http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/ JamaicaObserver.com, the most concise and in-depth website for news coverage on Jamaica and the Caribbean. Updated daily 7 days a week, 24 hours a day en-us copyright Jamaica Observer, 2011 http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Hoping-for-the-best-from--Caribbean-Challenge-_14301770 Last weekend's meeting of Caribbean political and business leaders in the British Virgin Islands was not the type that would normally attract much attention. However, the issues discussed were most important to the survival of this region. Editorial Tue, 21 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/What-violence-torn-St-James--nay-all-Jamaica--can-learn-from-Flanker_14299652 It's easily and readily recognised that good, proactive leadership is essential to the organisation of any society. Sadly, it is a quality lacking all across Jamaica, which is one of the main reasons so many communities are dysfunctional. Editorial Mon, 20 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Local-companies-should-follow-Jamaica-Broilers-into-Haiti_14298368 Haiti is, more often than not, dismissed as a viable market for exports from Jamaica and is usually not thought of as a possible opportunity for Jamaican companies to establish and do business there. Editorial Sun, 19 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Kudos-to-Harbour-View-FC_14296786 WE join the football fraternity in hailing Harbour View FC, champions of the Red Stripe Premier League for 2012/2013. Editorial Sat, 18 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Capitalise-on-Rev-Redwood-s-decision_14286012 GIVEN how the Rev Stanley Redwood gave a good account of himself during his short stint as Senate president, we have no doubt that he will, as he told this newspaper, continue to serve Jamaica from his new home in Canada. Editorial Fri, 17 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Ban-Ki-Moon-s-warning-not-to-be-taken-lightly-_14279016 UNITED Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a warning to the world's business community yesterday that, we believe, is most pertinent to Jamaica and indeed our sister Caribbean states. Editorial Thu, 16 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Ever-heard-of-Dr-Don-Shirley--another-great-but-forgotten-Jamaican_14266419 MOST countries have a 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' to honour those whose achievements were heroic but forgotten. When things are tight financially, people don't want to bother with anything they regard as esoteric. However, we should consider erecting a statue to those Jamaicans whose heroic accomplishments are largely unknown and unrecognised by the vast majority of Jamaicans. Editorial Wed, 15 May 2013 01:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Dr-Joyce-Robinson--a-true-human-treasure_14261663 There are treasures of the human spirit, treasures that we dare not, as a nation, ignore, or do so only at our collective peril. Dr Joyce Lilieth Robinson, who passed away on Sunday, was superlatively one of those human treasures whose life was devoted to national service, from a fledgling teenager to octogenarian maturity. Editorial Tue, 14 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/The-rightness-of-the-Tivoli-enquiry_14252198 IT is very long -- all of 248 pages -- and heavy on detail. Those to whom reading is often a bore may find it tedious. Although, to be fair, the public defender's lively and attractive literary style should serve as an antidote. Editorial Mon, 13 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Paucity-of-Caribbean-citizens-in-the-top-echelons_14251114 Former Prime Minister P J Patterson, speaking at the launch of Ambassador Rudy Insanally's new book Multilateral Diplomacy for Small States, bemoaned the fact that people from Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries are no longer in top posts in international organisations. Editorial Sun, 12 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Hailing-Jamaica-s-record-run NOW that their dream of a sixth straight regional four-day title is over, it’s full time to hail Jamaica’s national cricket team for their extraordinary performance over the past five years. Editorial Sat, 11 May 2013 03:07:19 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/No-justification-for-NWC-rate-hike_14237953 IT'S hardly likely that National Water Commission (NWC) officials believe that the series of islandwide public consultations being held jointly with the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) will win support for the NWC's 19 per cent rate increase application. Editorial Fri, 10 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Transfer-sentiments-about-Air-Jamaica-to-Fly-Jamaica_14232039 TRINIDAD-BASED Caribbean Airlines (CAL) assumed responsibility for Air Jamaica flights as well as the right to use the Air Jamaica brand name in 2010. But it is clear that Jamaicans still have lingering sentiments about Air Jamaica, which have not been transferred to the new majority owners. Editorial Thu, 09 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Reparations-debate-needs-to-be-settled_14224389 SIR Hilary Beckles' recently published book, Britain's Black Debt, has returned to the spotlight the burning issue of reparations. Editorial Wed, 08 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/When-the-Caricom-Heads-of-Gov-t-meet-in-July---_14215024 After a mere 20 months in the job, Mr Irwin LaRocque, the Caricom secretary general, must feel a bit dispirited. Editorial Tue, 07 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/This-time---_14212917 A major challenge for the Government will be how to get the majority of the Jamaican people to appreciate that the programme just agreed on with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not resolved the country's economic problems. Editorial Mon, 06 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Cut-the-talk-and-cut-the-red-tape_14201352 Last Thursday, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted the Jamaica launch of the Caribbean Growth Forum at the University of the West Indies at Mona. Editorial Sun, 05 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/The-ugly-side-of-the-beautiful-game_14197339 FOOTBALL has the ability to excite and entrance people of various backgrounds, religious persuasions, race, class and creed like few other sports can. Editorial Sat, 04 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Well-said--Mr-Holness_14190760 OVER the last two general election campaigns this newspaper strongly advocated a change in our politics. We had become disillusioned with the circus that was being passed off for political discourse and had also grown disgusted with the penchant of some of our politicians to descend into personal attacks on their opponents, instead of debating issues. Editorial Fri, 03 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/National-self-denial-over-NHT-funds_14185024 THERE is a palpable naiveté running through some sectors of our society about where the administration is to find funds to do all the things that are desperately needed. Editorial Thu, 02 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Madam-PM-should-listen-to-people-like-Sagicor-s-Phillip-Armstrong_14178051 The pessimists and cynics will say one is clutching at straws, but we get a good feeling from the optimism expressed by Sagicor's Phillip Armstrong about the future of Jamaica. Editorial Wed, 01 May 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/A-chance-to-combat-the-illegal-arms-trade_14170116 Any legal measure implemented by local and foreign law enforcement agencies to combat the drug trade is welcomed by this newspaper. Editorial Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Teachers-have-responsibility--despite-the-risks_14163572 THE Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) says it has advised its members — for their own good — not to become physically involved in breaking up fights at their schools "unless they think they can physically do so". Editorial Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Celebrating-with-the-indefatigable-George-Lamming_14162167 Tomorrow, Barbados will celebrate National Heroes Day, and highlighting the activities will be the presentation of the prestigious Clement Payne Appreciation Award to legendary Barbadian novelist, political commentator, essayist, and public intellectual, Mr George Lamming, appropriately marking the 60th anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, In the Castle of My Skin. Editorial Sun, 28 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Hailing-Manchester-High-and-schools--cricket_14159956 A dramatic photograph in the Observer Central on Monday showing hundreds of Manchester High School students marching behind their triumphant Under-19 cricketers through the streets of Mandeville captured the essence. Editorial Sat, 27 Apr 2013 02:00:00 GMT