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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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GOLDING CAUGHT IN “DUDUS” CONTROVERSY—05/15/10
Because of his ties to Jamaica’s ruling Labor Party, Christopher “Dudus” Coke, alleged drug kingpin, threatens to cause the downfall of Prime Minister Bruce Golding. Golding faces growing criticism for his support of Coke, refusing to extradite the drug lord to the United States on charges of cocaine, marijuana, and weapons trafficking. Some critics have called for Golding to step down from his leadership role in the government because of the “Dudus” case.
GOLDING ACCUSED OF BLOCKING TRIAL OF DRUG KINGPIN—05/16/10
Bruce Golding, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, is facing calls for his resignation following his admission that he tried to save Christopher “Dudus” Coke from going to trial on drug charges in the United States. The scandal surrounding Golding has raised questions about the connections between politicians and criminal gangs in Jamaica. Golding denied his involvement in the “Dudus” case for months, but finally admitted he approved the hiring of a law firm in Los Angeles to intervene on behalf of the alleged drug lord.
NDM CALLS FOR “STARVING” LABOR PARTY OF FUNDING—05/17/10
Michael Williams, the general secretary of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), wants Jamaica’s top three organizations to end their donations to the ruling Jamaica Labor Party (JLP). Williams calls for an end to JLP funding because of the admission from Prime Minister Bruce Golding that he tried to protect an alleged drug lord from extradition and prosecution in the United States. Williams is trying to end donations to the JLP from the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association, and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.
MUSICIAN CRITICIZED FOR VIDEO—05/18/10
Jamaica’s government is not pleased with a music video made by Drake, a Canadian hip-hop musician. The video for “Find Your Love” is popular with fans, but has angered Jamaican officials. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, is upset about the video’s depictions of guns and gangs, saying that portraying gun culture is not helpful to Jamaica’s image as a tourist destination.
GOLDING AGREES TO EXTRADITE “DUDUS”—05/18/10
Bruce Golding, Jamaican Prime Minister, has finally agreed to reverse his decision regarding the alleged drug kingpin, Christopher “Dudus” Coke. Golding will now accede to the request from the United States that Coke be extradited to that country to face charges of drug and gun trafficking. U.S. prosecutors claim that Coke is the head of the Shower Posse, taking it over from his father in 1991. Coke faces life in prison if convicted in New York.
TIMES SQUARE BOMBER INSPIRED BY JAMAICAN IMAM—05/19/10
Faisal Shahzad, the man who is accused of attempting to set off a car bomb in New York’s Times Square, said he was inspired to undertake the activity by a Jamaican Muslim cleric and a cleric in Yemen. Shahzad, 30-year-old Pakistani American, is cooperating with police.
JLP CALLS OUT NATIONAL RESERVE —05/20/10
The Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) decided to call out the National Reserve following stated intentions by thugs in west Kingston to protect Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who they refer to as “the president.” Coke, an alleged drug lord, is facing extradition to the United States on drug charges. The National Reserve members are ready to go into action to battle tensions in the Corporate Area.
ATTACKS ON PRINCIPALS CONDEMNED BY JTA—05/21/10
Two principals in St. Mary were attacked by gunmen. Errol Bascoe, principal of Tacky High School in Gayle, was shot and injured in an attack during an attempted robbery, while Marjorie Tracey, principal of Martins Primary School by Islington, was attacked, tied up, and robbed by a male and a female at the school.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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CHAMBERS HONORED AS WOMAN OF DISTINCTION—05/17/10
Mary Anne Chambers, a Jamaican Canadian woman, was named the Woman of Distinction for Community Service for 2010 by Canada’s YWCA. Chambers, who was born in Kingston, received the honor at a ceremony on May 12 at the Toronto Convention Center. Mrs. Chambers graduated from Immaculate Conception High School for Girls and migrated to Canada in 1976. She serves as Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister of Training in Ontario and was a vice-president at Scotiabank.
AUTO ACCIDENT VICTIM FOUND TO HAVE 25 POUNDS OF POT IN CAR—05/19/10
Gary Leaford Codner, 34-year-old Jamaican, suffered a head injury in an automobile accident in Berks County, Pennsylvania, but still attempted to hide a suitcase in which he was carrying 25 pounds of marijuana before emergency personnel arrived to help him. Police found the suitcase 50 feet from Codner’s car. The drug had an estimate value of $25,000.Codner was released from the hospital and arraigned on drug charges.
2010 JAMAICA DIASPORA MEETING TO HAVE NEW VENUE—05/20/10
The Jamaica Diaspora Convention will meet outside of Kingston for the first time in its history. The 2010 meeting will be held in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel and Spa. According to Dr. Ronald Robinson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, holding the meeting away from Kingston will provide participants with a wider experience of Jamaica and reduce the “Kingston-centric” nature of policy making. About 700 delegates are expected at the June conference.
CHILDRENS’ OUTREACH GROUP TO VISIT JAMAICA—05/21/10
Representatives from New York’s Jamaican charity, Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc., will travel to the island to observe Child Month. COJO is a nonprofit organization based in New York. Its mission is to improve the health, education, and well-being of underprivileged children in Jamaica. The group will present computers, televisions, school supplies, and sports equipment to selected institutions, including the Manning Boys Home in St. Elizabeth, during its visit.
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CARIBBEAN NEWS SUMMARY provided by Caribbeantopnews.com
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PREMIER OF BARBADOS TO UNDERGO MEDICAL TESTS IN U.S.—05/15/10
GAS PLATFORM SINKS OFF VENEZUELAN COAST—05/16/10
MODERATE EARTHQUAKE FELT IN PUERTO RICO—05/17/10
OIL DRILLING IMPACTS CARIBBEAN—05/18/10
DOMINICAN ELECTIONS MARRED BY BLOODSHED—05/19/10
BANANA INDUSTRY IN DECLINE—05/20/10
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SPORTS
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BAILEY ATTAINS WORLD RECORD IN LONG JUMP—05/15/10
Alain Bailey, Jamaican long jumper, achieved a world record in the long jump and won the SEC Outdoor Championships at LaPorte Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Bailey represented Jamaica in the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin. He jump 8.35 meters to win the SEC championship. This is the longest jump in the world so far this year.
BOLT LOOKS FOR WIN IN SHANGHAI—05/17/10
Usain Bolt, three-time Olympic gold medalist, seeks a win in the 200-meter race at the 2010 IAAF Diamond League Shanghai. Bolt says he takes all of his opponents seriously and never underestimates anyone. Bolt noted that this competition marks his first time back in China since the Beijing Olympics.
BOLT MAKES SEASON DEBUT IN KOREA—05/18/10
Usain Bolt is making his first attempt at the 100-meters at a meet in Daegu, Korea. The Olympic gold medalist expects to achieve a “very fast time”. He plans to test the field and run on the track to determine what he needs to work on for next year. Bolt says he plans to run hard, as he always does, and hopes to please the fans with his performance.
BOLT ATTAINS WORLD-LEADING TIME IN DAEGU—05/19/10
Jamaican Usain Bolt, three-time Olympic gold medalist, ran the men’s 100-meter dash in 9.86 seconds to achieve the fastest time in the world for this distance this season. Bolt’s time was better than the previous Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting of 9.98 seconds, achieve in 2009 by Tyson Gay of the United States.
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DEVOTIONAL
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An Attitude of Ingratitude
English novelist and essayist Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) posits an enduring truth when he states, “Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” It is not that we purposefully set out to be that way, but it is easy for us to become so accustomed to certain things that we become indifferent to them; we accept them without thankfulness or a thought.
Let us stop and consider some of those things. When was the last time you thanked God for the ability to feed yourself? To tie your shoe laces? For the sense of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, touching? For family, friends, spiritual leaders? When was the last time you thanked your children for helping with the chores? Your spouse for taking care of the home; for being a hard working husband or wife who put his or her family’s needs ahead of himself or herself? A friend for always being there when needed? When was the last time you thanked anybody for anything and really meant it? If we take the time to stop and count our blessings, we would be surprised at how much there is to be thankful for.
Our inability to be aware of and express thankfulness for what God has blessed us with is indicative of an attitude of ingratitude. The Apostle Paul exhorted the church at Colosse to “cultivate thankfulness” (Colossians 3:15, The Message). The same message applies to us today. Instead of being murmurers and complainers let us resolve to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. To the Thessalonians Paul affirmed, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Yes, it is God’s will that we have an attitude of thankfulness not only towards Him but towards those in our sphere of influence.
To be unthankful is to be in a dangerous place; it is to live on the level of the depraved (Romans 1:21, 28-30). In Deuteronomy 28:47-48 we see it is an attitude that God frowns upon; “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you], Therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord shall send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and in want of all things; and He will put a yoke of iron upon your neck until He has destroyed you” (Amplified). If we are not attaining a thankful spirit then we are slipping toward a depraved mind.
The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart. Such a heart does not know ingratitude but seeks to continually thank God for His blessings, no matter how routine and insignificant they may seem. Do you have such a heart? If not, how about asking His help, starting today, to cultivate a thankful heart? Try it; I guarantee it will change your life.
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CREDITS/SOURCES
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The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.
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