Dear Editor,

The quality of mercy is not strained

It droppeth as a gentle rain from heaven, it is twice blessed:

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes

Tis mightier than the mightiest,

It becomes The throned monarch better than his crown

It is cultured in the hearts of kings

It is an attribute to God himself

An earthly power doth then show like Gods

When mercy seasons justice.

— William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice

I learnt the above excerpt as a child at my father’s feet, and I have never forgotten it. When I woke up this morning and I heard all the issues swirling around in our society and the chaotic atmosphere created by them, I thought of it.

I think of the latest challenge by Jamaicans for Justice calling for the police commissioner to resign. How savage and merciless is that?

I think of Andrew Holness’s decision to axe men who have served his party well, now being slaughtered by him purely to satisfy narrow self-interest.

I think of Richard Azan, who many think is not worthy of forgiveness. Why can’t his deeds be considered an unintentional mistake? Is he really the villain that many make him out to be?

I think of Darren Sammy. So many sports enthusiasts, including Tony Becca, wanted him dropped; yet he mercifully vindicated himself scarcely two days after by guiding the West Indies to victory over India.

I think of Jamaica Teachers’ Association and its hateful ambition to wage an attack against Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites.

I think of Lisa Hanna, like the commissioner, burdened by a thankless job which is highly under-resourced, again mercilessly attacked by JFJ.

I think of the treacherous move by Anne Shirley and Dr Paul Wright against WADA, presumably in the interest of the very programme their comments were designed to destroy. All the time, so unlike the kings mentioned by Shakespeare, straining mercy instead of delivering it in its purest form like the rain from heaven.

God up above has granted us his mercy redeeming us to himself. Is it fair to expect the mercy of God if we ourselves fall short of God’s glory and ever so often fall on our knees to beg God for forgiveness. Who is perfect among us?

In every case mentioned above we know of no better substitute for those whom people want to mercilessly sacrifice, yet we persist. To what end, I wonder?

The Bible says he who is without sin, let him throw the first stone. We talk about corruption as if only the police and politicians and those in the employ of the State apparatus are corrupt. Not so. The man who speaks wrongly and acts in furtherance of those wrong thoughts is corrupt in mind. Those who witness wrong and only talk about it, instead of moving a muscle to find a solution, are equally corrupt.

Could this be the real reason that Jamaica can never prosper? Look at the world around us. Richard Nixon and many like him in America have received presidential pardon. Many even now, including Mayor Ford of Canada, continue in office without even half the excitement that we generate.

Clive Stewart

clive.stewart262@gmail.com