STRANGE FRUIT

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Saturday, 7th February 2026, 9:00 pm

The song “Strange Fruit,” has been described as the “song of the century” in 1999 by Time Magazine. It was popularized by the famous American jazz singer, Billie Holiday. It is among the greatest and best-known protest songs in American history. At this time of Black History Month in the US, it would be appropriate to recognize the fascinating story behind this great song. The shocking lyrics are as follows: 1. “Southern trees bear a strange Fruit / Blood on the leaves and blood at the root / Black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze / Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees / 2. Pastoral scene of the gallant South / The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth / Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh / Then the sudden smell of burning flesh / 3. Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck / For the rains to gather, for the wind to suck / For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop / Here is a strange and bitter crop.

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SELL OIL TO CUBA AND RISK THE RETRIBUTION OF THE WHITE HOUSE

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Saturday, 31st January 2026, 9:00 pm

Guyana views Cuba as a friendly country. Diplomatic relations were established by Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana on December 8, 1972. This act of courage broke the isolation of Cuba in the Americas which had been imposed by the US. Guyana should therefore be concerned about what is happening in and to Cuba. 

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THE COMRADE LEADER

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Saturday, 24th January 2026, 9:00 pm

‘Forbes Burnham, the Life and Times of the Comrade Leader,’ by Linden F. Lewis, was published in 2024 and is available on Amazon for a modest US$36. It has attracted no attention in Guyana even though two well known academics in the political science field have commended it. Dr. Nigel Westmaas said: “Forbes Burnham is an exceptional work that masterfully portrays the life of its subject with extraordinary precision and depth.” Dr. David Hinds said: “A compelling account of the politics and leadership of Guyana’s most controversial leader.” 

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THE APPOINTMENT OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Saturday, 17th January 2026, 9:00 pm

The current method of appointing the Leader of the Opposition is provided by article 184 of the Constitution. It provides that “the Leader of the Opposition shall be elected by and from among non-governmental members of the National Assembly at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the National Assembly, who shall not have the right to vote.” This provision was enacted in 2000 by amending the previously existing provision which provided for the President to appoint as “Minority Leader the elected member who, in his judgment, is best able to command the support of those elected members who do not support the Government.” This provision is the same as in Guyana’s Independence Constitution of 1966 except that the appointment of “Leader of the Opposition” was made by the Governor-General. The amendment of article 184 in 2000 was the result of a recommendation of the Constitution Reform Commission which felt that the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition should not be the business of the President but of the Opposition. The election of the Leader of the Opposition by members of the Opposition took place without controversy within days of the of the convening of the National Assembly after the 2001, 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2020 elections. 

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IMPERIALISM IS ALIVE AND WELL

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Saturday, 10th January 2026, 9:00 pm

The use of the word ‘imperialism’ went out of fashion after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the emergence of a unipolar world with the US as the leading hegemon. Earlier this week, the New York Times and its opinion writers have begun to describe as ‘imperialism’ the US government’s announced policy that it will ‘run’ Venezuela and ‘take control’ of its oil with some of the proceeds going to Venezuela. But after payment of the US$12 billion allegedly owed to ConocoPhillips and the US$20 billion owed to ExxonMobil, the deduction of the investment advances necessary to restart the oil industry, estimated at in excess of US$100 billion over ten years, and the payment of oil profits to the oil companies, Venezuela will be lucky to get some scraps. In Guyana, 75 percent ‘Cost Oil’ goes to ExxonMobil to pay down on past and present expenditures and of the remaining 25 percent ‘Profit oil,’ Guyana gets half. The other half goes to ExxonMobil. Venezuela will be lucky to be treated as generously as Guyana.

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The Conversation Tree is both physical and philosophical. The physical is the tree itself, which has given its name to the road from which it originates at the intersection of the Rupert Craig Highway. It was reputedly first planted by Napleton William King in 1876 to celebrate the birth of his son Napleton Walter. As...
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