Orville Taylor, Contributor

There are so many Ps around now that I am moved to go to the bathroom. The People's National Party (PNP) puts people first, at least in its name, and conversely, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) one assumes puts people last.

However, that was not what I saw last week as the JLP definitely put people so far first that they blocked the roads in two parishes - Portland and Hanover.

The one in Portland had the most impact, where all roads from Hector's River to just outside of Buff Bay were blocked as completely as the democratic process in choosing a candidate for South East St Ann.

It is uncertain whether it was a well-organised protest or it was simply a spontaneous uprising like the 1938 strikes/riots. However, like Alexander Bustamante back then, prospective candidate for East Portland, Daryl Vaz, rode the wave and tried to make as much political mileage out of it as possible. The problem with Vaz is that he was trying to run on unleaded gas and a lot of hot air rather than the 'green fuel' that his party desperately needs.

A few days earlier, he had presented to the public, previously unknown allegations of his being a criminal and rapist. I am totally unaware as to what he was referring to or maybe my memory is too 'short', but I was not 'dyin' to find out. What I do know though, is that if he takes any credit for the roadblocks, then he raises questions about his judgement and one does not have to dig up a cholera cemetery to see that.

Freedom to strike

My stance regarding protests and strikes is clear. There should be a freedom to strike and even a right to do so. This is the position taken by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and which is enshrined in Conventions such as number 87, dealing with freedom of association. strikes and other forms of mass dissent should be well-timed to be effective. However, they should be targeted against the persons and entities with whom the dispute exists.

For that reason, I opposed the police strike because neither the Finance Minister, Minister of National Security, Prime Minister nor commissioner suffered from lack of protection. Only poor people were imperilled. Similarly, the absence of public nurses and doctors during strikes does little to the average member of the middle classes, including the politicians, who can 'Dalley' from one private hospital to the next or go to 'farrin'.

Bet you that not one of Daryl's children was inconvenienced or missed an exam. In any event, if they did, they perhaps have recourse to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and go - you guessed it - to 'farrin' as well. Typically, the children of politicians who are fighting for little pieces of Jamrock do not go to local universities such as the University of the West Indies (UWI). 'UTech' the time and check the register and 'U WI' see. There is a Vaz difference between riding a protest and being genuinely concerned. Whatever he might have claimed innocence of, this time, it is clear that the strike blighted the future of at least one poor people pickney.

Still, the Portlanders and St. Maryites have reason to be 'bringle,' because they have some of the worst roads in the country. Most of the potholes have some roads and I recently lost part of my bumper simply trying to navigate these parishes. Of course, I have no helicopter like the Leader of the Opposition. So, the bad roads made me take so long to get back to the topic of St. Ann.

Great dis-Hanna

When I heard the name, I thought that it was Yasus Afari or another Rastafarian greeting us. However, to the contrary, the comrades in the constituency felt a great dis-Hanna because the beauty was sent to 'pretty over' things like a sheet of formica. Unlike many of the politicians, she studied twice at UWI. The beauty has more academic qualifications on paper than the Prime Minister. She is no dunce!

Nonetheless, her beauty is neither here nor there. If looks were an issue, Roger and Daryl, and many others would have no chance of ever being elected. And, if it has to do with physique, the battle between Maxine and Joan is shaping up to be a battle royal. Lisa Hanna is bright, and as the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) tagline goes, "a mind is a terrible thing to waste". But a "waist is a terrible thing to mind".

Nonetheless, if Ms. Hanna is imposed upon the delegates and constituents, as was the case with Norman Horne and others, this is inconsistent with the democratic structure of the PNP. Norman Manley was keen toinsist on the word, 'people' being put first and in 1938, punched out founding grass-roots member Stanley Vernon, who wanted the party to be called the Jamaica National Party (JNP). It is for this reason that I am incredulous as to what the PM meant when she declared to dissenter that she would rather them find a new leader, "than having anybody hijack the values of the People's National Party." Too late lady PM! That would have already been done.

Reports are that given her divine ordination, if the seat were lost due to the dispute, then the wrath of God would be evident. I don't know what's the wrath they are talking about but that is not the PNP I know.

Remember the Scotia sell-out? The package is complete. One was 'Daring,' one couldn't handle the 'Bun ting' but Golding is still last.

Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the UWI, Mona.