Wisdom from Grenada

So today, I was about to do one of my "tiny nations news" things, and my first stop had something so interesting I just had to stop.  Above you see the Caribbean nation of Grenada, famous for having US troops invade during the Reagan administration.  But the whys and wherefores might be a little hazy.  Since the whole history is NOT my point, let me give you the thumbnail.


Back in 1950-1, the inhabitants of this British colony staged a general strike over the general bad way the population was being treated by the less-than-enlightened Brits of the day.  One thing led to another, and soon the leader of the strike, a socialist named Eric Gairy became leader of the main native party, and Prime Minister when the island got it's independence in 1974.  In this long time, he had done many things to help the island, but some believed he wasn't radical enough.  In '76, Maurice Bishop, head of a straight-up Marxist party, overthrew him.  Again, Bishop made a positive impact and was quite popular- for the dictator of a one-party state.  But he saw a good idea into "slowly" achieving Marxist goals, building things up with the money he got from tourism.

To that end- allegedly- he started construction (with help from Cuban "construction workers") of a big new airstrip- one the Gipper saw as an invitation to all the latest Soviet warplanes.  In the meantime, he was also getting pushed by the more radical members of his own party- and his deputy overthrew him in 1983.  Still popular, the people sprang him and he took power yet again, only to be captured by the army- along with his pregnant girlfriend- and executed.  A military government took charge, and held the British governor (as they were still part of the Commonwealth) under house arrest.  He snuck word out, and appealed to the US for help, as did Barbados and Dominica.  We took down the military, gave control back to the governor, who quickly set up a new elected government.  Of course we got all kind of blame for doing it, despite the requests for action.  Canada turned their nose up at us (they were in on the airport deal, imagine that), and Maggie Thatcher got her panties in a bind (prolly more because we cleaned up THEIR mess than anything else).  The UN voted 108-9 to condemn us (the nine being Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, El Salvador, Israel, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United States), to which Reagan quipped about the vote,  "it didn't upset my breakfast at all."


Okay, so what I found out is they are celebrating- sort of- the 40th anniversary of the revolution that got rid of Gairy.  And I found an extremely interesting article on the revolution and its results.  That the article begins by quoting Dickens kind of tells you that there were highlights and low lights:

When analysed in its totality, the story of the Grenada Revolution fits neatly into Charles Dickens’ notion of ‘the best of times and the worst of times’.


This very well-thought author, one Wendy C Grenade, then asks the question, " what lessons can be learnt from the making and implosion of the Grenada Revolution?"  And she lists 14 things, some I might not quite agree with, but most needing to be applied to our nation(s) right now.


1-Education (formal & popular) must be linked to consciousness-building


Yeah, well, the liberals have been doing that here for a while.  If the building is based on truth and honesty, then it will be a good thing.  If not, we get Barack Obama and Ilhan Omar.

2- Women and youth empowerment are drivers for societal transformation

Again, can't say I go along with this one.  You have to transform a society with ALL its members to make it a fair one.


3-A combination of agri-business, fisheries development and ‘new’ tourism can promote food security and sustainability

This one more or less just applies there, but the principle is sound- the economy grows better when you play to your strengths.

4- Infrastructural development creates a positive multiplier effect for the economy & society

We learned this in the 1930s-50s, but somehow thought we were done at some point.


5- All things being equal, a mixed economy approach, which involves strategic state planning, cooperatives and the private sector, can promote sustainable growth

Amazing that someone whose background is in a socialist economy can learn that lesson.  Why do we have so many in Congress that are incapable of figuring that out?


6-The development model must privilege human well-being [and the environment] over markets and profits

Now there's one that AOC would have to agree with- except that it links to #5 and must be BALANCED.  How did we all get so all-or-nothing?


7-Popular democracy must allow for dissent, be genuinely inclusive and participatory

Which means Christians get included, not crucified, and idiocy like attacking those you disagree with in public places isn't resistance, it's foolishness.


8-State-society relations must be guided by constitutionality

That thump was Nancy Pelosi hitting the floor...


9-Military force must never be a substitute for dialogue


I hope EVERYBODY was listening there...


10- Dogma and ideology should never replace people’s humanity

I hear more thumps... from every direction.


11- Checks and balances are crucial ingredients for the viability of the state. There should be clear boundaries between the party, government and state. Political parties should never usurp the power of the state or infringe on citizen sovereignty


I have a possible seismic event, centered on the J Edgar Hoover Building in DC...


12-Political maturity is a prerequisite for political success


Might I point out that Pelosi is suggesting extending the franchise to 16-YEAR-OLDS...


13- Tolerance of the other is an imperative for national cohesiveness

I asked a former friend the other day on his blog, "Tell me this: has holding fast to your rhetoric done you more harm than good?  I know it has me..."

He deleted the comment.


14- With time, forgiveness breeds healing and freedom.


But we have to START with the forgiveness.  Like I said, hasn't it cost more to hate?


If you want to read the original article, go here.