Important clarification for Bisram

Jun 06, 2024 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram contested my May 24, 2024  letter, “Potpourri-Freddie Kissoon, Vishnu Bisram and AG Nandlall,” and his response, in “Only polls, not common sense, can determine popularity of politicians,” (Jun 04, 2024) needs quite a few clarifications. I am glad that he recognises and admits (not for the first time) that Kaieteur News is indeed the only media entity that gives a ‘free course’ to ‘all and sundry’ irrespective of their slant on any issue. Bisram also does not descend into name-calling and mockery, even when ‘made fun of.’

Now let me present my clarifications, and in advance, I thank the editor for his time and space. First, I stated that “Unless a poll or survey is documented, it is mere guess work, based on common-sense and everyday observation and street talk … (as) The obvious needs no investigation. Look at this piece of stupidity: “…  Irfaan is more liked than Jagdeo among certain categories or groups of voters…” Is this a finding? Does this require a poll or survey? As a caveat, as my letter clearly delineated, by ‘guess work,’ I meant ‘intelligent assumption’ since I was saying, no poll is necessary when a situation is stark clear.

So, to Bisram, I repeat my concern. Where is your documentation? I also repeat my question: “Do you need a poll for this?” The same situation exists concerning Aubrey Norton, even though I made no mention of this in my letter. It is so obvious. Aubrey Norton seems like just a face in the crowd. He has waned so significantly that unless he simulates a PPP/C Congress act, he is out. By the way, it will do Vishnu a great good to find out about the ‘how’ and ‘who’ regarding the delegates at this PPP/C Congress.  This will give some insight into AG Anil Nandlall’s ‘planned’ phasing out.

The other point to disambiguate is where Bisram stated that “Riley made reference to a 2008 personalized attack referring to me as “Bismuth”, (explaining to) assure Riley (me) that I (Vishnu) have no changing form.”

Editor, maybe Bisram was in a hurry and did not fully ‘get the drift.’ My point was that Freddie Kissoon, in addition to Bisram was not to be taken seriously. He is the one to berate, in mocking tones, Bisram, and how ironic too, as he did so by incorrectly using  the analogy of the Bismuth element. Let me present the excerpts (straight from my missive):

“I hope readers go back to Freddie Kissoon (on Bisram) on July 10, 2008, in his attack on Vishnu Bisram titled, “Mr. Bismuth Bisram in Grenada is due in Guyana.” In this error-riddled and envy-laced attack, Freddie Kissoon got so personal, his minutiae of a point got lost. First, he tries to make a mockery of Vishnu Bisram, telling readers that “Just in case you don’t know, bismuth is a chemical in the periodic table. It is outside the scope of this essay to describe its properties but one of its values is its changing form. I am using the word here in that context.”

Note what I said: “What a joke? Any Chemistry student will do the ‘Presidential Jiggle’ on this. Why?

The answer: “Fact: “Although bismuth-209 is now known to be radioactive, it has classically been considered to be a ‘stable’ (yes indeed) isotope because it has a half-life of approximately 2.01×1019 years, which is more than a billion times the age of the universe.”

Thus, I emphasized that “Freddie is either a dummy, or he knows that people seldom pay attention to him and his ‘supposed’ irrefutable facts. He noted in that piece, and in fact anticipated that “It may come across as funny to you (readers) to read me referring to Vishnu Bisram as Bismuth Bisram but I have no jocular intention. I believe Vishnu Bisram’s ‘changing forms’ have caught up with him.”

I then elaborated that it was Freddie Kissoon who changes form.

I quote again.

“Now, talk about change! This is Freddie before his venal (PPP) conversion.”

“I don’t see the PPP surviving in a physiological state that would allow it to be an energized competitor in the next election in 2020. In my column of December 19, 2014 titled, “The PPP will physically die should it lose power,” I explained why the PNC survived after 1992, but the PPP will not after May 2015.”

I of course referred to Freddie as a ‘protean analyst.’ In other words, he has no conclusive, evidence-based conviction and opinion. He is the ultimate ‘rolling stone.’

Read again: “His (Freddie Kissoon”) boast was that “Once the PPP falls from power, it will die. All PPP leaders are scared of this reality.” I recall too in June 2008, Freddie in “Time for the PPP to rein in Mr. Jagdeo,” stated that “One of my vexations, which I relayed to all those PPP insiders that I have confidentially discussed Jagdeo with, is how could the PPP allow someone WITHOUT ANY ‘intellectual erudition’, ‘strategic brilliance’, ‘political finesse’, ‘visionary ideals’, ‘philosophical smartness’ and ‘unique ideas’, like Mr. Jagdeo, to have humbled the entire PPP leadership the way he has done.”

Need I say more?

My request: Freddie must explain how come he has been so egregiously wrong. I do know that he is the epitome of a political chameleon. And, secondly, Vishnu Bisram cannot authenticate his polls; he states the obvious. He must produce the documents.

A good footnote is that I have tried to find a phone number and addresses for Bisram’s NACTA and it is in vain. I hope Bisram will help me here.

Yours truly,
Gaylord Riley

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• AG Anil Nandlall’s, Freddie Kissoon, Gaylord Riley., Vishnu Bisram as Bismuth Bisram, Vishnu Bisram’s, Yours truly

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