Orville W. Taylor

Like his namesake, he stammered and stuttered but slightly changed course. Depending on whose side one is on, Hurricane Dean hit us or he missed. In fact, there is enough evidence to say both; but we should be thankful that it was not worse. Indeed, there has been so much wavering that he should have been named after another politician.

Having experienced 'Allen', 'Gilbert' and 'Ivan'as an adult, I am terrified of ill winds that blow no good. Add to that, the lack of water, baths in margarine tubs, dry-cleaning of private parts, copious servings of bully beef, sardine, 'wutliss' tinned mackerel, hot cola champagne and 'coal tea', and it is almost as uncomfortable as having to sit through a week of political debates.

Beyond the rotting leaves, discarded personal belongings and furniture, comes the stench of discord during a national disaster. One finds a moment to chuckle, because 'Dean' made you realise that your neighbour's bed and 'whatsitnot,' drying in the sunlight, are not as nice as she boasted.

Multiply all of these by increases in illegal firearms over 1988 and 2004, a persistently high homicide rate, and the apparent incapacity of either of the political leaders to control their supporters. Then imagine the nights in the aftermath of a Category Four-plus hurricane, more directly pointed to us than Ivan the terrible?

'Gilbert' wrought upon us

In 1988, after he saw the massive damage that Category Three 'Gilbert' had wrought upon us, then Prime Minister 'Pappa Eddie', had the Governor-General declare a state of public emergency. With forethought and not wanting to be left behind, P.J. Patterson called it prior to 'Ivan's' expected landfall. Somewhat strangely, Sista P did so Sunday, in the middle of the hurricane.

I am not going to be a hypocrite. Despite the abuses and travesties of the People's National Party (PNP), which included Portia in the 1970s, I found nothing wrong with the action of either of the three. If there is a national blackout, looters pillaging homes and businesses, gunmen pushing the AK over the wall and prowling the streets, shouldn't the majority of citizens, except for those in the essential services and key industries, be prevented from having unrestricted access, especially under cover of darkness?

Given the shortage of resources of the National Worst Agency (NWA), police and fire brigade, shouldn't the Government have access to those of private corporations and citizens? After all, who can forget the quick 'tinking' of the cesspool emptier driver who recently used his 'initiative' to tackle a gas-station fire and extinguish it?

It is squarely the fault of the Government that we do not have enough tractors, trucks, graders and backhoes. Nevertheless, the NWA can always use a few more backhoes in this crisis.

Furthermore, the 'adequate' supplies of rice and other foodstuff might be appropriated by the Government if we are to believe the words of competent super minister Paulwell instead of the Super Plus supermarket chain.

On air, an American-accented man vehemently opposed the declaration. The Prime Minister has made some blunders in her short year, but this is not quite one. The leader of the free world, President George W. Bush, as short on geography as he is, declared states of emergency in Louisiana and Texas, a full day before Dean was scheduled to arrive here. Given the experiences of 'Katrina', exactly two years ago this Tuesday, was he wrong as in Iraq, where he constantly declares even today, that he is not changing course? After all, Dean would have had to change its projected course in order to reach any of those two states.

The US law

Under American law, the president can make the declaration "to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe." It gives access to increased federal funds, to mitigate its impact and gives government immense powers. These include suspension of firearm permits and commandeering private resources. It is also possible to detain individuals without charges and without the write of habeas corpus being allowed.

Other specific pieces of American federal and state law are triggered by the declaration, but in essence, it is an abnormal adjustment by government to unusual and perilous situations. For the record, there were 32 Federal declarations of emergency between 1976 and 2001.

Nonetheless, of the Prime Minister's action, many have spokenill. My concerns are two-fold. First, can we trust Portia's PNP, not to replicate the 1970s abuses in an election period? After all, the temptation is great since the polls are so close. With the potential for abuse, she could easily 'run with it'.

More worrisome is the accusation by 'Leader of Opposition' (and not simply Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader) Bruce Golding that she acted unilaterally. On my talk show last Tuesday, Attorney-General A.J. Nicholson, who feels my pen again, declared that there was indeed consultation no consensus. No problem, because a leader has to take decisions and stand by them. However, she should end it quickly.

Nonetheless, the public was informed that the declaration was the recommendation of the security chiefs, while Bruce rebutted that after the bilateral meeting with them there was no such understanding. Someone is lying!

By the way, why, after three years, did parliamentarians not enact laws forcibly to evacuate people at risk and prevent them from building in zones like Portland Cottage? I'll tell you why! The clowns have wasted our energy on three years of election watching.

Jamaica is too small to create storms in this T or C cup. By failing to keep 'abreast' of real priorities, they could grow into F cups.

Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at University of the West Indies, Mona.