Here comes one of my university-of-life/faculty-of-the-streets lecturettes today.
I was using “Kleptocracy” in this feature long before more recognized “minds” appropriated it for their columns. Understood. So I’ll resume my creation: the Guyana “corruptocracy.” Even though I actually want to grapple with that wonderful, desireable-but-disappearing concept of integrity.
Frankly Speaking, search your soul dear reader, especially if you were ever exposed to any modicum of higher moral values and standards of behaviour, can you these days identify ten Public Figures in national decision–making who live and exude that quality known as Integrity? You see their images – and hear them. Daily! Can they – male and female alike – impress our nation’s young minds as being worthy of role-model emulation? You judge (your “leaders”) I know my conclusions.
Integrity?
What’s that (these days)? Funnily, one of my dictionary definitions cited incorruptibility as synonymous with someone’s integrity; uprightness and an “adherence to high moral codes of values” apply, of course.
Socio-economic “class” does not guarantee integrity. Nor does genealogical lineage or so-called “pedigree”. Personal integrity derives from parenting, inculcation of childhood moral guidance, often religious; an insistence for life-long excellence and character which shuns being compromised by “sharp” practices and outright immoral/criminal, corrupt behaviours. Modern day values, poverty-as-an-excuse and the get–rich-quick, syndrome, wealth without work destroy whatever little integrity is around. In my day even the poor displayed integrity!
Personally, even as I can claim no high moral mountain-top, I mourn silently for our youth who might yearn for unimpeachable integrity at the national level. For while allegations are not usually evidence in court- and have to be proven beyond the slightest doubt, the court of public opinion and insider savvy knows facts which make perception reasonable reality.
Nose-dive: From officials to police
So what we, the hapless citizens- inclusive of our youth (10-30) – experience? Well, perceived or real, we hear of government ministers mis-behaving in public; breaking basic traffic laws; ill-treating and being contemptuous of citizens. From the lofty- sounding Commissioner-General of national taxes to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the media, the Parliamentary Opposition and the Ombudsman all stack up mighty, unsavory allegations against such front line public officials.
And even as a young policeman reminded me that even his “boss” the current Police Commissioner was cited in the newspapers in relation to a domestic matter and the late commissioner Greene “did nothing”, I hasten to remind that top folks are human too, their frailties expose them as mortals who stumble. But when they hold themselves out as “leaders”, their standards must be excellent.
Even in a corruptocracy of thievery, such as our Guyana has evidently become.
Nandlall? Intergrity? Ho-Ho!
As with Minister Dr Ashni Singh, I was also an early fan of current attorney-general-our topmost attorney/protector- Nandlall. But now?
With regard to the conversation which the KN reporter apparently broke no law by taping on his own ‘phone, I am open-minded enough to recognize much of Nandlall’s “gyaff” as bluff, boy-talk and an attempt to impress a “friend” into cowering and changing alliances.
However, many remarks, though private, open Honourable Nandlall to serious charges, however lightheartedly made.
My Guyanese international-attorney colleague intends to be quoted in the media this weekend. But I can’t resist two sneak peeks relative to what’s in the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Act (2010): “Honesty, honour and reliability are the fountainheads of integrity.”
“The duty of confidentiality enjoins an attorney-at-law to avoid indiscreet conversations, even with his/her spouse…” What? Our honourable Anil is above such legal requirements? (Read the GNCPP this weekend!).
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On prorogations and campaigns
Simply put, my take on the Constitutional goings-on is this: President Donald Rabindranath should not have suspended the Assembly, being in the minority. The vote of confidence would have also resulted in no National Assembly. But why disallow the majority their right?
So every move, by both sides, you see now has to do with elections. Make time to monitor your representatives, you also actually vote and elect. With disgust I never-the-less marvel at how the Government is allowed to use delay-litigation, public funds, administrative blackmail to suppress Opposition moves.
And Opposition campaign strategies do seem jaded at this stage. Will their people’s penchant for Christmas and Mash thwart their elections thrust? What should they do – in terms of education and mobilization? Ask me!
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Consider…
1) After the relative vulgarity of “campaigning” by the government with the Because-We-Care people’s ten-thousand dollar grants, how much will the Prezzie and honourable Ashni “gift” to the Joint Services and Public Servant/Government workers this Christmas?
2) My attorney-friend is right: the Constitution does not mention “no-confidence”.
3) How would our information Czar Charles R react to requests from the Ombudsman? Ho-ho?”
4) So will the Assembly’s MPs receive pay during the prorogation – suspension?
5) New President Cheddi Jagan spoke of the paramountcy of the parliament in 1992. Poor Cheddi.
6) The Enforcement Hustle nullifies many laws being made effective.
7) The National School Sports Championship are the largest, most countrywide sporting event organized annually. Congratulations are in order. But how go them this year?
’Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)