Editorial for 20 February: A juvenile’s argument

The Caymanian Compass editorial page has not always agreed
with the statements of Opposition Leader Alden McLaughlin and North Side MLA
Ezzard Miller on various issues.

However, we believe both men are intelligent individuals who
care deeply about the country they serve and try their utmost to represent the
districts that elected them to office.

We were somewhat disappointed then to hear the tone both men
adopted in their public comments Thursday evening regarding projects proposed
by government and the Dart group of companies. Mr. McLaughlin called plans to
move the George Town landfill and a section of the West Bay Road “idiotic”. Mr.
Miller, while making reference to a North Side park the Dart group sponsored,
made the comment that “I’m going to burn it down in North Side”. 

Both of these fellows honestly feel, we believe, that these
projects are not in the best interests of the country.

They can, and have, presented logical arguments in the past
as to why they hold these views. 

What was said on Thursday night was not about logic. It was
a visceral attempt to appeal to certain voters who feel that wealthy investors
like Kenneth Dart should be “thrown out of the country”.

We would venture to guess that neither Mr. Miller nor Mr.
McLaughlin would take such a view if either was chosen to be Cayman’s new
Premier following the May 2013 general elections.

With the election some 15 months away, however, they are
free to say whatever they like – no matter how unhelpful to the country as a
whole.

The problem is that the many who listen to and respect these
men – deservedly so in most cases – may take such statements to heart and be
urged to take untoward actions. 

In short, the arguments put forth on Thursday by the two
MLAs against these projects are those that would typically be made by children
on a playground, not men.

We hope in the future that these gentlemen will think more
about what they say, as well as how they say it and where they say it.