The story of two presidential truth tellers
DEAR EDITOR,
As I observe two Guyana leaders in action, I am reminded of that standard practice of a station. It’s of the “good cop bad-boy” combination. One is well versed in the role of a bad cop, while the other is prepared every step along the way, in an extended apprenticeship, on how to deceive citizens and make them let down. Handlers hold him closer than a baby, none still tighter than the main man.
The President struggles to be the good cop; it gets better: all smiles and goodbyes, a regular joyful Santa Claus, with honey dripping, and exploding around experiencing breakthroughs. He is not named Ali for nothing. It sweetens like honey bees, and clings to the numerous scorpion injections it removes, as few take it seriously. Enter the other half of this well-studied and practiced leadership combo, the one that pretends to bow to constitutional orders, by assuming a scattered vicarage. So what is called a bad cop is the general portfolios of Field Marshall. He likes to be heavy, and if he has to deal with sub (not the title, but the real thing) then that’s part of the territory.
Editor, in this I find the efforts of PPP incumbent Christian Dior to transform the president into a Guyana mob next door, as in Jimmy Stewart; while the other fellow thrives on being snarling, spitting, and threatening Jimmy Cagney. Now if this is too far back for the younger people, I propose to the president, who fancy himself as a smooth Denzel Washington, and the next patriot who holds himself out to be is a Guyanese reincarnation of the Boy from the Hood. If Afro-Guyanese are offended, I hurry to assure them: there was no crime meant. I must try harder to please everyone. To go culturally and completely, the two think of themselves as Amitabh, while Amjad Khan suits the bill better for the swaggering bad guy.
Editor, in this eclectic local political fray are two men, national leaders, who hide in plain sight. They have a good game plan that they both tap tap around to avoid stepping on each other’s toes; they silence the gullible and innocent to trust. I don’t for a moment. One has nothing to offer on unity and transparency and accountability; while the other struggles manly to speak to truth without approaching her; or expose himself to what all truth must accomplish. This is the proxy presented on all oil related issues. Ironically, both presidents are proud of extravagant loans and all the good that is to come for citizens. But on oil, both are the sum of mother and dumb; not one convincing cookie. Both omit mentioning that loans are only available to international financial institutions, because oil is a solid, unrivaled tier-1 collateral. What these two presidential cops are involved in is the careful introduction of ballet that does not step in each other’s faces, but crushes the naive. What they embody, I dismiss and deny. Because what they share is contaminated and planted, and fails the smell test. Slaves of minorities are well acquainted with that song and dance that sends them to prison (or Death Row), and Guyana is nothing else if not a country of minorities and those who have mentally imprisoned. Look at us. A minority of deep thinkers. A minority in the ranks of the truly honorable. And he left a minority of people who still have a conscience.
When these two remarkable imitations of national leadership took over, they forgot to read their Guyanese rights, to enlighten them as to where they stand. Now they are struggling to make things stick in the courtroom of honest public opinion with their governance evils and verbal gymnastics. In doing so, they both remind me of those loaded American policemen, who always claim to fear for their lives and self-defense, when someone dies. This is how all Guyanese, including PPP supporters, are tempted to rest. I tender that it could be eternal rest with that oil, that borrowing and bulk spending. Only a few dare to shout: not so fast! What the hell is going on? More pointedly, what does that mean, and where is that expected? Remember this: the good presidential cop is not anyone’s friend; while the other is the enemy of all and the worst nightmare comes to an end.
Correctly,
Lall GHK