THE EDITOR, Sir:I GET sick in the stomach when I listen to some of our aspiring politicians on radio as well as our leaders casting blame on each other for the scourge which has once again raised it's ugly head in the name of politics. The bickering back and forth is doing us no good. What example are these people setting for their followers?
Blaming each other for the upsurge in violence is giving credence to criminality. How can we be sure that it is either of the two main political parties that are performing these acts of violence. When a crime is committed are there any marks JLP or PNP on the perpetrators forehead to identify the wrongdoers?
I am not trying to make excuse for anyone but we have to be extremely careful that we are not creating more harm than good when casting blame.
There are now four horses in the race, two of which are fairly newcomers and I do believe they have good intentions, so I would not for one moment say that they are instigating violence, but we must not forget that their trainers, spectators and even followers are mostly if not all from the old "stable", therefore it is very hypocritical to accuse the old horses alone, when there is no scientific proof that they are the only ones "mashing up the track". I also believe that there are other outside forces trying to disrupt the peace.
If we are serious about fighting crime, then we need to be extremely careful when passing assertions. If not, crime will only continue to escalate because in the society we live, no one is prepared to take blame for an act they do not commit.
I think that one of the remedies for solving the problem, is for our present leaders as well as all aspiring politicians to come together in unity, sit down and work out a plan where they can walk together, talk to the people together and to hold political meetings together on the same platform in their constituencies.
This in my mind will assist the people to decide which party to support based on the individual who is better able to articulate a positive message. It will also eliminate the problem of sporadic shootings when an opposing party passes through an area.
If I may take a line from a song sung by Ernie Smith - Mi nuh care who a do it, just seh that nuh right. When all is said and done we are all God's children.
I am, etc.,
VLC
vcluin@hotmail.com
Barbican
