I think President Granger’s slip is showing

NOVEMBER 14, 2015 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER LETTERS

Dear Editor, I read that one-time political adversaries are poised to find homes with the new government. Even though word of these overtures for personal realignment had trickled out as early as May (the writing on the wall was already known back then), I still believe that this is a joke, or that I am hallucinating. If it is a trial balloon, it is a leaden one. Already I hear the defenders saying, “baii yuh na know Guyana palahticks….” I agree; but I do know and recognize a step in the wrong direction with the wrong people at the wrong time, and which sends the wrong message. This might help political cohesion, but it poisons social cohesion stirrings, for it emphasizes-again and again-the sordid, opportunistic, self-serving nature of local politics, and its clubby, inbred nature. Today, the nation observes that political incest extends to the newly adopted and even once loathed step-children. Yes, nothing is new under the soiled Guyanese canopy. Editor, I understand that the floor-crawlers do not come empty-handed, and that they bring much needed intelligence, while fulfilling all quid pro quo elements. But what about the terrible record accumulated under their watch? What about the timber barbarities? What about the old Radio Demerara building fiasco? What about questions surrounding Curacao and new River? What about ‘put up or shut up?’ I must concede that some do know how to shut up (publicly) while putting up (privately).Who is next? I say, why not make it a bad job and reach out to the despised leader of the pack? Perhaps, that is on the cards too, if not already essayed. In my book, this is the second huge mistake made by the government. Its string is almost used up. Surely more palatable bodies could have been engaged, if not enticed. Maybe, they would not sell. Anyhow, this is the bottom of a shabby barrel, and will come back to trouble this government. Mark my words. I do hope that that much vaunted Code of Conduct has grandfather clauses; they will be needed to sanitize. Last, I think that President Granger’s slip is showing. It is not alluring. Looks like business as usual, and it is a family business at the top. GHK Lall