And while discussing Chetumal Street - it's impossible not to re-visit the PM's media putdown from yesterday. He basically said we'd been played and depicted a story of the squatters we either knew to be untrue or one we just played along with for the ratings.
Here at 7news - we've never bothered to follow up on what politicians have to say about our stories - so we'll let it pass as just one more knee-jerk, defensive swipe - the kind that's to be expected when political sabers start rattling. But what many in the media didn't expect yesterday was the absolute bum-rush staged by works Minister Boots Martinez. He filled the River Hall - which is among the largest conference rooms in the country - with workers from the Southside Poverty Alleviation Project - as a show of mass party muscle.
Now we've been seeing this one for over a decade - in fact, it's fair to say that whenever a political party is on the defensive - street captains, or in this case, ground commanders, reflexively populate press conferences with rabid, vocal supporters - both as a way of giving the appearance of mass support - and, subtly, to intimidate the media - particularly those of an opposition persuasion.
Now, in 2011, this kind of gamesmanship is more than played out, it's just tired. But it was in effect yesterday as Marion Ali from LOVE TV took the PM to task for saying that the media had been easily duped on the Chetumal street story. See if you can hear what Marion had to say though the chatter and jeering:…
Marion Ali, Reporter Love FM
"All I am saying that I do believe there are more families than three out there....."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"But didn't you have somebody on story whose address is 97 Antelope Street Extension - Felipe Martinez?"
Marion Ali, Reporter Love FM
"But then again there were children out there."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"But Marion, if the majority of children that were out there were taken there - were not there inhabiting, occupying any of the structures - were taken there by these people in an event to play you and to play the government and to play public opinion. You don't expect me to point that out? But anyway, Marion I have offered my opinion. I do so respectfully but "man" you got the news every evening to say what you want you know. I have these rear opportunities."
The Prime Minister referred to the supporters as well-wishers ….
