Letters

'Sting' is an idiot's thing

THE EDITOR, Madam:

SUPREME PROMOTIONS, the promoters of 'Sting', is trying to excuse itself from the disgraceful behaviour that took place at the show on Boxing Day. They must not be allowed to get away this time. It is their show, it is their production and they must accept full responsibility for the quality of their product.

According to them, it is 20 years now since they have being staging the show. Bottle throwing has characterised the show over these 20 years. For them to be saying that they did not anticipate it this time is less than truthful. They ought to have known that it was planned well in advance of the show.

Their 'intelligence' should have told them so. Even so, they had ample time to change the course of events when Vybz Kartel started calling Ninja Man to the stage for the clash. They could have prevented Ninja Man from going on to the stage. They did not do it because they had to keep the tradition of Sting intact. It backfired this time.

If an employee of an industrial company willfully or mistakenly releases toxic material and pollutes the environment, it is the company that is held liable and not the employee. Likewise, if a journalist broadcasts or publishes libelous material, the company which employs the journalist is held liable. There is a reason for this. It forces companies to be responsible. The same measures should be applied to the promoters of shows.

It took a great deal of hard work and sacrifice to get reggae music accepted locally and internationally and it is very disturbing to see how narrow minded people are destroying the music. They are not building on the solid foundation that has been built. Some cities in the world do not want reggae shows because of the violence that is associated with them. This sort of thing must be brought to an end.

Someone who attended the show (I did not) must complain to the Fair Trading Commission so that appropriate action can be taken against Supreme Promotion. Bounty Killer must be applauded for refusing to take stage following the debacle and Elephant Man for performing and leaving early. They have shown good leadership and at last it seems that some DJs are beginning to see their responsibility. It was Elephant Man, who when asked to comment on the incident, said that it was 'a idiot t'ing'. I agree with him.

I am, etc.,

EARLE HARRISON

earle_harrison@hotmail.com

Mandeville P.O.