Last week we told you about those political acrobats - flipping and flopping all over the ICJ issue. But one we didn't get to is PUP Leader John Briceno - and that's because he was still in mid flip! Unlike other acrobats who just turn their flips for situational advantage, the L-O-O seems to be doing flips within his own heart - where he believes in yes, but, must outwardly stand for a no, while maneuvering for a maybe!
Even for an acrobat, that's a tough act, and Jules Vasquez catalogued some of his more artful turns:
Jules Vasquez reporting
In September the Opposition Leader publicly denied what is an article of faith for the "NO TO THE ICJ" hawks in his party:
Hon. John Briceno "There is litigation risk like in everything but what risk? At most, I believe that we are not going to lose any land. I really believe that."
But like the truest of acrobats who by nature talk and think one way, but act another, four months later Mr. Briceno caved to the hawks:
FILE: January 23, 2019
Hon. John Briceno "PUP Recommends that Belizeans Vote NO to the ICJ."
And thus displayed the dualism at the heart of all acrobats - who have to be dodgy - this time he didn't flip fast enough:
Reporter "We've heard your formal position. What is your personal position on it?"
File: January 15, 2019
John Briceno "Well, I think that is on record."
Reporter "So, if I were to ask you, Mr. Briceno, how will you vote?"
Hon. John Briceno "Well, I don't think it's any of your business. (chuckles) I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. But, more importantly, I think that I have Personal John Briceno and John Briceno party leader."
Ah, the acrobat, he threads such a tightrope that sometimes he slips - but it's all a part of the acrobat's act. A man who was never any good at those high wire acrobatics perhaps said it best about the perils of the tightrope:
File: March 5, 2019
Esquivel Says Yes To ICJ "If you know you cannot win either way, well then you must take the decision of what you want it to be. You can't say well alright so what you think then. No."
The tumbling on all sides continues tomorrow at the house meeting, and we'll show you how that goeS IN OUR NEXT NEWSCAST
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Hon. John Briceno
"PUP Recommends that Belizeans Vote NO to the ICJ."
"Well, I think that is on record."
"If you know you cannot win either way, well then you must take the decision of what you want it to be. You can't say well alright so what you think then. No."