“I’ve gotta be me”
November 25, 2011 | By KNews | Filed Under Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon
There isn’t a person familiar with my writings and my activism that can be so foolish to deny that my life will not be affected by the outcome of the National Election of November 28th.
I am one of the lecturers that the Government’s representatives on the UG Council have asked the UG Administration to dismiss. That edict has been resisted by the UG Administration and a decision will be made by the Government-dominated Council early next month.
I sincerely say that I do not believe for even for a fraction of a moment that an APNU government will seek my removal from UG. It is virtually impossible that such a policy directed against me will be done by an AFC Government which will include very personal friends.
I honestly say to my readers that I don’t know what will happen to me after the election. But you and I will be sickeningly dishonest to conclude that I will not be a safer person if there is an APNU or AFC administration.
I have been terribly hounded down by the PPP regime. My libel case resumes on December 1. Then four days later, I face a contempt of court decision brought by Juan Edghill in front of Justice Ramlal, as stated yesterday in my column. And weeks after that, there will be the decision on my fate at UG. On the UG matter, I need to inform readers that I have a legally binding contract like any other UG lecturer.
I can’t comment on any of the two cases. The principle of sub-judice whereby a person or media house should not be allowed in law to speak on a matter before the courts is one that I believe is precious to the rule of law and the fundaments of justice. I certainly do not agree with the American system whereby all aspects of a court case can be publicly speculated on by commentators, editors, academics and lawyers. It reduces the law to a mockery.
In the acceptance of this convention, I will avoid any analysis on the merits of the affidavit by attorney Ashton Chase acting for Juan Edghill asking Justice Ramlal to commit me to prison for contempt of court. I leave it to Mr. Nigel Hughes, my lawyer to deal with it. Suffice to say, I have an extremely brilliant lawyer that I believe in.
Mr. Hughes, as the entire Guyana knows, is my lawyer too in the libel suit brought against me by the President. Obviously when the case resumes on December 1, Mr. Jagdeo will no longer be in charge of the machine of government. Mr. Hughes has assured me that if we lose in the lower court, he plans to take the appeal through all the stages right up to the Caribbean Court of Justice.
I don’t know what will be the fate of this column too. But the purpose of this article is to inform you that if I am dismissed from UG next month and if this column stops next month for reason beyond or within my control, I will always be who I am – an independent mind that will uphold his dignity and fight for the rights of those who have been violated.
Other columnists in this newspaper the past month have assessed the chances of the three major contending parties. I am entitled to so. As an analyst, the way I see it is that there will be an opposition victory but neither APNU nor the AFC may get a majority in Parliament.
I guess, life has to go on and in the event of a PPP victory I will get on with my life KN column or no KN column, UG job or no UG job.
I end by quoting from the song made famous by Sammy Davis Junior titled; “I’ve gotta be me” because I believe this song paints the picture of who I really am.
“Whether I’m right or whether I’m wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I’ve gotta be me, I’ve gotta me
Who else can I be but what I am
I want to live, not merely survive
And I won’t give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I’ve gotta be me, I’ve gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am
I’ll go it alone
That’s how it must be
I cannot be right for somebody else
If I am not right for me
I’ve gotta to be free, I’ve gotta be free
Daring to try, do it or die
I’ve gotta be me
Publisher’s Note:
Kaieteur News will also continue to be what it always was- an independent newspaper committed to the principles of objectivity and fairness and consistently striving to be accurate in its reporting.
Whatever Freddie may believe he is, the paper is not his birthright. He cannot do as he pleases in Kaieteur News.
All organizations have rules, policies and principles that guide them. Kaieteur News is no different. Those who do not wish to comply with the rules are free to leave. If they refuse to comply then the natural course of action has to follow.
We are not going to be intimidated by anyone when it comes to upholding the rules of our media organization.
I, as Publisher of this newspaper, have done more than most in ensuring that freedom of expression and the rights of the citizens of this country are respected. This newspaper has been exposing the rampant corruption within the government.
This newspaper has always paid a high price for its fearlessness and independence. We have been set upon on more than one occasion and whatever happens in the future, we will remain faithful to what we are. We will remain the same as well. Kaieteur News is bigger than any individual.
November 25, 2011 | By KNews | Filed Under Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon
There isn’t a person familiar with my writings and my activism that can be so foolish to deny that my life will not be affected by the outcome of the National Election of November 28th.
I am one of the lecturers that the Government’s representatives on the UG Council have asked the UG Administration to dismiss. That edict has been resisted by the UG Administration and a decision will be made by the Government-dominated Council early next month.
I sincerely say that I do not believe for even for a fraction of a moment that an APNU government will seek my removal from UG. It is virtually impossible that such a policy directed against me will be done by an AFC Government which will include very personal friends.
I honestly say to my readers that I don’t know what will happen to me after the election. But you and I will be sickeningly dishonest to conclude that I will not be a safer person if there is an APNU or AFC administration.
I have been terribly hounded down by the PPP regime. My libel case resumes on December 1. Then four days later, I face a contempt of court decision brought by Juan Edghill in front of Justice Ramlal, as stated yesterday in my column. And weeks after that, there will be the decision on my fate at UG. On the UG matter, I need to inform readers that I have a legally binding contract like any other UG lecturer.
I can’t comment on any of the two cases. The principle of sub-judice whereby a person or media house should not be allowed in law to speak on a matter before the courts is one that I believe is precious to the rule of law and the fundaments of justice. I certainly do not agree with the American system whereby all aspects of a court case can be publicly speculated on by commentators, editors, academics and lawyers. It reduces the law to a mockery.
In the acceptance of this convention, I will avoid any analysis on the merits of the affidavit by attorney Ashton Chase acting for Juan Edghill asking Justice Ramlal to commit me to prison for contempt of court. I leave it to Mr. Nigel Hughes, my lawyer to deal with it. Suffice to say, I have an extremely brilliant lawyer that I believe in.
Mr. Hughes, as the entire Guyana knows, is my lawyer too in the libel suit brought against me by the President. Obviously when the case resumes on December 1, Mr. Jagdeo will no longer be in charge of the machine of government. Mr. Hughes has assured me that if we lose in the lower court, he plans to take the appeal through all the stages right up to the Caribbean Court of Justice.
I don’t know what will be the fate of this column too. But the purpose of this article is to inform you that if I am dismissed from UG next month and if this column stops next month for reason beyond or within my control, I will always be who I am – an independent mind that will uphold his dignity and fight for the rights of those who have been violated.
Other columnists in this newspaper the past month have assessed the chances of the three major contending parties. I am entitled to so. As an analyst, the way I see it is that there will be an opposition victory but neither APNU nor the AFC may get a majority in Parliament.
I guess, life has to go on and in the event of a PPP victory I will get on with my life KN column or no KN column, UG job or no UG job.
I end by quoting from the song made famous by Sammy Davis Junior titled; “I’ve gotta be me” because I believe this song paints the picture of who I really am.
“Whether I’m right or whether I’m wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I’ve gotta be me, I’ve gotta me
Who else can I be but what I am
I want to live, not merely survive
And I won’t give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I’ve gotta be me, I’ve gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am
I’ll go it alone
That’s how it must be
I cannot be right for somebody else
If I am not right for me
I’ve gotta to be free, I’ve gotta be free
Daring to try, do it or die
I’ve gotta be me
Publisher’s Note:
Kaieteur News will also continue to be what it always was- an independent newspaper committed to the principles of objectivity and fairness and consistently striving to be accurate in its reporting.
Whatever Freddie may believe he is, the paper is not his birthright. He cannot do as he pleases in Kaieteur News.
All organizations have rules, policies and principles that guide them. Kaieteur News is no different. Those who do not wish to comply with the rules are free to leave. If they refuse to comply then the natural course of action has to follow.
We are not going to be intimidated by anyone when it comes to upholding the rules of our media organization.
I, as Publisher of this newspaper, have done more than most in ensuring that freedom of expression and the rights of the citizens of this country are respected. This newspaper has been exposing the rampant corruption within the government.
This newspaper has always paid a high price for its fearlessness and independence. We have been set upon on more than one occasion and whatever happens in the future, we will remain faithful to what we are. We will remain the same as well. Kaieteur News is bigger than any individual.
