Dear Editor,
THE Charrandass ‘Yes Yes Yes’ vote on December 21, 2018, shook Guyana and reverberated around the world in a similar manner to the ‘crime of the century’ committed by the Reverend Jim Jones on November 18, 1978. In the days following December 21, 2018, all major international networks carried the news; Associated Press and all its affiliates, Reuters and all its affiliates in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East; BBC, CNN, MSN, CBS News, Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation; all CARICOM media houses, as well as prestigious publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post and The Economist.

International journalists did not have to descend on Guyana as they did in 1978 to witness first-hand the aftermath of the Jonestown massacre. Instead, the news, images and sounds of the Guyanese Parliament went instantly viral. There was no need for a paparazzi invasion.  Charrandass did not kill anyone with a poison brew as Jim Jones did, but very much like Jones, Charrandass injected a politically toxic substance with his evil act, into the political landscape of the nation. Prominent businessman Terrence Campbell who recently resigned from ANUG, put it succinctly, “The no-confidence vote has poisoned our soil” (SN, Jan 17, 1019).

Judging from his fulminations while in self-imposed exile in Canada, something seems pellucid about the character of the man. He possesses a reprobate mind!  The one thing which distinguishes the human being from the animal kingdom is the human mind which has the ability to reason. A delineation of Charrandass mind would reveal the following characteristics: devoid of moral rectitude, infested with covetousness, resistor of the truth, despiser of those who are good as well as things that are good, possesses the ability to instantly transform from Advocate to Arch-enemy and possesses a stubbornness that is suicidal.  In an instant, the Advocate Charrandass transformed into Charrandass in a road to Damascus moment. In retrospect, it was literally a road to Canada moment!
The APNU+AFC government must be commended for standing up and protecting democracy for the Guyanese people in response to the unprecedented challenge to its authority. Much to the chagrin of those who do not wish the coalition well or who are FED-UP, the government stands tall as it applies the right legal, diplomatic and political antidotes to counteract the political toxicity which has infected the nation.

The no-confidence vote presents both challenges and opportunities for the governing coalition. Thankfully, the challenges are being confronted with boldness and alacrity as the government and opposition meet to chart the way forward. In the coming phase, APNU+AFC will be confronted with a PR battle. The coalition must immediately embark on a sustained Public Relations campaign to fiercely promote its achievements over the past three years. The achievements have been stellar!  The government should not allow anyone to take credit for its hard work to transform and modernise Guyana. It is not too difficult for political deception to take place to confuse voters. Already there is a subtle similarity between the names APNU and ANUG. ANUG is using three of APNU’s letters and they were quite boldfaced to say that they will be using APNU’s manifesto and its model for constitutional reform.

Marsha Canham in her book, “The Blood of Roses,” describes two things that are precious to man; his country and the person he loves; “The wolves are circling, wary of the might and presence of the kingly beasts who dared to challenge possession of the crown so far, the lions had proved to be invincible. But should they drop their guard for an instant, or should the scavengers discover the virtue of their armor, all the honour, pride and passion in the world would not save them.”

It is fortuitous that the coalition is being led by a man of faith. The people of Guyana need David and Moses now, more than ever.  The political wolves and scavengers are circling. APNU+AFC must put on the whole armour of God. Ephesians 6:11-18

Regards,
Standhope Williams