Dennie Quill, Contributor
WERE YOU as stunned as I was to learn that politicians have been putting up bail for persons of questionable character? The disclosure by delegates of the PNP's Region Three that politicians would no longer keep persons charged with gun crimes and rape out of jail awaiting trial was of some significance to me. For sure, a person is innocent until proven guilty and should be given his day in court but there are known thugs who may never be convicted of a crime but their evil deeds are known. Of course, the clear inference from that statement is that extortion, arson, robbery etc., are not considered serious enough to warrant being spurned by the people's representatives.
The current brouhaha that has sprung up around the private sector's anti-crime protest has helped to focus attention on the nexus between politicians, criminals, the private sector and the rest of us. There is a pile of blame being cast around for fostering the acceleration of garrison politics and fingers are pointing at the patrons and the beneficiaries. This debate must be encouraged for it is obvious that when the stone drops in the pig pen, the ones that get hit will squeal loudest.
I recall once hearing someone describe the activities of a Member of Parliament who served a rural constituency. He would rise each week day (except Tuesday when he attends Parliament in Kingston) at 5 o'clock to prepare for the dozens of constituents who would form a line outside his gate. After a quick breakfast, he would start seeing people around 6 o'clock. They came for a variety of reasons: seeking jobs, in need of a recommendation; seeking a guarantor; trying to find assistance for their children's education; asking for help in writing letters or signing documents. This activity would last for the better part of the day. His duties also included attending funerals, birthday parties, christenings, cricket matches, domino tournaments and other social goings on. That was what obtained during the '60s and '70s.
THE BRUTALITY OF THE GUN
Then in the '80s, I recall hearing a political activist from a St. Catherine community decrying his local politician for not assisting his group in getting guns. In fact, the young man was boasting that they had chased this politician from the area, because when they went to him and told him that the opponents are all armed, he suggested that this information should be given to the police. He did not entertain the requests to match the fire power of the enemy. Our hapless politician was roundly dismissed as an 'eediot'. Needless to say, this honourable gentleman was not chosen as a candidate for the party which his family had served with distinction for years. He was not considered fit to represent the constituency.
And we all know how guns barked in the 1980s election. And the brutality of the gun has strengthened over these years. One cannot forget that brave Heather Robinson (former MP who also contributes to this newspaper) withdrew from the political process in the late '90s, publicly stating that she was not about to wrap up with gunmen. At the time Miss Robinson made her statement her colleagues remained quiet. It was an excellent opportunity for parliamentarians to have stood up. But they remained silent. How many times have politicians remained silent in the face of glaring criminality in their constituencies? Do they have a responsibility like all citizens of Jamaica to be forthright and tell the police what they know?
Power has awesome responsibilities. And the expectations of a politician of the 21st century are far different from what obtained during the 20th century. Only recently have we come to understand the extent to which politicians have been pandering to their constituents by guaranteeing loans for them, facilitating their purchase of motor vehicles and in extreme cases sharing bank accounts with them.
It is going to be a tough battle for politicians to separate themselves from their area leaders and community dons, the men who wield enormous influence in these constituencies. There are MPs who may not be able to face their constituencies in the near future. Yes, it will be a long hard battle.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
