By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Following a string of negative comments surrounding the acceptance of a ‘backball’ from a woman on Old Year’s night (December 31) by President Donald Ramotar, First Lady Deolatchme Ramotar in her first public statement on the matter told iNews that she does not view it as an insult or disrespect to her nor the presidency.
The public discussion began after a photo which captured the incident went viral on the internet. The President reportedly accepted a ‘backball’ from a woman at the Sleepin International Hotel on Brickdam in the absence of his wife who was at home at the time.
While many have disregarded it as an ‘Old Year’s night celebration’ following similar acts by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, others have criticized the Head of State for what they say was a ‘public simulation of a sex act’ deeming it to be unacceptable for a public official and more so a married president.
This is certainly not the view of the First lady. “I don’t see anything wrong with it. It is certainly not disrespectful to me, my husband has the most respect for me… my husband and I have both lived a very respectable life, it was old year’s night” she added.
She explained that her husband is a frequent visitor to the hotel, adding that she could not be present because she had to stay at home to supervise two children which she had no reservations doing.
“People will say all sorts of things, it doesn’t make a difference what you do, but we will continue to live a life that is respectable.”
The question is now being asked: how does a president react to a back-ball approaching woman? Does he push her aside and walk away or is it the smart political move to engage the woman?
