COVID, the laptops and the cable
President Donald James Trump has certainly succeeded in making the American elections of November 03 “far from over.” Even though today marks ten days since polls closed and about one week since the Networks “called” the elections for third-time “lucky” Joe Biden.
Actually, in truth and fact and American electoral procedure, those elections are really “not over” until so declared by the Electoral College on December 14. (Or as the result of deliberations by the highest Court-of-law, or even Congress). So President Trump has a (technical) point although much of America – and the world – now regard him as a sore stubborn loser. Usually now called “a lame duck.”
What follows hereunder is my own summary/staccato-like commentary on the ongoing electoral saga.
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Two Presidents? Anyone innocent?
Why do I mention “two presidents” if Americans all declare that “there can only be one President at a time”?
And why do I dare to note the two gentlemen’s “over-70” ages? Well the age factor first. Those two gentlemen-candidates were the oldest amongst the current ambitious rivals. Seventy-four-year-old Trump caught the COVID-19 as did his temporary pal Boris Johnson, PM of Britain. Like our recent Brigadier President and me, over-seventies have to watch out for this plague. And Joe Biden will be the oldest dude to be sworn in as an American President by mid-January 2021. Seemingly fully-fit but no “spring chicken” to lead a still-mighty land. What does that say for the role of the “coloured/Black/ Dougla Vice-President-in-waiting? You-all discuss…
“Two Presidents”? To stretch it a bit – or a lot – Trump is the current elected still- governing President up to January 19. But Biden is the elected President-elect. So two Presidents right? Facetious – ho-ho?
But already in the transition period President-elect Biden is doing presidential things even as the incumbent President Donald does his best to intrude and interrupt whilst pursuing some right to seek legal interventions – (as this is being written earlier this week.) Note the following:
The American Constitution (or electoral procedure) does not require any concession speech from Trump. It is just a welcome gracious tradition.
What is unacceptable is that Trump has signalled certain agencies not to cooperate with Biden’s transition team. He seems to be “stretching out” the required protocols to December 14 or until all his legal challenges fail.
Trump surprised me and so many by polling more than 70 million votes. (No Biden landslide though his victory is still massive.) Trump and his Trumpism, which have “infected” millions, means that the Republicans and the “shadow” of Trump will be around for some time; it also indicates the divide in the USA will take some “healing.”
But why do I tend to compare Trump’s control of his Party to Dr Bharrat’s dominion over his outfit here? More later.
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Two elections: Difference and irony
Things can be similar but not at all the same. Similar and some common characteristics and events might be obvious but so too will be basic differences, at the same time.
That’s why I experience restrained glee in watching the false misguided glee by those berating secretary of state Mike Pompeo and his Georgetown Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch.
The hopefuls even speak of some mysterious “Karma” as they opine that Pompeo wants only legally cast votes in the US elections but overlooked alleged “illegal” votes here.
So blatantly – perhaps deliberately – misleading! So are there Lowenfields, Mingoes and Josephs across the US (polling/county stations)? Are not the American recounts confirming victories as our “CARICOM recount” did?
I continue to be in awe that the Brigadier’s troops either make themselves believe that they were actually cheated. Or pretend in the interest of their Party. I have my own conclusion – whatever any court dares to “find”. But here is a supreme PNC irony: for five months they used the Courts like Trump is now doing, but are glad and “hopeful” over a Biden victory. Ho-ho!
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Laptops and fibre-optic: if only…
The fellas and I were gyaffing the other afternoon. The conversation recalled Mr Jagdeo’s One–Laptop Computer-per family project.
Then Donald Ramotar’s son’s Fibre Optic Cable that was to dramatically improve connectivity for all government and all country. That latter one cost multi-million dollar losses to poor taxpayers.
But what if? When those laudable projects surfaced there was no hint of any COVID-19 and today’s need for virtual teaching/learning. If only…
Then one fellow started making a list of projects that cost us billions as ultimate failures under that by-gone PPP-outfit. Billions that could have funded whole villages. He began with the Fibre-Optic cable and Skeldon Estate.
Now you add five more and ensure that there are now no repeats.
Consider, ponder…
●1) Why did the suspicious death of that four day baby girl cause me personal unease for hours?
●2) What are the world leaders telling President-Elect Biden?
●3) Do you realise that current government leaders Nandlall, Brassington, Singh, Ali, Westford all faced (Court) charges under the Brigadier’s Outfit? Now the pendulum swings.
● 4) The Facebook wag says President Trump has had a real bad year 2020: he contracted COVID, lost his job and his landlord is telling him to move!
● 5) I welcome back Mr Ashni Singh – if only because he knows and delivers the English language superbly.
● 6) And I’m proud of new natural resources (oil-and-gas included) Minister Vickram Bharrat. He seems to have his own personal resources. The man just donated one million, two hundred thousand dollars (cash plus) to the Berbice Cricket Board!
Til next week!
