We shall all do stupid things

THE EDITOR: I support Ken Gordon’s call for full compliance with our laws, big and small. But we hope we won’t have to sing the song, “How long will it last?” We all have pet irritations; taxi drivers blocking traffic for the convenience of a passenger (I try to be tolerant and say they are hustling a bread. It doesn’t hold water!); a vehicle parked on the wrong side of the road and causing an unbelievable jam. And of course, this is not a Taliban state — police must deal courteously with citizens as in a civilised society. But I agree with COP Snaggs; everybody must have the Gordon philosophy. On Maloney’s boulevard I was shocked to see a low, cement-plastered vendor’s booth some fifteen feet long grabbing the full width of the pavement. (It may become an architectural icon, a model for others). On Cameron Road in Petit Valley a similar but longer structure cozies up against the asphalt edge of the road.

In Guayaguayare, near the RC Church, in sandy terrain, a sixty-degree cutting was made in a ridge about fifty feet high. A house stood at the top near the edge. I wonder how long it will survive. But big money also plays in this game; reports are too numerous of buildings and development plans bypassing Town and Country Planning Division and other relevant authorities. Contracts are laws. The most common is about wages. On the one hand, greed, power, high unemployment and inadequate Government supervision drive many employers to underpay workers, provide unsatisfactory work conditions, neglect NIS contributions and seize or coerce benefits alien to the labour contract. (Government needs to devise some assistance for aged and ailing retirees who really cannot pay the minimum wage for help they absolutely need). Workers, too, commit crimes. Many convert their eight-hour day’s work to URP two hours; treat customers with contempt; are inefficient, show little desire to improve and even sharpen their stealing skills. But the primary human contract dates way back to the first man; protect and honour your ‘woman’ and protect and ‘mind’ your children. As people said earlier to the man who didn’t, “You ain’t man; you is manicou.”

Growing up, children observe and take things to their ‘logical conclusion’ then stretch them beyond what adults thought possible. The result: explosion in youth crime and other youth misbehaviour — even though we do have exemplary employers and workers and model youth. As human beings, we shall all do stupid things as long as we live — but some want to crucify children for that failing. However, crime is another matter; for the sake of our own present comfort and our children’s future happiness we must live wholesome values, obey our laws and help our children do the same. In short, we must have respect and concern for others. As the song says, “Share love.” And joy of joys: with law enforcement, dogs and owners will be saved from the hell of explosives in built-up areas and enjoy the heaven of peaceful New Year celebration.

VAN STEWART
Diego Martin