Are we all idiots?

Fri, Jan 13. 2012

Editor: Frank da Silva has achieved a major first. He has apparently been able to convince what can only be called a “Senior Rum Bo” that a group of decent persons, other than Frank himself, are all idiots.{{more}} That is no mean achievement; one worthy of the Guinness Book of Records, or perhaps, as he is in that corner, an honorary MBE, or OBE. Sorry, not a knighthood, Sir Frank is already taken by the legendary Test Cricketer, Leader and Role Model, now entombed at my alma mater.

I came to that conclusion after hearing the same person who likes alcohol repeating much of the personal attacks and diatribe that spews from Frank’s weekly radio programme “Talking Frankly”. If only closed minds came with closed mouths!

Of course, Frank has other firsts. For example, his assertion that colour, or his “mixed race”, has never been an impediment. That is truly amazing; he might very well be the only such person on earth, or in today’s world.

Naturally, I have been bombarded by many calls from various persons who have interacted with me on personal, professional and other bases. But, Thomas Paine, an American Founding Father, patriot, excellent communicator and orator, has summarized my thoughts in the following quote:

“To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead”.

So, to those who were upset, called me and wished that I “take him on”, there is your answer!

Finally, when I was developing the Cocoa Initiative for our country (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), the welfare of farmers, processors and the entire agricultural sector was of paramount concern. Mercenary advisers, hired hands, and persons with selfish interests or impaired vision, were not my major consideration. This led to the proposal for the establishment of a company, under the guidance of the producers and, ultimately, the laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which would offer shares to participating farmers and processors. Later, other Vincentians could also become shareholders. That single strategy of direct participatory involvement removes or negates the element of slavery, which has been prevalent among cocoa producing countries, traders and chocolate manufacturers. Perhaps my country might have registered another first.

Lennox E. A. Daisley
BSc (Hons.) Agric (UWI); MSc (Univ. of Illinois); LlB (Hons.) Lond.