CITIZENS MUST SPEAK OUT The avenues for citizens speaking out against the ills of society are

becoming fewer and more obstructive than ever before. Writing to the newspapers is becoming harder because of increased scrutiny and sensitivity towards the state, hence the reason why freedom of the press is so important. Singing calypsoes is another form of protest , as well as those who have access to public for a. Recently we have had prominent people, who probably have benefitted from the system, coming out and pointing fingers at the State, and State Companies, accusing them of playing the role of facilitator in State sponsored and condoned corruption. The private sector is now being condemned for its role in participating in said corruption, which has now reached epidemic proportions. I say, welcome home, the task is very hard and thankless, better late than never.It is not wise nor practical for anyone to have knee jerk reactions to every act of wrong doing or inappropriateness, in the political arena, judicial or even administrative arms of government. But certainly when it is a matter of the direction that a country is heading, it is incumbent on every individual to take heed and speak out. The Americans have landed to keep their herd together and in line, beginning with the arrival of Homeland Security some time ago, presumably to analyze and produce plans for our oil security. After they left, our oil security went to hell. There is no greater invitation to America than when you start to meet and treat with its enemies. Even before, with the advent of joint police/army patrols, those of us who have studied the American way in dealing with citizens protests/civil unrest, the rest could have been predicted. As expected, joint police/army assault exercises came, this time with Blackhawk helicopters, and training of local personnel in operation and maintenance of these aircraft. What is the reason for this, unless they are planning to leave behind at least one aircraft, the exercise is a waste of time. The next step, probably is to establish no protest zones in the city and around avenues of important conferences etc.The next stage, surprisingly has already been disclosed by the Minister of National Security, is the use of private security forces to supplement the Police Force. This is a problem in the States, they are called Men in Black, moving around in Black Armoured SUVS, and unidentifiable, with unlimited powers. All this from a government who disbanded SAUTT, saying they became competitive with the regular police. So now,we have the police/army capable of air assault, anti personnel technology, private security forces to fight the enemy, and more measures to come. This together with GPS, National Control Centre, and cameras all over, we are prepared to deal with the criminal element. The only problem is the criminals, know when to retreat and regroup and use guerilla tactics, leaving law abiding citizens to face the music. Law abiding citizens always pay the price for the actions of the criminal element.We have to decide, if this model that is being presented to us, is what we really want. Do we really want to live under the gun, with diminished civil rights, or do we really want to preserve our unique brand of democracy and Trinbagonian way of life. Joel Quintal 23 azurite crescent union hall San Fernando 653-6430