The Editor, Sir:

It is time that people in countries like Jamaica do what their counterparts in places like America do when they are in positions of responsibility, that is to take responsibility for what falls under their portfolio instead of cowering in a corner like a cornered rat and allowing their subordinates to be the fall guy. This is corruption at its very height.

In this regard, I make reference to the present light-bulb scandal linked to the former PNP government's Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce.

A dead albatross

That ministry, for a long time, has been like a dead albatross hanging over the neck of that great party founded by National Hero Norman Manley and by extension, Jamaica. There have been too many strange financial 'ghost sightings'.

Phillip Paulwell, its former minister, should do the decent, honest, honourable and just thing and take responsibility for whatever might have taken place.

After all, he was the head. It seems to be a grave injustice to allow all the blame to fall at the feet of its former junior minister, Kern Spencer. It is the unkindest cut of them all.

True manhood is all about accepting responsibility, not cowering.

Shakespeare alluded to this in the play Julius Caesar:

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not our stars,

But in ourselves, that we are underlings."

I am, etc.,

P. LOGAN

Duncans P.O.

Trelawny