The Editor, Sir:

Having read Dennie Quill's 'Common myths about crime' (The Gleaner, Friday, December 21), I felt inspired to make the following observations about crime, in general, and the ultimate human accountability to meditate on, in particular.

Crime is a multifaceted/multi-factored problem. I think it's safe, if not rhetorical, to say that Mr. Quill - like any thinking person - recognises that this is true. This is why he mentioned that "Added to this urge to rob, kill and maim to maintain a luxurious (parasitic) lifestyle, many criminals are pumped up by drugs. I heard one commentator say this drug-induced stupor accounts for the brutal nature of the killings we have witnessed in recent times."

We are witnessing the effect of general corruption, drugs and greed alongside domestic, social/political reprisal killings and contract killings, amidst the seemingly hopeless, uneducated plight of many young males.

When I think about the decapitation homicides this year, reminiscent of those within the past decade or so, I think about depraved, drugged, demonised fiends spilling the blood of human beings, as these beasts are wont to run even children's blood in the streets, like the time of guillotines! For how many of us is it truly the best of times or the worst of times?

Mr. Quill refers to "political scientist James Wilson in his book titled Thinking About Crime (which) called for a new and more punitive crime policy ... (proposing that) the appropriate response from Government has to be to increase the risk and lower the rewards of criminal activity." I agree. Bring back hanging.

This Christmas 2007, however, instead of fully expositing how or why it is incorrectly or correctly viewed that "the government policy (is) undermine(d)!" in the lyrics of Bounty Killa's Anytime, I'll remind you of the essential "peace on earth" and "compassion for the poor" messages from the Honourable Michael Manley and Edward Seaga, respectively, which appeared on the front page of The Gleaner, Christmas Eve 1980, in the wake of a violent election, (as cited in my Letter of the Day, December 24, 2006. 'Reminiscing on Christmas Sunday Shopping' which utilised The Gleaner's Archive Service).

What is contributing to the crime

Poverty cannot be the sole or major cause of crime, though, yet it all adds up. The major cause of crime, from a Christian perspective, is sin, which "adds to your trouble, subtracts from your energy, multiplies your difficulties, and divides you from God", as one source puts it.

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." says James, "For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. (admonition) So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." ( 2:10-12). Joy to the world, Jesus came in flesh and blood to live upon Earth mist wind, water, fire and liars (I John 2:3,4) yet lives to come again. Then it will be, as my friend Neville Peter sings, "Forever Christmas".

Happy Holidays and New Year when it comes! (lay off the pork or such ilk!)

I am, etc.,

RYAN O'NEIL SEATON

Kingston 11

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