Prime Minister's Fear of the Media?

Until recently, Portia Simpson-Miller had not been vocal on a number of public concerns since she indicates that she has been "working, working, working". However, during the election period, she has been making efforts to get her political message across. She speaks comfortably to her party supporters at political rallies; her recorded messages on the party's accomplishments are heard throughout the day on various radio stations; she has even gone to the extent to hold a press conference with school children. However, the prime minister does not seem to be making any effort to give time to the Jamaican news media where she, no doubt, would be expected to respond to reporters' thought provoking questions on the nations' issues including questions that she still has not publicly addressed for sometime. Previous encounters with new reporters have not resulted in favorable public impression of her ability to communicate with others outside of her comfort zone. However, in this pre-election season, she will  have to engage in dialog with news reporters sooner than later, The quicker she confronts an apparent dissatisfaction with the news reporters' questioning, the better opportunity she will have to get her message across to all Jamaicans.

Jamaica - Suspension for a Letter but No Disciplinary Action for the 18 Baby Death Mishandling!

Member of Parliament, Marlene Malahoo-Forte has been suspended from the Jamaican Parliament for not producing a letter to support her claim that the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council had expressed an interest in travelling to Jamaica to hear cases. But, it is quite ironic that such swift disciplinary action has not been taken in the case of the Minister of Health who has consistently mishandled health epidemics that includes the death of 18 babies. In fact, such immediate action was not taken for other government minister's misuse of millions of dollars. Both cases demonstrate a gross mishandling by the sitting government!

Jamaica - From Track and Field Dominance to Gymnastics

Jamaica, a tiny island that is hardly noticeable on a map has forged ahead again in another area of athletics. Dominating track and field is not enough to show that Jamaicans are talented and can undertake anything with hard work and dedication. No one would have expected a Jamaican Bobsled team to qualify to participate in a Winter Olympics since Jamaica has a tropical climate year round. Olympian Alia Atkinson, a fierce swimming contender, has been winning medals by out-swimming well known competitors from developed countries. Now, for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, three gymnasts will represent the small nation. This is another first for a small Caribbean nation.  As they say in Jamaica - "Wi lickle but wi tallawah"! Read the gymnasts' stories below.
http://www.gymnastike.org/coverage/252027-2015-Gymnastics-News/article/32183-Three-Jamaican-Gymnasts-Aim-To-Make-History-At-The-Rio-Olympics#.VivYoH6rTIU

Caribbean Court of Justice or the British Privy Council

A debate in the Jamaican Parliament began today to discuss whether Jamaica should implement their own Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) or continue to rely on the British Privy Council (BPC) as the final appellant court. The governing People National Party is in support of doing away with the BPC by obtaining a majority vote of parliamentarians in support of implementing the CCJ as the final court. However, the opposition party's  (Jamaica Labor Party) majority is voicing concerns against establishing the CCJ as the final appellant court, and they go even further by making a suggestion for a referendum so that the people will have a say on the topic. However, this controversial debate presents other piercing concerns that those in favor of the CCJ will have to consider. For instance, a separation from BPC will mean that consideration must be given to issues such as if it is time for Jamaica to disassociate itself from its' allegiance to Queen Elizabeth; dissolving the post of the Governor General; and the abandonment of Queen's Counsel appointments whose designation is regarded by many attorneys as a status of superiority which should not be dissolved. So, as the debate continues, Jamaicans will need to make a decision if they want to continue to be associated with England and its colonial practices or adapt new policies that reflect the countries' independence from the Crown.

Doctor Refuses to Treat Sick Patient

Dr. Derrick McDowell is another blogged example where a claim is made that a doctor in Jamaica has engaged in conduct that is contrary to the exemplary service that is expected from them. The media notes that Dr. McDowell refused to do his job in taking care of a patient who had a verbal altercation with a nurse, and Dr. McDowell was ultimately suspended. Some believe the suspension was politically motivated. However, putting politics aside, such a case would make anyone wonder how a doctor could even be embroiled in a situation that would make him consider any decisions not to help a patient. Are doctors and nurses not trained to put personal feelings aside and do their jobs? It is unacceptable for any doctor to refuse to attend to a sick patient regardless of their dissatisfaction with that patient. Moreover, when efforts were made to transfer the patient, another hospital refused to accept him. This and a previously reported case generate a concern as to how a long standing, respected profession may now be populated by some doctors and nurses who have put their personal feelings ahead of their duties to aid the sick.

From Intolerance to Pride for Professor Marlon James

Marlon James, is a well deserving winner of the Man Booker Prize. Jamaicans are overjoyed with such accomplishment of a native. This elation is expected, yet hypocritical. It is ironic and cannot be forgotten that, while in Jamaica, Professor James lived in an uncomfortable environment as he dealt with homophobic haters and bullies who made his life unbearable throughout high school until adulthood. Professor James is now the pride of  a country where persons of the LGBT community live in a society that has no tolerance or intentions of changing the buggery laws. Professor James is a Jamaican and certainly shows pride in his heritage. But, in honoring Professor James, let Jamaicans not forget their disdain for people like himself who openly profess their homosexuality.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/15/magazine/from-jamaica-to-minnesota-to-myself.html?_r=1

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Jamaica-rejects-buggery-law-repeal--same-sex-marriage

A Land of Reggae, Sun, Fun, and Crime

On October 7th, 2015, a family of six was massacred in their home that was subsequently burned down with their bodies inside it. This is another one of the numerous violent cases that have been occurring in Jamaica that is now known as having one of the highest crime rates in the world. The Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting aka "Mr. Divine Intervention",  and the Commissioner of Police, cannot seem to gain a grip in addressing the problem through the management of their security force. At the start of his tenure, Bunting broke down and made a choking confession that it was only divine intervention that could prevent the mass murders from occurring. Years have now passed and Mr. Bunting is still at the realm after this irresponsible comment that triggered doubt in his ability to succeed as security minister. He along with the Commissioner of Police now brag about what they believe they have accomplished. Yet, in the interim, those efforts seem to be of no avail since crime continues to increase. So, while the island basks favorably as a tourist destination of sun and fun on the beaches or at all inclusive hotels, Jamaican residents continue to live in a fearful atmosphere where crime is at an all time high. But, Jamaicans can only hope for the future that in a country with such scenic beauty and rich culture, some type of resolution may be found to curb the persistence of violent crimes.