Dudus spoke, Golding and Miller time

CHRISTOPHER 'DUDUS' Coke reportedly spoke in a New York court, pleading guilty and acknowledging that he is the head of the Shower Posse. In addition, he admitted to two former convictions in the United States (US) in 1988.

This disastrous development for Jamaica means no one can blame an unfair US justice system because Dudus admitted guilt. It means that Jamaicans at home and abroad will have the stereotype of being druggist and violent reinforced.

Furthermore, Jamaica's government and political culture, allegedly characterised as systemically corrupt, was served a lethal blow.

Therefore, it is time for politicians, columnists, talk-show hosts, etc, to explain their statements on Tivoli. And if they cannot recall what was said or written then a simple Internet search can refresh minds and memories. There were persons who hailed Tivoli as a place of low crime and persons squealed whenever there was a police operation into Tivoli, and to support their argument, they asked why is it no guns were found. These persons need to speak.

No word from the PM

But the honourable Bruce Golding needs to speak as prime minister (PM), party leader and member of parliament (MP). Did he know or hear of Dudus as leader of the Shower Posse, a gang which got its name from showering bullets on its victims? Why was he willing to put his political career on the line for a legal issue on which the Jamaican courts had not ruled? In light of the guilty plea, what does it say about Golding as MP, party leader and prime minister? The PM has not uttered a word since the Dudus plea, of which he was central and which traumatised the country. We need to use this confession to propel the severing of links between politics and the underworld.

The police targeting gangs will not affect the Dudus type. Dudus had legitimate businesses. He was popular in the community and a key figure and mobiliser in a political party. He had defenders in the media. We need different strategies, including the use of extradition treaty, to deal with the Dudus type. The PM needs to speak to the strategy going forward to deal with the Dudus types.

The Christian Faith believes in accountability. Matthew 12: 36 states, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Pastor Al Miller in 'Another side of the Dudus Affair' (March 15, 2010) quoted Deut 16:19, and then was critical of the USA stating, "Let us not panic over what the United States or others may do; let us choose to do right. No matter what the US may do, let justice reign; there is a just God who will defend us when we stand for justice as a principle."

He then argues against the extradition treaty, using the Bible to support his cause, "The biblical principle, as I observe it, is that a citizen should be judged by their 'own' nation and not be given to another." And then he made a startling revelation to support his point claiming, "Interesting to note, I have discovered that Mr Coke has not been to the US since as a child. All accusations against him are alleged to have taken place whilst he is in Jamaica." However, as an adult Dudus admits to committing crimes in USA, therefore, Miller's statements appear to be in contradiction with Dudus' guilty pleas. Miller needs to address those comments and other frightening statements in that article which needs a response, including an apology to Jamaica and the USA.

Dudus has spoken and it is now time for Golding and Miller to do likewise.

Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. Comments to columns@gleanerjm.com