Pandora’s Box
Mayor bitten by the green-eyed monster, seems beyond cure
Green himself said that Burrowes is an honourable man and that he was not inspired by the honour in the man, and that Chronicle was being vulgar to say that, so the journalist should be excised.

Now that could be interpreted in several ways. One of the interpretations of “excise” is “remove”.

Now remove in what context? Like a piece of garbage? Or perhaps like Vincent Teekah? In other words, given his track record how could one interpret Green’s statement – as a threat? What are your intentions, or your expectations – having sent a message to your supporters by this statement, Mr. Mayor?

The prison had banned the earlier editions of Kaieteur News because of some “lewd and vulgar” pictures that “titillated” the prison population. Now that the Mayor has said that Chronicle’s stories about him are vulgar we are wondering if the Chronicle would also be banned in City Hall because our stories of the Mayor are titillating the populace.

Now we at Chronicle are very proud of our Chairman, because we know that he is one of a kind, because in this era of charlatans and cheats he is a very honourable man, even the Mayor is acknowledging that, and saying that he is not inspired by this indisputably honourable gentleman.

Well, in our estimation that speaks volumes, because honourable persons inspire others to do honourable things, but there has to first be a core of goodness and decency residing in someone’s soul before honour can take root and fructify into an honourable human being.

Making allusions about “house-slaves” doing the bidding of “masters” is indicting the majority of persons working in the public service.

If someone does not have honour and cannot perform their duties with professionalism, commitment, loyalty to one’s country and countryman, sincerity, and honesty, then how can they gauge the decency and honour of others who let no divide influence their level of patriotism and professionalism?

Their constant appeals to “kith and kin” go unheeded because the average Guyanese only recognize non-destructive and constructive relationships, and recognize that their “kith and kin” are the persons with whom they share homes, offices, girl and boy talk, school benches, lunches, drinks, etcetera. In other words, the spectrum of day-to-day interactions and interrelations of a nation bonded by shared experiences, and one nationality.

There is no-one with whom Mr. Burrowes has interacted who does not acknowledge the fine human being that he is. Even Mr. Green has done so, so impugning and vilifying his character bespeaks a victim bitten by the green-eyed monster.

Chronicle’s chairman stands tall in the world of men, and of human beings. He certainly cannot be brought down by a Lilliputian who takes credit for the achievements of others, and blames others for his own failures – a typical case of an empty vessel and the level of disturbance it can create.

Then there is Corbin on the other hand – seemingly Green’s alter ego – making threats, even against his own people, because this is the nature of the beast – throwing tantrums and making threats if they feel threatened.

It is not in their nature to pacify, nor to submerge their egos for the greater good.

Basil Williams could reach out beyond egoism and partisan politics and recognize the honour conferred on our nation with the chair of Caricom. In so doing he had no qualms in congratulating the President.

Winston Murray could recognize the potential harm the EPA could have caused this nation and support the President’s stance in principle. Ron Austin, a gentleman of great intellect and sensitivity, could understand the implications of concessions.

However, Green cannot understand the integrity of someone doing a professional job for the benefit of his country, because for him doing things that would build trust, relationships, and our common country is more in line with “house slaves doing the bidding of masters.”

He justifies doing destructive things in the nation as “not surrendering,” not caring that “all are involved. All are consumed.”

And Corbin is once more calling on “kith and kin” to kill and harm their kith and kin to put him in the seat of power.

Are these two men worth respecting?

Keith Burrowes is worth respecting, Basil Williams is worth respecting, Winston Murray is worth respecting, Ronald Austin is worth respecting, along with most other Guyanese, because they can sublimate personal considerations and needs for the greater good.

There is no master and slave in Guyana, because we are a nation of people in a world of human beings – and no “kith and kin” would destroy this land, because his own kith and kin would suffer in the process.

The past should remain in the past and anthropological relics belong in museums.