Roleli Speaks

The PNP presidential race involved four trains, Prosperity, Solid as a Rock, 21st century and Team Portia. We will now review the performance of the teams. The prosperity train it turns out was simple on the wrong track. The prediction of the number of delegates that would vote for the prosperity train was so wrong that is was even worse than Dr. Davies's projections for economic growth and lower inflation over the last 13 years. The prosperity train failed to ignite any support from the delegates as they said it was prosperity not for many and asked unity in which community? Dr. Davis was left puzzled and clueless as to how come he only got 283 votes. The return on investment (ROI) of this campaign must have been very bad, what with radio, TV, newspaper and website expenditures. There was serious disconnect here with the delegates as while the economy is taking off into the air the delegates (and the country) seem to have missed the launch. The Solid as a Rock train was on the rig

I knew the daughter of the slain SSP McDonald and I shared her grief as his murder was brutal and cold. Yesterday the man charged with his murder was set free after the judge upheld a no-case submission by the defence lawyers. The jurors were instructed to return a not-guilty verdict. The guilty man had been in detention since March 2004 and now 2 years later he was being set free. There has got to be something wrong in this case. The case depended on the word of two eye-witnesses. They had never seen the accused before but where able, in an area not known for wonderful light, to see him well enough to later positively identify him. When the defence lawyers made a noise about the poor identification in the case the judge was also not pleased and had no choice. Where was the additional evidence? Detention That is one thing, but the other is that this possibly truly innocent man has spent almost two years behind bars. He on one hand must feel relieved that justice has been served but on

As the PNP presidential race drags on the contest seems to becoming a two person race. There have been many interesting comments, statements and announcements. The overall puzzling ones have to do with how it seems that once they are set free, from the shackles of the present leader of Jamaica and the party, they are going to turn around Jamaica from the mess it is in. Where were all these plans and ideas in the last fifteen (15) years? Keep in mind that all four candidates have been influential members of the cabinet in those years. There have been other statements that have also caught my ears. A supporter of one candidate, who is also a member of the cabinet, was reported to say that you have to vote for a leader that does not always need a sheet of paper in hand every time they need to make a speech. That statement has been followed by another that went something to the effect that you need a leader who does not need to get the topic or questions on deep issues three hours before

In a December blog I attempted to highlight the importance of giving blood. I also tried in a limited way to explain the differences in blood group and type and the significance. On Tuesday February 7, 2006, in a article in the Observer, Ken Chaplin shared his " No Blood close call " experience. It is an interesting read so if you missed it please take the time to look at it. It turns out that Ken Chaplin's blood type is A- which is a one of the rarer types and he was now in need. The Blood Bank in Jamaica generally has limited supplies of blood so it was no surprise that there was a problem providing the A- blood requested. The fact that Ken Chaplin was a blood donor was of no help as he found himself in a situation where he had to turn to the media to appeal to other blood donors to come forward in his time of need. To the credit of his friends and other Jamaicans they did. One such donor is a close of friend of mine who has the rare blood type O-. She can donate to a

After reading an article by Senator Chris Tufton, I could understand why the learned Senator is puzzled but there is a possible explanation. I would like to provide that explanation and some analysis. Two quotes from the article read as follows. “SENATOR Christopher Tufton wants the Statistical Institute (STATIN) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) to explain why official figures show that while unemployment is being reduced, the number of young people not seeking work continues to grow.” According to the Jamaica Observer Senator Chris Tufon said that of a population of over 665,000 people who are 14 years old and older, 325,000 were in the "did not want to work" category and placed outside the labour force. Please note I do not support or condone any of these professions I am about to outline as I am just presenting a case. When a field officer attempts to ask persons what they do, the responses cannot be noted or voiced due to their sometimes illegitimate or unacce

I have been used to working late at my office for the last few years with no real fear. Lately though after much pleading from some of my close friends I have re-considered my position and since 2006 I have been making a conscious effort to leave early. Reasons The killing of the priests in 2005 where one bullet took snuffed out 2 lives shook me. I was at work that night and left after the shooting unaware of the tragedy that had occurred a few hundred feet from my office. I drive past that address most days after leaving work. Then there was the shooting of man on the same road. This was followed into this year an incident where a staff bus was hit by cross-fire and persons injured. There are also three incidents of bullets lodged in different windows of the building I work in. This fear drives people to want to leave work early, to think of leaving work quickly and sometimes to quite simply ask why am I working here. The fear generated by crime is a big problem. Although I believe in

The Jamaican police are in the news again. It was announced a few days ago that murders in Jamaica for the month of January 2006 were down by 23% when compared to January 2005. That is good news. How much that has to do with the effort of the police another thing but it is still good news. Then comes the news that a female cop aided by civilians took it unto themselves to beat a male cop. The Observer reports that there was an accident involving a vehicle driven by the male cop and another in which the female cop appeared to be a passenger. Instead of trying to resolve the incident peacefully, the off duty male cop was dragged from his vehicle, abused and beaten by a civilian while at some point the female cop points her gun at him. What madness is this? The level of the madness increases based on the fact that he even attempted to identify himself to no avail. This happens to occur in the same parish, St. James, where a policeman, Coporal Grantly Waite, was beaten and subsequently

On Wednesday, January 22, 2006, I paid the price for not thinking. I had journeyed to downtown Kingston Jamaica, a place I hate because of the parking issue. After completing my first task of making a delivery at the Administrator General's Office I decided to sit down get something to eat and pen a few thoughts for a report I was preparing. I saw a spot by Burger King on King Street and decided that this must be a nice place to park. No "No Parking" signs, no curb painted yellow and the parking area looked similar to spots all along King Street on both sides of the road. So I parked my car and went inside Burger King where they ran me out because they were closed while asking me how did I get in? I pointed out that the door was open. They said they were locked and the door should have been locked. I decided to try Juici Patties instead just across the street. I am vegetarian but will have fish at times. I purchased my meal of 2 vegetable loaves and sat down and ate while