— Commentary by*
*Rishi N.D. Tripathi*
(Attorney at Law and Temporary Senator in the 11th and 12th Republican Parliament); July 26 2023
Selective Outrage is applauding, supporting and praising Jack Warner prior to the last General Election when he was purportedly assisting the PNM against his former political party but criticizing him and the UNC for reuniting in 2023 when the country is on the brink of ruin.
Selective Outrage is selecting Gary Griffith as Commissioner of Police with the hope that he would attack his former political allies. It was cool to clap for him and support his selection then but not now when he has chosen to align himself with the UNC.
Selective Outrage is criticizing former PM Kamla Persad Bissessar for every step, misstep and practically everything under the sun when PM Rowley is given a free pass to abuse his political opponents, media personnel and behave in the most vulgar and crass manner. The hypocrisy worsens as it is NOT the Opposition leader who has been directly implicated in corruption scandals such as Landate or Inez gate
In fact, the former PM was quick to rid her Government of persons of all rank who were involved in scandal regardless of the nature. Selective outrage is criticizing her while PM Rowley has done precious nothing to return faith and confidence in National Security, Office of the AG and almost every other failing Ministry. Further, even the disgraced and tarnished have been rewarded with diplomatic postings, Trade assignments with handsome remunerations.
Selective Outrage is criticizing the UNC who consistently have put plans on the table to reduce crime, return economic stability, create jobs, reboot the energy sector but to stay silent when our patrimony has been sold out for two gold coins (which we will never see).
Further, when the paid political hacks can criticize the UNC who have advocated for the constitutional protection of Local Government whilst the Government had to be dragged all the way to the Privy Council to even call elections, hiding behind Local Government reform as an excuse. The last good thing the PNM did for Local Government was the 2009 White Paper on Local Gov’t Reform prepared by former Minister Hazel Manning. This current crop is so incompetent that even a ‘cut and paste’ is beyond them.
Selective Outrage is criticizing the UNC for carrying out a General Election type campaign and the political accommodation between the UNC and NTA whilst the PNM continue to offer nothing but excuses as to our failing state.
Selective Outrage is attacking Kamla, Jack and Gary whilst happily taking UNC rejects and offering them financial inducements and enticements when PNM supporters are given a ’10 days’ to support during election season.
Conveniently though, no outrage when the PNM breaks the law, conveniently uses the Parliament to gut the procurement legislation during an election season and certainly none when the Government attempts at every opportunity to erode our constitutional rights and freedoms.
Make no mistake, August 14th is about Local Government, the Opposition has put forward 141 candidates, many of whom are tried and tested, and all of whom desire to serve their communities and make a positive impact on Trinidad and Tobago.
We know what we have and certainly, what we do not want. We have seen the stain and felt the burden of the PNM on our nation for 8 long years. Do not fall for the selective outrage of persons on political payrolls, empty heads with big mouths and their convenient realities.
It is the highest form of manipulation for these persons, paid by our tax dollars, to think that they can distract us from our daily reality…., crime, corruption unemployment, failing infrastructure, unprecedented food and fuel prices, looming property tax and the list goes on. As the old political adage goes… “Performance beats ole talk everyday”…vote wisely.