LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Almost comical

Friday,  October 7, 2005

Dear Sir,   

You know, were it not so serious it would be comical. Imagine that it had to take an apparent threat against the Jamaican-born Attorney General in Cayman, purportedly by some of his own Jamaican people, to get some real attention and heightened action towards combating the recent upsurge of crime in this my country, the Cayman Islands!

Added to that are the stories floating around about the entire Cabinet, and even other senior civil servants, being guarded 24/7 by police officers! Just think about it in terms of a cartoon/comic strip and I guarantee it takes on an almost comical connotation.

Unfortunately, this is all very serious and very real, which leads to the following question, “Hey government ... what about the rest of us out here?” Yes, the rest of us, peace loving Caymanian people who are suddenly being overwhelmed by all sorts of serious crime, previously unheard of in our country.

Where are our guards and plain clothes policemen to protect us, while our government decides on “new crime bills”, and their newly appointed criminologist does her examination of our wounded society and decides, at some point, to make some sort of recommendations?

Tell you what, government, rather than dishing out the hefty fee, which will no doubt be paid to this Ms Forde whom your A.G. has recruited for you, you should start listening to the wisdom of your own Caymanian people. Stay in tune with your people! We love this land and we know it better than any imported academics.

Caymanians have been crying out for years about the overdevelopment of this country, without regard for the perils it would bring. We have been asking, “Who are you developing for and at what price?” We have been complaining about the immigration imbalance that has been allowed to grow out of proportion in our country.

We have warned of the dangers and the criminal practices that would be transplanted here in our society. Many of our beloved tourists have also complained, even written to our newspapers echoing our fears. Yet, our government did not listen. So, we have now arrived at this sad place and time.

To our new PPM government, let me suggest that you reflect a little on the examples of good judgment and foresight exercised by our forefathers. Revert to some of the good morals and practices of those wise men and women, who were truly in tune with the beat of our people and who loved our country beyond self.

Stop pandering to and being led by foreign influences that have little regard for our people or our society. Remember who you are and where you have come from and yes, reinstate and enforce the immigration quota system to bring back a balance of nationalities in our society.

The reinstatement of the quota system is a must, and perhaps the single most important step to reclaiming our country. Regardless of the cries from the naysayers, I applaud Mr Franz Manderson, Mr David Ritch and their team who are brave enough to stand up and be counted in doing what is right for this country. This country’s immigration policies need serious attention and it makes Caymanians proud to see our people stepping up to the plate. Our future generations of Caymanians will thank you.

No doubt the foreigners (and some “foo foo” Caymanians!) will, in their usual style, verbally attack and bash my opinions but in true Caymanian lingo I say, “Unna kin all go fly a kite!” 

A. Ebanks

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