Dear Editor,

I would like to encourage the government not to give in to the Opposition’s numerous attempts to cripple the administration and turn the public’s attention away from all the positives happening in the country. I believe it is all being done by the Opposition PNP in the name of winning the next election – and nothing else!

I see and hear pundits and John Public talking about the article in the Sunday Gleaner with the headline “Caught” as well as the Manatt e-mails. That headline led me to believe that someone was caught in the Manatt affair doing something very wrong and there was irrefutable evidence to support this wrongdoing, but that was seriously misleading.

I notice also that none of the e-mails (published) were ever copied or sent to the PM or the AG, none of these e-mails said, “The PM said…”, or “the PM’s instructions are…”, or “The AG said…”, or “the AG’s instructions are…” I find that rather strange. Where are the e-mails after that one? Did any of those say, “I spoke to the AG or PM and this is the way forward…”? Am I the only who thinks this is strange and insufficient?

The news reports seem to hinge on the e-mail in which Mr Brady is reported to have said, “We have to talk on Monday after we have had a chance to brief the PM and AG.” Any sensible person knows that saying you intend to do something does not mean you will do it. It is even stranger that the media, in its own way, is purporting that these e-mails are proof that the the government was engaged with MPP and the AG knew of Manatt before March 2010. They prove nothing.

Some might say this is a simplistic way to look at this complicated situation, but some things in life are simple. You would be surprised at how quickly the right word, phrase or sentence can uncomplicate a matter of this nature.

My advice to the media is, if you want to prove something, get your hands on letters with official seals and signatures. Until then, spare us the fluff, and leave that to the PNP.

Elizabeth Russell

Kingston 2

lizzi.russell@gmail.com