Dear Editor,

The letter columns continue to provide for the exchange of intelligent ideas and for education regarding the social mores in Guyana. It sometimes also allows for boundless comedy.

Take for instance Mr. Shaun M. Samaroo's letter captioned "Trotman has many well wishers" [ please note: link provided by LOSP web site ] (SN 7.9.02) in which he endorsed the PNC's Raphael Trotman for the highest office in the land.

How does Samaroo arrive at the conclusion that Mr. Trotman deserves to be president? He tells us he was convinced after reading one letter that Trotman wrote to the Stabroek News! What, in Samaroo's mind, qualifies someone to be president? The person needs only to be "a sane, humble man."

Based on Trotman's single letter Samaroo feels him qualified as "a leader of wisdom."

Is Samaroo aware that in many instances politicians have their public utterances prepared for them? (I have no doubt that Mr. Trotman writes for himself). My point here is to show how exceedingly naïve it is to approve of a presidential candidate who you do not know, except through his writings in the letters column.

Personally, I have serious reservations about any person who is aligned to an organization with the continuing reputation of the PNC. How would Samaroo respond if I asked his opinion of Mr. Trotman's PNC organization, the mechanism by which Trotman will achieve the high office of president in accordance with Samaroo's dreams?

Does Samaroo believe that Trotman has what it takes to genuinely reform the PNC? If Trotman becomes president, is Samaroo willing to deal with the stalwarts of the PNC? It takes more than a president to run a country, who else in the PNC does Samaroo feel comfortable with as playing a leadership role in this nation?

Decades ago the PNC was created by an opportunistic Forbes Burnham to be the vehicle which would ferry him to personal power, wealth and glory. Burnham used that mechanism to his dying day and all Guyanese, especially party supporters, paid for the PNC's vanities. No one doubts that the people who suffered most under the PNC were the very people they claim as part of their constituency.

Shaun Samaroo went on to say that Cheddi Jagan Jr., has a vision that is badly needed in Guyana. Cheddi Jr., may have visions alright; he alone sees "a gang of eight" running the country and despite repeated calls to identify those in his vision he is yet to come forward with their names.

Cheddi Jr. may have ideas which Samaroo likes; however my reservations about him grow every time he writes a letter and refers to himself in the third person.

One thing is sure: some of Samaroo's candidates are certainly in need of "support and prayer."