terrorism – Petchary's Blog

ICYMI in Jamaica: Much Ado About Dreadlocks, INDECOM Chief Steps Down, and JUTC Needs to Shape Up: August 2, 2020

August 3, 2020

August 1 – Emancipation Day – is as good a day as any to restart writing my weekly news posts. I have missed doing them, actually. They help me (and hopefully you) keep a finger on the pulse of things. So, it’s a humid evening, an hour to go before curfew kicks in at 11. … More ICYMI in Jamaica: Much Ado About Dreadlocks, INDECOM Chief Steps Down, and JUTC Needs to Shape Up: August 2, 2020

Predatory Males, Lawless Supporters and Militant Teachers: Jamaica on March 4, 2018

March 5, 2018

The weather is warming, and could it really be the month of March? Agriculture: There seems to be a lot of uncertainty in the coffee industry. There are rumours that the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory in the Blue Mountains, now owned by Michael Lee-Chin (who knew?) may close, but these have been denied. Caribbean: We think we … More Predatory Males, Lawless Supporters and Militant Teachers: Jamaica on March 4, 2018

Myanmar: Dreams Lying in Open Graves and Up in Flames

September 18, 2017

Thursday, September 21 is the United Nations International Day of Peace. And here I am, “reblogging” myself. It is a seven year-old post. Yes, it’s odd, I am conceding. However, it’s for a reason: I am ashamed. I am ashamed, and embarrassed, that I wrote the blog post below, rejoicing at the release of Aung San … More Myanmar: Dreams Lying in Open Graves and Up in Flames

Hibernation Plans for Summer 2017

June 6, 2017

Yes, I did say “hibernation.” And I know that really refers to winter (cue polar bears curled up in their dens). However, the only way to cope with this already agonisingly hot summer is a similar strategy: slow down, keep cool, tune out physically – if not mentally. I advise going into sleep mode. So … More Hibernation Plans for Summer 2017

Europe Day Celebrations: A Shower of Rain, a Splendid Cake and Ambassador Wasilewska’s Speech

May 18, 2017

It was a beautiful evening last Monday, May 8 at Mona Visitors Lodge on the University of the West Indies campus. When I arrived, the reception for the celebration of Europe Day – and the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome – was already in full swing. The Head of Delegation of the European … More Europe Day Celebrations: A Shower of Rain, a Splendid Cake and Ambassador Wasilewska’s Speech

We Live in Interesting Times: Thoughts on the French Presidential Election from Blogger Wayne Campbell

May 6, 2017

“Interesting times” could also be rephrased as “dark times,” as a dear Twitter friend described the state of the world the other day. Here’s a guest blog post from my friend Wayne Campbell. You can find his blog at http://www.wayaine.blogspot.com/ and his contact details are below. Wayne is particularly focused on gender issues, and through this … More We Live in Interesting Times: Thoughts on the French Presidential Election from Blogger Wayne Campbell

Relieved passengers at San Francisco Airport are released after a Federal Judge issued a stay on President Trump's Executive Order banning citizens from seven mostly Muslim countries. (Photo: Twitter)

Of Refugees, the Huddled Masses…and Home (A Poem)

January 29, 2017

Today has been surreal. President Donald Trump’s Executive Order has created chaos, anger and pain at many airports across the United States. Here are a few of the almost nightmarish occurrences, which unraveled on Twitter this evening. It went something like this: On International Holocaust Remembrance Day (of all days) Donald Trump signs an Executive Order (EO) restricting immigration … More Of Refugees, the Huddled Masses…and Home (A Poem)

Twitterland Nervously Welcomes 2016

January 2, 2016

Let’s get one thing straight. 2015 was not an easy year. In fact, globally (and to some extent on our island home) it was downright depressing, which is why I am avoiding all those “Review of the Year” programs on television and radio. Actually, I always avoid them. Let’s just move on and hope for … More Twitterland Nervously Welcomes 2016

Peace Can Start With The Ladies: Daniel Pearl World Music Day in Kingston

October 20, 2015

It was simply a lunchtime concert, in celebration of Daniel Pearl World Music Day. And yet, as I left the U.S. Embassy, I felt the proverbial lump in my throat. OK, so I get emotional these days. When a woman called Anna (who has what Public Affairs Officer Joshua Polacheck called a “sultry” voice) started … More Peace Can Start With The Ladies: Daniel Pearl World Music Day in Kingston

Gathara’s World: Hold our Public Officials Responsible for State Failings – Not the People

June 12, 2015

I follow a marvelous political blog called “Gathara’s World.” It is written by a writer, cartoonist and strategic communications consultant in Kenya, Patrick Gathara, and it is simply one of my favorite blogs. Now, why do I love it so much, apart from the fact that it is extremely well written and regularly focuses on … More Gathara’s World: Hold our Public Officials Responsible for State Failings – Not the People