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What will President Jagdeo’s legacy be?

Sep 30, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
What will President Jagdeo’s legacy be when his term, effectively, expires next year? Will it be his “Champion of the Earth” title which resulted in bill boards mounted all over the country? Or will it be President Jagdeo’s unmatchable “cussing out ability?
After, the Cultural Centre “sour people comment” and the prolonged cuss out he “laced” on Mr. Christopher Ram, at that forum. I can only conclude that President Jagdeo has decided that he must go down, probably, as the most ‘disrespectful’ President in Guyana’s history.
My two most recent experiences of President Jagdeo‘s, less than presidential behaviour were a few weeks ago. The first was on September 1, 2010 at the Sophia Exhibition Site during the Opening Ceremony to mark Amerindian Heritage Month. On that occasion the President, in his usual style, decided to “dig a fine cussing” on Dr. George Norton, who, a few minutes earlier extended greetings on behalf of various Amerindian organisations he represented. When President Jagdeo took the podium it was clear that he would not disappoint us, so like we had anticipated, the “cuss out” started. The President changed the whole tone of the activity, it did not matter that this was an occasion of great significance to Guyanese and more particularly to our Amerindian brothers and sisters. That very evening, I had several small conversations with some persons in attendance and everyone seemed to have had the same position, that; President Jagdeo’s behaviour was unbecoming and “non-statesman like”. For many, it was yet another display of deafening arrogance and pettiness on the part of “Mr. Earth Champion”, whose speech marred the activity.
The second occasion was the “Christopher Ram (sour people) cuss out”, I referred to earlier. On that occasion, the President was addressing policy holders of CLICO at the National Cultural Centre. Many anxious policy holders attended the meeting anticipating that the Government would bail them out, as was being touted in the country.
So filled with “fluffed-up pride” and “campaign arrogance”, the President told policy holders, that they will get back every cent they paid into that company. Once this announcement was made the President went on to choose his “campaign add language” and campaign photo-adds, and videos for next year’s election.
When President Jagdeo was satisfied that he had made his story, the floor was opened for questions and comments, from participants. It was here that the raw arrogance was once again exhibited. Mr. Jagdeo while he entertained a few questions for some policy holders blatantly refused to acknowledge Mr. Christopher, who was consistently indicating that he had an intervention to make. The President let the entire country know that he was deliberately refusing to allow Mr. Ram to speak.
This he made known when he lashed out at Ram and reminded all that he, Jagdeo, was the “head dictator in charge”. He let Ram understand that anyone who challenges his words, whether by past or present action, must be ignored and, in his mind ridiculed publicly. So no attempt by Christopher Ram, to ask the President a question, or make a comment could have been entertained by President Jagdeo, question and answer time was clearly a time for the President to deal with those who dare criticise him or his government. What a democracy! What is wrong is that as a society we have become so fed up with this state of lawlessness that we are beginning to accept what is abhorrent as normal and ok. This situation is dangerous as we begin to set very low standards for our leaders at the highest level in society. What are we saying to our children!
Lurlene Nestor

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