Presidential Inauguration – Unveiling the Crisis of Politics in This Land

6th President - Her Excellency Paula Mae Weekes

​Presidential Inauguration –
Unveiling the Crisis of Politics in This Land

​Yesterday, TSTT’s denial of my tv service for the 11th day afforded me the opportunity to witness the inauguration of our 6th President and Head of State in the company of my neighbours.
The inauguration of the 5th I had witnessed in the comfort of my own home and as I sat in the good company of fellow community members this time, listening to the speech of the new incumbent, it struck me of the similarity of their speeches.
Despite the difference in gender, the content of the inaugural addresses in 2013 and 2018 (March 18 and 19 respectively) was uncannily so much the same.
The reception of the “new” President and their beautiful words was also, bar intensity, very much the same.
In 2013, the applause appeared louder to my recollection. But, the enthusiasm, the ‘audacity of hope’ as Obama put it, was no less.
“This speech sounds like “Powers you think I Have” part 2”, I remarked to my hosts at one point. “You find so?” was the response.
The sameness – of the speeches and the immediate response – suggested to me that our people by now very cynical in their view of the possibilities of our political representatives and other officeholders have reposed anticipation of one last possibility in the Office of the President.  
It did not matter in 2013 that it was a male and in 2018 a female. Here was “the President” and despite the deficiencies in the job specification of the highest office, despite that it is well known that the position is ‘highly ceremonial’, still the crisis of our Governance, the loss of legitimacy of our political arrangements have left many with desire that ‘maybe this one, yes this one will make the difference”.

The Inaugural Speeches
Let us examine some of what was said in  2013 and in 2018, scan some of the points made.
March 18, 2013:
 “My fellow citizens: It would be otiose, on the occasion, to attempt to engage you in a discussion on Constitutional Law. I do want to emphasise, however, that I am not an Executive President. Under the Westminster form of governance, there are parameters within which I must operate. Powers you think I have... I do not. Powers you think I do not have... I do.”
“I may not have a magic wand, but the Office of the Presidency is not impotent.”
March 19, 2018:
“Well before the date of assumption of any new position the candidate had better be clear about the job description, …. with that in mind I first looked at the Constitution and while it outlined certain duties and functions of president, the office holder’s role was not defined.
“This unscientific research led me to the conclusion that it falls to each President to define within prescribed limits his or in this case her own role.”
March 18, 2013:
“The mandate of my Presidency will be to infuse new life into the watchwords Discipline/Production/Tolerance.”
March 19, 2018:
“After much deliberation I identified my role as “humble first servant” with the mandate to render service with enthusiasm.”
March 18, 2013:
“I have listened quickly, but with some trepidation, to the well-intentioned national discussion on the role and responsibilities by the President of the Republic……..
“I am humbled by the abundance of goodwill that I have received; but I am ever mindful that goodwill can be nebulous and can dissipate if expectations are not realised or not realised expeditiously.”
March 19, 2018:
“Friends, Trinbagonians, Countrymen, I have listened carefully to all that you have said following my election
“Your high expectations indicate to me that there is a mustard seed of faith that things can get better in our twin-island republic”
March 18, 2013:
“The second watchword "Production" is a call for us to re-examine our work ethic; to demand a fair day's pay but, at the same time, to commit to giving a fair day's work; to search out law opportunities to be less dependent on the State; to distinguish between service and servitude; and to ensure that in any and all areas of endeavours, the goods and services that we offer are second to none.”
March 19, 2018:
“….you can be a light in your workplace, get to work on time, actually do work while you are there and go the extra mile if need be.”
March 18, 2013:
“I believe that we need to re-discover our destiny of creating hope for a world in turmoil.”
March 19, 2018:
“None of us is blind or foolish enough to deny that Trinidad and Tobago is going through dark times,
“….it is my mission, mission entirely possible, to infect each and every one of you with a bright and positive spirit as we strive to turn our beloved nation into what it ought to have been and still can be.
So let us today choose Option 2 confront the darkness and declare that it will not take over.”
March 18, 2013:
“I say this because I know that, with the appropriate support, these young persons are fully capable of acting in a responsible manner, fully capable of being accountable. Let me give you three examples.
March 19, 2018:
“Let us not miss the relevance and timeliness of one of our nationals, Len Peters, being awarded in February this year the first Commonwealth Points of Light Award ….. Recognise too, Gabrielle Branche who won an award from the United World Colleges for an innovative project targeting secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Even in the midst of the relentless assault on our sensibilities as individuals and as a nation, every day we can find shining examples of all that is good about us. Search them out, encourage and support them in order to spread the glow.”
March 18, 2013:
“We are good at sound bites and labeling. We can be excellent wordsmiths. But if we are to establish a better, more progressive, more humane society, real change must be invoked.
“And this is particularly true when the change envisioned threatens our sense of who we are as individuals or as members of a distinct group; when that change exposes strongly-held biases and prejudices as myths --- myths that constrain our capacity for empathy, promoting instead narrow group loyalties, that serve only to deny us the magic of community, to steal from us the courage and the wisdom that are the principal building blocks of this small and complex nation we call Trinidad and Tobago.”
March 19, 2018:
“Next, I ask those of you with a platform from which to disseminate your views to find new and creative ways to inspire your audience while reporting responsibly and commenting civilly on the facts and in particular on social media which is here to stay and has great value in giving a voice to those who might otherwise be voiceless…..”
“Is it at all possible to dial down the rhetoric while still adding your 2 cents’ worth to the discussion on any issue?”
March 18, 2013:
“I consider myself fortunate to have been raised by no less than five villages! Let me hasten to add, this was not because I was a difficult child. But the circumstances that occasioned these frequent changes of residence did broaden my sense of community and expand the body of exemplars whose influence has been so critical in determining the direction of life.”
March 19, 2018:
“I do not now nor have I ever lived in an ivory tower nor worn blinkers. I may have had some advantages that others have not……
“In closing, I thank God for his mercies … for me the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places, I have a goodly heritage.”
The similarities may seem uncanny.
There is no allusion to plaigarisation or any ill intent.
The speakers have acknowledged their common concern to respond to the great expectations placed on them by a population thirsting for a different leadership, even from those whom they do not elect themselves.
Those who the electors have indeed elected are proving to be ‘representing’ something or someone else, but not the those who have elected them.
Representative democracy has failed to deliver Representation of the Interest of the Majority. So, even in an office in which the majority have no voting rights, the unrepresented place their hope for some relief for a ‘higher order’ of service to themselves – those who make up the nation.
And those thrust into that position, though not having powers that the majority think or more correctly HOPE that someone other than those who have failed them may have, have the burden of expectation placed on them.
Their recognition of that reality is reflected in the similarity of the content of their words on entering into that office.

Another Episode of Hope for a Different Outcome
Taking note of the resuscitated hope placed in another holder of the position, this time with the added sense of achievement on the part of half the population that the elevation of a woman elicits, I conducted my own “unscientific research” to borrow Her Excellency’s words.
I posted on social media with a phot of our 6th President a brief message as follows:
“Welcome Madame President. 
The real hope is that beyond the 'feel good' moment of the installation of the first woman to this office, there will emanate from the office some things that contribute to:

• the improvement in our country's Governance,
• the satisfaction of the needs of our citizens,
• guaranteeing the safety and security of All by guarantee of the Rights of All and
• the humanizing of our natural and social environments. 

In a position that the 6th President describes as being without definition of "its job specification"; Everything or Nothing is possible. 
Let's see how the role gets defined.”
I hoped and received many responses by way of comment and likes.
The Likes I understand as that “feel good” light evoked by the sense of achievement of another woman.
The Comments reflect the Hope placed in the holder of the Office and more. See some of them:

• Power to all the women in Trinidad and Tobago who is stepping up in the game first president female president female prime minister poem these two women
• Women do bring a naturally less incorruptible and motherly approach to situations. It is my hope that it works out well and the citizens expectations are generally met.
• Congrats to our new lady President that was an awesome first speech. You are definitely an inspiration to us all. We need someone who will inspire hope in our people. May the good Lord continue to inspire and keep you in His loving embrace we will be praying for you to be able to keep the positive vibes going.
• May the all mighty GOD Guide you my LADY
• May all your decisions redound to benefits of our people
• Congratulations Madame President. Stand for TRUTH always.
• An impressive first speech. Let's look for consistency. We need it. Congratulations to you, Madame President. Our Nation lives in hope.
• Congratulations on her appointment i wish her well her speech was excellent. 
  I do hope that she gets her Independence to function as President having regards to the attitude of the behaviour of this present how they are governing this country and the state we are in at the moment. Our President means well for Trinidad and Tobago. 
  I also like many other wish Former President Anthony Carmona and his family well it was not an easy 5 years for him.
• It is great to see another person break the glass ceiling.
• I hope she can lift the spirit of the nation throughout her term(s).
• Congratulations and welcome Madame president. May the Almighty give you the wisdom, determination and strength necessary to fulfil your mission.
• WE must be the wind beneath her wings.
• Congratulations Madame President. Hoping you can orchestrate change.
• Not sure how much change she can orchestrate tbh.
• Hope She performs better than Carmona for the sake of T&T. I presume She will be stuck with the mess with the CJ. and Carmona.
• Waste of time .....main purpose of the President beside walking around looking nice? Madame President you're an inert

These responses reflect a more cautious optimism than in 2013, the lower decibel level of the adulation for the speech reflecting the reality of experience teaching the hard truth: Powers you Think I have, I Do Not.
The Office, its functions and duties defined in the Constitution of the Republic have not changed. Both in 2013 and 2018 the incumbents have warned that they ‘define the role’ but, “there are parameters within which I must operate..” and “within prescribed limits” as both the 5th and 6th have admitted.
The officeholder changes; the office does not.
The words, appeasing expectation, suggest, I will do it “my way”.
What is always to be seen after is: Will Words be turned into Deeds?
Should that not happen there is a new disappointment and the cynicism deepens and the desire for Real Representation and for a political order that finally recognizes the needs of the Majority grows.
The way to create that NEW Desired and Desirable Reality requires the leadership of those, not with office, but with the interest and aspirations of the Majority internalized, to step forward and provide the Leadership and Direction that the Necessity For Change requires.
 
 
Clyde Weatherhead
A Citizen Still Fighting for
Democratic Renewal of our Society
Tuesday, March 20, 2018

READ The 2013 Speech

READ the 2018 Speech