-His Excellency’s master-class – 2018-2020
As I indicated in my nostalgia piece two Fridays ago, I grew up in the city ward of Alberttown. So when two strong adult men stabbed each other to death in that section of the city a few days ago, I was moved to add my two cents worth of thought relevant to violence amongst the under-fifties. Reluctantly! Why reluctantly?
Because I fear coming off as “preachy” and alluding to all the behavioural sciences, the social scientists – from psychologists to preachers – the volumes which touch on the effects of slavery and its alleged impact on “African” parenting, even teaching. You see even as I felt moved to comment on our current rates, frequency of assaults, other violence and murder, I have to regard and respect all those well-studied views and reasons about the various forms of violence in Guyanese society these days. I respect them all.
However, as a one-time young teacher and parent; as one who later was involved in local party politics; as a keen participant-observer of working-class behaviours and responses to authority, I have to include now my own deliberate opinions relevant to these acts of daily violence and murders. And yes I will include the influence of music, movies, videos, the use of narcotics, as well as, however obliquely, the culture and politics of defiance to order and lawfulness – if the authority isn’t “liked”. Whew! I attempt my explanations hereunder.
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History, morality, intolerance, `ignorance’
So many others have invoked “slave-days” history as impacting on even Guyanese parents’ “word-and-a-blow” approach to correcting undesirable behaviour. And yet others teach about the “travesty” of corporal punishment in schools. (As students are not slaves subject to the whip.)
But mankind knows the “power” and correctional attention which force, violence, physical assault can attract with swift effect. Men hit women to effect correction or punishment for some misdeed – actual or perceived. Violence drives international conflicts, internal wars. Brutality and killings are “justified” when wars wage. They are called “defence”.
I’m here again suggesting that when anti-Jagan forces initiated protests to bring down his 1961 government, it was the start, genesis of today’s anti-law, anti-order indiscipline. The years 1962 – 1964 saw violence and murder by the ordinary folk – essentially racial – and political in character.
That era ushered in intolerance, national divisiveness and the arrogant, ignorant character of our new and present generations. That period is when we began locking doors and boarding up windows. I saw a revolution in values and morality. But I attended a Roman Catholic school on Regent Street so religious-type morality was embedded in my youthful psyche. In fact I feared both “God” – and my grandmother! Not this generation.
Despite all the advances, the technologies, the discoveries, young minds seem corrupted by poor evil examples. Along with no or little counselling about tolerance or peaceful co-existence. The Jagdeo years saw a portion of “opposition” society defying good order which existed long before Jagdeo-Ramotar. Anti-PPP attitudes metamorphosed into general indiscipline, intolerance of other views – whether national or personal. Law-breaking, crime, assaults with guns, knives, jukkers, acid are now “the new normal”.
An editorial in this Tuesday’s Stabroek News captioned “Deadly duel” was most “intellectual” in analyzing new behaviours whilst enquiring what moulds such murderous minds. My offering today adds to the possible causes. In simpler style?
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Observing our elections – at 5:45 pm
5:45 pm should now be rendered as “seventeen hours, forty-five minutes”. Meaning a quarter to six in the evening.
In my PNC days of yore – as professional and temporary activist – a police officer had to join any line/queue still with persons there waiting to cast their vote. At that relatively late hour. Between 5:30 – 6:00 pm. Voting closes at 6:00 pm and the policeman should accommodate no other late-comer elector behind him.
I wonder what obtains at Black Bush, Enmore, Canal No.2, Aishalton, Paramakatoi, Linden, Queenstown, Albouystown, Sophia polling places at 6:00 pm? These days. What can neutral observers see? Or do?
Will I publish my own electoral rigging “manual” by year-end? As promised? What about those ten Returning Officers-to-be? Ho-ho!
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The kill-the-NCV master-class
It’s not merely my diluted conditional admiration for His Excellency’s survival triumph over the PPP’s No Confidence Motion of last December which occasions this repetition.
It is that I feel, genuinely that His Excellency’s utilization of Constitution interpretation; of the uncertainty of judicial decisions (worthy of appeal) and of raw political bullyism of both rancour and tribal acceptance, was/is both masterful and masterly.
I repeat: it’s a masterclass in nullifying a No-Confidence Motion and its constitutional consequences! With events stretched out to still enjoy virtually His Excellency’s full term. With a little help from his GECOM-foursome.
Depending on your perspective politically – tribal or non-tribal – you’ll admire or condemn the Brigadier-President. Whose legacy being developed will now include Political Science students world-wide studying in his master-class.
So much to ponder…
His Agricultural Month Message reminded me that we still have a Minister of Agriculture. And it was nice to hear from Parliamentary Speaker Scotland too.
Chinese businesswoman slashed in neck, Brazilian lady miner set on fire. Even as we contemplate “reasons” for, origins of murderous behaviours.
The other night at Red House, Anil Nandlall seemed to know details of potential malpractices in the GECOM Secretariat. Won’t he write?
When those Chinese leave won’t we be competent road-builders again?
Does not the flooding of Parika and other coastal communities demonstrate how vulnerable we are? Poor CDC…
Chinese citizens with houses along this week’s Anniversary parade route were ordered not to look out their windows! Hail Mr. Trump’s America.
Photo of the week from the Coalition’s sporting Christopher Jones who will be a minister next year: Then President Ramotar “chilling” in the private jet belonging to the Guyanese guy just jailed for…
’Til next week!
