“A NATION that forgets its past has no future” spoken by Winston Churchill and it caused me to ponder upon our own nation.
The insightfulness and connotation of the quoted phrase with its varied complications applied to Guyana makes more than just interesting reading. It appeals for very serious thought.

Our ongoing ominous political environment makes the future somewhat troubling to say the least. Our still very young country has an eventful history, which should never be forgotten, but yet there are many amongst us, who keep promoting that we should desist from looking back and concentrate on the notion of change.
Indeed, a very cynical principle to embrace. The Stabroek News, together with the PNC/APNU are the major contributors of this insidious thought. They keep promoting the idea of appealing for the establishment of a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” should not be put off any longer. The accuracy of our history cannot be written without getting at the truth.
This country has at least one unfailing truism and that is from the very inception there were two fiercely opposing political parties – the PPP and PNC – but establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is like an anathema to the PNC/APNU in as much as it was that (PNC) party that was handed the instruments of our independence from Great Britain.
Opposing the establishment of T&RC is in fact an attempt of denying the truthfulness of our history. There should be strenuous, unflinching efforts to ensure the realisation of such a Commission.
The one inescapable fact about our present day demography is that those who are 28 years and younger, were never exposed to the terrible years of punishment during the ruling of the Burnham/Hoyte administration. This is an unfortunate fact simply because it represents a sizable group of the population that is most susceptible to manipulation into accepting the call for change. The question “what is the change?” being promoted, is it a change to return to those awful years of PNC/APNU administration?
The politics in Guyana has not yet moved away from the traditional two-party confrontation.
Another unfortunate fact is the obvious gaiety displayed by this group of twenties; they simply enjoy the good life and pleasant physical environment which they take for granted, never for a minute stopping to think who or what provided the opportunity for such enjoyment.
The future of Guyana has yet to be uncertain of nothing is done to educate our young people of its history. Churchill was absolutely correct. This nonsense about not looking back simply because one of the two major political parties remain fearful of the truth that will emerge should be permanently buried. There must not be any ambiguity about our future.
Our history is much too important not to ensure that when it comes to be written, accuracy is maintained. Truth must be paramount. The T&RC can be a reliable source for pertinent information.
Let us continue the forward march with confidence through truthfulness. Our future will be bright, full of opportunities for every Guyanese.