From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Is the extradition treaty between US, Jamaica fair?
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Dear Editor,
I have noticed in recent times, both in the print and electronic media, that every Jamaican man, woman and child is now an "authority" on the International Extradition Treaty between Jamaica and the United States of America.
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"The extradition treaty that now exists between Jamaica and the United States was signed by the former PNP Government some time in 1994 and it has benefited the USA since then.
I cannot recall any request sent by us to the Americans for one of their citizens to come to Jamaica to answer to any alleged criminal charges. It appears that when these criminal acts take place it is only the Jamaicans who are the guilty ones."
_____
Desmond "Milo" Bond
PO Box 431
Kingston 8
Showing posts with label PNP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PNP. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
JO - Hail to the republic?
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Hail to the republic?
Lloyd B Smith
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
IT has been said that hindsight is 20/20 vision. Hindsight has to do with the understanding of a situation or event only after it has happened. Bruce Golding is caught in such a pickle with respect to the Dudus (Christopher Coke) affair. In retrospect, Mr Golding should not have yielded to the temptation of being enthroned as the member of parliament for West Kingston (popularly called Tivoli Gardens).
Read the whole column here.
Snippet(s):
"(T)he JLP, perhaps for the first time in its long, illustrious history, has found itself at odds with Jamaica's and its greatest ally, the United States of America! It must be remembered that while the leftist People's National Party has been known in the past to adopt a certain anti-American stance, especially during the height of the Cold War (think Cuba and Fidel Castro), the JLP was always totally in the bosom of Uncle Sam. Indeed, many decades ago when its maximum leader and founder Sir Alexander Bustamante was asked by reporters what was the JLP's foreign policy, he quipped, “We are with the West!” This in essence meant that the JLP was with the USA, the bastion of western civilisation, democracy and civilisation."
"(A)s colleague columnist Mark Wignall outlined in his Sunday Observer article, there is likely to be a major social fallout (and perhaps economic too), if Dudus Coke, the Big Man, is extradited to the United States. But outside of this likely outcome, there are also serious implications for the ruling JLP whose leader could well be declared persona non grata in his own constituency if he should be party to such a perceived collusion with the US State Department."
&
"In the meantime, the political fallout has begun, with many Jamaicans feeling that they will not be able to get a US visa or the one they have may be terminated. One youth man last week declared to me in a most chagrined mood that he was not going to bother to go the US Embassy because he knows he will not get a visa. Meanwhile, many Jamaicans from all walks of life will be approaching their travel to the USA with great trepidation as they will hear that their visa has been cancelled only when they arrive at the airport to board a flight. Blame it on Bruce? The US State Department has so far denied any such linkage, but in politics perception can break or make you."
Jamaica Observer
Hail to the republic?
Lloyd B Smith
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
IT has been said that hindsight is 20/20 vision. Hindsight has to do with the understanding of a situation or event only after it has happened. Bruce Golding is caught in such a pickle with respect to the Dudus (Christopher Coke) affair. In retrospect, Mr Golding should not have yielded to the temptation of being enthroned as the member of parliament for West Kingston (popularly called Tivoli Gardens).
Read the whole column here.
Snippet(s):
"(T)he JLP, perhaps for the first time in its long, illustrious history, has found itself at odds with Jamaica's and its greatest ally, the United States of America! It must be remembered that while the leftist People's National Party has been known in the past to adopt a certain anti-American stance, especially during the height of the Cold War (think Cuba and Fidel Castro), the JLP was always totally in the bosom of Uncle Sam. Indeed, many decades ago when its maximum leader and founder Sir Alexander Bustamante was asked by reporters what was the JLP's foreign policy, he quipped, “We are with the West!” This in essence meant that the JLP was with the USA, the bastion of western civilisation, democracy and civilisation."
"(A)s colleague columnist Mark Wignall outlined in his Sunday Observer article, there is likely to be a major social fallout (and perhaps economic too), if Dudus Coke, the Big Man, is extradited to the United States. But outside of this likely outcome, there are also serious implications for the ruling JLP whose leader could well be declared persona non grata in his own constituency if he should be party to such a perceived collusion with the US State Department."
&
"In the meantime, the political fallout has begun, with many Jamaicans feeling that they will not be able to get a US visa or the one they have may be terminated. One youth man last week declared to me in a most chagrined mood that he was not going to bother to go the US Embassy because he knows he will not get a visa. Meanwhile, many Jamaicans from all walks of life will be approaching their travel to the USA with great trepidation as they will hear that their visa has been cancelled only when they arrive at the airport to board a flight. Blame it on Bruce? The US State Department has so far denied any such linkage, but in politics perception can break or make you."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
JO - Cases of 'bullying' US politics
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Cases of 'bullying' US politics
Analysis by Rickey Singh
Sunday, March 07, 2010
IT would be a pity if the rest of our Caribbean Community governments do not see it necessary to acquaint themselves with the circumstances of the current sharp dispute between Jamaica and the United States over Washington's demand for the extradition of Jamaican Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The very sovereignty of Jamaica seems to be at stake in its Government's defence of its constitutional right, within the framework of an existing bilateral extradition treaty it has with the USA, which would require extending that right for a ruling by the courts in Jamaica BEFORE Coke could be handed over to US authorities, or that such a process be denied."
"In a sense, the explosion of the bitter extradition row resulting from Jamaica's refusal to extradite Coke is a classic case of déjà vu in terms of relations between Washington and Kingston under different administrations.
As it was under previous governments of the now Opposition People's National Party (PNP), and the administrations of both presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush, Jamaica remains a favourite "punching bag" in America's diversion to cover up its own woeful failures to effectively deal with its immense problem as the world's biggest consumer of illegal drugs as well as its involvement in gun-running linked to narco-trafficking."
"The 'Coke extradition case' reminds us of other instances of the USA wielding the 'big stick' to force small and poor states in this and other regions to genuflect to the assumed legal demands of Washington."
"Such is Washington's concept of "democracy" and "sovereignty' when dealing with small and poor states like ours in the Caribbean -- something for which it is occasionally applauded by sections of the region's media."
"In the current political episode involving Coke, Prime Minister Golding has made it clear that it is NOT a case of his Government's refusal to co-operate with Washington.
Jamaica's objection relates to the manner in which the USA was muscling its way to secure Coke's extradition, even to the extent of obtaining information illegally by violating key provisions of the Extradition Treaty between the two countries."
&
"He went on to state that "constitutional rights do not begin at Liguanea" (location of the United States Embassy in Kingston)."
Jamaica Observer
Cases of 'bullying' US politics
Analysis by Rickey Singh
Sunday, March 07, 2010
IT would be a pity if the rest of our Caribbean Community governments do not see it necessary to acquaint themselves with the circumstances of the current sharp dispute between Jamaica and the United States over Washington's demand for the extradition of Jamaican Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The very sovereignty of Jamaica seems to be at stake in its Government's defence of its constitutional right, within the framework of an existing bilateral extradition treaty it has with the USA, which would require extending that right for a ruling by the courts in Jamaica BEFORE Coke could be handed over to US authorities, or that such a process be denied."
"In a sense, the explosion of the bitter extradition row resulting from Jamaica's refusal to extradite Coke is a classic case of déjà vu in terms of relations between Washington and Kingston under different administrations.
As it was under previous governments of the now Opposition People's National Party (PNP), and the administrations of both presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush, Jamaica remains a favourite "punching bag" in America's diversion to cover up its own woeful failures to effectively deal with its immense problem as the world's biggest consumer of illegal drugs as well as its involvement in gun-running linked to narco-trafficking."
"The 'Coke extradition case' reminds us of other instances of the USA wielding the 'big stick' to force small and poor states in this and other regions to genuflect to the assumed legal demands of Washington."
"Such is Washington's concept of "democracy" and "sovereignty' when dealing with small and poor states like ours in the Caribbean -- something for which it is occasionally applauded by sections of the region's media."
"In the current political episode involving Coke, Prime Minister Golding has made it clear that it is NOT a case of his Government's refusal to co-operate with Washington.
Jamaica's objection relates to the manner in which the USA was muscling its way to secure Coke's extradition, even to the extent of obtaining information illegally by violating key provisions of the Extradition Treaty between the two countries."
&
"He went on to state that "constitutional rights do not begin at Liguanea" (location of the United States Embassy in Kingston)."
Monday, April 12, 2010
JO - Aftermath of the Dudus extradition
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Aftermath of the Dudus extradition
Mark Wignall
Sunday, March 07, 2010
A week or so after the extradition, downtown Kingston, effectively void of its 'protector', has become one vast no-man's land. The outburst of violence began at the moment his extradition was announced.
Read the whole scenario here.
Snippet(s):
"As it appears, there is some evidence that gunmen with notional attachments to the PNP have been teaming up with those in the forefront; various spokespersons in the PNP have been calling for an islandwide state of emergency. Meanwhile, the information minister has dismissed the idea that the prime minister has formally requested the Americans to send in the Marines."
_____
observemark@gmail.com
Jamaica Observer
Aftermath of the Dudus extradition
Mark Wignall
Sunday, March 07, 2010
A week or so after the extradition, downtown Kingston, effectively void of its 'protector', has become one vast no-man's land. The outburst of violence began at the moment his extradition was announced.
Read the whole scenario here.
Snippet(s):
"As it appears, there is some evidence that gunmen with notional attachments to the PNP have been teaming up with those in the forefront; various spokespersons in the PNP have been calling for an islandwide state of emergency. Meanwhile, the information minister has dismissed the idea that the prime minister has formally requested the Americans to send in the Marines."
_____
observemark@gmail.com
Thursday, April 8, 2010
JG - Turks and Caicos demand democracy - To march against UK takeover
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Turks and Caicos demand democracy - To march against UK takeover
Published: Sunday March 7, 2010
From left: Turks and Caicos People's Democratic Movement's Douglas Parnell and leader of the Progressive National Party, Galmo Williams, at a press conference in Providenciales last week. - Contributed
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Miami, Florida: BOTH POLITICAL parties in the Turks and Caicos, the Progressive National Party (PNP) and the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) will unite in a march tomorrow demanding immediate return to democracy and self- rule.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The move comes on the heels of an intended enactment of a new constitution for the country by the British.
Over a year ago, Britain took back interim autonomy of the country, placing one of its governors in charge after former premier Michael Misick, who was embroiled in a huge scandal of abuse of power, was ousted from office."
"(T)he proposed reform has been rejected by indigenous people because it excludes them."
&
"It is the first time in the country's history that the two political parties have stood on the same platform defending the same cause."
_____
Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
Jamaica Gleaner
Turks and Caicos demand democracy - To march against UK takeover
Published: Sunday March 7, 2010
From left: Turks and Caicos People's Democratic Movement's Douglas Parnell and leader of the Progressive National Party, Galmo Williams, at a press conference in Providenciales last week. - Contributed
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Miami, Florida: BOTH POLITICAL parties in the Turks and Caicos, the Progressive National Party (PNP) and the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) will unite in a march tomorrow demanding immediate return to democracy and self- rule.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The move comes on the heels of an intended enactment of a new constitution for the country by the British.
Over a year ago, Britain took back interim autonomy of the country, placing one of its governors in charge after former premier Michael Misick, who was embroiled in a huge scandal of abuse of power, was ousted from office."
"(T)he proposed reform has been rejected by indigenous people because it excludes them."
&
"It is the first time in the country's history that the two political parties have stood on the same platform defending the same cause."
_____
Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
JO - Yes, Bruce!
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Yes, Bruce!
Mervin Stoddart
Friday, March 05, 2010
Dear Editor,
Common sense, tradition and common law suggest that every suspect is innocent until proved guilty and that extensive media ranting often erodes the possibility of a fair trial in criminal cases. Hence, the media campaign being waged by a certain Jamaican media house for the handing over of Christopher "Dudus" Coke to United States authorities in response to an extradition warrant is disgraceful. In the Michael Manley era that same medium promoted reactionary, anti-Jamaican, pro-American sentiments to turn back the democratic socialist agenda of the PNP which gave ordinary Jamaicans emancipation from mental slavery but which was undermined en route to winning economic freedom for all Jamaicans, not just the elites above Liguanea.
You can always count on some solid anti-American sentiment from the Reverand Stoddart.
Liguanea, by the way, is the part of Kingston where the new U.S. Embassy was sited. You can expect that most Jamaican readers, particularly visa holders, will get the reference.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Moreover, the US and its kind from Euro-America are unrepentant slave drivers and colonisers whose dealings and treaties with predominantly black countries are one-sided and skewed in favour of those white supremacist nations, always upholding their interests which clearly include global domination and the spreading of homosexuality, which spell misery and death for countries like Jamaica and Haiti."
&
"It is now time for the US to turn over for trial in Jamaica those criminals, beginning with US government operatives, who are responsible for causing the murders and economic depravity in Jamaica."
_____
Rev Dr Mervin Stoddart
INMerv@hotmail.com
Jamaica Observer
Yes, Bruce!
Mervin Stoddart
Friday, March 05, 2010
Dear Editor,
Common sense, tradition and common law suggest that every suspect is innocent until proved guilty and that extensive media ranting often erodes the possibility of a fair trial in criminal cases. Hence, the media campaign being waged by a certain Jamaican media house for the handing over of Christopher "Dudus" Coke to United States authorities in response to an extradition warrant is disgraceful. In the Michael Manley era that same medium promoted reactionary, anti-Jamaican, pro-American sentiments to turn back the democratic socialist agenda of the PNP which gave ordinary Jamaicans emancipation from mental slavery but which was undermined en route to winning economic freedom for all Jamaicans, not just the elites above Liguanea.
You can always count on some solid anti-American sentiment from the Reverand Stoddart.
Liguanea, by the way, is the part of Kingston where the new U.S. Embassy was sited. You can expect that most Jamaican readers, particularly visa holders, will get the reference.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Moreover, the US and its kind from Euro-America are unrepentant slave drivers and colonisers whose dealings and treaties with predominantly black countries are one-sided and skewed in favour of those white supremacist nations, always upholding their interests which clearly include global domination and the spreading of homosexuality, which spell misery and death for countries like Jamaica and Haiti."
&
"It is now time for the US to turn over for trial in Jamaica those criminals, beginning with US government operatives, who are responsible for causing the murders and economic depravity in Jamaica."
_____
Rev Dr Mervin Stoddart
INMerv@hotmail.com
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
JO - Inside the West Portland election
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Inside the West Portland election
BY DON ANDERSON
Historical perspective
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The recently completed by-election in West Portland generated a considerable degree of national interest, not because of the dual citizenship issue which brought it about, but moreso because of the critical importance to both parties, with the JLP majority in Parliament being razor thin.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Despite the strong PNP core support, Rowe would still face an uphill task, as this was matched by equally strong core support for the JLP. The difficulty he faced winning the seat was further heightened by the fact that he had just three weeks to overturn the momentum of 18 months of Vaz's activity in the area. His dual citizenship status was not an issue, however much there were attempts to make it seem so on moral grounds."
Jamaica Observer
Inside the West Portland election
BY DON ANDERSON
Historical perspective
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The recently completed by-election in West Portland generated a considerable degree of national interest, not because of the dual citizenship issue which brought it about, but moreso because of the critical importance to both parties, with the JLP majority in Parliament being razor thin.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Despite the strong PNP core support, Rowe would still face an uphill task, as this was matched by equally strong core support for the JLP. The difficulty he faced winning the seat was further heightened by the fact that he had just three weeks to overturn the momentum of 18 months of Vaz's activity in the area. His dual citizenship status was not an issue, however much there were attempts to make it seem so on moral grounds."
Thursday, May 21, 2009
JO - How the west was won. and lost
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
How the west was won. and lost
It was bigger than Rowe, says Cliff Hughes
BY KIMONE THOMPSON Observer Senior Reporter Special Coverage Unit specialcoverageunit@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, March 29, 2009
ANALYSTS agree that Daryl Vaz edged out Kenneth Rowe for the West Portland seat in last Monday's by-election through a combination of visibility and performance in his constituency and organisation at the party level.
Cliff Hughes
But more important than what Daryl and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) did, they say, was what Kenneth and the People's National Party (PNP) didn't.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Rowe was rejected in 2002 when he ran on a JLP ticket against the PNP's Errol Ennis. In 2006, he lost the bid to represent the constituency as caretaker to Daryl Vaz. He then defected to the PNP and snatched the candidacy from Abe Dabdoub who lost his court bid to get the seat from Vaz on grounds he had dual citizenship. "
&
""More than anything else, I think they would have said that Rowe was a former JLP man who contested two elections - national elections in 2002 and party election in 2005 - in which he lost to Vaz and therefore is a former supporter of the JLP. I think that would probably have more impact on the outcome of the election than the question of dual citizenship because it didn't really come out in any anecdotal information that we have been able to gather," said Anderson."
Jamaica Observer
How the west was won. and lost
It was bigger than Rowe, says Cliff Hughes
BY KIMONE THOMPSON Observer Senior Reporter Special Coverage Unit specialcoverageunit@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, March 29, 2009
ANALYSTS agree that Daryl Vaz edged out Kenneth Rowe for the West Portland seat in last Monday's by-election through a combination of visibility and performance in his constituency and organisation at the party level.
Cliff Hughes
But more important than what Daryl and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) did, they say, was what Kenneth and the People's National Party (PNP) didn't.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Rowe was rejected in 2002 when he ran on a JLP ticket against the PNP's Errol Ennis. In 2006, he lost the bid to represent the constituency as caretaker to Daryl Vaz. He then defected to the PNP and snatched the candidacy from Abe Dabdoub who lost his court bid to get the seat from Vaz on grounds he had dual citizenship. "
&
""More than anything else, I think they would have said that Rowe was a former JLP man who contested two elections - national elections in 2002 and party election in 2005 - in which he lost to Vaz and therefore is a former supporter of the JLP. I think that would probably have more impact on the outcome of the election than the question of dual citizenship because it didn't really come out in any anecdotal information that we have been able to gather," said Anderson."
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
JO - How the West (Portland) was won.
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
How the West (Portland) was won.
Three Portia Simpson Millers could not take me out - Vaz
By Desmond Allen Executive Editor Special Coverage Unit specialcoverageunit@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, March 29, 2009
DARYL Vaz didn't think he was being pompous when he declared on nomination day for the West Portland by-election that he would win by over 2,000 votes. And it didn't bother him that not even close Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) colleagues took him seriously. In the end, he won by 2,294.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Vaz discloses that he worked to convert loyal PNP supporters and did. "They chose performance over loyalty." But he admits to some element of luck, at the expense of Abe Dabdoub, his erstwhile opponent in the general election, and the PNP campaign focus.
"The court action over dual citizenship sensitised the people of West Portland and threw the spotlight on the fact that I was working. They were not going to leave me after that. Got a lot of support and commitment from non-JLP supporters," he says. "
Jamaica Observer
How the West (Portland) was won.
Three Portia Simpson Millers could not take me out - Vaz
By Desmond Allen Executive Editor Special Coverage Unit specialcoverageunit@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, March 29, 2009
DARYL Vaz didn't think he was being pompous when he declared on nomination day for the West Portland by-election that he would win by over 2,000 votes. And it didn't bother him that not even close Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) colleagues took him seriously. In the end, he won by 2,294.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Vaz discloses that he worked to convert loyal PNP supporters and did. "They chose performance over loyalty." But he admits to some element of luck, at the expense of Abe Dabdoub, his erstwhile opponent in the general election, and the PNP campaign focus.
"The court action over dual citizenship sensitised the people of West Portland and threw the spotlight on the fact that I was working. They were not going to leave me after that. Got a lot of support and commitment from non-JLP supporters," he says. "
Sunday, May 17, 2009
JO - Politicians ought to declare their citizenship status
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Politicians ought to declare their citizenship status
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Dear Editor,
Mrs Portia Simpson Miller, in response to Mr Bruce Golding's assertion that the Opposition is trying to wrest power from the government through the courts, said that the PNP "will never take power in this country unless it is by the ballots".
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"But this is exactly what they tried to do by seeking to oust Mr Daryl Vaz on the grounds that he had dual citizenship. Ironically, they then offered a candidate who also has dual citizenship, albeit Jamaican-Canadian and a Commonwealth member."
"They will argue that they were within their constitutional right to offer this candidate for MP even though he has dual citizenship, and contrary to the principle on which this whole event unfolded."
"(E)ither dual citizens are accepted in Parliament (Commonwealth or not) or they are not accepted."
"As the purpose of the Commonwealth and its member nations continue to evolve and their personal agendas diverge, there can be no gainsaying the fact that allegiance issues will arise should a person hold dual citizenship involving two member states. This is clearly no different from a Jamaican-American dual citizenship."
"The Government and Opposition must now move with alacrity and purpose and deal with the dual-citizenship issue."
&
"(A)ll parliamentarians should declare their citizenship status. Anyone who has dual citizenship should either renounce it or secede their current position. The ultimate show of loyalty to one's country is to be shackled by the same laws that govern the people one represents."
_____
Jermaine Boreland
jirmz@yahoo.co.uk
Jamaica Observer
Politicians ought to declare their citizenship status
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Dear Editor,
Mrs Portia Simpson Miller, in response to Mr Bruce Golding's assertion that the Opposition is trying to wrest power from the government through the courts, said that the PNP "will never take power in this country unless it is by the ballots".
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"But this is exactly what they tried to do by seeking to oust Mr Daryl Vaz on the grounds that he had dual citizenship. Ironically, they then offered a candidate who also has dual citizenship, albeit Jamaican-Canadian and a Commonwealth member."
"They will argue that they were within their constitutional right to offer this candidate for MP even though he has dual citizenship, and contrary to the principle on which this whole event unfolded."
"(E)ither dual citizens are accepted in Parliament (Commonwealth or not) or they are not accepted."
"As the purpose of the Commonwealth and its member nations continue to evolve and their personal agendas diverge, there can be no gainsaying the fact that allegiance issues will arise should a person hold dual citizenship involving two member states. This is clearly no different from a Jamaican-American dual citizenship."
"The Government and Opposition must now move with alacrity and purpose and deal with the dual-citizenship issue."
&
"(A)ll parliamentarians should declare their citizenship status. Anyone who has dual citizenship should either renounce it or secede their current position. The ultimate show of loyalty to one's country is to be shackled by the same laws that govern the people one represents."
_____
Jermaine Boreland
jirmz@yahoo.co.uk
Sunday, May 10, 2009
JO - The Daryl Vaz factor
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
The Daryl Vaz factor
Raulston Nembhard
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Mr Daryl Vaz must be congratulated for his resounding victory in the by-election in the West Portland constituency. His victory is a tribute to his tenacity and the hard work that he has been doing in the constituency over the past 18 months. No one can begrudge him the victory; it was his to win or lose and from the very beginning he was determined to win.
Raulston Nembhard
Whatever one may say about Mr Vaz he cannot be faulted for his tenacity and apparent genuine commitment to the people of West Portland. From the time he became caretaker of the constituency he has worked assiduously to win their confidence. It was clear to them that he was not a fly-by-night politician who was prepared to shed tears and present a veneer of concern for their plight. Deep down the people know that those who do those things are interested only in feathering their own nests. They saw in Vaz someone who genuinely cared about what mattered to them. Even some PNP-ites could not help but admit that he did work, but out of partisan loyalty they could not bring themselves to vote for him.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Young politicians have a lot to learn from a Daryl Vaz. One gets the distinct impression that there are far too many of the young breed of politicians who are wedded to a failed political paradigm that has impoverished Jamaica. Like many of their older counterparts they are in it for what they can get from it. They are not driven by an abiding fidelity to a set of core values which lead to integrity and credibility. It has to be more than what he could get out of politics that could have motivated Vaz to give up his coveted United States citizenship in order to represent a group of people in Parliament, and at a time when retaining that citizenship could be easily justified."
_____
stead6655@aol.com
www.drraulston.com
Jamaica Observer
The Daryl Vaz factor
Raulston Nembhard
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Mr Daryl Vaz must be congratulated for his resounding victory in the by-election in the West Portland constituency. His victory is a tribute to his tenacity and the hard work that he has been doing in the constituency over the past 18 months. No one can begrudge him the victory; it was his to win or lose and from the very beginning he was determined to win.
Raulston Nembhard
Whatever one may say about Mr Vaz he cannot be faulted for his tenacity and apparent genuine commitment to the people of West Portland. From the time he became caretaker of the constituency he has worked assiduously to win their confidence. It was clear to them that he was not a fly-by-night politician who was prepared to shed tears and present a veneer of concern for their plight. Deep down the people know that those who do those things are interested only in feathering their own nests. They saw in Vaz someone who genuinely cared about what mattered to them. Even some PNP-ites could not help but admit that he did work, but out of partisan loyalty they could not bring themselves to vote for him.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Young politicians have a lot to learn from a Daryl Vaz. One gets the distinct impression that there are far too many of the young breed of politicians who are wedded to a failed political paradigm that has impoverished Jamaica. Like many of their older counterparts they are in it for what they can get from it. They are not driven by an abiding fidelity to a set of core values which lead to integrity and credibility. It has to be more than what he could get out of politics that could have motivated Vaz to give up his coveted United States citizenship in order to represent a group of people in Parliament, and at a time when retaining that citizenship could be easily justified."
_____
stead6655@aol.com
www.drraulston.com
Monday, April 27, 2009
JO - No 'dual citizens' for Parliament
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
No 'dual citizens' for Parliament
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dear Editor,
Could the devastating outcome of the West Portland by-election be because a significant number of electors felt "dissed" by an arrogant PNP?
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"The reason for the by-election was a matter of dual citizenship, but what did the PNP then do? Put up a 'dual citizen' as their candidate!"
&
"(P)eople with divided loyalties, be it Green Card or dual citizenship, while being welcome to serve in many other capacities, will certainly not be allowed to be in the position to pass legislation that will affect the lives of us locals, while they have the opportunity to walk away from it all when anything goes awry."
_____
Joan Williams
greatestj@hotmail.com
Jamaica Observer
No 'dual citizens' for Parliament
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dear Editor,
Could the devastating outcome of the West Portland by-election be because a significant number of electors felt "dissed" by an arrogant PNP?
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"The reason for the by-election was a matter of dual citizenship, but what did the PNP then do? Put up a 'dual citizen' as their candidate!"
&
"(P)eople with divided loyalties, be it Green Card or dual citizenship, while being welcome to serve in many other capacities, will certainly not be allowed to be in the position to pass legislation that will affect the lives of us locals, while they have the opportunity to walk away from it all when anything goes awry."
_____
Joan Williams
greatestj@hotmail.com
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
JG - ABSURDITIES - Balancing political and economic rights
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
ABSURDITIES - Balancing political and economic rights
published: Sunday June 29, 2008
Robert Buddan, Contributor
Bruce Golding says it is a constitutional absurdity that a Commonwealth citizen can vote and be elected to the Jamaican Parliament after spending only a year in Jamaica, while a Jamaican citizen who lives overseas and is a citizen of another country cannot be elected here.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"A foreigner, Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth can, and is encouraged to invest, that is, buy and own any amount of prime agricultural land and mineral resources, beachfront property and assets of all kinds which most Jamaicans cannot afford to own, but at the same time those same Jamaicans can constitutionally vote and be elected to the country's Parliament and become prime minister.
In other words, one has to be a Jamaican citizen to be prime minister but anyone can own Jamaica."
"Is it really the right to sit in Parliament that it should be talking about, or the right as citizens to come first in economic opportunities?
It was not absurd when the parliamentary committee with representatives from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP) considering the Jamaican independence constitution agreed to allow Jamaicans the right to enjoy dual citizenship and all the economic, social, civil and political rights of Jamaicans even if they were born or lived abroad and chose to have dual citizenship, a magnanimous gesture, except only for the proviso that they would not be allowed to serve in sensitive offices of the state."
&
"We still have not resolved the absurdity of having a Queen of England as our monarch, who has refused to apologise for enslaving us and who requires us to have a visa to come and visit her country."
_____
Robert Buddan lectures in the Department of Government, UWI, Mona. Email: robert.buddan@uwimona.edu.jm.
Jamaica Gleaner
ABSURDITIES - Balancing political and economic rights
published: Sunday June 29, 2008
Robert Buddan, Contributor
Bruce Golding says it is a constitutional absurdity that a Commonwealth citizen can vote and be elected to the Jamaican Parliament after spending only a year in Jamaica, while a Jamaican citizen who lives overseas and is a citizen of another country cannot be elected here.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"A foreigner, Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth can, and is encouraged to invest, that is, buy and own any amount of prime agricultural land and mineral resources, beachfront property and assets of all kinds which most Jamaicans cannot afford to own, but at the same time those same Jamaicans can constitutionally vote and be elected to the country's Parliament and become prime minister.
In other words, one has to be a Jamaican citizen to be prime minister but anyone can own Jamaica."
"Is it really the right to sit in Parliament that it should be talking about, or the right as citizens to come first in economic opportunities?
It was not absurd when the parliamentary committee with representatives from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP) considering the Jamaican independence constitution agreed to allow Jamaicans the right to enjoy dual citizenship and all the economic, social, civil and political rights of Jamaicans even if they were born or lived abroad and chose to have dual citizenship, a magnanimous gesture, except only for the proviso that they would not be allowed to serve in sensitive offices of the state."
&
"We still have not resolved the absurdity of having a Queen of England as our monarch, who has refused to apologise for enslaving us and who requires us to have a visa to come and visit her country."
_____
Robert Buddan lectures in the Department of Government, UWI, Mona. Email: robert.buddan@uwimona.edu.jm.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
JG - Appeal Court tells all
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Appeal Court tells all
Published: Sunday March 15, 2009
The Court of Appeal has said in its very detailed reasons for upholding Chief Justice Zaila McCalla's ruling that there should be a by-election in the West Portland constituency, that the "electorate are not to have imposed upon them a person for whom the majority of them did not cast their votes".
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"People's National Party candidate, Abe Dabdoub, had filed an election petition after the September 3, 2007, general election, contending that Member of Parliament (MP) Daryl Vaz had dual citizenship and was not entitled to be an MP.
Chief Justice Zaila McCalla heard the election petition and ruled that because Vaz, who had inherited American citizenship from his mother, obtained a United States passport as an adult and travelled on it, he had pledged allegiance to a foreign power.
The chief justice ruled that Vaz was not eligible to sit in Parliament and ordered a by-election."
Jamaica Gleaner
Appeal Court tells all
Published: Sunday March 15, 2009
The Court of Appeal has said in its very detailed reasons for upholding Chief Justice Zaila McCalla's ruling that there should be a by-election in the West Portland constituency, that the "electorate are not to have imposed upon them a person for whom the majority of them did not cast their votes".
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"People's National Party candidate, Abe Dabdoub, had filed an election petition after the September 3, 2007, general election, contending that Member of Parliament (MP) Daryl Vaz had dual citizenship and was not entitled to be an MP.
Chief Justice Zaila McCalla heard the election petition and ruled that because Vaz, who had inherited American citizenship from his mother, obtained a United States passport as an adult and travelled on it, he had pledged allegiance to a foreign power.
The chief justice ruled that Vaz was not eligible to sit in Parliament and ordered a by-election."
Sunday, April 5, 2009
JO - Court says by-election. Vaz, Dabdoub to face voters again for West Portland seat.
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Court says by-election
Vaz, Dabdoub to face voters again for West Portland seat
PAUL HENRY, Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com
Saturday, February 28, 2009
WEST Portlanders will be going to the polls in March to select a member of parliament following the Court of Appeal's refusal yesterday to hand over the seat to People's National Party (PNP) candidate Abe Dabdoub who had waged a long and intricate legal battle to unseat the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP's) Daryl Vaz.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Dabdoub had asked justices Seymour Panton, Algernon Smith and Karl Harrison to disqualify Vaz on the ground that Vaz held US citizenship and hand him (Dabdoub) the West Portland seat.
The justices, however, upheld the April 11, 2008 ruling of Chief Justice Zaila McCalla that a by-election be held upon Vaz's disqualification."
"Following the ruling, Vaz, who last year renounced his US citizenship to contest the by-election, said he was relieved that the court did not hand over the seat to Dabdoub."
"A disappointed Jalil Dabdoub, the junior counsel for Abe Dabdoub, said the ruling was a "blow to democracy" and did not rule out the possibility of an appeal to the London-based Privy Council where, according some legal minds, the matter could be taken as a constitutional issue."
Jamaica Observer
Court says by-election
Vaz, Dabdoub to face voters again for West Portland seat
PAUL HENRY, Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com
Saturday, February 28, 2009
WEST Portlanders will be going to the polls in March to select a member of parliament following the Court of Appeal's refusal yesterday to hand over the seat to People's National Party (PNP) candidate Abe Dabdoub who had waged a long and intricate legal battle to unseat the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP's) Daryl Vaz.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Dabdoub had asked justices Seymour Panton, Algernon Smith and Karl Harrison to disqualify Vaz on the ground that Vaz held US citizenship and hand him (Dabdoub) the West Portland seat.
The justices, however, upheld the April 11, 2008 ruling of Chief Justice Zaila McCalla that a by-election be held upon Vaz's disqualification."
"Following the ruling, Vaz, who last year renounced his US citizenship to contest the by-election, said he was relieved that the court did not hand over the seat to Dabdoub."
"A disappointed Jalil Dabdoub, the junior counsel for Abe Dabdoub, said the ruling was a "blow to democracy" and did not rule out the possibility of an appeal to the London-based Privy Council where, according some legal minds, the matter could be taken as a constitutional issue."
Thursday, April 2, 2009
JG - West Portland: Holding the balance in Jamaica's democracy
Jamaica Gleaner
West Portland: Holding the balance in Jamaica's democracy
Published: Sunday March 15, 2009
Robert Buddan - POLITICS OF OUR TIME
The 2007 general elections were not quite settled. They were only a partial settlement convenient in order to have government and offset a possible constitutional crisis. The unsettled issues went to court.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The court was asked whether Daryl Vaz, who held dual citizenship, was qualified under the constitution to have a seat in parliament, and whether a by-election should be held or the seat awarded to Abe Dabdoub. The court decided that he should not have a seat and a by-election should be held."
"(T)here is a feeling in the PNP that the JLP had known before the elections that some of its candidates had held dual citizenship and had them nominated, believing them to be the persons with the best chance to win."
&
"Dabdoub won't be in a position to get the seat he felt he deserved. But he has been vindicated by the court's ruling that Vaz was not qualified to be nominated and sit as a member of parliament. He has done Jamaica's constitution and the democracy it upholds a great service. In fact, this election might be seen as a battle for the integrity of the constitution."
__________
Robert Buddan lectures in the Department of Government, UWI, Mona Campus. Email: Robert.Buddan@uwimona.edu.jm or columns@gleanerjm.com
West Portland: Holding the balance in Jamaica's democracy
Published: Sunday March 15, 2009
Robert Buddan - POLITICS OF OUR TIME
The 2007 general elections were not quite settled. They were only a partial settlement convenient in order to have government and offset a possible constitutional crisis. The unsettled issues went to court.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The court was asked whether Daryl Vaz, who held dual citizenship, was qualified under the constitution to have a seat in parliament, and whether a by-election should be held or the seat awarded to Abe Dabdoub. The court decided that he should not have a seat and a by-election should be held."
"(T)here is a feeling in the PNP that the JLP had known before the elections that some of its candidates had held dual citizenship and had them nominated, believing them to be the persons with the best chance to win."
&
"Dabdoub won't be in a position to get the seat he felt he deserved. But he has been vindicated by the court's ruling that Vaz was not qualified to be nominated and sit as a member of parliament. He has done Jamaica's constitution and the democracy it upholds a great service. In fact, this election might be seen as a battle for the integrity of the constitution."
__________
Robert Buddan lectures in the Department of Government, UWI, Mona Campus. Email: Robert.Buddan@uwimona.edu.jm or columns@gleanerjm.com
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
JO - Garrisons
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Garrisons
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Dear Editor,
I wish to endorse recent suggestions by former PNP MP Miss Heather Robinson and NDM general secretary Mike Williams for the current leaders of the JLP and PNP to walk away from their respective "garrison" seats.
Read the whole letter here.
__________
Peter Townsend
NDM
Kingston
Jamaica Observer
Garrisons
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Dear Editor,
I wish to endorse recent suggestions by former PNP MP Miss Heather Robinson and NDM general secretary Mike Williams for the current leaders of the JLP and PNP to walk away from their respective "garrison" seats.
Read the whole letter here.
__________
Peter Townsend
NDM
Kingston
Monday, March 16, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
JG - Abe doubtful - PNP struggles to find candidate for West Portland
Jamaica Gleaner
Abe doubtful - PNP struggles to find candidate for West Portland
Published: Sunday March 1, 2009
With five days to nomination day in West Portland, the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) is yet to settle on a candidate to face off with Jamaica Labour Party's Daryl Vaz for the seat.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The Court of Appeal ousted the Jamaica Labour party (JAP) Daryl Vaz as Member of Parliament on Friday when it upheld a ruling that Vaz was not eligible to sit in Parliament as he had pledge allegiance to a foreign power.
Vaz at the time of his nomination had American citizenship. He has since renounced it."
Abe doubtful - PNP struggles to find candidate for West Portland
Published: Sunday March 1, 2009
With five days to nomination day in West Portland, the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) is yet to settle on a candidate to face off with Jamaica Labour Party's Daryl Vaz for the seat.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The Court of Appeal ousted the Jamaica Labour party (JAP) Daryl Vaz as Member of Parliament on Friday when it upheld a ruling that Vaz was not eligible to sit in Parliament as he had pledge allegiance to a foreign power.
Vaz at the time of his nomination had American citizenship. He has since renounced it."
Friday, February 13, 2009
JG - Disowning crime
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Disowning crime
published: Sunday June 15, 2008
Orville Taylor
He is that relative that you wished you never had. He turns up at the most inopportune times, wearing awful-looking shirts, reminiscent of certain politicians, and speaks with a loose tongue, publicly revealing details about your life that you would have preferred to forget.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Like a sex tape that the nasty public seeks to milk as it flows like spilt liquid, he touches everybody, destroying all that he reaches.
Everything that he hits he swallows and he has a voracious appetite.
Although he consumes a large part of the national income, nobody seems to be able to control or collect from him, because his name is crime and he does not pay."
"The PNP's big man moves with the dexterity of a ballet dancer as he points to the growth of the international drug trade and, of course, his favourite scapegoat - deportees.
Despite the overwhelming evidence that most of the homicides and major crimes are by boys who have seen only the planes used by carpenters, this has continued to be a beating stick.
Face it!
The jump in murders coincides with his tenure."
"Indeed, some of the crimes are caused by deportees, but the majority of deportations are for relatively minor and immigration offences and not capital crimes.
Moreover, the allegation of their major involvement in the crime wave is not supported by the police data."
"(T)he increase in homicides is directly correlated to the insensitivity to non-unionised labour in the 1990s."
&
"Nonetheless, there is also an external cause.
Doubtless, the drug trade, the wanton importation of deportees (and I mean the cars here, Jake!), cellphones, the Internet and cable television, bear the blame as well.
Also, the loss of agricultural and manufacturing jobs is directly linked to the actions of the American Democratic Party.
Ironically, the so-called 'anti-black' Reagan/Bush/Bush-led Republican Party had created the Caribbean Basin Initiative, giving preferential treatment to West Indian imports and creating thousands of jobs in manufacturing.
Paradoxically, the decline in the agricultural sector is correlated to the Bill Clinton initiative that killed the Caribbean banana industry.
If you destroy the banana farmer, won't he grow weed or buy guns?"
Dr Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Send feedback to orville.taylor@uwimona.edu.jm or columns@gleanerjm.com.
Jamaica Gleaner
Disowning crime
published: Sunday June 15, 2008
Orville Taylor
He is that relative that you wished you never had. He turns up at the most inopportune times, wearing awful-looking shirts, reminiscent of certain politicians, and speaks with a loose tongue, publicly revealing details about your life that you would have preferred to forget.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Like a sex tape that the nasty public seeks to milk as it flows like spilt liquid, he touches everybody, destroying all that he reaches.
Everything that he hits he swallows and he has a voracious appetite.
Although he consumes a large part of the national income, nobody seems to be able to control or collect from him, because his name is crime and he does not pay."
"The PNP's big man moves with the dexterity of a ballet dancer as he points to the growth of the international drug trade and, of course, his favourite scapegoat - deportees.
Despite the overwhelming evidence that most of the homicides and major crimes are by boys who have seen only the planes used by carpenters, this has continued to be a beating stick.
Face it!
The jump in murders coincides with his tenure."
"Indeed, some of the crimes are caused by deportees, but the majority of deportations are for relatively minor and immigration offences and not capital crimes.
Moreover, the allegation of their major involvement in the crime wave is not supported by the police data."
"(T)he increase in homicides is directly correlated to the insensitivity to non-unionised labour in the 1990s."
&
"Nonetheless, there is also an external cause.
Doubtless, the drug trade, the wanton importation of deportees (and I mean the cars here, Jake!), cellphones, the Internet and cable television, bear the blame as well.
Also, the loss of agricultural and manufacturing jobs is directly linked to the actions of the American Democratic Party.
Ironically, the so-called 'anti-black' Reagan/Bush/Bush-led Republican Party had created the Caribbean Basin Initiative, giving preferential treatment to West Indian imports and creating thousands of jobs in manufacturing.
Paradoxically, the decline in the agricultural sector is correlated to the Bill Clinton initiative that killed the Caribbean banana industry.
If you destroy the banana farmer, won't he grow weed or buy guns?"
Dr Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Send feedback to orville.taylor@uwimona.edu.jm or columns@gleanerjm.com.
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