THE Editor, Sir:

I read with utter fascination and disappointment the positions being advanced by lawyers in your lead story of Monday, 'Have Guts', and a letter in Tuesday's edition from Patrick Delano Bailey, who I believe to be a lawyer, as well. In fact, for weeks now, I have detected, in the media, what seems like the emergence of a 'defiance' campaign.

My fascination comes from the seeming renewed interest by the Bar, or certain sections of the legal fraternity, in the constitutional rights of Jamaicans as a result of this 'celebrity' extradition request. If only we had seen this level of interest, defiance or outrage at the long delay in getting to a Charter of Rights for ordinary Jamaicans, or those other no-name Jamaicans routinely approved for extradition each year, or the many whose constitutional rights are abused each day by the legal system, the gymnastics might impress us a bit more.

Disservice to accused

The disappointment is in the fact that these well-learned lawyers are very aware that the most material issues pertinent to the extradition treaty and process have been thoroughly examined and ruled on by the courts. Well-paid lawyers have tested and probed for every loophole - real or imagined - over the past decade. No doubt, another such opportunity can be had with this 'celebrity' case. In fact, a disservice is being done in not allowing the accused his day in court and the opportunity to defend his name.

To our well-trained and well-paid lawyers who are so concerned about the sanctity of our legal system, I ask some simple questions: Why is it that it has always taken the Americans to be the ones to gather the evidence and prosecute some of the biggest names in Jamaica's narco trade over the last 20 years? Why has our justice system not been able to independently - and with integrity - confront that threat to the welfare of Jamaica? Remind me of a similar lobby by our lawyers to deal with the weaknesses in our political and legal system that have allowed this evil to unleash the mayhem and fear that now grips our society.

Remember their records

Like all other professions, lawyers tend to specialise in their trade. It should not be lost on Jamaicans the record of many whose voices are now emerging, calling for defiance by the Government, ostensibly, in defence of the common and ordinary Jamaicans who are supposedly threatened by a US extradition request.

Indeed, 'Have Guts', Prime Minister, but guts to do the right thing by Jamaica and to give hope to Jamaicans desperately wanting to believe in the possibility of a country - from east to west - ruled by law and order. Our faith in your resolve is slipping PM, we dearly would not like to believe that what Mr Seaga said of your leadership acumen is true.

I am, etc.,

Sean Walker

loveJAbad@gmail.com

Kingston 8