The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer :: The Federation's Poltically Independent News Source

You might not like how he looks or dresses, you might have problems with where he lives and what he drives. You might not like how he walks or talks. You might grudge him or you might even dislike him. The truth is that no two of us are alike and God dishes out talents to each of us according to his will.

He has certainly blessed Mark Brantley with a sharp and intellectual brain, a sound mind, a quick tongue and an astonishing memory.

The honorable Mark A.G Brantley was on the witness stand at the court house on Tuesday, January 17 and it was a moment to behold.

If there was a moment that one would freeze and hold on to for life, that moment could very well be it.

Those who were not present on the day missed a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the great orator at his majestic best as lawyer Anthony Astaphan SC questioned Mr. Brantley in the petition case in which he was the first and foremost witness. Mr. Brantley is the one who really pushed the petition case to the fore. Coincidence! Thought it may be, coming on the day after Martin Luther King's birthday and just five days after the birthday of Mark Brantley himself, one could not help reminisce the significant importance of the struggles and life of the great Martin Luther King and today of our own Mark Brantley.

Not many men are blessed with the level of wisdom and intelligence of great individuals and certainly not many in this federation are gifted with the fleetness of mind, sharp tongue and the eloquence of Mark Brantley.

Mr. Brantley comes from the most humble of backgrounds and was born and raised in poverty. In an era when Nevisians were living in sub-standard conditions, Mark Brantley certainly knows what it is to be poor and attain the highest heights through honesty and hard work, distinctions that seem fading from our modern day society.

Obtaining scholarships to attend universities and making good use of those opportunities, Mr. Brantley has never disappointed those who put their trust and belief in him. He has rather left an indelible and positive impression on all who invested and believed in him.

I will not go into Mr. Brantley's successes or accolades but will rather stick with our present Nevis in turmoil with Mark Brantley putting his neck on the block to restore democracy and decency to our island.

In these rough economic times with taxes increasing out of control and the cost of living the highest it has ever been on this island. Mark Brantley has been our shining light in this crisis and his performance on the witness stand on Tuesday confirmed complete professionalism.

With the high unemployment and a stagnant to decreasing job market, it takes a special person to take on the wickedness in high places in the manner in which Mr. Brantley has done in an attempt to restore decency to our island.

It was a breath of fresh air as one witnessed the confidence in Mr. Brantley as lawyer Anthony Astaphan SC tried to entangle. It was like one trying to tie treads around an elephant and the elephant keep on its journey.

Mr. Astaphan's questions were pointed and sharp as one would expect of a high ranking and seasoned lawyer who have represented many during his years in the judicial system.

Although he might admit he was not trying to entangle Mr. Brantley, the impression etched on my mind from witnessing the exchange, is that he definitely was trying his utmost but Mr. Brantley appeared to have gotten a copy of the questions and had weeks preparing the answers.

The case is ongoing and the champions are heading the pack.

Again we must express our gratitude to Mr. Brantley and all who are fighting for our freedom, fighting for decency, fighting for democracy and ultimately fighting for a better Nevis.