The Editor, Sir:

I do believe that whenever people are described in scurrilous ways, it does not only communicate contempt for the target, but also reveals the inner soul of the speaker. In the heat of this current political season of campaigning and profiling, the overuse of semantics seems to be mastering the tongues of many speakers. We are well aware that language is a very powerful tool, which can help to guide us to some sort of verbal satisfaction as well as conversely damage and degrade the psyche of the listeners.

One of the more controversial aspects of political campaign language is its association with stereotypes and personal insults. Offensive name-calling and discrimination of the opponents can become extremely explosive especially when the sentiments are reciprocated from the opposing platform. Some of us gleefully expect our party and our candidate to have the last word and ultimately the last laugh.

Spoken word

The spoken word is one of the proverbial things 'that comes not back' and like the spent arrow, the damage caused may not be readily counteracted or remedied. While it is true that words are only symbols and not reality, they nonetheless have the powerful ability to help us construct and understand their relevance in the context they are used. (Las May's cartoon of August 1, showing Agriculture Minister Clarke and Mayor McKenzie getting ready to rumble, is right on the button.) We should, therefore, be very careful of our choice and usage of words because they do have a tremendous impact on both those listening and those who may react to them as if they were 'gospel truths'. Unfortunately, some of us are not at that level of literacy and sophistication where we can acknowledge that some words from the political platforms are just 'noises' being made by stale political dinosaurs and psychopaths.

All politicians should be aware and know that their speech can hurt others and, as such, will themselves get hurt, particularly if, and when, they resort to rude and vulgar remarks. One way to exit this cycle of intellectual malnutrition is to recognise that certain labels intended to cover the opponents can also cover the user in what I consider 'platform reciprocity'. If someone cannot take blows, he should not be brave and throw blows. Maybe if Minister Roger Clarke had used the political platform to speak glowingly of the successes he has had consequent upon his implementation of the 'receipt-book' as the weapon to destroy the 'praedial tiefs', then it is quite likely that some of the bitches among us would give him worthy applause and maybe his party a few more votes.

At this stage in our country's political life, what we need to hear more of are words to inspire us. Martin Luther King was able to inspire his audience with his dreams and some of our politicians should try and emulate people of that ilk instead of bombarding us only with their "nightmares".

We should have long ago reached that juncture where we can react positively to political speeches which persuade us to think, feel and respond in a positive way.

Maybe we all need more healing from any available "balmyard".

I am, etc.,

SONIA CHRISTIE

Stewart Town P.O.

Stewart Town, Trelawny

Via Go-Jamaica