Wah Coulda Possess a Man...?

What was once a happy family...
(Photo from Jamaica Observer)

Like alla y'all, I'm shocked.

I don't know the circumstances, I don't know what was going through that guy's mind, but that story is just sad. In case you have no clue what I'm referring to: a man killed his two daughters and then committed suicide, but read for yourself:

Jamaica Observer version here and the Jamaica Gleaner version over here.

Yesterday I heard a discussion on RJR's Beyond the Headlines with Dionne Jackson-Miller and a psychiatrist (I think--didn't catch his name) about the effects of alcohol on mental health and putting Risk Management steps in place to stem problems associated with the use of alcohol. Now I don't know if this man became an alcoholic, or was drunk at the time or why he would do this, and while I don't condone the act in the least, I would much rather like to know what could have possibly been going through his mind.

If you read the news stories you will find that a break up took place, and that can certainly affect someone's mind. This however begs the question: Did his common law wife notice a disturbing trend? Were dangerous things said to her by this man? She get rich and switch? Found a new man? We don't know, she hasn't said, and she's probably only concerned about grieving her two daughters right now.

All I'm saying is, this is a tragedy, and it's easy to point at the man and judge, but who knows why he did what he did? Not like we can ask him why either. Yes he was wrong, no doubt about that, but there's usually more to the story than meets the eye.

This just points to the fact, that it's the last days, Jesus a come! If yuh neva believe before, you better believe now! Gotta get our houses in order.

I'm not a big fan of certain genre of music, and the video below would usually fall in that bracket, but due to how the lyrics are super conscious and relevant, its been one of my favourites for several years now, and in a way, speaks to the current situation.

Baby Cham - "Conscience"

Pray for the families involved in this tragedy. It could have been any of us. The worst part about it is, sadly, this kind of thing will most likely (God forbid) happen again. Help us Jesus.

Wish I Could Bring Back Bruce!

Bruce Golding (in my view) was a good Prime Minister.

Despite the Dudus Saga and the loooooong Manatt Enquiry (which would be seen as Golding's major downfalls), he was a good leader!

His cabinet was a good one, save for a few members *cough* *cough* Audley *cough*, and it was nowhere NEAR as chunky as this one. Even then we remember quite clearly the outcry from the then opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller for Golding to cut his cabinet. Ironic isn't it? Now her cabinet, which is more like a wardrobe is still bulky as ever, with no sign of any immenent reduction. The cries for this cut are coming hard and fast, and you can see for yourself --->here<---, a sensible suggestion of how one would cut down PSM's wardrobe.

But back to where I begun, Golding's leadership was truly one of example, as in the midst of a harsh economic recession (what would they say about now?!) he to took a 15% PAY CUT! If that's not leading by example, I don't know what is.

Sadly I turn to this government, one which I really and sincerly believe does not have the country's best interest at heart, but merely the interest of their pockets and bank accounts.

In an age where most Jamaicans below, at, or slightly above the poverty line are feeling the economic blows and drinking the "bitter medicine', most of these politicians are drinking pina colada's and having a jolly good time doing it. They keep talking about sacrifice, but I imagine that most of the country is the one falling in the picture below and they are the ones up top looking on:

I say the leaders of government need to follow Golding's example and take pay cuts too. Can that solve our budget woes?

Hell no.

BUT, I (and most well thinking Jamaicans) sure would feel a lot better knowing that the country's leaders are giving a few millions of OUR TAX DOLLARS to some other areas of society that have greater need for it instead of raping the NHT of members' contributions. I'm sure this is not a picture of hope:

Photo courtesy of the Jamaica Observer

Ever leading by example, "Father Bruce" as he is called by me some, actually did what I have been literally BEGGING his contemporaries in currently in opposition to do. Make. Real. Meaningful. Suggestions. and. Alternative. Solutions. Ever the thinker, let me outline what he said:

"The NHT represents an attractive store of cash. It receives $21 billion in annual contributions and earns an additional $10 billion from investments (including mortgage collections). Despite its obligations to refund employees' contributions after seven years ($3 billion annually), it is cash-rich. A Government faced with a fiscal crisis will inevitably look to this cache of funds to bail itself out. There are ways in which this can be done without violating the fundamental moral obligations the Government has toward the NHT. One way would be for the NHT to provide a loan to the Government. This would be repayable with interest and the NHT would then book it as an income-earning investment, thus not affecting its balance sheet. It is understandable that the Government would not be able to accommodate this option as it would simply add to its debt stock — a no-no for the IMF agreement. There is another way that would have been painless. (Oh? tell me more!) The NHT is in the business of providing housing which requires land. It would have been a much better way for the Government to provide land in exchange for the $44 billion. The NHT maintains a land bank to facilitate its house-building programmes."

What has the rest of his party said? Point me to the solutions please... I'll wait. Yeah, I still stand by what I said about them before. I implore you to read the entire article he wrote with further suggestions and analysis for the current situation, right here:

-------> Bruce's Aritcle <------- 

He may have been called many things, may have been accused of not caring much for Jamaican people or not being as people friendly as Portia, but make no mistake about it, Orette 'Bruce' Golding (yes that's really his name) was, and still is proving to be a good leader. He thinks about real solutions to problems and presents them; even while no longer in office, instead of merely arguing for arguing's sake. Now if a certain Andrew 'Baby Bruce' Holness can channel his inner Bruce Golding, (and I have a feeling he will), there may just be hope yet.

You know the drill. You like Bruce? Hate him? Don't Care? Say why in the comment box below. I almost feel like starting a petition to bring him back to take over the PNP! He's already gone from JLP, to NDM, to JLP again, so why not? Wishful thinking right? :)

A BIG Thinker Thinks the Same Way I Do.

I'm sure y'all can guess without a 2nd thought the name of the world famous Neurosurgeon that wrote Gifted Hands and Think Big. If you said Dr. Ben Carson, then duuuuh! Who else could it be?

In a previous blog post "Can't Oppositions Ever Suggest Things?" I questioned why politicians; specifically the opposition(s) don't stop the cussin' and start suggesting meaningful ideas. Turns out Big Ben feels the same way! In a recent article (you can see it all here) he made his diagnosis of the political disease in the USA, but I think it more than applies to Jamaica, since we always follow everything America does anyway!

Dr Carson said:

"What I would like to see more often in this nation is an open and intelligent conversation, not people just casting aspersions at each other," Carson said on "This Week." "I mean, it's unbelievable to me the way people act like third graders. And if somebody doesn't agree with them, they're this and they're that and, you know - it comes from both sides. And it's just so infantile."

Couldn't have said it better myself, Doc. 

Response By a Fellow Jamaican

As you know, or if you didn't know, I'm telling you now; my previous post "Can't Oppositions Ever Suggest Things?" (it's also on the sidebar if for some strange reason you fear clicking) got published in the Jamaica Gleaner. Yay me! :D

You can see the SEVERELY edited Gleaner Version here. (Mind you, I edited it before sending it off as you can see, but of course the editor couldn't resist rewording and chopping off some more!) I would show you my edited version but that's a waste of time really.

If you scroll down to the comment section, you can see that it has gotten people talking, some with good points...others just...yeah. Ignored. I'm pretty sure that people who didn't post talked about it too. I even took the time out to reply to two comments (ragga guru and johntowit).

Sometimes however, instead of posting, people reply by email, which is much more discreet and private. I happened to like this email, and the person was kind enough to allow me to post it.

"Greetings Allen. 

I read your letter to the editor, with a smile. I thought the same a while back. My conclusion is; change our governance structure. (This is me, Alwayne adding that I'm sure a certain Danielle Thomas wud scream YEEEEEEESSSSS! to this! Back to Mair's response now...)

Think on these things.

If your in a group of investment funds,in which the managers are elected to serve with little or no input from you,and which they are not bound to follow,or kept in check by you or any one; what you think, gonna happen?

If there's no accountability and in no hurry to make it happen,what you think will happen over time? Won't you be disenfranchised?

With power comes great responsibility.

Think of it like this,do you have the legal, moral and social right to dictate to you neighbour? You have same with your children? (Obligation) The opposition can only make their plight felt directly via disruption in the streets,or delay in parliament,through thin majorities,in our Westminster system. Add to that certain functions of power/autonomy, usurped at independence from local government, in a centralized system. Add to that individuals who are career politicians.

We are not the US who's Republican federal constitution system takes Que/ priority in citizens.
We are not even Australia who's senate is elected independently by its citizens.

Netherlands have Dualism,after 50 years we still have a system meant for men with honest conscience being dominated by corrupt folks.

Mauritus has a independent Office in the Attorney General,add to that An independent Commission against corruption. Don't  you see the conflict of interest in Jamaica?

Westminister was never created by us,its too top heavy,and only extrapolates our ink coloured finger when those within, "it", seek power! So my question still stands.

Why expect more?" So let's enjoy our toothless K9s on the opposite side; great side show don't you think?

Respectfully.
V Mair."

Sounds like someone well informed to me. What say you?

Can't Oppositions Ever Suggest Things?

Okay, yeah, Jamaica is screwed. I know. Even though we apparently got our IMF deal (whopeee! we're saved! -_-), for now, we're still pretty screwed. But FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! Can't our politicians, particularly those in Opposition stop the bickering and start actually making gainful suggestions?! (How I feel right now --------->)

You see it when either side is in power; If the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is in power (although maybe I should say 'office' since 'People Power' is synonymous with the other party) the People's National Party (PNP) is bickering. When the PNP is in power the JLP is always having a hissy fit, especially the one formerly known as 'Baby Bruce' Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness. Yes these politicians supposedly have our best interest at heart, although you wonder how the country got to where it was if that's the case, but its always each side firing one missile after the other in response to some new pronouncement, usually made by the incumbent Government. Pretty much like this game really. It's like both sides are two 5 year old kids, and the country is a toy. Even though one 5 year old had the 'toy' for 18yrs before the other got a turn for 4yrs, its as if they just take turns cursing the other about how the toy is being used! I'm sick of it!

Finance Minister Dr. Peter Phillips came out with this message (it's really important you click these links this time), and then shortly after the Opposition Leader and the Former Youth and Culture minister came out with this and then this! (See picture above and say it with me, AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!)

I have two massive contentions with this behaviour.

ONE: Why must the Opposition always be so reactive? How about a proactive approach? They already know what needs to be done in most instances; why not give suggestions beforehand instead of coming with the "when we were in government" and "we would not have done so and so and so..."?
Then they can say, we suggested x, y and z, and if not accepted then they would not be the ones to blame. But this reactive nature after everything will not cut it. Look at the Private Sector Working Group. Last year, we remember clearly how they proposed to widen the GCT net, but lower the rate to 12.5% as opposed to 17.5% (simple terms: tax everything, but lower GCT) as well as other suggestions. Clearly the government didn't accept all aspects of the proposal, but included minor parts in their first attempt at "tax reform". The Opposition for the most part called the proposal "Poison" as per their Leader Andrew Holness, instead of taking the PSWG's approach to give suggestions beforehand. This wait and see approach really. CANNOT. work. What did they suggest for this second attempt? Huh? What's that? I can't hear you... Oh right.

ZERO.

Disclaimer: If they did correct me please, but I'm pretty sure it was the whole wait and see thing again)

TWO: I'm tired of the opposition just declaring anything they don't agree with as rubbish, or just saying it won't work. What would you do if you were still in government is the question they need to answer and outline to the Jamaican people, but most times they tend to look back on what they already did while in government. Prime example in the Friday Feb 15, 2013 edition of the Jamaica Gleaner from Andrew Holnesss (direct quotes italicised):

"The Jamaica Labour Party can't be compared with the People's National Party, we are not the same," he declared. "We would not have come with a JDX2 (a second debt exchange after the Jamaica Debt Exchange introduced in 2010), it's not the right time," he added. Holness asserted that the policy that should have taken precedence was fundamental tax reform. "Fundamental tax reform is not part of the austerity package, but part of the growth-inducement package," Holness stressed. "When we were in Government ... we divested Air Jamaica because getting rid of the loss-making enterprises was one of the low-hanging fruits, you do that first," he stressed. Added Holness: "The time that you are at now is tax reform. And the Government simply did not understand it." 

Still waiting to see him say what they would have done. Anywho...He went on to add:

"They were the ones who spent quite a bit of resources, admirably so, to bring to the table a proposal," asserted Holness. However, he lamented that the Simpson Miller administration squandered that opportunity. "Fundamental reforms were necessary and therefore tax reforms should have been done within the first two or three months after the (December 2011 general) elections." Said Holness: "You would have been in a better place because tax reform is not about increasing taxes, it is about simplifying your tax system and increasing your tax base." The opposition leader said the path undertaken by the Portia Simpson Miller administration in unloading a heavy tax burden on the shoulders of Jamaicans was definitely not the course to pursue at this time. "Our issue has always been with timing and sequencing," said Holness. "You must bear in mind that you are conducting a debt exchange in an environment of great uncertainty, declining confidence," he added. Holness said when the Bruce Golding administration executed the first debt exchange, there was economic stability.

YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?! Always looking in the past with scant regard to the present, with little or no hint to what they would have done had they been in this position.

This kind of governance cannot work. It will never work. We will always be in the same kind of mess with this kind of approach. Sadly (or maybe I should say thankfully) I am not in government or educated in economics to suggest what exactly to do (guess I have to just gwaan drink the bitter medicine), but as a young Jamaican hanging onto the last thread of hope that his country may turn around for good, this is my two cents. Am I saying the opposition (whether JLP or PNP) absolutely ALWAYS complains and NEVER suggests anything? Of course not, they have their positive moments. But they are too far and few, between the constant bickering, bawling and finger pointing.

Now the big picture is this IMF Agreement. Bickering or not, I'm pretty sure the fund will stand over the government with a proverbial whip in hand to ensure that the elements of the agreement are upheld. Let's see if the Opposition remains content in sitting back, arms folded, lips pouted, just watching.

*********************************************************************************

As always, you know what to do. If you think I'm JLP, PNP, CURE, NDM, Ras' Astor Black's Party and you waa cuss me out, leave your comment below whether you agree, disagree or you're indifferent! And don't forget to share!

Chivalry Is Not Dead... But Should it be?

I know, I know, I haven't blogged for a while... you missed me? Awww... If you didn't well boo hoo.
I'm about to talk about something that will step on a lot of toes, corns and farms, but I find that it's quite necessary. I'm talking bout ma clique! Chivalry.

Some argue that it's dead. Some (like me) say it's not, and intend to be chivalrous until their dying day. You may be wondering, "really? Chivalry still exists in 2013?" You better believe it. As long as I'm alive, it does.
I actually had intended to write about this for a while now, actually made the draft and everything weeks ago, but it turns out its a good thing I didn't, as I've been freshly armed with new insight and other opinions on this ever controversial topic.

A couple weeks ago, I took the bus with daddy from New Kingston to go home. This was in the 5 o clock bells so you know most people would be leaving work. The bus was pretty empty when we got on, but as the journey went on, it became filled very quickly, and of course there were more women than men. Soon all the seats were gone and only standing room was left. There were two particularly chatty ladies behind my seat and as we came to another stop, some women came in (daddy was asleep by this time so don't judge him--he's old). Instinctively I motioned to one of them asking if she wanted to sit and she gladly accepted. The two ladies stopped in mid conversation, mouths agape, and eyes widened in awe, like they had just witnessed the zombie apocalypse. Wasn't a big deal to me, it's something I always do, you know, being the gentleman I am.
<---- If I lived in the 15th century, who knows, maybe this would be me! This is a little drastic though but I'd like to think of myself as that guy :D

There was however another occasion, devoid of the bus this time, when after choir practice, a friend of mine who was traveling from Mandeville had two pretty sizable bags with her. I was talking to her about something, and for some weird reason it didn't occur to me to offer to help carry one of her bags. Imagine my surprise to hear her and a couple of the ladies from the choir cussing about how all the men tan bad and were the scum of the earth just walked past and none offered to help.
You know who did feel a way?                                                  THIS GUY ----->




I actually apologized to her about it, you know, seeing that she kinda has a little spot inna mi heart, and now guys reading must be saying, "yute! yaa ediat?! Apologize fi wah?!" Clearly we have different convictions. Like I said before, this is how I view myself when it comes on to chivalry:

(I'd prolly have a helmet that allows her to see my face and winning smile though, just sayin')

Now, for the crux of the matter!

In this day and age, is chivalry really necessary? Opening doors, paying the bill (as a man) if you go on a date, lending her your jacket if she's cold--that stuff; should we still do that? On Monday, February 11, 2013, I was in the back of a bus and posted this status on Facebook based on what I observed at the time:

"Hate to see 3 and 4 men sitting on a bus while a woman stands in their vicinity and NONE a dem naa budge or even think to offer up their seat."

I also put it on my bbm status, that prompted the following response from a good friend of mine (clearly a guy): "Y mi fi gi up mi seat? Woman cyaah stand? Joke u a mek". At first, I was like "wow" but as we continued talking, he conceded that he would definitely give his girl an empty seat if there was only one and the two of them were traveling, as well as a pregnant woman and old people. Fair enough. (See? He's not so bad, you can calm down now girls...lol) But according to him, a regular woman can stand! He pointed out a very important thing to me. "Equality we seh."  Equality. Hmm... I never really thought of that.

For real enuh, this is 2013 after all. Women have long before this been empowered. This is no longer "a man's world". Although most of the leaders of the world are men, women have been gradually phasing themselves into things that were once upon a time considered manly and are actually taking over. Women are doing construction, engineering, running companies, driving taxis! Anything you can think of that a man can do, besides creating and supplying sperm, a woman can also do. Women are just as strong as men and it can be argued that women are actually stronger, as generally they have a much higher threshold for pain and stress than men. For ages women have fought for equality, and though this is not the case everywhere, in many societies they have succeeded in this battle! Women are now considered equal in most places, especially in the Western world. So I ask again: Is chivalry necessary?

I am of the train of thought that since this was once a man's world, being chivalrous was sort of a way to appease women, to let them feel good and appreciated because at the time we were considered superior. It sounds messed up, but it's really not. Think of even the bible. It focused mostly on men; women had to play a significant role in what was happening at the time or be really important to be mentioned in the bible.This kind of thinking now begs this question, since we are now considered as equal in most societies, shouldn't chivalry be done away with? N.B. If you have a corn, or several corns or tender toes, kindly remove them at once. Why should guys go the extra mile for women anymore? Because it's nice? We feel bad for how the world used to be? If we're equal, y'all can stand up when there are no more seats. Open your own doors. Change your own tires if you have a flat. Pay the bill on dates. Heck, some women don't even care for chivalry! Why do some of us still do it? Maybe cause we want something? I dunno, maybe :)

There are compelling arguments to be made for both sides. Personally, I've always thought that I should treat women special, not because I want anything, or because mi a luk dem, but because I believe we really are a little stronger physically, so we can bear a little discomfort to make y'all happy, especially for all the good stuff (most) women have done and will continue to do. Men have always been seen (by themselves and by women) as the providers in homes, and even though this has changed drastically, I think it is still a part of our nature to want to be like that and to look out for our women. Maybe I'm stupid or just stuck in the old ways of life, but I'm okay with that.

Some women take this thing too far though. Like they are God's gifts to man and should be waited on hand and foot. Hear mi a seh nuh, mi nuh deh pan dat. To my Facebook status update about hating to see men sit around a woman in a bus with no regard to her, a friend of mine commented saying saying, "offer your seat... no matter how far u r". Ummm... sure, if I'm on the back seat why not bawl out to someone in the front to push past everybody to come where I am and I bore up to the front where she was? Especially if she's surrounded by other men? Dat nuh mek no sense. I don't think that's a reasonable expectation. Maybe a man who is close by would just kiss him teet and tek di seat. Frankly, for her to even say that kinda annoys me. And I am Mr. Seat Giver Upper Man! I hate standing in buses yet I do it anyway.

Check out the Merriam Webster definition of 'chivalrous'. It's showing gracious courtesy and generosity, mostly because you can. I still intend to open doors for women, and give up my seat on buses or other places, walk in front of them going down a flight of stairs or behind them going up. I intend to be chivalrous because it feels good, not because I think I'm required to. Some women will appreciate it, some won't, but if I was doing it for appreciation, I woulda stop long time. People say chivalry is dead; if I was doing it for appreciation, I woulda been the one who killed it!

As I told my friend in our bbm convo, its different strokes for different folks. I don't think chivalry will ever fully be dead, but I agree, the world has changed and it might not be seen as important as it once was. Men and women are for the most part now considered equal.

I digress though, guys shouldn't have to pay the bill on every date, cause that's just selfish to me, especially if you (as woman) have the means to do it sometimes. Sometimes.

This picture is what I live by, but maybe most of you think like my friend Vondane: "Chivalry died when female independence got life". Perhaps chivalry (in this day and age) is like Roman numerals, unnecessary. But come to think of it, they're still used :)

You know the drill! If you think I'm some chauvinist pig or I've possibly opened your eyes to a side of chivalry you've never thought about before, comment below, whether you agree, disagree or you're ambivalent. If you read this from Facebook or Twitter, you can always comment there, or if you wanna shoot me an email to talk about stuff privately, feel free to hit me up at: allenalwayne@gmail.com

Business Bathroom Ethics -- None Whatsoever!

Denying people use of bathrooms unless they buy something. Really?

Of course this would happen. This is Jamaica after all. People charge you to park on land they don't own for crying out loud. Everybody has to maximize earnings, even if it means charging a parent for a soda they didn't even need to let a 2 year old relieve himself in the right place as opposed to in the car.

I'm disgusted.

I was in a popular patty restaurant in New Kingston that will remain nameless on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 (wait--how many patty places are in New Kgn anyway? :s). As is customary, you know, seeing that I am human after all, I needed to tinkle. I proceeded to head for the restroom, which was locked. I asked the security guard to open the door, to which he replied, "you haffi buy sum'n fi use the bathroom".

(._.) ------------------------------------------------------------------>








Yeah. Same suh. I told him I planned to buy something after but needed to relieve myself, and he obliged, after muttering that I was supposed to buy something first. Oh sure, let me eat my patties while peeing -___-
Anywho, while consuming my patties and watching Manchester United vs Southampton on TV, an odd looking man came in, also desirous of using the freshly bolted restroom facility. Could have been a crackhead, idk, I'm guessing. Doesn't matter. Of course, the security gave him the same line (and added a demeaning look--because of said appearance I guess): "you haffi buy sum'n fi use the bathroom". Poor man look like he could've left some kind of bonus work for the cleaning crew right there in the middle of the place enuh! Of course he had to buy sum'n; maybe a straw--idk, but after swearing at the guard perhaps and maybe the high cost of living (literally) he was able to go.

The Big Question

*insert previous George Bush confused face here*
WHY THE HELL DO THEY THINK THIS IS NECESSARY?!!!

Why should they lock the bathrooms and insist on people to spend there before being able to use them? Yes they are places of business, where the aim is to make as much money as possible, but is $10 for perhaps a packet of ketchup so necessary to deny people of using the restroom? Are they so inhumane that they just want money and don't care about persons relieving themselves of necessary bodily functions? Clearly the heads of these businesses are robots. That must be it. What's worse, the security guards too are soooo vigilant to enforce this unnecessary evil.
Yes I understand that they don't want any hobo (aka Madman in J'can terms) to just come off the street and take residence in there, but is not like there's a sign at the front saying "FREE BATHROOM HERE!"
Most likely, most people that go to any establishment of business, go for whatever business is offered there, not to just do number 1 or 2. I don't have any statistics (perhaps I should do a survey for no reason at all) on how many people go to businesses just to use the restroom. Could be 1 out of 10 or less, or more. I dunno.

All I'm saying is, its unnecessary. I understand that whoever (Business heads) nuh want no hobo "bung up dem toilet", but you just watch that over sized C.E.O eat 3 patties and drink a Tropicana and think he's gonna leave flowers in your bathroom. I'm done.

WAIT! :D If you plan to use public restrooms in the near future, or ever really, be sure to check this out! It may help! -------> Three ways of using public toilets. You're welcome.

As usual, if you agree, disagree, or find this blog to be otiose, you know what to do... (if like Shari you having a problem commenting, feel free to share your thoughts wherever you found this post!)