…in the PNC
Old line American comedienne Joan Rivers had a famous catchphrase, “Can we talk?”. She explained it originated spontaneously from her desire to connect frankly with her audiences without any barriers. Meaning: “Can we REALLY talk…like from the heart?” Now, we know that this will never work in the world of politics!! In this arena – and it IS an arena! – it’s all about misdirection and subterfuge to advance one’s agenda!!
And in Guyana, the two tendencies of communication were exemplified like no other than with Jagan and Burnham. Jagan wore his (leftist) heart on his sleeve to such an extent that even though he knew that he was on trial in the US about his ideology, he couldn’t help but clumsily equivocate in an interview when grilled about it. JFK was listening, and decided there and then to remove him from office. It wasn’t that Jagan didn’t know from where the (American) breeze was blowing – far from it! But he really believed that folks he was talking to needed to understand the epiphany he’d experienced about Marxism – so they, too, could “see the light”!
Burnham – the student of Machiavelli – on the other hand, played his cards close to his chest, and told his audiences whatever he thought they wanted to hear!! In the early PPP, when he’d just returned from London, he spoke more “leftist” than even Jagan. But that was just because he wanted to outflank Jagan on the ideological front!! So, as soon as he got his feet wet and the PPP was ousted from office, he became a “moderate” who’d now be more palatable to the powers-that-be!! And even though the latter knew he’d “tack and turn” with every opportunity – they decided to work with him because they could “deal” (literally!) with this kind of politician!
And so it was that these leaders set the template on communication for their parties and leaders ever since. So now that we have the leadership race heating up in the PNC, can we expect some “heart to heart” talks from the three horses in the paddock? Not likely!! It’s not the Burnham way!! Well, at least not in public!! We’ll be hearing all the niceties that make for “poli-speech” in Guyana, designed to draw in the widest number of supporters to their banner! But the real spiel will only come “under the bottom-houses” or their modern equivalent – the “chat rooms”.
The PNC constituency has already made up its mind about which of the three – Joseph Harmon, Aubrey Norton or Van West-Charles – is the best “PNC leader”. And that’s important – not the best leader for the country.
Just the best leader for the PNC!! Reputation counts!!
…not the President!
Finally, Guyanese journalists have finally listened to what President Ali has been saying about whether or not he’s willing to “talk” with Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon. They were just hearing what they wanted to hear – which is that it’s the PPP that’s always “unreasonable”! Well Ali finally spelled his position out, but you bet it’ll be twisted to suit already set agendas!
Said the President about meeting Harmon: “I am fully committed to abiding by every aspect of the Constitution. There is no precondition to fulfilling my mandate in accordance with the Constitution.” Clearly, what he’s saying is that on those matters where he as President has to meet with the Opposition Leader as per the Constitution – such as for appointing the Chancellor or Chief Justice – he’s willing to talk to Harmon.
The onus is now on Harmon, the President continued, to deal with his “moral problem” occasioned by his insistence that the latter is “illegal”!!
President Ali can’t be illegal and legal simultaneously, can he?
