Dear Editor,
Drunk drivers should, at all times, be compelled by law to face the courts, and all applicable penalties, especially when death or bodily injuries result. Out-of-court settlements can be given due recognition, but these should not – must not – be the end of the matter. The life of the poorest is worth more than six figures, which are pennies to the ‘big shots’ that kill or main and get away. They get away more than once. Thus, a clear and powerful message could be sent through licence revocation and fine and jail term. Yes, I know that time and the odds are against families, but settlements should not mean an automatic dismissal or withdrawal of a pending case.
Second, in the approximately three minutes it takes to browse the two independent dailies, I have noticed the First Lady presenting holiday messages, and generally maintaining a rather persistent presence. Out of curio-sity, who is the ubiquitous First Lady representing? Women? The party? Her invisible husband? I think Clement should be concerned….
By the way, speaking of Clement, the opposition ought to be congratulated for its consistent posture of refusing to deal with the man. It is a collective wisdom that was thought lacking. The opposition’s message is this: We will not deal with him as minister; we will not deal with him at any time, at any level, and that is non-negotiable. This renders moot wherever the General Secretary position leads. Think traditional communist parties, the USSR, the PPP, and the traditional career path of the latter’s general secretaries. That is called seeing far.
Staying with the opposition, it was with some dismay that I read of the retired general’s stated satisfaction with the efforts and contributions of his shadow ministers. That might be good for the Brigadier, but most citizens have higher standards and beg to disagree, including me. Inciden-tally, what about the work ethic of the others? That is, those outside the shadow cabinet? Is the silence or absence of comment intended to say something?
Last, all these real estate monstrosities pretending at business legitimacy are really nothing but economic absurdities. Say what? Well, take a tour through the commercial sector; pick any time and most places. The norm is more employees than customers. How do these entrepreneurs pay the light bill? Only the light bill. And still the towers rear their ugly, grotesque countenances in bawdy defiance of all that is (was) civilized and clean and decent. The bottom line is this: Buyers are so thin as to be invisible, and spending is down, way down in valley of tears territory. Perhaps, they have conducted secret ‘polls’ to gauge demand and the level of competition, and can declare themselves pleased with the results.
Still, I would bet that the cash deposits into the banking system might be on the rise, and barefacedly identified as business proceeds. No one should need a spirit level to solve this comic book mystery.
Oh beautiful Guyana! I need to have a transformation; become an atheist; and help myself to the rich pickings lying around for the taking. After all, goat ain’t bite me.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
