The promise of inclusion: Persons and projects
With all the happenings “of national significance” which now abound around us – battling with the COVID-19 plague for attention – I am often tempted to throw in the towel. To leave opinion and commentary to those more trained to offer same; as well as to those daily letter-writers who probably e-mail their frequent offerings at late nights, early mornings.
But no! I know I have certain regulars who almost “depend”. And having been around the politics for decades, even in my retirement I now offer two personal perspectives.
The first is the understanding that the Brigadier’s Party which held us to ransom as collective hostages for five months after 14 months since December 2018, feels severely wounded. Moreso for five weeks now since the August 02 Presidential Swearing-in. So it’s up the Courts’ stairways, as promised. But as I announced a few Fridays ago, there is to be no honeymoon and the new government could expect hell.
Well that unfriendly, hostile, even inciteful phase has begun. I note two usages by the Beaten Brigadier. Both negative and slightly amusing, he called his old APNU components “card board parties!” Then outside his favourite Courts on Monday morning he said that the GECOM accused (and his Party Comrades) are already subject to “prosecution”. The latter a well-chosen, shrewdly emotive term. “Cardboard Parties” and “Persecution” – the Brigadier Comrade Leader has ventured out of Pearl, EBD to – seemingly – strategise and effectuate party strategies on the streets and in the Courts.
If the Big Businessmen’s pre-election contributions are contracting, the Brigadier’s substantial Presidential Pensions must be donated to the Long Cause. Even as former Green House Spokesman now brand new parliamentary Opposition Leader of Military “Intelligence” will “give ‘em hell” in the Assembly.
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Troubling, strategic words and deeds
I appreciate robust non-violent political opposition which utilises varied, even creative, lawful tactics to confront real or perceived wrong-doing by those in governmental authority. But at my age and being relatively physically unfit, I become scared when I behold violent PNC confrontation in town or country.
Over the decades, I’ve become familiar with what the comrades are capable of. However, the words, terms, emotive language – openly or through dog whistles – precede the street activities.
The new five-week PPP government is “fraudulent”. (What about the Parliament/Assembly Joe?) Christopher Jones, Mingo and other accused GECOM fraudsters are “political prisoners”! Ho-ho-ho. Is it because of persecution (and prosecution) that the Brigadier and the hierarchy showed full solidarity with the independent accused? PNC Party support for neutral GECOM accused? Democratic loyalty – rights I suppose.
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Poor protesters’ minds
Naturally, obviously, concerned aggrieved citizens have the Constitution’s democratic rights to demonstrate, to protest. Comrades today were also supplied with a cause. That’s what bothers me. How could the Brigadier infect – reasonably successfully – the minds of his poor comrades with the belief that they actually won the elections?
Such dangerous and evil a mechanism to delude some innocent comrades. All for possible resumption of Oil-and-Gas Office? Of course there are thousands of PNC-ites whose practicality and conscience tell them that they lost. But tribal loyalty demands protests.
When roads are destroyed, buildings attacked, arson contemplated, it’s the same poor protesters who suffer ultimately. The Comrade Leaders are comfortable. Comfortable wasting millions in Court-related fees that some of those same village-protesters could have benefited from.
I state again: If the PPP leaders can find it in their still-partisan hearts to distribute proceeds from new goodwill loans and grants and from oil revenues equitably, the protests will go soft and all groups will be pleased to thrive. Under the PPP! I live in hope still. The PPP must be given a chance to govern. Under acceptable scrutiny! Can the firing of the EPA’s Adams be explained? What? There’s no need to? Wrong start!
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Inclusivity, person and projects
What’s the word? Inclusivity, Inclusion? Inclusiveness? Inclusionary? Assist me. In one Constitutional usage “inclusionary” is in Article 13.
Whatever is appropriate, I again advise the PPP to include. “Shared Governance” could always be a work in progress. (Hon. Henry Jeffrey could fashion same during imminent (?) Constitutional Reform.)
The hiring of the three advisors is a start. Let them talk even as you identify and include more Greenidges.
As I touted Article 13 last Friday I now note a collection of Civil Society NGO’s requesting “a greater role for non-political actors in the management of Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund – as a starting point.” And the collective is quite varied and of extreme interest. I’ll return to that next Friday. A Frankly Speaking promise!
Opposition Leader Harmon has indicated that much of his party’s parliamentary contributions will be based on his leader’s Decade of Development!
Great! I support that, as a smart PPP government should embrace certain developmental projects started or suggested. No shame at all. For that’s your unique brand of “Shared Government” Right there. My hope springs eternal!!
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Just imagine! Ponder well…
What? I’m told that the PPP 2015 Election Petition was never concluded partly because of “procedural issues”? Was it abandoned? (Are the PNC SOP’s finally ready?)
How come the “APNU” video reporters were on hand to air on FB the WCB protests live? Where the “well-armed police with weapons and tear-gas canisters” were ready to “harass” and intimidate the peaceful protesters? Organised? Spontaneous?
How nice! Co-operative! Did Patterson actually leave advice for the Comrade Bishop Edghill? 3b) Consider citizens – fashion an Article 13 movement. 3c) Why two Brigadiers in the GDF now?
Coming next Friday: Some worthy PNC developmental projects (planned).
’Til next week!
