Dear Editor,

It was quite refreshing to read Mervin Stoddart’s article, “No to Dudus extradition, no to US demands”, which was posted on the Online Jamaica Observer on April 21. The arguments he presented are unique in that most Jamaicans aren’t knowledgeable of US history so his arguments may go contrary to conventional wisdom. As he has correctly stated, most have been duped by American propaganda. I have met a few myself. While I do agree with Stoddart’s sentiments, I have to question whether Mr Golding would have stood up for the regular Jamaican in the same manner as he did for Mr Coke. After all, Jamaica has extradited people to the US since Mr Golding came to power.

Politics aside, my purpose for writing is that the article quoted the narcotics report as admitting that 70 per cent of the guns used in crimes in Jamaica originate from the US. When I read this I was compelled to point out that I sent a letter with similar sentiments to both the Observer and the Gleaner approximately two years ago. This was around the time that the violence in Jamaica was escalating and many people were pointing the accusing finger at Haiti for the influx of guns to the island. The letter’s arguments might have run contrary to conventional wisdom. But what I presented was the truth, plain and simple. I hope that Rev Stoddart will feel compelled to share these truths with his church members so that they will be aware of an industry that wields enormous influence over the US government, to the detriment of Jamaica and other places.

W Mckoy

White Plains, New York

USA