Frankly Speaking...
By A. A. Fenty
Stabroek News
June 15, 2001

Depression. Despair. Departures. (I nearly wrote "Dev" as another "D" word.) But this is no joke, though it should be somewhat light-hearted. Given to levity. So what's all this leading to?

Well, one (very significant) fan, out of my twenty thousand fans and supportive, complimentary followers of this column (Not "those others!"); this fan suggested that I depart this week into "something lighter"; to "lift the spirits", he proposed. There is enough depression and despair and doom being preached hourly on the numerous opposition Bad-News TV and elsewhere, he said. Things are bad and times are trying and it is to certain people's benefit to promote the bad news and not to preach the positive. CN Sharma and the TV "News" can always locate a crime, a broken school or a clogged drain. And bad news always sells. Even when there are no street protests.

So, I won't even point to the front pages or letter columns of this, my own favourite newspaper. I'll just strain to present (my hopes, dreams, really almost my now life-long lament) the positives - that should be, or should have been.

I'm not that old yet, but getting there (too) rapidly. The politics and political socio-economic bungling; the autocracy and people's subsequent "paralysis of the spirit" Martin Carter wrote about, soon put paid to my dreams of the seventies, when I was young and newly married. That those same dreams were made to remain (just dreams) to this day speaks volumes for the destruction wrought on this land by the relatively "brilliant" minds of the seventies and eighties - truly the lost years, as described by young President Jagdeo, not yet forty.

This big guy's dreams remain: I dream of a steady, continuous, reliable national electricity supply for my country. One generation (30 plus years) knows only blackouts, where other societies take such a utility for granted. Most routine and normal. I dream of a pleasant, efficient, safe public transportation service. I am now held hostage by crude, gross mini-bus operators because I am a working-class sufferer and the laws are not enforceable or stringent enough. Oh why did the Police and others combine and contrive to drive away big spacious omni-buses present nearby. Not even 26-seater Coasters allowed here.

I dream of a clean orderly capital city. What!? Impossible? My growing-up Georgetown days are gone down those same drains? Can't we have store proprietors responsible for cleaning up in front of their businesses - by law - and earning tax rebates? Competitions in beautification? Just dreams?

I yearn to experience at least one real vast vendors' mall! Let it rise on some burnt-out site in the city. The smallest West Indian Island can now laugh at us in this big beautiful blighted land. In sport, I have a vision of more World Champions in Boxing because locally there will be a spanking new state-of-the-art gymnasium in Albouystown and one in North Georgetown too. Either through local promotions or boxers sponsored visits to other countries, more international elimination bouts will be staged. In my practical dreams too, I see us developing swimming, like squash and karate, to win top international prizes.

Before I die, I yearn to hear Guyanese music played in our Discos. Jamaican music must not remain supreme before I pass on! The one big dream I hope to see come true is this one: A press release from the People's National Congress (PNC) will support whole-heartedly and actually praise the government for something that it did. What? I'm a real dreamer? O.K, but the Martin Carter type, I trust.

And just how did I do trying to be "a bit lighter" today? Oh? My own despondency showed through? Who's to blame?

One New Minister

What with two new Ministers to be announced - or just announced - I appreciated, most positively, my taped Candid (TV) Conversation with new PSM Minister, Jennifer Westford. Don't tell anyone but I would have loved to see even more new/fresh faces in the Cabinet. I really believe(d) that about four of our re-cycled Ministers deserved a rest, or change of contribution, after five to nine years.

In both past and present administrations, I knew, or knew of, nearly all of the Ministers. Dr Westford is/was a truly unknown political/professional player. At least to me. Get to know more about her. Catch us - and a surprise second guest - this Sunday evening on GTV.



Dialogue!

(1) Playing into their hands? Oh yes, the Albion protesters provided great fodder for the Georgetown teleactivists to distort the character and intent of that protest. As the protest turned violent, I can't blame the teleactivists for capitalising to pursue their Party's agenda. After all, regrettable as it is, it's their thing!

(2) And what is this NBTV Dr. Noel Blackman told me this week? His "hosts" will stick to the tenets of "the Media Code of Conduct drafted in October 2000 and some mission statement?

What!? Don't fool me! I know the good doctor, former Minister and Mr Hoyte's friend, won't want to put his teleactivists presenters out of a job.

And there's my good Afro-centric friend Phyllis E. Jackson. She's to manage and monitor. Poor Phyllis. But then again...

(3) Guyana-born Britisher and Television Expert John Mair wrote Stabroek News hoping "Guyana" learns "a lot" from the political settlement brokered in and for Northern Ireland.

He mentioned a new maxim extant in the consequences of reconciliation and settlement: Today's Terrorists (Rebels), are tomorrow's statesmen! The Americans made that so when they recognised former crooks. Especially some who got elected by some means or the other.

Lord! Imagine some of our own "terrorists" turning members of parliament. Or Presidents!

(4) Listened in to a good "Let's Gaff" radio programme on Boxing and Boxers this Wednesday. Until some callers decided that "the government used `Six Head' Lewis for political ends." He had no time for himself, etcetera, etcetera.

So catch my sarcasm (?) here when I state that "Government, for our next World Champion before year-end, don't go to the airport. Don't give house, land, car or key to Georgetown. Don't entertain the new champ. Let him go to Church and let the other political parties and the Boxing Board do the "honours".

(5) Oh yes, welcome back to the Stabroek Wednesday pages, Rambler. I loved and missed your splendid wit and beautifully-crafted brand of humour. The only thing is: when you deserted this 'paper for a more "National Enquirer" type, I discovered your identity. I really didn't care to, man. Anyhow, welcome home!



'Til next week!