FI WI CONCERNS - Michael Spence

Dons As Consultants

With so many heinous crimes being committed lately many are calling for the most draconian measures to be meted out. Do we recall the "Gun Court which was painted red because it dread"," "indefinite detention" among draconian measures in the era of 70's 80 the murder rate then was a fraction of what it is now. The evidence is that a mandatory sentences without due process is injustice and knee jerk reaction seems to make matters worse. The ideal approach is to look at the conditions that create the need for guns and ammunition or conflicts and do something about that bolstered by effective policing/investigations and an efficient justice system. The certainty of getting caught is the most effective deterrent to crime, the cleared up rate must improve. You know one top Don recommended that there should be a focus on reducing the supply of ammunition would make guns useless no one has taken on his suggestion seriously. These Dons are Criminal Executive Officers (CEOs),it would be a good idea out of the box to have one or two of them being consultants to the relevant ministers or ministries and stop bury our heads in the sand.20/04/15

ISIS

These activities by IS militants is getting bolder and more often so none of us are safe any part of the world, they seem to be well organized .financed and brutal. There should be a focus now on cutting off financing combined with a targeted education program to would be sympathizers. Only Iran can make a dent if they would be willing to cooperate with other countries. The stumbling block is that Islamists are not willing to join with non Islamic people to fight Islamic people. This is a tough one as war against Islam does not end and they never die, or commit suicide they are martyrs working in earnest to establish a Caliphate which is getting larger than Iraq and Syria so instead of being ISIS they are now IS. 20/04/15

 Officers Of The Court Wards...?

Lately a number of lawyers are being hauled before the courts because of allegations of impropriety some of them quite prominent.All lawyers should have a client trust account or otherwise some legally transparent method of securing clients' funds. Thieves are thieves are found in all walks of life and potential clientele should do their due diligence also. The General Legal Council does a good job in trying to weed out the profession and as far as I know it is a no nonsense organization that can punish you for doing or not doing something that affects the clients interest. It would be good Mr Derby to get someone from the General Legal Council on your program to shed some light on this dark spot tainting the legal profession. 20/04/15

 Road Traffic Law

As I read through the proposed traffic fines under the Road Traffic Act I made the following observations. Failing to use appropriate hand signal - $2,000. This one needs to be deleted with the lack of electronic signal being an offence.Overtaking in an intersection to be added this is a very dangerous activity I see daily. Overall most of the fines are oppressive, unconscionable and foolish with the authorities not collecting 60% of traffic fines presently. What's the point of increasing fines or do they plan to have only traffic police and then a dedicated traffic prison. Considering that minimum wage is $5600 for a 40hr work week fines should not be increased more than the average inflation rate for 10 years whatever that is. Draconian thinking or methods do not correct ills they make matters worse whether you choose "left or write" one has to apply reasonable pragmatism.21/04/15

 That Youth

The St Mary youth accused of going to join ISIS is still in custody. What an injustice on the child of poor black rural people and we say how we love and care for the poor. Even the deaf and dumb see that this youth needs to go home to the love and care of his family. These are some of the things that push and harden youths to turn to all kinds of groups and gangs for solace and rescue from barbarity and injustice. Time to jus leggo di yute mek him gwaan a him yaad. 21/04/15

 Police Impersonator

Fifty-seven-year-old repeat police impersonator Derrick Thompson, yesterday pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining money by false pretense and impersonating a police officer.What is the protocol regarding the number of policemen who should be working as far as I know it should be at least two one acts as cover or back up in case of anything. Any one police accost me no car, bicycle, bike or another police in sight I immediately get suspicious because most times it is always "left not write" "left or write" is the correct corrupt approach. Now if traffic fines are being increased as proposed God help motorists and if you have 3ounces of ganja instead of 2 you need God's help times two. 21/04/15

 Is Councillor Haughton Alone?

Again they pick on councilor Haughton a weak Hanover link out in rural Jamaica,  why not audit all Parish Councils starting in Kingston let us see how clean they all are because my guess is all of them have the same modus operandi "parson christen him pickney first". There should be a full scale island wide audit of parish councils after which mass suspensions if needed should take place. Did the council get value for money paid to family, if yes why suspension?. Is there a rule that qualified family members of a mayor or any other politician become ineligible for work in their jurisdiction? 21/04/15

FI WI CONCERNS - Michael Spence

CUBA

Cuba has done a lot of research using indigenous products. They were not hampered or constrained by multinational drug corporations or countries with multibillion dollar advertising and incentive programs. These are among the positives that came out of the decades of trade embargo against that country and they realizing the hard way that only they alone can save themselves with discipline, education, research and hard work. This diabetic drug i think is only the tip of the Cuban success stories to become the envy of scientists worldwide. 16/04/15

 GANJA

"I got reports from two principals today of students feeling that ganja is now free and that they can now smoke it, and in one case, (the principal) had to take more than one student to a nearby hospital for symptoms of psychosis, “Ronald Thwaites said in his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral  Debate. Hope they were given some strong sugar and water and sleep to bring them back and not psychotic drugs so now they know that ganja is decriminalized but is not for everyone to drink or smoke. I think at this stage there is need to publish in collaboration with the ministry of health what to do if one gets an overdose of ganja smoke also to give an idea of a safe way to smoke ganja for example a spliff versus a chalice that has a container that water cools the smoke before it enters the lungs. I think chalices and similar devices to smoke tobacco or ganja may be now legal as I have seen it being openly used at a Middle eastern restaurant in Kingston or is it only illegal when in possession of a Jamaican ganja smoker. This needs clarification on the heels of the decriminalization of up to 2ounces of marijuana in which case you can only get a Ja$500 ticket. 16/04/15

ISIS

Authorities in Suriname reported that he was denied entry into that country after it was theorized that he was heading to The Netherlands, then to Turkey, to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).This case highlights a level of mental slavery, classism and ignorance among our leaders and perpetuated among our police. This is a child of poor black rural people and highlighting the fact or fiction of a Quran found at his house trying to prove the theory of the Surinamese authorities is unaccepteable. Are we on our way back to that stage in Jamaica when you could be arrested for being in possession of subversive or communist literature eg Mao's Little Red Book, The Communist manifesto, anything on Che Guevara or even Fidel Castro. There are some prominent persons in society who have been persecuted for either having such literature or even speaking too much and enlightening persons about their own people.

WALTER RODNEY

Does anyone recall Walter Rodney who wrote a book “how Europe underdeveloped Africa" deported from Jamaica eventually died in his own country Guyana. Are we on our way back to those dark ages where now you can be refused entry to countries and locked up for having a view or literature not supported by the most powerful countries on earth. Where are the intellectuals/leadership among us why are they not speaking out some of whom have suffered, have they all been frightened into a corner of self imposed ignorance of convenience ? 16/04/15

LEFT OR WRITE

There are rackets being unearthed having to do with prescription drugs. This is no different from you know "left or Write" where persons make a rational choices however unethical and immoral it is.$9000 prescription down to 6000 saving $3000 or a $10000 ticket down to $4000.With a minimum wage for 40 hour work week $5600 the situation gets even more serious with the high level of unemployment with most  people able to do basic eat a food maths. The main thing at play here in addition is the basic economics of poverty and deprivation helping to drive these types of bandoolism/corruption. Are we sure of exactly what is going on? that needs to straighten out before it can be tackled meaningfully. For example some months ago a premises in a rural parish was raided and millions of dollars of uncustomed prescription drugs seized. The Pharmacy Council of Jamaica, Radcliffe Goulbourne, said "its members sometimes come across questionable prescriptions, and red flags are raised " Then what do i ask, will there be an introduction of tamper proof prescription blanks for all doctors to buy you know 12/04/15

“All people want basic freedom and basic dignity” Barak Obama 12/04/15

ISIS or Just Seeking Overseas Opportunities?

Heading to Netherlands or Elsewhere?

There have been many questions about that teenager who was heading to the Netherlands via Suriname and he was sent back to Jamaica. Reports in the press alledges that he was planning to join ISIS, in Syria. ISIS is a notorious terrorist organization.

Teenager Didn't Intend To Return To Jamaica?

A relative of the teenager said on local media that the teenager was going to England because he was seeking a better life. I must admit that there are many unanswered questions about all of this. Why was this information given publicly about him not coming back to Jamaica. This could affect the youngster chance of getting a visa to travel to other countries in the future. Why are the relatives speaking to the press without a lawyer.

Could The Mother File for Her Son?

If his mother is in the United Kingson, is she living there legally. Could she have filed for her son? If she leaves England to go to the Netherlands to pick up her son, would she need an entry permit to re-enter the United Kingdom? How would she get back to England with her son when he does not have an entry permit.

Travelling During School Time!

If the youngster is travelling when he should be in school, then the border control officers in the various countries will be wondering why this person is not attending school at that time.The officials will also wonder why that fare was paid for the teenager to spend just one week, so far away from home.

Have a Visa

Did this youngster have a visa to go to the Netherlands? It is my understanding that one does not need a visa to go to Suriname but he would need a visa to go on to the Netherlands.

Was He About To Join ISIS?

The immigration officers would have asked this youngter  many questions about his future interntions. How did ISIS come in the mix? Did he have any documents on him or made any telephone calls to persons or organizations linked to ISIS? Did he have any friends on Facebook or on any other social pages linking him with persons from ISIS?

Lessons For The Rest Of Us

• Be careful of those friends who you meet on these social pages. 
• Be very carefull of the discussions that you have on these social pages or even in emails.
• Inform yourself of immigration requirements for those countries which you plan to visit. 
• Always give accurate information for your visa applications and answer all border control persons truthfully. 
• Have sufficient funds on you when you are travelling.
• Know where you are staying and your length of stay which should not conflict with that allowed by your ticket.
• Have telephone contacts and the name for the persons who you will stay with.
• Do not leave your bags unattended while travelling.
• Answer questions politely which are asked by immigration or other officials.

Let me have your feedback please. All the best.