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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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December 2013Death of a heroic icon, Nelson MandelaThe world is sadder because of his death. The world is better because of his life On Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, one of the world’s preeminent figures, someone whose very name seemed to embody the spirit of the word liberation, died after a long bout with illness. His 27 years in the prisons of the Apartheid South African regime spawned perhaps the world’s most significant movement to demand freedom for a political prisoner, and he became a symbol of the overall struggle of Black South Africans against the brutal Apartheid system. Nelson Mandela's unwavering courage, forgiveness
and hope touched and inspired people all around the world. He showed that
the dream of a just society is possible and he challenged our generation
to lead the way towards it. 'Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is
not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the
actions of human beings.'
Pope attacks modern capitalismPope Francis attacked unfettered capitalism as "a new tyranny" and beseeched global leaders to fight poverty and growing inequality, in his first apostolic exhortation. This document sets out a platform for his papacy and calling for a renewal of the Catholic Church. In it, Francis went further than previous comments criticizing the global economic system, attacking the "idolatry of money", and urged politicians to "attack the structural causes of inequality" and strive to provide work, healthcare and education to all citizens. "Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world," he wrote. "This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naive trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system." "The message on poverty sets Pope Francis on a collision course with neo-liberal Catholic thought, especially in the United States," said Faggioli, an expert on the Second Vatican Council and reform in the Catholic Church. The exhortation echoed the zeal often heard from evangelical Protestants who have won over disaffected Catholics in the pope's native Latin America. "I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor." Since his election, Francis has set an example for austerity in the Church, living in a Vatican guest house rather than the ornate Apostolic Palace, travelling in a Ford Focus, and last month suspending a bishop who spent millions of euros on his luxurious residence. He chose to be called "Francis" after the medieval Italian saint of the same name famed for choosing a life of poverty. Editor's Note: I think the Pope must have been reading my book, "Boycott Money and Save Your Soul - Launching the Goodwill Revolution".
Jamaican company to produce medical marijuanaSome in Jamaica call it the wisdom weed. Now, plans are underway for Jamaica's first medical marijuana company, which is intended to be instrumental in extracting the medicinal value from the addictive elements of ganja. Internationally renowned Jamaican scientist Professor Henry Lowe, the brainchild behind the initiative, has high hopes for the use of medical marijuana in Jamaica. He declared that he is ready to announce the imminent establishment of a company that will produce and market medical marijuana. Drugs produced from marijuana could be used to treat psychosis, muscle spasticity, epilepsy and severe pain, to reduce nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy and people with AIDS.
Monroe doctrine is deadUS Secretary of State John Kerry has declared the Munroe Doctrine dead, suggesting a resetting of US policy towards the Americas. In his remarks to the Organisation of American States, the secretary of state said that the United States will no longer seek to intervene in the affairs of other American states. The US was moving on, he said, and was making a different choice. "The relationship that we seek and that we have worked hard to foster is ... about all of our countries viewing one another as equals, sharing responsibilities, cooperating on security issues, and adhering not to doctrine, but to the decisions that we make as partners to advance the values and the interests that we share," said Kerry. Editors Note: Too late for Aristide...The Obama administration is certainly good with words. This time, lets hope they live up to them for this is a massive change of course after a long history of overthrowing, undermining, intimidating and destabilizing countries all over the Caribbean and Latin America. I hope someone tells the CIA. The doctrine might not be dead, but only sleeping.
Angry Jamaicans threaten to Boycott T&TThe Jamaican Government has placed Trinidad and Tobago on notice that it has become alarmed that several of its citizens have been denied entry into that eastern Caribbean nation over recent weeks. This has angered many Jamaicans and are calling for boycott of the products of T&T. The concern comes after the most recent case in which 12 Jamaicans were turned back from the twin-island republic recently and returned home. Reports are that the 12 were stopped at the Piarco International Airport in Port-of-Spain after they disembarked a Caribbean Airlines flight. In a release, the ministry said it was concerned at this development and was continuing to interface with the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago on the matter, especially in light of the recent Shanique Myrie ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). In that case, the CCJ ruled that the Barbados government breached Myrie's right to enter the country under Article 5 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. She was awarded almost J$4 million in compensation. The Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), incensed by the latest report of the 13 Jamaicans denied entry into Trinidad and Tobago wants the Jamaican Government to pursue the matter with urgency. The association questioned to what benefit does Jamaica surrender as much as $15 billion in revenue as a subsidy to its CARICOM competitors. Jamaica imports approximately US$132 million worth of goods from Trinidad and Tobago, without fuel, and approximately US$700 million inclusive of fuel. The JMA said both countries should be encouraging more trade of goods, services and resources to create more job opportunities, to develop skills, and to bring major benefits across the board for the two economies and peoples. Trinidad's Foreign Minister Winston Dookeran and his Jamaican counterpart, A. J. Nicholson, rushed to mend fences. They met in Jamaica at the invitation of Mr. Nicholson. Both men presented a united front, symbolic of their intentions to crush the impasse that threatened to drive another wedge between the two countries, which have been wrangling over trade issues for several years. Dookeran disclosed that in 2013, 56,324 Jamaicans sought entry into Trinidad and Tobago. Of that number, Dookeran said 54,362 - or 96 per cent - were given right of entry. Nicholson agreed that while the the number of Jamaicans returned this year over last was higher, there was no indication that his compatriots were being profiled.
Jamaica’s "Eat what we grow" campaignIn 2003, Jamaica launched the 'Grow What We Eat, Eat What We Grow' campaign to sensitise the population to the national, community and personal benefits to be derived. November was designated Eat Jamaican Month 2013 to focus attention on the country's drive for increased agricultural production. Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural l Society (JAS) considers the program a success because:
In addition to the health and nutritional benefits of eating fresh local foods, the growing success of the campaign would also translate into other tangible benefits, such as job creation, poverty reduction and consequently, economic growth. The JAS president then announced plans for engaging the church in getting more Jamaicans involved in cultivating and consuming more local foods. He explained: "We will enlist the churches across Jamaica, as our partners and the JAS will be distributing seeds to the ministers and ask that they distribute to the members and the members should engage in planting seeds in containers, backyards and on the rooftops. I will be back right here in this church with the first set of seeds." However, Dr Jerome Thomas, the Food and Agricultural Organization's (FAO) representative to Jamaica disagreed with Senator Grant. Thomas told the official launch of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Eat Jamaican campaign that while it had stimulated increased production and consumption of local agricultural products, the campaign has fallen short. Thomas explained that despite self-sufficiency in some areas, devastation of the dairy industry and challenges facing goat and sheep farmers continue to hobble the country's efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty. To this end, the FAO has brought in a consultant to conduct an assessment of the devastated dairy sector and present a strategic development plan to reposition it so it can again make an important contribution to national development.
Shake-up in JLP shadow cabinet in JamaicaAndrew Holness retained his leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party but schisms remain. Many of the old shadow cabinet are gone. Dr Horace Chang, Karl Samuda, Dr Kenneth Baugh, Pearnel Charles, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Shahine Robinson, J.C. Hutchinson, and Desmond McKenzie retained their shadow positions. The challenger Shaw and Edmund Bartlett, the only two members selected to sit on the Shadow Cabinet from the losing side, refused to accept Holness's offers. Holness said Shaw was asked to retain responsibility for shadowing the finance ministry, and Bartlett was ushered from the tourism portfolio to shadow foreign affairs, but Bartlett demurred. Christopher Tufton, the former industry and commerce minister, has been scratched from the list of opposition spokespersons. Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, the former spokesperson on education; and Gregory Mair, who shadowed energy and mining, are also out and there is no sign of Daryl Vaz. Delroy Chuck, who shadowed national security and justice, has asked not to be considered. Meanwhile two supporters of Holness, Alex Williams and Andrew Wheatley have been added to the new cabinet.
Caribbean Americans in NYC mayor-elect’s transition teamSeveral prominent Caribbean Americans have been unveiled as part of New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio’s 60-member transition team. Jamaican-national and former NYC City Councilwoman, Una Clarke, is on the team that will advise the mayor-elect on the formation of his new administration. Others include Dr. Marcia Keizs, president, York College, The City University of New York; Elsie Saint Louis, executive director, Haitian-Americans United for Progress; Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, president and founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, who is of Puerto Rican roots. Clarke, the mother of Jamaican American Congressmember, Yvette Clarke, served as the council member of Brooklyn’s 40th councilmatic district from 1994 –2002. Dr. Keizs, also born in Jamaica, is the sixth
President of York College in Jamaica, Queens. Dr. Vega’s Institute focuses on African descendant communities’ histories, legacies, arts and education. Her organization seeks to document and promote the contributions of African Diaspora cultures throughout the Americas, connecting them to their African roots. She is also an adjunct professor at NYU in the Arts and Public Policy Department.
Debts to UN may cost Jamaica voting rightsJamaica is in danger of losing its voting rights in the United Nations (UN) if it fails to pay outstanding sums by the end of this year. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator A.J. Nicholson has revealed that Jamaica owes US$354,843 to the UN Regular Budget and a further US$103,002 to the UN Capital Master Plan. Jamaica also owes US$860,835 to UN peacekeeping operations.Nicholson said Jamaica had already lost voting rights in the Commonwealth Foundation and the Commonwealth Youth Program, noting that Jamaica was currently in arrears with most of the international organisations of which it was a member. He emphasized that efforts were being made to prevent similar fallout with the United Nations.
Deportees add to crime woes in JamaicaJust under 2,000 Jamaicans who were convicted in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada on murder, drug, firearm and sex-related charges have been returned to the island since the start of the year. The intelligence arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force revealed recently that between January and October, 1,819 Jamaicans - 1,541 males and 278 females - were deported. Data compiled by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) show that 535 were convicted on drug-related charges, 100 on firearm charges, 79 for assault and battery, 40 for sexual offences, and 36 for murder/attempted murder. Some 579 persons were deported for immigration breaches. The Jamaican police conceded yesterday that the influx of deportees was creating a major challenge, with intelligence suggesting that they are behind the "changing nature" of the crimes being committed locally.
The dual ID of Captain Morgan rumIt's an interesting tale of two rums and one brand. One is produced in Jamaica only for the Jamaican market and is largely forgotten. The other is mass-produced in the US Virgin Islands and is denied access to the Jamaican market. The brand, Captain Morgan, had its start in Jamaica in the 1940s. Control of the international brand of Captain Morgan rests in the United Kingdom with Diageo Plc. Ultimate ownership of the Jamaican version of the brand now resides in mainland Europe with Italy's Campari Group, new owner of local distillery J. Wray & Nephew (JWN) and its famed Appleton rum. Bacardi is still the world's biggest international rum brand. Captain Morgan is in the top five. The Captain Morgan trademark is owned by J. Wray & Nephew Limited in Jamaica, Both rums can trace their ancestry back to the original Captain Morgan distillery which was founded at Long Pond estate in Trelawny by Seagrams, the Canadian distillery, which ended up being taken over in parts by both JWN and Diageo. The rum is named for Henry Morgan, the infamous buccaneer, who built his career looting gold from the Spaniards, but ended it as the governor of Jamaica. Diageo has built the brand to the point where it has now transcended its Jamaican roots. Production has moved from Puerto Rico to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands and Captain Morgan is selling 10 million cases per year globally, in markets such as United States, Canada, United Kingdom and others. But just as Diageo's rum can't be bought in Jamaica, the JWN version can't be found abroad.
Bolt, Shelly named 2013 top athletes of the worldUsain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ensured yet another historic track and field feat for Jamaica, after both were named as the top athletes in the world this year. Usain Bolt walked away with the Male World Athlete of the Year for a record fifth time, after wins in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013, while Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took home her first and Jamaica's second World Female Athlete of the Year award, following in the strides of 1990 winner Merlene Ottey. Fraser-Pryce had taken three sprint medals in Moscow (100m, 200m and 4x100m), as well as Diamond race titles in both sprints It was only the third time that athletes from the same country were named both male and female athletes of the year, after Americans Carl Lewis and Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988, and Great Britain's Colin Jackson and Sally Gunnell in 1993. The awards were handed out at the Salle des Etoile, Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Caribbean swimmers shineJamaica's swim sensation, Alia Atkinson, continued her marvellous displays on the global swimming tour, by capturing her fourth-consecutive gold medal on the FINA World Cup Tour in Tokyo, Japan. Atkinson won the women's 100m breaststroke to add to her win over the same distance in Singapore. She was the top performer in Singapore after finishing with two gold medals and a bronze at the sixth of the eight legs on the 2013 FINA World Cup. In the Tokyo meet, she took the breaststroke event in a smart 1:02.99 ahead of Russia's Iulia Efimova (1:03.02) and Mio Motegi of Japan who was third in 1:05.02. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago's George Bovell capped off yet another great night of Caribbean swimming with a silver medal-winning performance in the 100 metres individual medley in 51.65. The event was won by Japan's Kousuke Hagino in 51.58, while Vladimir Morozov of Russia secured the bronze in 51.98. The FINA World Cup is a series of eight International Short Course (25m pool) meets, which began on August 7. The FINA World Cup 2013 series has already been held in Eindhoven (Netherlands), Berlin (Germany), Moscow (Russia), Dubai (Qatar) and Doha (United Arab Emirates). Let us know what you think. Email us at hotcalaloo@yahoo.com
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