Following the island's record medal haul at the Beijing Olympics in China, all Jamaicans home and abroad are indeed proud, and would want the country to be remembered for this and other great things.

In the Monday Gleaner, Prime Minister Bruce Golding appealed for the lawbreakers to 'cool it' and allow Jamaica's good reputation earned at the games to go untainted by criminal acts.

It is true what the prime minister said, and we hope those who break the law will recognise that indeed we stand to gain more from a good reputation than a bad one.

Without a doubt the publicity our island earned because of the success of our athletes is priceless. The ripple effects on our struggling economy are countless, if we seize them.

Many unemployed persons got a chance to make a buck selling flags and other paraphernalia because of our team's success.

Our island has been put back on the map as a small country with great people, and the world is watching us, expecting even greater things. But we as citizens need to see the bigger picture and keep the peace.

We hope that the gunmen will think about how much damage they can cause by making some stupid decisions. We hope they will put away their guns and join the rest of Jamaica in making us an island known for greatness.