Issue: Scrap metal ambassadors
Published:Saturday | August 6, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Ooh, hush up!
THE EDITOR, Sir:
It is very interesting and hypocritical that so many voices are now being heard supporting the cause of the scrap-metal dealers for being put out of business. Where were the same voices when the blind was falling into manholes because thieves removed the covers and sold them to some of those same scrap metal dealers? And, where were these voices to condemn these dealers for buying JPS cables, bridge railings and Jamaica Railway Corporation lines from people they knew could not be legally in possession of those things?
Householders and business persons have had their grilles removed from their homes and business places, and the list goes on, but there were no political and legal voices heard talking on the behalf of these people.
What is happening now is, maybe, a case of the good suffering for the bad, but until the industry can be regulated, decent law-abiding people should be allowed to keep their property and corporations shouldn't have to replace material that other persons have stolen and are benefiting from.
What's the difference between the receiver and the rogue?
According to our law, ignorance is not an excuse, but clearly, according to the influential voices in this country, persons and corporate entities should continue to suffer the loss of property when these new entrepreneurs flourish at their expense.
Elaine Burrell