On crime
Take this unprecedented crime wave, characterized by banditry, burglary, kidnappings, murder and mayhem. It is not that I’m not keenly aware of the disadvantages the government operates under, with respect to its confidence in the more strategic planning and personnel it needs to deploy in trouble-spots. I know of the compromises it has encountered. I know of the political, now community collaboration that makes apprehension difficult.

But who amongst us, sitting ducks and vulnerable without top, hourly security, including cameras and red-alert panic-buttons, who won’t subscribe to the view articulated by the gleeful PNC? That “the failure of the law enforcement authorities to bring the situation under control has further reduced the confidence which the citizens have in the ability of the state to protect them”. Well said, on behalf of all of us. Even though “they” were part of the origin of the problem. Now, little monsters created, devour “their own” as they devour a nation.

My government, however, must take the blame for Buxton, for example, becoming a “terror-camp”. I always felt it would be useful to have a limited State-of-Emergency, with certain iron-clad provisions, to deal with these situations of extreme criminality. Too timid to demolish known safe-haven houses and compounds? Can’t violate human rights? So now little boys create mayhem with big guns. And Guyana’s new sordid reputation as a crime capital is exported world-wide. And the Idi Amin teleactivists snigger triumphantly as I lose faith in this government’s ability to arrest this crime-spree and splurge.

On Linden
Again I cringe as I see a physically strong, young President being abused and insulted by a familiar mix of protesters who easily take over roadways and bridges and close down a whole vital industry!

Mind you, I’m quite aware of the multitude of grouses that Lindeners have. Those extreme social and economic ills cry out for redress. But sometimes, I marvel at the fact that only one set of “marginalised” people pro-test, demonstrate, break laws and endanger others without appropriate res-ponses from a now-timid administration. What’s that? My government strives for consultation instead of confrontation? Even when many of the problems are self-inflicted?

I know the road is long, the logistics are tricky and the personnel might be few but couldn’t more preemptive security have been mobilized to keep bridge and road open? Now an industry and future is jeopardized. Penny wise, pound stupid!

On strikes...
Again, I know that like some communities, teachers and public servants need much more attention and much better pay, who doesn’t? Which of our needy have more claims to our meagre national resources?

Since the GPSU closed down Georgetown in 1999 and proved that Georgetown could indeed be Guyana, I thought that the government would have moved to de-centralise its administrative capacities and necessities - alternative ports, regional ministries and authorities offering vital services out of the capital. A timid start was made in Essequibo, but ......

Let workers enjoy their rights to strike and demonstrate but when it is not exercised within the limits of the law, don’t let them hold a whole society to ransom. Again, however, scared, hesitant government.

On Parliament...
Weak ineffective perimeter security, so absentee Parlia-mentarians barge into the hotel Parliament and disturb it. No sanction. Would Mr Hoyte’s or Corbin’s government allow the PPP opposition to stay out of Parliament for such an extended period? With pay, and all rights? What do the rules say? All for Peace, Nation and Compro-mise (PNC). Timid!

I give up. Philip Bynoe tells me of the (Linden) Region ten sending back funds at year’s end. The Local Government Ministry says it can prove it. But the PNC - who imported foreign managers for the Company - and the Lindeners say that government is hell-bent on killing off the Bauxite Industry and the community. Because they don’t vote “civic’. My Lord. So the President negotiates under duress. It’s beginning to be pitiful. Mini-buses raise fares arbitrarily hurting poor commuters; George-town stinks...

But hey, let me allow the Christian Resurrection to give me hope (???)

Good Friday Thoughts
My impatience goaded me to forego my annual Good Friday musings on the Mysteries of the Christian Faith. I’d also wanted to explore how all the combatants in war - on whatever side - call on God to aid their cause. How does God choose the righteous? In War?

So instead of the above, I choose to provoke some relevant thoughts by excerpting the beliefs of Jehovah’s witnesses. After a full discussion on what happens to the soul/life after death, a 1998 Watch Tower publication dedicated to the subject, deals with crucifixion. Ordinary folks’ crucifixion. Some of their beliefs on that.

The word “resurrection” is translated from the Greek word “anastasis”, which literally means “a standing up again”. Hebrew translators of the Greek later came up with “revival of the dead”. While the word does not appear in the Hebrew Scriptures, the resurrection hope is clearly expressed at Job 14:13; Daniel 12:13 and Hosea 13:14.

We are further told that “Those who have pursued a righteous course as Jehovah’s servants will be resurrected. But millions of other people have died without showing whether they would comply with God’s righteous standards. They were either ignorant of Jehovah’s requirements or lack sufficient time to make needed changes. These too are in God’s memory and thus will be resurrected; for the Bible promises: “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous - Act 24:15.”

“A small number of men and women will be resurrected to life in Heaven ... these will rule with Christ as kings and priests ... the vast majority of those who have died however, will be resurrected to life on earth - Psalm 37:29, Matthew 6: 10”. Fits in with your understanding?