Jamaica Observer Talk Back Posts (April to May 2002)

Talk Back comments on ‘AG slams JLP on Tivoli incident’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, April 01, 2002 at 7:12:21 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

We need more men like the AG who who is not afraid to make decisions. Jamaican cannot afford to have its peopel in authority be manipulated by politicians. The Commissioner of police should follow this example and stop being intimidated by the Leader of the Opposition. We need strong men and women in Jamaica today. Strong men and women who have integrity and can stand up for the principles that will guide then country on a path of progress.

Talk Back comments on ‘AG slams JLP on Tivoli incident’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, April 01, 2002 at 12:37:56 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

It is my opinion that any Jamican who cannot free their mind from the blind allegiance to the political leadership of Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga is either naive, simple minded, or a lackey. How on God’s earth can anyone not see and understand that these two men lack the leadership quality, the vision, and the credibility to move the country forward.

I am amazed of the posters on here who still believe that Mr. Seaga or Mr. Patterson make the conditions

in Jamaica better than they are now. Both men have a dismal track record as for as resolving the host of problems affecting the country. With an election suppose to happen later this year both men still have not produce a plan or agenda to demonstrate how they will solve the problems of crime, corruption, and the stagnant economy.

We Jamaicans (overseas or at home) cannot afford to deal with politics with this cultist mentality. We must demand better from Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga, we must hold them accountable for any actions or policies that adversely impact Jamaicans. I don’t have anything against Mr. Patterson or Mr. Seaga as individuals, but as political leaders I don’t have any respect or confidence in them. I am not afraid to say this and would tell them this if I had an opportunity to meet them. This is how strongly I feel about their political leadership.

Talk Back comments on ‘Deadly vengeance’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, April 03, 2002 at 7:17:19 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

This incident is very unfortunate and can only be described as a barbaric act regardless of which version of the story you hear. What is the root cause of such barbaric acts like this that have been occurring in recent years in Jamaica. My personal opinion is that our political leaders have contributed to this madness.

In any society where you have a political system that embraces criminals (aka Dons) you are going to get people who have no values, discipline, and respect for their fellowman commit more crimes and violent acts. In any society where you have a political leader constantly undermining the police you are going to get mob violence, lawlessness, and disrespect for authority.

If law enforcement is not performing their jobs in a responsible way then this should be addressed in a responsible and sensible manner. A political leader should not say things that contribute to the ineffectiveness of the police or encourages the criminal elements to feel they can do anything.

I have repeatedly said on this forum that both Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga must publicly make a statement to the Jamaican people that they will do everything in their power to fight crime at all levels of the society. This should be their top priority on their agenda if they have one. It is time for our politicians to declare war on criminals and to renounce their ties to the criminal elements in the society. It is full time that Jamaicans demand that they do this and that they take actions to show that they mean it.

Talk Back comments on ‘Deadly vengeance’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, April 03, 2002 at 6:11:00 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Anyone who thinks politics have not contributed to the barbaric crimes in Jamica better take their head out of the sand. Anyone who thinks that we Jamaicans both at home and abroad have not contributed to this better think again.

I have said repeatedly on this forum that our political leaders are have created a Frankenstien monster. Unlike the mythical Frankinstein monster that his make could not destroy, this monster can be destroyed but our corrupt, weak and spineless leaders are not about to destroy him because the monster serves their purpose.

And what about us Jamaicans contributing to these barbaric crimes. Well we have contributed becasue we have remained passive and have not demanded that this Frankenstiel like monster be destroyed. We have not applied the kind of pressure that will let our leaders know that it’s time for them to decalre war on crime.

If you think the Jamaican political system haven’t contributed to the kind of barbaric crime like reported in todays article then you are clueless. Think about this, do you think this kind of thing could happen in Cuba, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. Absolutely not..why..because the political leaders in those countries are not spineless.

Talk Back comments on ‘Andem gang suspects held’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, April 06, 2002 at 9:25:56 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I am getting sick and tired of the posters on here who constantly see every issue in Jamaica as being PNP or JLP, especially crime. I am also very disappointed with the said same posters who list their occupation as professionals (economist, scientist, lawyer, etc.). I would expect such posters to be more broad minded and free from the cultist mentality that still prevails in the minds of uneducated Jamaicans.

Now what difference does it make if criminals who murder people come from West Kingston or from Papine. Are these criminals, like the Andem gang card carrying members of one party or the other? Do you think they care about which party is in power or if a certain party is in power they will commit less crime. The fact of the matter is that these people kill and terrorizes Jamaicans.

Jamaicans abroad and at home must work together for the betterment of the country. This blind allegiance to the PNP or the JLP is not the answer. Unless the current political leaders get some kind of devine intervention like Saul did on the road to Damascus to persecute the the desciples of Jesus they will not be able to improve conditions in Jamaica.

I have repeatedly call for a political revolution and this is my goal to help play a small role in this revolution. I am going to challenge the students of UWI and Technology University to be the agents of this political revolution that is needed to start the political reform. The students of Jamaica are the one resource that the country has that can make a positive contribution towards reforming the political process.

The great Mahatma Gandhi said “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” President Kennedy in his inagural speech said “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This is how we need to think and act. If Jamaicans want to see the conditions in Jamaica changed, then they must be the agent or catalyst to bring about this change. You must challenge the political leaders like Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga who have failed miserable to prevent the evil atrocities that befall Jamaicans too often. When a Jamaican is killed by barbaric thugs all Jamaicans suffer emotionally. It is time we stop this nonsense. It is time Mr. Seaga and Mr. Patterson, act or get out of politics. I will continue this call and make more effort because I love Jamaica deraly more than I love the PNP or the JLP (in fact I love neither of these two parties).

Talk Back comments on ‘Rowdy MPs in House brawl’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, April 10, 2002 at 11:34:48 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

It is time for Jamaica to be rescued from indiscipline, barbaric crime, corruption, and all the social ills that are now endemic in society. Never mind that other countries experience these problems too, we have to establish some level of expectations as what is acceptable and not acceptable.

All Jamaicans need to work together in rescuing the country before it reaches the critical point where anarchy takes over. We cannot afford to continue quarelling amongst ourselves over politics or being passive to the atrocities that are occurring too frequently in Jaamaica.

We need to rally the people of Jamaica to wake up and start the struggle to rescue the country. We need to call on students, civic organizations, churches, etc. to start a movement that will let politicians know that it’s not business as usual. Let them no that we cannot tolerate their failure to stop the insanity that’s going on today.

While I believe this forum is good for exchanging ideas and discussing issues, I believe that much more is needed to help steer the country from the path of destruction. That is why I have decided to involve myself in an effort to contact groups like students, the PSOJ, religious leaders, etc. to challenge them to be more proactive in rescuing Jamaica.

Talk Back comments on ‘Minister blames drug trade for crime, violence’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 6:11:22 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Mr. Minister, the root cause of crime in Jamaica is poor political leadership. From this poor political leadership we get corruption, indiscipline, and all the social and economic ills that now plague the country.

To determine the root cause of a problem, you have to go back to the time the problem started. The nexus of crime and politics started with the political rivalry betwen the late Michael Manley and Edward Seaga. I don’t have to go into details here. But this is where the seeds of the violent crime that now threatens to plunge the country into anarchy was sown.

Talk Back comments on ‘Blythe falls’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, April 12, 2002 at 6:31:26 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

This message was posted a few weeks ago for Boukman… I have to post it again…..

Boukman, you seems to have this penchant for piggy backing on other posters comments and to add your comments that you no doubt think is funny. You list your occupatuion as a student, if this is true then either you are a lazy student or you are a student or inmate at Bellvue.

Surely, as a student you should be able to do much better than this. You as a young Jamaican (I assume that you are young) you should be engaging other posters to either learn something or to enlighten them. As a student you should be providing Jamaicans with meaningful information on the issues and challenges facing the country. Please Boukman, show us that you are capable of doing this and stop playing the clown.

PS.. I would like to see students of UT and UWI become more proactive in helping to bring about the political revplution that is needed ti Jamaica. Students are a valuable resource to any country. However, if you put all this effort in studying it will avail to nothing in a corupt and lawless society. Students therefore must become proactive so that their future is not compromised.

Talk Back comments on ‘Blythe falls’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, April 12, 2002 at 7:43:48 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

The removal of Mr. Blythe will not stop the blight disease that has infected the political system. Picking off one leaf from a tree that has blight disease is not going to stop the disease. Therefore, i‘m not excited one way or the other about this news because much more needs to be done by the government to deal with corruption and crime – the whole system needs to be treated with a “fungicide” to remove the corruption fungus from politics.

Mr. Blythe might well be the election year fall guy. But he is not the only politician who deserves to get their marching papers.

Talk Back comments on ‘I have no regrets — Blythe’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, April 13, 2002 at 8:37:27 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

If man could be conscious of God when they are on top of the world instead of when they experience misfortune, the world would certainly be a better place. For one thing we would the consciousness of god would guide us and prevent us from falling into all the negative vices that corupt the soul.

Ex-Minister Blythe’s reaction is typical of most men who are humbled. Like the consciensce which serves as a moral compass (when it’s working) perhaps this process of becoming God-conscious after a

misfortune gives us another opportunity to redeem our soul.

Ex. minister now that you have discovered you religious side, maybe you will also get the courage to talk out against the corruption and evil that some of your former comrades and political colleagues perpetrate on the Jamaican people. Mr. Blythe your job is not yet completed, it is about to begin. You can be an instrument in bringing about the political reform that is need so badly in Jamaica today.

Talk Back comments on ‘I have no regrets — Blythe’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, April 13, 2002 at 11:36:38 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Get ready for Boukman, he is about to clutter up this forum again with his “analysis” of other Posters comments. It would be one thing if he provides constructive analysis but he delights in ridiculing other Posters. He thinks this is so cool and funny that’s why he always laughs at the end of his posts.

Talk Back comments on ‘Meddling Minister’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, April 14, 2002 at 8:27:13 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Since the beginning of this Talk Back forum, I have repeatedly said that the political system in Jamaica needs to be reformed. I have also said that this reform can only happen when the people of Jamaica exercise their political rights to and become more political savy.

Anyone who thinks that the problems facing Jamaica is going to be fixed by the PNP or the JLP is deluding themselves or have been conditioned by what I called the cultist political mentality.
I firmly believe that Jamaica’s problems will be solved only when the following begin to happen: (1)Jamaicans put Jamaica first and not the PNP or the JLP (2) the political system is reformed (3) Political leaders and politicians put the interest of the country first and not their personal agenda (4) Politicians and the people suport the police.

Jamaican has suffered too long from the old political process of devisivenes and political tribalism. Jamaicans must chose political leaders who can move the country forward in the 21 st century. Leaders who have a vision that is compatible with the information technological era that is now the engine that drives the world economy.

Wake up Jamaicans, it is full time that you recognize that tribal politics is not the answer to Jamaica’s problems. It is full time we unite ourselves to work for the progress of the country. Blind allegiance to one party or the other is not the answer. We must be objective and broad minded so that we can select politicans who can work for the progress of the country.

We must be the change we want to see in the world (Mahatma Gandhi). Ask not what PJ Patterson or Edward Seaga can do for you (quite frankly they are both incapable of doing anything at this stage. They have outlived their usefullness) ask what can you do for Jamaica.

Talk Back comments on ‘Meddling Minister’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, April 14, 2002 at 10:58:24 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

My observation of the political mess in Jamaica cannot be attributed to just the PNP government. There is no doubt that the PNP has been in power for too long and has not been able to solve the major social problems and economic problems I may add. However, the JLP opposition party with representation in the House of Parliament is also a part of the government. Therefore, they are just as guilty as the PNP for the mess.

The problem I have is not with the PNP and the JLP per se. The problem I see here is that we have two inept political leaders who have outlived their political usefulness. Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga don’t have any vision or agenda as to how to solve the problems affecting the country. Mr. Patterson is a weak leader and Mr. Saga who has some traits of being a strong leader is misguided. Rather than use the little leadership skills he has to motivate people, he uses it to intimidate the police and anyone who challenges him. He can do this because the PSOJ backs him and some of the powerful lawyers support him.

I have very little respect for politicians like Mr. Seaga who throughout his political career has defended the unsavory elements in our society and who constantly undermines the police. This is totally unacceptable and not good for Jamaica. This kind of antiquated politics must stop. That is why I am a strong advocate of political reform. We need new leadership (doesn’t makes any difference to me if they are PNP, JLP, NDM, JANU, etc.). The important thing to me is that whoever governs must put the interest of the country first and when an issue threatens to destroy the country the political parties must close ranks and work together for the benefit of the country.
Just like how the Democrats support the Republican in the war against terrorism.

I lament the possibility that Mr. Patterson could again serve another term as PM. This would be very unfortunate for Jamaica. At the same time I think the same is true for Mr. Seaga. Because of his connections, he might be able to do a wee bit better than PJ in the economic area. But I predict crime and corruption will continue to go through the roof if Mr. Seaga gets in. My effort is to get political reform that includes changing the leadership of both parties. I think this is what all Jamaicans should demand and expect.

ASK NOT WHAT THE PNP OR THE JLP CAN DO FOR U, ASK WHAT U CAN DO FOR JAMAICA.

Talk Back comments on ‘Andem gang suspect shot’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, April 14, 2002 at 11:09:09 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Is Andem himself the great Houdin? How come everytime you read about this illiterate criminal it’s his gang members that’s being apprehended or shot by the police?

You would think that if the police can make contact with his gang members, they should be able to do some undercover work and use these criminals to lead them to Andem.

Mr. Forbes wake up and mobolise the police to be more effective.

Talk Back comments on ‘Jamaicans don’t believe Seaga’s tax promise’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, April 14, 2002 at 11:19:26 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

This is another problem we have in Jamaica, the Journalist and pollsters are too soft on politicians. We need more investigative journalist who are not afraid to go after the politicians. Now what purpose does a poll like this serve. Journalists need to ask more formidable questions that will provide insight on what the agenda or vision is of our political leaders.

Everybody knows that if Mr.Seaga can’t come up with the mone to pay his taxes, his PSOJ buddies will foot the bill for him.

Talk Back comments on ‘J’cans give PNP, JLP almost even marks on strength’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, April 15, 2002 at 11:25:03 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

What value does this kind of poll add to the political process and who benefits from it? Political polls should be designed to obtain meaningful feedback to the politician on what people expect or how they are thinking on the major issues.

Asking questions about which party is growing stronger is very asinine and adds nothing of value to anyone. The Jamaica Observer pollist need s to conduct better polss than I have seen in recent weeks.

Talk Back comments on ‘Buchanan gets Blythe’s job’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Tuesday, April 16, 2002 at 5:03:50 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

The progress of a country depends on the expectations of their citizens. Jamaicans on a whole have a very low expectations and so the politicians react in like to this low expectations. If Jamaica is to move forward then Jamaicans have to learn to break the bondage of political tribalism. Until we free our ourselves from this tribal politics then the political parasites will continue to feed on this ignorance.

Jamaica needs people to realize that in a democratic society it’s the people who have real power and not the politicians. We need certain group of people who have the means and resources to start stirring teh consciousness of the masses and to enlighten them to

start thinking progressively. Groups such as students, civic organizations (Kiwanis, Lions, etc.) can play a big role in this area.

Students of Jamaica should be very concerned about the legacy that they will inherit in Jamaica. Their future is being compromised by by old tired politicians who have no vision or clue as to waht to do get the country back on track. This concern should stir students to become more proactive in bringing about political reform.

Wake up Jamaican students, your future is at stake. Consider this, the Minister of Finance has started a dangerous idea that the country should not train people for them to migrate. If education at the tertiary level is restricted then this will be a blow for Jamaica. Students at UWI and UT should not let a high ranking politician get away with dangerous statements like this.

Talk Back comments on ‘Buchanan gets Blythe’s job’

Posted by:

Commentary

Posted on:

Tuesday, April 16, 2002 at 1:07:01 PM 

Location:

New York, USA 

Occupation:

Comments:

Progress4Jamaica, I have one word to add to your post: Amen!

In terms of my own comments, you will have a number of people telling you that you cannot inculcate high expectations in them, because they are poor, and “when man hungry, ‘im no listen to nutten ‘biut high expectations.” Yes, you have that posse of people who espouse those views.

We really do need people who have the capability to perform a job, not be appointed as “reward” or because of “loyalty.” We are talking about running/managing a country here, not a patty shop (though, to be fair, some patty shops are well-managed!).

Talk Back comments on ‘Atlanta team arrives tomorrow on JLP invitation’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at 11:31:47 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Boukman, congratulations you are now expressing yourself as I expect a concerned student to do. Your post #15 raises some interesting points. Keep up the good work Boukman. Onwe more thing, encourage your fellow students to become more proactive in the political arena. Writ letters or e-mails to your member of Parliament or any other politicians (including Mr. Patterson and Mr. Seaga) to express your views on political issues.

Talk Back comments on ‘Atlanta team arrives tomorrow on JLP invitation’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at 11:35:30 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

The news media needs to keep on top of this development. Get all the information on who these investors are (their background, their connections, etc.)

This is an election year and we have to be careful of foreign influences that might intefere with the election. I am not suggesting that these investors might have CIA connections, I am saying that we don’t outside influences at this time.

Talk Back comments on ‘UWI students demand ‘difficult’ course cancelled’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Thursday, April 18, 2002 at 6:14:02 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Mikesiva

I agree with you that students should get involved in the socio-economic and political issues affecting the country. I have been calling for UWI and UT students to become proactive in this area on several posts I ahve made on this forum. I strongly believe that students can make a difference in helping to bring about political reform that is badly needed in Jamaica and also influence policy making decisions.

Talk Back comments on ‘Blythe blasts Angus report’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, April 20, 2002 at 4:54:05 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

This is another problem I have with jamaican politicians, they do not know how to deal with humiliation. In the first place if Mr. Blythe had performed his ministerial duties in a responsible mannere he would not be in this position now.

If Mr. Blythe thinks he was unfairly treated, then I believe that the proper thing for him to do is to present his arguments in an article to the Jamaica Observer or the Gleaner. This would give everyone a chance to see if his challenge of the report is reasonable. Instead Mr. Blythe choses to exploit the poor Jamaican people by getting them to protest on his behalf. I doubt if these people even have the ability to read and undersatnd the report.

Mr. Blythe should lick his wounds and act like a mature and responsible man for a change. It is too late in the day for him to be using this whining tactics. What does he expect to achieve from this kind of tactics – to redeem his reputation or is he laying the foundation to make a come b ack in politics? My advice to you Mr. Blythe is to move on. You had your chance and you obviously messed it up.

Talk Back comments on ‘Police chief tells officers to use technology in crime fight’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, April 20, 2002 at 5:10:46 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

“We have been trying for a number of years to get police to understand that technology is there to serve us. We try to deliver the message that when you go to scenes of crime you are missing critical pieces of evidence because we are still trying to do things the old way,”

Really Mr. Forbes! this is exactly why I have repeatedly said on thsi forum that you are not an effective leader. The comments made in your address now reinforces what I have said in my posts to the forum about your leadership and the problems with the police force. Any CEO of a comapny made statements like you made in your speech would be fired.

Based on the Commissioners statements it is clear that he has failed to implement policies or training tto achieve certain objectives for the police force. “We have been trying for a number of years” tell me that this is a joke. This is a prime example of poor leadership and it is part of the reason why there is such lack of efectives in the very institutions that are suppose to provide the foundation for a strong and stable country.

Talk Back comments on ‘Police chief tells officers to use technology in crime fight’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, April 20, 2002 at 9:23:25 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I am not going to engage myself in cyber dialogue on this forum as that’s not going to change my previous views. But let me say this, I have repeatedly knocked our political leaders, the Comish, the PSOJ, Jamaicans, and anyone who has contributed to the break down of law and order in Jamaica. I do this because quite frankly I am disturbed with the socio-economic situation in Jamaica.

Violent crimes and horrofic murders in Jamaica is probably the highest in the world on a per capita basis. For a small country like Jamaica this is very alarming and disturbing. I have said several times that political tribalism and poor leadership are part of the reason for the situation Jamaica is in now.

I judge the performance of the political leaders and the comish on the basis of their accomplishments and how they react to major issues especially crime. I am not going to list specific reasons that have convinced me that poor leadership is part of the reason we have a police force that is not strong (my previous post gave a classic example). I am very well aware that it is not easy to get things done in Jamaica. However, our leaders must not make excuses or say things like the Comish said about getting the police to use technology…The buck must stop at the desk of these leaders.

For Jamaicans, I repeat again:
“Ask not what the PNP or the JLP can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Talk Back comments on ‘JLP assures new army chief of its co-operation’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, April 20, 2002 at 5:27:34 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Why does Mr. Seaga feels he has to make a political statement in a message of congratulations to the new army chief? “…assured him of the full co-operation of the Jamaica Labour Party.”

Why didn’t Mr. Seaga say something like this “I will encourage Jamaicans to cooperate with the military to ensure that our country is kept safe from threats to the public peace and security of the country.” Something like this woukld have been more appropriate. Whne Mr. Seaga makes public pronouncements, he needs to focus more on the national interest rather that on his JLP party.

Talk Back comments on ‘Going for Growth’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, April 21, 2002 at 1:02:31 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

The Minister of Finance economic agenda appears to be very ambitious. I would have liked to see more specifics on how he is going to achieve between 2 and 4 percent growth rate in a economy that has been stagnant for years. To generate this kind of growth rate will require an infusion of more production, more new jobs, and better incentives to attract investors. To bankroll programs that will help achieve the desired growth rate, the Minister intends to raise $126 billion of this amount from more rigorous tax collections, fees and the sale of government assets. The remaining $84.4 billion through loans from local and foreign sources.

While I do not want to sound pessimistic about the Minister’s economic plan, I am concerned about the possibility of taxes being increased to raise some of this money to help promote the growth rate. We have seen an effort by the government to raise taxes recently, so it seems like this might be something that will be on the agenda of the government. There is no doubt that the tax collection system is inefficient and is not being enforced rigorously. If the Minister plans to raise money from improved tax collection then that’s fine but any increased taxes will be detrimental to the Jamaican economy.

Another issue that will have to be addressed if the economic engine is to get revved up is the issue of crime. The commercial sector and investors are not going to invest in a country where crime continues to be a big problem. While crime is bad for the economy, the inability of the security forces to effectively deal with it does not inspire confidence in investors.

Talk Back comments on ‘Phillips orders probe into Spaldings brawl’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, April 22, 2002 at 5:12:50 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

This is exactly why I keep saying there is no leadership in Jamaica today. When their is no social or political leadership mob rule and vigilantism takes over. First of it is illegal for citizens to set up road blocks. Yes I am going to take the liberty of saying that with a largely uninformed or semi-literate public this you will get chaos and disorder all the time to fill the leaderless void.

The fact that the police arrived at the scene and they too were unable to control the situation shows also that people don’t have any respect for the law. Is this a surprise? No it isn’t, this is what happens when you have political leaders who show theri disdain for the police. We have a political leader who constantly undermines the police instead of acting in a rsponsible way to resolve his problem with them. We have politicians who are in bed with so called dons. Until this kind of nonsense is stopped we will continue down the slippery slopes of lawlessness and disorder in the society.

It is time for decent and informed Jamaicans to wake up and help restore civility and respect for the law. If this is not done, then the Barbarians are going to run the country. So again I say
“Ask not what teh PNP or the JLP can do fro you ask what you can do for Jamaica.”

Talk Back comments on ‘Seaga moves ahead’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 6:16:55 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Since Mr. Seaga wants to become PM again there a a couple of things he needs to tell the Jamaican people. The first thing is how does he propose to improve his antagonistic relationship with the police. It is very important that the PM be able to work with police and not undermine their efforts of fighting crime.

The second thing he needs to talk about is how does he propose to end the political tribalism and the relationship of politicians with the dons. Mr. Seaga’s is the MP for Tivoli Garden where a lot of political violence usually originates. Mr. Seaga needs to come up with a plan to restore civility, law and order in Tivoil Garden. He has been MP for TV for over 30 years and yet this area has degenerated into a crime festered area.

Jamaicans and the Observer should demand that Mr. Seaga explain how he intends to deal with these problems. Mr. Seaga as PM will be able to ensure the public safety, if they have an antagonistic and arrogant attitude towards the police and if he cannot denounce criminal acts perpetuated by people from his constituency.

Talk Back comments on ‘Fraud Squad sent into NHDC’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, March 15, 2002 at 10:24:01 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I cannot speak for the rest of the Posters but my primary objective for posting comments is to get the attention of people back in Jamaica or maybe the politicians (I’m sure they are all using the internet now). My reasoning is that the pen is mightier than the sword (in this case the keyboard) and people who

serve the public know this very well. They are very sensitive to the comments that people make about them. Take for example the entertainment business. Countless of actors and musicians have had their career destroyed not because they don’t have talent but because the critics blasted them –sometimes unfairly.

In the US and other developed countries we see that the powerful media can bring down a government or destroy the politician who think that they are untouchable. Take for example Nixon /Wategate, and several other prominent politicians (Clinton was too slick and lucky but he almost got kicked out of the White House without his pants on – no pun intended). Anyhow the point is the media can do a lot of damage to politicians if it chooses to do so or if it is backed by powerful people and the public.

This brings me to the point of our media in Jamaica. How can we have all this corruption and the media allow these politicians to hop along their merry way as if nothing has happened. The media should realize that a bad economy and poor governance affects their business too. Therefore, they should be doing everything possible to make sure that the country is governed by competent politicians and politicians who have some principles and yes some  morals . 

The Jamaica Observer “Talk Back” has given Jamaicans at home and abroad the opportunity to express their views on issues affecting the country (some posters do express good views and suggestions) , I am wondering if the Jamaica Observer couldn’t go a step further. It is my opinion that only a select few that have access to the Internet is aware or read the posts on this forum. Perhaps the Observer could select a few of the good comments and publish them in the paper.probably once a week on Sundays. This way the politicians and others could get a chance to read the good suggestions that are posted (like Richie’s post #2 which is an excellent idea). I will forward this suggestion on the feedback section later.

As I have said in previous posts, Jamaica desperately needs a political revolution. I have also advocated previously a national day of protest around Independence time to send a powerful message to the politicians. This political revolution can happen if the media step up to the plate and be the catalyst to help spark this change. Yes the media sometimes can have too much power,, but I can deal with that rather than politicians who have too much and are not accountable for their actions.

Talk Back comments on ‘Police chief orders probe into Seaga’s allegations’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, March 30, 2002 at 9:00:56 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I have repeatedly said on posts on this forum that Mr. Seaga’s politics is very divisive. Mr. Seaga has a record of accusing the police of unfairly targeting his supporters or his constituents. Not only has he accused the police of performing their jobs, he has tried to intimidate with threats of lawsuits and to manipulate them into performing their duties to please him.

Mr. Seaga’s problems with the police does not appear to be a genuine concern for wanting the police to control crime in his constituency. This is obvious because when violence erupts in his constituency, he immediately adopts the position that police has no business in going in to restore normalcy. Also, he has never made a public statement condemning crime and political violence in his constituency. The fact of the matter is that Mr. Seaga on the unsavory elements in his constituency to support his power base. Throughout his political career he has relied on this support to intimidate anyone who challenges him or stand in his way. For example notice how he is always quick to call for a mob demonstration.

This latest episode of his accusation that the police is organizing the training of special squads to target his party supporters appears to be baseless and mischievous. Based on the Jamaica Observer article there is no specific proof given to support this charge. Because of Mr. Saega’s usual cry of wolf, I have to be suspicious about this matter. My suspicion is this: what is so urgent about this matter that Mr. Seaga found it necessary to make sure the Commissioner who is in England gets it and to send it via the Jamaica High Commission to London. What is his motive for doing this?

The other problem concerning this matter is the Police Commissioner’s response. Why does he think an investigation is warranted here. Doesn’t he know what is going on the police force. All he should have done is to stand up to Mr. Seaga and tell him to go pound sand. Well to be more serious he could have made a statement to explain the purpose of this special squad that is in training. Nothing is wrong with having a special squad in training for the election. Nothing is wrong if this special squad is sent in Mr. Seaga’s constituency to maintain order. Mr. Forbes is a weak commissioner and that has been part of the problem with the police. .The police cannot afford to have a leader who can be easily manipulated like a puppet on a string. Jamaica cannot afford to have a political leader like Mr. Seaga continue his divisive brand of politics.

Talk Back comments on ‘260% duty on chicken, vegetables’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, April 26, 2002 at 7:08:48 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Yes indeed, election time is just around the corner. The political arena has come to life again as politicians warm up by making empty promises, do some things that should have been done years ago, and say things to get the attention of their constituents. Unfortunately the politicians from the PM to the Leader of the Opposition are not saying anything that would give any assurance that major issues affecting the country will be solved. Unfortunately too Jamaicans have themselves to blame for this. The majority of Jamaicans cannot break the nexus of political tribalism and cultist like mentality that has done nothing but prevent us from making progress. It is time for Jamaicans to become smarter than this and start thinking in terms of what is good for Jamaica. Your primary allegiance must start with God, your family, and your country. Everything else is secondary and blind faith in a political party is foolish.

We Jamaicans need to be much more broadminded and objective in how we react to political issues. Being a die-hard PNP or JLP is not going to solve Jamaica’s problem. This kind of cultist mentality which many Jamaicans have been conditioned to embrace worked for politicians but worked against the people. This is part of the reason why Jamaica is so socially, politically, and economically stagnant today.

The political system in Jamaica has evolved to a state where it has become tainted by criminal influences, greed, and unaccountability. Consequently, the major political parties irrespective of whether or not it is the

government or the opposition party becomes impotent when it comes to dealing effectively with major issues especially crime. This polluted political environment is the result of poor political leadership. Today we have two political leaders who have no vision, no backbone, and no charisma. This is why we see this disturbing escalation of political scandals rampant indiscipline, and barbaric crimes all over the island.

Undoubtedly, the Jamaican political system has created the mythical Frankenstein monster. This monster has to be destroyed if Jamaica is to move forward. The question is how do we destroy this Frankenstein monster? Based on the performance of both political leaders, I am absolutely convinced that regardless of which political party governs the country after the next election, this Frankenstein monster is not going to be destroyed. In fact I believe that this monster will only grow stronger.

So is political reform reality? The answer is that it depends on the will of the people. If people want political reform they can get it. But they will have to free their minds from the PNP and JLP cult syndrome. Doing this is not an easy task as it will require deprogramming a lot of people. If this political reform is not a reality then the only solution for Jamaica is military rule. Military rule is not the best solution but I think this is the last option for Jamaica. I’m not very optimistic that Jamaica has the kind of military leaders who have the “balls” to embark on such a risky venture. My hope is that it will not come down to military rule.

Talk Back comments on ‘Seaga outlines growth vision’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, April 26, 2002 at 7:20:40 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Mr. Seaga’s vision is still short-sighted on CRIME. Not one word is mentioned in his vision about fighting crime. Fro my view point and i’m sure from the view point of many Jamaicans crime is a major issue that has to be addressed. Trying to sweep crime under the carpet and pretend like it’s not a problem is not an option Mr. Seaga.

Mr. Seaga more than any other politician needs to face his demon of crime and exorcise it once and for all. How is he going to work with the police when he has a track record of that has been very antagonistic to the police. Come on Mr. Seaga, you owe thsi to Jamaica, denounc ecrime now, clean up Tivoli Gardens, and banish the dons.

Talk Back comments on ‘US soldiers start construction of Harbour View clinic today’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, April 26, 2002 at 7:43:13 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Just my intuition..I don’t like this..this is an election year and it makes me nervous when I see foreigners in the country in an election year doing anything. I won’t say anything more on this.

But mark my word the election is going to be held in July.

Talk Back comments on ‘Voters prefer’

Posted by:

As I see it

Posted on:

Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 3:46:17 PM 

Location:

Toronto, Canada 

Occupation:

ex-patriate 

Comments:

Clint, your posting is right on target.

Progress4Jamaica seems to be afraid to say he is a PNP fan, but why is he/she afraid, we are all abroad.

The person writes to say he/she is sitting on the fence but at the same time promoting his choice of party[PNP].What is he/she afraid of, no one is going to harm him/her.

Heck Progress4Jamaica please say what you are.

Talk Back comments on ‘Industry leaders approve of Seaga’s proposals’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 10:28:37 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

First let me state unequivocally that I am not a supporter of the PNP or the JLP. My support lies with the progress of Jamaica, hence the reason for my alias “Progress4Jamaica.”

For the past ten years Jamaica has seen a sharp increase in the following areas: barbaric crimes and murders, political scandals, corruption, mismanagement by the government, and a lot of other negative problems. These problems do not occur by accident but because there is a leadership vacuum in Jamaica.

The leadership problem occurs because we have people who are weak and people who have been divided by the chronic problem of political tribalism. The damage that this political tribalism cannot be underestimated. It has affected the judgement of the Jamaican people, the media, and the PSOJ. Take for example the media. We have two major newspapers that align themselves to the PNP (the Gleaner) and to the JLP (the Jamaica Observer). It is more obvious that the Observer is very biased in favor of the JLP

meaningless polls such as in today’s article constantly favors the JLP.

I wish there was a better choice than Mr. Patterson to lead the country for the next five years. His administration has failed to contain or control some of the major issues such as crime and to improve the overall infrastructure (yes some progress has been made in with the highways.

Having said that let me now say that if Mr. Seaga becomes the next PM, Jamaica is going to be in a lot of problem. Mr. Seaga has been very divisive and antagonistic towards the police force. His politics of intimidation is not progressive. Every time he doesn’t gets his way he is quick to call for mob protest. This is not the kind of thing a political leader should be doing it sets a bad example for people by telling them if you don’t get what you want take to the streets.

Those of you who think that Mr. Seaga is a good leader should ask yourself this question. He has been MP for Tivoli Garden for over 40 years. TG over the years has seen nothing but degradation and filth. Would a good leader allow this happen? I think not. As long as Mr. Seaga continue to maintain TG as a military type fortress he cannot be entrusted with the position of PM.

“Leaders have a significant role in creating the state of mind that is the society. They can serve as symbols of the moral unity of the society. The can express the values that hold society together. Most important, they can conceive and articulate goals that lift people out of their petty preoccupations, carry them above the conflicts that tear a society apart, and unite them in the pursuit of objectives worthy of their best efforts.” John W. Gardner, The Antileadership Vaccine,” Annual Report of the Carnegie Corporation, 1965.

Mr. Seaga more than Mr. Patterson does not exemplify the type of leadership that John Gardner so eloquently suggested.

TO THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA, YOU HAVE A CLEAR CHOICE TO MAKE : DO YOU WANT A LEADER WHO DOESN’T SUPPORT THE SECURITY FORCES AGAINST THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS, or DO YOU WANT A LEADER WHO SUPPORT THE SECURITY FORCES AGAINST THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS?

ASK NOT WHAT THE PNP OR THE JLP CAN DO FOR YOU ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR JAMAICA.

Talk Back comments on ‘Voters prefer’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 8:40:54 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

As I See It,

You obviously need a new pair of reading glasses or you don’t seems to comprehend what uou read. I ahve said repeatedly on this forum from day 1 that I am for Jamaica. I am not for the PNP or the JLP at least not under the current leadership.

My objective in posting on here is help provide some enlightenment aand encouragement for Jamaicans to free themselves from the political tribalism that has conditioned their minds to think only in terms of the PNP or the JLP. The political system in Jamaica badly need sto be reformed and if we continue to think one dimensionally we are not going to be effective in bringing about this political reform.

Because my mind is free from the political tribalism I can be critical of both the PNP and the JLP, many posters cannot do that. Instead they continue to demonstrate that they are nothing but a political lackey who can see no wrong when their party err. I realize that my fight is not going to provide any results on this forum, that is why I intend to do more in a different arena to put pressure on the inept and corrupt politicians who think they can keep on fooling the people like in the old days. Stay tune!

Talk Back comments on ‘Voters prefer’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 8:56:07 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

DHF,

I have refrained from insulting posters simple because it’s not my style. I believe the word of Desiderata “Listen to the dull and ignorant, they too ahve their story.”

Anyhow I have to make an exception to adress your two posts about thsi boorish individual “Mr. Shower.” You and Mr. Shower are you both imbeciles? This is not meant as an insult just asking.

Talk Back comments on ‘Mr Seaga and Mr Shaw’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, April 29, 2002 at 11:32:54 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I am still waiting for the two political leaders to tell the Jamaican people how they intend to deal with the serious problem of crime. Is it because they have no idea of how to contain crime or is it because they have no moral authority from which deal with crime.

Also, I would like the next Observer poll to ask the Jamaican people the following questions:

1) What is the biggest problem that you think the next government should make a priority in fixing?

2) Do you think the political system needs to be reformed?

3) Do you think that politicians who associate with know criminals or dons should be riprimanded or removed from office?

4) Do you think that the police should treat all politicians like any other citizen?

5) Which political party do you think is more prepared to solve the crime problem?

Questions along these lines are more meaningful and would provide better feedback on how people are thinking.

Talk Back comments on ‘Mr Seaga and Mr Shaw’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, April 29, 2002 at 11:39:45 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

When are the political lackeys on this forum going to come to their senses. Wake up lackeys and demand better for your country. If you have to be blindly led make sure your leader has the credentials to lead you.

Talk Back comments on ‘Take a leaf out of The Bahamas’ book’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, May 04, 2002 at 8:04:02 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Unlike the Bahamas election, I expect that we will see some violence in the weeks prior to the election and after the election regardless of who win in Jamaica.
When we look at the pattern of crime and lawlessness over the years it is not hard to come to this conclusion.

While the editorial is factual, I believe it fails in pointing out the reasons why Jamaican elections have been marred by violence over the years. We cannot solve a problem if we continue to ignore the reason(s) for the problem.

To compare the Jamaican society with the Bahamaian society is like comparing apples and oranges. The problems we have in Jamaica that is less evident in Bahamas afre the following:

1) The political leadership has not set the tone or expectation whereby crime, violence, and indiscipline will not be tolerated.
2) The political system has polarized the Jamaican people into hostile groups.
3) A large percentage of the Jamaican population is barely literate, undisciplined, and lawless.
4) The police do not get the support that they need from the political leaders.
5) The political system has become corrupted and as a result has contributed to the decadence in Jamaican society.

So Jamaicans brace yourself, it is going to be a rough ride. Expect to see political violence like you have never seen in the days after the election.

Talk Back comments on ‘Take a leaf out of The Bahamas’ book’

Posted by:

Tyo

Posted on:

Saturday, May 04, 2002 at 12:37:26 PM 

Location:

paterson, New Jersey 

Occupation:

Teacher/Writer 

Comments:

Mr. ‘Progress4Jamaica, I find your comments to be peppered with very negative overtones that are contrarily marring for the progress of Jamaica. Might I add too that your predictions for the fate of my country are tantamount to the the garbage that you littered on this electronic media. You must have either been living outside Jamaica for a long time if you had ever been a native, or you have never visited the country if you are a guilty bystander.

Let me just say that the last election never had the flaws you now prognosticate, yet my country had the same obstacles it had faced from time immemorial. Words are very important to bring about one’s upliftment or downfall, and in our current crisis we can cut down on your type of comments which only serve to destroy nation-building. People like you have your political axe to grind but the majority of Jamaicans living inside and out, wish to see a prosperous future for a great nation.

Talk Back comments on ‘Prisoners blow hole in GP Wall’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, May 05, 2002 at 1:06:27 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Didn’t some politician said recently said that the penal system needs to be reformed? I don’t believe anything happens by chance or coincidence in Jamaica anymore. The whole country is corrupt from top to

bottom and there are puppets who well do anything at the beckon of thier masters.

Now let me ask this question, do you think if prisoners want to escape from GP they would use expolsives to do this. How far do you think they would get with the quick attention they would draw by doing this. The whole idea here was not to escape but to cause some embarrasment to the government. How do I know this? my sixth sense told me this….I have psychic ability.

Talk Back comments on ‘GP escape attempt under probe, says Kern Spencer’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, May 06, 2002 at 6:56:05 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Donald Roane,

It seems like you and I are the only ones who senses that something is fishy about this incident of prisoners want to blast thire way out of GP in broad daylight. Now. GP is not located in an isolate area. It is located in a busy area and escape routes are very limited.

You may recall a couple weeks ago a JLP politician commented that the penal system needed reform. My post then that this was nonsense and just another ploy to divert attention from the real problem of crime that the political leaders won’t address in a meaningful way.

The fact that the penal system was brought into question by a politician and now this incident tells me that it’s not a coincidence. This incident was orchestrated to embarrass the government. It is now more difficult to use political violence to embarass the government so this is the next best thing to do.

JAMAICANS wake up there are dangerous politicians in our midst. This breed of politicians will do anything to get power. They have no moral conscience and their hands are stained in the blood of innocent Jamaicans. Do not let personality fool you you, look at the track record of these politicians and make a wise choice.

Talk Back comments on ‘GP escape attempt under probe, says Kern Spencer’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, May 06, 2002 at 11:37:51 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

As is customary, there will be an investigation in the attempt of prisoners to blast their way out of the GP. And as is customary, this investigation will not amount to anything. This incident is not an ordinary event as I don’t believe that prisoners in any other country have ever attempted anything like this. This is the kind of thing you see in John Wayne movies.

Something doesn’t quite add up here. It doesn’t make sense for prisoners to try to blast their way out of a prison like GP in broad daylight. How does one smuggle explosives into a maximum security prison? Well if you have some powerful people on the outside with influence, they could influence corrupt security officers to let the explosives in. And don’t forget the don have friends inside GP they can easily arrange for things to happen with a little help from thier puppet masters. This is my intuition and i’m always right on my intuition.

Yes I know there are some people who are going to say that this has nothing to do with politics. But let me say this worst things have happened because of politics. Take for example, the Russian government bombing of apartments killing hundreds of people so that the Checynians could be blame for it. This gave the Russian giovernment the justification to launch their attack on the Checyna.

There is a big conspiracy here…election is just around the corner…the stakes are very high. Wake up Jamaicans, don’t take things for granted.

Talk Back comments on ‘7 boys arrested’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 6:10:43 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

When you have too much indiscipline and corruption in a society then you cannot expect things like this from the youth. The parents eat the sour grapes, the children teeth is set on edge.

Talk Back comments on ‘Police to interrogate warders in prison blast’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 6:17:20 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Does the police use lie detectors in Jamaica. They need to use this to get to the bottom of this bizarre incident. There is a big conspiracy here. We need to find out who is behind this. This is not the doing of the prisoners themselves because there is simple too much here that just don’t make sense.

Has anyone noticed how the JLP has kept remarkable quiet about this incident. They were the ones who said that the penal system needs to be reformed.

Talk Back comments on ‘Police to interrogate warders in prison blast’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 11:33:01 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

The article below appeared in the Jamaica Observer back in April. Note the prophetic paragraph that says “He warned that a “potentially explosive situation” was brewing in the correctional system …”

Opposition wants major overhaul of penal system

BYRON BUCKLEY, Senior political reporter
Friday, April 26, 2002


DERRICK Smith, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spokesman on national security has called for a radical overhaul of the penal system, with emphasis on the education of prisoners and correctional officers, which he said would be less costly to the society than the impact of persons leaving the prisons without being rehabilitated.

Smith, who was speaking Wednesday in the 2002/2003 budget debate in parliament, also called for the urgent re-instatement of the more than 800 prison warders who the government indicted on quarter pay for the past two years, for taking industrial action (sick out) to protest against the re-appointment of Colonel John Prescod as head of the correctional services.

Smith told parliamentarians that between 40 to 60 per cent of persons leaving the correctional system were being rearrested for second and third offences, making it “patently clear” that incarceration per se was “simply not working”.

Said Smith: “The expense of providing higher education to inmates is minimal when compared to the impact on rates of recidivism and the future saving of preventing re-arrest and re-imprisonment.”

He also pointed to the need to specially educate juveniles during incarceration, noting that once they enter the penal system their line to education is “forever broken”.

“There is a strong link between low education levels and crime rates,” noted Smith, “and one of the best predictors of adult criminal behaviour is the involvement of the juvenile in the criminal justice system.”

The national security spokesman suggested that educated prisoners could become teachers while in prison and should serve less time, depending on each year of teaching as an incentive.

On the recent incidents of prison/jail break Smith linked the causes to overcrowding and recommended that this be addressed by releasing prisoners early for good conduct, building new facilities and increasing the number of warders to prisoners by reinstating those who are currently on indictment.

“The new minister (national security) must now allow good sense to prevail and to bring the warders back on stream,” said Smith.

He warned that a “potentially explosive situation” was brewing in the correctional system … and bemoaned the lack of a clear national standard on prison management, privileges and the rights of prisoners.

Smith, who is also a deputy leader of the JLP, outlined a four-pronged approach to combating the nation’s high crime rate, which has resulted in murder approximately 1,000 per year over the last two years.

According to Smith, the JLP, if returned to office, intends to remove the “distraction” of political interference from the Jamaica Constabulary Force by making the Police Services Commission operate as an independent body, thus enabling members of the constabulary to gain promotion by merit rather than political connections.

The second prong of the JLP’s anti-crime strategy is the establishment of a national intelligence agency involving the heads of the police and military and a senior representative of the Office of the Attorney General.

According to Smith, the third prong represents to provision of adequate equipment, gears and physical facilities for security personnel.

And the fourth element of the party’s crime-fighting plan involves the intensification of penalties.

“If we are serious about reducing crimes, we must ask for harsher sentences and enforce our existing laws,” stressed Smith, “to ensure that criminals are punished and punished quickly.”

Talk Back comments on ‘Diminished by intolerance’

Posted by:

arawak

Posted on:

Wednesday, May 08, 2002 at 11:47:59 AM 

Location:

plantation, United States 

Occupation:

student 

Comments:

Progress4Jamaica — I won’t get in the debate as to who is the better candidate.
If PJ is elected I wish him the best.
What has distressed me the most with the current situation in Jamaica is watching PNP party members in full colours attending a drug Don’s funeral.
I have no doubt that both PNP and JLP have corrupt members.
But the PNP took it to a new level when that corruption crawled from underneath the rocks and went to stadium to attend a DRUG DON’S FUNERAL.
What kind of message is that sending to the youths.
What kind of message is that sending to Jamaicans living abroad
What kind of message is that sending to Columbian drug smugglers
etc., etc.
Sometime a change is more important than the actual party instituting that change.
Now is such a time

Talk Back comments on ‘Diminished by intolerance’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, May 08, 2002 at 11:34:23 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Arawak,

I appreciate your comments. However, when it comes to chosing the lesser of two evils you have to accept some of the good with the bad. The question in my mind is how you determine who is the greater

or the lesser of the two evils. Before I explain this let me say here that I am not saying that Mr. Patterson or Mr. Saega are evil persons. I can’t be the judge of that. Rather my basis is their actions, policies, and potential to do more harm than good for the country.

The biggest issue in Jamaica today is too much crime and lawlessness. And remember we are not just talking about the ordinary everyday type of crime, we are talking the senseless killing of innocent people anytime and anywhere. Jamaica cannot afford to have criminals terrorizing law abiding citizens and adversely impacting the tourist industry and potential foreign investments. If our political leaders cannot control this situation then they might as well don’t even try to get elected.

Now that I have said that let me add that I believe that the JLP party and its leadership has been morer a catalyst for political devisiveness, undermining of the judicial process and law enforcement, and providing support of people of questionable characters (I refer to the last political violence). The people who were involved in this violence were not condemned by the JLP party and its leadership. Rather some of those apprehended were provided legal help by the JLP party. When you consider all these things, and the other things I mentioned in my previous post there is no way a sensible person could not conclude that the PNP is the lesser of the two evils right now. Forget about how long they have been in office. The issue now is who has the potential to do more harm than good or to make the present conditions worse.

Talk Back comments on ‘Diminished by intolerance’

Posted by:

arawak

Posted on:

Wednesday, May 08, 2002 at 8:16:04 AM 

Location:

plantation, United States 

Occupation:

student 

Comments:

Progress4Jamaica – You posted the following in part;

“I do not like the two current political leaders in Jamaica today and neither do I consider myself a PNP or JLP supporter. I‘m more of an independent thinking person who is interested only in the welfare of the country. My personal feelings is that Mr. Patterson is the lesser of the two evils”.
First let me commend you on getting away from the harnesses of being either a PNP or JLP supporter.
I am not sure which of the two Political leaders is the better one. What I do know is that Patterson did not get the job done during his years in office.
I am not sure if Seaga will be any better.
However, for the sake of the Jamaican people he deseves a chance. We are already at the bottom. Things cant get any worse.
The only hope for Jamaica is if people vote strictly on performance and not based on familial obligation to any one party

Talk Back comments on ‘Diminished by intolerance’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, May 08, 2002 at 6:24:37 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

The recent election in France is a good example of how voters can use their power to turn back the effort of an undesirable candidate to gain power. The French voters were faced with two evils: Mr. Le Pen who is a facist and a racist and Mr. Chirac the incumbent whose government has been alleged to be corrupt. The voters made a wise decision, they chose the lesser of the two evils. It is much easier to change a corrupt system or person than to change a person’s ideological view points.

Sometime this year, the Jamaican people will have to make the same decision like the French people – chose the lesser of two evils. I do not like the two current political leaders in Jamaica today and neither do I consider myself a PNP or JLP supporter. I‘m

more of an independent thinking person who is interested only in the welfare of the country. My personal feelings is that Mr. Patterson is the lesser of the two evils. I do not say this with any pleasure because I do think that he is a weak leader and he has not done a whole lot to control the crime wave.

My whole basis for chosing Mr. Patterson as the lesser of two evils is that despite his weak leadership he is not devisive, he does not antagonize the police, he does not have a “paramilitary” constituency like exists in Tivoli Garden, he does not incite mob pprotests, and he is not arrogant.

Like in France, the people recognized that they can influence change in a corrupt administartion. I think the same can be done in Jamaica. If Mr. Patterson is re-elected we can force him to eliminate corruption in his administration. Jamaicans will just have to be smarter in figuring out how to do this.

Jamaicans wake up…ask not what the PNP or the JLP can do for you ask what you can do for Jamaica. Do not turn over the reins of power to dangerous people whose agenda does not benefit the country as a whole and people who have a track record or association with political violence.

Talk Back comments on ‘Opposition, business reject new streetlight cess plan’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 10:08:11 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Wouldn’t it be nice if “Talk Back” had the capability to exclude posts that you don’t want to view. This would probably require a Boolean search capability. For example you could enter a search string like this: View all post NOT dumbPoster.

This search capability would take care of the following Posters:

Posters who clutter “talk Back” by re-posting other Posters comments and then critiquing them with silly comments.
Posters who use all upper case letters
Posters who don’t format their comments with paragraphs.
Posters who repeatedly spew insults at other Posters
Posters who use a lot of patois to express their opinions

Well, I didn’t mention any names but I’m sure you know who you are. If you are “guilty” of any of the above, then I hope you will be gracious enough to change your annoying style of posting comments. If you find it difficult to change your habit then I will not be the least surprised because we Jamaicans abhor change. That is why we can’t break away from the PNP and JLP cultist politics.

If any Poster is offended by my request, then please accept my apology.

Talk Back comments on ‘Opposition, business reject new streetlight cess plan’

Posted by:

justis

Posted on:

Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 3:08:06 PM 

Location:

college park, maryland, usa 

Occupation:

listener 

Comments:

progress4jamaica, a who dead an left yu as gad? this is a free service provided by the observer news paper who in their wisdom decided that it was not good to discriminate against anyone posting their view. is narrow minded sinting like yu dat cause the division, hatred, murder an corruption weh a gwhaan eena jumaka. if yu nuh lov the postings yasso den go and read your shakespeare an yu mcbeth an leave open minded people alone….. yu no what? i compare yu to a pit latrine.

Talk Back comments on ‘Who is P J Patterson?’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, May 10, 2002 at 11:38:57 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Who is P J Patterson? is a good question. Henley Morgan’s tribute to Mr. Patterson, is likely to cause critics of Mr. Patterson to consider other aspects of his political career. Before Mr. Patterson became PM, I thought he would be a candidate for a political hall of fame if there was such a thing. After he became PM and looking back at his tenure as PM over the past 13 years I have been very critical of his political leadership. My criticism of Mr. Patterson’s leadership stems from my frustration with what I see as the failure of the government to vigorously deal with the crime situation in Jamaica. Any issue or problem that impacts all areas of the society like crime must be dealt with in an urgent and unequivocal manner. Mr. Patterson as the PM has not been effective in this area and that is why I perceive him to be a weak leader.

The crime situation in Jamaica is very complex and has been compounded by many social and political factors. To prevent the barbaric murders and lawlessness that seems to be endemic in Jamaican society will require a cooperative effort. So in fairness to Mr. Patterson, I don’t think that his government can do this on their own. To effectively deal with the violent crimes taking place in Jamaica today, will require the leaders in the society and the people to work together. However, Mr. Patterson as the PM must take the lead and set the tone for others to follow. Until he does this and send a strong message to criminals and let politicians who flirt with dons know that this behavior will not be tolerated, he will be perceived as a weak leader. As the PM he has to take the lead do this more.

Mr. Morgan’s tribute suggests that Mr. Patterson is a shrewd politician and possessing qualities that could be seen as sinister or brilliant depending on how one looks at them. I have to admit that I have never thought the PM to be an enigmatic. After reading the column, I must confess that I am beginning to think the PM maybe really shrewd or politically astute. How else can a political leader survive 13 years as head of the government and could possible continue to serve for another 5 years. This perhaps would be unprecedented for any head of the government in a democratic country serving 3 terms in office. Consider this also, many Jamaicans think that Mr. Seaga is the smartest and shrewdest politician in Jamaica’s history yet the PM has outwitted him and stay clear of his frivolous schemes and traps.

Perhaps history will show that the PM was not given credit as a good leader for two reasons. His perceived weakness in his leadership style and the fact that he succeeded Michael Manley who is considered to be a charismatic and strong political leader. If Mr. Patterson is reelected to run the country, I do hope he will be more vigorous in dealing with crime. In previous posts on this forum I have said that he is the lesser of the two evils. I say this because he is not divisive, not antagonistic to law enforcement, not arrogant, and does not intimidate his opponents like you know who.

Talk Back comments on ‘Who is P J Patterson?’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, May 10, 2002 at 11:45:07 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Gullybud,

Very good observation. I agree with you Mr. Patterson is not your typical Jamaican in behavior or manerism. He is not emotional and very easy going. Perhapslike you said the reason why he doesn not get a lot of respect.

Talk Back comments on ‘Who is P J Patterson?’

Posted by:

charles mason (mailto:wcem@gte.net?subject=Re: Progress4Jamaica, your comments are exac (Who is P J Patterson? – JamaicaObserver.com))

Posted on:

Saturday, May 11, 2002 at 8:07:02 AM 

Location:

new york, u.s.a. 

Occupation:

ACCOUNTAT 

Comments:

Progress4Jamaica, your comments are exactly my sentiments, particularly on the Crime issue which He did a poor job of in the begining and had to be dragged to give us DR Phillips, and I might add also the Accountability issue, on which he had to be pressured to act. However as far as I know, I have not seen any evidence presented by any Courts of Law that have questioned his personal Honesty and Integrity.
Lastly, I have found him to be very Civil in most of his pronouncements.

Talk Back comments on ‘God not comfortable in Jamaica, says US preacher’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 2:12:42 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I am always amazed about these religious men who think they know all the answers to all the problems in the world. Half the times they say things that are so utterly ridiculos what’s even more amazing is that people believeeveryword they say.

Now did God give this preacher a vision and tell him that he was not comfortable with Jamaica. Why do people always associate evil things with God and think that God is a vengeful God that will do bad things to people if they don’t do certain things. It is wrong to associate God with anything that is eveil. Just like how night is separate from day, God is separate from evil.

The evil that exist in the world today is of mans own doing. Man has a free will and is fully responsible and accountable for his own actions. If man’s actions or incongruent with spiritual laws then he will have to suffer the consequences.

I wonder if this preacher thinks that God is also uncomfortable with Muslims and Americans? Using his twisted logic you would think that God ought to be uncomfortable with them.

Talk Back comments on ‘God not comfortable in Jamaica, says US preacher’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 2:35:23 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

If you look at the black countries of the world you will see that they have two things in common. The 

first thing is that their social, political, and economic structure is unsatble. The second thing is that they have all been exploited by the white race at one time or the other. Today this exploitation and isolation continues. The impact of this is that these black countries are left in a viscious cycle where they become depraved and prey on their own people.

The black countries of the world have been conditioned to become mentally and physically dependent on the white man for their sustenance. Until we break the yoke of this mental slavery we will never accomplisg anything substantive that will make our lives better collectively.

If you think I am talking garbage then you better search your own soul to realize that what i’m saying is the truth. Even in Jamaica today, we have a certain group of people who give Mr. Seaga all the respect for one and one reason only – he is white. Yes they will deny this and they are in all likelihood being honest because this conditioned behavior is embedded deep in the sub-conscious mind. Such people will listen to a rogue white man and give him all the respect and then turn around and show a disrespect to black man.

Back to this idiotic preacher, do anyone believe he would dare say that God is uncomfortable with Americans? Ofcourse not he may be idiotic but he is no fool. This preacher should study history and understand the colonization of the black countries by the white race. He would no doubt set his soyul free and be able to speak the truth.

Talk Back comments on ‘God not comfortable in Jamaica, says US preacher’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 9:26:07 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Talk Back comments on ‘Stewart Commends police’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 2:42:58 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

We need more Jamaicans to follow Butch Stewart lead. I hope Mr. Seaga is paying attention. Thank you Mr. Stewart for supporting the men and women who risk their lives to to fight the forces of evil in Jamaica. They need every support they can get.

Talk Back comments on ‘Stock taking time for media’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 2:48:36 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

The media should function as an independent and objective organization when publishing information for the public consumption. When the media is unfair, biased, and does not report the news accurately, the society they serve suffers.

In Jamaica, we have two newspapers taht sometimes seems to influenced by one political party or the other. I’m not sure why they do this becasue the media does not have to do this to survive economically.

Talk Back comments on ‘Heads want ‘boot camps’ for violent students’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, May 13, 2002 at 11:37:22 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

It has just dawned on me that part of the problem with Jamaicans is that we say too much of nothing and don’t take take positive actions to influence change (this include myself sometimes). Some of the Talk Back posters whine, cry, use foul language, insult our fellow citizens on a regular basis. Jamaicans and especially the posters on here, should put their money where their mouth is.

Take for example the comments made by George Otis, the US preacher. I posted his e-mail address, telephone number, fax number, and mailing address and suggested that the posters should contact him to let him know how stupid his comments were. Well I don’t think any poster has done this. Presumably, they don’t have the courage to do this. I e-mailed his organization my two posts yesterday.

To get the attention of the people that we aim our displeasure with we have to get an audience with them. Wit the internet we have the tools to get the attention of these people who are the source of our anger.

Talk Back comments on ‘Heads want ‘boot camps’ for violent students’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Monday, May 13, 2002 at 6:02:47 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I am in favor of anything that will bring order and discipline to our youths and adults. If boot camp can do this then I say go for it. Doing something is better than doing nothing and serious problems need serious measures to correct problems.

Talk Back comments on ‘Mr George Otis and Jamaica’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at 11:28:14 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

First let me say that i’m not angry with Mr. Otis for his comments about Jamaica. He is certainly entitled to his opinion and I would hope that when he makes such pronouncements he states that he qualifies it as his opinion.

I am usually very concerned about people who have the power to influence people making false or unwise statements. Do you know how much evil and atrocities have happened in this world because an individual who had control or influence over peopel said or did the wron thing. Just consider these individuals, Hitler, Phil Pot, Stalin, Jim Jones, David Koresh, etc.

When individuals like George Otis makes unwise pronouncements like he did in Jamaica he needs to be aware of this. Not necessarily to make him feel bad but to hope that he will see his fallacy and learn something important. This is why I have suggested that Posters on here should contact his organization (I gave this info out the day the article appeared online and I have repeated it Post #6).

PS. I am e-mailing this post to him also.

Talk Back comments on ‘Action counts, not words’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, May 15, 2002 at 11:35:54 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

It is unfortunate that Hyacinth Bennett lacks the political stature to mount a credible challenge to the PNP and JLP. Bruce Golding has the required political stature and yet he was unable to mobilize the NDM as a worthy adversary to these two debilitated parties.

However, Ms. Bennett’s column hits some good points and her proposal for the Truth Commission is a good proposal. If we are going to get politicians to change thier imoral and corrupt ways we must find opportunities for them to do so. These opportunities must include an official method that has authority and influence. The Truth Commision is a possible method.

A Truth Commision would require that politicians come clean especially if it will not lead to criminal investigation and arrests. The Truth Commission would be like a litmus test. Politicians called to testify before Commision would indicate that they have information they don’t want to reveal.

I disagree with Belgian that we don’t ned a Truth Commission. We need anything that will expose or let politicians get honest with people. We need things that will help to eliminate coruption and unethical behavior. The book Born Fi Dead while it might provide information on the corrupt political culture in Jamaica is not going to let politician bare their soul.

Talk Back comments on ‘Jamaica in the best shape ever — Phillips’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 6:30:45 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

This is another example of how politicians say things to confuse and mislead people. How can any sensible and objective person say that Jamaica is in the best shape since independence. OK Jamaica is no longer under British rule and we have democracy, are those the criteria that we should use to conclude what shape Jamaica is in?

I totally disagree with Mr. Phillips that Jamaica is in the best shape since independence. Although he mentioned the serious problem of crime, there are other problems in Jamaica that did not exist on the scale it does today during the pre independence era. Overall the Jamaican economy is not healthy, the basic infrastructure has not improved much if any at all. When you look at utilities such as electricity, water, and public transportation the country still struggles to provide effective service to consumers.

The other problem I have with Mr. Phillips comments is his call for Jamaicans refrain from “loose and unpatriotic talk.” I am not sure what this means exactly, but what I do know in a democratic society, people has the right to critize the government and any politician who does not perform or who say inappropriate things. Any politician who attempts to muzzle the people’s right to freedom of speech is barking up the wrong tree.

One final tghought, I have been yearning to return to Jamaica to live for a long time now. However, due to the political climate, the attitude of politicians, the crime, the corruption, the indiscipline, I find it very difficult to want to live in Jamaica. It is true that a lot of these problems are not unique to Jamaica. However, for me I think Jamaica is over saturated with these problems. I hope I’m not being too unpatriotic for saying these things. If the politicians could only clean up their act and the corrupt political system Jamaica would probably be the best place to live on earth.

Talk Back comments on ‘Jamaica in the best shape ever — Phillips’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 11:46:19 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

When you consider where Dr. Phillips made his speech and who he was adressing it shoul;dn’t be any surprise about the assinine comments he made. I have long observed that educated Jamaicans have a propensity for talking down to people and will say stupid things to ingratiate themselves with the common people. We see this all the time where an educated Jamaican will speak patois when he is in the presence of les educated people. I believe that this is whatcaused Dr. Phillips to make his assinine comments.

Another like most Jamaicans who have a propensity to assume things without any reasonable basis, i am going to assume that Dr. Phillips probably had a couple drinks of white rum. If that was the case then his tongue would undoubtedly be loose and his view point would also be distorted. i know this as a fact because I like most Jamaicans drank white rum and said all kind of stupid things ranging from my sexual exploits to other things that I would not normally say in a sober state of mind.

Assuming that Dr. Phillips was not under the influence of anything except the partisian crowd who boosted his ego, then I see a problem here. Many Jamaicans (excluding myself since I don’t know a whole lot about him) see him a sthe heir appparent to the PNP leadership. If that is true then he is in position to be a future PM. This is scary if we have a future PM making assinine statements. I would expect a future PM to say things that show him to be worthy of leadership of the country and set him head and shoulders above the other politicians.

Talk Back comments on ‘Has Seaga joined the PNP?’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Thursday, May 23, 2002 at 11:42:24 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

From the inception of this forum, I have objectively critized both political leaders in Jamaica. I have also repeatedly said that Jamaicans have to decide on the lesser of two evils in the next election. There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Seaga is not the lesser of the two evils.

Despite Mr. Patterson’s shortcomings as a political leader, Mr. Seaga has repeatedly demonstrated a behaviour that raises a lot of questions with regards to his attitude towards the police and criminal elements in his constituency. His integrity and sincerity when it comes to the issue of crime is always mired in controversy which makes him very suspicious and untrustworthy.

Concerning the questiion of his truthfullness, if he was a truthful man, he would have had no problem testifying before the Isaacs Commission of Enquiry.

Talk Back comments on ‘Don’t repeat the Munro faux pas’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Thursday, May 23, 2002 at 6:43:18 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I don’t have a problem with the decision to expel the Frome Technical students. However, I can’t help but make the following observation:

1) The Frome students have been treated much more harsher than the Munro students.

2) There were more sentiments for lieniency for the Munro students than for the Frome students.

3) If I recall corectly, the decision on how to punish the Frome students came much faster than that for the Munro students.

If my observations are accurate, then the conclusion I draw is that Munro being an elitist school with more priviliged students with their more influential parents are treated better or can influence the decision makers….nothing new here.

Talk Back comments on ‘JCC blames gov’t for vending problems at Kingston Parish Church’

Posted by:

face2face

Posted on:

Friday, May 24, 2002 at 4:46:20 PM 

Location:

hempstead, usa 

Occupation:

risk manager 

Comments:

progress4

I will from now refraim form reading anything you write, you are not only dishonest to yourself but you are a typical selfserving dehydrate who is a very sorry loser unable to appreciate your history.

HOW CAN I from now take anything you say or write as verteous.

I AM CALLING ON ALL TO BOYCOTT YOUR POSTING.

Talk Back comments on ‘JCC blames gov’t for vending problems at Kingston Parish Church’

Posted by:

face2face

Posted on:

Friday, May 24, 2002 at 4:30:28 PM 

Location:

hempstead, usa 

Occupation:

risk manager 

Comments:

progress4
post #10

Are you completely loco? while a lot of what you said made sense , Tell me how on earth is it possible for the church to remove these people , when the cops and solders are unable to.

Talk Back comments on ‘JCC blames gov’t for vending problems at Kingston Parish Church’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, May 24, 2002 at 3:02:59 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Gimiditing, thanks for the website, I have already browsed through some of the articles and find some of them interesting and curious. I am aware that there are a lot of “intelectuals” like psychologist Jensen and Charles Murray (The Bell Curve” who have done extensive research to show that blacks are inferior to white. Notice I put intelectuals in double quotes because i’m always perplexed as to how educated men who are suppose to be broadminded can compare the black race withy the white race and completely ignore the fact that the white race is responsible to some degree for our behaviour today.

The behaviour of humans reflect the sum total of our individual and collective experiences. I don’t have time to go into thuis and to explain whta I mean. Anyhow, despite the fact that we have been psychologically damaged by the white man, we have to try and heal ourselves. We cannopt do this if we conttinue to fight amongst ourselves. This is why I abhor black political leaders or other political leaders who try to keep black people in a position of inferiority. We cannot allow the white race to dominate aand determine our destiny for us. This is not to say that we must alienate ourselves from them but we must work with them as equals not as inferior persons.

In previuos posts I mentioned that Mr. Seaga is has not done anything to substantitive to help the Jamaican people over his 40 years of political career. In my opinion he has done more harm than good. I will provide an article at another time about his efort in the Carribean Basin Initiative. When you read this article you will see why Dan Rather referred to him as “Our Man in the Carribbean” when he was elected PM back in the 80s.

Talk Back comments on ‘JCC blames gov’t for vending problems at Kingston Parish Church’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, May 24, 2002 at 7:40:52 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

The deplorable conditions that are allowed to exist at the Kingston Parish Church is disgraceful and sacriligous. The Kingston Parish Church is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of our society. When we allow places, buildings, or systems that have national or symbolic significance to deteriorate to the point where they are no longer functional then it says a lot about who we are as a people.

Hope Gardens is another good example of a nationl treasure that has been allowed to deteriorate. Then there is the Denbigh show grounds that use to provide the popular anual agricultural show. The public transportation system (JOS and the railway system died several years ago). The demise of these places, buildings, or systems clearly reflects our inability to maintain progresss or build on it.

Although politics may have contributed to the deterioration and upkeep of places like the Kingston Parish Church and Hope Gardens , it is too easy to point the finger in that direction. A white colleague of mine once asked me how come the black race have not been able to make great progress like the Japanese, the Koreans, and other oriental countries. He pointed out that the black race was primarily a consumer race and did not add except for entertainment did not add anything of value to society.

Ofcourse waht my white friend failed to take into account was the opressive history of the black race which has seems to have done irreversible damage to the psyche of the black people. On the surface though, my white colleague does seems to have a point and make me wonder about some aspects of what he said. We as black people have become too dependent on the white man. We are not good at planning and it seems like our creativity is very lacking. We are too divided as a people and like the saying goes “united we stand divide we fall.” We spend too much energy trying to impress each other and insult others who do not agree with us….we see this on this forum a lot.

The Anglican Bishop is typical of most Jamaicans, alweays blaming the politicians. What has happened to civic pride? why can’t we take steps to correct problems instead of waiting for the government to do it. Why did all those wealthy members of teh Kingston Parish Church not pitch in and use their influence to do something. We Jamaicans take pride in the fact that we are a democratic society. But do we really know what that means. In a democratic society people must play an active role in influencing public policies and creating a just society. You can’t just sit back and wait for the government to do everything.

ASK NOT WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO FOR YOU OR THE COUNTRY, ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR COUNTRY.

Talk Back comments on ‘Not another statement, please!’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Saturday, May 25, 2002 at 8:27:24 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I have three words to describe the inept way the street vendor issue has been handled:.LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP, LAEADESHIP. To deal with street vendors and the illegal occupancy or use of the Kingston Parish Church requires a strong no nonsense leadership approach. This approach will no doubt require some heavy handed method but people must realize that they can’t do as they please especially when what they are doing does not add any value to the community.

The editorial correctly states that the government should make it clear that the effort to resolve the street vendor issue is a non-partisan political issue. Indeed every social problem in Jamaica should be non-partisan. Unfortunately most of the social problems in Jamaica are not addressed in a non-partisan manner. Jamaica’s social problems cannot be solved in this manner. The analogy that I use to support this is that in a family with children both parents have to discipline their children in unison. If one parent disagrees or does not provide any support in disciplining then the child will find it much easier to rebel or disobey their parents.

Many posters on this forum who are JLP supporters constantly emphasize the point that the government has been in power for 13 years and has done nothing. Some even blame the government for every problem because the problem occurred on their watch. The fact of the matter is that in a democratic society, the opposition party bears some responsibility in the functioning of the government. The opposition parity is a part of the government and indeed they do have representative in the House and the senate. So just because we have a PNP government doesn’t mean that the JLP must sit back idly and criticize the government when it doesn’t do things right. The opposition party has a responsibility to contribute to the governing of the country just like the government.

SO MY DEAR JAMAICANS, NEXT TIME YOU ASK THE QUESTION WHAT HAS THE PNP PARTY DONE IN THEIR 13 YEAR SOF OFFICE ASK ALSO WHAT HAS THE JLP DONE IN THEIR 13 YEARS AS THE OPPOSITION PARTY. AND AFTER YOU ASK THAT QUESTION ASK WHAT PLANS DO THEY HAVE TO GOVERN THE COUNTRY BETTER THAN THE PNP.

Let me hasten to say here as I have said repeatedly, I really don’t care who governs Jamaica. Whether it’s the PNP, the JLP, the NDM, or Mr. Moyston’s party, it doesn’t matter. What matters to me is they will govern, how they will make life better for Jamaicans, how they will restore law and order to the country, how they will end the corruption that permeates the political system, etc. I want progress for Jamaica to the extent that I can return and live there without fear of some barbaric criminal killing me. I want a Jamaica that is not only economically healthy but also offers me the opportunity to move about without fear of my life.

Talk Back comments on ‘JLP spokesman predicts big fallout in tourism industry’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, May 24, 2002 at 10:56:02 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Mr. Bartlett has not really said much about the tourist industry that we don’t know already. The tourist industry has been in a steady sate of decline since the last political violence occurred last year. The barbaric crime wave has also impacted the industry. I am disappointed that Mr. Bartlett can only make predictions and obvious statements about the industry. I am disappointed because he is in a position where he could very well become the next Minister of Tourism if the JLP party win the next general election. You would expect that a potential minister of tourism would not just make doomsday prediction about the tourist industry, but also unveil a plan to solve the problems affecting the industry.

What Mr. Bartlett is doing is typical of politicians trying to get political mileage out of an issue with the expectation that they might influence some voters. More and more we see PNP ministers and JLP shadow ministers making ludicrous statements and empty promises. From now until the election is held we can expect to hear more politicians make more asinine statements like “Jamaica is in the best shape since independence.”

Talk Back comments on ‘Amnesty raps West Kingston Inquiry’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 5:26:15 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Amnesty International is trying to promote confusion in the minds of Jamaican and mistrust of the police. This will benefit only one person, the Leader of the Opposition Party. I firmly believe that Amnesty International is using thier international influence to influence Jamaican politics.

It is not Amnesty’s business to critize a benign inquiry that will most likely not result in any prosecution. How can an inquiry be effective when on eof the main witness (the Leader of the Opposition Party chose not to cooperate with the inquiry. Amnesty International is totally out of line here. Their credibility is very suspect whne they get involved with an inquiry like this. I know the US has strong interest in the JLP getting back in power. Anyone remember the Carribbean Basin Initiative. If you do you will understand what i‘m talking about and you will be aware of Mr. Seaga’s role in this. Amnesty is headed by a black American who might be acting as a puppet to promote US interest.

Talk Back comments on ‘Amnesty raps West Kingston Inquiry’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 11:19:40 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

If many of the Posters don’t understand the simplistic tribal politics in Jamaica and how it affect their lives, I don’t see why they would understand politics on a regional or international scale. There are several international agencies that have their own political agenda and indeed promote the policies of the countries like the US. Never mind that they occasionally critize the US, they have to put up a smoke screen to expose the obvious.

Talk Back comments on ‘Amnesty raps West Kingston Inquiry’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 5:26:15 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Amnesty International is trying to promote confusion in the minds of Jamaican and mistrust of the police. This will benefit only one person, the Leader of the Opposition Party. I firmly believe that Amnesty International is using thier international influence to influence Jamaican politics.

It is not Amnesty’s business to critize a benign inquiry that will most likely not result in any prosecution. How can an inquiry be effective when on eof the main witness (the Leader of the Opposition Party chose not to cooperate with the inquiry. Amnesty International is totally out of line here. Their credibility is very suspect whne they get involved with an inquiry like this. I know the US has strong interest in the JLP getting back in power. Anyone remember the Carribbean Basin Initiative. If you do you will understand what i‘m talking about and you will be aware of Mr. Seaga’s role in this. Amnesty is headed by a black American who might be acting as a puppet to promote US interest.

Talk Back comments on ‘Calling next elections no easy task’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Thursday, May 30, 2002 at 6:19:56 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I think Mr. Seaga has a Jekyl and Hyde personality. 

How else could one explain why some people would die for him while others find him an abhorrent person. I personally have never revered anyone to the point I would die for them and I certainly don’t loathe Mr. Seaga.

My problem with Mr. Seaga is with his style of politics. Ever since he gained controlled of the JLP it seems like a new wave of evil has swept Jamaica. I remember in the late 60’s whne I was a youngster, you didn’t hear of gun men roaming the streets of Kingston killing people. I remember how I use to walk the streets of Rockfort Gardens in the early mornings after visiting my girl friend. I didn’t have any fear that a gunman would kill me then. Now you have gunmen all over the Corporate area. You didn’t have political violence bak then like you had in West Kingston in recent years.

The point is that all these evil things seems to have happened with Mr. Seaga’s ascendency into political power. Is there some connection there? What I do know though is that Mr. Seaga has been very divisive and confrontational throughout most of his political career. This position attitude has certainly contributed to the indiscipline we se in Jamaica toda. When a politician like Mr. Seaga supports rather than condemn criminals in his constituency it sends the wrong message to Jamaicans. When Mr. Seaga undermines the police, it sends the wrong message to criminals and to law abiding citizens. How on earth is Mr. Seaga going to restore public confidence in the police if he becomes PM?

I have said repeatedly that Jamaica needs a political reform. This political reform can only start when Mr. Seaga and Mr. Patterson remove themselves from the political arena. It isfull time that thes two men realize that they have failed miserable in moving Jamaica forward and making the country a safe, peaceful, and prosperous place for its people.

Talk Back comments on ‘Abandon Flat Bridge’

Posted by:

originalsirach

Posted on:

Thursday, May 30, 2002 at 2:21:46 PM 

Location:

Kingston, Jamaica 

Occupation:

student 

Comments:

Progress4Jamaica, You don’t mention that your ordeal on the bridge is indicative of one who lacks driving and other skills. You make it sound as if the bridge is the problem. Crossing flat bridge is NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. You line up at either bend (North or South)…then with the wheel straight proceed at about 2-3 miles per hour for about 6 seconds….any “hitting of bump” or getting out of control can with exclusively be attributed to driver incompetence. There are few exceptions to this e.g. An other driver collides with you while you are on the bridge.

You know whats wrong with JA? We holler to develop the COUNTRY to facilitate an ever BACKWARD sliding PEOPLE…..the tail wants to wag the dawg all the time…and does….cause a the tail control the votes…LONG LIVE UNIVERSAL ADULT SUFFRAGE.

Talk Back comments on ‘Abandon Flat Bridge’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Thursday, May 30, 2002 at 7:16:08 PM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

OriginalSirach:

I did not mean to imply that my close call on Flat Bridge was due to the bridge itself. Neither was ii due to lack of driving skills. In fact my driving skills did play a role to help me get to the other side safely. The real problem wqs that I was a little intoxicated and approached the bridge at about 70 plus MPH and the road was wet. In those days I did a lot of stupid things that probably due to my youthful indiscretion.

Talk Back comments on ‘Government looking at alternative to Flat Bridge’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, May 31, 2002 at 11:36:17 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

I need to take a break from this forum. There is simple too much ignorance coming from some posters. I‘m not sure if this ignorance is due to the inability to think objectively or just plain stupidity. It is very disheartining to read the baseless, moronic, and narrowminded comments that are repeated day in and day out from the same posters. A parrot would do better than some of these posters.

It is one thing to support a political party or any organization but when you give blind support it’s another matter. If you want to support a party you should do so based on principles and an understanding of the party’s ideology. For those of you who are political lackeys, you do yourself and your country a great injustice. The injustice is that you limit yourself to creative thoughts and you run the risk of being dishonest.

One way to stop being a political lackey is to apply this simple test. Next time you are faced with a political issue, ask yourself this question “How will it benefit the country and myself.” Forget about JLP and PNP or who is promoting or not promoting the issue. If you can do this you will be well on your way to doing some good for yourself and your country.

Talk Back comments on ‘Football Fever!’

Posted by:

Progress4Jamaica

Posted on:

Friday, May 31, 2002 at 11:29:39 AM 

Location:

NY, USA 

Occupation:

None 

Comments:

Yes indeed it’s World Cup soccer mania is here. This is a good time for soccer fans like myself to focus less on the problems of the world and tiny Jamaica. I am having soccer fever and looking forward to see the match between England and Sweeden on Sunday (ABC at 3:00 PM.

Thank God for World Cup soccer. Noe good thing about World Cup soccer is that it promotes national pride for those countries participating. One benefit for me is that it will allow me to focus less time and mental energy on the problems of Jamaica. I need to take a break from this forum anyhow. There is simple too much ignorance coming from some posters. I‘m not sure if this ignorance is due to the inability to think objectively or just plain stupidity. It is very disheartining to read the baseless narrowminde point of view that is repeated day in and day out from the same posters.

It is one thing to support a poplitical party or any organization but when you give blind support it’s another matter. If you want to support a party you should do so based on principles and an understanding of the party’s ideology. For those of you who are political lackeys, you do yourself and your country a great injustice. The injustice is that you limit yourself to creative thoughts and you run the risk of being dishones.

One way to stop being a political lackey is to apply this simple test. Next time you are faced with a political issue, ask yourself this question “How will it benefit the country and myself.” Forget about JLP and PNP or who is promoting or not promoting the issue. If you can do this you will be well on your way to doing some good for yourself and your country.