Fuel for The Fire

Saturday night 26^th May 2012, I could not believe my eyes, nor contain myself, as the Long Island MP and newly elected deputy leader of the FNM entered the convention center –  clenching with a death grip the hand of her husband, and (like a child with a stuffed rag doll) proceeded to closely drag him behind wherever she went. It was in stark mimicry to the protocol displayed by her political counterparts.   I almost contracted diabetes when the deputy leader further dragged Mr. Turner on stage, ‘sweetly’ kissed and sent him off looking, perhaps feeling, like a twenty-dollar hoe. 

What might have been a message for the advent of gender role reversal (as traditionally approved) later proved to be a strong female in opposition echoing the vehement sentiments of former FNM leader Mr. Ingraham – challenging, with an unwavering on-point and crystal clear voice, the newly elected PLP administration, stating: If it’s war you seek, let fire and brimstone fall.    Judging from the overwhelming response from the massive crowd gathered at the convention center to the speech given by Long Island MP Mrs. Loretta Butler Turner:  message received and approved, loud and clear.    

This power play by the FNMs deputy leader was painfully contrast by the lack-luster performance of the leader: whom having, with genteel vigor, admonished the FNMs inner core to “not oppose for opposition sake” was spoken like a handpicked minion of Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie himself.  A press statement released on Monday 28^th May 2012 by PLPs chairmen Mr. Bradley Roberts came very close to an official public confirmation of the same.    

This “soft agreeable approach” of leader Dr. Minnis has not resonated well with the remnants of Mr. Ingrahams’ hardcore FNMs, or with the inner-core remnants of Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield.  Based upon the lukewarm welcome extended by a majority of those gathered at the FNMs convention towards their newly elected leader, might almost predict the kind of support he will receive going forward with his non-oppositional position.   

I thought an opposition’s expected to oppose and not kiss up, or perhaps that is simply Dr. Minnis’ style… or not.  

I have to ask leader Minnis: if all that fussy-warm love you spoke about was for real, why did you forced your wife to beg for a kiss on stage? (…and many thought that Mr. Ingraham is cold and heartless).   Perhaps you are more comfortable delivering your public speeches via email, text messaging and hologram rather than in public and in person. 

Mrs. Minnis, The Bahamas felt your pain and encourage you to keep your head up despite the turbulent storms upon the political horizon.

Could this be signs of chinks in the leader’s shining armor?  The rise to power of the anti-FNM whom, with technology and two silky-smooth thumb, beguiled the innocent youths of Killarney – texting peace and bipartisanship in time of war, and mending broken hearts while delivering a message of defeat and hopelessness.  After a “vitriolic” and uninspiring speech, one is left thinking if Dr. Minnis have enough fuel to ignite anything.  

By contrast, if it was a first for a female to ascend to the station of deputy in the house of the Free National Movement, certainly it is not unbelievable or unthinkable for that female to ascend even further… and in very short order.   If leadership sets the tone going forward: considering the non-domineering naive and lack-luster demeanor of the leader Dr. Hubert Alexander Minnis, it becomes obviously that (to ignite the FNMs future) strong tactical leadership is desperately needed otherwise FNMs can kiss 2017 goodbye.