I did not anticipate that political people would attempt to use the virus to make a victim of a competitor

May 10, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

I did say that there would be problems with having political people anywhere near to the combat strategies and operations aimed at the COVID-19 pandemic. I point to those testing results as Exhibit 1. The problem is that I did not, and could not, anticipate that the political people would attempt to use the virus (as is now believed) to make a victim of a political competitor, admittedly an increasingly rambunctious one. As cloak and dagger businesses go, this one has all the transparency of a fully open kimono. Go figure!

Now I do not want to be caught napping again, so I say editors, especially editors-in-chief, better be on constant guard, as they may be next to be lined up for the testing range.
It is rather inventive, this new development that was intended to isolate Mr. Timothy Jonas and, who knows, maybe arrange precious quarantine space for his comfort and peace of mind. Truth be told, his removal from the field of battle also; as they say: silence is golden, particularly when the intrusive state leads the way in being protective, by minimizing noise nuisance sources and levels. I did say, also, that coronavirus furnished the perfect cover for any manner of political machinations. I am struggling to determine who to thank in the developing oppressive Big Brother apparatus that is so perturbed by the agitations of Mr. Jonas.

Whatever happened to freedom of speech, as provided for in the Guyana Constitution? Then I remember that everyone kicks around that derelict ‘dog-eared’ document, which functions merely as convenient political football with which even struggling Manchester United would have taken comfort in dreams of returning to its glory days of long ago. Many old-timers and fresher faces in the PNC have such heady dreams, too. That is, of using any device to restore it to its former pride of place. Some folks just do not learn: the 1960s and 70s were a half century ago, which qualifies to be the ancient history of the Dark Ages. And still there is persistence; indeed, old dreams hard. Remember this also: old dreamers fall harder.
As another timely memory aid, there was His Excellency, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and all the rest, from the second fiddle European Union moseying along with his three coins for the Guyana political fountain: he “would not wish dictatorship on any country including Guyana…” (SN May 9). Say what? Did we have to spoil things and go there? Now what was he really trying to say, this political wise man all the way from Europe? Was that really necessary? After all, as the story goes, this was putting the welfare of citizens ahead of any cheap politics and cheaper politics ambitions.
Without speaking for anyone, I would like to think that there is nothing that involves in the Coalition’s considerations which may violate freedom of speech (touched upon already) and freedom of assembly, which is another can of worms. Those worms would protest like hell to being dragged into the glare of sunlight and the fresh, cleansing air. Some people’s constitutions cannot cope with such sweetness and they succumb. Mr. Jonas, on the other hand, is sure to object loudly and without letup. Some pestiferous people (from the Coalition’s standpoint, of course) just do not know when to shut up and that enough is enough.
So what else is new? More pointedly, what new trick is going to be attempted to outflank those who raise hell and rise up as men of stature that have to be dealt with, but on their terms only? I am still struggling to come to grips with what I dismiss as a low move and a cheap strike that fell short of the mark. I have one suggestion left in the bag: next time, pick on another fellow. Be sensible. If this one could be made such a mess of, then what prospects for sturdy leadership in the trying times ahead?

Sincerely,

GHK Lall

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I did not anticipate that political people would attempt to use the virus to make a victim of a competitor

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