Dear Editor,
In my previous letter I indicated that I would have written to you again in the hope that some answers to the questions I asked then (and those of Nigel Hinds in his letter around the same time) would have been forthcoming.
I don’t think I saw anything in response, and so my thoughts remained unshared on the scenarios I had envisaged.
But the Kaieteur News editorial (June 9) headlined “Political Self Destruction” reignited this eerie-sure feeling that something is not right. It can’t be.
Whether the aim is to destroy Joseph Harmon politically so as to pave the way for others, or to satisfy overinflated egos by flaunting the power of the fourth estate, or a combination of both, I don’t know, but for sure, there has to be some kind of a conspiracy here.
I still cannot see why making Brian Tiwari an honorary adviser, or backing-off GRA from Bai Shan Lin, would warrant this continuing public attack campaign by the Kaieteur News and surely ‘others’ behind the scenes.
It warrants therefore that I share with you some of my thoughts as regards who are some of the players cum intellectual authors in this ugly scheme.
This letter will start with two. Others and the plot in more detail are to follow as things evolve.
In order to avoid libel and the excuse for non-publication, I have to resort to satire which I am advised should escape the discerning of, say, the ordinary passenger in the Route 42 mini bus.
I hope, however, that some readers and, of course, the actors will figure out who I am talking about.
As is their right, they can agree or disagree, or they can even believe wrongly who I am referring to. Either way, I can imagine them asking “who the hell is William Tell”.
So, let me start with the Snake.
Irrespective of its realisation that it can get no further than where it is, it cannot change its habits.
It will continue to look to see what can be done to whom it perceives is in the way of its ambitions, using its accumulated venom smartly and sparingly.
Venom use in this instance is in direct contrast to the ad lib use of its ‘snake oil’ as we saw during the election campaign, leading those unsuspecting and gullible constituents into a mess that they will have to cleanse themselves of. (But that is another story for another time)
Because this letter must not be too long, let me just ‘wrap up’ on the Snake by saying that the Chinese have no regard or respect for it. After all, it is no secret that they eat the darn thing.
The Mongoose, on the other hand, is in a different category all together.
According to Wikipedia, it was introduced into the Caribbean islands, including the Bahamas, to help control the snake. But being the resourceful ‘smart alec’ that he is, Mr Mongoose quickly adjusted his game plan against the Snake, with its eyes on ‘the big fat chicken’ instead.
He will allow Mr Snake all the sabre-rattling it wants, in full confidence that it will triumph over the Snake when the time comes.
After all, it did happen before, and for sure, he has read Rudyard Kipling’s “Riki-Tiki-Tavi” a hundred times, and more.
As to whether Kaieteur News is part of this conspiracy is for the readers to judge.
But the Editor ought to be cautioned that the moral of its own editorial applies equally to it too. It is not only politicians who are sweetened by power, or use it to feather their nests for future ambitions and aspirations. As a matter of fact, this is somewhat acceptable in politics.
But when media houses become so pompous as to crave and even flaunt power to influence the state of play, then we are in for more trouble.
It is no secret what Kaieteur News did to the PPP Government. And having tasted the sweetness of the power in doing so, and as rumour has it that a new political party is in the pipeline, it would appear that the modus used against the PPP is now being adjusted and fine-tuned for continuation. Those selected as targets are apparently not envisaged as a part of the new dispensation.
Harmon though seems to be a fighter.
Last I heard he was listening to folk and country music.
Let me guess. “Sly mongoose” and Charley Pride’s “Snakes Crawl At Night” may be in repeat mode.
I hope to write again soon.
Yours faithfully,
William Tell
