Messages         You must be logged in to submit a message. Please register or login   Total: 10107 Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 HERG medical team sees 800 residents of Region 10 Chairman of Region 10 Mortimer Mingo has lauded the efforts of the Health and Education Relief for Guyana (HERG) team of medical practitioners, who recently concluded a medical outreach in several communities in his constituency. The HERG team of medical practitioners concluded four days of medical clinics on Thursday August 23rd, after treating over 800 patients at health centres at One Mile, Three Friends, Coomacka, Ituni, 47 and 58 Miles Mabura Road Amelias Ward and Old England. This medical intervention follows closely on the heels of a similar exercise by this team in December of 2006, where several orthopedic surgeons conducted surgeries in Linden and Georgetown. Chairman Mingo offered his sincere gratitude to the team of doctors and nurses who have now made this medical outreach an annual event, and in some instances have extended their efforts to two or more such visits per year. Another aspect of this intervention which occasioned praise from the Regional Chairman was the fact that this team supplies all of the medicines and equipment it has to use during these clinics thereby augmenting the work of the existing health care system. A donation of a significant amount of medicines and medical equipment was also made by HERG to the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 for use at the Linden Hospital Complex, with those items being currently in the possession of the Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation awaiting delivery to Linden. The HERG team of medical professionals includes Dr. Wyane Sampson, Dr. Collie Oudkerk, Dr. John Mitchell, Dr. Harrison Mitchell, and nurses Rosemary White and Jacqueline Gulstone. - 30 - By Leon Roberts Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Reply   Mark Benschop is FREE! - Kaieteur News Article Treason accused... Benschop pardoned By Melanie Allicock After five years of incarceration, treason accused Mark Benschop walked out of the Camp Street Prison a free man at around 19:30 hrs last evening after being granted a full pardon by President Bharrat Jagdeo. The President told reporters yesterday that the move was initiated mainly by his belief that Mark has learnt his lesson. However, Benschop described this comment as ridiculous adding that it suggests that the administration is fully aware that there was no evidence against him and called on Jagdeo to explain the meaning of this statement to the nation. He also vowed to continue the struggle. According to Jagdeo, he was prepared to act on the matter since last year, but not as a political issue and as such, when representation for Benschop's release was brought to his attention by PNCR leader Robert Corbin, he made it clear that Benschop should make representation for himself. Last year in an interview with opposition leader Robert Corbin he raised the issue of Benschop's release and I was prepared to listen to the issue even though I did not agree with all the arguments presented.. I however made it clear that I was unprepared to deal with the matter as a political issue with representation for Benschop coming from a political party. I told Corbin that if Benschop were to write me himself outlining his situation and if I was to receive such a letter from him then I would be prepared to deal with the matter. According to him, such a letter was delivered to him via Corbin on Saturday and although he didn't agree with its contents, which cited discrimination and injustice, he decided to act on the matter in accordance with Article 188 of the constitution. I acted in accordance with this article which states that The President has the power to grant to any person concerned in or convicted of any offense under the law of Guyana a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions, to grant him a free pardon for the crime of treason the President said. However, this pardon does not extend to Phillip Bynoe, who was jointly charged with Benschop for the crime. This pardon does not affect Bynoe, he will have to face the full force of the lawhis name will not be on the pardon, the President said. Jagdeo posited that while he maintains that Benschop is guilty of the very serious offense of leading persons to break down the gates of the Office of the President, causing two of them to lose their lives, he also believes that he is deserving of a Presidential Pardon. Had this been any other countryHad they gone into the White House, one hundred of them would have been deadbut I think that he has been in prison for a while and I hope he now realizes that that path is not the best one. This has nothing to do with the judicial process, this is how I feelI feel that he is guilty of leading those people against the Office of the President but I am exercising the Presidential Pardon.. The judiciary has the right to say if he is guilty or not guilty, but he was charged because of his action. He also doesn't subscribe to the belief that Benschop did not get an speedy trial. He had a trial and you have many people in prison waiting for trial longer than Benschop so I don't subscribe to the conspiracy theory of not trying him frankly speaking, he has learnt his lesson. He may come out and do whatever, I don't know, but there are no conditions to the pardon, personally I feel that he has learnt his lesson. The President, however, contends that Benschop was not incarcerated in order to teach him a lesson. I could have easily allowed the court to go ahead with proceedings because it's up to the courts now, the executive has nothing to do with it, but personally I feel that he should not spend more time in prison, the President said. Free at last ! Meanwhile, Benschop, from an undisclosed location via a telephone interview, told this newspaper shortly after his release that the President had no choice but to release him since his conscience demanded the action. He interprets the pardon as an apology by President Jagdeo for incarcerating him. It should have been done earlier, it had always been tortuous being locked down in solitary confinementI continue to give God thanks and praise.. some people say God works in mysterious ways but I would say God knows best. He pledged to continue the struggle, adding however that it will not be done in a haphazard manner . In answer to the question as to whether Guyana would see a different Benschop, he posited that five years of incarceration must result in changes but stressed that the struggle must continue. He described the President's comment that he has leant his lesson as ridiculous, adding that it suggests that the administration is fully aware that they had no evidence against him. He called on the President to explain the meaning of this statement to the nation. Shortly after the interview he made an appearance on NBTV Channel Nine where he reiterated much of what he had said earlier. The relief of finally being free was evident on his face as in a breaking voice he expressed extreme gratitude to the PNCR which he credits for his release as well as his supporters and other groups. In an emotional show, Benschop also reunited with his wife and son, who held on to his father tightly for a number of minutes. Benschop also called on the President to address the issues in the judicial system, especially the backlog of cases that causes persons to languish in prison for years. Get them out, stop overcrowding the prisons; this could lead to frustration, Benschop urged in the militant manner that has become synonymous to him. Constitutional responsibility Meanwhile, PNCR leader Robert Corbin says he commends President Jagdeo for finally taking his constitutional responsibility seriously on this issue. At a press briefing last evening, he said the Party cannot avoid the observation, however, that the long delay in taking such action has not helped to improve the public perception of the Human Rights record of the PPP/C Administration, nor has it removed the perception that the Administration has no regard for the Guyana Constitution. He added that the PNCR would not comment on the methodology employed by the President in agreeing to and orchestrating the unconditional release of Mark Benschop, though we would have preferred the approach whereby the DPP would enter a nolle prosequi, as provided for in the Law. It is regrettable, however, that President Jagdeo, in exercising his assumed right to pardon Benschop, could at the same time pronounce on his innocence or guilt when he is fully aware that the very judicial system had not only failed to make such a finding at the first trial but denied Benschop an opportunity to prove his case in court, Corbin said. Corbin said that in early July 2002, Benschop was charged with the offence of treason, contrary to Section 3I7(a) of the Criminal Law Act Chapter 8:01. This arose out of an incident, at the Office of the President, during which two Guyanese were fatally shot, in questionable circumstances, by Presidential guards. Corbin noted that Benschop was incarcerated in the Georgetown Prison, without bail, for more than five years and denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial. Article 144, of the Constitution, entitles anyone charged to a fair hearing of the criminal charge, within a reasonable time, before an independent and impartial Court. It is evident that Benschop's fundamental rights, as guaranteed under the Constitution, have been continuously violated. The Privy Council and the Commonweal Courts have regarded the imprisonment of a person, without the execution of a Court Order, for five years, as constitutionally excessive and as cruel and inhuman treatment, even for a person convicted of murder. President Jagdeo is, therefore, doing Mark Benschop no favour, but ensuring that his rights as guaranteed by the constitution are finally respected, he added. He noted that the PPP/C Administration has resisted holding a public inquiry into the events at the Office of the President, on July 3, 2002, and opted for the persecution of Mark Benschop with whom they had a vendetta, for having changed direction from being their supporter to being a harsh critic of their administration. No inquest, as required by law, has to date been held by the Chief Magistrate on the death of the two persons at the Office of the President. The PNCR thanked all those who, locally and overseas, rallied around the cause of Mark Benschop over the years, particularly the Women of Conviction, who throughout this period were willing to put their lives on the line for the cause. The Party also expressed gratitude to the many lawyers who, over the years, gave pro bono services on Benschop's behalf. These include the efforts of Mr. Basil Williams, Mr. Mortimer Codette, Ms. Emily Dodson and Mr. Linden Amsterdam, who all devoted their time to the first trial. The Party also recognised the continuous advice of the legal team which included Rex Mc Kay, Miles Fitzpatrick, Peter Britton, Benjamin Gibson and Llewellyn John. It is equally important to recognise the benefit of the persistence of several other legal initiatives to have a speedy trial, by Llewellyn John. The Party also recognizes the special role, played by the Leader (and Leader of the Opposition) who, along with others, both locally and overseas, steadfastly continued their efforts, since Mark Benschop was charged with the offence of treason, in July 2002, to have him speedily exonerated and released. Now that this unjust situation has been brought to an end, the PNCR urges President Jagdeo to turn his sights to correcting those other infringements of the Constitution, such as the attempt to control the Judiciary and the Constitution of various Service Commissions, which can help to create some hope that this PPP/C Administration respects and will work to restore the Rule of Law in Guyana. Treason accused In early July 2002, Mark Benschop was charged with the offence of treason. This arose out of an incident at the Office of the President during which two Guyanese were fatally shot, in questionable circumstances, by Presidential guards. On the 3 October, 2002, Mark Benschop was committed to stand trial at the Demerara Criminal Sessions of the January Assizes of 2003. On the 27 September 2003, it was published in the Official Gazette that Justice Moore would have presided at his trial at the October Criminal Sessions of 2003. The records of Preliminary Inquiry were ready to commence the hearing and a formidable defence team had been mobilized to conduct his defence. Mr. Basil Williams was then named as the lead Defence Attorney. However, on 26 September, 2003, Justice Jainarayan Singh, at the instance of Seetal Sookdeo, represented by Attorneys-at-Law Priya Manickchand, granted an order nisi of certiorari, mandamus and prohibition which, in effect, prevented his trial from proceeding until the cases of certain named persons, including Sookdeo, had been heard and determined. On the 27th December 2003, Mark Benschop's case was again listed for trial before Justice Ramlall, to be heard at the January 2004 Criminal Sessions but, again, the case was not heard because of the Order of Justice Jainarayan Singh. This order was eventually reversed by the Court of Appeal. Despite other legal proceedings initiated by Mark Benschop, with the help of local lawyers, to ensure his speedy trial, as guaranteed by Article 144 of the Constitution, he was only eventually afforded a trial, which commenced before Justice Moore and a jury on the 10 November 2004. At that trial, Mark Benschop pleaded not guilty. On the 9th December, 2004, after due deliberations, eleven of the twelve jurors voted for a not guilty verdict and in favour of his acquittal, but the lone dissenting juror ensured a hung jury. The Director of Public Prosecutions, instead of entering a nolle prosequi, opted for another trial. After waiting for two years and five months for his first trial, (July 2002 - 9 December 2004), Mark Benschop suffered further breaches of his constitutional rights, since more than two years and eight months elapsed without another trial. Mark Benschop's case was listed for trial at the January 2005 Criminal Session, and each session thereafter, for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, (a total of eleven times) after the hung jury trial before Justice Moore. However, his case was never presented for trial by the DPP, despite several legal proceedings pursued by his lawyers. By Leon Roberts Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Reply   FREE AT LAST llanus I stated heretofore about the vindictiveness and pettiness of these people. This is a President who wanted a blackman to beg him for his just freedom in order to satisfy some macabre and psychopatic ego need he harbours in side. There is nothing positive about the motives and intentions of the leadership of this party, where the interest of African Guyanese are concerned. They gave the orders to shoot at a hundred unarmed people claiming they were going to overthrow the Government. And they have spent 15 years screaming that the majority black Army and Police were going to overthrow them. What is the difference between them and the people they usually condemn who claimed that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. By victoriaguy Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Reply   Shades of Burnhamism, or is it Bushism? Mark Benschop is free, but from a PARDON by President Jagdeo. I recall when Jagdeo was accused of Burnhamism, he objected, positing "This is not arrogance and it is not Burnhamism. This is taking the steps that are necessary now at this juncture in our history to move our country forward." Mr. Jagdeo has decided that everything has got to be on his terms; constitution or not. You have a prisoner untried and incarcerated for years on treason charges you cannot prove, but still the prisoner (for his freedom) must send you a letter as President of Guyana (ignoring the constitution and the rule of law) so that you could consider pardoning him. I take it, this was necessary at this juncture of our history FOR OUR COUNTRY TO MOVE FORWARD. "It has nothing to do with the judicial process" said Mr. Jagdeo. Then what the hell was Mark Benschop doing in prison all these years? This sounds like Bushism in my ears! Burnham was too intelligent for this crap. If Jagdeo is trying to fashion himself after GW, then Guyanese are in for lot of erracticism. The President said he acted in accordance with Article 188 (1) (a). which states that-"The President has the power to grant any person CONCERNED IN or CONVICTED of any OFFENCE under the laws of Guyana, a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions." He chose to go the FREE PARDON route. I am no legal scholar, but was this necessary based on the law? I don't think so! I believe that this President and his administration must be sued for wrongful incarceration of a human being with the unlawful and personal intent of denying him his God given rights to FREEDOM. "IT IS NECESSARY AT THIS JUNCTURE IN OUR HISTORY FOR OUR COUNTRY TO MOVE FORWARD." By supererro Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Reply   Who will now fight for the freedom of all Guyanese. On a personal and human level it is indeed great news to see Mark finally being able to enjoy freedom, and to share his freedom with his mother, wife and son. All who played a part in this event must be congratulated, for a job well done. In the end the pressure of those on the outside was brought to the forefront in this effort. It is however rather disturbing and insulting to any and every Guyanese, to witness the remarks by the President at the press conference. The fact that the head of state can, one assign and assume the guilt of someone before the courts, in the absence of a trial speaks volumes. He was to also utter that Mark had" learnt his lesson", what lesson Mr President? The fact that one can be locked up for more than five years on a convoluted charge of treason, when at best the alleged offense, does not rise even to the level of criminal trespass and or disorderly conduct. Moreover, it is also instuctive that the attorney general found it necessary not to file a motion of nolle prosequi before the courts. To do so was to serve or be seen as an admission of error and or judicial adventurism, on their part. It is also useful to also examine that sentiments and actions of the President in this episode. He mentioned that he wanted to address since last year, however he had to first receive a letter from Mark. Now here we have a head of state, who by law and oath is sworn to uphold and defend the constitution, stating that despite the evidence, rule of law and administration of justice, he the president felt that his will to act or lack thereof, was paramount. No one can and or must find comfort in a system that operates and or is subjected to the will of a man or party. Given the president's words, today's freedom for Mark came about as a result of his will, and not because of the system of natural justice. This is cause for pause, so as we and the family celebrate Mark's freedom, let us also cerebrate the realities. By llanus Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Reply   Mark Benschop is FREE! Benschop freed -after pardon by President Tuesday, August 28th 2007 Mark Benschop President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday used his presidential powers to pardon treason accused Mark Benschop for allegedly attempting to unseat his government back in 2002, ending five tumultuous years of incarceration. And moments after being released last evening Benschop vowed to continue the fight against oppression, hinting at contesting the next local government polls. He said his struggle this time around will be more of a "spiritual" one. Jagdeo said the former television talk show host has learnt his lesson while in jail and should recognize what he did was wrong. "Benschop has learnt his lesson that you do not seek to overthrow a democratically elected government without facing the consequences," the President declared at a press conference yesterday at the Office of the President to announce the decision. The President said that he could have easily allowed the court to go ahead with its proceedings against the accused, but personally he felt that Benschop had spent enough time in prison and should not spend more. Benschop was imprisoned after he was charged jointly with Phillip Bynoe with treason for their alleged involvement in the July 3, 2002 storming of the Office of the President (OP). While Bynoe has disappeared since the incident, Benschop remained to face his trial. He said last night that had it not been for his family, friends and supporters he would have rejected Jagdeo's offer of a pardon and waited for the courts to vindicate him since he was an innocent man. Two protesters were killed during the protest. Deadlock During Benschop's first trial in 2004, which ended in a deadlock, the prosecution had argued that they had statements allegedly made by Bynoe of his intention to overthrow the government. One police witness had testified that she was at a meeting at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara where Bynoe spoke of a march which was intended to put Jagdeo out of existence. Another officer told the court that he also heard Bynoe mention a plan to overthrow the government. Prosecution witnesses also said they saw Benschop at OP on the day of the protest with a loud hailer in his hand encouraging the people to storm the office. But the defence team tested the evidence of these witnesses during cross-examination and found what they [the defence] said were major discrepancies. Benschop later gave an unsworn statement from the dock professing his innocence. The prisoner said that he was present at OP in the capacity of an investigative journalist after he received a telephone call that the police were shooting people at OP. He said further that he had no intention of overthrowing this, or any government. In addition, Benschop said he never gave any instructions that day to anyone since he got to the scene after the people were already in the compound. But Jagdeo yesterday maintained that Benschop was involved. "I think he was involved and I always said they led that unsuspecting bunch of people -led them here causing them to lose their lives. If they had gone to any other country, if they had gone to the White House hundreds would have been slaughtered," the President declared. Giving a background as to what led to the pardoning of Benschop, the President told the media yesterday that sometime last year in a conversation he had with Leader of the PNCR, Robert Corbin, the issue of Benchsop's freedom was brought up. Jagdeo said he told the Opposition Leader that he was prepared to look into the issue, although he did not agree with the arguments that were being raised. "I told him that I was unprepared to deal with the matter as a political issue that is, representation coming from a party to the government. This had to come from Benschop himself, he had to write me outlining his situation," the President said. He noted that he told Corbin that if he were to receive such a letter from Benschop he would deal with the matter. That was last year and last week Corbin visited Benschop in prison and apparently told him what the President's terms were. Jagdeo said he received a letter from Benschop on Friday and although he did not agree with the contents of the letter, where the prisoner claimed discrimination and said he was not receiving justice, he decided to act in accordance with Article 188 1A of the Constitution. According to Article 188 1A under the subtitle Prerogative of Mercy the constitution states "The President may grant to any person concerned in or convicted of any offence under the law of Guyana, a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions." The President said it was under this article he freed Benschop for the offence of treason with which he was charged. Applicable Asked whether Bynoe who was jointly charged with Benschop will receive the same mercy, Jagdeo said no, noting that the pardon was not applicable to him and that he has to face the laws of country. On why he was granting freedom to Benschop when the charge against him was a very serious one, the President said that it is not just Benschop's letter that moved him. He said that he was prepared to act on the matter since last year had the prisoner written him. Jagdeo added that he did not subscribe to the view that Benschop did not have an early trial, noting that the prisoner had a trial and that there are several people in prison longer than him who are also waiting to be tried. "So to claim that there was a conspiracy not to try him I don't subscribe (to). I think he has learnt his lesson and …I granted him a free pardon with no conditions to it," President Jagdeo declared. Touching on the judicial implications of the pardon, Jagdeo stated that Benschop's pardon had nothing to do with the judicial process, noting that he felt he should be freed. "I feel he was guilty of misleading those people and bringing them here, but I am exercising the presidential pardon not the judicial pardon." Jagdeo told the media. He added that the judiciary had the right to say whether Benschop was guilty or not, but personally he felt that he had a significant role to play in the demonstration. "I did not bring Benschop and throw him out here, he was charged because of his action…it was not fabricated he was here when those people were killed," President Jagdeo said. Meanwhile, Benschop told Stabroek News last evening in a brief interview that he was released from the Camp Street penitentiary around 6:45 pm. He said he was very elated to be out again. "I feel wonderful to be back with my family and friends and supporters." Apologise Asked about the events that led to his freedom, Benschop said upon advice from his lawyers he wrote President Jagdeo a letter outlining his situation at the jail and asking him to grant him freedom. Benschop told Stabroek News that Jagdeo had wanted him to apologise for the loss of lives during the protest, but he said he could not do that. "It is not for me to apologise for the loss of lives…the women died in the Presidential compound and it was Jagdeo who needed to apologise," Benschop asserted last night. He said he was always optimistic that one day he would have been freed, noting that he believed in God and he knew all along that one day he would be pardoned. Benschop however said that he was prepared to go the long route for his freedom. Benschop said that while he commended Jagdeo for granting him a reprieve he wanted him to extend the same mercy to hundreds of others who are locked away on petty charges in prison. Asked about his future plans, Benschop said he was leaving that in the hands of God, but hinted that he wants to play a role in the development of the nation. He also hinted that he could contest the next local government polls. Benschop's first stop after being freed was at the PNCR headquarters, Sophia where he held closed-door meetings with party members and supporters before being whisked away to his home. In a statement following Jagdeo's announcement yesterday evening, the PNCR said that it welcomed the release of Benschop after more than five years incarceration without bail at the Georgetown Prison. The party in its statement read by Leader, Robert Corbin at a hastily arranged press conference also commended President Jagdeo "for finally taking his constitutional responsibility seriously on this issue." The Party however noted that it cannot avoid the observation, that the long delay in taking such action has not helped to improve the public perception of the human rights record of the PPP/C administration, nor has it removed the perception that the administration has no regard for the Guyana Consti-tution. The party said that it would not comment on the methodology employed by the President in agreeing to and orchestrating the unconditional release of Benschop, though the PNCR would have preferred the approach, whereby the Director of Public Prosecutions would enter a nolle prosequi, as provided for in the Law. "It is regrettable, however, that President Jagdeo in exercising his assumed right to pardon Benschop could at the same time pronounce on his innocence or guilt when he is fully aware that the very judicial system had not only failed to make such a finding at the first trial but denied Benschop an opportunity to prove his case in court," the party said. By Leon Roberts Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Reply   Mark Benschop is FREE! PNCR WELCOMES THE UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF MARK BENSCHOP The PNCR welcomes the release of political prisoner Mark Benschop, after more than five years incarceration, without bail at the Georgetown Prison. The PNCR commends President Jagdeo for finally taking his constitutional responsibility seriously on this issue. The Party cannot avoid the observation, however, that the long delay in taking such action has not helped to improve the public perception of the Human Rights record of the PPP/C Administration, nor has it removed the perception that the Administration has no regard for the Guyana Constitution. The PNCR would not comment on the methodology employed by the President in agreeing to and orchestrating the unconditional release of Mark Benschop, though we would have preferred the approach, whereby the DPP would enter a nolle prosequi, as provided for in the Law. It is regrettable, however, that President Jagdeo in exercising his assumed right to pardon Benschop could at the same time pronounce on his innocence or guilt when he is fully aware that the very judicial system had not only failed to make such a finding at the first trial but denied Benschop an opportunity to prove his case in court. In early July 2002, Benschop was charged with the offence of treason, contrary to section 317(a) of the Criminal Law Act Chapter 8:01. This arose out of an incident, at the Office of the President, during which two Guyanese were fatally shot, in questionable circumstances, by Presidential guards. Mark Benschop was incarcerated in the Georgetown prison, without bail, for more than five years, and denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial. Article 144, of the Constitution, entitles anyone charged to a fair hearing of the criminal charge, within a reasonable time, before an independent and impartial Court. It is evident that Benschops fundamental rights, as guaranteed under the Constitution, have been continuously violated. The Privy Council and the Commonwealth Courts have regarded the imprisonment of a person, without the execution of a Court Order, for five years, as constitutionally excessive and as cruel and inhuman treatment, even for persons convicted of murder: see Pratt V Morgan. President Jagdeo is, therefore, doing Mark Benschop no favour, but ensuring that his rights, guaranteed by the constitution, are finally respected. The PPP/C Administration has resisted holding a public inquiry into the events at the Office of the President, on 3 July 2002, and opted for the persecution of Mark Benschop with whom they had a vendetta, for having changed direction from being their supporter to being a harsh critic of their administration. No Inquest, as required by law, has, to date, been held by the Chief Magistrate on the death of the two persons at the Office of the President. The PNCR wishes to thank all those who, locally and overseas, rallied around the cause of Mark Benschop over the years, particularly those Women of Conviction who throughout this period were willing to put their lives on the line for the cause. The Party also wishes to express its gratitude to the many lawyers who, over the years, gave pro bono services on Marks behalf. These include the efforts of Mr. Basil Williams, Mr. Mortimer Codette, Ms. Emily Dodson, Mr. Linden Amsterdam, who devoted their time to the first trial. The Party also recognises and appreciates the continuous advice of the legal team which included, Rex Mc Kay, Miles Fitzpatrick, Peter Britton, Benjamin Gibson, Llewellyn John, et al. It is equally important to recognise the benefit of the persistence of several other legal initiatives to have a speedy trial, by Llewellyn John, et al The Party also recognizes the special role, played by the Leader (and Leader of the Opposition) who, along with others, both locally and overseas, steadfastly continued their efforts, since Mark Benschop was charged with the offence of treason, in July 2002, to have him speedily exonerated and released. Now that this unjust situation has been brought to an end, the PNCR urges President Jagdeo to turn his sights to correcting those other infringements of the Constitution, such as the attempt to control the Judiciary and the constitution of various Service Commissions, which can help to create some hope that this PPP/C Administration respects and will work to restore the rule of Law in Guyana. The PNCR attaches a brief background of Mark Benschops ordeal for public information. Peoples National Congress Reform Congress Place, Sophia Georgetown, Guyana Monday, August 27, 2007 By Leon Roberts Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Reply   BREAKING NEWS Mark Benschop is free! Details later. By supererro Monday, August 27, 2007 Reply   Dutty Bundle ...the play on DVD Soon Dutty Bundle ...the stage play that was on show at LICHAS HALL on the 25th Aug. 2007 will be on DVD Soon for sale. only from Mic James Ministries Linden Guyana and SistaSoul Productions..New York...Address: 341 Rockaway Avenue 2nd. Floor .Brooklyn.New York.USA.11212 info@sistasoulproduction.com Telephone: 718-345-6325 local flim -coal pot saga and ole house pun house - is also on sale. By mic james Monday, August 27, 2007 Reply   HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS ARE COMING FROM DCS (YR 2006) LTI TO MS. ALICA COUCHMAN OF KARA KARA FROM ROYDON, KEVIN, YVETTE, SHEEANA, CARLOTTA,YONETTE, VERLEEN NOT FORGETTING MS. NICHOLSON. By roy1 Sunday, August 26, 2007 Reply   HAPPY BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday goes out to Alica Couchman AKA slims of Kara Kara Mackenzie, Linden. greetings are coming from Geno/ Roydon. I do hope this blessed day brings wonderful memories. God is great! Take care of yourself and have a blessed day. By roy1 Sunday, August 26, 2007 Reply   Congradulations To Mr. & Ms. Odi Thompson, who got married yesterday. Greetings from your class mates from 5 Arts ( year 2000) Linden Foundation Secondary School. Especially : Geno, Scottie, Benjie, Ronelle, Randy, Robin, Shonette, Cameca, Althea. God Bless By roy1 Sunday, August 26, 2007 Reply   Jail Break Could you believe in this day and age they are jail breaks in our Country? Are the prisons officers sleeping? I hope that the escapees are captured and no one is killed. By roy1 Sunday, August 26, 2007 Reply   Reconciliation victoria guy, we as Africans need to make amends with the East Indians of guyana particularly the poor to show them that the ppp is no good. As long as the ppp is in power, east indians will always be the brunt of black aggression. What we need in guyana is a affrimative action so that the resources can be equally distributed. This needs to be across the board even with regard to political parties. A political party should not be allowed to contend unless its membership reflects the general population. I agree too that the ppp is no better than the pnc. Its just an indian version of a dictatorship. Its is besides me that blacks would even vote for such a party By browneyes1977 Saturday, August 25, 2007 VG: browneyes1977 it has been a one sided unrequitted courtship over the past fifteen years. Just examine the last election results. African Guyanese have to pursue activism with the purpose and goal of attaining an ecology in Guyana whereby life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is realizable by one and all regardless of beliefs and physical appearance. We cannot, nay we must not, sacrifce our pride and principle in trying to wean people from a lure they obviously and consciously cannot resist. That is the historical path we have always taken, and look where it has gotten us. By victoriaguy Saturday, August 25, 2007 Reply   Reconciliation The Minister in an interview with the Government Information Agency said it is necessary to address the perception that there is an upsurge in crime. I have made it known to the Police that every high profile criminal activity must be matched by a high profile victory by the law enforcement agencies. In order words, if they should be a robbery of the type we saw in Agricola, we must match that some days later with a big bust either against a criminal gang or people peddling narcotics in Guyana. And I think if that happens then the perception (crime on the increase) will be addressed, Minister Rohee emphasised. ...(continues By victoriaguy Saturday, August 25, 2007 Reply   victoria guy and the ppp victoria guy, we as Africans need to make amends with the East Indians of guyana particularly the poor to show them that the ppp is no good. As long as the ppp is in power, east indians will always be the brunt of black aggression. What we need in guyana is a affrimative action so that the resources can be equally distributed. This needs to be across the board even with regard to political parties. A political party should not be allowed to contend unless its membership reflects the general population. I agree too that the ppp is no better than the pnc. Its just an indian version of a dictatorship. Its is besides me that blacks would even vote for such a party By browneyes1977 Saturday, August 25, 2007 Reply   THE PPP, AS A MACHIAVELLIAN ENTITY, HAS NO EQUAL IN THIS WORLD Freddie Kissoon column August 24th 2007 Don't fall for this barefaced nonsense The PPP is up to its nasty trick of fooling the Guyanese people. Don't fall for this barefaced nonsense. Mr. Donald Ramotar held a press conference on Wednesday and berated the Guyana Police Force for not getting on top of crime in Guyana. It is all part of a subtle game to throw blame elsewhere. Who is in charge of the Guyana Police Force? The Guyana Government headed by Mr. Jagdeo that is not afraid to micro-manage the affairs of Guyana. The Guyana Government is led by the PPP which was elected to make policy. Let us juxtapose these two facts with the following: (1) Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, said publicly that forensic science is not a priority for the Guyana Government. Obviously, he wasn't speaking for himself but on behalf of the Government. Mr. Ramotar had to share this sentiment because his party and Mr. Rohee's make policies for the state (or have they stopped--more on that later). Mr. Ramotar did not contradict Mr. Rohee neither did the President. Let me repeat what I have written on this page in the past. There are many omissions for which a government should not have the right to stay in power of which two of them come easily to mind in this, the 21st century. One is the Freedom of Information Act. The second is the importance of forensic science in the struggle of governments around the world to stop predatory violence. The citizenry of this country should reject any political party that tells the public that it does not want a forensic laboratory and it has no use for a Freedom of Information Act. This writer is one citizen of this country who has never accepted the PPP (and the PNC) in power. My conscience is clear- I never voted for the PPP. My election score card went like this. The first time I voted was 1985. Don't ask who I voted for; you know. The second time was 1992. Don't ask who I voted for; you know. On both occasions, my tick went to the best political party the country produced, the WPA. In 1997, I thought the WPA had departed from the sacredness of Walter Rodney and I gave my ballot to TUF because of the Amerindians. I have now regretted that decision. Manzoor Nadir is one of the most comical politicians Guyana threw up. In 2001, I chose WPA-GAP, again because of the Amerindians. Last year, all my readers know which party I put my X for the AFC. Tacuma Ogunseye challenged me to say how I voted over the years. Well, here it is. I swear on the graves of my parents that I loved so much that this is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. My life is not a great one and I don't want it to be a great one. I am a happy person married for 30 years to a woman that is my soul mate and I fathered a well-meaning, philosophically-oriented only child. But I would say that I have never had psychological peace since the fight against rigged election and the authoritarian rule of the PNC (though I confess the Hoyte interregnum was better than what the PPP is now) came to an end in 1992. My honest belief, buried deep in my psyche, is that the PPP is going to do to this nation what Burnham did to it in the late seventies until he died in 1985. The Guyana Government (note that I did not say the PPP Government; I will explain why in a forthcoming column) will destroy this country if it continues with its present deportment and political culture. Some of us, Guyanese, including great activists like Moses Bhagwan, Eusi Kwayana, Rupert Roopnarine, Dr. Clive Thomas, Dr. Josh Ramsammy, Andaiye, Nigel Westmaas, David Hinds, among others have been extremely fortunate to know the PPP leadership, up, close and personal. These fine Guyanese minds can explain to any young nationalist who is interested in his/her country's future, the nature of the PPP. There is something unnaturally selfish and unapologetically unpatriotic about the PPP leadership. We are now witnessing the result of such an instinct. I say without any trace of hesitation that no other government in the world today or in the past, even the most autocratic leaders, would have done what the PPP did in the UG Vice-Chancellor scandal for the third successive time, in the most identical fashion. Looked at from any angle, this decision for the third time betrays a mind, personality and character that is sadistically, deadly and dangerously flawed The PPP cry about the police incompetence is a smokescreen to hide the inherent incompetence that resides inside the halls of Freedom House and the Presidential Complex. The outcry against police success in stemming crime is crucial to the PPP at this time because their supporters are reeling from wanton violence. If it goes on, you could have another repeat of Albion where roads were blocked, tires were burned and a magistrate was assaulted and then Home Affairs Minister, the infamous Ronald Gajraj, was justifiably manhandled by the protestors The chickens are coming home to roost. It is less than a year that the Berbicians and Essequibians went to the poll and gave the PPP another five-year mandate. How these voters could look themselves in the mirror is beyond human comprehension. The police force is the latest scapegoat. What the Freedom House monarchs haven't told us is that in Jamaica and Trinidad, British and American police officials are working with the local guys. What are the East Indian supporters crying about? They voted for a government that is brazen, rude and barefaced enough to say that it is not interested in bringing Scotland Yard to work at Eve Leary. They put in charge of the country a government that is so monumentally backward that it can openly admit to the population of a country with one of the highest, if not the highest rate(s) of unsolved crimes, that it has no interest in setting up a forensic lab. I remember when there was the massacre at Agricola and people were berating the police for its slow response, I did a column on police pay. Would the Freedom House kings and queens tell us how much anti-crime personnel in the police earn a month (those guys in the black uniforms with bullet proof vests that you see in the back of the pick-ups all over Georgetown)? Do the mandarins in Freedom House believe the retirement age in the police force should go up from 55? What is the pension like in the Guyana Police Force? The PPP is the problem not the police force. I hope Guyanese wake up and smell the coffee. I hope it is not too late to do so. By victoriaguy Saturday, August 25, 2007 Reply   To myloveforyou Hi myloveforyou, Michael James here, thank you for showing intrest in our production, please let me know where u are from and tell number so i can get a copy of both local movies and a copy of the show to be stage on saturday to you. my business email is - ( micjames2k3@yahoo.com) thank you By mic james Thursday, August 23, 2007 Reply   FROM MARCUS GARVEY TO MARK BENSCHOP, THE TREND IS THE SAME INCARCERARTED WITHOUT TRIAL: WHY THE CASE AGAINST BENSCHOP SHOULD BE DISMISSED It is now more than five years since Mark Benschop, an outspoken TV talk-show host and fierce critic of the Guyana government, has been imprisoned in Guyana without being found guilty of any crime. Charged in 2002 and remanded since then, it took more than two years before Benschops treason case went on trial. Benschop was found innocent by all except one of jurors who heard the case against him. When the hung jury verdict was read in November 2004, a young, vibrant man returned to prison leaving his family, career, and children behind. An additional three years later, Benschop still languishes in prison with no trial date in sight. He is going on to his sixth year in prison without being found guilty of any crime. With a spirit unbroken by years of injustice, Benschop keeps up his fight for freedom. He has gone on hunger strikes, brought constitutional motions, and defended at least one motion opposing his attempt to secure an early trial date. His efforts, however, have not put in sight a date for his trial. This case raises serious human rights issues and concerns about the enforceability of fundamental rights guaranteed in Guyanas Constitution. Is the right to a speedy trial mere window dressing, more aspirational in nature than enforceable, and how seriously the provision reciting that no man shall be denied his liberty without due course of law, should be taken? It should be noted that the current Minister of Human Services, Priya Manichand, before she was appointed to that high office, sought to obstruct Benschops speedy trial, asserting in litigation that he must wait his turn. The argument that a prisoner such as Benschop should stand in line and wait on matters being heard in a chronological sequence based on the date charges were brought seems, obviously silly and lacking a proper understanding of justice. A proper understanding of justice requires recognition of the purpose of the right to a speedy trial is intended to serve and the evil it is designed to avert. The purpose of the right is perhaps best stated by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Barker v. Wingo, where a four-pronged test was established as a guide in determining whether the evil the right to a speedy trial is designed to prevent, is present or not. Importantly, courts have recognized that violation of the right to a speedy trial has to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The Barker test sets out four criteria for consideration on a case-by-case basis. These are: (1) the length of the delay; (2) the reason for the delay; (3) the assertion of the right to a speedy trial by the defendant; and (4) the prejudice to the defense. Subsequently courts have stated "These criteria are to be considered guidelines for courts as they "engage in a difficult and sensitive balancing process" in evaluating the particular circumstances of each case." For the foregoing reasons I think the current Minister of Human Services was dead wrong when she fought against Benschops speedy trial, claiming that the issue was merely a calendar issue requiring cases to be set for trial merely on the basis of the order in which charges were brought. When the Minister who really should have a sound grasp of justice, took this position, she allowed herself to be preoccupied merely with the first prong of the test- the length of the delay. This aspect of the test serves to trigger speedy trial review and to determine who bears the burden of proof. Length of the delay is not the most important ingredient of the test, much less to say the only consideration. If that were the case then, the analysis would not be a sensitive case-by-case analysis, because all that would have to be done is to set a bright line rule as to time limit. The most important of the factors in evaluating infringement of the right to a speedy trial is prejudice to the defense. It is to this factor that much of the analysis is focused, requiring case-by-case determination. One does not have to be a lawyer to recognize that the real injustice caused by delays in a trial is not simply calculated by the period the case is pending but rather, how the accused is prejudiced by that delay. If for instance, Benschop was not languishing in prison for the duration of time his case is pending, calls for speedy trial may not have been so loud. Anyone who has a sense of justice would not argue that a man whose liberty has not been interrupted, should be given a priority trial date in front of a man who is remanded to prison. Yet every incarcerated defendant is not exposed to the same level of prejudice determined by the ticking of a clock. Because prejudice to the accused is the most significant factor in the evaluation, courts have set out a test for the evaluation of prejudice to the accused. A common test used is evaluated based on the three interests that speedy trials are supposed to protect: (1) prevention of oppressive pretrial incarceration; (2) minimization of the defendants anxiety and concern; and (3) avoidance of impairment of the defense. From this test, it is clear that incarceration is only one factor, not the sole or most important factor to be considered in determining prejudice. In fact, courts usually give the avoidance of impairment of the defense more significance, but generally takes all the factors into consideration as a whole. The point is, even where there are a number of defendants who are incarcerated, speedy trial issues are not resolved and determined by merely lining up the defendant for trial based on the date they were slapped with charges. When the Mark Benschop case is properly analyzed it stands on a platform by itself. First, Benschop is the only treason accused awaiting trial in Guyana and treason is the worst of the offenses on the statute book. The accused cannot receive bail while the case is pending, and the mandatory penalty is death. Under these circumstances, incarceration, plus the maximization of anxiety to the accused and his family caused of the inherent nature of the offense, place treason in a class by itself. A society that understands justice would not place this kind of offense in the same class as every other offense for purposes of speedy trial. Further, no society with a pure conscience and desire for justice would place a person in the same position as Benschop among other criminal accused and flip a coin or something of the sort to set his trial date. It should be made clear that the delay in Benschops trial is not inhumane merely because of the length of the delay, but more so because of the nature of his particular circumstances, pending the determination of his case, and the inherent nature of the offense he is charged with. Putting Benschops interest aside for a moment, the national interest compels a speedy trial for a treason case such as the Benschop case. Treason is an offense against the State, and threatens the stability of the state. Whenever it is charged the resources of the State should swing into swift action to identify all the plotters and participants, plots, sub-plots, and intended targets. The interest of the State requires fact-finding as soon as possible. Treason also requires speedy trial because it is a political charge against an individual, often involving speech related offenses. Because, the government could use this kind of offense to silence its opponents, whenever the State brings such a charge, it should be ready to proceed to trial without undue delay. The issue nevertheless, is not simply about Mark Benschop. It is about a system that incarcerates men for a prolonged period without finding them guilty, and seemingly without a commitment to speedy trial. The excuse is often a backlog of cases hampering the administration of justice. This is an unacceptable excuse. An appropriate understanding of justice and human rights is found in the New York State decision of People v. Winter, where it is stated "that the prosecution could not rely on calendar congestion as a cause for the delay." The courts of Guyana should recognize the principle applied elsewhere that, in the absence of good cause, the delays that are unreasonable, excessive, and inordinate warrant dismissal of the complaint against an individual. The Mark Benschop case fits neatly into this category of cases and should therefore be dismissed, at this point, without a trial. Reasonable men committed to justice cannot challenge the contention that five plus years of incarceration without being found guilty is a human rights atrocity that pains the soul. At this point, justice requires that the prison doors be opened and Benschop allowed free with all charges against him dismissed. * Vivian M. Williams, Esq. LL.M., is a West Indian and American trained attorney who has Master of Laws degrees in Intellectual Property and Media Law, and Comparative International Law. He has more than 10 years experience as a journalist. He can be reached at 212-618-1791 or email: vwilliams@vmwassociates.com. www.vmwassociates.com. By victoriaguy Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Reply   WITH ALL HIS FAULTS BURNHAM WAS STILL BETTER THAN THE GUY WE GOT TODAY "I believe he was ahead of his time; he was always trying for perfection but in the end he failed. A friend of mine (only yesterday) said that Burnham was preparing us for the hardship of today in Guyana. He knew what the PPP stood for and what they will do if allowed to govern. My friend also believe that TV is black peoples distraction in Guyana. They are not doing anything for themselves anymore or like they uses to. By supererro Tuesday, August 21, 2007" Forbes Burnham was no angel. Strong, paradoxical, mercurial, arrogant, he was a throwback I believe, to leaders who led by decree. But he was a born leader, unlike many of those in Guyana today who either achieve it or have it thrusted upon them through the agency of ethnic mumerical superiority. I do believe that Burnham detected the predisposition for ethnic domination among the many of the leadrship of the PPP at a very early stage, and felt that the only way of staving it off was to control the ballot box. My beef with him and others in the hierarchy was their inability to recognize a historical pattern vis a vis the destruction of strong African Leadership. From Denmark Vessey, thru Marcus Garvey, passing thru Patrice Lumumbu and Kwame Nkruma, and ringing loud bells with Malcolm X, we are made aware of how simple it is to move the train of black struggle off of its tracks. Whether it is ego or just crass stupidity, no other group cannibalize their prospects more than those with links to the mother land. Maybe we are just fulfilling the books. Whatever might be said of Burnham, and with all of his faults, he still stands mightily above the "shitty battie" twerps salivating over the opportunity to extract revenge over his doings on the group he emanated from. If ever there is need for an example of this mean spiritedness, this spitefullness, this utter machiavellian mindset, then look no further than the Mark Benschop case. Imagine being on the right side of an 11 to 1 deadlocked jury, and still having to languish in a dirty prison. People should not stop talking about this, and should craete a niche for it in their memory bank. By victoriaguy Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Reply   A METAMORPHOSIS FROM "EYE PASS" TO MARGINALIZATION Freddie Kissoon Column Changing the Guards: Political theory and the Guyanese army When I read that the President intended to bypass the meritocracy principle in the Guyanese army, my mind flew immediately to Ravi Dev. Many academics and political pundits since the sixties have argued that the Indianised PPP cannot sustain itself in power because the state sectors are staffed with African Guyanese that have a natural affinity to the PNC. It was Ravi Dev, however, who made this political theory well known because he popularised the proposition through his active and well received participation in politics. Dev kept plugging away at this issue that eventually found its way into the minds of most East Indians. When the PPP came to power in 1992, it completely embraced the thesis and used it to marginalise African Guyanese in every corner of the public sector or any unit in which the centralised state had a say. East Indians supported the assault on the state sector because the PPP explained it to them that it was the only method the East Indian party that will run the country for them, could use to stay in power. As the nineties dragged on, the PPP, Ravi Dev and the Indian organisation, GIFT, pushed this premise relentlessly. Dev and the PPP argued that given the power of the African Guyanese in the state sector, ethnic insecurity becomes an overriding psychological motif among East Indians. In fairness to Dev though, he later went on to redeem himself by arguing that the Indian ethnic insecurity dilemma is not the only complex situation one finds in Guyana . Dev offered an outline of the African ethnic insecurity problem. After seeing for himself the marginalisation of African Guyana by the PPP Government and the ubiquitous cry of African leaders both inside and outside of the PNC and ACDA (for example David Hinds of the WPA and Lincoln Lewis of the TUC) that Africans were facing economic disaster (which Lewis referred to as economic genocide), Dev adumbrated the theory of ethnic interconnection by arguing that Africans now have a genuine insecurity complex because the Guyanese economy has locked them out. Again, let's return to the traditional theory. The undermining of the Jagan Government in the sixties was the time and place where this theoretical formulation was born. One can then contend that the theory from the very beginning had its weaknesses. There is a counter-proposal that makes the position that the public sector workers in the sixties did not try to overthrow Jagan to put the PNC in place because they saw themselves as Africans and the PNC was naturally their party. What about the point that African Guyanese had genuinely resented Jagan's communism because it was an ideology that they were not familiar with, and their leaders did not like it too? The idea I am now advancing is that the political theory that the African-dominated public sector will not allow the PPP to rule may not be a useful one at all in which to analyse Guyanese politics. Academics who study the social sphere of Guyanese society should ask themselves if the theory has not in fact collapsed. Surely, a fifteen-year period is a long time for a Government to be in power. Yet in those fifteen years, Africans have become marginalised; African Guyanese have been contemptuously sidelined in the state sector bureaucracy; the security forces have shown no interest in destabilizing the PPP regime even in moments when the PPP has displayed wanton, unapologetic and vicious anti-African racism of which the latest is Ingrid Griffith at the GRA. The theory has ignominiously disintegrated in that far from confronting the Indianised PPP cabal, African Guyanese have become mentally disheveled at the hopeless state they find themselves in, a state of despair that is the worst since Emancipation. The Vincent Alexander grouping inside the PNC had become both alarmed and agitated at this situation and had pushed to take over the leadership of the PNC so as to up the tempo. In the heat of the leadership challenge in the PNC, Vincent Alexander made a remark that only militancy will free Mark Benschop. Others like Eric Phillips are psychologically traumatised at the loss of the African condition in Guyana but people like Phillips do not possess the political maturity to lead African Guyanese out of the ethnic insecurity dilemma. The latest authoritarian meddling in the army leadership will put back the traditional theory on the front-burner. Here is where Guyanese politics will begin to get dangerously interesting. Should the army show open resentment at what has happened to some of their most respected senior commanders, East Indian PPP supporters will invoke the theory. That is what they did when the tape on Winston Felix was released by Roger Khan (we know it was Khan that made the tape because Khan's lawyer told a press conference that and it was reported in this paper). I heard the theory being pushed by many prominent East Indians at the height of the Winston Felix controversy when the Officers' Corps in the police force issued a statement in support of Felix. They will conveniently forget that the theory died fifteen years ago. Perhaps the most relevant evidence that the theory is dead in the very fact that the Office of the President can feel fearless enough to go right inside the nerve-centre of one of the strongest African Guyanese public sector corners the Guyana Defence Force and reshuffle the deck to suit the purpose of the government. If there was any reason to feel that the theoretical formulation born in the sixties that African Guyanese in the public sector will not accept that an Indian Government in Guyana no longer exists, it is the present unorthodox intrusion by the Office of the President into Camp Ayanganna . The President could not have accepted that theory and yet do what he did in the army. What happened in the GDF can hardly be considered a democratic changing of the guard. Now that the PPP leadership itself has abandoned the theory that suited their purpose since they came to power in 1992, this does not mean their supporters will do likewise. One is sure that the theory will be reinforced among East Indian people at bottom house meetings and on the sugar estates. One must remember it is a way of ensuring that East Indians remain permanently wedded to the fiction that has been fed to them so long, that that African Guyanese will not accept an Indian Government. In this long battle of chess board politics, one eagerly awaits the next move from both sides. By victoriaguy Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Reply   Freddie Kissoon - Ulele Burnham - Philosophy A tree brings forth its fruit. Ms. Burnham touched the very problem with our educational system. The arts (philosophy) included, is the most important element in cultivating thinkers. Math and Science are structured by laws and principles. The Arts prepare people for analytical thinking. In Freddie's defense, I believe his utterances were born of disbelief and shame. The shame of being wrong on LFSB. Math and Science are very important, but so too is Philosophy. In case anyone did not know, the opertion of the computer is built on the logic of Philosophy. By batowl Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Reply   Ulele Burnham reflects on her father While attending MHS, my literature teacher (Ms Alstrom) emphasized the importance of reading beyond the written word to fully comprehend the writer's intentions. I've been doing that since. Ulele's piece projects thoughts I've harbored but dared not express about her father in certain fora. Her candor, logic and supporting sentiments display a sobering image of her dad and the slant Freddie champions. She did a remarkable job especially drawing the parallels to the wisdom nested in her philosophical readings. I like that!!!! By Silvertown Man Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Reply   Ulele Burnham reflects on her father. Supererro,when I read this piece this morning, it struck me how human this piece is. Each word and or phrase could not betray the struggle that was within.Yet it is a rather honest coming to terms with the reality of our history, which was very personal for her. This has to be one of the more refreshing and illuminating writings on our national condition. She is indeed, her father's child. I must say that this has had a profound influence not only on her evolution, but the passion to which the brings to her law practice. A highly successful lawyer by any measure,she has developed a rather trail-blazing practice on behalf of the under-dog and discriminated in England. By llanus Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Reply   Ule on Odo and Freddie! Thanks for this post, llanus! This is almost emotional. "Much time has passed since the 1970s and 80s and I have been forced to think and to reflect. There is little detail about the period of my father's leadership to which I was privy - I was 15 when he died - but there is a great deal that I have read since, both damning and eulogising. I have wrestled with the Myriad accounts of his deeds as issues of conscience for much of my adult life." Ule (as we called her) is magnificent in her discourse on Freddie and her dad. I believe he was ahead of his time; he was always trying for perfection but in the end he failed. A friend of mine (only yesterday) said that Burnham was preparing us for the hardship of today in Guyana. He knew what the PPP stood for and what they will do if allowed to govern. My friend also believe that TV is black peoples distraction in Guyana. They are not doing anything for themselves anymore or like they uses to. By supererro Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Reply   Ulele Burnham reflects somewhat on her father. This is a rather instructive reflection on the man Burnham, from no less a person than his youngest daughter. The fact that she associates part of the country's problem on him, speaks volumes. n The Diaspora In the Diaspora (this is one of a series of fortnightly columns from Guyanese in the diaspora and others with an interest in issues related to Guyana and the Caribbean) Philosophy: A forsaken virtue? Monday, August 20th 2007 Ulele Burnham is a barrister specializing in mental health and discrimination law and practises from chambers in London, where she has been based for the past nineteen years. "Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language." Ludwig Wittgenstein My sister Melanie emailed me a copy of Freddie Kissoon's 6th August 2007 Kaieteur News column written on the 22nd anniversary of my father's death, accompanied only by the brief epithet 'who would have thunk?' After I had recovered from her unorthodox American conjugation of the verb 'to think' (something which would have caused our father as much consternation in his final resting place at the Seven Ponds as would Freddie Kissoon paying homage to him), I read the piece and thought. Those who know me will know that with me, thought can often take an extraordinarily long time and lead to debilitating prevarication. But on this rare occasion I thought a lot and thought rapidly. My first train of thought led me back to a 'Noddy' guide to Philosophy called 'The Consolations of Philosophy' by Alain de Botton which I picked up on one of my trips to a local bookstore, desperate to widen and deepen my knowledge of life and thinking, and desperate to feel that my brain was not merely reducible to a string of ill-remembered and badly organised legal principles and cases. As I read Freddie Kissoon's piece I was struck by an obvious paradox: that his imagined visitation from my father, in the course of which he found himself almost constrained to apologise to a man he had once vilified, had led him to dissuade his daughter from the rigours of philosophy or philosophical thought. How was it possible that a man whose assessment of another appears to have been altered by the passage of time, painful experience, and, most importantly, reflection, could conclude that a discipline aimed at elevating thought, reason and reflection over impulse and instinct was a futile pursuit? My second response to the piece was to think that if Freddie Kissoon could make some sort of peace with my father, publicly, it was time that I made public a small indication of my private battles and my peace also. The road I have travelled, my journey of philosophical reflection, has, I assume, been markedly different from Freddie's. Many may say, and I do too, that fortune has bestowed upon me a remarkable privilege in the circumstances. The fact that that road has been sometimes muddy - and often rough - has led me neither to an unconditional defence of my father as a political figure nor to underestimate the consequences for Guyana of his frailties as a leader and a human being. For many in Guyana today, there are, still, no roads. And such roads as there are appear to be going nowhere, fast. Much as I would love it to be the case, neither I nor History (to use Fidel Castro's coinage), nor Freddie Kissoon can completely absolve my father of his share of responsibility for this tragic state of affairs. And so I write this short comment with more than a little humility. My friends better versed in psychoanalysis than I tell me that pre-pubescent and pubescent rage against a father figure is fairly standard in children between the ages of 9 and say 13. They say that the disempowerment which accompanies the fact of childhood tends to manifest itself, at that age, in anger directed at 'the law' in the home. That law has, historically, tended to be enforced by the father. I, of course, enjoyed the dubious privilege of having a father who was "the law" writ large. When I was in the early part of the period in which adolescent rebellion is said by my friends to be commonplace, the anger at my father seemed, at least to me, to originate from quite a different source. By way of example, I remember a time when students at St. Roses High School took to the streets in revolt against the transfer of Sister Hazel Campayne to Eteringbang. For what seemed like the first time, I began to feel a real sense of confusion rather than rage. The man who presided over Sister Hazel's transfer was the man who, with my mother, had taught me about integrity, about the value of national self-determination, the abject immorality of colonialism, the havoc it wreaked on the psyche of the colonised and the disenfranchisement of the colonial subject denied a voice. Yet he appeared impervious to the voices of those who spoke, angrily, against him. I was, at first, angry at those who protested for failing to understand what he had so carefully sought to explain to me about the Western powers' commitment to destabilising left-wing regimes in the South. But later I could no longer feel secure that he was right, that what he did or oversaw was right. The voices of dissent were too loud and too close. My idol did have feet of clay. Much time has passed since the 1970s and 80s and I have been forced to think and to reflect. There is little detail about the period of my father's leadership to which I was privy - I was 15 when he died - but there is a great deal that I have read since, both damning and eulogising. I have wrestled with the myriad accounts of his deeds as issues of conscience for much of my adult life. There are questions that he may have been able to answer had I been old enough to formulate them while he was still alive. It may be a little known fact that he was rarely dismissive of his children when we asked him to explain things to us. He may, for all I know, have been able to silence his detractors with his own words. But I cannot, and will not, speak on his behalf. I know enough about what he was to be proud to have been his child and will continue to be grateful for many of the things he instilled in me. On the other hand, even taking account of the fact that I know much of what is written about him to be untrue, I have heard enough to have, also, a sobering sense of shame. It was not without years of thought and discussion with friends and family that I eventually arrived at something of an equable place in relation to this tension. Nonetheless, something niggled me about Freddie Kissoon's elliptical piece. I recognised instantly that it wasn't his criticism of my father because I am, regrettably for me, all too familiar with that. Nor was it his belated damascene conversion. I eventually came to the realisation that it was something less directly related to how anyone viewed my father; it was Kissoon's cynicism about philosophy that troubled me. It was his jocular rejection of what I see as an inherently valuable tool in politics as much as in psychology; something that was indispensable for me in my maturation process. What was it other than a philosophical approach which had led both Freddie Kissoon and me, perhaps without knowing it, to be sanguine in our reflections on a complicated man and a complicated period in Guyana's history? And as my Noddy guide to philosophy had informed me, the greek etymology of the word philosophy is philo (love); Sophia (wisdom). How can one even begin to understand (and change) the world - the stated aim of any political movement - if one does not strive for wisdom through considered thinking? I share Freddie Kissoon's view that the parlous situation in Guyana is one of which we should all, including administrations past and present, be deeply ashamed. It seems to me, however, that he, and others who care about Guyana, should embrace rather than jettison a philosophical approach. Philosophy is not concerned only with human malady. Much philosophical writing focuses, for example, on the pursuit of long-term happiness by the process of learning to defer gratification. So philosophical education, as my cousin Gary Lam reminded me recently, might do wonders for young Guyanese who see the answer to life's travails in the quick and easy money that might, at great risk to them, be obtained by acting as drug mules. An ability to reason would perhaps lead to mature reflection upon the consequences of such apparently impulsive decisions. It is true that a call to reasoned contemplation may, at first blush, seem empty in a society where few can avail themselves either the time or opportunity for thought. But a closer analysis may lead to the conclusion that only reason and wisdom can make our shame about our predicament productive. I am eternally indebted to my father (and mother, and not necessarily in that order) for teaching me how to think, even if that process has led me, at times, to be critical of him. It is time that we demand that our present leaders do the same, and better, for all the daughters and sons of Guyana's soil. By llanus Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Reply   a good game to play hi folks here is a good game to play in ur spare time, send some lines and tell me if you like it and your score..be honest about the score part... http://www.widro.com/throwpaper.html By mic james Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Reply   THE ARE BACK WITH..."DUTTY BUNDLE" They are back!!! Mic. James Ministries Drama Group... Presents... A comedy Drama called: DUTTY BUNDLE A Play written and Directed by Michael James... staring: FROM COAL POT SAGA & OLE HOUSE PUN OLE HOUSE... Caslyn Cuffy, Shion Gordon, Travis Fedricks, Kelon Ault, Andy Duke, Bekion Mitchell ,and Elaina Lawson, Date- 25th August 2007 Venue- LICHAS HALL TIME- 8 PM SHARP TICKET - $500 ADULT Dis one gon mek yuh laugh till yu drap!!! Ticket..at Jamos Blue berry hill... James and Sons, Harris drug store and Vera's Snacket..copliments of CORPORATE SUPPLIES AND OFF LINE CAFE. By mic james Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Reply   GOOD QUESTIONS EDNA Everyone was talking about K&S and how they are greedy and all of that but Town Week was a hot mess. Above that... where did the money go? Is there a report that breaks down what happens to the money that was earned as people supported town week even though it was so unprofessional and kas-kas. By sista1mile Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Reply   LINDEN TOWN DAY 2007 I would like to know, with all the changes and the confusion that took place during the planning of the recent Town Day Celebration. Was there a difference in the profits made? Did the Town benefited more by this new Committee that was set up?. Can the Linden/Guyanese get a report on the profits that was made at this last Town day and how much of the funds was given to the Linden Town Council for the Community and Clean-up exercise. I visited Linden for the Last Town Day and even though I can say that it was not of the same standard as 2006 Celebrations, there were a Lot of visitors for this event and a lot of foreign exchange was passed to the community. PLEASE GIVE A REPORT ON THE OUTCOME OF THE LINDEN TOWN DAY. WE NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY BENEFIT IN ALL THE CONFUSION THAT CAME ABOUT THIS LAST TOWN DAY. YOU OWE IT TO US. WHAT IS GOOD FOR PETER, MUST ALSO BE GOOD FOR PAUL. SPEAK UP LINDEN. THIS SHOULDN'T BE A CASE OF EVERYONE GETTING A PIECE OF THE CAKE. WE DEMAND A REPORT ON THE LAST TOWN DAY EVENTS NOW. By Edna Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Reply   Some good reading materials 1] Christianity before christ. By John G. Jackson 2] Blackman of the Nile. By Dr. yosef ben-Jochannan 3]What they never told you in history class. By Indus Khamit Kush 4] Ancient Egypt the light of the world. By Gerald Massey 5]Nile valley contribution to civilization. By Anthony Browder. By amen-ra-ta Monday, August 20, 2007 Reply   question Is Guyana really a democracy as the say it is, or was guyana brought to democracy when the ppp took office in 1992? By amen-ra-ta Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   Democracy in action, Corbin Style. It is quite instructive that someone who cannot meet the smell test of decency, seeks to operate in this manner within a political party. How in heavens name can these people get away with this kind of disgrace? Kaieteur News article 8/19. GYSM Congress not without controversy Outgoing National Chairperson stripped of party duties McAllister, others likely to come under hammer The elections of new office bearers to serve the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) the youth arm of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) were held yesterday after an injunction seeking to halt the elections was thrown out in the High Court on Thursday. But, in an unprecedented move, the opening of the GYSM Congress, which was held at Congress Place , Sophia, did not feature an address from the National Chairperson, as is customary. Kaieteur News understands that, on Friday, outgoing Chairperson, Chiydeza James, was served with a letter signed by the party's General Secretary, Oscar Clarke. That letter, which was hand-delivered to James at her home, stated that she was being relieved, with immediate effect, from performing any duties of any office in the party. The opening session of the Congress was closed to the media but, according to sources, an item on the programme featured an address from the National Chairperson. However, when the item was called, after an address by Party Leader Robert Corbin, James reportedly conveyed that she was ill-prepared since the letter vividly stated that she was stripped of her duties. James and other members in the GYSM had openly voiced support for the Vincent Alexander ticket for leader of the party, and it is believed that the timing of the letter was an attempt to silence James and prevent her from contesting any of the positions on the GYSM Executive. In the letter to her, Clarke stated that she was named as one of the persons whose conduct will be reviewed by a Disciplinary Committee. Well-placed sources at Congress Place related that other party members who had supported Alexander are to receive letters, including Member of Parliament James McAllister, who is also the party's Regional Chairperson in Region Three. In fact, sources said, McAllister's letter is waiting to be picked up at Congress Place . Already, Andy Nurse, the GYSM Regional Chairperson in Region Ten, has been served with his letter, indicating that he has been relived of his duties. When contacted on the latest developments, both Corbin and Clarke stated that all of the matters were internal party business. McAllister had previously told the media that, while he remains a member of the party, he was prepared to deal with any eventualities that would flow from the leadership challenge. According to an internal correspondent, which Kaieteur News managed to secure, the Central Executive Committee (CEC), at its meeting held on Wednesday last, considered a resolution passed at the 15th Biennial Delegates Congress of the party directing that the conduct of some members be forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee for action. The letter to James made note of this, and further stated that the CEC is also in the process of investigating a serious breach of confidentiality with respect to essential documents which, without authority, have been placed in the public domain. You have been named as one of those persons whose conduct will be so reviewed by this Committee, Clarke noted in the letter. According to the letter, it has been decided that, until the Disciplinary Committee completes its work and forwards its report to the CEC, James is relieved, with immediate effect, from performing any duties of any office in the party. The specific charges will be forwarded to you by the Disciplinary Committee. You are accordingly requested to hand over to me all party documents and assets in your possession without delay, Clarke told James in the letter. The party had expected some 887 delegates from most of the Regions to be represented at the Congress. Following the opening ceremony, the election of the GYSM executive was held. There were three contestants for the position of National Chairperson Mark Ross, Sherwin Benjamin and Keno Henry. The results of the elections are expected to be revealed today. Legal row Gregory Denny, though his lawyers, had moved to the High Court seeking an ex-parte injunction to stop the elections until there could be verification of the members. He sought a declaration that the decision by Corbin, Clarke and James to proceed with the GYSM Congress without first verifying the authenticity of the membership of the movement was unreasonable and against the principles of natural justice. He was also seeking a declaration that, were the elections to be held, it would have been rendered null and void as such elections will not reflect the true membership of the GYSM. Kaieteur News understands that Justice Claudette La Bennett ruled out the injunction based on the grounds that the GYSM Constitution did not make provisions for verification of the membership. However, legal sources stated that there are procedures within the Constitution that should place no doubts about the GYSM membership. Concerns were being raised about the fact that the writ was filed on Wednesday, and by that very evening it was the subject of the party's CEC meeting, suggesting that it was leaked before it was severed on Corbin and Clarke. But several lawyers shared the view that once a document is filed at the Court's registry it becomes public and therefore anyone could have access to it. Corbin had stated at the party's media briefing on Thursday that verification of the list of voters is an alien concept in the history of party and YSM congresses. He said that it was something which was recently introduced as a request in the run-up to the last party congress and the party had dealt very clearly with this matter in the past few weeks. The congress has given clear directions on the way we will proceed. In fact, we have suggested certain amendments of our party constitutions which puts us in a position to ensure that at least members are in the party for one year in advance, so there can be no question of late membership, Corbin stated. He stated that the verification of the GYSM membership is part of the continuing claims that have been made prior to the last party congress, and this claim continues to linger. By llanus Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   A CONSISTENT MINDSET Freddie Kissoon Column Prove me wrong, Jagdeo, and I'll resign at UG! President Jagdeo's loss of temper with reference to me at one of his press conferences last month is public knowledge not only in Georgetown but all over this country. Three aspects of his observation of me should be repeated so readers can juxtapose his sentiments with the accusation that I am about to make against the Government of Guyana . First, he called me a sleaze ball. Secondly, he said he should begin to cuss out (cuss was his word) these sleaze balls more often. Thirdly, he stated that for all the years I have been at UG, I haven't done any research and he is waiting to see the list of my papers. In other words, I am incompetent in my field In replying to Mr. Jagdeo, I made the same charge of incompetence. I went further and offered to produce my work if Mr. Jagdeo could produce the statistics of economic growth in this country for the years beginning 1999 when he became President up to the present time. President Jagdeo's annoyance arose from his perception of me that I write on the negative things and do not praise the good things. But it never occurred to the President that some of the negative actions coming from the Government are so shocking unbelievable and destructive, that they cause you to form an opinion of the leadership of the Government that is hard to change, or becomes impossible to change Below I present a case of incomprehensible and incredible incompetence on the part of the Guyana Government. So egregious is this particular type of incompetence that it justifies the endless columns I have written about the PPP-led Government since 1992 with my undying judgement that once this type of leadership remains in Guyana , this country will become an ignominious and pathetic failed state. I now begin my case which is impregnable. After this condemnation here, I call upon President Jagdeo to debate me. He asked me in August last year for us to dialogue. I agreed. But he has not gone through with the process. I urge President Jagdeo to go in front of any gathering with me and let him defeat the accusation contained in this article against his government, using logical and rational arguments. I am saying he cannot. I throw out a challenge to President Jagdeo. If he can go public with an acceptable answer to the accusation I make in the paragraphs to follow, I will stop writing any columns in any newspaper and I will immediately resign from UG. Let us see what Mr. Jagdeo is made of. I begin with an exact quote from the mouth of Dr. Luncheon at his press conference last Friday. I listened to the tape seven times. I repeat; seven times to make sure I heard right. Please read this quote twice before you proceed with the rest of this article. Dr. Luncheon told the media; I know sentiments exist at our level about Professor Rose retaining the vice-chancellorship. Now why is this simple statement a gargantuan indictment of the hopelessness of the governorship of this country? Now follow the sequence very carefully. In 2000, the Council of the University of Guyana, dominated by PPP and Government bigwigs set up a search committee to look for a new UG Vice-Chancellor and advertised in the press. The Office of the President intervened and told the Council it must retain the then Vice-Chancellor, Dr. James Rose. Well, no big thing! The government made a mistake. These things happen. It was wrong but such things occur in all governments. In 2005, the same PPP and Government bigwigs did the same thing set up a search committee and advertised. The Office of the President sent out the same order. Now we enter the realm of incompetence. Surely, this time around, the President had to know that his people on the Council did not want Rose again. These were people who met with the President everyday. He had to know that they wanted a new Vice-Chancellor Now let's enter the year 2006. In November, the following high-level people who work closely with President Jagdeo and who are PPP personnel in high positions set up a search committee and advertised for a new Vice- Chancellor; Dr. Prem Misir, press liaison to the President; Dr. Nanda Gopaul, PS in the Office of the President; Mr. Phulander Khandai, PS in the Ministry of Education; Irfan Ally, PPP parliamentarian and senior functionary at the Ministry of Finance in charge of CDB projects; Mrs. Indra Chadarpaul. From November 2006 to August 2007, these people set up shop to select a new Vice-Chancellor. The deadline for applications closed at the end of March, but it was extended by one month. It was the end of Dr. Rose because he did not apply In July, the search committee met to work out the terms of reference and was ready to go through the forty applications that were made. Two Mondays ago, the search committee was called into being to make the choice of a new Vice-Chancellor. It was cancelled half an hour before it got going. It is important to note that I am a member of the search committee. Now let us repeat what came out of Dr. Luncheon's mouth last Friday; I know sentiments exist at OUR LEVEL (emphasis mine) about Professor Rose retaining the vice-chancellor. OUR LEVEL obviously means the cabinet. But the cabinet of the Government of Guyana had to be either in Timbuktu or Afghanistan since November 2006. Since that month in 2006 up to April 2007, the President's men had spent millions to advertise for a new Vice-Chancellor and as late as August was about to choose an applicant. Why in November 2006, weren't these sentiments conveyed to the President's men? Enter the world of the macabre, the bizarre and the incredible. How can the Minister of Education not know that his deputy was part of a plan that lasted from November 2006 to August 2007 to bring a new Vice-Chancellor to UG? How can President Jagdeo not know that his press attach with whom he discusses things everyday not know that he was involved in a plan from November 2006 to August 2007 to have a new Vice-Chancellor at UG? How can the President and Dr. Roger Luncheon not know that the PS in the Office of the President was involved in a plan that lasted from November 2006 to August 2007 to have a new Vice-Chancellor at UG? How can the President not know that his own protg, Mr. Irfan Ally, that was made the youngest PPP parliamentarian ever, was involved in a plan from November 2006 to August 2007 to bring a new Vice-Chancellor to UG? How can the Office of the President not know that one of its top functionaries, Mrs. Indra Chandarpal was involved in a plan from November 2006 to August 2007 to have a new Vice-Chancellor at UG? Now let us say that they didn't know. If that is so, then obviously such a government has to be declared incompetent. Now the worse is to come. Brace yourself! Let us say they did know. Then why wasn't the process stopped since November last year? Why was millions of dollars spent on the advertisements? Why allow the deadline to be extended until April? Why allow the search committee to meet in July? There is more to come. If Dr. Luncheon is saying that at the level of the cabinet (remember his words; OUR LEVEL) there are sentiments for Dr. Rose getting back the Vice-Chancellorship, then what kind of friends does Dr. Rose have in the cabinet? Why not even one member of the Cabinet didn't see it fit to advise Dr. Rose to send in his application? Our lawyers told us that by virtue of not applying Dr. Rose cannot be considered. Dr. Prem Misir was generous enough to tell me that too last week Let us see President Jagdeo weaken my argument here. I am saying that he cannot. He called me a sleaze ball. Let us see who has more balls in Guyana . I have thrown out a challenge to him. I gave the nation of Guyana , my word that once Mr. Jagdeo proves me wrong by adequately explaining the James Rose thing at UG this time in 2007, I will stop being a columnist. I will even stop writing letters to the newspaper and I will resign right away from UG. As our old folks would say - let us see who has more seeds than ballanjay. By victoriaguy Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   ARMY PROMOTIONS My Column Adam Harris Humiliating senior army ranks Up until yesterday morning the most talked about event was the superseding of four army ranks and the installing of relatively junior ranks to the top positions. This has never been done in the history of the army to the extent that all who have served in the Guyana Defence Force concluded that there were strict lines of promotion. One excuse offered for the refusal to promote the Deputy Chief of Staff was that he had a mere six months to continue in office and that not would not have made sense. Of course people who should know better readily accepted the excuse. None of the reporters questioned this decision. It was as if this was a norm. I immediately recalled the case of the ex-Police Commissioners Laurie Lewis and Floyd McDonald. Lewis had attained and passed the age of retirement but was allowed to continue in office, much to the annoyance and disapproval of the other ranks. Everyone in an office wants to reach the top and they spend years working toward this goal. However, when the government allowed Lewis to continue a host of officers realized that they would never be allowed the chance to attain their goal. Many retired short of their Holy Grail. There was Henry Chester who was certain that he could have been the next Commissioner had he been given a chance. In the end Lewis left and McDonald acceded to the top spot but at the time of his accession he had but a few months left. It is true that he was never confirmed in the post but the excuse that he had a few months left did not prevent the government from allowing the accession. I can now say that even that was not a foregone conclusion. I remember hearing that Lewis had the job of convincing the powers that be that McDonald was the best man. Perhaps if he had not then one might have seen a supersession. What is somewhat disturbing is the way President Bharrat Jagdeo treats certain appointments under his control. If one were to look at the records one would conclude that such appointments have become a personal matter rather than a matter for the national good. He refused to appoint a Chief Justice or even name an acting one because he appeared to have a problem with one of the possible candidates. To this day the problem has not been resolved to the extent that we have a situation in the courts that does not offer much confidence in the minds of people who have to seek redress there. Of course, he is not alone. Forbes Burnham similarly exercised his prerogative but he had a method which while annoying, was more palatable. For example, he made Deputy Commissioner Norman McLean Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force by creating what is still known as the Joint Services. Every head of unit in the military and para-military services were seen as equals and so there was now scope for lateral promotion. Even the National Guard Service was not excluded. So the head of the Guyana Fire Service could have been made Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. I remember people being transferred from the Guyana Police Force (Kilkenny) to head the Guyana Prisons Services. And so it was that Norman McLean was moved from the police force to head the army. No one complained because there was a system. And so we come to this situation. Colonel Lawrence Paul, Frank Bishpam and Linden (B.J.) Ross were the next in chronological order for the top post. Also in the running was Lt Col Gordon Benn. Except for Paul, none of the others was called in for an interview by the President. Dates were set but each interview was postponed. Meanwhile, President Jagdeo went ahead and appointed four relatively junior ranks and put them in line as the logical successors. This has rankled senior officers. In fact, one of them is of the view that the President has set out to humiliate them by placing them in a position to take orders from juniors who just days earlier they had been giving instructions to. Why did he do this? There are many suggestions. One is that he was uncertain of the reaction by the ranks. Perhaps he felt that the senior ranks, recognizing that they were being bypassed, would have mobilised the troops for some action. If this was the case he miscalculated. All four are disciplined men and they would never hesitate to obey an order, provided it is lawful. The other speculation is that President Jagdeo was so incensed by the loss of the 33 AK-47s from the army that he decided that the entire top brass should be replaced with young and vibrant men who would represent a clean break from that sordid event. That is good and indeed, in most parts of the world such a sweep would have been done a long time ago. People would have resigned from the moment word of the weapons loss broke out. But this is Guyana and in the first instance people are not paid the kind of salary that would allow them to walk away from a job unless they managed to secure a special contract as was the case of Rabindranauth Singh of the Guyana Power and Light. He walked away from US$10,000 per month earned right here in Guyana to go overseas. But Benn was overseas, having left on a specialized military course the previous May and returned some five months after the weapons had disappeared. Of course, in his case there may be more in the mortar than in the pestle. President Jagdeo refused to promote him twice in two years, on one occasion giving as the reason that he did not know the officer. If there was the view that the army top brass arranged for the theft of the weapons so that criminal elements could attack the government then there needed to be evidence. These very soldiers hunted down the criminals in manner that none could question their professionalism. Further, they all know that a deal with a criminal could go nowhere because criminals have no loyalty to people other than themselves. And even that is questionable. On Friday, one army source said that they all know that the President as Commander in Chief, has the prerogative to decide who should be the Chief of Staff but the least he could do is to let those who are to be bypassed know. I know how it works, because to some extent I have been in that position of knowing that I was not wanted in the top position at the Guyana National Newspaper Limited. But someone had the decency to say to me via Vic Insanally, that I was not wanted. I understood. Perhaps the government people simply do not like calling people to let them know the true position. But that is the best thing. Let people know that you are in charge. Having noted all these things I now await the appointment of Henry Greene as the Police Commissioner. It would be ironic to have the army see an appointed Chief of Staff before Greene, who also has his hands full. Early yesterday morning gunmen tested his ranks again and disappeared into the night. Not that his ranks were anywhere near the scene at the time. By victoriaguy Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   ARMY PROMOTIONS batowl "I am at a lost in trying to understand what it is we want to achieve or see happen in Guyana. We clamor and complain at every thing that the PPP does. We cry at the injustices, the deviation from standard accepted protocols. Perhaps, we should be happy. Change only comes when the masses have had enough or the "real people" who can effect change are sufficiently convinced that change should take place. This is not ABC. Remember Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlins. How about Desai Bouterse. Our eyes are open but we do not see. I taught Standard I once, please do not put me through that again! By batowl" VG: You responded to negative views of the President decision with the comment that we "clamour and complain at everything the PPP does". Since two of those things in my last two post involved the President labelling Buxtonians as criminals and using racist inflamatory remarks at Babu John, how else can that be interpreted. And then you relagated such dissent to to the cognition of ABCers. Why does an opinion contrary to yours have to be relagated to the mentality of an eight year old? You introduced Bouterse and Rawlins as bogeymen we should reflect on in challenging the PPP's vision for Guyana. I did not question your position on Jagdeo's decision. That is your choice, and one that might eventually turn out to be sound. But but does not mean that that dissent should stop. And what else can be inferred from the lament of taking you through Standard 1 again. If postings critical of the President are labelled as "clamouring anjd complaining over evrything the PPP does", what other conclusion can be drawn from that. Look, we all come to this struggle with different perspectives. Unity for me is a two way street. And when the President of the nation who has the bully pulpit does not use it towards that purpose, my imperative becomes to heal my household. I do not see where my memory is short and biased. I did not challenge the position of anyone in this forum who supports the President's intervention in the traditional process of Officer elevation in the Army. I challenged the President's. And I posted evidence to enlighten anyone concerned as to the reasons behind my mistrust. By victoriaguy Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   I MISSED THE PART WHERE WE DECIDED IT WAS "HANDS OFF THE PPP" VG - I have not disagreed with your historical perspective or have I endorsed any "Hands off the PPP" policy. Please reflect, your memory is very short and biased. I am not an advocate of any policy. I merely point out the situation as it exists. I too have historical knowledge, only it used in a constructive way. I seek not polarize, but to unite. I do not only point out the obvious, but the not-so-obvious. I seek to widen our focus and effect change. I do not believe change comes from lament, but comment and action. I do not subscribe to criminal action. I did not say either that a coup is what is needed. I merely pointed out that over time change was effected when the masses became discontent with political ineptitude or people who had the ability to make change, did so. I also left the door open that the move by the President and his party could be the catalyst for such change. How that is so, remains to be seen. This not carte blanc for the PPP. This is the view of a prudent mind. By batowl Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   I MISSED THE PART WHERE WE DECIDED IT WAS "HANDS OFF THE PPP" Batowl pray tell, what is" first standard" about pointing out factual faux pas of the President of a nation mired in ethnic mistrust and division. Are you suggesting my friend, that simply because he made a decision many will find favour with, the past should be swept under the rug like a sacred cow. Does the Prersident of Guyana and the PPP operate like that? They have spent the last fifteen years blaming the PNC for every conceivable thing that has gone wrong in Guyana. Why on earth should they be treated to a different standard than that with which they treat others? No changes have ever come in a society by people zipping their lips and waiting for "the masses to have enough" Come on. It is constant agitation that brings about consciousness, that brings about education, and which eventually brings about consciousness. No one called for a coup, a Desi Bouterse or a Jerry Rawlins. I might add that we already had them in the personage of Steve Merai, Ronald Gajraj and Roger Khan. Or are excesses like these pallatable based on who did them or who they were against. Because I cannot see the relevance of the Bouterse or Rawlins comment otherwise. I get flabbergasted by the simplistic reasoning that since you are against some aspect of a position you are for the extreme that position challenges. So duh, I am against vigilanteism, does that mean I am for crime. Roger khan the master mind of a criminal network was caught with arms and electronic equipment to tap phones and it was handed back to him. Why the hell should I place 100% trust in the promises of those who did the handing back. And why does the perception that arises when we challenge positions evade their doings like so much teflon. Look, I had two innocent relatives gunned down because they fit a profile. No this not ABC. This is beyond the curricular limits of Standard 1. Why are you insuating that we should shut up and have faith? I am ok with your endorsement of a process implemented by the President. I will not yield my right to perceive it differently than you do, and to expound accordingly. Is'nt that what this forum is for? The President as the Commander of the Armed Forces have the right to do what he did. And I have the right as a citizen of Guyana to disagree with it, and to vent accordingly. I know of no clause in Adams will that confirmed the status of teflon to the President or the PPP. And until an authority that I recognize has the power to make such an order, I will continue to make my case that they behave li9ke sidewinders. And I will continue to furnish historical events and incidents that lead me to such a conclusion By victoriaguy Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   only time will tell With all the changes going on in guyana with the GDF and other political issuse, only time will tell if they were good or bad for the country. I must say i welcome the UK in stepping up to assist the Guyana Police Force to implement changes in management of crime fighting and traing of officers how to be better policemen in solving crimes, and intelligence gathering. For too long the criminals have been terrorizing the guyanese people and scaring overseas guyanese who want to return home; so let give this initiative a chance to work. By amen-ra-ta Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   This is not ABC. Batowl, your post brings into focus a course of action that some who have had their outlook and thinking informed by western ideals, will shy away from. To some democracy is only achieved by means of the ballot box and the expression of the popular will of the people in that process. Somehow in their minds that will be deemed a backward step and a return to un-constitutional rule. I wonder what obatins today? How does that process reflect and impact the so-called general will and expression on the people. It must be noted that recently the military in Thailand authored such actions, and apart from the immediate outcry, I wonder if some of the people in that country see that move as undemocratic. Sometimes and very often we act so as to please masters in certain western nations, who subjectively adhere to their perverse notion of democracy. At the same time I have yet to see these very nations cut off diplomatic relations with Thailand, suspend aid, and seek their suspension from international organs. The issue of democracy and how it is attained and how does it manifest itself, is the narrative for the Guyanese people. By llanus Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   This Is Not ABC I am at a lost in trying to understand what it is we want to achieve or see happen in Guyana. We clamor and complain at every thing that the PPP does. We cry at the injustices, the deviation from standard accepted protocols. Perhaps, we should be happy. Change only comes when the masses have had enough or the "real people" who can effect change are sufficiently convinced that change should take place. This is not ABC. Remember Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlins. How about Desai Bouterse. Our eyes are open but we do not see. I taught Standard I once, please do not put me through that again! By batowl Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   POLITICAL MICRO-MANAGEMENT Sunday Editorial UG Sunday, August 19th 2007 One would have expected that the University of Guyana would have enjoyed some immunity from the kind of politics which afflicts nearly every other public entity within these 83,000 square miles, but unfortunately this does not appear to be so. The latest brouhaha concerns the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) to the university. As we reported in our Monday edition, according to representatives of the UG Students Society (UGSS) and the UG Workers Union (UGWU), the incumbent, Dr James Rose was nearing the end of his contract, and a search committee was set up by the University Council in November 2006 to find a new VC. The committee advertised the post locally, regionally and internationally and received some 32 applications in response to its advertisements. Stabroek News was told that Dr Rose had not applied for the post prior to the closing date for applications. It is at this point that the story gets murky. The UGSS and UGWU representatives have alleged that the committee has been put on hold, and Dr Rose ordered reappointed. Mr Jason Benjamin of the UGSS told this newspaper last week that the committee was supposed to have met the previous Monday "to select a vice-chancellor using the ratified procedure and criteria set up in the previous meeting," but that the meeting was cancelled. In a smoke and mirrors kind of story, he went on to say that when another member of the committee was contacted about this cancellation, he had told the person who made the enquiry that the committee was in "abeyance." If all this is correct - and it had not been officially denied by the powers-that-be at the time of writing - exactly who decided to put the committee into abeyance and 'order' the re-appointment of Dr Rose has not been made clear. However, for their part the representatives of the two university organizations mentioned are alleging political interference at the highest level. Stabroek News reported on Monday that it had been told by sources that the responses to the search committee's advertisements had been below expectations, but this was strongly disputed by Mr Benjamin and Mr Kissoon (the UGWU representative) in a letter to the editor on Friday. Without disclosing the names of those who had applied they wrote, "…among the applicants are top class professors from all over the world including some from Guyana and the Caribbean." As will be seen from the report on the subject in this newspaper today, sources had told us that there were some eminently qualified candidates among the applicants. The most extraordinary thing about the sequence of events is that we have been down this road not once, but twice before. The first occasion was in 2002, and the second occurred two years ago. In fact, in 2005 the circumstances of Dr Rose's reappointment as VC were surrounded by particular confusion. He proceeded on three months' leave prior to his contract ending on August 7, and at a meeting of the University Council at which only eight out of twenty members were present, it was decided not to offer him a new contract, but to set up a sub-committee from among the members present to recommend the process for identifying an acting vice-chancellor. It would seem that the sub-committee either misunderstood its mandate, or there was no clarity about the nature of the mandate at the time it was given, but whatever the case it went ahead and offered Dr Mark Kirton the acting appointment of vice-chancellor. Dr Kirton accepted, and then the offer was withdrawn as suddenly as it had been made because, among other reasons in a complicated sequence, the committee had exceeded its powers. The denouement to the story was again that Dr Rose was re-installed in his former office on the top floor of the administration building. No one could possibly dispute Dr Rose's qualifications for the post of Vice-Chancellor, and it may well be that he is the best of the candidates available. But that is surely not the point. The vice-chancellorship of Guyana's only university is a public post which should be subject to clear and transparent procedures for appointment. If the University Council sets up a search committee which goes through an acceptable process by publicly advertising the post, then that process should be allowed to be carried through to completion, and the committee should be allowed to make its recommendations to the University Council which would then decide on an appointment. If the procedures which have been set in motion are short-circuited without good reason, then not only is the process nothing but a sham, but by extension the search committee too is nothing but a sham. Furthermore, exactly how the University Council, the governing body of UG, plays into this has not yet been revealed. So far, nothing has been put in the public domain to suggest that the council met and made a formal decision to scrap the search committee. If in fact it has done so this would still raise questions about why it had decided to abort a seemingly transparent process which it had regarded as necessary last November, and why it has not communicated formally with the committee giving its reasons for changing tack. If, on the other hand, it has not met and made such a decision, then what exactly is going on? In addition, if Dr Rose does not subject himself to the process for appointment which the UG Council has decided on, and then has his contract renewed, it does not enhance his reputation. In circumstances where he is qualified for the post and has long experience in it, he really should not fear a competitive process. Insisting on public procedures for an appointment of this kind is not a reflection on Dr Rose's performance; it is a reflection on the fact that in a democratic society transparency cannot be waived in favour of secrecy, even for experienced vice-chancellors. VG: This Government and its chief executive has continuously abused the notion of meritocracy and fairness in order to place supporters or perceived supporters at the head of every important institution in the country. The arrogance with which these abuses occur cleary indicate that confident of its locked in ethnic majority, they will do what they want regardless. Ten years from now when the full consequences of these movements take effect, if I am still alive and kicking, I will resucitate these posts which I archive, in order to demonstrate that we Africans do not understand the significance of the trials trhu which we pass, and thus cannot capitalise on the experience. By victoriaguy Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   ARMY PROMOTIONS Upward mobility in the military has been defined and predictable, appointing junior officers creates uncertainty and is a disincentive Sunday, August 19th 2007 Dear Editor, The pages of our local dailies have been rife with speculation of a serious shakeup of the military top brass. With Dr. Luncheon's recent comments on the issue, it is no longer in the realms of speculation. And here again we see the government in reckless abandon creating further controversy in a society already bereft with underlying racial tensions provoked by its dangerous policies of attrition and marginalization. That it has enmeshed the national army in its snare of political partisanship is reason enough for national disquiet and unease. It is no secret that the PPP has always harboured suspicion of the loyalty of the army, while it has been in and out of office. Its stated goal of seeking parity in the composition of the force has failed for the simple reason that most members of its ethnic support group do not find a military career either promising or rewarding, despite the few programmes to encourage new recruits to its ranks. Moreover, unpopular as this administration is, it would seem to be the most politically astute thing to ensure its continuity in power to ensure that the Army's General Staff is amenable if not malleable to its control and direction. Suffering from a permanent paranoia it may very well appear to the PPP hierarchy that controlling the military would guarantee against any national insurrection against its dictatorial ventures. But these imposed leadership changes in the structure of the military abandon the very best traditions and norms of our Defence Forces. The military in Guyana has always been loyal to the Constitution and to constitutional government. The Army has remained professional and unmoved by official provocation and slander, and more recently, to the public imputation of its involvement in some putative coup conspiracy. The identification and promotion of select senior and junior officers ,apparently loyal to President Jagdeo and the PPP, therefore , will serve only to undercut the professionalism of the Officer Corps and the disciplined support of the rank and file for these officers, whose appointment would now be seen as a PPP imposition on them! This leadership change has other implications for serving officers, the least of which would certainly be a departure from its gloried traditions and includes subverting any expectation of tenure and upper mobility for the remaining career officers. In the army, upward mobility in the military has been very defined, predictable, and professional. Based on service and merit, these high-level changes were the result of standardized procedures, objective criteria, a well-defined candidate pool, and relative transparency. Whereas in the PPP party, (a la Ramjattan) the top posts were filled through considerable nepotism and political jockeying. Additionally, uncertainty of tenure for others of similar and lower rank would certainly fester disenchantment amongst the rank and file at this injustice. Most analysts see the shakeup in the military as a retrograde step. Yours faithfully, Lawrence Houston By victoriaguy Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   Army Pomotions Batowl, I agree that the President is entitled to appoint a Chief of staff that he is comfortable with. However, sometimes its not what you do but how you do it. The President has created a fiasco, due to the uncertainty as to who will be appointed and the endless speculation in the media. In matters of the military, it is never prudent to have uncertainty. By Anansi Sunday, August 19, 2007 Reply   WITH FRIENDS LIKE THIS WE DO NOT NEED ENEMIES Buxton would be money well spent! By Khemraj Ramjattan Saturday, June 18th 2005 Khemraj Ramjattan (MPs Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman do monthly columns for Stabroek News on a topic of their choice) This outlandish, outrageous politics of hate, this total absence of accommodation or magnanimity, coming as it does from the President is very deliberate and clever. The President's pronouncement that a proposed plan to expend approximately $1M (US) in war-torn violence-strewn Buxton is a ransom demand could be nothing else! To further argue in a characteristically bumbling and unconvincing style that to have expended this sum on Buxton would have resulted in one hundred more Buxtons, simply blows the mind. In one grand sweep, President Jagdeo has criminalised all Buxtonians. What makes the President think that a hurting community like Buxton does not deserve development assistance of some $200M (Guy)? What is so hopelessly wrong, Mr. President, about an Opposition suggestion that monies of this amount be spent in such a community? It is my view that such a broadside as the President delivered comes not from a crass political adversarialism, but from an inner prejudice which has infected a whole lot of us - leaders and ordinary citizens - in this country. Through some process akin to an insidious osmosis, our minds, our entire beings, get enveloped in this prejudice, especially when an election is not too far off. What was said on this occasion was intended purely to provoke within East Indian minds that the President is strong, that he can tell Blacks in Buxtons - "you will not be rewarded for your criminality". It was motivated by a desire to procure applause and plaudits from the Indo-Guyanese community for so holding out against the "rascals" in Buxton. This is so devious and corrupting! This is the simple and well known mechanism of creating and exploiting fear. To the frightened East Indian ears it is so good to hear what the President has proclaimed. It gives a feeling of strength, and a satisfaction that Buxtonians can be lashed back at. We all know that the Police Force up to now cannot identify the handful of culprits in Buxton creating the mayhem, a rather disgraceful performance to date. But from this fear and anxiety represented by the unknown, there is created through the mutterings of a political leader who knows and wants to exploit it, a known enemy - all Buxtonians. And, of course, this means Afro-Guyanese! Yet we who are so prejudiced and will praise the ransom retaliation will never question the President about his weakness in not appointing as yet a substantive and competent Minister of Home Affairs. This will go avoided. You see, the President could easily have extended a conciliatory tone and counter-proposed one of a number of packages, rather than simply hand over the "ransom" package. Why could he not have said: "$200M is too high a sum. How about $100M or less?" or "How about $100M for Buxton and $100M for the surrounding villages, say Annandale and others!" But no! This kind of responsible leadership will not bring rancour and abuse and division. And it is about that time and season for rancour and hostility, and the stoking of the flames, and probably..... even worse. On a previous occasion I had cause to chastise a similar vulgar demonstration forthcoming from another PPP/C President, Ms. Janet Jagan. This was in the context of her untimely, tactless remarks about a dead man, Mr. Hoyte, on the occasion of his funeral. I wish to quote what I said then: "Though truthful, but also most indiscreet, a remark of this context by such a senior political personage can be more damaging to national consensus, more pregnant with rancorous possibilities than the maddening mass of PNC supporters in front of the National Assembly." This "ransom" package by our present President technically is even worse that Cde Janet Jagan's vulgarity. It is not only a pregnancy with rancorous possibilities; it is a delivery of rancour which indirectly and proximately can cost us tenfold $200M. I wish then that we all do step back and take stock. Just like when there was righteous condemnation when the Police Force was being sidelined and a Phantom Force was being justified on grounds of necessity, so too must presidential pronouncements which cause divisions for partisan projects be condemned. Who in their right senses would deny that what is needed to resolve the Buxton crisis is a combination of really tough crime-fighting measures and developmental works at the backdam which, apart from creating useful employment, will expose the criminal sanctuaries and havens aback there. And if this costs $200M (Guy), it would be money well spent! Just in case there is need for confirmation of this, ask the relatives of the kidnapped. And so we must not all sit and say nothing. We must stand up and say something. And offer alternatives. VG: This is a column from a former PPP member taking Jagdeo to task for race baiting. I have no issue with the young officers who might be elevated. I believe that they are all concientious patriots who might only wish to do the best for their country. But I am not similarily predisposed in my thinking about our Presidente. Based on his track record of exploiting race I can find no redeeming value in him or the direction he wishes to take the country. I'm sorry. No one who stands up before a crowd of his own race and claim that if the opposition won the elections AK47s would be given to criminals, as he did at Babu John, can ever have the best interest of the African Guyanese population at heart. If these kinds of atittudes and behaviours are examples of the friendship and goodwill this President has for the African Guyanese population, I shudder to think what his antipathy will manifest. By victoriaguy Saturday, August 18, 2007 Reply   Army Promotions One of the things I pride myself with is not to label or slander anyone. Whatever I write hear is based on facts (proven) and foresight. Now, this President has already proven how vindictive he is! Colonel Paul has always been anti PPP. Like myself he was or is a cadre of Burnham's YSM but he is also a proven soldier, respected by all in the GDF. I am aware that there is no law to stop any civilian Commander-in-Chief from doing whatever pleases him as far as army promotions or demotions go. My friend Batowl, I will wager you that there will be continued darkness as long as the PPP and Jagdeo stays on course. I know Bruce Lovel and Gary Best, they are both qualified and have proven they can lead, but that is beside the point. When Burnham brought Norman McLean from police to name him Chief of Staff of the army it caused an outcry; it was wrong then and it is wrong now to side step in line officers for other ranks, and believe me, you will find out that it has nothing to do with trust! It is simply called DIVIDE AND RULE! Even the United States is finding out now with tremendous regrets, that they re elected GW to a second term. After 15 years, we have to be in denial to agree that this government is interested in the welfare of African Guyanese. I can continue, but the webmaster prefers to hear good things about issues and individuals. A former Governor of New Jersey realized that he did compromised his office because of his 'sexual habits' By supererro Saturday, August 18, 2007 Reply   Army Promotions My friends let us not be carried away with what we perceive as a grand conspiracy to consolidate power by the present administration in Guyanan. Perhaps to some of us this may seem the darkest day yet, but to some of us, we see hope drawing closer. I am not crazy. I look at things differently. Change is always good, whether we agree with it or not. All leaders of state like to have people around that they can trust. People that they believe share the same vision they do. This is a cycle that the presidency of the USA goes through about every five years. Do not perceive this variation from the norm in the promotion of GDF officers as all bad. To the contrary I belive it is the best thing to have happen in Guyana since the Presidency of Desmond Hoyte. People have become too comfortable in traditions. Tlhere is no law that says the President of Guyana has to appoint the most senior officers in the GDF to be the Chief of Staff. It may be the normal thing to do, but it is the sole reservation of the President to decide. This is not an issue of race. Let us be careful in our characterization of people's character. Let us be wise and keep a still tongue. A person's private sexual habits, whether true or not, does not prohibit him or her from being an effective leader. We may all live to marvel. There is great hope in the appointments made by President Jagdeo. I welcome the variation from the norm. I personally applaud his courage. The chapter has not yet been written on this President. We may all be surprised yet. In closing I want to reiterate that I am not PPP, PNC, WPA, AFC, or any other. If you want to accuse me of anything you can say I am pending LRP (smile). I see a light at the end of the tunnel. When it seems darkest, the light shines brightest. Congratulations to all the officers appointed by President Jagdeo. I wish you well, all Guyana wishes you well. By batowl Saturday, August 18, 2007 Reply   POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN ARMY PROMOTIONS The political interference of the PPP in the elevation process that has been traditional in the GDF will consequent blowback in a nature that is unimaginable. This latest vindictive gambit illuminates the utter crassness and Don Quixotic mentality preponderant in the folds of the ruling hierarchy in Guyana. Every thing that they do, every decision that they make, is premised on the style of bottom house reasoning they use to maintain ethnic political allegiance. These guys are ignoramuses where military affairs are concerned, since none of them even has an inkling or predispositon of what it means to put your life on the line for "king and country". If the Surinamese decide to use force to realize their claim to six thousand square miles of Corentyne Territory, they can now just walk in and take it. Because there is no way that the young men and women, at least the majority, in the GDF, are gonna put their lives on the line for the bunch of cowardly and vindictive anti nAfrican bigots now calling the shots in Guyana. I say let them send their sons and daughters to fight to preserve their dictatorship. Anyone who was born in Guyana can close their eyes and conjure up an image that is reflective of the thinking and attitudes of the ruling structure in Guyana. There has always been a few like these in your neighbourhoods. Their kids had to break off contact with you when they were close to their homes lest their fathers espied them in company with you. You saw the look in their eyes as they applied the cane to your bottom and knew that, for them, it represented an opportunity to vicariously live out their most expectant dreams. You often overheard them in conversation with their kind stating emphatically that they would not approve of any romantic laison between their child and a "blackman". This does not represent the attitudes and behaviours of all Indians in Guyana or even the majority of Indians in Guyana. I hold to the view that most poor folks, regardless of their ethnic or racial origin, are pretty decent people, just trying to eke out an existence in an unfair world. But it represents the mindset of those in the political arena in Guyana now making the decisions that will impact the future of our kids. One only has to peruse the landscape of decision making in economics and other social arenas to detect the imbalance and ethnic imperative that guide and determine where they go. It is time to wake up and smell the coffee. By victoriaguy Saturday, August 18, 2007 Reply   Congratulation Congulation, Mr.James on your new play. Still waithing to see th 2 last one. Ole house pun ole house an dcoal pot saga. Give me a call i will have someone pick it up. By myloveforyou Friday, August 17, 2007 Reply   Message Board Please do not post content that is potentially libelous, defamatory, obscene, abusive, that violates a third party's right to privacy or that otherwise may violate any applicable local, state, national or international law. By Webmaster Friday, August 17, 2007 Reply   THE LANGOLIERS Mark these words that I speak now. Jagdeo is thining the senior ranks of black officers in order to speed up the accension of an Indian to command the Army. This idea of the Army wanting to overthrow the government is pure unadulterated bullshit. After 15 years of these nasally whining accusations the army should have taken over the damn country just for the hell of it. No Indian dominated armed forces would have allowed a black government to do to it what this Indian government does to the GDF anjd the GPF. It is because, despite all the stink mouth caterwauling, those black officers in the GDF share a sophistication of thinking eons in advance of the bottom house racist in the upper ranks of the PPP. More and more it is begining to be established that Burnham, knowing these guys from the inside, felt that it was justified to use any means necessary to delay their nefarious plans for Guyana and the portion of its African Population. His mistake was in not allowing nature to take its course, in the form of an Africanist and humanistic leader becoming the guiding light for our direction. The PPP will become for Guyana what cancer is to the human life form. Their contagious nastiness will continue to eat away at our moral and ethical core, until all that is left is a hardened shell absent inner moisture and any resemblance to a reasonable civilization in being. By victoriaguy Thursday, August 16, 2007 Reply   Ckear and present danger. Supererro, the fact that with all the retrograde things taking place in Guyana, the corruption and incompetence of so many, this President finds it necessary to act against the military high command. The one institution that has distinguished itself now comes in for natural disdain that this corrupt cabal has for those who they do not deem their natural supporters. We must note that the PPP has always viewed the army as their natural enemy, and thus this action does not surprise me.However, this is the kind of action that in the past around the world,has led to change in government. This PPP government believes because of its majority it can rule as they deem fit, because once elected, who are we to question them. This bunch belief in democracy begins and ends only with the exerise of going to the polls. This development is rather interesting to say the least. Given the professional make up of the high command, it is instructive to witness what is likely to take place. This might just be the instance where they have bitten off more than they can chew. This is the same army that will be called upon to defend our borders, and to protect the people of Guyana from enemies both foreign and domestic.Who is going to defend the decent members of the military high command from those who see them as their enemy, because truth be told they high command does not look like them.In the new context of Guyana, that is all that matters. There are those who will hide their heads in the sand and talk about some of us talking race and being radicial. I leave it to the observant minds to determine what this is all about. One day a revolution is going to come to Guyana. By llanus Thursday, August 16, 2007 Reply   Clear and present DANGER Today's Stabroek News headline 'SHAKE-UP PROPOSED FOR ARMY HIERARCHY! BEST TIPPED TO BE CHIEF OF STAFF'. Well I'll be damned! Are we going to have a Gay Parliament too? Enough is enough, this President must GO! How in heaven's name could this happen in our dear land of Guyana. Maybe, Jagdeo will get what is due him by causing descension in the senior ranks. Colonel Paul whose promotion was declined is being offered a package to go home. Pablo needs to hold his ground, he is next in line! I am not blaming Best for anything, he believes in bending over, as qualified as he is. Why did Pompey and Bruce Lovell (fomer ADC to Hoyte) refuse? I suspect they believe in seniority. What Jagdeo is creating is a clear and present danger to our country. By supererro Thursday, August 16, 2007 Reply   THE ARE BACK WITH..."DUTTY BUNDLE" They are back!!!Mic. James Ministries Drama Group ...Presents ...A comedy Drama called DUTTY BUNDLE A Play written and Directed by Michael James...staring: FROM COAL POT SAGA & OLE HOUSE PUN OLE HOUSE... Caslyn Cuffy, Shion Gordon, Travis Fedricks, Kelon Ault, Andy Duke, Bekion Mitchell ,and Elaina Lawson, Date- 25th August 2007 Venue- LICHAS HALL TIME- 8 PM SHARP TICKET - $500 ADULT Dis one gon mek yu laugh till yu drap!!! By mic james Thursday, August 16, 2007 Reply   VOICES CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS OF OUR STRUGGLES Quota "VG-Article by Eric Phillips VG this article by Eric Phillips following the emancipation anniversary should be framed and put in the homes of every Guyanese of African ancestry. For those of us who do not know what I am writing about, see the forum for August 4, 2007, made available by VG. "We want equal rights and justice". By batowl Wednesday, August 15, 2007" VG: My brother, Eric Phillips and Lincoln Lewis are linear descendants of our African ancestors who, despite the whip, despite the brutality, despite the threat of death and worse, waged an unequal struggle against the system of enslavement that held our people in bondage. Unfortunately, like in the past, the bulk of those on whose behalf they are making enormous personal sacrifices seem not to care, and are more inspired by "Passa passa" and a a chance to "whine up", than they are to gather around these stalwarts and form a bulwark of resistence. Tell me, do you seriously believe that this Government would allow the Chinese to treat the workers in Port Moruant or Anandale in the same manner that they are allowed to treat those in Linden. This is an extension of the GUYFLAG scenario, where non African companies are given carte blanche to treat Africans as if slavery was still in fashion. And as long as we continue this ego driven internicine conflict among ourselves, these divisions will be exploited in furtherance of the common goal of the "new slave masters". I sincerely believe that there is conscious effort underway in Guyana to reduce us to a level where marginalization and incarceration can be rationalized. Remember that just four decades or so ago our community was producing Denbows, and Haynes, and Massiahs, and Burnhams, intellectuals and skilled professionals that could hold their own in any forum. What is happening operates to obscure this tradition, and convince coming generations of African Guyanese that our state was always as is, and deliberatedly so. We need let the "truth set us free", and rally behind the Eric Phillips and the Lincoln Lewis', and anyone else for that matter positively in the vanguard of our struggle for fairness and balance. We need to cease being reactive and become more proactively involved in this battle to abort the kind of ethnic domination some in the ruling political hierarchy seem bent on fostering. And we do not have to resort to violence to accomplish that. By victoriaguy Thursday, August 16, 2007 Reply   Re: crime spree Yes guys i overstand your point that a crime is a crime, i never condoned any criminal act all that i was giving was my observation, now the reality is what it is and that cannot be changed, that is what is happening in guyana and my observation is that mostly one group of people are facing the brunt of these criminal act, am i wrong for saying that. When there's lack of opportunity, and poverty what do you think will happen? when the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer, this is what you get. We have a government and police force who can't catch who don't know which way is up, and all they are giving is lip service. By amen-ra-ta Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply   Chinese abuse of workers. Batowl, it was more of a call for these voices to be heard, these are the folks with a direct interest in the community, at least that is what I hope. Yes, like you this is the absolute fault of the government of the day in Guyana, no doubt. That is why I pointed out their actions or lack thereof in this instance, as what obtained in denying the right of the American group to invest and set up a modern plant in Linden. A project that would have made way for high paying jobs and also having a multiplying effect on the economy of the region. By llanus Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply   Chinese company abuse of workers. Marvel not my friend, this is not the fault of the Chinese. The blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the powers that allowed them to set up operations. I am not going to accuse anyone of misconduct, but nothing here is new. The people of Linden need work. The people are pawns in a larger game of greed and non-accountability! I however have to disagree with LLANUS when he alleged that Corbin or the regional admin is responsible for the conduct of the Chinese. Governments sign contract and administer affairs, especially international ones. By batowl Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply   Chinese company abuse of workers. I am not shocked that this is taking place in Guyana by these Chinese, this has been their modus operandi all over Africa. Workers in Tanzania, Chad, Angola etc, have complained and documented the type of sub-human conditions that obtain in many of these operations. These are the same Chinese who are prepared to operate in Sudan and Zimbabwe and totally ignore all the human rights abuses. Some may argue correctly that yesterday was the white/western exploiters, now they are coming from the east to plunder our natural resources and abuse our people. No doubt we need the investment and growth, however that must be balanced with respect for local laws and the dignity of the people who reside in these communities. I cannot help but note also that against the backdrop of these abuses the government found it necessary to delay and later deny an American group from setting up what would have been one of the more modern forestry operations in that part of the world. A venture that would not only provide employment for some 800 highly skilled and high paying jobs to Guyanese, and which also would have been a significant boost to the region 10 economy. It is time the people of region 10 to stand up for their rights and not allow this abuse and madness to continue. If it means closing it down, so be it, with the current wages being offered. By llanus Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply   VG-Article by Eric Phillips VG this article by Eric Phillips following the emancipation anniversary should be framed and put in the homes of every Guyanese of African ancestry. For those of us who do not know what I am writing about, see the forum for August 4, 2007, made available by VG. "We want equal rights and justice". By batowl Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply   Crime spree Batowl, I totally support your position. The cause and consequences of crime must be dealt with in a dispassionate manner. By llanus Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply   Chinese firm abuse of Linden workers. Why is this crap happening to our people? Where is the regional administration? Is this not a PNC controlled region? Well of course the abused workers cannot count on the aid of Robert Corbin, he is too busy stealing elections and subverting the will of the people in parliament. This is place is crying out for a revolution, and some day it will come to Guyana. Deplorable wages and working conditions at Bai Shan Lin Linden operations Agri Minister insists that the company has to comply with occupational health and safetystandards By Neil Marks Bai Shan Lin Linden manager Earl Julian explains the sawmill operations to new EC Ambassador to Guyana Geert Heikens (second, right). Workers employed by a Chinese forestry company in Linden are complaining bitterly about the poor wages and deplorable safety conditions under which they have to work. The poor working conditions for workers were evident yesterday when the new European Commission (EC) Ambassador to Guyana Mr Geert Heikens, accompanied by the local media visited the sawmill operations of the company, which earlier this year announced massive investment plans. A young woman, paid $1000 a day, fetches wood with no gloves, no respiratory mask, and without safety booths or helmets and the reality is much the same for the other workers of the Coomaka, Linden operations of Chinese owned company Bai Shan Lin. The workers said they are not happy with their low wages and the poor working conditions, but they have nowhere to turn to. According to Earl Julian, the onsite manager, workers safety and rights is of paramount importance to the company, but this was hardly evident. The female workers are paid $1, 000, while the male workers are paid $1, 500. Julian said safety gears, such as helmets, are not being provided, because in the past the workers have carried them home and never returned them. Some workers disputed this. One young man said for him to get a respiratory mask, he has to bully to get one, but some of the workers did had on masks. The company employs 46 Guyanese workers, all of whom Julian said are from Linden, where jobs are hard to come by. The sawmill operations also employs 38 Chinese nationals. The Chinese workers live in dorms on site. A notice in the sawmill meant for for Guyanese workers only, states that they would be dismissed immediately if they fail to inform their superiors when leaving the job for the day. The workers say they are not sure of how their concerns are being addressed since the manager, Julian, speaks Chinese and English, so when he converses with the Chinese bosses they are left in the dark as to what is being said. During the visit yesterday it was observed that the workers were having lunch amidst the dust and floor boards which are processed from logs. The workers said they would like representatives of the Ministry of Labour to inspect the site to see their plight. Minister of Agriculture Mr Robert Persaud, who oversees the forestry sector, said every company is expected to comply with minimum occupational health and safety regulations of the country and if there are violations we would take appropriate action. We expect every company to respect workers rights, Persaud said. Persaud earlier this year refused a request by Bai Shan Lin to export round logs for a period of 12 months. In discussions between the government and the company, the management of Bai Shan Lin emphasised their interest in promoting value added activities in the forestry sector, and a commitment was made not to engage in the export of round logs. Unfortunately, Bai Shan Lin did not comply with its commitment not to export round logs. After observing requests for the exports of round logs by the company, it was advised that this was in breach of their commitment. No further export of round logs would be allowed by the company and all relevant agencies have been so advised, the Ministry of Agriculture said in April. The EU Ambassadors visit to the site followed the fact the Linden Economic Advancement Project (LEAP) assisted the initial investors in accessing the site and obtaining investment incentives and in the recruitment of personnel for the company. The operation was previously owned by a Chinese investor Karlam South America Timbers, but Bai Shan Lin took over the company that is a joint venture with the China Uni-Construction Group which has 49% ownership. By llanus Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply   Crime Spree I am sorry my brother, there is absolutely no excuse for criminal conduct. Crime is crime, whether it is perpetuated by the opressed or opressor. I think I understand what you are getting at, but the realities cannot be legitimized or vindicated because of economic or political status. Crime must be met with a heavy hand, irrespective of whether it is orchestrated or sponsored. There can be no sympathy for criminals. By batowl Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply   Thoughts for the day 1] When we practice listening, we become intuitive. 2] Let love elevate yourself to excellence 3]Understanding is found through compassion 4] Your infinity in you is the reality in you. 5] Life is a chance, love is infinity, grace is reality. 6] By honoring your words, you are honored. 7] compassion has no limit, kindness has no enemy. By amen-ra-ta Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Reply

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