THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WRITE to you to express my utter disappointment with some aspects of the nationally broadcast political debates.
First let me share my assessment of the two moderators.
The first, while he seemed meticulous, lacked control, charisma and authority. He seemed intimidated by either the event or the delegates or both.
The second was nothing short of awful. Mr. Blunder seemed to be more interested in imposing his own unimpressive image to the point where his arrogance caused him gross embarrassment, not once but twice. And instead of offering his apologies he audaciously sought to adore himself as a "seasoned journalist" only to horribly blunder a second time. It is at these times when one needs to remind oneself of the old saying which goes, "mistake made and not corrected, is another mistake." Mr. Boyne can learn considerably from the wisdom of 'unseasoned' old folks.
I need not mention that gentleman one was the better of the two, both of whom were generally deficient in their roles. I shudder to think that these two gentlemen were the best available candidates.
Now to turn to the panellists, they, particularly the last two, were a greater source of embarrassment for Jamaica. Their questions were largely inept and obtuse.
By the time the hour was up, the panellists led the delegates to waste a lot of precious time on frivolous issues and not address the serious pertinent ones.
I have to wonder who selected these panellists and on what basis. The opening question for the Prime Ministerial debate was unwise and revolting. How can an academic pose such a brainless and defectively structured question as his first to a man who is likely to be the next Prime Minister? And to think that he had the experience of the horrid questions which were asked in the previous debate.
The role of the panellist, as I understand it, was to ask, in an articulate and unbiased manner, the questions which the population of Jamaica wants answers to. From the questions asked I have to come to the conclusion that the panellists, without exception are dreadfully out of tune with what the real issues are in this election.
May be this is a classic illustration of the "two Jamaicas" of which Edward Seaga speaks.
I found that all the delegates were under-utilised by the panellists who seemed fearful and apprehensive in their questioning. I am forced to once again shudder at the thought that those four panellists were the best that Jamaica has to offer. If that is the case then in this regard, the Reggae Boyz loss to Haiti notwithstanding, both Jamaican football and athletics are literally miles ahead.
I am etc.,
M. IMRAN KHAN
mimrankhan@hotmail.com
Via Go-Jamaica
