Dear editor,

THERE is a popular saying, “To each his own” or, “You’re on your own.” Guyanese would say, “You try de” or “Yuh de pon yuh own.” Perhaps this paradigm replicates Karl Marx’s economic slogan, “From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs.” It’s good to remember, “He who robs Peter to pay Paul, can count on the support of Paul.” The phrase “according to his folly,” in short, in negligible issues we should just ignore some people, but in issues that matter, they must be dealt with so that credence will not be given to what they say. Another popular gossip goes, “The more people hear about something, the more corrosive it becomes.” This and many more of the rum shop gaffs and  controversies continue to build up a crescendo until tempers flare and the friendship breaks, all because of words being a bad “chaser” for drinks. Picking sense out of nonsense is senseless, so don’t worry to sensitise anything sensible from suppositions and prepositions. Guyana is already contaminated with enough sick, slick and sticky issues that toil their way from land to the sea, from ground to the sky and eventually end up from above to below! Oil is a messy business.

The table has turned and it’s amazing to see how America is quickly adapting to Guyana’s craziness. The tirades of politicians created havoc and mayhem in societies in both parts of the world. From Guyana’s legitimate cause for the passing of a no-confidence motion that created chaos and confusion, this led to APNU+AFC’s scrambling for consoling their foundation. We can reflect on the Republican President Trump and the House impeachment by the Democrats. The absurd refusal by the APNU+AFC to accept CARICOM’s initial recount result of the elections, showed how biased the party was. Again, aspersions can be cast upon Trump when he openly declared uncertainty of accepting the result if defeated in the upcoming election. Trump’s controversies accounted for many protesters taking to the streets. Misguided by his tongue-twisters, his protagonists have also demonstrated their support in dangerous forms. Granger’s lies and deceits rallied many marchers taking to the streets also. Trump’s racial innuendoes proved damaging and destructive. Granger and Harmon’s fabrications and racial aspersions created ethnic upheavals that proved deadly. Granger’s illegitimate appointment of James Patterson as GECOM’s chairman was another abuse of power and protocol. Trump is currently engaged in the imbroglio of the appointment of a replacement in the Supreme Court. Granger encouraged the spreading of COVID-19 from the inception and failed to acknowledge its presence. He did not recognise the urgency and importance of COVID-19 and its implications, therefore, the application of remedial solutions went into abeyance, much to the detriment of the nation. Trump was in “La La Land,” downplaying the deadliness of the pandemic and America paid the penalty with some 210,000 lives and still counting. Guyana continues to lose the battle daily. The hapless man in the street tries to go about his business if there is some business and minds his own business. But Guyana’s business is every man’s business. What does the ordinary man know about what goes on behind closed doors? Guyanese were once promised a dream where “the small man will become a real man.” That dream was shattered! Then, Guyanese were fooled with the illusion of living “the good life.” That was a mirage, short- lived and left flabbergasted! Guyanese again are pinning their hopes on promises. It is not 100 days as yet, but, there is a dim light that reflects prosperity for posterity. Let’s hope that the light does not diminish with austerity.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall