I refer to Frederick Kissoon’s article captioned “Legacies of power-drunkenness, sexual insanity and unprecedented corruption” dated March 22, 2010. I want to inform the readers that I usually read Mr. Kissoon’s column purely as a source of entertainment ‘a la a court’ jester, i.e. a clown or buffoon who is historically employed by royals simply for entertainment. On this occasion the jester has written an article that seeks, inter alia, to tarnish and denigrate the legacy of Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Consequently, I write this letter in response because my conscience and strong moral fibres compel me to so do.
Dr. Jagan was one of the main characters who fought for our independence and for the freedoms we enjoy today. Ironically, Dr. Jagan and many others fought for the same freedom that Mr. Kissoon enjoys as a columnist, i.e. the freedom of expression (this includes the freedom to criticise the government). There are other countries in the world that are still shackled to colonial rule against the will of their citizens. There are other countries that do not enjoy these freedoms that we enjoy here in Guyana. Dr. Jagan sacrificed the major part of his entire life to serve the people of this country.  It is therefore right that we celebrate him and his work, even posthumously. On the other hand, the vast extent of Mr. Kissoon’s contribution to the development of this country is that of being a critic and a jester.
My parents always taught me that we ought to be respectful to our elders and that we ought to treat people the way that we would like to be treated. It is for those reasons and the fact that Mr. Kissoon has lost all credibility that I chose not to expatiate in this response. I found his article distasteful and disrespectful. Mr. Kissoon has stooped to a new low.
Mr. Kissoon needs an audience like an addict needs a fix in order to justify his continued relevance and employment as a columnist; criticism, especially government criticism, is the easiest way to attract an audience and get his fix.
I support the efforts to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Jagan and any other individual that sacrifices his life to serve the interests of the nation.