Ramone McKenzie, the captain of the Calabar team, is my nomination for the real hero of Champs. He was entered in four events: the 200 meters, the 400 meters, the 4 x 100 meters and the 4 x 400 meters, with all the rounds that those events required.

The fate of the Championship was in his hands when he started the final leg of the 4 x 400 meters and was well positioned to make the final burst when he approached the 250-metre mark. My heart went out to him when the cameras picked up the picture of him wincing visibly and, for a moment, I feared that he would have to stop, but he soldiered on magnificently, somewhat reminiscent of Bert Cameron in the '84 Olympics.

He managed to hold his position two places above Kingston College - it wasn't enough but, in that moment, he demonstrated the qualities of which great men are made and I predict great things in his future.

Congratulations to KC on an outstanding victory - the fact that they had two finalists in the 5,000 meters, albeit not placing, showed the extensive preparation they made.

- Howard Hamilton, QC

Kingston

The prime minister has made a commendable gesture which sets a positive tone for leading by example and, at the same time, letting people know how bad things are. However, the bigger picture is people are not paying their taxes and the Government is doing nothing concrete to collect.

For example, the compliance rate for property tax collection is approximately 35 per cent. The Government could enact a simple piece of legislation that is called a tax deed law which guarantees 100 per cent collection of all property taxes. This is the system used in the US. Just think of the billions of dollars that would be collected by this one action only.

- Lloyd M. Smith

Sunrise, Florida

Neville Carnegie is correct! In his letter on 'Silence threats from the gay community' (April 1, 2009) he hits the nail on the head when he said gay activists are targeting Jamaica because it is an easy target.

Human rights groups report that homosexuality is still outlawed by more than 85 countries and that it is punishable by death in several Islamic states, including Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen. Why aren't gays targeting other countries with boycott?

The most recent FBI annual hate crimes report showed crimes against gays and lesbians have increased by nearly six per cent. Violence against gays is still disturbingly prevalent in America. I am squarely opposed to hate crimes and do not endorse or condone anti-gay attacks, but when the gay community continually pushes its agenda in the face of straight Americans and Jamaicans, it only stands to reason that some backlash will occur.

I will be visiting Jamaica and encourage others to do the same.

- Michael Williams

Brooklyn, NY