“Disband the Commonwealth” demanded a recent Observer writer, apparently forgetting it is a voluntary organization whose members can leave whenever they wish. Indeed the commonwealth’s very existence is an implicit acknowledgement that British colonial rule generally did more good than harm. Why would any country choose to be part of an association whose founding member had a mostly negative effect on its development?

The Caribbean Court of Justice debate has been an excellent exercise in the democratic exchange of ideas. Every conceivable point of view has been expressed in the media, and anyone interested has been able to contribute to the discussion via radio talk shows or newspaper letters. But then Jamaicans and West Indians are used to nothing less. The idea of our governments making important changes without extensive public discussion is a completely alien concept.

During the April gas riot last year a group of mostly white and light brown uptowners carrying ‘no gas tax’ placards went to the gas station at the foot of Jacks Hill and began demonstrating. Across the road on the sidewalk was a group of mostly black middle and lower class people also demonstrating with signs. Both groups were espousing the same cause. But according to Dr. Carolyn Gomes.

Is Jamaica better off today that it was when the PNP came to power 11 years ago? The facts say no. In 1988 there were 414 murders in Jamaica, the economy grew by 5%, and it took less than 6 Jamaican dollars to buy 1 US dollar. In 1999 there were 848 murders, the economy shrunk and the exchange rate was 42 to 1. A government with such a dismal record should have no chance of being re-elected. Yet the PNP is odds on to win its fourth consecutive term.

Advertisements reflect a society’s dreams and desires. And though they vary from nation to nation in tone and emphasis, a high proportion of ads everywhere feature nubile women. Sex sells all over the world.  

Christmas is at once the most hedonistic, commercialized, and holiest time of the year. Technically it is Easter Sunday – the day of resurrection - and not Christmas which is supposed to be the most important Christian day. Yet even devout churchgoers generally pay more attention to Christmas than Easter. And resent as they may the calendar expectation of happiness, even humbug scrooges find it hard to completely resist its spirit brightening festivities and gift exchanging pleasures. It says much about man’s paradoxical nature that this mix of deity, merry making, and mammon is the focal point of our calendar.

Why did Alexander Bustamante break with the Norman Manley led People’s National Party in 1942 and form the Jamaica Labour Party? Some say Manley and Bustamante were ‘two bulls in a pen where only one could rule’. There is probably something to this. Politicians are by definition egotists. A man must think well of himself to ask others to vote for him. All election campaigns boil down to ‘I am the best man for the job.’

Homer called beauty a glorious gift of nature; Socrates a short-lived tyranny; Theophrastus, a silent cheat; Theocritus, a delightful prejudice; Carneades, a solitary kingdom; Aristotle said it was better than all the letters of recommendation in the world.

Politicians in other English-speaking liberal democracies understand that once they toss their hats into the ring, all aspects of their past and present lives will be put under a microscope.

The 'Brogadization' of Andrew Holness, seemingly spearheaded by Robert Nesta Morgan, was one of the most successful brand building exercises in Jamaican history. Incorporating street lingo and slick social media suggestiveness, it transformed a likeable, hardworking Prime Minister into an almost folk legend leader.