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

While The Dump Burns Our Leaders Fiddle - AYS Listener Writes

Riverton City Dump Burns

Last week the Riverton city dump  smoke threatened a  chikungunya like  epidemic in the corporate area. No one can say with authority if there will be any long term life threatening  effects from this. The responses of some in the seat of power and even some of the general population are an eye opener and a disgust to say the least. But why should I be surprised and expect anything different.

I live in the Hallandale community Bordered by Mannings Hill and Red Hills roads on the East and West, Border Avenue to the north and a major gully to the south.  We have suffered for years from the noxious fumes from fires being lit in the gully. Apart from the  stench which permeates your home  leaving an undesirable odour and residue on curtains and laundry , we have no idea of the type of toxic substances emanating from these  fires.  Coupled with this is the apparent weakening of the gully floor and wall from the constant fires,  so great is the damage that a part of the retaining wall of some homes have  collapsed leaving the land and houses at risk.

More Smoke

On Friday March 13th at the peak of the smoke invasion from the dump the gardener of a neighbour chose to burn and when accosted was truculent saying the whole place was already filled with smoke.

There are fines for persons who break the law by starting these fires but this does not appear to be a deterrent due to a lack of enforcement.

Who Cares?

We have communicated the problem with various authorities, the police, health, fire, the Councillor and Member of Parliament. without any success in alleviating the situation.

Where is our Minister of the Environment ? He is embarrassingly silent since his promises of the last fire. On March 17,  I was not at all pleased with the response of our Prime Minister to reporters  questions on the  dump fire. it reminds me of the fire which consumed Rome while Portia,  sorry I meant Nero,  played the fiddle.

Cricketer Richard Austin Dies

FI WI CONCERNS 2015

Richard Austin dies,a great Jamaican cricketer who was punished for participating in the Kerry Packer cricket tour of South Africa in 1982-83 during the apartheid regime. In recent times he was a fixture in the Cross Roads area of Half Way Tree Road apparently he was not bed ridden for anytime because I am sure I saw him doing his rounds. I often wondered what could have been done to assist him out of his social, mental and economic difficulties. I think it all started when he was banned from doing his job of playing cricket by the Michael Manley government after that tour to South Africa. Looking back I think the penalty was too harsh and politicians have no moral or ethical right to judge anyone. They the politicians  and Jamaica contributed the demise of Richard "Danny Germs" Austin RIP.11/02/15


Michael Spence

Information about Richard Austin.

UN ADOPTS INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARNESS DAY, JUNE 13.

 UN announces International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD)  - June 13. The Ambassador for  the Federal Republic of Somalia ,  Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari Bari (r) led the resolution to mark IAAe which was also supported by Italy (l) . At centre is  Somalia's deputy permanent  representative minister- counselor, Awale Ali Kullane

 Jamaica's Multi Media Artist, Yrneh Gabon Brown (R) with the Federal Republic of Somalia  Ambassador,  Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari Bari. Ambassador Bari Bari led the UN resolution which led to the adoption of June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day.

Jamaican multi-media artist Yrneh Gabon sharing with a young person with albino at the United Nations special session following the adoption of a resolution announcing the International Albinism awareness Day for June 13.  

UN ADOPTS INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARNESS  DAY, JUNE 13..… much education needed says Jamaican artist, Yrneh ‘Gabon’ Brown.

The United Nations General assembly on Tuesday  (Nov 18)  adopted a  Resolution  titled “International Albinism Awareness Day”, to be observed June 13 each year.

The Resolution expresses concern at the attacks against persons with albinism, including women and children. It also calls for enhanced protection and promotion of all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, as a matter of priority of the international community.

Jamaica’s  multi-media artist, Yrneh Gabon, whose research and work on albinism is on display in  a six month exhibition under the theme, ‘Visibly Invisible’  at the Californian African-American Museum,  in Los Angeles, was invited to make a presentation at a special side sitting of the  UN committee. The UN resolution was led by the Federal Republic of Somalia  Ambassador,  Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari Bari.

 In his  presentation, Yrneh noted that although no one in his family was an albino, he was exposed to the suffering of  people with albinism  in Jamaica  from he was a child, as they would call them names like ‘Dundus’ and Vampires, not understanding the effects of the sun on their eyes and skin.  He made reference to Jamaica’s most known albino, entertainer King Yellowman, who is still scared from the abuse  with  which he was  treated  because he looked different . He said this inspired him to do a research on albinism which took him to Tanzania where albinos are being killed daily for their body parts used in the practice of witchcraft in that east African state .

Yrneh’s  support for research in the western world and in particular, the US, came from his mentor,  actress, and humanitarian – Dr C.C. Pounder,  who assisted him in raising funds to do a  two month  ethnographic study in Tanzania.

In undertaking his research,  Yrneh visited Jamaica  in 2013 to gather support for sponsorship and took  his proposal to CHASE funds,  an organization set up to fund the arts, sports, health and education projects in the island . He wanted to include a segment on  educating the Caribbean region on the need for change of attitude towards albinos.

‘ We were actually chased out of the room after even being told  at first that  only one of the two of us could be accommodated in the  meeting. When we managed to impress upon them that we both needed to be in the meeting, we were told to hasten the presentation as the head person there had other assignments. This just confirmed to me that there is a serious need for education at all levels’, he noted. ‘ Even though Yellowman has helped through music to change the way people treat albinos, we still have a far way to go because even at that high level, the CHASE CEO , did not see the importance of this research’.

Not deterred, Yrneh returned to the US with the information  he could gather with his limited resources and through support from his mentor, was successful in putting together a  body of work that includes paintings, sculptures and sound bites  for the exhibition that runs until March 2015. He plans to take it on tour throughout the USA and Africa.

‘There is still a problem with how people with albinism are seen so we need to re-educate. For me as an artist I have to use my work to educate people. I am so thrilled that a day has been  declared to include people with albinism ,  to see them as our brother, our sister,   and not  as  outsiders to  be excluded but treated with respect like any other human being’, Yrneh concluded.

See the UN site.

Michael Spence Speaks Out!!!

By Michael Spence

Teefing is Part of Endemic Culture?

Really fraud or only alleged fraud at the Accountant General’s office where if you go there in the flesh with all the verification they insist on having your "death certificate" in order to pay the little pension to the old suffering pensioner.Dem tight dung deh so till a di last place I would believe a big thieving a gwaan and I bet is years it a gwaan nuff people eat good food dung deh. They must be locked up till dem produce dem death certificate. On the other hand it seems everybody a teef so what is it part of the endemic culture so "a nuh nutten'.My advice though do not steal as prison life nuh nice  ask Ninjaman or Jah cure and mi nuh know how Kartel a gwaan? phone him tell him fi buss a tune mek wi hear what a gwaan.28/10/14

Abortion

Why not women need to decide on their own destiny if this was a real cooperative society where all children and pregnancies belong to everyone of us then abortion would be almost unnecessary. This society has become even more individualistic by the passing hour so preventing people from doing things in their best interest via laws only wastes time and create criminals out of people unnecessarily. Section 72 of the Offences Against the Person Act saying anyone found guilty of having or facilitating an abortion could be sentenced to life in prison, with or without hard labour. In this day and age a law like this in is ridiculous and going nowhere it is time indeed to legalize abortion as it is happening all over the place underground and over ground.28/10/14

Everybody knows that boards reflect party in power and so do principals in many cases.Dr Omeally-Nelson what is your solution to this an embedded situation,it couldn't only be to sensitize MPs on the issue as they already know they have been fostering it for decades so why change now is there a compelling reason ?27/10/14

Dealing With IMF Barbados Style

Finance and Economic Minister Chris Sinckler of Barbados is right they can if they have the discipline to do the things needed to be done without an IMF big stick. Jamaica could do the same but it is obvious we lack discipline and engage in "run wid it" economics that puts politics over sensible economics. I hope Barbados succeeds and demonstrate what self discipline can achieve.27/10/14

The Carnage On Our Roads!!!

LETTER TO AYS FROM A LISTENER

The Carnage

Similar to many persons, I too am very concerned about the level of carnage on our roads. This concern has been markedly increased with recent reports of twenty traffic fatalities in a seven day period.

Having observed the blatant disregard for and apparent ignorance of our road traffic laws along with the driving habits and practises of a significant number of our road users deteriorate steadily over the years, and being fully cognisant of each road users responsibility for their own safety, I place the blame squarely at the feet of our policy makers as well as the Police.

 

Producing License

The absolutely ludicrous situation which allows a driver five days to produce his/her drivers license must change. How many drivers with suspended licenses have slipped through this loop-hole, not to mention criminals.I certainly wish that someone could give a logical explanation as to why the road traffic laws were not amended a few years ago when this change was first attempted. Wouldn't the benefits of making it mandatory for drivers to be in possession their drivers license once they are operating a motor vehicle far outweigh any possible negative results. This is one instance, if it were not libelous, that I would say our law makers support criminality.

 

Recommendations

A significant part of the insanity which takes place on our roads daily has to do with how individuals are trained and subsequently obtain a drivers license. I recommend:

• The introduction of a "Driving Instructors Training Program" at Heart Trust-N.T.A. 
• Driving Instructors so accredited, as well as persons trained by them could be offered some incentives.  Insurance company's could offer special rates to clients trained by Driving Instructors with such a certificate.
• A system of having persons whose license have been suspended, be retrained by a certified Driving Instructor before being reinstated would be beneficial.
• Individuals with multiple license suspensions must be retested by an I.T.A. officer so accredited.
• There is need for a comprehensive review of the criteria to obtain a P.P.V license. When one observes the actions and behavior of public passenger vehicle operators, it is obvious that the caliber and training of persons wishing to be so certified is in need of a thorough review. Any such review must include persons desirous of becoming conductors.   
• We should seriously look at conducting periodic drug tests on all Commercial and PPV License holders.   
• There will have to be a significant increase in attempts to educate pedestrians on the proper use of the roads by utilizing not just the media but through the hands-on day-to-day interaction of specially trained police personnel. Utilizing the Safe Schools Program, our school children must be educated on the safe and proper use of the roads. 
• The practice of Commuters standing anywhere to wait on public transportation must stop.
• The dangerous practice of pedestrians crossing the roadway anywhere and at anytime, regardless of how close they are to a pedestrian crossing is cause for concern.
• By way of policy, a comprehensive and sustained road safety campaign must be introduced in our schools and work places.

 

Areas Of Focus

Whose idea is it to have the Police focus mainly on speeding at the same locations island wide year after year? What about the numerous other infractions which occur constantly?

What about overtaking at an unbroken white line? This seems to be par for the course along certain thorough fares. As it relates to parking illegally Downtown and in the New Kingston area, the K.S.A.Cseems to have things under control while adding to their coffers at the same time. If central government would follow this lead, wouldn't that add to the consolidated fund while placing more of the burden on those of us who transgress rather than law abiding citizens in the form of increased taxes.

I must stress that I am quite ignorant of all that the police does to improve road safety and driver compliance, but there seems to be a serious lack of police presence at many major intersections. What about an ad hock rotation of the monitoring of these locations. Wouldn't the utilization of unmarked police vehicles as well as plain clothed officers help.Traffic policing seems to lack innovativeness, forward planning and the requisite legislative support.

       

For example in the Liguanea/Kingston 6 area, I couldn't tell the last time I have seen a traffic cop on duty. As a result, every morning there is a grid-lock at Hope Road and Richings Avenue, not to mention the one at Liguanea Avenue. This is caused by drivers proceeding into the middle of the intersection before the vehicle ahead has moved forward enough for them to clear the intersection before the light changes. Isn't it an offence to block an intersection? Oh! did I mention those drivers turning right who believe that they have the right-of-way.

   

Taxis and other public passenger vehicles, including J.U.T.C buses stop to pick-up and set-down passengers anywhere, especially at Souvreign Centre heading east and at Liguanea Plaza heading west, causing increased and unnecessary traffic congestion.

The practise of many taxi operators to proceed straight after positioning their cars in the turn lane has become common place all over the city. 

The practise of stopping at a pedestrian crossing when the light is on green is dangerous and counterproductive. It is nothing short of a miracle that there has not been several serious accidents at the three 4-way intersections along Seymour Avenue. I am totally convinced that most drivers are not aware of how to use a 4-way intersection. 

Is no one aware of the excessive speeding by taxi drivers between Half Way Tree and Papine? There might very well be a severe shortage of speed monitoring devices, but the police must devise other innovative ways of impressing on persons the need to operate their motor vehicle in a safe manner.

Traffic Lights

The amber(yellow) light no longer means to stop if it is safe to do so, it means to go faster. In fact, you stand a high probability of being rear-ended if you stop when the light changes to amber. Now when it changes to red that is a totally different ball game. The red light means to follow every vehicle ahead of you that went through regardless of how long the light is on red. 

 

I am yet to see, on a regular and sustained basis, Police personnel who are not assigned to traffic duties, intervene in traffic related matters and more importantly,prosecute infractions. It cannot be a case of "I am not doing traffic duties or my current assignment is so important, I am unable to intervene". Until the aforementioned situation is addressed, I wouldn't even think of expecting an off-duty officer intervening in a traffic related matter in the same way that he or she would in a gun or other serious crime. Is it that there is no benefit to be derived as it relates to promotion? 

Police Not Attentive Enough

It is absolutely amazing to observe some of the blatant traffic infractions of which officers doing foot patrol seem to be completely oblivious, or couldn't care less. I appreciate the fact that policing can be quite difficult, but our Police officers must be taught to multi-function. Again, I make no claims of knowing all that the police is doing to deal with the indiscipline on our roads but much more must be done if things are to improve. 

The situation as it relates to discipline and the observance of all our road traffic laws has deteriorated to such a level that I seriously wonder if we haven't passed the point of no return. As many as two or more generations, including police officers know nothing but the chaos and indiscipline which takes place on our roads. Yes, even police officers regularly indulge in these bad practices.

When one observes the condition of many police service units, one wanders if what is good for the goose, isn't it good for the gander? I am fully aware of the extremely tight fiscal space within which we operate, so as a means on leveling the playing field, couldn't persons found operating a defective vehicle, once their drivers license is relatively "clean" be issued with a ticket which would not attract a monetary fine but require them to have the problem corrected in a specified time period. After which the nearest I.T.A. facility would verify that the requisite repairs were undertaken.   

We Stop And Park Anywhere

It has become quite normal to stop, park, reverse or make u-turns anywhere.

Failure to use turn signals and ensure that it is safe to do so before pulling back into traffic is a regular occurrence. Most drivers are unaware that it is illegal to have their headlights on while parked on the opposite side of a roadway. Are todays drivers aware that one is required to dim their headlights when approaching another vehicle in both directions? 

Education

I believe that with increased public education and ample warnings, in addition to fostering a culture of discipline and decency on our roads, the authorities could extract significantly more "contributions to national development" by way of increased citations for these seemingly minor offences.

Who Cares?

These infractions occur daily with impunity and one gets the feeling that no one really cares. If there is some kind of 'glitch' in the system, then it behoves those in authority to fix the problem, be it policy or operational. Things cannot continue like this!

Speeding is just the culmination of the wide spread indiscipline taking place on our roads and society in general.  

 

However, quite frankly, I have very little confidence that our system fraught with inefficiency and corruption will ensure that  persons are held accountable for their actions. 

 

I recommend that all motor cycles operate with "day-time running lights". This will significantly increase their visibility thereby reducing the possibility of inadvertent collisions.

The authorities should also look into the possibility of all vehicles being so equipped in the not too distant future.

Our Canadian and Scandinavian friends are experts when it comes to road safety and I believe that we can learn a thing or two from them. 

 

Finally, how does someone with multiple traffic tickets be allowed to continue driving? Why are they allowed to renew their drivers license, insurance or register a motor vehicle?

Obviously the solution is not rocket science, it seems to be more a lack of political will. 

We now have tablets in schools, and this is good, but how about equipping the police so as to allow them to be more pro-active in their daily activities.

Let me take this opportunity to persuade the police to be much more vigilant and use every legal means at their disposal to impress on our drivers the need to operate their motor vehicle in a safe manner, within the law, until our policy makers and to a lesser extent, the high command, take the necessary steps to do what is needed to implement meaningful and sustained improvements in the use of our roadways.  

 

Things can be much better. It seems as if the persons with the power to implement meaningful and positive changes have a vested interest in maintaining the status-quo. On the other hand, why do we the citizens allow things to continue in this way?

WHICH ARE THE REAL UNIVERSITIES!!!

UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES


From the Desk of Michael Spence:

Which are the real universities?

Published: Friday | September 18, 2009,The Gleaner

 READ Carolyn Cooper's piece in The Sunday Gleaner of September 13, 'University fi stone dog', and also a letter to the editor from Gillian Fraser (September 15) suggesting that Cooper was afflicted with a severe case of 'red yeye and bad mine'.

The establishment of a university cannot be judged or lauded from a view as to whether establishment demon-strates successful entrepreneurship in education or a daring to offer a service. I, too, have been concerned about the rapid proliferation of universities advertising degrees of all sorts and wondered if they were anything more than education supermarkets or wholesales.

What's the difference?

It is not good for any society to have only "one real university" for too long for fear it develops into what one talk-show hosts call an 'intellectual ghetto' lacking in intellectual rigour, research, functionality and relevance.What few seem to know is the difference between a basic school, a college and a university. It is, therefore, not inconceivable such signs to be replaced with the word university in front of school or college.

If people are willing to pay their money to attend, this would be brilliant entrepreneurship, but would it stand up to scrutiny? A university should be designed to encourage research, innovation, intellectual rigour, with unlimited universality of thought, original scholarship, the production and transmission of new knowledge, thinking and ways of making the world/country a better place.

Readers, including Fraser, might have misunderstood Carolyn's implied definition of a university at the outset so was not able to come on board with her to determine authenticity. Her main concern was definitely not with Hyacinth Bennett or Hydel but with mediocrity, the production and transmission of quality knowledge, the maintenance of vibrant graduate research programmes and not just with quantity.

The University of the West Indies, Mona, or 'intellectual ghetto' for others, has maintained a reasonable track record, but has not contributed enough to the opening up of the Jamaican mind, has been guilty of complacency and may even be stuck in the era of 1970s thought though still relevant.

The University Council needs to have a clearly publicised definition of what is a university or questions one should have answered before one hands over their fees in a quest to have degree papers.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL SPENCE

Min. Peter Bunting - Time To Act

Min. Peter Bunting should step aside.

Too many Jamaicans have lost their lives at the hands of criminals and also at the hands of the security forces under questionable circumstances.

Persons Must Be Held Accountable
Persons at very high levels in the society must now be held accountable. The recent killing of a fellow Jamaican in police custody in Montego Bay is a serious matter. It is clear that the state cannot ensure the safety of those who are in its custody.

The time has come for a strong message to be sent to all that this must stop. I therefore call on the Minister of National Security and also the Acting Commissioner of Police to be relieved of their positions.

This will reinforce at the political level and the administrative arm of government that we will no longer tolerate this situation.

Nine Day Wonder Philosophy
If these persons are allowed to continue then the philosophy of the 'nine day wonder' and 'a nutten', will continue to be a part of our thinking. Those who are entrusted to public office will feel that anything can happen under their watch and their jobs will still be secure.

Jamaicans Must Speak With One Voice
The people of this country now need to speak with one voice and say we have had enough and those who are in charge must 'Pack their bags and go'!!!.

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Jamaican Police Gave Police Car To Her Bad Man Friend To Drive???

It was confirmed to me by the police that on June 12, 2012 a service vehicle was in the possession of a Corporal from the Christiana Police Station. This is in the parish of Manchester. On the same day (June 12, 2012) the vehicle was allegedly driven by one Leroy Pottinger a mechanic from Litchfield District in Trelawny. 

Pottinger became a suspect in the murder of a farmer in the Lime Tree area committed August 1, 2012.  Lime Tree is in the parish of Trelawny. Pottinger was set upon by a mob and chopped to death on September 2, 2012.

I was told that the corporal had been suspended from driving service vehicles and was currently on suspension but I subsequently learned that the officer was not suspended.

Although I have repeatedly asked for an update on this matter, I am yet to get any further information. I assume therefore that the corporal is still in the police force and might soon be the next Commissioner of Police!

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