Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Our Readers' Opinions
September 15, 2006

Isn’t expression of opinion their right?

15.SEP.06

EDITOR: Now, for the first time, de Comrade is beginning to worry me. In a press conference the other day, he carried out a tirade against “A supermarket” that (supposedly) supported not the ULP. Eh? So what? Isn’t that their right? Isn’t that how the system works in a democracy? Free choice and all.

Then he carried on about how they (supposedly) gave financial help to not the ULP. As much as he might hate it, it is legal and their right. And the ULP would know that only too well!{{more}}

Then there was the matter of a personal opinion, expressed privately, via email, by a “daughter” of the supermarket family. Somehow, that email ended up on his desk. Isn’t expression of opinion their right? Isn’t that how the system works in a democracy? Freedom of expression and all.

If de Comrade thinks that I am going to get my knickers in a twist over someone’s private opinion, then he wrong. But I’ll get them in a twist, good and proper at that, when our personal and private mail end up on his desk.

He told us that the person that the email was sent gave it to the government. I find that hard to swallow. If that is so, it would mean that he betrayed his source and exposed a mole. Why would he go out of his way to bite the hand that feeds him? Who would want to give information to a person who would do that to you? No, de Comrade would not shoot himself in the foot. So the question remains; how did the peeping Tom Government get the email? Are we being wiretapped? Is it only one email one time? Now we boast, in public and over the radio, about intercepting private mail. Is that what we have come to? Must we close the curtains and turn down the lights? Is the ULP Big Brother?

The whole episode boggles my mind. The picture is as clear as it is simple. This is what we have: de Comrade is haranguing the supermarket group for supporting a political party of their choice. It was an outburst against the democratic process. He goes on to criticize one of the daughters who had the audacity to express an opinion. (In spite of it being expressed privately; behind closed doors.) Another strike against the democratic process. He not only tells us that he has a copy of the email but tells us the gist of what is in it. He tells us that what the daughter is saying is tantamount to what is going on there and then; that there are times when the government does not want to follow the democratic process! De Comrade has made the daughter’s observation as right as rain. Man yes, the whole thing boggles my mind. A few years ago, Ralph would not have walked into that trap – a trap of his own making too boot – and I wonder if he is losing it.

PATRICK G FERRARI

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Family wants justice for man who died after falling from building
    Front Page
    Family wants justice for man who died after falling from building
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    The funeral service for the construction worker who died after falling from a building under construction in Villa earlier this month, was punctuated ...
    NDP gov’t placing the nation’s airports high on their agenda
    Front Page
    NDP gov’t placing the nation’s airports high on their agenda
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    Airports are critical infrastructure for tourism and the economy, and with that in mind, the new administration has placed the nation’s airports high ...
    Issue involving dual citizenship of MPs is ‘not a frivolous matter’
    Front Page
    Issue involving dual citizenship of MPs is ‘not a frivolous matter’
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    Opposition Leader, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has publicly disagreed with Prime Minister Dr. Godwin’s Friday’s position on a matter which is now before the c...
    Unite to end discrimination and disrespect – SIPA Chair
    Front Page
    Unite to end discrimination and disrespect – SIPA Chair
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    People who live communities in the North Windward Constituency are being encouraged to unite in an effort to end discrimination and disrespect. That c...
    Dr Ralph Gonsalves is Senior Advisor of ‘Repair’ Campaign
    Front Page
    Dr Ralph Gonsalves is Senior Advisor of ‘Repair’ Campaign
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    Former Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is now a Senior Advisor and Elder for The Repair Campaign, lending his expertise to the regional reparation...
    FAO seeking solutions to protect the Caribbean Spiny Lobster
    Press Release
    FAO seeking solutions to protect the Caribbean Spiny Lobster
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    Across the Caribbean, thousands of fishers rely on the spiny lobster for income and food security. However, the fishery is increasingly under threat f...
    News
    Facilities were not available to host Americas Netball Qualifiers, says PM
    News
    Facilities were not available to host Americas Netball Qualifiers, says PM
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday said the facilities were not available to host the Netball Americas World Cup Qualifiers at Arnos Vale that were slat...
    Opposition Leader tells PM Friday don’t develop ‘amnesia’
    News
    Opposition Leader tells PM Friday don’t develop ‘amnesia’
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    Opposition Leader, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is cautioning Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday not to get amnesia regarding past conduct instigated or supporte...
    SVG likely to face higher energy costs within 12 months – PM
    News
    SVG likely to face higher energy costs within 12 months – PM
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    Prime Minister, Dr. Godwin Friday, outlined several regional and international matters during a press conference on March 3, 2026, following the 50th ...
    US$ 50 million for water improvements in SVG
    News
    US$ 50 million for water improvements in SVG
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    Prime Minister, Dr. Godwin Friday, has announced a major climate resilience and water infrastructure initiative valued at approximately US$50 million,...
    Caribbean countries phase out Cuban doctors; French hospital welcomes them
    News
    Caribbean countries phase out Cuban doctors; French hospital welcomes them
    Forrest 
    March 10, 2026
    As pressure from the United States forces Caribbean governments to alter plans utilizing Cuban medical personnel, a hospital in France is planning to ...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok