Columnist Freddie Kissoon's mis-adventure

Columnist Freddie Kissoon’s mis-adventure

Mar 26, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

In a feature article in KN, titled, “The President asked. I declined. I’ve since changed my mind,” Opinion Columnist, Freddie Kissoon, stated that he had a brief conversation with the newly elected President of Guyana during which he was asked whether he would like to serve his country. Freddie claimed that he pondered on the question and concluded it was a job offer by the President. He therefore declined the offer on the grounds that he was feeling his age and preferred to see younger people succeed him.
Some eight months later, Freddie somersaulted as it appeared old age rejuvenated him, changed his mind and is now asking the President for a state employment as Head of the Human Right’s Commission with the unfettered space to do as he pleases and with the caveat – no high salary and assigned SUV.
In support of his application, he claimed he would bring intensive passion to the job with his personal and intellectual capabilities. On the personal level, he wants to change Guyana, particularly to stop the indignities poor people have been enduring, and the job will give him his last chance as he heads into the sunset to change things around for the good of all. On the intellectual level, he would eliminate human rights abuses meted out to poor folks by those with money, status and privilege in the society.
By his admission, Freddie realized he has been a controversial figure for most of his adult life and a gadfly to former PPP Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar. Therefore, given his track record it is surprising that the newly elected PPP President Ali had the courage to offer him a job to work with a diverse team to do uncommon things and build an enduring legacy of integrity for the PPP Party.
There is no doubt that Freddie has been a social activist and has provided pro bono services of one kind or another for many people over the years. Unfortunately his zealousness in doing so by intriguing means has brought him much ill-feelings for which he has suffered grievously and from which he is unlikely to recover and regain the recognition and gratitude he so much yearns for as he has ruffled too many feathers.

Yours truly,
Charles Sohan