Though i hate to say it, life in Kingston seems to become more hazardous as the days go by. I still have to give thanks that i have never had an incident (knocking on wood), however the caution with which one must approach everyday life must only be exceeded by that of someone living in a nation at war.
The headlines this week were dominated by stories in which journalists featured prominently. In the first, a well known and loved radio talk show host was hijacked and kidnapped on the grounds of the much secured, though obviously unsecure, University of the West Inides (UWI) at about 7 pm in the evening. He overheard phone conversations which indicated that his motor vehicle was to be sold (a buyer was waiting) and he killed. His saving grace however was that they searched the vehicle and came upon his gun licence, and hence learned his name and that he was the beloved 'Ragashante'. At that point they indicated to him, that they would not kill him and actually took him back within walking distance of UWI where he was left in a field. It is obviously good to be a journalist.
A photo of the Prime Minister doodling during a debate in which a no confidence motion was being brought against her government, made it to the front page of one of our daily newspapers. See Article and Doodle here! Frankly i have no comments on the incident at hand as i am still unable to comprehend the PM's obvious disinterest in the nation's business. It however resulted in the banning of journalists from certain areas in the Nation's Parliament...you know those areas where it may be possible to catch a doodle on camera.....I am now thinking that its not so good to be a journalist afterall.
8 comments:
Nowhere is safe in Jamdown. We just have to be careful and hope for the best.
As for the doodle fracas, I don't see what the big deal is, everybody does it! Also i don't think it is front page worthy, but it certainly stirred up things.
I must say i was thinking the same thing...all this trouble with the journalists.
I must say tho i think everyone doodles sometimes, and the prime minister should have just let that picture roll. by dealing with the press she has drawn attention to that fact which would have otherwise be forgotten in a few days....then again with the trafigura scandal she may very well rather as much attention drawn away from the scandal as possible.
I think safety is relative...nowhere is safe. Period. Be it Jamaica, the United States..well, maybe heaven (wherever that is).
Fact of the matter is that if harm is to come to you, it will come, regardless of how you try to avoid it. This is not to say throw caution to the wind, but at some point you have to not let fear rule your life.
Re: the doodling incident. I think it's hilarious. Yes, everyone doodles, but to be obviously disinterested while discussions about a NATION is taking place is unacceptable. And I feel as someone who has set a precedent as the first female prime minister of Jamaica, she should be giving 200%.
Agree with Bill that the banning of journalists has only served to magnify the issue. Ahhh, the saga continues.
More frequent updates, please. Thanks in advance.
I liked the contrast you were trying to draw but two things:
1. Ragashanti even in his capacity as radio personality is not automatically graduated to the rank of 'journalist.'
2. Come on, do you honestly mean to tell me that you think the Prime Minister is suddenly 'disinterested' in the nation's business because she was doodling during an 8 hour presentation?
lol.
c'mon now stop embellishing....the 'debate' was not for 8 hours and the prime minister had already turned up 2 hours late......i know i only doodle when i am not paying attention...i shall judge based on that...
and yeah, for the purpose of my piece i will consider Ragashanti a journalist, afterall, i am certainly not a journalist, but here i am reporting my version of the news!
@bartlett: the only time I doodle during a meeting is when I'm not interested in what's being discussed. I've written some good poems during meetings, if I do say so myself.
"Interest" can be indicated by taking notes on what's being discussed. Doodling, writing poetry, making grocery lists are all the marks of one is disinterested. If you went on a job interview and found out that the interviewer was doodling while you were explaining your exceptional qualifications for the position, wouldn't that be a sign to you?
The blame should not be placed on her but on teh speakers. Yes as Prime Minister she must be 100 percent interested in the work of the country but if the speakers did not present in a manner that was interested then can you blame her??? come on i say there are worst things than the prime minister doodle..i am curious though of what her choice of doodle..i usually draw never ending circles or trees..she drew a man...lol...and geometric objects...what did teh doodle reader say in relation to what it exposed of her personality...
Venicia its quite possilbe that bruce's speech was boring, but considering that our parliament is one in which debate is the rule, and that he was attempting to censure the government, the least she could have done is listen.....are u paying attention while u doodle??
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