THE EDITOR, Sir:

WHAT A historic achievement! The performance of the Jamaican athletics team to date at the 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China, has once again demonstrated to all Jamaicans and indeed the world that this island is, in fact, a God-blessed island.

Our music, language, beauty and now our athletes have impacted the world in a positive manner, yet today, there are thousands of families of Jamaicans who, at this particular time in history, have a bittersweet taste in their mouths. Lives have been lost, families have been broken, wives without husbands, children without fathers, parents without children and brothers without brothers. When will it all end? When will the indiscriminate murders and shedding of our families' blood end? When will true justice be delivered?

Seize the moment

This is the turning point for all Jamaicans. God is undoubtedly saying to us, 'this is your last chance Jamaica'. Is it that our memory is so short? Wasn't it God who spared us from certain destruction from hurricanes just a couple years ago? Wasn't it God who reminded us a few Sundays ago with an earth tremor that He is still in control?

We must seize the initiative and use this moment in history to make the clarion call to all Jamaicans to return to God before it is too late.

So, to our leaders and great defenders, let us nationally unite against the scourge of violence, against the perpetrators of evil and ask God to spare us from his wrath, and make full use of this turning point.

I am, etc.,

RADCLIFFE CLARKE

Braeton, St Catherine