-When good police can do nothing more
Of course I first interacted with the much-younger Linden product Aubrey Norton during my own by-gone “PNC days” (1973-1997). During that quarter of a century PNC Socialist Leader LFS Burnham encouraged the use of the appellation “comrade” as the PPP did. Even though Guyana’s Constitution still advises that the state is “transitioning” towards “socialism” and even though there are few capitalist-minded “comrades” left in either party. I choose to address PNC and Opposition Leader as “Comrade Norton”. Why? Ho-ho-ho.
The following is a very summarised question-and-answer session I conducted with Comrade Aubrey. In my imagination.
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Recent past, current objectives
Me: Greetings and welcome Comrade Aubrey. Thanks for your time and indulgence. Upfront how do you regard your election as Party Leader beating Mr. Harmon in a very low turnout of your party’s members to vote last December?
Norton: Mr. Fenty that I regard as a most unnecessary question at this time. I won my party’s leadership election months ago. Next question. Me: Is there any political party-love lost between yourself and elder R.H.O. Corbin or Brigadier Granger? Norton: Again unnecessary. I have respect – if not love – for both comrades. I trust they’ll both serve on the party’s Council of Elders.
Me: Why are you insisting on some brand new voters list when you contested with the current one last elections? Norton: Sir, Sir you don’t recall our failure to secure House-to-House registration among other preparatory demands? All rolls need upgrading and this needs upgrading because of fakes.
Me: But the Brigadier approved GECOM Chairperson Singh and the senior staff and the PPP was not in office to interfere with the current list. Norton: All I’ll add is that all parties should be confident with a new list whether it delays local elections or not.
Me: A national audit reveals the millions spent on 2020 litigation brought by the PNC/APNU over the elections. There is a lingering scandal surrounding the army and unauthorized upliftment of millions in fuel. Rumours still abound about why the lopsided 2016 Exxon/Govt oil agreement was signed in the first place. Corruption seems to characterise all administrations. How could you expose, in law, current allegations? And what makes you believe a government headed by you would be corruption-free?
Norton: My friend it would take an hour for me to expound on corruption in this society – both in public/government and private sectors. Suffice to say for now I’ve created a department in my party to compile, from Regional/Community sources, evidentiary data and actual proof of governmental mischief. Give us a few weeks. We’ll engage both the judicial system and the media’s court of public opinion. My government will strengthen every watch-dog monitor, every constitutional oversight agency, every policing mechanism and every party ethic to stamp out corrupt intentions and activity.
Me: Sounds quite noble. And improbable! But tell me, why do you keep engaging the AFC, the WPA and the two other phantom “parties” under some pretentious “union” when they are really dead-meat to the PNC?
Norton: Those groups still boast constituencies, however minor. The PNC offers robust parliamentary and political representation to all.
Me: You have to leave already so comment please on your position in terms of sugar; even sugar-worker votes; mobilising your Diaspora support and your party’s relationship with the current Private Sector. Norton: Those are rather complex questions Comrade. I can’t elucidate in full now.
Except to record that the sugar sector must be downsized and expertly managed by experienced professionals. Every vote and voter count. Our Diaspora comrades have an explosive role to play soon and the Private Sector titans here certainly know when to support whom.
Me: Thanks man. Notice I avoided oil and gas for now? As well as your presidential and leadership qualities or perspectives? Until…
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Afro-Guyanese post-1838
Just some homework assignments ‘til next week: 1) after the relative failures of our 1763, 1823, 1834 slave revolts, what really motivated the 1838 emancipation? 2) Why didn’t Afro-people turn to commerce and industry even after their first villages and their preference for the professions, the military and sport? Why don’t modern-day Afro-Guyanese – here and overseas – collaborate to establish local factories, schools, medical clinics, oil-and-gas companies?
What do Kofi, Quamina and Damon think of their descendants? Sympathy for the forces against them? Or disgust at their lack of grit? Discuss…
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Police hands “tied” – after trying
There are still occasions to say “poor police.” Or “strange, unjust system”. Just re-read the case where the lover would brutally assault the woman. At the hearings the sadistic lover would be granted bail paid always by uncaring accomplices. Police could then do little. Until the beast repeats. Justice not always present.
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Just ponder these…
Who or what constitutes Guyanese “society” today? Teens, young adults of parents around 40/50? What are their politics, culture, attitudes? “Society” represented?
When is the next opposition protest rally? Where?
I repeat: Give lasting specific cash vouchers; smaller cash grants/money.
`Til next week!
