Which answer is correct?

 I was wondering how long it would have taken the Peoples National Party to get on the web and I guess you could say better late than never. I have, in the past, posted JLP ads and wondered why it is that the PNP did not take a similar approach. Personally, I suspect that is because the majority of the electorate may not really be focusing on the web as opposed to print and television.

On examining this commercial, I began to wonder, who is correct. Should we believe those with the accurate data or those who like to chat “nuff nuff and loud?”. This ad has some contradictory information. First of all, the “freeness” argument is one that the JLP has marketed hard. But how soon will we see all of this freeness?

1. Bruce Golding says that the hospital fees and constituency development fund would not materialise before the next fiscal year. I believe when he says that because no government would be embarking on such a project mid-stream.

2. Audley Shaw says that the HEALTH (same as hospital fees etc.) and free education, will begin on “September morning”. At this point I begin to wonder if Mr. Golding did not hear Mr. Shaw’s debate the day before.

3. Bruce Golding says he cannot give any commitment to whether or not we will have to suffer some new taxes.

4. Audley Shaw says NO NEW TAXES as the money will be reallocated. He has even said taxes will be reduced! Dr. Davies tackles him about it. Should I believe the man with the figures or the man with the dreams? Did Mr. Golding watch Shaw’s debate?

5. Audley Shaw says that Richard Azan spent 6 billion dollars on roads and by the next evening, Bruce Golding was saying 9 billion…..who is giving us a 6 for a 9? Portia Simpson Miller says that the budget for roads is 4.5 billion.

Now should I believe Bruce, Portia or Audley?  You be the judge!

Miss Lisa Hanna

 Now people…Jamaican Girl has not been a fan of Miss Lisa Hanna ever since Sista P imposed her on some constituents a few months ago. The matter was not handled properly and I have disussed that in previous posts.

 However, I do not think that Miss Hanna deserved this kind of “address” from her opponent, Peter Fahkourie. I took it personally as a woman. There was no need for this kind of outburst. Also, I do not agree with Mr. Golding’s degeneration of women who dance or work in a night club. To begin with, it is better than being a criminal. Some of these women have mouths to feed and this puts food on the table. Does it mean then that if you work in a night club you do not stand a chance in hell in becoming a part of the government? Sorry gentlemen, I have to say thumbs down to you on this one!

Most of Jamaica was outraged as indicated by the scores of calls to talk shows regarding this matter! I have taken a very dim view on the matter and I think a public apology is in order.

Portia Simpson Miller – # 81 for Forbes Magazine’s top 100 most powerful women

Last year, the world reknowned Forbes magazine, listed Portia Simpson Miller as # 89 in their feature on the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women”.

 This year, Mrs. Simpson Miller has been bumped up 8 points to # 81. As a Jamaican I am proud of this acheievment.

 http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/11/biz-07women_Portia-Simpson-Miller_MH76.html

Those Campaign Vehicles

As I had said, I have spent the last week or so reading just about every blog on the internet which have been discussing our upcoming general elections here in Jamaica. I will be creating links to some of them.

 Big up to Montego Bay by day and the capturing of election vehicles on the campaign trail on film.

1. http://mobaydp.blogspot.com/2007/08/priorities.html

2. http://mobaydp.blogspot.com/2007/08/back-on-campaign-trail.html

Enjoy!!

Hurricane Dean Recovery

Well folks, within 2 days of Hurricane Dean my electricity was restored. I consider myself fortunate to have had electricity up to 2 pm on the day of the hurricane as well as water, throughout the hurricane. I spent the first 2 “post-Dean” days eating KFC and boiling water on my patio on a little camper gas stove. I am also fortunate to have neighbours who look out for each other and it reminds me that no matter how many bad things are said about Jamaica and Jamaicans, there are still good people around!

 One of the things I noticed about the “post-Dean” era, is that we are truly a society of instant gratification. In 1988 when Hurricane Gilbert struck Jamaica, I was one of those persons who was experiencing a serious hurricane for the first time. Allen (1980) had just missed us. I remember the evening before Gilbert and how the sun shone brightly that my family didn’t really take it seriously. I was not perturbed as I thought it would just be a case of heavy rain and wind…nothing unusual. So, I borrowed 2 Danielle Steele novels and decided that I would read them during the storm.

When Gilbert hit I was in shock. I remember how the wind threatened to remove parts of my shingle roof. I remember the rain blowing in through the windows, creating a swimming pool in my living room. I remember running over to my neighbour’s house during the eye of the storm to make sure all was well and since they had a gas stove and we didn’t, we had to ask them to boil up some water for us. I also remember driving through New Kingston after the storm and watched the curtains and files at NCB New Kingston, blowing away. The damage was devastating to say the least. What is most significant about the aftermath of Gilbert is the recovery period. Anyone who is over 35, reading this and lived here through Gilbert must remember that it took some persons up to 10 weeks for their electricity to be restored and nearly as long (in some cases) for water to be restored. Corned Beef was the appetizer, main course and dessert for some people for nearly 10 weeks. One had to learn how to bathe in a teaspoon for nearly 10 weeks. There were many inconveniences which we suffered, but most people did not complain. Even the telephone service was out for up to 10 weeks after Gilbert. Jamaica learned her lesson and changes occurred, such as placing cables underground.

 When I compare today’s hurricane seasons to that of 20 years ago, I have to thank the public utility companies for keeping this country intact. To think that electricity was restored within 24 hours in some places and the fact that our telephone services in some cases, were still working…as far as I am concerned we have come a long way. I would like us all to remember those who suffered and are still suffering. I listened to several shows on the radio during the hurricane and I was scared for those who were calling from communities that, even during the howling of the wind and the thrashing of the rain, heard gun shots barking throughout the night. I think that this is a time when we need to think more of others and less of ourselves. Even today, 3 days prior to the General Election, there are persons who are still suffering…no roof…no food….no house…no water….I pray that the hurricane relief efforts will be distributed quickly and fairly…….

Dear Readers

As you can see, Jamaican Girl has taken a sort of “long leave” from the blogging world since Hurricane Dean. I had power 2 days later and have been spending the time reading more than writing. I also have “Bloggers Block” as there are so many things to discuss and write about and I don’t even know where to start. It’s almost like I am suffering from ‘Information Overload”.

 Anyway, I will be back shortly to speak my mind because it seems that everyone is on every blog with Jamaican related issues, fighting away.

 See you soon………………..

 JG

Hurricane Message

In the spirit of the hurricane season, I will post any letters, such as the one below, on the front page of my blog. Please note the electricity will be off within the next 3-4 hours:

The Jamaican Diaspora rep sent out an email notifying Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica here in the States about Hurricane Aid being organized in anticpation of Hurricane Dean.
Persons interested in contributing can call the Consulate’s office at 305-374-8431 Ext 223 and 232. The Diaspora office can be reached at 305-244-4456.

An extensive list of drop off points contained in the original notification has been posted on my blog for those interested.

And we will be praying for Jamaicans at this time.

Thanks

http://www.cbdigest.blogspot.com/

Hurricane Dean heading for Jamaica – Implications for Politics

Well Well Well…..here in Jamaica all persons are battening down in anticipation of Hurricane Dean. We have a saying that we have to “tek bad tings mek laugh” and so I was thinking to myself last night…I wonder if Prophet Phinn had it in his prophecy that 7 days before the election, we would have a storm which would show the talents of various persons, which will automatically make him/her a hero/heroine?

It is hot as hell here this morning and I am assuming that all the moisture in the air is being sucked out resulting in this punishing heat. But what does this mean for us on the 27th? I heard something on TV recently, where they said that in the event of a natural disaster, the elections could be postponed for UP TO 30 DAYS!! What a thing that would be.  I am sure this won’t happen though. Some of these would be leaders would surely have a cardiac. The 27th was bad enough!

Of late, everything is politicised. Down to the hurricane is politicised. Well let us see if it will “change course” or if it “nah change no course”. As a people, we want instant gratification. I imagine that in the spirit of politics and in the interest of the upcoming general election, we will be back to normal within 2 days.

To all Jamaicans: KEEP SAFE

To all persons overseas: PRAY FOR US

Here is something that as always amazed me during a hurricane heading to Jamaica: The local TV stations are showing cricket and basketball. The Weather Channel is predicting more and more doom with each broadcasted update. Am I missing something here? Why is it that we are not flooded with hurricane data on local TV??

Update: Hurricane Dean in Jamaica Blog: http://go-jamaica.com/blog/

Jamaican Inner City. Basher’s story

A friend brought this very touching interview of a youth name “Basher” from an inner-city community in Kingston, Jamaica. Technology is so good as it is a voice for the voiceless. Listen to this very interesting account from this young man. It is a story of hopelessness and despair.

Response to the Shaw/Davies debate

As always, I visit my blogroll daily to see what others are saying. Here is what One Jamaica had to say about the debate between Dr. Omar Davies and Mr. Audley Shaw:

 http://onejamaica.blogspot.com/2007/08/response-to-shawdavies-debate.html

Enjoy!