Dear Editor,

I am privileged to be party to a couple of online fora that possess some of the best minds, most of whom are Jamaicans. While I cannot disclose, in detail, the nature of our online discussions, I don’t think it inappropriate to state, via the Jamaica Observer, that the recent Manatt, Phelps & Phillips issue, coupled with the security forces’ operation in Tivoli Gardens have formed a BIG part of our discussions over the past few weeks.

Similar to the wider Jamaican community, the discussions generate arguments that are both pro and con with respect to this Tivoli operation. In light of this apparently very relevant matter that seems to rest on the minds of us all, locally and abroad, I think that Jamaicans should endeavour to remove and forget political affiliations at this time.

We should even forget the reality that Mr Bruce Golding has performed terribly in the whole matter but focus more on the juncture at which Jamaica is at this time in its history, particularly in view of the rampant gun crimes in Jamaica coupled with the nervous economic state of our country.

Therefore, it is understandable that some will agree, 100 per cent, with the State continuing its onslaught on rooting up the garrisons and pulling out the gunmen from their safe haven. However, others are not that sure about this approach.

But it cannot be viewed any less than being naive to believe that with the volume, rampant nature, and the proliferation of gun crime in Jamaica, that gun crime will go away simply by tabling new bills and legislating them. The reality is that more blood will have to flow and unfortunately, some innocent lives will be among the fallen.

The pertinent question to ask in determining whether the State should continue blasting away criminals from their safe havens, provided by these garrisons, even as we are being mindful that it is inevitable that collateral damage will occur is: in the long run, which is more costly, criminal gunmen killing near to 2,000 mostly innocent Jamaicans yearly, or the State killing, legally, a miniscule number in a set, prescribed period of time, ensuring that once and for all the yearly Jamaican murder rate will be under 10 persons?

This is the million-dollar question to ask. The answer cannot be decided upon by mere emotional rantings. It has to be objective and rational. And even as we’re a religious people, it’s not very helpful, and of little benefit, to be basing our responses and the ultimate action to take on the part of the State, merely by considering what the Bible says re killing, unless we are hellbent on maintaining the status quo.

Let’s have objective responses to this question.

Joshua Spencer

Toronto, Canada