Book review: The iPINIONS Journal – Commentaries on the Global Events of 2016
by Anthony L. Hall
Reprinted from Caribbean News Now
Published May 12, 2017
Reminding us that yet another year has passed, Caribbean News Now op-ed columnist Anthony Hall embarks on his twelfth annual retrospective compendium of insights and observations on the major events of our times with the publication of his latest edition – The iPINIONS Journal – Commentaries on the Global Events 2016 – which covers his usual wide range of subjects, conveniently ordered by region and topic.
His subject matter is as eclectic as ever and, of particular interest to Caribbean readers, are his comments on:
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The election of the first female premier in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where with a population of just over 30,000 it took almost 12 hours longer to announce Election Day results than it took the USA, with a population of well over 300 million.
• The failures of CARICOM, which have “become so notorious that talking about them incites more contemptuous laughter than lawyer jokes”.
• Obama’s landing in Cuba, which should rank alongside Nixon’s opening to China in the annals of world history.
• The Bahamas holding an unnecessary referendum to decide whether men and women should enjoy the same constitutional rights, primarily with respect to citizenship, when the constitution already prohibits any form of discrimination.
• What the FARC, as Colombian voters reject a landmark peace deal, demonstrating an unhinged willingness to vote against enlightened national interest.
• Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet playing wannabe dictator by suing a local broadcaster, in order to silence any voice critical of his leadership.
As Hall notes, by any measure, 2016 was an annus horrendous, illustrated among many other events by WTF! President-elect Donald J. Trump?! America. What. Have. You. Done – the triumph of white nationalism over multiculturalism/globalism – and Brexit – Britain exits, the die is cast, and the rise of Britain’s Iron Lady 2.0.
The commentaries in this twelfth volume cover these and all other major events of 2016 and serve as a provocative, informative, and entertaining antidote to 140-character tweets, which no less a person than US President Donald J. Trump would have us believe constitute informed public debate these days.
As always, regional iconoclast Hall tackles all of these topics and many more in his latest volume with his trademark confidence, flair and humour.
Highly recommended reading.
The iPINIONS Journal – Commentaries on the Global Events of Our Times: Volume XII, 587pp, is now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble (including an e-book version for just $0.99) and all other major booksellers.