Further decline in ethical and moral standards in Guyanese politics

Aug 23, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
The recent rapid downward spiral of events in Guyana has taken on uglier turns leading us further into a deeper hole of national strife, instability, impoverishment, disintegration and embarrassment. The situation is simply depressing and disturbing.
Another new political low in the annals of politics in Guyana has been reached. I specifically refer to the throwing of human and animal excrement at a commentator on national politics, Mr. Freddie Kissoon. It seems that such an unbelievable act could only have been hatched in the brains of perverted minds drunk with political power. But it is deeper than that. It reflects the extent to which some of the offended officials and followers will go to castigate this particular critic. The faithful do not want to see their master angry so this “offending heretic” has to be humiliated, degraded, and punished.
Throughout history, members of an ostracized group or ethnicity were singled out for ‘special treatment’ such as being ‘tarred and feathered,’ ‘burnt at the stake,’ and ‘stoned to death.’ What makes Mr. Kissoon so reviled by those in power? The ruling members of the current PPP see him as a betrayer to their group and cause. They are angry whenever anyone stands up to them, but are most enraged whenever any ‘Indian’ dares to fight against them. Any ‘Indian’ who stands up in their view is committing the equivalent of religious heresy and is forthwith to be excommunicated from their society and must be destroyed.
What has this ‘Indian’ done to incur the wrath of the PPP faithful and their masters? He has dared to question the competence, fairness, legality, ethics and morality of their actions. He has spoken out on behalf of the wronged, disadvantaged, impoverished and the voiceless. He advocates on behalf of those who have been rendered hopeless and to whom justice has been denied. He is simply the champion of the underdog and downtrodden. Is this not what our various religions teach? This was called the ‘Christian thing to do.’ Our iconic and revered Mahatma Gandhi taught us to take a stand against injustice.
Never come between hard-nosed followers and their masters. Some PPP faithful (or thugs) anticipating the wishes of their masters wreaks vengeance on dissenters. They hope to gain further favour and to ingratiate themselves with their leaders. The faithful not only seeks to discredit, but they attempt to humiliate before finally moving to eliminate. They have been getting away with it in the past. Too many ‘Indians’ have felt the vengeful wrath of this PPP Government. (This is a page taken from the playbook of the late Mr. Burnham and his PNC thugs. They likewise mercilessly attacked and punished dissenting African Guyanese, singling out Mr. Kwayana, Dr. Rodney and WPA leadership and colleagues for special treatment.)
Even if the hierarchy of the PPP did not sanction such acts, they should know that such actions can precipitate unintended disastrous consequences both for themselves and the country.
In the past, the uncontrolled elements (Called ‘hotheads’ by the late Dr C. B. Jagan)) of the PPP have initiated events (bombing of a worker’s truck, bombing of a school bus, burning of cane-fields) which had disastrous impacts on the whole country. Is history about to repeat itself? Are we about to head down another spiral path to destruction?
It is not only Mr. Kissoon who was attacked, but all of us irrespective of our ethnic or genetic heritage. The same pattern was seen in Nazi Germany where critics were rounded up, beaten and sent to concentration camp. Do these patterns of intimidation elude the sense of decency and propriety of the PPP hard-core and supportive Diaspora?
These patterns of intimidation were recently visited upon us producing life-long hatred that blinded the PPP faithful who now supports the purveyors of even more revolting behaviour. (It is sad that those who claim to respect human rights or work for human rights in other places in the world do not condemn the actions of this PPP Government and its faithful. Some are even busy attempting to dishonour the names and accomplishments of those who stood up for all of us!
This kind of mean-spiritedness and contempt for dissident voices and the Guyanese public are not unexpected. It is following a script that insiders and others know about the degenerate levels which elements of the PPP are capable of descending to achieve their aims of silencing critics. The sad part is the ruling elite of the PPP has no sense of history and propriety, and in time their names will join the list of the despised of Guyana. This list is getting longer and longer with newer inductees to ‘The Hall of Shame.’ At this stage in our history, we cannot tell the difference between the PPP and the PNC – both being mirror images of each other and following the same playbook with the same consequences.
If garbage is thrown at the people they will return the ‘favour.’ History has proven this again and again in so many places and times. Why would it be any different in Guyana? Such destructive public displays by PPP elite and its faithful only infuriate and alienate Guyanese instead of calming the stormy waters.
The international community is always looking. Such acts do not enhance Guyana and its image on the world stage. The bar of civility towards dissenters must be much higher. We are tired of shaking our heads in disbelief and watching this country being tarnished again and again.
Seelochan Beharry

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There are still some honourable ranks in the GPF

Dear Editor,
I extend my thanks to Constable 20968 Ramsay and Constable 20967 Moriah from the Abedeen Ranks Section 10 Sheriff Street, for their courtesy and assistance rendered to me on Wednesday August 18, 2010, on Sheriff Street, after a speeding canter truck crashed into my car.
They accompanied me to the Kitty Police Station where again the ranks at the station were also very courteous and helpful.
I am happy to report that there are still good serving members of the Guyana Police Force, and I do hope that the Commissioner of Police is taking notice of this, and is not discouraged by those who are giving the force a bad name.
Peter Fraser

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Our political culture is one in which the opposition is the enemy

Dear Editor,
I never expect the Chronicle to say anything favourable about me — after all it is the de facto property of a party which I oppose. And our political culture is one in which the opposition is the enemy.
Never mind the political space it now occupies and abuse is due in part to my sacrifices and struggles and those of many others who are now shut out of its pages except when they choose to abuse us. The paper’s editorial in Sunday’s (22-08-10) edition (“Cool it Dr. Hinds”) and Dr. Randy Persaud’s offering the day before (“Buxton is on the move”) are illustrations of a particular zero-sum political mindset.
Let me say in the new Buxtonian vocabulary that I am “humbled” to be the editorial subject of a leading newspaper. But the least the Chronicle could do is be accurate about my “angry” comments. The editorial repeatedly said that I condemned Buxtonians who welcomed and attended the meeting with the President. That is absolutely untrue. I condemned the organisers of the meeting, not the attendees. I hope the Chronicle has the decency to correct that mistake. Or is it a mistake? I may be asking too much of a newspaper which editorializes on a statement that it does not publish. What a lofty commentary on the cause of a democratic press.
Only Saturday (21-08-10) I had cause to write the editor of another paper — Guyana Times — which also refused to publish my statement but erroneously reported that I said the President was not given a warm welcome. It is not only the Hinds-bashing season, but the “Lying–on-Hinds’ season. Why so if Hinds is a “bitter, confrontational, stuck-in-the past, no-following, lone voice in the wilderness?” Luckily the statement was reported extensively in the Stabroek News and carried in full by the Kaieteur News, Guyana Observer News and Demerara Waves and is posted on both my website guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com and my Facebook page. Just a bit of history for those with short memories. The Chronicle did not ask me to cool it when I was one of a few angry, lone voices which condemned the presence of gunmen in Buxton — I was celebrated as the model Buxtonian. Ministers of Government were quoting me right, left and centre. I never mind being a lone voice for ultimately I participate in politics not for office but to help make this world a better place than when I entered it. For the record I am breaking tradition and sending this letter also to the Chronicle.
David Hinds

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Resumption of hanging imperative

Dear Editor,
The Administration is soft on crime, which is the reason why there are so many crimes, killings, robberies and other criminal activities all around the country.
Tough and harsh penalties are needed to detour criminals from committing violent crimes. Resume the death penalty, as soon as possible. Anyone convicted of killing another person, should face the death penalty.
Hang the culprits in the public; at Cuffy Square, or Stabroek Market square, so the others can get the message.
Where are the human rights groups when persons are killed by bandits and criminals?
The only way the Jagdeo Administration can make Guyana productive, better and a safe place to live and to do business, is to be tough on crime.
Trying to be the nice guy would not work. Too many innocent people are getting killed. Why keep the killers in jail for a few years and then let them out to kill again. Hang them.
R. Danpaul