JO - Haiti, I'm really, really sorry!

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer


Haiti, I'm really, really sorry!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

The anthem by Trinidad's David Rudder -- Haiti, I'm sorry -- aptly sums up the feeling of the entire human race as befuddled Haiti yesterday experienced yet another major quake.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The embarrassment of losing Haiti to a slave revolt over 200 years ago has haunted the French and remained a dark cloud over that Caribbean country from that moment on. The sordid intervention of the United States in subsequent years ensured that Haiti could never rise but for a few brief moments."

"Importantly, the approach by the United States and France have clearly signalled their own willingness to start over with Haiti. US president, Mr Barack Obama took the lead in offering substantial aid to Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake last week Tuesday."

&

"France, we gather from news reports, has offered to forgive Haiti's debts. This is critical, because it is widely held that the French were the original architects of Haiti's grinding poverty, for demanding a high percentage of its annual budget as reparation for losses suffered during the slave takeover of French-ruled Haiti."

JG - 'Pardon our heroes' - Senator

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Gleaner

'Pardon our heroes' - Senator

published: Sunday July 6, 2008

Tavares-Finson

GOVERNMENT SENATOR Tom Tavares-Finson wants the names of National Heroes Marcus Garvey, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon and Sam Sharpe to be expunged from Jamaica's criminal records.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Of Jamaica's seven National Heroes, history recounts four of them to be criminals - accused, tried and convicted of a criminal offence.

Garvey, Jamaica's first National Hero, was convicted in Jamaica for sedition and imprisoned at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre for three months."

&

"Bogle, Gordon and Sharpe all died on the gallows in the cause of freedom.

Bogle, a Baptist deacon, was tried and executed for his lead role in the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865.

Gordon was hanged for his role in the rebellion.

Sharpe was the main instigator of the 1831 slave rebellion which began on the Kensington Estate in St James, and which was instrumental in bringing about the abolition of slavery."