I am disheartened to see the approach that has been taken by the Government to stimulate the economy by the modification of the special consumption tax on motor vehicles.

I have been studying abroad for a number of years, but every time I return, I am ashamed at the sheer volume of vehicular traffic that exists. This quantity has only increased from high school to my last visit in January of last year.

Why can't the government try to curb the use of fuels instead, since the fuel bill is such a burden on the very economy that they're trying to save? Why not invest in improving public transit? Establishing an above-ground rail system that functions, and incorporate conservation into the culture? The roads are already too congested, and more traffic will only exacerbate the already dwindling quality of the air.

Such actions should be evaluated for their long-term impact, instead of facilitating an immediate boost to the economy.

- Phillip Ranglin, p_ranglin@yahoo.com

Philadelphia

Problem with atheism

While hoping to hear Ian Boyne's own thoughts on the posturings of the new atheists, I offer the following reflection.

The atheistic/evolutionary position is like someone finding a masterpiece of artwork, intricately painted on a perfectly rectangular piece of canvas, carefully rolled and planted in the most remote part of Antarctica and not observing any form of intelligent life in the immediate or distant vicinity, concludes that it must have produced itself over billions of years.

- Paul Thorbourne, Kingston 6

Timely critique of Ragga

E. Handel Wallace's letter re Dr Kingsley Stewart is timely.

The black race suffers from a malady that once I arrive no one else will. Dr Stewart is allowed to do what he is doing because he is Dr Stewart. Had he not been seen as an intellectual, they would have taken him off the air a long time ago.

Just another means of keeping the gullible ignorant. Dr Stewart can switch as he pleases to a higher level. How many of his audience are able to do so? Why does he not challenge them to be greater than mere sex objects and studs?

We are waiting until one day he decides to apologise for his actions and express the usual regret as many others have done for wasting a good opportunity to do good.

- B. L. Daubon, Kingston