A precursor to military dictatorship

The Editor, Sir:

I am aghast, yet not surprised by the leaders of the various private-sector bodies giving their overwhelming support to the continuation of the state of emergency. They have placed their emotions ahead of creative and rational thinking.

How do they rationalise the support of a prolonged state of emergency yet, in the same breath, have the audacity to mention 'democracy'? A state of emergency is a temporary military solution to an immediate military problem. In this case, the military is used in warfare as seen in west Kingston on May 23. A prolonged state of emergency is a precursor to a military dictatorship, as could be seen in Latin and South America in the 1970s and '80s and across continental Africa today.

On the other hand, if under the pretext of a state of emergency, the security forces are allowed to carry out their duties without the interference of corrupt politicians, then I am all for it, as long as they take it uptown and across town,as crime is being committed everywhere in Jamaica.

Contempt

But we should not need a pretext to do the right thing. In civil societies, the security forces are allowed to carry out their duties without fear or favour and without having to resort to the declaration of a state of emergency. Like anything else, a prolonged state of emergency will lose its meaning - familiarity breeds contempt. Then, what will happen next time there is a real need for emergency action by the state - whether its hurricane or other forms of natural or man-made disaster?

The solution to the crime problem in Jamaica requires a four-pronged approach: security, economic justice, an overall change in the mindset of Jamaicans who believe that because someone else got it they are entitled to it, and most important, opportunities for young people. These are the four parts of the whole and must be implemented in tandem with each other.

I am, etc.,

VEROL THOMPSON

verol.thompson@sonic-planet.com

Atlanta, Georgia