Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

[Dr.Dudd]

Jamaica Observer Editorial
Lessons from Lethe


Friday, June 15, 2007



We were disheartened by the report in yesterday's edition of the brazen robbery on Tuesday of 17 tourists by two armed gunmen during a tour of the Lethe Estate in Hanover owned and operated by former tourism minister, Mr Francis Tulloch.

For despite the swift response by the relevant authorities who executed a commendable damage control exercise, the incident - described by tourism officials as a one-off in the scheme of things - points to a breakdown of security in the tourism industry.

According to our information, the Lethe tour is one of several scheduled to benefit from extra security patrols under the hot spot shuttle system mooted by the Cruise Shipping Committee of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to the mechanisms of that system, special security patrols are supposed to be deployed during such tours in the interest of the safety of our visitors.

As such, it seems that if - God forbid - the victims were minded to take legal action for the recovery of their assets or for the trauma that the incident engendered, they might well have a credible case for an action in negligence against those with responsibility for the tour.

Apart from being expensive, the defence of any such action would be frightfully embarrassing, as it would be sure to conflict with the spirit that governs the warm welcome that the tourism industry purports to offer its visitors.

We can well imagine the consternation of the industry stakeholders, who now have the tricky job of restoring confidence to a sensitive market, which has its fair share of vacation options.

For the safety guarantees required for the restoration of this confidence cannot be founded on the tricks of public relations or misguided attempts to hush up the realities of a crime-ridden society, featuring resentful thieving desperadoes who do not see the need to nurture an industry which offers direct employment to well over 40,000 Jamaicans.

Nor can these safety guarantees rest solely on the strength of an understaffed, stressed-out police force which has its hands full with the other security issues that affect the rest of the country.

What is really needed at this time is an effective reiteration of the message that industry officials have been working on for decades, namely that the tourism industry is the property of everyone and as such must be afforded the level of respect and reverence that is necessary to ward off attacks of the nature reported in Lethe.

As well, there needs to be an acceptance that if the country is made safe for Jamaicans, it will be safe for our visitors.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

I have stated it so many times and i will say it again. As long as the repression of the majority of Jamaicans in the economic sector exist,the security cost will keep skyrocketing,ti the point where it will be more profitable to allow equal opportunity to the suppressed than to afford the security cost.

You have built a dam, and the walls of that dam is the security cost. As the strain put pressure on that wall.
You have 2 choices, either increase your spending on security, so as to reinforce this or equalize the pressure on the other side, so that there is little need for the wall. In the former you will eventually have to send to the point where it is no more profitable to do bysiness. ..and eventually equality will come at your cost.If you choose the latter we will have a peaceful and prosperous society,and you will still be a big part of it.
Some choice eh!!
Where are the smart one among you??
Let me see your <s>hands </s> actions
Your choice.

[Q3210]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

So do you think a 5th term of PNP power will lead us into the light or are we caught between a hard rock and a boulder?

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So do you think a 5th term of PNP power will lead us into the light or are we caught between a hard rock and a boulder? </div></div>
It does not matter if the PNP or the JLP wins. The fact is that the plantocrats will have to come to the realization that this strategy is not profitable enough and the more profitable strategy is to allow equal opportunity in every area of business, It will not improve.
Many do not realize that during the period of the 60's when Jamaica was supposed to be experiening the greatest growth,we had the most volatile social period.
No, they were not shooting each other,but the country was at the clocest it has been to open civil war. They did not have the guns then.
Everybody want to suppress that.
remember this time they do and it is one thing to have localized skirmish between gangs,but if they ever organoze into a movement,God help the country.
You can have a rich country with the majority locked out of the real economic benefits, like in Cayman,Bermuda and other colonies,and Jamaica when it was a clolny,but like happened in Jamaica. It is unsustainable.
The serious under currents that existed during the 60's that we really should not have repeting itself again.
I once stated here that jamaica does not need to learn from these colonies. They need to learn from Jamaica.
Where they are Jamaica was,and unless they learn from our mistake. They will be following our foot steps.
Remember that when Jamaica got independence. Britain took all the treasury.
They left the country only enough to cover our expences for less than a month.
When these countries (if they ever decide to become independent) they should expect similar treatment.
They are rich,but who really own the wealth of those colonies??
How would you like to live in a wealthy neighborhood and living in a shack??
which is better? Living in a shack in a rich neighborhood,or living in a middle class neighborhood and living in a modest home?
That is what the country is faced with. which is better??

[Q3210]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>Britain took all the treasury.
They left the country only enough to cover our expences for less than a month <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>


I`ve never heard the militants from Rodney to DK Duncan to Paul Burke mention that.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>Britain took all the treasury.
They left the country only enough to cover our expences for less than a month <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>


I`ve never heard the militants from Rodney to DK Duncan to Paul Burke mention that.
</div></div>
DK Duncan was in high school at the time.
It was not recorded as history during Walter Rodney's time in Jamaica.He was also involved in history of Africa before and during slavery.
Paul Burke, does not cover history as a continium,but rather he chooses topics to write on. That topic may not be his fancy so far, but it is on record.

[Sinco01]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>Britain took all the treasury.
They left the country only enough to cover our expences for less than a month <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>


I`ve never heard the militants from Rodney to DK Duncan to Paul Burke mention that.
</div></div>

i heard this before ..
or something similar ..
i think it was a Manley interview ...
Life & Debt ... 199 ???

[Q3210]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

I think that was more up near, like 1980 where Seaga was left with something simular to run Jamaica for a month after the greatest `distributionalists` had long killed the goose and had shared the eggshells with their comrades before losing as they are about to lose in this the next elections.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think that was more up near, like 1980 where Seaga was left with something simular to run Jamaica for a month after the greatest `distributionalists` had long killed the goose and had shared the eggshells with their comrades before losing as they are about to lose in this the next elections. </div></div>
Did you know that in no administration since independence has Jamaica ha a positive international reserve&gt;
did you know that when this same PNO administration took office in 89 the Net internal reserve was minus or in th enegative?
Dids yiy know that with all the paper growth that was recorded,there was no money in the bank of jamaica reserves/
You can get away with murder if those who own the communication channels are on your side,and heaven help you if you are not in their collective pockets.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think that was more up near, like 1980 where Seaga was left with something simular to run Jamaica for a month after the greatest `distributionalists` had long killed the goose and had shared the eggshells with their comrades before losing as they are about to lose in this the next elections. </div></div>
It was 1962 that it happened.
You noticed how difficult it is to believe what the country had to go through after independence?
Yes it is not ony Jamaicans or the PNP that treat the country like thrash,the Brits played their part,and did a royal job of it too.

[Q3210]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

What a ting. Jamaica, one big mango tree. Pawt of the cultcha, to stone mango off ah mango tree. One great big feeden tree for all to pick from.

[Morpheous]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>Britain took all the treasury.
They left the country only enough to cover our expences for less than a month <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>


I`ve never heard the militants from Rodney to DK Duncan to Paul Burke mention that.
</div></div>
I am not surprised at the robbery of tourists. They will return home and never come back to jamaica - affecting tourism as bad news spread like wild fire. The government is ignoring certain sectors of jamaica and the result is what it is now.

As for britain stealing treasures, well the goj should lobby britain to return it, meanwhile they need to move on and stop playing the blame game. Move on jamaica! Look to the future jamaica and set your objective to achieve and progress. Look at china, even the tiny 4 islands of japan - they have moved on and made progress and the blame game between them and the usa was not a dominant factor for investments and productions.

[Morpheous]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

---

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: More4us</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>Britain took all the treasury.
They left the country only enough to cover our expences for less than a month <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>


I`ve never heard the militants from Rodney to DK Duncan to Paul Burke mention that.
</div></div>
I am not surprised at the robbery of tourists. They will return home and never come back to jamaica - affecting tourism as bad news spread like wild fire. The government is ignoring certain sectors of jamaica and the result is what it is now.

As for britain stealing treasures, well the goj should lobby britain to return it, meanwhile they need to move on and stop playing the blame game. Move on jamaica! Look to the future jamaica and set your objective to achieve and progress. Look at china, even the tiny 4 islands of japan - they have moved on and made progress and the blame game between them and the usa was not a dominant factor for investments and productions.
</div></div>
Life is not all wishes and hopes.
Jamaica does not have control of thier country as the Chinese and Japanese. remember china had to fight the Brits,The american and almost every european nation, for nearly 100 years. only to achieve independence as a communist country. It is one thingabout communism. It structure the country like a military camp or prison. It is easy to get the population to concentrate on one strategy,but jamaica has not yet free itself of the plantocrats until this happens and the countrt is really run by jamaicans we will continueto have this simmering class war. It will only ebb and when it re-emerge it will be in another more effective form,but is one thing is sure. That is the status quo is not sustainable. the country cannot afford the level of security to allow it to function on the this trajectory for much longer.

[Morpheous]

Re: Lessons from the mugging of the tourists

I agree but let's look at japan a much smaller islands of 4 that can be compared to jamaica. They had serious battles with america though japanese history of oppressing others like the philippines is another story.

They did not let their hatred for america consume them as a nation and dominate their need to succeed in the world after the battering they received from america. They sat down and did business with their arch enemy - america; now the number one importer of japanese goods.

Jamaica is not the same as japan but it is comparable in some ways and hence jamaica need to start using their heads rather than let their heart dominate their feelings of british history.

Time to move on, the world has changed and jamaica don't have to fight a war to get what it deserves. It won't be handed to us on a plate but jamaica can't afford to sit back another 100 years and moan and bellyache about britain.