Freddie Kissoon column…The nature of power: The Chronicle then and now
September 4, 2008 | By knews | Filed Under Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

Dr. Odeen Ishmael, the Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela, must be the only diplomat in the world that holds a state job yet writes in a party newspaper. Normally, diplomats tend to stay away from partisan politics. He has a weekly column in the Mirror since the PPP won power in 1992.
Recently, he looked at how newspaper owners tended to be biased in the sixties. He cites the case of the Chronicle. It was owned by Mr. Peter D’Aguair and, according to him, the letter section of the newspaper refused to print an item in praise of Premier Cheddi Jagan.
He said the correspondence was then sent to the Thunder, a publication of the PPP. It was signed by a lady who had a Christian last name and gave her address in Kitty. Dr. Ishmael felt D’Aguair would not have approved the publication of such a letter.
Mr. D’Aguair is not alive so he cannot defend himself.
When young minds read this kind of stuff by Dr. Ishmael, they can form a one-sided picture in their mind of the country’s past. Sadly in this country, revisionist historians are not questioning traditional explanations of Guyana’s contemporary history.
On reading Dr. Ishmael’s comments on the letter, one gets two impressions. First, he is saying that D’Aguair’s ownership of the paper determined what went into it. Secondly, there was the subtle hint that Mr. D’Aguair didn’t want the letter to be printed.
The fascinating thing about studying the PPP in power in the sixties is that the researcher, living in the 21st century and investigating an epoch that existed almost fifty years ago, gets the uncanny, eerie feeling that the sixties live on and can be seen in this moment in time.
When you examine the name of the letter-writer and the contents of the letter back then, and then examine what the Chronicle is in the year 2008, then you see that the approaches to politics in the sixties are still with us.
Before we continue on that theme, let us examine the second suggestion that D’Aguair himself may have rejected the letter. It is doubtful that this actually happened. D’Aguair’s company may have owned the newspaper but at that time Mr. D’Aguair was heading one of the biggest enterprises in the Caribbean and would hardly have had the time to supervise the letter section of the Chronicle. Added to this is the fact that as an opposition politician, he obviously would have chosen an editor that would have been on the identical wavelength as he was. Why then would he be at the Chronicle peeping into the letter columns?
Let us return to the past as it lives in the future. Dr. Ishmael is right - D’Aguair owned the Chronicle so he ran it according to what he wanted.But look who controls the Chronicle today. Is the approach to content different than when D’Aguair was at the helm?
Countless pages have flowed from the pen of PPP functionaries about the nature of newspapers in the sixties – the owners used them to instill their ideology, their agenda. Today, the very PPP that excoriated media owners of the sixties has a similar style when it comes to domination and propaganda. What the Argosy and Chronicle were like in the sixties is what the Chronicle, NCN television and NCN radio are today. Guess who is in charge of all three?
Interestingly, Dr. Ishmael has brought out for us an old strategy from the sixties that the PPP has carried over to the 21st century. In those days over 98 percent of the supporters of the PPP were East Indians, yet a letter was sent to the Chronicle castigating the opposition for harassing Dr. Jagan but it was signed by someone that had an English name. And was this a real person? Is it possible that back in those days the editors were aware of this strategy of the PPP thus the refusal. Let us come to the 21st century.
Look at the Chronicle letter columns in these times. Five pieces are penned each day by writers using false names. In almost all instances, the signatures are not Indian names but Christian ones. This is to create the impression that quite a large number of non-Indians support the PPP because look how many of them write missives in the Chronicle eulogizing the Guyana Government. Out of those five one must be on Frederick Kissoon. Anil will be the defence Attorney
I feel the way Cheddi Jagan felt in the sixties. In “The West on Trial” Jagan bitterly complained about the Chronicle’s attacks on him. It is my turn to cry about the Chronicle. But look who owns it today. This is the nature of power.

The title misleading. Freddi on a rant again.I like Dr odeen's historical writing.They do not have much partisan input and because he is detailed you can use it as a framework to find other sources.

Kissoon has become a disgruntled FOOL. He is more concerned with his hatred for the PPP than his own family. Selfish people like him are Dangerous.

quote:

Originally posted by Nehru:
Kissoon has become a disgruntled FOOL. He is more concerned with his hatred for the PPP than his own family. Selfish people like him are Dangerous.

Nehru, just like you and any other persons that write on this Forum, Freddie is entitled to his own opinion. Why does he have to be labelled for doing that?

quote:

Originally posted by Lion King:

quote:

Originally posted by Nehru:
Kissoon has become a disgruntled FOOL. He is more concerned with his hatred for the PPP than his own family. Selfish people like him are Dangerous.

Nehru, just like you and any other persons that write on this Forum, Freddie is entitled to his own opinion. Why does he have to be labelled for doing that?

Some of these so call intellectual on this forum just envy the man. The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Oh Rass wait, I am a Writer??? Ah gat to tell ALL my friends and family dat I became a writer.

quote:

Originally posted by Nehru:
Oh Rass wait, I am a Writer??? Ah gat to tell ALL my friends and family dat I became a writer.

No Nehru, you are not a writer, only a JACKASS behind a keyboard!

quote:

Originally posted by Lion King:

quote:

Originally posted by Nehru:
Oh Rass wait, I am a Writer??? Ah gat to tell ALL my friends and family dat I became a writer.

No Nehru, you are not a writer, only a JACKASS behind a keyboard!

Them bois hate Freddie so much he better watch his back.

It seems like the PPP Govt is panicking because Freddy is exposing their incompetence and vindictiveness?

quote:

Originally posted by Gupta:
It seems like the PPP Govt is panicking because Freddy is exposing their incompetence and vindictiveness?

The PPP should stop worry about Freddy and brace themselves for the revelations from the Roger Khan trial beginning next month!

quote:

Originally posted by Lion King:

quote:

Originally posted by Gupta:
It seems like the PPP Govt is panicking because Freddy is exposing their incompetence and vindictiveness?

The PPP should stop worry about Freddy and brace themselves for the revelations from the Roger Khan trial beginning next month!

Is when this trial starting?I thought it was in November?

Gordon Mosley and Capitol news will be recording this trial and will bring the verdict live to Guyana.


That is jagdeo's gripe with the man.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Heh heh duh's why only 3 ppl (as reported by Kaieteur) showed up for his 'meeting' at UG.

Every week Freddie finds someone to pick on until they reply and lambaste him and he slinks away to find another undeserving target.

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Heh heh duh's why only 3 ppl (as reported by Kaieteur) showed up for his 'meeting' at UG.

Every week Freddie finds someone to pick on until they reply and lambaste him and he slinks away to find another undeserving target.

Don't be an arse,three people did not show up to that meeting and kaieteur news did not report that. Seems as if you are falling into the category of reporting false news.

And even if three people showed up, why are you worrying about that. I am sure if you call a meeting no one will show up.

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Heh heh duh's why only 3 ppl (as reported by Kaieteur) showed up for his 'meeting' at UG.

Every week Freddie finds someone to pick on until they reply and lambaste him and he slinks away to find another undeserving target.

He has to find a new target every week because every one of substance ignores him and he has to find something to fill his columns. When a few do respond he sidetracks the rebuttals and claim that they are out to get him.

quote:

Originally posted by Errol Arthur:

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Heh heh duh's why only 3 ppl (as reported by Kaieteur) showed up for his 'meeting' at UG.

Every week Freddie finds someone to pick on until they reply and lambaste him and he slinks away to find another undeserving target.

He has to find a new target every week because every one of substance ignores him and he has to find something to fill his columns. When a few do respond he sidetracks the rebuttals and claim that they are out to get him.

Remember you are speaking from the position of a leading member of a PPP front organization.

quote:

Originally posted by Errol Arthur:

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Heh heh duh's why only 3 ppl (as reported by Kaieteur) showed up for his 'meeting' at UG.

Every week Freddie finds someone to pick on until they reply and lambaste him and he slinks away to find another undeserving target.

He has to find a new target every week because every one of substance ignores him and he has to find something to fill his columns. When a few do respond he sidetracks the rebuttals and claim that they are out to get him.

Someone is worried. I bet yesterday these new posters started over 20 threads on Freddi. None are offering commentary. They post it and then a feeding frenzy of accusations and counter accusations begins and in the end no one is better for it. If these are PPP plants as they appear to be, it the Robert Persaud method of PR, silly provocative and will only serve to infuriate and mobilize dissent.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:

quote:

Originally posted by Errol Arthur:

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Heh heh duh's why only 3 ppl (as reported by Kaieteur) showed up for his 'meeting' at UG.

Every week Freddie finds someone to pick on until they reply and lambaste him and he slinks away to find another undeserving target.

He has to find a new target every week because every one of substance ignores him and he has to find something to fill his columns. When a few do respond he sidetracks the rebuttals and claim that they are out to get him.

Remember you are speaking from the position of a leading member of a PPP front organization.

A Kissoonesque response - totally irrelevant and ignorant. No wonder a GNI poster claims you are Freddie.

quote:

A Kissoonesque response - totally irrelevant and ignorant. No wonder a GNI poster claims you are Freddie.

Maybe I am,and you are the ignorant one here.Come on Errol,you don't expect the non PPP people here(and they are few) to believe you will be objective in you assessment of the PPP. When you are a leading figure of that PPP front organization. B real!!!

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:

quote:

Originally posted by Errol Arthur:

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Heh heh duh's why only 3 ppl (as reported by Kaieteur) showed up for his 'meeting' at UG.

Every week Freddie finds someone to pick on until they reply and lambaste him and he slinks away to find another undeserving target.

He has to find a new target every week because every one of substance ignores him and he has to find something to fill his columns. When a few do respond he sidetracks the rebuttals and claim that they are out to get him.

Remember you are speaking from the position of a leading member of a PPP front organization.

I do not know that Errol heads any PPP front org or is actively a part of any PPP group.

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by Errol Arthur:

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
The man is the most read columnist in Guyana,and they are stuck to writing missives on GNI that about 35 people read.

Heh heh duh's why only 3 ppl (as reported by Kaieteur) showed up for his 'meeting' at UG.

Every week Freddie finds someone to pick on until they reply and lambaste him and he slinks away to find another undeserving target.

He has to find a new target every week because every one of substance ignores him and he has to find something to fill his columns. When a few do respond he sidetracks the rebuttals and claim that they are out to get him.

Someone is worried. I bet yesterday these new posters started over 20 threads on Freddi. None are offering commentary. They post it and then a feeding frenzy of accusations and counter accusations begins and in the end no one is better for it. If these are PPP plants as they appear to be, it the Robert Persaud method of PR, silly provocative and will only serve to infuriate and mobilize dissent.

If that is indeed a manifestation of the PPP's strategy then it is tragic. Kissoon's writing can best be described as rum shop talk - so full of lies, half baked truths, and distortions that he can be easily blown out of the water. In addition, he does not practise the minimum standards of research and scholarship. Why the PPP (if indeed they are behind it) would choose this ridiculous way of rebutting him is beyond me.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
Don't be an arse,three people did not show up to that meeting and kaieteur news did not report that. Seems as if you are falling into the category of reporting false news.

And even if three people showed up, why are you worrying about that. I am sure if you call a meeting no one will show up.

Is this the best you can come up with? I can assure you there will be more than 3 and I don't write articles.

Why don't you go pull the article from Kaieteur and see what was reported?

quote:

Why don't you go pull the article from Kaieteur and see what was reported?

I know what was reported,and what you reported is a lie.

quote:

Originally posted by BONUS:
I know what was reported,and what you reported is a lie.

I can't find the article or else I'd post it just so that all can see who's lying.