Editors must refuse to publish ‘falsities’

Aug 29, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
A few correspondents have written about the irresponsible writings of some regular contributors to articles and letters in which they seek to set out statements as if they are true.

The time has come for editors to either refuse to publish the falsities, or add an editorial note correcting the statements.

One Emile Mervin is an apparently overseas-based person who writes regularly. If he seeks international stature as an historical writer he should visit Guyana and see things for himself rather reading commentaries on the internet.

He has written a letter headlined, “Let’s face the grim reality of what’s ahead for Guyana”. He has commented on Justice Ramlal’s ruling and sought to criticise it because the Judge did not “distinguish between different roles” of the President, and has set a “precedent in which the President can now assume any role and do anything he wants no matter how adverse to others”.

This kind of writing reflects the danger correspondents face when they either do not understand what a judge has written or make comments without being aware of the entire judgment.

Justice Ramlal did write, and it was so recorded in the press, that by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution the President cannot be sued, but that the Attorney General is the person against whom action should be filed as the representative of the State.

Mervin then goes on to write that the PPP Government refused to expunge the “offending” clause of the Constitution, inherited from the Burnham regime, when it had the chance. This is a very rash statement which cannot be supported by any evidence.

At no time was it ever suggested by anyone, even from the Opposition, that that clause be expunged from the Constitution.

And what about our own Freddie Kissoon, who writes about an “Eight-year-old CARIFESTA sore.”? Freddie keeps displaying his pathological fear and hatred for the Government that he blames it for everything he perceives to be wrong.

He has written so many times about “a huge crater” in Hadfield Street by Lombard Street, accusing the “government” of neglect in fixing it.

He must know that the streets in Georgetown are the responsibility of the Mayor & City Council, a body to which one of his deceased brothers had been a member, but he chooses not to lay blame where it belongs.

He has not yet blamed the Government for the very unusual and irregular weather pattern we are experiencing. I know, however, that day will soon dawn.
Mahase Seecharran