JO - Passover and dual citizenship

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer

Passover and dual citizenship


MICHAEL BURKE


Thursday, April 09, 2009


Today is Holy Thursday on the Christian calendar. The Jewish religion celebrates the Passover on the actual date (the 14th Nissan on the Jewish calendar), while the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the mass of the Lord's Supper today. At the feast of the Passover on the day before he was crucified, Jesus Christ, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, turned bread and wine into His precious Body and Blood.

MICHAEL BURKE

The Passover meal is really a living dramatisation of the Jewish liberation and their real Independence Day. It is the anniversary of the smiting of the Egyptians when the angel of the Lord passed over the Jewish homes. The homes and families of the Jews were spared because the Jews had smeared the blood of a sacrificial lamb on their doorposts.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Citizens are really the members of an independent nation. Citizenship and independence is about being ruled by one's own people, which makes citizenship very important. This is why at the time of Jamaica's political independence in 1962, the definition of citizenship in the constitution and clear guidelines about citizenship qualifications to sit in the nation's Parliament were of such great importance.

Jamaicans have been travelling to and from the United States of America for centuries, but Jamaicans did not initially see the USA as part of the wider family until recent decades. At the time of political independence in 1962, Jamaicans felt closer to the British and the Commonwealth of Nations. Since that time, it is true that increased travel to the USA and information technology have brought Jamaicans emotionally closer to the USA."

"No race or nation wants to achieve political independence only to be subjected to a foreign power at a later date. That is why citizenship is so important when it comes to eligibility for election to Parliament. Indeed, it is very important for a clear definition of membership organisations and clubs, let alone in countries. It is all about who belongs and who does not."

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"In any case, we need to be very careful about how we review the whole matter of dual citizenship in light of recent court rulings, which has so far caused the recent by-election in Western Portland. My fear is that it might be changed to the point where aliens might one day rule us. And if that happens, all the struggle for independence by our national heroes would be totally in vain."

JO - Is it over or just starting?

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer

Is it over or just starting?

MICHAEL BURKE

Thursday, March 26, 2009

So Daryl Vaz has returned to Parliament by a larger margin and by almost 1,000 more votes. But is it over or is it just beginning? Will the prime minister call an election to take advantage of the glory of the victory or will he not take the chance? If Golding does not announce an election by weekend he might not call it for this year. I believe if he were calling it, he would do so before the budget debate.

MICHAEL BURKE

Why would he wait until the hype is deflated? In 1983 Edward Seaga called a snap election for December 15 that year and by December 31 there was a hike in the price of gasoline. Everyone is expecting a tight budget this year. Politicians tend to call elections before such occurrences, not after. And this is actually part of what is called "political science" by those who love to put nice titles on actions that might be called less likeable words.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"(T)here are other dual citizenship cases among members of parliament. Would Golding wait until each one has been heard and then call by-elections in which his party may not be as fortunate as it was last Monday? Does Golding hope that those cases will take so long to get to court that by the time it is done, it would be time for the general election anyway? And by the way, all election petitions come to an end with the dissolution of Parliament which precedes a general election."
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ekrubm765@yahoo.com

JO - Political speculations

Jamaica Observer

Political speculations


MICHAEL BURKE


Thursday, March 05, 2009


MICHAEL BURKE


So the Court of Appeal, which has final authority in election petitions, has ruled that there is to be a by-election in Western Portland. The PNP, led by Portia Simpson Miller, has called on the government "to do the right thing" and call by-elections in all of the constituencies where there are allegations of dual citizenship among sitting members of parliament. In terms of principle, Mrs Simpson Miller is absolutely correct. However, in terms of political manoeuvring it might be a mistake.

Read the whole article here.