8
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 30, 2020
Mc Intosh, others masquerading as ‘guardians of democracy’ must be brought to justice for inciting violence
I
Dear Editor,
t was my son who first drew attention to a certain Bryan Mc Intosh’s rantings and ravings; but dangerous actions of incitements that hurled threats at prominent Guyanese, inclusive of high-ranking state officials. One wonders whether this is the same citizen, who years ago, made daily appearances as a health advocate, on one of our more popular TV channels? Whoever he is, his language was a clear call to unmitigated violence, the kind that is reminiscent to anarchy which acts have often led to horrible internecine violence. Editor, Guyana, since 2015, has seen the media, being able to operate in an environment that accords respect for the upholding of free speech and the right to such expression; and individual citizens who have also been able to embrace this right in an uninhibited manner. So much so, that the Mc Intoshs and those of his ilk can continue to hide behind such human rights, using it for ends that can only described as impregnated with dangerous portents that threaten the fabric of peace and the welfare of the nation and its citizens.
At best, it was another call to violence that was unmistakable in its challenge to the State, a particular behavior that has been manifested in various forms and disguises, which include the threat of death, from a West Coast Demerara resident to the person of the president, apart from being accused of racial incitement and fomenting ill will against the president. There has also been the matter of the attempt to assassinate the president, apart from other acts that should have attracted prosecutorial actions. In the first instance quoted, there is no jurisdiction in which such an offence has been committed, and clearly proven, that would not have attracted sanctions. In fact, there is no American or other citizen that will make such a recorded threat against the person of the POTUS, without inviting a prompt visit and all that it will entail, from the US Secret Service. Though one may want to understand, the seeming magnanimity of the state in not taking the matter of the threats against the president to its most appropriate logical conclusion; not doing so, may have conveyed the mistaken impression, or illusion of a state that is in a state of inertia or hesitant to take action against
those guilty of extreme forms of behaviour. I would hasten to say, not so, since every state has coercive power in every sense of its meaning. However, the Granger administration has fashioned a different understanding of the Rule of the Law and the use of the arms of the State, responding to untoward situations. This is what the ‘’badman’’ style of the Mc Intoshs do not comprehend, apart from the fact that his cretinous mind, have been sadly disappointed by a refusal of citizens to respond to his dangerously retarded expectations. No one, who advocates, encourages, or incites violence, by issuing challenges to mortal combat, and referring to ‘’guns’’, can be considered a “guardian of democracy’’. Such self-ascribed title, is an aberration of the tenets of democracy, and a desecration of its time- honoured values. Those who masquerade in its seamless robes are guilty of a most dangerous heresy. And neither is there a defence from McIntosh, as a reason for such dangerously inciteful language, since as he is clearly acting for and on behalf of undemocratic political elements – those who own the ‘’dogs of war’’. They are not democrats by any stretch of the imagination,
as their very recent actions would remind us all. One hopes that Retired Brigadier Joseph Singh is making note of another canine, and his vicious snarls/cum intentions. McIntosh is simply advancing sale of an incendiary laced quantum, for which there are no buyers. But he at the same time, while being reckless with the hopes of inciting violence, must understand that he is releasing demons which in such known scenarios often return to haunt the initiator. One hopes, too, that those social media trolls who have taken to mouth their worthless crap, that the relevant authorities have every and all right to detain any citizen, inclusive of their so called ‘’badman”/’’guardian of democracy’’, for ascertaining the reasons for his call to violence. There is every reason for charges to be laid. I would be most surprised if this is not done; for there are laws in our country, and its anarchic offenders must be brought to book when these are violated. Regards Carla Mendonca
Hinds, PPP’s disregard for the constitution, the Rule of Law and the Courts cannot go unnoticed
I
Dear Editor,
T takes a special kind of patience and unique faith in the Almighty God to deal with political puxa saca, opportunists, usurpers of authority and people who have no respect for the constitution, the courts or the rule of law. These types of people can be labelled hypocrites of the worst kind, but Mr Nigel Hinds is even more special: a man known by few and followed by fewer. This is the man who consciously hoodwinked and bamboozled the less than 100 persons that followed the Change Guyana political Party into believing that he was going to be their prime ministerial candidate, then at the last moment bowed out of the race. Even though he knew that dual citizens could not contest the General elections; he knowingly deceived the few followers of Change Guyana and the wider Guyanese populace for one whole year. The man who claimed that he couldn’t give up his U.S. citizenship for health reasons but looked perfectly healthy on March 9, 2020. He, Mr Editor, was intrinsically involved in the cabaret show, with the main opposition party taking the leading role at GECOM’s Region Four office, where they created a gladiatorial circus with all the trappings of political infamy and complacency, as they stormed the building and broke the door of the GECOM chairperson’s office, disrupting the work of GECOM. Most have agreed that their behaviour should have been condemned by all compos mentis homo sapiens, in this enlightened time and age. Mr. Hinds and the PPP/y gang of political rascals on stage that night and days after, have shown the world, including some observers from different geographical regions, with their own interests, some who were regrettably embroiled-- directly or indirectly-- in this cocoon quagmire of political notoriety, placing our democracy at risk during an ethnically volatile time, leaves much to be desired. Mr. Editor, I almost feel guilty for writing this letter as if I am aiding in giving Nigel Hinds PR, because he is a virtual unknown, but in this letter, I felt it necessary to address his missive dated March 26 , 2020, when he wrote to the editor of Stabroek News with the caption: “I congratulate President-elect Ali and look forward to a gov’t that is inclusive, transparent.” One wonders, what prompted this letter? Is it that Mr. Hinds has no respect for the rule of law and courts, or does he question GECOM’s constitutional independence to do its work? It is obvious that he has no respect for the court or GECOM’s autonomy, but also, he has now revealed, he was a political pawn being used
all along by Jagdeo. In the words of Mark Twain, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” His utterances were very disappointing, unsavoury, ludicrous and senseless. We are well aware of the extrinsic nature of his letter to the editor of Stabroek News. This letter was a PPP/ Mercury influenced letter, which was created to directly create confusion, spread lies and deliberately mislead vulnerable Guyanese. It is even further shameful Mr. Editor, that Nigel Hinds would even support a man with questionable degrees and 19 fraud charges. Mr. Nigel Hinds’ suggestion in his poor excuse of a scribbled gaga missive, where he ventured to accuse and insult the hard-working, honest and decent GECOM staff, of being involved in fraudulent conduct, without any shred of evidence being provided, must be condemned by all! Furthermore, his claim of abuse of the court process, to delay the swearing in of the elected President, provides a very clear outlook into how unscrupulous this so-called defender of democracy has no respect for our judicial processes and systems. Mr. Editor, Nigel Hinds’ missive is a direct reflection of the PPP/C’s camp which comprises some of the most unpatriotic and anti-national human beings that have ever inhabited this country. The so-called guardians of democracy and Nigel Hinds have no appreciation for the fact that in any democratic society, the judiciary is the final arbiter for acceptance of conclusions for differences and disputes in a law-abiding society. The PPP/C has tried in a desperate attempt to vitiate, destroy and impair the legal validity of the declaration of Region Four results. They failed! Their daily propaganda agenda aimed specifically to challenge the constitutional authority and independence of GECOM, was not only tried in the legal courts but in the court of public opinion, where persons like Nigel Hinds are spewing untruths, half truths and pure rubbish. Declarations from persons like Nigel Hinds threatened the constitutional independence of our agencies, the characters of their workforce and also put GECOM workers at risk of their safety. Mr. Editor, Nigel Hinds is out of his loop with these political juggernauts. His juvenile and boyish attempts to gain supposed favours for his first jump “suck up” concocted “what if” and hypothetical scenarios he created in his mind, will not work with the PPP/C elitists, chatree class nor on the Guyanese populace. Mr. Editor, at this time, the lives and safety of our citi-
zens are at risk with the imminent threat of covid-19. The so-called defenders of democracy who guard heavily locked ballot boxes which are housed in steel containers with many padlocks and are further guarded by police officers are only putting this nation at risk as they refuse to practise social distancing which is vital at this time. When will the PPP/C’s leadership realise this? Mr. Hinds should remain quiet on issues of a political nature, especially since he has no credibility, no influence, and he doesn’t make any utterances in support of the legitimacy of Guyana’s legal framework and the independence of our constitutional agencies. This want-to-be-politician must first understand that Guyana is a full-fledged democratic society, where the rule of law, respect for our constitution and our courts must be adhered to. GECOM has its work to complete, which is to make the final declaration. We are confident that is exactly what will happen because the courts have to make its declarations on those matters in contention. Mr. Editor, We have a country to govern, with the ever-present threat to our citizens’ lives with the covid-19 virus plaguing the world. A country to govern that is now even more bitterly divided due to mistrust, revealed deep-seated hatred, dislike, racial and racist bigotry due to the behaviour of irresponsible politicians from the opposition who claim to be defending democracy, while at the same time, propagating racism and disregarding the law. The social cohesion of our society that is most needed at this time in our nation’s history has to be rebuilt with all parties being part of the process of rebuilding and playing a defining role in crafting a new and much more inclusive society for all of our people. We all do agree that we have a tattered past, but equally so, we have a brighter future ahead and we all as Guyenese can and will benefit; but we must work together, with each other, as Guyanese brothers and sisters, to finally experience our long-awaited El Dorado. Let us be cautious of those with interests that go against uniting our people and those who may want to exploit and take advantage of our fragility as a people and prevent us from experiencing a good life from the abundance of our natural resources. Regards Jermaine Figueira
