What's an acceptable way to die minister?

My friend, Richard Thomas, sent me a copy of a brief letter he wrote to news editors in Trinidad and Tobago.

This is what it said:

"Dear Minister Martin Joseph,

"In your media briefing response to the shooting murder of Camille Daniel, you mentioned that it is "unacceptable for any citizen in this country to be murdered in such a way."

"Mr. Minister! Is there an acceptable way for citizens to be murdered then?"

Richard's question highlights the absurdity of the response of the minister of national security about the murder and is proof that Martin Joseph is not fit to have that job.

In case you missed it, this is what Joseph said in a statement issued after the killing:

"It is clear that the criminal elements are not letting up. I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms.

"It is unacceptable for any citizen in this country to be murdered in such a way.

"This is a battle that all law-abiding citizens in Trinidad and Tobago must join to stop this small minority of individuals who are bent on causing chaos in this society and bring harm to innocent citizens.

"It is even worse that such a heinous act could occur on the premises of a police station where people ought to feel safe.

"I wish to express my sympathies and that of the Government to the family of this victim.

"I am informed by the police that two persons have been apprehended and are assisting them in their investigations.

"I am sure the Commissioner of Police, Mr James Philbert will keep the media informed as to the status of the investigations at a later time."

Well the acting commissioner has commented. Philbert told media that his troops did all they could under the circumstances and that it is OK for citizens to go to police stations for protection.

Are you serious, Mr Commissioner?

A woman is killed in cold blood as she drives into a police station - one of the five "model stations" in the country - the car is wrecked and killers have enough time to escape and you tell citizens the police did the best they could? And further you want people to feel safe?

Here is what the man said: "I am satisfied based on what took place...that the police acted as best as they could. I think they did what they had to do, considering what took place in that short space of time.”

Murder right in your face, police with guns and two killers walk out of a wrecked car, probably injured, and escape. And that's OK with the police commissioner. I must be missing something.

And Philbert, like the minister, is again promising to take out the criminals: “We are not throwing up our hands in the air at all. The police will continue to do what is necessary to remove criminals from our midst, the streets and wherever they are...We are going to have to weed them out, and we will!"

And here's the most asinine comment yet. People must be patient, Philbert told reporters.

Patient? You cannot be serious!

How much more patience you want from a nation that is living in fear, where 270 citizens have been murdered in less than six months?