– That darn COVID conquers my comics!
Just couldn’t be completely lighthearted as planned again when I realized that today’s offering is on the cusp of the culmination of one hundred (100) days of the still -“new” PPP 2020 administration.
(Why do folks employ 100 days to start assessments anyhow? Because three-months make one- quarter of a year? Can new governments really settle in enough to construct solid policy-implementation programmes? Because 100 is some sort of “century”?)
Depending on when you begin the swearing-in count from, the 100-day conclusion is a few days away. So what criteria are used to praise, appreciate, deprecate or criticise
Budgeting? Ow! Dr Bharrat came up with an emergency temporary/short-term National Budget within weeks of assuming office. Except former “good life” minister Jordan, few critics could assail the plan to reduce or drop numerous taxes.
There is even some current initial forgiveness for not honouring PPP 2020 Manifesto Promises to initiate wage/pension increases. After all, Dr Bharrat inherited Billions already spent and COVID-19 devastations to aspects of the national economy. An early 2021 Budget which might begin to tap in oil-and–gas revenues, must see more necessary promises kept.
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Mischief discovered means future security
It is whispered that Comrades Bharrat, Anil and Gail knew just where to look; how to discover excesses and thievery executed by the Brigadier’s outfit (2015-2020). The Auditor General will uncover even more for the March-to-July 2020 period of panic.
But as I’ve been advising over the past three months Guyana now also knows even better, how to hold the PPP accountable. So far just one or two ministerial attempted “excesses” have been exposed. Guyanese big brothers and sisters are watching.
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Development announced, dare to dream? To hope?
At last! New roads! Before elections petitions “succeed” or this government’s term ends will we really get two new highways? Ogle to East Bank, West Demerara to Parika and beyond? No new roads have been built in this traffic-overcrowded land for decades. Should we hold our breaths?
A new Demerara River Bridge!? A bridge across the Corentyne to Nickerie, Suriname!!!? Bauxite from Orealla? Just a sampling of announced mega-projects to make my unbelieving head spin. Along with oil revenues, the current and new generations should be super “better off”. Dare I dream? Hope?
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Our first COVID Christmas
Guyana and the world will experience Christians – and – their millions of friends – “celebrating” the birth of the baby and the adult Christ amidst the worst devastating pandemic in decades. More than a million souls have succumbed. What is God’s role in all this sinful punishment? Of even the innocent young?
The Devil’s work is fashioned by man’s evil, I’m advised. Hope springs eternal and humanity’s spirit strives to prevail. The radio and television outlets are (prematurely) playing “Christmas music”. Commercialism must thrive to keep the economy “open”. COVID or no COVID life goes on, and deaths. Who will be here for December 25? Until…
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Saraswati Vidya Niketan, virtually
Laugh at me all you want you youngsters since there is a term and category named “teenager”, I’m now coining “old-ager.” Me!
Last Friday, I experienced what “ordinary” folks have been participating in for years or months – virtual teaching/learning.
Swamiji Aksharananda invited me to his Saraswati Vidya Niketan School at Cornelia Ida, WCD. I sat in front of video screens speaking to 48 students all in their respective homes, at “work-stations”, in their uniforms. Their teacher was in her home teaching them. Via the cameras, microphones and video screens and computers or smart phones both one-on-one and collective teaching – and – learning takes place.
I spoke about Creole Culture. But poor me. I prefer to see actual humans in front of me. Of course I could have presented from my own bedroom if I had Zoom or Google Classroom. I’m a stubborn oldager. How much longer can I resist the “new normal”?
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COVID kills my comics! Trauma!
Mental injury! True trauma! An irreplaceable personal loss! Anguish!
Be gone you monstrous pandemic plague! Look what you have caused me!
Last Sunday a reliable source informed me that this beloved national newspaper (SN) will no longer carry the Daily Comics! I was/am shattered! From Bond and Andy Capp, Blondie and Curtis with the wicked Wiz thrown in. All gone! So what am I left with? What am I to do? I hear COVID is part of the cause. A thousand rebukes to COVID.
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Just imagine, ponder…
● 1) The taxi driver wondered: “De PPP appointing pure Indians to replace Africans they sending home. Dey en know no Afro-Guyanese?” As I attempted an answer he added: “Dey like Granger now. E put all Afro Permanent Secretaries and former army men!” I stayed silent.
● 2) Name the Minister of Petroleum, of Culture, of Finance.
● 3) This was written some time before all results. Is Trump doing a Granger? Asking the courts to determine the People’s Will? “Legally”?
Til next week!
