Tag: Senate

COVID-19 crisis in Jamaican prisons: a call for the most vulnerable to be released

September 25, 2021

In my last news update, I wrote: It was disturbing to learn recently that only 10 per cent of the prison population has been vaccinated (was a truly concerted effort to get them vaccinated ever undertaken?) Now even more worryingly, we learn that 58 prisoners and 38 staff members have tested positive.  In his State of … More COVID-19 crisis in Jamaican prisons: a call for the most vulnerable to be released

ICYMI in Jamaica, December 15, 2020: The Vaccine Edition

December 16, 2020

The big news has been not only the COVID-19 vaccine, but the fact that the very first person to receive it was a Jamaican American. A cold front arrived, bringing strong winds and lower temperatures for a day; our moringa tree took a beating, and has not recovered yet. And behind everything else the crime … More ICYMI in Jamaica, December 15, 2020: The Vaccine Edition

Statement to the Senate by Minister of Foreign Affairs with an Update on the Ministry’s Support of Jamaicans Overseas During COVID-19 Pandemic

May 26, 2020

The news has been dominated recently by stories of returning Jamaican cruise ship workers – sometimes complaining, sometimes happy to be home – with another cruise ship arriving today carrying around 174 workers. Then there are the deportees, a monthly delivery of Jamaicans – a separate issue altogether, but all have to go into quarantine … More Statement to the Senate by Minister of Foreign Affairs with an Update on the Ministry’s Support of Jamaicans Overseas During COVID-19 Pandemic

Mr. Justice the Hon. Seymour Panton Speaks on Family, Hanover, and Jamaica’s Inferiority Complex

December 2, 2018

I attended a remarkably stimulating event on November 29, a Salute to the Parish of Hanover. The Institute of Jamaica worked hard to put together a detailed, informative and altogether very satisfying morning. I wish that the Lecture Hall had been really full and that the media had shown up – there were many fascinating stories to … More Mr. Justice the Hon. Seymour Panton Speaks on Family, Hanover, and Jamaica’s Inferiority Complex

All Quiet on the Western Front, The Sad Garvey Bust and another Mystery MoU: Jamaica, October 23, 2017

October 24, 2017

It’s a quiet, ordinary Monday in Jamaica – but is anything ever quiet and ordinary on this curious island? Well, here goes with the past week’s ups and downs. Agriculture: The first two ganja licenses were issued on October 18. The Ganja Growers and Producers Association is demanding transparency on the matter of a company hired by … More All Quiet on the Western Front, The Sad Garvey Bust and another Mystery MoU: Jamaica, October 23, 2017

Weekend Review: What’s Happening in Jamaica, June 17/18, 2017

June 18, 2017

Perhaps a weekend review works better. In any case, it’s two weeks since I last posted an update. There’s much to catch up on! Mostly floods and crime… Please click on the highlighted areas for links to more information… We have had rain and more rain. We have barely recovered from the floods of mid-May – but … More Weekend Review: What’s Happening in Jamaica, June 17/18, 2017

The Childish Senate, The Cannabis Cluster and Congrats to an Arsenal Fan: Sunday, November 1, 2015

November 2, 2015

It’s been a difficult week. You know how sad news sometimes really hurts, while some indulge in the petty and the trivial? At least the gentle rains and persistent showers this week may have washed some of the pain away. Political pettiness: The debate on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) remained in the doldrums last … More The Childish Senate, The Cannabis Cluster and Congrats to an Arsenal Fan: Sunday, November 1, 2015

The Black Carpet, A Show of Unity and Super-Nepotism: Tuesday, March 31, 2015

April 1, 2015

Delicious rain fell in the wake of the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships at the National Stadium. The discordant ring of the vuvuzelas (a once-popular invention  Jamaicans apparently still cling to) has receded, the busloads of students have careered off into the distance. It is cool and it is relatively calm. But local journalists are still … More The Black Carpet, A Show of Unity and Super-Nepotism: Tuesday, March 31, 2015

SMH! The Panty Tree, Half-Senators and Saying Goodbye: Monday, February 16, 2015

February 16, 2015

The past few days have been “smh” days. As you probably know, dear readers, “smh” means “shake my head” in social media parlance. The accompanying emoticons might vary from that baffled one with mouth open to the one with tears flowing copiously. This would apply to both local and overseas news. #SpeakUpUWI: There has been growing … More SMH! The Panty Tree, Half-Senators and Saying Goodbye: Monday, February 16, 2015

Advice of the Attorney General on Issue of Opposition Senators

February 12, 2015

In yesterday’s post, I discussed the quandary that Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness finds himself in following the judgment of the Constitutional Court last Friday. This afternoon, Attorney General Patrick Atkinson, Q.C. gave his advice and opinion on the matter. This is the press release he issued via the Office of the Prime Minister. … More Advice of the Attorney General on Issue of Opposition Senators