Dear Editor,
I take umbrage at the purposeful attempt by the Guyana Times in their Monday February 23 edition to incorrectly spin my personal facebook message on the opposition’s statements about the selection of Ms Elisabeth Harper as prime ministerial candidate for the PPP/C.
My two private facebook statements were:
“Don’t know why the combined Opposition would comment negatively on the selection of Ms Harper as PM candidate…have some class and tell us what you will do for us….steups…show us dignity.”
“The Opposition needs to focus on what they can do…Elizabeth can’t help the PPP, but to have an official statement just doesn’t make sense. Show leadership and class; young voters are the key target, they would see this as “politicians are all the same.”
These were my private words, not words from ACDA. Is there some attempt to place ACDA against the combined opposition? ACDA along with the WPA has been calling for a government of national unity since 1993, the year ACDA was formed.
Where did the word “derision” appear in my language?
Derision. No.
Advice, Yes.
My advice was for the opposition is to focus on “big ideas” and to share with the Guyanese public what they will do if elected. The record on what has been done the last few decades is written in daily volumes.
What Guyana needs at this juncture of our history, 49 years since Independence is statesmen and stateswomen.
I hope this election season is one of transformation.
I am also aware that this is the most precarious election Guyana will have. When it is done and over, those perpetrating racism or civil antagonisms will have to face the consequences.
I was told there was a Media Code of Conduct that was signed last week. Is this a three-card monte game being played on the public?
There is a very appropriate business and diplomatic principle: ‘When there is nothing to say, say nothing.’ I would have preferred the opposition to have said nothing other than “Welcome to the fray, Ms Harper.” The key point I am making is that it is time we change our political discourse.
Politicians need to up their game; share ideas.
Guyana has many problems and over the last 10 years I have heard nothing about poverty, suicide, racism, unemployment, HIV and AIDS. Our young people are tired of this personality-based, maximum leader-type political diatribe that has stolen their birthright from them and forced many of them to migrate. Why is there no discourse on the University of Guyana when it is actually falling apart at the seams, and affecting 7000 individuals and their families? Is it because we don’t care. Is it because we are stuck with political personalities and not statesmen seeking the national good?
Yours faithfully,
Eric Phillips
