The West End News

Political Double-Talk

"Politics is sometimes called the great American game. Thousands of politicians take part in it; millions of people follow the election fights, and they decide the winners and losers. Yet the real nature of the game remains a mystery. Man is a political being, yet man knows very little of his own political behavior-or misbehavior."

Heyliger

The above words were long ago stated by political scientists James M. Burns and Jack Peltason and holds true today.

What astounds one is the deep regret which all Crucians feel because of the recent political setback of Senator Walter I. M. Hodge. If we the stalwart supporters of the outstanding Senator were the ones harping over the results of the recent election then it could be dismissed without comment.

The truth of the matter is that too late did the people of St. Croix realize the great contributions Hodge has made to the educational, economic, social, and political development of the entire Virgin Islands.

Throughout the island independent voters, democrats, republicans Unity and Virgin Islands Party members all chime the same song of regret with varying reasons. Only now do they find time to give due recognition of the ability of this great Virgin Islander who had furnished high caliber leadership ever since his return from military service in 1946 until 1962.

Two exceptions to the general sentiment of regret is Max Jacobs and Nora Amritt who claim they have won political victories. These two people who can point to no record of accomplishment for the well being of the people of the Virgin Islands netted a meager 314 votes together.

Nora Amritt polled 116 while Jacobs came up with 130 votes. If they decided to seek seats in the Virgin Island Legislature for the next twenty years they couldn't win. As one good lady told the Nora Amritt outside the Frederiksted Fort. "You people must think that we're well stupid. You all don't know us until election time."

There are those who say sixteen years is too long. To these shallow minds one can only forgive them and hope that they're not too old to be educated.

Although the able senator Aubrey Anduze couldn't be reached for comments, it is believed that being the gentleman he is. that the recent set back was taken in stride. Candido Guadalupe also has taken his defeat with courage. The young men of his group have stated they will align forces with the democrats.

"If we only knew," says the Democrats some Crucian votes for Millin could have gone to Hodge.

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Political Double-Talk

"We're sorry to lose him," says the Unity. "What strange people we have here." "How could they trade a promise for a record." We have lost a great man.

Such is the political double talk of a people whom Miss Marie Richards long ago told me, is a group of a unique nature.