September 24 2008
Our sense of honesty, ethics demands we acknowledge our mistakes

NONE of us is infallible. We sometimes make statements in good faith that turn out to be incorrect. When the error is discovered our sense of honesty and ethics demands that we acknowledge the mistake and correct it. When we persist in peddling the misstatement then it is no longer an error; it becomes a lie. The intent then is to deceive. Those who do it in the name of academic freedom betray the sacred traditions of academe. Those who do it in the name of journalism betray an old and noble profession. Frederick Kissoon is guilty on both counts.


When he reported in his column that a meeting was held in my home in Washington, DC and then in another column stated that I did not exist he could have made a mistake. When I corrected him and he still peddled the misrepresentation he then graduated to lying.



When he stated that I was a racist for posting on racist blogs without providing one iota of evidence he was either an irresponsible journalist or a liar. I contend that he was both.


When he stated I said that I had contributed to the restoration of democracy in Guyana he was lying. I probably did or did not contribute. But, Kissoon could not have heard that from me because I never mentioned that in any exchange with him at any time in my life.


When he stated that I was a ghost writer for the PPP and well known to him he was lying. The man does not know me.


When he stated that he can verify that there was no Errol Arthur, in or out of Guyana, who ever contributed anything to the WPA he was lying. To whom did he speak? It could not have been Eusi Kwayana, Rupert Roopnaraine, Omowale, Donald Rodney, or Wazir Mohamed – they all slept in my bed and enjoyed my wife's cooking. Andaiye, Dr Clive Thomas, Bonita Harris, Dr David Hinds and a slew of others enjoyed my hospitality on numerous occasions. Let me hasten to add that the WPA was not the only party that benefitted from my largesse. The others know who they are. But, the truth is that Kissoon can believe anything he wants; I do not need him to validate anything that I do.


It is a sad commentary on the ethics of this man who put himself up as a crusader for good governance and morality that he could lie so brazenly and so often in so short an exchange.


I am not embarrassed to be deemed any of the things he attributed to me - even if I wrote anonymously as he claimed. I would, however, hang my head in shame were my signature to be found affixed to any of the three articles he wrote in response to my query. They were all meandering, ill conceived scurrilous pieces, totally devoid of logic, reason, truth, evidence of scientific enquiry, or the minimum standards of scholarship or journalistic ethics. Kissoon is yet to learn that bombastic rhetoric is not analysis, nor mindless repetition scholarship.


I must admit that I am not bothered by Kissoon's diatribe and character assassination. I saw him do it to others - Dr Randy Persaud, Walter Persaud, Ricky Singh, and other good citizens – and I saw them stand tall. He succeeded only in debasing himself in the process. I knew he was going to unleash his unprincipled pen on me but I have enough self respect, self assurance and integrity to prevail.


What does disturb me, however, is that his response strikes at the very core of the responsibility of a free press in an emergent democracy. My comments here are directed not just to the Kaieteur but to the media in general. The Kaieteur News was a breath of fresh air when it burst upon the Guyanese scene. It still is, even though Kissoon's diatribes, tantrums and lack of professionalism tarnish its image. Scurrilous attacks on those who have the temerity, nay the impudence, to challenge his wisdom would do that!


The media has been in the forefront of the call for accountability in government, as indeed it should be. Is this an empty slogan to be used as a battering ram on others, or is it to be incorporated in their own business operations? Should the media hold their editorial and other staff to any measure of journalistic responsibility at all? For example, when columnist Kissoon published the lies I enumerated above did the KN require him to provide one single statement, one single line to justify any of his assertions? Kissoon's writings have demonstrated that he lacks both the capacity and the temperament to engage in civil discourse. But, does that absolve the media and their editorial staff from their responsibility to practice responsible journalism?


Should the media practice any measure of quality control where it ensures that whatever they publish is accurate? I realise that columnists are more engaged in analysis where a good measure of opinions are proffered. However, is there any journalistic imperative that requires that opinions must be informed?


Kissoon has perfected the art of changing the subject when he is cornered. He has spent the greater part of three full length articles on this issue to evade his responsibility to answer a simple question. He did so by regurgitating his mantra that he refused to answer me because I was a cowardly PPP ghost writer. I contend that his studious refusal to do so has nothing to do with the ridiculous reasons he has presented and everything to do with the fact he knows that there is no justification for his position.


Well, I will now remove the one barrier that Kissoon claims stands in his way. I am providing an addendum to this letter (only because I would not like it to be published in your newspaper) that contains my name address, phone number, and email address. Please verify my existence and share it with Kissoon. This should remove his dishonest excuse for refusing to answer the query that started this exchange: If I may add, I would appreciate if you can prevail upon him to eschew the bombast and tantrums. If it pleases him, I accept every pejorative he has already directed at me in addition to whatever else his fertile mind can conceive – just so long as he can address the issue, which is: Could Kissoon kindly support his argument that as intellectually keen, politically conscious, and socially responsible a human being as Martin Carter was coerced by Cheddi Jagan to be an integral part of the oppression and brutalisation of his compatriots when so many of his contemporaries made conscious, principled choices not to do so?
ERROL R. ARTHUR
Editor’s note - Indeed, Mr. Arthur has provided us with detailed information about himself and has consented to share same with anyone who may wish to verify his existence.

Now, where is uncle Freddie and his merry band of cheer leaders? If this man has an ounce of honesty, and a smitten of integrity he would crawl out from under which ever petticoat he has sought refuge and retract and apologised for his unwarranted, vile and putrid envictives levelled against Errol Arthur.

Dear Editor,

I demand an end to publication of letters that meander into the realm of personality bashing. It's demeaning, distracting and should be done away with. Right now! Please publish only letters that speak to issues, or even if the letters have to be about personalities, let the personalities be public figures who make policies and shape opinions. And even here, let the focus be on the issues emanating from the personalities, and not the personalities themselves.

Enough with the personality parade already!

Sincerely yours,
Communicator

Errol Arthur is no ‘ghost writer’

DEAR EDITOR,
Enough is enough from Mr. Frederick Kissoon.
It has become habitual now for Mr. Kissoon to resort to name calling, unfounded accusations and a cussing out whenever someone challenges his daily diatribe against the PPP and President Jagdeo.

His latest such rantings are against Errol Arthur, who, according to Mr. Kissoon, not only does not exist, but is a racist jumbie letter writer. I don’t know where Mr. Kissoon gets his information from, but he could not be more wrong about Errol Arthur.

I know this, because I have been living in the Washington DC area since 1980. I have known Errol since around that time, and I recall meeting him for the first time at a protest gathering just outside the Guyanese Embassy on the anniversary of Dr. Walter Rodney’s murder.

The protest was organised by the WPA Support Group. I have the pictures to prove it. There are many people like Errol Arthur who made valuable contributions to free and fair elections in Guyana. Dr. Dolly Hassan is another individual who comes to mind. These are folks who sacrificed their time, money and heck of a lot more in fighting for a free Guyana.

They hosted Dr. Jagan when he was still persona non grata in many circles, and they hosted leaders from the WPA, DLM and several lesser political parties. Their homes became virtual hotels for visiting Guyanese opposition party leaders. They organised meetings for these visiting leaders with the Diaspora and with US members of Congress and Senate.

Regardless of which opposition party or support group one belonged to at that time, people like Kissoon should not be able to make light of their contributions to free and fair elections in Guyana. Mr. Kissoon believes that the only person or opinion that matters is his own. Well, Mr. Kissoon, Errol Arthur does not need to prove that he is not a racist or that he does exist to you or anybody else.

The Diaspora here in the Washington DC area, who were here since the 70’s and 80’s, know fully well of Mr. Errol Arthur and his contributions and patriotism to Guyana. Now, just in case Mr. Kissoon calls me another jumbie, he can go online and check the Maryland white pages for proof that I do exist.

Mohamed Z. Rahaman Laurel,
Former DLM Chairman, Washington, DC Metro Area
Source

BTW, what does DLM stand for?

Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

quote:

Originally posted by Spice Girl:
BTW, what does DLM stand for?

Poliical Party lead by Tennesse in the eighties.

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

Errol should be more Guyanese rather than politically motivated.

quote:

Originally posted by seignet:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

Errol should be more Guyanese rather than politically motivated.

Whether he is politically motivated or not, he has now joined the list of countless others who have exposed the lunacy of Kissoon.
And who have been subject to his personal attacks.

quote:

Originally posted by seignet:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

Errol should be more Guyanese rather than politically motivated.

Shut your rass Lionel. For one yapping here for a decade about starting a party and running for office, you should not be telling anyone to be less politically motivated.

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

he jumped on the wrong limb

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by seignet:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

Errol should be more Guyanese rather than politically motivated.

Shut your rass Lionel. For one yapping here for a decade about starting a party and running for office, you should not be telling anyone to be less politically motivated.

lol

Where is Freddie boy?
Errol fish he up good.

This will be a remarkable accomplishment if they do it...but like many other things the PPP promised, I have to see it to believe.

It will be the single most important accomplishment of the PPP.

Once they have this under control, we can start discussing a favourable legacy for President Jagdeo.

quote:

Originally posted by seignet:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

Errol should be more Guyanese rather than politically motivated.

What an assinine statement.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:
Where is Freddie boy?
Errol fish he up good.

in salt water or sweet wata

ALL GNIers should be proud of Mr Errol Arthur. Freddy is SHAMELESS and shouls NOT be taken seriously in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by seignet:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

Errol should be more Guyanese rather than politically motivated.

Shut your rass Lionel. For one yapping here for a decade about starting a party and running for office, you should not be telling anyone to be less politically motivated.

Because now I know the solution to Guyana problems cannot be solved politically.

And Errol has thrown his support behind most political efforts.

Guyana needs individuals like Errrol to be part of a parallel government. To speak out on the progress of the country.

And u, Bonus and I should be part of that process.

Guyana can be a better place. Politics is not the way.

We need to light the way of the electorate and be their guardians until the growup with political savy.

quote:

Originally posted by Mitwah:

quote:

Originally posted by seignet:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

Errol should be more Guyanese rather than politically motivated.

What an assinine statement.

Bai, this is higher knowlege I talking about. U can't get it cause yuh missed de bus.

quote:

Originally posted by seignet:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by seignet:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunil:
Kisson bit off more than he could chew here.

Errol should be more Guyanese rather than politically motivated.

Shut your rass Lionel. For one yapping here for a decade about starting a party and running for office, you should not be telling anyone to be less politically motivated.

Because now I know the solution to Guyana problems cannot be solved politically.

And Errol has thrown his support behind most political efforts.

Guyana needs individuals like Errrol to be part of a parallel government. To speak out on the progress of the country.

And u, Bonus and I should be part of that process.

Guyana can be a better place. Politics is not the way.

We need to light the way of the electorate and be their guardians until the growup with political savy.

I ain't tying bundle with you or bonus. You are for separation of the races and Bonus is for a dictatorship based on religion.

quote:

Bonus is for a dictatorship based on religion.

You have a problem with that

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:

quote:

Bonus is for a dictatorship based on religion.

You have a problem with that

Bonus waiting for the Millennium.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:

quote:

Bonus is for a dictatorship based on religion.

You have a problem with that

Errol said in one of his letter, Freddy does not know him. So was Freedie wrong to call Errol a ghost writer?