THE EDITOR, Sir:THERE ARE those among us who never miss an opportunity to castigate the US and its leaders for their self-serving foreign policy.
We in the Caribbean purport to offer more humanitarian, socially diverse and racially inclusive solutions to the world's corrosive problems. Sadly, most of the time all we do is talk. We talk about injustice and oppression and dis-respect and all the anomalies that make a Third World existence so wretched.
Yet when the opportunity presents itself to defend our arguments with action, we become men without gonads. We lack the stomach for confrontation, yet we parade around as conscientious leaders. We form elaborate organisations like CARICOM and hide under the safe banner of 'Trade Organisation'.
Our bold leaders are nothing more than toothless dogs who hide behind the fence, barking incessantly, but never daring to risk injury by confronting any aggressor.
This is what George Bush and Colin Powell know so well, that they can come to our front door and act with impunity and know all we can do is 'run' our mouth.
It would be nice if just once when a neighbour such as Aristide needed help, we could have mustered the courage to send some of our well trained military to offer not just lip service. Then we would send a message to the world that we are as committed as we are vociferous, and we are willing to manage affairs in our own backyard no matter our meagre our resources.
Perhaps maybe then the Bushes of the world will have a bit more respect for us and choose to approach us as men and not toothless dogs behind a shameless CARICOM fence. And if we can't seem to muster the courage, then we should just shut the hell up.
I am, etc.,
EVERET BARRETT
embarrett1@comcast.net
Duluth, Ga
Via Go-Jamaica
