I do however call a spade a spade when I see a spade.
The PNCR is nothing but a terror group.

It never won free fair and transparent elections and it will never win one.

All the PNCR does is hold frivolous protest marches and threatens the nation when it does not get its way.

It terrorised Guyanese from 1964 to 1992 when it ruled Guyana and Guyanese illegally.

PNC got booted out of office in 1992 for bankrupting the country and now it continues to terrorise this nation.

Karen Jack, I ask you who said these words: "slo fyah and mo fyah"? Your PNCR.

Karen Jack, I ask you who said these words? "Make this country ungovernable"? Your PNCR.

Karen Jack, I ask you who draped dead criminal Blackie in Guyana’s flag? Your PNCR.

Karen Jack, I ask you who said there are no criminals in Buxton? Your PNCR.

Karen Jack, I now ask you who said he is in receipt of information that Government removed police officers after they refused to shoot PNCR demonstrators? Your PNCR leader.

Karen Jack, I now ask you if protesters did not breach the law when they broke through barriers to march in routes for which they were not permitted?

Karen Jack, I stand correct when I say you nor anyone else could show proof of African Guyanese marginalisation by the ruling Government.

You Karen Jack, like the others are only crying African Guyanese marginalisation because the President of Guyana is not an African Guyanese.

Karen Jack, this should be subjective enough for you now?
I am also happy to have enlightened you.
T. KING
======================
The police exercised restraint
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana has a multi-party political system based on proportional representation. Citizens elect an executive president and a 65-member unicameral parliament.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are under effective civilian control. I cannot see how anyone within the government would instruct policemen to shoot into a crowd indiscriminately. The Guyana Police Force has categorically denied that its ranks were instructed to shoot protesters organised by the opposition PNCR.

The PNCR and its protesters pushed down barriers and proceeded unlawfully along routes not approved by the force. There were instructions given to the PNCR that barriers are not to be breached and that the marches are kept in the approved routes. The force has a policy where they will use the rules of engagement if the crowd becomes hostile.

The government generally respects the human rights of its citizens. That is why the PNCR was given approval to demonstrate on the streets of Georgetown.

The Guyana Police Force includes a basic human rights course in its recruit/training programme. The GHRA has presented the police force with a human rights training manual: Human Rights in policing.

The police acted with great restraint when the protesters broke down the barriers around Parliament square. It consistently and regularly appealed to the protesters to be calm and they did not retaliate to the hostile situation.

The PNCR is not protesting the high cost of living. They have a political agenda to "shut down the government" and make the country "ungovernable". The intention of the PNCR and its protesters was to arouse anger and provoke retaliation against the police.

Today more and more Afro-Guyanese middle class people understand that the current hike in food prices is an international problem, and would not be misled by the PNCR.
MOHAMED KHAN
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PNCR putting up smokescreens
It really does not come as a surprise to me that the PNCR is telling people that the PPP/C ordered the police to open fire on its supporters.

If I were a PNCR strongman, I too, may be throwing up smokescreens after the Government decided to conduct polygraph tests as I would be concerned that these polygraph tests would be used on politicians.

I cannot wait until the PPP/C authorises the polygraphing of politicians and civil society to find out who are in bed with the drugs barons, stealing tax payers’ monies and are in bed with the gunmen that have been terrorising Guyanese as dictated by the PNC X13 plan.

Of course there will be a lot of shouting and screaming. It is basically to prevent the use of polygraph equipment on politicians.

I am asking the PPP Government to submit to polygraph testing to discredit the claim that the Government is in bed with drugs barons, stealing taxpayers monies and are using gunmen to terrorise people.

Then I am going to ask that these polygraph tests be conducted on some of our seasoned politicians.

They have a choice in whether to face to polygraph or not. They could run or they could stand their grounds.

Looks as if they chose to stand their ground and create smokescreens.
SEAN ADAMS/SEAN BRIGNANDAN
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Polygraph testing a good start
Since President Jagdeo announced that a polygraph test will be used to enhance transparency in the customs department by putting the CANU officers under the lie detector test, I have noticed that people have been ‘shooting down’ the idea.

Don’t we all want transparency and if this will help why not support the idea?

Some may argue that this evidence cannot be admissible in court. Whether or not it is, it has been a proven method of lie detection, and for that reason alone it will assist the organisation with its transparency issues.

Various television shows and government organisations abroad use this method to determine whether a person is telling the truth or not and in most cases it seemed to have worked correctly.

So why is it that it should be deemed as unfit or inefficient to be used in Guyana to help solve this situation?

This is a clear indicator that the Government has recognised that there is a deficiency in the organisation and is putting measures in place to combat it.

However, it is quite destructive of people to ‘shoot down’ an idea before it has even been tried. What is recommended is that they put forward suggestions as to how they think the problem can be solved.
FAREEDA KARIM
===================
Stop complaining and grow more food
Thanks to the PPP/C for restoring democracy in Guyana, even though they were attacked on television and illegal protesting rally by the very regime that banned freedom of expressions, least we forget.

Some inconsiderate people even burning effigy of the President. Love live PPP/C Democracy! A far cry from what the PNC ever gave to the Guyanese people.

This time the government is being blasted for the increase in high food price.

The opposition leader of Guyana, Mr. Corbin, loves to take to the streets with his proud supporters and do what they do best, trying to undermine the good spirited citizen of this country by fanning disunity amongst the people and spread rumors against the ruling administration.

The PNC we all know too well loves to spread lies. I wonder who Mr. Corbin is fooling. Intelligent people know that the price increases in Guyana also affected billions of people worldwide. No other Caribbean country received price relief like the Guyana Government gave to the Guyanese people.

So how does Corbin justify his boycott of the national assembly to conduct march and demonstrations?

The government must be commended for such a humanitarian gesture in the ongoing price relief effort for the vulnerable communities.

Last week the Jagdeo administration increased wages and subsidizes fuel flour and rice prices. This was a welcome move to cushion the effects of high prices.

Yes, I agree the cost of living in Guyana is rising, but so too in the world.

I live in Canada. During the last few months, Canadians saw an increase of wheat flour and rice by as much as two hundred percent and still rising.

Everyday the price of crude surges and this trend, according to economists, will continue for a foreseeable period.

Here in North America we have to bite the bullet and pay whatever prices we encounter at the supermarkets. No government in these rich countries will subsidize the inflated prices we pay for food items.

So why is it that a certain section of the Guyanese population keep complaining? I think it is much too easy in Guyana. So many letter writers in this column have expressed gratitude for the growth of this nation ever since this administration took office. Guyanese should be proud to see that a country that was once so under developed is once again making a comeback with great strides.

Let me make one simple important point. Guyanese could either choose to keep on blaming the government that is doing so much to help or get their tools in hand and look at being self sufficient with foods. A choice many don’t have in other countries. Flour and Rice can be less demanding with an abundance of locally grown food.
Stop complaining and grow more food .What’s stopping you?
AYUBE KHAN
Toronto Canada
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Important feast for Christians
Sunday, May 4, 2008, marked a very important feast on the Christian liturgical year of the mainline Churches across the world, especially that of Roman Catholics and Anglicans. It was the feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, and at the so-called ‘cathedral’ of New Amsterdam the Catholic Church of the Ascension, dozens of parishioners gathered with their bishop, priest and each other to renew their commitments as a Christian community within the context of some very trying times in Guyana.

According to Roman Catholic tradition, which goes back to 2,000 years, this most special Feast of the Ascension of the Lord is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning that Catholics are required by right to attend Masses that are said on this day. The common understanding of the Roman Catholic Church is that Jesus, the Christ, ascended bodily into heaven before the presence of His apostles, forty days after He rose from the dead. So it is a very special feast in that it marked the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and His return to the Father and it is this feast that the Church of the Ascension has gotten its name from since its establishment in the 1800’s.

Parishioners sang hymns praising God, mixed and socialised with one another, and renewed their covenant as to who they really are within the economy of salvation. On Sunday, May 4, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Georgetown, His Lordship Francis Alleyene, OSB spent the entire day with the Ascension community as he took time out to do so even after a hectic trip to Rome to meet with the Holy Father along with his brother bishops of the Caribbean last month.

Parishioners gathered in the Catholic Pastoral Centre, and were divided into groups of four, each faced with a question that they had to ponder upon and deliver answers towards. One of the questions was: What do you dream of becoming a reality within your parish in the future? Parishioners sat and talked and discussed with each other possible ways forward—ways of how they could enhance the life experienced by parishioners within the parish community. After discussing in the little cell groups, they gathered back together to report on their deliberations. They were listened to and their ideas were taken into full consideration.

At around 11:00am, they gathered in the Church building for the Solemn Mass of the Ascension of the Lord. Bishop Francis was the chief celebrant while Monsignor Terrance Montrose concelebrated with him.

But it was a day based on two-fold celebration. It was the annual feast day of the parish, but it was more than that. The new parish priest of the Church of the Ascension was to be installed by Bishop Francis during the celebration of the Mass.

After being without a priest for nearly a year, the Ascension community was overjoyed last Palm Sunday at the arrival of their newest parish priest, Guyanese Monsignor Terrance Montrose, who was former parish priest of the Church of the Annunciation at Malgre Tout in Demerara.

During the Mass, Bishop Francis allowed Fr Monty, as he is popularly called, to renew the vows he made at his priestly ordination. After doing so, Bishop Francis read the Letter of Appointment of Msgr. Montrose and then he accompanied the newly-installed priest of the Ascension parish to make several punctuated stops at various parts of the sanctuary, as is customary at every installation. Under Roman Catholic tradition, it is customary that a newly- installed parish priest incense the various parts of the sanctuary where he will celebrate the Sacraments of holy mother Church during his ministry in that parish. Msgr. Montrose incensed the Confessional where he would listen to Confessions, the Tabernacle which contains the consecrated precious Body of our Lord, and the lectern where the Gospel will be proclaimed. At exactly midday that day he tolled the bells of the Church which signalled the beginning of his ministry within that parish community.

It was after this that the Monsignor was given a loud applause by the community gathered in the house of God.

One of the more notable points that came out of the day’s deliberations among parishioners was that the parish needs to do more for the community in terms of arranging persons with skills to counsel affected persons in and out of the parish. Other points that emerged from the discussions were establishing a Catholic school in the area, more participation of parishioners with singing during the Mass, visiting the sick and the shut-in of the parish, and building more sports facilities for youths in and out of the parish community.

During the Easter cycle there are many notable celebrations within the Church’s liturgical calendar that begins with the Ascension of the Lord. Other upcoming feasts include the Feast of Pentecost or Pentecost Sunday, Feast of the most holy Trinity and The Feast of Corpus Christi (The most precious Body and Blood of Christ). After these celebrations, the Church enters the Ordinary period.

The parish, for quite some time now, has been using its feast day celebrations for mainly renewing the call of the parishioners and to reawaken the Spirit’s work within that parish community.
LEON J SUSERAN
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Corbin must produce information
Opposition leader, Robert Corbin, says he was in receipt of reliable information that the two senior Police officers were transferred because they refused to shoot demonstrators.

Since you have proof and evidence that the PPP/C has ordered the shooting to create chaos then let the media print it for all the world to see and read.

If Government is involved then trash it out and take legal action against the Government and do not threaten the citizens of the country.

Why should there be anarchy, grave consequences, serious repercussion for peace and stability of this nation as you say?

Tell the nation why all the above mentioned will happen if the PPP/C gave orders to shoot demonstrators?

Sure, you, I and many will agree that if the police and or security officers refuse to protect citizens of any country then they ought to be removed.

Corbin, you must be reminded that the police and security officers are being paid by tax payers for their sole protection.

Corbin, you must be reminded that you too are being paid by tax payers of this country.

You too have the right to help in the protection of this country's citizens.

Corbin, you ought to be reminded that Government has the right to remove and sometimes jail police officers for refusing to protect citizens.

Any democratically elected government is mandated to first and foremost protecting its citizens. Corbin would you not agree?

So why cry for criminal elements if police shoot and kill them?

Tell us Mr. Opposition Leader why would you cry for criminal elements if they are not your own.
T. KING