THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am deeply disturbed about indiscipline in the society in present times.

I thought that the 'law' of Jamaica made indecent or lewd expressions otherwise called "bad words", "swear words", "curse words", "dirty words", punishable when spoken. I am now wondering if such a law has been lifted, since I have noticed for quite sometime that these utterances are more frequently used, even when indivi-duals are unprovoked. Surprisingly, these are elevated to musical setting!

There is loud, lewd noise on tape (called music) upsetting the neigh-bourhood, causing headache and sleepless nights for some people. Some motorists drive along with loud vibrating sounds.

There are taxidrivers as well as some of the passengers who speak fearlessly, unacceptable terms which others travelling in the vehicle with them do not relish. If anyone bravely denounces the utterances, the reply is like this - "yuh neva hear dis before?' - 'yuh doam hear bout de killings an de rape? - de word caan spell, so a nuh nutten!

Now, what does this mean to law-abiding citizens and children? For the lewd, loud noise on hi-fi systems, it blares in places such as Montego Bay (Bay West Shopping Centre, for example) in the hearing of the police officer/s.

This ugly behaviour should not be allowed to preponderate among those who feel they have freedom to promote and display any type of vulgarity anytime, anywhere, anyhow and regardless in whose presence they highlight themselves in public.

I would like the Government's officials with authoritative positions to grapple with the situation to control unruly Jamaicans.

I am, etc.,

SYLVIA HICKLING

PO Box 64

Lucea