Dear Editor,
I thank Dr Steve Surujbally for his kudos of Link Show 27 in a letter in Stabroek News of 24 February, ‘Best Link Show in Years, but…’ which he considers one of the best in years. Indeed a lot of work did go into the production.
However, it was with some degree of disappointment that I read his statement in which he said that “satirical skits must reflect a significant quantum of truth and reality” yet berated the Link Show for the skit on the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) because “not a semblance of such a characterization is true.”
Apparently Dr Surujbally is unaware of the definition of satire so let me cite the one given in the Oxford Dictionary, Third Edition of 2005 – “The use of humour, irony or exaggeration as a form of mockery or criticism.” Please note the words “exaggeration,” “mockery” and “criticism.” Where does my learned friend live? Does he not read and hear reports of patients being treated by some uncaring nurses? A very close friend of my family recently visited her sister in the maternity ward of the GPHC and told me that her sister’s very words were (as stated in the Link), “Some of these nurses is treat pregnant women like dogs.” Incidentally, the baby died at childbirth.
So, this line in the Link is based on fact and used satirically to reflect how some nurses at the GPHC treat patients, and I repeat, some of the nurses. If there was no “semblance of such a characterization,” as stated in his letter, I ask the question as to why the Ministry of Health saw the necessity to establish a special committee to investigate such allegations and the spate of deaths of women in the maternity ward. I am sure that Dr Surujbally would not have anyone close to him sent to the GPHC’s maternity ward. In fact, I would bet my last dollar that it would be his last choice and only if there was no alternative.
The goodly Doctor missed the entire satire of the visitor to the hospital who carried several articles which may be needed. It was intended (and recognized by many who have responded personally to me) that family members quite often take painkiller tablets, water, food and even aspirins for fear that these may be needed and not available. By Oxford Dictionary definition I am allowed to exaggerate. Often members of the family are given prescriptions and have to purchase the required medication at a pharmacy. The fact that the GPHC may never be lacking in these supplies does not negate the belief by many that this is so.
He also states that “to vilify and make fun of one politician constantly and relentlessly for 3½ hours is too much and just plain boring.” I have never seen Dr Surujbally’s defence of the former First Lady, Varshnie, who was the brunt of Link Show 25. Neither did he comment on the years of my lampooning former Commissioner Laurie Lewis. In fact he once said to me that he thought the ‘walk’ I did in imitation of Mr Lewis was great. Why was there no comment about my satirical skits on Dr Cheddi Jagan, the father of our nation, a great man who rose from poverty to the greatest position of the land, who was also my “target” (to use Dr Surujbally’s word) in a previous Link Show? Let me assure him that I always held Dr Jagan in the highest esteem. Other targets included Prime Minister Sam Hinds (year after year), Presidents Hoyte and Burnham and, more recently, President Jagdeo.
Let me hasten to add that Minister Clement Rohee is defended in the Link when “he” states that a lowly position in years gone by does not make someone a dunce.
Let me also add that I don’t know what Link Show stated that CN Sharma should be in jail, and I challenge Dr Surujbally to show me that this was said in Link Show 27. No such statement was made about the Justice For All Party leader. There was a change to a script which referred to God and which was excised by me for religious reasons. If such a statement had been said about C N Sharma it too would have been excised. Perhaps Dr Surujbally should return and so be in a position to enlighten me on exactly which skit contains this statement. This would be as my guest.
I can only conclude that it appears that the Chairman of Gecom was disappointed in being left out of the Link Show as neither he nor Gecom was satirized or even mentioned. For this I sincerely apologize. I should have seen satirical content in the fact that the Gecom Chairman did not resign as Chairman of the Livestock Development Association before being asked to do so. The satire was even greater when everyone, except the good doctor, considered it a conflict of interest. How could I have committed such a huge oversight?
Yours faithfully,
Ron Robinson
