Jamaica Observer

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the article by Grace Virtue in the Observer titled "Ronica's Law: Ban the pit bull". I am one of those persons who have been bitten by one of those dogs, though it was due to my own ignorance. My main concern about this matter is a little different from that of most persons.

I am not of the view that there should be an outright ban of these animals. If the owner possesses enough resources to secure the animal within the confines of his or her premises and wishes to do sothen clearly it is neither my concern nor my business. It becomes my business when my health or my life is put at risk.

Far too often I see owners of these animals walking with them at the end of a chain or rope through the town of Christiana. This activity, very often, takes place during the peak hours when the town is most saturated with people. It is also of great concern to me that every so often these animals are being walked by very young persons who are seemingly weaker than the animals they are walking.

I do not believe these animals should be walked in areas of high population and activity such as in a town at peak hour. This is an action that should, in my opinion, be prohibitted or outrightly banned. Let us be proactive and not reactive by not waiting for someone to be killed or seriously injured by an animal being walked before we take the necessary action.

Gary Rowe

Manchester

magnett0072004@yahoo.com

Ban the walking of dogs in towns

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Dear Editor,

Standards in Jamaica have become so low that politicians are often praised for doing ordinary work and the achievements of a few individuals are seen as hallmarks of national success. By doing this we are only subjecting ourselves to a mystical realm, removed from reality.

A country's success is determined by international standards and Jamaica is competing with the world, so we can't boast of achievements that are pale in comparison to others.

For example, Jamaica presently has the second lowest per capita income in the English-speaking Caribbean. Although it has increased since 1962, we are lagging behind economically when compared with a country like South Korea, a former economic backwater.

If Jamaica had a competition with herself then their argument would have merit, but in reality the country's competitiveness is deteriorating in relation to its competitors.

Now, one would expect that in such an environment we would desist from valuing brawn over brains; clearly we do not learn from our more advanced colleagues. We should know by now that it is a country's ability to produce competent graduates and not frivolous entertainers that improves the investment climate and creates quality jobs in the long-term. Why do you think the renowned business school INSEAD and multinational corporations are creating bases in Asia?

Education is a powerful instrument that has transformed many societies and it's really an embarrassment to boast about producing the best sportsmen and entertainers in the world, when our education system is crumbling and corruption is rampant.

Even a foreigner like Mark Bedeman, a director at IBM'S Business Consulting Group, is cognisant of the fact that education can change Jamaica's fortunes. "The attractiveness of a business environment is determined by many factors considered by corporate executives; including real estate, taxation and workforce," he said

The success of people like Usain Bolt is commendable, but their achievements belong only to them. If we want to succeed, then we must restore honour to education and stop believing in fairy tales.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Set our priorities right

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Dear Editor,

It is amusing to read what is occurring in Pinnacle with the lands purported to have been owned by Leonard P Howell. This seems a most alarming situation, not from the perspective of who owns the land but why to date there has been no indication to the general public what searches of the national lands register have yielded. Further, why is it that the parties embroiled in this fracas appear to be so dilatory?

Let us briefly consider the claims of the Rastafarians. Firstly, they purport that Mr Albert Chang sold the land (a monumental amount) to Mr Howell. Secondly, they claim that Mrs Howell is buried on that land.

What we do know is that the seat of the previous capital was moved to Kingston in 1872. With Spanish Town holding the capital for such an extended period of time there is no doubt that proper records exist on the history of the land and its ownership. If Mr Chang owned the land then records would reflect this. We also know that if the land was bought in 1930 it was bought at a peculiar time in Jamaica's history as the Jamaican Government had not expressed any particularly good will towards Chinese emigrants, culminating with the refusal of passport issuance in 1931. How then did a Chinese emigrant, in the 1930s, acquire such a significant piece of land so close to the old capital? At what point did these lands come into the ownership of Mr Chang, before or after 1872? Could Mr Howell have been duped into thinking that the land was owned by Mr Chang, where it was not?

We also know that Jamaica is rife with land transfers occurring in good faith, done on the basis of a receipt without proper title ever changing hands. So one can ask, is there such a receipt, and could Mr Chang have sold the land to several persons if he was indeed the owner?

Finally, why is this not a national monument, regardless of who is the proper owner? I really hope these questions and more are answered in court as we wait with bated breath for another drawn-out 'Kartelian' trial.

Robert Howell

Kingston 6

roberthowelljm@yahoo.com

The lows of Pinnacle

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Dear Editor,

The government has downplayed the implications of the deal with the Chinese, regarding Goat Islands. I state, Chinese, because, in my view, this is not just a deal with a private company. It is indirectly, a deal with the Chinese Government. It is one thing to engage China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in the construction of roads and bridges. It is an entirely different thing to lease, such a strategic islet, as Goat Island is, to CHEC, without great transparency to the Jamaican people, as to the conditions of the deal.

This introduces a whole different scenario than a deal with a private company. Because, it is a known fact that the Chinese Government has control over businesses in that country. Gordon Shirley et al must ask themselves, some questions: If Jamaica was not at the mercy of countries such as China, would we be even considering this deal? Or, let me phrase it differently. Are the Chinese simply seeking to exploit the economic conditions Jamaica finds itself in now? How do we limit the objectives of the Chinese Government in this arrangement? What will be the outcome? If all that mattered was that thousands of jobs will be created, should we reconsider this deal?

We have no details on how the sovereignty of Jamaica, at large, will be protected from the Chinese Government. Keep in mind that this Jamaica Government promised, more than any in the past, that transparency would be their hallmark, their watchword. What I find blindingly amazing is that just about every article and conversation about Goat Islands is anchored on the impact the developments there will have on flora and fauna.

Nothing that I have seen or heard, thus far, addresses the impact on the Jamaican society. How will we control the actions of the Chinese? What will be their status? How many Chinese will be allowed to enter the country? How will they enter and leave the country? How long will the deal last? How much will it cost the country? How much will the country benefit? Yes, 10,000 jobs sounds good at a time like this. But, how will it sound, when Jamaica is back on its feet, and we are entangled with the Chinese, over this and that? How will Jamaica disentangle, years from now?

Mr Shirley et al, in all their brilliance and experiences, cannot afford to ignore or downplay the outcomes. Especially when those outcomes are so hard to predict in a business contract decision, as all encompassing, as this one certainly is.

Kenneth Reeves

Stockbridge, Georgia, USA

kennethreeves58@gmail.com

Goat Islands -- Solid business decision or roll of the dice

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Dear Editor,

As we reflect on the death of William "Bunny Rugs" Clarke, Jamaica needs to realise that we have lost a great singer.

My son, almost every week, admonishes me that it is not the mere ability to sing that makes some singers icon; rather, it is their distinct voice. That is why Bob Marley, Rihanna and others take the world's stage as icons. The same can be said of Bunny Rugs. A distinct, strong and sweet voice. It sold Jamaica as the creator and producer of good music, reggae music, especially in the late 70s and 80s.

Now, my respect for Bunny Rugs comes not so much for him being the lead vocalist for Third World, a group which made me feel proud when approached by Welsh, Ghanaians, Swedes, Dutch, Portuguese, Pakistanis, Indians, Nigerians, and men from the Basque region of Spain while in Europe, but that Bunny Ruggs resonated with grass roots creators.

Bunny Rugs, before Third World, was making music for Lee Scratch Perry, joining forces with Marcia Griffiths, Gregory Isaacs, and other veterans in the cultural space that is reggae.

Bunny Rugs' voice will always be with us. Long live his soul.

Winston Donald

icildaal@yahoo.com

Long live' Bunny Rugs'

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Dear Editor,

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Revelation 6: 10

As I watch the news and read the newspaper my soul becomes wounded, battered and hurt as my brothers and sisters cry out for justice each day of their lives. They do not cry out for justice for mere attention, but for dignity that has been constantly trampled upon by successive governments and the security forces, whose duty is to serve, protect and reassure its most vulnerable citizens.

The God in me allowed me to question even my vocation to the sacred Catholic priesthood, whether or not I should continue my studies or join allegiance with a human rights activist group, because I was afraid of the effects it might have on my studies and formation. However, despite this darkness of the soul, I know my poor Jamaicans need me or even others like me to speak out despite the cost.

Dear Jamaicans, will you continue to sit and murmur about the increase in the crime rate in our beautiful island Jamaica? Are you willing to simply sit by and see the poor and those most vulnerable amongst us be treated less than human? When will you and I hold our dear politicians accountable for 50 years of "injustice" against humanity?

I am not calling for not just revolution, but an evolution in how we treat our citizens. We cannot make it seem that we are okay with innocent lives being taken every single day as a result of a "shoot-out".

No, Jamaica. We cannot continue this way.

Roger Goodwill

Roger_goodwill14@hotmail.com

A call to action in Ja

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Dear Editor,

In a country where one's ability to echo public sentiments in an articulate manner is often equated with intelligence, the late venerable Wilmot Perkins was never afraid to exhibit independent thought.

Perkins, fondly called Motty, did not think twice about adopting an unconventional stance on issues like reparations, colonialism or even the reasons for Jamaica's perceived lack of development. But it was never his intention to become a provocateur, Motty wanted to expose his listeners and readers to differing views, because whenever everyone thinks alike, no one thinks at all.

Motty also had a great interest in the economic disparity of nations and, like thinkers before him, he wanted to know why some nations prospered while others failed, and this made him the enemy of the local intelligentsia.

Motty also had a great interest in the economic disparity of nations and, like thinkers before him, he wanted to know why some nations prospered while others failed, and this made him the enemy of the local intelligentsia.

Whenever, he compared Jamaica to states like Singapore and Japan he earned the ire of many who accused him of neglecting the socio-political differences between Asia and Jamaica. Although he was well aware of these differences, highlighting them was never an option. Perkins wanted us to identify a simple feature that made the difference between enterprising and stagnating countries.

Unlike pariah states, successful countries lacked leaders who promoted "victimhood", or polarisation, furthermore these countries were not afraid to transplant successful foreign concepts to their respective territories. Luckily they wasted no time in remembering those who exploited them; their energies are invested in exploits that will make them more successful than their former colonisers. The past must be respected, but in the long-term it makes more sense to ask ourselves what made our aggressors so dominant for centuries, and what can we do to be greater than them?

Unfortunately an anti-Anglo Saxon idealogy prevailed, and today Jamaica is reaping its fruits, the seeds of which were sown years ago.

It is even so annoying that many of the people who are complaining about Jamaica's low level of productivity, its inefficient energy infrastructure, and lacklustre economy never missed an opportunity to berate Motty for being negative and, now that he is passed on, these matters have become so important. Clearly some of us were living in a dream world for too long.

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of Motty's death and the best way to honour him is to think seriously and independently.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com

Honour 'Motty' Perkins and his mission

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Dear Editor,

I recently had to seek the assistance of the police in a rather unpleasant incident and was truly amazed at the level of professionalism and dedication that is observed by these officers.

These are men and women with families who worked fearlessly and relentlessly with little resources to combat the crimes of terror that currently run rampant in our society. They work extremely long hours with low compensation and little thanks or recognition from our society.

The Government of the day must recognise the risks that these officers and their families face daily. Let the Government recognise that these brave men and women operate in high risk zones. They must recognise that our security forces are facing challenges that are at a level that is not normal and rarely mirrored in other countries.

We have been given a land for our people to use for their benefit and enjoyment, instead we cower in fear hardly able to breathe the beautiful air and enjoy the sunshine without thinking of our children and loved ones who will eventually be victims of criminals. And the society continues to breed criminals.

The police must be given the resources to make an impact if they truly want to attack crime. If they are not, then it is evident to us as taxpayers that there is no desire to tackle this destructive element.

I urge taxpayers to take a stand on this issue. It is our tax dollars and we have the power to dictate priorities of Government. Certainly buying high-end vehicles and living luxurious lifestyles have no bearing on creating a society that we can display to the world with pride.

F E Jacobs

faye_jacobs22@msn.com

The police deserve our respect

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Dear Editor,

Only a few days ago I attended the funeral service for 15-year-old Desrick Williams of Balaclava High School and Ashnell Coke of Maggotty High School, in Thornton, St Elizabeth. Their tiny little bodies evoked solemn emotions. They were attempting to offset the challenges posed by hard economic times and instead met a tragic end.

The member of Parliament for the area, Raymond Pryce, made a poignant statement. He said that the community had failed the young men. The alleged killer had issued threats and had slaughtered a few goats before allegedly committing this tragic act. All the warning signs were there, but they were ignored.

Today we face a similar event in Top Hill, St Thomas, young Celeena's death may have been preventable. Her member of parliament, James Robertson, repeated what Pryce had said, the community failed her. The alleged perpetrator also showed warning signs that were ignored.

We are often told, and it has become a cliche to say, that it takes a village to raise a child. And we know that our communities are so financially challenged that they cannot look out for anybody but themselves. They are falling apart, as they are challenged by economic problems, social dislocation, poor water supply, poor roads, rampant criminality, unemployment and underunemployment, which make us all vulnerable. And yet we are surprised when young people act out.

What we urgently need to do is flood our communities, not with well-armed policemen, but social scientists and workers to reinforce values and attitudes that surpass just existing from day to day. The message must be sent that there is more to life than this burdensome task of scraping together a meagre existence in a hopeless society.

Today our prime minister flies all over the world and frequently meets with heads of government in countries far better than ours. But Mrs Simpson Miller didn't always dress in well-tailored suits and travel in such style and elegance. There was another time and another place that she seems to have forgotten that still haunts the majority of us and robs our children of their future. Mrs Simpson Miller, remember you are where you are because the poor put you there, don't take our expectations for granted. Just remember your oft repeated phrase,"wicked and uncaring". Let's hope that it doesn't become self-fulfilling.

Mark Clarke

Siloah, St Elizabeth

Let's stop ignoring the signs

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Dear Editor,

As the world media slowly turns to Jamaica regarding the Pinnacle saga, many of us are looking to our Government not to embarrass us again in the face of global scrutiny. No forward-thinking country would continuously allow the desecration of the very historical monuments and icons that put it on the map.

I'm always amazed at how people everywhere in the world know Jamaica because of Rasta (reggae) music and natty dreadlocks. Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have not permeated some places yet, but start knock a one-drop riddim and they instantly know who they're dealing with.

The history of Rastafari in Jamaica is marred by not so sweet stories. Nevertheless, sweeping it under the rug does the country no good and clearly says "Jamaica is still ashamed of Rastafari". While the Jamaican establishment laments Rasta's lack of political mobilisation and the fact that they often operate on the fringes of the economy, there is no denying the deep cultural impact they have had on the island. Further, many of the children of the well-to-do dissenters uptown are out there saying "Jah know" and "seen" after every phrase, listening to Kabaka or Kelissa, and 'holdin a meds', sometimes with some herb.

I am another voice calling for a halt to the private development, and the naming of Leonard Howell's Pinnacle as a Jamaican heritage site. There's huge potential for the country as an eco-tourism destination, and this is one of those steps.

Zakiya Mckenzie

Johannesburg, South Africa

zakiyam@caxton.co.za

Make Pinnacle heritage/tourism site

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Dear Editor,

I recently heard Senator Ruel Reid call for a mandatory policy to limit Jamaicans to having no more than two children for at least the next 10 years or until we improve economically. This might sound like a great idea at first glance, but is it really?

I have a few concerns about such a policy and its implementation. First and foremost let me make it emphatically clear that children are produced from sexual intercourse between a male and a female. The last time I checked this is an activity that is usually done in private. The million-dollar question is how do we monitor such activity to ensure that women are not impregnated a third, fourth or even fifth time.

Let us be practical, under this policy what would be the penalty or consequence if at all a woman was found to be pregnant a third or fourth time? Is it that if she is found to be pregnant beyond her quota the doctor would be bound by the law to abort the child, or is it that after the second experience of childbirth the doctor would also be lawfully bound to tie the tubes of the female and/or perform a vasectomy on the male?

Another question of contention is how do we monitor or even curtail the sexual practices of some of our very promiscuous men who sometimes find themselves in the situation where two or three women are pregnant for them at the same time. The truth is we can't even get some of them to wear condoms and we have been preaching this safe sex practice from "salt fish a shingle housetop".

How do we prevent person from simply behaving irresponsibly; like getting drunk at a party and going home and having unprotected sex with someone you meet that very same night, or going to the beach and having sex in the water with that cute guy or sexy girl you met there.

In the final analysis, such a call can only be described as arrant nonsense, clearly the good senator did not think it through before he made the call.

We need a serious culture change and this can only be achieved by a rigorous education programme not necessarily for this generation but the next. Let us seriously focus on the children that are now at the early childhood level to ensure that they are constantly exposed to good morals and values.

Gary Rowe

Coleyville PO

Manchester

magnett0072004@yahoo.com

Two-child proposal arrant nonsense

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Dear Editor,

Sociologist Karl Marx wrote "Religion is the opium of the masses" and many tend to agree. I disagree with that, as opium excites only for a moment, a "high", while religion has a lasting effect and offers hope in situations which seem hopeless to many.

Religion has a stabilising effect and offers comfort, peace, and joy to its adherents in a world which projects materialism as a way of happiness. The rich have their wealth but the Gospel, the good news of salvation, is the hope of the poor.

Religion has a stabilising effect and offers comfort, peace, and joy to its adherents in a world which projects materialism as a way of happiness. The rich have their wealth but the Gospel, the good news of salvation, is the hope of the poor.

The Gospel does not only offer hope for the future in light of eternal life, the poor obtain hope for a better life now. This better life is not just merely the absence of stress, this better life is hope for the now, peace in spite of storms and a life of faith where we learn to trust Christ for our daily provisions knowing that he will supply all our needs. This better life is knowing that Christ is with us wherever we go and knowing that he will provide, protect, and care for his own.

Religion then is not just for the poor, but the good news of salvation is the hope for the ages for every man, woman, boy, and girl and to all who will answer the call.

Briony Irving

ibriony@yahoo.com

http://greenbksibriony.blogspot.com

The Gospel not just for the poor

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Dear Editor,

Resident Magistrates Courts are known to be for poor men and women, while the Supreme Court is for the rich, because of the vast difference in costs to access these courts and there have been increased fixed costs to access the Supreme Court, putting it even further away from the poor.

If the Resident Magistrate Courts do not have the same jurisdiction as the Supreme Court, irrespective of value of property and amount of a claim in all cases, justice would obviously be denied to the vast majority of our people not having the means to access the Supreme Court.

In this context, Resident Magistrate Courts have long enjoyed unlimited jurisdiction in a few cases, including those under the recently repealed Married Woman's Property Act, which gave a party the option to go to either court. However, the Property (Rights of Spouses) Act, 2004 has taken away that jurisdiction of Resident Magistrate Courts effectively denying access to the majority.

As the middle class continues to shrink, only a very small minority can afford the Supreme Court, not only because of the costs stated above, but the rules of the Supreme Court are far too complex for even some judges to master. There is no reason why the rules of that court could not be along the same simple lines as those of the Resident Magistrate Courts.

With the presumed support of our Government, the enlightened Mr Justice Panton took the Court of Appeal for the first time since its creation to the people in the West. Give the Resident Magistrate Courts parallel jurisdiction, irrespective of the value of property and of the amount of a claim in all cases, and far more justice would reach the people than currently obtains. They deserve it and expect it of those elected to serve and provide.

By the way, no discussion on bringing justice to the people can be complete without having the Caribbean Court of Justice as our final court sitting in Jamaica. Without further delay Mr Holness and company, over to you.

Owen S Crosbie

Mandeville, Manchester

oss@cwjamaica.com

Give the poor access to justice too

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Dear Editor,

My premises on Mona Road, Kingston 6, was damaged in the oil tanker explosion on January 9, 2014 and my LIME landline service disrupted along with other services provided by Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and Flow by the burning of the external power lines and the wires to the premises.

All three companies had representatives early on the scene, that Thursday afternoon, before nightfall.

Of note, the only company whose representative approached me directly on the scene was a LIME representative who enquired as to my landline number, which he noted.

Since that time I made an unsatisfactory 18-minute customer service call to a LIME representative on January 12, 2014, and my wife visited LIME's Knutsford Boulevard branch on January 13, 2014; both were intended to secure an early visit of a LIME representative to restore service.

The result of my efforts with the three service providers are as follows;

1. JPS restored power from the damaged light pole to my meter on the afternoon of January 11, 2014 (within two days); allowing my electrical contractor to work all day to restore power on the premises on January 12 (3 days).

2. Flow attended my premises early on Monday morning, January 13, 2014 (4 days) and restored Internet, cable and landline service by 10:00 am.

3. LIME has made no visit and placed no call for 17 days. Service was restored by LIME on February 5, 2014 (27 days after the explosion).

I congratulate JPS and Flow for their timely and positive response.

Additionally, the notable difference between the service providers was that JPS and Flow operated with one team including members with varied expertise, while LIME sent three different specialist teams, each attending on separate days, after waiting 17 days to respond directly to the customer.

In my opinion the culture at LIME is counter-productive, and if the law of the market holds true LIME will not survive without fundamental change.

Jeffrey S Mordecai

Attorney-at-Law

jmordecai@flowja.com

Kudos JPS, Flow; shape up LIME

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Dear Editor,

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts."

We all at some point must make our final curtain call, some sooner than others. Christopher Tufton seems to have lost the fire in the belly, emotional stamina and vigour, passion, or inner drive to achieve, to take action. Happily none of us are indispensable or irreplaceable, so in time someone else who is as "bright" or even brighter will emerge.

But thankfully the leadership challenge to Opposition Leader Andrew Holness has not only re-energised the Jamaica Labour Party, but Holness himself. He seems more argumentative and far more audacious and is starting to push the right buttons. No more hugs and kisses from the PM will soothe his desire to replace her.

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding after making his final curtain call has returned to the stage of public opinion. He has said, "Objective analysis trumps sensationalism and our populist tendencies," concerning the current commercial bank charges talks. He has not lost the fire, the urge to achieve. Jamaica needs leadership. Sound leadership.

Mark Clarke

Siloah, St Elizabeth

mark_clarke9@yahoo.com

Exit stage left... Encore

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Dear Editor,

Persons who live on Wellington Drive, in the vicinity of Wellington Glades in Kingston 6, continue for years to be bombarded by an offensive smell emanating from the gully that runs close to all the housing developments in this area. The 'rotten egg' smell, I suspect, is hydrogen sulphide, among other things like methane, ammonia, which in high concentrations can cause death; in lower concentrations causes irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes, nausea, nervousness, drowsiness, and headache.

A National Environment and Protection Agency (NEPA) team, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, during routine investigation of such maladies realised that it was gas emanating from untreated sewage disposed from a plant located in the Karachi housing development. The plant deposits in the gully through a pipe strapped onto the side.

I was impressed by the persistent and meticulous NEPA enforcement team who got access to the gully for samples and photographs over a six-foot fence using ladders string and bottles along with some assistance from citizens of Wellington Glades.

Hopefully the efforts of NEPA and other relevant agencies and persons will put an end to this age-old environmental horror.

Michael Spence

Kingston 6

micspen2@hotmail.com

We've found 'the rat'!

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Dear Editor,

I agree 110 per cent with Senator Ruel Reid. Jamaica has too many depraved and illiterate people having children that they cannot care for.

Where are human rights when these poor children are hungry and being abused because parents have no time for them or money to feed them? Ask these irresponsible men how much time and money they contribute to raising their children? Look what is happening in the Family Court.

They are sucking this country dry as the Government is killing us with an unfair and exorbitant tax system to try and assist these people carelessly having children they cannot afford to look after. Some shouldn't even have any at all much less as much as two.

Kudos to Senator Reid for being forthright about this issue. Not more than two is the way to go.

S Lyn

Kingston 10

sel5673@hotmail.com

I agree 110%, Senator Reid

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Dear Editor,

Jamaica's great cultural export, reggae music, has a huge fan base here in Europe and many reggae fans seek a deeper understanding of Jamaican, Caribbean and world history through their engagement with reggae music.

In the last two years, Irie Up magazine has toured the exhibitions The First Rasta: 1930 - 1950 and Soundsystem: From Jamaica to Europe 1950-1995 to 30 different venues in 10 countries across Europe, and also to Tanzania and Kenya. Audiences were astounded that so much reggae history remains hidden or obscured. Although European audiences were familiar with Marcus Garvey, they were fascinated by the story of Pinnacle and Leonard Howell because of the fusion of ideas and the forward thinking of the people at Pinnacle. Many commented that Pinnacle seemed like an independent university of ideas at a time when Jamaica was still part of the British Empire.

The divisions between rich and poor cover the whole world now, so the ideas that flowed out of Pinnacle are more relevant than ever. From a historical perspective, there's only the blink of an eye between Howell's mission and the reggae movement that has now also spread to almost every country on earth. The fact that so many young Jamaican artists support the movement to keep Pinnacle safe means that the campaign will go worldwide in the coming year. Pinnacle clearly produced ideas and long-term thinking that have kept its spirit current, and we hope that the Jamaican authorities will respond in kind.

Ronan Lynch

Irie Up magazine

Berlin, Germany

rastaronan@gmail.com

Pinnacle was a university

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Dear Editor,

Well known CNN anchor Don Lemon declared in a recent commentary that homophobes are fighting a losing battle. I couldn't agree more.

Now that more celebrities and famous individuals are "coming out", those who continue to live in a bubble, thinking that gays only exist in small numbers, or only as stereotypical effeminate, boisterous men, must be getting nervous.

Just this week another athlete came out, American football player Michael Sam, adding to the list of many other well known athletes, entertainers and celebrities who have also done so.

People should not even need to come out about whom they love, and why. But it will certainly help to educate and enlighten, as people are often too quick to judge what they really don't know or understand.

The truth is, being gay is a way of life. No religion or government has ever been successful in eliminating or eradicating homosexuality. Some like to use the Bible to justify hate, conveniently dissecting certain scriptures while ignoring others. We never hear these religious pundits speaking out about fornication, adultery, and all sexual 'sins' in the Bible. Whether individuals are sexually active or not, people don't choose their sexuality.

Even in the media being gay is becoming more mainstream. It is just not a big deal anymore. Also, one's sexuality does not define a person, nor does it define their worth or ability. It should also not restrict their ability to form a union or family. Hate and discrimination are not only negative, but counter-productive.

The Government of Jamaica should be urged to set the tone and move forward with reviewing and repealing the antiquated buggery law, which continues to feed into hate and prejudice. Governments have no business defining sexual activities between consenting adults in the privacy of their own space. The gay issue was a hot topic during the last election, and despite a massive propaganda campaign by the JLP, the PNP who was more forward-thinking and supportive, still won by a landslide. Portia Simpson Miller was lauded for boldly speaking out in support of human rights, and this should be part of her legacy. Hopefully she will act decisively on her words and promises.

As for the few Jamaican entertainers who continue to use their platforms to publicly bash gays, they will eventually get over it. One can't be so anti-gay, yet so eager to travel to gay-friendly countries to perform and earn money. Many times gay persons are likely to be part of the production teams at these events.

The world is changing, people are changing, and diversity is indeed a reality.

Pete Delisser

pdelisser1988@yahoo.com

Homophobes fighting a losing battle

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Dear Editor,

I am beginning to feel despair daily for the future of our country. There appears to be an absence of leadership and actions are led more by the interests of partisan political groupings than the common good of Jamaica. Are our political leaders also starting to feel despair to the point where they are simply thinking of their own survival and not that of Jamaica?

The Opposition JLP, based on the occasional out-of-slumber utterances of some of its members, are sounding more and more as if they are contemptuous of the rights of Jamaicans. Their conduct certainly does not qualify them to be regarded as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, keeping the Government on its toes and presenting themselves as a government-in-waiting. Our PNP Government appears to be focused not on governance, but the next election. I am now convinced they are moved only by the demands of outside institutions and foreign governments and interests.

In 2010, 73 Jamaicans were killed by the security forces in Tivoli Gardens and we are yet to convene the promised inquiry. Where are the terms of reference? We hope they will be circulated to members of the public for discussion. The motive must be a dedication to finding out the truth of what really happened. We need to know what led to the killing of so many Jamaicans. If it was an operation that went miserably wrong, how can we prevent a recurrence?

We are advised that crime is not spiralling out of control, but people are sceptical about this assertion, and there is little evidence to support it. We must continue to be concerned that the police's excessive use of force could give some credence to such utterances as 'if gunmen don't get you, the police will'. INDECOM has been crying out to have its staffing improved, but to no avail. So the many pending cases under investigation are almost forgotten by the public, and our police are allowed to continue to do things in the same old way without any regard for the rights of Jamaicans.

It also appears that the JLP, which touted itself as a party that stood for 'human rights and justice', now has at least two prominent members who are opposed to any such position. Mr Warmington's compulsory voting position and Senator Reid's limiting of family size are very disturbing. I still cannot believe that the new and, we were told, promising JLP senator could have advanced a position that seeks to determine just how many children we should be allowed to have. I suppose he would have limits set for each woman based on financial status, etc. What happens if a woman becomes pregnant and exceeds the legal limit by having another child? Do we then have the police arrest her and tear the unborn child from her womb? Or do we wait until she has the child then arrest her, and do what with the child? I suspect many mothers who find themselves in this position will probably have illegal abortions.

In all of this, though, there is a glimmer of light where the leadership is concerned. I am referring to the apology by the minister of education, Ronald Thwaites, on the manner in which he dealt with the disclosure of the 'prison schools' issue. Well done, Minister, and I hope you have also reprimanded those who fed you that piece of rubbish, passed off as a survey.

Colonel Allan Douglas

Kingston 10

alldouglas@aol.com

Paucity of leadership

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