Gloom at Camperdown
I felt compelled to write about the untimely death of Carlton Grant, a student of Camperdown High School, who was killed by a policeman on the weekend.
Just last Friday, he sat in the administration office at the school, where he came to enquire about CSEC results.
He was killed on Saturday, and I woke up on Sunday to the news of his death. The utter shock and disbelief are indescribable.
I fear for the safety of our young men, my young men, my sons, in this country. These policemen had so many other choices, to take the young man in, even to shoot him in his foot.
The unfortunate fact is that he was killed without even knowing how well he did in his exams, something that he was worrying about.
At present, there is an air of gloom over our school, because we all knew and loved Carlton. My condolences go out to his family.
- Camille M. Allen
Kingston, Jamaica
Pleading strategy
I experience a wave of mixed emotions everytime I hear our leaders pleading with gunmen and other criminals. Amusement, anger, and pity are dominant among those.
It is laughable to hope that perpetrators of vicious crimes will be swayed for more than a millisecond by such statements, anger, because I am reminded that our government is powerless against crime, and that such pleading is part of their crime fighting strategy.
I feel pity because it's so sad that the politicians helped start this criminal activity, but have no clue how to stop it, and the country pays taxes while being terrorised by murderers with no end game in sight.
- Sick of the crime
Kingston 8
The Bolt enigma 'explained'
The reason Usain Bolt, with 20 metres from the tape, shut down the engines and coasted to a mere 9.69 second world record is the subject of much debate.
Pundits tender all manner of reasons:
A primal fear of going too fast.
Youthful jesting.
Arrogance.
Considering stopping to tie his shoelace.
Concern that he might not have sufficient stopping distance.
I suggest the real reason is that the man suffers from monophobia - a fear of being alone.
Mr Bolt, get used to it. This is going to be a way of life for you.
- Winston C. Reynolds
16575 NW 20th St
Pembroke Pines, Florida
