The Editor, Sir:

The headlines in The Gleaner of Wednesday, October 10, simply said, 'Fire for bullets, Gunmen hunt children with firebombs'. The story by Glenroy Sinclair on page A3 read 'Gunmen are anxious to kill another child, in reprisal for one of two children who were killed during last Friday's massacre'. He says, "After the gunmen gassed and lit the house with six children inside, the group of heavily armed gunmen hid in the dark backyard and called out the names of the children one by one, hoping they would step outside, so they could kill them."

I am deeply disturbed, saddened and distraught by what has happened in the past few days. This incident on October 9 is even more disturbing than the one last week. What have these children ever done to deserve to be hunted down and slaughtered like rabid animals, by the human beings who are to protect them? What did those children do on Friday to deserve to be slaughtered?

I am begging those persons who believe that our children have so wronged them, not to do this. We are murdering our future, we are murdering the men and women who will be called upon to govern and provide a country so those of us who are fortunate to live until then, will have a future.

I am burdened with guilt. Guilt for not speaking out, guilt for not doing more for our children. Guilt for not helping to protect our children's rights, and ensuring that others do the same.

We cannot allow these children to become the victims of someone's dream and desire to see them dead. Nothing must be spared to halt the murdering of our children. Certainly not these children the reporter spoke of. What have we become but mercenaries when we hunt and murder our children like game animal.

I am, etc.,

AM McLEOD

ammcloud@hotmail.com

Kingston 5