We are not a bunch of fools

THE EDITOR: A silent war has been declared on TT. The war is against the middle class, business class, professional class, upper class and government; in particular the police, the army and the prison authorities, and in its wake, the poorer class.

Silent, because we all know who is waging it, but no one mentions them in public nor dares move against them in force. You know, jump high, jump low, our country, TT is a just country. Our government is a government based on law. We do not have and have never had political prisoners, we do not have and have never had repressive regimes. In spite of our politicians racial incitements, our people live in peace and tolerance, even at election time. We have laws to protect us against almost anything. Businesses support our communities in all fields; in sports, in culture, in education, in health, in everything. Big business spends millions of dollars in diverse ways benefitting all areas of human endeavour. Small businesses are the lifeblood of town and village activities, giving in cash or in kind. We are a generous people, we are a kind people we are a hospitable people and we are religious people. What have we done to deserve this treatment?

The silent army wants to force us to join their “religion.” There is another religion of the same name, which we have known for a long time; one that is caring and ethical; one that prospered, in spite if its minority percentage — a mere 6 percent of the population, to produce some of our most successful businessmen, a profusion of professionals in every discipline and community leaders and exemplars, throughout our country. This is not the same thing. We are not a bunch of fools. That group has a different, silent agenda. Since 1990, we have seen this steady, quiet build-up by this group, whose modus operandi through violent crime is to intimidate the population and simultaneously raise capital to fund its operations in the surge to power. Prison officers are intimidated on the job and threatened at home. Police feel the ring tightening by similar threats — cooperate or die. Business people pay quiet protection money to avoid the violence and keep quiet. The writing is clear for us all to see. Forget all the talk about unemployment and breakdown in family life and corruption in the police service. While those have always been causes they do not make the kind of impact on us like what we are experiencing today. The crime is emanating from one group with tentacles now in several areas throughout TT. Until we deal with that reality, we are in denial and if it is not addressed — then we better start to learn their scriptures.

DE COBO
St James