stupid view about crime and unwanted babies

Recently there have been lots of views in the newspapers in favour of abortion as a solution to some of our crime issues.

One view is that it will solve the crime of young children being raped and abused, suggesting that abortion eliminates the risk of children becoming victims of heinous crimes.

Another view is that if a woman destroys her “unwanted” baby early, it can reduce the number of unwanted children who have grown up to become gangsters, murderers and ultimately menaces to the society. This particular view assumes that the criminals in our society are unwanted children.

Frankly, I find these views desperate, irrational, disturbing and lacking the level-headedness that is needed for such a delicate issue as abortion.

Some of the arguments that have surfaced in an effort to support legalised abortion are quite absurd. Those who hold to these arguments certainly need to provide empirical evidence from other societies that have proved that the wilful termination of a child’s life (unborn) will be the answer to a crime dilemma.

Can we honestly say that youths who have turned out to be gangsters and murderers are actually unwanted babies? This view reeks of ignorance and has absolutely no basis.

Let us say for the sake of argument that abortion is legalised. How would this be controlled? Is it one abortion a woman? Or is it abort until the body or the practitioner says stop?

In fact, what may arise from legalising abortion may be another social issue. We could see women (especially young) who abuse the procedure and eventually become psychologically distressed, because the genesis of their problem remains, though the manifestation of it (the pregnancy) is absent.

I believe it is far more productive to investigate the reasons behind abortions, based on the individuals who have them. Our focus should be to educate and encourage women to make better and more informed decisions with regard to their sex lives. This would include their maturity to handle sexual relationships, their physical health, their psychological state, and many other aspects.

Also, if our nation can control and improve some of our major socioeconomic issues, it may assist women with those problems that prove insurmountable at times.

Maybe if the pro-abortionists used the argument of rape or incest, rather than crime reduction, they may have a leg to stand on, in the eyes of our lawmakers. However, if they are citing the frivolous view that the crime dilemma is as a result of “unwanted babies” who were brought into the world, the notion is ridiculous.

Charmaine Roberts-Peters, Diego Martin

Public shortchanged by minister’s TV interview

I have been patiently waiting for a response from some quarter about the behaviour of Health Minister Jerry Narace on a live interview on national television on July 18.

Narace was supposed to discuss the state of the health system and answer questions many of us would like answered. Instead he never gave the interviewer a chance to question any of his (Narace) assertions, which were highly questionable to say the least.

It was clear the interviewer had facts to support a different point of view from Narace’s but he never allowed these to be aired. He instead adopted the attitude of a classic bully, that is, he was loud, aggressive, and shouted down the interviewer without allowing the facts to be presented.

In the end it was the T&T public that was short-changed, and I am surprised that no one has condemned Narace’s behaviour.

I remember well that Panday was rightly criticised in several quarters for snarling at a reporter. It is sad to see how low our standards have fallen as a society when Narace’s behaviour is not even commented upon by those who at one time seemed so concerned about the respect shown to members of the press by public officials.

Michael Dookie

Chaguanas

Afro-Trinis still not involved in culture

A recent article published in several newspapers in the Caribbean had me thinking. The article, about a Jamaican who sued Barclays Bank for its alleged role in slavery, shows how far behind we are as far as being seriously aware of what out true rights are as blacks. Our self-proclaimed leaders should hang their heads in shame, because the 18-year-old has certainly ventured where others failed.  

Anyway, another Emancipation Day holiday is upon us and the leaning towards the Afro-Trinidadians learning more about, and/or becoming more involved in, the cultures of the homeland is woefully lacking.

When could we show real gumption to claim what should be ours? Not maybe until another 50 Emancipation Days, or when Patrick releases the largesse so we can be self-dependent.

Yusuf Codrington

Mayaro

Cricket now weakest link of WI peoples

In a recent comment on the state of West Indies cricket, T&T cricket coach Anthony Gray opined that the current crop of players is “not intelligent enough to execute a game plan.” Valid condemnation, indeed!

Throughout our history, the archipelago of islands known as the Caribbean or the British West Indies was peopled by folks who struggled to prove themselves worthy and had a strong sense of who they were, what they wanted for themselves and their future, and how to achieve those goals.

Abiding traits towards such quests or ideals were: commitment to the cause of higher purpose, knowledge of the world around them and the gift of creating ways and means to deal with the numerous, diverse abstractions and attractions such situations held, and loyalty to the es-tablishment of a common identity of peoples (Caribbean) to command the respect of the “others” among them and from those still to come.

Just a few of the traits, mind you, that saw the chain of islands giving to the world stalwarts in almost every field of human endeavour. Then came the English and cricket to our shores and our peoples’ wholehearted acceptance of the game and its realities, so much so that West Indies cricket became a beacon of hope, pride and purpose for all of us lucky enough to know the game and to know some of its greats during the formative years.

Gray has made a very telling observation and a timely one too, one which would have been unthinkable two decades ago.

That same cricket which was for a long time the strongest link that connected our islands and peoples and gave us hope and filled us with so much pride, has become the weakest link, with players who defy logic, knowledge and history. In short, people who are not intelligent enough to read a game plan, far less to execute a game plan, or any kind of plan for that matter.

And don’t we all know it?

Michael Coryat

Cascade

Insane if Mugabe gives up leadership

The “international community” would have us believe that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is insane and power-hungry.

I would think Mugabe mad indeed if he so easily relinquishes leadership of Zimbabwe, based on a flimsy foreign-used election, especially having wrested power and freedom for his people after a long bitter war against a brutal rampaging “civilised world.”

Oba Kiteme

Laventille

Mt Hope a world class facility

My sincere thanks and appreciation to the doctors, nurses, technicians, security and ancillary staff of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, particularly the Adult Medical Ward #4.

I commend you all for the warm, loving care extended to me during my stay there and for a job not only well done but done with compassion and respect.

I would classify this medical facility as world class. In fact, the courtesy and professionalism of the nurses far surpassed the treatment at the private medical nursing home where I was previously hospitalised for a week.

I truly admired the medical staff, especially those dedicated nurses who were the perfect examples of Florence Nightingale: promptly responding to the cries and groans of each patient, and always offering words of comfort and solace.

I now have the greatest love and respect for the dedicated staff at this hospital but will just mention Dr Baptiste, Dr Ramlal and the team of doctors and nurses from AMW#4.

Thank you all so much for the kind words and comfort you all shared with me and my family. May Almighty God bless each and every one of you.

Injel Zaid Khan

Charlieville

Mr Rights Lives On

As covenant relationships flounder

In this cold world under

Where a smile can mean a curse

And a “hello” can mean worse

The cradle of life sees its demise.

And to what do we aspire?

Parent against child can start in the womb.

The time is here when murder reigns supreme

And abortion is his queen.

The author of life is pushed aside like an errant guide

And the children of darkness continue their downward slide.

The sense of moral responsibility for massacre of the innocents

Seeks to be hidden in lawful stupidity.

O seeds of Abraham hold fast your hands.

A heart is beating within

The foetus leaps in pain

Its head is crushed

To facilitate society's shame

Umbilical cord is torn without a conscience

To sever forever

What it means to be mother.

Mr Rights is wrong and wrong is Mr Rights.

Corruptible flesh becomes a twisted image of its creator

And mankind creates laws to accommodate his own plea-

sure.

Bloodstained sheets in public clinics

Tell the tale of a lucrative business.

We glory after the flesh

We become lovers of ourselves.

And the voiceless remain imprisoned waiting to be delivered.

Phillippa J Allard-Persad

San Fernando

But look what PNM did to school system

The Prime Minister boasts that “when we (PNM) come into office there was no UTT. Now we have UTT.”

However, he has conveniently forgotten that when his party came into office the primary and secondary school system was among the best in the West Indies. After 47 years of almost complete control by his party, it now lies in shambles.

Victor Jardine

Woodbrook, PoS

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