Dear Editor,
I was very surprised to see the headline, “Shooting incident involving minister settled out of court” (07.11.26). So I guess all is well now? The honourable minister who was the aggressor and not the victim has chosen to settle the matter out of court. Why doesn’t everyone just settle serious matters out of court? It would be so much easier on the judicial system. In fact, we might not even need a judicial system!
Knock someone down with your car; settle the matter out of court. Break into someone’s home and get caught? Not to worry! You can simply settle the matter out of court! Did you rape someone’s daughter, sister or wife or even your own daughter? In a civilized world you would be tried, sentenced and be in jail for quite a long time — but the good news is that you committed your crime in Guyana – did you know you could just settle the matter out of court? Were you caught with tons of illegal drugs? Just settle the matter out of court and you could be on your way home in no time! Are you bored at home? Go get into a fight for fun then just settle the matter out of court. The beauty about our laws is that the guilty in high places decide their fate.
It is shameful indeed to see these troubling headlines printed in our newspapers. Those apparently simple words deeply undermine our faith in all that we stand for as Guyanese people. The President, during his New Amsterdam outreach, mentioned in his public address that we are in a free and fair country. Those words meant a lot to me, because I know the President can be trusted to stand by his words and I know that he sincerely strives for the people of this country. Mr President you said that no one is above the law, I do hope when you return to Guyana you can be counted on to deal with this rogue minister. Only when someone is respected, can he/she be of use. It is no use having people who do shameful deeds representing you.
Now let’s step aside for a while and be observers and discuss today’s article. There are many points to ponder. In many ways I sympathize with Doodnauth; the poor chap had his head bashed in with a pistol butt or barrel. He claimed that he is the woman’s nephew who the minister in his drunken state mistook for her “other man”. Whether he is or not does not really count now does it? He still suffered the blows. He said the initial media reports did not accurately reflect what had occurred between him and the minister. Believe me, Doodnauth if you were somehow intimidated to protect the minister the first story was much better after hearing what you had to say! I believe the initial reports stated that you and the minister had one altercation. You clarified it as being let me see, I believe I counted at least four confrontations by the minister! Now being a cool and well mannered guy, you left with blood flowing from your head wound before any further damage was done (believe me you are someone I would recommend for a firearm licence, that is exactly the kind of mental training one must possess in order to be considered fit and proper to be granted a firearm licence). So you turned the other cheek and left only to be suddenly approached from behind by the minister’s car! You were very careful to say you did not fall
