Dear Editor,
Two eminent local psychiatrists tell us that, “Poor life skills, coupled with malnourished brains, are among the root causes of psychopathic behaviour displayed regularly in Jamaican society, which have led to persons being murdered in trivial disputes.” Basically they are saying that poverty, being uneducated, and lacking formal opportunities can turn you into a psychotic killer. If this is true, how do we combat it?
There are many people walking around who are ticking time bombs. Asking Senior Superintendent Stephen McGregor to tame this crime problem in St James is like asking a camel to pass through a needle’s eye. Giving the police more guns hasn’t helped — unless you believe Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams that if we didn’t do that it would be worse. Making the police more mobile hasn’t worked, the killings are random and defy logic.
By the way, where is the reluctant Minister of National Security Robert Montague? What else is he expected to try? Haven’t we tried everything humanly possible, Peter Bunting?
We live in a society driven by greed, glamour, and glitter; no wonder so many youngsters wish to be lottery scammers. They want to ‘get rich or die trying’. The farmers, teachers, nurses, police, electricians, etc, are all skills to be scoffed at. The message of sacrifice is outdated, they want their piece of the pie now; no ‘by the sweat of your brow thou shall eat bread’.
Making use of scarce opportunities and education and being patient can pay off. Young people need to be convinced. It’s a tough sell when handouts and promises have been the strong points of politicians, but it must be done.
Mark Clarke
Siloah PO, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com
Two eminent local psychiatrists tell us that, “Poor life skills, coupled with malnourished brains, are among the root causes of psychopathic behaviour displayed regularly in Jamaican society, which have led to persons being murdered in trivial disputes.” Basically they are saying that poverty, being uneducated, and lacking formal opportunities can turn you into a psychotic killer. If this is true, how do we combat it?
There are many people walking around who are ticking time bombs. Asking Senior Superintendent Stephen McGregor to tame this crime problem in St James is like asking a camel to pass through a needle’s eye. Giving the police more guns hasn’t helped — unless you believe Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams that if we didn’t do that it would be worse. Making the police more mobile hasn’t worked, the killings are random and defy logic.
By the way, where is the reluctant Minister of National Security Robert Montague? What else is he expected to try? Haven’t we tried everything humanly possible, Peter Bunting?
We live in a society driven by greed, glamour, and glitter; no wonder so many youngsters wish to be lottery scammers. They want to ‘get rich or die trying’. The farmers, teachers, nurses, police, electricians, etc, are all skills to be scoffed at. The message of sacrifice is outdated, they want their piece of the pie now; no ‘by the sweat of your brow thou shall eat bread’.
Making use of scarce opportunities and education and being patient can pay off. Young people need to be convinced. It’s a tough sell when handouts and promises have been the strong points of politicians, but it must be done.
Mark Clarke
Siloah PO, St Elizabeth
mark_clarke9@yahoo.com