The contrast in style was striking in the Senate: Senator Penelope Beckles, calm, pleasant, bal- anced, non-belligerent; Minister Rambachan, guns blazing, attacking the messenger and the message. The minister would have antagonised many and lost out on the PR gains his party would have expected. Indeed, he violated the code of his party: "all citizens joining in achieving the good of the nation."
Certainly, he should have been gracious in acknowledging the concerns of the senator, then he could easily have summoned his great volume of information. There would have been no antagonism against him and, by extension, his party. Instead, his party would have been admired and those who were against it might reconsider their views. We need the example of graciousness and moderation in the community, the rum shops, the recreation areas, the everywhere. The gunslingers will fade out; crime will plummet.
Van Stewart
Via e-mail