Justice matters in Jamaica

One of our favourite American political podcasters, who focuses largely on the ex-President’s interminable legal manouevrings, intones at the end of each podcast: “Because Justice. Matters.” Emphasis on the final word. Well, so it does in Jamaica, too. Our Police Commissioner is looking increasingly haggard at each quarterly press conference, and our Prime Minister seemed … More Justice matters in Jamaica

Cockpit Country: Government decides to permit a reduced mining area, but concerns remain

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) announced yesterday (January 3, 2022) that a reduced area will be offered to the Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners II for mining close to the Cockpit Country under the highly controversial Special Mining Licence (SML) 173. Here’s the full text of NEPA CEO Peter Knight’s statement. This will exclude … More Cockpit Country: Government decides to permit a reduced mining area, but concerns remain

Cockpit Country Stakeholders reject “inadequate” EIA for bauxite mining permit

The issue of Cockpit Country has not disappeared. Many concerns remain. Stay tuned. This is from Jamaica Environment Trust (click on the link to the Final EIA mentioned below): We, the undersigned members of the Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group (CCSG), reject the Final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for SML 173, now available on the website … More Cockpit Country Stakeholders reject “inadequate” EIA for bauxite mining permit

World Environment Day: Cockpit Country, Air Pollution… and Solutions?

Tomorrow (Wednesday, June 5) is the United Nations’ World Environment Day. This year’s venue is China, where the theme will be Air Pollution (see below) and if you click on that link above you can learn more from the UN. Some people say there are too many of these “special days” but I don’t have a … More World Environment Day: Cockpit Country, Air Pollution… and Solutions?

Toxic Masculinity, Cockpit Country Nerves and Devil in the Details: Jamaica on Sunday, September 30, 2018

The “remnants” of a storm named Isaac descended on us, and now we have the remnants of Kirk. The rain is welcome! At the same time, we had an earthquake, widely felt in Kingston. And I am very, very late with this post – again! Forgive me but I have been intensely busy. Is tomorrow … More Toxic Masculinity, Cockpit Country Nerves and Devil in the Details: Jamaica on Sunday, September 30, 2018

PEP, PSTEB and Happy Birthday, Miss Lou: Jamaica on Friday, September 7, 2018

What! It’s September already, and August ran away with me. It was a long, hot summer, to coin a cliché – in more ways than one – but now “disturbances” are hovering in the tropical Atlantic. They could be named Helene or Isaac… Here’s a roundup of news – but of course, I know I … More PEP, PSTEB and Happy Birthday, Miss Lou: Jamaica on Friday, September 7, 2018

Taking Responsibility for Our Lives: Road Safety is About Our Behaviour

“The wound is still fresh,” said the woman. She had offered a prayer at the start of a mid-year briefing by the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) today. She was the mother of a young man – her only son, a “wonderful son” – who was killed in a motor vehicle crash on the North-South … More Taking Responsibility for Our Lives: Road Safety is About Our Behaviour

Focus on Montego Bay, Shackelia’s Mission and Kemesha’s Inspiration: Jamaica Weekly Review: Wednesday, January 24, 2018

It has not been an easy week in Jamaica, I think it’s fair to say. Our island has had a bit of drama. On the plus side, the weather is gentle and warm… and I hear a pair of parrots chatting to each other in our back yard. Yes, we have urban parrots, woodpeckers, warblers … More Focus on Montego Bay, Shackelia’s Mission and Kemesha’s Inspiration: Jamaica Weekly Review: Wednesday, January 24, 2018