Dear Editor,

SO, we are now hearing from another of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s chieftains, Priya Manickchand, the former minister of government, well known for her now infamous “feral blast’’ attack on the distinguished person of the former United States Ambassador to Guyana, Dr. Brent Hardt. It was one of the most shocking moments in Guyana’s bilateral relations, occurring at the official residence of the envoy.
She is now responding to suggestions as to possible sanctions against her political party, for what is now the day of infamy, relating to the party’s shameful display in the National Assembly. Her statement, on the party’s behalf, can be summed up as: “We do not care a damn.”

Do we expect anything different from a former high potentate of this disgraceful opposition? Not really. Not if one remembers her unapologetic stance in the face of national condemnation over the “feral blast” incident. Of course, she was just the purveyor, willingly, of what was a concerted effort to disrespect the diplomat. As usual, for her – the PPP/C was correct in its desultory behaviour.

Editor, this is yet another instance of a party being bold enough to defend a senior transgression, giving it sanctification, all in the name of legitimate protest. How can a nation’s parliament, a place of lawmakers, be reduced to a place of lawlessness?
Ms. Manikchand, an attorney by profession of many years’ practice, should know that even if there is disagreement with a judge’s decision in the matter of a court case that the recourse is to appeal. She also is aware, that to display any conduct of dissent that suggests disrespect to the person of the judge and court, will attract instant reprimand, in the form of contempt proceedings taken. This is what makes Ms. Manickchand’s defence of her party’s behaviour in Parliament so disgusting.

But as a nation, nothing better can be expected from such a person, who believes that protocols are to be ignored, and time-honoured principles trampled upon. After all, such has been her political upbringing in a party that has left this nation with a manual of how to flagrantly be disrespectful to a nation’s laws.
What more can the nation expect from such a person, who ought to know better?
Yours truly
Disgusted citizen