Latest update January 11th, 2025 4:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Degrees of desperation are infinite

May 30, 2014 Editorial

An English novelist once said, “We all need money, but there are degrees of desperation.” This is indeed true. The so-called “root of all evil” – the love of money – continues to burrow its way deeper into the human psyche. The constant need for money often ups the ante – sometimes to the point of irrationality.
Everyone has a story to tell. Our lives go in different directions. That’s the way of the perfectly constructed world in which we live. We have commitments, and in most cases, we address them as best we could. But many are desperate in the face of critical needs. The solutions seem few and/or distant. The clock in their head indicates that time is running out. And then there is the breakdown.
Despite all the lunacy that occurs around us on a daily basis, at times we are forced to stop and reflect on the risks human beings are willing to take to lessen their financial burden or try to improve their status in society. Such risks have existed from the beginning of time, but there always seems the need for open debate as to circumstances, reasoning and consequences.
Reports that a popular Guyanese bodybuilder and powerlifter was taken into custody in the United States last weekend after being busted at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport with cocaine-filled pellets in his stomach, will obviously spark another such debate.
We are not privy to the state of affairs at this man’s home, but one could surmise that his actions were as a result of him being his family’s breadwinner, and the fact that the aforesaid clock was ticking a lot louder than normal. The situation must have been dire for this individual to have taken such a chance. Or it could be the flip-side; that a level of laziness and not wanting to work hard had triggered an absurdity.
The latter scenario is somewhat incongruous with someone who is dedicated to a competitive sport, and does so at the highest level, so we will have to assume that the former is the case.
Those who have travelled can attest to the rigours associated with even the most basic routes and routines, and thus would be dumbfounded that anyone would agree to embark on such a journey having ingested a potentially deadly substance – for what in the circumstances could be a fee that more than likely would barely lessen their financial stress.
Just consider the long hours of flying; the often frenzied atmosphere at major airports; the nature of Customs and Immigration procedures; the distinct possibility of profiling; the professionalism and alertness of most law enforcement officials at those ports, and last but certainly not least, the likelihood of chaotic scheduling.
Thus, bearing in mind any or all of the above, it is no surprise that the anxious-looking traveller was approached for an inspection by Customs agents shortly after arriving at JFK.
It was revealed in the court complaint document that “During the inspection, the defendant appeared unusually nervous, specifically, the defendant was physically shaking and sweating heavily”. And during a secondary search, the man told Customs officials that he had swallowed “foreign bodies”. An x-ray confirmed this, and he later began passing cocaine-filled pellets.
Perhaps indebted in his homeland, he now has a huge debt to pay to society in a foreign land. A simple story, well enough, but the details are disgustingly familiar. The degrees of desperation are infinite. Who feels it knows it.
Whatever the case, and our opinions, this is a sad reflection of what many of our citizens are becoming…dangerously desperate. The vicious cycle will continue. This individual would more than likely have mentioned his grim financial situation to a “friend”, who in turn would have hooked him up with someone of means, who then promised him his “day in the sun” and in the process somehow convinced him to repeatedly swallow his way to potential demise.
Sadly, he won’t be the last to do so.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge recovered

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge...

Jan 11, 2025

Kaieteur News- The body of 39-year-old Fu Jian Wei, an employee of China Railway Construction Corporation (International) was recovered from the Demerara River on Friday, the Ministry of Public Works...
Read More
Athanaze posts 98 as Windies start positively in tour match against Pakistan Shaheens

Athanaze posts 98 as Windies start positively in...

Jan 11, 2025

Youngsters seize opportunity, rubbing shoulders with Golden Jags star Omar Glasgow

Youngsters seize opportunity, rubbing shoulders...

Jan 11, 2025

Anderson, Nedd, Lovell hit form as first Harpy Eagles 4-Day practice match bowls 

Anderson, Nedd, Lovell hit form as first Harpy...

Jan 11, 2025

Alvin ‘Geronimo’ Braithwaite to be laid-to-rest January 13

Alvin ‘Geronimo’ Braithwaite to be...

Jan 11, 2025

CFU launches Next Generation Class of 2025 Referees training

CFU launches Next Generation Class of 2025...

Jan 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • Dem signs need calibrating

    Dem Boys Seh… Kaieteur News- Dem boys bin pass one of dem fancy speed meter signs wah de guvament put up fuh tell drivers... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]