Dear Source:
Mr. Vernald Turnbull says that phrases and words such as, "Oh please!" "BS" and "corrupted" cast the Islands in a poor light. And then he commends Senator Donastorg on his editorial for railing against "dirty politics" and resubmits his comments on "BS" and "corrupted" as being derogatory word examples used on this open forum.
Mr. Turnbull, you're just loading the forum platform here by comparing apples to oranges and not only really not doing it very well at all but being rather insulting in the process.
If the education system was up to par in this small community (which is where this open forum discussion started out) then we just might not have the youth using the "f" word and "MF" expression popping up during every syllable of their "normal" conversation. If the education system here worked it would teach children how to speak properly and without profanity, would teach children how to express themselves and teach them that expressing themselves is a good thing.
Obviously this is a problem for the teachers in the territory when so many of their daytime charges go back home to disjointed households. Theirs is a hard task indeed and although I commend them for their efforts, they cannot and should not be expected to undertake a basic parental role and neither should they have to use their own money to buy basic supplies for their students.
Your kudos to them are echoed by me whole-heartedly but those kudos cannot excuse the local government which, year after year after year, fails the children. With all due respect, Mr. Turnbull, I think you are rather arrogantly leveling criticism at the wrong people. Those who contribute to this forum are obviously people who care. Whether we be black or white or multicolored, we care about what goes on in our community and say it as it is. I would think this is something that should be commended.
As far as my criticism of the Lt. Governor basing his gubernatorial candidacy on commitment to education, I absolutely stand by my original letter.
Anna Clarke
St. Thomas
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