SOMETIMES you have to kick asses to get things done, the explanation proffered by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, even as he offers to publicly debate any and all of the rank and file of the political Opposition on their policies, at the same time, once given an equal allocation of time.

Jagdeo, for the first time in three years, spoke with members of the media at an open forum yesterday at Freedom House and fielded a varying number of questions while expanding on themes he explored over the weekend while addressing the Babu John gathering in Berbice.

One theme explored by the former President was the sloth in Parliament and what he called the deliberate attempt on the part of the political Opposition to stymie Government projects and their implementation.
This, he said, was to meant “to throw us off of our vision, the vision of change…I said to (Donald)Ramotar that maybe sometimes we have to use different methods.”
This, Jagdeo explained, may not have been communicated in the most elegant of language, but “I do believe you have to kick asses sometime to get things done, I do believe that.”
Jagdeo validated his position saying it is not a result of hate for people, “but because that is the attitude you have to have in a country like ours.”
This attitude, according to Jagdeo, is even more important when the decisions to be taken involve the lives of people and the services to be delivered to them.
“Whatever you have to do to change this country and to ensure a better life for our people, anything…The methods are justified,” said Jagdeo as he explained his ‘kick asses’ comment, meaning a symbolic stance of a tough attitude.
“Kicking asses (is) symbolic of a tough attitude to getting things done, not dilly dallying not wasting time with them (Opposition),” according to Jagdeo.
He explained further that his tough stance means not sitting for extended hours in meetings with persons in the Opposition, “When from the time they leave your office with all the promises, they go and change your position…You waste time, a lot of time with them.”
Further taking the political Opposition to task, Jagdeo said they lack solid policies and plans for the country and whatever plans that have been offered thus far are inconsistent.
The Former President reminded that Head of State, Donald Ramotar, has already made it clear he is ready to have a public debate with Opposition Leader, David Granger.
Speaking for himself, Jagdeo told media operatives, while he is not running to be President, “I would debate anyone of them:”
Jagdeo said, “I will debate any one of them, (David) Granger, (Khemraj) Ramjattan, (Raphael) Trotman, (Carl) Greenidge, anyone of them.”
In fact, the Former President said as long he is assured equal time, he is prepared to have a public debate with all of them, at once.

By Gary Eleazar