Gaston Disapproves of Lone Wolf Remarks

Details

Politics

Tuesday, 17 July 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John's - Chairman of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) Gaston Browne has disapproved what he terms the “debased articulations” by lone wolf protestor Vere Bird III against Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and Finance Minister Harold Lovell during a protest last Tuesday outside the ministry headquarters.

The statements by Vere Bird III had provoked angry responses by the Minister of Finance, whose responses were also deemed inappropriate by many.

“In the circumstances, I cannot, in good faith, condone the type of debased articulations by Vere Bird III and others under the guise of a picket,” Browne said.

The St. Johns City West MP said he welcomed any group or individual joining the cause in opposing the poor choices of the government, “and any attendant protest to rid this country of the UPP Government in the public's interest.”

Browne reminded the public that he too, “on one occasion”, stepped out of line and made certain “inappropriate remarks” about Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer in retaliation to certain “slanderous statements” the PM had made against him. But being the bigger man, Browne said, “I subsequently admitted fault responding in kind to PM Spencer and apologized even though my remarks were provoked.

“Similarly, I believe that Minister Lovell's response even though provoked was inappropriate … Let us as Antiguans and Barbudans, conjoin in raising the level of political discourse that is deserving of a maturing nation,” he said.

Many Caribarena readers have also openly come out against the choice of words used in Lone Wolf pickets, calling it counterproductive to the purpose of the action.

“I find it very distasteful that Lone Wolf, as he calls himself, would ask a question over and over about “batty”. How can you take this guy as being a serious person when he does nothing to elevate the discussion? ... Lone wolf should have been told more than he was told. He is becoming a big joke,” one reader said.

Caribarena.com spoke with Vere Bird III about the group’s approach to getting answers from politicians and as far as he was concerned the group has been somewhat soft in their dealings.

“We are not only going to keep it up, we are going to amplify it. We have chosen our tactics. Anyone who feels they could do better can come and show us how it is done,” Bird said.

He noted however that he doubted strongly that any of the group’s biggest critics would ever step on the picket line but would opt to maintain the role of sideline detractors rather than stand up for what they believe in.

“I doubt they would be man or woman enough to come and picket for what they believe in. I don't pay attention to people like these. They are too spineless. We are going to be attacking anybody. We are not going to defame them but we will be making certain to make politicians feel embarrassed and uncomfortable while they go about squandering our money,” Bird said.

Another picket action is expected today (Tuesday). Bird III said a picket with numbers as small as the lone wolf can easily be forgotten, so tactics like these are sometimes warranted to leave a lasting impression of not only the group but also its purpose.

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“If you are struggling to get 20 people in an island of 100,000 to come out and picket for their rights on a weekly basis, say something that will annoy the minister or hold up a Taiwanese flag and piss off the Chinese,” Bird said.

He added, “We will be embarrassing everyone as much as possible. Those who criticize let them know we have more t-shirts and placards anytime they are willing to show us how to do the business. To the Antiguans the anti-man act is more important that the power plant, the sidewalks and the fences.”

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