THOUGHT FOR TODAY

CIVIL SERVANTS OR CIVIL MASTERS

(Another peep into history)

Letter written to the Guiana Graphic when Kwame Nkrumah. The Ghanian president was removed by a coup in 1966.

I am in thorough agreement with your leader on Tuesday last – “Civil Servants or Civil Masters”. I would like to add that I am disappointed in the attitude of the Ghanian premier..

In this age when good relationships are necessary for international peace, I consider his remarks uncharitable and of bad taste. It must have been humiliating to the Britons present who served the country in its Colonial Status. As a leader who practiced some Gandhism for the liberation of his country, he has not learnt the lesson.

Humanity is indivisible and it is our duty to welcome all regardless of race, colour or creed as equals. Colonialism is an important stage in the development of some countries. It is only hazardous when it fails to raise the standard of living and the quality of life of the individual. It is the childhood stage of a nation in the making and has many advantages. Nkrumah himself is a product of what he calls Colonialism, and he is no mean product.

Life is made up of the bitter and the sweet, sorrow and joy, the rose and its thorns. If Ghanians had paid for their Independence, as India did, with Blood, Tears and Sweat, it would have meant all the more to them, and they would have all been stronger for the experience.

A struggle-less existence results in a moral namby-pambyness which is degenerating and disintegrating. Let Guianese too learn this lesson.

Randall Butisingh

Background Information:

In 1950 Nkrumah initiated a campaign of “positive action” when he practiced Ghandism by involving non-violent protests, strikes and non-cooperation with the British Colonial authorities. In 1952, he became Prime Minister of the Gold Coast. In 1957 he became Prime Minister of the Gold Coast and British Togoland when they became an independent state within the British Commonwealth.. It was here where he made the tactless utterance: “You may remain here as civil servants but not as civil masters”. By a plebiscite in 1966 Ghana became a Republic and Nkrumah its President with wide executive powers under a new constitution. Nkrumah did well at first and the country prospered, but later he became involved in campaigning for the political unity of Black Africa. He began to lose touch with realities in Ghana. He became involved in magnificent but ruinous projects, so that a once prosperous country became crippled with debt.

In 1966, when Nkrumah was visiting Peking, the army and police seized power. Nkrumah found asylum in Guinea. He died of cancer in Bucharest in i972.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

INTERNET NEUTRALITY

The Internet was created some 15 years ago and its real effects are now being felt around the world. It has literally overturned the way we communicate and do business and its democratic influence threatens the vested interests in business, governments and repressive entities. Internet neutrality must be maintained if the Internet is to achieve its fullest potential. The plan for Humanity Lobotomy has to be prevented.

The following video discusses this important issue of “Internet Neutrality”, which is the democratic use of the Internet by all users based on their connection speed. In today’s Internet the Internet provider (telephone or cable company) supplies a connection only and does not control the content with fees to large users, however the large media corporations see the effect of the democratic media on their monopolies and are in the process of locking down the Internet by establishing various levels of service.

This issue of Net Neutrality which threatens to lobotomize the communications future of the Internet has become a hot issue in the USA elections in 2008, where members of Congress are being queried and measured on their stance on this most important subject, as it is the Congress that will give the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the power to allow a tiered Internet to become a reality.

This could spell the end of the Internet as we know it as speed limitations are put on “free services” not paying the premiums. The Internet could then follow the way of the printing press, radio and television back in the hands of monopolies and oligopolies. If the USA implements any laws that affect Internet neutrality other nations will surely follow, and therefore this is a very important issue that has to be addressed to ensure a democratic Internet in the years to come. Here is the Video entitled “Humanity Lobotomy” - Second Draft:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP_3WnJ42kw

I do hope you find this content interesting and would pass it on to your friends

.– Cyril Bryan

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

SCIENCE AND EVOLUTION

Quotes by Charles Darwin – 1809-1882

“A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections, — a mere heart of stone.”

“We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universe[s], to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.”

“Nothing before had ever made me thoroughly realize, though I had read various scientific books, that science consists in grouping facts so that general laws or conclusions may be drawn from them.”

“It is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.” -

“”The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded on an improved theory, is it then a science or faith?” “In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment.”

– Charles Darwin – author “The Origin of Species”

One of the most influential scientists of the nineteenth century, Charles Darwin (1809-1882) is best known for establishing the theory of organic evolution by natural selection. This English naturalist discovered that natural selection was the agent for the transmutation of organisms during evolution, as did Alfred Russell Wallace independently. Darwin presented his theory in Origin of Species.

The concept of evolution by descent dates at least from classical Greek philosophers. In the eighteenth century Carl Linnaeus postulated limited mutability of species by descent. But most naturalists were concerned with identifying species, the stability of which was considered essential for their work. Natural theology regarded the perfection of adaptation between structure and mode of life in organisms as evidence for a predetermined divine plan

After University, Darwin to join the crew on a British government survey ship, the H.M.S. Beagle, as an unpaid naturalist on a five-year voyage to South America and the South Pacific Islands.

While in Brazil, Darwin found various fossils and made geological and biological observations, took records, and collected specimens of every kind as the ship cruised back and forth along the coasts of South America. Darwin had begun to notice evidence that animals and plants had undergone evolutionary changes. In some areas, species had become extinct, yet Darwin noticed similar but not identical species in other areas nearby.

He was perplexed over the fact that existing species had demonstrated characteristics similar to those of extinct species. He also found slightly similar, though clearly different, species located in a variety of places around the world, but also completely lacking in other parts of the world. Moreover, Darwin was intrigued that the flora and fauna of oceanic islands were likely to resemble the same animal and plant species found on the neighboring continents. He thought it peculiar that islands with the same geological and physical features could be home to completely different animal species.

Four years after having set sail, Darwin landed in the Galápagos Islands, where he would make the most significant observations of the expedition. Darwin noticed that there were around 14 different types of finch birds on different islands of the Galápagos. Each type of finch appeared to have adapted completely to the island on which it lived. Moreover, some with sharper, finer beaks fed on insects and were more suited to stabbing their prey, while others ate seeds and had more powerful, parrot-like bills for breaking the shells. Another curiosity was the giant tortoises that appeared similar but possessed many distinctive features. The local island inhabitants could tell at sight from which island any of the giant creatures had come. Darwin began to ask if all of this biological diversity was arbitrary or whether a pattern of meaning could be discerned. Then a possible explanation began to emerge; he realized that species had to be mutable and diverged instead of fixed in form according to their original ancestry. A common ancestor could explain the similarities, but Darwin began to guess that each species could have given rise to new ones.

Upon returning to Britain in October 1836, Darwin’s ideas came into focus and he began to synthesize a theory to explain his premonition. He began by asserting that if species had transformed, the issue of diversity was satisfied, and species were related by descent from common ancestors. Recent study of Darwin’s unpublished manuscripts and entire works reveal a continuity of purpose and integrity of effort to establish the high probability of the genetic relationship through descent in all forms of life. Darwin work created a paradigm shift of consummate importance to the history of science and ideas.

(By Cyril Bryan with excerpts from Discover and Sociology Magazines)

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

SELF IMAGE – The Key to Success

“We must have courage to bet on our ideas, to take the calculated risk, and to act. Everyday living requires courage if life is to be effective and bring happiness”.
“Our self image, strongly held, essentially determines what we become. Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on”.
“The “self-image” is the key to human personality and human behavior. Change the self image and you change the personality and the behavior”.

Maxwell Maltz (1899-1975) author of Psycho Cybernetics – 1960.

Maxwell Maltz`was a plastic surgeon, who wrote this book at the age of 61 near the end of his medical career. He noted that after helping thousands of patients that many were never satisfied with their self-image. He proposed the idea that fixing the outward image without accepting or fixing the inward self is self-defeating. He believed that fixing the self image was of paramount importance.

Today, his ideas are accepted. The quotes and ideas of Maxwell Maltz have been reworked by psychologists, business consultants and self improvement specialists. The mantra today is:“You can become whatever you want to be… Just visualize it and live it … and the visualization will become a reality”.

In 1968, when the Phycho- Cybernetics paperback came out, I was at University, and it was one of the books in Psychology. However, this book was different as it did not consider personality as a fixed entity. It proposed that changing ones self perception through conscious reprogramming of the mind would change the outcomes in one’s life. At that time such ideas were not mainstream – sounded like brain washing to many – thus the apprehension.

We know now that a person can be transformed by being aware that there are self imposed limits to full actualization of personality and potential. This awareness of the conscious and unconscious “programming” from our environments -. Childhood traumas, family values, culture, prejudice, and similar inputs can be the deciding factors that decide success or failure in life.

The possibility is that positive values of confidence and success can be transmitted across generations through involvement in the processes and the support of extended families and their perceived successes. However, if one is born in a negative environment it is quite possible that the negative programming would ensure the continuation of the negative values and low self-esteem.

One of the amazing aspects of the “American Dream” is the belief that anyone can be a success if one has an idea and a vision to make it a reality. Even in defeat, the businessman tries again and again until success is achieved. It is believed that the “immigrant”, who comes with nothing, who breaks away from his old society and constraints, now has “FREEDOM” – a breaking away from the chains of his past- and now can move ahead to achieve his fullest potential.

Change the self image will change behavior will change personality and thus change the outcome.

— Cyril Bryan

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

INDIA’S POSITION IN THE COMMONWEALTH

— Another peep into history (1947)

When Nehru the Prime Minister of the British dominion made history by advancing the country to the status of a Republic within the Commonwealth, political diehards thought that such a situation was, if not undesirable was impracticable. The bond was too frail, they thought, to hold together these two nations who appeared so geographically and ethnically in contrast. Many thought that a final break would have been the normal thing, but Nehuu who towers head and shoulders above most of the best statesmen of our time and is politically far advanced for this age, in a stroke of policy shattered the misconception of friend and foe.

Nehru is no hot-headed political opportunist; he is a cool, able statesman with a remarkable capacity for self-suffering. Lacking a genius for religion, agnostic in outlook, he sees the wisdom of following the advice of that great spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi who did not believe in isolation and race segregation. The fact that he was in and out of prison for fourteen years did not blind him to their intrinsic worth.

The execution of justice by fallible and selfish men which often obscure the brilliance of Democracy is no fault of the system, but of its interpretation and implementation. Again the ties which bound these two peoples and which could not be severed by the stroke of a pen, could not possibly have failed detection by a leader as astute as Nehru.

At present, language has a strong hold on the people. Nehru himself was educated as a lawyer in England. He speaks fluent, polished English, and though the Government is reverting to Hindi as the official language, the fascination with English among the educated cannot be outlived.

Cricket, too, has played and important part in binding these two nations together. India, on account of its huge population has millions of fans, and if the true significance if the game could be grasped, Britain will endeavour to select, not only skilful men, but men of moral worth to play into the hearts of India and Pakistan,

It might have been evident to the Prime minister that breaking away from a nation to whom India has learnt much, notwithstanding the blunders of British statesmen in dealing with the Indian situation, would have been tactless and drastic. So by retaining the Sovereign as the symbol of a free people, he has not only shown vision and superb statesmanship, but has quite appropriately paid tribute to one of the finest evolved democratic institutions in the world.

British statesmen erred in not believing that India was no politically ripe for conducting her own affairs, but Indians proved their ability by running the gauntlet of restriction, imprisonment and lathi charges. They, like the cultured people they are, refused to be bitter or to evince hatred or malice, but have shown a willingness to cooperate in the interest of humanity.

India’s mission is peace and the brotherhood of man. Her independence of Britain gives more status to their relationship. Here is a friendly and spiritual bond which transcends the geographic and ethnic ties of the other members of the Commonwealth.

— Randall Butisingh

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

ONLY A BREATHING SPACE

Article written when the Venezuelan Government made its preposterous claim to the whole of the Essequebo county, in Guyana.

It is to be regretted that a final settlement concerning the Venezuelan claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s soil could not have been made. As the situation is at present, our delegation to the Geneva conference has only achieved a breathing space, after which we are likely to be faced with another preposterous claim by our neighbour.

The anticipation of this possibility by loyal and responsible Guyanese will surely cause some uneasiness.. It is sad that at this stage of the human race when education and the achievements in science are removing geographical and cultural barriers, short sighted nations should try to extent territory. Mankind is one and indivisible and prosperity is not to be found in national surfeiting, but in the use of all the resources of the world for the whole human race.

It seems, however, that man’s political advancement has not kept pace with his remarkable scientific mind. He has failed so far in his quest for a happy and peaceful coexistence simply because his politics lags behind his scientific progress.

Let us hope that our neighbour will realize the vanity and futility of their aspiration, and try to achieve, instead, peaceful coexistence. And let us also hope that this momentous matter will help to weld Guyanese of every ethnic group into a united nation, using our own mistakes of the past as lessons for tolerance, goodwill and harmony among ourselves.

— Randall Butisingh

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

CHOOSING A LEADER

Christian ministers and their flocks, people who profess to follow Jesus, but are only acting contrary to His teachings, and hundreds of millions whose sweat and tears are funding this devastating spree of murder and mayhem, and are doing nothing to stop it. It is true: the people get the Government they deserve.

No one is fit for leadership who is born with a silver spoon in his mouth, who wallows in luxury, never knows hunger and is oblivious of the suffering of the poor and needy; and has not been burnished in the crucible of Adversity.

It was Abraham Lincoln, that great leader who had to walk twelve miles to get an education and split logs for a living who said: “Am I not destroying my enemy when I make him my friend?” and Woodrow Wilson when he said: “Friendship is the only cement that will hold the world together.” But born again Christians think otherwise. You don’t have to turn the other cheek; you don’t even have to wait to retaliate after an attack, you only have to act on suspicion and preempt an assault. It doesn’t matter how many of your soldiers you put at risk, or how many innocent civilians get slain. Did not the God of the Old Testament order his chosen people to slaughter a whole nation, men women and children and even animals? Were not those His children also?

Where was Bob Dole after his defeat by Bill Clinton.? What has he been doing after his defeat? Clinton served two terms as president under many limitations, but he balanced the budget and left a surplus, and now he is spending his money and time in helping poor people in Africa. The world loves him; he gets applause wherever he goes.

What legacy will the current U.S. President George Bush leave? What will he do when he leaves office?

— Randall Butisingh

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

WRONG SENSE OF VALUES

A letter to the British Guiana press during the days of Colonialism…

In my opinion the problem of unemployment is a problem of the character and of prejudice. Much blame can be laid in this direction on the inadequacy of the Educational System.

No matter how much can be said in favour of an academic training, if too much stress is laid on it, as it is at present, a wrong sense of values will be fostered and habits inimical to the best interests of the individual and society will be cultivated.

The white collar consciousness of most of the products of our schools is deplorable and should be viewed with alarm. It is not one that can realize National Independence and stability. Man’s basic needs are food, clothing and shelter, and any proper system of education will pay regard to these needs of the individual and help to equip him in order to fulfill them.

It is surprising how much land is allowed to remain idle, while youths who have finished school fritter away their time in idleness or roam about to do mischief. If they were taught the use of their hands and the dignity of labour, and were equipped with a resourcefulness of character, the situation would not be as grave as it is today.

We have no Secondary Modern Schools in this country to cater for that dangerous period when our children leave the Primary School, so until we have that necessity, our Primary Education must fit the child to bridge that gap between his leaving school and the time he is either apprenticed or find suitable employment. In this respect, systematic manual training by apt teachers will be of great importance.

Gardening, woodwork, needlecraft, domestic science and the like must predominate in the curriculum. Too much time is wasted in the spelling of unimportant words and in calculating irrelevant sums. Let our education fit the child to live and to live with, and we shall at the same time be tackling the sinister problem of delinquency.

— Randall Butisingh

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

AGRICULTURE, A NOBLE PROFESSION
and the peasant the most important of all people.

Excerpts from poem, THE DESERTED VILLAGE
BY OLIVER GOLDSMITH (1728 - 1774)

“Ill fares the land to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay;
Princes and lords may flourish or may fade,
A breath can make them, as a breath has made;
But a bold peasantry, their country’s pride,
When once destroyed can never be supplied.”

— Oliver Goldsmith

Oliver Goldsmith is one of my favourite poets. In the poem
above he depicts the destruction of the peasantry when they
were evicted from the land by greedy landowners. Many were forced by  to leave the land and hie to the towns where they worked long hours, for hard task masters, in an unhealthy environment for meagre wages and suffered poverty and ill health. This is what happens in any part of the world where wealth accumulates to the few who sit on it, while the majority labour for a pittance to continue to feed their greed.
Injustice, an evil can only flourish for a time.  The DAY of reckoning is not far off.
— Randall Butisingh

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

THE BEST OF EVERY THING

The best School is LIFE
The best teacher is EXPERIENCE
The best Book is NATURE
The best Temple is the HEART
The best Friend is GOD
and the best Person is even he who loves the Lord with every breath of his being, who rejoices in all that happens, and gives a helping hand to the weary and heavy laden.

– J. P. Vaswani.

He whom Providence has bestowed abundance, who claims to love God but does not loosen his purse stings and opens his larder to his brother in need - the hungry, the homeless, the orphan, and his bowel of compassion to those in need of the warmth of Friendship is a liar. If one truly loves God, he will love his neighbour also.

— Randall Butisingh