…money?
When he was President, not too long ago, Jagdeo was accused by one Caricom PM of going around with a begging bowl — after Burnham had destroyed our economy with his cockamamie economic programmes — and how dare he (Jagdeo) suggest how the region might be able to get its economic mojo back on track!! And the shameless PNC Opposition chortled in derision!! Well, how things have changed with the coming of the dawn of the age of petroleum!! Not only are the Caricom PMs beating a path to our door, but they are seeking our advice on everything – from food security to trade policy!
And the Opposition? Well, they’re beside themselves for having lost the opportunity to control the spigot to the oil money pouring into our coffers. But they’ve got only themselves to blame for that, innit??
There they were, safely ensconced in the trappings of office through the ballot box – which they thought would never happen after Burnham’s outlaw rule – and what’d they do?? Kick dust into the faces of the demographic that put them there by shuttering four sugar estates even as the oil money was just about to flow!! So, now they’re on the outside, giving gratuitous advice to the PPP on how to use the oil funds!! Never mind that the PPP had outlined in their manifesto plans for spending the money – which got them elected OVER the Opposition PNC and AFC!!
Now, the plans weren’t even that original; after all, they had the example of dozens of countries that had found themselves in the same situation, and they could follow the path that led to successful outcomes — which was NOT to follow the example of our pork-knockers of yore, who, after striking gold in the bush, would blow it all on wine, women and song, and be back at square one before you could say “Itanamie hu’t me belly!!”!!
The PPP declared – and started immediately to execute their plans – that they’d be building infrastructure like roads, bridges, power generation, hospitals, schools etc, without which no country could become developed!!
Sure, they knew the country had a lotta poor people, but they were looking ahead, and didn’t want to blow the money to have folks live high off the hog immediately – and then revert into poverty when the money ran out!! They had a welter of schemes, into which some of the money was funnelled into pockets to help out in the short term, and also for some to start businesses to improve their lot.
Recently, Pressie proposed transferring $200,000 to every household. Folks were understandably ecstatic!!
One Opposition micro party, however, had floated the suggestion to give everyone $1 MILLION every year!! Harking back to the pork-knocker mentality!!
…friendship
A lot of folks are confused about what’s behind the latest diplomatic brouhaha between India and Canada. Yes, Canada, which has traditionally played the role in international relations of the “good cop”, in contrast with the “bad cop” role in which its neighbour to the south – the US – revels!! But as is often the case in these matters, it’s all about domestic politics. Canada’s home to the largest Sikh population outside of India – 700,000 with VOTES – but is also the hotbed of Sikh separatism, working to carve out an independent Khalistan!!
This had been attempted before, back in the 1980s, and had ended badly, with thousands of casualties in the Sikh community and the Indian army. PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated, and brutal reprisals followed. These separatist tendencies are spouting again – from Canada, where the Trudeau Govt has given the Sikhs cover. The Indian Government’s accused of assassinating a Sikh separatist last year – which they deny – hence these diplomatic expulsions. India just can’t afford another bloody Sikh uprising.
…global cricket
For some reason unknown to your Eyewitness, while Bollywood movie star Shakrukh Khan’s ownership of the TT Knight Riders is trumpeted, Bollywood’s Preity Zinta’s ownership of the champion team, St Lucia Kings, seems to be a secret!! Sexism??
