Rape is Rape!

By: Mike Rudon Jr.

I sat in the House of Representatives today and listened to the presentation of the budget by the Prime Minister of Belize Dean Oliver Barrow. I was not surprised by the flowery rhetoric, dramatic pauses and damn near poetic turn of phrase – after all, the man is a genius at flair and frippery, the current record holder in verbal flatulence – nobody can take that away from him. But I keep hoping for a little something extra, a little substance. It’s like jeez, you win, we know you can rattle off 10-syllable words with the greatest of ease, Mr. Barrow. We love the way you’re saying what you’re saying. But could you break it down for us and let us know exactly what you are saying. And Sir, do you think you could tell us the truth? Please?

See, Mr. Barrow has for many years been the acknowledged master of drama and speech. That boy knows how to get on the stage and wow the crowd, so to speak. But the truth is that more and more it seems that there is little substance anywhere in all the gold wrapping. The Prime Minister has never been more eloquent, but with all that, things have never been so bad. See what I’m saying. The measure of the beauty of his prose is not exactly the measure of things out here. I remember George Price saying something quite a while ago which stuck with me and which I try to practice in my writing – clarity of thought, scarcity of words! I sure wish that Mr. Barrow would practice that philosophy and temper it with a little substance and truth as well.

In 100 words or less, Mr. Barrow, could you tell us just where we stand currently and just what you plan to do to get us out of this mess? That’s all we’re asking. We don’t need the pounding of fists on the table or the chuckles and smirks of your colleagues on the government side who sure as hell don’t have a clue what you’re saying. Just give it to us straight. Vaseline eases the pain somewhat and you singing sweet nothings in our ears might distract a bit, but in the end rape is rape.

I think I should mention at this point that I’ve received criticism both inside and out for my writing, especially my references to the Prime Minister which have been less than complimentary. The thing is, I write it as I see it and I sure as hell won’t give Mr. Barrow any more respect than he is due just because he has a fancy title.

With that said, let me say this. Today I saw a side of Mr. Barrow which reminded me (as if I need reminding) why I don’t have the slightest iota of respect for him. The connoisseur of fine drama went out of his way to belittle the members of the Opposition side in the House. It could not even pass as a constructive, normal back and forth between the benches. It was just a bitchy, punkish tirade in which Mr. Barrow tried to impress upon all and sundry that he is the smartest in the land. The Prime Minister got petty and personal and stupid in the House because he could not seem to understand how anyone could dare to question his brilliance and monumental intellect.

But see, Mr. Barrow, you got this thing all wrong. Nobody’s questioning your brilliance or your monumental intellect. What is being questioned, and I daresay with good cause, are your commitment, your integrity, your honesty and your sincerity. That’s where you’re truly lacking, my good man, and no amount of fancy words can substitute for your lack of character and lack of substance. Just ask your former UDP colleague Mr. Elrington if you need confirmation of that.

People are beginning to get the sense that pretty words do not a leader make. The thing is that Mr. Barrow’s oratorical prowess hasn’t translated into any tangible, concrete benefits yet after two years in office. Go ahead – name one tangible benefit if you can. Remember Mr. Barrow promising in one memorable address to lower the cost of living no matter what? Well that sure hasn’t happened. Instead we are going through the toughest of times with poverty at an all time high 43%. Remember Mr. Barrow promising in another golden moment that fuel would not go over $7 a gallon. Where are we now? $9.25 a gallon and rising! Remember Mr. Barrow promising very eloquently to stomp out even a whiff of corruption? Well, where are we now with that? Can anybody say Zenaida Moya, or Gaspar Vega or Edmund Castro or Housing for the Poor?

So please, Mr. Barrow. Save the flowery speeches for when you give your ex-wife another award or lucrative ‘gift.’ We don’t need to hear it. We need the nation to grow; we need our people to benefit and prosper. This budget certainly won’t do that for us. Today we got more vintage Barrow; the same vintage that is taking us down the drain.

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