Letters to the Editor
Letters about Jamaican Issues
Get on with the task ahead
Dear Editor, The swearing-in of Ms Sally Porteous as Custos of Manchester on February 1 puts paid to all the hassle and acrimony surrounding her appointment. Those of us closer to the drama have seen a real play with main plot and sub-plots and all the nuances of real-life drama. But having said that, we need to wish t ...more
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More stories...
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Saluting Motty Perkins
Monday, February 13, 2012
Dear Editor, I too wish to join members of the media fraternity and all my fellow Jamaicans both at home and in the diaspora to register my shock and disbelief at the passing of one of our most beloved journalists, Wilmot "Motty" Perkins. Motty, wh ...more
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Georgina - solid as a rock
Monday, February 13, 2012
Dear Editor, Like many sport fans, I was devastated by that spill that sent Georgina Sergeon to the hospital with serious multiple injuries. It was her intelligent and articulate expressions when describing her racing experiences that caught my atte ...more
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School with a difference!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Dear Editor, Gideon Educational Centre, an Early Childhood and Primary School in Kildare, Buff Bay, has embarked on a hype, value-based school infusion programme called "Transforming Our School Culture: For a Better Me, A Better You, A Better We!" A ...more
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'Motty' cared passionately for his work
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Dear Editor, I am writing to express my condolence to Mr Wilmot 'Motty' Perkins' family and the staff of Power 106 FM. Perkins was nationally and internationally recognised as one of Jamaica's finest journalists, who displayed the principle of goo ...more
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Perkins was no 'yes' man
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Dear Editor, On behalf of the Michael Manley Foundation, I would like to express my most profound regret at the passing of Wilmot 'Motty' Perkins, a journalist whose voice, for many decades, became synonymous with radio. Wilmot Perkins, however, wa ...more
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End of an era in journalism
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Dear Editor, The passing of Wilmot 'Motty' Perkins on Friday, February 10, 2012 marks the end of an era in journalism in Jamaica. His was a life of dedicated service to his country. 'Motty' Perkins practised his profession with great skill, fortit ...more
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Internet report error
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Dear Editor, Thank you for highlighting certain trends in Internet usage and ICT penetration in Jamaica by reporting on my address to the website launch event of the St Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation held in Parottee in that parish recently. Howev ...more
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Understanding science
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Dear Editor, I am referring to the letter written by Owen S Crosbie, entitled 'Let's focus on big industries', published on February 11, 2012. While I agree with the general thrust of the letter, I just want to point out one area of disagreement. T ...more
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Building a sustainable economy
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Dear Editor, With a new government in place there is much discussion about building a sustainable economy for Jamaica. The discussion is long overdue. Jamaica needs a serious long-term plan to establish a complex of integrated operations that provid ...more
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What if Republicans win US election?
Friday, February 10, 2012
Dear Editor, The president of the United States of America wields awesome power, often designated the most powerful man in the world. Of all the countries in the world with nuclear weapons, the USA possibly ranks number one in quantity and quality. ...more
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Tasers can be vey harmful
Friday, February 10, 2012
Dear Editor, Minister of National Security Peter Bunting would be wise to think again about adding Tasers to police weaponry. Tasers deliver jolts of electric shock that can lead to heart failure. People at greatest risk include those under stress; ...more
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Abolish political ombudsman's office
Friday, February 10, 2012
Dear Editor, I wish to express my support for Mr Everald Warmington's call for the abolition of the political ombudsman's office, as well as other entities which have outlived their relevance. I am therefore imploring parliamentarians (Government a ...more
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Congrats to FISH but gap should be closed between haves and have-nots
Friday, February 10, 2012
Dear Editor, A few days ago my helper called to say she was sick and would not be coming to work. The problem was a loose wisdom tooth that was causing her pain and headache. My husband and I took her to the nearest health centre in Gordon Town. Up ...more
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Land of the free?
Friday, February 10, 2012
Dear Editor, The practice by the US authoritiesof denying visiting rights to two of the wives of the Cuban 5, since the incarceration of their husbands in 1998, has been condemned by Amnesty International as unnecessarily punitive and contrary to th ...more
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Let's focus on big industries
Friday, February 10, 2012
Dear Editor, Many years ago, a University of Cambridge professor came to Jamaica and explained why the failure rate in A' Level Economics was the highest. My late headmaster, Professor EB Hazelwood said Economics is not a subject because it deals ...more
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Only sitting PM should recommend appointment of Manchester custos
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Dear Editor, The People's National Party were so busy savouring their victory at the polls in the December 29 general election that they forgot everything about the recommendation of Ms Sally Porteous for Custos of Manchester by former Prime Ministe ...more
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JCCUL assures credit union members their savings are safe
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Dear Editor, On January 29, an article was carried in Sunday Finance under the byline of your business editor, Paul Rodgers. It intimated that the safety of members' savings in some credit unions may be compromised and went on to cite reasons. This ...more
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Give 10 per cent of profits to improve Jazz and Blues venue
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Dear Editor, I attended the Jazz and Blues festival for the first time since its inception - on the night Celine Dion made her fantastic presentation. I was caught up in the traffic mayhem for three-and-a-half hours and had many feelings of immense ...more
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Church leaders must look at the beam in their own eyes
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Dear Editor, It has come to my attention that the church leadership in Jamaica, in recent statements, have not only denounced horse racing on Sunday at Caymanas Park, but also my administration's proposal to introduce a City Lotto (lottery) to help ...more
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JA needs serious introspection, especially in jubilee year
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Dear Editor, The year 2012 could mark a most critical turning point in the chequered history of Jamaica's development. One indication of that is the emerging recognition that dedicated commitment to advancement of the people is the raison d'etre of ...more
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Abolish gambling
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Dear Editor, I refer to the article, "Bishop says church's stance on gambling hypocritical", in the February 6 Observer. There is nothing good to be gained from gambling. Gambling threatens the moral fabric of our society. It leads to increased ban ...more
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Hypocrisy of mainstream media
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Dear Editor, I see where a number of the regular "independent" commentators/political analysts are now occupying major positions in the ruling PNP administration following the election last year. Some of the more obvious ones are: Lambert Brown, a s ...more
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Commend Holness and JLP for civics too
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Dear Editor, Chris Burns wrote a very good article, "Good move to reintroduce civics in school" on February 6. I too salute the new Minister of Education Ronnie Thwaites that civics will be reintroduced in schools, starting September. Even more ...more
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Correct injustice to Claro customers
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Dear Editor, Many Jamaicans, including former Claro customers, have now accepted the Digicel/Claro deal, but may not be sure of what the transition entails and the procedures now in place. It is being advertised that LIME is offering a SIM card wi ...more
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Jamaica salutes Cuba
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Dear Editor, On behalf of the North Eastern Action Taskforce, I wish to offer fraternal greetings to the Republic of Cuba on the 53rd anniversary of its revolution. Jamaica has benefited greatly from the inspiration of the Cuban revolution, led by ...more
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Bless you, Shaggy
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Dear Editor, I wish to congratulate and commend the Jamaican music star, Orville Burrell (Shaggy), for his exemplary charitable nature and responsive attitude to the needs of children, especially those served by the Bustamante Hospital for Children ...more
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No lack of transparency with IMF Stand-by Agreement
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Dear Editor, I write in reference to an article written in the Sunday Observer of February 5 , "Jamaica and the IMF in 2012" by David Mullings. Mr Mullings wrote, "The conditions of any IMF funding will need to be made public this time, and any iss ...more
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Our national symbols deserve more respect
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Dear Editor, In celebrating our 50th year of Independence, we should highlight regularly the importance of national symbols and aspects of our cultural heritage which make us uniquely Jamaican and justifiably proud. Recognition, respect and reverenc ...more
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What's the urgency to sell Belmont property?
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Dear Editor, With regard to the proposed sale of the Belmont property in St Ann, directly across from the entrance to the Mystic Mountain Park and to the east of Dolphin Cove, we now see that the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) is proceeding to di ...more
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Congratulations, Sally
Monday, February 06, 2012
Dear Editor, I join with all well-thinking citizens of Manchester in applauding the appointment of Miss Sally Porteous as custos for the parish, and I hope all those "justices" who did not behave as justices of the peace would either resign or be as ...more
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Track and field events need sponsors
Monday, February 06, 2012
Dear Editor, I am a passionate track and field fan and a throwing-events coach for over 18 years. I also organise throwing events-only meets, as a means to showcase and foster development of these non-traditional events. The lack of sponsorship for ...more
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Delighted with article
Monday, February 06, 2012
Dear Editor, Thanks to Jean Lowrie-Chin and the Jamaica Observer for her column on January 30 referring to my address at the RJR Sports Awards. I was delighted with the article, and equally I had a wonderful time in Jamaica and enjoyed a wonderful s ...more
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Thank you for rescuing us
Monday, February 06, 2012
Dear Editor, On January 27, while travelling with three other family members to the jazz festival, coming out of Fern Gully our car developed brake problems which caused us to crash and overturn in a gully. We the Norton family wish to express our ...more
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Keeble, Burke add much to my knowledge of Dudley
Monday, February 06, 2012
Dear Editor, I wish to thank Keeble McFarlane for a great, factual, punctuated look at Dudley Thompson's life, in his column of January 28, "Dudley was, above all, a superb advocate". The corners in which you shone your writer's light are significan ...more
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Congrats, Aloun
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Dear Editor, I would like to congratulate Aloun N'Dombet-Assamba on her recent appointment as High Commissioner to the UK. In my opinion, she is a perfect choice and just who we need to represent us in such a high-profile position. Her dynamism, co ...more
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Save us from the ravages of buggery
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Dear Editor, What in the name of God and His Son Jesus Christ is the urgency to change a law that has offered our boys a little protection from the male predators who have carted them to their apartments and for a few dollars have often damaged them ...more
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Commendations to LIME
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Dear Editor, Bigger isn't necessarily better, or was the slogan just a tactical bluff? It was a LIME sim card and an unlocked smartphone that aided the operations of my business during the Jazz and Blues weekend. I ventured to the country with conf ...more
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Appalling violation
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Dear Editor, I am appalled at the situation at the Portmore police lock-up where persons in custody are being violated. Recently I had to visit the station to collect some personal belongings of my brother who is incarcerated there and saw one serg ...more
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Use Marks's business acumen, competence
Friday, February 03, 2012
Dear Editor, New administrations typically fill their cabinets and other appointive positions with members of their own political party. Additionally, new administrations may also appoint members of the opposing party to high-level positions in orde ...more
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Unsung hero
Friday, February 03, 2012
Dear Editor, I have had the good fortune of having a great relationship with some of the finest gentlemen the world has produced. Eric Orlando Bell, Desmond Mair, Kenneth Barnes and now the late Alexander Barclay Ewart, to name a few. They all ha ...more
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See to career foreign service officers
Friday, February 03, 2012
Dear Editor, It seems as if some people believe that a change of government means that it is time to squabble over overseas positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. It also appears that there are attempts by some individuals t ...more
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Who says smoking 'a nuh nutten'?
Friday, February 03, 2012
Dear Editor, A man walked into a store holding his little girl's hand and continued to smoke his cigarette. The sales agent greeted him and asked him why he was smoking in the presence of the child. He replied, "A nuh nutten, everybody a do it: mi a ...more
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Note requirements to change from monarchy
Friday, February 03, 2012
Dear Editor, Our renowned barrister and author on constitutional law, Dr Lloyd Barnett, had the following to say in the Sunday Observer of January 29, "We can only change from a monarchy to a republic if the following requirements are satisfied: (1 ...more
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Jazz blues
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Dear Editor, I attended last Friday night's show at the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, armed a list printed by the organisers entitled, "All you need to know to enhance your jazz experience", outlining various do's and don'ts. It turned out thes ...more
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Unresolved Chris Gayle issue reveals glaring institutional breakdown
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Dear Editor, The impasse between the West Indies Cricket Board of Control (the Board) and Mr Chris Gayle has dragged on for too long. I do not know of another country in which a dispute between the administrator of a sport and that country's leading ...more
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Changing ambassador in US election year unwise
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Dear Editor, The furore raised by the announcement of the resignation of the Jamaican ambassador to Washington omitted some important considerations. As the ambassador herself admitted, it is conventional protocol for diplomatic representatives who ...more
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Cancel appointment of Sally Porteous
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Dear Editor, I write to express my view relating to the appointment of the Custos of Manchester. Let us not be over-hypocritical but simply be ready to call things as it happens. To thine own self be true so that you cannot be false to anyone. When ...more
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Public service resignations
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Dear Editor, I watch and listen in bitter dismay at the resignations by public sector workers who have been contracted by the Government of Jamaica under the JLP and PNP administrations. While I can appreciate the practice of allowing the political ...more
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Deeply committed to Jamaica's development
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Dear Editor, I noted the headline in the Jamaica Observer of January 31 which is open to interpretation and could be misleading. A clarification is therefore necessary. As is the protocol when there is a change of administration, I have offered my ...more
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Address child abuse
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Dear Editor, Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child. Child abuse can occur in a child's home, or in the organisations, schools or communities the child interacts with. There are four major categories of chi ...more
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Parry Town Primary thanks Sandals Foundation, Sandals Grande Riviera
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Dear Editor, The Sandals Foundation has adopted our school for the past 15 years. It has helped us in so many ways with several ongoing projects. Sandals Grande Riviera is solely responsible for our back-to-school clean-up and beautification projec ...more
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Unwise to oppose Sunday horse racing
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Dear Editor, Certain elements of the church community have once again come out in opposition to Sunday horse racing, an industry that employs thousands of people. Yet they have no objection to the poorest of the poor losing their $10 every six hour ...more
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Reforesting Jamaica
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dear Editor, Over the past few years the forests and number of trees of the island have been declining at a frightening rate. Indeed, Jamaica ranks among the most rapidly deforested areas of the world. Over the long run, the country pays a great pri ...more
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Review public policy
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dear Editor, The clamour of most Jamaicans is for good governance. After all, we have seen the effect of poor governance and the challenges we face: poor physical infrastructure, inadequate social services, a lack of ethics among too many public ser ...more
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We do need new self-direction and self-perception
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dear Editor, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is correct in reminding us that the time has come to elect a Jamaican to replace the Queen (or King) of England because, as the Revd Ashley Smith alluded "where we now see ourselves for the most as ...more
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Sunday racing is good for the economy
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dear Editor, It is a fallacy to believe, and a folly to suggest that Sunday racing has no economic benefits and is a parasite to human morals. I attended the first Sunday racing for 2012, accompanied by my 13-month-old baby and my eight-year-old dau ...more
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JPs' protest against Porteous betrays our noble office
Monday, January 30, 2012
Dear Editor, As a justice of the peace and former member of the executive of the Manchester Lay Magistrates Association, I would like to share my personal disapproval of the way justices of the peace have been dealing with the appointment of Ms Sall ...more
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Practise what you preach, Portia
Monday, January 30, 2012
Dear Editor, When the prime minister was Opposition leader she was stridently vocal against untruths or errors made by political leaders. She constantly spoke about trust and the need for political leaders to be accurate in what they said. The prim ...more
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It's bigotry if church discriminates against homosexuals
Monday, January 30, 2012
Dear Editor, As a devout churchman I fail to appreciate the concern that many of my church folk have about the buggery law. The practice of faith, the last time I checked in my church, was based on the teachings of the Bible, not on the legislature. ...more
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Don't destroy embryos
Monday, January 30, 2012
Dear Editor, The ethical problems posed by abortion and embryo cloning boil down to agreeing or disagreeing whether to consider embryos as human beings, or to having a clear idea of how the human condition of an embryo occurs. From a scientific sta ...more
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It's a compliment, Juicy Chef!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Dear Editor, This is an open letter to Juicy Chef with regard to her column "Adventures in Food Shopping" on January 26. Your column has grown in depth and style and I want to congratulate you. It is a pleasure to read you each week. Having said t ...more
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Give our schoolchildren nutritious food
Monday, January 30, 2012
Dear Editor, I would like to suggest that we change the nutrition programme in the "failing schools" to begin with, and all schools across Jamaica eventually. By first changing the nutrition programme in those schools that are considered failing, we ...more
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Remember the PNP’s achievements
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Dear Editor, Now, more than any other time, Jamaicans and Montegonians, for that matter, must recall how the leadership of the past PNP administration impacted significantly on Montego Bay and the entire country. During the 18 1/2 years in which the ...more
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Please clarify, ACP Grant
Friday, January 27, 2012
Dear Editor, It is morally, socially and legally progressive that the Jamaica Constabulary Force will be working with schools in the parish of St Thomas to combat sexual molestation and/or rape of children. However, I am troubled by part of a statem ...more
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Dangerous precedent if Porteous appointment is rescinded
Friday, January 27, 2012
Dear Editor, Some JPs in Manchester are opposing the appointment of Miss Sally Porteous as custos for the parish. As far as I can gather, their reasons are either that hers is a political appointment (to which they object) and/or that the position s ...more
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Poor interest rate
Friday, January 27, 2012
Dear Editor, The prevailing perception among many (a perception indelibly impressed upon the minds of my compatriots by the media and the private sector) that a low interest rate is desirable, whereas a high interest rate is bad, is a disposition th ...more
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Fascinating article
Friday, January 27, 2012
Dear Editor, I always find Keeble McFarlane's articles very fascinating. Last Saturday's article on Kodak lived up to his usual fascinating account of a subject. Having done a business study on Kodak for a university course I was very much interes ...more
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Let's have no conflicts in the London Olympics
Friday, January 27, 2012
Dear Editor, As we look forward to the Olympic Games in London this summer, I have a concern. I recall some amount of disquiet in the Jamaican camp in the last two major international meets (Beijing and Daegu). There were reports of conflicts betwee ...more
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Will always honour Dudley's memory
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Dear Editor, The public defender, an independent commission of Parliament, owes its existence largely to the exertions of the late Dudley Thompson. In 1968, then an Opposition senator, he moved a private member's motion in the Upper House, calling ...more
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Outstanding historical perspective
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Dear Editor, I wish to thank Keeble McFarlane for his outstanding historical perspective on George Eastman in his article, "George Eastman's baby faces its worst Kodak moment", in the Observer of January 21. I started photography in 1962 with a Brow ...more
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Tuskegee airmen - interesting Jamaican connection
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Dear Editor, Last Saturday CNN aired interviews conducted by anchor Fredricka Whitfield with living legends of the famous and admirable group of black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen of World War 11. Enlisted in the 332nd Fighter Group, 447 Bom ...more
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80-year-old Europeans expected to triple by 2050
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Dear Editor, The European Parliament (EP) should officially agree with family alliances in order to tackle the unstoppable demographic decline. The European Union (EU) is seeking to address the birth plight that the old continent is suffering from. ...more
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Discipline Manchester JPs
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Dear Editor, The people of Jamaica have been advised by a television news report that there is to be a planned protest at the formal installation of the Custos of Manchester. This threat, boisterously voiced by people who have nothing to do with the ...more
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Dudley Thompson and Kwame Nkrumah
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Dear Editor, In the wake of his passing, many of us now know that Dudley Thompson rubbed shoulders with Pan-Africanist giants like Kwame Nkrumah, George Padmore, Jomo Kenyatta, Julius Nyerere et al. While we might also be well aware of his successf ...more
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Congratulations!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Dear Editor, I wish to congratulate Mr Wensworth Skeffery for his appointment to the Senate on behalf of his Hampton family. We trust he will have as transformative an effect on his future endeavours as he did as physics teacher at Hampton for four ...more
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Brown Burke shouldn't hold appointment yet
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Dear Editor, I have noted carefully the response of Senator Angella Brown Burke in regard to her dual citizenship status which, as she has admitted, would put her in breach of the Jamaican Constitution unless she has successfully and completely reno ...more
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Michael Manley Foundation regrets passing of Dudley Thompson
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Dear Editor, On behalf of the Michael Manley Foundation, I would like to express my most profound regret at the passing of one of Jamaica's most respected and consistent freedom fighters, Ambassador Dudley Thompson. His dedication and contribution ...more
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Condoms and schools
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Dear Editor, I find it very interesting that while the debate over whether condoms should be distributed in schools remains unresolved, a new minister of education has been appointed, the Rev Ronnie Thwaites, a deacon of the Roman Catholic Church. ...more
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Treat teachers better
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Dear Editor It's amazing that teachers are not worshipped as Jesus Christ, given the miracles some people expect from them. A class of 45-60 students to one teacher, having to buy chalk and dusters regularly because the school is not adequately fund ...more
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Yes, Portia, abolish the monarchy
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Dear Editor, I believe that we need to have our own indigenous head of state during this year - the 50th Jubilee of Jamaica's political independence. So I endorse the prime minister Mrs Portia Simpson Miller's view to complete our independence in "f ...more
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Let Walker be spokesperson for national security
Monday, January 23, 2012
Opposition leader, Andrew Holness has named a 16-member Shadow Cabinet and Delroy Chuck has been named spokesperson on justice, national security, electoral matters and leader of Opposition business in the House. The PNP government of the 70s appoin ...more
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Jamaica needs a new administrative structure
Monday, January 23, 2012
Dear Editor, After 50 years it is abundantly clear that Jamaica needs a new administrative structure. The rationale for this should be self-evident. The present system, hastily created 50 years ago, lacks the proper foresight to handle the requireme ...more
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Suggestions for rebuilding the JLP
Monday, January 23, 2012
Dear Editor, JLP leader Andrew Holness on the night of his party's electoral defeat announced it was time for introspection. Arrogance has been listed, by many, as one of the main reasons that caused the JLP's massive defeat. In addressing this iss ...more
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Who runs the show?
Monday, January 23, 2012
Dear Editor, Big international sports organisations such as the World Cup, the Formula One Racing Series and the Olympic Games are quickly losing their appeal to me. As they have got bigger, they are slowly losing the reason for their being. They be ...more
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One cellphone, cheaper rates — that’s all we want
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Dear Editor, I have had a long-standing love-hate relationship with LIME over the years and to tell the truth, I was glad when competition came into the telephone industry. I was one of the many who believed that LIME (then Cable & Wireless) co ...more
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My JPS experience
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Dear Editor, I had an experience Monday, January 16, 2012 which I would like to share with Jamaica. I was at home listening to a talk show while doing house chores around 10:45 am when my electricity went out for the fourth or fifth time that morni ...more
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Handling of Digicel/Claro deal shameful
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Dear Editor, The recent announcement that Digicel and Claro can merge could be very good news for the Jamaican mobile phone user. However, the way the news came to the public again demonstrates how little trust can be placed in the ‘JLPNP&rsq ...more
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ICT for a better Jamaica
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Dear Editor, The impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been very pervasive in developed and developing countries, especially in the Caribbean. Respective heads of governments have implemented and executed ICT policies and stra ...more
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Stop it, Manchester JPs
Friday, January 20, 2012
Dear Editor, Last year we read in the print media and watched on television the behaviour of some justices of the peace in Manchester who disagreed with the appointment of Mrs Sally Porteous to the position of Custos of Manchester. Now, January 201 ...more
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Relieve us of the wicked
Friday, January 20, 2012
Dear Editor, Jamaica seems a land smeared with bloodletting and worries, a land characterised by doom, gloom, loss and desolation for many. This land relinquishes peace and safety for countless residents. Atrocities committed by callous and indiffer ...more
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Play telecoms providers
Friday, January 20, 2012
Dear Editor, Decisions made under intense emotions are never the best. They usually reflect the moment that inspired them and not the broader picture in which they fit. Consequently, these decisions often become unfavourable and extremely strenuous ...more
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Making a new start in Jamaica
Friday, January 20, 2012
Dear Editor, It seems that Jamaica is stuck with a two-party system that long ago ran out of ideas, energy, and creativity. No third party has been able to break the political monopoly of the People's National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party. Rot ...more
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Kudos to new PM
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dear Editor, Politics and governance have similarities with relationships and marriages. The election campaign or electioneering is like the courtship, when all the nice things are said and done. The inauguration or swearing-in ceremony represents t ...more
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What are the plans for trained early childhood teachers?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dear Editor, I wish to comment on a point made by Education Minister Ronald Thwaites, in the article in the Western Mirror of January 11, 2012, "Education Minister to focus on underperforming schools". Mr Thwaites said "effort will be concentrated o ...more
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Why suspend woman who attacked father's killers on Facebook?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dear Editor, In July last year I retired from the Metropolitan Police Force in London after 32 years' service. Since 2002 I was privileged to spend 18 months in Jamaica working in six-week periods with Jamaican police colleagues. I fell under the s ...more
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Clovis, change
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dear Editor, Among the many reasons for the welcome relief at the end of the “silly season” is that it coincides with a change in the theme and character of the Clovis cartoons. Respect for the newspaper made it very difficult to underst ...more
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The challenges of sustainable development
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dear Editor, The news is filled these days with discussions about sustainable development. At its simplest level, the assumption is that every state or society should try to construct an economic structure that contains elements of its own selfperpe ...more
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MFA will continue dedicated service under Nicholson, Brown
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Dear Editor, I read your views on the foreign ministry in your editorial, "If Mr AJ Nicholson fails..." on January 15. For some time it has been clear to me that the Jamaica Observer has a particularly jaundiced view of the Ministry of Foreign Aff ...more
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Think, Mr Holness!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Dear Editor, As the JLP designs a media policy and rebuilds itself, I caution the party not to swallow whole all that the media has to say about its faults. Our present practitioners have largely been trained at Carimac by the former members of vari ...more
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Let us praise our women
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Dear Editor, Many women in Jamaica are unsung heroes despite their sterling and magnificent contribution to society. Let us pay them due recognition. Of course, not at all unsung is our hard-working prime minister, Mrs Portia Simpson Miller. And, li ...more
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Fair exchange
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Well, welcome back to Lattie Source of financial hope Youth man never did learn That time longer than rope Fair exchange is no robbery Especially with debt Can't borrow our way to heaven And fair targets must be set But where is the best offi ...more
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Pollsters
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Dear Editor, It seems obvious that some pollsters do not know what they are doing. This was clearly demonstrated after the results of the election were announced. None of them came close, and even Don Anderson declared that the former deputy prime ...more
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Telecommunications insanity
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Dear Editor, I heard it with my own ears but I could hardly believe it. Commenting on radio about the ongoing furore in the mobile industry, Minister Phillip Paulwell, instead of confronting the thorny issue of the Digicel/Claro deal, seemingly trie ...more
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Exuma the obeah man
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Dear Editor, Your article on Desmond McKenzie was interesting, but I would appreciate it if you could make a small correction. Exuma, the obeah man, was not an African artiste. He was, in fact, one of the best known interpreters of Bahamian music a ...more
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Big political comeback
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Dear Editor, "And Delilah said unto Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth?" Judges 16:6. So tell us, Portia, wherein thy strength lieth? In one stroke of the brush you have left stunned quite a few analysts, trampled on the ...more
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PM, see that no mother has to hand her daughter to any don
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Dear Editor, There is an advertisement currently being aired in the electronic media by the National Integrity Action Forum in which a mother is hauling her barely pubescent daughter towards a don who poses menacingly with folded arms. To the terrif ...more
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Why the hang-up, LIME?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Dear Editor, Why is LIME beefing about "monopoly" when they were the monopoly that kept the Jamaican people in bondage for decades? I remember when they were the monopoly and they introduced cellular service, we had to deposit large sums and pay to ...more
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Questions on the republic issue
Monday, January 16, 2012
Dear Editor, There have been previous pronouncements to cut the ties with the monarchy which have not materialised. This occasion seems to be different and I would like to add my thoughts on the issue. Whilst I fully support Jamaica's desire to mov ...more
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Dr Ferguson the undisputed champion of modern Jamaican politics
Monday, January 16, 2012
Dear Editor, Dr Fenton Ferguson is now an undisputed champion of modern Jamaican politics as he is the first to defeat a rival father and afterwards his daughter in the same constituency. He uprooted Pearnel Charles from Eastern St Thomas in the 19 ...more
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The height of slackness
Monday, January 16, 2012
Dear Editor, The announcement by Digicel Jamaica that it will cease operation of the Claro network is the height of slackness. How dare Andrew Holness take it upon himself to change Government policy based on a request from Digicel? I am not surpri ...more
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Cabinet issue not just about size
Monday, January 16, 2012
Dear Editor, I've been following the ongoing debate surrounding the new cabinet size and agree, for the most part, it could have been more compact. The prime minister could've really hit the ground running with her administration, had she presented ...more
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Look to agriculture, Jamaica
Monday, January 16, 2012
Dear Editor, I firmly believe that agriculture could be Jamaica's gold mine, because the country's food import bill has skyrocketed to almost US$1 billion a year. Most of the food imported can be easily produced in Jamaica. Against this background, ...more
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Why didn't you publicise your decision, Mr Holness?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Dear Editor, How can anyone ever trust politicians in this country? Just a few months ago, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that the Government would be approving the acquisition of Claro's business by Digicel. It was an announcement o ...more
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Thanks to the Gov't, I'm now a kidnapped Claro Digicel customer
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Dear Editor, The Government has allowed Digicel to kidnap my mobile phone service. As a businessman I note with much shock and disappointment the action on the part of the Government and Digicel in what is now the 'takeover' of the Claro network. L ...more
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Reject debt-based systems
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Dear Editor, Consumption is what triggers production and not the other way around. I am sure that our economic planners must know this. They must know that consumer disposable/discretionary income is what allows them to demand goods and services w ...more
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Squeezing blood from a stone
Friday, January 13, 2012
Dear Editor, Amendments to the Companies Ordinance now require companies, in addition to keeping proper accounts, to keep underlying documentation including invoices and contracts for a period of no less than five years. Failure to keep those record ...more
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Republic idea refreshing
Friday, January 13, 2012
Dear Editor, It is like a breath of fresh air to hear Portia Simpson Miller pronouncing a truly independent country. Why you should have a distant monarchy as head of state is beyond comprehension. We in Britain very much hope that the media and th ...more
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Watch out, Jamaica
Friday, January 13, 2012
Dear Editor The homosexual crusade has opened a new front in its assault on society's norms and traditional way of life. Its global centres in America, Canada and Europe have blown a gale-force wind in atheism, giving it much vitality and a new appe ...more
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Ridiculous, Prime Minister
Friday, January 13, 2012
Dear Editor, I am appalled at Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's explanation as to why her Cabinet has to be so large, yet when she was in Opposition she chastised Mr Golding for the size of his Cabinet, which was smaller. The prime minister's ...more
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Protect the interest of our local sectors
Friday, January 13, 2012
Dear Editor, The old adage "what goes around comes around", when applied to the direction of global economic policies in relation to our domestic economy, warrants a re-examination and, perhaps, a re-calibration of Jamaica's economic policies moving ...more
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10 things to celebrate about Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Dear Editor: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller evokes strong reaction among detractors and supporters alike. Please allow me to share with you 10 reasons that I believe she is worthy of not just admiration but emulation. 1. She is authentic The ...more
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Let's commit to Jamaica
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Dear Editor: Jamaica's 50th anniversary in August will no doubt be milked by the politicians like never before, particularly on the backs of the expected grand performances of our athletes at the Olympics. But do we have anything much to be proud of ...more
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Leaders must be tax compliant
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Dear Editor: Tax reform was declared to be a priority for the two major political parties during the election campaign. There is the general idea of broadening the tax net and implementing more measures to facilitate payment and ensure greater compl ...more
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Help please, commissioner
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Dear Editor: This is an open letter to the Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington. It is 5:15am on a Sunday and I have not slept a wink because of nerve-shattering music coming from Manor Park in Constant Spring. Music is played at unbearable decib ...more
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Hypocritical and insensitive, Mrs Simpson Miller
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Dear Editor: One of the major problems with our politics is that politicians present themselves as if they really care about the majority of the people and the country as a whole, but the truth be told, this is far from being the case. From all ind ...more
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Missed opportunities for heritage preservation at Hope Gardens
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Dear Editor, The clock is ticking and it is a race against time as I try to meet the deadline for completing my thesis on 'Creating a Museum of the Historic Hope Lands, St Andrew'. Despite this, it would be remiss of me, in the year that Jamaicans ...more
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A PNP Republic? — No way
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Dear Editor, The last time I heard a prime minister publicly declare his intention to transform Jamaica's Constitutional Monarchy into a republic I was completely appalled that a prime minister of Jamaica could even think of suggesting such a thing. ...more
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Dr Carolyn Cooper, end your misery — go ahead and bleach!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Dear Editor, Professor Carolyn Cooper has a curious preoccupation with skin bleaching. I have formed the view that she doesn't love her black skin and would secretly like to bleach, even while she pretends otherwise. I started to believe that when ...more
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Portia must lead beyond quid pro quo politics
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Dear Editor, If Portia Simpson Miller runs the country as she ran her election campaign I believe that she could be an effective prime minister. In her swearing-in ceremony, she mentioned several themes, ranging from running a government of accoun ...more
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Advice to the media and the JLP
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Dear Editor, The PNP understands the rough and tumble of the Jamaican electorate. The JLP needs to catch up. Under two brilliant, well-intentioned leaders, in Bruce Golding and Andrew Holness, the JLP lost the December 29, 2011 general election. Wh ...more
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