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Kaieteur News
Tuesday November 13, 2012
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
An inevitable and quick demise of EZjet was predicted DEAR EDITOR, Before Sonny Ramdeo ever attempted his EZjet venture, history had already conclusively demonstrated that attempting to operate a profitable low-fare airline on the GEO-JFK route was like attempting to mine gold from a copper mine. So when Sonny announced his venture, many critics were rightly convinced that the money being invested was not Sonny’s, as no one would so exuberantly or foolishly invest his/her own money trying to mine gold from a
copper mine. Thus an inevitable and quick demise of EZjet was predicted. We now know that the critics were right, and that Sonny and his coterie of alchemists were wrong. So it is only a matter of time before EZjet’s management accepts that it has joined Travel Span, Universal Airlines, and others in their failed attempts at alchemy on the GEO-JFK route. I urge EZjet to face reality by immediately ending its practice of trying to obfuscate the issue with deceptive
press releases. I also urge the government of Guyana to end its spurious practice of blaming Kaieteur News and others for EZjet’s problems, as the stark and unmovable truth is that EZjet hewed the rod with which it is now being beaten: None of its critics did! Yes, not one of EZjet’s critics approached Sonny to launch his EZjet venture or urged him to violate the terms of EZjet’s charter agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation. And not one of EZjet’s critics can be
seriously blamed for the operations mismanagement and ineffective cash collection that have been offered among reasons for EZjet’s financial woes. I offer my heartfelt sympathies to those who are enduring the heartrending experience of being stranded and wish to assure every Guyanese that, contrary to the devious and self-serving allegations made by others against me in Kaieteur News and the Chronicle, I sincerely hope for the day when Guyanese can access low
airfares with the concomitant guarantee that they will not be left stranded. In the meantime I offer no apologies, and I am glad my writings offer no comfort to those who want to confuse the uninformed and vulnerable by using bastardized, self-serving sloganeerin g a n d c h e s t thumping rhetoric about
how their supposed concern for the well-being of fellow Guyanese leads them to sacrifice their own money. Well, as we have learned once again, those supposedly interested in our well-being never end up being stranded when things fall apart. Lionel Lowe Queens, New York
Gridlock in Guyana - cooperation is urgently needed DEAR EDITOR, It seems that there is a gridlock in Guyana because of the lack of co-operation between the government and the combined opposition forces since the governmentproposed Bills cannot be passed because they are blocked by the combined opposition and successful opposition Bills cannot become law because the President refuses to assent. Guyana has a supreme parliament, the Higher Courts being the guardian of the Constitution, has an inherent power to look at the issues. However there are added difficulties vis-à-vis the President’s veto powers under Article 170, even though this can be overcome, after referral, with a two-thirds majority in Parliament, and then again, the President immunity under Article 182 of the Constitution. It seems as if the High Court has no jurisdiction, since matters of parliament are for the resolution by the law making body parliament- and not the courts, which can only interpret the laws made by Parliament. The big controversy now is that the combined opposition successfully passed a motion of no confidence against Minister Clement Rohee. The President refused to assent to the Motion, and as a result Rohee continues in office, but is not allowed by the Opposition to speak, forcing the Speaker to adjourn sitting on two occasions. Some political analysts feel that the matter should be referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice, but I am not sure if the CCJ in its inherent jurisdiction can play a role in resolving the issue since the Executive is an independent arm of Government and neither
the judiciary, another arm of government, or parliament, the third arm, can revoke a decision/ appointment by the executive. One way is an agreement between the government and the opposition, but this seems hardly unlikely at this time since both parties are holding out much to the detriment of the country. I wonder if an independent mediator, a high-profile person or group, respected in both camps, can bridge the gap. Both the government and the opposition realize that public relations are extremely poor in the country. There is need for a better working relationship and understanding, but it is regrettable that the government has identified a former minister and a former short term ambassador to head the public relation department. I am not sure if Mr. Kellawan Lall is qualified and has the experience and charisma to be an effective PR person. It also needs Race Relation personnel, because unfortunately, the Co-operative Republic is still affected by race politics. The other alternative is a snap election, but President Ramotar might be reluctant to have another poll, because it is likely that his party would fail to gain as many votes as they got in the last general elections. The PPP/C is not likely to regain the government if the President persists to retain three ministers of the government who have been accused of gross wrongdoing. On the other hand, it is felt that AFC stalwart Moses Nagamootoo would not be able to swing many votes if a snap election is called. Oscar Ramjeet
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr.