TCI News Now!

Dear Sir:

I lived through the Michael Misick years in the Turks and Caicos. I saw what outright corruption was and saw how the PNP got giddy with greed and was able to turn a blind eye to incompetence in hopes that many of them could continue to lick up the gravy train.

I saw even church leaders who not only stood by, but celebrated in the exploitation and abuse of the public purse. Far too many of the church leaders forgetting what “thus said the Lord” and looking for what Michael Misick and the PNP could give.

Some argue that far too many of our people in the Turks and Caicos sold our soul for an acre and a Hummer.

I had hope. I believed that help would come. I believed after the British went through what has and is a very painful process caused by the PNP. Let the Turks and Caicos Islanders never forget that it is the PNP who has caused the infliction of pain like never before on the people. You can put new paint on a leopard, but it does not change that it is leopard.

Yes, I had hoped that there was a political entity that could provide relief to the people of the Turks and Caicos. I had hoped that there was a political entity that could provide the type of leadership that we in the Turks and Caicos could stand up and be proud of. I had hoped that there was an organization that would provide a measure of integrity and promise. I thought that party was Jags’ People Democratic Movement.

What did they do?

The PDM went and held a convention and elected Oswald Skippings leader. Immediately, I thought it was a joke. The man who once led the country and could not handle it and quit, when the world’s economy was going in an upswing: The man who could not handle it, when he was younger and stronger and focused solely on his politics, not trying to be a reverend/pastor. I went to sleep that night despondent, disappointed and disillusioned.

The PDM had failed!

I woke realizing that it was not a dream… sorry, nightmare and my beloved PDM had elected Oswald Skippings as its leader. However, I am sickened to my stomach what the PDM did. We all know and must not forget of the things that were rumoured, in fact one who is chief of spreading what they allege was perpetrated on them by Mr O. Skippings is seeking to be a candidate for the PDM in the upcoming elections. I thought what an irony, what satire is this? Shakespeare would have a feast on such a script; it could be entitled “The Dysfunctional Leader and the Shrew”.

Today, however, I read with much sadness and disgust on TCI News Now. All I could do is wipe a tear from my eye. How could the PDM do this to us? How could it cause shame and disgrace regionally and internationally to both parties in our country? The world knows that the PNP is a disgraceful lot and would not expect anyone in their right mind to re-elect that grouping anytime soon.

However, the PDM goes out and elects a man such as this. What is of special note is the quote by Mr Derek Taylor and I must place the quote here in full: “I never have to look over my shoulder, and no one can say that I have accepted any bribes from them, I never even complained about party finances. I have never lobbied anybody during my time for money or for campaigning financing – not for my government or for the party.” Now breaking that down, it is clear to even Stevie Wonder that Mr Derek Taylor is inferring that someone who was elected could not say the same.

To my Peoples Democratic Movement; to James Alexander George Smith McCartney’s Peoples Democratic Movement, do not please I beseech you, do not let us besmirch, disgrace our party and inflict this further nightmare on the people of the Turks and Caicos. For a party… no, a movement that our only National Hero gave his life serving.
My PDM, I ask that you request of Mr Oswald Skippings to do the honourable thing and resign forthwith. To go away quietly and cause no further damage to our organization -- the people’s party.

I ask you, Mr Oswald Skippings, you are a man of the cloth now. So something should be tugging at your heart, something whispering to your soul that the PDM does not deserve this. The people of the Turks and Caicos do not deserve to suffer; to be embarrassed any longer by disgraced leadership. I ask you for my children and grandchildren, please, sir, do the honourable thing and step down.

Today is indeed a sad day for the PDM. If he does not stand down, I say move him and move him now! We do not deserve this! I stand with James Alexander George Smith McCartney PDM, but will not under these circumstances support the PDM if Mr Oswald Skippings is leader.

S. Garland-Hanchel

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David V.:

It is so sad, for a long time visitor to your beautiful islands, to see what has happened in a few short years. All because of greed, incompetence and, most of all, lack of vigilance by the voters. Freedom is not free. So often, citizens everywhere talk only of opportunities and benefits of freedom. Seldom, do we talk about the duties and obligations. Please TCI, as the most beautiful islands of the Carribean, open your hearts and take up the cause for honesty, fairness, and integrity and heal thyself. Pay as you must the debt for allowing those politicians and powerful to make a mess of things and return yourself to the status before and move on with the help of God and his graces. But again never forget that duties and obligations go hand in hand with opportuntiy and benefit. I for one sense that you all can meet this challenge. May God bless you in your efforts.