Jack And Jills

Jack and Jill

The resignation of Jack Warner from FIFA came as a surprise to many of us. My assumption was that Jack and Blatter would do a deal and that the embarrassing bones of both men would remain buried. Now Jack is left all alone trying to hold back the unrushing tsunami of which he warned.

My column today is however only indirectly about FIFA. Its main concern has to do with the implications of what has occurred so far for the country as a whole, and for the People's Partnership Government, the UNC, the COP, and the Prime Minister who must be the most "injury prone" female Prime Minister in the democratic world.

My own view is that Persad-Bissessar needs to red card Jack. I recall advising her a year ago that it was inadvisable to have Jack serve in the Cabinet while remaining in FIFA. He should be made to choose. Regretfully, my advice was not taken; the anticipated "cock up" has now occurred.

Persad-Bissessar and Jack probably assume that they can stonewall and stand pat on the matter, and that the "crisis" would be superseded by another in less than the proverbial nine days that news cycles last in Trinidad and Tobago. They assume the Government can "move on" since nominally, Jack has not yet been found guilty of the alleged charges. The agreement negotiated between Warner and FIFA was however a deceptive trick that fooled none but the most naive. Jack resigned in order to avoid having to face the ethics Committee the damning 17-page report from which he was shown.

The deal was however not sustainable, and pressure continues to mount for Jack's Jack to be hung.The question is whether Persad-Bissessar can carry Jack on her political back without stumbling under the weight of Jack's burden. He might argue that he is "nimble and quick" and "ain't heavy". My wager, however, is that Jill will fall down and break her crown, and that Jack will come tumbling after.

In retrospect, it is clear that Jack has been sedulously preparing himself for such a crunchtime which, as a seasoned FIFA apparatchik, he must have anticipated. He must have known that he would one day have to defend himself from the conspiratorial cliques in the Cabinet who hug him by day, and unsheath their knives at night. His strategy for advancement and survival involves working hard to build a personal base upon which to ground his political edifice.

Mr Warner's strategy also involves reassuring the Prime Minister (whom he had already diagnosed as being 'weak') that he is loyal and dependable, and that she needs his political muscle and skills as well as the grease needed to keep the wheels of government turning. Every prime minister needs a fixer or someone who makes the hard calls that leave political blood on the head or hand.

Make Your Own Tie Dye Classes - Jack and Jills Textile Artists

We are now offering Make Your Own Tie Dye Class, where you can learn how make professional looking tie dye right here at our store.  We will provide every thing you need to make a shirt or pillowcase or you can bring USED items to dye and we will give you a 25% discount for any class. Hours are M – F from 10am – 8pm (RESERVATIONS ONLY) and on Saturdays from noon to 8pm.  You can call 231-487-1008 to make reservations 24 hours in advance or just drop by on a Saturday. We will also be holding walk-in classes for the fourth of July weekend Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from noon to 8 all three days.   Used items must be made from a minimum of 60% natural materials (100% for best results) such as cotton, rayon, silk, bamboo, hemp, linen and more. So sign-up or stop by and let us make your day bright and colourful.

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