Dear Editor,
For decades upon decades, most Guyanese wished and prayed for a good life, a simple life, a life with a living wage to support their families, a life of peace – to enjoy the blessings of a land full of so many beauties, pleasantries, goodness among the ordinary peoples, and of extraordinary potentialities (not including oil).
When I was a young man doing post-graduate studies in the UK, I was shocked and horrified when I saw for the first time (1973?) an ITV documentary regarding Guyana’s election rigging, including overseas voting. This is still etched in my memory!
Which bring me to the current election scenario. The March 2 election is still in limbo as of March 23, with no result forthcoming. Where else in the world! Many well-intentioned countries and organizations were in Guyana to observe the process of democracy during the 2020 election – Carter Center, OAS, CARICOM, ABC and EU, UN – to verify fair and free elections, with full transparency.
GECOM and its officers, but specially Chairman Claudette Singh and Keith Lowenfield pussyfooted, and the election is still not called. All of the aforesaid overseas groups left Guyana dissatisfied and I dare say in disgust.
Many local groups, political and non-political, have voiced their thoughtful concerns. In my opinion, some were genuine, while other latecomers (Dominic Gaskin, Major General Joe Singh, Kit Nascimento, David Hinds, Sony Ramphal) are speaking out. Why now? Some were part of the problem. As one blogger observed: maybe they are looking out for their own personal interest regarding overseas traveling and assets, should US sanction be enforced. Of course, this is conjecture.
Now to the nitty gritty. Are Claudette Singh and Keith Lowenfield impotent? Why are they apparently hiding? Are they taking orders from the hierarchy of the PNC? (Forget AFC – they are not worthy of the soup that they drink.)
Claudette Singh, whose resume tells of her outstanding professional accomplishments, has failed in the performance of her duties as Chairman of GECOM. She should recuse herself in shame.
Now to Granger. Granger is a devotee of Burnham. He is a pretender. He is described as a hypocrite. How can a historian not know basic history that is common knowledge? Have a heart: “to thine own self be true….” It is true that “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Granger is adamant and obstinate, and disrespectful to all the observers. He poses like a statesman even as his credibility has dwindled, and he alone holds the country at ransom. What a democracy! Granger’s cohorts in the PNC and AFC sit in silence (or gives orders!).
History and posterity will remember all of us, not for what we say, but for what we do. Read also the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
A great mind, no other than Albert Einstein, said: “Information is not Know-ledge.” I like to add, Knowledge is not Wisdom. Wisdom is a state – when knowledge is internalized into appropriate action for the common good. It is a spiritual awakening, a sort of epiphany, a bonding of self and the external to serve humanity for goodness sake. Thus, to do good, one has first of all to be good. It is a lifestyle, not a facade! Otherwise, it would be fake and hypocritical.
For all the public aggrandizement and posturing from his supporters (including those invoking the spirit of Burnham) Granger still fails as a person of reputable leadership. History will not be kind to him.
Yours faithfully,
Gary Girdhari
