Judge Jackson should have been spared the ordeal that overtook the U.S. Senate

Apr 09, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

It is always refreshing to encounter the brighter side of America, which was what shone through in the United States Senate confirmation vote for U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Ms. Ketanji Brown Jackson. Ms. Jackson has made it all the way to the pinnacle of the American legal system, the first Black woman to do so. Her trial by ignominy should not have occurred; she should have been spared the ordeal of dark ugliness that overtook the U.S. Senate.

It was refreshing-indeed, inspiring-that Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney, three Republicans could have broken party lines and stood for decency first, integrity next, and what is right and appropriate, all circumstances considered. I looked for decency and integrity, not in Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, for they don’t have that in them, such a disgrace they are to America, such a desecration to the Senate. But I expected a little of both of that, decency and integrity, from Mitch McConnell, who I thought would not stoop so low as to allow rancorous, dangerous politics to get the better of him, then compel him to turn his back on Justice Jackson’s success story, and walk away leaving behind the rancid scent of the defeated bitter, the unapologetic divider of a figure that he has become.

Raw partisan politics does that nowadays, and sometimes to the best practitioners of what has become the ultimate fighting characteristic of death struggles, and of the vengeful and recriminatory. That a nominee of the quality of Ketanji Brown Jackson had to go through the wringer is an indication of the bottomless pit into which what American politics has deteriorated. It is of the retaliatory nature of the Mosaic law rekindled and recycled endlessly to get even, to thwart, to conquer, and for the most sordid of objectives: what is good for party, and not the people.

Thank God for Ms. Collins and Ms. Murkowski, and Mr. Romney. America once had more of them, but it now is dragged down into the sewer by names like that of the last Chief Executive (so repugnant as to not be dignified by name, and he a former American President). Republicans have them, Democrats have them, and there are tens of millions of the same savaging, divisive mindset at the extreme ends that represent America’s political poles. Politics is now war by other means. The outlook is bleak. For compromise and working together. For progress and moving a torn society ahead.

Regrettably, with this as harrowing context, I have no choice but to examine the mirror that is my other home, Guyana. It is as stark and as tragically depraved as the American political scene. Like America, the racism is piercing and a sprawling spiral of wretchedness, dastardliness, and monstrousness. For evidence, dare to look at the Gorgon that is our parliament, and there is the risk of being turned into stone. Women are insulted, and the partisan cluster is so thick with suffocating pus that even women are unmoved when a sister (a political adversary) is demeaned by their comrade. He is one who would have much difficulty shedding an earned image of sicko and wacko, crackpot and screwball. This citizen of a peculiarly outstanding kind is a lawmaker.

He is one that most Guyanese would shudder at having as a neighbour, even if he were identified on a public register. It would be the worst of comforts. We have also a lawman, who is so consumed about prioritizing and rationalizing what is right for the party that he has lost all touch of what his duty to this country is. Guyana has its own Cruz(es) and McConnell(s). We have a leader who makes an utter spectacle of himself on each occasion that he speaks, one that none takes seriously, such a joke he has become. And he will make Guyana great some time. We have men and women, and they are not alone, or on their side only, who are of civilized bigotries, who emanate a rank racist odor, and who (like Crux and Greene and company) are nothing but “little maggot-infested” mean spirited people. They are near universal in presence, in effect.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

Latest News

Judge Jackson should have been spared the ordeal that overtook the U.S. Senate

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 28th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Fantastic Wharton snipes haul-trick in 11-0 win

Back Circle bests Gold is Money to retain crown

DCC continues winning ways thanks to Imlach...

All-round Headquarters retain title in dominant...

Yarrowkabra smashes four in Tutorial, as Dolphin,...

Ramesh Chattergoon smacks 110* in ESCL T20,...

Features/Columnists

Choosing between bad and worse

The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation

The Jagdeo Govt press report: horrible

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Judge Jackson should have been spared the ordeal that overtook the U.S. Senate

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 28th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]