It’s been a long time coming...

Page one editorial

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

WE had hoped that the unrest in West Kingston would not have escalated to the point it did yesterday. Our biggest concern was that lives would be lost, deepening the grief that has already engulfed the country from this and the other long list of violent incidents over many years.

But given the barefaced and vile attack that criminal gunmen carried out on the State on Monday, we cannot fault the security forces for responding in the manner they did in an effort to restore order and reestablish the authority of the State.

For no decent country can allow the rule of the rabble. The nation simply cannot have its stability threatened by the barbarian horde who would establish geographical boundaries of authority over which they wish to preside and dismiss the legitimacy of the State.

If that were to happen, we could be assured that the institutions to which we turn for protection, order and justice would disappear, opening us up to isolation from the international community which would declare us a pariah state worthy of sanctions that could prove detrimental to our survival.

Our hearts go out to the relatives and friends of those who have died in this conflict, and we are even more heartbroken for the fact that it need not have come to this.

But if we are to be brutally honest with ourselves, we must admit that we have been laying the foundation for yesterday's events for a long time. We have, over the years, elected governments that are more concerned with the retention of power than with upholding the principles of truth and justice.

For a long time we have been heading for an explosion as those who have held the reins of government have given succour to criminals in their blinkered thirst for political power.

Over the past three decades, politicians have shown very little, if any, political will to deal decisively with gangs, crime, and violence, despite the almost daily pious outpourings from some among them who would have us believe that they are righteous and that they truly care about the welfare of the majority of Jamaicans.

The upshot is that we now live in a society that accepts as normal the blatant disregard for the law and respect for the rights of others — a society in which it is considered good to be bad and bad to be good.

It has to stop.

Maybe this unfortunate conflict will serve as a wake-up call to all well-thinking Jamaicans that we need to ensure that those who come to us for our votes are not tainted. Their lives should be opened up for scrutiny and their abilities and intentions tested by the electorate.

But even as we seek that ideal, we suggest that what this country needs is a few good men and women — people of sound character and integrity who have already made a success of their businesses and who would have no reason to dabble in the corrupt politics that now taints our two major political parties. And who would not get drunk with power.

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COMMENTS (25)

Jacqueline Samms
6/2/2010

Well said Andy'Then again tiatwhere are the PNP/ NDP? they should be helping to clean up this mess. Then again that may be wishful thinking since they may have a stake in the crime business.

Hugo Hutchinson
5/28/2010

Where do we go frm here? Sad to say, but these dirty politicians are not the only ones to be held accountable for where Jamaica is today. Common citizens and the security forces should be too. Why? We have turned a blind eye the disease too long, due to fear of police corruption and retaliation from these thugs. We need an impartial watchdog where law abiding citizens can report crimes without fear of reprisal and to monitor our politicians, impeach and imprison the corrupt ones.

Elaine Russell
5/25/2010

Well said!!! We do have those few good men and women who can do it. How can we convince them to have the courage to pick up the baton and lead?

Stephen F
5/25/2010

Know that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We cannot rely on the good moral character or a politician we must rely on unforgiving checks and balances. We need term limits for MPs, separation of power, and financial oversight.

Dread Locks
5/25/2010

Manslaughter charges and impeachment hearings should be brought against the Prime Minister for his announcement publicly that an extradition warrant would be signed for Mr. Coke.
The Prime Minister should have know, if not advised at some point by members of his inner circle; that if he chose this route, it would lead to blood shed.
It is therefore imperative, that formal hearings begin to shed light on the state of mind of the Prime Minister before and during his decision to make the announcement.
If it is shown that he acted with malice and pure disregard for the population on as a whole; then make him accountable for his actions.

Elaine Russell
5/25/2010

WELL SAID!!! We do have those few good men and women who can do it but how can we convince them to have the courage to pick up the baton and lead?

Devon T
5/25/2010

Deutoronomy 20:19-20
19When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees of the field people, that you should besiege them?†
20However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls.
Cold Blooded Murderers... BLOOD is on your hands.

Paul Lewis
5/25/2010

The majority of our politicians have been successful business and professional people, on the contrary success has only left them hungry for power. They, I would argue, have manipulated the political landscape to their ends. People of integrity from whatever strata of society they may spring from, are needed to help with the rebuilding of our Country. The sorry group of characters, that we have had the misfortune to have involved in the political system so far, has demonstrated that their only concern is perpetual control. We need to rid ourselves of them all.

Fed Up
5/25/2010

Have they frozen the coward's assets yet. The man has undertaken act act of high treason against the state. Let's see how much support he has in his "welfare state" community when the money dries up.

Andy Stewart
5/25/2010

I believe that the JLP government should call all members of the other two political parties and create a unified front, I believe the PNP and NDM should join forces with the Government to send a strong message to the criminals that we are united against you, we are turning a new page in the history of Jamaica and we are no longer supporting garrisons.

Andy Stewart
5/25/2010

What upsets me more about the current situation is that some people want the extradition of Dudus and the resignations of the Prime Minister because they are PNP and all this is mud in the eyes of the JLP. Some people want the extradition of Dudus because they regard America as all-powerful and if we offend America then our pipeline of stuff, hand outs will be disrupted, visas and range rover sports, we are a nation without backbone, without principles, we sold our soul for stuff.
I am for the resignations of the Prime Minister and the extradition of Dudus solely on the basis of principles. I believe Dudus is a lower life form, a criminal a murderer and I am only sorry that our society did not have the backbone to bring him to justice. I believe Bruce Golden should resign because he is a man without principles, a bold face liar who attempted to deceive his own people to save his one worthless neck.

S. Reece
5/25/2010

Blood is on your hands Mr. Prime Minister. The same goes for all those "leaders" who have been noticably silent during the events leading up to this fiasco. Shame on all of you!!!

George Gillings
5/25/2010

You have hit the nail right on the head. What we are reaping is the fruit of the seeds our elders have sown since Independence, and in particular, since 1972, when politicians decided that they must have the means of remaining in power for as long as they wish. Some of these leaders have died, some remain, and are dubbed "elder statesmen," others are still in the parliament posing like vultures to plunge on the spoils when the dust has settled.
Our beloved country does need a few good men and women, as you have said, of sound character and unquestionable integrity, who will put country above self, and people above pottage. I do not know if they are in any of the political parties that we have! And that, to me, is the next real crisis that we face.

Dale Morris
5/25/2010

"THANK YOU AUDLEY" .

David Armstrong
5/25/2010

Yes indeed...Jamaica is reaping the bitter fruits from a garden nurtured by corruption, social neglect, lack of leadership, and lack of moral values. Although Bruce Golding’s actions have led to the disturbing events unfolding now, he is not totally responsibly for the nurturing of the garden. The corruption and lawlessness that are now unfolding were established in Tivoli Garden and the other garrison communities long before Mr. Golding ascension to power.
I personally believe that Mr. Golding is a good man that has made poor decisions as a result of being intoxicated by power. As Lord Acton (1834-1902), the British historian, said: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." I also believe that because he seems to recognize the gravity of his mistakes that he has a chance of becoming a better and stronger political leader. People who learn from their mistakes always do better and are more likely not to repeat those mistakes.
And by the way has Mr. Seaga kept so quiet throughout all of these disturbing events. As a former PM and MP for Tivoli Gardens he should be using his influence to appeal for calm. He can be said to be the founder or architecture of TG so certainly he is well respected in that community. And besides he has nothing to lose since he is no longer an active politician.

Murton Speid
5/25/2010

While I agree with some very interesting points that have been made, notedly,both political parties affiliating with areas that are know to be infested with criminal gangs. However, I strongly disagree with the suggestion that good men and woman who would be ideal candidates has to be successful business owners. I assure you, they are many good men and women in our society with sound untainted integrity that are willing to represent with pride and dignity. One should also note that much of the corruption are indeed caused by "successful business owners who are greedy"

Brad Kerr
5/25/2010

All politicians in Jamaica are responsible for this situation. For too long they have promoted this us against them policy in an effort to divide and concur. The PM and the Mayor are both elected representatives for Tivoli and they have no influence on the people who elected them . Yeah its been a long time coming.. and Change is going to come. As a nation we cannot sit down and watch men trample on the right of citizens, while being supported by their political parties. The prime minister and his band of associates only made this situation worst by giving Dudus a false hope that somehow he would not be held responsible for the mayhem reigned down on West Kingston, Central Kingston And SE /SW St. Andrew. These are all communities directly affected by Dudus' zest for power. Change has to come or we may as well divide the island and allow a city /Narco state of Seagaville-Tivoli to spring. All we have to do is keep armed boarder guards at the boarder to keep them out of Jamaica. Radic

Dale Morris
5/25/2010

What we are seeing in Jamaica today is a result of slum politics. Slums mainly choose our leaders while civilized Jamaica avoid the hog rush and remain calm. So end up with Leaders having Slum Mentality.
Tomorrow that must change and the civil people will decide who is fit and who is not. Garrison is the "Axist of All Evil" in Jamaica.
Now the bottom is going, we need force a change where the contributors to society help shape their society. We cannot continue to have Slums select our leaders.
We did it for 46 years and this is what it brings. Now only the Water Commision Jamaica owns so we one drought away from being stateless. THIS IS IT JAMAICA.

Hotta Bhingi
5/25/2010

Should not have happened. The assualt on law by gunmen in TG and the reaction of the security forces should not have happened.
Coke the head of TG should not have been allowed to become so powerful and rich that he can afford to pay criminals 100K a day for their services.
Most of this money he got through government contracts from the JLP administration and the KSAC.
As PM and MP for west kgn, we should hold Bruce Golding fully responsible for allowing a corner man to grow and become one of the worlds most powerful crime lord.
Dudus was hugged by cabinet ministers, Daryl Vaz was seen on youtube in full flight with Coke months ago even though he was wanted by the USA for drug and gunrunning.
The JLP GOJ have supported Coke's rise. They shielded coke and went as far as using state resource to seek an overturn in the extradition request.
Golding lied to the nation repeatedly condemn the USA, accusing them of trampling on cokes rights.
Now Golding has changed colour like lizard

Dale Morris
5/25/2010

For too long Jamaican Politicians restrained the force and create all the evil being demonstrated. Now after all the rediculing and supression of the police the world get a chance to see what the most dangerous job on earth is.
All Jamaicans should be embarassed by the magnitude of force in the constituences rule by top officials that attacked our state. We have never stand so tall before and Jamaica should never forget what is happening in Jamaica in May and we should never again turn a blind eye so help us GOD.

Clement Lambert
5/25/2010

I commend you on a very balanced commentary on the state of the nation. How can we find these "few good women or men" to effect change in the political landscape of Jamaica? The partisan approach has long proven to fail. There are signs that many Jamaicans are becoming less blinkered by loyalties to a party and more concerned about the state of the nation. We need to caution, though, that persons who have made successes of their businesses are not always wholesome in their dealings and it does not follow that they will be most suited to lead the country. Their successes in enterprise need to be tempered with altruism, self respect and love for our country and its citizens. It would be interesting to conduct a poll to see which successful Jamaican businessman would be regarded by the people to be most suited to run the country. An effective national leadership group should represent all strata of society. They should be law abiding citizens who are in touch with the realities we face

Brooklyn Jamaican
5/25/2010

Mr. Observer says, we could find .. "people of sound character and integrity who have already made a success of their businesses and who would have no reason to dabble in the corrupt politics that now taints our two major political parties. And who would not get drunk with power."
Brother man, wealth fades in the shadow of power and the ability to rule over people.

Anthony II
5/25/2010

When I was a little boy, my Mom would tell me about Sam Cooke, who penned that. I dedicate this to all decent law-abiding Jamaicans and especially to the security forces and their families: You are in our thoughts.
.
"I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I’ve been running, ever since
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
.
"It’s been too hard living but I’m afraid to die
Cause I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
.
"I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me don’t hang around
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
.
"Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees
"There been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, a long time coming..."

Jay Brown
5/25/2010

It had to explode for the aTG to get back under government control, it was allowed to get oput of hand for far too long.
Kudos to the soldiers who allow these guys to use up most of their bullets before they chose to storm the place and take it over.

mark jones
5/25/2010

True words, this is a defining moment in Jamaican history and we would have lost a grand oppurtunity if we do not after the hostilities subside draw the line in the sand as to what we will NOT accept from politicians, if youre tainted break up your folly ground if you cannot........hand in your resignation and walk away.............we need a system from here on in that will send corrupt and criminal politicians to wear short pants, enough is enough let our 50th independence anniversary catch us on the path to growth and prosperity for all

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It’s been a long time coming...