The victim should pursue the matter, and Ossie Rodgers returned for trial

Oct 21, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

There is a CCTV video showing talk show host Ossie Rodgers physically assaulting a Bath Settlement woman. It was a despicable act, wherein Rodgers is shown repeatedly slapping the woman.

Now, the next logical thing to happen is for the general public to come out in stern condemnation of Rodgers and his violent attack on the woman, but what we see taking place is an attack on the Government of Guyana. As one would want to ask the question, did the Government of Guyana send Rodgers to commit the act? Is the Government in any way to be blamed for Rodgers’ actions? If the answer is ‘no’, then why is this inordinate attack on The Government?

Well, for starters, one can envision the strange turn of events where victim and sympathizers are at odds with the government. The unjustified attack is due to the fact that Ossie Rodgers is a talk show host who has enlisted some PPP/C members on his shows, so we can see the connection here, but what does that have to do with the Government coming in for blame for Rodgers’ disorderly conduct? And the answer is none whatsoever.

However, what the party can do is distance itself from Rodgers’ actions and issue a statement condemning the incident, but playing judge jury and executioner, this is not a matter for the Government. Let me say to all and sundry, this is a legal matter or a matter for the court, which the victim in question needs to do and stop her media appearances. She needs to stop talking and take out a lawsuit against Rodgers; she does not have to wait for the conclusion of police investigations, but hurriedly file a case against him. This is a legal matter not a political issue. If those who are interviewing her are worth their salt, then they should be at a lawyer assisting her in filing a strong case against Rodgers. But this is the sorry state of affairs in Guyana where straightforward matters like this take on political meaning.

But far more important is the fact that these PNC guys, Rodgers was a strong supporter of the PNC – must realize that whenever they come across that political divide, the skeletons they had locked away in their cupboards would definitely follow them, sometimes with embarrassing consequences, the Bath Settlement incident is a case in point! The fact is, that woman never physically threw a punch at him, but her words were lethal enough to elicit a violent response from Rodgers.

We are all familiar with the thug-like behaviour of this individual in a prior incident involving a young woman, and I am certain that it would have been a remark made of his ‘strange social engagements’ which caused Rodgers to rile up to the point of violently attacking the woman. But like we say in Creole, “the woman seh and in turn, he should seh back,” but to put his hands on her is a definite no no! This vicious and lawless behaviour of his cannot be tolerated, ever!

It also means that Rodgers leaving for his home abroad does not preclude him from prosecution either, that lady needs to go file a lawsuit immediately! The cameras are there to bear her out, let him be punished for his actions. The crime was committed here and as such, Rodgers will have to return here for trial.

Respectfully submitted
Neil Adams