Dear Sir,
WHEN I was growing up in ‘Packoo Dam’, aka Wortmanville, my grandmother, ‘Clar-Clar’, often told me that “ingratitude was worse than witchcraft…” She said that when you are ungrateful, it shows a lack of training, or as she would say, upbringing. It was her duty, she claimed, to make me au fait about the ungrateful sycophants and the putty knives that patrol the conclave of politics in this land. Oh, how I wish she was alive now to see for herself the knives she’d warned me about.

In 1985, the best politician ever in this country passed away; his death left a chasm in Guyana’s politics. Over the years, he had tried and done everything to force Guyanese off their complacent asses, “TO DO FOR THEMSELVES”. He was trying to extricate us from under the thumbs of the manufacturers’ representatives from other countries, since we were the bi-lings of the world. Unfortunately for Guyana, however, the man who succeeded him was himself destined for China as an ambassador, which will give you a good understanding of how the deceased leader had thought of the new leader’s political knowledge and administrative skills.

By Christmas 1985, with the Republic basking in its own food, and showing massive improvement, we were unceremoniously wrenched back into the folds of the manufacturers’ representatives, which, of course, pleased the international community and a few mercenaries right here. Yes, would you believe it, (We got grapes, ice apples and even wallnuts). The new leader opened his arms wide to a particular people, while tearing down our past achievements and stomping them to death.

In 1985, Guyana had one daily newspaper (the Guyana Chronicle) that was an asset, however, the leader was not astute enough to see that as an advantage in the political struggle that is Guyana. But in 1986, on Peter Rose Street, here in Georgetown, a new baby was being born by the name of “Stabroek News.” The HATED PNC and their leader were overjoyed to welcome the new baby. They were the ‘wet nurses’ and midwives; they gave it succor and pampered its growth, as it grew from strength to strength. To date, the hated PNC was not even given a thank-you note.

In 1997, after a lady politician (during a political dispute) ignored the court’s order, and to prove how bad she was with her entourage as back up, threw the Order over her shoulder in full view of the Marshals of the courts, who stood with their hands between their legs. This to-hell –with-you attitude ushered in the “slow fyah, mo fyah” demonstrations. During that period, Stabroek News savaged the hand that gave it succor and revealed which side of the fence they preferred. Their editorials and general reporting waged an insulting war against black people that reached ‘the max’; they wrote about black people as if they had no right to be in this country. In other words, they were interlopers. The adjectives they used to describe these people and events were way below the pale, and they have not relented since.

It is quite obvious that the rich people meet every morning to strategise about how the ‘rag’ can angle its daily coverage to advance the PPP’s political agenda. Which is attack, attack, and attack again and again, and lie, often and repeated times and it will eventually turn into the truth.

In their September 19, 2019 Page One comment, they said, “The only person to be blamed for this is President Granger, for refusing to abide by the clear outcome of the Motion of No-Confidence against the Government on December 21, and mounting FECKLESS legal challenges.”

Thursday March 9: “What it is is a blatant and crude attempt to subvert the March 2 elections. Senior officials of GECOM began a treacherous campaign to steal the elections.”
Thursday, April 9: “Senior officials of GECOM began a treacherous campaign to steal the elections from the PEOPLE, by bastardising then aborting the count of district 4.”
A voice out of the Corentyne said: “Justice Singh has totally abdicated her responsibilities, or she does not know her job.”

It must be remembered that the Stabroek News is the gift that continues giving.
Some years ago, on my return to Guyana, I stopped at the ‘Stabroek’ and had a cordial conversation with the Editor, Mr. Persaud (I hope he remembers that). We spoke about writings briefly, but politics and the running of the country was our focus. After listening to him giving ‘A’s to his neighbours ability to run the country, he gushed so much about the leader, that I got the impression that he was talking about the dude who had walked on water aeons ago. After our discussion, I realised it was going to be a long haul for black people.

A couple of Saturdays ago (before the curfew), I attended the funeral of a colleague in Buxton. Though it was a sad affair, it was nice for me, because I got to see so many villagers who knew me, and knew about my father’s strong relationship with Mr. Jimmy Willis, a structure of Buxton. I played in Uncle Jimmy’s yard, drank as much of his coconut water as I could, and listened to him as he related the history of the village, and how it got its name. The discussions during the repast, however, was about the present political impasse. As I listened, I realised how much they missed “Fat Boy”, their name for Mr. Burnham. The despicable acts that occurred during the past 23 years would not have happened during “Fat Boy” time. The names that they ticked off that would be languishing at Sibley Hall brought gales of laughter. However, to a man and woman, they confessed their love for this dear land, and promised to await the President’s directions.

Yours Faithfully,
Milton Bruce