Readers – and my Editor – could recognize a relative “time-out” with this offering today. So expect a little brevity. But what’s this about the Sunday Stabroek on this third April Friday herein?
Well after my COVID-dictated Saturday night outing, I picked up Sunday’s Stabroek (April 11) rather “late”: after 1.00 p.m. But oh boy, oh Comrade, was I rewarded. Perhaps it’s only me. However Sunday Editor somehow the April 11 captured my interest, my intense attention, after some time. The variety, the scope of the paper’s stories – news, facts, foreign, local, opinions – were a satisfying literary and journalistic lunch for me for the rest of that first day of this week. Here’s what I mean. From – admittedly – a purely personal perspective.
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International, Regional, Political, Social
Naturally all of our four major Sunday ‘papers carry similar overseas-sourced news – stories and, often, features.
Though I have a fairly open, objective (?) mind and appreciation for most journalistic efforts here, I have reason(s) to be partial to the Stabroek. One is the now almost traditional standards of excellence of its editorial writers. An “editorial” is normally accepted as the virtual voice, opinion, position, even the philosophical character of the newspaper. There are no disclaimers from publisher or directors. But I’ll return to Sunday’s editorial.
Overseas news Sunday included more on the death of the husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth – the 99-year old Duke. Pity he was “run-out” just short of his century. However the threat, the potential devastation by St. Vincent’s La Soufriere volcano meant much more to me. Understandably (?), the Queen was too distracted to sympathise with her Commonwealth Caribbean Member-State family.
The COVID-19’s continuous assaults upon various countries, including India’s massive population, were updated, as was Guyana’s challenge to prevent incursions from Brazilians whose society is being ravaged by the pandemic. Poor us.
In local politics last Sunday’s edition carried a powerful editorial, `Bellowing in the wind,’ which analysed robustly the status, modus operandi and dubious effectiveness of the Granger-Harmon political/parliamentary Opposition. (I might remark here on the PNC-AFC’s rather putrid use of Social Media. Frankly speaking, couldn’t Comrades Corbin or Frank Campbell advise on simply – creative P.R.?) Mind you, that editorial did not spare some PPP traditional (selfish) positions and current approaches.
Then Ralph Ramkarran’s provocative column on the right of registered citizens to vote – wherever they may be residing! Recall the debate about the overseas vote?
Sunday’s socio-cultural pieces evoked various personal “connections” for me. A “teen mother’s” baby died in a drain; there were farewells to Colin Ming and my old acquaintance Neville Williams; and Dr Ian McDonald’s pursuit of “Excellence” was juxtaposed against Stanley Greaves’ tribute to 102-year-old Hylton Lewis, my late uncle’s friend and colleague.
I’ve left out sport and crime because for me, Frankly Speaking, Sunday’s Stabroek was a positive treat!
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A SAGE opposition voice?
I qualify now as an oldster, to recall Sidney King – now Eusi Kwayana – being hailed as the “Buxton Sage”. Presumably for his alleged “distinguished political wisdom” in the fifties/sixties.
Now today’s SAGE is a Society for (the Advance-ment of) African Guyanese Empowerment. I’m betting it embraces the new weekly Village Voice featuring some Opposition-friendly intellectual authors removed from being merely ambitious Young Turks.
Financed by a few known solid sources, the newspaper emerges with the usual objectives, motives, promises. It is to be welcomed. So far. I must acquire my own copy. As I recognize certain fellows returning “home.”
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Governments as violators
From time to time I have considered the ultimate reality of members of government(s) becoming guilty of transgressions which border on corruption, even thievery and sometimes outright criminal behaviour.
Their Oath of Office makes them “solemnly declare” to “bear true faith, allegiance”; and will serve the People and the Constitution “without fear or favour, affection or ill will.” (What’s wrong with affection?)
What elements drive once-decent men to utilise high office for their own selfish and greedy pursuits? I won’t bore you now with three or four basic obvious answers, reasons. Corruption begins in the mind. High office presents opportunity, temptation, even evil. Offers of cash and long-term assets easily entice uncertain politicians with no old-time morality. (My own well-nourished morality has left me needy. And proud in my honest poverty.)
For too many in governments of all shades opportunities for long-term financial comfort and insurance must be grasped.
Recall the Brigadier-President in 2015 approving upfront generous salary increases for all top officials and parliamentarians. Today the PPP fellows are using the Auditor-General’s Report and other means to discover that the early salary increases and all the other wonderful allowances and benefits seemed not, never enough.
No wonder a young female columnist was moved very recently to declare, rather fearlessly, that: “There are men, both from the governing party, the opposition and other small parties that (sic) have a known history of violence ranging from paedophilia to financial abuse. And very little is done about it.” Wow, the journalistic bravery of a young female! Experiences?
And she was not done there. In writing about Guy-ana’s now well-recognised Drug Trade “industry”, as well as widespread local substance addictions, she took time off to “explain” why governments’ “drug wars” fail : “This of course is in no small part due to the connections many connected to the government and private sector have to the drug trade …” Guyanese shades of Mexico and Colombia?
Oh well! In many countries – democracies or otherwise – the lack of morality and the lure of self-preservation at taxpayers’ expense drive sustained mischief. What? The emergence of oil and gas here will warrant 24-hour surveillance? Ho-ho-ho.
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Just ponder these…
● 1) The Burnham GNS – Guyana National Ser-vice – was not/never “a curse” as the Sunday Stabroek letter writer described. Lots of faults but more opportunities! I’m deciding whether to enter the debate.)
● 2) The $5000 fine for not wearing anti-COVID face masks is authorized by by-laws?
● 3) Is Minister Todd about to appoint the four Afro-Guyanese to head our overseas missions?
`Til next week.
