Without any beating around the bush, war is not the answer. It is as simple as that. It is distressing to see that in recent stories, however, people have differed on this point, stabbing and chopping their way out of their conflicts.

In the last two weeks or so, there must have been some three stories where there was a dispute that the parties tried to settle through fights, which later resulted in death. In case you disbelieve this claim, let us state the facts. Firstly, there was the situation in Ocho Rios, St Ann, where two men died and a third had to be hospitalised following a stabbing match at the bus park in that town. That dispute reportedly started over a crook's attempt to extort $50 from a schoolgirl.

Secondly, there was the case in Manchester, where two relatives said to be cousins, got into a fight over land. In the aftermath of that quarrel, one man was stabbed and chopped to death while the other was locked up in police custody.

Finally, in the most recent matter, we are hearing about a man in Mount Pleasant, Portland, who fatally stabbed a farmer over the alleged theft of deer meat.

So, there you have it, three different parishes and three somewhat different yet similar situations. They all started with a dispute and ended in death. Is it that people cannot talk through their problems anymore? Word to the wise, given the 'trend', please avoid all disputes and walk away.