Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

Matters related to a nation's security will naturally evoke strong emotive responses, as poor national security threatens the lifeblood of every citizen, irrespective of his or her station in life or party affiliation. Jamaica is no different in that regard, and so the ongoing national debate on security is very natural and should be encouraged.

However, there must be balance as we express our fears and even outrage at what appears to be a national security policy that fails us daily, and the apparent ineffectiveness of the agents of the State, especially the police, who are charged with maintaining law and order.

I am not a security expert, just a Jamaican concerned about the future of his country. It appears to me, though, that, like so many things in the life of our country, we are once again taking positions based solely on party political considerations during our discussions. We are drawing lines in the sand, so to speak, to gain political points. With the JLP camp lined up on one side, and the PNP on the other, there is no possible consideration as to what is in the best long-term interests of Jamaica.

Let us be careful what arguments we advance or recommendations we make on this very important issue of national security. Above all, we must not act out of desperation with short-term measures that may placate the immediate fears of citizens and cause rights to be abused or trampled. This serves only to undermine tthe long-term future of Jamaica.

I don't know what the mission or aim of the 2010 Dudus/Tivoli operation, and therefore I am unable to objectively judge its failure or success. It does appear to me, though, that if there was any meaningful and sustainable reduction in crime as a result, it was, as we say, more a 'buck up' than planned. On the face of it, it appears to be a failed military operation.

At this stage, therefore, we should not hold up that particular operation as a model to be used to reduce crime. If the State of Emergency associated with that operation was responsible for the claimed reduction in crime in the aftermath of the operation, are we now suggesting that a similar State of Emergency be invoked to bring about the desired reduction in crime?

Finally, as difficult as it may be, let us remain calm, put aside political point-scoring, and methodically develop a sustainable national security policy and plan. We may wish to consider in our policy or strategic plan reform of the constabulary, with an emphasis on leadership; a national intelligence strategy; and a strengthening of INDECOM to investigate state abuse of rights.

Colonel Allan Douglas

alldouglas@aol.com

We need bipartisan arrest of crime

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Dear Editor,

This weekend, I was at a birthday party for a Jamaican residing in the USA. It was fabulous....but I digress. Amidst the toasts and tributes and thank yous, the guest of honour took the time at his birthday party to encourage his guests, when next the opportunity came, to "vote for Tessanne".

It got me thinking. So often, we quip about the "Chinese way". We laugh about how "Chiney man always help each other", and in criticism articulate how Jamaicans operate in the opposite way; tearing each other down and fighting against each other. Thoughts and lyrics and conversations are riddled with vivid examples of "bad mind" one Jamaican to another.

The debate has been rife since The Voice began -- and remains unresolved -- about whether or not telephone votes from Jamaica count. And, not knowing whether or not they do, at the risk of losing money weekly and voting in vain, Jamaicans at home take the time and make the effort to vote for our "Chinita Goodaz" (brilliant alias Dutty Berry)...just in case it will help.

Jamaicans abroad have mobilised like we never knew possible. Not since the Olympics have we all rallied together around one nationalistic symbol. This, as far as I can remember, has been the biggest test that has required Jamaicans to actively demonstrate their love for not just Tessanne, but for Jamaica. And week after week, we are stepping up to the plate.

I am proud that The Voice has exposed America to the Jamaica we love and Tessanne's Jamaican spirit that makes our people loved. And I'm moved by the weekly messages I get from friends reminding me to vote. I love that people have changed their Facebook profile pictures to bread and butter, and I enjoy seeing the Twitter flood of celebration with every round she moves on.

I worry less and less each results show, because I believe in Tessanne and, more importantly, I believe in our ability to give her the support that she needs. On Tuesday nights when Carson says "America saved Tessanne Chin" I chuckle to myself and think: Oh, the irony, because perhaps it is Tessanne Chin that has saved Jamaica.

Patria-Kaye Aarons

findpatria@yahoo.com

Tessanne is our voice

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Dear Editor,

For a while, several Jamaicans have been complaining about various types of treatment that they received from several immigration agents in member states, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) especially. Despite that, I strongly believe that a bona fide traveller having the necessary immigration documents will be permitted entry regardless of the person's nationality.

Under the free movement clause of the Caricom treaty, skilled persons are entitled to move and work freely throughout the region if they are in possession of valid CSME certificates issued by member states. I am the holder of a CSME certificate issued in Jamaica. But if I decided to seek employment in T&T, for example, I am required to provide a police certificate from any country that I have lived for over six months, along with other supporting documents. This is a requirement for T&T nationals also. Although Jamaica, Barbados and T&T are the leaders with persons having the CSME certificates, there has been group-to-group opposition within a few member states, and now, there is state-to-state opposition because I believe that some people do not understand certain issues regarding to the integration.

Caricom passports only give the right to individuals to travel to other member states without the need for visas. Passports do not give the right to automatic admission, and a number of people are not aware of that.

For several months now, a number of Jamaicans have been travelling to T&T in search of work and other intentions. And it has become evident to the T&T Government.

As a child growing up, Barbados and T&T were considered small islands and many Jamaicans have little or no interest in these islands -- only that some of West Indies' finest cricketers are natives of these tiny islands. Nowadays, as a result of planning, reconstruction, emphasis on education and good leadership, it seems as if Jamaica is years behind T&T. Nonetheless, T&T has its fair share of problems with crime and violence. And, for sure, some Jamaicans are being mistreated because of their own acts.

I hope that the present situation or misunderstanding between T&T and Jamaica will be settled in a diplomatic way, because some of my fellow Jamaicans appear as if they are desperate to leave the country, and so they are using desperate measures resulting in admission problems. I believe that the problems will be settled if both governments adhere to the Treaty of the Chaguaramas, and some Jamaicans acquaint themselves with the immigration laws of other countries, while the media helps to educate people.

Charlie Brown

charliebrown1004@gmail.com

Caricom passport only opens the gate

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Dear Editor,

I will continue to beg and plead with our Government to put measures in place to get parents to play their role in the development and continued care of their children. Along with the Parenting Licensing Authority I have been proposing, I am now making another suggestion to the minister of education to assist with the sector.

School administrations across the island continue to complain about the attendance of parents at Parent Teachers' Association (PTA) meetings. As a result of such, many schools are not able to effectively deal with the issues that they face from day to day, which eventually affects the development of many children.

Parents who do attend PTA meeting on most occasions are the converted ones or the parents who really try to play there part in supporting the school in their efforts. The students who falter along the way, many times, have negative parental issues, and are usually the students whose parents are not present or represented at the meetings.

I, therefore, propose that the Honourable Minister of Education, consider making attendance and active participation of every parent at PTA meetings and other school activities a part of the child's grade at the end of each term.

If we really plan to achieve the 2030 Vision, then the transformation must take place now, and parents must be held accountable when they fail to play their part in the process of development in relation to our countries most precious resources.

Leron Mattison

leronmattison@yahoo.com

Make PTA attendance part of the child's term grade

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Dear Editor,

Jamaica for Justice's (JFJ) call for the resignation of the police commissioner seems premised on his failure to contain the rate of murder and the extra-judicial killings.

In recent years, various organisations, and the public, have been crying for the heads of police commissioners and minsters of government with the national security portfolio. But, we need to look objectively at the situation. Crime is everybody's business and as citizens we need to play our part in containing same.

I would like to know what solution JFJ can offer, as resignation of the commissioner is merely a complaint. If this resignation is effected, then the same organisation will cry for the removal of any other who fills the slot. Hence, JFJ could better serve the country if it offers some solution to aid crime fighting.

It would be nice to have an education programme which targets the public on its responsibility to fighting crime. One needs to understand that the 'see no evil, speak of none' will only serve to facilitate criminal actions.

Although there are other factors contributing to crime, I believe that changing the mindset of the people, through education, is one of the first steps that should be made. With the support of the JFJ and other such organisations working towards this end, the possibility exists for the change. I will reinforce that attacking crime in an aggressive manner cannot be done without the input of the every citizen.

Hence, I challenge JFJ to run with the above suggestion and, in so doing, inform people of their right to life and their right to live free of crime. Instead of blame-shifting, let us all work together to rid our beautiful country of the scourge which besets us.

Val Mac

vj0963@msn.com

Where's the solution, JFJ

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Dear Editor,

The recent seizure of two bullet-making machines and over 3,000 warheads at Kingston Wharf is extremely frightening and disconcerting. This find reinforces the widely held belief that the business of crime has major financial backers who will spare no effort or money to bankroll the guns, ammunition and other forms of weaponry that the criminal underworld desires.

While we must commend the efforts of the law enforcement officers, as well as Custom officials, we must and should ask ourselves what is the probability that more bullet-making machines are on the island and in the hands of criminals?

It is logical to assume that bullet-making machines could use the same channels that are used to get ammunition through our ports of entry. We all should be very much concerned at this latest development.

Bullet-making machines are not cheap! A "staple" bullet-making machine costs in the region of US$6,000. Clearly the average trigger man could not afford this cost. We need to re-double our efforts in tackling crime. Apart from unemployment, crime is Jamaica's number one social problem.

We all know someone who has been murdered, or may soon. On average, 1,000 Jamaicans are murdered annually. Since 2000, over 13,000 Jamaicans have been murdered. And with a clear-up rate at less than 50 per cent, this is untenable. Families are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones. Families are broken.

We continue to do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. We need to ask for international help and invest heavily in more social intervention programmes, especially in many of our inner-city communities. We have too many idle young men on the street corners. Sadly crime has become an attractive option for many of them. We need to re-revisit our crime prevention plans and re-double our collective efforts in finding a lasting solution to this monster to provide the necessary confidence for us as Jamaicans and for investors who have other options. Jamaica is depending on us, failure is not an option.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

Now it seems we're making bullets

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Dear Editor,

I envy Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's defence of her country's official as one that should be exemplified by our very own prime minister and government officials. I find it very commendable that she has spoken swiftly and intelligently on the matter thus far.

This is, of course, in startling contrast to her Jamaican counterpart Portia Simpson Miller. She has not only failed in the eyes of the Jamaican population to address the pertinent issues, but in the eyes of the regional and international communities to follow through on commitments made before her second inauguration as prime minister of Jamaica.

That aside, despite Bissessar's stance that no breech of individual human right has been committed, the contrary seems to be true. It becomes more evident that Jamaicans have been the deliberate targets of a regional system that should encourage and support unity. This recent development has again called into question the relevance of Caricom within the region.

Increasingly within the region there are blatant evidences of open discrimination against people of specific nationalities as evidenced in the Dominican Republic/Haiti issue, the Shanique Myrie/Barbados case, and the countless others before and after that have gone unreported. What has Caricom done?

Caricom has dragged its feet in its response and condemnation of these evident injustices and has failed to implement stringent measures to prevent their recurrence. Caricom has only continued to reflect the individualistic nature of the states involved, and inarguably serves the trade interest of the twin-island republic.

I honestly support Caribbean integration as a means of survival in an international global political economy that does not serve the interests of the small-island developing states of the Caribbean. However, this support hinges on the premise that this institution does not discriminate, swiftly and strongly condemns actions that leads to the violation of the human rights of the Caribbean peoples, and is more visible within the region and on international issues.

Wendy Simpson

ocsa.wendy@hotmail.com

Strong and swift response in the face of silence

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Dear Editor,

What's wrong with the world? WWWTW? Has the world gone mad?...bad?

This is a mind-boggling question to each and everyone of you.

Are you aware of the fact that the world in which we live is mad and rampant with bad mind and covetousness? Mad and rampant with intolerance, aggression, and hostility? The world is jam-packed with greed, hatred, bitterness, apathy, unkindness, discourtesy, selfishness, and dishonesty.

The world is overwhelmed with hunger and starvation, unemployment, grief, deprivation, heartache, pain, and stress.

Our world is severely ravished, and is in a dark tunnel of crime, deaths, massacres, decadence, degradation, and disarray.

This big and wide world is being given a heavy dose of fear, intimidation, trepidation, restlessness, mingled with a gloomy mindset, by heartless terrorists, murderers, criminals, gangsters, dangerous thugs, pests, and nuisances.

The globe is tightly gripped, and is in a shackle of insecurity, uncertainty, and anxiety. It is decorated and covered with lots of thorns, more than roses and sunshine.

The entire universe is suffering from a great lack of love and compassion; humility, forgiveness and justice.

Our world is deeply marred by colour prejudice, racial prejudice, class barriers, discrimmination, and unnatural beauty.

This planet earth, is being set on fire by its enemies, and is blazing away in black, diabolical smoke of all manner of wickedness; all kinds of abuse, compromise and trafficking.

The world has been knocked out of its real self and is bleeding heavily, dying slowly by the mighty series of crises and turbulence.

Millions of people are not optimistic and confident about the future.

Please help me answer this question: WWWTW?

The unpleasant truth is that, nothing is wrong with the world; it's the people that are in it. The world is in our hands, but it's not safe in our hands.

Donald J McKoy

donaldmckoy2010@hotmail.com

WWWTW?

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Dear Editor,

I am sure both the attendant and the security guard must have thought I was crazy when I screamed loudly on seeing the lead stories in both of our daily newspapers. The announcement of Timar Jackson as the winner of this year's Rhode Scholarship was the cause of my unseemly public outburst.

Everyone has a story, they say, but Timar's story is extra special and, despite his humility and self-effacing nature, I feel compelled to tell this story. I believe it's worth telling.

In 2005, I visited Vauxhall High School, where classes had been repeatedly disrupted due to violence from the adjoining communities. After doing all the expected ministerial rituals, I sat to speak with the fifth formers, who were particularly challenged as they were sitting exams and had missed several critical classes. When I had completed my conversations with them I was about to leave when a young man with a broad smile approached me and assured me that all would be well so I should not worry.

In August 2006, as I entered my office at the Ministry of Education, my secretary asked me whether I would see a young man and his mother who said they had to speak with me. This young man reminded me whom he was and said he was making a special request. He had just received his CSEC results had attained nine ones, but could not gain entry into a sixth form. (Vauxhall did not have a sixth form).

From the level of the ministry we tried several schools; all said they had their full complement of sixth formers and could take no one else. I recall the frustration of my colleague, the late Senator Noel Monteith, who insisted that this young man had done his part and we needed to do our part and not let him down.

Ultimately, Timar got a place in a sixth form at Ardenne. He received several awards from CSEC and CAPE for highest performer in several subjects both in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. He also received a Jamaica Scholarship and entered UWI.

It was a difficult road for him because of his social circumstances. His mother was always at his side at all of these award ceremonies. While she bemoaned the fact that he did not have the computers, etc that other students had, Timar was never daunted. He always found a way.

Some of us assisted in any way we could, but Timar always stayed positive despite any obstacles. He was focussed, determined and persistent.

I kept in touch with him throughout UWI and when I saw him the night before his graduation I was stupid enough to ask him: So what kind of pass did you get for your degree? He smiled and said: A first class.

While I was disappointed that he did not receive the Rhode Scholarship at this first try, he was not. He said to me: Don't worry. I am going to build up my portfolio and apply next year. And he did and he won. That is the essence of Timar.

I spoke with him the day after the announcement and I asked him what accounted for his focus and his discipline. He gave me three factors:

1) His mother: He said "we were very poor, but we had a structured household with meal times, homework times, etc. We could not stay out late at nights or she would come looking for us".

2) His school: "They always told us that, while we may not be a 'traditional' high school, we should aim for nothing but excellence.

3) Having no alternative: He told me of his friend who was killed in grade 10, and he had determined he was not going down that road.

The moral of the story: There are many Timars out there. They need mentoring and opportunities. Let us not always bad talk our young people; let us find even one and encourage, support and build.

Timar is doing his part at Vauxhall. He teaches math as an after school activity, and he told me: "If I can even save one student, I would have done something good."

It is a long story but, I believe one we should celebrate.

Love and blessings to you, Timar.

Maxine Henry-Wilson

Former Minister of Education

Timar's road to Rhodes

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Dear Editor,

I am a global missionary who principally serves in the Caribbean, having taken several teams with me from Jamaica and the USA to various islands. There are very few islands that I have not gone to yet and the treatment, for the most part, meted out to these dozens of persons by immigration officers in the islands has been mostly good.

I can only recall five incidents that caused concern: two were in Barbados and three were in Grenada, and all were resolved amicably upon my intervention.

In Barbados, I had a student from the Jamaica Theological Seminary, where I formerly served as a professor, come to Barbados on his way to Grenada and was kept in interrogation for over an hour. My host pastors and I waited and waited outside for him, and when we did not see him come out of the airport we had to ask an immigration officer who we should call, as I knew he was on the flight and was off the plane, since he had sent me a text message telling me this. The immigration officer gave us a number to call, and when I called a supervisor confirmed that my student was in their office, but wanted to know who I was. I told her I was a pastor and that the person I was waiting for was on his way to Grenada. It was then that they decided to let him leave. Interestingly, the two pastors from Barbados who were with me asked me if my student had ever travelled before. I told them "no" to which they replied, "they (immigration) are going to give him trouble because once he is young and has a new passport, they will give him trouble."

In Barbados, I had a student from the Jamaica Theological Seminary, where I formerly served as a professor, come to Barbados on his way to Grenada and was kept in interrogation for over an hour. My host pastors and I waited and waited outside for him, and when we did not see him come out of the airport we had to ask an immigration officer who we should call, as I knew he was on the flight and was off the plane, since he had sent me a text message telling me this. The immigration officer gave us a number to call, and when I called a supervisor confirmed that my student was in their office, but wanted to know who I was. I told her I was a pastor and that the person I was waiting for was on his way to Grenada. It was then that they decided to let him leave. Interestingly, the two pastors from Barbados who were with me asked me if my student had ever travelled before. I told them "no" to which they replied, "they (immigration) are going to give him trouble because once he is young and has a new passport, they will give him trouble."

I cannot verify this belief, but it seems that this is a common practice in Barbados, that if someone is young and travelling by themselves on a new or hardly used passport from Jamaica or Guyana, they must be coming to Barbados for mischief. That is the impression I got from that conversation. It was an eye opener.

Similarly, in Grenada, I had to go into immigration to "rescue" two young men from my ministry in Jamaica who had come to visit me in Grenada on separate occasions. Immigration wanted to know why they were coming to Grenada. I calmly explained who I was and the ministry I do in the islands and they were let in. Another from St Vincent had problems getting into Grenada to help with our sports ministry because immigration said he needed a work permit to voulnteer. However, immigration was kind enough to let him.

However, the incidents above and others show that the treatment of Caricom nationals is not on a level playing field. Is it possible that there is some amount of "profiling" that goes on in immigration offices and booths at ports of entry in the region and elsewhere? Are young black males singled out for greater suspicion as potential trouble makers with young black females following closely behind? And why is it that none of my mostly white North American team members that have come to the Caribbean to serve have ever been treated in these ways?

I love the Caribbean and that is why I serve there. And, I cannot say that the incidents described above were discriminatory in nature or that they violate the spirit of Caricom. The spirit of Caricom is not dead! Let us not paint all Caribbean countries with the same brush, and let us not overreact to these instances without knowing all the details and information involved. The government should look into it.

I love the Caribbean and that is why I serve there. And, I cannot say that the incidents described above were discriminatory in nature or that they violate the spirit of Caricom. The spirit of Caricom is not dead! Let us not paint all Caribbean countries with the same brush, and let us not overreact to these instances without knowing all the details and information involved. The government should look into it.

I remain firm in my commitment to Caribbean integration and to serving the people of my region regardless of the negative treatment experienced by some of my fellow Jamaicans and others. For I have come to see that the Caribbean, as elsewhere in the world, is comprised of good people and bad people. And some of the decisions made by people in authority do not represent the feelings and behaviour of the other citizens in that country. Let us keep that in mind when we make our statements and assessments of Caricom.

Rev Courtney Richards

International Director, RENEWED Ministries

The Missionary Church Association in Jamaica

The spirit of Caricom is not dead!

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Dear Editor,

In the early 1990s the West Indies Cricket Team, after almost two decades of dominance of international cricket, found itself struggling among the minnows of the game. After appointing and subsequently replacing a number of team captains, in quick succession, the board finally recognised what should have been obvious from the very beginning.

The declining fortunes of our team had little to do with the captain per se, but rather was the consequence of a multiplicity of factors, including the regional decline in interest in the game, competition from shorter and more lucrative sports, the absence of planning during the years of dominance, and the dearth of talent within the team. Success, they correctly concluded, would be achieved not through the perpetuation of the policy of hiring and firing team captains, but only through the methodical, sustained, long-term effort to correct those factors which were undermining our game.

When I look at Jamaica's crime problem and the current calls for the resignation of the Owen Ellington, commissioner of police, and Peter Bunting, minister of national security, I see parallels with the history of our cricket. And what are we but fools if we do not learn from our history?

It is apparent that the daunting problems with crime in Jamaica, just like those with our cricket, transcend any one particular individual, such as the commissioner of police or the minister of national security, any single institution, such as the police force, and even any single crime plan or piece of legislation. Once we recognise that God and Satan did not conspire to allow more intrinsically "bad men" to be born in Jamaica than anywhere else in the world, then we must conclude that crime in Jamaica is the result of a confluence of social, economic, cultural and political factors, including the debilitating poverty of the masses; a lack of education and of opportunities for upward mobility; joblessness; indiscipline; absence of strong morals and family and national values; dysfunctional homes, especially the epidemic of male absenteeism and of boys growing up without fathers or positive male role models; a culture which glamorises violence; a growing sense of disenchantment with the State; as well as desperation and frustration throughout the society.

Given such circumstances, even the best, brightest and most competent of leaders anywhere in the world would struggle to achieve significant results in crime reduction. It is imperative that we recognise that taming the monster of crime will not be achieved by continuing to hire, then fire, a succession of commissioners of police and/or ministers of national security. Nor will it be achieved through short-term crime plans, political manoeuvres or initiatives. Instead, the solution rests entirely with our people.

What is required is a critical mass of our citizens becoming actively involved in sustained, systematic, long-term interventions aimed at correcting those factors which are driving crime. In assisting our fellow Jamaicans, from all walks of life, to also achieve a higher standard of living and in ensuring that they too are able to live lives of decency, dignity, comfort and enlightenment, we will be making the best possible investment in our own safety, security, well-being and quality of life in the years, decades and centuries to come.

Handel Emery

handelemery@hotmail.com

Crime-fighting more than minister and commissioner

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Dear Editor,

While we are beating the drums of war in respect of the rejection by Trinidad of some of our less than typical examples of Jamaica's finest citizens and a threat to boycott all imports from Trinidad -- except fuels of course -- the raw and brutal experience of racial and cultural prejudice being practised by the Dominican Republic appears not to excite either our passions or our intellectual curiosity.

The Dominican Republic has openly flouted human rights principles, while paying only lip service to the polite requests for dialogue made by its putative Caricom brethren and continues to deprive Haitians of their citizenship, livelihood and, as it is reported, their very lives, while exporting a wide range of products into our country on a duty-free basis by virtue of administrative waivers as a Caricom affiliate.

Indeed, some of those products being imported, such as rum and coffee, cocoa, banana and plantain chips, pvc pipe, barbed wire, and dog food, may very well have been made using exploited Haitian labour and by virtue of the low cost of that labour and the privilege of free entry are putting workers in Jamaica out of business.

If we want to arrange a boycott, logic and mutuality of interest should dictate a temporary boycott against goods from the Dominican Republic until that country demonstrates that it is really a part of the Caribbean Community and subscribes to our ideals and aspirations as people of a common history.

Howard Mitchell

Attorney-at-Law

Dom Rep's actions need more than talk

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Dear Editor,

Well, "Sis P" really 'tun up the thing' on Jamaicans, everything is gone to the dogs and the people are getting 'hignorant'.

I was surprised to walk into the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre and see the transfer system to the 500, 600, 700 and 800 routes discontinued. Now, I have not taken the public bus system in a while, but this is ludicrous. How can people who are not working or are paid at minimum wage manage this? They are sucking the blood out of the people's pockets.

All this is going down so soon as the appointment of Colin Campbell as managing director of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) after his sudden exit from another post because of accusations of wrongdoing. I was a sceptic about it.

Now here is the problem: Jamaicans are too lackadaisical, always taking everything that is thrown at us. We run and discuss it in little groups, without even taking it to the streets. We have the right to protest but, for Jamaica, once given an inch we take millions of miles. We are simply afraid of the anarchy and chaos that will happen if we do. It is as if it is reserved for inner-city dwellers leaving the subservient middle class, and the cover-ups called the upper class, silent and non-responsive. What happens at Parliament affects us all. It is all of us who cause this.

The country responded to the People's National Party's invitation to make life better and for a Government who will listen and work with the people. Where has that mandate gone? We are waiting in vain and in limbo for a word from our prime minister, who has been racking up her frequent flier miles and restricting information. But none is forthcoming, although the JUTC did advertise the changes made. We need reasons for the change as there are anomalies in JUTC's service.

Here are recommendations:

* When resuming duties, all buses should be able to carry passengers along the route it takes to get to its assigned route. (This is one way to boost revenue and relieve the waiting period for passengers).

* Have flexible bus changes in the transport centre. We cannot have two 44 buses, and the 75 route queue of passengers is extremely long or has passengers waiting for hours to get a bus.

The JUTC can avoid all the deficits if it becomes much more flexible in how it operates, and change needs to come quickly if the JUTC is to survive.

Colette campbell

rastarjamaica@yahoo.com

We have bus cries while PM flies

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Dear Editor,

Here we go again. The Treaty of Chaguaramas was not drafted by the untutored and the unlettered, but by the brightest and the best of the region's bureaucrats, intellectuals and politicians. The nuances of the law governing trade and travel, among other issues, was never intended as bedtime reading material for a mass audience. It was meant to apply to a wide range of individuals, from experienced, well-travelled business types to the informal commercial sales ladies of Coronation Market.

Why then would our movers and shakers characterise what the treaty affords as "free movement" when, apart from a few categories of individuals and holders of skills certificates, all it really affords is extended visiting hours of up to six months? This is neither "free" nor "movement".

Therein, once again, lies the genesis of our problem: the failure of those to whom leadership is entrusted to communicate effectively and accurately in simple language with the led. But with one notable and welcome exception, we are world champions at talking, talking, talking.

Errol W A Townshend

Scarborough, Ontario

Canada

ewat@rogers.com

Free movement or just visiting hours?

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Dear Editor,

In the aftermath of last week's tragic incident in St Elizabeth, in which a teenager was allegedly killed by her child's father, the time has come for the police high command to establish minimum guidelines for response time for our law enforcement officers. While this occurs in other jurisdictions, Jamaica is once again lagging behind where this is concern. This guideline should be for all police stations across the length and breadth of the island, regardless of location.

I am very much aware that staffing the police force is extremely challenging, more so in this period of recession and financial constraint. However, it is very clear that we must find additional resources to adequately equip our police officers in order for them to do their job. It is only after this has been done that we can hold them fully accountable for not responding promptly. Minimum response times should become a part of standard operational procedures and should be a part of the curriculum at the police training college. It cannot be business as per usual!

Whether someone had just broke into our home, or whether someone has threatened you or your family member, the first instinct is to call the police for help. It cannot be that in your time of need as a law-abiding citizen the police is not in a position to assist because their vehicle is being used to transport prisoners.

Too often we hear of reports of individuals requesting assistance from the police only to be told that no vehicles are available, or worse yet no petrol is available for the vehicle. This is unacceptable and should not be tolerated anymore.

Who knows, maybe the outcome in St Elizabeth could have been different had the Nain police been able to respond to the call from the deceased grandmother for help. According the grandmother, she called both the Nain and Alligator Pond police stations, repeatedly, for assistance. Obviously too much time was allowed to pass before the police finally arrived on the scene. This crime was probably preventable.

The principle of community policing will not be served if our police officers are not viewed favourably by the communities in which they serve. Effective policing is not only about increasing the number of policemen and men in the force; it is also about facilitating them to effectively respond to the needs of the citizenry in a timely and professional manner.

It is commendable that the Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington has launched an investigation into the matter. Let us use this most regrettable experience to put some corrective measures in place so as not to have a repeat of this most unfortunate incident.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

Minimum police response times should be standard procedure

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Dear Editor,

The planned eviction of I and I Rastafari family from Pinnacle -- the first self-sufficient Rastafari community on the island, located on lands purchased by Leonard P Howell -- seems to be manifesting as Babylon would will it. Already set to give away Goat Islands the Government now intends to take Rastafari lands.

So I and I would like to know, while Jamaica works out with its neighbours sanctions against the Dominican Republic for disinheriting Haitians in that country, our own courts do the same to Rastas?

As far as I and I comprehend, the Jamaican State has made the site a national heritage site, and wishes to evict whoever lives on it. Hence this is firstly a case about land title -- who "owns" the land?

Many of the revolutions of history were fought on grounds of land and property, the Coral Gardens incident of 1963 had similar issues of land ownership to the dispute and ensuing tragedy. So, for public clarity I and I would like to know whose land is it?

If the Rastafarianism is a recognised religious group in Jamaica, and by this I mean in law -- which I believe they are -- and seeing that Jamaica has recently adopted its own Bill of Rights, then there is no denying that Rastafari is a legitimate with regard to religious freedom as recognised in Jamaica, Great Britain, the United States, and other countries. I and I believe one of the arguments against this heinous act of the state, is based on freedom of religion.(ie by evicting off the land and interfering with Rastafari's freedom of religion). Thus this makes the case a constitutional one as well. Does the public defender have anything to say?

I and I cannot be sure what the State intends to do with the site. If the idea is to keep it as State property, as an important part of Jamaican history, it may seem hard to argue against that. After all, the State may argue that they are taking care of the place by doing this, and making sure its historical significance is well known by everyone. This is a controversial notion and forces the question, who have the stakeholders consulted? Could not an initiative that engenders a community and communal heritage trust be set up to navigate the dual existence of a heritage site and the Rastafarian community?

Bearing this in mind, I ask, is it time for some Rastafari agencies and groups, artistes, and lawyers to find a way to take this case to the Privy Council or the Caribbean Court of Justice? There needs to be good advocacy and help in raising international awareness for this undoubted human rights travesty.

I encourage both the Rastafari community, as well as the State, to examine the Saramaka People v Suriname case before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In this case, descendants of self-liberated African slaves were held to be "indigenous peoples" and to enjoy the rights recognised to these categories of people under international law. A similar case can be made for the communities at Pinnacle as well. Using that line of argument, if the land if sold no project will be able to start unless the consent of the local communities has been secured by the company. (See the International Finance Corporation Performance Standard number 5 and 7). This is a powerful tool. I hope you understand, this does not change anything with regards to the title to the land, but at least it could prevent the land from being destroyed by logging, mining, tourist resorts, or whatever their plans are.

Yannick Nesta Pessoa

yannickpessoa@yahoo.com

http://about.me/yannickpessoa

Save Pinnacle for RasTafari

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This is an open Letter to Mr Adam Stewart:

Dear Editor,

As the yuletide season approaches it would be the norm for your organisation to receive several warm wishes. I hope that my correspondence doesn't get lost in the voluminous submissions during the period.

A few weeks ago during my sojourn to Hanover to spend quality time with my family, the unthinkable happened just as I ended my blissful days of relaxation and was about start my three-hour trek back to the hustle and bustle of Kingston. When I inserted the key into the ignition of my Honda City motor car I purchased a few months ago from your dealership, the unthinkable occurred -- the car wouldn't start!

In a panic, and being the frantic soul I am, I sought all possible assistance I could get from the very helpful staff at the hotel at which I was staying. But, alas, none could assist.

I then sought the help of my personal contacts, two of which were members of your staff. Within minutes of reaching out to them, they were able to coordinate an entire response team spanning both ATL offices in Kingston and Montego Bay.

Mr Stewart, in Jamaica, we are often bombarded with stories of negative customer service that is meted out to persons who spend their hard-earned cash to acquire assets so that they can live much more comfortably. And sometimes, unfortunately, these negative experiences can cause consumers to settle with or think it is the norm to accept and even tolerate mediocrity.

I wish, however, to thank you, and applaud your staff for raising the bar and entrenching in the minds of Jamaicans like me, that customer service should and must always be at the highest level, no matter the dollar amount you have spent.

The service above self that I experienced by your staff in assisting me in getting my car back to working condition, despite however minor the problem was, I applaud them. Not very often would any company or their staff go beyond the call of duty, especially on a weekend. My emergency occurred on a Sunday afternoon, so I am sure you can imagine the mental torture I experienced in realising that my car would not start.

I wish to unreservedly thank your following staff members for their assistance, and service above self: Suzette Campbell, Tanya-Sue Young, Petrina Purser, Everol Anderson, Jordan Powell.

Once again I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the ATL team, as you not only do what you say, but you mean it, do it, and abide by it. ATL is truly unbeatable.

Nicole Hayles

nicoleantoinettehayles@gmail.com

ATL is truly unbeatable

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Dear Editor

The Honourable Mr Seymour Justice Panton, president of the Court of Appeal, continues to decolonise our justice system by taking the Court of Appeal, for the first time, to the people in the spirit of our Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) 2002.

I do not think it is well known that he started the process when he removed the colonial dress of judges of the Court of Appeal and replaced it with one obviously Jamaican.

Our people should confidently expect our Ladyship, the Chief Justice, to take civil matters in the Supreme Court to the people, as has been the case in criminal matters in that jurisdiction and both civil and criminal matters in the jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrate's Court. The obvious result is better service to the people and less costs to litigants as contemplated by the CPR 2002.

Civil Procedure Rules 2002 Part 2.7 provides:

Court's discretion as to where, when and how it deals with cases

1. The court may deal with a case at any place and time that it considers appropriate.

2. In considering what place or time may be appropriate the court must consider the convenience of such place or time to the parties and their attorneys-at-law and to any witnesses.

3. The court may order that any hearing be conducted in whole or in part by means of a telephone conference call, videoconference or any other form of electronic communication.

4. The court may give directions to facilitate the conduct of a hearing by the use of any electronic or digital means of communication or storage or retrieval of information, or any other technology if considers appropriate.

I think some such civil matters can be taken by judges on circuit and can be accommodated in court houses in central towns and cities until Government is able to provide other suitable accommodations.

Owen S Crosbie

Attorney/Barrister-at-Law &

former Clerk of Courts

oss@cwjamaica.com

Justice for the people

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Dear Editor,

It is true what they say about propaganda; if it is repeated often enough, after a while, people will believe it, whether or not it is true.

I was watching a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) programme some time ago that was urging us Jamaicans to buy Jamaican goods and services. The irony of this campaign is that it is being pushed by a Government that is itself refusing to buy Jamaican.

Take the recent issue of the high-end vehicles that were purchased for some government ministers. Did you know that there is a company that manufactures cars right here in Jamaica? Now, while it may be true that the cars that this factory makes may not be of the luxury class to which our politicians are accustomed, our Government doesn't seem to care much about Jamaican-produced cars.

If our Government believes in this "Buy Jamaican" campaign so much, why doesn't it purchase some of these locally produced cars for some of its field officers, like the inspectors from RADA, the education officers from the education ministry, the health inspectors, or even the police? Why not do this, instead of buying expensive imports for them?

Indeed, wouldn't it be a very good marketing "ploy" about the reliability of Jamaican-manufactured goods and a strong statement of belief in Jamaica?

And it's not just about cars. I remember one of our leading universities, which is state-owned, deciding to ignore local software developers for a foreign one when it wanted to improve the efficiency of its operations. Though not state-owned, one of the country's largest banks did the same thing. The same is true of a state-owned housing solutions entity. The list could continue.

What I have noticed with this so-called "Buy Jamaican" campaign is that it seems to be targeting those small products that are made here - like patties, simple utensils, small furniture and the like. High-end products, like cars, software and some electronics that may be made here are frowned upon by large entities and the Government.

Why is it that we like to say things that we really don't mean?

The Government needs to understand that when large entities, like itself, ignore our industries, especially those that produce high-end goods, it not only comes across as hypocritocal, it is actually helping to retard our development.

Why preach it if you are unwilling to practise it?

Michael A Dingwall

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Lame 'Buy Jamaican' campaign

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Dear Editor,

Timar Jackson, past student of non-traditional high school Vauxhall, has been selected as the Jamaican Rhodes scholar for the year 2014. This selection has certainly caught the nation off guard as this achievement is not only unprecedented, but was totally unexpected.

There certainly could not have been many youngsters who would have chosen to attend Vauxhall High on their preferred list of high schools upon registration for the Grade Six Achievement Test. And those so placed would have lost no time in seeking transfers to what are regarded as "better schools".

I have known of parents who would have experienced a prolonged state of depression if their children were placed at a Vauxhall High. Others in the past, have been moved to tears when their charges are placed at schools which are labelled non-traditional.

But recent events have proven conclusively that, given a common syllabus, accompanied with the required motivation and hard work, our children can excel at whatever institution they might be privileged to attend.

Timar has completely shattered the myth that high scholastic attainment is the unique preserve of a select group of traditional high schools. He has also given meaning to the concept that, with hard work and perseverance, anyone can excel in whatever situation they may find themselves.

Webster Edwards

ed@flowja.com

Cheers to Vauxhall High

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