Fallout From Needsmust Today’s issue of The Observer includes a story by reporter Lesroy Williams that gives an up-to-date account of the controversy surrounding the generators that were damaged during the Needsmust Power Plant fire on Oct. 2. The dispute centers around whether or not the generators were prototypes. The Labour Government says the generators were not prototypes and offers proof of their claims. The opposition People’s Action Movement claims the generators were prototypes and offers proof of their claims. The ultimate question is: Who is telling the truth? However this question is answered, it’s evident that whoever is not telling the truth is going to lose public creditability in big way. The Needsmust fire, like rising food prices or access to health care, has an immediate and deeply-felt impact on the public. These are bread-and-butter issues, the kind of things that individuals, institutions and businesses feel every day. It is different from discussions about plans for regional economic unions or grand economic development. These issues affect people’s lives right now. We suspect that a lot more heated words will be exchanged and a lot more evidence will be placed in front of the court of public opinion before this issue is settled, though it is unlikely it will ever be settled to everyone’s satisfaction. What we can say with some confidence is that whoever’s version is closest to the real facts will see great gains in public support and, if that party is well-organized, will be able to ride this issue to tremendously increased strength on election day. It will be just the opposite for the party whose version is judged to be false. Stay with The Observer as we continue to cover this politically explosive story. Calls For Obama Throughout the Federation, interest remains very high in the upcoming U.S. presidential election which pits Democratic Sen. Barack Obama against Republican Sen. John McCain. Coming at a time when the world is going through great changes and America appears wobbly, this contest will speak volumes about whether the American people want to embrace the real hope held out by Sen. Obama or the uncertain status quo embodied by Sen. McCain. The election has also attracted great attention because Sen. Obama is of African-American descent. He is the first African-American to win the presidential nomination of a major U.S. political party. The Observer acknowledges Sen. McCain’s long and honorable record of service to his country. He fought in war and served in peace. Yet ” it is a time for hope. It is a time for change. The Observer wholeheartedly endorses Sen. Barack Obama for President of the United States. We urge everyone in the Federation to reach out to all friends or relatives in the U.S. who are registered voters and tell them to vote for Sen. Obama. Maybe they have already or maybe they are planning to do so, but an extra nudge might make all the difference. Your call or your e-mail for Sen. Obama might make the difference.
