by Stella Ramsaroop
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 27 April 2006)
I was absolutely shocked to see a letter to the Editor in the Wednesday issue of Kaieteur News that associated me with some sort of conspiracy of wanting to hurt the President of Guyana. I emphatically reject such nonsense as pure hogwash.
The letter said, "My concerns began to increase when I saw Stella Ramsaroop and her group; the guyanagazette.net crowd along with all the opposition parties circle around the President, his Government, and the PPP/C."
After also including Adam Harris in this baseless accusation, the writer then said, "These people want what they want, and will stop at nothing. What I mean is that they will do anything, and I mean anything to get their way."
First of all, I would never hurt so much as a caterpillar, much less a human being. Secondly, I do not associate with anyone who deserves to be suspected of even considering such drivel. The Guyanese with whom I associate are respectable citizens and good people who would never think of hurting another person.
However, the most alarming aspect of this letter is the fact that it was ever written in the first place. Every single person mentioned in this letter, directly or indirectly, are guilty of nothing more than pointing out the weaknesses of the government and challenging the nation's leaders to a higher standard.
Never, I repeat never, has there ever been even one word from my letter writer friends or myself that would give a rational person a reason to think the President's safety is in jeopardy. I may not like the government's incompetence, complacency and big houses from small salaries, but I believe the best way to deal with these shortcomings is in the voting booth.
Furthermore, the party that wins the majority vote in the next elections can expect the same type of scrutiny from me, which proves that my interests are not partisan. In fact, the PNC/R and the AFC (as well as other parties) have also been the subjects of my columns, more often in a disapproving light than otherwise.
Such blind devotion, the kind that produces such outrageous letters as this one, comes from people who do not understand the need for the media, as well as ordinary people, to keep a watch on the government and point out irregularities so the people are constantly informed of what their leaders are doing.
It is the responsibility of the people to keep the government in check. The people are the ones who give their leaders the authority to function in their official roles. If the leaders abuse their position of power, the people are then responsible for removing them from their positions.
I have nothing personally against anyone in the PPP. I do not even know these leaders on a personal level and do not judge their personal lives. I judge their actions as government officials and the extent to which they effectively execute their roles as leaders.
I am sure many of these leaders are all nice people who also want the best for Guyana. However, actions speak louder than words and when it comes to governing, words are often empty. A government is therefore judged by its effectiveness in dealing with the overall management of the nation.
Often a government is judged by how it responds to crises as well, such as floods and crime sprees. Such events, and the overall management of the country, are the basis by which I evaluate any government. No government deserves blind loyalty.
Blind loyalty is a sure way to end up with corrupt leaders. If they think they can get away with anything and the people will still vote for them, then you can bet your bottom dollar that corruption will overtake even the best of intentions.
Which is why the people have a responsibility to keep the government on their toes. When I write columns that criticise the PPP or any other party, I am not threatening them physically. I would never, ever do such a thing. My columns serve no other purpose than to point out the obvious and to hold the leaders accountable to the people who put them in their official positions.
Let me put it this way. I have never met the President, but my husband had a brief encounter with him once. My husband went on and on about how nice Jagdeo was and how genuine he seemed. The President made quite an impression on my husband. Since I respect my husband's judgement, I cannot help but think Jagdeo is probably a nice guy.
However, being a nice guy does not make a person a good leader – just look at George Bush if you need anymore proof. Bush's approval ratings are at an all time low and continue to decrease with each poll. If such a poll were taken in Guyana, where would Jagdeo's rating fall?
I would venture to say that Jagdeo and Bush would be running a close race on who's country was more unhappy with their president's accomplishments over the last year. So if a leader is not doing his job and the country is not progressing, should the media and letter writers applaud their incompetence?
The long and short of it is this, democracy demands that people talk about their leaders and discuss whether those leaders should be allowed to continue in their roles. This does not equate to intending physical harm on the leaders.
We are civilised and educated people, not cave people who resort to violence when we disagree with someone.
Email: StellaSays[at]gmail.com
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Stella Says…For once, Guyanese should be true to themselves
by Stella Ramsaroop
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 25 April 2006)
Over the weekend 80,000 people in Brussels took to the streets in a silent march in protest of a young man who was killed on April 12 when he refused to give his MP3 player to some thugs with a knife. The boy was stabbed five times.
Imagine that 80,000 people marched in protest of one young man – of whom many of the protestors did not even know. According to an article from the BBC on this event, some footage of the robbery and murder suggests that the alleged criminals were of North African descent. However, the mother of the slain boy said in a statement that she refuses to make her son's murder a racial issue.
The article also said the mother told a Belgian newspaper, "Don't ask me to hate all Arabs. The youth that killed my son are thugs but don't generalise." Family members had requested that the protest be a silent march without banners or any signs of political affiliation.
And that is exactly what happened, a peaceful march of 80,000 people in protest of a senseless killing over an MP3 player. The world has taken note of this event because of its large numbers and the respectful restraint that honours the death of a young man. Surely a minister of the government in Guyana deserves no less. Surely the dead from the Agricola massacre deserve nothing less than to be honoured in such a way.
When a drug dealer or criminal kills someone else who is involved their shady business, we tend to just shake our heads in sorrow because it is understood that if you live by the sword, then you will die by the sword.
However, when an innocent person or a good person dies at the hand of one of these miscreants, we are outraged at the injustice and have a drive to see the travesty redeemed by society. Such is the case with many of the murders that have taken place in the last few weeks.
I do not know the identities of these murderers anymore than the next person and I try to avoid speculation because nothing good comes from unfounded accusations. However, I can tell you this much, there is someone who is playing games with the minds of the Guyanese people and they are using the precious lives of your neighbours to accomplish his/her goal.
I completely admire the restraint of the mother from Brussels. Her wise council could have possibly saved even more lives from a violent death and it was clear that she did not want her son's memory to be connected to such brutish behaviour. The march in Brussels accomplished its goal without more violence.
Guyana would do well to follow the example of this mother and practice restraint as it honours one of its leaders.
I wrote an article not too long ago using the examples of how protests in France and the U.S . have changed the previously established direction of their respective governments and suggested that such an event could possibly help Guyanese to get the attention of their own government. Freddie shot this idea down and said it could never work.
Likewise, another Guyanese recently told me that no matter how much the people want to change their current predicament, they would never vote outside of their race. I have to admit that after this particular conversation, I felt defeated and hopeless for a while. If the people refuse to change, then what hope is there for Guyana?
However, my typically optimistic personality has been restored and I once again re-affirm that I believe the people can and will change. I may be naïve, but I am certainly not ignorant of the many obstacles that stand in the way of accomplishing this goal. I do have one important asset on my side – reality.
The reality is that unless Guyana changes its voting patterns and political expectations, it will continue to read headlines of death, crime and corruption. The reality is that if Guyana ever expects to have a healthy economy, it will have to break up the current political monopoly and vote in a mixture of parties with varying political interests that represent the issues of the constituency – not the race.
I know the Constitution must change too, but I simply do not see this happening in an effective manner as long as one party is given majority rule again. I still refuse to believe that Guyana cannot overcome its racial barriers and political devotions to demand a competent governing system.
If 80,000 Guyanese showed up for a silent march, without banners or political affiliation, the world would take notice that the people are demanding change and respect the restraint that was necessary to organise such an event.
What other choice does Guyana have? To trust the lives of the people to the current political dinosaurs? That has obviously not worked thus far, so why should we think it would work in the future? Should Guyanese just hope that the criminal elements will decide to just up and leave one day and take all of the murders and corruption with them? That too is unrealistic.
So although I might be a bit naïve to maintain my optimism that Guyana can choose a better life over one more tiny taste of revenge, I believe that the people's desire for a good life (without murder, crime and corruption) will overpower the complacency and misplaced political loyalties.
I believe the best way to honour the death of the Minister, the people of Agricola and Waddell is to completely refuse to allow these unseen criminal forces to play with the minds of the people anymore and to reject the gut-reaction to remain loyal to failing political parties. For once, Guyanese should be true to themselves.
Email: StellaSays[at]gmail.com
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 25 April 2006)
Over the weekend 80,000 people in Brussels took to the streets in a silent march in protest of a young man who was killed on April 12 when he refused to give his MP3 player to some thugs with a knife. The boy was stabbed five times.
Imagine that 80,000 people marched in protest of one young man – of whom many of the protestors did not even know. According to an article from the BBC on this event, some footage of the robbery and murder suggests that the alleged criminals were of North African descent. However, the mother of the slain boy said in a statement that she refuses to make her son's murder a racial issue.
The article also said the mother told a Belgian newspaper, "Don't ask me to hate all Arabs. The youth that killed my son are thugs but don't generalise." Family members had requested that the protest be a silent march without banners or any signs of political affiliation.
And that is exactly what happened, a peaceful march of 80,000 people in protest of a senseless killing over an MP3 player. The world has taken note of this event because of its large numbers and the respectful restraint that honours the death of a young man. Surely a minister of the government in Guyana deserves no less. Surely the dead from the Agricola massacre deserve nothing less than to be honoured in such a way.
When a drug dealer or criminal kills someone else who is involved their shady business, we tend to just shake our heads in sorrow because it is understood that if you live by the sword, then you will die by the sword.
However, when an innocent person or a good person dies at the hand of one of these miscreants, we are outraged at the injustice and have a drive to see the travesty redeemed by society. Such is the case with many of the murders that have taken place in the last few weeks.
I do not know the identities of these murderers anymore than the next person and I try to avoid speculation because nothing good comes from unfounded accusations. However, I can tell you this much, there is someone who is playing games with the minds of the Guyanese people and they are using the precious lives of your neighbours to accomplish his/her goal.
I completely admire the restraint of the mother from Brussels. Her wise council could have possibly saved even more lives from a violent death and it was clear that she did not want her son's memory to be connected to such brutish behaviour. The march in Brussels accomplished its goal without more violence.
Guyana would do well to follow the example of this mother and practice restraint as it honours one of its leaders.
I wrote an article not too long ago using the examples of how protests in France and the U.S . have changed the previously established direction of their respective governments and suggested that such an event could possibly help Guyanese to get the attention of their own government. Freddie shot this idea down and said it could never work.
Likewise, another Guyanese recently told me that no matter how much the people want to change their current predicament, they would never vote outside of their race. I have to admit that after this particular conversation, I felt defeated and hopeless for a while. If the people refuse to change, then what hope is there for Guyana?
However, my typically optimistic personality has been restored and I once again re-affirm that I believe the people can and will change. I may be naïve, but I am certainly not ignorant of the many obstacles that stand in the way of accomplishing this goal. I do have one important asset on my side – reality.
The reality is that unless Guyana changes its voting patterns and political expectations, it will continue to read headlines of death, crime and corruption. The reality is that if Guyana ever expects to have a healthy economy, it will have to break up the current political monopoly and vote in a mixture of parties with varying political interests that represent the issues of the constituency – not the race.
I know the Constitution must change too, but I simply do not see this happening in an effective manner as long as one party is given majority rule again. I still refuse to believe that Guyana cannot overcome its racial barriers and political devotions to demand a competent governing system.
If 80,000 Guyanese showed up for a silent march, without banners or political affiliation, the world would take notice that the people are demanding change and respect the restraint that was necessary to organise such an event.
What other choice does Guyana have? To trust the lives of the people to the current political dinosaurs? That has obviously not worked thus far, so why should we think it would work in the future? Should Guyanese just hope that the criminal elements will decide to just up and leave one day and take all of the murders and corruption with them? That too is unrealistic.
So although I might be a bit naïve to maintain my optimism that Guyana can choose a better life over one more tiny taste of revenge, I believe that the people's desire for a good life (without murder, crime and corruption) will overpower the complacency and misplaced political loyalties.
I believe the best way to honour the death of the Minister, the people of Agricola and Waddell is to completely refuse to allow these unseen criminal forces to play with the minds of the people anymore and to reject the gut-reaction to remain loyal to failing political parties. For once, Guyanese should be true to themselves.
Email: StellaSays[at]gmail.com
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Stella Says…Has Guyana lost its will to fight?
by Stella Ramsaroop
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 23 April 2006)
This past week I was referred to a medical specialist because of a pain in my stomach. As the nurse performed her standard check-in procedure and repeated my last name, she asked in a West Indian accent whether my husband was Indian.
I told her yes and he is from Guyana, then I asked where she was from. Her eyes lit up and she chimed, “Trinidad!” From that point we talked a mile a minute as she took my blood pressure, asked if I was allergic to any drugs and created the chart for the doctor.
As she took my pulse, she noted the gold bracelet I was wearing and said, “Girl, you are even wearing your gold. Good for you!” There is a distinct difference between gold from Guyana and gold from the States. The quality of the gold from Guyana is so much higher that it can be seen in the colour alone.
In its arrogance, America often thinks it produces the best of everything, but this ignorance is never more obvious than in the sale of their sub-par gold. My new nurse friend from Trinidad was well aware of this fact and took note that my jewellery was clearly not from the States.
Our conversation then took an unexpected turn. After telling me about her own beautiful gold jewellery, she said, “Those Guyanese are rich, you know.” She then proceeded to tell me her opinion of rich Guyana as I surveyed the lady to see if I could determine how long she had been in the States.
She had yet to shift from her island mentality and reminisced of “home” with the same longing I see in the eyes of every single Diaspora I have ever met. What really struck me though was her high opinion of Guyanese. I tried to determine if she was only trying to appease my sensibilities since my family is Guyanese or if she was being sincere.
I decided she was sincere we continued our talk as we walked to the examination room. After she had prepped me to see the doctor, she hurried off to attend to the other waiting patients. As I waited for the doctor, I contemplated the high view my new friend held of Guyanese – a view most Guyanese do not even hold of themselves.
I had been pondering a recent article in Kaieteur News about new guidelines being set for sporting and entertainment events to keep them from getting out of hand. I have to say that I am impressed at Minister Teixeira’s tenacious spirit. Like so many other women leaders today, she is proving her worth as a leader.
However, as I read the reasons for the newly imposed rules, I couldn’t help but wonder how the average Guyanese woman would feel about the incidents that caused these new requirements to be imposed.
The article from April 20, said the events in question seemed to promote drug use and the degradation of women. The events were also suspected channels for money laundering and there even seemed to be guns shot into the air at one event. This information caused me to wonder how a female participant would feel at such an event.
Moreover, I could not help but wonder if this is how Guyanese now see themselves. Do these out-of-control events portray a smaller version of the country at large? Does Guyana have any respect left for herself? Does anyone in the country still share the same lofty view of Guyana with that of my Trinidadian nurse?
It seems to me that many people are giving up on Guyana. If this is so, I believe this year’s floods and Waddell’s murder set this sentiment in motion, but it was the Agricola massacre pushed many over the edge. On all three accounts, the government’s lack of action was akin to an abusive parent who treats his/her child with disrespect and disdain.
Last year, the government did not take the necessary steps to prevent repeat flooding, which sent a clear message to the people that their property and livelihoods did not matter. Then Waddell was gunned down and the callousness with which his violent death was handled once again reaffirmed the government’s disregard for the people.
However, the Agricola massacre topped it all. No police. No help. No justice. No excuses. The message could not have been clearer if someone had painted it red on the top floor of the Pegasus, the government did not care about the people who were murdered and terrorised. In the end, the people seem to have lost their will to fight for a better life.
Just like an abused child, I believe the people of Guyana are starting to believe that they are worthless and undeserving of anything good in life. It seems they are resigned to live in this abusive environment and have accepted the fact that their own leaders do not care about their welfare.
However, if Guyana gives up, then it will forever live under an uncaring government – whether it is the PPP or another party. Much like a little girl who simply accepts that she is worthless because an abusive parent has crushed her spirit, she will often expect the same type of behaviour from other relationships and accept more abuse without a fight.
Let me tell you from experience though - you have to fight back. The incessant murders, the rampant crime and the coarse behaviour at entertainment events are not what Guyana is really like deep down. It is almost as if the nation is having an identity crisis because the government has chose to neglect its responsibilities.
An abuse victim has to take back their life and decide they deserve something better than disrespect and abuse if they are ever going to function in a productive relationship. Likewise, Guyana has to take back the reigns of government and decide she deserves better than an abusive and neglectful government.
I wish every Guyanese could have heard my nurse as she praised them. Maybe then everyone could believe – even just a little - that they deserve a better life. Don’t give in to the feelings of hopelessness, Guyana. Don’t lose your fighting spirit – or you may well lose everything.
Email: StellaSays[at]gmail.com
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 23 April 2006)
This past week I was referred to a medical specialist because of a pain in my stomach. As the nurse performed her standard check-in procedure and repeated my last name, she asked in a West Indian accent whether my husband was Indian.
I told her yes and he is from Guyana, then I asked where she was from. Her eyes lit up and she chimed, “Trinidad!” From that point we talked a mile a minute as she took my blood pressure, asked if I was allergic to any drugs and created the chart for the doctor.
As she took my pulse, she noted the gold bracelet I was wearing and said, “Girl, you are even wearing your gold. Good for you!” There is a distinct difference between gold from Guyana and gold from the States. The quality of the gold from Guyana is so much higher that it can be seen in the colour alone.
In its arrogance, America often thinks it produces the best of everything, but this ignorance is never more obvious than in the sale of their sub-par gold. My new nurse friend from Trinidad was well aware of this fact and took note that my jewellery was clearly not from the States.
Our conversation then took an unexpected turn. After telling me about her own beautiful gold jewellery, she said, “Those Guyanese are rich, you know.” She then proceeded to tell me her opinion of rich Guyana as I surveyed the lady to see if I could determine how long she had been in the States.
She had yet to shift from her island mentality and reminisced of “home” with the same longing I see in the eyes of every single Diaspora I have ever met. What really struck me though was her high opinion of Guyanese. I tried to determine if she was only trying to appease my sensibilities since my family is Guyanese or if she was being sincere.
I decided she was sincere we continued our talk as we walked to the examination room. After she had prepped me to see the doctor, she hurried off to attend to the other waiting patients. As I waited for the doctor, I contemplated the high view my new friend held of Guyanese – a view most Guyanese do not even hold of themselves.
I had been pondering a recent article in Kaieteur News about new guidelines being set for sporting and entertainment events to keep them from getting out of hand. I have to say that I am impressed at Minister Teixeira’s tenacious spirit. Like so many other women leaders today, she is proving her worth as a leader.
However, as I read the reasons for the newly imposed rules, I couldn’t help but wonder how the average Guyanese woman would feel about the incidents that caused these new requirements to be imposed.
The article from April 20, said the events in question seemed to promote drug use and the degradation of women. The events were also suspected channels for money laundering and there even seemed to be guns shot into the air at one event. This information caused me to wonder how a female participant would feel at such an event.
Moreover, I could not help but wonder if this is how Guyanese now see themselves. Do these out-of-control events portray a smaller version of the country at large? Does Guyana have any respect left for herself? Does anyone in the country still share the same lofty view of Guyana with that of my Trinidadian nurse?
It seems to me that many people are giving up on Guyana. If this is so, I believe this year’s floods and Waddell’s murder set this sentiment in motion, but it was the Agricola massacre pushed many over the edge. On all three accounts, the government’s lack of action was akin to an abusive parent who treats his/her child with disrespect and disdain.
Last year, the government did not take the necessary steps to prevent repeat flooding, which sent a clear message to the people that their property and livelihoods did not matter. Then Waddell was gunned down and the callousness with which his violent death was handled once again reaffirmed the government’s disregard for the people.
However, the Agricola massacre topped it all. No police. No help. No justice. No excuses. The message could not have been clearer if someone had painted it red on the top floor of the Pegasus, the government did not care about the people who were murdered and terrorised. In the end, the people seem to have lost their will to fight for a better life.
Just like an abused child, I believe the people of Guyana are starting to believe that they are worthless and undeserving of anything good in life. It seems they are resigned to live in this abusive environment and have accepted the fact that their own leaders do not care about their welfare.
However, if Guyana gives up, then it will forever live under an uncaring government – whether it is the PPP or another party. Much like a little girl who simply accepts that she is worthless because an abusive parent has crushed her spirit, she will often expect the same type of behaviour from other relationships and accept more abuse without a fight.
Let me tell you from experience though - you have to fight back. The incessant murders, the rampant crime and the coarse behaviour at entertainment events are not what Guyana is really like deep down. It is almost as if the nation is having an identity crisis because the government has chose to neglect its responsibilities.
An abuse victim has to take back their life and decide they deserve something better than disrespect and abuse if they are ever going to function in a productive relationship. Likewise, Guyana has to take back the reigns of government and decide she deserves better than an abusive and neglectful government.
I wish every Guyanese could have heard my nurse as she praised them. Maybe then everyone could believe – even just a little - that they deserve a better life. Don’t give in to the feelings of hopelessness, Guyana. Don’t lose your fighting spirit – or you may well lose everything.
Email: StellaSays[at]gmail.com
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Stella Says…Peter Ramsaroop has finally won his first debate with me
by Stella Ramsaroop
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 20 April 2006)
It is not often that I am swayed in my opinion once I have made up my mind about something. Although I try to keep an open mind about various social, political and economic issues, I tend to have very strong foundational ideas that predetermine my position on any given topic.
Such is the position to which I had previously committed concerning the timely execution of the general elections in Guyana. I had maintained that democracy should take precedence in this matter by guaranteeing the people their right to vote by the established target date. However, I have changed my mind. I now believe that by forcing the elections before a voter list can be verified would actually hinder democracy instead of advance it.
A couple weeks ago my brother-in-law, Peter Ramsaroop, was in town for a couple of days and as we had dinner one night we discussed this issue in depth. I shot every possible suggestion I had for conducting the elections by the deadline at him and he easily countered every single one of them. This is impressive for my brother-in-law, since I can usually win debates on subjects for which I have such strong feelings.
I suppose it is necessary to mention that Peter and I do not agree on a whole lot when it comes to politics – not on American politics and not on Guyanese politics. When it comes to American politics, he is very conservative and I am very liberal. Peter thinks George Bush is a great president and I think he is one of the worst things to ever happen to the country.
We are often at odds over Guyanese politics as well, but I know his heart for Guyana cannot be questioned even if I do not agree with him on a particular subject matter. Which is why I simply could not understand how he could support the call for a boycott and postponement of the general elections since I viewed it as a complete affront to the rights of the people.
However, as he countered each and every one of my suggestions as to how the elections could be held regardless of the current situation, it quickly became clear that my sweet brother-in-law was winning his first debate with me – and I was not all that happy about it either. I am quite a sore looser.
I was not about to allow this conversation alone sway my stance on this issue, so I decided to reconsider some of the arguments by others on this subject and attempted to see these opinions in light of the information Peter had shared with me. This information was not anything I had not already considered, but he helped me see the situation as it really is in Guyana.
As an independent observer, it is difficult at times to fully grasp the intricacies of details that surround Guyanese politics. When I apply the basic democratic ideology that has historically been the foundation by which most nations employ a system of governance that is ideally people focused, I understand the basis under which Guyana's government should behave in order to adhere to this ideology.
This allows me to respond to any policies and performances that would undermine the democratic system to which the government has sworn to uphold. Above all, I believe the people are the ones who should determine the directions of the nation and that government officials are merely the tools by which the people implement and enforce their will.
I have also lived in several developing countries and I am therefore well aware of the convenient loopholes that allow government officials to twist the system to cater to their own selfish agenda – through legislation, backroom deals and economic stipends – all at the expense of the very people who trusted them with such a lofty position in the first place. This is also very true in America; it's just easier to get away with these criminal acts in smaller countries.
However, Guyana is a far more interesting study in politics than any other country I have ever encountered. Just when I think I have heard it all and seen it all, something else happens that utterly blows my mind and sends me back to the books for more study. Which is exactly what happened with this situation about how I felt about a speedy execution of the elections.
My previous stance on this issue was primarily based on the fact that the people should be allowed their opportunity to decide who will govern them – no matter what. I now believe there is no way that a fair election can be held without a verified list of voters.
Further, the current electoral system is seriously flawed. I have believed this all along, but thought it would be possible to conduct at least one more election first and reform the system afterward. However, the recent upset within GECOM has made it clear that partisan politics also rules even this commission, which is supposed to operate on a technical basis and abstain from any overt political agenda.
The credibility of GECOM is now highly dubious, especially since transparency is being questioned and the commissioners who pulled out were opposition representatives, creating a distinct taste of party devotion within a commission that should be non-partisan.
It will no doubt be a difficult task for GECOM to recapture the confidence of the people. However, if it can deliver a verifiable list and re-establish itself as a judicious commission, then perhaps the people of Guyana will be able to choose its leaders with the surety that their will is being done and not the will of power-hungry politicians.
So I begrudgingly give my brother-in-law a nod of defeat (though solely on this issue) and come to terms with the fact that Guyana is not prepared to carry out its elections in August. Too bad, I was looking forward to seeing the people choose a government that would spend more money on the nation's infrastructure than it does on big houses for party loyalists.
Then again, the closer we get to flood season, the more likely the national frustration level will compel a vote against the current impotent government. In fact, I'd love to bet the PPP Peeping Tom $100 that the flooding situation is not resolved when the heavy rains start again in December. How about a friendly wager, Peeps?
Email: Stellasays[at]gmail.com
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 20 April 2006)
It is not often that I am swayed in my opinion once I have made up my mind about something. Although I try to keep an open mind about various social, political and economic issues, I tend to have very strong foundational ideas that predetermine my position on any given topic.
Such is the position to which I had previously committed concerning the timely execution of the general elections in Guyana. I had maintained that democracy should take precedence in this matter by guaranteeing the people their right to vote by the established target date. However, I have changed my mind. I now believe that by forcing the elections before a voter list can be verified would actually hinder democracy instead of advance it.
A couple weeks ago my brother-in-law, Peter Ramsaroop, was in town for a couple of days and as we had dinner one night we discussed this issue in depth. I shot every possible suggestion I had for conducting the elections by the deadline at him and he easily countered every single one of them. This is impressive for my brother-in-law, since I can usually win debates on subjects for which I have such strong feelings.
I suppose it is necessary to mention that Peter and I do not agree on a whole lot when it comes to politics – not on American politics and not on Guyanese politics. When it comes to American politics, he is very conservative and I am very liberal. Peter thinks George Bush is a great president and I think he is one of the worst things to ever happen to the country.
We are often at odds over Guyanese politics as well, but I know his heart for Guyana cannot be questioned even if I do not agree with him on a particular subject matter. Which is why I simply could not understand how he could support the call for a boycott and postponement of the general elections since I viewed it as a complete affront to the rights of the people.
However, as he countered each and every one of my suggestions as to how the elections could be held regardless of the current situation, it quickly became clear that my sweet brother-in-law was winning his first debate with me – and I was not all that happy about it either. I am quite a sore looser.
I was not about to allow this conversation alone sway my stance on this issue, so I decided to reconsider some of the arguments by others on this subject and attempted to see these opinions in light of the information Peter had shared with me. This information was not anything I had not already considered, but he helped me see the situation as it really is in Guyana.
As an independent observer, it is difficult at times to fully grasp the intricacies of details that surround Guyanese politics. When I apply the basic democratic ideology that has historically been the foundation by which most nations employ a system of governance that is ideally people focused, I understand the basis under which Guyana's government should behave in order to adhere to this ideology.
This allows me to respond to any policies and performances that would undermine the democratic system to which the government has sworn to uphold. Above all, I believe the people are the ones who should determine the directions of the nation and that government officials are merely the tools by which the people implement and enforce their will.
I have also lived in several developing countries and I am therefore well aware of the convenient loopholes that allow government officials to twist the system to cater to their own selfish agenda – through legislation, backroom deals and economic stipends – all at the expense of the very people who trusted them with such a lofty position in the first place. This is also very true in America; it's just easier to get away with these criminal acts in smaller countries.
However, Guyana is a far more interesting study in politics than any other country I have ever encountered. Just when I think I have heard it all and seen it all, something else happens that utterly blows my mind and sends me back to the books for more study. Which is exactly what happened with this situation about how I felt about a speedy execution of the elections.
My previous stance on this issue was primarily based on the fact that the people should be allowed their opportunity to decide who will govern them – no matter what. I now believe there is no way that a fair election can be held without a verified list of voters.
Further, the current electoral system is seriously flawed. I have believed this all along, but thought it would be possible to conduct at least one more election first and reform the system afterward. However, the recent upset within GECOM has made it clear that partisan politics also rules even this commission, which is supposed to operate on a technical basis and abstain from any overt political agenda.
The credibility of GECOM is now highly dubious, especially since transparency is being questioned and the commissioners who pulled out were opposition representatives, creating a distinct taste of party devotion within a commission that should be non-partisan.
It will no doubt be a difficult task for GECOM to recapture the confidence of the people. However, if it can deliver a verifiable list and re-establish itself as a judicious commission, then perhaps the people of Guyana will be able to choose its leaders with the surety that their will is being done and not the will of power-hungry politicians.
So I begrudgingly give my brother-in-law a nod of defeat (though solely on this issue) and come to terms with the fact that Guyana is not prepared to carry out its elections in August. Too bad, I was looking forward to seeing the people choose a government that would spend more money on the nation's infrastructure than it does on big houses for party loyalists.
Then again, the closer we get to flood season, the more likely the national frustration level will compel a vote against the current impotent government. In fact, I'd love to bet the PPP Peeping Tom $100 that the flooding situation is not resolved when the heavy rains start again in December. How about a friendly wager, Peeps?
Email: Stellasays[at]gmail.com
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Stella Says…As if rape and abuse are not enough, women cannot even trust their nurses
by Stella Ramsaroop
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 18 April 2006)
As I read the Kaieteur News article from Sunday entitled, “Maternity ward patients’ horror stories,” my feelings progressed from grief to anger to absolute outrage at how women were treated by the very medical professionals they trusted to safely help bring their babies into this world.
To say that I am appalled by this disgusting lack of professionalism is putting it very mildly. My mother-in-law’s mother died in a similar way over 60 years ago. She had delivered her baby, but fell out of the bed and bled to death before anyone even knew what had happened.
My mother-in-law and her younger brothers were then raised by their father and other family members, but what they needed was their mother. However, that was decades ago and one would assume that no such tragedies would be taking place today. Or at least very, very, very seldom.
Instead, a husband writes a letter to the Editor describing the horrific condition of how his wife gave birth on the floor because no nurse would come to her aid. If that was not bad enough, when the situation was brought to the nurse’s attention (the very person who should have known the situation before anyone else), she gave the husband an attitude and tried to act as if the couple had done something wrong! You have got to be kidding me!
There is no way on Earth that any nurse would have been allowed to skip out on the delivery of one of my children, much less treat me with such abhorrent disrespect. That nurse would be finding him/herself jobless or the hospital would have a lawsuit – or both.
I would just love for one person to write a letter in response to this column in support of the nurses. Is there anyone who can explain to me why these nurses are sleeping on the job while women and babies die during childbirth?
Are the poor nurses tired and need their beauty sleep? Are they working two jobs and can’t keep their eyes open? Are they working double shifts and need their rest? I don’t want to hear even one excuse because nothing – I repeat, nothing – justifies this type of incompetence in the medical profession.
If they cannot carry out their job with efficiency, then fire them and bring in some nurses who will deliver babies instead of sleep. I had someone send me an email recently saying there is a significant lack of good professions from which to choose in Guyana. It would therefore seem to me that a demand for nurses would surely be a welcome sight for those entering the workforce.
For goodness sake, all these nurses had to do was attend to these women giving birth and be there when the babies are born so they don’t fall on the floor. If the police are not expected to lay down their lives to protect to citizens of Guyana during a shootout, does that mean that the nurses are allowed to sleep while new citizens die under their watch too?
When is Guyana going to wake up and realise she deserves better than this?
When I read this article on how women and children are dying because nurses are sleeping on the job, I had just finished another article about the lack of a facility for female drug addicts in Guyana.
It would seem that healthcare for women in general is not much different than it was when my husband’s maternal grandmother died under “medical supervision.” Medical supervision my foot! Those inept nurses might be expected to supervise women in labour, but they are actually getting paid to sleep while their patients die.
Every single nurse who has taken even a short nap while they are supposed to be caring for a patient should be ashamed of himself or herself. Further, any supervisor who has stumbled upon a sleeping nurse and not severely reprimanded the person should be fired instead.
It is bad enough that women are subjected to abuse and rape, treated as second-class citizens and expected to wait on men hand and foot, but to be left alone during such a crucial time when someone is being paid to care for her is simply inexcusable.
Worse yet, those lazy nurses are probably mostly women themselves. If a woman cannot depend on another woman to help during childbirth, then where can women turn? There is no way any such hospital would get one dollar from me under such appalling circumstances.
This issue is of great import given the fact that Guyana’s most precious commodity, the babies, is at risk in the hands of these incompetent nurses. I would go so far as to say that such gross negligence should be illegal if it is not.
When otherwise healthy women and children die under the watch of sleeping nurses, how can anyone deny that a crime has been committed? Certainly someone should be held accountable for the deaths of these mothers and babies.
Moms and dads, let your nurse know right up front that if you find them sleeping or if they do not respond when they are needed, then you will seek action from the hospital. Otherwise, you could be the next victim of a sleepy nurse.
Email: Stellasays[at]gmail.com
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 18 April 2006)
As I read the Kaieteur News article from Sunday entitled, “Maternity ward patients’ horror stories,” my feelings progressed from grief to anger to absolute outrage at how women were treated by the very medical professionals they trusted to safely help bring their babies into this world.
To say that I am appalled by this disgusting lack of professionalism is putting it very mildly. My mother-in-law’s mother died in a similar way over 60 years ago. She had delivered her baby, but fell out of the bed and bled to death before anyone even knew what had happened.
My mother-in-law and her younger brothers were then raised by their father and other family members, but what they needed was their mother. However, that was decades ago and one would assume that no such tragedies would be taking place today. Or at least very, very, very seldom.
Instead, a husband writes a letter to the Editor describing the horrific condition of how his wife gave birth on the floor because no nurse would come to her aid. If that was not bad enough, when the situation was brought to the nurse’s attention (the very person who should have known the situation before anyone else), she gave the husband an attitude and tried to act as if the couple had done something wrong! You have got to be kidding me!
There is no way on Earth that any nurse would have been allowed to skip out on the delivery of one of my children, much less treat me with such abhorrent disrespect. That nurse would be finding him/herself jobless or the hospital would have a lawsuit – or both.
I would just love for one person to write a letter in response to this column in support of the nurses. Is there anyone who can explain to me why these nurses are sleeping on the job while women and babies die during childbirth?
Are the poor nurses tired and need their beauty sleep? Are they working two jobs and can’t keep their eyes open? Are they working double shifts and need their rest? I don’t want to hear even one excuse because nothing – I repeat, nothing – justifies this type of incompetence in the medical profession.
If they cannot carry out their job with efficiency, then fire them and bring in some nurses who will deliver babies instead of sleep. I had someone send me an email recently saying there is a significant lack of good professions from which to choose in Guyana. It would therefore seem to me that a demand for nurses would surely be a welcome sight for those entering the workforce.
For goodness sake, all these nurses had to do was attend to these women giving birth and be there when the babies are born so they don’t fall on the floor. If the police are not expected to lay down their lives to protect to citizens of Guyana during a shootout, does that mean that the nurses are allowed to sleep while new citizens die under their watch too?
When is Guyana going to wake up and realise she deserves better than this?
When I read this article on how women and children are dying because nurses are sleeping on the job, I had just finished another article about the lack of a facility for female drug addicts in Guyana.
It would seem that healthcare for women in general is not much different than it was when my husband’s maternal grandmother died under “medical supervision.” Medical supervision my foot! Those inept nurses might be expected to supervise women in labour, but they are actually getting paid to sleep while their patients die.
Every single nurse who has taken even a short nap while they are supposed to be caring for a patient should be ashamed of himself or herself. Further, any supervisor who has stumbled upon a sleeping nurse and not severely reprimanded the person should be fired instead.
It is bad enough that women are subjected to abuse and rape, treated as second-class citizens and expected to wait on men hand and foot, but to be left alone during such a crucial time when someone is being paid to care for her is simply inexcusable.
Worse yet, those lazy nurses are probably mostly women themselves. If a woman cannot depend on another woman to help during childbirth, then where can women turn? There is no way any such hospital would get one dollar from me under such appalling circumstances.
This issue is of great import given the fact that Guyana’s most precious commodity, the babies, is at risk in the hands of these incompetent nurses. I would go so far as to say that such gross negligence should be illegal if it is not.
When otherwise healthy women and children die under the watch of sleeping nurses, how can anyone deny that a crime has been committed? Certainly someone should be held accountable for the deaths of these mothers and babies.
Moms and dads, let your nurse know right up front that if you find them sleeping or if they do not respond when they are needed, then you will seek action from the hospital. Otherwise, you could be the next victim of a sleepy nurse.
Email: Stellasays[at]gmail.com
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Stella Says…I admit I'm a geek, but are you an alien?
by Stella Ramsaroop
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 16 April 2006)
If you have not yet deduced my geekish tendencies, this article will definitely be the icing on the cake. Although I do not wear a pocket protector like the classic nerd or snort through my nose; I certainly do love books, I am completely fascinated with sci-fi and would rather have a lengthy conversation on the geological makeup of an area than the latest gossip.
There you have it – I’m a geek. However, don’t think for even a second that geeks can’t groove at the drop of a hat. I know it sounds almost paradoxical, but smart people can be groovy too. Well, except for Sweet and Sensitive Freddie. He might very well be one of the smartest people in Guyana, but his groove factor is highly questionable.
Perhaps he lost his groove about the same time he lost what little marbles he had left. I suspect this all took place around the same time as the UG fiasco last year. Whenever it was that he lost his groove, it was indeed a sad day for the nation, but I see no reason for everyone else to stop grooving.
As I was saying before, my veiled geekish tendencies will be evident in the reference I intend to use to make my point for today’s column. All of the other geeks will understand my example in no time at all, but I will go into further detail for those of you who spend more time grooving and less time watching stupid science fiction shows.
There are some episodes of a sci-fi show called “Star Trek – The Next Generation” that introduce a species of robotically enhanced humanoids called the Borg. It is the sole purpose of the Borg to assimilate every single human into its cube-like community.
The good people of the Federation (a universe-wide alliance of people) fight desperately to prevent their assimilation by this very formidable foe and in the end are able to scare it off. However, the threat of return by the highly intelligent and ever-evolving Borg constantly looms large and humans across the universe fear that one day they will be converted into a robot that is void of feelings and conscience.
Likewise, I fear that Guyana is being assimilated. Not by the Borg, but by a force just as cold and heartless. It seems as if one by one the people of Guyana are becoming acclimated to a brutal climate of murder, corruption and crime.
This devastating atmosphere is far more dangerous than any alien invasion because the destructive force is coming from within the nation in such a gradual process that it feels natural and few realise there is cause for alarm. If some alien spaceship landed in the middle of Georgetown today, every single Guyanese would fight tooth and nail to keep from being taken as a prisoner. This is not so with the force that is now assimilating the nation.
The enemy that is wreaking havoc on the nation’s morals lives next door or down the street. The enemy might even be in the mirror. Guyana has long lived with corrupt leaders – and that distorted leadership is now taking the rest of the nation down too.
When a dire situation forces the people of a nation have to violate their conscience to survive, it is truly a sad thing. However, when that situation continues for weeks, months, years and decades, desperation begins to set in and the conscience acclimates to the new environment – no matter how ghastly the circumstances.
I had someone tell me that the very next day after that horrid shootout in Agricola last month, life went on as usual. This tells me that Guyana is just as acclimated to such violence as war zones like Iraq.
The tragedy in all of this is that since this alien force of murder has slowly assimilated the people, there was no public outcry against such brazen behaviour. There was very little said about the lack of protection from the state and it is almost as if the entire episode has been forgotten even though justice has not been served on those murderers.
There are some things in life for which we should fight – like for life itself. However, it seems Guyana has resigned itself to this environment of murder, corruption and crime. Do you ever stop to wonder how the nation became acclimated to this type of atmosphere? Moreover, do you want your children to live in a country that accepts murder as a way of daily life?
The ironic part of this assimilation is that Guyana is such a religious country. I cannot help but wonder how these forces of evil took over the better senses of a godly people. How long will it be before the people start to wake up and realise they have been assimilated by an alien force of destruction?
We can only hope Guyana is able to react more quickly than the proverbial frog in a pot of slowly boiling water. The frog is being cooked and he doesn’t even know because the temperature is changing so slowly that he is adjusting to the incremental increases. He could easily jump out, but he doesn’t realise he is in mortal danger.
Will the people of Guyana realise they need to take some drastic action before it is too late? Or will they just keep adjusting to the incremental increases of murder, crime and corruption? One thing is for sure - Guyana is definitely in a pot of boiling water.
Email: Stellasays[at]gmail.com
(Originally published in Guyana's Kaieteur News on 16 April 2006)
If you have not yet deduced my geekish tendencies, this article will definitely be the icing on the cake. Although I do not wear a pocket protector like the classic nerd or snort through my nose; I certainly do love books, I am completely fascinated with sci-fi and would rather have a lengthy conversation on the geological makeup of an area than the latest gossip.
There you have it – I’m a geek. However, don’t think for even a second that geeks can’t groove at the drop of a hat. I know it sounds almost paradoxical, but smart people can be groovy too. Well, except for Sweet and Sensitive Freddie. He might very well be one of the smartest people in Guyana, but his groove factor is highly questionable.
Perhaps he lost his groove about the same time he lost what little marbles he had left. I suspect this all took place around the same time as the UG fiasco last year. Whenever it was that he lost his groove, it was indeed a sad day for the nation, but I see no reason for everyone else to stop grooving.
As I was saying before, my veiled geekish tendencies will be evident in the reference I intend to use to make my point for today’s column. All of the other geeks will understand my example in no time at all, but I will go into further detail for those of you who spend more time grooving and less time watching stupid science fiction shows.
There are some episodes of a sci-fi show called “Star Trek – The Next Generation” that introduce a species of robotically enhanced humanoids called the Borg. It is the sole purpose of the Borg to assimilate every single human into its cube-like community.
The good people of the Federation (a universe-wide alliance of people) fight desperately to prevent their assimilation by this very formidable foe and in the end are able to scare it off. However, the threat of return by the highly intelligent and ever-evolving Borg constantly looms large and humans across the universe fear that one day they will be converted into a robot that is void of feelings and conscience.
Likewise, I fear that Guyana is being assimilated. Not by the Borg, but by a force just as cold and heartless. It seems as if one by one the people of Guyana are becoming acclimated to a brutal climate of murder, corruption and crime.
This devastating atmosphere is far more dangerous than any alien invasion because the destructive force is coming from within the nation in such a gradual process that it feels natural and few realise there is cause for alarm. If some alien spaceship landed in the middle of Georgetown today, every single Guyanese would fight tooth and nail to keep from being taken as a prisoner. This is not so with the force that is now assimilating the nation.
The enemy that is wreaking havoc on the nation’s morals lives next door or down the street. The enemy might even be in the mirror. Guyana has long lived with corrupt leaders – and that distorted leadership is now taking the rest of the nation down too.
When a dire situation forces the people of a nation have to violate their conscience to survive, it is truly a sad thing. However, when that situation continues for weeks, months, years and decades, desperation begins to set in and the conscience acclimates to the new environment – no matter how ghastly the circumstances.
I had someone tell me that the very next day after that horrid shootout in Agricola last month, life went on as usual. This tells me that Guyana is just as acclimated to such violence as war zones like Iraq.
The tragedy in all of this is that since this alien force of murder has slowly assimilated the people, there was no public outcry against such brazen behaviour. There was very little said about the lack of protection from the state and it is almost as if the entire episode has been forgotten even though justice has not been served on those murderers.
There are some things in life for which we should fight – like for life itself. However, it seems Guyana has resigned itself to this environment of murder, corruption and crime. Do you ever stop to wonder how the nation became acclimated to this type of atmosphere? Moreover, do you want your children to live in a country that accepts murder as a way of daily life?
The ironic part of this assimilation is that Guyana is such a religious country. I cannot help but wonder how these forces of evil took over the better senses of a godly people. How long will it be before the people start to wake up and realise they have been assimilated by an alien force of destruction?
We can only hope Guyana is able to react more quickly than the proverbial frog in a pot of slowly boiling water. The frog is being cooked and he doesn’t even know because the temperature is changing so slowly that he is adjusting to the incremental increases. He could easily jump out, but he doesn’t realise he is in mortal danger.
Will the people of Guyana realise they need to take some drastic action before it is too late? Or will they just keep adjusting to the incremental increases of murder, crime and corruption? One thing is for sure - Guyana is definitely in a pot of boiling water.
Email: Stellasays[at]gmail.com
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