Latest update May 4th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 11, 2009 Features / Columnists
The Parrot is in a state of disbelief. I never believed that I would have suffered from such disbelief. It’s unbelievable; I can’t believe I am in disbelief. I transgressed into this current state of disbelief whilst looking at President Obama’s prime time press conference last Monday night; his first as President.
The US always boasts of being the bastion of democracy. Many, if not all, of their international interventions that led to conflict have been under the guise of fostering democracy. Many lives have been lost in the process. The US President is seen as the leader of the free world. With such overwhelming characteristics, it would be inconceivable for any semblance of deviation from basic acceptable democratic practices. Right? Wrong!
I am compelled to say wrong after viewing that prime time presser. President Obama walked out to the podium and immediately reached for a piece of paper in the inside pocket of his jacket. I thought it was a statement that he would read. Wrong again. He placed the paper on the podium and proceeded to deliver a fairly lengthy speech. Good so far. Then my shock came. The speech ended. President Obama looked at the paper. I was curious. Was it a supplementary speech? Was it a special announcement?
I was wrong. That piece of paper is responsible for my state of shock. It contained the names of journalists that were called upon to ask questions!
I still don’t understand. Were they chosen? If they were, what criteria were used? Who “chose” them? The President? His staff? If it were the latter, then I have to assume that the President concurred. If it’s the former, then why such meticulousness? Are they those that he trusts? Is he “afraid” of the others? Why would the bedrock of democracy have journalists “chosen” to “grill” its President prior to his first presser as Commander-in-Chief? Was his trust in the “chosen” ones dependent on them not throwing their shoes? If so, why were the others there? They were in the majority. Their shoes could have been accessible.
The press conference could and should have been held with just those whom President Obama called to ask their questions. That seems the best thing after looking at the presser. The others tried to ask a few as he departed. It was in vain. The decision made was successfully executed. My shock has not abated.
I tried to imagine President Jagdeo doing that; calling a press conference and choosing a few to ask questions. Those chosen include Gordon, not Moseley, the other one, Michael; Martin, not Tusika, Goolsarran; Radha; Romel; Ramotar, not Donald, Mark; Raymond Cummings and of course, Uncle Adam.
In Guyana? It will be splashed on the international scene by some sections of the media. Some predictable headlines would be, “Guyana’s President muzzles press”, “President presser a farce”, “Press freedom suppressed”, “International help needed as democracy suppressed” and “President presser a slap to democracy”.
This would be unheard of in Guyana, and yet, accusations are made about suppression of freedom of expression!
President Jagdeo has never prevented anyone, nor has he before hand chosen journalists to ask questions at his pressers. This is democracy. My shock at President Obama’s presser has given way to being proud; proud of our young democracy; a democracy that is visible.
Is this the change that President Obama promised? The change(s) is visible; pressers in the night; pressers with chosen ones. Squawk! Squawk!
GRA catch EXXON trying to hunch GUYANA over 11 BUS dollars in one shot!!!!
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