Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 12, 2011 Letters
Dear Editor,
Election time the world over is a time for debate, criticism, counter-criticism, and even mudslinging. It is not unusual to hear political parties and their prime ministerial or presidential candidates hurl accusations and apportion blame to one another.
They all try to reveal some hidden misdemeanor concerning one another and to generate doubt and no-confidence in a particular party or candidate.
Their objective is to discredit their rivals and to persuade the electorate to vote in a particular direction.
While the practice of candidate-bashing is acceptable and even healthy for a democracy, the way it has been unfolding in Guyana during the past few weeks is alarming and shameful. What should have been election campaign speeches with words to titillate the mind and demonstrate the wit, level of intellect, political dexterity, and personal alacrity of candidates, has become nothing more than the lowest level of diatribe.
Instead of attacking opponents’ policies and messages, the attacks are on the messengers. Candidates are called ‘dog’ (daag), ‘cock-eyed’ and much more, that I am reluctant to repeat.
The words are spewed with so much venom and passion that one gets the feeling of personal vendettas being carried out.
In the last US Presidential election campaign we saw many examples of electioneering mudslinging. John McCain stoutly criticized Barack Obama on his record, character, judgment, and experience. He accused Mr. Obama of taking money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Sarah Palin also sought Obama’s jugular when she said that in the 1960s Obama was associated with the radical William Ayers and later with convicted felon Antoni Rezko. The criticisms, though centered on serious matters, were done astutely.
As the November 28 elections draw closer in Guyana, I call on candidates to go no lower in crassness. It has a debilitating effect on all of us, especially the young.
As I read the newspaper coverage of one candidate’s speech, I wondered what example is being set for the many fatherless youths that are looking at leaders for examples. I wondered what the teacher will tell the pupil who reports that his classmate called him a ‘daag’. Candidates must remember that what is sown as wind today comes back as a whirlwind tomorrow.
Lennox Cornette
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]