Here in the west, and perhaps throughout the rest of the world too, we black people have been given a very well established historical “fact”. This is the “fact” that our history began with slavery, some five or so centuries ago. Almost everything that we know about our “history” as slaves and freed slaves were told to us by other peoples - especially by Europeans. Why is it that other peoples are digging up their histories, but we black people have to wait on others to remind us about our slave past?

The Chinese and Indians have analyzed their history quite well. Largely through their efforts, the knowledge about their history spanning thousands of years keeps growing. Records and artifacts of their very ancient histories are being unearthed and studied regularly. The same is true of the Middle Eastern and European peoples, who constantly remind themselves - and us - about their great past. We black people, however, glee in the second-hand post-slavery information largely given to us by others.

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Many Jamaicans are now at a crossroad. As we face the economic and social challenges many are exploring their options. The survival instinct resident in all of us is forcing us to make tough choices regarding the direction we take.

There many who have made and are making the sacrifice to improve their qualifications - both in Jamaica and overseas with a view to make them-self more marketable and successful. The questions many are asking is will this sacrifice pays off after tertiary training. There not much knowledge-based jobs available in the Jamaica and whenever you do get a job it’s usually way below your qualifications and realistic salary expectation. In a job market that is dominated by employers there is just no room for real negotiation.

I therefore do share the frustrations of many educated Jamaicans who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to achieve a university education and are left to struggle with loan payments simply because we cannot get good-paying jobs commensurate to our skills, qualification and experience. Therefore, I do understand why some will "fly away" into other countries that embrace their experience, skills, academic grounding and intellectual capacity and thus will remunerate them equitably.

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WKRP In Cincinnati, in my humble opinion, had to be one of the all-time best sitcoms that ever hit the airwaves. One of the last episodes of the first incarnation of the series involved Mama Carlson (Carol Bruce) making the decision to switch the format of WKRP in order for the station to continue to serve to lose money, a perfect tax write-off for her successful companies. Of course, Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) catches on to Mama’s intent, and utters the immortal quip: “This is so twisted, even I get it!”

The new prime minister is attracting suspicion and cynicism from even her own supporters for saying that God has chosen her to lead the nation. The question is why; for on the face of it saying that God has chosen you to lead, a nation suggests, at least, something good for that nation - certainly not ill. It suggests, among other things, that God cares about such a nation, and is willing, if not ready, to bless it - he may even have sent you as a deliverer. What’s wrong with that?

The community of Denham Town (see Appendix 1-B) is an enumeration district manned by Mayor of Kingston, Mr. Desmond McKenzie, a councilor of the Jamaica Labour Party under the stewardship of a new Member of Parliament and Leader of Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, Mr. Bruce Golding. Denham Town is in the wider political space of Western Kingston. The Jamaica Labour Party predominantly governs Western Kingston, since its geo-political formation, but this space is shared by a few zones runned by the People’s National Party. The Area is dynamic it regard to its political mechanism, and the influence of the political structure over life. The political space encapsulates gang violence, deprivation, aggression and hostility, musical legends, sporting prowess and is typical of a political phenomenon that is defined as a garrison. The geo-political zone affects the type of colour clothing worn, vernacular used, associations, friends, places one ventures to, and decision-taken and make, and perspective of life generally. The children are only a ‘small pawn’ in the game of those communities, and so the entire populace must subscribe to the patterns of the political socialization. Students of Denham Town High school must adhere to the social space in order survive within this organic solidarity. The very nature of a student’s choice is fashioned and governed unilaterally by exogenous forces, and this social reality creates aspect to the establishment of particular behaviour dilemma as he/she seeks to determine his/her self within the context of a particular geo-political space.

Whatever happened to our good old-fashioned Island nation? You know: the one where expatriates, like myself, could romp and aimlessly frolic on the beach as we stand in awe of its seemingly endless beauty and crystal clear blue waters. I’m talking about the Jamaica where the local cuisine reigned supreme, where civility triumphed, and tolerance could make its way to the pulpit-if only for a moment. I’m reminiscing about a Jamaica where innocence was preserved and protected. And yes! I’m referring to the Jamaica one could easily defend with unapologetic pride, in spite of her geographical size or economic woes. I’m speaking of the Jamaica majestically draped in her ubiquitous black, green and gold, where locals and tourists, like politicians stuck on message or clever advertising executives, spoke ad nauseam about the warmth and good-natured sensibilities of our people. Unfortunately, that Jamaica is all but a memory trapped in the distant past.

Jamlink, in accordance with its efforts to promote cohesive philanthropy in Jamaica, is pleased to introduce the Allen-Shaw Foundation, Inc.

In a report published today, Amnesty International argues that structural reforms within the police forces -- including the implementation of a human rights- based Code of Conduct, a transparent chain of command and criminal prosecutions in cases of human rights abuses -- are key to regaining community support, essential for preventing and combating crime.

Following the announcement by the State Department that it was imposing an arms sale sanction against Venezuela, a Chávez advisor infuriated Washington when he responded with an apparently retaliatory announcement that Caracas would consider selling its American-made F-16’s to Iran. The proposed sale irritated U.S. policymakers, whose initial imposition of the embargo was rationalized by the vague, if not totally contrived, accusations involving Hugo Chávez’s friendship with the leaders of U.S. classified rogue states of Cuba and Iran. Caracas’ threat of selling off the F-16 is somewhat logical, as the U.S. earlier had denied Venezuela the parts necessary to maintain its fleet of 21 F-16’s, rendering those aircraft - which are in need of upgrading and repair -little better than scrap metal.