My Qigong Day: Wednesday, June 4, 2014

It’s been a humid week so far, quite oppressively so. I am thankful for this evening’s wonderful Qigong practice at Trueself Centre of Being, which saved me.

I could easily get addicted to Qigong…

Have we got carried away by our own hype? A former Panama Canal Authority official has a word of caution about the glorious planned logistics hub – at least, the transshipment port part of it, which would destroy and engulf part of the Portland Bight Protected Area around Goat Islands. “I think there is an over-expectation,” said Rodolfo Sabonge at a regional meeting. He said there will be far fewer, larger ships calling at one or maybe two ports in the region. Countries like Jamaica in the Western Caribbean may be “overdoing it,” Sabonge suggested, in terms of preparation, and will have to clearly state what they have to offer. Let’s just think about this.

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness actually got some fire in his belly today in Parliament. I want to see more of that. Hold the Government accountable!

A worrying exchange: An exchange between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament this afternoon has to get a mention here – and not only because of the disturbing tone and body language. The Prime Minister’s responses to a series of questions from Andrew Holness were severely lacking in substance. Ms. Simpson Miller appeared at times surly and defensive, answering some important questions with one terse sentence or a casual throwaway. “No, capital NO!” she exclaimed in answer to one question. (Capital no?) She appeared to resent the Opposition Leader asking pertinent questions on the Energy World International débacle. (That is, the power plant that seemed almost within our grasp, but has now slipped away).

It was an embarrassing display from Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in Parliament today. (Photo: Gleaner)

Why did the Government ignore the report of the Contractor General (CG)? asked Mr. Holness. The CG had specifically warned that procedures had been flouted – resulting in the Inter-American Bank withdrawing funding support for the project. “We disagreed with the report,” she said flatly. She deflected questions and accused Mr. Holness of “scoring political points” and “grandstanding” when he pressed his questions further. Eventually, the exasperated Mr. Holness (by this time quite red in the face) blurted out, “It is not your country alone…When are we going to pay attention to rules in this country?” When he asked a question about what had happened to EWI’s US$7 million bid bond, she told him he would need to put such questions in writing. The Energy Minister (who surely could have answered that question, if she really could not) sat quietly by his leader’s side, his gaze fixed somewhere close to the ceiling.

PetroCaribe consultancy halted: I am a little puzzled by a news story emerging today that a risk assessment of the PetroCaribe Fund has been halted, after the consultant hired for the purpose was fired. The reasons given were “possible copyright infringement” and the fact that his bona fides could not be confirmed. This is after he had already filed reports, etc. What on earth happened? Did they not check this consultant (from overseas?) before they hired him? Is this Minister Paulwell’s ministry again?

A man of the people: The Minister responsible for entertainment, Damion Crawford.  He says, by the way, that entertainment is the “industry of the poor” and “patois is the language of the revolution.”

Mr. Crawford talks some more: Let’s backtrack a little to the loquacious MP and State Minister Damion Crawford’s “controversial” speech to party supporters. In yet another speech (does he ever stop?) he apologized in a roundabout way; and gave what turned out to be an encouraging motivational talk. He talked about the “philosophy and the culture” of the People’s National Party – which is, in case you didn’t know, to give “every man a chance.” Mr. Crawford talks a lot about the “revolution” too – a revolution of the mind. Yes, agreed a change of political mindset is needed. And Mr. Crawford wants it to be “people time.” Yay for that, but I have heard pretty much the same thing out of the mouths of Jamaican politicians, young and old, over the past two or three decades now.  (Also, patois is the “language of the revolution.”) If you wish, you can listen to all 27 minutes of the speech (and so much more interesting stuff) on Nationwide News Network’s very useful Soundcloud page.

Lottery scammers unperturbed: Something has gone awry with the struggle against lotto scammers. I am not sure if it’s anyone’s fault, at all. The Ministry of National Security has made huge efforts. Legislation has been amended. But the problem seems intractable. The media has surmised that penalties are too light.

Chairman of the St James Ministers’ Fraternal Rev Glendon Powell, who was among church leaders who demonstrated outside the University of the West Indies this week. Note the angry frown. (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

Breathing through the nose: This is a regular part of my yoga class, and certainly one group of protesters is learning breathing techniques as they continue their support for Professor Brendan Bain outside the University of the West Indies. The self-appointed leader of the group (mostly fundamentalist Christians) Reverend Al Miller, says they will demonstrate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That’s a pretty busy duct-tape schedule; you might find the stuff in short supply at your local hardware store. I know, I am being flippant. They have every right to demonstrate; but they have simply got it all wrong. And I am quite sure – positive – that if the Bain issue did not involve the LGBT community, they would not be out there in the heat and dust. There is nothing that galvanizes the Church more than the terrifying “gay lobby.” (Reverend Miller is to go on trial next month on charges of aiding and abetting a fugitive, Christopher “Dudus” Coke).

“Working, working, working”: Please, dear Madam Prime Minister, could you kindly drop this phrase now? At first it was quite amusing. But you have used it so many times that it has surely worn thin. It is beginning to sound like an excuse for inaction when you are under pressure from questioners (as it did today).

Now I am “bigging up”…

Prize-winners from Chess Enterprise’s 15th annual Prep/Primary Schools Championship. First were Little People Prep/Linstead, second were Hillel Prep/Kingston and third was Jesse Ripoll Primary/Kingston. (Photo: Chess Enterprise/Facebook)

• A young man called Adrian, who over the years has been quietly building his Chess Enterprise club for young people. Now, chess is a mystery to me, so I am even more in awe of these young boys and girls who compete fiercely. I happen to know that Adrian is an excellent Maths coach, too. Chess is great mental training for young people.

A projection of Robin Moore’s photos and videos of Goat Islands on the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC on June 3. (Photo by Laura Johnston/Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund at Conservation International).

• Conservation photographer Robin Moore, whose photos and video from Goat Islands were projected on the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, last night. It attracted a lot of attention and discussion!

•  Live at Seven on CVM Television, which hosted an interesting, civilized and often humorous conversation between a young Member of Parliament, Raymond Pryce and veteran Opposition parliamentarian Mike Henry. It was about whether age matters in political leadership – and, for once, neither made any attempt to score political points. ‘Twas enjoyable.

• Mr Sherold Philibert (a lovely name), CEO of SKDP Haulage & Distribution, who is stockpiling rubber tires for conversion into rubber asphalt to pave roads. This would be cheaper than the current asphalt we use, which only seems to last five minutes anyway. He is already set up to start exporting, and plans to recycle the tires for other products too. After the last fire at Riverton City dump, in which hundreds of tires caught fire and belched chemicals into our air, this is more than welcome.

Mr. Sherold Philibert and Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert discuss their tire recycling business. (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin (left) with Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson at the donation ceremony. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood/Jamaica Observer)

• American gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who has donated over J$60 million worth of medical supplies to the MInistry of Health. An extremely generous donation and I am sure much needed in our public hospitals. Thank you, sir!

It’s always so sad to list the names of those murdered in Jamaica. Since my last post on Sunday, I have noted these names, and extend my sincere condolences. These are not numbers – these are PEOPLE. Meanwhile, the police are doing a good job of seizing firearms and ammunitions all across the island, and I hope they will keep it up.

David Wilson, 18, Slipe Road, Kingston

André Ennis, 17, Felix Fox Boulevard, Kingston

Two unidentified men, Arnett Gardens, Kingston

Victor Duncan, 69, Westbrook, St. Andrew

Azan Christie, Anchovy, St. James

Rupert Taylor, 49, Mandeville, Manchester

Marlon Dyke, 34, Billards River, Clarendon