“Money, money, money, must be funny in the rich man’s world”

Dec 14, 2008 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

That is a line taken from one of the songs of one of pop’s most fantastic groups, outshining the Beatles by leaps and bounds. ABBA may have long brought their show to an end but their music will live on forever.

Just in case you missed it, the Broadway Musical, Mamma Mia!, which showcases their extraordinary hits is now in movie form with the same name.

It is indeed an enjoyable film that unfortunately miscast the former James Bond, Pierre Brosnan. Brosnan’s mediocre performance (the man cannot carry a single note in a song) is the only distraction but the brilliance of the veteran, Meryl Streep, and the phenomenal music of ABBA make the movie one of the best releases for this year.

Actually, “Money, Money, Money” was not a big hit for ABBA but it is a light song with a huge philosophical message and I am sure the composers had European philosophical streams in mind when it was written.

I thought of this melody when I read that the Government of Guyana is short of money so the Office of the President will be throwing one large Christmas bacchanal for the entire public sector rather than each Ministry having its own holiday escapade. Where it will be held is still to be decided.

If it was going to Celina Atlantic Resort, I would have “pope” the thing (which Wortmanville youth hasn’t a history of “popeing’ perhaps except, nice boy, Vincent Alexander?)

I probably would have asked Donald Ramotar for a ticket. I am still to decide on what to make of an incident with Mr. Ramotar last Sunday. I was leaving the store with my daughter and he was entering with his family. The intestinal entrance caused us to come close to each other and he wished me and my family a nice holiday season. I returned the compliment.

Only two PPP leaders would say hello to me if we run into each other – Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who I regard as the most open-minded of all PPP Ministers and Robert Persaud. Could it be part of Mr. Ramotar’s new deportment for the upcoming contest for the PPP’s presidential slot?

Whatever it is, it looks like Mr. Ramotar has now joined Dr. Ramsammy and Robert Persaud in being courteous to me. I hope the new attitude sticks.

But I have uncomfortable news for all PPP leaders; wild horses can’t stop me from campaigning against the PPP in the 2011 elections (they say every man has his price; I am still to determine what is mine). And that is assuming no one harms me before then (if you know what I mean).

Let us get back to how funny is money in a poor government’s world. Of course, the bash will not be held at Celina’s (can’t someone tell the Guyanese public who are the owners of that resort; I will if you pay my libel fees). Celina is definitely off limit.

So where will it be? The Sheriff Street seawall! That place can hold untold thousands. What about the lawns of State House (if it is there, I got to “pope” that one). Maybe the show will end up at the Umana Yana.

I doubt it. The rainy season is on. The Convention Centre! Na! No way, José! The Chinese Embassy may get apoplexy.

Outside Square of the Revolution with Robert Corbin as the guest-of-honour! Na! I don’t think so. Mr. Burnham may be furious and may walk across the road from the Botanical Garden and disrupt the evening.

Actually, not many people know about it but there is lots of alfresco space in the Georgetown Public Hospital compound that can accommodate the kind of stupendous Christmas abandonment that the Government is planning for all its employees. If it goes there, then that is one fête I am not “popeing.”

How sad though that money has run out and each Ministry cannot have its own balloons flying. People work hard throughout the year and they are entitled to that closeness of camaraderie among their colleagues that comes with a Christmas party. Even in times of bankruptcy, Burnham’s Government held separate splashes.

One cannot help thinking that this Government is in a maddened rush to prove it can be a worst set of rulers than the Burnham regime. Speaking for myself, I think they have proven that years ago and we may soon have that proof in a court house in Manhattan.

One thing for sure; you won’t be able to convince public servants that money has run out. They know money is there. They know where the money is going. It has gone to the world of the newly rich.

Latest News

“Money, money, money, must be funny in the rich man’s world”

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest tips off today

Twin tons from Anderson, Imlach steer Eagles back...

Race for quarterfinal spots commence today at MoE...

Marsh sets up Lucknow’s comfortable win...

Saints and GTI dominate as YBG Georgetown...

Carty misses ton, Hamilton (80) sets up tense...

Features/Columnists

The One-Man Republic

The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation

Polls – what they say, where I stand

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

“Money, money, money, must be funny in the rich man’s world”

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]