Dear Editor,
Every now and again, I pause to listen to the comments made, and observe the postures taken, by the spectral opposition. Stunned is the result. Surely, this cannot be the same rambunctious party that reigned and lorded it over the masses for such an interminable period. There is this appalling, stupefying
vacuity, the epitome of a sweeping mindlessness that characterizes words and utterers. Consider the following:
A band of crass blustering pontificators who made an anthem of, and a living from ‘28 years of darkness’ now have absolutely nothing to say about 23 years of sleaze, or 23 years of failure. They don’t want to talk about it, or of any of the incompetent people from that ugly era. Perhaps, there is nothing of substance from all those wasted years to share. Perhaps, too, it is repugnant to the authors, and self-incriminating for the now pathetic unclothed architects of that time.
Next, there is the once majestic one, who rarely shared anything of significance in two decades of choreographed balletic press wanderings, now demanding disclosure of the new administration. The past master of saying a lot, but never answering anything, has today made the belated discovery that disclosure can cut both ways, and does not reside with him, and him alone, any more. This man, this Raja of rhetorical re-engineering, should know better, since he always found comfort and refuge in flights of the fanciful. Unlike the swallows of winter, he was not a seasonal attraction, but a year round vaudeville involving press peregrinations. The old Roger was more intriguing, dissembling notwithstanding. Clearly, his new role is a poor fit. Inclusive governance, anyone…? Somebody throw a lifeline to the man.
Then, it would appear that the amir ul umara (commander of commanders) has become almost Carthusian in his absence and silence. The big-man is not only carefully subdued and preoccupied, but MIA; he has left the others to do dirty work through filling space and time with increasing inanities. It is a classic instance of the abusing giving way to the brawling. Of course, the silence and absence serve as a hoped for distraction from the upcoming disclosures. The bottom line in all of this is this: sometimes it is better to stay quiet, than speak and confirm an urgent need for individual and group institutionalizing. And if this is the best fare that the new opposition has to offer, it is time to focus on the comics’ page.
Your faithfully,
GHK Lall
