Letters

I have reread Jim Harris's letter, Victimless Crime (July 25). Unless something meant to be funny got lost in editing this moronic nonsense it demands a response. As I have a personal interest in the arms deal, I'll just reproduce the wisdom of some independent minds on corruption:

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Irish political philosopher Edmund Burke.

"I'm no Nostradamus, but I predict our country will be worse off in this time of crisis if those of us of conscience don't rise to the occasion." Edmund Burke.

"Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist." Edmund Burke (1729-97) when in 1777 he was discussing with Michel de Nostredame (1503-66), aka Nostradamus, the South African arms deal about to unfold 220 years hence.

"The effect of corruption is to subvert the democratic process, undermining stability, justice and the sense of nation." Christopher Merrett, director of administration at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, writing in the Natal Witness about the arms deal in February 2003. Merrett also quoted Burke.

"Corruption is a deadly serious matter because it involves a betrayal of trust." Christopher Merrett, in the same Natal Witness article.

"It is well know that corruption is the scourge that threatens the moral fibre of our society and which seriously undermines good governance." Justice Ron MacLaren on July 18 in his judgment in the Durban High Court concerning Schabir Shaik 's unsuccessful application to set aside his Scorpions' section 28 questioning about the arms deal. MacLaren also quoted Merrett.

"Corruption has no place in an open and democratic society and it must be rooted out." Justice MacLaren in the same judgment.

With acknowledgements (in birth order) to Michel de Nostredame, Edmund Burke, The Natal Witness, Christopher Merrett and Ron MacLaren

Richard Young
Cape Town

With acknowledgements to Richard Young and the Business Day.