- Details
-
Ian 'Magic' Hughes
-
Thursday, 12 April 2012 02:30
-
Ian Magic Hughes
There is a saying, "Close your eyes and see," attributed to MP for St Peter’s Asot Michael during a campaign speech years ago.
That statement made Michael a target for public ridicule, since he perhaps should have used "imagine," rather than "see".
Interestingly, since the national debate has been centered on the Chinese Power Plant, there are many, including some in the media, with eyes wide open, yet unable to see.
Typically, supporters of the ALP would insist that the party and its members never did an "ounce" of wrong while in office.
At the same time, they would condemn the United Progressive Party (UPP) and its members no matter what.
While I do not respect that stance, I certainly understand.
I do not, in no way however, agree with or respect such a stance by members of the media, and sadly, this has crept into the institution, which is the watchdog of democracy.
Once again, I call on members of the Observer Group, mainly hosts Winston Derrick of the “Voice Of the People" and Algernon “Serpent” Watts of the “Snake Pit.”
I have to clear that while I do not agree with some of the things these two individuals say, I totally defend their "rights to free speech".
With those rights, however, come the responsibilities of always speaking the truth.
In addition, those with an open mic should never allow themselves to be used as "mercenaries" to personally attack members of the public or elected members.
We, as members of the media, have the right to criticize policies set by elected officials and to call them out whenever they step out of line.
On a personal level, one has to be careful that whatever is said about individuals is true and should be supported by relevant information.
Now let’s revisit the Chinese Power Plant issue.
According to Serpent, the matter was laid to rest by the government after the press conference that had the prime minister spewing "blood".
Serpent questioned Minister of Health Wilmoth Daniel’s motive during his “Snake Pit” Show on Saturday, and demanded that the PM do one of two things.
Either the PM acceded to Daniel’s call for an inquiry or put the MP in his place, whatever that meant.
I agree that the prime minister should act, but it was Serpent’s assertion that the matter was already laid to rest that caught my ears.
This matter has been in the media since 2009 when it was first announced.
Prior to the infamous press conference and the subsequent letter by Daniel, this matter was hot in the public domain.
As a matter of fact, MP for St Mary’s North Molwyn Joseph has led his ALP party on weekly meetings with the Chinese Power Plant as the main topic.
Derrick also asserts that he is in a "wait and see" situation as it pertains to the Chinese Power Plant.
It’s clear that it’s the Observer Group that has put this matter to rest, and not the people of Antigua & Barbuda.
The question is, why?
Only the Observer Group can answer that question, but the question to the prime minister, and Chinese Ambassador David Shoul, is this:
Are the pictures posted on Caribarena.COM of the Chinese Power Plant authentic, or doctored fabrications of the truth?
Caribarena .COM has no personal issue with the prime minister or Shoul, but like many people in this country, the Chinese Power Plant is nothing short of an insult to the people of Antigua & Barbuda.
As members of the media, both the Observer Group and Caribarena.COM should be on the same page, and that is to get to the truth of this matter.
It’s disheartening to hear Derrick echo the sentiments that they are not too concerned whether the Chinese Power Plant is old or new, but whether we got value for money.
Does that even make sense?
I contend, and the pictures affirm, that the plant is not new, as advertised.
Therefore, we could not have gotten value for money.
Why aren't Derrick and Serpent pushing, like they have done on other issues, for clarification and an investigation into the matter?
Some even suggested that they need facts before they ask for an investigation. Really?
I thought that the way it works is to demand an investigation to get at the facts.
One has to be careful that their hatred for the ALP is not blinding their vision of what is wrong with the present administration.
It’s time that we all open our eyes and see that this matter of the Chinese Power Plant is worth investigating, and let the chips fall where they may.
The media can support truth and reject wrong, no matter who’s right or wrong.
See related stories:More Support for MP Daniel Bird Demands Answers About Power Plant DealNo Voice Derrick - Serpent Charmed MP Supports Daniel's Call Daniel in the Lions Den Daniel Demands Investigation into Chinese Power Plant Shame and Outrage over Edwards' Commentary Wrong Made Right Money Talks - Power Plant Walks Anti-Power Plant Pickets held in St John'sMP Joseph Exposes Critical APUA Reports
PM Blasts Molwyn Over Power Plant
Power Plant Issue Goes To Parliament
An Inside Look at APC
Power Plant Companies Relationship Explained
Govt Promises Chinese Power Plant Answers
Another Unsettling Discovery at Power Plant
Bird To Seek Outside Advice on Power Plant
MP Joseph Accuses Government of Breaking Laws
Antigua Power Plant - No Straight Answers
Chinese Power Plant or Antigua's White Elephant
Power Plant Production Costs Explained
PM Says ALP Distorted Power Plant Info
No Plan Behind the Power Plant
Yearwood Presents Figures on Chinese Power Plant
28 Comments In This Article
Godfather
ANTIGUAN WOMAN
Who you trying to fool??
H.N.I.C.
The Godfather
tenman
Lovel's back against the wall
From The Sideline
Magic at it again
InteresteD
RE: With Eyes Pressed Shut
I always find it interesting when folks try to justify the the actions of the UPP by pointing to actions of the ALP.
DadliMan
ALL BUT ONE
OO7
Coda
Concern for brevity led me to omit this additional factor: the failure by the A&B body politic to generate any effective alternate source of opinion formation, if not an outright center of political opposition, to the prevailing "Birdite" ethic.
Lester Bird was partly correct in an earlier infamous statement, except that at the turn of the century it was civil society that was moribund - not the business sector.
One decade on civil society seems dead - and the business sector may well be moribund.
Colin
Seriously??
Really?
Colin & Magic
..
tenman
I apologise
THE GODFATHER
BLIND IGNORANCE
THE GODFATHER
ONLY THAT
As a journsalist, I expected more from you, if that was your only criticism, then, why did it take you so long to highlight the wrongs of ALP during your tenure at the Antigua Sun. You are now using Caribarena do so.
Magic, I know you have good intentions, but be fair in your overall reporting : "Fair is foul and foul is fair.."
THE GODFATHER
RE: With Eyes Pressed Shut
THE GODFATHER
Just to be clear
I just need to be clear that this is your argument:
1. ALP is the more "evil" of the two parties.
2. The IHI and APUA funding issues equally worthy of investigation by Caribarena.
3. Therefore, there is no need for the media to demand further investigation into the generator issue.
Is this your reasoning? I just want to be clear.
By the way how do you define evil? And way does that have to do with this issue?
Observer overseas
@Cool Ruler
Caribarena was launched in 2008 and since then we have tried under extremely difficult circumstances to educate Antiguans & Barbudans about the best way forward.
When I worked at Antigua Sun during the ALP Administration I was equally as outspoken against the failings of the ALP on sports.
For that I was fired.
I am so pleased that I have a platform to help with the development of Antigua & Barbuda.
Nothing is personal....check all my opinions since Caribarena was launched.
you should be pleased that this platform is there for you as well...lets's discuss the issues that have serious impacts on our lives each day
Ian Hughes
@ THE GODFATHER
If you knew anything at all about me you could not make the inferences that have led you astray.
I plead with you not fall into the error of letting your own spleen affect your judgement.
By the way: the last sentence in the comment that affects you so is intended to be irony (a figure of speech) - get it?
Colin
RE: With Eyes Pressed Shut
Cool Ruler
Caribarena OPEN CHALLENGE
THE GODFATHER
SEE NO EVIL
THE GODFATHER
More investigation needed
Until, the many are also willing to really dig deep into APUA FUNDING and not what others direct, then I would know there is no bias in reporting. So, the nations await the interview an examination of all involved in IHI and APUA FUNDING, and the return of missing funds.
Magic, let's now see how transparent Lester, Ron, and Asot will be, start the ball rolling.
THE GODFATHER
been saying this for years
..
tenman
The Lesser of Two the Evils
This mission has so far failed, primarily because Winston Derrick got sidetracked into the notion that the best way to advance OMG interests was to try to protect the UPP government from the adverse effects of its own folly.
Having failed to get rid of the Birds, the OMG is now faced with the distinct possibility of the Birds returning.
Winston Derrick, Serpent et al now have no choice other than to continue with the failed policy of trying to protect the UPP government from the adverse effects of its own folly.
Consequently, it is now deemed proper for all "patriotic" Antiguans & Barbudans to opt for more of the UPP government, now accepted as the lesser of the two evils.
Colin
RE: With Eyes Pressed Shut
Antiguanyouthman
Its about good vs bad
Observer overseas
Fire!
Water
RE: With Eyes Pressed Shut
Second, the night time reptile is nothing short of a mercenary. He will do the bidding of whoever is willing to pay the biggest box hand. When Wilmoth revealed to the public the story of $20,000, all he could feebly say, "notice he say dat he gee me. He nah say dat me beg he fu nutten". I thought that was so pathetic at the time. You really do your profession a disservice by including this id*ot in your ranks.
Bearing in mind the above, we would be foolish to expect objectivity from the Observer Group. They are the unofficial mouthpiece of the UPP.
DadliMan
RE: With Eyes Pressed Shut
BEEF
RSS