“Myth and lie are enemies of truth” by Lenno Craig  in KN: 12.3.11 in which the writer attempts to disprove Dr. Prem Misir’s arguments that Guyana is democratic and free, is another in the line of missives that seeks to deny the latter fact. Craig’s letter listed 8 points in a perceived illustration of President Jagdeo as a dictator. I am not in any way attempting to be the erudite Dr. Misir’s spokesperson , since I am sure that he will respond to this latest waffle. However, as a fair minded  Guyanese   I reserve the right to support facts that are objective and fair.

A sample response will be used to debunk two of Craig’s 8 points

In point 6, he reffered to Hitler’s  banning  certain types of Christian religious programmes. Certainly, such did occur in Nazi Germany, but Guyana has religious freedom, where all faiths have been free to worship without fear or hindrance, There is no State interference or influence, in terms of seeking control. In fact, President Jagdeo has been meeting with religious leaders on social issues that affects the nation. 

Point 8, reflects Mr. Craig’s great contradiction  in his arguments. His stated fact is that Guyana is already an established  dictatorship, led by a president of similar ideological built. Yet in that paragraph, he emphasised that if “given similar , indications are that Jagdeo could become a dictator of the worst order.”  What must one read of such a statement?

One can only conclude that Dr Misir’s conclusion of “cherry picking” as a desperate attempt by those who seek to disparage the growth, as being candid. 

It must be emphasised that  any such debate  is indeed  a very serious one and cannot be done in a generalize manner, selectively or in a vacuum. For instance, there are acts that are considered undemocratic and which are endemic in undemocratic states, such as police violence, that do occur in North America. Such are a definite violation of the Rule of Law. But such does not  describe that great continent’s  two states as undemocratic.

As Guyana moves closer to its  national elections, such attacks leveled against the PPP/C are going to become  more constant and sustained. It is to be expected, since by now, the detractors realized that they will not be able to defeat the administration on their solid record of  social and economic achievements. No state can possibly be undergoing the rapid  social and economic transformation, such as Guyana, if its political ideology is undemocratic. Mr Craig must  be reminded, that there are free elections  are now a norm in this country, where Guyanese can  freely choose their leaders; freedom to invest in commerce and business; freedom of worship; and a media that is so free, that his choice for publishing his letter, the Kaieteur News can commit media crimes of misinformation, and disseminate misleading information without being sanctioned. These signposts, are among  the many, that supports Dr Misir’s arguments