A letter to David Hinds and his comrades-in-arms

Dear Editor,

It has long since been my opinion of persons the likes of David Hinds that he would finally come to his right mind as the reality of his plight faces him. Yes, it is my firm opinion that amidst all of Hinds’s rants, there would finally evolve some modicum of civility within him as he comes to the place where those revolutionary fiery speeches he has been making would bring him into conflict with the law, and as such he would be called to atone for his utterances.

Having reviewed his position on those seditious remarks, he has now become apologetic and has since said that the PPP/C regime is out to lock him up. Well, sure enough, he would be, if those statements he made are deemed to have been an incitement to violence. Make no mistake, that is going to happen; Hinds would be brought before a court of law to an- swer to those remarks.

And it is my view that the authorities in Guyana are giving him some latitude on this; that is, until such time after the LGE, before closing in on him.

The reason for this is that neither he nor his comrades can say that the PPP/C regime is quick to lock up political opponents, and that is the reason for them losing the next election. Far from it! I believe the PPP/C is a party that believes in a fair fight, so let him talk his talk as he sinks himself deeper and deeper into trouble.

But lest Hinds or others think they can get away with it, they need to think again, because freedom of speech has boundaries, and freedom of speech has responsibilities. Do not abuse those privileges. I say this on the basis of present circumstances in our society, where people are invading our schools and taking the law into their own hands.

The PPP – from Cheddi...

Today, under President Irfaan Ali, GDP is now US$14 billion with a per capita income of US$17,000 and a debt to GDP of less than 30%, and as of December 2022, our foreign reserves stood at US$939 million.

FROM PAGE 4 specifically intended to protect Guyanese citizens from being bullied.

I am sure this is a spinoff from the incitement given by Hinds and company, calling on society to rise up.

But I would like Hinds to dig a little deeper into his educated conscience and realise that it was the PPP/C who granted him and the party the freedom to assemble as well as the freedom to speak. Prior to this time, dignity was denied them.

How did Burnham treat them? He hounded them like animals. I remember a friend of mine, who was a WPA activist, had to run for his life overseas for fear of Burnham and his armed gang. Others had their homes raided in the dead of night, or had the ignominy of incarceration without a fair trial. So, to turn and bite the hand that cradled you into civilized political discussion is simply an ungrateful act on the part of Hinds.

I must also remind Hinds that in the country he now resides, he could not, for one moment, take Jesus out of his thoughts to stand on a street corner and preach racial hate, or ever speak of violence, although that society is inundated with racial disparities too numerous to mention. I shudder to think what would become of him should he ever pluck up enough courage to speak in such tones there.

We want to live and develop in an ambiance of peace and progress. Down with all forms of divisiveness! So, to David Hinds and company: stop your foolishness now!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Skandamata is the Goddess of Motherhood and Children

Symbolism: Skandamātā is four-armed, three-eyed, and rides on a lion. One of her hands is in the feardispelling Abhaya mudra position while the other is used to hold the infant form of her son Skanda on her lap. This emphasises the mother-son relationship. Her remaining two hands are typically shown holding lotus flowers.

Colour: Green

Mantra: Om Devi Skandamatayay Nama

Cheddi Jagan would be thrilled with the policies of the Irfaan Ali administration. He would be proud to know that a house is now within reach of a young teacher or civil servant; that all school children are getting a cash grant; that thousands have ($40,000 monthly) part-time jobs to supplement their household income; that young professionals can continue their education with GOAL scholarships; that the price of electricity and cooking gas will drop by more than 50% by 2025; that the income tax threshold is now in excess of $80,000; that the Ali administration removed the punitive taxes levied on agriculture and mining during the APNU-AFC tenure; and that the local content policies related to oil and gas is

Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan struggled with Guyanese indebtedness. If they were around, they would be proud that the current administration has pursued policies that find this country in the black. And finally, Cheddi and Janet Jagan would be proud that their own commitment to environmentally sustainable developed is being pursued with great vigor and corresponding economic rewards, based on Jagdeo’s LCDS of 2009/2010, followed up by LCDS 2030.

We are sure that the current PPP/C leadership offers solid continuity of the vision, ethics, and economic policies of Cheddi Jagan. To the critics we say, please note that Cheddi Jagan himself would not have wanted his party’s rhetoric of the 1950s, 60s and 70s to remain unchanged in 2023.

Sincerely, Dr Randolph Persaud & Joel Bhagwandin