An Idiot Contest for Politicians -- Mike Gapes, You're First

I have decided to write once a week about someone who I feel deserves a big wet raspberry. This week is the first. I was thinking of giving it to columnist Robert X. Cringley for standing by his position that TCI Journal is a volunteer news site, but I don't think he's really worth much anyway. If he thinks that TCI Journal is "news" or a "volunteer" organisation, then he is not worth it. Alas, Cringley is not informed and inconsequential anyway. That is why I decided to go with Mike Gapes, the Member of Parliament for the UK Labour Party.

Ridiculously, Mr. Gapes addressed Parliament on 24 November using a letter written by Turks and Caicos political activist Shaun Malcolm. The letter was addressed to Members of Parliament, both political parties and the Queen. Mr. Gapes spoke about Turks and Caicos for his entire alloted time, discussing Shaun Malcolm's "very important letter". He used only 30 seconds to address Afghanistan. Rightly, he was heckled and jeered by the crowd who found this to be an outrage.

Of course, we realise that UK has its own set of political controversies and accusations. The Labour Party is using the situation in Turks and Caicos and other things against the Conservative Party, etc. and vice versa. That is the same for most every democratic country. That is just how it goes, for better or worse. In America the population seems to be split down the middle 50/50. You read about all sorts of accusations against Barack Obama and against GeorgeGeorge W. BushBush. There is infighting between the political parties everywhere in the world.

TURKS AND CAICOS IS NO DIFFERENT. It's called democracy. Sure, we have political quarrels and outrages accusations, just like any other country, but it is for Turks and Caicos to sort out. The UK had no right to overthrow Turks and Caicos' government last August. The political accusations were a matter for the people to work out. Needless to say, if UK wished to assist in sorting out political accusations or purported wrong-doing, Turk and Caicos would have been more than ready, as a governor from the UK had always been installed yet did not identify problems or offer assistance.

What Mr. Gapes fails to understand is that Shaun Malcolm was the leader of the opposition party and accordingly extremely critical and outspoken about the former government. Mr. Malcolm has jumped around to various political parties for which he was ousted from each, stomping away like a baby [which doesn't bother us, we ignore him].

Mr. Malcolm has been called by main stream media [nationally and abroad]: "political opportunist", "muckraker", "anarchist", "gutter rhetoric", and the list goes on. It is as if Rush Limbaugh suddenly got some world leader's attention and together they conspired to take over America for her own good. This is just as ridiculous.

The UK thinks that it is capable of running a country for which it has no idea of the culture. The idea that UK gives credibility to Shaun Malcolm shows their lack of awareness. For Mr. Gapes to use Shaun Malcolm's words as gospel truth to make such an important speech to the parliament is absolutely proof positive that the UK has no understanding of what is fact and needed in the islands.

In fact, the UK's entire agenda is driven by accusations of Shaun Malcolm. Mr. Malcolm claims that he had to use character names and pseudonym's to attack people on his website called TCI Journal. After all, he was receiving death threats and he was scared. The fact is that nobody really cares what he says. People, read the site. This man does not appear to be scared in any way, he reveals his name but not his "anonymous" contributors, who we all know are Shaun Malcolm using fictional names [all but one, Richard Berke]. We're not stupid.

TCI Journal makes outrageous claims for which the UK champions without investigating the man making the claims. How tidy for the UK.

And why wouldn't Mr. Malcolm feel protected, he has the ear of the installed special prosecutors from the UK. If anyone makes Mr. Malcolm angry, he marches right in to the special prosecutor, Helen Garlick. Mr. Malcolm used his relationship with the special prosecutor to threaten me. He told me in his Google Group's site that Ms. Garlick is coming for me now too because I angered him. Really? What did I do wrong? I am just speaking my mind. Last I checked on TCI Journal, Mr. Malcolm speaks his mind and much more besides. Maybe I should make a complaint to Ms. Garlick too. Gees if I am in trouble with Ms. Garlick for speaking my mind, imagine what Mr. Malcolm would be in for -- probably a life sentence.

I afford Mr. Malcolm to say whatever he wishes on TCI Journal. I simply ask him not to speak on the "people's" behalf, including his letters to the parliament and the Queen. Alas, Mr. Malcolm has staunchly indicated to me that he has a right to speak on behalf of the people, because the people are behind him. This is simply untrue. I do not know a single person behind him, though I would like to meet those who wish Mr. Malcolm to speak for them [and I mean a real person not the Rico Suave character or the other characters]. Mr. Malcolm can continue to speak, I do not care about that, just do not act on behalf of the people and bully the people with your UK relationships.

Mr. Malcolm should not be allowed the power and right to mold and shape Turks and Caicos society and politics on his whims and agenda with the UK. The UK should have never allowed this to happen. UK's championing of Shaun Malcolm was the wrong thing to do. There is sheer outrage in Turks and Caicos over this relationship.

I am not sure if Mr. Gapes was duped by Mr. Malcolm or if he is using Mr. Malcolm for political advantage, either way his actions stink. I hope to clear the air with this big wet raspberry for Mr. Mike Gapes.