THE EDITOR: Basdeo Panday decided he would use a political platform to go to town on people who express their views publicly and also to condemn those who are poor and I am surprised that analysts and newspaper editors have not yet rapped his knuckles.
At his last meeting, he chose a national platform to talk about people who write letters. He blasted the newspapers for publishing the letters. This is a man who as Prime Minister would have dismantled the media if he had a chance. Now he is not even an MP and he is hitting at the heart of people’s right to express their views publicly and also the right of the newspaper to express those views on behalf of people. Is it that Panday would prefer freedom of expression only when it is expression of support for him?
In another part of Panday’s statement, a young man asked a question and Panday actually laughed and told the fellow that he was a floor sweeper at the COP. So what if this fellow sweeps floors? At least the young man has accepted that he must start somewhere, and not take money from a “family friend.”
Did Panday effectively say that unless you have money and do jobs that Panday can be proud of there is no place in the UNC for you? Panday has long used this title of “Grassroot Champion” and now he condemns and mocks and insults the poor who work honest jobs. Panday turned his back on the poor as Prime Minister and now, in his new sleeping arrangements with four political leaders, he has again forgotten. The UNC has no respect for young people, they have no regard for the poor and they have no intention of allowing free speech. People are not allowed to speak freely within the UNC and now, apparently, they don’t want people to speak freely outside of the UNC.
If as a former Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday would use a national platform to condemn freedom of expression, condemn those who express themselves freely and mock and insult the poor for being poor, then it is clear that Panday has completely fallen apart.
I am reminded of an old saying that Panday himself once used on Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj – those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make them mad! I am also reminded of a statement Panday used on Manning – as long as you are Opposition Leader, I will be the Prime Minister. Oh, how quickly the past comes back to haunt those who themselves have become ghosts!
BEVON BAHADOOR
In another part of Panday’s statement, a young man asked a question and Panday actually laughed and told the fellow that he was a floor sweeper at the COP. So what if this fellow sweeps floors? At least the young man has accepted that he must start somewhere, and not take money from a “family friend.”
Did Panday effectively say that unless you have money and do jobs that Panday can be proud of there is no place in the UNC for you? Panday has long used this title of “Grassroot Champion” and now he condemns and mocks and insults the poor who work honest jobs. Panday turned his back on the poor as Prime Minister and now, in his new sleeping arrangements with four political leaders, he has again forgotten. The UNC has no respect for young people, they have no regard for the poor and they have no intention of allowing free speech. People are not allowed to speak freely within the UNC and now, apparently, they don’t want people to speak freely outside of the UNC.
If as a former Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday would use a national platform to condemn freedom of expression, condemn those who express themselves freely and mock and insult the poor for being poor, then it is clear that Panday has completely fallen apart.
I am reminded of an old saying that Panday himself once used on Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj – those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make them mad! I am also reminded of a statement Panday used on Manning – as long as you are Opposition Leader, I will be the Prime Minister. Oh, how quickly the past comes back to haunt those who themselves have become ghosts!
BEVON BAHADOOR
