Crime – as trade and profession
Just the briefest of my own grass-roots, man–in-the-street brand of “philosophising” about the implications of the behaviours now being exhibited by some “new” personalities in high places. In the government’s platforms, floors and corridors of power. Emanating from the “new” Ministers, Directors, CEO’s, Commissioners, Municipal Councillors and yes, spokespersons.
Authority, then power, seeps into the psyche, bones, nerves and sinews of new holders rather swiftly.
Even the cool, fair-minded official seems to become intoxicated, contaminated with some level of dominion over lesser mortals – who, mind you, might have themselves catapulted those “representatives” to new-found, lofty positions.
You and I do not have to possess lots of expert qualifications to reflect upon and examine causes and reasons for the haughty responses and general behaviour of the newly-elected. Just begin with “background checks”, objectively, dispassionately, factually.
I digress now, for a few sentences. Decades ago, I recall, reasonably well, that the American (Presidential) Candidate Gary Hart (?) was discovered on a yacht dating a young lady outside, I think, of his marriage. His morals were crucified!
It’s from then, to me, the Americans wanted a candidate like driven snow! Did he smoke pot at college? Does he have “outside” children?
Did he refuse to be drafted? What were his business deals twenty years before? They were scrutinising character. Would his past impact upon his presidency? What about good old/bad Guyana?
I am flawed, they might be
I’ve never thought of competing for any public office. Even when I was PNC Kitty activist for a few years. I never felt competent or confident to so do. And besides I preferred professional contributions to society.
More than that I know I was no moralistic paragon of virtue. I might not have been a great example, even when I compared myself to some relative crooks and dubious characters who actually served in (high) official and political positions.
You must always consider the following: today’s Ministers, parliamentarians, Opposition Big Wigs, mayors, CEO’S, Regional Heads et al, were yesterday’s accountants, lawyers, doctors, nurses, engineers, “pastors”, soldiers, policemen (at varied levels), and, yes “businessmen”.
Is it not reasonable to assume that some of them might have “slipped up” in their days of being ordinary? The issue is: what type of baggage of indiscretion have they brought to high office?
Those of us who are being led must hold them all to high accountability. They asked to be elected and must submit to scrutiny. I know that they are/were “human”. We must decide when or how much to forgive the genuine penitent.
Two final points for your consideration: many honest, qualified and upright Guyanese have migrated. The barrel needs to be refilled with young acceptable candidates, with great character, integrity and old-fashioned values. Where are they? Secondly, I know of former Big Ones in the PPP officialdom who “nicked dice” by Metropole cinema and /or stole bicycle saddles.
They did not turn out too bad. And believable allegations have been made about attorneys-at–law who now serve us (well). Discuss…
Anatomy: Criminal enterprise
I suspect that amongst the well-structured institutionalised entities of illegalities for earnings and profit, crime is regarded as an enterprise, another form of societal “business.” The law is a mere humbug to challenge, to get around and to effectively, successfully submerge.
Societies have come up with laws embedded in their constitutions and statutes. Societies need laws, regulations, and guidelines for good peaceful order so that there is community and national security and development.
Crime constitutes offences against these public laws. Violations, infractions attract various levels of penalities and punishment. That should be the order of things. But when need, dishonesty, lack of training, parenting and wholesome values, temptation to “beat systems” surface, those committed to criminality disturb a society’s desirable order.
In Guyana too frequently poverty is listed as a cause for crime. In my time, fifties to seventies, poor folks did not turn to crime in any sustained manner as obtains now. Even we the needy, had certain ingrained values transmitted by home, school, church, grandmothers.
Again I submit that morally-rudderless youth will follow the moguls of crime, the movies and the successful well-connected to become career criminals.
The petty criminal – burglar, market- thief, pickpocket, snatcher – graduates to more organised enterprise like getting guns, casing communities, abductions. The “brighter” ones in employment study the ministers’ systems, defraud in white and blue- collar business.
Then come the Barons of Cocaine bosses of laundering money illegally obtained from drugs, smuggling etc. The youth sees success, models, and heroes. And the CEO’s of crime – and even their courier underlings know the law and possible penalities attached to their wrong-doing. They study our judicial deficiencies, investigative compromises. Suddenly the many bad triumphs over the ministry good. Discuss…
Think well…
- 1) An employee of Baishanlin, in Sunday’s print press, has accused the company of many major labour violations. Do you-all realise that Minister Joe Harmon is now best-placed to have them corrected forthwith?
- ) 2 Though the cancer of corruption and neglect was nurtured during the Jagdeo /Ramotar years, the situation at the jail(s) is one to be controlled and corrected by the Granger Government. Let us see instant and lasting remedies. Now!
- ) 3 Besides Minister Cathy, what does the AFC think of the 50th independence anniversary activities
’Til next week!
(Comments?
allanafenty@yahoo.com)
