Jamaica is on Obama’s drug list

Barack Obama’s address to Congress sees four Caribbean countries, including Jamaica as among the world’s top drug-transit and illicit drug-producing nations.

The list is the same as before – with others including the Bahamas and Haiti among 20 countries with those designations in 2009.   The others include the Dominican Republic, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Brazil,  Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela.

In reality, this means that when you see those small planes landing and taking off on the small airstrips like at Bascobel, you gotta think drugs.  When you go out on the docks at Kingston wharf and see all those crates, you’ve gotta think drugs (and guns) and even small boats like these guys who got caught with marijuana in a rowing boat.   Desperate times, desperate measure.

Cocoa Tea sings for America

I Just came across the reggae singer Cocoa Tea’s song entitled Barack Obama.  A nice relaxing tune. I like it, better than the Luda tune.

Listen to it here.

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

Obama win reaction

Congratulatory messages to Obama have been sent out from JA, PM Bruce Golding says    “I look forward to the
strengthening, under your administration, the warm relations
that Jamaica has enjoyed with the US for many years and you
are assured of Jamaica’s cooperation, as we both strive to
make improvements in the quality of life of our people,”

and Portia Simpson Miller of the PNP says,  “Barack’s victory is indeed a victory for the entire world. I don’t think that the world will ever be the
same again,”

Jamaican Prisoners Radio

At the moment, I am mainly listening to freefm, a radio station broadcasting from the General Penitentiary (GP) on South Camp Road in Kingston.  Inmates and staff are running the shows.  At the moment they are talking about kids being abused and parents pimping out their children.

You can listen to Freefm here.

They have a blog too, you can read more about the project here

It’s a strange discussion to have.  They talk about how to stop the violence that is going on against children.  It’s not very constructive – they are saying to hang those who commit these crimes!

I am trying to get more photos from inside the prison.

It’s interesting to hear the real opinions of men and young men who are currently there behind bars.

They have also mentioned their pleasure at seeing Obama get the top job!