Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Our Miss Universe was on TV...

This is our very own, Alana Ernest...



She did not place at the Miss Universe but at least she lived her 5 seconds of fame.

If you clink this LINK you might understand why she did not win. We just hope that we could reverse our fortunes at these occassions...We say lets send pretty blonde girls.

Anyway, here are some of her proud moments...



Is the US the Government in Guyana?

As much as we love the fear of living in the US hoping that another major building is not hit, we just can't seem to understand why a Government that prides its self as a democracy must be sticking their noses into our business.

The recent revocation of our Acting Commissioner of Police, Henry Green US visa on the heels of Roger Khan's controversial capture sends a clear signal that the US is prepared to cunningly manipulate our affairs.

The entire country knows that Greene will take over as Commissioner but it seems that the US has a problem with that.

So instead of openly stating their position, the US resorts to public pressure and embarrasement.

The US is making a mockery of Guyana because as we newspaper vendor Danny would say..."We need a bad ass Government with balls"

The US said it was willing to issue Khan a visa for him to travel to the states to answer drug charges, now Greene is without a visa.

We hear that since the US offer Khan a visa, a man and he wife get caught with drugs at the Airport.

This was a different bust...the couple just tun up and show dem customer officer de drugs and say how they import before to the US. Dem bet dem bottom dollar they woulda a get fuh go the states but they were thrown into the local jail instead.

Well Mr. Greene you neeed to explain to the country, what ill u did? What links you joined?

But for us, before the feds start hacking our computers, we go lef them to the mercies of the almighty.

PPP out there...

In case you are out of sync with de Elections period, here is a snap shot....While many of the opposition parties, exculding the AFC are chit chatting foolishly, the PPP is out there campaigning vigorously...

By the way, the AFC seems to be getting under the skin of the PPP. Did you see the last polls.

AFC's Presidential Candidate, Raphael Trotman is closing the gap on Corbinus and Bharrita Jagdeo. (No pun on the names)

Here is your wake up call... Scenes from the PPP rally at Charity over the weekend...




Still Sleeping....?


Saturday, July 22, 2006

Kings in the Bahamas...

One of our contributors just retured to Guyana from the Bahamas and related that he was impressed that while on a simple walk down Bay Street in Nassau he bumped into King's Jewellery World store...

Refreshing? Certainly is.

Good ole Guyanese gold in the Bahamas where thousands of tourists pass through daily.

Kudos to King's Jewellery

Word of the Day...

Today's word is...

Scramasax

• noun a large knife with a single-edged blade found among the grave goods in many Anglo-Saxon burials. Such knives were used in hunting and fighting.

This word originated in the mid 19th century of Germanic origin.

Elections set for August 28...

Extra...Extra...Read all about it...

August 28 Elections Day-President announces
- assures security will be on full alert

Georgetown, GINA, July 21, 2006

Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo today announced the date for Guyana’s General and Regional Elections as August 28, 2006 during an address to the Nation.

The President made this disclosure following a presentation of a letter to him at the Office of the President by Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally who indicated that the Commission is ready to conduct the elections as mandated by the Constitution.

“Today, I was informed by the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Dr. Steve Surujbally that the Chief Elections Officer has notified the Commission that the Secretariat is in a position to produce the Official List of Electors, after having completed the revision of the List of Electors, as mandated by law,” President Jagdeo said.

Noting that Guyana is a member of the fold of nations that are free and democratic, the Head of State said that the single most important feature of Guyana’s democracy is the right of every citizen to elect a Government of his or her choice and that the advice tendered and subsequently elections are the most compelling evidence of the restoration of that right.

“The struggle led by the People’s Progressive Party saw free and fair elections in 1992 whose results heralded Guyana’s return to the group of democratic nations. Since then, successive PPP/C Administrations have conceived policies and strategies, harnessed the energies of Guyanese and partnered with bilateral and multilateral institutions in promoting and entrenching the democratic content of national life in Guyana.”

The Head of State added that General and Regional Elections under the administration have been held in accordance with Constitutional provisions and have been observed internationally and the process certified by the international community as meeting internationally acceptable standards.

He recalled that the current Chairman was appointed from a list of six names submitted to the President by the Leader of the Opposition while the Commission’s six members were chosen equally by the Government and the Opposition and appointed by the President.

The President also pointed to the role played by Guyana’s international partners during the elections preparations period.

“We are grateful for the support of the international community and we assure them that we in Guyana are serious about free and fair elections as part of building and protecting our democracy.”

The Head of State commended GECOM since, in spite of difficulties, it has been able to confront and overcome the many challenges and hurdles.

“I am assured by GECOM that there will be strengthened and robust polling day practices to allow every registered voter to one vote and one vote only. The Commission needed our support in ensuring that these are effective,” he added.

President Jagdeo reiterated that GECOM is independent and ‘like all Guyanese I stand in defence of the discharge of their Constitutional mandate. I have been reassured that the Commission has discharged that mandate fairly and in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Guyana.’

“It is a tribute to you as citizens, to the political parties and to the Guyana Elections Commission that in spite of the many hurdles that still exist in the conducting of Elections, we have been able to strengthen and improve the electoral process for Elections in Guyana,” the Head of State said.
The President reminded that over the past several weeks, many political parties have been visiting homes and communities in preparing for elections and that subsequent to the announcement that they would be returning in greater force.

He added that Guyana is about to embark on that period during which political parties have their opportunity to present their plans for the continued nurturing of the country’s democracy and for accelerating Guyana’s development.

On this note he urged the parties and their supporters to join in an effort to ensure a peaceful and civil electoral period.

“While I expect that all political parties and citizens would exercise all caution to ensure a peaceful process, I assure you that the security forces will be on full alert. The Police and Army will be in line, fully deployed throughout Guyana for that period to ensure that a peaceful and violence-free climate prevails,” the President added.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

The Good Samaritan...

Photos courtesy of Stabroek News

This is Pretty Simple to follow....

On Monday, right here in GT, this Guy, Orduck Reid heard that little child had fallen into a Sewerage reservoir and dived in...



Risking his life to save her, Brianna Dover....

From this Shit...


The sad part is that Dover died...

Word of the Day

Today's Word is...

Rackets

• plural noun [treated as sing.] a ball game for two or four people played with rackets in a plain four-walled court, distinguished from squash in particular by the use of a solid, harder ball.

Origin late Middle English (also in the singular): from French raquette, via Italian from Arabic raha, rahat- ‘palm of the hand’.

Ministers falling ill as Elections approaches

Text: Stabroek News of Wednesday, July 19th 2006

Minister Kowlessar hospitalised in US

Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar fell ill over the weekend while in the US on Government business and had to be hospitalised there, staff of the Finance Ministry confirmed to this newspaper yesterday.

And though Information Liaison to the President Robert Persaud confirmed that Kowlessar was indeed hospitalised over the weekend, he could not provide further information on the condition of the Minister or his ailment.

It is believed that the minister has a heart condition.

Sources told this newspaper too that the Minister was to have undergone surgery in relation to his illness. Kowlessar received treatment at a local hospital several months ago.


Guyana 360: The Auditor General is also hospitalised believed to be with a heart condition too. He is in the Twin-Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. All our political leaders should take note and realise that politics is stressful not withstanding the economic rewards.
Burnham died of heart problems...So too did Cheddie and Hoyte...

President Jagdeo had better be mindful of the demise of our former male Presidents and not let his youthful persona get ahead of him...Male Presidents because aunty Janet still motoring along despite of all the obeah that was cast on her infront of the local courts.

ACDA, GFF and GNA Recieve Presidential Financial Aid

Georgetown July 14, 2006



President Bharrat Jagdeo is continuing his support for culture and sport. This was demonstrated today with the handing over of $3M in cheques to the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Guyana Netball Association (GFA).

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President Jennifer Webster presented $1M cheques to ACDA’s Administrator Sam Cooke and President of the Guyana Netball Association Maxine Paris-Aaron on behalf of the Head of State.

The East Bank Football Association and Fruita Conquerors, premium football clubs in Georgetown, received a total of $500,000 dollars each.

Adviser to the President on Community Development, Odinga Lumumba, who handed over the cheques to the football clubs, said that the Head of State has always been supportive of sports in Guyana.

According to Lumumba, President Jagdeo was not appreciative of the fact that promoters of the Mayor’s Cup indicated to the public that the Head of State would provide the first prize of $500,000 without prior consent or approval of the President.

He said the President is supportive of football but hope that in the future, approval would be sought before making public announcements.

In 2005, President Jagdeo provided 42 football clubs in Guyana with the sum of $500.000 each and $5M towards the President’s Cup.

The Netball Association is at present preparing for the World Net Qualifiers Tournament on August 9-19 in Barbados. The team will also be concentrating on other upcoming competitions in December.

President Jagdeo made his commitment to the Netball Association on July 12 following a request made for assistance.

The President of the association lauded President Jagdeo’s intervention and more particularly the fulfillment of his promise.

She said that the assistance will cover part of the transportation cost, and will allow the players to be better equipped for the competition.

She also said that a significant part of the assistance will support the team as it represents Guyana in the Caribbean Netball Association’s junior competition.

Meanwhile, the assistance for ACDA coincides with preparations for Emancipation Day activities on August 1.

The $1M assistance is expected to meet part of the incurred preparation cost for Emancipation Day celebrations.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Word of the Day

Today's word of the day is...

Nonet

noun a group of nine people or things, especially musicians.

a musical composition for nine voices or instruments.

origin mid 19th cent.: from Italian nonetto, from nono ‘ninth’, from Latin nonus.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Word of the Day

Today's word is...

Nagenesis

• noun [mass noun] Biology species formation without branching of the evolutionary line of descent.

This word originated in the late 19th century from ana- and genesis.

New Guyanese Site...

This is a recommended site...

Rose Mittelholzer is inviting you to visit www.mittleholzer.org.

The site is located in Canada and has been created to communicate with Guyanese people.

Guess what?

This site is named after Author, Edgar Mittelholzer (1909-1965) who remains a national symbol of Guyana, writing not as one ethnicity or another, but rather as a “Guyanese” whose social consciousness compelled him to critique the injustices prevalent within society.

Become a member of this Community.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

New Feature coming

In a bid to educate those who have access to this forum, we will soon move to publish one word and its meaning everyday .

This new feature will be called "Word of the Day" and is a collaborative effort between us and a London based company.

It will start on Friday.

98.1 too hot FM as Fire breaks out at Former GBC location

Fire of unknown origin today damaged a section of Broadcasting House.

The blaze apparently started in the area of Studio B or the Archive.

It is hardly likely that the cause of the fire might have been electrical because the electricity supply has been disconnected.

The guards have admitted that drug addicts and other vagrants often illegally enter the abandoned building.

No one was injured or died during the late morning fire.

Firemen used water from the nearby Princess Street canal and, equipped with a power saw and axes, successfully contained the blaze.

Several past employees of GBC, including some who are now working with its successor National Communications Network, turned up at their former work place.

Many of them lamented that the building was not being preserved and the viewing and discovery of several tape-recorded programmes and musical records also raised concerns about efforts being made to preserve Guyana's audio history.

Broadcasting House was built in 1955 by then Rediffiusion and housed Radio Demerara, Guyana Broadcasting Service, Guyana Broadcasting Corporation and National Communications Network-- all basically radio station operations and the administrative offices.

Broadcasting House Fire reveals poor preservation of history

Mail Trail...

The damage to Broadcasting House by fire of unknown origin on Monday- Caricom Day- stands out as a stark indicator of how much those in authority value our national treasures and history.

Located at 44 High Street, St Philip's Green, Georgetown; the custom-built entity was constructed by Rediffusion in 1955 but from that our radio station was moved to administrative offices poorly converted to radio studios and control rooms on Homestretch Avenue.

Firstly, the Guyana government was either ill-advised or received or solicited no advice before removing the radio studios of the then Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) cum National Communications Network (NCN). Broadcasting House, despite its comparatively minor defects could have been remedied with good engineering. However, the authorities felt content moving the studios and associated departments to the GTV cum NCN TV location on Homestretch, Avenue.

But, like many things in Guyana, modern-day decisions are taken in pursuit of retrogression. The fate of Broadcasting House is no exception. Having been abandoned by NCN and sold to the National Commercial and Investments Limited (NCIL); the building is now a haven for junkies and other vagrants, who have virtually stripped the building of all of its electrical fittings and other fittings in search of copper-wire to be sold as a scrap-metal. The few pieces of unused and antiquated equipment, such as those that included vacuum tubes, should have been donated to the museum for safe-keeping and display.

But, above all, the most hurtful of discoveries that the fire has brought to the fore are discarded precious recordings on reel-to-reel tapes and records (which preceded the advent of cassettes, compact discs and min-discs.

However, one may very well argue that the tapes and records that can still be found on the floor of Broadcasting House and the bicycle shed in the yard may be better off than the many hundreds of volumes that have been moved to NCN Homestretch Avenue. Indeed, both the tapes and records and Broadcasting House have one thing in common- they both would have been better if they all had not been the victims of maladministration.

With regards to the tapes, they include short stories written, produced and presented by a doyen of Guyanese folklore, Alan Fenty, lending some credence to claims that even before the operations were removed from Broadcasting House that hundreds of recordings and records were discarded at the dump in the yard. As a former Control Operator, no one can convince me that the tapes and records are not of a good or reasonable quality to be played and transferred to a more durable storage device.

It is my understanding that the way the other records, cassettes and tapes that have been stored at NCN are hardly conducive to the proper preservation of our history. Unlike Broadcasting House, where comparatively better storage facilities in the archive and the library had existed, all types of recordings dating back to our pre and post-independence years are stacked on one another, lying on stairs and in other places, many of them having been thrown in a truck like any ordinary cargo and carted off from their original location on High Street to Homestretch Avenue. I would hardly be surprised if someone told me that many of these recordings are also languishing at the Transmitting Station, Sparendaam.

Already, many of those tapes are brittle and up to recent years were still in a state that they could have been transferred to much more durable types of storage like compact discs. With time and now poorer storage, the chances of rescuing our oral/audio history are getting slimmer with each passing day.

As far as the radio broadcasting operations of NCN are concerned, the movement to Homestretch Avenue has not been for the better. A cursory look at what passes for studios and control rooms reveals a number of deficiencies when compared to Broadcasting House. These converted offices are:

a) have extremely poor sound-proofing. Listeners can often times hear vehicles passing on Homestretch Avenue

b) the studios and control rooms do not have any sound-locks - interlocking doors ( a compartment between two doors leading a studio or control room)

c) by way of example, the Voice of Guyana studio is very small and creates discomfort for guests and technical challenges such as audio quality for listeners on panel discussions

In sum total, the Guyana government's approach to radio broadcasting has been shabby, irresponsible and despicable. Not only a historical edifice in the annals of local and regional broadcasting has been brought to near ruins and part of our oral/audio history has been relegated to the dust-bin but the programming and reach of the station leave much to be desired. Had the government been sincere about improving radio, the internationally recognised cheapest medium of communication, it would have expended resources on improving the Shortwave capacity of the radio station. Instead, we are exposed to the limited intellectual capacity and mismanagement of certain newcomers to the broadcasting scene who bask in the so-called achievement that NCN is being heard on the Internet. To this I say that significant segments of Guyanese in Guyana are being deprived of listening the radio.

Notwithstanding the fact that I have harshly criticised those in authority in this letter; I hope they would see it in good stead and take on board in good faith the following recommendations:

1) tighter security be put in place to prevent junkies and other vagrants from entering Broadcasting House, which is still structurally in an excellent condition for the purpose it was built.

2) Government and the National Trust should consider preserving this building because of its place in Guyanese and regional broadcasting history

3) The building should again be used, if not in the first instance as a radio station (whether government or private), but as a facility to produce programmes and advertisements, and train radio broadcasters and technical personnel

4) retrieve all remaining records and recordings for cataloguing and storing either by NCN or the National Archives

5) the National Archives and NCN urgently collaborate in sourcing the requisite human and technical resources to rescue, preserve and store all recordings of value to our political, economic, social history

6) target prospective private sector buyers, who would be keen on using this building to re-establish a radio station or use it as a training and production facility

My fear is that if none of this is done, one day we will see this historical edifice crumble under the weight of heavy duty machinery and replaced with yet another 'concrete monstrosity' lacking in architectural aesthetics and adding to overall defacing of Georgetown.

Best Regards.

Yours Sincerely,
Denis Chabrol
Former Broadcaster- Guyana Broadcasting Corporation.