Sunday, July 05, 2009 3:01 PM
Columns
Honduras defaults to old habits
KEEBLE MCFARLANE
Democracy is something outsiders never associated with governance in Latin America until quite recently. The typical Latin country was one where the thin layer at the top of the demographic pile lived as well as the rich in the most developed countries, while the vast depressed masses lived in the most squalid conditions....more
What is the value of one's reputation?
Sunday, July 05, 2009
The following is a paper presented by former Director of Public Prosecutions Kent S Pantry at a forum titled 'Tort Advances in Law' to launch the law firm Page & Haisley on June 22, 2009 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel....moreObama scores major, much-needed victory
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Facing a rare defeat, President Barack Obama put a big dose of political capital on the line and scored a major victory just when he needed one....moreSaturday, July 04, 2009
At 5:26 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, June 25, 2009, another music legend the likes of Bob Marley, John Lennon, James Brown and Elvis Presley departed this earth leaving billions of fans in every country on earth to mourn his loss. Born on August 29, 1958, Michael Joseph Jackson, nicknamed the King of Pop, was only 50 years old. I believe he was the god of music....moreThe greedy old man and the tragic star
Friday, July 03, 2009
WITH THE HYSTERIA over Michael Jackson's death monopolising the news at home and abroad, I wonder how many of us have taken note of another event, which, in my estimation, could have more serious repercussions than Jackson's passing....moreThursday, July 02, 2009
Recently a papal bull from Pope Benedict XVI announced that three more priests working in the archdiocese of Kingston have been conferred with the title of Monsignor. They are Monsignor Kenneth Richards, rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral and vicar-general, Monsignor Michael Lewis, pastor of Stella Maris Church and judicial vicar, and Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, founder of Mustard Seed Communities. Monsignor Ramkissoon hails from Trinidad and so did the late Monsignor Adolphus Vidal who served in Jamaica and died in 1974....moreResponse to 'A FI WI! ANO FI DEM!'
Thursday, July 02, 2009
I read with interest but also in respect of two particular paragraphs, some disbelief, John Maxwell's full-page piece under the heading above, in the Sunday Observer of June 21. John is an old friend and someone for whom I have much regard, as well as respect for his writings in many subject areas, notably including the environment - and for whom I wish the best of health....moreWednesday, July 01, 2009
There could be no better time than now - when the world is in the throes of an economic recession - to sound the alarm that to forget the poor we do so at our own peril. At the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year, pleas came from powerful voices not to forget the more than one billion people at the bottom of the economic pyramid in the rush to rescue the global financial systems....moreMixed messages fuelling fears about H1N1
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Local flu response personnel are doing a commendable job in explaining the current situation with the pandemic in terms of its uncertainties. Although belated, the message is clear, we just don't know how much the H1N1 virus is likely to spread, and realistically our best hope is that it will fizzle out rather than thrive in the soaring climatic conditions that prevail in the Caribbean at this time of the year....morePNP: Reform or drift into political wilderness
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Reform is the most urgent and compelling task facing the People's National Party if it is not to drift into the political wilderness. The party seems to be deliberately dragging its feet in implementing the Meeks Appraisal Committee Report when implementation should be done with all deliberate haste. It is an objective report, emphasising some serious weaknesses of the party and proposing remedies....moreTuesday, June 30, 2009
Dear Reader, The pictures of grieving fans all over the world tell the story. If Michael Jackson was big in life, he is even bigger in death and I, like millions of others across the globe, am mourning the untimely death of the King of Pop....moreAn opportunity for public education
Monday, June 29, 2009
The present annual spotlight on the results of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations should provide an opportunity for public education on these examinations and the related issues. The available facts should be shared so that the public is more fully informed. If done, the country could possibly be spared the hype, anxiety, tension, condemnation and disappointment that accompany the release of the results of these examinations. These two examinations are high-stakes examinations and they promote intense competition, anxiety and emotional strain. For some it is virtually "life and death". We note that the Grade 4 Literacy Test seems to be on the way of becoming high stakes as well. We could do without all these conditions. Also, we should carefully consider the social effects of these examinations and modify them as we go forward. Timely, accurate, comprehensive and relevant information is vital though. Of concern is the impression sometimes given and received that the existence of the examinations is to be blamed for much of our educational and social woes. That examinations are a fact of life and vital in all education systems is not sufficiently communicated. Of course, the examinations are not to be unduly difficult so that only a handful of students can pass them, or so easy that everyone passes without effort. Two concepts that are not difficult to understand but not presented for information and discussion are those of test reliability and validity. If a test or its alternate form in an examination produces fairly consistent and stable scores that don't vary widely from one administration to another, then this condition describes test reliability....moreHuman rights & the environment
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Haitian constitution of 1805 was the first national constitution in history to declare that all human beings were equal with equal rights, privileges and responsibilities....moreThe International Law Commission at about 60
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The United Nations International Law Commission had its first elections for members in November 1948, and held its first session in April 1949. It may therefore be about 60 or 61 years old, depending on the date one chooses as the formal starting point....moreCaricom's energy policy in limbo
Sunday, June 28, 2009
That the PNP administration recognised and was proactive in addressing the energy challenges facing Jamaica, cannot be successfully controverted. Through a series of actions taken by the PJ Patterson administration and continuing under Portia Simpson Miller, the administration demonstrated its astute understanding of the urgent necessity to confront the energy challenges....moreSunday, June 28, 2009
I often receive invitations from friends to join their on-line network of friends and share thoughts and photos of our lives. Often these invitations indicate how many 'friends' my friends already have....more
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