The Tribune

By Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya

WHAT a topsy-turvy week it has been, with mud-slinging of all varieties from both sides of the political divide.

One clump of mud in particular, slung by a “Hall of Fame Mudslinger“ PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts, caught my eye.

In responding to comments made by Michael Pintard, Mr Roberts dismissed the FNM Chairman as a “comedian,” inferring (in a cavalier manner) that because of his comedic acting prowess and critical acclaim for his performances in stage plays throughout the country, Mr Pintard was unqualified to comment on “big people” matters, and even if he did so what he had to say, amounted to no more than “jokes” – nothing of serious substance.

Ah, once again Mr Roberts’ age is showing, making it painfully obvious that “the game” has passed him by.

Of jokes

and jesters

In his heyday, Mr Bradley Roberts, was (in my opinion) one of the best – if not the best – party chairman (regardless of party affiliation) in the history of this country.

However, like all of the greats in life, whether in politics, business, sports, etc., he has stayed around too long, tarnishing his legacy with a “Jurassic” approach.

It’s 2015 – time for Mr Roberts to step up his game and reinvent himself, if he can. If he can’t, then it would be best for him to do us all a favour and retire his “old self” before his “new self” completely destroys even the shadow of the memory of the good he may have once done.

In all fairness, Mr Roberts’ attempt at humour in regards to Mr Pintard was actually an unexpected change from his usual revisionist, “Atilla the Hun,” finger-pointing routine. (And we all know he is infamous for his finger-pointing).

Here’s where I need to educate Mr Roberts on that word “comedian” on behalf of myself and my industry brothers and sisters worldwide.

Co·me·di·an - n. an entertainer whose act is designed to make an audience laugh.

I think it’s safe to say that for the past 18 years I’ve embodied the above definition. I’ve represented my country locally and abroad, entertaining diverse audiences on a regular basis. Most importantly, I have established my brand in the industry internationally and have been fortunate to be able to provide for my family the entire time.

In his own right, with his brand of comedy, Mr Pintard fits the above description as well. That’s something as Bahamians we should be proud of.

Bradley Roberts’ attempt to use “comedy” as an offensive word is pretty telling of the time warp he appears to be caught in. Newsflash, Mr Roberts: Bahamians actually like to laugh! Guess what else? Bahamians like people who make them laugh, and help ease the stress of the troubles we face daily. If only for a moment.

What is actually offensive is the way Mr Roberts goes about the business of the country with his usual “Big Bad Bully Brad”, visceral spewing, file pulling, dirty laundry airing, condescending approach.

In reaching to find words he thought would hurt Mr Pintard, I’m thinking Mr Roberts wanted to home in on the term “court jester”.

Let’s have a look at its definition:

Court jester - n. a clown or buffoon who is employed by a noble or royal for entertainment; also called fool. The court jester typically wears a three-pointed hat with jingle bells attached.

I get it now, Mr Roberts couldn’t press that reference because it eerily hits too close to home. In fact, it’s the perfect description of Mr Roberts, and what he has become.

The three-pointed hat and bells have been replaced with a party tee-shirt as he blindly regurgitates rhetoric, delivering perfectly timed “distractions” to pull the people’s attention off certain pertinent national issues.

The ironic thing (another part of comedy) is that instead of searching out words like “comedian” or “clothes-washer” to get cheap laughs with, Mr Roberts needs only to look in the mirror (and the “kingdom” he serves) to find the biggest joke of all. Mr Roberts, you are now morphing into the Bahamian political equivalent of “Homie the Clown”, who was an old, bitter clown.

In 2015, the young, educated voting populace needs you to take your bells and have a seat because “We don’t play that, Homie”.

About art

and expressions

Speaking of artists, this week I learned that a young artist named Everette Mackey made headlines with a painting.

After my shock of that phenomenon wore off, like thousands of Bahamians I jumped on Facebook to have a better look at the painting and get a feel of what others thought of it.

When I first saw young Everette’s work in living colour, I was surprised it had made the walls at the Central Bank’s annual art competition. In my mind, there are always covert government loyalists waiting to jump on works of art the way Mr Bradley Roberts jumps on people’s words. That it was still in one piece and blemish-free enough to be displayed is a miracle in itself.

Now, onto the painting.

It had so much going on it was like the conch salad of paintings – Pinocchio was in there, the Chinese flag was in there, Junkanoo was in there and, of course, the most controversial part was Prime Minister Christie’s striking resemblance to the repugnant demagogue Adolf Hitler.

The debate between the many Bahamians who commented on the painting on social media was mostly one-sided, with most stating they agreed with Mackey’s views. But there were some strong words of disagreement with the painting as well.

At one point, I thought the commenters were going to jump out of my computer screen and start bashing each other upside the head – word on word, crime style.

Then I remembered that just like Mr Mackey, they were expressing themselves in a non-violent medium they were comfortable with.

Whether you agree with Everette Mackey or not, you have to appreciate the intestinal fortitude it took to make that painting. And the will it took for the Christie followers not to destroy it on sight.

At the end of the day, that shows progress, I say, progress.

• Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident stand-up comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net.