The Editor, Sir:

The observation of Howard Scott's (September 11, 2006) Gleaner article was right on the money. Years ago I informed my father that all the long-winded speeches did not clear the roads, educate the people, decrease crime or show any tangible change in the life of the average citizen. I was told to go read the Watchtower.

I found more wisdom in the teaching of Marcus Garvey; we must try to uplift ourselves. My brothers; open your eyes! 'Big long speech nu full belly!' Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! When our leaders are before the World Bank and they must say, 'Give us this day our usual loan and forgive us all that we owe,' then, and only then, will we need the usual 'long speech' and all the cunning we can muster.

The average Jamaican cannot comprehend how much we really owe and how much we have to pay to service these debts. We are not the only country to owe money, but we must find some way to lessen our debt.

What would happen if Jamaica did not have remittances? What would happen if we did not have immigration as our relief valve? Would our economy be able to employ those who graduate yearly? These questions need to be asked now. Men who dare to speak the truth, most of them we execute, though they seldom share the loot; some of them our Lord recruits.

I am, etc.,

TYRONE OSBORNE

Kutuki18@cs.com

Orlando, Florida

Via Go-Jamaica