Who defends Jamaicans from the soldiers?

Photo by redz220

I had some very bad news that someone I know was shot and killed by a soldier in Kingston, Jamaica.  Having a look around, it seems there are a few problems with the Jamaica Defence Force worth looking into.

In a recent announcement, the acting commissioner of police, said that his priorities were to tackle corruption among soldiers under his command, restoring public confidence and upholding human rights.

A number of things lead him to make these his priorities.

There was the case, I blogged before, about when a soldier opened fire in a club, killing four people.  Then there was this case, where a soldier gunned down his girlfriend.

Of course, there are countless more terrible deaths of soldiers shot trying to maintain peace in tense and violent communities.

But some of the same problems endemic in the police force are most certainly going on in the JDF too.  Corruption, shootings and killings,  as well as cover up.

Right now, I am mainly listening to …

Mr Vegas – So Blessed

Laden – Time to Shine

New money, same old story

Photo by Dejagib

A new 5000 dollar Jamaican bank note, is not much to celebrate.

It is, in economic terms, a sign that inflation is happening.  That the money in your hand (or till) is worth less.

You can hardly buy much with your one Jamaican dollar any more, so you need a higher denomination note to buy things.

It is a sign of the times, showing how Jamaica’s economy is suffering, devalued you could say.  Rather than accept this fate, you would think that the Finance Minister would at least try to put a positive spin on things, to give the markets some sense of confidence, or shred of hope to hang onto.  He actually is quoted as saying,

“The dollar is losing its value because we are losing our competitive advantage … because we as Jamaicans are becoming less and less productive as the years go by!”

Not the most constructive of comments.   The note will be released in September.

Mavado in the US

Article in the LA Times on dancehall artist Mavado.

Here’s a version of Mavado’s ‘On the Rock’ – called We Need Barack !

and one of his latest tracks.. Inna Di Car Back