THE EDITOR: You may want to publish this article written by Christine Hannays two years ago when she was 14 years old, she still attends Bishop Anstey High School. JOANNE HANNAYS. On the 11th of September, 2001 disaster of unlimited proportions struck the United States of America. It was on this day that three hijacked American Airlines passenger aircraft crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City and one into the Pentagon in Washington DC. A fourth hijacked aircraft crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Luckily, for the majority of those working at the Pentagon, damage was only done and lives were only lost at the place of impact.

The twin towers, however, were another story. The extreme heat caused by the burning of large quantities of aviation fuel and the vibrations caused on impact eventually resulted in the crumbling of both towers. All that was left in the aftermath of this horrific event was physical, emotional and psychological pain, bodies, blood and more bodies. It was a clear demonstration of the results of hatred, oppression, injustice and provocation. My initial feelings towards those hurt in the attack and those who lost a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a husband, a wife, a friend or other loved one is that of complete and honest compassion, sympathy and distress. My other emotion is directed at the United States of America as one institution. It is an institution that has oppressed others as far back as anyone can remember, an institution that has taken sides in matters that did not concern them and caused wars that were pointless and a waste of resources, money, energy, time and most important, lives.

These were the lives of soldiers and civilians alike, whose deaths helped in keeping their countries “Third World”; whose deaths caused a mother, a sister, a wife or a child to cry out in the night because their son, brother, husband or father was never coming home. An institution that within itself had so many of its own problems and so many hypocrisies but still saw the need to go to countries millions of miles away where the education level was so much lower and manipulate the people there and force their culture and ways of thinking on them. America was never punished for these injustices and I believe that it finally has been. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “Injustice anywhere is an insult to justice everywhere.”

The Americans’ apparent surprise at the attack shocks me because as Napoleon said, “When one is attacked, the only thing left to do is to counter attack.” America’s enemies were bound to counter attack some day. It was only a matter of time. Even though I think that the United States got what was coming to them, I do not approve of the way in which the world solves its problems. That is, with violence. For calling it a war or a battle does not hide what it truly is, murder. It is murder because no one on this earth created life and no one has the right to take it away. I pray for the day when the United States and the rest of the countries of the world finally realise that hate only breeds more hate. I hope that it stops before we all destroy each other.

CHRISTINE HANNAYS
Bishop Anstey High School

THE EDITOR: A young woman left her sons at home and went to work. She put the children in school as early as she could and dropped them off at her aunt’s house after school. When she picked them up they were half asleep. They had been playing outside all evening or watching TV because Tanty had to cook, clean and iron for herself and for her employees. She couldn’t have children under foot. They grew up and couldn’t read but were sent to secondary school where their A’ level graduate teacher read notes from the textbook every day and sent them outside for misbehaving. They started fights at recess for fun and picked on skinny, funny looking students. They were suspended again and again and they stopped going. Maybe somebody expelled them. They have guns now and still pick on people who look smaller, skinny or lame. They too have sons with girls who are looking for work.

Laventille, Belmont, Morvant… had food, had shelter, had URP, have CEPEP, but never had genuine attention, love and guidance. They increased in numbers like children who provide Mama with more money from social welfare; they increased and provided essential votes. But there has never been a mother to sit with them in the afternoon to educate them. There has never been a mother to set a dream in their hearts. There has been no teacher in their schools to capture their attention because nobody ever thought they could learn. Look at what we have done with our sons. We built with our shiniest dreams a towering National Library, furnished and polished and stacked it and opened its doors. Whose primary school daughter is that making out over thereunder the Religious Section? Whose son is that slipping out with three bags, none his own; whose child broke this computer and that one and this one? What will be our sign of development come 2020 — our buildings?

And Tobago’s brand new multi storey, multi-everything secondary schools stand in the hearts of our villages where we throw more children and child teachers fresh out of A’ levels… while we yet cut ribbons and turn sods our children are whores on Store Bay who will never own homes and properties and can find no jobs; where incest couldn’t possibly  exist never mind what the children are whispering or the strange games they are playing with their dollies… No jobs for those who have some qualifications today? What of those we have swooped up and dumped in our beautiful new schools who cannot read; who will have no teachers? What kind of Tobago will we have in five years, in three, in two?

As a nation we continue to abuse, abandon and disillusion our youth. Everything that involves the development of our children must be our priority if we really hope to reduce crime. They just return to us what they’ve been given. What if we did right by our nation’s children one day? What if every strategic planning meeting that the government will have over the next few years began with a vision that revolves around our children. What if we stopped talking politics and did our best to raise and to provide for healthy, balanced children. Oh for a system of education where we can truly educate our sons.

ANN NATASHA SECOND
Carnbee, Tobago

THE EDITOR: Permit my indulgence on behalf of the Special Reserve Officers (SRPs). I endorse a recent article on behalf of SRPs submitted by a Mr Hayden Murray, and printed in this newspaper about a month ago. With the 1,000 SRPs who are being enlisted to boost the strength of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, I strongly urge the Commissioner of Police Mr Everald Snaggs to upgrade the limited training of these soon-to-be-officers, who are expected to serve their country.

In most instances SRPs carry out the functions of their counterparts in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) with none of the benefits and recognition. One such function is the Independence parade. It is painful to look at the many blunders by these Special Reserve officers. On the other hand they cannot be expected to adequately carry out a function that was never taught them. It is however not the SRPs who should feel terrible, but the institution responsible for training them. Mr Commissioner, would you please put some measures in place as regards foot-drill for Special Reserve officers or please do not embarrass the young men and women as well as the rest of the Police Service by making their appearance on the Independence parade mandatory.

On another note, while on the topic of the Independence parade, it would be noteworthy that the defence official responsible for commenting during TTT’s live broadcast should be aware that the unarmed contingent of police officers of the second half of the parade consisted of the City Police and the Special Reserve Police. This is a fact that Brigadier Carl Alfonzo should be aware of given his vast experience as regards the Independence Parade.

KAREN SYLVESTER
Arima

THE EDITOR: It is with great interest that I read in the newspapers recently that the Point Fortin Borough will benefit to the tune of several million dollars in taxes annually from Atlantic LNG. These monies coming in to the coffers of the borough make Point Fortin one of the “most endowed” corporations in the country. We only hope that the monies will be spent to assist in real development of the borough and not on big festivals and celebrations the benefits of which are temporary and not lasting.

We tend to take swipes at big business, but in many instances, they are unjustified. As a resident of Point Fortin, I have witnessed, firsthand, the transformation that has come across Point Fortin since Atlantic LNG came on the scene. Point Fortin was a dying borough. It has been brought back to life. We must realise whenever there is progress, there will be some dislocation and some adverse affects. We must always look at the bigger picture. Point Fortin belongs to all of us — the burgesses, the politicians, the service organisations, the business community, the big corporations. If we all co-operate in the interests of Point Fortin, we will end up with a model borough.

TREVOR VILLAFANA
Retiree
Fanny Village