NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER | Kwame Dawes on The NewsHour | PBS

Working-class people need to be seen, says Jamaican-born writer Nicole D...

When Government Ministers Won't Retire

Many were curious as to why efforts were not made earlier to oust Robert Mugabe from his long reign of Zimbabwe until the ripe age 93 years old. Similar curiosity lies with such Jamaican government ministers as Mike Henry, who is now over 80 years old. Why has he not yet called it quits after serving in politics and the Jamaican government for so many years?  However, ironically,  many workers are forced out of their government jobs in Jamaica immediately when they reach the retirement age although some are generally not ready to leave and are still quite capable of continuing to work several more years thereafter. But, government ministers in politics seem to be immune from the national retirement standards. Mike Henry is one of them who continues to be entrusted with cabinet ministerial positions for the ruling JLP party although he is way past the age of retirement. This selfish practice impedes the younger generation from undertaking and growing in government leadership positions. It is time, Mr. Henry, to graciously move on and allow younger politicians to take over your current responsibilities. May be the demotion from the Minister of Transport to a Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister is a signal that it is time to move on.

The Overlying Problem With Gun Photo Posing Jamaican

Rayne Russell was photographed holding a gun with an intimidating caption on Instagram that referenced the 2018 Ultra Music Festival in Miami. Any rational thinking person who lives in the United States should know that it would not be in their best interest to take such a photo and place a threatening caption during this over-cautious period when mass shootings are far too frequent. However, U.S. cable television programs and news are common throughout Jamaican households, so residents there should be more than familiar with the many shootings in the United States and the consequences of  posting such insensitive photos. Yet, Rayne Russell, from Jamaica, claimed ignorance on  the outcome of taking photos holding a high-powered weapon at his friend's Broward County, FL home. But there is an overlying problem that goes beyond Russell's poor judgement. It extends to a population of youth in Jamaica, especially those from high income families, who believe they are entitled to do and say what they want without repercussions. Their bad behavior is overlooked in Jamaica, so it is not surprising that Rayne Russell and others would take their antics to the United States with no expectations to be held accountable.The time and effort of Miami police and other security agencies in locating Russell prior to his detainment cost taxpayers. so any re-admittance into the United States should be in question.

Authorities detain man after Instagram post with rifle appearing to name Ultra Music Festival