Call Out K.D. Knight's Disrespectful Behavior in Trafigura Court Hearing

The behavior of K.D. Knight at the Trafigura court hearing yesterday is not expected of an attorney who has achieved the status of "QC" or for any litigation attorney in court whatsoever. As an elderly, long-standing attorney, his actions in court towards Judge Lennox Campbell and others clearly do not set a good example for other attorneys. It was quite clear that Knight had intentions to be disruptive and only demonstrates that he:

• is a bully who is used to dominating others
• is short tempered
• demonstrates divisive behavior if he does not get his way
• is used to laying the blame on another when he is the wrong doer 
• has been given a badge of honor as "sheriff" so he may believe he is above the law and can do whatever he wants in a courthouse
• arrogant 

The question is why was no action taken against Knight by Justice Lennox Campbell instead of putting up with the impertinent challenges. The behavior of Knight is just another example of the indiscipline that exists in Jamaica. One sees it on the streets every day, but just would not think that it would be played out in the courthouse by a man who has been practicing law for so many years.

"Bad Minded" People

Growing up in Jamaica, I always heard about people having "bad mind". However, for so many years, that phrase has never been mentioned around me throughout my interactions in Jamaica and around Jamaicans abroad, so I completely forgot about the term until lately when the word appeared to have been resurrected. This resurgence of "bad mind" indicates that it is not a word that has gone out of style -- this term from the past is still alive and well nowadays. During the recent elections,  Andrew Holness's mansion saga brought this term back to life in the public forum as the then Leader of the Opposition indicated that some people, primarily from the opposing PNP, had "bad mind" about his ability to purchase a dwelling at such a exorbitant cost. From all indications, the magnificent appearance of the property made many wonder how he could have acquired so much money on his politician salary to build such a structure. However, another politician has caught the "bad mind" bug. Julian Robinson's intent to purchase a multi-million dollar home with his wife, a CEO of a bank, is under scrutiny, and ironically his personal business has been brought to the public not by the opposition ruling party but surprisingly person or persons from his own political party. It appears that these "bad minded" people do not seem to realize people who come from humble backgrounds can work hard to achieve academic  and professional successes that will subsequently lead to their ability to afford an expensive house in an economy with property values that having been increasing rapidly due to the unstable economy. It must be emotionally draining, unproductive, and a sad situation for people to waste so much energy worrying about another person's ability to succeed.

Don't Expect Quick Resolutions from Jamaican Government Offices

I began to fret as I contemplated the  experience I would face when I arrive at my destination. I know without a doubt that I should expect to get the run around as nothing ever goes smoothly at any of these service locations. There is only a guarantee that once I finally get to speak to a customer service employee after standing in a long line, I will be given information that will clearly mean nothing if I return the next day and ask the same questions to another employee. With so many horror stories from Jamaican pensioners and others, I will not hold my breath in hope of getting any resolution to my problem on that day or that week or that month or even that year. In fact, the issue may continue for the next years due to the lackadaisical work culture that this entity has come to symbolize. So, I should get used to entering the building since  many more visits are predicted before the matter will be finally resolved. Where am I? Of course, at a Jamaican government office - where else could I be?

Too Much Time on the Mayor's Hands

It is inconceivable how a mayor of a city that is plagued by so many social issues and population needs seems to have found so much time throughout each day to post on social media. The constant postings throughout the day indicates that the mayor may simply have nothing to do or this mayor is effective in delegating work to others so as to free up tax payers' time to constantly post on social media. It would be acceptable if this mayor would post on the work that is taking place on the bad roads or dilapidated buildings or the dirty, smelly streets with running sewer water or the many other issues that need to be fixed throughout the city. Tax payers would certainly welcome posts on successes achieved or notices on social activities planned to benefit the residents of communities throughout the city. However, in addition to silly postings, the main emphasis of the mayor is to blast the ruling JLP or to spread propaganda or call out other politicians - even those associated with PNP who brings out the mayor's wrath. Taxpayers deserve better.

Corrupt Principal Promotion Policies

Recently, Professor Paul Miller, a United Kingdom based educator, wrote an article on the corrupt practices of selecting school principals in Jamaica. He indicated that the process has been flawed for many years. Professor Miller is correct in his research findings as noted in the link below. Corruption is a societal ill in Jamaica, and the education system is no exception. The article emphasizes that the corruption stems from the member of parliament; however, a great deal of the corruption initiates from the Ministry of Education that will only employ persons for high-level administrative positions if these candidates are socially connected to an influential relatives or friends who are known throughout Jamaica. So, there is no wonder that the Ministry of Education's nepotism practices will trickle down to the hiring of principals. Nevertheless, the death of a young girl late last year at the Prickly Pole Primary school in  St. Ann' clearly shows a principal's inability to lead when she along with the board's director arranged for students and parents to take a bus to participate in a political demonstration against their Member of Parliament, Lisa Hanna. This irresponsible behavior is a minor example of the incompetence of not only many principals but also the members politically selected to serve on school boards. But, unfortunately, such biased selection for these important positions ultimately affects the students who will not have a chance to to their best with incompetent leadership.

Principal Prejudice - Corrupt Promotion Policies Hurting Jamaica's Education System, Claims Professor

Remnants of British Colonialism After Country's Independence

Anyone looking at the above picture who do not know what the Queen's Counsel (QC) is all about may initially think that the blond head wear shown in the photo appears strange or funny or ridiculous or some other unflattering thoughts may come to mind. Even those who may be familiar with what the Queen's Counsel is all about have made unkind comments on news media blogs about the head wear that symbolizes the British colonial system. The fact is that these two individuals in the picture are well-known, successful attorneys-at-law who are associated with high-level or well-known court cases. However, in spite of the questionable nomination practices for Queen's Counsel socially-connected applicants by their affluent, influential relatives or friends, it is high time for countries that gained their independence from England over 50 years ago to break away from the symbolic, old-fashioned British colonial practices that do not relate to the modern customs of the country.  It is time for these "independent" nations to develop their own national practices that recognizes high-level barristers instead of hanging on to another country's traditions. Hong Kong, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Zambia have all made efforts to reform this Queen's Counsel legal practice to a system that is more in line with their national traditions. Reform, however, will quite likely not come any time soon to nations such as Jamaica since many in the legal community, especially those already designated as QCs, will not want to give up the high-profile status or elite mentality or high remuneration that is associated with this acronym that is placed behind their names.

Portmore Needs Hospital Not Cemetary

Portmore's acting Mayor, Errol Crosby, has made his case for a cemetery to be constructed in the city. Certainly, a city with an estimated population of 300,000 will eventually need a cemetery. However, the acting mayor should place his priorities on the living citizens who are in dire need of a full functioning hospital especially during late night emergencies when doctors' offices are closed. It is inexcusable and a shame that such a major city has no hospital but unhealthy fast-food franchises may be seen at every turn on Portmore streets. In the long run, it is important to provide necessary services to people while they are living – not after they are dead.