Trying to catch up: June 23, 2013

Although I have skipped one of my newsy posts altogether, I have tried to catch up a bit here by commenting on some stories that just jumped out at me over the past week. Forgive me if this is but a cursory glance, and I have undoubtedly missed something of great importance. Also, please correct/clarify if I have got anything wrong. I confess that I have just not been focusing…

Postponed: The case brought by Javed Jaghai challenging Jamaica’s buggery laws was postponed this week until October 4, as changes need to be made to the affidavit. Mr. Jaghai is represented by gay Jamaican lawyer Maurice Tomlinson and wants the court to determine if the anti-sodomy law breaches rights guaranteed under the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. Jaghai contends that the Charter guarantees the right to privacy.

Very disturbing: The rantings of would-be politician and children’s advocate Betty Ann Blaine – who has been allowed to be one of the “interested parties” in the above-mentioned case – reached a near-hysterical pitch again this week. Ms. Blaine once asserted: “Jamaicans are not homophobic – we are a Christian country.” Not only a contradiction in terms, but incorrect on both counts, Ma’am. Ms. Blaine (who I think has a call-in radio program) wants the seven-year-old murder case of a high-profile public figure resurrected. Why? So that she can dig through an allegedly sensational video reportedly found at the murder scene, which she suspects may contain film of child abuse. This, of course, is in connection with the issue of proposed changes in the law against buggery. You know, I have often wondered if such a video ever even existed. Please, Ms. Blaine, I wish you hadn’t gone there…

What really is your position? I am very disappointed by the equivocation and confused mumblings of the Jamaica Labour Party over the pending Commission of Enquiry into the Tivoli Gardens massacre. It seems to me that they cannot refuse to participate in the enquiry, whether they believe it will be politically-charged or not. I would like all concerned to consider the best interests of the people of Tivoli Gardens, who have suffered terribly and continue to suffer from the trauma of May, 2010. The Opposition has not yet figured out what its position is – although the current Member of Parliament for the area and former Mayor Desmond McKenzie has been strident enough. He wants to pay off the victims’ families. But it’s not all about compensation, is it? My view, for what it’s worth: The former JLP administration should face the music. Let the truth come out. We owe it to the people of Tivoli Gardens and to the Jamaican people.

Final report? By the way, if the Public Defender‘s report on Tivoli Gardens was an interim one… Any news on when we can expect a final one? Or will that be the commissioners’ report? At a rough guess, then, I suspect we can wait at least another couple of years for that.

A new PS, but… Now there is a new Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Security. His name is Major General Stewart Saunders. Does that name sound familiar? Yes, he was the Chief of Defence Staff during the Tivoli “incursion” by security forces, including the soldiers he commanded, in May 2010. As the Gleaner noted in an editorial – and as Jamaicans for Justice has also pointed out with concern – as top civil servant in the Ministry Major General Saunders might have a hand in the planning of the Commission of Enquiry into Tivoli. But is this correct, or would it in fact be the Ministry of Justice that would be in charge? I wonder.

OUR wherefore art thou? Sorry to maul Shakespeare like that, but why is the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) seemingly dithering around over the 360 mw energy project? They seem to be moving at the pace of a snail on tranquilizers. I agree 100% with Mr. Chris Zacca, President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica: “The Government needs to treat our energy crisis as a national emergency. Construction of the new 360 mw generating plant needs to get started as soon as possible, as a first long overdue step,” he says. Instead, the OUR  has decided it will now take the entire summer to evaluate the proposals. No sense of urgency, whatsoever. What say you, my dear (still favorite) Minister Paulwell?

Is downtown really safe at all? Just as the downtown business district was getting itself in gear on Monday morning, all hell broke loose in a market on Pechon Street. Two alleged gunmen and a woman vendor who was allegedly caught in crossfire lay dead. What a start to the working week. One wonders whether Digicel sometimes has twinges of regret at relocating its head office downtown? Because this certainly isn’t the first major daytime shootout in recent times.

At it again: The Jamaica Observer presumably enjoyed stirring up the anti-gay sentiments that remain bobbing on the surface of Jamaican society – like untreated sewage in the sea. It printed another provocative article (again with no byline – I wonder why) about Sunday’s Moral Indignation March in Montego Bay by a group of churches. In case you forgot, the churches have finally united on the issue of proposed amendments to the archaic anti-buggery laws. Anyway, among the dozens of comments at the end of the article, the outpourings of vitriol (along the lines of “Boom Bye Bye” ) laced with religious fervor are extremely unpleasant. As always. Oh, but I am told Jamaica is not as homophobic as it used to be…

Checking in on… our Reverend Education Minister Ronald Thwaites. He doesn’t seem to be faring too well after all these tussles with the teachers. I wouldn’t use the word “embattled” yet, but…

Lush green landscape, and skulduggery: How beautiful the district of Fontabel in Trelawny looked on television this evening – a quiet country road with tall green grasses on each side. But all kinds of madness happened there on Sunday, involving an abduction, a car-jacking, a dead District Constable and the inevitable trading of gunshots. Jamaica is becoming increasingly surreal.

Body language: Ministers Bunting, Pickersgill and Junior Minister Robinson certainly looked down in the mouth (literally) as they gave a press briefing following the People’s National Party’s National Executive Council meeting on the weekend – which was closed to the press. I wonder what the Prime Minister said? The orange ones seemed very downbeat.

Who benefits from this working visit? The First Lady of Burkina Faso is in Jamaica this week. She has had some photo-ops with Information Minister Sandrea Falconer and hopefully her visit will be more productive as it continues. Is this a result of the big group excursion to Africa, headed by our Prime Minister? Is it what they call a “fact-finding visit”?

Quick kudos to:

• Mr. Javed Jaghai, for his courage. As we say on Twitter: #thatisall.
• Dr. Kevin Harvey for his support of a review of Jamaica’s abortion laws. As Youth Minister Lisa Hanna noted, there has been much debate over Jamaica’s ban on abortion for many years. Time for some sensible voices to speak out.
• Women’s Media Watch for their ongoing series of interesting and very useful workshops for non-governmental organizations, with their dynamic trainer Ms. Georgia Love. The gender-focused NGO has been around for 25 years and is taking a leap forward. Its vision is “for a more peaceful, caring society that provides equal opportunities for all.” Tune in to their weekly program on Roots FM 96.1 (Thursdays, 5 – 6 p.m.) Tonight’s topic is “Women who Mean Business.” Interested in learning more? WMW is on Facebook and Twitter (@WMWJamaica) and at http://womensmediawatch.org. Tel: 926-0882/881-5177. WMW welcomes volunteers at this time!
• Gleaner columnist Dennie Quill for his column on the plight of the impoverished elderly. I have noticed, too, in the hustle of the city, elderly people who have fallen on hard times, who try to hold on to their dignity while asking for help with food. It is very painful, and their numbers seem to be increasing. Please, please see if you can help them when you see them.
• All those involved in the annual Kingston on the Edge (KOTE) arts festival – which is ongoing. It’s a vibrant and thought-provoking spread of art, film, music and everything else laid out for our delectation and delight. A great deal of work by a great many people, and proof that Kingston’s cultural scene is not to be ignored. In fact, it jumps up and demands to be seen – and heard! Well done and as a Kingston resident – grateful thanks for this stimulation of the senses! Look up the schedule here: http://www.kingstonontheedge.org
• All the winners in the Jamaica Environmental Action Awards organized by the Jamaica Environment Trust. Port Antonio High School took quite a haul. The awardees, and the amazing displays by schools participating in JET’s awesome Schools Environment Programme were very impressive. And it’s wonderful that they have great sponsors on board – especially their top sponsor, Total, who support the awards faithfully every year.
• All the kind blog followers, Facebook friends and tweeps who wished me luck for my DELF B-2 exam. I am slowly recovering from it this evening – it nearly drained the life out of me. But I did my best and hugely appreciated all the kind “bonne chance” messages!

Over the past week, the following Jamaican citizens have lost their lives to crime and violence, leaving grief and suffering behind. The “trend” of beheadings (ugh, sorry, yes, à la Taliban) continues, and is attributed to gang rivalries. To me, however, all lives lost – whether gangsters, their families or supporters – are equally tragic. Reporting a killing as “gang-related” doesn’t lessen the sadness and significance. Not to me, anyway.

Damion Atkinson, 22, Bonitto Meadows/Mandeville, Manchester

District Constable Jovan Lisle, 22, Wakefield, Trelawny

Donald Whyte, 36, Annotto Bay, St. Mary

Richard Williams, Mafoota, St. James

Hopeton Cunningham, 39, Church Pen, St. Catherine

Marlene Thompson, 37, Portmore, St. Catherine

Astley Forrester, Negril, Westmoreland

Killed by the police:

Oshane Bentley, 23, Pechon Street, downtown Kingston

Sonia Daley, Pechon Street, downtown Kingston

Jason Watt, 22, Pechon Street, downtown Kingston

Wayne Campbell, Knockpatrick, Manchester

Unidentified man, Claremont, St. Ann

Related links and articles (local blog posts in purple)

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Senate-ends-prematurely_14547650 Senate ends prematurely: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Civil-Society-Coalition-welcomes-Spalding-Market-update_14530351 Civil Society Coalition welcomes Spalding Market update: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-117/34328 PM breaks ground for basic school in home community: Jamaica Information Service

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Keeping-up-with-the-Diaspora_14535442 Keeping up with the diaspora: Barbara Gloudon column/Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/The-JLS-s-Literacy-Intervention-programme_14523529 The Jamaica Library Service’s literacy intervention program: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Yallahs-High-School-brawl-leaves-two-students-hospitalised Yallahs High School brawl leaves two students hospitalized: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Hall-bats-for-flogging-in-schools_14535408 Hall bats for flogging in schools: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Abandoned-Seaview-building-to-house-technical-high-school Abandoned Seaview building to house technical high school: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-1/34341 First Lady of Burkina Faso arrives for working visit: Jamaica Information Service

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/20-year-old-woman-accused-of-forcing-14-year-old-girl-into-prostitution_14536429 20-year-0ld woman accused of forcing 14-year-old girl into prostitution: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Gays-promise–hell-and-powder-house–Sunday_14524925 Gays promise “hell and powder house” on Sunday: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Christians-protest-Court-challenge-to-buggery-law Christians protest Court challenge to buggery law: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buggery-law-challenge-hits-snag_14576825 Buggery law challenge hits snag: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Church-council-still-has-no-official-position-on-homosexuality Church council still has no official position on homosexuality: Jamaica Observer

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130624/lead/lead1.html Shame on Church: Clergyman charges Christians to focus on serious crimes: Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130626/cleisure/cleisure4.html Starving seniors: Dennie Quill column/Gleaner

http://www.caribjournal.com/2013/06/26/op-ed-how-to-contain-jamaican-crime/ How to contain Jamaican crime: Kent Gammon op-ed/Carib Journal

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130625/cleisure/cleisure1.html Reconsider General Saunders’ appointment: Gleaner editorial

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Doctor-supports-call-for-review-of-anti-abortion-law_14536657 Doctor supports call for review of anti-abortion law: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-106/34366 Ban on smoking not intended to harass smokers: Jamaica Information Service

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/SolWind-looks-to-cut-those-energy-bills_14524673 SolWind looks to cut those energy bills: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Ja–US-team-up-on-climate-change–environmental-best-practices_14544982 Ja, U.S. team up on climate change, environmental best practices: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-120/34362 Contribution to Sectoral Debate by Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change: Jamaica Information Service

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Region-falling-down-on-management-of-environment_14530310 Region falling down on management of the environment: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Jamaica-Air-Shuttle-shuts-down-airline_14521967 Jamaica Air Shuttle shuts down: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Playing-cricket-on-a-volleyball-court_14534177 Playing cricket on a volleyball court: Dennis Chung column/Jamaica Observer

http://corvedacosta.com/my-june/ My June: corvedacosta.com

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/The-king-is-here-_14547250 The king is here! Hope Zoo finally gets lion… Jamaica Observer

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, including crime scene investigators, in the section of beautiful, green Fontabelle, Trelawny where a district constable was killed during a confrontation with the police on Sunday. (PHOTO: Phillip Lemonte/Jamaica Observer)

First Lady from Burkina Faso Her Excellency, Madam Chantal Compaoré (Photo: Jamaica Information Service)

Javed Jaghai. (Photo: Davis United World Scholars Program/Dartmouth College)

Dr. Kevin Harvey, Director of Health Promotion & Protection, Ministry of Health. (Photo: Gleaner)

An absorbing seminar last year from Women’s Media Watch (co-sponsored by Prana). (My photo)

Students from Port Antonio High School, the Most Environmentally Aware School, enjoy the afterglow after carrying off several awards at the Jamaica Environment Trust’s Jamaica Environmental Action Awards this week. (My photo)

Maurice Tomlinson, Jamaican gay rights activist and winner of the inaugural David Kato Vision and Voice Award. He is representing gay rights activist Javed Jaghai in his challenge to Jamaica’s buggery laws. (Photo: International Planned Parenthood Foundation website)