MICHAEL HARRIS, one of our more learned columnists and one I admire, has written an article ("A line in the sand", Express, August 13) in which he is "calling out" members of the Government for what he sees as indiscretions of one kind or the other.

This is the same columnist who wrote an article, headlined "PNM's children" in which he pointed out that the PNM's "dominance and hegemony" led us down the garden path. Mr Harris must be aware that these people he is "calling out" are also PNM's children and now after 50 years of Independence this whole society from the very top to the very bottom is corrupt, but not to worry. We will have a nice 50 years Independence fete, with lots of wonderful speeches, rum and, well, you know the rest.

The reality is that we have squandered two oil booms, wasting several billions with nothing to show for it. The water distribution system is deplorable, the delivery of health care to the neediest is disgraceful, the service meted out from Government institutions has not gotten any better over the last 50 years. The politicians and the politics have deteriorated to levels that make us wonder "what next?"

The Red House, President's House and the "Unmagnificent" Seven are another disgrace. The police service is another failure, crime is a growth industry, greed is par for the course. The licensing authority, like most state institutions, is an abject failure, and Mr Harris is calling out a few named persons? What he should do is call out the whole nation, because we have all failed.

Gordon Dalla Costa

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