Farmer Nappy’s `Garbage Bag’ at D’Urban Park!
January 2020 has just gotten started. I, of course, was not responsible for this month being my birth month. (I hope to make it to a significant anniversary this month-end.)
But I am responsible for this month in 2020 being the 27th Anniversary of this column. I’ve long dubbed it “a working-class/ Man-in–the-street” feature. I hardly quote lofty, eminent sources (though I can). And I leave being prolix and/ or verbose to others, better-qualified.
That’s why although there may be some hidden local political profundity in all my three captions above, I intend to be deliberately summary, terse with this my first offering for this momentous year for the land I love. The dozens of letter-writers, commentators and columnists, quite naturally, have recorded that 2020 welcomes the Jubilee Anniversary of the Republic, General Elections early in March – or whenever and of course, the production of Oil and Gas, which , if managed expertly, can effect positive transformational change in Guyana’s economy. So I leave those three alone. For now.
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Post- Truth: His Excellency’s Realities
Poor me. It’s just days ago the concept of “post-truth” was explained to me. Then this paper carried editorial remarks on the meaning. It has to do with the modern media, fake news and relentless assaults on evidentiary facts and “normal” truths becoming alternative realities as espoused by the influential and the powerful. Invested with ambition and mischief of the personal kind.
I love the Gary Kasparov quote: “The free world is lurching towards a polarized, post- truth reality that reminds me of my life in the Soviet Union, where the truth was whatever the regime said it was that day!”
His Excellency’s followers, loyalists, tribesmen will not be upset at how he has thumbed his nose at the constitution; the spirit of the Caribbean Court’s decisions and the expenditure of millions of poor people’s taxes to litigate delays- rendering a legitimate No- Confidence vote worthless – just to manage the oil and gas from the Atlantic’s bottom. (I should even understand them applauding His Excellency’s “political guile”)
The old propagandist in me smiles when I behold the many photographs of His and Her Excellencies at church services. Now, the Pan Africanist His Excellency is a devout Anglican.
But those pics are meant to convey the image of a kinder worshipful candidate at this time.
And when I see the PNC/APNU posters, flags and banners with “decency” and “honesty” emblazoned, I wonder what’s decent and honest about denying people their electoral will? For months?
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The PPP- and Sleeping Pepper-pot
The “Season” will end in a few days.
Meat-eaters – like me – probably overdid it with pepper-pot. After overnight my grandmother would declare that “the pepper-pot went to sleep.” It was awakened by putting the pot on the fire.
Does the Jagdeo-led PPP- with all his baggage – have any political fire-power to wake-up the political Pepper-Pot? Meaning can the weakened PPP alone combat the – excesses of the PNC/APNU behemoth at this time? Where are the other numerous newcomers?
But GECOM shenanigans aside, just who can compete with His Excellency’s Brigade? How do you view Doctor Irfaan? Toshao Shuman? Speaker Ramkarran? Hotelier Badal? And the pastors, doctors and lecturers now turned political leaders/Pretenders?
What? If they all coalesce they’ll establish some Parliamentary Third-Force Leverage? Ho-ho! Best of political luck Guyana. (But check with the Americans first.)
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Whoii! Nappy’s Garbage Bag today!
For one year straight Trinidadian Farmer Nappy’s “Yuh Hookinh Mih” Soca hit has dominated the airwaves and local young people’s fetes.
The PPP has a powerful Campaign Jingle with Nappy’s Melody. But Comrade Farmer Nappy is headlining the PNC/APNU Campaign Concert Launch at D’Urban Park this afternoon. Master Stroke for the Youth Vote! (Which youth? Ho-ho!)
The event is bound to be a hit later today. Front page and prime time. Awakening the Old-Old “PNC” in me. Televise the concert. I’m too lazy, too old (?) to attend. Partaay!
Make time to ponder…
.1) It’s Agreement-Official! Guyana is very likely to “experience” Prime Minister “Prakash”.
.2) If the loyalists do not criticise constructively, demand accountability, autocracy dictatorship, however benign, can take root.
(Better “yuh own louse bite yuh”, I suppose.)
.3) Y’all realise how many municipal by-laws and other regulations are cast aside at Christmas time in Georgetown? What? The vendors have to vote?
.4) Do players win our Lottery’s Daily Millions frequently?
.5) My pal swore: “Soon, even the smelly vagrant of Regent Street won’t be able to beg people. After all, we’re now a petroleum rich State!”
’Til next week!
