Hypocrites of the Week

This has been a banner week for hypocrites within the UDP camp, and quite frankly the selection panel was stumped and unable to come up with just one UDP rogue to fit the bill in this issue. Actually, the panel came up with five names – that’s right, five worthy recipients cited for unparalleled duplicity and double-speak. This week, the Belize Times is proud to feature Dr. Manuel Esquivel, CEO in the Prime Minister’s Office Audrey Wallace, First wife second lady Lois Young, first son and princeling Anwar Barrow and of course, Net Vasquez. Of these five we could say many things, few of them good, but for the purposes of this column let’s take a look at their hypocrisy.

From the very beginning, the Belize Times has called the acquisition of BTL nothing but a state sanctioned and state implemented hijacking. The Prime Minister, who actually has earned the honorary title of hypocrite in perpetuity, rode high on anti-Ashcroft sentiment, nationalistic visions and golden promises when he hijacked BTL. Three months later anti-Ashcroft sentiment is waning; the nationalistic vision has been sidetracked since Barrow announced that he intends to re-privatize BTL and that was the plan all along; and the golden promises have never materialized – not one of them. Barrow promised an end to litigation – instead, BTL/GOB is tied up in seemingly endless litigation. Barrow promised to make BTL more efficient – instead the company is hemorrhaging cash in great streams.

And now to our five hypocrites! Each one of these hypocrites has perpetuated the great lie conceived by their Prime Minister. Each of these individuals has appeared in front of Belizeans and has done them a disservice. While spouting political-speak about Ashcroft fleecing the company, these individuals have made sure that their own beds are well padded. Lois sits on the Board of BTL and states that the company is in dire straits, yet she is making millions off BTL/GOB. Anwar is making beaucoup bucks as not only a director on the Board of BTL but also a ‘business consultant.’ Net Vasquez has made sure to pad his own personal nest using BTL resources (let’s talk about NCN and the ARCOS, Net). And of course, Manuel Esquivel and Audrey Wallace must never be forgiven because they are an integral part of the disaster about to befall BTL. Both of them face the nation with cherubic expressions on their faces (actually neither of them quite manage the cherubic look) while listening to the absolute nonsense and lies being spouted by Lois, Anwar and Net.

At the end of the day, it is these five individuals along with their Prime Minister who will have to answer for the destruction of BTL due to incompetence, pettiness, fleecing (by the UDP), and mismanagement. They truly are the hypocrites of the week.

| | | | | |