Patriotism, a term bandied about by PPP, is without their foundational understanding of its semantic. For the reality is, Afro-Guyanese are burdened with many atrocities, yet are expected not to raise any grievances. Nonetheless, we have raised incalculable grievances, but they were disdainfully dismissed, even as PPP instructed us to produce the evidence. And when the evidence was voluminously presented, they too were summarily dismissed as non-evidence, without a cursory examination. So, it’s in this context, APNU+AFC travelled to Washington DC, to take their concerns external. And now that they have taken their concerns external, having been disparagingly ignored internally, none other than the Prime Token Mark Phillips, is to contemptuously describe their actions as unpatriotic.
However, of such contemptuous comments, this is what we recall—During the 2020 elections impasse, the PPP canvased far and wide, for the APNU+AFC leaders to be sanctioned. Weren’t they unpatriotic? For we can recall the actions of Mike Pompeo, the former US Secretary of State, threatening sanctions against the Granger Government, at the behest of PPP. Weren’t they unpatriotic? Further, we can recall the Carter Centre inserting themselves into our internal affairs, at the behest of PPP. Weren’t they unpatriotic? As a matter of fact, the OAS also had their say during our election impasse, at the behest of PPP. Weren’t they unpatriotic? In fact, the ABC&E Ambassadors inserted themselves, deeper than a colonoscope, into our election affairs, at the behest of PPP. Weren’t they unpatriotic?
For patriotism speaks to love of country, which must be reflected in the love of its people. That said, Mark Phillips was silent when Quinton Bacchus was extrajudicially killed. Wasn’t that unsympathetic? Further he was silent when Orin Boston was extrajudicially killed. Wasn’t that unsympathetic? Then he was silent when Sherwin Filley was extrajudicially killed. Wasn’t that unsympathetic? In fact, he went missing in action when the Henry boys were murdered. Wasn’t that unsympathetic? And with the extrajudicial killing of Peter Headley, Mark Phillips couldn’t be seen nor heard. Wasn’t that unsympathetic? Indeed, silent was he, when hundreds were extrajudicially killed. Wasn’t that unsympathetic?
Moreover, Silent was he, when hundreds of Public Servant were fired without due process. Silent was he, when Success was intentionally flooded. Silent was he, when Mocha was bulldozed. Silent was he, when Amalia Ward was made armageddon. Silent was he, when our homes were demolished. Silent was he, when our properties were destroyed. Silent was he, when our plants and livestock were buried. Silent was he, when Afro-Guyanese were wailing.
Then when faced with the evidence of direct discrimination, silent was he. For silent was he, when the predominantly Indian Sugar Industry received preferential treatment, of billions of dollars. Silent was he, when the predominantly Indian farmers received preferential treatment, of billions of dollars. Silent was he, when Indian communities received preferential treatment in roads, contracts, markets etc. Silent and unpatriotic was this Prime Token who has no moral authority to speak on patriotism.
But here is the reality, PPP had multiple warnings on their unpatriotic discriminatory deeds. For Vice President Kamala Harris, articulated unambiguously, the need for inclusivity. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said as much, the need for inclusivity. The American Ambassador to Guyana, articulated the very sentiments, the need for inclusivity. The British High Commissioner to Guyana also voiced the very sentiments, the need for inclusivity. The European Ambassador to Guyana also articulated the very views, the need for inclusivity. But despite many cacophonous voices, articulating the need for inclusivity, PPP went down a dark path of discrimination. A dark unpatriotic path of discrimination against Afro-Guyanese.
Mark’s Take
Thus, none in PPP, including the Prime Token has the moral authority to speak of patriotism. For how could they speak of patriotism, when during our election impasse, they sold our country to the highest bidder, in the name of political power? Weren’t they unpatriotic? Furthermore, with no inclination to renegotiate the lopsided Exxon oil contract—Aren’t they unpatriotic? As a matter of fact, this we do recall, having recently won a court case on Oil Insurance, that would’ve benefited the Nation, PPP chose to appeal in the interest of Exxon. Weren’t they unpatriotic? Then more recently, the reputable British Audit Consultancy, IHS-Markit, advised PPP to dispute US$214 million of Exxon US$1.6 billion expenses. However, most inexplicably, PPP reduced the disputed amount to the benefit of Exxon. That is, it was reduced from US$214 million to US$3 million. Which represents a 99% reduction. Weren’t they unpatriotic? Prime Token Mark Phillips, wasn’t that unpatriotic?
