Having the last word

http://www.thisisjersey.com/2008/07/01/bailiff-hits-back-at-criticism-of-speech/

Speaking at the swearing-in of new Assistant Magistrate Bridget Shaw, Sir Philip Bailhache condemned politicians who have attacked the Island's judiciary, calling them 'ignorant and unwelcome'. After saying that he 'deplores' such actions, he added: 'Senior politicians should know better than to attempt to subvert public confidence in our judicial institutions in pursuit of a personal agenda.'

But wasn't this the same Sir Philip Bailhache who followed very much his own "personal agenda" on Liberation day, with complete disregard for the Islanders who were here in the Occupation, and whom I know (because they told me) thought his hi-jacking of the day was a complete subversion of the day?

Wasn't this the same Sir Philip Bailhache exposed in BBC Radio's "The Investigation" as the Attorney General who approved the appointment of Roger Holland, and would not rescind that appointment after information about Holland's background had come to light? What message of "confidence in our judicial institutions" does that give? Was that, as the JEP headline put it, in another article about the egregious Bailiff, "championing the welfare of children"?

And incidentally, is this the same Sir Philip who now appears (to me) to have used the appointment of Jersey's first female magistrate not as a cause of celebration, but an excuse to sound off on his own agenda?

He seems to always want to have the last word. Does he like to feel in control, in a position of dominance? Is he hitting out in anger at criticism?

I'd let the reader make their own mind up.

But these comments on the kind of people who need to "have the last word" may be of interest:

http://improving-relationships.suite101.com/article.cfm/break_6_bad_habits_to_succeed

Having the last word: The typical last-word-master takes anything one party says and exceeds it. Implied is the phrase, "I can top that." This is a specific form of conversation domination, generally conveying the message that no matter what the first party described, the dominator has had it better (or worse).

and on "Anger Management", for students - and adults who still behave like petulant children:

To ensure the effectiveness of anger management, some program developers have noted that training may need to be made relevant to the students being trained. For instance, aggressive students seem to have a strong need for retaliation. They often consider "having the last word" or "striking the last blow" to be a win. Trainers can work with students to help them understand that, if they respond when provoked, they have been manipulated into losing control of themselves (e.g., they lose). In order to win, they must learn to walk away.


Links:
http://improving-relationships.suite101.com/article.cfm/break_6_bad_habits_to_succeed
http://www.unl.edu/srs/pdfs/angermgmt.pdf