Dear Editor,
There is a flurry of movement, involving packing and retreating, or getting ready to hit the ground running, in true paratrooper style. No! it is not about rentals and tenants, or emigration and airports, or graceful exit and Geneva Convention advance. At the heart of it all, this is about Guyanese politics writ large.
There will be few names, as is my way. But it is a forced exodus, best embodied in replacements with more than a few retreads; some call such post-electoral exercises recycling, which word has a civilized sheen. I prefer retreads, because it reminds of old tires pretending at durability due to a new spin of the wheel. Life is certainly strange and quaint in this Guyana of ours, and in some of the returnees (almost sounds like me), I hear that refrain from long ago, compliments of some now forgotten Jamaican composer, “bring back Maccabees version…” Today, I will be cute and leave out the rest about what “God give” to a group of people.
For truthfully, this was and is one of the saving graces of the PPP: it does attract, recruit, and retain a set of people unlike its own loyalists. In this, it looks more like Rowley, and less like its lifelong political adversary. Sure, there is symbolism amid the leadership calculations, but I pick up some hardnosed decision-making that is imbued with the pragmatic, and of which the border stands as the sharpest silhouette. I hope that this personnel rainbow is not the extent of the government’s efforts at truth and reconciliation, or the full flower of its visions of healing and reconciling. Those faces are a good start (despite troubles with some), but merely a droplet in the bucket.
Before I forget, there are distinct shades of nepotism that goes all the way back to Brindley and Ashton, with relations here and there and, of course, a prodigal nephew returning to the fold. Then, there is that example of a nadir that puzzlingly is at the tip of the pyramid at NICIL
There are some others, but I pass; cumulatively, I term them legacy issues. Sometimes I wish that I had such well-thought of (in elevated political circles) ancestors, so I could have been part of the political gravy train, but then I would been nothing but a bum, living off the helpless taxpayers’ dime. I prefer the American Way: earning on the merits, and honestly, while not having to latch on to political petticoats or owing existence to godfathers.
I scratch around and ask who else and where else? I think that well-saluted son from five years ago should show that there is nothing L’il about him and be big about moving outward and onward, like Joseph of scriptural fame did. Set a stirring example of the honourable and graceful for recalcitrant comrades of like mind by exiting quietly and promptly. There is already lengthy overstaying, and we all know what that feels like. Simply ask family placed in those touchy situations.
Casting around I come across the Guyana Police Force and come to a hard stop. No! it is not regard for traffic laws, though I assure everyone that I do. I confess to being perplexed at the continuing upheavals over there in the ranks at the heights. Like nowhere else, the GPF is assuming the proportions of a microcosm of the political management (note I did not say political appointment) carousel. Men who were in the doghouse are now retrieved to places of honour in the penthouse. And those who basked in the public lights are making the trip in the other direction and savouring the unequalled joys of being put out unceremoniously to pasture. I wish I had six months leave; I would do a few worthwhile things. I could form a political party and make mincemeat of those arrayed against, with the risk of making an utter fool of myself. It is not a price I am prepared to pay and, then again, I cannot stand being around political principals of this country. I must congratulate the American Ambassador and other foreigners for having cast-iron constitutions.
On that last score, I could use the time to rewrite the constitution, even assemble a Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and throw in for good measure a few raging pit-bulls in the shape of hard charging Ethnic Relations and Integrity Commissions. A signal benefit from such efforts: there would be no suspicions about oil. I wish those coming into the money the best; as for those on the way down, be careful with the door. It is revolving.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
