Dear Editor,
The title of this article reflects words echoed by Justice Minister Rafael Boasman in last week’s press briefing. In all honesty, this plea could not have occurred at a more opportune time – a time when the country has been thrust into complete turmoil by a government that has failed to protect its people. Sad to say, but this is the worst government since 10-10-10. It is an administration that is drowning in nepotism, and one that is giving away the country, day by day – the very conduct they have accused the opposition of practicing.
Minister Boasman seemed to be quite enthusiastic about collaborating with the Ministries of Social Affairs and Education, to have a discussion on why the country has shifted in this direction. What’s the use? All three ministries are well aware of what is causing this problem. Certainly, Minister Boasman needs to sit up and smell the coffee – burnt coffee that has been brewing and neglected for ages.
Right now, the community is fed up with the talking and reacting after the fact. Does the Minister think this useless rhetoric that he and his colleagues engage in every Wednesday morning is touching the lives of the people?
By now, Minister Boasman should know there is a total disconnect between government and the people, and unfortunately, the officials love it that way. The only politician who has my attention is the Minister of Finance Richard Gibson. One can appreciate the way he executes his task selflessly and with discipline, because of the vision he holds in his mind for this country. Thank goodness the island is blessed with a Finance Minister, who has shown consistency in working on this level of proficiency.
Furthermore, Minister Boasman should be conscious of the fact that a child learns what he or she lives, and that the environment is like the incubator for that youth. What would happen to that child if the incubator is filled with all kinds of harmful bacteria? The Minister should also realise that when a child reaches the age of 5, that youngster has already formed 80% of his or her perception of the world. So what view does a lot of our youngsters hold in their memory Minister? Is it that freshly-brewed tasty coffee or the one that is burnt, where the scent upsets the stomach of even the neighbours who live way down the street?
As mentioned, children learn what they live. With this in mind, has Minister Boasman taken time to analyse why he was chosen to be the Minister of Justice, when former Minister Edson Koringdongo was lauded publicly for a job well done by the MP, who had selected him for this position?
Then the nagging question is: If the minister did such a marvellous job, why was he removed from the position? During the formation of this government, the same MP announced he has put forward two names for the Ministry of TEATT. One candidate supposedly failed, but the current Minister’s name was never made public. Why is that?
Does it really have to take another rape to prick the minister’s conscience and wake him up from this deep slumber? How many infants, toddlers, young children, teenagers and adults have been raped, and are still forced into this evil submission? Have the community heard one word from the Ministries of Justice, Social Affairs and Education, prior to this incident? To say that this type of crime does not happen often is such a careless and unrealistic statement. One time is too many in the eyes of a Justice Minister, who cares about his people.
In addition, has this Justice Minister been paying attention to the different cultures that have brought their dirty habits with them, and now these conducts have become common place? He needs to look around and see which Caribbean countries are swimming in child molestation, and what has developed into common practice for people to rape their great grandmother. What about the drugs and guns that are pouring into the country? When will this cancer get the attention of government, other than the nonsensical rhetoric, just to appease the public?
It was an intriguing moment to hear a former MP, who stood up in Parliament and said that anybody can go anywhere and buy a gun. Then the question is: How is it that this transaction can occur so easily, and what is causing politicians to abstain from tackling this problem that is eating away the fabric of this society?
The only logical follow-up question is: Who is protecting these drug and gun pushers, and benefitting heavily from this money-spinning business? The answer to this inquiry can be acquired thoroughly, when government and parliament really sit up and smell the burnt coffee!
Joslyn Morton
