“There are snakes that go months without eating, and then they catch something.

But they are so hungry that they suffocate while they’re eating.”

Don Draper, of AMC’s Mad Men

Some explaining to do

The imbroglio involving JLP stalwart Harold Brady and the US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips still smells like bad fish at Easter. Brady is yet to unequivocally explain the aspect of the contract with the US law firm claiming that he was acting on behalf of the Jamaican Government. Now the hallmark of any half-decent lawyer is attention to detail and the marshalling of facts. Brady is a lawyer who has represented, among others, Cash Plus and MiPhone, and he must be patently aware of the importance of avoiding ambiguity and obfuscation.

The Government was declarative, indeed combative when the minister of information said: “The Government has no contractual arrangement with Mr Brady, Harold Brady & Company, or any other private law firm in relation to the current extradition matter.”

A missive on the US Justice Department website reads: “The undersigned, Harold Brady, consultant to the Government of Jamaica, hereby confirms that he is authorised on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to approve the engagement as set forth in this letter.”

Now, if somebody signs as being authorised by the Government of Jamaica and they subsequently make it clear that they do not represent Jamaica, then questions need to be asked and clear answers given.

Brady has since said a mistake was made but has yet to put this matter to rest. The prime minister initially appeared to be speaking without being aquainted with all the facts thereby exacerbating matters further. All that is required is that Brady be true to his profession and outline the case in a forthright manner or, in any event, beyond a reasonable doubt.

Championing Foreign Direct Investment

It is no secret that the financial management of the country leaves a lot to be desired. Mired in debt, low productivity, high unemployment and rising prices, the picture is clear for all to see. The IMF and other world-renowned institutions have suggested that Jamaica needs more foreign direct investment and that measures should be taken to facilitate and encourage it. Many reputable international companies do not view Jamaica as a good investment. Why? High crime, an uneducated workforce demanding high wages, currency volatility, and the list goes on. So when companies do invest millions of US dollars in Jamaica it is a boon to the economy and they should be encouraged and treated with a degree of regard and respect.

Carib Cement has invested millions of US dollars in Jamaica and has expanded its manufacturing facilities and production numbers, producing close on 1.8 million tonnes of cement a year. It employs many Jamaicans and even the IFC has facilitated loans to it for expansion purposes.

Now, that being the case, a number of margin gatherers have appeared on the scene who have not made substantial investments in facilities, choosing instead to import cement and then sell it on at a higher price. Jamaica’s economy cannot grow that way. Yes, monopolies by their very nature are not the most desirable of circumstances and the free market gives customers options concerning choice and value. However, when Carib Cement was making substantial investments in Jamaica, I am sure certain assurances were given.

For the minister of trade and commerce to dismiss Carib Cement’s entreaties and be seen to be overly supportive of a local importer above all others sends a bad signal to likely foreign investors looking to operate in Jamaica. Furthermore, why can’t other cement players get a CET waiver? Shouldn’t the playing field be level?

The minister should be seen to be judicious and measured in this matter. Jamaica does not have an abundance of foreign direct investment but needs it. So it would be best to be considerate and facilitating without being obsequious.

The minister has friends who are big fans of the Celtic Tiger economy. Ireland placed great stock in foreign companies investing there and for years those companies, such as Dell, helped to turn that economy around. The Government worked closely with these investors, giving a little and taking a little to the extent that it was mutually beneficial. A good minister of trade and commerce needs a good head for business — just ask Michael Stern!

Bum chums in the Catholic church – Fishing at Easter time

The continuing incidents of young boys being sexually molested by Catholic priests is extremely worrying and puts one of the world’s most revered religious institutions under the spotlight. Yes, we have heard of no child left behind, but of late that term has taken on a tawdry connotation. As a parent you have to start worrying about your child when left in the charge of a priest.

The current Pope has dismissed the whole thing as the media setting upon the Vatican. This demonstrates just how out of touch he is with the modern world. As the journalist and author Christopher Hitchens pointed out, if the Vatican is an independent sovereign state, then in effect it is harbouring known criminals. If ever there was a case for extradition, here it is. Abusing deaf little boys at that! See no evil, hear no evil, but those kids certainly felt the evil.

Then there is the local case that got swept under the carpet with no public outrage or condemnation. Some just decided to put their feet up and have a cigar! Is it any wonder that some parents are sceptical about sending their children to Catholic schools? There are sins and then there are sins. What you now have are devils in cassocks, both at home and abroad, and in both cases the establishment turns a blind eye.

The Vatican vaults are supposed to contain some of the world’s best kept secrets, but one of those secrets got let out. Shirtlifters are running amok in the House of God and the Pope sees nothing wrong with that? Yes, Peter was a fisher of men, but come on!

On the blind side

The whole world feels that America’s sweetheart Sandra Bullock got hard done by when her ‘Vanilla Gorilla’ of a husband Jesse James cheated on her with a bevy of strumpets. Yes, it was most embarrassing for poor Sandra, especially after gushingly heaping praises on her husband at this year’s Oscars where she won the category of “Best Actress” for the movie The Blind Side.

Why do women of a certain age and who should know better choose bad boys as partners? And then why do these guys feel compelled to run to rehab? Oh I used my 9-iron instead of my drive but there are 16 holes to go. We see it time and time again and this raises the question, if you are so smart why are you so stupid? Yes, you don’t look at the mantelpiece when you are poking the fire, but if you stick your hand in the fire it’s going to get bloody burnt!

In the pen with Wayne Chen

What is going on? First businessman Wayne Chen, now Jamaica’s leading exponents of dancehall — Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Mavado — have all had their US visas revoked. The US authorities are getting tough with Jamaica and sending it a clear message. A US official speaking on the matter at the new Red Bones, which incidentally is fantastic, said: “Jamaicans have to be aware that the US Government is not obliged to publicly state why visas get revoked or cancelled, and Mr Chen missed that point. But it is apparently clear that we will not tolerate certain behaviour from a number of your entertainers, particularly public declarations of breaches of human and civil rights. We live in a civilised society and do not publicly discriminate against people because of their race, religion or sexuality. It is un-American.”

That’s telling you!

For some time now dancehall performers have been told to clean up their act in the United States, yet they have blithely ignored this. Now their earnings in US dollars have been dealt a hammer blow.

Jamaica’s cognoscenti are now literally going out of their minds. The embarrassment of having US visas revoked is a distinct likelihood and can be made public to boot. Pretty soon there’ll be a public outcry to give up the bandit. Ever seen High Noon? Was it President Lyndon Johnson who said: “When you have them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow”? The thinking here may be not to be severely punitive against most Jamaicans but to target those who have the most to lose by having their US visa revoked and then get them to protest to the Jamaican Government. This seems straight out of J Edgar Hoover’s playbook.

Running down the mountain

The JDX has been heralded as a success in some quarters but the Government must be wary of contracting the economy too quickly. Two weeks ago, rice went up 12 per cent, then last week bus fares went up 60 per cent. Come the end of March JPS bills will jump considerably. At the same time nurses, teachers and the police are calling for wage increases and the Government is telling them it cannot be done due to fiscal constraints.

Managing the economy is one thing, but don’t turn your back on the prospect of social disorder and inflamed public disgruntlement. The people of Jamaica can’t simply eat cake — remember the French Revolution? IMF targets must be met, but keep an eye on the ultimate cost. At an income per capita at US$3,500 and wages and salaries not going up commensurately with rising prices, there could be trouble ahead — until.