Corbin supporters seem obsessed with the need to respect Party rules

Aug 30, 2010 Letters

---

Dear Editor,
The closer we get to General Elections, the more I am convinced that the opposition is blowing the greatest opportunity to defeat the ruling PPP/C.
With all the scandals, corruption, murders, high unemployment and a thriving drug trade in Guyana, the Jagdeo Administration has created the perfect storm that should lead to their own demise in 2011.
Instead, we’re seeing the AFC on an ego trip, determined to contest the elections alone unless they can coop the opposition under the umbrella of Alliance For Change; and a PNCR leadership that feels comfortable going down with a sinking ship, rather than turning over the helm to one that’s more acceptable to the electorate.
Sadly, the only defence for Robert Corbin holding on to the leadership of the PNCR seems to be the need to respect “Party Rules”.
In her letter: “Sowing seeds of division” Kaieteur News of August 27, Sonia Clark wrote: “Many who tell the party what it must do, if you ask them about the party’s rules to support what they are saying they do not have a clue, or if they do they don’t care for applying the rules, or if they want changes in the party they don’t want to follow the rules.
The PNC was founded by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. Burnham was a stickler for discipline and obedience for rules. He would have wanted his party to unite around those and he gave his party those rules in a party constitution; those who don’t like it when it doesn’t serve their unruly interests, too bad.”
And in an earlier response to my letter, “Some straight talk…An open letter to Mr. Robert Corbin” Kaieteur News July 11, B. Beniprashad Rayman wrote, “If those who are seeking to usurp the power of the elected leader of the PNCR believe that they can violate the rule of law in the PNCR and be respected as a national force that will bring Guyana out of this era of lawlessness and criminality then they will have to answer to the electorate whether they are capable of complying with the laws of Guyana.”
Somehow, Mr. Corbin supporters seem obsessed with the rules that made him Party Leader and, come hell or high water, that’s all that matter to them.
Contrary to what some may believe, I have the greatest of respect for rules and laws; but even Mr. Corbin must be aware of the need to amend these sometimes.
When someone is diagnosed with a serious medical problem, it is common for the doctor to recommend a drastic change in the patient’s diet and lifestyle…thus changing the rules by which this person lives, so as to guarantee their survival.
In 1968 Pope Paul VI was lamenting the fact that the Catholic Church was engaged in a process of self-destruction. So, to ensure the survival of the church, a German-born bishop named Duschak pioneered a radical change to the rules of the Catholic Church by suggesting an “ecumenical Mass” with the rite, language and gestures to be accommodated to the modern age. The Mass should be said aloud, in the vernacular, and facing the people. This new rite of Mass, which included Holy Communion in the hand and extraordinary ministers of Communion, was imposed generally upon the Catholic Church in 1969.
After 9-11, airlines and airports throughout the world changed their rules to secure the safety of passengers, and to make it difficult for terrorists to employ the tricks of their trade. The Iraq war could not have been won without changing the rules of engagement. In Parliament, rules/laws are changed or amended all the time to reflect the needs of a more modern society. In some states in America, rules/laws are being changed to allow gays to marry.
The truth is, a tree without the elasticity to bend, is likely to break or lose branches in a storm. Ss I’ve said before, one cannot do the same thing over and over again and expect to get a different result.
Rules are good, but some use rules to their advantage: In Islam, the Qur’an allows men to have up to four wives at any one time. The Prophet Muhammad, who had a monogamous marriage with Khadija for 25 years until her death, married many of his wives because they were war widows who were left with nothing and he took care of them. Today, some Muslims use this “rule” to justify having several wives, although there is no shortage of men.
No one wants anyone to violate the rules of the PNCR, but with the ever-growing danger of condemning all Guyanese to another five years of PPP/C tyranny, isn’t it worth amending the rules to legally replace Corbin with another leader who will be more acceptable to the voters – a new leader that will unite the party and bring renewal to the PNCR at the same time.
Some may call it a political strategy…I simply call it common sense.
Harry Gill

---

---