SOMETIME ago I wrote on the three things that bring out the best or worst in us and these are money, religion and politics. I shall speak a little on the last fact mentioned. A discussion in politics can be an invigorating, amusing and enlightening exercise if held in the right spirit of the debate. But downright brutal and bitchy if the respondents are plain stupid and full of it. This brings me to the point where I shall relate two unfavourable incidents. The first took place in Guyana in 1998 at the height of the PNCR rampage.
I joined in on a conversation with another commuter on a Route 41 South bound bus in a frank and straightforward discussion on the political situation confronting us; then, my views as well as that of the commuter were held within the boundaries of mutual respect and camaraderie. Unknown to me was a staunch supporter of the PNC who was highly offended with the points I shared and sure enough he made his feelings known to me in a threatening display. No sooner had I exited the bus at Church of the Transfiguration this man kept pace with me in an intimidating manner which caused me to enquire of him for such action, his response was “a Black Man can’t talk dem talk in dis area and live.”
I was now well aware of his motive and imminent action,so  I hastily retreated to the other street not willing to allow the foolishness of an extremist to get to me; it was not worthy of a response in kind.
Other such aggressive behaviour was encountered  in St. Lucia when I appeared on the popular Rick Wayne television show expressing my views of life and politics in Guyana when again PNC supporters called in to make their hostility known; one caller even went the length to say “go home to Guyana and talk da talk dey go fly your neck.” This clearly shows the vehemence that is a marked characteristic feature of the opposition that even in a foreign country they cannot be civil or at least control themselves when confronted with views that go contrary to theirs.

Elections are soon to be held in Guyana as well as in other CARICOM countries when the peaceful and civilized behaviour of a CARICOM neighbour would be contrasted head-on with the rough uncivil hooliganism of some Guyanese.