Jamaica Observer

Include God in our children's lives

Friday, May 25, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

'Grow up a child in the way he should grow' is a popular saying attributed to the wisest man to live other than Christ — King Solomon.

As a nation, we are shown pictures nightly on the news of young boys and girls under the headline 'Help these missing persons'. Some are missing as a result of running away, some are kidnapped, others are killed. Whatever the circumstances, their whereabouts are unknown.

Once the perception was that most of these children were from poor families, but this gap has closed tremendously. The problems affecting our children have spread from the ghettos with shacks and zinc fences to the polished, upscale homes in gated communities.

Children from all walks of life are affected by the ills of our society today. A good family background, financial stability or social status are no longer able to shield one's child from danger.

Some problems affecting children are seen even more in stable families as these children suffer under the pretence that they have it all. They attend the best schools, travel frequently, and are able to acquire all that money can buy. Nevertheless, very often they are dying inside.

Many times it is not until they become a statistic, either by running away or taking their own life, that their parents' eyes are opened to the fact that they were not doing well.

It is against this background that I suggest that as parents, we give God the job of taking care of our children. Let us grow them up in God, as God is the only one capable of protecting them for us.

Patricia Clarke

Lot 23, Prosper Hall

Claremont PO

St Ann

Include God in our children's lives

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Portia, Andrew need to unite country

Friday, May 25, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

Let us challenge Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and the leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, to unite our people not only for true political independence in moving away from the Privy Council and the Queen as head of Jamaica, but also to apply their minds and actions to lift this country to economic prosperity.

The late Michael Manley achieved the same level of mobilsation when, as prime minister, he promoted Labour Day. The entire nation was involved.

Speaking of economic prosperity, we see tourism as one of several principal vehicles. This industry must be seen not only to create and improve the level of local employment, but more so as an export industry — in this context, stimulating agrarian and industrial enterprises.

Another is the encouragement of foreign investment. I said this before and I say it again, when I was a student in London and a delegate to a Commonwealth Conservative Student Conference chaired by a former wife of a governor of Jamaica, Lady Molly Huggins, I spoke of the need for foreign investment to the Caribbean and I was heckled by my colleagues.

She intervened, claiming the right as a Jamaican, and said, "Mr Crosbie let me tell these people, this Great Britain would not be Great Britain if it had not been for foreign investments which can be seen all over the place".

The same can be said of Jamaica; if it had not been for foreign investments, there would be no prosperity whatsoever, so what we really need is more foreign investments.

Owen S Crosbie

3 Hotel Street

Mandeville, Manchester

oss@cwjamaica.com

Portia, Andrew need to unite country

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Eat-a-food culture disgraceful

Friday, May 25, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

Over the years, Jamaicans have found themselves reduced to a position where a large segment of the population ekes out a meagre existence on the margins of society.

This has condemned us to a state of mendicancy on a level that can be considered frightening. We now have even more cause for concern, given the recent statement by the IMF that 43 per cent of our people are living below the poverty line.

As a result, we have become a very greedy and cynical people. We are prepared to mete out the greatest hurt, including murder, to our fellow citizens in order to gain the slightest material advantage. Similarly, we selfishly pursue our personal goals, many times illegally, without the slightest concern for the consequences of our actions on others.

One needs only to look at what has happened in the scrap metal business. Individuals are prepared to remove manhole covers, dismantle bridges, railway lines and other critical infrastructure to satisfy their immediate desire for a day's earnings. Indeed, I have no doubt that the resultant closedown of the scrap metal trade has done little to dim the flames of this rabid and incessant greed.

This "eat-a-food" mentality is by no means restricted to the scrap metal trade, for we have seen evidence of it in the harassment of our tourists in the resort areas. Anyone conversant with what goes on, especially in the craft markets, will know that the pedlars are very much aware that this overly aggressive behaviour has the effect of driving away the tourists, but they do it anyway.

Their unbridled selfishness and greed propel them to lash out for the quick buck and render them blind to their own self-destruction.

Even more depressing, though, is the fact that this tendency infests almost every area of commercial activity in the country. When expensive consumer goods are categorised as "chicken back" to evade the payment of Customs duties, the same mentality is at play. Other instances of this "eat-a-food" mentality include the illegal access of public utility services, bogus licensing of motor vehicles and bribing of corrupt police officers and civil servants.

Accordingly, there are clear danger signals when a new government assumes office with zeal to please its supporters. Programmes such as JEEP are particularly prone to exploitation by unscrupulous individuals and businesses.

In one particular community, for instance, it was recently claimed that garbage was collected three times in a single week while in others it goes uncollected for up to one month. This is the type of wasteful extravagance that a Government can be so easily drawn into.

An "eat-a-food" culture is certainly not the type of attitude to distinguish a country on the verge of its 50th anniversary of Independence.

Levi Atkinson

Marine9@cwjamaica.com

Eat-a-food culture disgraceful

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That 'Gay Manifesto' not true

Friday, May 25, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

I wish to discredit the so-called 'Gay Manifesto' as referenced by your newspaper in its Tuesday, May 22, 2012 edition. The manifesto was read by Rev Peter Garth the day before during an interview with the Observer.

It is interesting that Rev Garth is a learned fellow, based on his credentials, yet he does not seek to do research before spilling propaganda to the nation. It is a fact that any well-thinking person would feel incensed by such a manifesto and would wonder if this is the real motive of the gay community.

So what are the facts? According to Jorge Mursulli and Lisa Versaci in a Miami Herald article published on April 25, 1999 titled 'Gay Manifesto a concocted lie', the real source for the manifesto is a little-known book, published in November 1989, called Shadow in the Land: Homosexuality in America, authored by a divisive, reactionary California congressman, William Dannemeyer.

The manifesto is a verbatim quote from pages 105 to 107 of this book. Dannemeyer clearly states in the book that he is 'paraphras[ing] the argument the homosexual community is making'. So: In 1987, Michael Swift wrote a short essay venting his personal frustrations. It was then misrepresented as fact and entered into the Congressional Record without the opening paragraph explaining its basis. Then Congressman Dannemeyer penned a book telling the world the evils of gay activists and created his version of a 'gay manifesto', which was then copied word for word by the Miami-Dade Christian Coalition and distributed (without attribution) as the future plans of the local gay and lesbian."

The manifesto is a verbatim quote from pages 105 to 107 of this book. Dannemeyer clearly states in the book that he is 'paraphras[ing] the argument the homosexual community is making'. So: In 1987, Michael Swift wrote a short essay venting his personal frustrations. It was then misrepresented as fact and entered into the Congressional Record without the opening paragraph explaining its basis. Then Congressman Dannemeyer penned a book telling the world the evils of gay activists and created his version of a 'gay manifesto', which was then copied word for word by the Miami-Dade Christian Coalition and distributed (without attribution) as the future plans of the local gay and lesbian."

It is sad that when we try to make cases for and against a position we often find cases of fabrication. Let us no longer play with human rights. Human rights must be guaranteed to all individuals, regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation.

I reject any notion that suggests too that the granting of rights to homosexuals means the rejection of rights for religious communities to voice their opposition to the lifestyle within their own temples. But let us try to speak to each other.

Religious leaders, human rights groups, and gay activists must start speaking to each other rather than throwing words across the boardroom. More and more homosexuals need to explain to a Jamaican society ignorant of what the lifestyle is that there is no hidden agenda. The only agenda that homosexuals have is to be treated with respect and a sense of dignity. We also commit to treat heterosexuals and religious folks with mutual respect.

John Brown

That 'Gay Manifesto' not true

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Can’t wait to hear what Google, Yahoo! have to say

Friday, May 25, 2012 2:45 AM

Dear Editor,

I’m overjoyed to see that attention is finally being paid to the painful issue of people using the Internet to tarnish the reputation of others against whom they have a grouse. Hiding behind a pseudonym to assassinate people’s characters is one of the most cowardly things that anyone can do.

That is why, like your letter writer Joseph Alexander, I am watching the court case involving Mr Daryl Vaz, who has sued Professor David Rowe over the libellous e-mail.

Mr Rowe has denied that he wrote the e-mail but he has created a doubt in people’s minds by trying to stop Mr Vaz’s subpoena of Google and Yahoo! which would help to prove who the real culprit is. If Mr Rowe believes in his own innocence, he should let the law take its course.

Mr Vaz says the e-mail accuses him of things like money laundering, drug dealing and associating with a known drug lord. Politicians have to take their licks, but unless there is evidence to prove it, they should not be subject to this kind of grievous accusation. After all, these are people with families who suffer when they suffer.

Mr P J Patterson and the others who have also been libelled do not deserve to have their reputations sullied, after serving their country so selflessly and for so long.

I can’t wait to hear what Google and Yahoo! have to say about the author of the e-mail.

Malcolm Simpson

Kingston 6

How the elementary education system worked

Thursday, May 24, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

In celebrating Jamaica's 50th anniversary since Independence, it is worthwhile to be aware of what transpired in the field of elementary education, particularly in the rural areas, during the 1940s and 1950s, and you can compare that to what is in existence today.

All rural elementary schools in particular were divided into what was classified as Lower Division, Middle Division, and Upper Division. The Lower Division was sub-divided into three classes generally referred to as Junior A, Junior B, and First Class. The Middle Division was comprised of two classes, namely, Second and Third standards, and the Upper Division was madeup of three classes -- Fourth, Fifth and Sixth standards.

According to my recollection, during the 1940s and '50s both teachers and pupils in small elementary schools, each with a population 200 or fewer, suffered immeasurably.

In the Lower Division, all three classes were generally taught by one fully trained or partially trained teacher who was usually the head teacher's spouse. She was sometimes assisted by an untrained teacher. The untrained teacher was usually a pupil teacher or a probationer. The probationer was one who held the third-year Jamaica Local Exam Certificate and was put on probation for a six-year period during which time he or she had to obtain additional qualifications.

If that probationer failed to achieve the specified qualifications then he or she would no longer be allowed to teach. On the other hand, the pupil teacher was below the rank of the probationer. Generally this was a trainee who had passed the second-year Jamaica Local Exam and was preparing to take the third-year exam.

In many instances the entire Middle Division was taught by a probationer. In each of these small schools the Upper Division was invariably taught by the head teacher.

It is worth noting that each teacher in these small elementary schools had to teach all subjects, namely: Reading, Written English (including Handwriting and Dictation), Arithmetic, Scripture, Geography/History, Science, Physical Education (Drill), Music, and Handwork.

In addition to this heavy workload, one half-day per week the female teachers would be responsible for teaching the girls rudimentary sewing and needlework, and the male teachers were responsible for teaching the boys basic agricultural projects or gardening.

Rupert Johnson

Toronto, Ontario

Canada, M1C 3M7

r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca

How the elementary education system worked

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Equity lacking in Jamaica

Thursday, May 24, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

I am curious, but can somebody explain to me where is the social safety net for the working class and educated poor in Jamaica?

I have come to realise that over the years this 'new class' of poor have increased enormously and nothing is being put in place to cater to their daily plight. There are so many persons who have sacrificed time and money to earn a tertiary education on the premise that this should make their lives easier and create financial independence while contributing to their personal growth and development; however, they can't get a job.

There are also many who have been made redundant as a result of companies downsizing and have been struggling like hell to meet even their basic needs, yet no programmes have been created by Government to assist these people and ease their burden.

We should also bear in mind that many of these people have contributed massively to the Government's coffers in the form of taxes over the years.

Many of these people have worked for many years but are unable to afford a decent home. If they go to the NIS for assistance under the different relief programmes they are told that they don't meet the criteria for assistance; they don't meet the criteria for JEEP; they are too proud to go to the Salvation Army or Food For the Poor.

The reality is, there is no system in place to lend a helping hand to this class of poor. However, what I find is that the people who have contributed nothing or don't intend to contribute in any way, shape or form to the country's growth and development get all the attention and financial assistance, living on Government grants, PATH, and any other social safety net available.

Can someone please explain to me where is the equity in this?

Why do university graduates, who have sacrificed to better themselves, seem to be worse off after completing their studies, and why is it that people who work and pay taxes cannot receive any benefit from the Government when they run into financial difficulties?

I just can't understand why the people who contributed the least always seem to get the most in this country. The sacrifice the working class has to make is overwhelming. Many would even want to start a family but they have to delay as they are responsible enough to not want to have children when they are experiencing such grave financial burdens.

They are cognisant of the effect of such behaviour while some people can just frivolously have children because they know that the State will take care of the kids, relinquishing them of all their parental obligations and responsibility.

The more I think about this, the more it seems that it's not such a bad idea to lack ambition.

Maxine Walters

missanalytical1981@gmail.com

Equity lacking in Jamaica

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Assassination by anonymous e-mail is awful!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

On Monday, May 21, you published an article titled 'Round one of hate-mail saga to Vaz', in which Mr Daryl Vaz prevailed in his bid to get subpoenas served on search engines Google and Yahoo! to identify the author of a libellous e-mail, of which he has accused Professor David Rowe.

For a very personal reason, I am desperately hoping that Mr Vaz succeeds in unmasking the author of that e-mail, whether or not it is Mr Rowe, who has denied being the author. I have been the victim of some very dreadful e-mails in which some of the most unspeakable things have been said of me falsely.

I could not do anything about it because the culprit has used made-up names and e-mail addresses so that he/she cannot be traced by me.

I don't have the recources available to Mr Vaz to get the search engine people to identify the author of those atrocious e-mails. But these people need to be stopped.

In the case of Mr Rowe, I am not sure why he would want to block Mr Vaz from serving subpoenas on Google and Yahoo! In my simple way of thinking, if you have nothing to hide, then why not let the chips fall where they may? The case is in court so hopefully the truth will come out.

I just hope that the people who have no fear of using the Internet to assassinate other persons' hard-earned reputations without having to provide evidence, will get a powerful wake-up call.

Joseph G Alexander

frenchie8593@yahoo.com

Assassination by anonymous

e-mail is awful!

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A supermarket policy that's illegal

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, my friend, my wife and I entered a supermarket in a plaza on Constant Spring Road to make a few purchases as we had done on many occasions before. This time, however, would prove to be much different.

As I shopped, I saw an employee and a security guard approach my friend with a broken Lucozade bottle. I subsequently learned from him that the bottle had fallen from the shelf as he was reaching for another flavour. We continued shopping and left shortly afterwards.

I was not made aware until Saturday, May 19, 2012, while talking to my friend, that he had been asked by the management to pay for the Lucozade that accidentally broke when it fell from the shelf. This, they had told him, was the supermarket's policy.

Needless to say I was completely shocked to learn of this as I know this policy to be an illegal practice. I encouraged him to return to the supermarket and speak to the manager/owner.

We got to the supermarket at approximately 5:30 pm on Saturday and saw the same employee who had told my friend to pay for the broken drink. I explained to her that according to the Consumer Affairs Commission the supermarket's "If you break it you have bought it" policy was illegal.

The CAC states that unless it can be proven that an item or items were destroyed in an act of vandalism, then the consumer cannot be forced to pay for the item. The employee tried without success to have us speak with the supermarket's manager/owner who brushed us off and said he had no time to speak with us.

According to the employee, the manager/owner reaffirmed the policy, further stating that he could not run a successful business if he were to do otherwise. I was very disturbed by his response as my friend and I have been shopping at that supermarket for many years.

I consider it poor business practice to risk losing a customer who spends thousands of dollars monthly with that supermarket, for an item that costs a little over $100, bearing in mind the incident was an accident.

The purpose of this letter is not for refund or redress, as we have already gone beyond that point. Instead, it is to enlighten my fellow Jamaicans who may have fallen victim to these unethical and unlawful business practices. The Good Book says: "My people perish for lack of knowledge".

Know your rights!!

Dwayne Bailey

Dwayneobailey@gmail.com

A supermarket policy that's illegal

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Is this really healthy?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

There were two articles in the Jamaica Observer on May 22, 2012, which caused me much disappointment as a Christian who believes in the principle of inclusion and respect. The tones of both articles were extremely off course. I honestly thought that a mutual partnership could have been forged to work through the issues at hand.

I have always thought the principles of the Bible and the teachings of the Almighty were one of love and respect for all. However, based on Reverend Peter Garth's sensational and militant comments, it seems otherwise.

The formation of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society is commendable. I, however, hasten to point out that as members of the church we have focused way too much energy on protecting the status quo of prejudice against gays and lesbians whilst issues such as the high incidence of child abuse, rape and incest, crime, violence and corruption beg for our attention.

I hope that the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society will give equal attention to those social ills.

We need to assess, as Christians, whether our approach is really healthy and holistic. Are we efficiently reaching out to those who really need the help? Are we utilising the right methods as Christians? Are we ourselves guilty of discriminating and judging? What are the real issues and how can we realistically overcome them?

Kenneth Campbell

Jaysean97@hotmail.com

Is this really healthy?

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Three lessons from Armadale

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

The fire at Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre on May 22, 2009 should have transformed Jamaica's juvenile justice system. It should have caused a national reflection on how the State treats the vulnerable, the incarcerated and the condemned.

Amidst ever-increasing levels of distrust in politicians and public officials, in addition to constant claims of inaction and a refusal to hold individuals accountable, this was an opportunity to prove us critics wrong.

Instead, three years later, it proved three things:

Lesson 1: They gonna talk

On November 3, 2009, then Solicitor General Douglas Leys told the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that, "a new culture is emerging, a new day is dawning in the attitude of the State towards children in places of safety".

Less than three years since Leys' statement, the question should be asked, has the new day arrived? A look at a few headlines since the start of the year shows us that we have not learnt much, if anything at all.

On January 26, news surfaced that the Children's Advocate received reports that Maxfield Park Children's Home lacked proper safety measures, a resident nurse, fire extinguishers and had a malfunctioning fire hydrant. A new culture?

A couple of weeks after, the country was informed that children were still being held in police lock-ups and adult prisons. It was reported that 40 boys were in adult lock-ups and 56 girls in adult prison. A new day?

Lesson 2: Impunity reigns

The fire occurred under the watch of Mrs June Spence-Jarrett, the acting commissioner of corrections at the time. She assumed this position in December 2008, having previously been a deputy commissioner and director of juvenile institutions.

Then, in July of 2009, during the Armadale Enquiry, Mrs Spence-Jarrett was promoted to commissioner of corrections. It wasn't until March 2010, after the release of the Armadale Report and mounting public pressure, that she was removed only to be assigned as the CEO of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica.

New attitude? Apparently not. The attitude remains the same: we must place more emphasis on protecting the reputation of adults than on the well-being of our children.

Lesson 3: We have to act

Unfortunately, the cycle of gross neglect towards children in State care has become engrained in our culture. However, the same is true for the cycle of silence on the part of Jamaicans. We must accept responsibility for our inaction and indifference. It is our duty to keep the fire under the Government's feet, for the sake of our children. We have the power to determine what will be said at the fourth, fifth and 10th Armadale memorials.

Let us be the ones who ensure that all children are taken out of adult lock-ups. Let us call for the provision of quality education by qualified teachers for all children in juvenile justice institutions. Let us insist that all institutions are equipped with a full-time medical orderly or nurse in-residence as well as an increase in visits from medical and mental health personnel.

It is said that with a new day comes a new beginning. Not so for our children in State care. They deserve a new day, a new culture and a new attitude. We must act, and we must act now.

Alexis Goffe

Kingston, Jamaica

alexisgoffe@hotmail.com

Three lessons from Armadale

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Why risk the environment for oil?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

I am very discouraged to learn that oil drilling is planned for Jamaica. It seems our leaders have either misplaced their innate Jamaican sensibilities or are just not paying attention to world events.

In this time of critical climate change, we should be developing our solar, water and wind energy potential, rather than starting to do the exact thing that must be stopped worldwide. With so much emphasis placed on tourism, I am shocked that anyone would consider risking the environment we are trying to sell... especially in an age where people worldwide are demanding/favouring environmental protections in greater numbers every year.

Perhaps we can soon stop fighting for access rights to our beaches, because once they are spoilt with oil spills/leaks no one will want to go there anyway.

Naomi Zuckerman

Long Bay PO

Jamaica

rootswoman@live.com

Why risk the environment for oil?

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Fire the West Indies cricket administrators

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

I think the members of the West Indies Cricket Board, the selectors and coach should all be fired en bloc immediately for the mediocre squad they selected and sent off to England to play the number one cricket team in the world.

Is it that they wanted to embarrass the Caribbean people so much that they didn't care who they sent?

It was so painful to sit and watch Powell, Edwards and Barath in this first Test match batting against the English bowlers. Our guys didn't seem to have a clue, especially facing Broad, and could have been out at any time.

These fellows are young and should spend another two to three years playing regional cricket and in so doing, learn the rudiments of cricket before being sent abroad to be exposed to international Test cricket.

Why weren't players like Sarwan and Nash considered for the series? They are currently playing county cricket in England and, from the reports, are doing very well, scoring centuries.

I think Gayle, Bravo and Pollard should immediately be called up to save us from downright embarrassment. If not, Mr Editor, the hapless West Indies team will be whitewashed.

Roy Wilson

Roy.Wilson@ajasja.com

Fire the West Indies cricket administrators

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Kudos to James Newman and Philip Sherlock

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

In focusing on elementary school days in Jamaica in the 1940s and '50s, I recall two remarkable educational pioneers; Arthur James Newman, the erstwhile principal of Mico Training College (now a university), and Sir Philip Manderson Sherlock, the erstwhile vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies.

Both men co-authored the famous Caribbean Readers that were used in all Jamaican elementary schools.

Who can forget the fascinating stories in the First Reader of the Caribbean series? Who can forget the affable Mr Joe with his closely knit family of animals such as Mr Grumps, the goat; Percy the chick; and Master Willy, the pig? The stories of this family were so riveting and exciting that I can still recall such phrases as: "Percy, the chick had a fall", and "Master Willy had a roll in the mud."

Although many teachers complained bitterly about the unrealistic make-up of Mr Joe's family of animals, the school children were invariably excited. They identified so much with these amazing animals that they learned to read quickly and even memorised exciting phrases and sentences.

There is no doubt that the content in this class Reader was the forerunner of what is now known as Sesame Street.

Other books in the Caribbean Readers series gave us a delightful taste of African folklore, and bits and pieces of West Indian history. The enchanting Anancy stories, and the 1692 Port Royal Earthquake, for example, made an indelible imprint on the minds of many elementary school children.

Newman and Sherlock were genuine educators who tried to make the reading materials relevant and meaningful to Jamaican children. Thus, the Caribbean Readers gradually replaced the British-oriented reading materials published in the Royal Crown Readers and other foreign-based books.

It can be said that Newman and Sherlock blazed an educational trail that was never really followed by many other Jamaican educators and the Department of Education. It was unfortunate that the work of Newman and Sherlock, with their emphasis on local events and African folklore, did not permeate the history and literature curricula in both elementary and secondary schools.

Rupert Johnson

Toronto, Ontario

Canada, M1C 3M7

r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca

Kudos to James Newman and Philip Sherlock

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Embrace positive values over lewdness

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

The word cartel describes an agreement by companies to set a single price for a commodity or service, thereby stifling and/or eliminating competition.

This practise in its normal application is outlawed in most jurisdictions. However, not so in Jamaica as we are facing another kind 'Kartel', one that has promoted a proliferation of popular tunes that, through its style and contents, ha effectively closed the door on other musical offerings.

It has left a large section our young people, and an increasing larger section of our inner city communities nursing the collective wounds of anti-social behaviour evidenced by the increasing incidents of lewd, violent conduct in our schools and places of entertainment, and in the society at large.

The irreconcilable aspect to this troubling situation is the extent to which it has found a willing ally in the electronic media which has no difficulty in disseminating the message of lewdness and violence that is oftentimes so explicit.

As we move to the next phase of our development, let us pledge to reject this new monster within our midst and embrace instead, a set of positive values and attitudes that will endure and shape our future for the next 50 years.

Winston D Barrett

Manor Park

Winstonbarrett1654@gmail.com

Embrace positive values over lewdness

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Well done so far, Mr Holness

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 2:00 AM

An open letter to Opposition Leader Andrew Holness.

Dear Mr Holness,

I would like to use this medium to express heartfelt congratulations to you for the calm, mature, serious and consistent way in which you have been fulfilling your role as opposition leader.

I am particularly pleased that you have remained true to your post-electoral defeat press statement that you intend to function as the watchdog of the country's democracy instead of functioning as the "Government's worst nightmare", opposing merely for the sake of opposing.

To this date, you have indeed been an excellent watchdog of Jamaica's democracy and this is especially evident in :

1. Your straightforward handling of the tax reform issue in which you clearly stated your support for tax reform once it is done in such a way that the poor are not exploited.

2. Your open condemnation of and calls for apologies from those responsible for the defaming of the National Flag by omitting the green from the backdrop at the recently held swearing-in ceremony of the mayor and councillors in St James.

3. Your opposition to and calls for immediate reduction of the elaborate size (20 members) of the Simpson Miller Cabinet in light of Jamaica's existing harsh and challenging economic times.

4. Your unyielding calls for Government to tackle the steady and persistent increase in the foreign exchange rate.

5. Your unsolicited advice to Government to safeguard the rights of the poor through the continuation of free heath care and free tuition up to the university level.

6. Your calls for Government to partner with the varying children's advocate groups to implement more stringent laws and systems that will ensure the safety of the nation's children.

7. Your unsolicited advice to Government to reform the financing of tertiary education so the lives of more of our citizens can be improved through education.

8. Your consistent calls for Prime Minister Simpson Miller to fulfil all her pre-election campaign promises.

9. Your establishment of an independent strategic review committee that has been put in place to strengthen the Jamaica Labour Party so that the organisation remains an ideal alternative government.

10. Your open opposition to the size of the prime minister's delegation to Time Magazine's Award Ceremony in New York amidst Jamaica's harsh economic times (her missed opportunity to show the nation that she too is willing to tighten her belt like most Jamaicans have been forced to).

Unquestionably, you have been journeying on a successful path. May God continue to grant you wisdom, courage and strength.

Rhoda Crawford

ga_moy@yahoo.com

Well done so far, Mr Holness

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Admiration for Archbishop Rowan Williams

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

The 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, surprised his admirers and critics alike when he recently announced his retirement for the end of 2012.

He has a profound ability to recognise the intrinsic value of the another person, regardless of that person's perspective or identity. Where groups in Church and society are polarised, he is courageous in taking a stand, but does so without excluding the other or closing the issue.

While I'm busy having doubts, it helps to have in front of me an example of a believer I'd like to talk to. It's an intersection of hard-won but lightly worn scholarship and classic liberal notions of tolerance and compassion that allows agnostics like me the space to maybe believe in God without feeling naïve.

Archbishop Williams is the real thing. He doesn't care if you're gay, doesn't insist the earth is only 10,000 years old and isn't intimidated by novelists. He has no problem with Darwin's theory of evolution, doesn't particularly care what you eat and is big enough to handle the odd satirical cartoon.

Conversely, he seems to be all about love: he really can't get or give out enough of the stuff. He seems to offer a benign focus for an intrinsic human need for transcendence, for a feeling there is something greater than ourselves. And most convenient of all, he seems to agree with me about everything.

Pressed on the issue of the ordination of women, he was reported as having said, "I don't think it has transformed or renewed the Church of England in spectacular ways. Equally, I don't think that it has corrupted or ruined the Church of England. It has somehow got into the bloodstream and I don't give it a second thought these days."

In 'The Challenge and Hope of Being an Anglican Today', an address to the Anglican Communion in June 2006, he said: "It is possible — indeed it is imperative — to give the strongest support to the defence of homosexual people against violence, bigotry and legal disadvantage, to appreciate the role played in the life of the Church by people of homosexual orientation, and still to believe that this doesn't settle the question of whether the Christian Church has the freedom, on the basis of the Bible, and its historic teachings, to bless homosexual partnerships as a clear expression of God's will."

I don't know much about the Anglican Communion, but I know what I like. I admire Archbishop Williams along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong as men of faith, moral courage, committed to an all-inclusive, objective concern for promoting universal human well-being.

Nicholas Sutherland,

Kingston, Jamaica

nicksutherland26@gmail.com

Admiration for Archbishop Rowan Williams

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A matter of vision

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

I am currently a university student who attends church regularly and I believe that God is the ultimate ruler and creator of everything.

I exercise my faith daily through prayer, but at the same time I have to accept the fact that faith does not mean I do not have doubts.

If I had been born in another country, such as China, life would have been radically different. Education would not be only a dream for some but a reality for all. When one compares China and Jamaica, the first thing that separates them is the quality of vision in China as opposed to what exists in Jamaica.

The stress, strains and struggles of Jamaican life result from the lack of vision of our leaders. If our leaders took a page out of China's book, development would be skyrocketing in this the 50th year of our Independence.

I talk to people every day who say, "Nutten naw gwaan fi wi", or the popular saying of "Nuh money naw run", which reiterate the fact that poverty is ubiquitous in Jamaica. The inimical environment of my community in St Elizabeth illustrates the reality my fellow countrymen face.

The status quo makes me dubious of any possible improvement and the common people around me support my view. Jamaican life seems to be taking a retrograde step and this is the fault of our lumpish leaders.

I wake every day waiting for someone to assure me that migration is not the most rational option after graduation.

Gavin Dixon

White Hill, St Elizabeth

gvndxn92@yahoo.com

A matter of vision

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This is not about skin colour

Monday, May 21, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

By now everyone in the world is familiar with Jamaican lightning rod Usain Bolt who sped his way into the hearts and minds of track and field fans over four years ago at the 2008 Olympics.

Lean-framed and always wearing a smile, the lithe Bolt is regarded as a cultural icon in Jamaica. When Usain is running, the sum life in Jamaica literally stops until he has left the track. I do not know if Mr Bolt is aware of it, but he bears the island on his back, literally.

After all, he wears the black, gold and green spread-eagled on his shoulders after every victory. Because of Usain people internationally who have not heard of the tiny island now know the name of Jamaica.

There were, in the past, other cultural ambassadors who took the name of Jamaica abroad, including Bob Marley and Marcus Garvey. The thing about being a cultural ambassador is that it is rarely a chosen profession, no one literally says to themselves I am going to take up the cause of this nation and carry it on my back.

It is usually something that happens as the person goes along being themselves, whether it is acting, speaking, or activism. However, after a while the actions of a single person becomes synonymous with millions of others.

In the midst of this role changing responsibility, this person is still an individual with their individual wants and needs. Occasionally the two clash. This is the position Mr Bolt found himself in. I like to think he selected his latest love interest, Lubica, because he really liked or was/is interested in her.

Lubica was born in Slovakia and spent time in Canada before choosing to domicile in Jamaica. Many Jamaicans were not happy about this relationship. But it is not a simple question of skin colour, as it would be in the United States. Jamaicans are not, by any means, colour blind, but they are fierce nationalists.

By nationalist I mean in terms of culture. Jamaicans will overlook skin colour when it means that the individual is familiar with and enjoys the food, language, pastimes of the island. Jamaicans will overlook skin colour if one has the right kind of money, 'cultural currency'.

By nationalist I mean in terms of culture. Jamaicans will overlook skin colour when it means that the individual is familiar with and enjoys the food, language, pastimes of the island. Jamaicans will overlook skin colour if one has the right kind of money, 'cultural currency'.

All in all, Usain is not the first cultural icon to face a romantic crisis. In the text Bearing the Cross, David Garrow — in covering the life of Martin Luther King — mentions his interest, however slight, in a lady of much lighter complexion and the problem it posed for Dr King.

Interestingly, Garrow in his exposé on Dr King uses the analogy of Christ bearing the cross quite appropriately. I think Mr Bolt is finding out that being a cultural icon is no easy job. Christ was slaughtered on the cross and King eventually died for his burdens.

If the report that the two love birds have split are true, then it would seem Mr Bolt has decided to run on with his cross, even at the death of his relationship.

Sarah M Adams

sarahm_adams@yahoo.com

This is not about skin colour

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Warring angels and the Aksum Kingdom

Monday, May 21, 2012 2:00 AM

Der Editor,

There appears to be a growing popularity in the theology of warring angels by both the proponents of the doctrine of 'End Times' and those who promote proto Hellenistic ideologies, without regard as to the real social and economic consequences of this and similar types of doctrines.

Black history is replete with experiences of conflicts and their costs. For those who study the Bible, one only needs to recall that the bellicose stance taken by Pharaoh in respect to the freeing of the Jewish slaves led to the weakening and eventual demise of that empire. An outcome which cost the ordinary inhabitants of Egypt dearly, as they themselves came under the yoke of alien rule.

Equally, the conflict between the sons of Solomon cost Israel its kingdom. The rulers of Aksum Kingdom (c 100 - c 940) a marine trading power, one of the most successful Black kingdoms known to mankind and led for an extended period of time by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, did their best to ensure peaceful relationships between the Kingdom of Kush, the Roman Empire, the Chinese, the Persians and Indians.

Equally, the conflict between the sons of Solomon cost Israel its kingdom. The rulers of Aksum Kingdom (c 100 - c 940) a marine trading power, one of the most successful Black kingdoms known to mankind and led for an extended period of time by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, did their best to ensure peaceful relationships between the Kingdom of Kush, the Roman Empire, the Chinese, the Persians and Indians.

Internally, with a diverse ethnic population, it pursued a policy of compromise, negotiations and marriages to ensure unity and peace within its borders. History records that the Aksumites were capable of war, but avoided warfare to the best of its abilities. The Aksum Kingdom of 702 however, was not able to maintain peaceful relations with the Islamic Empire and had fought wars with Umar ibn al-Khattab in about 640, and later with Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik in 702.

As a result of these wars, it lost the Dahlak Archipelago (which was recovered in the ninth century by the Emperor of Ethiopia) and later control of the Red Sea and most of the Nile to the Islamic Empire. Here once again it has been shown that a policy of conflict did not end in favor of the Black Kingdom.

Here in Jamaica, history has recorded the economic ruin and dislocation caused by the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865. Towns such as Falmouth and Spanish Town never fully recovered from the consequences of the draconian rules enforced by the British colonial administration and direct rule, which stifled businessed and sent estates into ruin.

Again, in 1969, the social unrest which occurred in Kingston and the anti-Chinese actions taken by many not only led to the flight of businesses from sections of Kingston, and a death blow to Maxfield Avenue and surrounding areas, but also gave birth to the scourge of extortion. It was during this period that the adherents of proto Hellenist doctrines started the rumour of Mr Brown and the three-wheel coffin, equally as the repression of the Rastafarian community intensified.

It would be insane to make a claim in any form that ordinary Jamaicans and the wider business community benefited from this exercise, even though those with the narrowest of intent to promotion of their own self-interests did. Warring angels were once again unleashed on the Jamaican people between 1976 and 1981, angels which wreaked mayhem on entire communities, leaving paths of death and destruction in their wake. As a result of the unleashing of these "warring angels" the entire Jamaican economy was placed into a tail spin and thousands of Jamaicans became captives in garrison communities. Once again, it was shown that the theology of "Warring Angels" and the "End Time Doctrine" is of benefit to only the narrowest of cross section of the Jamaican people, those in search of power at all costs, without regard to the consequences such approaches hold for the Jamaican economy, the ordinary citizens and the business community which has to provide goods and services for all.

The avoidance and shunning by the rulers of the Aksum Kingdom of those who sought to carry "End of the World" theology among their midst did not come about as a result of stupidity, but rather as a result of a clear understanding of the message that was being carried.

Equivalently, Stalin's attack on the Trotskyites who sought "World Revolution" was neither as a result of ego nor pure self-interest, but rather of a clear understanding of who stood to benefit from endless chaos in Europe, ie the proto Hellenists and the 'End Time' theologisers.

Basil Fletcher

Portmore, St Catherine

Basilfletcher1960@yahoo.com

Warring angels and the Aksum Kingdom

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We have a crisis, act now!

Monday, May 21, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

It is no great revelation that Jamaica has many difficult and intractable problems. However, I am convinced that for several of them, if not most, there are logical and methodical approaches that can be taken to claw our way out of them, if we would only recognise that we have a crisis and act.

Case in point, why don't we take the commissioner of police seriously when he outlines the weaknesses in our laws that militate against effective crime-fighting and crime-reduction? He has been specific, for example pointing out the weaknesses in the Evidence Act which virtually allow suspected lotto scammers, when corralled by the police, to secure bail even though the police have cause to have them detained.

The terrorist attacks on the US homeland on September 11, 2001 and the deaths of over 3,000 innocent persons instantly heralded a crisis for that country. The now infamous USA Patriot Act was one major response to that crisis as it sought to secure and create a safer country by granting new and extraordinarily sweeping powers to both domestic law enforcement and international intelligence agencies.

In just 30 days, this legislation gained passage in the normally partisan and vexatious US Congress. Even though the law has been criticised for some of its apparent unconstitutional aspects, and even as the debate continues, the law has been continually ratified, even during this Obama Administration. They had a crisis and they took action.

No one should advocate knee-jerk legislation that tramples on or curtails the rights of any Jamaican citizen. Making effective laws that are also constitutionally sound may present a challenge, but not one that is beyond our capacity to overcome.

Jamaica's Proceeds of Crime Act and the Terrorism Prevention Act are potent weapons that can be used against criminals. However, if enabling amendments to the rules of evidence, use of video-teleconferencing and proven forensic methods are not allowed to be coupled with good police work, the crisis of crime will continue to sweep over us.

The commissioner has repeatedly called on the Government to speedily amend the Evidence Act. Other voices such as those of the OCG, the DPP and members of civil society have tabled approaches that an intelligent Parliament working in the interest of the people should be able to consider and convert into law.

It will require a greater time commitment on the part of our parliamentarians, but in this moment of exigency, who would be averse to the Parliament sitting up to three days per week?

We have a crisis that demands action. We must act as though we are serious.

Christopher Pryce

christopherjmpryce@yahoo.com

We have a crisis, act now!

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Include all Jamaicans in nation building

Monday, May 21, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

While I have not done any formal research on the issue, it appears that we have a vast untapped resource, namely human, which continues to go to waste.

We continue to use the same people over and over without expanding the expertise, knowledge base and competencies of our human capital. The truth is, we continue to allow party politics to influence most of our decisions at the expense of including all Jamaicans in the process of nation building and sustainable development.

Our politicians somehow have forgotten that Jamaica belongs to all of us, not only an exclusive group. We need to rid ourselves of this rather backward ideological policy and bring a new and renewed sense of urgency and commitment to move our society to that place of inclusiveness in order to build on our achievements within the last 50 years.

There is a perception in the society that if one is not schooled in any of the major political parties your worth and value are not considered useful. Both political parties are guilty of sowing and entrenching this division of spirit and division of the people.

One can identify many instances to give credence to this hypothesis. Appointments to state boards appear to be all political.

We need to ensure that the most capable and qualified person gets the job. We need to move away from advertising jobs only as mere formality when the powers that be have already identified a candidate.

You who are guilty are no better than the lotto scammers who fleece hard-working individuals of their money. We need to shift the society from one that is based on who knows who, to one based on meritocracy. Each person should be given the chance to prove his or her worth.

A great way of commemorating our 50th year of political Independence and achieving this cultural change all at once would be to invest in the education of the youth. I also believe that one lasting legacy would be for the Government to match Food For the Poor's plan to build 50 early childhood education centres throughout Jamaica, focussing on rural and inner-city areas.

A national programme to improve basic schools should also be implemented immediately. Should we embark on this humble project, then it's highly possible that within the next 50 years we will see our society becoming more inclusive.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

Include all Jamaicans in nation building

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How to deal with homosexuality

Sunday, May 20, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

Homosexuality is a disorder and should be recognised and treated as such.

There is no need to physically or verbally discriminate or attack gays just because they are affected by this type of imbalance, but we must be careful not to encourage the impressionable youth to see it as the norm.

Whether caused by 'nurture' or 'nature', people possessing this disposition should be compassionately counselled in order to deal with this imbalance.

It is true that heterosexuals also display many other forms of disorder, but the point is that they are recognised as such.

The unity of the family is the primary foundation of society, and any concept that threatens to destroy this unity must be quickly confronted and abandoned.

Same-sex marriages and the adoption of children into these unions will further increase the imbalance of society.

The media must be held responsible for what it feeds to the nation's youth, as the children are now constantly bombarded by shows and music videos convincing them that this type of behaviour is normal.

The mistake that the reggae artistes are making in dealing with this issue is that they are advocating violence against homosexuals instead of offering counselling. This gives the gay movement fuel for their fire as they can now tie the fight to a human rights issue. We Jamaicans are entitled to, and have the right to voice our opinion as long as we harm no one in the process.

We as a nation will not be bullied into accepting any concept that is 'anti-life'.

Pierre Diaz

St Mary

seacamp@gmail.com

How to deal with homosexuality

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Beenie Man's about-turn raises questions

Sunday, May 20, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

The recent apology from Beenie Man to the gay community has definitely sent some serious signals that need to be taken into consideration.

For instance, most of these entertainers are the very ones who have helped the cause of the gay community by giving them a platform to boycott Jamaican music and artistes under the banner of rejecting hate music.

Their constant outbursts against homosexuals have no doubt turned the spotlight on Jamaica and, as a result, it has significantly tightened the financial screws on the entertainers' pockets.

This about-turn by Beenie Man raises questions which he needs to answer. Should our youths, for instance, continue to regard him as a role model? Should we continue to give him the respect that the Rastafarian community enjoys?; should we believe or be inspired by him?

My understanding of being a Rastafarian is that whatever the circumstance may be, one should not bow to pressure for financial gain or otherwise.

It is interesting that some of these Rastafarian entertainers have also bashed the church, yet the church has not forfeited its position on homosexuality, in spite of the tremendous pressure it has been under. "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." — Joshua 24:15.

Our politicians have also been challenged by the gay activists and most of them today are dancing around the question. With the exception of Bruce Golding, most of them have already succumbed to the demands of the gay community and are in denial; but as elected officials of a sovereign state they, too, need to declare where they stand as they represent a country with the majority not in favour of that lifestyle.

Melvin Pennant

warriorsunleashed@gmail.com

Beenie Man's about-turn raises questions

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NEPA: 90-day approval process works, except when...

Sunday, May 20, 2012 2:00 AM

Dear Editor,

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) wishes to respond to a letter from 'a builder' based in Ocho Rios, St Ann published in your newspaper on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 entitled: 'Why so slow NEPA?'

The 'builder' is substantially concerned with the time it takes to process a subdivision application.

The agency seeks to adhere to the stated policy position of processing applications within 90 days of receipt. The 90-day turnaround time is not always possible as:

i. having received the application, an assessment must be made as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required;

ii. the applicant's information may have been insufficient or lacked clarity and communication from the agency to the client not responded to;

iii. the comments of agencies on whose technical opinion NEPA must rely are not always forthcoming to allow for the timeframe to be met.

While it is difficult to comment on the specific case, since no name or universal reference number was published, we can state categorically that the average processing time for subdivision applications within the agency is 27 days for subdivisions nine lots and under, and 68 days for those 10 and over.

We have reviewed our database and the average processing time for all subdivision applications received between 15 May and 15 July 2011 is approximately 47 days. Only two applications overshot the 90-day timeline due to errors on the subdivision plan, design issues and changes requested subsequent to the initial recommendations from the agency.

We wish to take this opportunity to advise developers, investors and the general public of the existence of a Development Assistance Centre (DAC) in NEPA. The DAC is established to facilitate and assist clients in moving concepts and ideas on the requirements and processes involved in submitting an application.

The DAC manages the processes for the supply of information to developers to assist them to determine the feasibility of the project, and to prepare for and make an acceptable and complete application to the pertinent approval agency. This is to ensure that once an application is made, the process for approval will be without issue, flow smoothly and be completed within the Government's 90-day approval process standard.

The agency remains firmly committed to achieving the 90-day turnaround time and, as such, continues to implement innovative approaches, such as the DAC and changes to the processing system, geared at reducing the amount of time taken to process all development applications while ensuring the continued protection and enhancement of our natural resources.

NEPA invites questions or comments on this or any area of its operations.

Peter Knight

Chief Executive Officer/Government Town Planner

National Environment & Planning Agency

NEPA: 90-day approval process works, except when...

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Jamaica Observer

Include God in our children's lives

Portia, Andrew need to unite country

Eat-a-food culture disgraceful

That 'Gay Manifesto' not true

Can&rsquo;t wait to hear what Google, Yahoo! have to say

How the elementary education system worked

Equity lacking in Jamaica

Assassination by anonymous e-mail is awful!

A supermarket policy that's illegal

Is this really healthy?

Three lessons from Armadale

Why risk the environment for oil?

Fire the West Indies cricket administrators

Kudos to James Newman and Philip Sherlock

Embrace positive values over lewdness

Well done so far, Mr Holness

Admiration for Archbishop Rowan Williams

A matter of vision

This is not about skin colour

Warring angels and the Aksum Kingdom

We have a crisis, act now!

Include all Jamaicans in nation building

How to deal with homosexuality

Beenie Man's about-turn raises questions

NEPA: 90-day approval process works, except when...

Can’t wait to hear what Google, Yahoo! have to say