Gordon Robinson | Happy goes the lucky

It never ceases to amaze me how difficult political sycophants find it to argue political issues without attaching political labels.

This dysfunction’s best example is online comment on media reports and columns. Late last year, You-Tuber “Natalee” (a.k.a. Bad Gal Nats), obviously a strong JLP supporter, called me “the PNP man”. Under my September 20 column’s online version, “Donorie” commented: “Brethren if you try to hide your bias for this government, it’s on full display here.”

Comment on media reporting/opinion based on content is rare. It’s usually personal attacks alleging political bias masquerading as argument. I really don’t care what anybody thinks of me or my political preference. Everybody is entitled to political preference but, despite that, we should at least try to address the issue not the personality.

So one day I’m PNP; the next I’m JLP. So what? Political preference and opinion can co-exist without being co-dependent. If all you have in response to a published opinion is a political label, you have nothing.

So stop allowing any political party or leader to live rent free in your head and tinker with your little grey cells. Not one political leader anywhere spends a minute thinking about you. You’re simply wasting your time, energy and headspace.

I also recommend you read a column I wrote long ago headlined A “Closet Comrade”? (November 12, 2017). It reveals my political pedigree and explains why you can’t label me. But enjoy trying. As my friend the late, great Wayne DaCosta would say “Happy goes the lucky!”

Unfortunately sycophants’ political labeling is a constant Jamaican pastime. Labourites label RJRGleaner PNP. Comrades label Nationwide JLP. So, for the sake of argument, let’s accept those labels as accurate.

Again, so what?

That a media house is biased towards a political party doesn’t make bias an argument against anything it publishes. In fact, if a publication is founded on bias rather than fact, it’s easier to rebut.

Media’s importance to society’s fabric can’t be overstated. Haemorrhoid, that infamous complainer about “piles and piles” of files on his desk and teller of Shaggy Dog Tales, once told us a story to emphasize media’s importance when Dessie, after losing a bet on a race broadcast on JBC, threw the radio away.

Edited version follows:

A film crew was on a location deep in the Arizona desert. One day an old Navajo extra told the director “Tomorrow rain”.

The next day it rained. A week later, the Navajo told the director “Tomorrow storm”. The next day there was a hailstorm.

“This Indian is incredible”, said the director. He hired the Navajo to predict weather. However, after several successful predictions, the old Navajo didn’t show up for two weeks.

Finally, the director sent for him. “I have to shoot a big scene tomorrow” he said. “I’m depending on you. What’ll the weather be like?”

The Navajo shrugged “Don’t know,” he said. “Radio broken”

It’s bad enough Jamaican political sycophants habitually label media houses, journalists and columnists. In USA, political labeling of media has reached such a crescendo that media houses label each other.

Now President Duncebat has arbitrarily banned CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House for not liking what they publish, media suddenly unites to boycott White House events. Maybe they’ve remembered their true purpose. Or maybe they remember that same knife stick sheep…..

A Federal Judge ordered The Orange Buffoon to allow the journalists to return while the case is pending. But he ignored the court order and excluded them anyway then belatedly readmitted them.

But all this apparent media solidarity may be too late.

USA media has forgotten Trump’s Supreme Court gave him immunity from anything done as President. So he can disobey court orders as he likes. Instead of waiting until he came for them, why didn't media unite against THAT fundamental injustice?

Instead media continued to give him the 24/7 publicity he craves. Would you give sociopaths 24/7 coverage? Would you give compulsive, cruel liars who have never been accountable for anything but whine endlessly about how poorly you treat them 24/7 coverage? Why? To sell ads? I.C.E. agents kill citizens; unnecessary war is waged against Iran that fractures economies worldwide. But only when Agent Orange comes for media directly, they temporarily boycott (not pity) the fool. For what does USA media stand?

JLP/PNP sycophants who waste time labeling journalists “Comrade” (especially when JLP is in government) and “Labourite” (especially when PNP is in government) should study the following statement by Barack Obama at his final press briefing (2017):

“I’ve enjoyed working with all of you. That doesn’t, of course, mean that I’ve enjoyed every story that you have filed, but that’s the point of this relationship. You’re not supposed to be sycophants. You’re supposed to be skeptics. You’re supposed to ask me tough questions. You’re not supposed to be complimentary, but you’re supposed to cast a critical eye on folks who hold enormous power.”

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com