Lisa Hanna…..AGAIN!!

The Jamaica Observer, dated 29Th June 2007 published a story about an addition to the current voters list. Below is an excerpt from the article:

“Walker said he was responding to reports in the press that prospective political candidates or individuals were seeking to negotiate with him, to have their names added to the current voters’ list.

Walker, in a statement yesterday, did not mention the name of any candidate. However, it is believed that the reference was to a statement made by People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for South East St Ann Lisa Hanna.

Hanna, who is not on the voters’ list, told Radio Jamaica’s evening talk show Beyond the Headlines earlier in the week that she would vote in South-East St Ann, where she is the PNP’s candidate, but had to discuss it with Walker”

Well I am glad someone in Jamaica has the balls to stand up to this matter! Poor little Lisa thought that the same way she could “buy” her way into the SE St. Ann constituency through nepotism, is the same way she could “buy” her way on to the voters list. So Miss Lisa Hanna, it will take more than your contacts to get on the voters list. I hope the people of your area do not vote for you as you have not been democratically elected or selected.

No Money Honey!

Today’s Jamaica Gleaner Headlines read “No money honey!”. What an amusing article indeed. The majority of Jamaicans believe that whether or not a woman earns more than a man, he should still pay her alimony should the marriage dissolve. What a dark day for women in this country! For many years women all over the world have fought and are still fighting for equality and yet it appears that it is only selective equality. They want equal pay, equal shares in home ownership, whether or not they invested 50% and the best one is this: If a man marries a woman who has children from a previous relationship and the relationship dissolves, the man is obligated not only to pay his spouse maintenance, but also his biological children with the woman AND the children she had before, regardless of his income. Jamaicans need to get with the programme! You want equality, then damn well pay for it too! The law should not protect women from their poor choices! It’s nice to have a man open the door, pay for a meal etc., but women can do the same thing and there is nothing wrong with it. Thank God for a law like that, maybe women can stop using men as a means to capital accumulation and go work for your own damn self. When the man doesn’t pay the burden falls on taxpayers, of which I am….and I don’t have any children because I can’t afford it. Instead I am forced to finance careless women who want to have out their lot! Anyone has any opinions?

World Cup Cricket Post-mortem

The excitement of World Cup Cricket in the Caribbean this year has come and gone. Let me just state that I was not in agreement with the Caribbean hosting such an event. It is widely believed that the Caribbean would experience long term benefits from such an event, but can the region wait for long term benefits when we have so many pressing issues? They claimed that since Caribbean economies depend mainly on tourism, it would be a great opportunity to showcase the region and hopefully people would return. I am sorry to sound so pessimistic, especially when the goats have probably returned to the stadium in Trelawny to feast on new growth. I apologise if I sound negative when I think of all the social issues the region has facing and we have pumped our money into something with no guaranteed returns. Crime, education, unemployment etc. are a few things that come to mind when I think of how much money was spent on this event. Yes, we enjoyed it…..it aided our lack of productivity for a while and gave us a lot of free time on our hands. In the case of Jamaica, some school children had a nice vacation break….but was it really worth it?

PNP VS JLP

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Now that the “silly season” is on(and it’s gonna be long), I can’t help but pay keen attention to the various candidates from both major political parties. All bring good news about gifts of water, light, road, good market, free education, free dis and free dat. I find myself shaking my head constantly when I hear all of these promises, because I know that it is impossible to fulfill most of them. The problem here is that no matter which P wins, the situation is going to remain the same. People, this is the THIRD WORLD and I am pessimistic about it ever gaining First World status! I just don’t see that happening. As someone who subscribes to the neo-Marxist World Systems Theory, it is virtually impossible for our situation to change….for now at any rate.

 We have a culture of “learned helplessness” in Jamaica, where most consitutents view their Member of Parliament as some sort of Messiah who comes to deliver eternal salvation. No such thing! People just can’t see through this. Jamaica is not even in charge of Jamaica. We are constantly borrowing money from the World Bank and IMF that even our unborn great grandchildren will never be able to pay back.

Since 1962 to present, our political representatives have kept this “plantation” intact by providing a less than acceptable education system, where the majority of the population attend these all-age schools until they “age up” and then move on to learn a trade. They have created a populace where the majority of persons are unable to engage in constructive dialogue with their political parties. Everybody just sitting and waiting to see exaclty what the MP is bringing to the table.

How then do we effect change when both parties have this tendency to bring in their friends and family into the political arena without a democratic selection? They seem to be running a private girl’s and boy’s club where power is passed on from one generation to their offspring and friends. We are hard pressed to develop the agricultural sector when it is hardly competive globally.  Sugar and Banana? The Caribbean cannot compete!! Can you see it? The Caribbean cannot even organise itself properly as a trading bloc to compete globally.

I just think that some drastic measures will have to be taken in order to bring the economy back on track, especially as it pertains to consumption. I see that as the only solution in fact. However, Jamaicans are content buying those brand new old cars from Japan and living the life which forces Jamaica to continue spending more than she earns.

 I can’t hear anything about serious issues. All that we are bombarded is with who mark up who fa billboard, or bun down who fa shop or constituency office…..PETTY PLANTATION POLITICS! Then there is Portia with her self-serving attitude and voice from God and Bruce with the back biting and throwing words. Not to mention the oldies but not so goodies like PJ Patterson who cannot understand that his time has come and gone, followed by DK Duncan and Joan Gordon Webley….these people are archaic and have no business in political life in the 21st Century! They are covering their grays while preventing young blood from entering the arena with fresh ideas and “youthful exuberance” I mean Phillip Paulwell is WAY too old to be considered to be filled with “youthful exuberance”. Old people need to go and retire and leave the 21st Century to 21st Century people! Life in the Third World! I have often wondered if 1/2 the people out there supporting these MPs work or have a vote. I mean seriously…who has the time to go out and support some buffoons? Clearly they are not gainfully employed!

Any views?

Portia vs Lady Saw

Today as I drove around the hot streets of Kingston, I was listening to a talk show. One caller called in and said that she is tired of hearing from people that she knows that Portia is behaving like Lady Saw and is beginning to look like Lady Saw. Hmmmmmmmm…………………..I thought. The behaviour is beginning to bear resemblance of ”Lady Saw” (note I didn’t say Marion Hall as I gather she is not the same as Lady Saw). So, I came home and researched some pictures of both persons and come to think of it……if I didn’t know better I would say they both resemble…any opinions? 

Lisa Hanna

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

I just have to put in my 2 cents worth about this issue. I don’t know the lady and yes she has her degrees, one of which is a Masters in Communication, but excuse me please….what does Lisa Hanna know about government? The Government of Jamaica, with taxpayers’ money, finances 80% of UWI tuition for certain degrees. Couldn’t they have gone to UWI and scout persons who are pursuing a Masters in Poltical Science, Public Administration, Government, Development Studies, Gender Studies etc.? At least let taxpayers feel as if they are getting their money’s worth? Why Lisa Hanna? Is what so? Let me just say that I do not support the way in which she was rammed down the throat of her would be constituents. It goes against democracy, something that Jamaicans treasure! Anyway, I am still trying to figure out how she got this post overnight. Let’s see. Lisa Hanna may have been Miss World 1993, but is that sufficient? Yes, she builds a school or 2 or 10, is that sufficient? Does she truly understand the issues that rural folk have? Does she understand the poverty that has plagued these people since independence? Does she understand that the people don’t want an ex-pat or better yet, a visiting Plantation Owner? What makes it worst is that the woman was not even a registered a voter, member of the PNP and had no clue how to go about registering herself to vote…..is she for real? People…..how can this be? Somebody must have made a hefty contribution to the PNP….It has to be that! Do you know that up to the end of May she was a member of G2K, the JLP’s youth arm? And what makes me even angrier is the fact that Floyd Morris has the nerve to appear on the news saying that she should be given a chance and yes they hear the constituents but frankly the PNP couldn’t care less! PJ supports this move as well. Portia says God told her to put Lisa Hanna there as she only takes His instructions, screw what the people think!I think that this is nepotism at its highest level and I hope the people of SE. St. Ann vote for the oppositon or not vote at all. As someone who has spent the last 7 years researching and reading on Development issues, especially Third World Development…..mi couldn’t si miself a wuk unda dem people ya! I don’t usually agree with Bruce but I have to this time, when he told the people of SE St. Ann that if they never vote for themself before, this is one time they should! Is it fair that Portia Simpson Miller should select this candidate when the people from the area have rejected her? I smell something very fishy. Do you?

Time for a change

If you could change ONE poltician, who would it be and why?

Eating out around Jamaica

One of the things I love about this dearly beloved country is the variety of cuisines. Indian, Chinese, Italian, American…you name it…it’s here. However, one of the things I loathe about dining out is poor service. Any horror stories out there? Mine are numerous but I would love to hear what others have to say about their experiences. Comments anyone?

Jamaican Politics or Politricks?

Over the years I have been amazed at how Jamaicans sit and praise the politicians of both parties, yet their lives have not improved, in fact it has been the opposite! Nepotism runs through both parties and it seems as if to serve your country in high places, you have to be somewhat connected genetically. The Lisa Hanna connection is just one of many. Let me see if I can offer a few.

1. Abuthnot Gallimore - Neville Gallimore - Andrew Gallimore

2. Ernest Peart - Dean and Michael Peart

3. Paul and Angella Burke (husband and wife) - Cousin to James Robertson

4. Donald Buchanan brings in his 2 nephews, one drops dead, and the other has been handed a constituency on a platter (Luther Buchanan)

5. Bruce Golding and his BROTHER IN LAW Pearnel Charles

6. Peter Phillips brings in his son Michael Phillips

7. Douglas Vaz’s son Daryl Vaz

8. Oldies returning: Joan Gordon Webley, Dk Duncan, Francis Tulloch

The list could go on if I had the time to do some more research. The point I am making is this. I am close to 40 years of age and from I was born it is the same people I am seeing. Still no change! As someone who is passionate about my country’s development, I could NEVER see myself amongst these people giving advice or in any government position. Why have we allowed this trend to continue? How come I don’t hear people asking what these people’s qualifications are, apart from the ability to capitalise on nepotism?? Any opinions?

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