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EDITORIAL

The Baldeo Affair

By GODFREY WRAY

The uproar over statements allegedly uttered by Queens lawyer-politician Albert Baldeo characterizing the Guyanese suspects in the JFK International Airport terror plot as ‘Afro-Guyanese’ with no connection to East Indians living in Queens, seemed to be headed for an agreeable melt-down two Friday nights ago. Baldeo had faced his accusers – executive members of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy –and had made out a strong case that he had been misquoted by two newspapers. He agreed to compose a statement, that once acceptable to CGID, would be released to the press.

CREATING AN IMPACT

The PNC’s Leadership Race

During this year’s Congress of the People’s National Congress, it is projected that there is going to be a contest for the leadership of the party. It has already been announced that Mr. Vincent Alexander is going to challenge the present leader, Mr. Robert Corbin for the leadership position. I should have addressed this topic some time ago, but for the past three (3) issues, I have been locked in conversation and intellectual intercourse with Mr./Ms. Sex . . . However, I was not sitting, idly by, I have been following the discourses and analyses/commentaries on this issue, and now I am ready to do my piece on the PNC’s leadership rivalry.

THINGS THAT BOTHER ME

IT’S NOT A MATTER OF FACT

By HANDEL ANDREWS

This week I’m not going to criticize America’s failed Iraq policy or Dick Cheney’s contempt for a powerless Congress. Yes, believe it or not, I’m bothered that journalists are getting away with the most outrageous and racist statements imaginable. The sad thing is that their absurdities are fuelled by the public’s thirst for more and more of their irresponsible behavior. The other day I said to a friend, "Man, been there, done that." He looked into my eyes smilingly and asked, "Where you been? That’s tired and old, man. We got new words for the same idea." So much with my keeping up with American jargon! I got to thinking about how we discern every change in language, such as "telephony" and no more "telephone", and "inquiry" and not "enquiry." We are good with knowing what lapel size is in, and which is out. The ladies definitely know what color is in for the summer and which ones are not. Oh yes, we are very good with these things.

THE BASIL SPRINGER COLUMN

ENGAGE THE WORLD

"Then the LORD said: I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you" - Exodus 34:10.

Last week Chairman Peter Boos conveyed, in his welcome remarks at a Strategic Planning Retreat of the new entity Invest Barbados at the Hilton Hotel that the architects have completed their plans and the foundation stone has been laid. With divine inspiration, the engineers and builders must now get on with the job of building a movement and thrusting it forward. Invest Barbados will engage and challenge the people of Barbados to do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. Invest Barbados must Engage the World.

THE GEORGETOWN DIARY

That Caribbean Conference

It has always been strange and intriguing to me that the American Press have never recognized the contributions made by West Indians to the development of that society. Strange considering that from Alexander Hamilton to Shirley Chisolm the imprint of West Indians is so visible on so many developments in that country that they cannot be denied or ignored. Marcus Garvey launched one of the most successful movements of the 20th Century and it made an indelible impact on America and the rest of the world. The Harlem Renaissance benefited from the genius of Claude Mc Kay. The examples can be multiplied especially if the searching light of enquiry is made to focus on the academic community. We have been there and we have done much.

The Maurice Bishop Murder Case Of Revenge, Justice And Politics

Let nobody tell you different. The issue of the death penalty, life imprisonment and balancing the scales of justice depends on the prevailing political winds. In especially controversial cases involving high-profile people in explosive contentious circumstances the lines between revenge, justice and political opportunism become blurred as directly and indirectly affected segments of the populace stake out their positions.

In the case of the Maurice Bishop murder case all the ingredients for revenge, justice, or lack of it, and the corrupting influence of politics are present. Let me say from the onset that the extrajudicial murder of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was and is a heinous crime that should and must be punished. He was never tried and convicted of a crime; never allowed the judicial luxuries that those accused of his murder have received and never got a chance to defend himself or refute any and all charges against him – if there ever were these charges.

PLUG INTO ENERGY

Guyana considers Bio-fuels and Hydro Power

This column provides insight to Energy Issues and how they affect the Caribbean, Central & South American Diasporas. It’s not an endorsement of any Energy Policies or Political Edict. ~ Columnist Disclaimer

Guyana could become a net exporter of power for the first time as developments at the Turtruba Falls (also known also as Marshall Falls) hydropower project be-gin to move in a positive direction. Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Joseph O’Lall made this announcement at a recent news conference. Turtuba Falls, located in the Mazaruni River, is a 35-minute drive from Bartica. The Trinidad company undertaking the project is ENMAN Services Limited, having signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Guyana back in 2001 to develop a hydropower plant, a high voltage transmission line to Brazil and an aluminum smelter.

IN DEPTH

The Vivian Williams Column

THAT DANGEROUS MINDSET REVISITED: GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN CABLE TV STATIONS

In recent months the Guyana government has taken steps that confirm its lack of understanding of the basis of broadcast regulation, and the scope of the constitutional right to free speech. The Government issued threats to persons broadcasting on the internet and then proceeded to shut down cable television operators across the country. A difficulty arises because the government is NOT distinguishing the various forms of broadcasting. Instead, it treats all forms of broadcast the same way and seeks to apply across-the-board regulation for over-the-air broadcasting, cable broadcasting, and new media such as the internet. This is the language contained in the proposed broadcast legislation, a fundamentally flawed piece of legislation.

IMPACT ON CARIBBEAN LITERATURE

The Roslyn Khan Column

THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF CARIBBEAN LITERATURE ANGLOPHONE POETRY

DUB POETRY (II):

In our previous article, we noted that practitioners of dub are not thought of as being restricted exclusively to that mode. We also observed that dub is continuous with all the varieties of orality and Creole usage that have characterized a lot of Anglophone poetry sine the 1970s. We readily agree with Baugh’s suggestion that all these varieties may be included under the term "performance poetry." When we think of performance poetry, we immediately remember our very own Marc Matthews and Ken Corsbie who were among the earliest practitioners of this type of poetry and who referred to themselves first as "Dem Two" staging memorable performances throughout Guyana and the Caribbean. They later became "ALL a We" when Henry Mootoo joined them. We would also remember John Agard, also Guyanese as well as the Trinidadians, Faustin Charles and Malik.

‘Favoured Son’ Status for Powell Diminished by his Perfidy at the U.N.

June 2007 marks the first anniversary of National Caribbean Heritage month, so designated by President Bush in June 2006, giving recognition to the many contributions Caribbean Americans have made to their adoptive country, America. The Institute for Caribbean Studies (ICS) founder Clair Nelson, a proud and accomplished Jamaican American herself, was instrumental in rallying the relevant forces to make this happen. She is fond of showcasing prominent Caribbean Americans on the ICS website like Colin Powell, Sydney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, to pinpoint a few. I would agree with all those choices; Belafonte for his tireless advocacy for civil rights for Black Americans, Poitier who blazed the trail and demanded respectable roles for Blacks in Hollywood, and; Colin Powell for his ascension to the ranks of Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State, a condition without parallel for a Black man in the history of America.

I CALL IT AS I SEE IT

The Ian Williams Column

In response to a news story, Tony Snow, Bush’s spokesman, denied that Tony Blair was being considered for a position of special representative for the Middle East quartet. So, based on Snow’s record for obscuring issues, it must be true. It would be the final epitaph for a quartet that has already proven to be a quadruple diplomatic paraplegic. To be fair, Blair does realize the primacy of the Israel-Palestinian issue for peace in the region. It is indeed the blockage in the regional U-bend that needs clearing before any other issues there can be seriously addressed. But knowing what the problem is, does not translate into knowing the solution, let alone being the solution. He has tried to tell George W. Bush this repeatedly - but with clearly limited success.