Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

The latter part of 2013 was truly remarkable for Jamaica and Jamaicans both here and abroad.

For the first time a non-American, Tessanne Chin, won NBC's The Voice. Everyone is still talking about Chin's commanding performances throughout the season. Indeed, we are still basking in the glory that Tessanne's victory brought to us as a nation. The entire Jamaica, including the Diaspora, anticipates great things from her in 2014.

However, something had to spoil the moment. The clash between Lady Saw and Macka Diamond at Sting 2013 on Boxing Day was most disgraceful and distasteful. We continue to worship at the altar of indecency and money, and as a result we continue to lose our sense of self. What's worse, we are no longer content with only feeding our own people these lewd and offensive lyrics. We are now exporting this ugly side of us for the entire world to see.

The fact that this annual event was streamed live via the Internet allowed people from all over the world to see the muck dished out by these two veterans of dancehall. The profanity-laced performance of these two big women is certainly a new low in dancehall music and all civic-minded Jamaicans should speak up about this. Enough is enough!

After so many years in the industry one would have thought that they would 'dress up' their performance — only wishful thinking. There was nothing diamond like about your performance "Macka"; "Saw" there was nothing ladylike about yours.

Ladies, it's no longer cute to be vulgar and crude. I encourage both of you to try and diversify your repertoire for the new year and beyond. How do you feel when you watch the video of your Sting performance? Are you satisfied with how you are representing yourself, your brand, and women in particular? Would you want your daughter or someone you care about dearly to emulate your Sting performance?

The 2013 award for most shameful behaviour in the field of entertainment goes to Saw and Macka for their lewd Sting performance. We all have a collective responsibility to work towards making Jamaica a better place to live and raise our families.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

The high and low end to 2013

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Dear Editor,

We are all familiar with the saying "Half of a loaf is better than no bread," but it seems to me that some people do not know what it means. They tend to want the lion's share instead of giving thanks for what they get or have. And, my, how they knit their brows, and scoff and frown, when they cannot get a big chicken leg on their plate.

Let me make it clear, I covet no one, but there are some people whose bread well buttered on both sides. They don't have to work. Then there are those who are giving precious food to their dogs when others are dying from hunger.

Plus, there are many young people who are saying that they don't eat this and they don't eat that; and will not satisfy with some ackee and saltfish with boiled banana. They want fast food. They put their parents under a lot of pressure to find the money, wherever they can get it.

Then there are some who are not willing to work for chicken feed. They want full success. Instead of earning an honest living, which may mean working for chicken-feed or living from "hand to mouth", they convert themselves into robbers and killers.

Sometimes coffee, sometimes tea, old people say. You may be accustomed of eating ham and bacon, but the day you discover you only have johnny cakes take it in stride. No need for a fiery storm. We need to learn to be satisfied when we cannot get what we want.

Billy Graham recounted a story of a poor couple who had an overnight guest at their home. And this is what the couple said to the guest: "Whatever you need just let us know, and we will come and show you how to get along without it." This should be a message to us.

Donald J Mckoy.

donaldmckoy2010@hotmail.com

Half of loaf better than no bread

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Dear Editor,

Since Jamaicans have a propensity for being flippant, then they must be among the more frivolous people in the world. It is quite surprising that people who claim to abhor corruption have no actual interest in reducing or publicising corruption because they are so fixated on trivial matters.

Very few people are discussing the auditor general's most recent report which highlighted irregularities at agencies like the Agri-Investment Corporation and the Jamaica Customs Agency, but most persons have a vested interested in the Jamaica Tourist Board's (JTB) decision to fund last year's version of Sting.

The issue of contention is that Sting is a private event that should not be subsidised by the government. This argument is a valid, but JTB has financed other entertainment events in the past and there was no backlash.

The issue of contention is that Sting is a private event that should not be subsidised by the government. This argument is a valid, but JTB has financed other entertainment events in the past and there was no backlash.

Public financing of private events must not be encouraged, and even more public bodies must be privatised because it's not the Government's role to operate any business. But it is the JTB's duty to market the industry and collaborate with local entertainment executives. Therefore, the organisation's support for Sting may be seen as a public-private partnership.

Furthermore, Jamaica has a comparative advantage in entertainment, so the Government may want to play a role in improving the product. The Government's decision to fund Sting, through the JTB, was not far-fetched, and the opposition that it received was due to the perception that Sting is a vulgar event for viragos. This is a classic example of majoring in the minor.

The funds of the JTB can be used to finance any tourism project, whether it is a public investment or a partnership with the private sector. If funds of the JTB were being diverted to finance to non-tourism-related activities this would be a cause for concern, it does not matter if the activity is a public one.

So, instead of holding elected representatives accountable in light of the auditor general's damning reports, citizens are paying greater attention to matters of lesser importance.

Sting is a playground for outrageous personalities and entertainers are expected to deliver a very slack product for their audience, so the unsavoury behaviour of two female performers at Sting should not be a surprise to anyone because Sting is a rowdy event and these female performers have a long history of coarseness.

When simplistic members of the public major in the minor they provide an incentive for politicians to be corrupt. So, in 2014, the citizens of this country should not allow themselves to be distracted by nonsensical issues.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Distractions and corruption

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Dear Editor,

It's always better to be safe than sorry. Avoiding contact with any chemical or substance that could possibly trigger an allergic reaction is always the best possible option available to those who suffer from allergies. However, there are some individuals who are unable to identify the allergens to which they should stay away from and as a result they continue to come in contact with such allergens.

Anyone who had an allergic reaction knows the severe discomfort that accompanies this medical condition requiring multiple visits to the hospital and time off from work and or school. It's a time of sheer frustration and distress.

In North America (the United States of America and Canada) individuals who are at risk from developing an allergic reaction have at their disposal the choice of getting a prefilled automatic injection containing epinephrine, a chemical that narrows blood vessels and opens airways in the lungs. These effects can reverse severe skin itching, hives and other symptoms of an allergic reaction.

However, patients in Jamaica are not so fortunate, since the local medical fraternity, for whatever the reasons, does not see this as a priority. Having access to such a drug can be a necessary life-saving tool.

Individuals who have had a history of allergies or asthma, or people who have had severe allergic reactions may be at risk for anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is a sudden and potentially fatal allergic reaction in somebody sensitive to a substance characterised by a drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, itching and swelling. However, it appears that in Jamaica this is not viewed that such a first line response in a case of emergency, until that individual get to the hospital for further treatment, is vital.

Why is it that in Jamaica bars access to such drugs? What is the position of the Ministry of Health regarding having it available locally?

With so few doctors trained as allergists in Jamaica, maybe the time has come for the local medical fraternity to examine the possibility of allowing access to patients who suffer from severe form of allergies.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

Allergies is serious business, MOH

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Dear Editor,

As the dust and confetti now settles post-holiday festivities, and as life on this little island slowly returns to the painful reality we call normality, one cannot help but to wonder if this year will see Government and the people continuing with business as usual.

This festivities ushered in what is undoubtedly the make-it-or-break-year for this current government spearheaded by Portia Simpson Miller. One takes keen notice that, notwithstanding the prime leadership role occupied by the prime minister, she is yet able to communicate to the long-suffering people of this country the authentic way forward.

For, let's face it, the way of the IMF cannot be the road which leads to ultimate prosperity for all Jamaicans. After the life of this programme has ended, what will become of our economy, will we see the benefits of the stable macroeconomic platform which we all have sacrificed for over these last years? What will become of our ever-increasing and absolutely untenable crime situation? Will we the law-abiding citizens continue to live in fear? And, most importantly, what will be done to heal the the social fabric of our nation which has been ripped apart by the harshness of austerity?

During the nascent days of this government's sojourn, the Progressive Agenda was touted everywhere and anywhere, especially by Madam PM. May I inquire as to what has happened to this much-touted development plan?

Noel Matherson

noelmatherson@gmail.com

What will become of us?

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Dear Editor,

People become affluent by creating a product that the market demands in excessive quantities. And with the increased prevalence of the Internet it is now easier to create wealth and engage in business transactions.

According to Mckinsey Global Institute, the Internet accounted for 21 per cent of GDP growth in mature economies during 2006-2011, and it is no surprise that the architects of brands like Facebook are young people.

Technology has provided even the destitute with an opportunity to accumulate vast riches in a modern capitalist economy and, prior to the evolution of technology, success stories were not elusive either. For example, billionaire Lakshmi Mittal was born in a poor Indian village, but this did not prevent him from becoming a global business leader.

Therefore, the Pope's description of capitalism as a "form of tyranny" is baseless. The Pope and many of his ilk fail to understand that it is the free market and pro-growth policies that reduce income inequality and uplift the poor. Taxes and excessive government regulations are disincentives to growth and restrict entrepreneurship and job creation, thus keeping the poor destitute.

In 1970, Sweden was the fourth richest country in the world. But with an increase in taxes and statist policies, economic growth decreased; and by 1993, Sweden had become the 14th richest country in the world. However with the creation of conservative economic policies, like the abolition of wealth and property taxes and the reduction of the corporate tax to 22 per cent, Sweden is becoming more conducive to investments and wealthy citizens who migrated years ago to flee burdensome taxes, like Ingvar Kamprad are now making Sweden their home again.

Capitalism's record in eliminating poverty is enviable. According to the Cato Institute, India would have had 175 million fewer people living in poverty by 2008 had it embarked upon reforms in 1971, instead of 1991. Income inequality maybe a concern to many, but stifling capitalism will only make the problem worse.

Being a religious leader, the Pope's primary objective is to save souls, bashing capitalism is not one of his duties. Furthermore, we must not begrudge the rich for being successful because we have benefitted tremendously from their products that have enriched our lives. Only capitalism can solve income inequality, and instead of complaining about the wealth of rich people, the Pope and his fans could encourage the poor to take advantage of the opportunities that the Internet has created.

We must be realistic, not everyone will be rich, and since some individuals are more talented than others, we will never be equal. Progressive policies rarely work, but intellectuals like the Pope continue to suffer from delusions of grandeur.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

The Pope's delusion

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Dear Editor,

If anybody had any doubt as to how seriously crime is taken by our prime minister and leader of the Opposition all they have to do is listen to the prime minister's New Year's message.

"We can't sit back and watch our nation's hopes go up in gunsmoke (not smoke)," said Prime Minister Simpson Miller. We need to convince the minister of national security that DNA and forensic science, although not a panacea, can significantly reduce crime or can impact positively their ability to bring criminals to justice.

In 2012, two young men were accused of brutally raping five females, including three children, in Irwin, St James. Even with court testimonies they were eventually set free through the use of DNA samples.

The most recent auditor general's report was very critical of the Forensic Services Laboratory. There has to be major improvement.

Crime is costing the country approximately five per cent of GDP; in 2012 Jamaica's GDP was US$14.84 billion. The level of crime also scares away foreign investors, prevents businesses from expanding, and creates a climate of fear and inertia.

Seriously, the way the Government is functioning, I believe if the International Monetary Fund (IMF) makes reducing crime a part of their conditionalities, no matter how scarce resources are, our Government will find it.

At the same time, the leader of the Opposition is walking a tightrope. While he may not agree with some IMF proposals, he cannot send any signals to his supporters that may be misinterpreted. The economy is too fragile to take any shocks. But embracing DNA and forensics can solve many crimes, as seen abroad. It reduces a heavy reliance on eyewitness testimony, as it can identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exist.

What's more, it can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons accused or convicted of crimes. Of course there will be a need to establish a DNA database, and this will take some time, and as always it can be opened to corrupt practices. For me, however, it is far better than relying on divine intervention, let us leave that for the Pope.

Mark Clarke

Siloah, St. Elizabeth

mark_clarke9@yahoo.com

Make crime reduction IMF conditionality

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Dear Editor,

For the past two weeks, the Retirement Dump near Montego Bay, St James, has been on fire, and a huge blanket of smoke has been settling on nearby communities at night.

This is a condition that repeats itself several times a year. During the day, after the north-east trade winds begin to blow, the smoke dissipates. During the night, people who reside in communities, including Gutters, Retirement, Mud Valley, Pitfore, Granville, Tucker, Bogue Village, Bogue, Catherine Hall, Westgate Hills, Reading, Freeport, and Montego Bay, are forced to breathe in dense smoke derived from toxic waste materials. This obviously carries short and long-term risks to people's health and is not an acceptable situation.

I think that the MoBay public deserves the urgent action of the solid waste agency in resolving the ongoing causes of the smoke. The public also deserves the attention of the political representatives, the tourism sector leaders, the environmental NGOs, and the environment protection agency to bring attention and pressure to have the current situation dealt with and future occurrences prevented.

I suspect that if this condition existed in Kingston there would be prominent headlines, NEPA would be carrying out tests of the smoke, and NSWMA would be contacted for comment by radio and TV stations, and environmental NGOs would be holding press conferences. Someone please help!

Mark Hall

hallsinvest@gmail.com

MoBay dump nuisance

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Dear Editor,

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in her new year's message, has put some whopping words on crime. She has said that the Government will be doing all it can to slay the crime monster and so on. Crime seems to be their main focus.

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness and other dignitaries have also voiced their concern about the crime monster and want to see it convincingly defeated this new year.

I am not being rude, but I wonder if our leaders are wholeheartedly serious and are totally committed to launch an attack against the crime problem.

What worries me, they did not say: "We are going to attack this very successful gun trade and its gunrunners, and we will not leave any stone unturned until we bring them down to naught." This is a big blunder that spoiled their new year's messages.

Our leaders ought to put their strongest foot forward in that direction, because the gun trade is the fuel for most crime in Jamaica. The gun trade is like a massive stumbling block that is heavily weighing down the society. It's like, for example, cancer and AIDS that are killing many people. And while we cannot find a cure for these, we have the cure for the gun trade, but our leaders lack the wisdom and will to stamp it out.

When you eliminate the gun trade in Jamaica, it will be like a new Jamaica has already been formed.

When a wicked, cold-hearted bastard holds a gun in his merciless hand, and points it at you, he feels like he has all the power in the world. Maybe he thinks that the gun also gives him supernatural power.

So, it seems to me that our leaders are deliberately scoffing at the gun trade, and are not completely willing to bring it down. Most of the time when they speak, they don't directly mention the gunrunners, or even cast a light on them. When you destroy the gun trade and its followers you also cut down crime.

Donald J Mckoy

donaldmckoy2010@hotmail.com

Kill the gun trade, cut down crime

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Dear Editor,

I sincerely hope our Government, supported by the Opposition, will act upon the advice of former Prime Minister P J Patterson, a most senior member of the Bar to abolish appeals to the Privy Council, which incidentally is a colonial court and should not be a court of Jamaica since we are no longer a colony. Legislations should, however, make provisions for smooth and rapid transition to the Caribbean Court of Justice as our final court of appeal, as well as to provide for invalidation of what is, in my opinion, the bad decision by the Privy Council that judges of our final court should be entrenched in our Constitution while the Privy Council itself is not entrenched. Remember our people cannot appear before that court as of right, because permission has to be granted to enter Britain, and further, if permission is given, those of our people who can afford the enormous cost have to travel over ten thousand miles, both ways, to have access.

I emphasise rapid transition to the Caribbean Court of Justice, because we need that court for cheaper and easier access to justice.

Owen S Crosbie

Attorney/Barrister-at-Law

Mandeville, Manchester

oss@cwjamaica.com

Follow P J, go to CCJ

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Dear Editor,

How do you think it feels to be a Jamaican in the state of Colorado on New Year's Day 2014? Annoyed! For that was the day that Colorado legalised the use of marijuana while poverty-stricken Jamaica looks on in frustration as our ability to enter the market legally seems overpowered by American might.

Jamaica has always been known as the country that produces the best grade of ganja in the world. And don't tell me about ganja being a dangerous drug, for it is a well-known fact, internationally accepted by now, that ganja has been used to treat or cure many diseases and is certainly a miracle worker when it comes to relieving chronic pain.

So why is it we have to keep out industry underground, even while the states of Colorado and Washington are able to legalise the product?

For what we will see happening is that state after state in the USA will legalise the use of the product until it is freely available in every nook and cranny of the USA. This will happen all while the federal government uses its military and economic might to keep weak, small countries like Jamaica from legally entering the market and offering quality products on a competitive basis. It is sheer economic terrorism on the part of the Americans.

It is now clear that the rest of the producing world has to come together to fight this most unfair attempt by the American Government to sneak around the important terms of the WTO agreement, which were signed by all interested in fostering a level playing field in trade, internationally. In the meantime too, we must join the courageous government of Uruguay which on 23rd December 2013 signed into

law its progrmme to institute a legally regulated market for marijuana.

Joan Williams

gratestj@gmail.com

Why haven't we entered the ganja trade?

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Dear Editor,

"Blacks' problem lie not in the head of white people, but rather in the wasted and incompletely fulfilled lives of too many black people" -- Dinesh D' Souza

Nothing is wrong with lauding Jamaica for its spectacular performance in athletics and entertainment, but the country's success in these sectors, must not overshadow its failures.

Most Jamaicans like to boast about the accomplishments of our world-class entertainers and athletes, but we cannot idolise individual achievements forever. Although the entertainment industry can boost growth rates, by itself it will not improve Jamaica's international reputation or lift the majority of Jamaicans out of poverty. Smart investments in education and technology can, however, transform Jamaica's economic fortunes. This policy has been pursued by many states and it never fails.

Furthermore, a country educational standards are often used a guide to determine prospective investment destinations, especially in science and technology. Since Switzerland has the highest number of scientific publications per capita in the OECD and, according to a study conducted by Harvard Business School, Sweden has the second highest number of trained engineers per capita, therefore it should not surprise us that both countries are two of Europe's shining stars. Even Estonia, a former pariah state, is reaping the success of smart reforms implemented in the 90s, presently high-tech industries account for about 15 per cent of its GDP.

With Jamaica's economic track record of slow growth, the focus on entertainment is ridiculous. If we want people to take us seriously we cannot only be known for fun and games. When other countries become leaders in e-government and education, portraying ourselves as singers and dancers cannot be an alternative. When this is done we only solidify the view that blacks are mere minstrels that left hard work behind when slavery ended. No nation can become successful by wishing and hoping, but if Jamaicans believe that singing and dancing will make Jamaica a great nation, they can continue to entertain themselves while we become the laughing stock of the world.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

We can't sing and dance our way to prosperity

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Dear Editor,

Let me commend Minister of Health Fenton Ferguson on the work he has been doing. The reopening of the Santa Cruz Health Centre marks the the reopening of over 100 health centers across Jamaica since he took office. This is a step in the right direction.

Minister Ferguson continues to focus on improved health care for Jamaicans as these health centres of excellence are expected to deal with areas such as laboratory tests, dental, maternity, and paediatric health, HIV, family planning, etc.

In 2013 he tabled legislation with the view to control the ill health caused by tobacco exposure. From this there should be a decrease in the amount taxpayers pay to mange diseases caused by tobacco exposure. Research shows that for every $1 of taxes collected for cigarette companies Government spends between $8 and $13 to treat tobacco-related illnesses. The legislation should also result in the improved health of the persons previously exposed to tobacco as they will no longer face the threat.

We have also seen an improvement in the number of vehicles that serve this sector. As recent as September 2013 ambulances valued at $80 million were handed over to the different regional authorities. This, in my view, is a great improvement achieved in the minister's two years in office.

It is important to note that Minister Fenton Ferguson is one who tries his best to keep his promises and this inspires confidence in him and his ability to get things done.

It is for this reason now that he has committed to put in place a suitable Kidney Transplant Programme at the Cornwall Regional Hospital. We eagerly await this accomplishment.

Gary Rowe

Coleyville PO

Manchester

magnett0072004@yahoo.com

Good job, Minister Ferguson

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Dear Editor,

In early January we have two celebrations to take note of. One is the treaty that the Maroons signed with the British, and the other is the independence of Haiti. Both are seen as victories for us. However, did we really win in those cases?

The treaty that the Maroons celebrate every year was supposed to be for the "victory" that they gained over the British. I am still puzzled as to how anyone can call this a victory for us.

Realising that they could not defeat the Maroons militarily, the British did the next best thing in pursuit of their objectives. They arranged to give the Maroons Indian-like reservations with some autonomy. The British had three primary objectives: stability for Jamaica, the Maroons to be subdued and, most importantly, the island to be kept in the empire.

The British achieved all of these objectives with the treaty. Further, they got more. In exchange for peace, the Maroons agreed to help maintain the slave system on the island.

Then there is the Haitian Revolution. This is celebrated by us black people as the military defeat that our ancestors inflicted on France over 200 years ago. However, this isn't really so.

The Haitians were determined to have a country that was free of French and European control — and slavery. They wanted a prosperous Haiti. The French, on the other hand, were determined to have what the Haitians got — if not Haiti, then their wealth.

Having failed to get what they wanted by military means, the French (and their European allies) did the next best thing — they "obliged" Haiti to pay all they had.

I am not sure how the revolution can be seen as a Haitian victory. The French gave the Haitians a choice — either they didn't hand over their wealth and be locked out of the world economy, keeping their freedom, dignity and perhaps remaining poor; or hand over their wealth and dignity and thus become poor. Of course, the Haitians chose the later. Some victory.

We celebrate the "victory" of the Maroons, but this is a great sham. The British succeeded in keeping the island in the empire and the Maroons subservient. All they got was a few hundred acres of land. We celebrate the victory of the Haitians. However, as I see it, the French succeeded in taking what the Haitians had. Who were the true victors and the true vanquished in these cases?

We fail to understand history when we continue to fool ourselves and celebrate these "victories". The Europeans knew that wars don't have to be won by force of arms alone. Sometimes brains work better than bullets.

Michael A Dingwall

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Did we really win?

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Dear Editor,

The Government had a good year in two of three critical sub-sectors. Both Dr Peter Phillips and Ronald Thwaites demonstrated strong intellectual command and leadership as they confronted the current exigencies of their ministries.

The gargantuan task of reining in our strangulating debt under the prescriptive mandate of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is clearly showing signs of initial success. The absolute necessity of achieving the core objective of this programme of debt reduction means there can be no turning back or recalcitrance. Pain and hardships are all around, but the challenge is to make them be the birth pains of a more economically secure future for all Jamaicans.

Dr Phillips's job has not been easy. He has had to cut and shaft spending whilst imposing harsh taxes in a limping economy. His openness and frankness has been helpful, so far. But he must, in 2014, deal with the nascent perception that the prescriptive economic medicine is an overkill to small businesses, shopkeepers, tradesmen, bar owners, higglers, and hustlers -- the belly of the Jamaican society. There is also an urgent imperative to strategically and persuasively engage the IMF to revisit the matter of the social safety net.

The success of the broader objectives of the Government rests somewhat on the head of Education Minister Ronald Thwaites. Our ability to increase productivity and dwarf antisocial trends will largely depend on improvement in the quality delivered in our classrooms. Minister Thwaites has shown the willingness and capacity to challenge the prevailing orthodoxies that have entombed our education sector, condemning it to low performances and hopelessness for too many.

It is unworthy of debate that education must be tailored to our country's and children's needs. There has to be more than tweaking; there has to be new and broader thinking to fix the imperatives. Mr Thwaites must yield no ground to the non-cerebral resistance to change.

The twin challenges of the economy and education are what hold Peter Bunting, the minister of national security, a virtual hostage. On the one hand, he cannot get the resources necessary to fight the monster he confronts; a monster which thrives on our economic malaise. On the other hand, his burden is increased by the steady influx of youth from a broken education system, who are siphoned into the decadence and antisocial notion that haunts our country. Minister Bunting is failing where others before him have, and so will all who come after him until or unless we fix the economy and education.

Delford G Morgan

Montego Bay PO

pepe.morgan@yahoo.com

The Bunting/Thwaites enigma

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Dear Editor,

Our politicians are not interested in solving Jamaica's crime problem. They always seem to suggest some band-aid solutions. It does not take a rocket scientist to solve our crime problem on a long-term basis, but the politicians do not have the political will.

If we do not restore law and order in our country, then all our other problems, such as unemployment, brain drain, corruption, low levels of investments, etc, will remain with us.

Some of the long-term solutions to our crime problem are:

* A security force that is well equipped with the most up-to-date tools and technology, are not corrupt and whose members are well paid; an improved justice system.

* Zero tolerance to all forms of infractions;

* The building of more prisons;

* The tearing down of all political garrisons;

* Longer prison terms for those who commit serious crime such as murder and rape;

* The resumption of capital punishment.

If we pass one million International Monetary Fund tests and do not pass the test to solve our crime problem, then our economy will remain stagnant.

Our politicians need to get the political will to solve the crime problem once and for all.

Courtney Barrette

Waltham Park Road

St Andrew

Courtney_Barrette@yahoo.com

Solving crime needs political will and...

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Dear Editor,

We, as a nation, seem to be nearly running out of excuses in desperation to find some answer to account for the runaway monster of crime now marauding across the nation.

To be fair, it is not so much that we are intellectually unable to identify plausible reasons which fuel the wildfire of burgeoning crime, it is more that we choose to ignore painful realities.

As I see it, there are three, or so, major root reasons for crime in Jamaica; and indeed crime anywhere in any country. If these can be tackled we are sure to see positive results, given, of course, the necessary resolve and political will. They are: 1. human nature. 2. societal organisation and culture, and 3. mental illness.

Human behaviour, at its best, even in the most "intelligent" of us, is mainly influenced by the instincts generated in the oldest, most primitive section of the brain responsible for violence, territoriality and forced capture of others and their goods, strong mating urges, the "rights" of the stronger to rule the weaker — even within the human family itself, such as men vs women or master over slave, and so on. Recreational drugs only enhance the expression of these instincts, often in anti-social pathways.

Neo-cortex reasoning is almost powerless against the primitive human urges. Neo-cortex devised the "miracle" of splitting the atom; nuclear bombs are now co-opted by our violent instincts to threaten annihilation.

Knowing the need for divine guidance, our creator, in designing our brain, gave us religions suitable for our various cultures, East and West, as guidelines to organise society in ways which will minimise the outbreak of violent tendencies due to perceived unfairness in societal organisation in any specific culture. This has also been used as excuses for religious war/crusades.

Violence in any society is a given, but relatively peaceful societies, or rather those with extended peaceful episodes, usually are of two types. They are either ruled by extreme ruthlessness or they are largely able to fulfil the basic needs of the vast majority of citizens.

Now, let us ask ourselves why, against this background, is Jamaica in the top five or so nations with the highest per capita murder rate for civilisations not

at war?

Cathy Brown

cathy291181@yahoo.com

The brain of crime

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Dear Editor,

The Ministry of Education's move towards payment of teachers' salaries electronically should be commended. This new thrust is certainly a cost-saving measure, as this will definitely save on paper and put Jamaica in sync with many other societies in this paperless era in which we operate.

However, for those teachers who do not have an account at any of the commercial banks they are now in limbo as they will be forced to open accounts at commercial banks. The building societies and credit unions in Jamaica have had a long and positive association with the Jamaican public. Why is it then that building societies and credit unions have been excluded from this e-Payment arrangement. Given the relatively short notice given by the Ministry of Education regarding this new relationship, it would be appreciated if they were to expand the list of financial institutions in this partnership to facilitate those teachers who currently are not members of commercial banks.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

E-pay is good, MOE, but...

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Dear Editor,

Lately, I've been allowing my mind to wander into what Jamaica was like before I was born and even up until the early millennium. So far, I must say I am quite impressed and, at the same time, I am quite perturbed.

Travelling through the infamous Tivoli Gardens for the past couple of years has been rather exhilarating. Beyond the barricades, stripping paint, empty buildings, and criminal associations, Tivoli is perfect. In all my observations of the communities I've been to, above and below Cross Roads, none other expresses such symphonic brilliance in community planning and cohesion.

The initiative of strata developments pays off perfectly. It corrects the poor land management practices used by the National Housing Trust and private investors and is not lacking anything from the overpriced match boxes elsewhere, that are obviously a first step to debt.

With less juice boxes strewn across the area, space is available to build businesses. If you observe, there are mechanic shops, restaurants, boutiques, furniture stores, funeral parlours, bars. The diversity is staggering. The community also has multiple recreational spaces, churches, schools, a theatre, a cemetery, a police station, a health centre, a home for the aged, and a stadium. All these backed by a renowned dance troupe, marching band and multiple sports teams. No wonder they call it the republic!

Not even Portmore, in all its hype, is worthy to dust Tivoli's shoes in community development. No guilded residential area, with all their pompous occupants, cultured lawns, endearing security systems, and magic dust can trump such sustainable genius. I'm jealous.

Minus the criminality, splash a new coat of paint, get the schools up to par and watch and see this bewildered titan resurge beyond the stigma and heal its vilest lacerations. Then I tell you, it will be the platinum real estate no one will refuse.

Dave Richards

20-year-old hopeful citizen

d1darichards@gmail.com

The Republic of Tivoli

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Dear Editor,

If anyone had told me that women today would be walking nearly naked, skimpily dressed, personally I would tell them no way. Even when attending church some women are skimpily attired.

Young women of today have lost all value, dignity and integrity. The majority of our Jamaican women seem to have lost self-respect and pride.

Proverbs, in the Bible, speaks about a virtuous woman, she is worth far more than rubies, but on this small island it is almost impossible for a young man to select a wife with virtue.

If this is how modern-day Jamaica expects us to express ourselves by showing off our body parts that should only be seen by the man or woman to whom we are married, then I think I would rather remain in the olden days, because at least I would die a lady.

K Darby

Concerned citizen

Who can find a virtuous woman?

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