(MPs Raphael Trotman and Khemraj Ramjattan do a monthly column for Stabroek News
It had been my intention to focus this month's article on a more mundane but crucially important issue of examining ways of reconciling growing differences within the society. However, the events of the last few days have caused me to take a re-look at my plans. In particular, I felt that the moves being made against my colleague parliamentarian and counsel Khemraj Ramjattan were worthy of some attention.
In true bombastic fashion, someone in Freedom House was good enough to email me a copy of the press statement released following the "discomfiture" experienced by some cabal members at having Mr Ramjattan sit with them on Saturday last.
The crimes for which he stands accused appear to be leaking confidential information to the press and US Embassy! It used to be that the greatest crime that a politician could have been accused of in Guyana, was siding with the other camp. It seems that at least for the moment, new enemies have been identified.
The recent accusations levelled against Mr Ramjattan make interesting reading and come on the heels of a well documented attack on the press by the President several Sundays ago and the obvious "discomfiture" felt by the government and PPP/C with the US Embassy for letting through its gates the likes of George Bacchus who, according to Member of Parliament Belgrave, is a heinous murderer thrice over.
The focus of the attack on Ramjattan must be seen therefore as not entirely personal but also as an indirect attack on a foreign government and the free press.
I believe that both are quite capable of defending themselves.
I myself have been referred to as a US and British agent and PPP/C plant on various occasions but I know that those statements were made in ignorance and displeasure. I too have been given the "discomfiture" treatment for my remark about the PNC apologising for aspects of its period of administration in an atmosphere where all those responsible for our sordid past decided to bury the hatchet. On another occasion, I came perilously close to expulsion from the PNCR after making a statement that the party should share some responsibility for the July 3 fiasco at the Office of the President. Perhaps if that acknowledgement had been made, Mark Benschop may not have had to be incarcerated indefinitely. Few even bothered to read the article that appeared in the Stabroek News, which saw me defending my colleagues Corbin, Alexander and McAllister who were also being accused of treason. Instead, most of my detractors chose to focus on what the headline read rather than the substance of what was written beneath it.
Luckily, I managed with the help of hundreds of trusted comrades to slip the noose at that fateful General Council gathering and to escape to keep on fighting.
Similarly, Khemraj Ramjattan has written extensively espousing the virtues of good governance, accountability and fair play.
These are the kinds of issues which when discussed, should make a government pleased especially when most of its members lack the moral fortitude to utter the same words.
They should be gratified that one of their numbers is saying and doing things which provide hope to onlookers that they are not all mad men and women, and they should be appreciative that there is someone amongst them who finds favour with an unforgiving and sometimes harsh electorate.
For myself, I have since accepted that there are rules to be abided by and that there is perhaps a natural order to the way things are done but I still fiercely guard my right to test the parameters and to seek new ways to give expression to my thoughts and beliefs.
Khemraj Ramjattan and I have had similar experiences and many people have begun to refer to us as being two peas in a pod. The best description I have heard is that we are two sides of the same brain.
When I first heard it expressed, it sounded odd but the more I thought of it I realised how apt it was. We are, despite our many similarities, also equally dissimilar. We are representatives of the two main political parties at war with each other and that fact has never been lost between us.
I believe that in an unspoken way we have decided to keep our relations friendly even as the ground crumbles beneath us. Many persons have approached me, as I am sure they have approached Mr. Ramjattan, with a suggestion that we cast off our political ties and venture out on a new path together.
We have both rejected those offers choosing to remain loyal to our respective parties even in times when it appears futile. By the time this article would have been published, Khemraj Ramjat-tan should have appeared before the disciplinary committee of his Party and his fate would have been sealed. I hope that he has chosen the right course of action to stay and fight rather than to give in to the temptation to throw up his arms in desperation. If he does do so, or is even foolishly expelled, then maybe the doors of fortune would have opened up to new vistas and opportunities. And so it is that I find myself coming to my comrade's defence strangely though we live in different homes whose occupants hurl stones at each other frequently.
I sometimes think that Khemraj Ramjattan's expressions are too frank and misplaced but I respect and will defend his right to make them. This nation needs to come to a place where persons can freely express themselves within acceptable parameters of decorum, law and practicality.
There is too much tension, rancour and hatred, and too few if any outlets to diffuse the rising temperature. Modern political parties have to prepare accommodations for those who may not necessarily embrace all of their philosophy and tactics but are selflessly willing to work towards the attainment of a common goal. What a terrible place it would be if the likes of Khemraj Ramjattan were choked into eternal silence.
I close by offering personal advice to Mr Ramjattan, which I have borrowed from Polonius' exhortations to his son in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
Thou friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;...
Beware of entrance to a quarrel but, being in,
Bear't that th' opposed may beware thee.
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure but, reserve thy judgement...