Thank God It’s Friday

Thank God It’s Friday

17 October 2025

The day has barely started, and it dawns on me — thank God it’s Friday.

First, I think of Uncle Emile’s reaction to my piece about Thursday:

“Beautifully written, but those who try too hard to predict the future give negative energy a chance. It can make us depressed. Leave everything in God’s merciful hands and trust that He is still in control.”

Uncle Emile, of course, holds the wisdom of the ages. And this isn’t cynicism or sarcasm — I mean that sincerely. His words remind me that faith, not fear, should guide us. Yet, it isn’t easy to live by that wisdom when governance feels driven more by tactics than by principle.

The youngest-ever Speaker of Parliament has just cancelled the meeting requested by the opposition — the one meant to clarify the dismissal of the Minister of Finance and his conflict with the Receiver of Taxes. Clearly, the decision followed party instructions. Now that the party has supposedly “resolved” the issue internally, there is no need, they say, for a meeting that might raise uncomfortable questions. Politics, once again, is protecting itself instead of serving the people.

Meanwhile, tensions flare between the Ministers of VVRP and MEO. The latter’s inspection team briefly shut down a hospitality venue for minor violations. To me, it feels like a smokescreen, a convenient distraction from the storm around the dismissed minister. The theatre of politics thrives on such diversions — noise to cover silence where accountability should be.

Then there’s the case of the last resident on a street now surrounded by a Dutch resort expanding its footprint through land reclamation. Many whisper that the hospitality sector, which generously sponsored the ruling party’s campaign for the March 21 elections, is now cashing in on its political investment. I can’t help but wonder whether these contributions appear in the party’s official financial report, as required by election law. Transparency, it seems, is still optional.

From the start, it was clear the Speaker was too young for the role. Yet, apart from a few missteps, he seemed promising. In his opening speech, he vowed not to be a Speaker for one party, but for the entire Parliament. I believed him — and remembered his words. Now this. Another reminder that words are abundant, but integrity is scarce.

Even the promises of our public companies follow the same pattern. Aqualectra declared that, with the new battery system, power outages would be a thing of the past. Yet here we are — lights flickering, hope dimming.

Leadership, whether in politics or business, ultimately rests on trust — the trust that words will become action, that principles will outlast convenience. No algorithm or artificial intelligence will solve that for us. Technology may assist, but it cannot replace conscience, courage, or accountability.

Thank God it’s Friday. Felis wikènt. 

Miguel Goede