Congratulations Ian Boyne!

I wish to congratulate Ian Boyne for again being awarded the prestigious Morris Cargill Award for Opinion Journalism for 2009 by the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ). In a year when Boyne was also awarded the national honour of Commander of Distinction, I commend the PAJ for its professionalism, and commitment to excellence in journalism, which Ian Boyne continues to represent.

Surely, it is a welcome and refreshing indication of the PAJ's transcendence of the gutter mentality of professional envy which characterises too many segments of our Jamaican society. Boyne is richly deserving of this accolade. His incisive analysis, commitment to serious research, and his rigorous commitment to stimulate serious thinking and dialogue on important, if controversial, issues are rare. Cases in point, his excellent series on atheism, the contentious gay debate, and the divisive Gaza/Gully issue.

I also commend The Gleaner for being a medium that facilitates, promotes and nurtures excellence.

- Glenford Smith, Greater Portmore, St Catherine

Superb article

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate The Gleaner and Peta-Anne Baker, on her superbly written and relevant article 'When sex equals violence - not love' in your paper of Sunday December 6.

I am an avid reader of Ms Baker's contributions which I find very refreshing. Thank you.

- Leroy M. Walker, lkobaly@aol.com

Get used to gated communities

I must respond to my fellow Jamaicans who are so apprehensive about gated communities. Whatever the reason for this phenomenon, it would be the lesser of two evils for those who view it as such.

I wondered how the Eskimos are surviving without a green environment and the children who can't play on the playground for fear of being kidnapped, raped and killed.

In many countries, gated communities are just the norm and life goes on. This is a legitimate choice for those who desire to adopt this form of habitation. There are more pros than cons.

- B. Irving Snr, birvingrealtyinc@aol.com, Port St Lucie, Florida