Dear Editor,
I refer to SN’s article (10.12.09) captioned, ‘Chandarpal no longer presidential advisor’ to offer a few comments. These are general in nature and in no way address the individual, impacted at either the personal, official, or any other level.
It is obvious that, after seventeen years, certain positions are lifetime appointments. Inner circle members and loyalists have insinuated and worked their way through the multiple revolving doors of junior minister, minister, minister without portfolio (or duties), advisor, corporate director, commission member, posse presence, and general factotum. Worthies are ‘promoted’ upward and outward; they meander from failed assignments to the reward of sinecures in an unending tour of duty. Some are sanitized via the diplomatic corps, while others rejuvenate in overseas bodies. In simple terms, great care is taken to ensure that embarrassments and distractions are superannuated to less demanding, but more senile, surroundings. The result has been one where the faithful, the incompetent, and the wired live lucrative lives in early political retirement homes, compliments of the taxpayer’s wallet. The beneficiaries procure (no bidding) a new title and a pasture befitting a sacred cow, or bull. In some ways, it is as if the government is running its own witness protection programme. It is better to take care of the lads, just so they do not get bitter and develop ideas. Such as writing letters, or remembering, or talking.
Think of it: the only persons who totally – I mean totally – left the fold, after close to two decades, also left this green earth. Additionally, (and I stand to be corrected here) no more than a couple of others left due to ill health; and another duet or so were made scapegoats sacrificed in place of betters, and at an altar dedicated to the greater good. To be fair, the extended retention of this cabal could be due to competence, or special expertise, or institutional memory, which is even more admirable given persistent rumours that public service does not pay. I must admit to being an apostate here.
Realistically, I think that the going is so good that no one has been prompted to endure the humiliation embedded in the modern foolishness of ‘pursuing other interests’ (there are none), and ‘spending more time with the family’ (they would not know each other). It is why no member of the cabal has volunteered to participate in such a charade. Instead, they have to be fetched out, and then carted off. In Guyana, force majeure is not enough, as nothing but an act of God can unseat incumbents.
In closing, I am registering my keen interest in landing one of these lifetime tenures. Will somebody (anybody) say a good word for me? Please? Please…? I promise to behave.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
