A new definition for patriotism?

Jul 23, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to the letter by Adel Lilly (KN, July 21) under the caption” Donald Ramotar even attempting to question Brigidaier David Granger’s distinguished service is preposterous”. Mr. Lilly seems to have his own meaning of the word patriotism, because this word surely does not fit the description of David Granger.
How can an individual who was a core component of the engine that drove the PNC dictatorial regime which almost destroyed Guyana be called a patriot?
Mr. Granger was a key figure in the army during the period when ballot boxes were hijacked and elections were rigged.
Mr. Granger was the head of the army during the paramountcy of the PNC regime, at a time when so many innocent Guyanese were assassinated, victimised, or made to flee this beautiful country, because they spoke out.
The high decorations which Lilly speaks of were given to Granger for his patriotism to the PNC and not the country.
If the politically motivated actions of David Granger were patriotic to Mr. Lilly, then one has to conclude that this individual has no values and is in dire need of a lesson in history.
The PNC had 28 odd years in power, can they show what they achieved for Guyana? I can tell you what they achieved. Nothing. When the PPP took office in 1992, Guyana had no money. Our currency was devalued under Hoyte because they defaulted on their loan payments. The national debt was so huge that Guyana was deemed uncreditworthy. There was no proper infrastructure, schools were falling apart. Roads were in a deplorable state. Good paying jobs were non-existent and migration began to peak.
Today, 19 years after PPP took office, the landscape of Guyana has begun to transform. We now have better schools, better drainage, better roads and better jobs. Public servants’ salaries are climbing and new sectors are beginning to emerge in the economy.
The economy has steadily been climbing and more people are coming back to invest. Guyana has been called one of the most rapidly developing countries in the Caribbean, and the evidence is there for all to see. Most of all, our people are uniting in an unprecedented way. Poverty declined from 86% in 1991 to 35% in 1999. The growth rates of Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually were 7.9%, 6.2%, 0.8%, 3.0%, –1.4%, 2.3%, 1.1%, 1.1%, 1.6%, -1.9%, 5.1%, 5.4%, 3.1% and 2.3% from 1996 to 2009, respectively.
Mr. Donald Ramotar has every right to question this so-called “patriotism” that Adel Lilly so egotistically boasts of about Mr. Granger. No matter how highly decorated Mr Granger is, his version of patriotism is to the PNC dictatorship, now turned APNU, and not the Guyanese people.
Furthermore Adel, Mr. Ramotar’s notoriety was not conceived by his membership and leadership of the PPP/C, but by the struggles he and the Jagans went through for a free, fair and better Guyana. Might I point out that Mr. Ramotar was unanimously selected by the PPP and its members for the Presidency. If there is a politican that deserves to be put in the realm of patriots, it’s Mr. Ramotar and not David Granger.
Alex Chanderpaul

Latest News

A new definition for patriotism?

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Seven Regional Champions to vie for direct promotion single spot in...

Kennard Memorial Turf Club expresses sincere...

Canada-based Guyanese Umpire Suresh Budhoo...

Anil Beharry Real Estate and Related Services...

Alarm in West Indies over radical two-division...

After 18 years hiatus, West Indies arrive in...

Features/Columnists

Jagdeo’s policies were a disaster

Forget Begging Rich Nations: Caribbean Countries Should Act to Save Themselves

John Hess speaks, Guyanese should listen

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

A new definition for patriotism?

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

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 […]