From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Come clean now, Prime Minister
Sunday, April 18, 2010
PRIME Minister Bruce Golding reminds us of that stubborn Pharaoh of biblical times who sacrificed Egypt to plague after plague before releasing the Israelite slaves in accordance with conventional wisdom.
Read the whole editorial here.
Snippet(s):
"And we wonder how much longer he intends to carry the leaky bag of excuses that he has employed to explain his administration's handling of the US' extradition request for the strongman of his West Kingston constituency, Mr Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Surely he must realise that when the Washington Post, the same news outfit that brought down US President Richard Nixon in the early 1970s, begins to discredit him, the gig is up."
&
"We are going to find out why Mr Golding is taking such a personal interest in Mr Coke, an interest that he has yet to demonstrate in the countless young girls who are being forced to spread their legs for the sexual entertainment of the dons who rule garrisons."
Showing posts with label garrison communities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garrison communities. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
JG - EDITORIAL - Where is the 'Dudus' Coke case?
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
EDITORIAL - Where is the 'Dudus' Coke case?
Published: Sunday February 28, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Fifteen years ago when Bruce Golding began aggressively to seek the job of prime minister of Jamaica, he didn't merely lodge his application. He also wrote his own job description, accompanied by a business plan for the overhaul of the country.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The core of Mr Golding's proposal was the reform of politics and to run a government that was moral. Critical to this restructuring would be, in the language of the period, the dismantling of political garrisons. Mr Golding would not cavort, directly or otherwise, with the enforcers of these zones of political exclusions, that have morphed fertile territory of violence, extortion and other forms of criminality."
"In the context of a functioning liberal democracy this would have been no big deal, but by the standards of Jamaica's often dysfunctional political arrangements, Mr Golding would have been aware that he was setting a high bar for himself. But he was willing, Mr Golding assured Jamaicans, to pay, if necessary, a political price for having a serious go at this transformation."
"It is nearly half a year since the US government requested the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, ostensibly a businessman, but who the Americans accuse of smuggling narcotics into their country and running guns from the United States to Jamaica."
"Mr Golding's justice minister, Ms Dorothy Lightbourne, has so far declined to sign the extradition order so that the Jamaican courts can determine whether the Americans have established a prime facie case against Mr Coke. The Jamaican government has asked the Americans for more and better particulars about the indictment. The government insists that it is protecting the constitutional rights of a Jamaican citizen.
The problem for the administration is that neither the United States nor a large swathe of the Jamaican population believes that."
&
"Mr Coke happens to be based in West Kingston, Mr Golding's parliamentary constituency, whose political epicentre is Tivoli Gardens, which is considered by many as a kind of command and control centre of the governing Jamaica Labour Party. Mr Coke, as benefactor, is considered to be a man of great power and influence in West Kingston and elsewhere, which he 'inherited' from his father, Lester Coke, or Jim Brown, who the Americans also tried to extradite. It is presumed that Mr Coke's actions can influence the political fortunes of the JLP and that to touch him might ignite a volatile security powder keg.
However, the Americans have made it apparent that despite the Government's clunking dance, they still want Mr Coke, as was made clear by Julissa Reynoso, deputy assistant secretary of state, when she visited Jamaica last month and met with Foreign Minister Ken Baugh."
Jamaica Gleaner
EDITORIAL - Where is the 'Dudus' Coke case?
Published: Sunday February 28, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Fifteen years ago when Bruce Golding began aggressively to seek the job of prime minister of Jamaica, he didn't merely lodge his application. He also wrote his own job description, accompanied by a business plan for the overhaul of the country.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The core of Mr Golding's proposal was the reform of politics and to run a government that was moral. Critical to this restructuring would be, in the language of the period, the dismantling of political garrisons. Mr Golding would not cavort, directly or otherwise, with the enforcers of these zones of political exclusions, that have morphed fertile territory of violence, extortion and other forms of criminality."
"In the context of a functioning liberal democracy this would have been no big deal, but by the standards of Jamaica's often dysfunctional political arrangements, Mr Golding would have been aware that he was setting a high bar for himself. But he was willing, Mr Golding assured Jamaicans, to pay, if necessary, a political price for having a serious go at this transformation."
"It is nearly half a year since the US government requested the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, ostensibly a businessman, but who the Americans accuse of smuggling narcotics into their country and running guns from the United States to Jamaica."
"Mr Golding's justice minister, Ms Dorothy Lightbourne, has so far declined to sign the extradition order so that the Jamaican courts can determine whether the Americans have established a prime facie case against Mr Coke. The Jamaican government has asked the Americans for more and better particulars about the indictment. The government insists that it is protecting the constitutional rights of a Jamaican citizen.
The problem for the administration is that neither the United States nor a large swathe of the Jamaican population believes that."
&
"Mr Coke happens to be based in West Kingston, Mr Golding's parliamentary constituency, whose political epicentre is Tivoli Gardens, which is considered by many as a kind of command and control centre of the governing Jamaica Labour Party. Mr Coke, as benefactor, is considered to be a man of great power and influence in West Kingston and elsewhere, which he 'inherited' from his father, Lester Coke, or Jim Brown, who the Americans also tried to extradite. It is presumed that Mr Coke's actions can influence the political fortunes of the JLP and that to touch him might ignite a volatile security powder keg.
However, the Americans have made it apparent that despite the Government's clunking dance, they still want Mr Coke, as was made clear by Julissa Reynoso, deputy assistant secretary of state, when she visited Jamaica last month and met with Foreign Minister Ken Baugh."
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
JG - POWER OF A DON - Putting politicians to shame
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
POWER OF A DON - Putting politicians to shame
Published: Sunday March 7, 2010
Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter
THEY HEAD major criminal networks in Jamaica, even extending to North America and the United Kingdom. But no one seems to know for sure exactly how many of them are in play. Dons - rulers of the criminal underworld - are buttressed by legitimate government contracts, extortion, offbeat business enterprises, political, and even police support. They hold tremendous power in the trenches that rivals legitmate authority and puts elected leaders to shame.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The nation had a frightening look at the power of a major don in September 1998 when former Matthews Lane strongman Donald 'Zekes' Phipps was arrested and charged by the police for attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful wounding."
"While he was being interrogated at the Central Police Station, Zekes' supporters rioted, leaving four persons - including two members of the security forces - dead."
"Usually, the more powerful dons emerge from communities loyal to one political party, with organised gang structures."
"Since then, the don has morphed into a creature almost independent of the politicians for financial support, turning instead to the lucrative drug trade, extortion, and other economic crimes."
"Today, that financially independent don is no longer hanging on to the coat-tails of the politician for his wealth, but the umbilical cord is uncut."
"The don is also expected to ensure that persons turn out for political meetings, keep out supporters of the opposing party, and ensure that residents are protected if they are attacked by their political rivals."
"In addition, the don gets his pick of the young girls in the community by free will or force."
&
"Neither does he bow to the politician, putting an end to the days when the member of parliament could dictate what happens in a community."
arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com
Jamaica Gleaner
POWER OF A DON - Putting politicians to shame
Published: Sunday March 7, 2010
Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter
THEY HEAD major criminal networks in Jamaica, even extending to North America and the United Kingdom. But no one seems to know for sure exactly how many of them are in play. Dons - rulers of the criminal underworld - are buttressed by legitimate government contracts, extortion, offbeat business enterprises, political, and even police support. They hold tremendous power in the trenches that rivals legitmate authority and puts elected leaders to shame.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The nation had a frightening look at the power of a major don in September 1998 when former Matthews Lane strongman Donald 'Zekes' Phipps was arrested and charged by the police for attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful wounding."
"While he was being interrogated at the Central Police Station, Zekes' supporters rioted, leaving four persons - including two members of the security forces - dead."
"Usually, the more powerful dons emerge from communities loyal to one political party, with organised gang structures."
"Since then, the don has morphed into a creature almost independent of the politicians for financial support, turning instead to the lucrative drug trade, extortion, and other economic crimes."
"Today, that financially independent don is no longer hanging on to the coat-tails of the politician for his wealth, but the umbilical cord is uncut."
"The don is also expected to ensure that persons turn out for political meetings, keep out supporters of the opposing party, and ensure that residents are protected if they are attacked by their political rivals."
"In addition, the don gets his pick of the young girls in the community by free will or force."
&
"Neither does he bow to the politician, putting an end to the days when the member of parliament could dictate what happens in a community."
arthur.hall@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
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
JG - 'Employ RICO laws to dismantle garrisons'
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
'Employ RICO laws to dismantle garrisons'
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Warren Newby
GOVERNMENT SENATOR Warren Newby believes Jamaica should follow the example of the United States of America and enact the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act-type (RICO) laws. "We ought to proceed along the lines of what took place in the US with the RICO laws," Newby said at a Gleaner Editors' Forum, held at the company's central Kingston offices last week. The forum discussed solutions to dismantling garrison communities.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The US enacted the RICO laws which provided for extended penalties for criminal acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organisation.
RICO legislation was intended to make it easier to prosecute organised crime figures, but it has been applied in several other cases as well.
Under the RICO Act, a person or group who commits any two of 35 crimes within a 10-year period, with similar purpose or results, can be charged with racketeering."
- Daraine Luton
Jamaica Gleaner
'Employ RICO laws to dismantle garrisons'
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Warren Newby
GOVERNMENT SENATOR Warren Newby believes Jamaica should follow the example of the United States of America and enact the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act-type (RICO) laws. "We ought to proceed along the lines of what took place in the US with the RICO laws," Newby said at a Gleaner Editors' Forum, held at the company's central Kingston offices last week. The forum discussed solutions to dismantling garrison communities.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The US enacted the RICO laws which provided for extended penalties for criminal acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organisation.
RICO legislation was intended to make it easier to prosecute organised crime figures, but it has been applied in several other cases as well.
Under the RICO Act, a person or group who commits any two of 35 crimes within a 10-year period, with similar purpose or results, can be charged with racketeering."
- Daraine Luton
Monday, March 16, 2009
JG - 'Walk away' - Golding, Simpson Miller urged to leave garrison constituencies
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
'Walk away' - Golding, Simpson Miller urged to leave garrison constituencies
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter
A FORMER member of parliament is calling on Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller to walk away from their garrison constituencies as the first sign of their commitment to dismantle these killing fields.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Garrison communities are characterised by predominant electoral support for a particular political party by means of intimidation."
Jamaica Gleaner
'Walk away' - Golding, Simpson Miller urged to leave garrison constituencies
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter
A FORMER member of parliament is calling on Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller to walk away from their garrison constituencies as the first sign of their commitment to dismantle these killing fields.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Garrison communities are characterised by predominant electoral support for a particular political party by means of intimidation."
Sunday, March 8, 2009
JG - Detention!
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Detention!
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Dr Orville Taylor, Contributor
This column might have been written earlier but I was detained by the police for much longer than expected. In fact, they held me for two days without charge and had me reporting to Harman Barracks and another location twice after being released.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"(D)espite all the rumours one hears about members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF), they are more educated, competent and committed than is generally recognised.
Nevertheless, while in their company it became necessary to reflect on the freedom of movement that I enjoyed as a law-abiding citizen, but more so because I was a 'name brand' man, and how happy I was not to have been among the 107 'no name' persons carted off for three days last weekend.
The prime minister has been dragged over the coals for his alleged suggestion that the period that a suspect can be detained should be extended. Believe it or not, under Jamaican law, no person can be legally kept in captivity beyond 48 hours without charge. When that time passes, the individual may have his attorney serve a writ of habeas corpus to secure his release."
&
"What is needed is increased training, more technology to screen and capture details about suspects, and better cooperation with the public, who are also fed up and scared of the killers.
Greater commitment must come from the politicians who preside over garrisons.
By the way, a crime-free garrison does not simply mean the absence of shootings or murders.
No one can boast of low-crime communities if large numbers of 'parked' guns are present.
Remember, possession of firearms, especially rifles, is a major crime too."
Dr Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at UWI, Mona. Feedback may be sent to orville.taylor@uwimona.edu.jm or columns@gleanerjm.com.
Jamaica Gleaner
Detention!
published: Sunday June 22, 2008
Dr Orville Taylor, Contributor
This column might have been written earlier but I was detained by the police for much longer than expected. In fact, they held me for two days without charge and had me reporting to Harman Barracks and another location twice after being released.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"(D)espite all the rumours one hears about members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF), they are more educated, competent and committed than is generally recognised.
Nevertheless, while in their company it became necessary to reflect on the freedom of movement that I enjoyed as a law-abiding citizen, but more so because I was a 'name brand' man, and how happy I was not to have been among the 107 'no name' persons carted off for three days last weekend.
The prime minister has been dragged over the coals for his alleged suggestion that the period that a suspect can be detained should be extended. Believe it or not, under Jamaican law, no person can be legally kept in captivity beyond 48 hours without charge. When that time passes, the individual may have his attorney serve a writ of habeas corpus to secure his release."
&
"What is needed is increased training, more technology to screen and capture details about suspects, and better cooperation with the public, who are also fed up and scared of the killers.
Greater commitment must come from the politicians who preside over garrisons.
By the way, a crime-free garrison does not simply mean the absence of shootings or murders.
No one can boast of low-crime communities if large numbers of 'parked' guns are present.
Remember, possession of firearms, especially rifles, is a major crime too."
Dr Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at UWI, Mona. Feedback may be sent to orville.taylor@uwimona.edu.jm or columns@gleanerjm.com.
Friday, February 27, 2009
JO -Law-abiding citizens want guns
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Law-abiding citizens want guns
Wignall's World
Mark Wignall
Sunday, July 20, 2008
In the mid-1970s when Jamaica was number 10 on the list of the most murderous countries in the world, it used to be said of persons who were shot dead by gunmen that they 'were at the wrong place at the wrong time'. Then the 'terrorist gunman' with his high-powered rifle was introduced by the politics of the times and just as 1980 was ushered in, it seemed that all hell had broken loose.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In the election campaign of that year there were certain areas like Olympic Gardens and most of the Kingston West Police Division (Arnett Gardens, Matthews Lane, Fletchers Land, Denham Town, Jones Town, Tivoli Gardens) that were off limits to all sensible people.
If you were in any political garrison that you did not belong to after 6:00 pm or were travelling across political boundaries, your chances of being shot dead were increased significantly.
If you lived in any of those areas, you would be fodder for the political marauders as they carried out their murderous raids in the hours before daybreak.
When they came, men, women, children and the dogs were all fair targets."
"While most who left in the times prior to the 1960s and on the cusp of Independence did so because Jamaica was seen as having nothing to offer them economically, many of those who travelled to foreign shores in the 1970s and after named security concerns as one of the main reasons for leaving their homeland.
In 2008 those personal and national security concerns are very much a part of our daily diet.
We live, sleep and eat the fear that if the high prices don't get us, the gunman will."
"At present only business persons who have applied for and met the stringent requirements are in possession of legally held firearms.
Elected politicians travel with security details while we who supported them and voted for them in the hope of us building a better and safer Jamaica are forced to face the criminal gunman empty-handed."
&
"The criminal gunman knows that no witnesses will come forward, so he has about a 90% chance of making it to the next killing.
In this scenario the state has failed to protect us, continues to fail us and when our elected officials speak, it is mainly to sell us another fairy tale about our safety.
I say to the state, give us guns to protect ourselves because the mechanisms which exist to do so are patently not working."
Jamaica Observer
Law-abiding citizens want guns
Wignall's World
Mark Wignall
Sunday, July 20, 2008
In the mid-1970s when Jamaica was number 10 on the list of the most murderous countries in the world, it used to be said of persons who were shot dead by gunmen that they 'were at the wrong place at the wrong time'. Then the 'terrorist gunman' with his high-powered rifle was introduced by the politics of the times and just as 1980 was ushered in, it seemed that all hell had broken loose.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"In the election campaign of that year there were certain areas like Olympic Gardens and most of the Kingston West Police Division (Arnett Gardens, Matthews Lane, Fletchers Land, Denham Town, Jones Town, Tivoli Gardens) that were off limits to all sensible people.
If you were in any political garrison that you did not belong to after 6:00 pm or were travelling across political boundaries, your chances of being shot dead were increased significantly.
If you lived in any of those areas, you would be fodder for the political marauders as they carried out their murderous raids in the hours before daybreak.
When they came, men, women, children and the dogs were all fair targets."
"While most who left in the times prior to the 1960s and on the cusp of Independence did so because Jamaica was seen as having nothing to offer them economically, many of those who travelled to foreign shores in the 1970s and after named security concerns as one of the main reasons for leaving their homeland.
In 2008 those personal and national security concerns are very much a part of our daily diet.
We live, sleep and eat the fear that if the high prices don't get us, the gunman will."
"At present only business persons who have applied for and met the stringent requirements are in possession of legally held firearms.
Elected politicians travel with security details while we who supported them and voted for them in the hope of us building a better and safer Jamaica are forced to face the criminal gunman empty-handed."
&
"The criminal gunman knows that no witnesses will come forward, so he has about a 90% chance of making it to the next killing.
In this scenario the state has failed to protect us, continues to fail us and when our elected officials speak, it is mainly to sell us another fairy tale about our safety.
I say to the state, give us guns to protect ourselves because the mechanisms which exist to do so are patently not working."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
JG - Jamaica held to ransom by local militia groups
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Jamaica held to ransom by local militia groups
published: Sunday June 8, 2008
Dr Roderick Hewitt, Contributor
Hewitt
The first five months of 2008 have ushered in a new socio-political phenomenon within Jamaica and that is the coming into being of local militia groups. I am amazed that the media and other well-informed analysts continue to speak of gunmen terrorising the society. I beg to differ! What is currently enveloping our nation is a phenomenon that is different from all other eras. Criminal activities have metamorphosed over the years and have become a force that is now out of control.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"What started out as criminal elements in garrison constituencies, headed by so-called 'dons' has now become independent militia groups.
In their embryonic phase, they attached themselves to political parties as parasites and delivered votes to the political parties in return for space to carry out their illegal economic activities.
They have now become so well established that they no longer need party political authorisation or support for their activities.
They privatised crime and security matters within their local communities and have transformed them politically into dictatorial fiefdoms or cantons with their system of governance headed by their own 'prime minister', 'minister of defence' and 'minister of finance' and 'minister of social security'."
Jamaica Gleaner
Jamaica held to ransom by local militia groups
published: Sunday June 8, 2008
Dr Roderick Hewitt, Contributor
Hewitt
The first five months of 2008 have ushered in a new socio-political phenomenon within Jamaica and that is the coming into being of local militia groups. I am amazed that the media and other well-informed analysts continue to speak of gunmen terrorising the society. I beg to differ! What is currently enveloping our nation is a phenomenon that is different from all other eras. Criminal activities have metamorphosed over the years and have become a force that is now out of control.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"What started out as criminal elements in garrison constituencies, headed by so-called 'dons' has now become independent militia groups.
In their embryonic phase, they attached themselves to political parties as parasites and delivered votes to the political parties in return for space to carry out their illegal economic activities.
They have now become so well established that they no longer need party political authorisation or support for their activities.
They privatised crime and security matters within their local communities and have transformed them politically into dictatorial fiefdoms or cantons with their system of governance headed by their own 'prime minister', 'minister of defence' and 'minister of finance' and 'minister of social security'."
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