Ministers of a feather flock together

THE EDITOR: It comes as no great surprise that Junior Minister Fitzgerald Hinds has come out in support of his Senior Minister Martin Joseph, with regard to certain statements made by Minister Joseph in a recent public TV address to the nation. It seems that, in like manner to the birds, ministers of a feather flock together no matter what. In order to put things in their right perspective, I will place the events that took place in their proper sequence:-

1) Prior to the murder of Acting Inspector Edward Williams, by which time over 150 persons had been murdered for the year 2004, no mention was ever made by Minister Joseph of the criminals having “crossed the line” and among those murders were two police officers as well.

2) It was only after the murder of Ag Inspector Williams that Minister Joseph made any reference to criminals having “crossed the line.”

3) During the same TV address Minister Joseph did say that there was an understanding that criminals do not shoot police officers which is about the most ridiculous statement that I have ever heard since all over the world hundreds of police and other law enforcement officers are killed every year in the execution of their duty.

Perhaps Mr Hinds would be well advised to view a re-run of the address that Minister Joseph made to the nation in order to refresh his memory. I am sure that a private viewing of the event could be easily arranged for a person of his political stature. The only statements coming from the present Minister of National Security as they did from his predecessor, were to advise the public that plans had been put in place to deal with the crime situation which would be brought fully under control.

Except of course the statement he made on being appointed to office. He openly stated then that he did not know anything about crime or nationals security but would be depending on the agencies such as the Police and Army to do what was required of them. It is most unfortunate that Mr Hinds should find the contents of the Newsday Editorial and statements expressed by others including myself comparable to “Trini-Talk” and “Rum-shop fodder,” but then of course “Foot in Mouth” disease is known to be most prevalent among politicians, especially those who are in the habit of speaking without thinking.

MARTIN KAVANAGH
La Romaine