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Such a big flap over a few words of venting in an email that went astray.

It’s pretty typical that on this tiny Island some people and some issues get blown all out of proportion to their real significance. One would expect a reasonable person (or media, or readership, or another audience) to accept that the email Premier Scott wrote wasn’t meant to be sent — at least not to Mr. Brannon.

With that in mind, the content of the email deserves far less attention than has been given it, from all sides.

When I’m stirred up about a topic, I often write the first draft of a column or letter using strong statements and language unsuitable for print.

If someone who wanted to shaft me got their hands on my rough draft and made it public, my career as a columnist might be in jeopardy.

That the Premier’s private thoughts reached Mr. Brannon is unfortunate.

The flap that has since arisen borders on the absurd. Mr. Brannon himself has complained that people are too quick to claim racism when criticized, so I was a little surprised that the racial nuance got under his skin.

I suppose it was predictable that the media would run with a charge of racism. Race is such a volatile issue and one that’s guaranteed to arouse anti-PLP emotions.

But then the Premier’s team went overboard. A simple admission of having pushed the wrong button thus misdirecting his private and angry thoughts might have been enough, combined with an apology for any offence caused.

Instead Premier Scott’s response was defensive and expanded the list of ‘wronged’ parties, took aim at the media, brought up a historic list of past wrongs, and threatened steps to make it all right — it was an explosion lit by a relatively minor fuse.

After that, everybody piled on. Bloggers, letter writers, a former Premier, the Opposition Leader, editors, newscasters, talk-show hosts and callers, and an army of spin-merchants all got into the act.

I must say that I am proudest of the comments by my fellow columnist Tom Vesey and my editor Tony McWilliam. Their analyses and conclusions cut through the bluster and should make us all stop and think.

The most telling aspect of the affair is the degree to which the level of trust between Government and the media has deteriorated. That the leader of a country would feel moved to make his statement in a paid advertisement for fear his message would be distorted is testament to a severe state of distrust.

A serious mistake made by Government, in my view, has been to slip into the trap of an open battle with the press.

One of my mentors cautioned me never to engage in a war of words with people who buy their newsprint by the ton.

The Gazette publishes its news and views every day and is mirrored by its weekly sister on weekends.

The broadcast media often cite the Gazette, giving the daily multiple bites at the cherry of influencing public opinion. Some talk-show callers refer to things they read in the papers as though what they read became the gospel truth merely by virtue of it appearing there. In this climate the government is fighting a losing battle for exposure of its point of view.

There’s a clear message in all this for our government: Whatever you say or do is going to get the least favourable spin. It wouldn’t hurt, therefore, to let the little irritants be, and make serious and hasty progress on some of the big issues facing us.[[In-content Ad]]

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