#BTColumn – Wolf in sheep’s clothing (Part I)

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

by Guy Hewitt

A number of persons contacted me wondering whether I was going to speak to the outrageous Trojan Riddim video. Although I share the indignation that the nation feels about this vulgar display of deviance and immorality, I was curious on the timing of the eruption of rage as I was aware that this video was in circulation for some time. Having lived under the Trump presidency, I understand the art of distraction that formed the core of his political strategy.

Whether Trump was routinely threatening to shut down the government, or bomb Iran, or close the southern border, or commence a trade war with China, these were all distractions. But Trump wasn’t just trying to distract, as his intent was misdirection and certain media houses were complicit.

Misdirection has nothing to do with distraction and everything to do with controlling people’s attention. Consider a magician’s sleight-of-hand card trick. Often an audience member selects a card, memorises it and returns it to the deck. After shuffling the deck, the magician through some elaborate process reveals the correct card.

While magicians don’t reveal secrets they often admit the trick is only possible by creating a distraction that keeps the audience’s focus exactly where it is needed; and away from the actions the magician didn’t want them to notice.

While Barbados was deservedly rebuking the artistes involved in the music video seemingly endorsing gun violence, we were misdirected from two important occurrences: the 2020 Auditor General’s Report to Parliament posted on 25 May and the Bar Association’s serious concerns raised about the planned Anti-Corruption and Anti-Terrorism Agency (ACATA) Bill.

Without going deeply into the Auditor General’s Report especially as it is available online via the Barbados Parliament website, I want to highlight a few anomalies raised, which all Barbadians should be concerned about:

1.13 “The audit of the National Insurance Funds is substantially in arrears, and during the year, although some work was conducted, not much progress was made.” How much money is left in the NIS is a guestimate.

2.10 Although “the Accountant General [is] to…submit to the Auditor General…financial statements …within four (4) months after the close of each financial year… The Financial Statements were however issued…a year after the regulatory deadline and approximately fifteen (15) months after the close of the relevant financial year. This situation is unacceptable and needs to be urgently addressed.”

2.14 “As at the end of the financial year 2018-2019, Government has yet to publish any consolidated [financial] statements. The absence of consolidated statements presents challenges, as the total debts and liabilities of the Government are not being accounted for…” What we owe and to whom is another guestimate.

2.15 “There was a total of $209.4 million representing Other Equity Investments shown in the notes to the financial statements [without explanatory notes]…of the type of investments undertaken and any risks associated.” No clue as to where this money went.

2.26 “In the 2018-2019 financial year, the entire $124 million investment in Clearwater Company in the Four Seasons Hotel project [Paradise Beach hotel] was written-off.” How and why was this done the Auditor General is at a loss as are we? You remember who the man in-charge was and who was the lawyer?

3.10 “A review of the accounts and accounting systems of the Prime Minister’s Office [PMO] revealed a number of control weaknesses. These included some omissions to the fixed asset register, absence of a contract register as required by Financial Rule 229, and the absence of invoices for credit card payments.”

Albert Einstein asserted, “Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.” The reports goes on to state in 3.11 “In addition to the above, there was the incorrect classification of expenditure [in the PMO] totalling $1.85 million.” Who guards the guards?

Writing in 1840, French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville wrote about despotic government emerging in democratic America. Tocqueville held that a ‘crisis’ could create the precondition for the expansion of state power.

He saw the democratic state creating a new form of tyranny, being part ‘despotism’, part ‘tutorship’, and part ‘paternalism’ of the people.

He argued that while various external forms of liberty remained the ‘will of the people’ is reduced to a ‘timid sheep-like status’ with the state acting ‘like the national shepherd.’

Barbadians need to consider this as we are pushed headlong towards an undefined republican status. Recall how in Guyana their then prime minister used the art of distraction to contort the country from a constitutional monarchy, to a ceremonial presidency and onto a despotic executive presidency.

Former Guyanese President Cheddi Jagan once referred to this manipulation of the constitution and the people as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” using the biblical idiom derived from Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Who guards the guards?

With regard to the planned Anti-Corruption and Anti-Terrorism Agency (ACATA) Bill, the local bar association president while endorsing a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, made the point that this zero-tolerance approach must pervade the entire society “from top to bottom”.

Further, the point was made that this agency would only be effective “if it is accompanied by a modern Anti-Corruption Act to complement the Proceeds and Instrumentalities of Crime Act and other relevant legislation.” The Bar also expressed concerns about the Prime Minister’s lead role in appointing the Director General. Who guards the guards?

Guy Hewitt announced his candidature for the leadership of the DLP. He currently lives and works between Barbados and Florida and can be contacted at guyhewitt@gmail.com