Dear Editor
I LISTENED to the profanity-laced recording of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who “cussed out” over the visit of West Indies cricket icon Chris Gayle to Linden some weeks ago.

Should we be surprised at such unpalatable behaviour coming from a former president, and now leader of the parliamentary opposition? Absolutely not! It is yet another example of the vintage Jagdeo public profile that continues to stink the environment every time it is fumed off. Not even his sop of an apology, deceptively made to give the appearance of a one-off occurrence from a usually well-mannered citizen and national leader, can obfuscate a deliberate intention to always disrespect and be offensive when he does not get his way, or when a situation goes counter to his expectations.

But, it is his statement about being in his “bad book” and “not being entitled to privileges” from him in such instance, which must be examined. Editor, in all languages those two words, are they meant to convey a veiled threat, perhaps, against those who are in the employ of the State, not confined to a particular category of decision-makers? And is such akin to the following: that there will be penalties for those who are continuing to function and serve the State in the discharge of its public services to the nation, despite Jagdeo’s call that they cease? Take it for what it seeks to convey, it is a threat to sections of the nation.

Of course, on any scale of human rights, Jagdeo’s behaviour is reprehensible and the product of a vindictive mindset, bent on taking his country down, if he does not get what he wants on his own terms. It is outright bullyism, that is tantamount to those well-known dictators. Thus, it is fair to ask of Jagdeo, just who is he to direct the social rights of citizens, even it is the same citizen who has become an item in his “bad books”?
Jagdeo must explain why he should have taken umbrage with a citizen who decides to accompany a well-known Caribbean sport icon to Linden, a very popular Caribbean visitors’ destination, even if the timing might have coincided with a government rally hosted in the mining town, and that there were photo opportunities with this batting star and high-profile members of the government. The “Universe Boss” was quite clear in his message: that he is a sportsman, and is therefore neutral, as well as apolitical, meaning that his mission to Linden has been without fear or favour to any political party. Any sportsperson of Gayle’s stature would have endearing fans all over the world, as is Gayle’s case, moreover, in his own CARICOM yard. From the pictorials, as a Caribbean man, Gayle could be discerned greeting fans, as is his right. It cannot be construed that he was pitching for the coalition because of that.

One is certain that Jagdeo in his former capacity as president would have met Chris Gayle in times gone by. Did anyone complain when such a meeting(s) did take place?
This much must be stated: that such an incident will not be accepted by the CARICOM community of citizens, much less to escape the notice of particularly Jamaica, Gayle’s home country; for since the perfidy of the no-confidence motion, the Caribbean people have been following the deviousness of Jagdeo and his PPP/C; this is with particular reference to his appeal to racism, not only from since 2015, but as to the nature of discriminatory governments he had led — and they are speaking.
This latest incident is yet another significant one for the Caribbean people to note about Jagdeo and his PPP/C.

Regards
Carla Mendonca