I learnt the term ’spin’ from watching US politics - it means to spin an issue around, shifting the attention away from the real problem thus creating a new meaning and scenario.
Politicians are masters at spin. For example, at the public meeting where citizens walk out in disgust, an experienced politician will announce ’this is wonderful; this proves we have democracy in this country’ (completely ignoring that the people are fed-up of his bad track record and inefficiency). In T&T, PM Manning has proved many times to be an expert at spin - no matter what is the issue, Mr Manning can smile and turn the whole thing around, making him look either like the victim or hero.
Recently Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert showcased some skills in this area also. I was so amazed to hear the Minister suggest that the driver of the truck that crashed on the Bailey bridge was either speeding or had fallen asleep. Nothing has been concluded, but Mr Imbert spun the whole event around, shifting the focus on the Government seeking $500,000 from the owner of the truck to fix the bridge.
What a pity Mr Imbert did not acknowledge all the other accidents this bridge has caused for the year and see the more humane and responsible action to take was to remove this temporary structure and erect an appropriate bridge.
Human life must be worth more than the arrogance of a politician or the cost of a bridge. Mr Imbert would have looked so much better if he showed sympathy for the deaths that occurred and would have been admired if he went into swift action to replace the bridge with a new, strong and proper sructure to service that area of the highway.
