Emergencies! Both war-rooms reconvene

“Thanks to the President’s Leadership…”

PNC War room: Dire concerns, challenges

Compared to the real or contrived confidence, exuberance and positive positions regarding the polls before March 02, this first war-room emergency session since election day was sombre, somewhat gloomily uncertain. But with elements of hope mixed with some degree of defiance amongst some still-anxious elements in attendance.

At first it was announced to the chosen PNC “comrades” that their leader, His Excellency, was “indisposed” and had deputised/delegated that collective of Comrades Harmon, Amna, Basil and Volda to conduct such a crucial post-election session – (with veteran “Ole Sawakee” Hammie as advisor.) But suddenly, His Excellency appeared. Not a smile on his military countenance. He had brought along just three selected “AFC Reps”: Comrades Raphael, Moses and Cathy.

His no-nonsense rapid-fire introduction: “Comrades since we have not convened formally since late February – obviously because of Polling Day and the dramatic, I daresay traumatic, events since, I thought I’d expose our AFC friends to current thinking, even though a few strategies must be explored in our inner caucus.” Those opening remarks were greeted with quiet. Eloquent silence.

His Excellency the PNC Leader quickly outlined three broad themes to the crisis-like gathering of just fifteen: (1) Even though he is performing the functions of President, the botched counts, “results” and declarations, with all their current consequences have indeed done significant, even irreparable damage to the presidency, the Government and the party;

(2) Secondly, “Whether we admit, whether we show it or not, `governing’ amidst a global pandemic without a parliament, a national budget and even fake, cosmetic opposition consultations all cast us in a  very poor light locally and internationally; frankly speaking, the credibility of status is disappearing”. More silence from the Congress Congregation as His Excellency suggested the third component: “Though I should be revealing this to the inner caucus only, I feel, deep down, that the Elections Commission in its haste to assist, has also lost significant credibility. Even as a hostile western world watches upon us”.

His Excellency sounded very tired. If not vanquished. But then two veterans of formerly- differing persuasions spoke up – PNC Hammie and former PPP Moses.

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Strategies still…for what survival?

Said Hammie Green: “Comrade President, Comrades all, this party of Burnham and Reid, okay Hoyte and Corbin too; this Party never says die!”

The “Ole PNC Sawakee” mentioned an initiative to engage certain CARICOM Ministers, “providing our ballot-box-SOP strategies are still intact”. He was about to expound too on more use of the Courts when His Excellency suggested “the Inner Caucus.”

Still-First Vice President Moses sounded self-indulgent, even selfish. He Naga, did not enquire why Vice-President Ramjattan – the potential “Prime Minister Prakash,” – was absent. Instead he offered: “I’ve instructed the Public Information Department to concentrate on COVID-19 education and I encourage and am heartened by the sustained contributions on Social Media, from our 4/5 diaspora “correspondents’”. Comrades Jermaine and Aubrey and Lurlene are continuing the charge to sully the PPP here”.

Hamilton Green continued: “In terms of our propaganda initiatives, I applaud people like Dr David Hinds – how I recall that we had once locked up that Buxtonian – Hinds and some young stalwarts are compromising the PPP’s narrative well; “destroy ballot-boxes,” even “rigging” and “recount” are now in our domain”, Hammie concluded.

But His Excellency their Leader suggested that they proceed to the Inner Caucus Room abruptly. Because as Hammie was explaining (1) count, (2) re- count, (3) as against continuing the count and (4) the concepts of forensic and audit, General Secretary Amna and chairperson Volda, who both seek American health care from time to time, wanted to discuss possible US sanctions against Party top execs. His Excellency seemed impatient.

PPP Situation Room: Frustrated “Victory”

Over at the new PPP Situation Room – They keep changing its venue because of suspected State telecommunications interference and surveillance – the mood was mixed – confidence and victory as well as frustration, born of GECOM  “complicity” and litigious delays.

Somewhat surprisingly, powerful Gen. Sec  Dr Jagdeo, signalled a very  short session. He thought that certain key out-of-town comrades should interact in person after March 02 and subsequent events.

Agenda items included: lauding the work of the Mercury American Lobbyists – (private information relevant to specific sanctions to be revealed soon)  – exposing what happened to the CARICOM/Ulric Cross “forensic audit” once requested by then President Hugh Desmond. Detailing how Volda can misuse the old Public Health Ordinance to (ostensibly) fight the COVID; and the helpful “emergence” of Gerry Gouveia’, Tony Vieira – and even Carl Greenidge.

Accompanied by Comrades Gail, Donald, Juan, Robeson, Anil, Indra and Irfaan, Dr Jagdeo continued the session in the Inner Caucus only.

(One strategy had to be actually improved: International rebuke and pressure to isolate the “Pretender President,” His Excellency, as well as how the Security Services are being “utilised.”)

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No Pandemic Co-operation?/ Adoring Trump

(I have to shorten, summarise, even “deplete” these issues.) How I dream of a Guyana – in crisis – where knowledgeable health professionals/our few medical scientists, could sit together to combat the COVID! The current “government” managers of the crisis along with Frank Anthony (Public Health), Dr Vindi etc.etc. But naah! Impossible! Already gone their two separate ways to fight one Public Health battle.

“Under the President’s Leadership…”

I’ve been viewing the Trump White House “Corona Task Force” daily briefings. I easily recall the North Korean adulation for “great leader” Kim Il Sung” – complete absolute reverence for his “on- the-spot guidance.” No choice!

When I listen to Vice-President Mike Pence and a few of the other American administration officials at the briefings- even some medical professionals, it’s all Kim-Il-Sung: “At the President’s Guidance,” “Under the President’s Leadership “blah-blah. Obedience! Security- of-Tenure!

Trump should leave the briefings to the doctors and scientists. But we see American politics still  being played out. COVID has wrecked Donald’s great economy and his re-election campaign. Even as Democrats bully non-COVID-related issues into the relief bills. America in a deadly pandemic.

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Contemplate…

1. Remind me: Just why was the Region 4 count discontinued? (PNC folks say “interrupted”- not “discontinued.“ Ho-ho.)

2. Still in control, 16 months after the NC vote! A coup indeed.

3. Those miners’ high-powered weapons! More around?

4. Imran Khan’s DPI publication on “COVID-19 (Update)” has his boss, V-P Nagamootoo’s image, five times!

Til next week!

(allanafenty@yahoo.com)