OBSESSION WITH GUNS
Why do young men gravitate to guns? The first time I passed the Gun Court on South Camp Road in the '80s, I wondered why anybody would be ever caught with a gun. Those razor-thin wires and sentry boxes with massive rifles hanging out were enough to scare me.
Furthermore, my father used to celebrate when he listened to the news on his big radio and heard that three or four or even five gunmen were killed by the police. Despite prison and death, this has not deterred our youths from loving guns.
Herein lies Jamaica's greatest problem! There are just far too many guns in the wrong hands. Where are all these guns coming from and don't they enter the island through some port or something? Should the penalty for an illegal gun be life in prison or even capital punishment? That may be a little excessive, but what is going to let our sons turn their backs on the gun? One thing is certain, Jamaica is bleeding to death. Government has a responsibilty, by whatever means necessary, to inject sobriety and bring back the rule of law and to eliminate anarchy.
Leighton Jackson, ljacko1@aol.com, Freeport, New York, Via Go-Jamaica
GET A GRIP!
Even as we have been continuously spared by pending natural disasters, whether through divine intervention, or favourable atmospheric conditions, we have become our own worst adversary, held hostage by terrorists from within. And here, I refer not just to the criminals who carry out these dastardly acts, but their alter egos who sanction their behaviour by their lack of will to root out the systemic violence within the garrisons that they are supposed to "represent".
While Rome burns, our government leaders are spending valuable time, resources and opportunities to further their leadership aspirations, in an increasingly failing state, while our nation is under siege from within! Will someone please tell them that the ship is sinking.
Currently, we are the murder capital of the world. We've become so "accustomed to" our "well-earned" title, with murders averaging more than three per day, children expendable in this war over "turf". Just when you've recovered from the shock and horror of some heinous and senseless crime, another one occurs
that makes the former more palatable, or a least less significant.
The cocktail circuit continues, the rhetoric flows, empty words, vacant promise. We need to get a grip! Government, politicians, business leaders, professionals, pastors, fathers, mothers, mentors ... Jamaicans, get a grip! Our children deserve a future!
Paula Kerr-Jarrett, Montego Bay.
VISAS FOR CAYMAN
These are my views on the recent introduction of visas to travel to the Cayman Islands. Since this year it has been my 10th time travelling to the Cayman Islands where there are more than 80,000 Jamaican expatriates on permit, as reported by the Caymanian Compass in August. One can only think that life in Jamaica is so hard which explains the presence of so many Jamaicans in these islands.
Now, the dream of many Jamaicans to travel abroad is getting harder to realize. Many Jamaicans saw the Cayman Islands as an opportunity for success and fulfilment of some basic dreams. But what now? Where do we turn to?
The major embassies here (United States, Canada and United Kingdom) issue an average of about seven to 10 visas per day. But why Jamaicans? Can't we enjoy America, Canada and England too? My fellow Jamaicans please do not blame the Cayman Islands, blame the crime and violence in Jamaica. And if this visa is as difficult to get as the others please do not be discouraged, all these things will have to happen. Can't we realize that this is the beginning of the end?
J. Case, smartteen4life@hotmail.com, Anderson Town, James Hill P.O., Clarendon,Via Go-Jamaica
