Jazz In The Gardens

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Friday, 3 July 2026

What's Happening - July 3, 2026

Consumers must stick to recognized and trusted retailers, or else they will pay dearly for doing otherwise. Consumers also have to be careful about where they purchase food items. 

The government entity, the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA), which is responsible for ensuring that standards are maintained, is fast asleep. I have contacted them in the past about consumer matters, and when you hang up the phone, that is the end of the matter.

They have a fancy website, and it seems that is what the focus is on these days—fancy websites and presence on social media. While that is good, the consumer needs action.

You remember the case of the consumer finding metallic objects in the sugar he bought. Did the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority identify the batch number for the sugar, and was that batch recalled? Did they advise the consumers that it was safe to now consume the sugar? What are the findings of that investigation?

This beautiful picture was taken from the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority website. What are their achievements for the last five years?

 
I also bought rice with insects and wondered if the insects were peas. I am yet to hear from the NCRA about that matter.

Recently, a housewife bought some tin sardines, and she found some strange things in the sardines. Have a look at the pictures below.

A tin of sardines.


Plastic material found in sardine tin.

There are some products that you should not consider purchasing. JPS produces 50-cycle electricity, so if you purchase 60-cycle electrical equipment, it will not be energy-efficient, and its lifespan could be short. If that equipment is damaged, JPS will more than likely not accept liability. The warranty might also be made invalid.

Imperial Stove



Do not buy the stove in the above picture because you will find in a year that some burners might not work and the temperature knobs will no longer work.

Air Fryer

The air fryer shown above will start to deteriorate after a few months. The paint for the inside will start to strip, and the rubbers to keep the tray in place will fall out.

When you purchase things, keep your receipts and warranty documents in a safe place. Do not throw away items bought when you find strange items in them. Contact the Consumer Affairs Commission and make a report. Take a copy of your receipt and the product to them. You can also copy me on the report.

These retailers and manufacturers must be held accountable for any inferior products sold to consumers. Always retain your receipt even when you purchase a patty. If you suffer from food poisoning after purchasing a patty, for example, that receipt is your proof of purchase. 


Remember to be careful when you purchase gas because the attendant might put diesel in your vehicle, which uses gas. Do not start or move the vehicle if you find out in time that diesel has been put in your gas tank. Let a recognized garage deal with the matter.

I have been asking for years that the diesel pump should not be placed near to the gas pump, but who cares?

Remember to add your comments to the bottom of the blog and also subscribe to my YouTube channel.


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Thursday, 2 July 2026

JLP Calls Out PNP Lies

 Press Release From The JLP - July 2, 2026

The governing Jamaica Labour Party rejects the PNP's move to utter a series of barefaced and unadulterated lies in a bid to distract from public backlash it is receiving for its consistently disruptive and outrageous conduct in the Parliament.    

The latest lies and weak attempt to spin the narrative were uttered in a media release issued by the PNP on Thursday, July 2, 2026.    

In the interest of Jamaica, the PNP should commit to conducting itself in a more appropriate manner. 


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The PNP’s Latest Masterclass in Parliamentary Melodrama

 Contributed

​The People’s National Party (PNP) is at it again. In their latest press release, dated July 2, 2026, the Opposition treats us to a masterclass in political theatre, clutching their collective pearls over what they describe as a "troubling pattern" threatening Jamaica’s parliamentary democracy. But if you strip away the lofty rhetoric about Westminster traditions and constitutional breakdown, what you are left with is a textbook example of an opposition party crying foul because they failed to navigate basic parliamentary procedure.

​What the press release conveniently leaves out is the broader context: this isn't an isolated incident of "procedural inconsistency," but part of a calculated, week-after-week strategy by the PNP to deliberately disrupt the proceedings of Parliament. Having seemingly abandoned constructive debate, the Opposition has turned Gordon House into a stage for coordinated stunts aimed at stalling government business.

​Let’s dismantle their three "grave" grievances one by one.

​1. The Paulwell Outcry: Rules Apply to Everyone, Even the Opposition

​First, the PNP complains that Leader of Opposition Business Phillip Paulwell was ruled out of order by the Speaker before he could launch into a spiel about an Integrity Commission report. The PNP indignantly claims a Speaker can't rule on an objection without hearing it first.

​But here’s the reality: Parliament runs on an Order Paper—a strict, pre-approved schedule of business. If a Member attempts to hijack the proceedings to introduce a topic not on the agenda, the Speaker doesn't need a five-minute preamble to know it's out of order. Directing Paulwell to discuss the matter privately with the Leader of Government Business wasn't "silencing opposition"; it was standard housekeeping to prevent the House from degenerating into an undisciplined talk-shop.

​2. The "Missed" Division: A Bad Case of Selective Hearing

​Second, the PNP alleges that the Speaker ignored their calls for a "division" (a formal, recorded vote) during a Regulations Committee motion, claiming the Speaker simply said she "hadn't heard" them. They are now dramatically demanding a review of Hansard and official recordings.

​Give us a break. If an Opposition genuinely wants a division, they don't mumble it under their breath; they make it loud, clear, and impossible to ignore. If the Speaker didn't hear it, it's highly likely it was either poorly timed or lacked the collective vocal force required to arrest the proceedings. Turning a simple communication gap into a grand conspiracy to subvert democracy is a desperate stretch, even for a press release.

​3. The Burchell Shield: Hypocrisy in the House

​Finally, the PNP expresses outrage that Government Members launched "sustained personal attacks" against South St. James MP Nekeisha Burchell, accusing the Speaker of letting it dominate the debate.

​This is peak political hypocrisy. The floor of Gordon House has never been a monastery. Both sides of the aisle regularly engage in fierce, partisan political jabs—it is the nature of adversarial politics. For the PNP to suddenly act like delicate flowers who are victims of "personal attacks" ignores the fact that their own members are just as quick to dish it out when the cameras are rolling. If an MP injects themselves aggressively into a heated procedural battle, they cannot whine when the political counterpunch lands.

​The Bottom Line

​This press release isn't about saving Jamaican democracy; it’s about score-settling and media posturing. When the PNP wins a procedural battle, it’s a victory for the people; when they lose, it’s an "authoritarian threat to the constitution."

​Instead of writing breathless press releases accusing the Speaker of bias, the Opposition might want to abandon their ongoing, weekly strategy of disruption, spend more time mastering the Standing Orders, and ensure their members speak loudly enough to be heard. Democracy in Jamaica is doing just fine—the PNP’s parliamentary strategy, however, could use some work.

Contributed by Anthony Fisher

Anthony Fisher

Anthony Fisher attended Frome Technical High and Illinois State University. He has a BSc in Mass Media. A former videographer at the Jamaica Information Service, he is now a Multimedia Communication Specialist at the University of Illinois.

Anthony is a member of the diaspora who continues to show keen interest in Jamaica. We appreciate members of the diaspora supporting Bark Di Trute.


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Silencing Opposition MPs Threatens Jamaica’s Parliamentary Democracy

Press Release From The PNP - July 2, 2026

Kingston, Jamaica. July 2, 2026: The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed grave concern about Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, describing it as the latest in a troubling pattern of procedural inconsistency, selective enforcement of the Standing Orders, and conduct that undermines Parliament’s constitutional role as Jamaica’s principal forum for accountability, scrutiny and debate.

Three incidents, in particular, underscore the Opposition’s concerns.

First, the Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell, MP, sought recognition to raise a procedural matter regarding the absence of the Integrity Commission’s latest report from the Order Paper after it had been submitted to Parliament. 

Before he was permitted to identify his issue, the Speaker ruled him out and directed that the matter be raised privately with the Leader of Government Business. The Opposition maintains that a Speaker cannot properly determine a procedural objection without first hearing what the Member seeks to raise. Westminster parliamentary practice requires that discretion be exercised fairly, impartially, and on an informed basis.

Second, during consideration of a motion to approve a report from the Regulations Committee, several Opposition Members immediately called for a division after the question was put. The Speaker stated that she had not heard the request and proceeded without conducting the division. The Opposition has requested a review of Hansard and the official recording, as several Members maintain that the request was made clearly and in time.

Third, rather than addressing these legitimate procedural concerns, Government Members used the subsequent debate to launch sustained personal attacks against the Member of Parliament for South St James, Nekeisha Burchell, who had been among those challenging the handling of the proceedings. Members of Parliament are elected to represent the Jamaican people and are entitled, within the Standing Orders, to challenge procedural rulings and use every lawful parliamentary mechanism to protect the rights of those they represent. Rather than restraining these personal attacks, the Speaker permitted them to dominate the debate despite having little or no relevance to the matter then before the House.

The Opposition is particularly concerned by remarks directed at MP Burchell by Desmond McKenzie, MP, who, while pointing across the Chamber, warned her that she should “not cross his path or else.” Such language can reasonably be interpreted as threatening and intimidating. It has no place in Jamaica’s Parliament and risks further lowering the standard of parliamentary discourse.

Phillip Paulwell, MP, said, “This is not about personalities. It is about protecting Parliament as an institution. Every Member, regardless of political affiliation, has the right to be heard, seek procedural clarification, and expect the Standing Orders to be applied fairly and consistently.” 

Rose Shaw, MP, added, “No Member of Parliament should face intimidation or selective enforcement of the rules for carrying out their constitutional duty. Our concern is not simply for one Member, but for the integrity of Parliament and the rights of every elected representative.”

Christopher Brown, MP, stated,  “This singling out of Member Burchell by the former Speaker Mrs Dalrymple Philbert, to my mind amounts to inciting and represents an unfortunate direct mobilization of possible attacks, within a society where violence is often the first choice for conflict resolution. What Mrs Marisa Dalrymple Philbert did in this personal public denunciation was wrong and in fact goes against the traditions of established proper conduct in the House.”

The Opposition will continue to resist the oppressive and undemocratic management of the affairs of the House of Representatives, and we will resolutely defend MP Burchell from the type of intimidatory conduct displayed by Government Members during the sitting.

This matter is not about one Member or one political party. It is about preserving the integrity of Jamaica’s Parliament. Parliamentary rules exist to facilitate debate, protect minority rights, and ensure accountability. When they are applied inconsistently or in ways that frustrate legitimate scrutiny, confidence in Parliament is diminished. The People's National Party will continue to defend the right of every elected representative, Government and Opposition alike to participate freely, fairly, and without intimidation.

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Proper Decorum Will Strengthen Parliament And Our Democracy

Contributed

MP Marisa Dalrymple-Philbert

MP Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert's intervention in Parliament yesterday was more than a plea for order—it was a reminder that the strength of any democracy rests not only on the laws that are passed, but also on the manner in which its elected representatives conduct themselves.

Speaking from the perspective of a former Speaker of the House, Dalrymple-Philibert emphasized the importance of preserving the dignity and decorum of Parliament. Her message was that spirited debate is an essential feature of democracy, but disorder, unnecessary interruptions, and conduct that diminishes the institution serve neither Parliament nor the Jamaican people.

Particular attention has been drawn to her reference to MP Nickesha Burchell during her contribution. However, that reference should be viewed without malice or any suggestion of personal animosity. Rather, it should be understood in the context of a broader discussion on parliamentary conduct and adherence to the standards expected within the House. The focus of her remarks was the principle of maintaining order and respect for parliamentary procedures, not the individual herself.

It is important that public discourse does not lose sight of that distinction. In parliamentary debate, members often refer to colleagues to illustrate a point or address specific incidents. Such references, when made within the rules of the House and without personal attacks, form part of the accountability and deliberative process that Parliament exists to facilitate.

Ultimately, the conversation sparked by Dalrymple-Philibert's intervention should not centre on personalities but on the larger issue of preserving the integrity of Jamaica's Parliament. Citizens expect their representatives to disagree—sometimes passionately—but to do so with civility, discipline, and respect for the institution they have been entrusted to serve.

The dignity of Parliament is a shared responsibility. Every member, regardless of party affiliation or seniority, has a role to play in ensuring that the House remains a forum where ideas prevail over interruptions, respect triumphs over rancour, and the national interest always comes first.

MP Isat Buchanan


MP Marisa Dalrymple-Philbert


MP Floyd Green


Contributed by Anthony Fisher

Anthony Fisher

Anthony Fisher attended Frome Technical High and Illinois State University. He has a BSc in Mass Media. A former videographer at the Jamaica Information Service, he is now a Multimedia Communication Specialist at the University of Illinois.

Anthony is a member of the diaspora who continues to show keen interest in Jamaica. We appreciate members of the diaspora supporting Bark Di Trute.



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You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Wednesday, 1 July 2026

Murders Per 100,000 People


I

II

This information is presented by Bark Di Truth with the hope that our country can start looking at very serious matters. It is time that we work with our government to resolve these issues. This is not the time to fight for power. This is not the time to engage in idle talk in parliament and come across as if you are in the senate to speak to matters which affect you.

In another month, we will celebrate independence, and it cannot be just about song and dance.

Jamaica is at number 3 for murders per 100,000 people. This is a crisis. At a cursory glance, it seems that those countries with lower murder rates are doing better economically.

Note:
  1. Data was obtained from the World Bank Group website.
  2. Figures for 2024 and 2025 are not available.
Another blog on crime:

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