Blowback : an unforeseen and unwanted effect, result, or set of repercussions
The Woolmer investigation
DCP Mark Shields gets his revenge on the pathologist in the Woolmer case, Dr Seshaiah, whose testimony (i.e. that the police version of events was correct and the men were NOT killed at close range) in the Braeton Seven killings caused a verdict of NOT GUILTY and the re-entry into the police force of Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams. Adams was then to kill again at Kraal, and to walk free again…
Let us remember that, as in the Woolmer case, Dr. Seshaiah’s findings in the Braeton Seven case were vigorously contradicted by a foreign pathologist, Peter Leth, who conducted autopsies on behalf of Amnesty International…….
“Terminal Ballistics: A Text and Atlas of Gunshot Wounds” (Malcolm J. Dodd)
Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams gets a chance to cuss out and blame DCP Mark Shields whose policing methods have made Reneto Adams look like the bloodthirsty, arrogant, killer-in-uniform that he is.
Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas gets to put the over-articulate, way-too-telegenic DCP Shields in his place.
Jamaicans for Justice get to remind everyone that they have been calling for improvements in the Government Forensic Pathology Department for years. And despite the partisan ravings of their Chairman, David Wong-Ken (who regularly refers to “this blasted government”), the organization continues to fight for justice for ALL Jamaicans – including those unfortunate enough to be employed in the Government’s Forensic Pathology Department……………
Government corruption
The bravery and outspokenness of Contractor-General Greg Christie has led to the Auditor-General Adrian Strachan giving his own frank assessment of the way the Ministry of Finance cooperates with corrupt Government officials who award contracts to their cronies. It’s disgraceful.
Clearly some people think that Minister of Finance Omar Davies is history, whether the ruling PNP is returned to power or not……
“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” (Alex Gibney)
The pollsters
The Jamaica Observer publishes the Don Anderson polls and advises that the newspaper DOES NOT OWN the Stone Polls.
Instead, the Stone Polls (for years, the most accurate and respected local polling organization) turn out to be owned by Observer owner, Gordon “Butch” Stewart. In recent times, Mr. Stewart has been so loud and frequent in his calls for the Government to do a better job that his newspaper has been accused of supporting the Opposition JLP.
Hence the newspaper’s editors showing their independence by publishing the Don Anderson polls (front page of the Observer on Friday, June 15, 2007) which give us the news that the ruling PNP has a small lead (4%) over the Opposition JLP.
Don Anderson, who makes his living as a market researcher, has endured years of condescension and disparaging comments from those who believe that he lacks the skills (a degree in Political Science, perhaps) to produce accurate polls.
What will they say now that the Stone Polls may soon be no more and Bill Johnson, the pollster for the Daily Gleaner, is fighting to hold his corner and his credibility ? Probably nothing. The poll results and a resurgent Portia are monopolizing the national conversation……
“How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (Kevin Rodney Sullivan)
The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister has been heavily criticized in recent weeks for :-
(1) complaining (or whining) about the media coverage of the PNP and the Government
(2) for forcing Lisa Hanna onto the constituents of South East St. Ann
(3) for refusing to respond to her critics
Don Anderson confirms the Bill Johnson poll from a few weeks ago :- the Prime Minister looks to be leading her party to a fifth term in office. And she’s expecting everyone in the PNP and in the government to get with the program. Like now.
“Yes, Prime Minister – The Complete Collection” (BBC)
And just in time for Fathers Day
Radio Jamaica carries a story that says employment has increased by a tiny percentage. The stunning news in this story is not the apparent increase in employment, but the make-up of the Jamaican labour force. According to STATIN there are 800,000 women and 600,000 men in the labour force. This is what we see reflected on the streets and in offices, but it is not usually confirmed by statistics which usually indicate that female unemployment is much higher than men’s and that men make up the majority of those employed…….
So does this make Jamaica the first country in the world to have a majority female labour force in the formal, measurable sector ???
And does this explain “Everything” :-
(1) Crime and violence : unemployed men need money to negotiate respect, sex (and love) from employed women
(2) Absentee fathers : “all men are supposed to be breadwinners”, so some women feel justified in dispensing with men who can’t support them or their children
(3) The largely male portion of the unemployed who are not looking for work : they are supported quite comfortably by their female consorts. Women don’t have the same option……….
“Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” (Barack Obama)
“Training a Tiger: A Father’s Guide to Raising a Winner in Both Golf and Life” (Earl Woods)
“The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition)” (Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers)
[posted with ecto]
Technorati Tags: Bob Woolmer, Jamaican elections, Jamaican politics, JLP, PNP, Portia Simpsom Miller, corruption, Jamaican men
Jamaica and the world 