When The Clerk Of The House Really Messed Up!

Clerk of the House, Collene Lowe

Someone posted a clip of the parliamentary proceedings that took place yesterday, September 22, 2026, in which the Clerk of the House mentioned the "Bauxite Levy." She pronounced 'Levy' /leevi/.  The correct pronunciation is /levi/, and the pronunciation does not vary. Someone corrected the Clerk of the House, and she put on an impish smile, dropped her head, and replied, "Pronunciation varies," which she pronounced /vawries/

You made the error a few times, and you did not vary the pronunciation. You stuck with the incorrect pronunciation, Madam Clerk of the House. I also learned the new pronunciation of the word 'varies.' Our parliament is streamed on the Internet for the world to see, and it remains on the Internet.

Clerk of the House, it does not matter how qualified you are academically; nothing beats the experience of a well-thinking person. Some MPs have been in the House for a long time, and they can tell you how 'levy' is pronounced. We are not talking about the name of a person.

When you are corrected, take a deep breath and count from 1 to 5. Think on what was said to you. In your haste to comment and to protect your ego, you can end up making things worse, which is what happened yesterday.

Below is the video clip of part of your speech in parliament.

My suggestion, especially to people in leadership positions, is to humble yourself. You can learn from even the stupidest person. Many of you in parliament need to get some training in public speaking. Your diction, pronunciation, rhythm, and the modulation of your voice are things you need to improve. Shouting is not communicating.

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Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj, 

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The PNP Position on the Firearm Act

Zuleika Jess

Press Release From the PNP - September 23, 2026

Following today’s historic silent protest by Jamaica’s legal fraternity outside the Supreme Court, Opposition Spokesperson on Justice, Miss Zuleika Jess, MP, announced that the Opposition has officially mounted a legislative offensive to force immediate amendments to the flawed Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act. 

In a decisive move to break the Government's defense of the law, MP Jess yesterday officially submitted a formal Notice of Questions for Oral Answer to the Clerk of the Houses of Parliament, summoning Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck to provide answers regarding the operational chaos and injustices caused by this flawed legislation. 

The Opposition stands in absolute, unwavering solidarity with the attorneys, advocates, and jurists who took to the streets today. Their silent demonstration exposes a deep, systemic crisis: the complete stripping away of judicial discretion and the imposition of a merciless 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. This statutory rigidity has completely paralyzed the plea-bargaining process, removing any legal incentive for defendants to plead guilty and risks drowning the Gun Court in an unmanageable trial backlog. 

"We are seeing state-sanctioned injustice where the law forces the destruction of innocent lives instead of targeting violent criminals." MP Jess highlighted two egregious examples of absurdity within the current Act that the Opposition is targeting for immediate revision: 

The Coercion and Exploitation of Vulnerable Minors: Under the Act, a vulnerable 14-year-old child who is terrorized and forced by a community "don" or gang leader to carry or hide an illegal firearm is treated with the exact same severity as the violent criminal who handed them the weapon. Judges are completely prohibited from weighing the presence of severe adult coercion with the result that a child victim is automatically subjected to the rigid 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.  

The Absurdity of Imitation Firearms: Under the strict lettering of the Act, a young music producer using a plastic toy gun as a prop on a video set is subjected to the exact same mandatory 15 year minimum sentence as a criminal possessing a loaded, lethal automatic weapon. Judges are legally forbidden from using common sense because their hands are completely tied. 

The parliamentary questions filed by the Opposition will force Minister Chuck to provide a clear timeline for previously promised amendments to the Act and state whether the Government has engaged in consultation with the Bar and Advocates Association. 

The Opposition vows to carry the legal fraternity's fight directly into the halls of Parliament. We will deploy every constitutional and legislative mechanism available to us, and we will not relent until judicial discretion is fully restored and a fair, equitable framework is secured for the people of Jamaica. 

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Tickets are available at the Little Theatre.

____________________

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Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj 

_________________

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It's best to view this blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com.

_________________

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Subscribe Now!

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• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on 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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Musician Jackie Jackson Has Died

 

Jackie Jackson

Popular musician Jackie Jackson has passed away. His wife, Karen Smith, passed on before him. Many will recall his heavy bass line in Toots and the Maytals songs. I used to do a show along with his band at the Jonkunnu Lounge at the Sheraton Hotel in Kingston.

He was ailing for some time, and he eventually succumbed to his illness.

Please add your thoughts on this talented musician as a comment at the end of this blog.

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Weather Report From The Meteorological Service

SIGNIFICANT FEATURES…  A Trough across the western Caribbean. 

Comment… The Trough is expected to linger across the region through the end of the week. Additionally, a Tropical Wave is projected to move within the vicinity of the island on Saturday.  

24-HOUR FORECAST
Tonight   … Lingering showers and thunderstorms across northern parishes, otherwise partly cloudy. 
Tomorrow Morning  … Partly cloudy. 
Tomorrow Afternoon & Evening … Becoming cloudy with showers and thunderstorms mainly across western and northern parishes.  

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______________________

Tickets are available at the Little Theatre.

____________________

_______________________

______________________

Keep abreast of the news and information in the world. Bark Di Trute, a Jamaican blog, is packed with accurate information. Click the following link and get information at your fingertips. WhatsApp link is: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C9bkP96JIN2JgHiuktY3Jj 

_________________

_________________

It's best to view this blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com.

_________________

_________________

Subscribe Now!

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Without your support, Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on 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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