Considering Leader Norton and Elder Green today

The politics of confrontation and criticism The British Visa under the Brigadier

These days – at my age and stage – I would always prefer to be considered as pro-truth and pro-fact,

rather than pro-PPP, or pro-PNC, or pro- any other political outfit.

It is within that context however I find it possible to record some (conditional) support for views recently expressed by the PNC - People’s National Congress Leader “Comrade” Aubrey Norton and former GGG political leader but PNC die-hard everlasting loyalist Hamilton – Hammie -Green. He describes himself as “Elder” these days – justifiably, as he is a ripe-old, virtual 88!.

Since it seems that our “independent” Republic might not tolerate private (foreign) entities constructing exclusive “gated” communities – like Windsor Estates (?), overseas investors will have to abide with our Guyanese levels of security and peace-of-mind as and when they live and dwell within our borders for their own purposes. After all, no exclusion, apartheid or rigorous class systems must be allowed to bloom here ever. Comrade Leader Norton was obliged to comment.

He alluded to the days when Linden’s Watooka was off-limits to humble Guyanese citizens. Naturally Comrade Aubrey is warning against any moves – covert or subtle - to reintroduce any vestige of a class-system

in Guyana. Who amongst us would disagree?

Of course, the Comrade Leader took opportunity to be a bit “political”. “That is why we condemn the PPP because it is creating a rich elite amongst themselves, family and friends while the majority of Guyanese of all ethnic groups are living in poverty…”

Careful with the latter Comrade Leader. Did “poverty” evolve from your 28 years plus five (5)? Or from the PPP’s 23, plus now?

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Elder Green, Comrade Annette and PNC democracy

Am I “ambiguous” regarding one-time PNC strongman, one-time GGG Leader and semi-retired elder, Hammie Green?

When I was a member of the PNC Comrade Hammie could be fearsome. Sometimes even more so than the paramount leader, LFSB himself. Certain tales abounded. Then astounded as Burnham catapulted Desmond Hoyte over poor loyal Hammie.

However about eight/nine days ago Comrade Hammie published a lovely letter in which he sought to cast grave doubts on what really seems to be a Presidential misnomer - perhaps Presidential farce – about some aspirational “One Guyana”. Hammie feels that the brand new GuySuCo board members reflect “me-one”, let me record my own support for that view.

But what arrested my attention and provoked a literary sense of appreciation was Elder Green’s liberal use of (appropriate) quotes from Khalil Gibran. Relevant to the PPP or not I love (d) them: “Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero and that deems the glittering conquerer bountiful” and more: “Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox… pity the nation divided into fragments each fragment deeming itself a nation”.

These excerpts are profound Gibran and may be over the heads of current uncaring leaders. Still, rich for thought.

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By the way, even though it’s not at all “my business”, I recommend that the grand Elder, experienced in relevant issues as he must be, be an arbiter to look into female Young Turk comrade Annette who is extremely upset over the conduct of the recent PNC Georgetown district elections. Ho-ho.

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The politics of constant confrontation

A robust, consistent and constructive political opposition is naturally, a requisite for transparent and accountable, governance. The elected opposition, mind you, has to be professional, responsible and evidence-based if it must keep the government open, people-oriented and as impartial as it can be.

This brief note right here is to note the daily aggressive – often reckless nature of opposition elements. Sure, oil–wealth management, job discrimination, equal opportunities, equitable land allocations and state education training, among others, must always be “opposition business”. But one can’t miss the naked aggression of absolute confrontation and criticism. Isn’t the government getting nothing right? And I’m wondering – or dreaming: would one daily newspaper lend its expertise – and analysts – to help manage the oil-andgas sector?

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The Brigadier and the British Visa

In a way I admire the profound eloquent silence maintained by our former retired Brigadier-President. (He broke prolonged silence some time ago – to sue!)

Very very long ago that same Brigadier acquired a British Visa to study in Britain on his way to becoming a local army Brigadier.

About two weeks ago the British announced a waiver of visa requirements to visit Britain. I could not envisage the flurry of negative reaction by the usual professionals of daily letter writing to the Press. They have analysed Britain’s (hidden) intentions to the death! Sure the British want to come with their investors and airlines. So what?

Ponder this: suppose the visa waiver had happened under the Brigadier’s coalition? Would there have been any negative uproar? (Ow mi goy man!)

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Consider, think, ponder…

● 1) Responding to Comrade Annette’s “internal” elections concerns a PNC “source” assured that “the PNC is a democratic party”. Correct comrade leader?

● 2) The Sunday night Diwali floats were truly religiously creative. Sponsorship galore!

● 3) (SN Thurs Oct 20 last week): “they none-theless argued that from those polls, it is Granger who should have been declared the duly-elected president of Guyana.” (The two petitioners had condemned those same “tainted” polls.

● 4) All hail diverse Asian/British democracy! The Prime Minister of Britain and the Mayor of London are both of Indian descent!

`Til next week! (allanafenty@yahoo.com)