The matter of Aubrey Norton versus Jermaine Figueira

Dear Editor,
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton is doing what he knows best: humiliate an opponent or someone whom he claims to be an opponent, and reduce them to nothingness. It is reminiscent of the Burnham ‘days’, when policy stipulated that you follow the leader’s dictates without question, as no other views would be accommodated.
The policy at that time further stipulated that all knowledge is vested in the leader, and from him shall all directives flow. This in itself showed that dissenting views, or simply put: a suggestion to have an issue addressed another way, or that another method be tried in doing things, would not be entertained.
This is the slave mentality mode the PNC has forced upon its people. Burnham might have gotten away with it due to his erudite and charismatic footwork; however, that performance lasted for a yesteryear crowd, and has long since outlived its usefulness.
Norton lacks the finesse of a Burnham, whom he copies, and living in a modern-day world, the younger generation would not put up with that nonsensical view, hence the mass exodus from that party.
So, let’s follow Norton’s handling of the Jermaine Figueira matter, and his wider appeal to the ordinary rank-and-file members of his party. To begin with, Norton, as a leader, might be a better qualified (paper certification) person than Figueira, but he lacks the intelligence quotient of that member of Parliament, hence his erratic and oftentimes hostile response to that party comrade.
In contrasting the two personalities, one sees Mr Figueira standing out as a grassroots person, one who communes with the people; and this is in distinct opposition to the bam-bam alley personality of the patron.
Also, Figueira chairs the PAC, making a valuable contribution in ensuring our country stays clean and transparent before an international audience; and further, Figueira has extended the proverbial olive branch and has stepped out in solidarity with Government under a patriotic “One Guyana” theme.
These things do not sit well with Mr Norton, whose philosophy is: remain belligerent and threatening, never support the Government in anything it aspires to do. This in itself is a backward and retrogressive school of thought, but Norton does not see it that way; he is holding on to the false PNC doctrine which states that for you to be considered a great leader, you must be vindictive and spiteful. How much success that conviction would bring him is left to be seen.
These and other matters provide the firm evidence that Mr Figueira has been under surveillance ever since, and his ostracism has always been imminent. Norton is caught in an inferiority complex mode, and in that insecurity, he lashes out wildly.

Respectfully,
Neil Adams