The Editor, Sir:

In the Gleaner of Saturday, February 3, I got the opportunity to see the cartoon that has caused such a furore, and quite frankly I laughed. I thought it very funny.

We need to have a discussion on the ramifications of the cartoon. Why was it that the creative mind of the cartoonist saw such an image of Madam Prime Minister and why did The Gleaner feel that it was acceptable to print such a cartoon? The answer that came to me was that she opened herself to it.

Fodder for creativity

Cartoonists worldwide use leaders, whether public or private sector, to provide fodder for their creative expression. Our Prime Minister may be providing too much in this instance. She must remember that when in the public domain she has a worldwide audience.

Comparisons are being made to Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, even with prospective aspirants such as Hillary Clinton. A gaffe of the magnitude made by Mrs. Simpson Miller reflects on all two point plus million of us as Jamaicans and I don't like the implications.

The kinds of public behaviour expected of our Prime Ministers have changed over the years but constants have remained. I am not old enough to have known the public life of Norman Manley or Alexander Bustamante, but I am knowledgeable about all leaders since.

Whatever has been said about the private lives of our former leaders, their public lives have been nothing but exceptional. We expect our leaders to display great dignity, graciousness and conservatism. We know that our leaders work very hard.

Embarrassment in public

Mr. Editor, if I may use this medium to say a few words directly to Madam Prime Minister. Madam, I never had a choice in your becoming Prime Minister. As a percentage of the Jamaican population, those who voted you leader of the Peoples' National Party and Prime Minister is miniscule.

You wanted this job, I did not ask you to take it. I cannot imagine the complexity of your job and I would never pretend to understand. But to those whom much is given much is expected. If you can't do the job, then leave the job, but please don't embarrass me in public. I did not ask for it.

I am, etc.,

CHRISTOPHER GIVANS

cgivans@cwjamaica.com

Kingston 6