Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

As a social worker servicing homeless people and persons who experience mental illness in Portland I have come to recognize the impact of stigma and discrimination among these groups.

One of my clients has been taking medication and his condition is stable and has been steadily employed for one year. This client saved up a significant amount of money and went to open a bank account. He was denied to open an account because of the assumption that based on his mental health condition he would not be stable or responsible enough to maintain his finances.

This client then acquired a letter from his psychologist stating that he is stable and fully competent to maintain a bank account. When this client presented the letter to the bank manager he was informed that it was "against our company policy to allow persons with mental health illnesses to open accounts".

I have not been able to acquire a copy of the bank's policy manual as yet, however, whether this is true or not this client's experience is a blatant example of the widespread discrimination and unfair treatment of persons with mental health challenges in Jamaica. This client is completely capable of maintaining steady employment and his finances, moreso than many people without mental illness.

What does it take for us to realise that people who experience mental health challenges are just as capable as us "normal" people? Is it only when one of our own one mothers, fathers, sisters, or brothers get sick that we wake up and realise that mental health challenges can happen to anyone. No one is free from the possibility of developing a mental disorder, no matter how physically healthy they may be.

How can we move forward and learn to accept and support one another? It takes more than our mental health teams to move forward and help persons with mental disorders. Change needs to come from the community and from each and every one of us, as we are all responsible for each other. Let's work together to create a more fair and equal Jamaica, where stigma does not lead to the violation of our rights as citizens and persons.

Concerned Citizen

Portland

Barred from saving in 2013

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Dear Editor,

It is indeed ironic that although the island of Jamaica was granted freedom from slavery on August 1, 1838 and was declared independent on August 06, 1962, the island is still tied to the apron-strings of the mother country, Great Britain.

I am deeply dismayed that all applicants for Jamaican citizenship have to swear allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, along with her heirs and successors.

In my opinion, the oath of allegiance to the Queen of Great Britain is extremely demeaning for would-be Jamaicans. It should be understood that Jamaica is a free and independent country with its own laws and institutions, albeit derived from Britain. But this is not to say that the country should pay slavish homage to a foreign head of State.

If applicants for Jamaican citizenship are willing to affirm allegiance to Jamaican laws and institutions that should be sufficient to qualify for citizenship.

It makes more sense to affirm allegiance to one's country, rather than swear allegiance to a person. Swearing allegiance to an individual is tantamount to swearing allegiance to the cult of personality.

There is no doubt that swearing allegiance to the British Monarch is a vestige of feudalism that should be dispensed with in modern day society.

It is worth noting that applicants for Australian citizenship are not required to swear allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, and her heirs and successors. A simple affirmation of the Australian Pledge of allegiance is enough. The Pledge reads: "From this time forward, under God, I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey."

Jamaica can definitely learn from Australia.

Rupert Johnson

Toronto, Ontario

r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca

Is swearing allegiance to the Queen a vestige of Feudalism?

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"Am I not a man and a brother?" Few of us will remember where this phrase comes from, but we will celebrate the passing of the Emancipation Act.

This Act heralded the end of slavery — a system that said black people were not equal, not fully developed as humans, and therefore could be whipped, sold, raped, and killed.

One of the questions posed to those supporting slavery was this: Are all men not equal? And, do they not have rights? Were they not our brothers?

Today, we know that we are all brothers, yet with a different racial heritage. But we know that difference does not justify being beaten or killed.

We even accept, without thinking, that we all have rights as citizens. No longer can we be denied justice or opportunity because of our race. A law was changed, in the face of great opposition, to grant freedom to all Caribbean people burdened by slavery.

Today we celebrate the changing of that law and freedom from arbitrary arrest, loss of property, beating and killing. But, tomorrow we will go back to a system that remains silent when someone is beaten and killed because they are different; because they have a "different" sexual orientation, or dress differently. Why do hate someone becaise they are gay or lesbian in an emancipated Caribbean? And, why is there silence when beatings and killings occur? Are we really emancipated?

It is not OK to kill someone because you don't agree with their choice of partner. Just as it was not OK to enslave, beat or kill another human being in the pre-Emancipation era. Recent events in the region emphasise that prejudice can quickly escalate to the loss of life. Two weeks ago two men were killed in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Days later a teenager in St James, Jamaica, was beaten to death by some patrons at a party. These two were killed because of their perceived sexuality, their way of dress. But they were our brothers.

Jamaica's Minister of Justice Mark Golding, rightly pointed to both the nation's violent past and its current-day pluralism in his condemnation of the killing. The Jamaican motto rings true as a guiding principle in these times. We do differ by race, colour, gender, class and all Caribbean societies know how such distinctions have been used to divide families and people. We have struggled to counter hatred. Why then, in 2013, is violence against gay people still acceptable?

These acts were extreme, but not isolated. They are an expression of a wider climate of anger. They point to a willingness to judge. The challenge before us is to consistently treat others with respect, regardless of difference. Government and the police must send a clear message that violence against our brothers will not be tolerated.

That is the Emancipation message that must be heard in 2013; that our leaders are not scared to free us from laws that make us unequal. Emancipation Day offers us an opportunity to reaffirm our rejection of all forms of inhumane treatment as relics of the past.

Dr Ernest Massiah is UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team Director.

Emancipation for all

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Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to an letter published on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, entitled "Let's change Ja's name, flag and symbols" by Michael A Dingwall.

I am totally against Mr Dingwall's suggestion. The country's name, the flag and our national symbols speak a lot to who we are as a people. And after fifty (50) years of Independence, and withh all our accomplishments, why should we need to make such changes? How would these changes create more benefit to us?

There is really no need for us to change the name of our country for it already speaks volumes of the people that once lived here. The current name was derived from the Arawak's Xaymaca; it still serves the purpose for which the initial name was given — the land of wood and water. Jamaica is a brand, a trademark. Jamaica is a name which, along with its symbols, speaks for itself. Jamaica is not just the name of our country, it highlights who we are; the good, the bad and the indifferent.

You also wrote about our national symbols and their inability to be "instantly associated with us". You made mention of the Soviet's hammer and sickle, the German's swastika, the Israelis' Star of David, the Indians' spinning wheel and the Bajan's three-pronged wheel. Remember, we are an "out of many one people" nation. And with that said, what symbol do you suggest we adopt? Jamaica does not need to place our symbol in the flag. I do not know about you, but I rather like our uniqueness.

The Jamaican flag is unique and it carries a powerful statement. Currently, the flag brings to mind memories of past achievements and it gives inspiration towards future success (JIS 2009). It is a global symbol, recognised far and wide on account of the many sacrifices made by our forefathers and by many other proud Jamaicans. Personally, the diagonal cross symbolises the sun shining within the heart of our prosperous land and within the hearts of numerous talented and ambitious people. We are proud people and honestly we do not need to change the black in the flag to be the dominant colour. The flag is honourable as is. Furthermore, black is not the only colour that speaks to who we are. Should we include those colours too? We are much more than the colour of our skin.

Mr Dingwall, I am not convinced that we should make such drastic steps as to change Ja's name, flag and symbols. If it is just to give more honour to the initial inhabitants of the island or to be like other countries then it is not a fitting reason. Jamaica's name, flag and symbols should remain as is.

Kerry-Ann Williams

Clarendon

No need to change Ja's name, flag and symbol

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Dear Editor,

I must take issue with your Editorial of July 30, 2013 entitled "Douglas Manley -- the 'other Manley' dies".

The initial sentences could have led one to believe that the writer was finally going to allocate the appropriate, oft-overlooked praise, honour and recognition to Douglas, an achiever in his own right, who had long lived in the shadow of his more famous brother, former Prime Minister Michael Manley.

However, after making the point that Douglas was consistently overshadowed by his colourful, charismatic sibling, the writer then goes on to devote considerable effort to recounting the exploits and triumphs of the more popular Manley brother.

All of Douglas's achievements were juxtaposed with Michael's which, sadly, in my opinion, has only served to perpetuate the trend of viewing Douglas's accomplishments solely in the context of comparison to the already well-recounted track record of his sibling; and then again relegating Douglas to second position.

I believe the Editorial missed a glorious opportunity to give Douglas, a former Government minister, author, athlete, and educator, credit for his own successful endeavours. Instead, it became yet another occasion when Douglas was eclipsed by Michael's dazzling light.

Camille Taylor

Kingston, Jamaica

Show Douglas Manley in his own right

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Dear Editor,

On August 1, 1838, Jamaica was emancipated from British masters as slavery was abolished. Though marginalisation still occurred, where the whites in the country and those with "high colour" had more opportunities than those with dark skin, we were made "free". Fast forward to August 1, 2013, 175 years later.

Yes, nobody can own another as a slave anymore, and there's no more hanging and rape by our masters. People are free to go to the schools they want -- save for the Ministry of Education determining for some people, and even then they can transfer. Slavery as it was in the 1800s exists no more, but we still aren't truly free.

Until we learn to use the power we as a people possess, and help those with a darker skin tone to get past the mentality that they need to be 'brown' (or white) before 'sum'n can gwaan fi dem', we are still slaves. We are also still slaves to the whims, corruption and bureaucracy of the Government. At times, our only democratic freedom seems to be electing who we want in office. After which we are forced to take whatever they say, be it a sudden toll increase, a poorly thought-out smoking ban, or watching them waste $100 million on 'Jamaica 51' celebrations.

I still wonder what Jamaica would be like had we stayed a British colony for a while longer. Perhaps we'd have something similar to Cayman's economy -- we can only speculate. But until we get everyone educated and thinking critically, we are still yet to be free.

Ponder this thought posted by my friend: "It is said that slavery was abolished but...it's a lie. Money is our slave master [sic] and the corrupt Government is the whip. The whip (is) called Tax."

Alwayne Allen

allenalwayne@gmail.com

Are we really free?

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Dear Editor,

The Moravian Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands joins with the Minister of Justice and civil society groups in denouncing the gruesome murder of young Dwayne Jones.

While the church does not support the practice of homosexuality, we believe that each individual ought to be treated justly. We regard life as a sacred gift from a loving God. We believe that violence perpetrated against any member of the LGBT community must be strongly repudiated. We urge the police to investigate the murder of this young man with the urgency that it requires.

All members of the Jamaican family are entitled to protection by the State. We must strive to create a just community of men and women; a community in which there is no discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender, race, class or religion.

The Moravian Church calls for greater levels of tolerance, respect and love towards all people created in the image of God.

Rev Dr Paul Gardner

President

Moravian Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

Dear Editor,

Last Sunday night I was fortunate enough to be invited by Riviera Beach Mayor Rev Thomas Masters to a rally in memory of Trayvon Martin at the Hilltop Missionary Baptist Church in Riviera Beach. Trayvon's father, Tracy Martin, was the guest speaker to the nearly 1000 supporters in attendance. He took to the podium with a heavy heart and gave a heartfelt, touching talk about his beloved son Trayvon. As part of the Trayvon Martin Foundation Tour, he spoke about justice, issues facing our teen boys, and the Stand Your Ground Law.

I sat and spoke with Tracy Martin personally after the rally. He openly shared with me his deep pain and feelings about the young and takenaway-too-soon Trayvon. I told him we both have something in common: I too have a young teenage son who is the same age as Trayvon would be now. So when we spoke, I could feel his pain. It could have been my son in Trayvon's shoes or even myself at that age. My heart hurts for this man.

As I told Tracy Sunday night and will say again here, I stand behind him and will support him and his family 100 per cent on his mission for justice. But not only will the Martin family have my support, I have called the entire Caribbean Community to take a stand and support the Martin family as well. Florida has a population of close to a million black Caribbean immigrants, and as we already know Florida leads the country in Haitian-American residents with more than one-third of the US total. So I am certain support will not be a problem on our part. We will stand together in peace in support of justice, our teens and the amendment of the Stand Your Ground Law. This law is far too complicated, convoluted and confusing; there has got to be a change.

The Stand Your Ground law needs to be repealed, and I am pretty sure will be at the polls soon in Florida and I ask that all my Caribbean brothers and sisters to get together and spread the news.

George Belfond

www.haitianmyspace.com

Dear Editor,

In light of the brutal killing of 17-year-old cross-dresser, Dwayne Jones, by an angry mob who, after cowardly stabbing and shooting him, threw his body by the side of the road and continued to dance as if nothing took place, I think civil disobedience is needed.

It is needed to send a clear message that no longer will decent people sit by and allow this kind of atrocity. For far too long, a minority group of people of "otherness" through their sexual preference have been maligned and the Bible used as the yardstick of morals to measure them to see how they fit into the Jamaican society.

As we celebrate Independence and Emancipation, I think it is now time for all well-thinking Jamaicans to stand up and be counted among those who will not sit idly by and allow tyranny to rule.

Just as how the church can organise a march against the repeal of an antiquated law, people should stand up and let their voices be heard in every corner of Jamaica, from every building, and on every street, that equity for all is what is needed. Do not be silenced; if our ancestors never did this, we would still be in chains today.

It was St Augustine who said "an unjust law is no law at all". In the movie, The Great Debaters, one of the speakers, in reference to racism, made the point that "majority does not decide what is right or wrong, your conscience does". Our conscience therefore must dictate to us that what two consenting homosexual adults decide to do with their lives and in the confines of their bedroom is not something that infringes on the rights of heterosexuals.

Let us not be fooled that an idea prevails because it has the support of the majority. Let me hope that never again will we allow the blood of people like Dwayne Jones to be spilled in a senseless way. No matter what Dwayne did, the mob was the criminal.

Ralston Chamberlain

Toronto, Canada

Dear Editor,

The story is told that a few years ago a Jamaican employer dismissed an employee after finding said employee fast asleep at his station. I can’t recall if it was mentioned, but it is possible that the machinery that said employee was supposed to have been tending was critical to the operations of the company. Subsequent to the dismissal the employee’s trade union took up the case and, after much legal wrangling, the dismissed employee was reinstated. It is said that the reinstated employee also received compensation for the time spent away from work while the union tussled with the employer.

Fast-forward to 2013 and we now see where the Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company recently let go some security personnel. The security guards appear to have “fallen asleep” on the job and inadvertently allowed some of their employer’s property to disappear. The unions have once again been called upon to champion the cause of the employees irrespective, it appears, of whether they were culpable or not.

It seems the time has come for the country to once and for all make up its mind. We need to decide if we want investment and investors of the Chinese ilk, or a continuation of the union’s stance where they simply ensure its cadre of members remain inflated to ensure that the dues keep coming in, irrespective of the cost to the investors, employers or Jamaica.

Robert Mitchell

Manchester

mitcib@yahoo.ca

Dear Editor,

The easiest thing for us to do is to blame others for our failures, some even have the audacity to attribute their success to their own making. History, however, is yet to identify a single human being who acheived success without assistance.

This country, Jamaica, is so blessed: ideal climatic conditions; perfectly located; talented, friendly, caring, bright people. We have, however, deteriorated socially and economically with an escalating crime rate, high

rate of corruption, political divisiveness, and for 50 years post-Independence we have experienced unsatisfactory governments.

Something must have gone awry. There is no need to point fingers and assign blame to any particular sector, but each of us must do a serious self-examination to identify our own shortcomings:

Have you ever been offered, or accepted a bribe?

Have you lied on any form?

Do you honestly believe you should be a member of the country's security force?

Do you underpay your employees and withhold taxes?

Do you overcharge your customers who happen to be in the lower-income bracket?

Do you have proper permission to operate a business in a residential community?

Are you in the profession because you like it or you just want something to hold on to?

Do you use your cell phone while driving, display road rage?

Do you often buy movies, music, videos, etc, knowing it's a breach of copyright laws.

Have you ever lied to get a job, promotion, good grades, contracts, to be a political candidate?

Do you wish you were born in another country?

Do you put your country before party politics?

Would you tell the country the truth about blunders in your administration if it would shorten your tenure in office?

Have you named the wrong person as your child's father?

Do you perform your job effectively with satisfactory dedication?

Do you use your status to impose your ideas on others and to malign people you don't like

If you were asked to give up 35-hours' pay to help the less fortunate, would you?

Have you gained your riches by dishonest means?

Do you feel happy making a lot of money, although your product is harmful to others?

Have you used your position for avaricious gain or for sexual exploitation?

Have you ever made a wrong decision that caused innocent people to be punished?

We all have, in our own way, contributed to the state of the country, and sometimes overlook the part we play in the grand scheme of things. Let us start the 52nd year of Independence on a positive note as we accept responsibility for the last

51 years.

Tony Miles

tonymiles1940@gmail.com

We're all responsible

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Dear Editor,

Elections are won on waves of populism; it's easier to appeal to the emotions of voters than to challenge them intellectually. Furthermore, most voters don't usually care about long-term solutions. As such, some political gimmicks never get old.

In the heat of elections candidates promise to create jobs or give entrepreneurs incentives to create jobs; this plan always fails. Government must create an economic environment which is conducive to growth, only then jobs and investments will come. Firms only create jobs when there is an incentive to do so; businesses are not welfare organisations, they do not employ people to meet social objectives.

Contrary to the popular belief, it is investment in capital equipment and research which drive growth, not consumer spending. So the view that emergency job programmes are good, because they employ people, is false. But elections are won on these false idealogies.

According to research conducted by UCLA'S economists, Cole and Ohanian, the interventionist policies of Frankin Roosevelt actually prolonged the Great Depression by seven years. Fallacious idealogies are able to permeate the political scene because too many supposedly intelligent individuals share these views. The agricultural sector is one area where these fallacies exist. Many are of the view that we should impose tariffs on imports or create a negative list. This concept is bordering on insanity simply because Jamaica lacks the capacity to replace its imports. Therefore, we should really heed the advice of Ambassador Amadei. The EU's ambassador to Jamaica said: "I think the key is not to increase production, and therefore produce more distortion in the market, but to take measures to make the national produce more efficient and to invest in research and technology."

Import substitution should not be our aim, our aim should be exporting competitive products. South Korea has a dynamic economy, but protectionist policies exist in the agricultural sector and it is still inefficient. Hong Kong and Singapore rank first and second respectively on the Economic Freedom Index, both countries have low barriers to trade and high rates of growth. Tariffs only lead to higher prices for consumers and greater inefficiencies.

Although innovation is crucial to growth in a modern economy, it is not an attractive topic for voters. Rarely during an election do you hear politicians speaking about the need to reform the country's intellectual property laws, but they do make economically unsustainable promises that they are unable to fulfil -- especially to public sector employees, and then they wonder why politicians don't respect them.

Entrepreneurship and innovation can only thrive when strong intellectual property laws exist. In Denmark, SMEs are able to access important information regarding intellectual property free of charge online. SMEs are more likely to invest in research and development and innovation when they know that their products will be protected. So reforming a country's intellectual property laws makes perfect economic sense, but elections are not won on tangible policies.

Populism will lead to Jamaica's downfall. In the words of The Economist, "Detroit shows what can happen when leaders put off reforming the public sector for too long." Jamaica's economic crises have been in existence for many years, and since public sector reform is moving really slowly and pension reform has been extended to 2016 we may end up worse than Detroit, and we will have no one to blame but voters who refused to test unsound policies.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Facts and fallacies

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Dear Editor,

There is a popular saying that the hallmark of a civilised society is dependent on how it treats its old and young. Today that list can be expanded to include those with different sexual orientation.

The alleged killing of a male cross-dresser because of his sexuality immediately drew the attention of the international community, but the killing of another child in West Kingston did not. Both incidents were revolting and tragic, but the cross-dresser possesses the backing of J-FLAG, the other youngster was just an ordinary Jamaican child.

There were no marches or comment by the international community, who possibly have become accustomed to such atrocities perpetrated against our children. The member of parliament has offered a reward, but who in their right mind will respond to powerful criminal gangs carrying out turf war? The police will patrol the area for a short while, and the known killers will "hibernate" and in a few days return to their killing spree.

A few days ago there was an allegation that two men were found engaging in homosexual acts inside a house. There was a massive turnout of security personnel to prevent citizens from exacting crude justice. Again the State's response was overwhelming because the perceived fallout would be too injurious to our stature in the world.

We seem to be more concerned with what others think of us rather than what we think of ourselves. The fact that if we treat members of the gay community cruelly it draws international disapproval and damages our image is spurring special attention towards gays. We need to treat the killing of all citizens as a national tragedy regardless of status.

Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has also found that putting the floodlight of the international community on a subject which embarrasses the Government elicits sharp responses. This move is not to injure Jamaica's reputation abroad; more so it is a desperate move to ensure the state's compliance with promises to remove children from state lock-ups. This shouldn't be necessary given wide local exposure of such happenings, but enough still isn't enough. The Ministry of Youth and Culture, the Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child, Child Development Agency, and the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) are all local institutions which should effectively protect our children against abuses, but are probably useless against murderers.

Mark Clarke

Siloah, St Elizabeth

mark_clarke9@yahoo.com

Treat the killing of all citizens as a tragedy, not just the gays

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Dear Editor,

Seventh-day Adventist pastor Greg Baldeo is reported to have said, "any political party that needs my approval must get the approval from God..." (Daily Observer, August 5, 2013). In the same vein he postulates that the acceptability of homosexuality must first be disclosed to be right by God and not by any court of justice. History has proven the minister wrong!

History is relevant to enable us to understand current events and to prevent us from making similar errors. If God had not gone outside the Church, humanity would still have believed the earth to be flat and that it was at the centre of the universe. It is a fact that God had revealed to members of the laity, represented by Copernicus and Galileo Galilei, the "law of motions," yet it was the blindness of the clergy and its misintrepretation of the Genesis account of Creation that led to their prosecutions by the Church. Then there are those who preach about 'generational curses' based on Exodus 20: 5 (...punishing children for the iniquity of parents), while ignoring that God had abandoned such a view. It is now the reponsiblity of each individual to account for their actions (Ezekiel 33:10-20; John 9:1-12).

Many Jamaicans love to quote "an eye for an eye," while ingoring Jesus's "if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also" (Matthew 5:38); and what of those who preached that God would punish Jamaica like Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24), while ignoring that Jesus had initiated a new era of tolerance, preventing his disciples from commanding 'fire from heaven' on enemies ( Luke 9:51-56) and that on the day of judgment it would "be more tolerable for Sodom" (Luke 10:10-12) than for those who refuse to repent. Is the pastor expecting "God to come down from heaven" to approve our political parties while ignoring "whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment"? (Romans 12:1).

And what of the recent murder in Jamaica of a man at an altar in a church? History records the death of two archbishops who were cut down by assassins in the house of God. Thomas Becket was assasinated on 29 December 1170 in Canterbury Cathedral and on March 24, 1980 Oscar Romero of El Salvador was shot through the heart as he elevated the chalice during the Eucharist in the Cathedral. The challenge for the Church is to understand how is God acting in the midst of humanity that was created with free will, and to intrepret sacred scriptures within the context of that revelation. Just maybe God is using the courts in the 21st century to awaken a sleeping Church that has failed to listen to the risen Christ.

Dudley C McLean II

Mandeville, Manchester

dcmduart@yahoo.com

The 21st century court and the Church

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Dear Editor,

We live in a society where politicians are expected to shoulder the blame for all national ailments and opinion leaders are quick to say that the woeful state of affairs in Jamaica is due to poor leadership. However, we are wrong, because effective "followership" is critical to the success of every country. The theory of followership was conceptualised by Robert Kelley, who developed five followership patterns, the following two will be discussed:

The Sheep: These individuals are passive and require guidance from the leader. They lack the independent skills to hold leaders accountable.

Star Followers: This group consists of exemplary individuals who are positive, active and independent thinkers. Star Followers will carefully evaluate political pronouncements before accepting them as policy.

Most Jamaicans may be considered Sheep Followers, who subscribe to the mentality of the herd. This is the main difference between countries where good governance exists and those where only remnants of it can be found.

For example, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a transformational leader for Turkey. Under his stewardship, personal income in Turkey has doubled. And while most economies have contracted during the recessionary period, Turkey's economy grew by over 8 per cent in 2010 and 2011. In addition, Erdogan's budgetary allocation to education has been greater than his predecessors, and he boasts an impressive list of successful infrastructural projects.

Although, Mr Erdogan has made Turkey a better country, his shortcomings are still many, and the people of Turkey are not afraid to remind him that democracy is about the needs of everyone, not just his fan base. Erdogan's critics have accused him of encroaching on the rights of Turkish Secularists and stifling press freedom. Currently the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index ranks Turkey 154 out of 179 countries. Turkey reportedly also has more journalists in prison than any other country.

People will welcome good reforms, but it does not give leaders who implement these reforms the freedom to make themselves demi-gods. Effective followers will no longer tolerate them. Unfortunately, the behaviour of followers in Jamaica is in stark contrast to their Turkish counterparts. Successive administrations have signed contracts with foreign companies which are not in the best interest of Jamaicans. Of quick memory is the Government's contract with a US-based firm for the management of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, which will cost taxpayers $89 million if the Government ends the contract.

The people do not even understand when they are being disrespected by leaders. In Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff claimed that angry protesters have the right to voice their opinion, since it is a democracy. On the other hand, Portia Simpson Miller often bashes her critics. Clearly, Mrs Rousseff understands the meaning of people power.

Jamaicans must desert the Sheep mentality and become Star Followers, then we will begin to see good governance. We will require it.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Effective followers critical to success

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Dear Editor,

I am annoyed and amused whenever I hear people pleading for divine intervention as a solution to Jamaica's woes. There is no question that God exists or that He is capable and can intervene wherever, whenever or however He so chooses. But are we to believe that at this very moment God is looking down from Heaven and seeing death and destruction, madness and mayhem, vicious rape, callous beheadings, disease, hunger, distress, and all manner of other ills here in Jamaica, among other places, but is refusing to intervene for lack of an invitation through prayer?

Are we suggesting that He is "carrying feelings" because we are not praying long enough, often enough or well enough and therefore has chosen not to help us? Is it not far more likely that the reason God has not, does not and will not intervene is because, though He recognises our challenges, He actually wants us to grow up and fix our own mess ourselves?

The person who constantly pleads for divine intervention is like the two-year-old toddler who, after every bump or bruise, cries and runs to mummy for her to kiss it and make it better. At some point the toddler needs to grow up and take responsibility for his life and well-being. He needs to make the transition from being a child to being a teenager and eventually to being an adult. He cannot continue to run to Mommy even as a fully grown, 50-year-old man. At some point Mommy stops kissing little Johnny's bumps and bruises too, because she knows that if she continues to do so then mentally and emotionally he will remain a child forever.

On a more comical note, let us not forget that God is already extremely busy. It must be hard work designing and constructing new galaxies and constellations and creating life in far-flung corners of the universe while simultaneously being on call 24-7 for all seven billion human inhabitants of the Earth and perhaps also for trillions of other strange and exotic creatures in galaxies scattered throughout the Universe.

While I am not discounting the value of prayer as a means of acknowledging and showing reverence to God, we cannot rely on this as a solution to our problems. While we should continue to pray, let us also focus on fixing our mess ourselves, thus proving to God that we are worthy, after all, of the brains, bodies and lives He gifted us with in the first place.

Handel Emery

handelemery@hotmail.com

50-y-o can't keep running to Mummy

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Dear Editor,

As a health-conscious person, I am totally disgusted daily as I try to enjoy the open air, only to have my lungs assaulted by huge clouds of dangerous carbon monoxide coming out of vehicles.

The most outstanding incidents occurred as I walked up Mountain Spring only to be overwhelmed by this from a minibus carrying police personnel. Then the following day, walking on South Avenue, three different cars passed by the traffic light at Waterloo Road and sent out clouds of dangerous carbon monoxide into our lungs. That is now a regular thing on the roads of the capital city. I had to shake my head.

For, here we are in a country where there is now this big to-do about cigarette smoking and the effects of second-hand smoke — I agree with the ban, incidentally, but certainly not some of the regulations and the ridiculous fines — but we ignore daily the far greater danger posed by carbon monoxide from vehicles, and police vehicles to boot!

The law banning such vehicles on the roads has been in existence for decades. What of enforcement? So yes, the cigarette smoking ban is the big news today, but I am here to bet that, by next year, the ban will be honoured in the breach, just as we have been ignoring for years the far more dangerous incidents of vehicles belching dangerous carbon monoxide into the lungs. And since the lawmakers are definitely among the fortunate ones who travel around in closed- up air-conditioned vehicles, my chance of losing that bet is zero!

Joan E Williams

gratestj@gmail.com

Dear Editor,

Now that the Supreme Court has validated the right of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) to arrest and prosecute members of the security forces for infractions, there is one more thing that is needed -- their own independent court.

Although the Supreme Court ruling is being appealed, I would hope that all of us are in support of the idea as it seems to be a good one. If the Supreme Court's ruling is overturned, I would hope that the law would be changed to clearly give INDECOM the power to arrest and prosecute wayward members of the security forces.

I must admit that I was a bit sceptical about this INDECOM idea at first. Why create another state organ that will get nothing done? However, while granting the power of arrest to INDECOM is good, what use will it still be if after arresting and prosecuting wayward officers, their cases end up dying natural deaths in our courts?

Remember that pregnant woman who was killed by a police officer in St Thomas because she cursed at him, about a year ago? Remember another pregnant woman who was also killed by another police officer, also in that same parish about two years before that? What has become of these cases? Are they dead?

Let's face it, our view of our legal system will only get dimmer if INDECOM takes cases to our clogged-up courts only to have them forgotten. What we need, in addition to INDECOM, is "INDECOURT" an independent court for members of our security forces.

INDECOURT should only accept cases from INDECOM that deal with members of the security forces. It should be made as efficient as possible, so that lengthy delays are avoided. This should go a far way in helping to restore some badly needed confidence -- both in our security forces and our court system.

The DPP should be relieved that it will have fewer cases to clear up. Also, those members of the security forces who act professionally and within the law should be glad that something is being done to clean up their image. As such they should have nothing to worry about.

Michael A Dingwall

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Security forces need their own court -- INDECOURT

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Dear Editor,

Regional organisations are created to foster political and economic cooperation among states within a particular geographical boundary. Therefore, in order to achieve their goals and objectives these organisations will need transformational leaders whose strategic vision and capable leadership will facilitate development.

Caricom was created to facilitate the development of the region, but during the last 30 years a serious implementation deficit has plagued the organisation. This deficit has not only hindered the development of the region, it has also rendered most of its institutions useless. Further, innumerable reports have been commissioned to examine the reasons for the lacklustre performance of Caricom, these include: The West Indian Commission and the recently concluded Landell Mills report -- both reports alluded to the inherent weaknesses of Caricom's governance structure.

Since, regional leaders know the problems affecting Caricom, it is their responsibility to chart the course for the region's development, however due to the culture of insularity and parochialism of various islands this will be unlikely. Most member states are not willing to put regional interest above national interest.

For example, Mrs Persad-Bissessar stated three years ago that Trinidad will only provide assistance to disaster-affected countries if Trinidad benefits. So, if these countries require houses Trinidadians must be employed as builders. In addition, successive secretary generals have often complained about the lack of support which the Secretariat receives from heads of government, but nothing will be done to create a stronger Secretariat, because this will infringe on the autonomy of individual states.

Furthermore, free trade is an integral aspect of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, but Trinidad and Barbados have violated this agreement on countless occasions in order to protect their domestic market. Additionally, the free movement of skill workers is a policy of Caricom, but over 1,420 Jamaicans have been refused entry into Barbados over the past five years. The Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) is also a cause for concern. Originally the CSME was expected to come on stream in 2008, but the date was changed to 2015. According to Caricom's Secretary General Mr Irwin Larocque that deadline is too ambition, so the 2015 target will not be met. So, Caricom can be described as an organisation which sets lofty goals and never achieves them.

Any organisation which does not adhere to the rules which it created will never survive. Conversely, the Bajans know that it does not suit them to sign onto the CSME agreement, because most members states are relatively poor and the Jamaican dollar, in particular, has depreciated over the years. Caricom will never be successful because, regional leaders are too short-sighted and insular in their thinking and since most countries are not committed to regionalism, the organisation should be dissolved.

Caricom does not benefit Jamaica and we should not allow the current administration to keep Jamaica in Caricom because it members are in love with idea of regionalism. Any institution which finds it hard to play by its own rules, is a like a pariah state waiting to be destroyed. Jamaica should seriously re-evalaute its relationship with Caricom

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Caricom can't even play but its own rules

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Dear Editor,

It was only a few months ago that I attended a Health Fair at the Caymanas Track Limited which was put on by its regulating body, Jamaica Racing Commission. On 28th July another of these fairs was conducted, where over 800 patrons were examined by healthcare professionals. I must commend the Caymanas Track Limited for this timely and well-needed health initiative.

A key component of any successful company is its social responsibility; how well the company integrates with the community in which it operates. The success rate of these health fairs has been overwhelming. It goes far beyond the 800-1,000 persons who attended the health fair.

Portmore is arguably the largest residential community in the Caribbean region. Caymanas Track Limited is the largest employer within this community with its 1,000 jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, breeders, farriers, veterinarians, racing officials, and operational staff. It is for this reason that we must pay keen attention to the manner in which the track is divested from Government ownership.

The divestment team must not only ensure that the new owners are "cash rich", but most importantly the new owners must be "socially rich". That is, the interest of the people must be in direct co-relation to their interest for profitability. Jobs must be protected for the locals, and the industry stakeholders may need to play an even more strategic and accountable role in the operations of the track. Furthermore, the racing industry is a unique industry, in that, the Caymanas Track Limited product (racehorses) is owned by third parties.

Richard Longmore

University of London

Before the horse bursts through the gate...

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Before the horse bursts through the gate...