I cannot believe that Jamaica the mother, the originator of reggae has designated a month in which to celebrate Reggae music. Reggae music and the people of Jamaica don’t need intellectual’s elitist to place them in a corner and to give them a month for Reggae music. If the elitist need a month for Reggae then by God let them have it. Reggae music is Jamaican music and it should be

something that we are proud of. Reggae music is beyond the month issue. Reggae music is a daily celebration for many people not only in Jamaica but for people around the world. This is something that we have that other countries around the world are studying, dancing and singing to.

It is OK for other countries around the world to have a reggae month and it seem like many are on their way in that direction. Montserrat have Bob Marley Day and in Finland Hawaii, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, UK and America Bob Marley Birthday is celebrated in almost all the big cities. Many countries recognizes the power of reggae music while some Jamaican don’t want to associate themselves with it seeing that they are more in line to what is classified as good music such as Jazz, Classical, R&B etc and that is OK. Because there is different strokes for different folks. But those people should not have any say so or decision making regarding Reggae music. We won’t sit and let the Reggae music like Bauxite be taken from us while the government and elitists look on, there is power in number.

Jamaica is having so many problems because they are trying so hard to be like America. Jamaica is not America and we don’t have to do things that America does especially if it is detrimental to the country. Most States in America has designated February as Black history month and now we are celebrating February as Reggae month that is bull. I am hoping that this celebration is only confined to UWI so that the elitist are in line and updated with the Reggae music like average Jamaicans.

Many Jamaicans making comment regarding Vybz Kartel and Spice latest music ‘Rampin shop.’ It is good that Jamaicans see the need to make calls on the song in its regard to the explicit lyrics. I do agree that Jamaica music is going

in the wrong direction but I am not sure if it is only the songs sang by Jamaicans need to be scrutinize. Music from foreign are very negative and have more influence on the Jamaican children than even the Jamaican music. We also have the soap operas that comes on not only once but twice daily. These soaps have verbal and visual explicit scene that are also negative for our children.

I am not even sure that it is the Jamaican music that many people should be worried about or the foreign music. Many Jamaicans including myself are surprised that the radio stations in Jamaica hardly play good Reggae music. Surprisingly we hear more reggae music a foreign than Jamaica. I guess more and more Jamaicans want to disassociate themselves from Jamaica .They don’t want to even listen to the music while people all over the world are embracing the Jamaica culture and its music.

In regards to the article published in the Gleaner dated Jan 27 2009 where the England and Wales has reclassified ganja (cannabis) from Class C to Class B. It is justifiable that a country should make changes to the laws that govern their country as they see fit. But is also imperative for the

government to have the backbone to stand up and tell the people the truth reasons why the law is being changed.

I cannot image that the classification of marijuana was change because the ministry is concerned about the health of its citizen. This is such a hypocritical and political statement. If in fact the government reclassified ganja because of damage to someone health then they need to classified cigarette and tobacco as a grade A. Many people are aware of the damages cigarettes and. tobacco causes in someone life.

Cigarette and tobacco causes bad breath, yellow teeth, and shortness of breath, COPD, emphysema, bad skin, heart disease, stroke and cancer. It shortens your life span by 10 years or more. Approximately 5 million people die yearly from cigarette and tobacco smoking. Every 8second a human life is extinguished somewhere in the word due to the effect of cigarette smoking yet it is not on the list. So what is the true reason for this list? Why the hierocracy? why the lie?

I must commend the minister of National Security in the move to install cameras in May Pen and their intention to have them installed Island wide. I am not saying that this is not a good move but

we have to be realistic.

These cameras will be I assume installed in the cities but what about outer city limits. It will be good to have them all over but I know that Jamaica don’t have the money to do so.

What is also needed is the hiring of more Police officer with this we will be, ‘killing two birds with one stone.’ Hiring more officers will provide employment for many Jamaicans and it will also increase the force potential to tackle the crime problem more effectively.

There are many young men and women who will make good police officer if they are given the chance to Serve, Protect, and Reassure.

We need to fight this problem from different point using different means in order to be successful. We not only need cameras but also we are need more police to patrol the communities and to respond when they are called.