Welcome, welcome Mr. Bandit

Nov 02, 2008 Features / Columnists

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The Parrot is normally not easily amused; it takes much to activate my internal mechanism in an effort to induce laughter. A simple tickle wouldn’t do; it has to be an act of extreme stupidity and ridiculousness or one that reaches the maximum number on a laughter scale, if there is one.
The recent comments and position taken by the Palm Tree Party and the Key Party in relation to the Torture Motion in the National Assembly have succeeded in the emanation of emotions of humour through my larynx. The decibels recorded have caused some to believe that I may be heading swiftly down a path that may require me to seek psychiatric remedies. I am still battling with self control to prevent such treatment.
It is clear, from the standards that are required to cause me to be hilarious, that the opposition’s comments on the Torture Motion, duly qualify. I dare say that the qualification is solely on the basis of a totality in preposterousness. How else can I laugh? I didn’t realise how healthy it is to indulge in such behaviour; laughing that is. Anyway, I must explain why the comments alluded to are indeed outlandish.
The 2002 jailbreak and the subsequent reign of terror on innocent Guyanese have succeeded in instilling fear. As recent as this year, we experienced the massacre of some of our unsuspecting countrymen and women. The fear was exacerbated. With this fear, and with the belief that some of the perpetrators were allegedly supported by elements who sit on the western side of the National Assembly, the ordinary man cried, in high decibels, for justice. These cries were heard across the land, overseas and in the National Assembly.
Given the current position of those in Palm Tree jungle and its affiliate, the Alarmist For Change, it seems that the cries reverberated only within the eastern side on the National Assembly. If it didn’t, then it would have been heard clearly throughout the entire assembly which would have allowed for a different position taken by Uncle Bob and the Trot-man. Should I believe that a television was on loud on the western half of the Assembly drowning out those cries? Should I believe that the honourable members of the western half of the Assembly deliberately, and in synchrony, turned on their I-pods and MP3 players when the cries were echoing?
Recent history has shown that the main opposition has been far more concerned with the welfare of those who were found to be involved in activities that caused harm and mayhem amongst our people. Blackie’s funeral and the reference of “Freedom Fighters” to criminal elements are just two instances that can point to some level of support. What happens when this belief of support becomes embedded in the minds of the ordinary man and in the minds of those who suffered at the hands of merciless criminals? The cries that the opposition are not hearing become louder, so much so that our national security is questioned and threatened.
It is clear that the main opposition is focused on regaining power. This is normal for such bodies. However, it must not be to the detriment of the people whom they so hope would place an X against their party’s symbol.
Given what has transpired over the last six years, it is safe to conclude that the main opposition here was grasping at the illusion that, as a result of the situation they helped to engineer, the seat of government was theirs. This illusion stemmed from the residents’ cries for help; cries that were deliberately misinterpreted and taken advantage of for political gratification.
Having said that, let’s examine what they wanted: to blame the administration for the crimes, to emasculate the security forces, and glorify the criminals. They tried to mask some of this under the guise of sympathy for the victims. It didn’t work. Guyanese saw through this. The lens that helped was the opposition’s red herring of torture. Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations convention against such practices. However, security forces across the world must be able to have measures which allow them to garner information from suspects.
I recall some time ago the same parties demanded that criminals shouldn’t be killed; they should be brought in and be made to give information that can be used to capture other gang members. Yes, this was said. If this happens, then what measures should be used to get the information? I am not saying torture; I am asking what should be done. The police have to investigate. The same opposition are always on the police’s backs for not conducting investigations in a timely manner. How are they to do so if information is not provided? All countries, including Guyana, must have measures to collect information from suspects. Again, I am not saying torture. If this doesn’t happen then it seems no purpose is served when suspects are held.
The opposition probably has reasons why the issue of torture was used as a distracter from them addressing real issues. Given the alleged link, it might be a case of protecting “privileged” information. Should I believe that what they want is for the security forces to adopt a hospitality program that competes with that in the tourism world? If so, then should we expect to see suspects being escorted in limousines and taken to exquisite dinners, even candle light, at posh hotels with the sole intention of garnering crucial information for investigations? Should this be accompanied by the Chef personally attending to the dinner parties? Should I believe that the dinner parties would be welcomed by the thundering sounds of tassa drums with exotic dancers? Should I believe that a banner that reads “Welcome, welcome Mr. Bandit” would be placed above the main entrance?
This exemplifies the ridiculousness that the opposition seems to want.
What about the victims? What about their scars for life? What about their welfare? While torture should not be condoned, what do the police have to work with? The MBA eloquently explained; they were “roughed” up. In my opinion, nothing is wrong with that. Maybe what is needed is a poll. Not what you are thinking. Many polls are being conducted with regards to Tuesday’s US Presidential Election. Let’s conduct one on what surviving victims and the relatives of the deceased think about the issue. I guarantee the results would cause the opposition’s humouring ability to go in reverse; from maximum to below minimum. Squawk! Squawk!

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