A more modern Constitution needed
THE EDITOR, Sir:
It is wrong for any nation to use hanging as a method of law enforcement. The current Constitution seems to contain too many vestiges of Jamaica's colonial past. Particularly, it has retained hanging conveniently, as a measure of law enforcement.
New preventive measures
It is my opinion that hanging was kept to serve as a deterrent, but it is ineffective. This is the moment to decolonise this aspect of Jamaica's Constitution and move to more modern, preventive measures, such as rehabilitation.
Notwithstanding the fact that there are some criminal elements who are out of control and pose a threat to public safety, I suggest that such offenders be imprisoned for a lifetime.
I am, etc.,
Glenford G. Wilson
St Elizabeth
Basking in his talent
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding, was mild mannered in his criticism of the two Olympic officials who accused Usain Bolt of showboating. These self-styled rodomontade pullers were apparently never young themselves and at no time were ever vainglorious. They ought to be ashamed of their failure to recognise that the world's fastest human being of all time is still, within his heart, just a child.
This is much more than envy, 'red eye', according to the prime minister. It is downright disingenuous, distasteful and unfathomable for them to accept that our small-island nation, Jamaica, can produce such an outstanding athlete who is endowed with the gift of speed.
Happy spectators
As Jamaicans, this affable and winsome young man made us all proud, not to mention the 90,000 plus onlookers in the Bird's Nest National Stadium. They were undoubtedly high on his exuberance and intoxicated by his velocity. He's the best of the best, faster than the rest, basking in the glory of the talent the good Lord gave him.
As for those two gentlemen, they would best serve themselves and others by malingering with a group of Cistercian monks in some far-off, ascetic organisation where they resolutely comply with the strictest adherence to the vows of silence.
I am, etc.,
James G. Fyfe
