Old Media vs New Media

In last few weeks the Gleaner has been rolling out quite a number of blogs. One of the latest blogs was Science and Technology. The author's name give as 'parris' had an interesting topic last week, Old Media vs New Media.

In he looked at how technology how technology , in this case twitter had change he coverage of events. He event comment that is despite his own views on blogs, here was he writing one.

With Micheal Jackson's death, coverage again was an Issue. While the major TV stations BBC, CNN, Fox and news papers like NYTimes could not provide or confirm his death, a website TMZ. Com was on top of the situation from get go and never let up

Referenced

• TV misses out as gossip website TMZ reports Michael Jackson's death first (LA TIMES)
• OldMedia vs New Media (Gleaner Blogs)

serenity prayer

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up, though the pace seems slow -

You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor's cup.

And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt -

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -

It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

- Unknown -

Sour Lime.

Cable and Wiresless have re-branded and they now have a new name, LIME. All I can say it has already left a sour taste in my mouth. 

We will now have to wait and see what sugar and water can be added and how that the mixture will be just right.

If LIME fails then it will be a sour one at that.

At least 333 Sill missing in Texas

I am stunned! I just cant beleive it. As at October 1, 2008 the Houston Chroncile on their website is reporting that at least 333 persons still appear to be missing after Hurricane IKE.

Hurricane Ike hit Texas, USA on the morning of September 13, 2008 and over 2 weeks later Galveston and some of the worst hit areas at just about receiving electricity. As bad as that might be to have over 3oo persons still missing is real real sad.

My sympathies go out the families and friends who are missing their loved ones.

The next time a hurricane threaten, remember to look out for your neighbour head the warnings and help save a life.

Cops raping cops - We want Justice

If the allegation is true then things are bad in Jamaica. The fact that the cop was raped and raped while on duty is bad that is  one thing but it is the apparent response, or lack thereof,  from the supervisors that is proving shocking although given the Jamaican reality  we should not be surprised.

News of this Police rape hit the new-stands, claiming that the apparent victim could not get a listening ear from her superiors and therefore had turned to the press.

The systems to deal with complaints have fallen apart. Every one who as a road to fixed , faced with ridiculous JPS bills and now a cop, victim of alleged rape, has to turning to press bawling out, "We want Justice!".

The is a real sad story.

Usain will bolt to Gold.

With the prelimnaries and quarterfinals of the 100M out of the way, we now have a fair assesment of how things will look tomorrow. By the time the 100m winner is known, the finalists would have run 4 races in roughly a 36-hour span, Thursday night to Saturday Morning, Jamaican time, therefore conservation of energy will be key. We will keep that in mind in our analysis

This is where Bolt looks just as awesome as lightning. Running in the quarter-finals in heat 4, with respected 100M runners such as Olympic Silver medalist (2004) Frances Obikwelu (Por) and Darvis Patton (USA), Bolt got a good start and looking to the left and looking to right after about 50-60 metres simply strolled to victory in 9.92 seconds. Reviewing the action on the big screen after the race, he flashed a simle applauded his effort and off he went, the sign of a confident and relaxed man on a mission.

Athletes to watch include Richard Thompson (T&T), and the Churandy Martina (Netherland Antilles) as both stopped the clock at 9.99 secs in comfortably winning their respective quarterfinal races. Asafa looked focused and did not too troubled by the loss of blood either taking his heat in 10.02 secs.

Predictions

The semi-finals tomorrow should be interesting and the race rosters will effectively affect the make up of the finals, as going will be tough. In addition to runners previously mentioned look out for Asafa Powell, Walter Dix, Marc Burns and Tyson Gay. Gay does not look comfortable, it could be said he looks rusty but then again he cannot be counted out. Others to watch are Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas, 100M World Silver Medalist 2007, Micheal Frater, 100M World Silver Medalist 2005 and World Silver Medalist Kim Collins.

The here is the script. Barring a horrendous start or a disaster, it is Bolt for Gold

The result of the 100M finals come Saturday Morning, Jamaican time is.

1. Bolt(JAM)
   
2. Powell(JAM)
   
3. Thompson(T&T)
   
4. Gay(USA)
   
5. Patton(USA)
   
6. Martina(AHO) 
   
7. Burns(T&T)
   
8. Dix(USA)
   

Douglas Chambers Death a Shame

When I heard that Douglas Chambers, former chairman of the JUTC, had been shot, I hoped beyond hope that he would survived. When I heard that he was dead I was deeply hurt.

Working for a dollar($1) because he believed in his country and believed that soon or later people would see that what he was doing was for the best, Douglas Chambers was cut down by cold hearted criminals. 

To honour the hard work that he was doing to correct the problems at the JUTC, I believe that everything that was in the agreement that was to be signed should go ahead. There must be no turning back and redundancies should proceed as outlined. I am heartened by the report in the Jamaica Gleaner, No Halt to JUTC redundancy plans, the Minister in charge and the board has expressed there commitment in carrying the process forward.

Here is a good letter which I pretty much full endorse. Here is a quote 

The chairman of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), Dougie Chambers, was trying his best to clean up the stench in the JUTC created by politicians who pad the payroll with vultures, bleeding and milking the JUTC to the point where it was impossible to make a profit. 'Drivers' were being paid who did not drive a day. Conductors were pocketing the daily fares. Political hacks were placed on staff, turning up only on payday to collect a cheque. Employess were selling stolen JUTC parts to the JUTC at inflated prices.  Read more

Another excellent article came from Danville Walker, former Director of Elections and Commissioner of Customs. Here is a two quotes

Corruption, patronage, greed and self-interest will not go quietly into the good night simply because words are spoken out against it. Persons benefiting from multimillion-dollar criminal enterprises will not seek other forms of employment simply because a few managerial changes make it more difficult for their business to be carried on as before. 

He was murdered because he had the audacity to challenge the status quo of inefficiency, patronage and corruption and the rot that so easily can overtake a place when management is unqualified and incompetent. Read more

It is time for Jamaicans to stand up. The people who presided over the creation of this mess at the JUTC should be ashamed of themselves. It is time those that play by the rules stop getting shafted.

 

Job Rush in Jamaica

 This morning the Jamaica Gleaner's headline points to a story where over 3,000 persons turned up in response to a Job Recruitment Drive put on by the Corrections Services Depart(CSD). The CSD is seeking 200 persons and are having of recruiting over a 2 day period. Today I drove past the recruitment location and minutes to 7 the crows was already gather for day 2.

Amazing, this is supposedly Jamaica a country where unemployment is very low, the lowest it has been in how many years, yet every time the Jamaica Defense force (JDF), CSD and any other body has a recruitment drive they are overrun by applications.

All the best to the successful applicants and I hope something turns up for the others that will be denied.

Casinos in Jamaica

It has finally officially happened. Casinos will now be allowed in Jamaica, so says Prime Minister Bruce Golding. The Prime Minister has seen gold in Casinos and believes this is a golden opportunity to increase the offerings of the Tourism Industry. 

NowI am not for gambling one bit. I am not for betting on horse-racing, bingo, raffles, lottery, cash-pot, lucky-five, slot machines. My position is simple, gambling does not make sense. 

Here is why I feel that way. One Million Jamaicans gather around the lottery pot. The all throw in $20/$30 dollars. They then sit down with some fanfare , a pretty woman draws some numbers. The person(s) with the lucky number grabs the lion share, grins and runs off and a few others, usually less than 1000 or so, get a little more than they put in depending on the numbers drawn.  The promoter grabs his share, walks away and tells the other 999,000 to come back next week.

One downside is its effect on family. Casinos in particular have the problem that organised crime likes to follow it. We already have a big problem with crime, why are we inviting its cousin.

Please read this article. 

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080428/letters/letters1.html

Cassava, Jamaica new national dish

In his speech in the Budget Debate, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton urged Jamaicans to eat more Cassava. This was the government's response to rising food prices or the "Food Crisis"  as mentioned by Omar Davis, former Finance Minister and Opposition Speaker on Finance. 

The only cassava I currently eat is its derivative, Bammy.  I have a few questions for Dr. Christopher "Cassava" Tufton. What happen to the other ground provisions? Let me promote a list of things we need to grow more and eat more

• Irish Potatoes 
  
• Sweat Potatoes
  
• Breadfruit, Plant breadfruit trees every where.
  
• Banana
  
• Plantain
  
• Yam - Yellow, White 
  

These can be cooked in a variety of ways such as baked, boiled, fried(least healthy). They can be diced and crushed and used to create delightful salads.  I might just start my own recipe site.