Interesting letter to the Editor

[mamatun]

LETTER OF THE DAY - Creeping cultural imperialism
published: Wednesday | May 28, 2008

The Editor, Sir:

Controversy was shoehorned into the last part of the BBC interview where Mr Golding was asked about Jamaica's attitude to homosexuality and here Mr Golding should have used the laws of Jamaica as they stand to explain his position. He should have emphasised that there is equality under the law, and unlike some oil-rich countries which the West is keen not to antagonise, the Jamaican state does not sanction public flogging or beheading of gays.

Mr Golding quite honestly admitted that Jamaica has a long-standing culture opposed to homosexuality. whether it is worse now than when I was a boy growing up is debatable. Our society is certainly more violent as our murder rates attest, and there is also a plethora of lyrics emanating from the self-liberated space of the dancehall which seem to locate all our ills at the feet of gays and appear to legitimise overt violence against gays.

Attacking the seemingly weak

What is right, though, is that Jamaica as a sovereign country should not have its values externally determined by lobby groups living thousands of miles from Jamaica. The same lobbyists seem to have far less appetite for tackling oil-rich states or even the Chinese who have a far worse human rights record than Jamaica.

And if the lobbyists and those who would externally dictate our values have their way, how far will we be forced to follow in the footsteps of their redefined morality? Will they insist that our churches and registrants be forced to marry same-sex couples even if it is against their stated personal and religious beliefs? In the UK under the dictate of the liberal minority we have begun to see the beginnings of religious (read Christian) persecution in the UK where registrars with Christian convictions are being taken to court for refusing to marry same-sex couples, something that was not part of their job description until very recent changes in legislation. The new Sexual Orientations Regulations have been opposed by Christian lawyers and churches on the basis that it forces religious groups to promote homosexuality against their beliefs.

UK memories

Those with short memories in the UK should remember that not too long ago being openly gay could and did cost some politicians their careers. Which country dared tell the UK to amend its values, or did the UK in its own time reassess its values and amend its laws?

As a sovereign nation Jamaica must be allowed to determine its own course respecting the will of the majority while safeguarding the safety, dignity and equality of all its citizens. It is this message that Mr Golding failed to get effectively across. Time longer than rope. We will see whether the UK in this post-colonial episode of empire is able to impose its will on its former colony.

I am, etc.,

HUGH STULTZ

[email protected]

source

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Interesting letter to the Editor


A really stupid letter!
Did a Sovereign nation attack Jamaica or was it that a reporter in the course of his job ask Mr. Golding some questions, a few of which touched on Jamaica's atrocious Human Rights problem?
Besides didn't the Prime Minister say in so many words that the laws bar mistreatment of Jamaicans?

[evanovitch]

Re: Interesting letter to the Editor

what is chupid bout di letta exakly TG? he laid out his thoughts ....obviously he thinks we r a tad homophobic BUT he says we have a right to define our rules being a sovereign nation...an further , he hints at the hypocrisy of someone of a nation that itself is a tad homophobic, questioning the homophobia of another nation..sort of mote in own yeye ting...

[neutral]

Re: Interesting letter to the Editor

&quot;<span style="font-weight: bold"> Jamaica as a sovereign country should not have its values externally determined by lobby groups living thousands of miles from Jamaica.
</span>&quot;

I seem to hear this statement trumpeted a lot in defense of abuse of human rights in Jamaica,...but doesnt Jamaica has its own homegrown human rights lobby groups that also gets short thrift when they speak up in defense of the weak in Jamaica.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Interesting letter to the Editor

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what is chupid bout di letta exakly TG? he laid out his thoughts ....obviously he thinks we r a tad homophobic BUT he says we have a right to define our rules being a sovereign nation...an further , he hints at the hypocrisy of someone of a nation that itself is a tad homophobic, questioning the homophobia of another nation..sort of mote in own yeye ting... </div></div>

Mr. Golding met Gordon Brown Prime Minister of the UK; I don't remember Mr. Brown or his representative issuing any statement in respect of Jamaica's treatment of gays, our human rights problem or anything to that effect.
These letters as Newt agrees set up straw men then knock them down. It is time we at least try to have honest discussions, restricted to the facts and not some personal, twisted invention of obviously addled brain.

[evanovitch]

Re: Interesting letter to the Editor

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tuff Gong</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what is chupid bout di letta exakly TG? he laid out his thoughts ....obviously he thinks we r a tad homophobic BUT he says we have a right to define our rules being a sovereign nation...an further , he hints at the hypocrisy of someone of a nation that itself is a tad homophobic, questioning the homophobia of another nation..sort of mote in own yeye ting... </div></div>

Mr. Golding met Gordon Brown Prime Minister of the UK; I don't remember Mr. Brown or his representative issuing any statement in respect of Jamaica's treatment of gays, our human rights problem or anything to that effect.
These letters as Newt agrees set up straw men then knock them down. It is time we at least try to have honest discussions, restricted to the facts and not some personal, twisted invention of obviously addled brain.
</div></div>

so where in the letta him allude to Brown mekking policy statement? an where him no cite facts as opposed to addled brain sayings....so if is not policy di man ha no issue to opine on ....an the construction of his letter is juss addled cause him is opining?

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Interesting letter to the Editor

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
so where in the letta him allude to Brown mekking policy statement? an where him no cite facts as opposed to addled brain sayings....so if is not policy di man ha no issue to opine on ....an the construction of his letter is juss addled cause him is opining? </div></div>

<span style="color: #6600CC"><span style="font-style: italic">As a sovereign nation Jamaica must be allowed to determine its own course respecting the will of the majority while safeguarding the safety, dignity and equality of all its citizens. It is this message that Mr Golding failed to get effectively across. Time longer than rope. We will see whether the UK in this post-colonial episode of empire is able to impose its will on its former colony.</span>
</span>

I am sorry a Media Personality asking a few questions on TV cannot represent one Sovereign Nation attacking/dictating to another.

[evanovitch]

Re: Interesting letter to the Editor

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tuff Gong</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
so where in the letta him allude to Brown mekking policy statement? an where him no cite facts as opposed to addled brain sayings....so if is not policy di man ha no issue to opine on ....an the construction of his letter is juss addled cause him is opining? </div></div>

<span style="color: #6600CC"><span style="font-style: italic">As a sovereign nation Jamaica must be allowed to determine its own course respecting the will of the majority while safeguarding the safety, dignity and equality of all its citizens. It is this message that Mr Golding failed to get effectively across. Time longer than rope. We will see whether the UK in this post-colonial episode of empire is able to impose its will on its former colony.</span>
</span>

nowhere do i read dat fi real...the writer is restating the obvious....the fact that the reason for him to do so is as a result of an interview by a non governmental person is neither here nor there in the reasoning of this person's letter...guess i juss not seeing why his letter is negated fi di reasons u citing

I am sorry a Media Personality asking a few questions on TV cannot represent one Sovereign Nation attacking/dictating to another. </div></div>

[evanovitch]

Statesmanship in action

Statesmanship in action

ANTHONY GOMES
Wednesday, May 28, 2008



A statesman is defined as &quot;a distinguished and capable politician&quot;. It is obvious that the prime minister measured up, in high order, to this definition during his interview with the BBC's HARDtalk host Stephen Sackur, an experienced interviewer.

Mr Golding demonstrated considerable astuteness and skill, coupled with resolute firmness, in stating his position on subjects reflective of Jamaica's culture and religious norms. His performance has earned him the kudos and support of the majority of Jamaicans as reported in the press.

The substance of the PM's responses may not have found favour with everyone as expressed by dissenters in the media. As the maxim states: &quot;You cannot please all of the people all of the time&quot;, and dissent is a cardinal element of democracy. In many instances, however, the essence and quality of dissent were questionable.

A repeated observation was the amount of relative importance assigned to the subject matter: for example, the prominence of homosexuality as opposed to Jamaica's economic difficulties and unacceptable crime rate. It was clearly the interviewer's intention to direct questioning towards the issue of Jamaica's homophobia, in the hope of a faux pas by his guest. Sackur was disappointed, however, as Mr Golding, with unmistakable firmness, confirmed the views of the majority of Jamaicans relative to homosexuality.

Most of the mail in the newspapers dealing with the PM's dialogue on homosexuality came from overseas, mainly from North America. Some writers trivialised the issue while others have made certain incorrect statements parading as fact, and one editorial with the fatuous title, &quot;Homophobic silliness and a failure of leadership&quot;, earned the dignity of a written response from Mr Golding. The vast number of published opinions agreed with Mr Golding's views and management of the interview, which has almost certainly increased his stature as a statesman and a strong leader.

A significant consideration that appears to have been overlooked in the assessment of homophobia in Jamaican society is that as a Christian country of many religious denominations, homosexual practice is unacceptable and illegal. The teaching of the world's largest Christian religion, Roman Catholicism, states: &quot;Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward people of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that &quot;homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered&quot;. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.&quot; This fundamental dictum strongly influences the thinking of the faithful. The church's opinion is:&quot;Condemn the sin but not the sinner&quot;, that is, condemn the action and not the inclination or demeanour of an individual.

One question and the PM's response worthy of further comment deals with Sackur's question on Jamaica's homophobia: &quot;What kind of signal does that send about Jamaica to the outside world, indeed, to potential investors, to countries that look at Jamaica?&quot; To which Mr Golding replied: &quot;One signal that it sends is that Jamaica is not going to allow values to be imposed on it from outside. We are going to have to determine that ourselves, and we are going to have to determine to what extent those values will adapt over time - to change in perception and to change in understanding as to how people live. But it can't be on the basis that lobby groups far and away from Jamaica will define for Jamaica how it must establish its own standards and its own morals.&quot; A Jamaican adage springs to mind: &quot;Duppy know who fi frighten&quot;! As a developing middle-income country, Jamaica attracts quite a few international groups made up of unelected people. These groups attempt to influence the outcome of events that are perceived to offend their lifestyles, and react with campaigns to impose their way of life on to others.

In certain Middle Eastern and Asian countries homosexuality is not tolerated and carries severe penalties, including execution. Homosexual practice has throughout history been identified with the downfall of both the Roman and Greek empires. It exists today as symptomatic of the decline of Western culture and influence, referred to as decadence. On the contrary, the ascendancy of China, India and Russia has dwarfed the economic performance of the West and now threatens its intemperate lifestyle.

The following is a brief extract from a letter to the press that strikes a clarion chord: &quot;I must say that I have had an opportunity to watch the Bruce Golding-BBC interview. I think that the PM did an excellent job, despite the few naysayer views. There was nothing of which he should be ashamed.
He came over as being intelligent, independent of thought and not some little 'lapdog' talking for the world stage or saying what the international community wants to hear&quot;.

No doubt there shall be retaliation from gay organisations that have to be endured if sovereignty is to have any meaning.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Statesmanship in action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Statesmanship in action

ANTHONY GOMES
Wednesday, May 28, 2008</div></div>
Yawn!
Mr. Golding was surprised by many of the questions he was unprepared/ill-prepared as demonstrated by him demolishing his own arguments during the interview and today when he apologized to the Police Federation during his call in program.