Boorish Leaders

Non-human?

Jinnah Rahaman, ex-PPP, ex-WPA, ex-JFAP and now evidently ex-APNU, declared he has “broken away from any control of political parties and organisations”. One wonders if Aubrey Norton couldn’t get a sinecure in Parliament, why he’s upset he didn’t? He is a bit full of himself. But in a recent missive to the press, Rahaman exposed Trotman’s opinion of his rotating co-leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan.

Describing himself as a family friend, Rahaman claimed that Trotman was “friendly, kind, approachable and, above all, sincere…” Evidently despairing of his co-leader’s boorishness, Rahaman reveals that Trotman, who obviously modestly agrees with Rahaman’s assessment, “presented (Ramjattan) with a book written by Mahatma Gandhi, which talks about humility and good human qualities at the last AFC annual conference”. Ouch! Ramjattan, Rahaman concludes bluntly, is no Trotman.

Is Trotman saying that his AFC co-leader, who was (is?) president of the Gandhi Youth Organisation, is not seized with Gandhian qualities? We were certainly fooled! We always assumed that Ramjattan’s foaming-at-the-mouth delivery was a congenital defect and never commented because that would have been a low blow. Now we know.

Deficiencies in “good human qualities” are fair game! But could it be that Trotman’s mysterious illnesses (which are cured by position and power) were brought on by exposure to Ramjattan’s lack of “good human qualities”? Now it’s perfectly understandable why Trotman will return to the PNC/ APNU. As its leader, of course – Granger and Bond et al must remember that he’ll have a relapse unless he’s irradiated constantly by power and perks.

Sauce for the Granger

Rahaman, who allows that he has “a class line” and “the progressive intelligentsia in Guyana and internationally”, pleaded, “We must try and save money, reduce the pay of the president and ministers, and cut out all the perks so that the lifestyle of the elected equals that of the masses that they represent.” We wonder why he overlooked the salary and perks of the newly appointed opposition leader? In case he forgot (the progressive intelligentsia has so much to worry about.

According to the bill, “the holder of the office shall be entitled at government expense to rent-free furnished office accommodation; medical attention, including medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him for himself and the dependent members of his family; full-time security service at his official place of residence and at his office to be provided by the Guyana Police Force; the services of a research assistant, an executive assistant/ secretary, a clerical/ office assistant, a chauffeur, a personal security officer, a gardener and two domestic servants; and salary, vacation allowance and parliamentary benefits equivalent to those of a Cabinet minister.” What say you, Rahaman? What’s sauce for the goose should be sauce for the Granger. No?

Boorish Corbin

In the meantime, Trotman, who was beatified by Rahaman (see above; be careful – you might puke) had a few words on the opposition leader’s package when it was passed in Parliament: “We are concerned that there are no caps in the same way that we argued when the bill that was brought in this House for the benefits of former presidents was hotly debated and we called on caps and ceilings to be placed on spending because, Mr Speaker, after all, ours is not an extravagant economy that can afford extravagant spending.” That, of course, was when Robert Corbin was the opposition leader. Trotman and Corbin did not, of course, see eye to eye: Corbin was also very boorish, not Gandhian at all. He would not keel over and allow Trotman to become leader of the PNC. Why say Trotman now that Granger is raking it in?