THE EDITOR, Sir
IN ANSWER to Miss Phipps' letter in Monday's Gleaner, I would like to suggest to her that the rear admiral has a responsibility both to the citizens and to his men. He has done just that and so far has shown much restraint. We know he is not a megalomaniac in that he has not used his good office to seize power from the incompetents who are doing little or nothing, but watching while Jamaica goes to hell.
This is a military man who has risen to the top ranks through hard work, discipline, and attention to detail. I can well imagine how the ambivalence of the leaders, the hypocrisy of the politically privileged and the fickle-mindedness of the detractors pray on his sensibilities. His country has trained him for war or at least to defend the democracy and if what Jamaica is in now is not war, then the definition has mutated while we slept.
Looking at Miss Phipps' mailing address, I am inclined to think that she is in some way related to the legal profession; however, she talks as a politician or as the two-faced so-called human rights groups that seem to know all the answers, but offer no solution to the epidemic of crime in Jamaica. What do you want? Rights for the elements that bring death and destruction, heartaches and untold economic loss to the island? These are desperate times and the measures needed to solve the debacle will of necessity be strident.
The rear admiral must be free to express indignation if his troops come under fire and must in turn offer fire for fire. He is not some church pastor or social worker but the leader of the military. He is by design above party politics. It is his job to help to curb the runaway mayhem and blatant lawlessness in Jamaica and to protect the masses from the predatory intents of a minority criminal element. We don't often hear his voice, but when it is heard on these matters, it had better be with force and without apology. It should be supported when it brings fear and trembling to those who perpetrate, or hide and protect or even turn a blind eye.
Any attempt to silence him will result in the neutering of our military and the intimidation of our last bastion of defence against the warlords of Jamaica. He has not shown any inclination to take over power but seems to be concerned with restoring it. I believe that well thinking citizens should show a united front with the man, who has proven that he is made of the right stuff.
I am, etc.,
S. PETER CAMPBELL, Sr.
speterc@aol.com
Philadelphia PA., USA.
Via Go-Jamaica
