The Editor, Sir:

The debate on dual citizenship has been very emotive. The facts have been clouded and distorted in an attempt to gloss over the fact that the law seems to be pretty clear as to what the constitution says. Stating that other countries allow dual citizenship is a specious argument.

Yes, other countries allow dual citizenship, Jamaica included, but how many and which ones allow persons holding dual citizenship to be leaders at the highest levels of those countries? It is not sufficient to vaguely refer to these countries without giving the facts clearly and categorically.

One foot in, one foot out

Instead of being salesmen, I am sure the majority of us would prefer that our leaders were patriots: persons who place the interest of our nation state over their personal or party interest; persons like Norman Manley, Sam Sharpe and George William Gordon. How much further along would we be now if it was not about power at any cost?

It should be a great responsibility, duty and honour to serve at the higher echelons of our society. I am one of those who believe you cannot truly be a patriot if a choice has been made to have one foot in Jamaica and another somewhere else, as I believe that is your escape hatch if it goes wrong and then the rest of us are left holding the proverbial bag.

I am, etc.,

DESRINE RUSSELL

dezidar@yahoo.com