Source: Jamaica Observer
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
August 7th, 2007 was nomination day for candidates who intend to run in the upcoming general election. I forgot to take my camera to take pictures of the spectacle taking place around the city. Passing Maxine Henry Wilson’s camp on Lady Musgrave Road, one would believe it was a mid-week wedding reception. The comrades were out in full force, dressed in orange. The yard was decked out with about 1/2 dozen orange flags hanging from the fence, about 1/2 dozen JUTC buses were parked outside, somewhat obstructing traffic and comrades were waving flags in the street. Three minutes away was the Joan Gordon-Webley camp. I didn’t see much action going on, but I suspect I may have been passing after her crowd left.
Last night’s news broadcasts gave us an island round up of how the various nominations were going. It seems as if the whole island was out in full force….and this is JUST nomination day. Sista P calmly told the public that she was sure that her opponent “that young man” won’t be returning after the election. And she is right! There are certain seats that are safe. Thanks to the modernisation of the system, those in the safe seats in general and Portia and Bruce’s seats in particular, will get 99.9% of the votes, instead of the usual 120% of what is on the voters list. When Bruce drove through Tivoli Gardens one had to wonder if his opponent could find 10 people in the constituency to nominate him. It was a sea of green. Portia’s was similar, but what was amusing was when her opponent turned up, the comrades were the ones who were there to greet him. Delroy Chuck is another safe seat. The other day when he wrote his farewell article in the Gleaner, claiming he was out campaigning, I wondered why he bothered. Chuck is a man that works for his community and yesterday was the first I was seeing his opponent. His seat is so safe that he had to ask people to come out and vote for him because people think his seat is already safe so he doesn’t need them to come out and vote. A friend called me from West Portland to give me the low down. My friend had left their house from 10 am on the Abe Daboub bus, collected a shirt and enjoyed the after party. My friend said that the “comrades were out so look like Missa Daryl haffi tek weh himself”. As for Mandeville, the town was in a carnival-like atmosphere. And we can’t leave out Babsy Grange whose behaviour was appalling. The way she handled the EOJ representative was disgraceful. The darling of the JLP, Gordon-Webley proclaimed that this was just the “icening (sic) on the cake”. That’s your future for you!
While I won’t comment on every single constituency, I will say this much. One thing that was confirmed yesterday is that there are a whole heap of unemployed and unemployable people in Jamaica! I have a big problem watching a plantation full of people dressed in party colours whining and gyrating in the streets in the middle of the week in the middle of the day. BIG PROBLEM! These are people with a lot of power as they determine who rules Jamaica, yet they are as idle as hell…..they are clearly not gainfully employed. We taxpayers just have to accept it! What I can’t understand is that all the candidates, bar none, encouraged this in the name of power. One thing I hope for is that no matter who wins, they have the means to create gainful employment for the youth. We cannot allow our number one resource, our citizens, to lay about idly.
Poor Jamaica!
Did you really believe Babsy…I wonder who caused the greater embarassment. She really behaved in the most disgraceful manner…maybe the most intellegent out there setting what kind of example for the followers.
I actually drove on Molynes Rd yesterday…big mistake Peter Phillips and his crew took over. Police were trying the Moses act parting the Red Sea (hope u read “orange” there).
What of the big day…carnival u say!!! Can’t wait ’til it’s all over.
Verses…do you have a problem with what I had said? Is there a problem with it? Just curious…..
Chuck is a man who works in his constituency?????? this is incredible , I have asked Delroy to tell me what he has achieved in two terms in NE St. Andrew and I hear beautify Grants Pen and bring peace to the area.
Now Grants Pen is about 20% of the Constituency what about the rest of the area.
This is a political myth.
Fyahbox…I guess you didn’t get the sarcasm! Remember that in the more affluent constituencies, they tend to vote JLP regardless of whether someone works or not. This is probably why Portia wouldn’t bother to waste her time going into such areas, but instead concentrates on the more impressionable areas. That’s just my view. I know if I were her I wouldn’t waste my time uptown…..
Jamaican girl you really did yourself a disservice with this post. I know this is your spot but what you might not know is that those of us who can’t be home look to people like you to let us know what’s going on. Try as you might you couldn’t keep your political bias from coating this post. Maybe you should check out the Jamaica and the World blog (http://xaymacablog.com/ ) That is a good example of how an educated person presents facts- chastising both sides of the political playing field when called for and not out of blind allegiance. You may not revel in the streets but are you really so far above those blind followers?
Yardi, please point out to me how I have been biased. I have stated the facts. I drove past Henry Wilson’s camp(PNP) and I was wondering how so many people were able to have the time to attend a simple thing like nomination day. I passed Gordon Webley’s (JLP) camp and there was hardly any movement but I do believe her crowd probably dispersed byt the time I ws driving by because I know she has a huge following. However, the news showed us both Portia’s and Bruce’s constituency and there were no surprises. Tivoli is a JLP stronghold and so there was not even one orange shirt for miles. When Portia’s opponent turned up, yes, the people in orange greeted him. Yes I have a friend who lives in Portland and the friend reported that to me. Yes, Babsy embarassed a young lady at the EOJ office and created a scene because she wanted to carry in a trailer load of people, instead of the 10 allowed. Yes, the people are idle to be in the streets at high noon in the middle of the week. This is a normal working day for people. I am not the only one who is pondering on the same matter. Based on Tuesday, it is clear that we have a high level of unemployment in the country. All candidates had their followers and the point I was making is that where do people get this time when there are others who have to get up and go to work? I read Xaymaca’s blog and comment on it. But show me my political bias please? I am open to correction. I want you to know that if I was very biased I wouldn’t even print your post.
your last sentiment really reasonated with me. it is a pretty big problem that the huge supporter turnout is actually a reflection on the unemployment disaster that faces our nation. I just want to encourage you to keep on doing your thing.
Yep!! That’s is soo true. The real problem isn’t just unemployement…unemployement is just a fair indicator of ineptitude from a fiscal standpoint. The real problem is investment & translating that investment into gross domestic products. Why is it that a fair number of people in my generation is awesome with computers, technologically savy, have a ton of intellectual & analytical skills and can’t get jobs that will put all of that stuff to good use. What are the politicans doing about that?!! Why do you think di wholla wi deh a Miami, Toronto, New York, London, and every other blasted place on this planet except Jamaica…to rahhhtid!! Cho!! No one wants to come back because it’s the same old crap from when mi was a likkle bwoy!