A level of barbarism has taken over this country. It was with profound disgust that I watched TVJ's news on Sunday night and observed the jumping of an obviously disturbed man from an upper window of the Kingston Public Hospital. Despite the efforts of the Fire Services to negotiate with the obviously depressed man, the hundreds of spectators who converged on the scene and, who, in spite of the delicate nature of the situation, saw it fit to shout 'jump!' repeatedly until the man did jump.

Lack of care

Events of this nature only point to the lack of care and civility, which pervades our society and really makes one question the possible root causes and where do we go from here. Death, murder and mayhem have certainly become a way of life here in Jamaica and it is about time we come together and stop this scourge which has overtaken us.

One thing is certain, no amount of legislation or police brute force will be able to contain this until the words of the National Pledge and Anthem become guiding lights for each and every citizen of this country; until the political divide is substantially bridged; until the greed and corruption that is so rampant in all spheres of Jamaican society is uprooted; until the lewd music that has somehow become synonymous with Jamaican cultural expression is muted; until marriage and family life mean something; until people begin caring for their environment and have mutual respect for others; until the pride and arrogance that infects every sphere of our society is replaced with humility, then there will be no change in this course, regardless of who forms the Government.

- Max Wellington

mwellington2000@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica