The Manickchand ban: The “moral” politics of Ramotar

Apr 03, 2014 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

I was about sixteen years old when I began fighting madly to understand philosophy books. At the time I worked at the Michael Forde Bookshop. As my capacity for comprehension began to improve, there was one subject in philosophy that defied me. Try as hard as I could, I couldn’t get it. I still can’t get. Can you? It is about the meaning of moral values.
What are they? Is there a definitive scheme of moral values that can be graded? Until civilization dies out, no great philosopher will answer that question, none has, although the brilliant Immanuel Kant and David Hume have made some profound contributions to the debate.
This is an introduction to the “moral” politics of Donald Ramotar. But exactly what is the “moral” politics of Donald Ramotar? It began when Ramotar’s son, Alexei struck down my nephew in front of his (my nephew’s) Pike Street, Kitty home. Let me stay clear away from libel. I didn’t say “illegally” struck down. He hit my nephew with his Rav4 and left him in crutches for an entire year. Those are the facts. The police didn’t prosecute my nephew for jay-walking or Ramotar for dangerous driving, so I can’t comment on who is wrong.
Mark Benschop ran the story on his web page with the comments that followed. Ramotar then called Benschop to inform him that he was endangering his son’s life by posting those angry comments. Benschop then suggested to Ramotar that how can he, Ramotar, complain when Kwame McCoy puts up similar comments and he Benschop has a young son.
Ramotar replied that he doesn’t read McCoy’s blog then went on to tell Benschop that he, Ramotar, believes in “moral politics” (the words of Ramotar). Benschop taped the conversation and it was subsequently played for me. I don’t know if Benschop still retains the item but I think he keeps a library of such materials. If he does; I hope he can play it for the public.
Exactly what Ramotar means by moral politics I don’t know but I am certainly not impressed with the politics and policies of Ramotar as a person and as the President, and his government too. I don’t see any moral values in them, but then again, remember we in society cannot pin down exactly what are morally right and wrong.
Of course I don’t buy that jazz.
Well, one is forced to ask the question; will Ramotar retain Manickchand after her unbecoming conduct in Parliament on Tuesday? If Ramotar believes in moral politics, he should not. Ramotar had sufficient time to observe Manickchand like the rest of the nation. She served in Parliament under Jagdeo.
It was difficult to understand the mind of this lady when you saw her in Parliament. On every occasion when she was on the floor, it was if she was in a boxing ring. The gesticulations, antics, use of words give huge indications that Manickchand was not aware that she was not in South Georgetown (where I am from) trying to win a brawl.
But the “moral” politics of Ramotar worked in Manickchand’s favour.
Ramotar made her Minister of Education, one of the most respected of all the Cabinet portfolios. It was while serving as Minister of Education, that Manickchand made her infamous remark directed towards Jaipaul Sharma.
In heckling Volda Lawrence while the APNU Parliamentarian was speaking on rape, Manickchand shouted; “Ask your APNU member Sharma about that.” This was the Minister of Education, who is also a lawyer, speaking.
Poor Manickchand. She chose the wrong person. Jaipaul Sharma is one of the quietest Parliamentarians. He does not rub anyone the wrong way. At the time of writing she has refused to apologize as requested by the Speaker. This refusal has tremendous analytical value for understanding the culture of the PPP.
Countless Guyanese will be surprised that the apology was not offered. But not those who study the nature of the PPP.
Except Jeff Da Silva, the former head of GOINVEST, who publicly apologized at a press briefing over concessions to Bobby Ramroop that were not backed by law, there has not been a single apology from any PPP person serving in the state sector at a high level and in the Cabinet.
If Manikchand does apologize, it will not be voluntary like Da Silva. She cannot speak on the budget if she does not.
But Speaker Trotman is playing games. If Manickchand continues to refuse, she should be banned from speaking in Parliament period! But what about the moral politics of Uncle Donald or De Donald or President Donald? Will he follow Kamla in Trinidad and practice moral politics?

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The Manickchand ban: The “moral” politics of Ramotar

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