I hinted at this intriguing editorial which appeared in the State-controlled, PPP-oriented, government-friendly Guyana Chronicle of last week Tuesday (April 28, 2015).
The Chronicle editorial author, obviously a concerned “analyst” of and for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), took the time and space to lament and expose what he/she sees as a powerful enemy within the once-noble working-class political institution. Indeed enemies, via government agencies- and the party itself! I’ve since been able to read the piece. I excerpt it today as my lead contribution herein because I agree with a friend that the editorial’s sentiments could be used as one of the PPP’s defences or excuses for its probable May 11 defeat.
On enemies and
PPP “Tin Gods”
Captioned “Tin Gods threatening Governing Party”, that Tuesday April 28 editorial would not have been produced from the pen or computer of poor Chronicle Editor Ramotar. It had/has to be the views of a very worried, veteran old-time PPP loyalist.
Read with me, the following: “Tin Gods threatening Governing Party: “and therein lays the success of the AFC during the 2011 elections. As one former PPP/C supporter turned AFC member remarked: “Boat done gone a falls”, because the disillusion and distrust engendered by the inability of the ordinary citizen to access justice and/or requisite assistance from public officials, who jump up on platforms and make lofty speeches and dramatics, whereby the ordinary man or woman could receive the services that are their bounden constitutional right”
And here is just another soul-searching excerpt: “And so it is incumbent upon the Government to ruthlessly weed out the thorns from its leadership. The cries of the victims are often suppressed because they have no forum for complaint where their concerns could be listened and effectively addressed.
Government’s very existence, or at best its parliamentary majority, are once more threatened by the disloyal actions of the petty officials who are often supercilious and arrogant when dealing with members of the public they are sworn to serve; thus it is necessary to the spot of being imperative that the administration disassociate itself from and weed out the thorns that are damaging the fabric of its developmental programmes and strategies for growth – at both individual and national levels, within communities and in public institutions.
The corruption and administrative ineptitude may not be present at the sources that are being incessantly accused of these, but they exist nonetheless.”
What a confession by Freedom House and Office of the President just before Monday!
Regarding Granger
as President
The Mighty Sparrow, Percy Sledge and my grand-mother are among those who have offered advice to generations about really getting to know someone you love. Including that fiancé you plan to make your life’s partner. You really know them after marriage.
Thousands hope that the retired Brigadier David Granger gets to be Guyana’s next President by next week and my next column. But what kind of leader is he likely to be?
Speculation and projections must take into account past “baggage”, past/current promises, past achievements and leadership-indicators from his PNC, his APNU and his parliamentary positions, past suspicions about him – and from whom.
We know his academic background, military-officer expertise, discipline and standards will inform his Presidential character and decisions, even as political/coalition realities also flavour them. His manifesto 2015 will hopefully see him superintending small significant necessities immediately and the macro, national priorities concomitantly.
Frankly Speaking, for me personally, Valentine’s Day Cummingsburg Accord or no Valentine’s/ Cummingsburg Accord, I would hope he takes charge! Keeping the Coalition together, “National-Unity” ideals and shared (AFC) Authority must not deny us a President worthy of becoming a national or international statesman. (Much more later.)
Election trivia, please ponder…
*1) Can you take cell phones into a polling booth? Did jailed prisoners give up their voting rights?
*2) Could not Dr Earth-Champion, Commander-in-Chief Bharrat be right? About senior military officers compromising the Army’s confidentialities to un-authorised Opposition?
*3) Could Dr Bharrat be also accurate about the consequences of very, very great expectations not producing desired results?
*4) One segment of the electorate that must make vote and voice heard is that demographic living on and below the poverty line!
*5) What are the roles of PPP/C’s Lumumba, Ninvalle, Selman, Ramsaroop, Harper, Olive Gopaul, Urling and Burton?? After all, no self-respecting defector should stay silent over this weekend!
*6) So they did not request the helicopters loan I always suggested. So don’t tell me about results from the hinterland being delayed. But how does Mark Harper feel about Alvin Kallicharran today?
*7) I do declare! Allan A. Fenty will vote on Monday! First time since October 1992?
‘Til next week/Another Government!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
