Dear Editor,
I refer to your publication dated 5th August 2022, and editorial, titled ‘Shaking hands’. First let me state right off that a human being has the right to shake or refuse to shake the hand of any other human being. Furthermore, it has nothing to do with being mature or otherwise. Moving on, a handshake between ordinary citizens is about friendship, politeness, good manners and agreements. Now a handshake between public figures especially between those in politics is all the aforementioned at full volume, for want of a better word, with an audience. Make no mistake, the president knows this and the image it portrays after all it is alleged, his party is represented by a very expensive PR company.
I quote you as saying “the opposition leader alluded to…his critics would understand why if they went into the villages and saw what the regime was doing. Actually they wouldn’t.” I don’t believe you nor do I have the authority to speak for anyone but ourselves so I was shocked at the arrogance in you believing that you could. Added to that in continuing, soaked in that arrogance, I quote “opposition leader; you do not shake the hand…without fear of contradiction.’ He should fear contradiction”. Again you are not privy to a person’s thoughts. In concluding you yourself should have followed your own advice when you mentioned early in the editorial, “President Ali would have been well advised to leave the issue…”
Sincerely,
Mark Goodridge
