Checking credit history

I clearly support the call for utility bills to be included in the credit history of individuals. As as was stated by Senator Mark Golding recently, this may be the only way to capture some individuals. As for future inaccuracies the respective company involved would have to be on board from day one to be able to give what is called an 'experience/history letter'.

This would be able to make the necessary adjustments to the credit scores and hence letting them have access to the required services without being penalised for issues that were drawn to the utility's company attention for investigation.

A special form would have to be standardised for such anticipation.

Overall, this is a very good idea and glad to see it's finally coming to reality.

- Christopher S. Williams krisswills_637@hotmail.com

Toronto

JPS bad at credit check

Many years ago, I was living in a particular area in which I was warned there was a problem with the billing from Jamaica Public Service. The first month I got a bill for $400 which I didn't pay. The next month I got a bill for $200 which I didn't pay. The next month the bill was $80. The next bill was for $0.

My neighbour paid the first bill. The second was $800. The third was $1,200. The fourth was $2,400. He didn't pay the fourth bill and his electricity was cut off.

I mention this to warn lawmakers that JPS has one of the worst competence records in this country. One can overpay a bill and have one's power cut off. One can also receive a bill for $26,000 for a small hut with one Cuban light bulb.

Trust me, our utilities are nowhere to look for one's creditworthiness.

- Jaye Green

jayegreen@gmail.com

Nuclear weapons and rogue groups

Michael Dingwall's letter of July 9, regarding the preservation of peace though the acquisition of nuclear weapons, makes several good points, including the ability to maintain peace because of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).

He fails to point out, however, that the major reason that nations wish to limit the spread of nuclear weapons is the possibility that they could fall into the hands of extremists. Any group of individuals who are willing to strap explosives to their children and then send them to the deaths would have no qualms about detonating a nuclear device in New York, Tel Aviv, Moscow, or even Kingston.

What if Al-Qaeda were able to obtain a nuclear weapon from North Korea and then detonate the device in a major city, killing thousands? Who would be the target of retaliation? The North Korean citizens? Mutually Assured Destruction is ineffective against rogue groups who have no compulsions against killing those that do not think as they do.

- Larry Stout

larrystout@charter.net