Letters & Opinion

Going Overboard To Say ‘Thanks’

By Alexis B. Montgomery

Not many would have anticipated that a supposedly innocuous “vote of thanks” would have led to a mire of controversy a few weeks ago. For Pete’s sake, who can go wrong with a harmless thank you speech? But Senator Mary Isaac’s “Thank You” speech at the UWP convention did just that and landed her in some controversy. While she attempted to bring the curtains down on her party’s convention, clearly she did a lot more than espouse gratitude for the input of organizers and attendance of party supporters.

It seemed that Mary’s “Thank you” went down badly. On November 22. The purpose of this commentary is not to rehash the incident but to draw attention to the importance of learning lessons where possible to avoid similar incidents and unpleasant repercussions.

Senator Mary Isaac is not the only “Vote of Thanks” presenter who has apparently attempted to utilize the avenue of a Thank You speech to mutate into the second feature speaker at an event and mess up. As a matter of fact this seems to be the new norm at many functions and ceremonies. As we say colloquially sooner or later someone would “stick in that”.

The “Thank you” speech or “Vote of thanks” forms an integral part of most events.  However, some persons want more podium time and audience attention than they think a mere vote of thanks can offer. They want to expand, elaborate, and say more than is necessary. Obviously a “Thank You” speech should be kept very pithy and to the point, engendering a nice feel good note on which to conclude an event.

Mind you, some skilled orators have managed to pull off a “Thank You” speech which is anything but that; yet one must bring a lot to the table to pull this off. One must be highly skilled in oratory, talent and immeasurably charming in personality. Copious amounts of humour should help to hold the attention of the audience.

Equally important is that one should carry the credentials of experience. Also one must possessthe tact to know when to say or not say certain things. Going overboard with a “Vote of Thanks” is a rather cheeky move which may impress the audience as the speaker simply wants to hog the limelight.

Politicians are most likely to fall into the trap of over–extending a “Thank you” speech, because the prevailing perception is that lengthy speeches are more impactful than substance. Nevertheless the lessons of those pitfalls should be of concern to the general public.

9 Comments

  1. Mary LOVES MARY first and foremost and has proven to be a cloaked ST LUCIA HATER
    Malheuresment, my anticipated weekend of good reading on this forum is CONTA
    MINATED by this- this –this- dis dash dis dash all fall down Witch!
    I understand your CONTRIVED political juxtaposition of this pus-in-arteries CONFABULATOR on a broomstick-
    to sully BIG RED’s convention weekend.
    It’s ok, this too shall pass- with help from my senna regimen.
    Not even the Irish Banshees trust her as cemetery guard dog.
    Word from Nortre Dame is they are fashioning special anti Dracula platinum coronary insert for her embrace – as she graduates to live blood sucking abilities.
    GO BIG RED!
    Take a good look at the map of St. Lucia
    Notice the GATEWAY to the world
    St. Lucia stands proudly international on her feet and Socio-economic foundation:
    Vieux-Fort
    Wave the RED atop the Calvary and Moule a Cheque for all the world to see:
    Vive St Lucia nous amor

  2. What did you expect of this power-hungry Mary Isaac ? If this Tete Chien gets a leg into Government, she will annihilate any trace of Chastanet and Rigobert. Are you people thick ? Just examine her “soosere” double-dealing while in the Union. Like the Dr. said, “Mary LOVES MARY first and foremost”.

    Ambition is the avarice of power; and happiness herself is soon sacrificed to that very lust of dominion which was first encouraged only as the best means of obtaining it. – Colton

  3. Careful there, Mary will have the last laugh on you guys;
    you better believe it ’cause she will win big time. Then what?
    Suck it up you guys, life is just a dream and she is enjoying it.

  4. Sir Bone Dry Copra;
    Yes our national witch will utilize sex as a means of manipulation towards lucrative goal setting – as in bigger bang (pun intended) for her ambitions.
    In this regard she has the conniving alacrity of a viper,
    the passionless conviction of the queen of all Amsterdam JAMETTES
    and the seductive negotiation tactics of JEZEBEL:
    If this is what you desire for your loins –
    then you are more delusional and demented than PETER JOSIE.
    You need more than La Toc!

  5. COOSEK
    Garcon, you must be in the same canoe with Peter Josie (up a very wet creek – banked glistened with Victoria’s Secret SHEEN-
    SANS PADDLE 🙂
    Garcon you must be a MARCO to keep company with Peter Josie.
    He never scores rapturing consummation because he is a CASTRATED HERMAPHRODITE!!!!
    Cocosek -its all good- Birds of a Phallus type (fallen and can’t get it UP!),
    do flock together.

    My letter to Santa:
    ‘Dear Santa Claus , I know you have le magic crystals minted from the Aurora Borealis (with help from spiritual elders of the INUIT).
    I beg of you to revert my X-Mas gift to A Guy Fawkes Day Celebration with a nod to my Imperial British colonial legacy.
    Besides, there is no more Christ in Christmas.
    Please think of Nurenberg fusion with Salem Witch Trials- atop the Morne for Sinator Witch Mary.
    Then you place a balsam wood effigy of her next to that of Peter Josie on an AZtec type pyramid-
    atop the Morne ridge -so all Castries can witness this PURIFICATION rite.
    Then, set it ablaze via a charcoal lit arrow from a crossbow-amen
    Thanks Santa,

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