In Focus

Bruce Golding's address to the nation last Monday was about three things: an apology, the decision to sign the order to proceed with the Coke extradition, and political reform.

The following is an excerpt from a speech delivered at the luncheon of the Insurance Association of Jamaica, Wednesday, May 19, by Joseph M Matalon, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.

It had to come to this. The show of naked criminal power and defiance; the brazen display of territorial control and dominance; the frightening public demonstration of overlordship of the lives of residents; the virtual "I dare you!" message of the criminal underworld.

Yes, there are other things happening in the country.Government and media here have unsheathed their swords again for another battle in a never-ending conflict. As a student of media and communication, I have more than a spectator's interest.

Tyranny, it is said, thrives on the silence of good men. In Jamaica, we have no shortage of good men and women. They fill our churches each Saturday and Sunday, they trumpet from the pulpit, they fill our lodge meetings and some are even to be found in Gordon House with the title 'Honourable'. Why then is there an unholy silence from these quarters on this matter of extradition?

The tragic shooting of two dancehall artistes last week has jolted the dancehall fraternity and flung them into the arms of "Jeezas" and "Father God", leading at least some of them finally and publicly to acknowledge their colleagues' part in promoting violence and badmanism.

"People crushed by law have no hopes but from power.f laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws; and those, who have much to hope and nothing to lose, will always be dangerous more or less." Edmund Burke [1777].

"Crime out of control!" blared the headlines when the murder count passed 600 in 1992. And when it topped the previous 'near civil war' 1980 record of 889 in 1996. And when it went over 1,000 in 1997. And when it shot up ...

Competitiveness at the micro and macro levels is important to any nation. National competitiveness is concerned with making sure that the environment is enabling for enterprises to operate...

"One 'chiney' can do ten s'mady wuk." - Frequently quoted on 'Perkins Online'A common critical comment on the recently concluded Budget Debate was its limited focus on economic growth.

After I had read the recent statement coming from Minister Karl Samuda concerning the Bradygate issue, so-called, the first memory that came to mind was the story I learnt at Sunday school about Ananias and Sapphira, recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.