Regarding my light-hearted mania for the "C" words, the caption should have been "The Criminals, The Congress and the Commissioner". "Congress" as in the political party, the People's National Congress and "Commissioner" as in the Police Commissioner. Naturally, these comments were motivated by the current series of high-profile, dramatic, murderous crimes, the police responses and the role of the People's National Congress in organising and moblising against extra judicial killings, allegedly executed by members of the local police force.

Frankly Speaking, I find it somewhat difficult to be detached or completely dispassionate when writing these types of comments. Especially when inside police sources tell me of the viciousness of certain career professional criminals. Or even when victims and eyewitnesses recount the ordeals suffered by them, as reported in credibly newspapers such as this one. I feel the victims' pain and terror and wonder when the savagery will be visited upon me, or someone close to me. Why should I - and you - have to contemplate such a possibility?

As a brief introduction I quote that "Crime as a social phenomenon is as old as original sin. "Crime" is usually defined as "an act, usually a grave offence, punishable by the law" and the social scientists can come up with a variety of multiple social, economic and even cultural reasons for its perpetration.

Guyana is not unlike other societies wherein lawbreakers cause inconvenience, discomfort, injury and/or death in the pursuit of their undesirable and aberrant activity. The level and category of crime, in terms of frequency, differ from country to country. Naturally, any society or community is better off when no type of crime is committed. But real life doesn't seem to allow that in these modern times".

For me too, "a criminal" is not merely "one who is guilty of crime". To me, many criminals have not been arrested, charged or convicted. Not because they were not guilty. But merely because it was not legally proven to the satisfaction of some court and/or jury. To me again our Western-type laws, democracy" and system are stacked in favour of the criminals! This is so, I understand, that an accused be given, always, the "benefit of the doubt". No innocent man must be found guilty because of weak laws or weak defence.

Today's criminal knows all that. He smilingly knows that some human rights group regards him as a legitimate member of `society'. No matter how vicious, uncompromising and professionally consistent he is with his criminal activity, he is God's creation, free to exploit some people's sympathy and the support of others. Sometimes given due to political expediency.

Today's criminal is more professional than his predecessor of the fifties and sixties. He is trained to use the weapons which he easily accesses. He has ready-made escape routes out of the country and/or high-level legal defence teams. He is privy to the modus operandi of our simple police and defence forces. He sometimes is or was a supporter of (or supplier to) some influential political entity. However illiterate he might be academically, he is mobile and secure in the knowledge that police prosecution is often weak and politics can often provide cover or succour.

During robberies in people's homes, babies and children are not exempt from the brutalisation, as one bandit shot Omodele Hinds a few mornings ago, another said meaningfully, "I feel like kill, today is me kill day". In Berbice two sisters were brutalised on heads and bodies with gun barrels and butts.

Against that background, the opposition People's National Congress (PNC) flays one unit of the police force for alleged "mass murder" of suspects and organises mass demonstrations against alleged extra-judicial killings. Nothing really wrong with all that but what gets to me is the seeming diversion and distraction away from the murderous activities of the professional criminals. The focus shifts. As it does when the commissioner explains his fear for his men going into that party's headquarters compound. Assaults and "interrogation" in its own compound, on both opponents and its own, seem to have been either forgotten or excused.

The historical "role" during that party's control for three decades, which led to the pauperisation of public servants - as poor President Jagdeo can't remind anymore - and the criminalisation of many of us during import restrictions are not spoken or written about these days. We must chart some "way forward," we are told. Personally, I don't mourn the execution or neutralisation of known career bandits. I won't however wish them to be exterminated by police without a fair trial. I won't too attend their funerals.

I remind you": Do not be diverted by the demonstrations. Don't side with any criminals or their supporters. You could be next. And oh! Sympathise with our outgoing commissioner of police Laurie Lewis. The very real facts he has at his disposal regarding one party's role in recent organised criminal activity might not make them less real or untrue! Soon, the truth will out! From at least two insider/operatives themselves. Verifiable too!

Dialogue continues...
1) Next week, as Emancipation activities subside, I'll return to "whither black business?"
2) Files and exhibits disappeared - only one reason why the accused was acquitted of the murder of Conrad McLean who was shot in a small space, in full view of many. Justice?
(2 a) . Whatever happened to Mr Bhood the man who was shot on the same day as Donna McKinnon? Suppose he had died too?
3) I always wanted to mention that Brazil needs no territorial dispute with us. They are comfortably here in hinterland and capital!
4) In Sunday's Chronicle Permanent Secretary Gopaul explained his duty-free vehicle issue. What do his detractors say now? Is there still a case? An apology?
5) I agree with the Guyana Review. We need a clutch of new ambassadors to serve the new Minister.
6) A day in the life... my New Jersey-based friend tells me of the refreshing cleanliness of St John's Antigua as he spends time in dirty, stinking Georgetown. Outside my window in South Ruimveldt, they are destroying the concrete bridges and roads to lay lines for water meters. Inside there is another GPL blackout and mosquitoes enjoying it - and me. The telephone line has static after the rain and when TV news comes it is three-quarters bad news TT. Defiantly I say, I'll stay loyal to this place (????)
7) Get ready for next week's accolades for Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham ? sixteen years after his death no bodyguard could prevent. Salute him for the myriad accomplishments his fine mind and vision achieved. But don't be distracted.
8) Thank you for the rave reviews I received for my conversation/gaff with man-in-the-street cricket expert "Watto" on TV last week-end.
9) Oh Tom Dalgety, let's agree on something for (if only) five minutes. Tell me how to get your IPI-Ntombi video tapes of Emancipation Day featuring that wonderful company!