Dear Editor,
In human history, for some unbelievable reason, we seem to ignore the root causes of a problem. This failure, this recurring weakness has led, over many generations and in every corner of the globe, to brutality, desecration of priceless artifacts, the destruction of cities and with it the wanton slaughter of our fellow human beings, including innocent children with no knowledge of war.
Earlier, we contended that the pen is mightier than the sword, we established institutions such as the League of Nations at the dawn of 1920, but yet ignoring the suffering of millions in WW1 1914-1918, we plunged headlong into another global brutality of 1939-1945, known as WW2.
After the surrender of Germany and Japan the United Nations was established in October 1945, again with the hope of maintaining peace, predicated on the respect for the sovereignty of nation states and the dignity of men, irrespective of race, colour, or creed. For now, I know the contradictions, and the horrors of conflicts in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, in some cases based on ideology, greed, and arrogance.
What happened in Venezuela this January, is instructive. The rational, the reason is that there exists a cartel facilitating the shipment of dangerous drugs to North America, causing much destruction to the society. Like alcohol, tobacco or any substance that causes injury to human beings, if there are no consumers there will be no incentive to produce these pernicious and harmful items.
I recall in the mid-nineteen eighties I engaged senior US officials and contended that a portion of the enormous sums being expended on fast boats, surveillance equipment and penalties on those who facilitate and encourage the use of harmful drugs, if those resources, financial and human, were used to upgrade every educational and training facility from kindergarten to university, over time people will have little interest in consuming cocaine, marijuana, etc.
The upgrade should include every educational institution having an aggressive sports program, cultural program, and from very early teaching our children to treat their bodies with respect, so that they can excel in athletics, football, baseball, and all competitive and non-competitive sporting activity.
In other words, schools should also have a program to teach music, dance, debating, drama, etc, to release the creative genius of our youth. Regular programs of healthy competition among schools, so that young children develop a high regard for their bodies and therefore avoid the use of substances that will reduce the effectiveness of mind and body.
This letter need not go into details, safe to repeat the contention that if there are no consumers, potential producers will have no market, and no incentive to produce.
Such a program requires money and a commitment to lofty ideals and ideas. North America is not short of money and thanks to the kindness of the creator, Guyana has an abundance of wealth that can more than satisfy our small population, with such programs if implemented in a truly non-partisan manner.
As a closing salvo, in spite of the blockade, Cuba attempted similar programs of human development, as proposed above, after the popular 1959 uprising. And I am unaware that the Cuban people have attempted to do harm to anyone else. Therefore, why this proposed assault on Cuba. I pose this question; who next, what next, and for what reason?
Those who seem addicted to war, ignore world history which shows that everywhere citizens are the architects of change. Look across the Atlantic and remember the “Boston Tea Party” which ultimately led to the US declaration of independence of July 1776.
African Slaves decided they had enough, and therefore took things into their own hands in 1763 and again in 1823. This led to the British being forced to free the slaves in the British Commonwealth in 1838. In the US it took the civil war, between the south and the north, for America to accept that slavery was no longer acceptable. More than two decades after slavery was abolished in the British Commonwealth.
I avoid the tedium of reference to popular uprisings, such as Russia in 1917, in the mist of WW1, Hungary 1956, and the adjustment of what was called communism in 1989. I refer to the above to say that people everywhere, in their own way say to governments, enough is enough.
We must be wary of those leaders in Guyana who feel that holding on to the coat-tails of those addicted to war is a solution. To the present Guyana establishment, be reminded that big bad bullies can be beaten.
Finally, since we have lost Stabroek News, I say to those who write and speak to continue writing truth and facts as they are, and we can fill the void by asking friends and concerned citizens to share letters, and ideas in all appropriate ways. In the words of Swiss Philosopher Henri Frederic Amiel “Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.”