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The PPP and Vincent Alexander’s comrades are no different

Nov 07, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

Elder Vincent Alexander recently wrote of “guiding principles” forming the basis for “enshrining of a national ethos” (SN and KN November 6). I couldn’t agree more with that hymn, it resonates deeply.

Now, though Mr. Alexander made clear that he was not addressing the dual citizenship issue, and as much as I am one with him on “guiding principles” and “a national ethos” I must use the dual citizenship matter as basis for where my position(s) coalesce. Though the underpinnings of the minister’s dual citizenship situation need the clearest ventilation, I maintain that currently it is a secondary relatively speaking issue; and that the coalition’s heat on it is, itself, a smokescreen, hence, troubling as to ethos prioritized.

Since there are concerns over the seemingly blatant criminalities of the PPP leadership (and its telling silence) with Guyana’s oil wealth, I believe that that rises to a more potent ethical issue than dual citizenship, and should engage national attention and outrage for the same principles and ethos, which Mr. Alexander so earnestly emphasize. On our oil and gold and governance and political leadership and individual cleanliness, “national ethos” must be front and center and reiterated repeatedly, building blocks savored.

What do we stand for, wink at, pooh pooh, overlook and, ultimately, pardon? If the fundamentals of acceptable “guiding principles” are twisted to suit partisan or personal purposes, then I daresay that such becomes the national ethos, which is what I insist is pervasive. As an example, I tender the return of the now Hon. Minister of Finance. My principles and ethos do not permit me to offer Guyanese hospitality. For what Hon. Member Ramjattan states is “troubling” is a courteous understatement, since so much material wrongdoing did occur during the time and watch of the returning minister. So, to consider and then actually bring him back flies in the face of the kind of national ethos of which Mr. Alexander speaks. In fact, it is the kind of ethos that we have had enough of and should have absolutely no use for anymore.

As another, I am appalled that the coalition did not see it fit to comment sharply, when the Hon. Speaker reportedly said satisfaction on the dual citizenship issue. As I gather, the Clerk of the National Assembly essentially certified publicly that there was the “acceptable.” I trust him. Nonetheless, the Hon. Speaker should have invested his own time, interest, and intelligence to reassure himself similarly by examining related submissions himself, and then declaring his satisfaction. On a matter that has deteriorated to this disputed intensity, and with due respect to the Clerk of the National Assembly, I would have peered. My personal ethos would not allow me to rubberstamp anything, because it involves my people, my comrades. A Speaker must go the proverbial above and beyond. And now that it has been revealed that the minister in question was still a dual citizen when she took the oath of parliamentary office, she must do the honorable thing and resign. The Speaker should apologize to the nation for sharing what has now fallen apart, given the latest disclosure.

Returning to what Mr. Alexander raised, and for his enlightenment, what we have here as a national ethos is the tragedy of a culture that lauds, applauds, and rewards the very opposite of the principles that he and I endorse, which I try to live. More pointedly, the PPP is so far gone-through leadership, party, and settled rank and file modus vivendi – in embodying the corrupt that it cannot turn back, even it wanted to do so. It doesn’t. And, we may part company, using the identical standards and realities, I assert that Mr. Alexander’s own group and comrades are absolutely no different. So, the bottom-line issue and concern remains unaltered: how to get to that principled state? Who is willing to make the sacrifices of time and treasure and talent? Look at the feeding frenzies and yearnings, and there are the wretched answers and bodies.

Yours truly,

GHK Lall

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