Letter to the Editor:
Your loyalty to your country’s future; your belief in us as a people; and your determination to support your government’s leadership, has brought us, with God’s grace, out of the worst valleys of darkness, into the bright light of new possibilities. 
I thank every Antiguan and Barbudan who was courageous enough, not to surrender to fear; not to succumb to despair; not to listen to the opportunistic voices of division, discord, doom and gloom.” – (The Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda in his 2022 New Year’s Day Address).
The citizens of Antigua and Barbuda must adequately prepare themselves for what is expected to be an above-average hurricane season this Year, with predictions suggesting a 65% chance of an above-normal sea- son, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a be- low-normal season.
While weather watchers will be glued to their televisions, radios, and other media for daily updates on what is happening across the Atlantic Ocean, none will take for granted the machinations that are likely to occur in the twin-isle paradise
Surely, one must consider the political climate and those things that can also create a stir regarding who governs, and on whose behalf.
Political leadership and the effectiveness of governance for achieving development objectives will be questioned and shall remain under the microscope in the months ahead for those living in Antigua and Barbuda.
It is almost certain that the socioeconomic dislocations that affected the nation due to the untimely COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the measures employed by the current government to safeguard the people will feature foremost in the minds of the voting population.
This is discernible, especially against the backdrop of criticisms from opposition entities who hardly gave the vital support that was necessary for dealing with an unprecedent- ed public health hazard which, carried the real potential to destroy numerous lives and livelihoods beyond imagination.
Not to be overlooked in the scheme of the prevail- ing conditions would be the self-inflicted damage that all contemporary political parties in the country seem bent on attracting or often fail to avoid. Taking an objective position, it becomes more important for voters to assess for themselves which political party offers them the most hope and which, on a balance of probabilities, can and will deliver on promises made.
Which of the current political parties can be trusted to ensure that the provision of public services is not thwarted by corruption, greed, or any other infelicities which derail the people from being the main beneficiaries of government’s development priorities?
Certainly, the record of the Gaston Browne-led Antigua and Barbuda La- bour Party (ABLP) in re- cent times far outshines the United Progressive Party (UPP).
Regardless and strictly based on what the ABLP has achieved since taking office in 2014 and then again in 2018 is the fact that while it shouts and push back, it is a party that delivers.
The same cannot be said under the UPP’s leader Harold Lovell. This beleaguered and ceremonial political leader does not sit in the Assembly in any capacity, nor has he successfully managed to repair a badly dimmed image.
Lovell’s intelligence is not in question, but as a rival without a ‘seat’ , he is not perceived by many as a serious contender to Prime Minister Browne; rather, Lovell fetches multiple negatives, suggesting that he is no more than an ageing rabble-rouser in constant opposition.
Meanwhile, the waves are likely to get higher and rougher for Lovell and the UPP. The Democratic National Alliance (DNA), un- der Joanne Massiah can become a spoiler, The DNA is a party indirectly formed out of a fallout from the in- civility and lack of strategic acumen that seemingly flourished with Lovell at the helm of the UPP
It remains highly un- likely that Massiah will achieve any significant success for the DNA. More- over, Massiah does not lend to the public discourse the needed impressions of a political leader ready for the looming political storm.
The DNA has not lifted its chances for electoral success and there is no hint that the leadership understands the necessity for creating sufficient stir to affectively communicate the DNA’s passage as an alternative government-in-waiting.
Plain and simple, Massiah typifies morality, a sense of wanting to do good, and sincerity, yet she will be perhaps more comfortable advocating and making calls for some particular action to remedy a situation, than to serve the people of Antigua and Barbuda from a position of being first among equals.
There is little doubt that the incumbent government would be returned to office if elections are to be called anytime during this hurricane season that runs from June 1st to November 30th.
Now is the time for preparedness and giving introspection to the public policies that are being formulated for the benefit of all citizens and residents of Antigua and Barbuda.
This is not the season to be confused nor should we be fooled into thinking that there is a perfect government anywhere in the world.
The Gaston Browne- led government so happens to be best for Antigua and Barbuda for now and into the foreseeable future.
For the last eight years, the Antigua and Barbuda people have seen the sustained efforts to shape and now revitalize the economy, create decent jobs in tourism and other productive sec- tors, provide for increased and affordable housing, re- visit and reform national laws guaranteeing justice for all, attend to climate change and the environment with focus on greatly boosting agricultural production, expand and enhance ser- vices in public health and education to safeguard our nation’s future.
Should we risk it all for the blind ambition that is leading the UPP? Should we the electorate place pious posturing over proven management at this time of global crisis that cries out for capable leadership?
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It is easy to state that the ALP under Gaston has a proven track record without presenting a scintilla of evidence or proof that this is so. Quite the opposite. The promised Economic Powerhouse has not materialized. Instead, we are a country with daily power outages, no running water and a culture of creative self-enrichment. This letter is many hollow words with no substance. Another political ass licker.
Innumerable persons have already JUMPED OFF THE SINKING UPP SHIP!!! Joanne Massiah and countless others don’t want to DROWN aboard captain Lovell SHIP.
MR. IMF ROMANTIC RHYTHMS WADADLI POWER CAN’T ABST HOTEL RIPOFF ABIB COLLAPSER BANKING-SECTOR COLLAPSER ANTI-UWI FIVE ISLANDS CAMPUS
JOANNE MASSIAH HAS CALLED GASTON BROWN AND THE ABLP CLOWNS AND A PAPPY SHOW SO YOU SHOULDN’T EVEN GIVE HER CREDIT, LOL
Any leader who publicly calls his beloved people ‘deracinated imbeciles’ and ‘in-breeders’ and ‘charlatans’ cannot love them. Further, with the large expatriate population and Caribbean nationals, those people believe the Leader and also begin to talk down to the local Antiguan people. One Diplomat has always referred to Antiguans as ‘shit-heads’ and those same people at their cocktail parties laugh at the names the leader has tagged onto his people.
Antiguans and Barbudans are the laughing stock of the non-Antiguans who enjoy the favors and opportunities given by our Leader to all except his own.
The contempt we earn from expatriates and non-nationals is learned from the Leader’s contempt of his own people.
Absolutely correct, @ I don’t know, and the reputation that Antiguans have abroad as being taken for damn fools by their politicians isn’t a good look on the worldwide stage.
And the sad thing about this, is that Gaston Browne will continue with his contemptuous behavior towards Antiguans … and guess what?
THEY MAY STILL PUT HIM BACK INTO OFFICE!!!
Not this time! Gaston Browne is on his way out and he knows it
Jumbee Picknee say…
…Uneasy lies the head, that wears the crown!
…the #Bones dem! Charlie Bones_Dem!
…sent you Maria! Maria! Maria!
…she was the first hurricane Cat_5
…oh God! She really put a beating on Barbuda.
…so much so! Many was asking, “Is god, so sinister⁉️
…while they forgot, the one, that defeated Lester!
…some call him, Browne da_Clown
…followed by his merry_men of Jester
…parading in the hot sun, wearing polyester!
…and, as the light shines on them
…not only are they, Pigs In A Pen!
…some might even be⁉️ Anti_Men
…and pedophlies too, living as Child_Molesters.
Time fu drap de #Criddim_Rythmn..
…Biff! Baff! Look at dat!
…de Criddim drap!
…And, Tian you get flap!
…Bim_Bam! Everybody dun see!
…dung to de one, they call Bam_See!
…’cause, as de #Criddim drap!
…Menace, him too! Boy, you get flap!
…so, when it comes to Party!
…Monarch! Fetting! Or, simply Liming like a Trini!
…you can’t touch, nor handle dis Jumbee Picknee!
…Papi, kum een! And, blow de Conch_Shell fu me!
…with, your sweet rhapsody, melody and harmony!
…all de way, from St. John’s Cemetery!
…but, as soon as we start, de Jouver’t jamming!
…with the sweet sounds, of Iron ringing!
…without #WARNING⁉️ No kind of WARNING!
…not even from, meteorologist Dale Destin
…here comes #HURRICANE GASTON!
…sharing plenty licks!
…that, even #Mokoo_Jumbee pan sticks’
…drop their legs and took off!
…some, began to laugh!
…not feeling the heat!
…coming across the Atlantic from the East!
…but lo and behold!
…The Truth was told!
…it was HURRICANE GASTON!
…destroying St. John’s town
…as, a CATEGORY SIX! 6! Sic!
…
Ras Smood aka Jumbee Picknee!
Son of Mami_Wata & Papa Elegba’
…
Please, Please, Please.
Antiguans would be out of our collective minds to re-elect a government that cannot pay its bills nor its workers. Have never given a cent of increase to public workers.
Disrespect all fabrics of society and TEAR-GASSED WOMEN,CHILDREN AND BABIES ALL THE WAY IN THEIR HOUSES IN GRAYS FARM, TINDALL AND SORROUNDING AREAS.
SO MUCH POVERTY , HUNGER, CRIME AND STARVATION IN THIS COUNTRY, NO WATER AND YOU EXPECT US TO VOTE YOU AND DEM RENEGADES BACK IN POWER? NO DAM WAY
” Storms are looming the ship needs a proven captain” seriously?
Either this Captain baiI ship or he will be forced to .
I might very well take a chance with another Captain or a Crapo than with the Captain you’re talking about.
A Captain who would risk the lives of the crew to line his pockets with gold.
Do you think its a coincidence as Captain that he put his wife in charge of lands hmmm.
Of all the ways to get rich land is still the number one way .
What has he done in all these years
Questionable land deals
Pensioners
Jobs
Low paying jobs
A friend called me to say he hasn’t been paid in two weeks.
Roads
Sub-par internet
Water Electricity
Infarstructure
No seriously tell me what he has done ⏳
As I thought not very much.
Raised in a generational ALP household for me blindly voting for no other reason than color and party is truly a thing of the past .
CAPTAIN THE SHIP IS SINKING , CAPTAIN THE SEAS ARE ROUGH, THE SHIP HAS NO ELECTRICITY, WATER NOR FOOD, AND GASTON WANTS TO CONTINUE RUNNING THIS SHIP???
IS HE RIGHT IN HIS MIND? LITERALLY? RISPERDAL.
GASTON IS RUDDERLESS. HE HAS TO BE A MAD MAN TO THINK ANTIGUANS LIKE PUNISHMENT AND WILL WANT HIM TO CONTINUE TO OPPRESS US……NO NEVER AGAIN, NO MORE.
These letters show a level of desperation on behalf of Gaston Browne who school children say is the author of most of these letters to the editor.
FITZROY, NOMAD, YOUTH ETC.
The ABLP IS DESPERATE! keep on being busy. we still going vote you out!
Gaston is god. Gaston is the only one who can govern Antigua?What happens if we wake up tomorrow and hear he dead? Antigua ceases to exist? Antigua is bigger than Gaston Browne.
This is part of the ALP play book. They dig up this argument when they know that they are losing.
The very same thing was said of the ALP in 2004. It was said that only the ALP could run this country. Well, the ALP got a hot beating. The same kind of beating that Gaston Browne will be getting whenever he is brave enough to call the election.
The Prime Minister is fast becoming an irrelevance. The country mash-up, poor-people suffering and pensioners hungry. What does Gaston Browne do? Make life harder for people.
If you cannot make life better for people then what damn use are you!
Gaston you are an irrelevance! You belong at Cooks along with the fire-truck.
And this once again proves my point about this blog and the people who comment (many of them use multiple users name) one it is a letter in support of the PM and the government it is a bulls**t letter, the author is being paid, the PM is desperate the letter was authoref by the PM or one of his minons ect, ect ect, but if it a letter critizing the PM and the government it is the best piece of writing known to mankind. It’s like people can’t even have an option anymore and its like the biggest sin in the known to man if you dear support the PM and the government.
Correct.
He is the WORST PRIME MINISTER ANTIGUA HAS EVER PRODUCED.
PERIOD.
You poor soul I pray for your mental health 🙏🏾. All this noise for politicians who does not give a rats behind about you. Hope after the elections are said and done you get your the help that you are obviously crying out for.
“Regardless and strictly based on what the ABLP has achieved since taking office in 2014 and then again in 2018 is the fact that while it shouts and push back, it is a party that delivers.”
Delivers? What are you smoking, pal? Oh, OK. Delivers maybe like AllMart?
Damn joker. Hope you are getting paid for all this against-your-conscience writing you’re doing.
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