Dear Editor,
A passing scrutiny of the local political scene has brought about some surprising results. They range from the really strange to the somewhat hilarious.
I must recognize Col (rtd) Joe Harmon as the most improved political practitioner in these parts. After one huge blunder, and with egg (uncooked) all over his face, the man has recovered nicely. I must say that he is a fast learner. Now just when Li’l Joe was readying himself to relax and put the past behind him, up comes the aspiring class comedian (rather late in life) to share with one and all, and in a very abrasive manner, his life’s ambition. Namely, he waan fuh be like L’il Joe. Say what? I mean be like Mike (or Forbes or Desmond (or even Cheddi, I daresay)). Why dig up this old story… Leave Joe alone; let him go forth.
Staying with the pensioned crowd, I think it is time to put to bed all this loose talk concerning the older folks in responsible, sensitive, even powerful positions. On the plus side, there is something called institutional memory. This is operative, however, when the incumbents can consistently identify accurately the day of the week, and the corresponding date. Some of them could not tell their own date of birth. Still, it would be helpful if they could name the country in which they are present. So much for memory. As for the institutional part, I simply refer readers to Jack Nicholson and that long ago business surrounding the cuckoo’s nest.
To be fair there are some real dynamite older people around. To them any new idea or methodology is like terrorism: it should be blown up right away. Case closed.
Changing gears, I must take my hat off to those remarkably dexterous citizens who speak from both sides of their mouths and the back of their heads all at the same time. Some go so far as to memorialize in writing. Thus I salute those born PPP, born PNC, and the newly born again political crowd. It is getting crowded in the circus isn’t it? Clearly, some in this society have little use for god; not when they can prostrate themselves at the altar of political convenience. I label these patriots as suffering from a crisis of character; possessing a koker (open) for conscience; and consisting of recycled engine oil for standards. That is why they break down so easily under heat and pressure: no viscosity. Relative to the born this, born that, and born again mob, I am content to be (like Matt Munro) Born Free. It is hard on the wallet and friendships sometimes, but like Sammy Davis, Jr “I gotta be me.”
Last, I am recommending that it becomes a mandatory constitutional requirement for all office seekers to be subject to a full-blown psychiatric examination prior to holding any elective office. Of course, I realize that this rules out a whole lot of people. But I make this recommendation, as there is this wonderful fellow inhaling the oxygen of the city, who behaves as though he is still in charge, and commander of something or the other, of which only he knows. I mean it is one year later and two terms afterwards, and the delusional remains the stance of the day. Obviously, something has gone to somebody’s head, and it is not for the benefit of this nation.
This is a smattering of what I have noticed of late. It is very comforting, as it tells me this country is doing well with the current crop of political brewmasters, and there is promise for much more. After all this is the Republic of Guyana and not Plato’s republic.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
