charles Jr, who was definitely in his Clarendon ackee, could not contain himself and attacked the integrity of the IC. Not to be outdone, along comes Delroy Chuck, and he wants the IC ordered to certify PM Holness’ declarations. Ordered, Delroy? Sir! Yes sir!

Any time I want to play psychologist and make an ass of myself I find that a person like Delroy Chuck is the perfect case study to present. In his many battles with the IC in Parliament, the real Delroy Chuck has never shown up. Once the IC button is pressed, Mr Chuck leaves his attempt at statesmanship, his real self, at home and plays a role throwing pebbles at plate glass and applauds himself at another crack. At least it cuts through the boredom. Thanks, Delroy.

The members of the IC Oversight Committee to review Holness report are Chairman Bartlett, Juliet Holness, Delroy Chuck, Marlene Malahoo Forte, Everald Warmington, Philip Paulwell, Pearnel Charles Jr and Julian Robinson.

It would be expected that with the JLP holding the most seats in Parliament it would have the most members on the committee. Understood. But there are a few things that grabs me by the throat about the committee. One, how is it that the PM’s wife was appointed to the committee, and second, will Juliet Holness vote, or will she recuse herself?

An attorney-at-law friend of mine writes, “The air is heavy with conflict. There are only two People’s National Party (PNP) members, thus if she recused herself, there are still sufficient JLP members to vote not to request an FID referral/investigation.”

Mrs Holness ought to be very sensitive to the conflict whether or not she cares about the existence of the conflict. Were I the PNP I would hope that she does vote to reject the referral. If she votes and votes to reject a referral to the FID, the PNP will have a field day with her and add it to the long list of JLP dodgy behaviour.

TOXIC TRUMP AND JAMAICANS

‘God help us’: Springfield Jamaicans mistaken for Haitians by ‘aggressive’ white woman. The September 25 article in the online publication, Rawstory.

Hate against Haitians sparked by Republican running mates Donald Trump and J.D. Vance spilled over to the Jamaican community in Springfield, Missouri, this week. In a post on Facebook, the Jamaican Patty Co said an employee was confronted by an angry white woman who thought she was addressing Haitians.

“[W]e received a call from a disgruntled person regarding Haitians filing a lawsuit against the Trump/Vance ticket,” the company explained. “Without identifying herself, she aggressively confronted us and mistaken us for Haitians and not Jamaicans.”

The toxicity from Donald Trump who, believe it or not, was once president of the US, has no bounds. The US made him, moulded him, embraced him and as he seeks another bite of the cherry, a much bigger bite, the bells and whistles in his upstairs region seem to be driving him towards a political danger zone and panic as the November election enters the sprint phase, more suited for Kamala Harris than him.

“The audacity of this misinformed person. We hope that this election cycle does not get too ugly. Let us treat people the way we would like to be treated. God help us,” said a resident.

Jamaicans who ran from political violence in Jamaica in the 1970s and economic violence in the 1980s and took up residence in Florida, home and life in other parts of the US do not need this now, nor ever. But then again, America has never seen the possibility of a looming nightmare like Trump.

Mark Wignall is a political and public affairs analyst. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and mawigsr@gmail.com