Our Olympians, Our Ambassadors
It is great to see that crime has taken a back seat to the wonderful performance that our athletic ambassadors are doing in the Olympics. The athletes are performing and the world is responding and taking notice. I beamed with pride when I heard the commentators’ in the United States talking about Jamaica vs. United […]
Driving in Jamaica – An American Retiree in Jamaica
Driving in Jamaica isn’t for the faint of heart. Much can be said for the cultural differences between this Third World country and that of my native America. The art of driving is just as different. Most of my tourist friends shudder at the thought of getting behind the wheel of a rental car here. […]
World’s Smallest Snake Found In Barbados
The world’s smallest species of snake, with adults averaging just under four inches in length, has been identified on the Caribbean island of Barbados. The species — which is as thin as a spaghetti noodle and small enough to rest comfortably on a U.S. quarter –was discovered by Blair Hedges, an evolutionary biologist at Penn […]
Harsh Crime Fighting Policies Keep the Peace in My Little Corner of the World
I am sitting in my study, looking through the window at a quiet cul-de-sac. Across the street is Lake Gibson. A cool wind blows from the lake, and thunder rumbles in the distance as dark clouds gather. It will rain soon. It always rains in Central Florida on summer afternoons. The scene is not as […]
Finding Your Passion Outside the Bedroom
Taking risks is never easy to do. There are so many pros and cons involved that sometimes we quit before we have even gotten started. That job is making you miserable and you want to quit, but you are afraid to lose the security of health benefits and the transit checks. You want to do […]
Jamaica Tidbits in History Part 1
Jamaica’s first railway systemThe first Jamaican railway system was opened in November 1845. It connected Kingston to Spanish Town. Soon after railway lines were extended to Montego Bay and Port Antonio. The Jamaica Railway Corporation ceased operations in 1992. First Jamaican Born Governor GeneralOn December 1962, Sir Clifford Campbell, formerly the president of the Jamaican […]
Online “Dutty” laundry on Myspace and Facebook can be a barrier to a Job.
Myspace.com, facebook.com, LinkedIN.com and other social network sites may be costing you a job or even affecting your business relationships. Job recruiters and potential business partners are not only looking at your resume online but your social network profile, postings, music, and pictures for clues about you. They use it to see if you are […]
Where have all the fathers gone?
Where have all the fathers goneLong time passingWhere have all the fathers goneLong time agoWhere have all the fathers goneGone bout dem business everyoneWhen will they ever learn?When will they ever learn? On Sunday June 15, 2008 many deserving dads were showered with praises and good wishes as they were recognized for their commitment to […]
How to Master Standard English in Jamaica – The debate on the formal recognition of Jamaican Creole
The more I listen to the ongoing debate regarding the translation of the holy scriptures into the vernacular- Jamaican Creole (JC) – and the corresponding debate regarding the formal recognition of JC and its elevation to national language status on par with English, the more I am convinced how intellectually, implicitly and explicitly, dishonest the […]
How to successfully dismantle political garrisons
In Jamaica a political garrison is an area where at least 90% of the eligible votes are cast for either the PNP or JLP. Those votes are usually secured by way of coercion, intimidation (both implicit and explicit) or through bribery. Another distinct characteristic of political garrisons is the refusal of many residents to pay […]