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CONTENTS UNDILUTED pays tribute to John Maxwell by featuring two previous columns by him from the Hot Calaloo UNDILUTED archives:
Not just a book but an invitation to join the Goodwill
Revolution against an unfair, unjust and deceptive system that
keeps the world poor and without hope. Find out how you can join,
quit the rat race, and achieve a happier more meaningful life for
yourself and others through goodwill to all
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For
the Life of Laetitia
by Trinidad -born Merle Hodge
Price: $10.54a wonderful book about a young girl in the Carribean, the first of her family to go to secondary school.
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Hot Calaloo is urging everyone to join the boycott against the New Jersey-based Goya Foods. Goya Foods markets Latin American pantry staples. To my great surprise and dismay, the Goya CEO heaped praise on Trump in the White House Rose Garden. I could not believe it since Trump has a long history of abuse and racism toward Latinx people and other people from as he refers to as “shithole” countries. I, myself, will no longer buy their coconut water. Let Trump buy their coconut water! Instead, I will buy Grace coconut water which originates from Jamaica. As a matter of fact, I believe the Caribbean diaspora should become a major market for Caribbean products. Look for Caribbean products in the stores. From now on, buy things like Red Stripe beer and Appleton rum from Jamaica; Mount Gay rum from Barbados and Guyanese rice as examples.
Guyana elections still undecidedGuyana’s election was held on March 2. Nevertheless, the country is still locked in a legal and political impasse since an election recount found that the president, David Granger, had lost by 15,416 votes. After the recount, the chief executive of Guyana’s electoral commission, Keith Lowenfield, disqualified 120,000 votes – nearly a fifth of those cast – handing the contested victory to Granger. The Caribbean Court of Justice ( CCJ) later overruled Lowenfield, but now another legal challenge has been declared in an attempt to prevent the commission from declaring Granger’s defeat. The UK and the US, Canada also said it would use all the tools at its disposal to demand a swift and transparent conclusion to the election process. Editor’s Note: Who does Granger think he is? Donald Trump! BREAKING NEWS: The presidential candidate for the main opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, was on Sunday, August 3 declared president-elect of Guyana. The declaration was made by the chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, retired Justice Claudette Singh.
More than 100 doctors out-of-work in JamaicaMore than 100 doctors currently unable to secure jobs in the public health sector in Jamaica. They have been urged by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton to explore private practice domestically or seek employment at other hospitals across the Caribbean. Scores of doctors were unable to secure jobs in the public sector, while the contracts of some had been terminated after they were successfully recruited. Tufton subsequently stated that the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), in particular, had hired twice the numbers that are allowed in the establishment. President of the JMDA, Dr Elon Thompson, said “The University of the West Indies (UWI) is producing more and more doctors. There has to be communication between the university and the ministry and the regional health authorities”.
J Wray & Nephew to close Appleton sugar factory. Jamaica rum producer J Wray & Nephew Limited (JWN) is now confirming that it will cease operating its Appleton Estates Sugar Factory in St Elizabeth but not the distillery. So Appleton rum will live on. before that it will be offering a generous separation package to the 370 employees impacted. The management of Appleton will be divested to Frome Sugar Estate in Westmoreland, which is a third-party company with knowledge of the sugar operations. Frome will re-employ a significant number of the 370 employees impacted. The Appleton Estate Distillery and the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience will continue normal operations. The company has reported annual losses of US$12 million (approximately $1.8 billion) on its sugar production operations for over a decade. These sustained losses have forced the company to take this necessary course of action. Sugar production over the years has been dismal for the company and the Jamaican sugar industry. In a recent statement, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries revealed that from the 2020 sugar crop, only 44,000 tons of sugar were produced. According to Sugar Industry Enquiry Commission Report of 2010, between 200,000 and 300,000 tons of raw sugar are required to keep the industry viable. Even in the face of financial loss, JWN dug deep into its reserves and allocated $300 million to support Jamaica's COVID-19 response on top of the support it has given to its employees. The company contributed high-strength alcohol to the national health system through its donation to the National Health Fund; provided nearly 10,000 food packages to various disadvantaged groups; and mobilised its staff to lend manpower to various causes.
US cancels visas of Guyanese tooAs I predicted when the US revoked the visas of prominent Jamaicans, they have announced revocations of persons in Guyana too. United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch says that in the wake of the current political situation in the county, she will not be providing the names of the people who will have their visas revoked by the US Government. She also refused to provide the total number of those who are facing the visa restrictions but reiterated that their family members may be affected. The announcement of the visa restrictions was made originally by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said the restrictions were targeting individfuals the US believes are undermining democracy in Guyana, as the country still awaits a final declaration of the results from the elections. Editor’s Note: This is nothing but a gangster extortion to keep Guyana in line and in submission to Trump. I wonder how many other countries are already towing the line and how many more will be forced to.
Guyana rejects request from US to relay VOA to VenezuelaThe Guyana Government says it has turned down a request from the United States to relay the Voice of America (VOA) programs to Venezuela utilising a local medium wave tower. The disclosure that Georgetown had rejected the request by Washington comes a few days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the Trump Administration would be imposing sanctions on individuals whom it considered to be “undermining democracy” as the country awaits the outcome of the disputed March 2 regional and general elections.
Trinidad police say they have foiled plot to destabilise countryThe Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said they foiled a “well-orchestrated plan to destabilise the country” and have arrested 72 people as protesters blocked roads and fired gunshots demanding that the officers involved in the deaths of three men three days before by police be brought to justice. The police said, “The plan to shut down the country involved setting fire to certain places, from along the Beetham to Port of Spain, and when police officers arrived they would be fired upon. The plan was to kill police officers and to shoot up police stations. These same criminal elements used the opportunity yesterday and again this morning to rob law-abiding citizens.”
University of the West Indies Named One of World’s Top 100 UniversitiesTimes Higher Education (THE) has listed the University of the West Indies (UWI) among the top 100 universities in the world. Sir Hilary Beckles, professor, and Vice-Chancellor at UWI noted the “astounding” performance of the university in being ranked among the world’s best, particularly as it is located in a nation that has not experienced sustained economic growth in 30 years. He attributed UWI’s success to the serious commitments of its stakeholders, its focus on leadership, and the power of dedicated colleagues. Although UWI must function in an environment marked by deficit financing, it is repeatedly cited at the top of university rankings. He added that the university looks forward to introducing a new financial model in the future that will allow UWI to reach ever greater heights of achievement.
Citizenship for sale with Covid 19 discountCaribbean countries are selling citizenship for as low as $100,000. These countries have long offered passports to wealthy foreigners in exchange for a monetary investment, but facing a cash crunch and a surge in interest, there are making deals. Through December 1, the island nation Saint Kitts and Nevis is selling a four-person family package for $150,000 — down from $190,000, in exchange for a minimum real-estate purchase of $200,000 that must be held for at least seven years. The passport's good for visa-less travel to the European Union and the UK, among others. Other island nations in the region — including Saint Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, and Dominica — all offer similar programs, some at a new discount, as they hope to cash in on the increased interest, too. According to Henley & Partners, a London-based passport broker and "identity management" firm, there's been a 42% uptick in citizenship applications. What's more, the US currently has a 1.5 million-passport backlog in its processing queue because of the pandemic. Anyone hoping for easier travel to the United States, however, can expect to pay a lot more. Malta, whose passport power ranks just under Italy, Canada, and Norway in terms of travel, will sell you citizenship that includes EU and US travel — though there are more strings attached.
Tourism reopened in JamaicaThe tourism sector reopened to visitors on June 15. on the north coast. Since then, Jamaica has welcomed more than 35,000 visitors and resident Jamaicans. It is He estimated that during July, Jamaica will welcome a total of 41,000 passengers, including visitors and resident Jamaicans, resulting in approximately US$80 million in earnings. The south coast was reopened to tourists six weeks after the north coast., The tourism minister said that it was up to visitors to make honest declarations in seeking travel authorisation and that it was also the responsibility of tourism entities to follow protocols. These protocols were designed based on benchmarks of nearly 20 markets in the Caribbean and globally, as well as international health agencies. They cover big and small hotels, guest houses, attractions, beaches, transportation, shopping, social activities (restaurants and bars) and cruise ports.
Antigua prime minister says LIAT to be liquidatedPrime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Brown has announced plans to liquidate the regional carrier, LIAT. “COVID would have actually, let's say increased the losses exponentially.In all of 2019 LIAT made a loss of about EC$12 million. Since COVID, the planes have been grounded, they have to pay the lease payments and they are not getting any revenue. A decision will have to be made to collapse it and then maybe the countries within the region will have to come together to form a new entity.
Trump forced to rescind orders on international studentsOn Monday, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said foreign students enrolled in fully online programs for the fall semester would not be allowed to enter the country. The measure was seen as a move by the White House to put pressure on educational institutions that are adopting a cautious approach to reopening amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, it said the US Department of State will not issue visas to international students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester nor will the US Customs and Border Protection agency permit these students to enter the United States. Can you imagine this treachery? With lees than a month, every foreign student, whose college offered online courses only as defence against Covid 19, would have to pack up and return home. There was a hue and cry against this callous move. States and colleges like Harvard filed legal briefs against it. Trump had to relinquish and rescinded the order. So, foreign students are safe for now.
Reasons not to vote for TrumpCome November, one of the most crucial presidential in the US will take place. Donald Trump is a menace to America, the Caribbean and the rest of the entire world. So, I would be remiss if I did not point out multiple reasons not to vote for him. Here are some of the reasons why: 1. He is a racist 2. He is a liar (According to the Washington Post Trump told 19,127 lies in 1,226 days.) 3. He is a cheat 4. Intimidating a little country like Jamaica ( I am sure there are others) by canceling the visas of certain high officials of both the government and opposition political parties as well as prominent Jamaican citizens without giving any justification or reason. 5. The Muslim ban 6. Separating immigrant children in ICE detention from their parents 7. Smearing Mexicans as rapists 8. Insulting other Latinex as criminals and terrorists 9. Describing certain countries as “shithole countries” 10. He blocked a United Nations resolution to call for a global ceasefire during the corona virus pandemic simply because it mentioned the World Health Organisation . 11. He withdrew America from the World Heath Organisation in the midst of a worldwide pandemic 12. Puppet of Putin 13. Disrespects women “ ….grab them by the pu**y” 14. Stupidly recommending injection of Lysol against corona virus infection 15. Irresponsible in refusing to wear face mask 16. Cruel sanctions against Venezuela, Iran and 37 other countries. In Venezuela alone these sanctions have been responsible for over 40,000 deaths of innocent men, women and children in less than 1 year. In many cases, this denies them access to medicine and medical equipment as well as access to world markets for food and other necessities. 17. Vindictive in increasing sanctions on Venezuela and Iran during COVID-19 pandemic 18. Embarrassing - laughed-at during UN address 19. Jealous of Obama – tries to rollback Obamacare even if it will deprive 20 millions of healthcare 20. Cronyism – appoints unqualified friends to important positions 21. Extortion of Ukraine 22. Retaliation against whistle blowers 23. Wasting tax payer money on the border wall 24. Revolving door appointments 25. Puerile name calling of his opponents 26. Refusing to reveal his tax returns 27. Botching response to the COVID-19 pandemic 28. Appointing and keeping a dishonest biased attorney general in William Barr 29. Abuse of reporters at press conference because he is unable to answer their legitimate questions 30. Canceled US prohibition of landmines by US despite this prohibition agreed to by 164 countries including every other NATO country 31. He is an egomaniac, constantly showering himself with praise 32. He is disrespected and the subject of ridicule by prominent journalists all over the world 33. He blocked a United Nations resolution to call for a global ceasefire during the coronavirus pandemic simply because it mentioned the World Health Organisation . 34. He withdrew America from the World Heath Organisation in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. 35. He has threatened international university students in America with deportation in their university switches to online classes because of the COVID 19 pandemic. 36. His gross abuse of power in commuting the prison sentence of his convicted law-breaking crony, Roger Stone. I have my standards. Such a contemptible person should not even be eligible to be president. If he gets re-elected, Heaven help us all.
Let us know what you think. Email us at hotcalaloo@yahoo.com
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