The Editor, Sir:

We can move from mendicancy and violence to a position of excellence. The recent performance of our athletes in Beijing clearly manifests this. Most of our athletes participating in these events were from modest circumstances, yet they out-performed the world.

We Jamaicans can do much better in our social behaviour. It is a very violent minority that is causing most of our grief, aided and abetted by callous, ignorant or fearful individuals. The same individuals who protect these criminals for whatever reason, often become victims themselves.

It is time that we, as a nation, work closely with the law by whatever means, phone, letter or verbal, we should endeavour to inform the law enforcers of the whereabouts of the gunmen and the guns. Too many potential success, and potential parents of future success die at the hands of these cowardly beasts.

The Government through the media must launch an active campaign encouraging individuals to snitch, tattle, or tell all they know about these menace to society. Yes we can, yes we must work as a team.

I am, etc.,

GARTH MARTIN

gemblocks@cwjamaica.com