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Feb 27, 2015 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon
God forbid! They say never say never in life, but I am saying I will never be the type like Charles Ramson to use big words in every line that would make people think you are showing off (I suspect that was what Dr. Alissa Trotz wanted to say, but resorted to diplomatic language when she chastised Ramson).
I looked hard to find a word to pleasantly rhythm with Harper as I did last Tuesday. In Tuesday’s column, “harpsichord” was perfect. It is a musical instrument. Mrs. Harper is supposed to bring sweet music to the ears of the electorate for the discredited PPP bandwagon.
Today I wanted to continue in that vein, but finding a synonym for harpsichord was hard. I tried “harpoon” but its meaning would be a bit harsh on Mrs. Harper. It denotes that she is a shooter and I wanted to be more pleasant to the lady. I thought of “harpago” and “harpes” but didn’t use them, though they were appropriate.
My fear would be that women would object to the use of either one. Both denote the strength of butterflies, but it is a capacity found in male butterflies. I thought of “harpagoris.” That is the largest eagle in the world, found in New Zealand. Mrs. Harper would have to soar like an eagle to win large blocks of votes for the PPP.
Still uncertain that the use of “harpagoris” would be a fair description of this unblemished diplomat, I looked harder and finally thought that “harpagophytum” (pronounced har-pag-o-fy-tum) fits the bill. “Harpagophytum” is a lovely genus of herbs from Southern African countries. This is the right word.
First, Mrs. Harper has to maintain a lovely deportment during the campaign to win voters, because she is riding on the bandwagon of some very rude politicians who have alienated this nation, and will continue to alienate Guyanese as the campaign picks up. Just one example for Mrs. Harper to reflect on. The PPP has started its campaign, yet Vreed-en-Hoop vendors had their stalls dismantled last week Friday.
Here is what Robeson Benn was quoted in the newspaper as saying. “The work crew was instructed to remove three Canter trucks, but instead demolished the structures of the vendors.” I don’t believe a word in that explanation of the Minister. The second relevant use of the term “harpagophytum” is the ethnic dimension in the choice of the PPP.
You have to be very foolish to think that political parties do not input the ethnic reality when they select their top candidates for national elections. You have to be foolish to think the APNU-AFC coalition’s top two would have come from the same race group or that the PPP would have fronted two East Indians. Mrs. Harper’s ethnicity was a factor in her selection. That is the sociological reality that underlies politics in Guyana.
We come now to the obvious question – will Mrs. Harper bring harpagophytum to the PPP’s campaign? My answer is no. Her presence comes too late. The only way Mrs. Harper could win a national election on a PPP ticket was if she is the lead candidate and her list is one of personalities of youth and both genders, and they have clean slates.
As it stands, Mrs. Harper has entered politics on a rather inelegant note, and this will bring a baptism of fire. This columnist is not going to spare Mrs. Harper, despite her known integrity, if she fails to properly analyze the questions put to her. First, it was amazing that at the press conference she said not a word when she should have been the one speaking.
Secondly, it was alleged that NCN did an hour-long interview with Mrs. Harper, but this was not aired because of a technical error that resulted in audio loss. Can Mrs. Harper say in what capacity was she interviewed, seeing that it came shortly after her adoption of a career in politics?
My first question to Mrs. Harper is if there were discussions on the succession mode when she agreed to her candidacy? The PPP said she is from the Civic component. The PPP policy is that the Civic component cannot and will not have the presidency. Has she agreed to that?
My second question is, how long was she a member of the Civic group and does she think that conflicted with her civil service status? These are inquiries that Mrs. Harper has to know will be asked and she must answer them. This is what politicians do. They face questions from the media.
Finally, should the PPP lose, will she continue her civil service career?
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
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