Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:48 AM
Jul 26, 2016 Letters
Dear Editor;
There seems to be a big concern that the Granger administration is militarizing the Government. Well, I am not the least bit concerned about that. This is because I have been observing what is happening on the world stage. Military dictators are being ousted left, right and center. It stands to reason therefore that if indeed the Guyana government is becoming militarized it is not for any sinister reasons, except they are living in some bubble. We all know that the ABC countries were instrumental in removing the PPP government in 2015, much the same as the ABC countries were responsible for removing the PNC in 1992.
What happened to the PPP in 2015 must not be lost on this new administration. The international community does not like political leaders, they like oil and (to some extent) democracy; in that descending order. So if the fear is that Guyana will become a military dictatorship, the fear is unfounded, misguided and speculative. The super powers have no appetite for military dictators in the Third-World; that era have long passed. Additionally, agitated youths, fueled by technology, will never sit by and allow the rise of dictatorships and wanton oppression. Just look at the havoc the Black Lives Matter organization is having in the USA, in retaliation to injustice.
However, there is a story surrounding Guyana Government’s possible militarization and one of the dailies editorialized on the notion. There is talk on the street that this government does not plan to leave office and so they are strengthening themselves militarily to quell any attempt to oust them and so secure their longevity. Saying that this government is up to no good with its militarizing strategy, is enough to drive morbid fear in the heart of any democratic-loving individual, especially the independent voters and the PPP supporters. In light of this fact, I am wondering if the highlighting of this perceived militarization of the government is not a political ploy vested in fear mongering.
The Guyana government cannot militarize themselves more than Sadam did. Neither can they militarize themselves more than Gadiffi did. The ABC countries took out both of them. It would be foolhardy for the Granger administration to believe that the folks who put them in power don’t have whatever it takes to remove them.
But there is indeed an increase amount of aged, military, personnel who make up the current administration and have other key positions. The reason for this is simple. In a political age where trust is very scarce, the current administration is going with who they know. They are also going with those who are loyal to them. So what is happening is that old military men and women are hiring their trusted friends, who happen to be old military men and women.
The youths must also understand that many of these older folks who are now being handed elevated positions were in the struggle for long. This is reward time. And since most of the military personnel are Black, most of the people being hired are Black. When the PPP was in power, they practiced the same thing; most of the cabinet, ambassadors and highly place officials in top positions were Indians. There was a time when all the Guyana ambassadors were only Indians. Political logic dictates that you go with who you are comfortable with.
I can almost assure you that if PPP gets back into power, all of those military, Black, people will be replaced with Indians; many of whom will not be military. So my concern is not the militarization of the Government. I am more concern with the reality that young people are being made to feel a sense of hopelessness as they watch who is often being placed in what positions. I think however, that as the next election nears, the Granger administration, in an effort to win back young supporters, will either create executive positions for young people, or they will remove many of these older folks and replace them with youths.
So for those who are afraid that Granger will be the next Burnham and use the military to help rig elections so as to remain in power for another 27 years, you can relax and breathe; it will not happen. Guyana might have a system where we elect dictators but the days of rigging with the help of the military are long gone. The same people who took out the PNC and the PPP stand ready and able to take out the APNU/AFC if they tread the same path. Whoever the ABC countries will keep in power, or whoever they will put in power, depends on who the citizens of Guyana want to be in power. The choice is ours. Suffice it to say that what is happening by the hiring of a predominance of military personnel is simply a mixture of rewarding those who were long in the struggle and the administrators playing it safe.
Pastor Wendell Jeffrey
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 29, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – After a series of outstanding performances in 2023, Tianna Springer, dubbed the ‘wonder girl’, is eagerly gearing up to compete in this year’s...Kaieteur News – Good Friday in Guyana is not what it used to be. The day has lost much of its solemnity. The one day... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]