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Sliding dollar, sliding future

June 13, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

With the Jamaican currency now reaching a new low and trading over the $100 mark to US $1, one has to question the thinking behined haveing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement.

From my point of view, growth is impossible with a sliding dollar. A major disadvantage of depreciation in the value of the Jamaican dollar is that it will increase the burden of servicing and repaying the foreign debt of the Jamaican Government as well as those companies that have US-dollar denominated debt.

Jamaica's level of public debt is one of the highest in the world, therefore, we can't afford any worsening of our state of affairs.

One should also not forget that the very high debt service places a huge burden on the budget, leaving very little room for the Government to support, for example, infrastructure or social objectives.

I think the first step in reducing our heavy dependence on monetary agencies is self-sufficiency. Self-sufficient programmes, such as renewable energy sources and eat what we grow projects, must get commitment and pride of place in our talks. They are placed on the back burner and the alternatives being chased by the Government are putting us in a worse financial bind.

Ricardo Cole

insightbycole@gmail.com

Sliding dollar, sliding future

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Pull up your socks, Sovereign

June 14, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

A recent visit to the Sovereign Centre with friends was transformed into an embarrassing scenario when the electricity supply went. The power cut only affected the dining area. When we attempted to discussed the matter with the security guard, he responded disrespectfully. He further outlined that we should contact management because they place pressure on employees to close the establishment.

I was really offended by the treatment received and a number of observations and suggestions have come to my mind which I note below:

1. Given that the food court knows the eleven o'clock closing time, they should implement a cut-off time, during which they only serve take-out.

2. Can't the security guard give a courteous warning to patrons fifteen minutes ahead of closing time?

3. The various security companies should ensure that customer service training is given to all guards before they are placed on location.

4. If staff is being pressured by management it causes them to mishandle customers, eventually that will affect the business of the food court's stores and other businesses located on the property.

5. The management of the Sovereign Centre must remember that customer service is key to maintaining revenues for the various businesses located on the property.

Aggrieved Customer

St Andrew

Pull up your socks, Sovereign

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Let the system work

June 14, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Many years ago, when I was a youngster in school, emphasis was placed on the phrase 'silence is golden'. They were used as part of our penmanship exercises and also used as punishment for the talkative ones who were asked to write it 200 times.

Minister Thwaites and his advisors need to heed that advice. They are clearly clueless as far as leave and employment go. Long before the IMF was a boy, there has always been rejection of leave applications.

I worked in one of the regional offices of the ministry and, as far as I know, determination of leave and the recruitment of teachers were the remit of the regional director and his/her staff. The permanent secretary and the chief education officer allowed the directors a free hand to work the system and, despite the occasional dissatisfaction, it worked.

If it is not broken, leave it alone. The need for press conferences and announcements has served to disturb a nest that was previously unmolested and has given rise to 'Backra Massa mongrel dog sniffing coke'.

While the JTA and ministry officials continue their bickering, the children of Jamaica are no better off. Both parties need to understand that schooling is about children and not about us. They need to realise that if tomorrow morning no more children exist in Jamaica, there would be no need for the minister and the JTA.

I therefore urge the JTA to get its house in order and for the minister to write 500 times 'silence is golden'.

Ramadhin Bailey

ramadhinb@yahoo.com

Let the system work

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Give greater honour to teachers

June 14, 2013, 1:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Teachers are nation builders and education is one of the solid foundations on which we will strive to build a great nation.

Although the causes of the poor performance of pupils in the classrooms are multifactorial and complex, it is being blamed, primarily, on our educators. The poor performance of students is a direct reflection of the value we place on education from the individual and communal levels to the national level.

It is quite natural that people embrace and cherish whatever they value. Whatever we cherish, whatever we nourish, shall surely flourish.

Truth be told, we have not placed the greatest value on education, and one of the ways in which this is reflected is the extent of the recognition and honour we have bestowed on our educators.

Politics seem far more important than education, at least as it relates to the naming of public education institutions. In honour of educators we have schools such as Edith Dalton James high, Edwin Allen high, Howard Cooke primary and the list could continue.

Are there six public education institutions in Jamaica which have been named in honour of outstanding educators?

At the same time, however, with the inclusion of Haile Selassie and Marcus Garvey, there are at least 20 educational institutions at the primary and secondary levels which have been named after politicians. It is also interesting to note that Edwin Allen and Sir Howard Cooke, a former governor general, were also politicians.

It is a fact that some teachers have received national honours and the Prime Minister's Award for outstanding contribution to education. Moreover, the politicians in whose honour education institutions have been named may be more than deserving of such honour. But let us strive for a greater sense of balance, correct this disproportion, and give more recognition and honour to our outstanding educators.

Daive R Facey

DR.Facey@gmail.com

Give greater honour to teachers

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Don't muddy the waters

June 14, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Your columnist, Mark Wignall, in his piece on Thursday, June 13, 2013 seeks to assess various aspects of the forthcoming commission of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the declaration of the State of Emergency in May 2011 and the actions of the law enforcement forces in West Kingston. Mr Wignall makes no pretence that a prime objective of the column is to promote the view that the PNP Administration will seek to exploit the commission of enquiry for political gains.

Whilst every point Mr Wignall makes in his column can be effectively dismissed, I feel obliged to highlight his attempt to group the constituencies of South West St Andrew (represented by the prime minister) and South St Andrew (represented by me) with West Kingston. He opines "we will never know if similar criminal activities existed in those constituencies and many will not even bother to ask".

Mr Wignall's attempts to muddy the waters is easily rejected for several reasons. To begin, never in the 37 years that the prime minister has represented South West St Andrew, nor in the 20 years that I have represented South St Andrew have we given support to criminal individuals and gangs who would seek to challenge the legal authority of the security forces. Furthermore, it is beyond question that when action was taken against the criminal elements in Tivoli Gardens, in May 2011, the security forces were free to take similar action in either of our two constituencies if such were considered necessary. The public knows that the PNP was then in Opposition, and hence not in a position to have had any influence on the decisions made by the leadership of the security forces. Is Mr Wignall suggesting an inherent bias on the part of the security forces?

If Mr Wignall has views on additional questions to be explored by the forthcoming enquiry, he is free to advance them.

Omar Davies

Member of Parliament

South West St Andrew

Don't muddy the waters

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Let us Vision 2030

June 15, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

The country has identified the year 2030 as the target year for Jamaica to attain First-World status. The theme associated with this vision is "Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business". We sincerely applaud the visionaries behind this plan and congratulate the respective individuals for the effort it must have taken to formulate the prescribed path. As a people, it is full time we adopt the principle of objectivity in all spheres and it is sure to make us into more critical thinkers rather than the undisputed tribalists we have become over the years. Therefore, in analysing the Vision 2030 document it is quite reasonable to identify some critical points we must address in order to achieve this status.

These include: ensuring equitable access to modern education and training appropriate to the needs of each person and the nation; providing quality and timely health care for the mental, physical and emotional well-being of our people; and seeking to support the entrepreneurial talents and creativity of our people. Hold to and build on those positive core values and attitudes that have made us distinctly Jamaican. Seek to resolve conflicts through dialogue and mediation and treat each other with respect and dignity. These are just a few of the excellent objectives mentioned in the document designed to take us to the Promised Land in 2030.

The strategic roadmap is now available to take Jamaica forward. However, it will require the joining of hands and heart, if we are to march on and achieve at least three quarters of what is outlined by the time specified.

Anything less than total cooperation will reduce this development guide to nothing more than a fleeting illusion. This view was also shared by Dr. Wesley Hughes, who stated that "Jamaica will by no means attain developed status overnight. The process must be a gradual one". To achieve this goal requires leadership, partnership, national will, and commitment for transformation. We must become deeply concerned about how unsustainable the current path is.

The question we must turn to those charged with the responsibility of disseminating such an ideology and ask is: Are Jamaicans buying into Vision 2030? Is this new development path being filtered down to the "ordinary" man in rural Jamaica?

I need not remind us of the Jamaica of 2013 where justice through our court system seems to be taking until 2030 to perhaps become effective. Unemployment refuses to take leave of the population. Crime and violence have apparently developed their own army. Meanwhile the integrity of those in leadership is being challenged. The overall struggle for survival continues to be the driving force behind the oppressed majority. Characterised with unwavering resilience owing to the African in us, we continue to fight on. There are numerous issues to be addressed, but we can have light at the end of the tunnel so long as there is justice and equality. If not, then we will only continue to vision 2030.

Davian Morgan

davianmorgan@hotmail.com

Let us Vision 2030

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Where do the children play?

June 15, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

When parents from the Mile Gully-Bethany area visit Kingston and see the play equipment in schools, many come away feeling that the Government of Jamaica has some special preference for urban schools.

The plain truth is that, the slides, the swings, the jungle gym one sees on those grounds are there as a result of the work of the parents and the physical efforts of many fathers.

In Mile Gully or other rural areas, if one was to use the presence of playground equipment as an indicator of the presence of children, then one would be forced to conclude that there are no children in this area.

The parents of the children attending schools in the rural areas possibly hold the view that the Government should provide play equipment at their children's school. Perhaps, the school principals should engage the various communities to set up their own play areas. They are important to the development and socialisation of our children; and our kids deserve the best.

Basil Fletcher

BasilAksumite@hotmail.com

Where do the children play?

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Creating Jamaica's national football identity

June 15, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Jamaica entered the football arena about 50 years ago and, to date, has failed to strategically develop a style of play for the national team.

This island is blessed with its own unique culture and specific environment as well as its own "football identity". This identity, however, has not been brought to the forefront. This issue may seek to be resolved if a national football vision is created. Needless to say, this process will not be easy and will take time. The results may not even be positive while the process of transforming our football activity takes effect, but the important thing is to remain focused.

There are many stakeholders who need to be critically involved in the process. These include, but are not limited to, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), the Premier League clubs, coaches, and players.

The JFF will need to coordinate activities to facilitate standardised academic football programmes. Such programmes will ensure that talented players emerge with the skill set needed to enhance the national and club teams. In addition to academic programmes, academies are also critical aspects. I propose that, in the interim, primary and secondary schools be used as academies. Additionally, the youth programme needs to be incorporated in training initiatives, thereby allowing young players to be trained in a particular style of play.

An important challenge which may be encountered when creating suitable football programmes is with the coaches and their varying styles of play. Different coaches utilise tools and tactics at play and they may not want to readily change their methods. It is imperative that the importance of developing a specific style of play be communicated to them. This challenge may however be overcome by the hosting of workshops with coaches and players. The next step would be to create standardised Training Models for different age group of players which will be implemented islandwide. Notably, in a sense the JFF has commenced such a model by way of establishing coaching schools. These schools ensure that only certified coaches manage a team. The JFF would again be required to intervene and make it mandatory for coaches to implement the agreed style of play.

I want to reiterate that the results may not be positive at first, but with time and appropriate implementation, the nation's football will excel because we have tremendous talent here.

Karume Huie

coachhuie@hotmail.com

Creating Jamaica's national football identity

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This should never have happened

July 4, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Those around me said it would never happen. No, the teachers would not reward the behaviour of Doran Dixon and vote him in as the head of the Jamaica's Teachers' Association (JTA). Why?

The credibility of the JTA would be damaged beyond all measure. How could a teacher stand up in class and ask students to behave themselves when they, the teachers, can't?

How do you earn respect when you disrespect the authority of the land? How do you reach out to a very intelligent but totally disinterested youth? My answer to all the critics of Mr Dixon is, you have to be the biggest and the "baddest" in the room. The end justifies the means.

Congratulations to the teachers of the land, you have in one action proved me right and disillusioned many Jamaicans who were looking to you to do the right thing. It seems that we have given up on doing what is right. We have thrown through the window the concept taking the road less travelled.

No matter how we feel about the minister of education we determine future terms of engagement by our current action. You have made it very clear that you want a fight. What message do you send to those who you mold and guide?

Yes, everything in Jamaica is a one-week wonder. Or is it? I write these words now and I will never speak them again. I am not disappointed by what is happening because you see it all around. The crude, the uncouth, the outlandish is becoming the norm, and anything else represents those who think they are better than. The beauty of peace, the strength of decorum, the ability to rise above, doing the right thing just because, no longer matters. All that matters is that we do what needs to be done. Who has the time to be nice?

Christopher Givans

christopher.givans@gmail.com



This should never have happened

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Minister Hanna's hypocritical 'crime plan'

July 5, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Minister Lisa Hanna has expressed outrage at the brutal beheading of a four-year-old baby whose remains were later dumped in a sinkhole. Recently she was quoted in the Observer reiterating outrage at violence against children while in attendance at a victim's funeral. She went on to even mention the disrespectful attire of some in attendance. However, in June, she suggested that increasing the abortion rates among poor women was necessary to lower crime.

According to Minister Hanna's "crime plan", the only problem with the beheading of the four-year-old baby is that it happened four years too late. Duanvale is not an affluent community. What if the baby's limbs were pulled apart while still inside her mother's womb, or if a doctor had beheaded her at a forced birth? Would Minister Hanna have celebrated that as the exercise of the mother's reproductive right? Would she have seen that baby's decapitation as the extermination of another potential criminal or teenage mother who could have infested Jamaican society with crime? Considering that the difference between a 4-month old fetus and a 4-year-old baby are mainly in size and location, how can the minister of youth bemoan the insufficient number of abortions of potential criminals among the poor, while grieving the violent destruction of an older child? Is she speaking with a forked tongue?

Is Minister Hanna's passionate advocacy for protection of children from violence, while simultaneously pushing for the most violent act (death) against the most vulnerable children (unborn) confusion, moral incongruence, or blatant hypocrisy?

Alexander Smith

lexsmith269@gmail.com

Minister Hanna's hypocritical 'crime plan'

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Give more respect to the nation's business

July 5, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I support Phillip Paulwell's recommendation to his parliamentary colleagues for punctuality at meetings. However, I wish to extend the issue and chide our leaders in Government and the Opposition for the lax display the majority of them have shown toward the country's business in general.

This has been the prevailing norm since I have come to understand Jamaican politics, and should in no way be permitted to persist. It is so ironic, contradictory even, how quick ministers are to call civil servants out on impropriety and to demand accountability, failing to accept that they, too, are public servants and thus not a law unto themselves. They, too, are paid from the country's coffers, and many of them if they were to be subject to performance-based pay -- as they are advocating for others -- would earn far less than they currently do.

This is the root of my demand for equity; because are not all public servants employed to do the state's business, and thus remain accountable to the state?

Though I stand far from advocating coup d'états and other forms of violence being perpetuated against governments across the world, I hope to voice the frustration of the populace against the mediocre service of most ministers. As an extension to the issue of punctuality, it also remains true that the behaviour of ministers during sittings is far from desirable. The heavy use of cellphones, persistent cross-talking and gibes should no longer continue. The ministers need to give more respect to the nation's business. At a time like this in our nation's history the citizenry needs the assurance that the nation's business is well taken care of.

Wendy Simpson

ocsa.wendy@hotmail.com

Give more respect to the nation's business

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Dentists, tell people the truth about their mouths

July 5, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Although I had read with enthusiasm two articles by President-Elect Dr Jeffery W Meeks 'Dental law languishing' (The Daily Observer, Wednesday, November 14, 2012) and 'Dental registrar sorely needed' (The Daily Observer, Thursday, November 29, 2012), it was not until the matter hit home that the gravity of what he expounded on made a significant impact.

The process started when an enquiry was made of my dentist if spaces between my teeth could be reduced. He indicated that, contrary to the advice received from another dental professional, dental implants were the only remedy.

The dental implant specialist made a model of my mouth. All the while he spoke my eyes were transfixed on the model. It was as if all my teeth had been plucked out of my mouth and was on a table before me. Nothing had prepared me for the reality that this was the extent of the technological advancement in the field of dentistry. The next phase of the process involved the orthodontist who, for the first time, indicated that I grind my teeth and if the practice was not immediately stopped my teeth would be ground to oblivion. Honestly, I was at a loss to understand this as no dentist had stated this in all my years of being under their care. It was not long that it was clear that there was more to a dental vocabulary than the words filling, cleaning, root canal, extraction, floss and dentures. In fact, a small teeth-grinding prevention device was procured from the orthodontist. As if that was not enough, I was now a candidate for braces. The orthodontist also informed me that as a consequence of dental challenges, periodontal intervention — a periodontist being the specialist with advanced training in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth — was required initially. One of the specialists seen while under the care of the periodontist is the hygienist.

When the work of the orthodontist and the periodontist are completed, then my mouth will be assessed by the dental implant specialist. It is estimated that all these services will run in the region of $5,000,000 which, of course, is dependent on the conversion rate of the US$. It must be noted that the above procedures are referred to as cosmetic dentistry, which carries no insurance coverage in Jamaica.

I am extremely disappointed about the lack of communication from dentists at the primary level with their patients. Certainly, if I had known then what I know now, my particular issues would have been resolved long ago in terms of costs and resources. It is time that the primary dental care providers work alongside the specialists so that people can be told the truth about their mouths before it is too late.

Joan Francis

francisj16@yahoo.com

Dentists, tell people the truth about their mouths

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Misplaced criticism

July 6, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Over the last few weeks, the Church has been lambasted as having "misplaced zeal" and being unfair and discriminatory in its recent focus on the buggery law. But curiously, why is it that no one has accused J-FLAG of having misplaced zeal?

The accusations made against the Church can only logically stem from ignorance of the consequences of the removal of the buggery law. It is not that the Church thinks that homosexual activity is the only sin, or the most important sin. The Church is simply aware of how the removal of the buggery law will eventually lead to its silencing of pro-family values on others matters of immorality and social ill.

As seen in the persecution of pro-family sects in England, Canada and parts of the US where the buggery law has already been removed, the fight to keep it is simply a fight to keep the door open for advocacy of healthy, responsible behaviour that serves the common good.

Both J-FLAG and the Church are employing strategies to advance their respective agendas: J-FLAG, that of hedonism/sexual anarchy, versus the church's desire for moral and social order. The only thing that is misplaced is the target of the public's criticism.

Onyka Thompson

The Love March Movement

Misplaced criticism

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Well done, officers

July 6, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

In read in the Observer that the police appeared to have used their persuasion to remove a group of happy settlers from a house on Millsborough Avenue. We are glad they did not have to drag them out of the closet.

At first I thought this would have been some form of fishy business, but reading further indicated it was quite the opposite. It is good to know that we are not going backway, as in the past the police would probably have bashed these happy people in an effort to have them discharge information on the whereabouts of the known criminals.

While some could view this as funny business, it is a step in the right direction. Perhaps, they should have taken them in for questioning since there is known illegal activity occuring, but perhaps that would have seemed queer.

I'm sure the commissioner must be filled with pride at this happy climax. Well done!

Robert Howell

roberthowelljm@gmail.com

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'Manchesterites' to the rescue

July 6, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

With the Jamaican public being inundated, on a daily basis, with bad news via the media, I thought it only fitting to seek to bring some balance and highlight some of the good that still takes place.

In my capacity as principal for the Victoria Town Primary School, in south Manchester, I sought assistance for some of my students who were successful in the recent GSAT.

Some generous citizens of this great country have stepped up and pledged assistance in the form of scholarships for all eighteen (18) of the students. In some instances, they will cover the entire high school year of the students, while some sponsors will assist in school fees and books for these students. The whole community thanks them.

They are:

1. Anneshia Myrie, vice-principal of Victoria Town Primary School

2. Aeon Mitchell and UNNA Jamaica

3. Dean Mighty of Christiana, Manchester

4. Doreen Lawson, proprietor of KDL Agricultural Supplies and Dormaine Trucking Limited

5. Member of Parliament Michael Peart

6. Nathalie Irving of JAMALCO

7. Tricia Elliott, teacher of Victoria Town Primary School

8. Violet Smith of S & V Development Limited

9. Norman Godfrey of Godfrey and Associates Limited

10. Garfield Whyte of Santorium Rentals

11. Kemar Foster of Silent Hill in Manchester

12. Marvin Meggie of Victoria Wholesale

13. Joseph Foster of Jamaica Drip Irrigation

14. Muriel Swaby, councillor for the Porus Division

15. Hopeton McCatty, retired engineer of WINDALCO

16. Rupert Reid of RW Reid and Associates

17. Howard Salmon, principal of Mandeville Primary and

18. Ingrid Simpson of Juici Patties Mandeville

A lovely transitional exercise was held at the school for these students under the theme "Developing Nation Builders through Education".

I sincerely believe that deeds of this nature should not go unheralded. With this mindset, despite the naysayers, there is still hope for our country.

Tanya Dixon

Principal Victoria Town All-Age School

Manchester

tannyd.1998@yahoo.com

'Manchesterites' to the rescue

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The power to stop and search

July 6, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

All public servants, including the police, must exercise their duty in a reasonable manner because they were not employed to act unreasonably in dealing with the public. And so any act which is unreasonable is unlawful and so beyond the power of the public servant. That is what in substance the judgment of His Lordship Mr Justice Batts pronounced as the law of the land which is binding on all except superior courts such as the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council. Both, I guarantee, will follow that law, which has been in effect in all democratic and civilised countries and the law propounded by the Privy Council itself.

Some members of the force, out of ignorance or arrogance, in punishable contempt of the judgment, continue to say that they will continue to stop and search. The judgment did not say that police must cease to stop and search; the judgment says they must do so in accordance with the law, especially the law of the Constitution of Jamaica which is the supreme law of the land regardless of which statutes give power to stop and search.

Owen S Crosbie

Mandeville

Manchester

oss@cwjamaica.com

The power to stop and search

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The high cost of energy

July 6, 2013, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

The media and interested parties, especially members of Citizens United for the Reduction of Energy (CURE), missed an important reason for the high cost of energy that the Attorney General Patrick Atkinson gave during the 2013 parliamentary sectoral debate.

In qualifying Government's joint appeal of the Supreme Court's ruling against the JPS, the AG, under the section "pending litigation", after stating that the group was "driven by... the grossly erroneous position that lower energy prices can be achieved by breaking up the JPS monopoly ignoring the obvious fact that..." He confesses, "it is the petroleum monopoly in our energy supply that drives the cost of electricity upwards".

Since it is an agent of the state, the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PetroJam) that has the monopoly on the importation of petroleum; then one would conclude, based on the AG's speech, that the high cost of energy is part of the policy of the government of Jamaica, perhaps as a greater means of earning revenue, at the expense of the citizens, especially those involved in commerce and industry.

History records that, since Independence, elected governments have wilfully instituted policies to deprive the people of Jamaica of their social and economic rights, especially the right to "an adequate standard of living..." in accord to the UN Declaration of Human Rights. This form of injustice must cease at once, as it makes Philip Paulwell's work a frazzle to the cause for lower energy cost.

Let the nation also have competing importation of petroleum.

Dudley C McLean II

dcmduart@yahoo.com

The high cost of energy

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Go seek a ruling, JFJ

July 8, 2013, 1:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I need some education on this matter. I am confounded with the pronouncement coming from Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and others who continue to spread what I think is propaganda: their claim, Judge Batts ruled that the police must cease their stop and search practice.

I see no writing where Judge Batts say it is the order of the court that the police must stop the practice of stopping and searching motor vehicles.

In fact, the learned judge has no basis to make such a ruling. If he did, he would have been misguided.

I think the judge expressed an opinion as the matter was making the rounds in the court of public opinion.

The matter before the court, on which the judge made his ruling, resulted from the stop and search police procedure.

If JFJ wants the to court to make such a ruling then they should make this a test case and file a lawsuit to have the police desist from the practice of stopping and searching motor vehicles.

JFJ should show that they have relevance and call upon Judge Batts to clarify the statement he made from the bench.

Authnel Reid

authnelreid@optonline.net

Go seek a ruling, JFJ

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Homelessness not only a gay issue

July 8, 2013, 1:00 am
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Dear Editor,

What took place in Millsborough recently with the alleged gays being evicted from a home they occupied, and the subsequent demolition of the house, is not just an issue of gays occupying a home and getting rowdy. This issue is deeply rooted in poverty.

So what we see happening is the intersecting of homosexuality and poverty, and a group of minority boys is treated as "outcast" and the worse that our society can produce. The issue is a wider social issue that transcends these alleged gays, but seeing that they are the ones caught up in this issue, let me attempt to do some analysis of what I think is happening here.

We have these young boys who, for the most part, have been chased from their homes and the communities in which they lived, because of their supposedly sexual preferences, or because they are not doing the accepted norm. They are not wanted in the community by neither family nor neighbours, and so what do they do? They turn to these abandoned houses or open lots, and they find solace among themselves where they feel a sense of community and belonging. I can only imagine the shame and the anger that these guys must be feeling now that they have been turned out of this place, where they had found comfort and a place for shelter.

Have we ever wondered why persons capture houses and even land to build houses? Is it because they want to live this way? I do not think so. We must take charge of this issue of homelessness and this is the opportunity for us to take charge of it. Today it's the alleged gays, but tomorrow it may be someone else being thrown on the streets. This is a grand opportunity for the Church to show that they have compassion and that they will not tear anybody down, but rather extend a hand to help them up.

The time has come for us to take a serious look at this issue of homelessness and recognise that it's not a gay issue.

Ralston Chamberlain

Toronto, Ontario

ralston.chamberlain@mail.utoronto.ca

Homelessness not only a gay issue

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Thou shalt not issue reckless comments, Minister Hanna

July 8, 2013, 1:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Abortion is the termination of pregnancy by the removal of a foetus or embryo prior to viability from the uterus. As a feminist for life and a pro-woman I find it very disappointing that the Minister of Youth and Culture Miss Lisa Hanna finds it culturally acceptable to tell poor women that they should have abortions to curb crime. This shallow statement by the minister tells Jamaicans the value our leaders place on their unborn children's lives.

The termination of pregnancy should not be any one's choice, but the mothers, the financial or social situation of the parents should not be used as a bartering tool for human life. Where one comes from does not determine their future, case in point the current Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, who every Jamaican knows came from humble beginnings. Her parents' financial situation did not hinder her ambitions. To write every poor success story this letter would be a thesis.

We must not subject ourselves to leaders who lack vision. The minister needs to offer disenfranchised women life-affirming alternatives to abortions, and remember that the children are the future of any nation. Killing them means killing the country.

It is an indictment on the poor to suggest that abortion is the right solution, or will assist crime statistics. Miss Hanna please cease from imposing your personal preferences on the poor and destitute, say yes to life. Killing the seed before it grows cannot be a part of the solution to Jamaica's crime problem.

Further, Minister Hanna should apologise for such a reckless statement and remember that no one knows the destiny of another man.

Rev Tanasha Buchanan

tanashabuchanan@yahoo.com

Thou shalt not issue reckless comments, Minister Hanna

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