Dear Editor,
I refer to Mr Hamilton Green’s letter ‘Where is the eyewitness?’ which appeared in your paper of October 1, 2008. Hammie’s short letter is on the button. I particularly agree with the maxim that all the Guyanese people seek is the truth and justice. Yet perceptions of truth and justice are highly influenced by the level of one’s confidence in the police and in the judicial system. Sadly, the public’s confidence in the police is lower than it has ever been in living memory.
I am not a recluse and get about sufficiently. Significantly, since the gruesome Lindo Creek murders I have not met, read, spoken to or overheard a single Guyanese who believes that the police or Joint Services are not responsible for the deaths of those hapless miners at Lindo Creek.
To increase public confidence in the police is also to increase their effectiveness. I sincerely hope the implications of this simple nexus and relationship are not lost on our erudite and enigmatic Minister of Home Affairs.
Yours faithfully,
F Hamley Case
It has been about five to six months since the torture report was
handed over to the gov’t and the public still in waiting to know what
is the outcome.
It has been about six to seven weeks since the DNA test was done to the
eight miners that were killed at Lindo Creek and the public is still in waiting to know what is the outcome.
Mr Greene need to tell the Guyanese pepole why the U.S. Gov’t
took away his American Visa.
Mr Best need to tell the Guyanese people who are the officers at
Camp Ayanganna that is torturing people.
Certainly this can’t be too much to ask of the arms forces, to serve and protect the people, but clearly, it is a lot, especially when the arms forces are part of the problem. To restore the citizens’ confidences something drastic must be done to rid the police force of all the bad apples that have been spoiling the bunch – starting from the top down as this is where they are most corrupted. I also think that the government needs to ensure that the arm forces are given the proper tools to succeed at their job — equipment upgrades —- maybe a pay reward won’t be so bad either, as it way of increasing employee motivation while minimizing corruption.
shea30,
I just came back from Guyana, one hour ago, I spoke to a number of prominent busnessmen, and this is what they told me.
They said that many of the personnel in the police and armed forces and the judiciary, are left overs of the old administration, and still hold divided loyalities and that there are political forces working in the background who attempt to sock Jagdeo with a blackeye where and whenever possible.
Now they are not saying that there is not the regular corruption in government, but that is what is making it so difficult to weed out the sheep from the goats, since it is not easy to place a finger on what is regular corruption as opposed to organised politically motivated corruption.
Joe.
I do not think so. Some police are shady characters.Not only in Guyana.Guyana however is a lawless place, and the police are stretched to the limit.The police have however gotten rid of a number of dangerous criminals in the last five years who caused havoc in Guyana.
Well, well, my great blogger family, yours truly is finally back, from none other than Guyana itself, Thats right, after fifteen years, I went back to the old country and got right to work, asking very presumptious questions in order to solicit angry response.
Act 1: right off the plane, I went up to a stout black female sergant, who was packing heat – by the way-I said to her, sarge, can you please explain to me why the PPP government is only employing Indians instead of blacks in government jobs? She gave me a studied look- I could almost feel her thinking, should I arrest this sucker on the spot.
Instead she said to me, look around and tell me what do you see, I said I see immigration officers, security personnel and airport personnel are mostly black people, she said- well, and promptly dismissed me.
Act 2::In the city, I saw, police in full riot gear and bullet proof vest, patrolling the city on foot and on motor cycles, They were not imposing their presence, just making themselves visible. I approached two officers on Regent street and asked, what do I need to do to get arrested around here, and they patiently explained to me my rights, in a very friendly and professional manner, instead of just saying, get the huck out of here, like a USA pig would.
Act 2::I was on my way to the countryside on friday 3rd Oct, It was around 7pm somewhere around Plasiance, on the railline road, when a group of police in riot gear stopped us, while I fumbled to put on my seat belt. One officer said I saw you, now pull over. We did- another young black officer in khakis, approached. I explained that I was trying to reach into my pockets for my cigarettes, and insisted that I had my belt on before that . He said if I intend to argue, then we will have to go the the station.
I thought to myself, boy, this must be the famous towel shakedown I have been hearing so, much about and since I did not look like a local, this guy must be thinking, well,well we have a whole towel rack sucker, right in our hands.
So I said, officer, listen, Guilty as charged, I am sorry and am asking for some consideration here. He said ok, buckle up and have a pleasant day.
Now I would surely appreciate it, if SN can be fair enough to send a copy of my blog to the Commisioner of Police, to find out who this young officer was and give him a recognition of merit, for professionalism in the line of duty.
This is just for starters, my friends, I have many more funny little stories that will paint a totally different picture from those that kept me away from my country for the past fifteen years.
Georgetown, is the garden city once again, clean and pristine, all new buildings, new cars and motor cycles, everyone fashionably dressed, and regular guys were coming out of their cars for and evening of fishing in the Croal street canal.
I did not see any more derelect persons,than I see on any average day in the New York subways, and yes, I did make it my civic duty to slip them a few bucks.
Someone is trying to give this guy Jagdeo an unfair blackeye. I saw deliberate effort, progress and change through a pair of eyes that are not jaundiced by prejuduce.
More to follow, soon.
Joe.
OK Joe.
Now go to the Registrar of Births and Deaths and apply for a copy of your birth certicicate. OH shucks ! you not there anymore !
Anyway, let us hear about your dealings with any of the Ministries of the
Government.
Hope you did visit at least one of them and tried to do business.
I suspect you wear those shades for a purpose.!
what do you expect. after the days of a dictator when Guyanese were robbed and killed. now the days of the exploiters and tax collecters , who see Guyanese being robbed and do nothing.
The president is lobbying for money to preserve the trees, while the police in Guyana collect millions everyday in the streets in Guyana from honest hard working law abiding Guyanese road users. it was the president who raised the road fines from $100 and $150 respectively to $5000 and $7000 so that the police can collect every day from Guyanese.
Oli,
I agree with all of your arguments here, but here I have brought back a few feel good stories much to the ire of some, it seems as though there is a tremendous need to feed on only negative comments on this site.
Now I am not saying that all is well and perfect, I could have been robbed or maimed or worse, I am thankful that I got back in a single piece.
My friends wanted to take me to all the latest spots in the city. I said wait a minute.
I do not want to go a fried chicken joint. I want to go the the little cookup rice stand under the tree at the market place. I was told that those exist no more. So we ended up at the Stabroek market location, sitting on some plastic chairs in the open air, guzzling some beer until 4am in the morning. I enjoyed every moment of it.
Joe.
Joe I find your behavior very distressing and puerile. And you have the audacity to blog such disdainful and race baiting behavior. I am a black Guyanese, who grew up in a village of mostly Indian Guyanese, and I would tell you that it is an experience that I would cherish for as long as I live. My Indo-Guyanese friends who were very educated did not go around asking why they were unemployed or why only blacks were getting jobs. Instead the availed themselves with tools necessary to succeed and helped to develop the country. And the SGT was very correct to point out to you that Guyanese(all six races) are working and developing their country. Carl’s question about your dark glasses should be the eye opener you so badly need. I say no more
Ulric,
I am glad to hear that you share those ideals, and that is the way it should be. Most of the blogs on this site, regardless of the topic, quickly decays into a mud slinging contest of you PPP or you PNC. and those references are just substitutes for what they would really like to be shouting at each other.
I took some of those same questions that appear on this site by as many bloggers and presented them to a broad cross section of local Guyanese people to find out their opinions of such sharp rethoric, to my surprise their response was very upbeat, they did not share the same point of view, most of them told me that life is tough, and a constant struggle but you have to keep trying.
Now if you see my approach as race baiting, I am glad you see it that way, for that is all that is presented on this blog site by most of the bloggers, nothing else.
All I did was take it from this forum to the man in the street, so my friend I agree with you 100%. but I get the impression that it is only acceptable when presented at this forum and nowhere else.
Peace my friend.
Joe.
Welcome again Joe!!
You said it well,,,,,,,,,,,
Arnold, my friend
thanks for the welcome back, I kept away from Guyana based on all the negative publicity I was hearing, but I ventured back due to a death in the family and oh boy, I loved what I saw, and I did not just isolate my visit to the exotic expensive spots in the city, no, instead I went down to the market places and small business joints, since that was the life I knew and missed.
Joe.
Ok Joe…I concede.
You win !
Now …my sun glasses please!
Nothing new here.
Joe, you did not have to travel to Guyana, and moreso speak to prominent businessmen to know what is apparent to even the most casual observer of politics in Guyana. Let me ask you Joe, where in the world of politics that the head of Government is not a punching bag? (uneasy lies the head that wears the crown). Its 16 plus years since this Government assumed office;most of the leaders of the security forces have since retired or quit, so what nonsense you and your alleged businessmen spouting. Moreover, the current head of the GDF was appointed by Jagdeo;the current GPF head has to toe the line and function not to the best interest of the public as a professional, but dance to the beat of the political drummers, or guess what? No permanent assignment. Now tell me about left overs and their commitment. I am waiting for you to talk to those businessmen again and get back to us non-business class. I say no more
Ulric,
I went to Guyana and asked questions in order to get to the truth. I have honestly revealed what was told to me. I am not going to argue it any further because I do not have any irrefutable facts on the matter, just a few of the opinions of some people in Guyana. As for Jagdeo, being socked in the eye, I am not lamenting about it. I know it comes with the territory, it just happens to be part of my explaination.
Joe.
Why dont you open your ears and listen to what the man said….he said…Jagdeo is not working there if you catch his drift….re-read it bro what Joe said…and read between the lines…..
CarlVeecock,
You have been after my shades for quite sometime now, I get you a pair in Chinatown, It only cost 5 bucks.
Most of the negative impression I got about Guyana came from right here on this blog site. just about every blogger enjoys slinging mud at the administration and the opposition party. So during my recent trip to Guyana, I decided to play devil’s advocate and present some of the very criticisms of the bloggers on this site, in the form of direct questions.
For instance, I was at a computer company where I saw a tree loaded with mangoes, I went up to the female security guard, introduced myself and told her that I intend to pick two mangoes.
She said “Joe I would not if I were you” I replied that I read in SN that a man was dragged in front of the courts for picking two mangoes. I asked if she would arrest me for picking the mangoes, she said “Joe, dont push it, besides they are not ripe” I told her that I intend to return when they are ripe and test her resolve and restraint. She advised me to do just that when the time comes and find out what will happen.
Joe.
Joe….no ah don’t want any cheap sun glasses.
I like most Guyanese in Guyana….
I want the latest, the best and de most expensive!
Hope you get de drift, but den again de sun glasses might get in de way !
Now remembah what de old people used to tell ahwe:
” come see meh and come live wid me are two different tings ”
You get dat?
It is so true in your glosssy situation !
One final comment / request Joe:
….how about putting together a complete summary of
a ) the questions you posed
b) the types of persons to whom you posed them
c) your feelings of the level of knowledge of such persons
d) the general occupations of such persons, viz,
manual worker, store clerk, taxi driver, office worker, government
employee etc etc
..;the point is, you are harping on your interpretations of what we, who been
travelling to and fro Guyana for a number of years since we migrated, have
seen and experienced in our changed Guyana. We do not need shades to
dim the views because we are learned and have a very sharp sense of matters.
You are coming to conclusions and opinions based on some sort of
questionnaire put together by you.
So share that questionnaire so that us scholarly Guyanese can quote you
with reliable assurance that what is….is not.Do not get intimidated with my
use of ’scholarly’. That is one of the old debating scare tactics !
Do not forget to add your research qualifications for we would not want to be
embarrassed when we quote you.
Do you dare to accept?
As some would say….put up or shut up!
Carl,
Against a scholar like you, I prefer to shut up. LOL
Joe.