Stop that silly advertisement about crime in TT

THE EDITOR: The full-page advertisement by “the Prime Minister’s Committee against Crime” leaves me unimpressed; in fact, it makes me a bit angry! Addressing all citizens of TT in bold type, it says: “Together we have created a lawless, indisciplined society... so if you want to fix crime, fix yourself first.” The exhortation is: behave yourself and we have no problem! This is clearly an insult to all law-abiding citizens.

In a society where no angels tread, some citizens obey the laws, and some do not; but the taxpayer pays the elected Government to maintain law and order. What can the hapless motorist do, when while waiting for a green light, others are seen driving through, or making turns contrary to posted signs, or overtaking on the shoulders? What can the hapless citizen do, when the Government awards cushy contracts without tenders to selected supporters? A trini friend of mine and her Indian-born husband happened to be in Trinidad during the 1990 assault on Parliament, when Mr Robinson was shot, and 13 persons were killed. On the basis of the attempted coup by a handful of gunrunners, the husband remarked that TT is not a safe place. Mr Manning has not to date condemned Abu Bakr’s assault on our democratically elected government, and while Manning distances himself from the annual July 29 memorial service, he has no qualms in associating publicly with Abu Bakr.

Not only was Abu Bakr seen celebrating the PNM’s election victory at Baliser House in November 2002, but Manning also poses for the TV cameras when he receives Abu Bakr at his office. And to top it off, Manning then meets and treats in his office with leaders in areas noted for criminal activities, dubbing them “community leaders.” There are many upright citizens who are neither corrupt, nor do they break traffic laws; but Manning pussy-foots while the Integrity Commission lapses into a coma; the traffic police under his administration tolerate the lawlessness on our roads; and his ministers arrive for cabinet meetings in illegally tinted cars. Manning should phone Lee Quan Yew to find out what it took to make Singapore a first world nation in just 35 years. Does Manning possess the two vital attributes of manhood to do the job? The country voted for Manning’s Government and he has a mandate to govern. To occupy the Red House is his life’s ambition, but that apart, does he see any role for his 25-member Cabinet — such as fixing crime? Many citizens actually see the Manning Government as part of the crime problem! That advertisement should be withdrawn with an apology to the nation.

MICHAEL J WILLIAMS
Maracas Valley