Rain a fall: September 8, 2013

Yes, rain has been falling at regular intervals this week in Kingston, causing our garden to explode with green. Lots going on too in the not-so-natural world…

The question of jobs: As you may have noted from my Wednesday blog, the head of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation came out with it pretty bluntly a few days ago: “Most employers are either not hiring or not replacing people who are leaving.” This means that at least half of the over 40,000 young people graduating from high school and university this year will not find jobs in the private sector. And with a public sector freeze on, where are all these people going to find work? There is entrepreneurship of course – a word on everyone’s lips – but we can’t all be entrepreneurs. Besides which, most entrepreneurs fail at least once (fact). Dr. Rosalea Hamilton and Mr. Dennis Chung discussed small business opportunities and challenges on radio with Joan Williams, a few days ago. At a time of continuing recession (a sixth consecutive quarter of no growth) it is an uphill struggle for anyone. Conditions are not right. And a government/private sector program called Jamaica Employ has been a complete failure.

Are we favoring foreigners for work? Despite protestations by the Labor Minister, one is not entirely convinced. The Master Builders Association of Jamaica commented on television a few nights ago that Jamaicans do have the technical skills to work on Chinese mega-projects. Yet there is still the feeling that since “One Chinee can do one smaddy work” (to quote a phrase, and I apologize to those who might not like that expression, that the late talk show host Wilmot Perkins repeated so often). In other words, the Chinese will work ten times harder than Jamaicans, besides being better qualified in certain technical skills (what technical skills these are, we are not quite sure). So are we to believe that the many engineering and other graduates from the University of Technology, for example, are incapable of working on these projects? Or do Chinese firms simply prefer their own workers? Because I have seen Chinese workers pushing wheelbarrows on some of these projects. Dr. Hamilton also  suggested that foreigners are favored over locals for large contracts. Is this true? And if so, why?

And to quote the head of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA): “Development is about doing, not talking. We need action, urgently!” The JEA head cited government red tape as a huge challenge. Didn’t we hear that about twenty years ago?

Finally back on the job! Parliament actually gets back to work on Tuesday, September 10, after six weeks. One of the agenda items is to see if they can ask the all-powerful China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) if they could kindly, please attend a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee to discuss a couple of things? I am somehow sensing (and perhaps I am wrong) that the love affair between CHEC and our government seems to be souring ever so slightly. Our “daggering” Agriculture Minister (see photos below) commented in a television clip that he is not very happy with the way the Chinese are running the sugar factories that were sold to them.

Coming back to life! So, after a rather silent summer, some of our government Ministers are back in the real world. National Security Minister Peter Bunting is one. And the Youth and Culture Ministry has announced that it will start building the lock-ups for kids later this month. What, they haven’t started yet after all that discussion? Anyway it is a disastrous idea. Why have at least two children’s homes been closed down because of rising costs, but the government is now spending all this money on prisons for children (J$75 million)?

And the Prime Minister spoke… At a party meeting this weekend. The first time publicly since her return from the mystery China trip. “Our economy (pause)…is in trouble,” she told her colleagues. “The people are suffering,” she added. We also heard that “This is our country!” It was almost as profound as that interview with the China Daily. With debt reaching a record high in July (let’s call it two trillion) our Prime Minister told us that the problem is “inherited.” And that “We must do better, because we can!” Yep. I am inspired. Not.

Report cards, please: As I have noted on more than one occasion, it would be very nice, as taxpayers who are funding these trips, to be informed by those who traveled on their return of what actually transpired over there in “foreign.” However, our government ministers (including the Prime Minister) feel under no obligation to brief us. We, the ones who funded the first-class-travel trips (may I repeat) are to be content with a few Jamaica Information Service press releases, and a passing comment (if we are lucky) in a speech. There should be a press briefing and a written report after each official overseas trip on behalf of the Jamaican people. Former G2K head Delano Seiveright, in his blog (link below) notes not only the China trip (an undetermined number of people went, and we never heard about the cost, either) but several others that we know nothing about.  That lovely and well-attended trip to Africa? Petro-Caribe in June? CARICOM in July? Thanks for reminding me of those, Mr. Seiveright.

Our Venezuelan debt: And talking of PetroCaribe, I was baffled by a report this week that the Jamaican Government is considering sending teachers of English to Venezuela, in part payment for the money that we owe that country. Are things really that bad?  Well, we all knew (or should have known) that PetroCaribe was never a kind gift from the late Mr. Chavez – it was a loan. I had to point this out to someone who thought it was some kind of aid program. There is a big difference between aid/grants and a loan. No matter how low the interest rate.

The “poverty” mantra: In a television interview on Wednesday night, our Finance Minister began to repeat the mantra already set by one of his predecessors (Transport Minister Omar Davies, who seems to be setting the tone for this administration) – that “abject poverty” is the primary cause of environmental destruction. Wrong! Bulldozers, back hoes, diggers and pile drivers are the most effective – almost instantaneous – way to destroy nature. Or, for the religious among us, God’s creation…

A slap on the wrist: Meanwhile, a man who punched his other half and stabbed her in the arm received a J$15,000 fine in court recently – no time in jail at all. I am always disturbed at the very light sentences for domestic violence in this country. And you’re not going to get more than a few years in jail for rape. I don’t understand it and I just wonder how this man is going to make restitution. I hope that restorative justice might help. But in my opinion, this is nothing more than a gentle reprimand. Do you agree?

Take a deep breath: One of my online friends commented recently on the “belching buses” that pour out fumes all over town. Maintenance seems to be at a minimum. And it’s only a matter of time before the Riverton “landfill” (dump) ignites again. I wonder what the current air quality of the city is like? Does the National Environment & Planning Agency know? Does anyone measure it? I suppose we will start worrying about it when the city is filled with choking smoke again.

“The digital theater of war”: I can understand Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna being rattled at that recent online article rating her as the fourth worst politician in the world. And I did think it was really harsh. However, she seems to harbor considerable contempt for social media. She says she is going to ignore them and carry on with her work – fine. Then why make snippy remarks like “Anybody sitting down in their boxer shorts can do anything to anybody.” Well Minister Hanna, I am writing this fully dressed (although I could never compare with your kind of elegance, of course). And I am not a warlike person, truly. Despite being an Aries.

If you are in Jamaica, remember to watch TVJ tomorrow evening at 9:30 p.m. for investigative journalist Kate Chappell’s interview with 15-year-old “Aisha,” who went to adult prison for three months for running away from home. For everyone else, watch the show online at www.18degreesnorth.tv the following Thursday evening.

Do not forget: If you are at all concerned about the proposed development of the Portland Bight Protected Area (Goat Islands) by the China Harbor Engineering Company, please sign and share the online petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/no-to-port-on-goat-island-jamaica-no-trans-shipping-port-portland-bight-protected-area-jamaica?share_id=eqkTTbjcGd&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition You can also read my blog post, and go to the Facebook page No! to Port on Goat Island, Jamaica, where you will find articles, videos and a lot of information. And if you are on Twitter, do follow @SaveGoatIslands.

Time for some Petchary bouquets:

• To Steven Smith and Ted Lee Eubanks, as well as my colleagues at the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) for their thoughtful, comprehensive and effective support for the struggle to preserve a large piece of our ecological heritage. If you have not already done so, do browse through the beautiful photo album compiled by Ted  from photographs taken last summer in the Portland Bight Protected Area, on the Caribbean Birding Trail. The photo link is at http://tinyurl.com/mnmmpt9 And thank you to all who have taken the time to sign and share the petition, for your support. Please keep signing and sharing!
• To Mr. Neville Weston, of Fairy Hill in Portland, who is working to establish a training center for unemployed young people in the area (there was a report on CVM Television). I remember meeting Mr. Weston years ago at his shop quite regularly, and he is a really good man with the community at heart. He needs support and I hope some of the local private sector will help. The rural areas of Jamaica really need help – youth unemployment is high, you can tell if you drive through some of these districts. Nothing happening…
• Former Contractor General Mr. Greg Christie, who keeps us informed on Twitter with links to relevant and useful articles. Here is one: http://www.antimoneylaundering.us/news_det.php?id=4294 And another: http://m.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2013/0905/Senegal-names-new-corruption-busting-prime-minister?cmpid=twitterfeed&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
• Emily Crooks and Naomi Francis of Nationwide News Network for their serious probing into important issues (and their whacky humor). When I am actually able to wake up early, I do enjoy their morning radio program. I will be glad when the “cook-off” promotion is over though (sorry, Nationwide team but it is just a bit too much!)

On Friday night, gunmen attacked a family in the district of York Town, Clarendon, in what appears to be a gang-related incident. A five-year-old boy and three others were shot and injured; the little boy is now permanently paralyzed. It is not only the deaths, but all the injuries and suffering (physical, mental and spiritual) which we must always keep in mind. This continuous cycle of crime and violence leaves scars that are very hard to heal. My condolences.

Fitzroy Levy, 20, Tivoli Gardens, Kingston

“Delivery Man,” Tivoli Gardens, Kingston

Calvin Collins, 25, Waterford/Portmore, St. Catherine

Everett Wesley, 45, Portmore, St. Catherine

Mr. Thompson, 74, Linstead, St. Catherine

Gladstone Green, 42, Amity, St. Catherine

Weston Dunbar, Montpelier, Manchester

Garnett Davis, 26, Greenland, Hanover

Killed by the police:

Unidentified man, Hartlands, St. Catherine

Unidentified man, Hartlands, St. Catherine

Related links and articles:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130905/lead/lead1.html Job letdown: Jamaica Employ fails to deliver: Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=47748 Ministry not giving away Jamaican jobs, says Kellier: Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130905/lead/lead3.html Chinese firm complains about slow processing of work permits: Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130906/cleisure/cleisure3.html Boxing bread out of Jamaicans’ mouths: Peter Espeut column/Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130907/lead/lead2.html Hanna hopes new work-experience program will help grads land jobs: Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130908/lead/lead3.html Culture Ministry on hunt for curators, conservators: Sunday Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130908/focus/focus5.html The real impact of a sliding dollar: Edward Seaga op-ed, Sunday Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130908/news/news3.html Hanna unfazed by “digital theater of war”: Sunday Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130908/news/news4.html Jamaica on target to achieve literacy goal, says Thwaites: Sunday Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=47775  Jamaica ranked 94th on Global Competitiveness Index, poor work ethic a factor: Gleaner

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Local-animation-firm-reels-in-another-big-contract_15000165 Local animation firm reels in another big contract: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/The-painful-truth-about-Jamaica-s-athletic-prowess-and-the-nation-s-wealth_14999289 The painful truth about Jamaica’s athletic prowess and the nation’s wealth: Henley Morgan column/Jamaica Observer

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=47767 Phillips says logistics hub best opportunity in decades: Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130905/news/news1.html Goat Islands not big enough: Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130905/cleisure/cleisure5.html The Goat Islands saga: Deeply troubling: Letter to the Editor/Gleaner

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/No-to-the-port_14999618 No to the port! Jamaica Observer

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130908/cleisure/cleisure5.html Logistics hub – savior or destroyer? Part 2: Ronald Mason column/Sunday Gleaner

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/The-politics-of-GOAT-ISLANDS_14994905 The politics of Goat Islands: Michael Burke column/Jamaica Observer

http://repeatingislands.com/2013/09/04/i-live-for-art-an-ecocide-romance-on-youtube/ “I Live for Art – An Ecocide Romance” on YouTube: repeatingislands.com

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130907/cleisure/cleisure1.html It’s lack of enforcement, Minister: Gleaner editorial

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Ban-jet-skis–Negril-Resort-Board-urges-McNeill_15023304 Ban jet skis, Negril Resort Board urges McNeill: Sunday Observer

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130908/focus/focus2.html Daggers drawn, but Roger is OK: Orville Taylor column/Sunday Gleaner

http://duttyfooteconomist.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/andrews-opprobrium-labours-opportunity/ Andrew’s opprobrium, Labour’s opportunity: duttyfooteconomist.com

http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20130907/news/news9.html Energy awareness project for high schools: Jamaica Star

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130905/lead/lead1.html Cuban lightbulb trial: project was not considered political: Gleaner

http://delanoseiv.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/pms-failure-to-update-nation-on-official-trips-unacceptable-g2k/ PM’s failure to update nation on official trips unacceptable – G2K: Delano Seiveright blog

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130905/cleisure/cleisure3.html “Controlling” the uncontrollable child: Jaevion Nelson column/Gleaner

http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20130905/news/news6.html Man fined for punching, stabbing baby mother: Jamaica Star

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=47824 Tivoli residents make plans for Gordon House march: Gleaner

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-108/34982 More than 85 per cent of missing children have returned home: Jamaica Information Service

http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20130907/news/news1.html Gunmen rob Chinese of J$10 million: Jamaica Star

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Death-decision_15004078 Mario would probably still be alive had he taken his medication: Jamaica Observer

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-112/34978 Murders down 14 per cent in St James: Jamaica Information Service

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130907/lead/lead1.html Rampant abuse: Children’s Registry calls for urgent steps to protect nation’s children: Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130907/lead/lead6.html Work to begin on holding areas for children at police stations soon: Gleaner

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/34974 Strong security being maintained at ports of entry: Jamaica Information Service

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130908/lead/lead9.html Local gays getting comfortable – but Church stands resolute against homosexuality: Sunday Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=47777 Most Caribbean people living longer, except young men – report: Gleaner

http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/ministry-confirms-seven-cases-of-tuberculosis-in-lock-ups-in-kingston-and-st-andrew Ministry confirms seven cases of tuberculosis in lock-ups in Kingston and St Andrew: RJR News

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130908/lead/lead1.html Adults stuck in “youth” care: Sunday Gleaner

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130907/letters/letters4.html Why is goat meat off the table? Letter to the Gleaner

A party “session” in eastern Jamaica in 2011, at which Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke chose to “get on bad.” (Photo: Gleaner)

This is how Minister of Agriculture chose to comport himself at a People’s National Party meeting in Portland recently. By the way, the aim of this “dance” is to get your private parts as close as possible to your partner’s. As you can see. It is called “daggering.”  (Photo: Gleaner)

It’s only a matter of time before Kingstonians have to endure another fire at the Riverton City dump. (Photo: Gleaner)

Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna does not like the idea of someone in boxer shorts sitting down and writing about her online. (Photo: Office of the Prime Minister)

Independent journalist Kate Chappell with Aisha (face hidden). Photo from Kate’s Facebook page.

Beach at Manatee Bay, the Portland Bight Protected Area. (Photo: Ted Lee Eubanks)

The intelligent Naomi Francis, Emily’s “other half” on Nationwide News Network. (Photo: Twitter)

The industrious broadcast journalist Emily Crooks, of Nationwide News Network. (Photo: Gleaner)