Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Wait, there is more

Hi
Just about leaving and got this, so I thought I would share.

London Times Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense

'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair;and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Band-Aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust;his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers, I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Peace

Monday, July 28, 2008

The Opinionated

Science is the father of knowledge, but opinion breeds ignorance.... Hippocrates

This is not a rant, but a simple observation.

Today, I had to attend a few meetings, which had in attendance some very argumentative, dogmatic and power hungry individuals sitting in the boardroom.

I was not in a very pleasant mood, so I decided to take the "high road" and sit back and observe the sheer hypocrisy of it all. Under normal circumstances, I can be as vicious as anyone else, however, today was not one of those days. When the time was right, I gave my suggestions and let these officious, "holier than thou" individuals have the floor.

Their opinions were not feasible and it portrayed them to be stupid. The Director ended up asking them if they had given any thought to the agenda, as they were constantly going off subject. I can only presume that they wanted to impress the three Directors that were present at the meetings. I think they achieved the opposite and will be hard pressed to make a second impression of any substantive meaning.

Why do people try to make themselves more important?

Why people spurt opinions on matters that they know nothing?

Why do people, once out of University, think that they know everything?

Don't answer, they are all rhetorical questions.

UNIMPORTANT FACTOID
Not many people read this blog, hence the "unimportant" .... HAHAHA!!!
I am off to Washington DC for a few days, on a business trip. I will behave myself by not insulting the officials I am slated to meet.
By my tone, you can garner that I am not a fan of the present US Administration, but that is another story.

Peace

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Sign of the Times

Do not use your "hand held" cell phone, in your car, if you are driving in certain Provinces in Canada, namely Nova Scotia or Quebec.

"Drivers can be fined even if they are holding their phone in their hand and not talking on it."

Read the articles here and here

It is coming, so get your "hands free" bluetooth working.

Peace

This does not go far enough

There is a new Anti Crime Plan in Jamaica.
In an effort to stem the "killing fields" in Jamaica, the Prime Minister has unveiled his overdue anti crime plan.
NEW ANTI-CRIME MEASURES INCLUDE:
-Minimum 10 years for gun crimes..
-Criminal suspects can be detained for 72 hours..
-Denial of bail for serious crimes for up to 60 days..
-Majority of nine jurors of 12 can decide on non-capital murder..
-Police to get access to restricted information..
-Use of DNA evidence..
-Testimony from secure and remote locations.
More can be read here and here

The Criminal Rights Activists (aka Human Rights Activists) have won and he has watered down his original stance.

Let me tell these CRA (Criminal Rights Activists) that what they got will not deter or reduce the crime rate in Jamaica, They are a set of ideological fools living under a false sense of security, with their heads in the sand.
The measures do not address the following:
-removing the illegal guns already in the hands of the terrorists.
-addressing the shortcomings of the upcoming generation to prevent them from getting into crime.

If the terrorists, with illegal firearms, do not get caught, then they will continue to run amok with impunity.

One thing that is missing in the anti crime plan, by its obvious omission, is the penalty for HAVING IN YOUR POSSESSION an illegal firearm. If you are caught with an illegal firearm, you should be penalized. However, I suppose the CRA will no doubt object to that method of thinking.

This is a missed opportunity.

Walk Good

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Shattered Dreams

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.
-- Robert H. Goddard

The prospect and dream of returning to my native land has been tarnished. The process began with the savage slaying of the Lynn family which took place in 2007. The assassination of Douglas Chambers recently has struck me as sheer disaster and further shattered that dream.

This article in the Observer, which states "Having left Jamaica over seven years ago, Jamaica has never left me. I can truthfully say I have experienced all the stages of the grieving process as one who has lost a parent." grabbed my attention.

I am not that naive to think that my self imposed exile from my country of birth will not become permanent. I have always maintained that the Diaspora sees Jamaica through "rose" coloured glasses, tinged with nostalgia and faded memories. Well intentioned though they maybe, they are in for a rude awakening if they think they can solve the embedded problems facing Jamaica at this time.

The pundits and learned Jamaicans keep talking, explaining when the decline started and why it began, however, there seems to be a lack of will to stop the slide into oblivion.

Will it take political leadership, massive uprising, an invasion by outside forces, or continued passive acceptance to tame the savage beast that is ravaging Jamaica?

There is a simplified logic that follows the principle of the 5 W's (W5). It is summed up by asking Who, What, Where, Why and When. The pundits have solved some of the W's.

My question is Who is going to find a solution, What is that solution and When is the solution going to be implemented?

My dream of returning to the land of my birth, grows dimmer with each passing day.

Walk Good

Saturday, July 12, 2008

New Airline Rules

With the airline industry struggling with the high cost of fuel, there will be changes that passengers will need to tolerate.

NEW AIRLINE RULES

Attendant: Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, sir. May I see your ticket?

Passenger: Sure.

Attendant: You're in seat 12B. That will be $5, please!

Passenger: What for?

Attendant: For telling you where to sit.

Passenger: But I already knew where to sit.

Attendant: Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat locator fee of $5. It's the airline's new policy.

Passenger: That's the craziest thing I ever heard. I won't pay it.

Attendant: Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?

Passenger: Yes, yes. All right, I'll pay. But the airline is going to hear about this.

Attendant: Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy. Would you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you?

Passenger: That would be swell, thanks.

Attendant: No problem. Up we go, and done! That will be $10, please.

Passenger: What?

Attendant: The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee.

Passenger: This is extortion. I won't stand for it.

Attendant: Actually, you're right, you can't stand. You need to sit, and fasten your seat belt. We're about to push back from the gate. But, first I need that $10.

Passenger: No way!

Attendant: Sir, if you don't comply, I will be forced to call the air marshal. And you really don't want me to do that.

Passenger: Why not? Is he going to shoot me?

Attendant: No, but there's a $50 air-marshal hailing fee.

Passenger: Oh, all right, here, take the $10. I can't believe this.

Attendant: Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Passenger: Yes. It's stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn't seem to work. Can you fix it?

Attendant: Your overhead fan is not broken, sir. Just insert two quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes.

Passenger: The airline is charging me for cabin air?

Attendant: Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge. It's the circulating air that costs 50 cents.

Passenger: I don't have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?

Attendant: Certainly, sir! Here you go!

Passenger: But you've given me only three quarters for my dollar.

Attendant: Yes, there's a change making fee of 25 cents.

Passenger: For cryin' out loud. All I have left is a lousy quarter? What the heck can I do with this?

Attendant: Hang onto it. You'll need it later for the lavatory.

It is not what it used to be.
Peace and Walk Good

Sunday, July 6, 2008

One Dollar a year and Bullets

When this happened I was totally shocked (JUTC Chairman Shot). I didn't post any comments on this issue, as I felt that others with better insight, or living with the type of corruption that Douglas Chambers was trying to expel from the fabric of the JUTC, that they needed to express themselves.

There was a penned contribution by Danville Walker, which is self explanatory, and can be read here in which he states "Douglas Chambers' murder was a strike against authority and some are hoping that all who stand up for order will be afraid to take action and to lead your organization to be free of the parasites who have come to believe that they have the right to live off the industry of the rest of us"

There was also an insightful blog, by someone who was a friend and member of the JUTC Board, thus having a vested interest and direct relationship with Douglas Chambers. This blog can be read here, which states "It is a very sad day for our country when someone with all the intentions to make this country better is slain. For it is saying to us that if you try to do anything to improve Jamaica, and help to improve the lives of Jamaicans, then you will not make it."

This is in no way trying to demean the other 700 murders that have taken place in Jamaica since the beginning of 2008, alas, this assassination should be seen as anarchy against the state.

I did not know Douglas Chambers, however, I will take this opportunity to express my condolences to his family and friends.

To Mr Douglas Chambers, God speed, and may your soul rest in peace. You work on this earth is done and you are in a better place.

Where men/women do nothing, evil triumphs.

Walk good

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Just As I Am

I was introduced to this by reading a familiar blog here
This is really good.....enjoy

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Canada Day

There is one thing that seems to define the average Canadian, they complain about the weather.
It is either too cold, too hot, too much snow, too humid or too much rain.
Read about it Here
It was worse than miserable. There were only eight days in June when it did not rain here, said Mr. Phillips. The other 22 days were damper than a terrier's nose.
I wonder what the complaint will be for July and August?
The interesting thing about these complaints, is that we can't do anything about it, however, the complaints keep coming.
It is an interesting juxtaposition in an imperfect world.
Peace