No to free health care - MAJ
Complete removal of user fees in hospitals - as proposed by the Jamaica Labour party (JLP) - is not prudent at this time, according to Dr. Alverston Bailey, president of the Medical Association of Jamaica

Debating the issues
The two leading political parties have agreed to debate the issues starting next Wednesday. But do you know how the Jamaica 2007 Electoral Debates are to be structured? Look out for The Gleaner’s ‘A Complete Guide to the Jamaica 2007 Electoral Debates’ in Outlook magazine, inside tomorrow’s Sunday Gleaner.

EARLY ELECTION RULES - Legal conduct during the silly season
Spirit licensed premises were required to close on election days. The relevant regulation stated that “every person who is the holder of any wholesale licence, town retail licence, village retail licence, or tavern licence granted under the Spirit Licence Law shall take all necessary steps to cause such premises to be closed to the public on Election Day during the hours between the opening and the closing of the poll”.

45 MILESTONES (1962-2007): 45 years of nationhood
After 13 years as president of the People’s National Party and Prime Minister of Jamaica, P.J. Patterson retired from public life in 2006.

Were he alive today Bob Marley – who sang those lyrics – might have welcomed the ‘week of prayer and fasting/no campaigning’ announced by People’s National Party (PNP) President and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

Announced at the same PNP rally on Sunday July 8 where Mrs. Simpson Miller revealed the election date of August 27 in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, the week runs from Tuesday July 31 to Monday August 6.

Just as she has attempted to associate closely with the Church, her predecessors Prime Minister, Michael Manley and Edward Seaga keenly received Marley’s invitation to come onstage and symbolically join hands with him at the One Love Peace Concert held in 1978 at the National Stadium, St. Andrew.

In that period, between the 1976 and 1980 election, political violence increased to a level that threatened to destabilise the country and led then Prime Minister Michael Manley to declare a state of emergency in 1976, when members of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) were detained without charge.

Three decades later many of the politicians active at that time are running for office in this election. Again political violence has reared its ugly head. As before, it is supporters from poor inner city constituencies that that have been murdered - their political representatives do not pay the same cost.

In Jamaica as in many political systems the personal relations between rival politicians can be quite cordial, albeit less so at election time; but at grassroots level it remains unfortunately, and sometimes violently, not the same case.

“O well politics is just tings fi keep the people divided and foolish, an’ put your trust in men y’know when none o’ dem cant do nuttin’ for you, because if you nah have no life, you don’t have anything y’know,” Marley once lamented of the political culture.

It is regrettable that with Election Day four weeks away both main parties disagree on the formalities of holding peace talks; rather than when and how many.

Politicians still use incendiary language in their rhetoric. They would be facetious to deny that addressing supporters from the campaign stage as ‘warriors’ and ‘foot soldiers’ is unlikely to encourage peaceful behaviour from the Party faithful.

Politicians can always talk of peace. Yet when asked if they could take a step further and support a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ modeled on that of post-Apartheid South Africa, Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair replied that it is unrealistic, given the prevailing political culture which deters transparency.

Although the political culture may not change soon, prayers for peace might be a start. Pray that when the result is announced on Election Day the politicians will have already lived up to one promise, that of a peaceful election.

Also on YouTube: Marley, Manley and Seaga at the One Love Peace Concert

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J’can colours in Miami
As of this evening the colours of the Jamaican flag are to be displayed at the Bank of America Tower in downtown Miami, Florida in celebration of the country’s 45th Independence celebrations.

The Miami landmark is to remain lit throughout the weekend into Tuesday morning as a tribute to Jamaicans in South Florida. The 47-floor tower is usually lit for special events in Miami.

Jamaica’s Consul General, Ricardo Allicock says the event will serve as a powerful symbol of the significant presence of the Jamaican community throughout South Florida.

Almost 500,000 Jamaicans live in Florida State with the largest concentration in the South Florida tri-county area, which comprises - Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

Pastors in politics
There are conflicting views among some religious leaders on whether churches should allow their pastors to run for political office.

Speaking at a Gleaner Editors Forum Anglican Arch Deacon Leon Golding said there was nothing wrong with religious leaders becoming politicians.

According to Arch Deacon Golding pastors in politics expose themselves to accusations of being partisan in executing their religious functions.

However, Roman Catholic deacon, Peter Espuet disagrees with him. According to Deacon Espuet religious leaders should not run for political office. Catholism forbids bishops and priests from running for political office, but deacons may do so with the support of their archbishop.

Recently, Archbishop Lawrence Burke took the decision to restrict Roman Catholic Deacon Ronnie Thwaites, candidate for Kingston Central, from performing duties from the pulpit as of Nomination Day. Deacon Thwaites will be running against the JLP’s Dr. Charlton Collie.

Moravian Minister Rev. Stanley Redwood will be running against Dr. Christopher Tufton in South West St. Elizabeth, but his church has not imposed any restrictions on him.

Reverend Redwood also ran in the last election against the JLP’s JC Hutchinson in North West St. Elizabeth.

‘Cult politics’ - Clergyman says party supporters will do anything to show allegiance
Political parties have been labelled as cults by a prominent clergyman, because of the slavish manner in which supporters adhere to party practices.

The ancestors send a message
Claiming to be the medium for our ancestors, Yoruba priestess, Dorette Abrahams, said there need to be some crucial changes in the political and economic structure of Jamaica, if the nation’s people intend to truly make their forefathers proud.

Cops probe ‘political’ killings
With general elections scheduled for the end of this month, the police said they were still trying to determine whether five fatal shootings in the Corporate Area last month were politically motivated.

Politicians go to church
Both Major political party leaders and their proposed candidates for Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine have committed to worshipping this Sunday at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre in Kingston, under an arrangement through the Office of the Political Ombudsman.

Oh for the days of sticks and stones - and even urine!
Campaigning with Alexander Bustamante: Legends are usually told about people after they die. Not so with Bustamante. Indeed, he related some of them himself and it was difficult to know which were real and which were fiction.

Employment, development the people’s cry
West Kingston residents say unemployment and development of the constituency are the two main issues they want their Member of Parliament to address after the August 27 general election.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) proposes body to oversee pensions
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is proposing to establish a pension commission as an independent regulatory body to oversee the administration of all pension schemes, public and private.

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CAFFE needs 1,000 more volunteers
Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) announced today that it needs another 1,000 volunteers to monitor for Election Day activities on August 27.

CAFFE secretary Reverend Jim Web says he is optimistic that the additional volunteers will be identified by the time the organisation finishes recruiting on August 21.

JHTA supports JLP tourism plans
The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is endorsing the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) election manifesto plans for tourism, which include plans to target higher-spending tourists and bring cruise ships and duty free shopping to Port Royal.

JHTA president Wayne Cummings said the Association supports the plans, since they would bring investment and jobs to Jamaica.

Trelawny squatters relocation
North Trelawny Member of Parliament Dr. Patrick Harris is promising residents of Kettering Hall who are facing eviction that the relocation process will shortly be completed.

The residents had been given notice to leave the property by July 31. However Dr. Harris said he needed more time for the preparation of the property in Carey Park to which they will be relocated.

Dr. Harris told Gleaner/Power 106 News that he has since sought the assistance of the Housing Ministry in the relocation process but was unable to say when the residents would be able to occupy the new location.

More than 20 families are facing eviction following a court order in 1995. The action was met with strong resistance from the residents who had refused relocation sites by the land developer.

At 17 years of age trainee reporter Jermaine Evans is one short of voting, but is nonetheless covering the election campaign for JamaicaElections.com.

We sent him out to learn what it means to mark an ‘X’ beside your chosen candidate; and perhaps his experience might remind those who are eligible, but otherwise disinterested, about exercising their democratic right to vote.

Voters in Jamaica have elected a government 11 times since Independence in 1962. What surprises me, is that despite many of them complaining their party does nothing, they continue to vote that way. Meanwhile other complainers do not vote at all since the politicians do not do what they want; which, unfortunately for those voters, means our politicians are even less likely to do what they want.

For a young person such as myself there remain many questions about voting, and leaving the office I was unsure what more seasoned citizens might teach me. Perhaps if the election were to happen next year, I might be better informed; or better still, I could share some of this information with my peers.

Not everyone could answer my questions about why they vote. For a start, of the 20 people that I spoke to most were not registered to vote and therefore ineligible to answer my questions.

Politically aligned but yet to vote
Welder Courtney Wallace was the first person I spoke to. Aged 25, he was old enough to vote for the first time in the last election – he didn’t. However he might this time around.

Q: Are you aligned to a party?
A: Yea, me aligned to a special party. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
Q: Have you ever voted before?
A: No
Q: Have you ever imagined how it would feel to vote for the first time?
A: Jamaica need a change, me feel like fi vote fi my party so Jamaica can get a change because the other party nah do nutten’ right now. Bruce look like him can lead so I might vote for the JLP this year.
may this time around.

Forced to vote
The experience of John, an unemployed young man from Rae Town would be familiar to many Jamaicans whose voting habits are determined by the political alignment of their community.

Q: Have you ever voted before?
A: Yea inna 2002 general election.
Q: Why did you vote at that time?
A: Mi never did want vote. Mi see some man come fi mi and say mi fi vote. Coz dem say my father used to beat people fi go vote. When mi see them come fi mi, mi all did a cry to.
Q: Are you thinking of voting again?
A: Mi no know, probably mi wi vote again.

An independent voter
Finishing up talking to John I introduced myself to Merrick, a curious passerby, who had a lot to say. A ‘40-odd’ year-old security guard, he began his voting life as a Labourite.

Q: When was the first time you voted?
A: 1977 parish council election
Q: Which party are you currently aligned to?
A: I don’t aligned to any party, coz me is a ‘staunched born’ Laborite, and ‘die-hearted’ socialist, with a ‘National Democratic Movement’ mind. So I can vote any way I choose.
Q: How many times have you ever voted?
A: Me? 1980 mi vote ‘bout 300 time. Coz mi mash up all station and tek weh ballad box.
Q: Are you going to be voting again this year?
A: No mi nah vote.
Q: Why not?
A: I don’t like di candidate them weh ‘roun ya (Central Kingston)

The party loyalist
Ancillary worker, ‘Mom’, who is 58, will vote for anyone, just as long as they are PNP.

Q: How old where you the first time you voted?
A: The first time I voted I was 21.
Q: How did you feel voting for the first time?
A: Mi never feel no way, mi just go and mi vote.
Q: What influenced you to vote at that time?
A: My constitutional right.
Q: How many times have you voted before?
A: Mi vote ’72, ’76, ’80, ’97 and 2002.
Q: Why will you be voting again this year?
A: Because mi feel like mi should still vote. I see di party doing well, at least to me

The youth vote
Christina, a 19-year-old beauty, relaxing under a tree with her four friends, will be voting for the first time.

Q: Have you ever voted before?
A: No but definitely this year.
Q: Why will you be voting this year?
A: Because I love Portia and I want her to win.
Q: Why?
A: Because of the things that she has done for the poor people, she is the poor people defender.
Q: How do you think you will feel on the day that you vote?
A: I’ll feel good because I’m finally doing what I want to do, and everybody in Jamaica have the right to vote.

Swap cops for civilians - JLP
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says it will, if it becomes the next government, be pushing to have some duties traditionally reserved for the police placed in the hands of civilians.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to focus on minor roads
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) will be committing its attention to the island’s minor roads, if it is successful at the polls come August 27, according to the party’s transport spokesperson, Mike Henry.

AD WATCH - Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) airs new ad
As Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Bruce Golding was launching the party’s manifesto Monday for the August 27 general election, the constantly humming JLP advertising machinery put out a new TV advertisement to reinforce a major theme of the campaign.

Tourist town growing too fast
The constituency of North East St. Ann is best known for being the home of the world famous Dunn’s River Falls, strategically located in almost the centre of the constituency.

Bunting launches personal campaign
One new PNP roll out was an ‘affirming’ advertisement for the PNP candidate for Central Manchester, Peter Bunting, who aired what we believe to be the first TV commercial for an individual candidate in the campaign so far.

MILESTONES - 2005: Edward Seaga retires
Edward Seaga, leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) since 1974 and Leader of the Opposition (1974 to 1980, and 1989 to 2005) retired from active politics after a career of 46 years.

Paulwell expresses deep regret at Solutrea’s pull-out
Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell on Tuesday expressed “deep regret” at the decision of Solutrea to pull out of Jamaica.

No, not like the similar sounding disease that affects cattle, but the urge politicians often feel to say things that embarrass themselves and offend the very public they are attempting to win over.

Or perhaps they just made a mistake.

People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Donald Buchanan, a politician whose tongue is frequently drawn, was especially unfortunate. No lesser figure than his boss, PNP President and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller scolded him from a campaign platform on Sunday, following his remarks about the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) being “retarded”.

We selected a few more gaffes from the current campaign:

“… dem will hold yuh down … An’ tek it!”
- Roger Clarke, PNP candidate for Central Westmoreland warns supporters at a Party rally in St. Elizabeth last weekend about rival suitors for voters’ affections, the JLP.

“Roger Clarke is a sorry excuse for a human being … I have a message for him … if your virginity remains intact, please rest assured that it will remain that way because we would never rape anything like you.”
- JLP Mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew Desmond McKenzie assures Mr. Clarke that his party are in no way desirous of him.

“On the 28th, me ah give dem a whipping.”
- PNP candidate for Western St. Mary Delano Franklyn has an intellectual reputation. Listening to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s election date announcement, Mr. Franklyn would have noticed that she is fond of the number seven, of which 28 is a multiple. However he should also have heard her announce August 27 as Election Day. JLP candidate Robert Montague probably won’t remind him.

“You nah go fin’ Bruce Golding lay down in a bed with the opposite sex.”
- An earlier attempt by Mr. McKenzie to reassure voters about the sexual behaviour of the JLP. Given Mr. Golding’s stated anti-gay stance this was an obvious error, which his Party colleague corrected.

“Gangsta fi Life!”
- PNP candidate for Northern Clarendon Horace Dalley got a little overexcited on a campaign platform with microphone in hand when he chose to imitate the refrain popularised by deejay Mavado. This might be viewed by some as a Freudian slip about the political system given recent violence and the widespread belief that both political parties are tainted by associations with gunmen.

“Put a ‘X’ beside the head.”
- Don Foote, JLP candidate for Eastern Westmoreland was trying to encourage people to vote JLP at a rally earlier this month. He would rather have said “beside the bell”, which is the traditional symbol of his Party, rather than encouraging people to seek affinity with that of the PNP.

Perhaps you have your own suggestions for inclusion? Add your comments below …

Parties red-flagged - Ombudsman says orange and green graffiti must go
Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair yesterday demanded that all political candidates remove their party flags, posters, graffiti and paraphernalia within the various constituencies by this weekend.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to extend student loan repayment period
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says it would extend the loan repayment period of the Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) to 15 years and increase the moratorium period after students graduate to one year if it were to form the next government.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) pledges to enforce Political Code of Conduct
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says if it forms the next government it will give teeth to the Political Code of Conduct by enacting into law provisions that speak to the disqualification of candidates who are found guilty of offences relating to the conduct of elections.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) embraces change to reduce court backlog
Committing itself to a 10-year justice reform programme proposed by the Jamaica Justice Reform Task Force, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says it plans to move swiftly, if elected to form the next government, to remove the more than 400,000 backlog of cases now before the courts.

People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker granted bail
Errol Lamey, the People’s National Party (PNP) councillor/caretaker for the Mount Salem Division in St. James, has been granted $1 million bail.

Paulwell cleared on Solutrea - Cabinet review team finds nothing “untoward”
A Cabinet review team, set up to investigate the awarding of a telecoms license to Solutrea Jamaica Limited, on Monday absolved Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell of any wrong doing in the matter.

CENTRAL WESTMORELAND - Residents demand jobs of new Central Westmoreland Member of Parliament
As the country awaits the general election on August 27, constituents in Central Westmoreland believe the main focus of their new Member of Parliament (MP) should be the creation of more job opportunities.

People’s National Party (PNP) maintains ‘no talks’ stance Despite two alleged politically motivated acts of violence on the weekend, the People’s National Party (PNP) has maintained that they will not have talks with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), unless the Political Ombudsman or the Church mediates the discussion.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) condemns Clarke’s controversial statement
Members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spent much time at a rally in Independence Square, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, last Sunday night, lambasting People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for Central Westmoreland, Roger Clarke.