New Rules

Orette Bruce Golding during the Dudus Extradition Affair (DEA) held a number of relevant positions; PM of Jamaica, self declared Chief Servant; MP for Western Kingston, Leader of the JLP, salad maker and husband of Lorna Golding.  Confusion surrounds which particular cap Orette Bruce Golding was wearing at any specific point in time during the DEA.

Orette Bruce Golding is scheduled to be the final witness in the Dudus/Manatt COE.  The public has been hyped to expect a showdown between Golding and KD Knight. Such has been labelled Sheriff vs Spider, Nightmare vs Webmaster and numerous other epithets.

This is the grand finale in the biggest political operatic farce Jamaica has ever witnessed.  

There is a clear and urgent for some new rules:

1. Commissioners must be as usual out of commission and not enforce any rules
2. Lying to one counsel does not bar lying to any or all
3. "Can't recall" and "cannot remember" are only available for answers to twenty questions per day.
4. Complete freedom to contradict all other witnesses and even oneself without shame or explanation.
5. Contradiction of verbatim writer is limited to five occasions.
6. "National Security" "Cabinet" and "Constitutional Rights" are not to be used in the ordinary customary senses. Witness is free to attach any unque, arbitrary or nonsensical meaning without notice.
7. Nelsonian Maths do not apply.
8. KD limited to ten days.
9. Witness free to carry own juice (Leaf-of-lie tea, Oil of Slippery Mouth, Memory Booster) if the water provided is less effective.
10. Audience reactions in terms of laughter, smirks, nodding (of the non-sleep variety) and other expressions of appreciation are strictly prohibited Coughing and throat clearing are allowed. Pauses longer than thirty seconds will not be allowed as they may be interpreted as disbelief or lying.
11. Absence from work during the showdown should not be supported by medical certificate. After all this could properly be classified as a "national disaster."

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Bruce to Come

• Can we expect JLP supporters to turn out in their numbers (adorned with placards) when their leader attends the COE? What about another round of graffiti?
• Will Bruce Golding be wearing a green or a blue tie; or better still, one similar to that highlighted by his counsel Hugh Small QC?
• Can someone explain the basis for the different legal representation of the JLP and PM Golding? Bruce Golding is the leader of the JLP, so PM Golding is having a separate and distinct position from Party Leader Golding.
• Is it a case that this is not a GOJ initiative; neither is it a JLP initiative but a Bruce Golding initiative?
• Could it have been a Bruce Golding idea; the initial cost of which would be undertaken by the JLP, but it had to have the appearance of a GOJ initiative, with the GOJ taking over the financial obligations of the MPP contract?
•  Is it a mere coincidence that a large number of attorneys, formally or presently, associated with one particular law firm seem to be involved in one way or another in this COE? Is it Dudus/Manatt or Dunn/Manatt COE?
• Will PM Golding inform us as to the amount and type of lubricant which was applied to the "conduit" that facilitated the signing of the authority to proceed?
• Will the PM indicate if Dorothy Lightbourne, who eventually signed the authority to proceed, has obeyed his edict and signed simultaneously her letter of resignation?
• How many members of the Cabinet will be at the prolonged appearance of the PM at the COE?
• Will the PM announce the much anticipated Cabinet re-shuffle before the findings of the COE are delivered?
• Will the hype surrounding Sheriff vs. Spider be realized in spite of the numerous objections from the green gremlins?

The audience is growing weary of the supporting acts.  The top-billed performers are being impatiently awaited. Bram Bram!

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COE Souvenirs

Although not concerned with anything outside of the hearings, the Commissioners may be well advised to consider possible happenings in the environs of the conference center.

Apart from those being handsomely paid, others will want to “eat – a – food”.

Consider the following unique souvenir items:

• Men Only Underwear (MOU)
• Nelson New Math Textbooks (can’t recall prices)
• Dudus Wigs (one size fits Al)
• Baby leys (introductory offer)
• Flip Flops (green and blue)
• Lubricated Conduits (9 months delivery period)
• Lewin Bleaching Info Kits (turn anything white)
• Phipps Copiers (always has a copy)
• Ancient Quotes (available only in Small print)
• Deadwood Paneling (useless, very expensive)
• Phillips Talking Dolls (unstoppable)
• Multiple Peak Caps (JLP, PNP, Salad)

With the likelihood of the GOJ having some difficulty in meeting the expenses of the extended hearings, the COE may decide to defray some of the costs by setting up its exclusive Dudus/Manatt Commission of Enquiry souvenir gift shop.

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WOW

Have you ever had cause to wonder:

• Can there ever be a credible investigation into the links between crime and politics in Tivoli Gardens without any mention being made to the one Don - Edward Phillip George Seaga?
• Can there ever be a credible enquiry into the decision making processes of the PNP government 2004 without any insights provided by the Black Prince - P.J. Patterson?
• Is it realistic to expect that all members of any cabinet would have been made fully aware of the detials of national security initiatives when there have been allegations that some have been involved in drug trafficking, money laundering or even murder?
• Can we expect that "collective responsibility" requires that each and every cabinet minister is fully aware of that for which he has accepted responsibility; or does it mean that whatever decisions are made, he has to publicly support or tender his resignation?
• Can we expect the same level of confusion, waffling and inconsistency exhibited in the COE to find sanctuary in the final report?
• Do the terms of reference in the Manatt COE oblige the calling of Lorna Golding to elaborate on her intervention in the Dudus extradition affair?
• Is it still a figment of anybody's imagination that this COE will cost the taxpayers $40 million only?
• What factors could explain the absence at the COE of the Leader of the Opposition and the President of the PNP especially during Peter Phillips' testimony?
• Will PM Golding disclose the name(s) of the JLP donor(s) of US$50,000.00 for the hiring of MPP and produce the actual cheque to substantiate the claim?
• On hindsight would it have been a better political strategy to adopt the Brady approach and pay $500.00 than to have one's reputation savaged in public?
• In light of the legal wranglings and courtroom drama will there be a "reduced rate" for lawyers who have not performed on certain days?

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Sell Out

The graffiti has been daubed on strategically selected walls in some urban ghetto areas.  The calls have been echoed in Parliament. Now they have found their way into the legal posturings in the Manatt Commission of Enquiry.  

The accusation is simple: Dr. Peter Phillips as Minister of National Security has sold out the constitutional rights of Jamaicans to the United States. This he has done by signing the mystery MOU's.  The charge is serious and hurtful. Peter Phillips has always been a nationalist at heart. It was reported that he was once a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel - Bungo Peter wore tam and sandals and uttered black conscious lyrics.  Peter Phillips was a social scientist and an ardent follower of Michael Norman Manley. He was once General Secretary of the People's National Party and held ministerial positions both in the Michael Manley and P.J. Patterson led regimes. 

In his testimony, Phillips said that he had obtained the legal opinion of the then Solicitor General Michael Hylton. Later he said that the Solicitor General vetted the MOU's before they were signed. Hugh Small Q.C. in his cross examination of the now Security Minister Dwight Nelson has elicited evidence that the proper course is for the AG based upon the advice of the SG to inform the Minister in respect of legal matters. Well both the then AG A.J. Nicholson QC and the then Solicitor General Michael Hylton are available to the Commission.  The Commissioners are duty bound to call upon them to clarify the situation. In addition as portrayed by Clovis' cartoon, it may be useful if the insights of the then Prime Minister, Most Honourable P.J. Patterson QC be brought to bear on the purported secrecy of the deal.  

Bluntly if Phillips sold out then he was not alone in this venture.  It is very dangerous to leave these accusations hanging out there.

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That Samuda Press Release

Jacynic has analyzed this statement below from as far back as April 27, 2010. Please click Lies, Damn Lies and Dunce Lies to see our analysis.



Statement by JLP Minister of Industry, Investment Commerce Karl Samuda:

1. In September of last year, persons within the JLP approached Mr Brady to see whether,

through his wide network of international contacts, he could assist in facilitating the

opening of discussions between the US Authorities and the Government of Jamaica, and

thereby, seek to resolve what had become a treaty dispute between the US and Jamaica.

2. It was expected that Mr Brady, having served as a former Secretary-General of the

International Democrat Union, an organisation of worldwide centre-right parties founded

in 1983 of which the JLP is an associate member, would use his vast experience in

international law and politics to assist in this regard.

3. I am aware that Mr Brady’s firm retained the services of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips on

or about October 2009, to pursue discussions with relevant officials of the government. I

am advised that all payment arrangements to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips were transacted

between the two firms. The government of Jamaica had nothing to do with any aspect of

these arrangements.

4. The Solicitor-General went to Washington in December to have discussions with

officials of the State and Justice Departments. This meeting was arranged through the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy in Jamaica.

5. The Solicitor-General and the team that accompanied him met with representatives of

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips at Mr Brady’s invitation. The discussions were exploratory and

were focused on alternative approaches that have been taken in similar treaty disputes

with the US. The Solicitor-General made it clear that the government of Jamaica saw no

need at that stage to engage their services but would be prepared to consider doing so

should the need arise.

6. The Solicitor-General accepted a suggestion that a representative of the firm attend the

planned meeting with the State and Justice Departments as an observer, which he did

with the full approval of the State Department.

7. The Solicitor-General, who had had no previous contact with Manatt, Phelps &

Phillips, was not then aware that the firm had already been retained by Brady &

Company. He has had no further contact with the firm since that encounter in December.

8. As regards media reports that a Minister of Government met with State Officials and

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Dr Ronald Robinson, Minister of State in the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, while on a visit to Washington on November 20,

2009, had a brief social encounter with a representative of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips after

having declined an invitation by Mr Harold Brady to attend a meeting at the State

Department.

9. The Government of Jamaica did not enter into any contractual arrangement with

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and therefore no payments were made to the firm by the

Government of Jamaica.

Source: AmLawDaily

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Out! Played on

When he went, whoever he spoke with at Manatt said “Look, we’re prepared to assist in this matter but it would have to be on a professional retainer basis” and, as I said; as I’ve acknowledged before, when that was reported to me by Brady, that’s when I should have pulled up the stumps. That’s when I should’ve said, "Absolutely no.” Regrettably, I said “Alright go ahead but be very clear in your mind that this is the Party that is doing it not the Government” because it was entirely a Party initiative from it started.

Quote from Bruce Golding in Brady defamation lawsuit.

This raises a number of concerns:

• What factors did the Prime Minister consider when he came to the conclusion that he should have pulled up stumps?
• What factors did the PM consider in coming to the view to allow the play to continue?
• What was the purpose of Golding allowing the game to continue (along the lines as indicated by Brady) but with the warning that it should appear in Brady's mind to be a party matter.
• Was the reality being deliberately disguised?

The umpires in the Manatt/Dudus Commission of Enquiry will be paying keen attention to the replay. The stumps appear to have been shifted.

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Recalling Leys Lullaby

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Rock a bye baby,
In the treetop
When the wind blows
The cradle will rock

Douglas Leys the Solicitor General of Jamaica, in a meeting with US State Department and Justice Department facilitated the attendance of a member of a private US law firm into that official meeting. Hello!?

The SG had just recently a few hours before been introduced to the principals of the said law firm who were anxious to obtain an official brief to act on behalf of the GOJ.

The SG himself had refused the overtures of the said law firm and by his own admission outlined to them the procedure that had to be followed if and when they were to be engaged to act on behalf of the GOJ.

It therefore begs the question: Did the SG act most improperly in facilitating the attendance of a private US law firm at an official meeting between himself and the US authorities?

In so doing, the SG unwittingly gave credence to the impression gained by the US officials - who had previously met with representatives of the US law firm and were involved in discussions of the very same issue as the SG - that the US law firm was indeed acting on behalf of the GOJ.

What is even more difficult to understand is the rationale informing the SG's thinking that to have Brady - a Jamaican attorney attend the meeting would have been improper, yet saw no problem in having a representative from a US law firm (who had not been engaged by the GOJ to his certain knowledge) attending as an "Observer".

Leys was either naive or was "convinced/persuaded" to change his initial refusal of the gratuitous offer. Unknown to him, he was the one being introduced to the US officials.

So, the "Consultant" was not so authorized and neither was the "Observer" but the fact remains that the US law firm acted on behalf of the GOJ in its dealings with US officials as reported on the official websites.

Smoking gun and misty mirrors: Who will be held accountable? Who misled the PM? Who is politically dispensable? Who will be "separated" from their responsibilities?

In the end the DEA - Dudus Extradition Affair has been further complicated, if not compromised, by the FBI (now meaning From Brady's Intervention).

When the bough breaks,

The Cradle will fall

And Down will come baby

Cradle and all

Oops!

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