“… the raw exercise of power by the
strong over the weak.”

Sir Ronald Sanders has hit the nail, as he always seems to, right on the head in his latest commentary we have published today (courtesy of Caribbean News Now) titled “EU blacklist - Cooperation or coercion?”.

The above quote is contained in his
Commentary.

Sir Ron goes to say:

“In this case, the firm intention of
the EU is to impose its tax policies upon other nations through
strong-arming.

“The language that the EU uses speaks
of cooperation, but it sounds more like coercion. The targeted
countries must either surrender to the EU’s demands to raise their
taxes or face consequences. The EU Council has specifically directed
that the EU member states “take the revised EU list of
non-cooperative jurisdictions into account” in aid, trade, and
financing.

“In other words, those territories
that do not surrender to EU tax demands will be punished.”

He even adds … “the world’s
richest countries – blacklisted jurisdictions because they had low
tax regimes.”

And... “As with all such power plays
in international politics, the EU has targeted the weakest and most
vulnerable first. If they succeed in bending a large number of small
countries to their will, in the fulness of time they can confront
more economically resistant countries.”

Notice the tiny word “IF”.

How many times in my life have I cried
out that word 'If”?

How many times have you cried it out?

Looking for inspiration today to write
an Editorial that would inspire and not criticise I was handed a
scroll by Joan who told me to use what was on it.

The scroll had been given to us by the
members of the committee who planned the recent celebration and
tribute to Martin Bould for his “50 years in the Caribbean” at
his lovely home “Calladoo” in West Bay.

I have to admit I was careless and
dropped my scroll in the back of the car without bothering to untie
the ribbon that was around it.

To my surprise, just a few minutes ago,
the word “IF” jumped out at me again.

You see, the scroll carried Rudyard
Kipling's great inspirational poem “IF”.

IF I wanted something to inspire my
readers today this poem cannot be bettered.

'If' by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all
about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on
you,

If you can trust yourself when all men
doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting
too;

If you can wait and not be tired by
waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in
lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to
hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

*

If you can dream - and not make dreams
your master,

If you can think - and not make
thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and
Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the
same;

If you can bear to hear the truth
you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for
fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life
to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with
worn-out tools:

*

If you can make one heap of all your
winnings

And risk it all on one turn of
pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your
beginnings

And never breathe a word about your
loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve
and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are
gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in
you

Except the Will which says to them:
"Hold on!"

*

If you can talk with crowds and keep
your virtue,

Or walk with kings - nor lose the
common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can
hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too
much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance
run,

Yours is the Earth and everything
that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man,
my son!

*

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

***

What if we substitute "if" for the word “when” ?

“… the raw exercise of power by the
weak when they become stronger over the strong”.

And the weak by far outnumber the
strong.

If we could only get our act together …
sorry.. WHEN!!