That verdict now places him legally speaking, in a ‘reverse mode' with the burden of proof now being placed firmly on his shoulders.
Since he has been found guilty and convicted, it is now up to him, in appeal to prove himself innocent of the charges.
A ‘tall order' to put it mildly.
Personally, I am not so sure at all, that the verdict he expects, will necessarily be in his favor.
Or to put it bluntly, like many, I too would not be surprised if he get ‘nailed' even more in appeal.
Nevertheless, here is ‘some food for thought' for the convicted former Commissioner, who a few years back himself blasted William MARLIN, for joining a Central Government coalition with Anthony GODETT, whom he (LAVEIST) then publicly labeled as an ‘ex-convict' or something to that extent.
He spoke of a ‘dark day' in the history of the Antilles, Lord wattating.....
Talking about how one's own words and actions can come back to haunt-, if not to ‘bite' one-self'.
Now, here is some ‘mental food' for thought, perhaps he should consider in weighing the options of whether ‘to appeal, or not to appeal'.
Imagine, that Mr. LAVEIST would be capable to recognize the deeper ‘message' conveyed in his sentence .
Imagine, that the ‘Man of Action' for a fraction of time, would be able to humble and subject his ‘bulging' ego to a cause ‘greater than self' ?
Imagine, that he would be able to smile, ‘soak' his blows and to show minimal repentance and contrition, even if he could make himself believe that he was ‘innocent' as a ‘lamb' and everyone-else was ‘guilty' and solely out ‘ to get him' as part of the big ‘conspiracy'.
Imagine, that he would be able to utter the following words; ‘I will not appeal my case in court, but I will transform this whole ordeal into a learning experience for myself and young people...
Imagine, the good former actor turned Commissioner, would by some miracle be able to say, ‘Let me pay for my mistakes by encouraging young people NOT to make the same mistakes or poor judgments.....
Imagine, that an ‘Angel' appeared to him and he received a ‘vision' to create a new ‘political culture' that would encourage young people to get involved in public service and to teach them to recognize the pitfalls, the temptations of holding public office....
Imagine, that he would use the same ‘connections' that helped ‘fatten his own pockets' to now gear those ‘contributions' towards educating a new generation of new political leaders.
Wouldn't that in the ‘larger scheme of things' transform him into a ‘larger than life figure', instead of remaining a stubborn, selfish, corrupt, politician, ready to ‘bust whatever pot', ONLY because HE now feels the wrath of Justice like many, non-public figures before him, with no legal counsel ?
Is it even remotely conceivable that the good gentleman can accept full responsibility for his actions and by so doing bring the so needed change and become a true ‘St. Martin Patriot' ?
Wouldn't that take away lots of his very visible ‘pent up', ‘over-boiling' anger ?
Wouldn't that be a true ‘act of love' for country St. Maarten' ?
Can you imagine, him making this transformation ?
Am I dreaming ?
Why not ?
Who knows ?
Time will tell, if he or other politicians are ready for real change and ready to serve the people of this island with humility and a sense of commitment and accountability.
Just ‘food for thought'.
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Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
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