We are a strange people
Cassandra's Candid Corner
We Guyanese are a strange people. Irrespective of how a discussion is conducted, we compulsively haul it down to the base level of personal malignment. It is as if, early in the game of debate, the parties mutually agree to dispense with the intellectual and reduce the sublime to the ridiculous. It seems no one is immune from this infection. For me, there was no wonder when the debate on Jimmy's non-walk quickly descended into the morass of unreal, dishonest, farcical, hypocritical, holier-than-thou postures of pretentious men. One person started off by being facetious and telling us how "impressed" he was by the "moral rectitude and puritanical fervour of Cassandra". He designated me "an angel of virtue" and asks what makes me think that I have squatting rights on the moral high ground, and damns my "self-righteousness." Well, well, what a tirade. All I did ask was why Jimmy, knowing fully well that he had touched the caught ball, had not walked. So what is all this humbug about "attacks" on McDonald (where and by whom, pray tell) and lofty moral ground, and the sinless casting the first stone, and blah blah. One could be the most vicious criminal, but one has every right to ask why Jimmy did not walk. A man's criminal record has absolutely nothing to do with the question and the answer to the question. The question stands strongly on its own and the answer cannot be influenced by the questioner's past and present sinfulness. Simply put, there is no nexus between questioning Jimmy's decision and the morality status of the questioner. But since the comrade asks about personal morality, perhaps one should establish some meaningful parameters for decency. For example, does one beat one's spouse senseless in front of the children? That's immoral. Does one cheat on one's spouse? That's immoral. Does one molest young and innocent staff members who need a job and cannot afford to be fired? That's immoral. Hey, I don't do those things. So I must be moral. So perhaps, according to the logic of my accuser, I do have a right to question Jimmy. As to the reference to the inherent dichotomy associated with being religious while cheating the taxman, the bible thumpers will quote the big JC himself, who suggested that there is separation between the Church and the State, between the rules of divine religion and those governing the human-devised operations of the taxman. Give (or not give) unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's. Amen, brother, Amen. And what is Jimmy going to tell his God on the day of judgement? I will advise him to use either the Cronje plea: "The devil made me do it", or the Ian defence: "The umpire made me not walk". * The sabre-rattling against Suriname continues unabated. War of words and words of war. Even the highly respected Big Joe advises that while we negotiate, we must keep the powder dry. Again, I exhort my countrymen to play ball and be friendly with our brothers and sisters in Suriname. They are so much like us, like family. A few days ago (SN 30.6.2000) Kerry Sully, the CGX Energy Head of Operations, told us of the possible potential of the Guyana-Suriname basin being 15 billion barrels of oil. Both states could exploit this lake together and live comfortably off such revenue. We could get rich together; and I could finally in my old age be able to enjoy a standard of living equal to... Well, equal to anybody that doesn't live here. But, no. Some cunx-heads are telling me 'bout sovereignty. We ent get dee oil yet, and we want to fight. Someone reminded me lately that history is replete with examples of countries mounting impressive military campaigns on the cusp of their impending economic collapse. Anyway, let me tell allyuh up front: I ent fighting Suriname. Exclude me out. Any war of words for a natural resource soon will evolve into a war of blood, and I not in dat. An old German saying (and they should know) reminds me that every war ever fought between two armies results ultimately in each country having three armies: An army of cripples, an army of mourners and an army of thieves. Well I ent want to be none of the above. * De odder day I asked what the logo on the tail of Guyana Airways 2000 plane(s) represents. I can't help but share with you the answer given by GA 2000 Inc's Rep.
Guyana is a vast and beautiful land Well, yes. I hear it all now. Thank you for the education. And in poetry too. I now realise (if I didn't before) that I am an artistic and cultural buffoon, a person without "essence and vision". I am unable to comprehend even the most basic and clearest artsy-fartsy expression of aesthetics and symbolism. On the other hand, I am tending to believe that just as in America everyone wants to be like Mike, in Guyana everyone wants to be jokey like Sharma.
 Follow the goings-on in Guyana
|