Dear Editor, The United States President Barack Obama is dead set on using military strike action against Syrian military installations for the use of chemical weapons two weeks ago and has sought congressional approval for attacking Syria, which has been devastated by two years of civil war. No doubt, those who used chemical weapons must be punished, but military strikes should not be the only way to punish the perpetrators. Toward this end, I support the recommendation made by our government and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to allow the United…
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Guyana govt cannot stop deportations
Dear Editor, I write in reference to the Foreign Ministry’s response relating to the deportation of Mark Isaacs (Stabroek News, August 29) to explain the process of “removal from the U. S.”. Contrary to what deportee Isaacs believes, there is virtually nothing any country can do to prevent a deportation except in the rarest of cases where a prospective deportee was denied due process or a fair trial. The Guyana government could have appealed, begged, pleaded for Isaacs and may indeed had done so and I am certain the government…
Read MoreAt least one foreign language should be compulsory
Dear Editor, In the midst of a few controversies, the University of Guyana (UG) received some good publicity. The good news is that a donation of some 42 Spanish-titled books was made available by the Mexican Embassy to UG, and now officials are exploring the option of making foreign language a compulsory course for students. Not a bad idea, but how about doing so at the school level – the earlier the better. This is because learning a second language has huge benefits. It has been shown that a second…
Read MoreThe importance of parental involvement
Dear Editor, All the fuss about why some students did badly at the last Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations has now descended into an opportunity for political gain. So many from the opposition parties are looking for opportunities to blame everyone, except themselves. Everything in the country now seems to descend into a political blame game. One letter writer recently stated that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C), particularly the Guyana Police Force, was to be blamed for an accident, where a bus toppled and took two lives.…
Read MoreThe Guyana Watch medical team was incredible
Dear Editor, Maybe all of the reports have not been collated as yet, but from what I am gathering, the Guyana Watch medical team did an incredible job during its visit to Guyana that just ended over the weekend. We just have to congratulate all of the members, but we cannot forget the local support base. A big thank you is in order for the Education Ministry, as it allowed for its various schools across the country to be used, together with the Health Ministry, for facilitating the visit. The…
Read MoreUrgent action needed to stop gender-based violence
Dear Editor, In my quest to represent a land that I am very passionate about seeing thrive and reach a place where justice, peace and the rights of all are protected, I writhe with disbelief and anguish at the recent events of gender-based violence that are being perpetuated in our society like an untreated contagious plague. In my role as an ambassador for Guyana, I cannot sit in a corner and remain silent about an issue I have been advocating for endlessly, both nationwide and internationally, in an effort to…
Read MoreHelping those with suicidal tendencies
Dear Editor, I hate the idea that we have poisonous chemicals ‘knocking about’ our homes. I know of people who ingested poison and died. They actually committed suicide by virtue of the fact the poison was available. Outside of the home, it is the same too. Just about anyone can go and buy chemicals from pharmacies. Making matters worse is that prescription drugs are now obtained very underhandedly. So, even if the house is safe chemically, still potential suicidal victims can access their lethal doses unimpeded. Something has to be…
Read MoreSmart move by AFC on Amaila
Dear Editor, The Alliance For Change (AFC) made a smart move to reverse course and support the Amaila Falls Hydropower project. When I was in Guyana, I told friends the AFC would change course. I had expected A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to do the same, as popular opinion is in favour of the project, but the party coalition is stubbornly holding on to its anti-Amaila position. I have been conducting an opinion survey for the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) on the initial rejection of the hydro…
Read MoreYouth camps are great investments
Dear Editor, I see that our youths are really being catered for. A few days ago, I heard on radio the community call for quite a few Vacation Bible Schools all over the country. Currently, there are various kinds of camps for school youngsters. These camps are being run by the National Sports Commission. I wish I were a boy all over. No one can say that Guyana is not chartering new territory for its children. It gets better now too, as I see that the Guyana Police Force’s annual…
Read MoreThe Berbice River Bridge has made life easier for many people
Dear Editor, I am not into aesthetics and engineering, so as far as the Berbice River Bridge is concerned, it more than suffices. I have gone repeatedly to and from Berbice and I did not have to endure the hassles of the past. That ferry thing was just too burdensome – it took like an eternity to even park and get off the boat. I was very fortunate to chat with a school teacher who told me the same thing. She explained that now she can come to Georgetown for…
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