Our considered opinion at this newspaper is that the CWU is ?whistling in the wind,? because Narda has become too valuable to the Social Security Board, a body believed by Belizeans to be have been playing ?fast and loose? with taxpayers? moneys.

Narda is representative of a new generation of ?managers,? who are hired and cherished not for their integrity and expertise in managing, but for something more valuable ? their ability to stand firm and unflinching under media fire, and to be able to prevaricate ?like Ollie North,? if necessary.

The Belize media has become far more aggressive than, say, twenty years ago, and as our politicians and their methods of scalping the poor and looting the public treasury have become more sophisticated, so their need for a different kind of manager has become more urgent.

Managers of Government?s many departments, ministries and so-called statutory bodies are now called upon to face the cameras, and aggressive and sometimes hostile reporters. The political and financial stakes are enormous. The manager who cannot properly defend his or her Minister to the media is useless, and in fact, could be dangerous to the administration.

In keeping with the examples beamed daily at us from CNN, NBC, ABC and BBC, wherein mouthpieces for embattled politicians, public officials, and wealthy, powerful corporate directors lie poker-faced on accusations of corruption, Belize?s politicians have begun to hire managers with special skills.

About thirty years ago, there was only the Government Information Service (GIS), which dealt with all Government?s propaganda. Now, besides the Government Press Office, almost all ministries hire ?media consultants? or ?press officers,? at a cost to taxpayers, of course. Their jobs are not related to the edification of the Belizean people, but to the political protection of their bosses.

Narda, without prejudice to her personal managerial skills, undoubtedly is a prize where the Social Security Board is concerned. She has proved her mettle under fire.

She has been the SSB?s CEO for much of its controversial past. Predictably, however, SSB?s head honcho, Yasin Shoman, has called the union?s demand ?ridiculous.?

So, the CWU will ?whistle in the wind,? and so will all who wish to see the back of Narda. She is good, too good.