Dear Editor,
TRUE to form. It is vintage Jagdeo again, doing the only thing he knows best – cussing down! Well, not a surprise by his well-known standards. Really, it was always a question of not how, but just when.
I would be charitable, by opining that it was language, undignified. Except that the characteristics of “busing” is language that originates from the deepest pits of the earth, and does not fit such a mild language of reprimand.
It reflects a leader who is in paranoid mode about winning the 2020 national elections. But that is if, in the first instance, he gets the judicial nod from the Caribbean Court of Justice(CCJ) to contest a third term.
Editor, it is to be noted that he used the medium of that equally despicable Freedom Radio. I often wonder what is free about a radio that continues to spew libel, lies, and dangerous racism. It is time the relevant authorities take remedial action against such a spectrum that is simply – anti-national.

But back to Jagdeo, especially when he mouths about the issue being DEMOCRACY, because of President Granger’s choosing the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission(GECOM).
Of all persons, who dare to speak that sacred word! He cannot be one of them, for miles and miles! His utterance of that well-known attribute of liberty, is definitely a misnomer, and one of the greatest contradictions in our local politics, and here is why.
To be verbally offensive against sections of the media, and those persons who support the President’s decision, reveals a human who is not only behaving like a national bully; but also one that is starkly intolerant of dissenting views. It was shockingly disrespectful of his remarks directed at the persons of the Honourable Prime Minister, and Honourable Ministers Ramjattan and Trotman.

Both the prime minister and Minister Ramjattan would have been at the receiving end of the well-known PPP brand of ABUSE, after they had voiced their objections to matters pertaining to the party. I stand to be corrected by saying that Minister Ramjattan was expelled when he refused to sanction a lie.

Even former speaker Ralph Ramkarran publicly spoke of the virulent abuse he suffered within the PPP/C, because he dared to speak about the rampant corruption at that time.
These incidents reflect a defined culture of PPP/C violent intolerance, for those who have spoken against them while they held the reins of power. Freddie Kissoon, Christopher Ram, Anand Goolsarran, and business magnate Yesu Persaud are just a few of the names that I do recall. Even the elder statesperson of the party, Janet Jagan, did not escape the disrespectful insult of Jagdeo.

Editor, all should be reminded that Jagdeo and the PPP/C used what was then branded GINA, to daily abuse their opponents, because of being on the opposite side of their political fence. It was an art that had been refined by a party that tolerates no other view.
Therefore, what we have heard is an ongoing pattern that is cultural of this party — Jagdeo has given it a permanent brand, unique only to his twisted mind.
But, there has been an enabling factor, with some sections of the private media totally responsible for such a shameful incident.

That Jagdeo has continued to thrive, is because of the peculiarities of our political landscape that is premised on ethnicity. It is interesting to note that certain print houses have allowed Jagdeo the use of their journals to sanitise not only himself, but also some former high- ranking members, one of whose behaviour was so abysmally shocking that he ought to have been asked to resign his high office.

I have had to question the moral content of such prints, as to their media values. In other jurisdictions where newspapers value the respect of their readership and their reputation, such politicians are thrown on the dung heap.

It is instructive to note that one of these media houses exhibited a page one comment about the threat to democracy, among other statements. Of course, they are entitled to their view, since they function in a democratic society in which the state media also print criticisms against the Granger administration. Editor, I wonder whether this publishing house has forgotten what Jagdeo did to them, that almost caused their closure.

So, just who is he trying to fool? From whence came this newly found democracy? What is DEMOCRATIC ABOUT JAGDEO AND THE PPP/C? The history and culture of Jagdeo’s presidency was one of undemocratic behaviour, vindictiveness, and spitefulness.
Respectfully yours
Earl Hamilton