FC posted:

The Crucks  of the matter is there has been a dearth of leadership in the history of Guyana and continues to be the case.  Unless we get that change and a willingness to engage people from the diaspora with the requisite skills to make the paradigm shift we will having this conversation for a long time to come.

They scoff or jeer suggestions from the diaspora. Allyo think allyo know better that we dis in Guyana?

Dem PPP, AFC and PNC parties only interested in our funds.

No more remittances or barrels from me. Instead of these helping them to build capacity, it has been helping them to remain poor and dependent.

TK posted:

ksazma posted:

TK posted:

ksazma posted:

No one in their right mind would invest in Guyana right now. This government is hapless. It would be like draining money down the drain. The current businesses are struggling. All you accomplish from infusing more 'capital' is bail out current failures. Then you still have to deal with the high level of crime.

In a country like Guyana, govt has to set the investor confidence. In the case of a new govt it had to do so in the first week or two. They when into govt viewing businesses as some kind of enemy. If they can address waning confidence - perhaps it is too late - you could find investments.

Guyana has lots of untapped potential. Unfortunately the government as far back as the '70s have been a stumbling block for Guyana. The biggest problem has always been crime. If that can be curtailed, confidence will grow and even the government may come to the conclusion that they can thrive under a thriving country. Looks like they are just waiting around for the oil revenue. Right now, that is not enough to put food on Venezuelans' tables.

Well, given de information I have they will get enough money to replace the displaced sectors. New information may arise that would change my view expecting a coming Nirvana.

I get a feeling they will not be producing oil in Guyana for a while.  They might do all the necessary designs but might not start building until world conditions are right.  Just my felling...could be wrong.

The purpose of a think tank is three fold: 1. Research 2. Recommendations 3. Implementation.

Each of these require expertise and funding. During the implementation stage the Think Tank can function as advisors.  The purpose of the grassroots is to provide information for the research.  

The truth is Guyana would do well with such an organization provided they are working in the best interest of the Guyanese people and they have right kind of expertise to offer.

Bibi Haniffa posted:

The purpose of a think tank is three fold: 1. Research 2. Recommendations 3. Implementation.

Each of these require expertise and funding. During the implementation stage the Think Tank can function as advisors.  The purpose of the grassroots is to provide information for the research.  

The truth is Guyana would do well with such an organization provided they are working in the best interest of the Guyanese people and they have right kind of expertise to offer.

You forgot to add...And politicians who will listen to the Think Tank advice.

VVP posted:

t they claim to despise.

This is backwards thinking.  This is the internet age.  Many in the Diaspora have more in-depth knowledge of what going on in Guyana than those living there. People in the diaspora are exposed to the real world  and depending on their jobs, are exposed to real world thinking.

Look at your leader Granger.  During the first 100 days of his presidency he was busy fighting windmills all over the world rather than hunkering down with his team to chart a new direction for Guyana.  Of course he showed leadership skills by giving himself and cohorts a big raise within 21 days of taking office to "prevent themselves from thiefing".  

It is clear that Granger does not understand the dynamics of governing.  I could picture him in a high level meeting with officials and having a blank stare because he doesn't understand $hit that is being discussed.  

The dynamics of the 2 major parties alone do not allow for the best to rise to the top.

This being my point. I am a black man who doesn't drink PPP poison juice, so I must be a "PNC". Even as I say almost nothing positive about Granger he becomes "my leader".

Is Jagdeo "your leader"?

If you cannot rise above this then how can you lead Guyana?  The diaspora have all of the weakness of those resident in Guyana so are no more qualified to think that they have a monopoly of ideas. They do NOT live in Guyana so do NOT appreciate he daily challenges of life in that nation.

The diaspora can lend support, can bring ideas, and can certainly offer their broader exposure and skill sets, but to think that they can lead, and expect people in Guyana to follow, is ridiculous.

Even putting aside the jealousy factor that many who never left Guyana feel towards those who reside overseas they would be well in order to put you in your place if you think that you know more about Guyana than they who live there do. Not every one in Guyana is stupid.

TK posted:

 

I would say the Diaspora could do a lot more than just propose ideas. It is up to President and Cabinet to see these opportunities. I could list numerous tasks that people in Diaspora could do and this includes investing. When Granger denigrated the Diaspora a few weeks ago when his buddy opened the gas station and mini mart, he missed the capabilities of the Guyanese community abroad. We are not rich people with lots of surplus finance capital, although many live quite comfortable middle-class lives. We are embodied with substantial human capital and finance capital as a pool, but not necessarily as individuals.

I happen to have been quite angry at his flippant response, though when I see those of us who think that every one in Guyana is stupid and incapable I begin to see why they think this way.

Yes most of the diaspora are professionals and those in business are mainly involved in service sector activities that I suspect already exist in Guyana, so I don't see legions of factories being built. Especially when there is no economic vision being propagated by Granger.

I don't happen to think that a gas station is any more transformative than were the shopping malls or fast food outlets that the PPP passed off as economic development.  Not to say that Buxton mightn't have needed one, but that venture certainly didn't warrant the flippant Granger reaction.

I am violently opposed to this volunteerism that some think that the Diaspora should engage in.  If we have skills to offer then we should be compensated. If we aren't worthy of compensation then it shows that the skills aren't considered important. This compensation needn't be at North American levels but people almost never value any service offered free.

We can leave volunteerism for community based activities like feeding kids, engaging in medical missions, or other short term activities where DIRECT assistance is being provided.

Peace and love Caribny.  I knew that sentence will rule you up LOL.

VVP posted:

 

I get a feeling they will not be producing oil in Guyana for a while.  They might do all the necessary designs but might not start building until world conditions are right.  Just my felling...could be wrong.

Exxon themselves say 2020. The fact that Tillerson was enroute to meet Granger (before being appointed as Sec of State) suggests that the Guyana operations have high visibility from upper Exxon management.

Caribny - nothing is wrong with volunteering your time if you don't need the money.  I work many hours that I don't get paid for.

The important thing is that your efforts should not be wasted.  No use putting you shoulder to the wheel and having other push from the other side if you know what I mean.

VVP posted:

Caribny - nothing is wrong with volunteering your time if you don't need the money.  I work many hours that I don't get paid for.

The important thing is that your efforts should not be wasted.  No use putting you shoulder to the wheel and having other push from the other side if you know what I mean.

You volunteer your time for people who need help.  Like I said feeding kids, medical missions, short term programs to assist are fine. Provided that the assistance is DIRECTLY provided to those who will benefit.  They will almost always appreciate it.

Volunteering time for a government breeds contempt. Granger lacks respect for the Diaspora because so many offer themselves free. He thinks we beg. THAT is why I am against certain kinds of volunteerism.  Jagdeo was similarly contemptuous, as indeed are most Caribbean gov'ts.

caribny posted:

VVP posted:

 

I get a feeling they will not be producing oil in Guyana for a while.  They might do all the necessary designs but might not start building until world conditions are right.  Just my felling...could be wrong.

Exxon themselves say 2020. The fact that Tillerson was enroute to meet Granger (before being appointed as Sec of State) suggests that the Guyana operations have high visibility from upper Exxon management.

Not because they say 2020 means that they will do it.  I have seen stuff like that.  It could just be delay tactics.  What prevents them from extracting ASAP? 

caribny posted:

VVP posted:

Caribny - nothing is wrong with volunteering your time if you don't need the money.  I work many hours that I don't get paid for.

The important thing is that your efforts should not be wasted.  No use putting you shoulder to the wheel and having other push from the other side if you know what I mean.

You volunteer your time for people who need help.  Like I said feeding kids, medical missions, short term programs to assist are fine. Provided that the assistance is DIRECTLY provided to those who will benefit.  They will almost always appreciate it.

Volunteering time for a government breeds contempt. Granger lacks respect for the Diaspora because so many offer themselves free. He thinks we beg. THAT is why I am against certain kinds of volunteerism.  Jagdeo was similarly contemptuous, as indeed are most Caribbean gov'ts.

I have no problem volunteering to provide feedback on an energy plan, for example, if i think the government is serious.  I wouldn't volunteer to develop an energy plan because I simply don't have the time.

Caribj, in Clemmons, N.C., right outside Winston-Salem, Cynthia Porter a black mother is looking for a mentor for her 14-year-old son, Jalen.

“He’s never had his dad in his life,” says Porter, 43. “His father does not call. He doesn’t see him.”

http://www.theroot.com/article...ealth_of_black_boys/

VVP posted:

 

Not because they say 2020 means that they will do it.  I have seen stuff like that.  It could just be delay tactics.  What prevents them from extracting ASAP? 

I think that they have to do lots of preliminary work in anticipation of being commercially ready to drill.  That is a scant 3 years away.

Why would Tillerson have been jumping on a plane to go to Guyana if they wasn't a front burner issue?

Mitwah posted:

Caribj, in Clemmons, N.C., right outside Winston-Salem, Cynthia Porter a black mother is looking for a mentor for her 14-year-old son, Jalen.

“He’s never had his dad in his life,” says Porter, 43. “His father does not call. He doesn’t see him.”

http://www.theroot.com/article...ealth_of_black_boys/

And what is this about?  She can find mentors right there in that town unless her son is a monster.

VVP posted:

 

I have no problem volunteering to provide feedback on an energy plan, for example, if i think the government is serious.  I wouldn't volunteer to develop an energy plan because I simply don't have the time.

 

When you submit a proposal with fees they will MIGHT you seriously. If you give away your services then they think its part of some scam.

People don't respect freeness.  Busy people don't have the time, and if you aren't busy then they wonder what plan you have up your sleeve.

They can and do spend lots on non Guyanese consultants. They respect them. Chances are they don't respect you.

caribny posted:

VVP posted:

 

Not because they say 2020 means that they will do it.  I have seen stuff like that.  It could just be delay tactics.  What prevents them from extracting ASAP? 

I think that they have to do lots of preliminary work in anticipation of being commercially ready to drill.  That is a scant 3 years away.

Why would Tillerson have been jumping on a plane to go to Guyana if they wasn't a front burner issue?

Businesses don' mind giving the impression that they are excited about a project.  They will get to it when it is beneficial to them.

I am not in the oil business but I doubt whether it takes that long to develop the infrastructure necessary.

VVP posted:

?

Businesses don' mind giving the impression that they are excited about a project..

And yet why would they? Do you think that Granger is some one for Tillerson to waste time with, when as the head of a large global company, he has many things to do?

The fact that he was going to go suggests that this Guyana find has visibility at the highest levels.

caribny posted:

Mitwah posted:

Caribj, in Clemmons, N.C., right outside Winston-Salem, Cynthia Porter a black mother is looking for a mentor for her 14-year-old son, Jalen.

“He’s never had his dad in his life,” says Porter, 43. “His father does not call. He doesn’t see him.”

http://www.theroot.com/article...ealth_of_black_boys/

And what is this about?  She can find mentors right there in that town unless her son is a monster.

It's your culture. Do you know your daddy?

caribny posted:

VVP posted:

?

Businesses don' mind giving the impression that they are excited about a project..

And yet why would they? Do you think that Granger is some one for Tillerson to waste time with, when as the head of a large global company, he has many things to do?

The fact that he was going to go suggests that this Guyana find has visibility at the highest levels.

I doubt whether the head of Exxon would visit Guyana to meet on preliminary deals.  These things don't happen.  The Guyana find is a "large" find but not a big deal in that business.  Only recently they had a mega find in Texas.

Guyana oil will be extracted when it is beneficial to Exxon.  Not by any promise to government or need to get Guyana's economy going.

Companies in the US spend millions of dollars each year tying up sites that have potential. They develop at their will.  Only recently I was approached to rent 20 acres of my land for a solar farm.   It is a big business leasing land for solar and wind farming in NY currently.

Mitwah posted:

.

It's your culture. Do you know your daddy?

I see. It didn't take you too long for you to breathe the noxious racist air of GNI. I am black so I don't know my daddy.

Here is what I do know.  I know of many generations of daddies all the way back to the 1820s.

Now go and join the Indo KKK. You are officially now one of them.

VVP posted:

..

Guyana oil will be extracted when it is beneficial to Exxon.  Not by any promise to government or need to get Guyana's economy going.

..

And clearly it is beneficial to Exxon to begin drilling by 2020. Maybe if they don't by them the fields can be assigned to another company and Exxon will be out of it.  I don't think that they have rights indefinitely.

Indications are that this is a large find and I suspect that Exxon wants to ensure that it is theirs and not some other company's.