Dear Editor,

Two occurrences of vastly differing natures over the past several days have provided for me, at least, more proof — if any was needed — that our country is in a really bad place.

The first is the mayhem that took place on the Palisadoes strip on New Year’s Day. This one clearly demonstrated the level to which the observance of the law and the maintenance of order have sunk in Jamaica — almost bordering on anarchy.

Obviously no one in that crowd cared anything about the massive dislocation they were causing to other people’s lives or the country’s reputation. And, obviously, the powers that be were incapable, or unwilling, to bring about any sort of order to the situation for several hours.

The second occurrence is a report I heard in a news item, which stated that Transport Minister Mike Henry had asked for an examination and analysis of the “black boxes” of two motor vehicles that were involved in a deadly crash last week.

Really?! To what avail? Is Minister Henry just trying to show off that he knows that modern cars carry the so-called black boxes and that he is up on technology?

I stand to be corrected by the minister, if he can tell me what, in this case, the black boxes will add to the work the police had already begun as it relates to the cause of the accident. There is no mystery here for the black boxes to clear up.

To me, this is just another case of Minister Henry majoring in the minor and posturing as he does with so many other issues. He just has to talk, and usually that’s all it is — talk.

The sad thing is that he is not the only highly placed government official. Sigh!

Stephen Harrison

St Mary

stepharrison28@gmail.com