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The Guyanese Machiavelli Oct 17, 2024 Peeping Tom Hard Truths by GHK Lall… Kaieteur News – Some may call what Vice President Bharat Jagdeo does for a living by different names, but they all amount to the same thing.  The first is manipulation, the second is Machiavellian, the third is mastery of men, some men crass enough and craven enough to fall under his guiles, his dubious charms.  Remember something throughout this offering: the three fundamentals of manipulation are usually present in the Big Boss’s manoeuvres around the panting for a place in his firmament.  Jagdeo’s three fundamentals of manipulating weak men follow this pattern: invite, incentivize, then incarcerate.  A second standard in the PPP General Secretary’s and national chief policymaker’s approach is that he places the highest premium on total loyalty, blind loyalty.  In Jagdeo’s book of political wisdom, loyalty comes out ahead of ability every day in the month.  Better still for Barry, the Guyanese Machiavelli, and worse yet for those who fall prey to his lures, the Big Man in Guyana is in the market for something of a special kind: he desires more than rank obedience. Jagdeo demands total subservience from those who collect his favours.  He wants them to fawn over him, grin and grovel and bear under his boot, and brownnose his person to his heart’s content.  It is how he controls them, humiliates them, binds them to him. Take one test case, that of someone who allowed his ambitions to get the better of his head.  Jagdeo dangled a carrot, a prize that veteran comrades hungered for, would give a certain, ah, private part of their anatomy for, only for him to arrange the grandest of promotions to one who fell hook, line, and sinker for all that should have represented supreme standing, and no less in the power equation.  It has turned out to be one hell of a poison chalice: cutting ribbons, bagging garbage, throwing weight around, but all the time consenting to be held and yanked around on the shortest of short strings.  It takes a tough stomach to absorb such embarrassments in full public view.  The invitation that had the incentive of a great, big, powerful title, turned out to be nothing more than a hollowed-out goldmine long past its last pennyweight of metal.  Thus: invitation has turned out to be the trick and treat of Halloween; it is October, so there goes.  What was once seen and held as such a glittering incentive has now mutated into the gleaming steel bars of an office that is a jail.  The incentive of high office degraded to imprisonment.  There are those who can speak fluently, but only when Jagdeo allows them to, or he is not around, or doesn’t care how they make a spectacle of themselves.  It is an integral aspect of his secret self-satisfaction: good man, good choice, good job. Take test case number two.  Where are the men and women of high ability, of singular prowess, who are in the former president’s inner circle?  When anyone can identify such a Guyanese (or any foreigner recruited for some nefarious duty), they know the address to which to send the memo.  There are no men and women of proven or unique ability around the chief policymaker.  Study them carefully, and what becomes apparent is that he is pleased to be surrounded by an assortment of mostly poolroom sharks, cardsharps, and down-to-their last-dollar characters.  Many of them have two common characteristics: they are weighed down by their baggage and driven to their knees by insatiable greed.  For cash.  For a place in the sun.  For some favour or two.  A beggar reduced to the impotency of a dependent cannot be a chooser.  Obedience is the word and the cost of Jagdeo’s gifts that he lavishes on them; after all, those are not coming out of his pocket, but from the purse of the public, so he could be generous.  Complete obedience is a pleasing start, but it still lacks a vital ingredient.  What the Big Man, who is now the king of Freedom House, and was once (and still is) the reigning monarch of State House, wants is the absolute of crawling on the belly, choking on their spittle, subservience.  As the towering Yankees striding over Guyana say, there is no free lunch.  No sirree!  Incidentally, that bit about swaggering Yankees is from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, and it is free. It is a hell of a long drop for those with advanced degrees, special training in words and numbers.  But there are those who would sell their soul for a scent of the intoxicating nectar of being close to power.  The Vice President knows that, and he gets them just where he wants them.  In the palm of his hand at his beck and call.  And under his heel, when he wants to suffocate them, or squish them, senseless to remind them who is the boss, and to whom they owe their continued existence in the good life.  When a man surrenders everything, so that he can collect some cheap trophies of arriving and standing, then the Guyanese Machiavelli has conquered again.  Welcome to my parlour, said the spider to the fly or the snake to the ready and willing prey. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)   Related Similar Articles

GBA thanks People Republic of China, Deputy Chief of Commission following donation  Oct 17, 2024 Sports Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) sent heartfelt gratitude to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and its Deputy Chief of Commission, Huang Rui. Mr. Huang Rui, Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana,  presenting the shuttlecocks to Ms. Priyanna Ramdhani, along with other players of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA). Mr. Rui, Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission, was lauded by the local badminton fraternity following the generous donation of both feather and plastic shuttlecocks to the GBA. The timely donation will add to the GBA’s ongoing, countrywide program which is geared towards teaching the fundamentals of the sport to students and teachers alike, while focusing heavily on coaching as well as advanced aspects of badminton. Priyanna Ramdhani, Guyana’s leading senior female player and one of the key components of the GBA’s endeavors, thanked Mr. Rui and the Chinese Government for their invaluable support towards the development of badminton in Guyana. The donation, according to the GBA, will contribute significantly to the growth of Badminton across all levels in Guyana, as the sport remains on an upward trajectory heading into the New Year.   Related Similar Articles

Guyanese Entrepreneur Nola Rodney Launches Mental Health Initiative for Diaspora in New York  Oct 17, 2024 News NEW YORK—Nola Rodney, a Guyanese-born US-based entrepreneur and owner of Waterfall Lounge Bar & Grill in New York, has launched a mental health initiative to support the Guyanese diaspora. Speaking to local media, Rodney shared her passion for community service and revealed plans for her “Mental Care” program, which will begin before the end of the year. U.S.-based Guyanese entrepreneur Nola Rodney owns Waterfall Lounge Bar & Grill. Born and raised in the small village of Soesdyke Linden, Rodney emphasized her deep connection to her roots and her commitment to addressing the diaspora’s critical issues, particularly mental health. “One of the things statistics show is that Caribbean people have a way of not tapping in when they’re having emotional or mental health disturbances or issues,” Rodney said. The initiative aims to create a safe, relaxed environment where community members can seek support without stigma. The program is free and open to the public, with Rodney emphasizing the importance of accessibility, especially in underserved communities. “We are always open to more resources, but we already have donors in the community supporting us,” she added. In addition to her mental health project, Rodney is preparing to launch workshops on tech and digital literacy, followed by financial literacy programs. These initiatives, she says, are vital to helping the community keep pace with technological advancements and economic changes. Visit Waterfall Lounge Bar & Grill at 4703 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203. The businesswoman also discussed her family’s legacy of community service. Her mother, Doris Rodney, is known for her generosity and community activism. She continues this legacy by creating structured programs that provide ongoing support to Guyanese in the diaspora. Reflecting on her long-term vision, Rodney stated, “My goal is always to create a pipeline back home,” noting that her initiatives will eventually expand to Guyana. She emphasized the importance of addressing mental health in the Caribbean context, where issues like trauma and PTSD often go undiagnosed. She has already received support from President Irfaan Ali, who she recently hosted at Waterfall Lounge Bar & Grill, where she shared her plans. Rodney remains focused on building partnerships to amplify her efforts in the U.S. and Guyana, and she welcomes further community involvement or collaboration. “At the end of the day, my focus is on the solutions and doing the work,” Rodney said. “No matter what you’re doing, even if it’s good, you’ll have someone on the opposing side. But I’m excited to be on the side focusing on positive change.” Rodney’s mental health initiative, along with her upcoming programs in tech and finance, promise to be a valuable resource for Guyanese in New York. To support Rodney’s initiatives, person can contact her via email at [email protected]. Related Similar Articles

Excitement brewing ahead of CAC body building c/ships Oct 17, 2024 Sports Kaieteur Sports – Front lateral spreads, back double biceps, side chest, front lateral spreads are some of the phrases the audience will hear being bellowed to the behemoths of Central America & the Caribbean when they take the stage to display their chiselled bodies this weekend to compete in one of the Region’s premier Body Building & Fitness Championships, at the National Cultural Centre (NCC). Rawle Green Over 250 athletes representing 20 countries will be vying for top honours in both the body building and physique categories. Coming hot off the heels of the just concluded Mr. Olympia where Nigerian-born Samson Dauda, who now represents the United Kingdom, the sport worldwide is enjoying unprecedented highlight and Guyana and the CAC Body, rightfully, would want to exploit such exposure. The championships will reveal who has incorporated the ingredients necessary to dominate their rivals. It is well known that the athletes who took no short cuts, did not take the easy path and demonstrated the level of consistency, laser focus, discipline, and passion are usually the ones that come out victorious. Sylvon Gardner Host Guyana has named a strong squad to represent the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ and it includes: Selwyn Grogan (Masters Under 75KG, Sylvon Gardner (Masters Under-70KG), Orlanzo Valenzuela (U-65KG), Daniel Lutchman (U-70KG), Delrae McLean (Masters-U-75KG), Christopher Anthony (Masters U-75KG), Seon Budhan (U-65KG), Julio Sinclair (Over 100KG), Marley Vyphuis ( Men’s Physique 186cm), Kewsie Anderson (Men’s Physique 186cm & Physique Mass), Roger Callender (U-60KG), Yusuf Khan (Physique 172cm), Antowyn Bayley (Men’s Physique 176cm), Sachin Sharma (Men’s Physique 170cm), Jamal Pollydore (Men’s Physique 176cm), Emmerson Campbell (Men’s Physique 170cm), Renaldo Caldeira (Men’s Physique 170cm), Hannah Rampersaud (Junior Wellness), Melitha Fernandes-Anderson (Women Wellness under 158), Christine Ramsammy (Bikini Under 169), Sabita Stephenson (Bikini Under 165), Joel Caldeira ( Bodybuilding under 65kg), Vanisha Munroe (Women’s Wellness under 160), Aliya Wong (Women’s Wellness under 158) and Rawle Green (Masters Bodybuilding Under 90kg). Meanwhile, the Guyana Body Building & Fitness Federation has planned its official Press Conference for today at 11:00hrs at the NCC. Related Similar Articles

BCB/Dr. Dukki U15 quarters finals set for this weekend  Oct 17, 2024 Sports – Ivan Madray T20 to bowl off Oct. 19 Kaieteur Sports – The quarter-finals of the BCB/Dr. Dukki U-15 will bowl off across venues in Berbice, this coming weekend. Games will be played under strict codes, with the use of Red balls and white uniform for players being a part of the tournament’s professional identity. At the Cotton Tree ground on the West Coast of Berbice, Cotton Tree Die Hard will host Albion Community Centre CC from 9:30h. Sunday’s game between Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club and Achievers will be hosted at the Bananen Land Ground or the Jaihind Cricket Ground; with confirmation to be made soon. Also slated for Saturday October 19, RHTYSC B will host the Rose Hall Community Centre from Canje when the BCB/Quality Deliver U-17 semi-finals bowl off. Following that encounter, the victorious team will move on to the finals where they face Albion Community Centre. Also, the BCB will be seeing additional action this Saturday October 19, as the Ivan Madray T20 knock-out 1st division competition will bowl off. The RBL Inter-Secondary Schools tournament will restart shortly after inter house sports, Upper and Lower Corentyne zones are almost completed. The Premier T20 cup final is scheduled to bowl off from 27th October, with the Orvin Mangru Contracting Company set to sponsor a few competitions, including an U15 tournament slated for November. Related Similar Articles

‘Champion of Champions’ Futsal off to exciting start Oct 17, 2024 Sports Back Circle and Bent Street A, Gold is Money, North East among winners… Part of the action between Back Circle A and Bent Street B in the ‘Champion of Champions’ Futsal competition. Kaieteur Sports – The inaugural edition of the “Champion of Champions” Futsal competition got underway on Tuesday evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, with North East La Penitence, Back Circle A, Gold is Money, and Bent Street A all securing wins. Teams are vying for the chance to walk away with up to $2 million in cash and prizes, and the opening night set the stage with a mix of decisive victories and close encounters. North East La Penitence made a powerful statement in the tournament opener, overwhelming Street Vybz 4-0. Kelvin Moore led the charge with goals in the 8th and 10th minutes, while Lennox Cort and Samuel Hunte added strikes in the 5th and 18th minutes, respectively. Back Circle A followed with a 3-1 triumph over Bent Street B. Simeon Moore netted twice in the 15th and 18th minutes, while Amos Ramsay and Bevney Marks each scored in the 14th and 16th minutes. Bent Street B’s Daniel Ross managed a consolation goal in the 3rd minute. In a closely contested match, Gold is Money edged Laing Avenue 2-1. Andrew Murray and Stephon Jupiter found the net in the 6th and 9th minutes for the victors, while Yohance Scott scored in the 5th minute for Laing Avenue. The night’s final match saw Bent Street A claim a narrow 1-0 win over Z-Tekk Family, with Pernell Schultz scoring the decisive goal in the 3rd minute. The action continues this Saturday with another round of exciting matchups at the same venue. Highlights include Back Circle B versus Team Cruel at 19:00, Mocha facing Z-Tekk Family, and a clash between North East La Penitence and Bent Street B. The evening will culminate with Sparta Boss taking on North Ruimveldt at 22:00, followed by Bent Street A’s matchup against Stabroek Ballers in the final match of the night.   Related Similar Articles

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The government sealed a 6.8 million dollar contract for the construction of a new clinic in Mangrove Cay, Andros on Wednesday....