The Editor, Sir:

Recently, while listening to one of the daily talk shows via the Internet, one host and a caller scoffed at Professor Errol Miller's exhortation to Jamaican educators to 'concentrate on cultivating good character traits in their students rather than on emphasising intelligence.'

Professor Miller makes a very valid point that I think was way over the heads of this (intelligent) talk show host and his caller. It surely does not take a rocket scientist to see the point that Professor Miller was making. Professor Miller did not suggest that intelligence is not important. This writer happens to agree with Professor Miller and believes that intelligence and character go hand in hand (a package if you will).

The evidence will show that in our country, more than any other time in our history, we have more educated/intelligent people that are responsible for a lot of crime and other vices in the country. We (most of us) will agree that these criminals and 'jinnals' are void of moral character.

Intelligence is important, however intelligence without morals does not amount to much. In our pursuit of knowledge/intelligence, we should teach and enforce truthfulness, fairness, respect, responsibility, caring and citizenship (core ethical values that form character).

I am, etc.,

AUTHNEL REID

Authnelreid@optoline.net

Via Go-Jamaica