SOON, Internet trolls will have to answer to the law with the Cyber Crime Bill on the government’s agenda. The bill seeks to punish instances of hacking, cyber bullying, child pornography, sharing nude pictures without the subject’s consent or any other such computer-related offenses. The offences can carry a GYD$3-5 million fine and imprisonment for 3-5 years upon conviction. Ouch. We all know that the technological age has provided millions of faceless cowards to launch attacks on persons for the world to see. But with this Cyber Crime Bill in the line-up, perhaps some here will think twice before they embark on such ill deeds. I remember when, in the past, persons have been made the subject of ridicule following the release of their naked photos by disgruntled lovers and other enemies. Those days are soon done. Some of you may also want to start deleting those fake accounts that you use for such instances, because something tells me that with this bill will also come the ability to track the wrong-doers right to the location from whence they typed, shared or stored the information. Now, while the public was mum on discussions about this announcement on social media, the number of times the posts were shared said it all.
DISCIPLINE THE DISCIPLINED FORCES
The Opposition has expressed concerns about professionalism and lack of reforms in the Guyana Police Force and has reiterated the need for integrity testing of officers in light of the impending list of promotions to be announced in 2016. The Opposition is concerned that with the sacking of former Senior Magistrate Cecil Sullivan, who headed the Disciplinary Authority, this integrity testing will not be done. PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee singled out Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine – with whom we all know Rohee has had a tumultuous relationship over the years and who just so happens to be closely linked to the coalition Government. So this seems personal for Rohee – and that’s what the public is saying too. Since he’s prone to giving grades to the Government’s performance, I’d say he deserves a grade himself on this matter: V – for vendetta and vexation.
RUM TILL THEY DIE
Two recent incidents equally grabbed the public’s attention due to the theme surrounding their deaths: alcohol. In Mahaica, one man was stabbed to death during a drinking spree. In the Corentyne, two men were killed and three others injured after a fight broke out while they were drinking. People were alarmed, stating that when there seemed that the crime had calmed, there came an upsurge in personal conflicts instead. Clearly, the festivities had not yet been washed from these men’s systems, and they chose alcohol to bring to fruition the famous chutney melody “Rum till I die”. Sad to say, they got their wish.