Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

[johnnycakes]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<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: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tuff Gong,

Cuba's Fidelista driven socialism and Cuba's Poder Popular electoral system are very far removed from the old Stalinist forms and the corrupt Leninist top-down socialism that persists in places like the DPRK.Afghanistan never was anything more than a tribalsociety even during their brief experiment with Soviet backed socialism. The Balkans pretty much the same as the Soviet Union since that's who really ran things.</div></div>

Yaawn!
I don't need a treatise on Socialism, especially revisionist socilista his-tory. No country exists in a vacuum, no system in modern times has been tested, based on all things been equal.

As usual there are only three arguments in respect of Jamaica for the Low-Jackers.

The Manli is God argument
Cuba is all things to all people
The USA was and still is hell bent on destroying Jamaica.

Pretty soon all arguments on this board in respect of Jamaica's Socio-Economic and Socio-Political history direction, devolves into one, all or a combination of these 3 arguments.

All too soon, the so-called LNG deal with Venezuela gets low-jacked, blown away replaced by the bovine scatology, that is de rigueur, dripped from the pens of those quoting from the, first and second books of the Fringe-Left-Bible.
No one can tell us how Venezuela (who does not even have the manufacturing capability to deliver this fuel to Jamaica) will be able (or when if they are), to deliver the goods?
</div></div>



No Tuffy,
Manley wasn't God. His philosophy's were far closer to the teachings of Christ as socialist thought but he was subject to the same Cold War and neo-colonial pressures as all other leaders of Jamaica and in the end every leader was a failure in even coming close to solving any of Jamaica's problems. Jamaica does not exist in a vacuum. Its problems are that it is poor, heavily-indebted and cemented to a neo-liberal neo-colonial economic form and a corrupt electoral system which does not, cannot represent the average or poor Jamaican.



No Tuffy, Cuba isn't all things to all people.
the die-hard capitalists detest what Cuba represents and the U.S.s 50 year war against it is ample proof. Cuba represents a viable alternative to killer capitalism and that is what sets those in opposition to it off the deep end.


No Tuffy, The U.S is not hellbent on destroying Jamaica. Why should it be?
Jamaica caved in and threw out Manley. Edward Seaga was the first head of state to go and kiss Ronald Reagan's and pledge support for the overthrow of Maurice Bishop in Grenada. Jamaica has been completely compliant in following the neo-liberal economic policies that sends out all that money to the lenders in the First World and which impoverishes Jamaica and prevents any progress in infrastructure development, educational spending and healthcare improvements. How many thousands of Jamaicans have had to have Cuban doctors repair their eyes?


Talk about revisionism.

As for the LNG deal from Venezuela, well we see what transpires won't we? They have followed through on all their other deals It is almost as if you'd like to have the Jamaican deal fall through.

As you said, no nation exists in vacuum. What the United States does vis a vis the economy, how it buys bananas, how it doesn't buy cane sugar, how safe the State department says Jamaica is for U.S tourists and much more is closely tied to Jamaica's fortunes.

Alternative and successful electoral systems and economic systems that are in use in neighboring countries SHOULD affect debate in Jamaica where both its economic and political systems are failed enterprises.
The past is the past.
Manley is dead and gone. Seaga is gone but not dead. The political parties are moribund as is the thinking of those who cling to them.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No Tuffy,
Manley wasn't God. His philosophy's were far closer to the teachings of Christ as socialist thought but he was subject to the same Cold War and neo-colonial pressures as all other leaders of Jamaica and in the end every leader was a failure in even coming close to solving any of Jamaica's problems. Jamaica does not exist in a vacuum. Its problems are that it is poor, heavily-indebted and cemented to a neo-liberal neo-colonial economic form and a corrupt electoral system which does not, cannot represent the average or poor Jamaican.



No Tuffy, Cuba isn't all things to all people.
the die-hard capitalists detest what Cuba represents and the U.S.s 50 year war against it is ample proof. Cuba represents a viable alternative to killer capitalism and that is what sets those in opposition to it off the deep end.


No Tuffy, The U.S is not hellbent on destroying Jamaica. Why should it be?
Jamaica caved in and threw out Manley. Edward Seaga was the first head of state to go and kiss Ronald Reagan's and pledge support for the overthrow of Maurice Bishop in Grenada. Jamaica has been completely compliant in following the neo-liberal economic policies that sends out all that money to the lenders in the First World and which impoverishes Jamaica and prevents any progress in infrastructure development, educational spending and healthcare improvements. How many thousands of Jamaicans have had to have Cuban doctors repair their eyes?


Talk about revisionism.

..,,,,,,,,,,,,,

As you said, no nation exists in vacuum. What the United States does vis a vis the economy, how it buys bananas, how it doesn't buy cane sugar, how safe the State department says Jamaica is for U.S tourists and much more is closely tied to Jamaica's fortunes.

Alternative and successful electoral systems and economic systems that are in use in neighboring countries SHOULD affect debate in Jamaica where both its economic and political systems are failed enterprises.
The past is the past.
Manley is dead and gone. Seaga is gone but not dead. The political parties are moribund as is the thinking of those who cling to them. </div></div>

This is what you really want to say and you have said it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As for the LNG deal from Venezuela, well we see what transpires won't we? They have followed through on all their other deals It is almost as if you'd like to have the Jamaican deal fall through. </div></div>

Of course this is the only thing you have to say on the subject and as usual it is accusatory of me.
Putting words into my mouth that I never expressed.

Since it is something that you expect will take some time to unveil itself, why not let it?
Why hijack the post?

[Wahalla]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<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: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No Tuffy,
Manley wasn't God. His philosophy's were far closer to the teachings of Christ as socialist thought but he was subject to the same Cold War and neo-colonial pressures as all other leaders of Jamaica and in the end every leader was a failure in even coming close to solving any of Jamaica's problems. Jamaica does not exist in a vacuum. Its problems are that it is poor, heavily-indebted and cemented to a neo-liberal neo-colonial economic form and a corrupt electoral system which does not, cannot represent the average or poor Jamaican.



No Tuffy, Cuba isn't all things to all people.
the die-hard capitalists detest what Cuba represents and the U.S.s 50 year war against it is ample proof. Cuba represents a viable alternative to killer capitalism and that is what sets those in opposition to it off the deep end.


No Tuffy, The U.S is not hellbent on destroying Jamaica. Why should it be?
Jamaica caved in and threw out Manley. Edward Seaga was the first head of state to go and kiss Ronald Reagan's and pledge support for the overthrow of Maurice Bishop in Grenada. Jamaica has been completely compliant in following the neo-liberal economic policies that sends out all that money to the lenders in the First World and which impoverishes Jamaica and prevents any progress in infrastructure development, educational spending and healthcare improvements. How many thousands of Jamaicans have had to have Cuban doctors repair their eyes?


Talk about revisionism.

..,,,,,,,,,,,,,

As you said, no nation exists in vacuum. What the United States does vis a vis the economy, how it buys bananas, how it doesn't buy cane sugar, how safe the State department says Jamaica is for U.S tourists and much more is closely tied to Jamaica's fortunes.

Alternative and successful electoral systems and economic systems that are in use in neighboring countries SHOULD affect debate in Jamaica where both its economic and political systems are failed enterprises.
The past is the past.
Manley is dead and gone. Seaga is gone but not dead. The political parties are moribund as is the thinking of those who cling to them. </div></div>

This is what you really want to say and you have said it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As for the LNG deal from Venezuela, well we see what transpires won't we? They have followed through on all their other deals It is almost as if you'd like to have the Jamaican deal fall through. </div></div>

Of course this is the only thing you have to say on the subject and as usual it is accusatory of me.
Putting words into my mouth that I never expressed.

Since it is something that you expect will take some time to unveil itself, why not let it?
Why hijack the post?
</div></div>

The assumption is the beleif that Venezuela can deliver on time...????? Can they is the question no one has asked....

[Dyoll_73]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

LNG may ease certain environmental concerns, but I'm more interested in a robust policy of pursuing alternative energy sources. Develop ethanol from sugar cane - I did read about some agreement with Brazil some time again; not sure what's happening there. Any possibility of utilizing ganga??? The experts can help me out here.

With alternative energy sources, Jamaica can cut its overseas energy bill, significantly reduce imports, and thereby improve its overall balance of trade situation and bring about some revaluation of the Jamaican dollar.

[Wahalla]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

Ethanol from sugar is a bigger enviromental disaster than hydrocarbons. nitrates, use of artifical ferilisers, find out the amoutn of bbls per acre and if the .....it is still debatable that wheret the energy input is equal to the out put.. Frankly I think making ethanol for energy is a poor deployment of resources from two perspectives..It is amazing how quickly people forget about rainforest when their gas costs more than a dollar a gallon...

1) it produces a low value product...
2) Jamaica has struggled to fulfill its contractual sugar obligations
3) Jamaica should market its ethanol as a high end rum not burn it.. It would bring more profit...

For all the hype crrently Alternative energies are not yet able to replace the current required energy densities reliably when required ..... The LNG strategy ius a good one.. if they can secure long term contracts JA has a good chance to secure its energy future especually if they can get it at preferential rates... For the first time in a long time something has come out of the goverment that has potentially a strategy not fire fighting

Look to secure their energy future the chinese are planning a trip to the moon to mine helium 2... a theortical compound that may not even work.. Jamaica is attempting to secure its future.. Can or will Venezuela honour its obligation is my question...

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wahalla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ethanol from sugar is a bigger enviromental disaster than hydrocarbons. nitrates, use of artifical ferilisers, find out the amoutn of bbls per acre and if the .....it is still debatable that wheret the energy input is equal to the out put.. Frankly I think making ethanol for energy is a poor deployment of resources from two perspectives..It is amazing how quickly people forget about rainforest when their gas costs more than a dollar a gallon...

1) it produces a low value product...
2) Jamaica has struggled to fulfill its contractual sugar obligations
3) Jamaica should market its ethanol as a high end rum not burn it.. It would bring more profit...

For all the hype crrently Alternative energies are not yet able to replace the current required energy densities reliably when required ..... The LNG strategy ius a good one.. if they can secure long term contracts JA has a good chance to secure its energy future especually if they can get it at preferential rates... For the first time in a long time something has come out of the goverment that has potentially a strategy not fire fighting.... </div></div>

I agree with all you have said about ethanol and most of what you have said about LNG.
However this notion about Chavez saving Jamaica’s LNG Plan might be more farfetched than even helium to the moon.

For one thing the PNP Government is getting ready to give three Letters of the Alphabet when taken together as an abbreviation for the Words Memorandum Of Understanding a most ignoble place in the history of Post Independence Jamaica.

The MOU with Trinidad was just that, so is the one with Venezuela. The Minister responsible when questioned about the deal in Parliament could not tell whether or not Venezuela had the capability to deliver what is needed to Jamaica, when and how.

These are reasonable questions that must be answered, without the reliance on emotion and/or party loyalties.
Other questions also arise, for whom is this in aid of?
The GOJ makes no secret that it is trying to help a bauxite company expand its mine and production capability.

To be true the GOJ does own the facility 50/50, but this expansion is predicated on the foreign owners ponying up the all or most of the funds, which would raise their stakes to 80%.

So technically the GOJ is doing what it did for Migrant….err Mirant. It is handing over a valuable concern to foreign owners and paying them to take it as well. Similar to the Ja$500Mil Working Capital it paid to Mirant for its 80% stake in the JPSCo.

These and more are areas that we need to focus on, instead of some members trying to hijack the post and goading other members to deal with their twisted overstanding of Socio-Political and Socio-Economic matters regarding Jamaica.

[johnnycakes]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan


"These and more are areas that we need to focus on, instead of some members trying to hijack the post and goading other members to deal with their twisted overstanding of Socio-Political and Socio-Economic matters regarding Jamaica."


Yes Tuffy,
We democratic socialists who offer the only viable alternative to the failed economic and political systems that have Jamaica in a big hole and now planning to give 80% control of the bauxite industry away, we are the big problem. Well maybe to some inflated and undeserved egos.

Dyoll,

The following is a link to a very good article that has quite another reason for not going the ethanol route. Like you I would have thought that Jamaica's main agricultural crop would have been a big part in converting to something that would benefit Jamaica but the "monoculture and foreign corporate threats" in the article are things I did not consider.
I'm sure Walhalla will have some welcome thoughts on the points made about ethanol being the resident expert on energy.

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=20&ItemID=12402

[/quote]


More "twisted overstanding" from

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
"These and more are areas that we need to focus on, instead of some members trying to hijack the post and goading other members to deal with their twisted overstanding of Socio-Political and Socio-Economic matters regarding Jamaica."


Yes Tuffy,
We democratic socialists who offer the only viable alternative to the failed economic and political systems that have Jamaica in a big hole and now planning to give 80% control of the bauxite industry away, we are the big problem. Well maybe to some inflated and undeserved egos.</div></div>

You are right about inflated egos.
Are you and your party on the ballot in Jamaica?

It seems to me the PNP which have been the party in power for 18 years have decided that it is better to finance the expeditions of foreign big business, using the sweat and blood of the Jamaican Citizens. What are you saying are you planning to ride in a rescue Jamaica?


Why not taak about this LNG Deal/supposed Deal?

[johnnycakes]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

Tuff Gong,
As you and I have said, the future will soon show how Venezuela comes through on its end of the deal.
All else is speculation at this point.

Neo-liberal economics have failed. Capitalism does not work in Jamaica to solve any of its serious problems.

Socialism, democratic socialism has done very well in eliminating these same serious problems in Cuba and is doing quite well in its limited applications to alleviate serious and similar problems in Venezuela.

Jamaica and most Jamaicans are still tied in to the failed politics and policies of the past, that's no secret.

Cuba and Venezuela offer the example of what can be done in a poor Third World country to alleviate bad conditions for the poor and working people. I post on this board to point out those alternatives to failure.

That's not ego. It's pointing out what works and what hasn't worked.

It really shouldn't be that hard to see the obvious.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johnnycakes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tuff Gong,
As you and I have said, the future will soon show how Venezuela comes through on its end of the deal.
All else is speculation at this point.</div></div>

You and I?

So you already know what you know you are only using once again any post on this forum as a vehicle spread your version of his-tory?

[Wahalla]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

Tuffy I havent followed this project as much as I should.. in fact I had forgotten about it when it poped up on a discussion on 103.... And to be honest I should have been following it... It was a win-win for Jamaica and TT.. But Seaga raised some good geopoltical questions a few years back.. I noted the fesibility study was carried out by the Norwegians and I have a respect for Norwegian have a good record at this kind of projects.... There was some technical challenges that needed solving...

The Trinis (and the energy compaines) are leaders in liquified gas and they have huge investments...

Look at this from a world persepctive, every week the last few years there are long term contracts that are buying up production of gas.. Koreans are buying every thing they can get the hand on.. India Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia are exproling and securing LNG. The british have been buying up from Qatar and from Norway.. The chinese have been buying up prodiuction from Iran and Australia.. By long term we are talking 25 years plus....

So I have always since about 10 years old been struck by the incapability of the Jamaica goverment to thing long term.. This surprised me...

I have watchyed Venezuela play geopoltics with their energies resources. And have watched the oil companies and service companies quietly resources out rather than stick around... While PDVSA(has misrepresented information with less than subtle manner.... What I am talking about will come evident not in the next months but over the next few years ... So does Venezuela have the capacity to produce and deliver to Jamaica on time?????. There are some contract implications to Jamaica that could sting Jamaica in the event that it does not come off...

Now this will cause the peanut gallery to squark and complain with claims I lack understanding of economoics or poltics

Interestingly there are a coulple LNG plants that the enviromenatalist are trying to shut down in Californai and New York... On teh Californai plant Hollywood yankees prefers to risk the lives of people with melanin south the border.

Also a few weeks back there was the hulabolo about the cockpit country well not a single sound is made about this enviromenatal potential disasters that a lng plant at port esquivelen... Note a moecule of hydrocarbon is a 4 - 8 times the impact as a green house gas as carbon dioxide.. Guess the enviromentalist prefer to have air condtioners but see us people from the cockpit country as undeserving of the use of our resources...


But what do I know mi come fram deh cockpit country mi nuh ha no sense...

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wahalla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Interestingly there are a coulple LNG plants that the enviromenatalist are trying to shut down in Californai and New York... On teh Californai plant Hollywood yankees prefers to risk the lives of people with melanin south the border.

Also a few weeks back there was the hulabolo about the cockpit country well not a single sound is made about this enviromenatal potential disasters that a lng plant at port esquivelen... Note a moecule of hydrocarbon is a 4 - 8 times the impact as a green house gas as carbon dioxide.. Guess the enviromentalist prefer to have air condtioners but see us people from the cockpit country as undeserving of the use of our resources...


But what do I know mi come fram deh cockpit country mi nuh ha no sense... </div></div>

Taking the last first I think the environmentalists, as are most folks in Jamaica have been caught flat-footed.
No one quite knows what exactly is LNG, beyond cooking gas.
If cooking is okay, then this LNG must be okay too.

Piping this thing would be the best, but I can't see pipes from Trinidad (is back in, I think they and Venezuela are trying to team up to work this thing so it will help Siesta P. and co.), or Venezuela. So you need these huge ships and I guess they will have to be way offshore, then the stuff gets piped in, because any accident that results in an explosion could mean a whole town.

The next problem is Jamaica is not South Korea, China Japan or any such large producer of goods and services. Jamaica is basically shipping the stuff in to give to two foreign big business companies.
Two companies that have subsidized their operations in Jamaica, by treating the Jamaican citizens with scant regard.

If we use the previous energy deals as a yardstick, then we might conclude that the impact on our private use of energy will be nada.
A few years ago when there were more than two or three persons willing to engage in serious discussion about Jamaica's problems, I raise the issue of our consumption of fossil fuels and how it should be parceled out.

For my suggestions one member did say I would be called a Communist.
I basically said private transport should be last on the list when energy cake is sliced.
The GOJ should restrict the use and importation of private motorcars in favour of Public Transport.

Well that was a while ago when, the energy bill was not so high as a percentage of the overall budget.

[Dyoll_73]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If we use the previous energy deals as a yardstick, then we might conclude that the impact on our private use of energy will be nada.
A few years ago when there were more than two or three persons willing to engage in serious discussion about Jamaica's problems, I raise the issue of our consumption of fossil fuels and how it should be parceled out.

For my suggestions one member did say I would be called a Communist.
I basically said private transport should be last on the list when energy cake is sliced.
The GOJ should restrict the use and importation of private motorcars in favour of Public Transport.

Well that was a while ago when, the energy bill was not so high as a percentage of the overall budget. </div></div>

That suggestion not only makes good economic sense, but environmental sense as well ( I know we environmentalists are often ridiculed, even on this board). While government can restrict the importation of motor vehicles (through higher duties, quotas, etc), it may also have to offer incentives to people to drive their cars less and to get into public transportation. This would require public transportation that is far better than currently exists. An efficient public transport system, a public education campaign, carpooling, can alleviate the conjestion in Kingston and reduce carbon emmisions. The highway projects, though not bad in themselves, show that an expansive railroad sytem is on the backburner. Soon, those highways will be just as conjested. I'm thinking cleaner air, cutting Jamaica's overall import bill as a result of more efficient use of energy, an improved balance of trade situation, economic growth. At the same time, Jamaica has to find alternative sources of energy - to complement and reduce the use of fossil-fuels. Of course, the dismissive retort that the development of certain alternative energy sources is more damaging to the environment than fossil fuels is redundant since, within a sound enviromental framework, one would not intelligently advocate for improving environmental conditions while pursuing actions which put same at risk.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dyoll_73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
That suggestion not only makes good economic sense, but environmental sense as well ( I know we environmentalists are often ridiculed, even on this board). While government can restrict the importation of motor vehicles (through higher duties, quotas, etc), it may also have to offer incentives to people to drive their cars less and to get into public transportation. This would require public transportation that is far better than currently exists.</div></div>

I agree totally.

To Menlie's credit and primarily because of the oil crises of the 70s, his Administration did just that in relation to private motor vehicles.
The only problem is they screwed up the second part of the equation. They first, using their racist/shadeist yardstick, nationalized the Jolly Joseph Bus Service. They then removed the service, out of it by turning the every running of the company over to the party hacks.

By the 80s there was a free for all. Pernel made it worse by granting all these bus licenses to private owners. That was not a bad thing in and of itself but the qualifications was more about your ability to import and operate a bus, rather than a well-organized public transportation service, administered by the Minister of Transport, with a mix of ownership.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">An efficient public transport system, a public education campaign, carpooling, can alleviate the conjestion in Kingston and reduce carbon emmisions. The highway projects, though not bad in themselves, show that an expansive railroad sytem is on the backburner. Soon, those highways will be just as conjested.</div></div>
Well the former Prime Minister told us exactly what policy he supported.
More man hav cyar!
That it full stop.
It seems Portia Simpson-Miller is set to continue that disastrous policy. The only proposed relief is for the Mining and Electricity Generating sectors.
There is no speaking to our consuption patterns and trying to change it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm thinking cleaner air, cutting Jamaica's overall import bill as a result of more efficient use of energy, an improved balance of trade situation, economic growth. At the same time, Jamaica has to find alternative sources of energy - to complement and reduce the use of fossil-fuels. Of course, the dismissive retort that the development of certain alternative energy sources is more damaging to the environment than fossil fuels is redundant since, within a sound enviromental framework, one would not intelligently advocate for improving environmental conditions while pursuing actions which put same at risk. </div></div>
I agree we must weigh each risk on a cost benefit scale.

[Dyoll_73]

Re: Chavez saves Jamaica's LNG plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To Menlie's credit and primarily because of the oil crises of the 70s, his Administration did just that in relation to private motor vehicles.
The only problem is they screwed up the second part of the equation. They first using their racist/shadeist yardstick nationalized the Jolly Joseph Bus Service. Then they proceed to take the service out of it by turning it over to the party hacks.

By the 80s there was a free for all then Pernel made it worse by granting all these bus licenses to private owners. That was not a bad thing in and of itself but the qualifications was more about your ability to import and operate a bus rather than a well-organized public transportation service administered by the Minister of Transport, with a mix of ownership.</div></div>

I'm more in favor of a publicly-owned transportation system, certainly for the Kingston/Portmore/Spanish Town area. I was in high school in the mid to late 80's - mostly during Pearnel Charles's stewardship - and the bus system was chaotic to nightmarish. This was after the demise of J.O.S. "Big man, step roun in a di middle." "Nice lady, ease back an mek da man yah pass yuh." Passengers were jammed tighter than sardines in a can. Do you remember Professor Nuts hit tune: "Inna di bus." You had three people hanging off the door, somtimes dodging light posts or other vehicles. I remember there were times when the ducta would emphatically say: "No schoolas." Other times, school children entered the bus only after all the seats are taken - obviously students paid less bus fares. That was during 'peak hours.' When things slowed down during the days, or during holidays, you could suffocate in a bus at papine, halfway tree (park or eastwood park road), cross roads, or any major stop, as the driver decides he won't move until he has 'enough' passengers.

Okay, so there weren't enough buses to deal with passenger demand. And there was more money to gain from packing the buses to twice their capacities. If transportation was good business, why weren't there more bus operators? Was it government regulations which prevented potential operators? Was it the cost of doing so? Or was there 'scheming' among operators to secure certain areas/communities and prevent the entry of new players? If there were sufficient buses to handle the passenger volume, would those operations remain viable? Would there have to be mergers?

Ideally, privately owned transportation (profit-making entities) should create a situation where competition leads to better services and prices. Ironically, here, the profit motive led to poor service.

If it were publicly owned, efficiently managed, ran on schedule with nice coaches, air-conditioned, maybe tv screens, security, at an affordable price to passengers, it would be great. Will there be a substantial cost? Of course. But more people who would otherwise be turned off from public transportation, trying to get a deportee as quickly as possible, and those pursuaded to use public transportation for economic and environmental reasons would help to offset the cost. They could even sell advertisements on the sides. A first rate system would attract more middle class people to ride the bus or a rail sytem in the case of communities like Portmore and Spanish Town. People of all walks of life would use such a transportation system. It will require some matching funds from the government, but it is a responsiblity, I think, the government should undertake given the economic benefit of the ability of people to move easily within the corporate area.

I'm not pretending to give an exhaustive analysis of the transportation system. These are just my humble musings.