History Written

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Today, January 20, 2009, I witnessed another great moment in History, a day that many though would never come, a day that almost the entire world anticipated when the results of the last US presidential election was announced. Yes, today I watch Barack Hussein Obama, sworn in as the forty fourth president of the United States of America, a black man sworn in as the Chief of Staff for one of the most powerful countries of the world, a country where blacks were the minority in key political roles. A page of history was written today, history that the whole world stopped to watch.

So many persons made it a point of duty to see US President Barack H. Obama inaugurated as president of the USA and no doubt Jamaica was one of those nations that watched along with the US as he was sworn in. This momentous occasion was not only celebrated as the moment when a black man became president as the United States, but because so much hope of change in our dismal world condition has been placed in the hands of the new president. Many in the world, including the Caribbean and Jamaica are looking on in anticipation and hope that with this new administration, things will get better economically and where international relations are concerned. But despite his admirable and eloquent speeches, his extremely great feat of becoming president, we are still in a world ravaged by a global economic recession, wars, poverty and disease. Therefore, he has a humongous challenge ahead of him to make a change for the better and only time will tell how much he and his administration can do to improve the US and by extension the global community.

However, one thing is for sure, today has been written in the books of history, not for just the United States of America, but for the entire world. We indeed witnessed a change when we first heard the results of the presidential elections and again today when we witness Barack H. Obama take the oath as the President of the United States of America.

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History Created... Barack Wins!!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

On November 4, 2008 a historic moment was made, when Barack Hussein Obama II became the first Afro American, Black man if you may, to become the president of the United States of America! So much persons in the US, in Europe and in the Caribbean was hoping and keeping their finger crossed that Obama would carry home the victory. It's almost unheard of, a non-white being elected as the president of the United States of America!

The issue should be who is best suited for the job and not the colour of ones skin, but one cannot help but to feel proud that a black man has accomplished what most if not all of us felt was impossible... well until now. I wasn't cheering for Obama just because he is black, but because I do think he is better suited or the job based on my limited coverage of the whole campaigning.

I am not into politics, but I can't help feeling overwhelmed with emotions after witnessing such a great historic moments. Congratulations Barack Obama!!!

This is just the beginning though, there is a lot of work at hand for the new president. The American economy, the world economy, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the environment and international relations. What does his victory mean for us in the Caribbean? Will we benefit form Obama's victory? Will he truly make a good president? Will his policies make the world better? There are a lot more questions to be answered along with these and only time will tell.

Until then, let us bask in this moment and hope for the best! "Yes we can!" Barack Obama: 44Th president of the United States, fist black president of the United States, one of the (thanks for the correction Abeni) youngest presidents of the United States. History Indeed!

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Course Changed!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

The preliminary results are in and from all indications Bruce Golding and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has squeezed power from the hands of the People National Party (PNP) after some eighteen years of being in power. It seems a certain pastor and self proclaimed prophet will have to think seriously about a career change! I use the word squeeze intentionally as this was indeed a closely contested election. The preliminary results last night announce by the director of elections was a 31-29 match up in the favour of the JLP. Also the margin between some seats were extremely close, withe even once seat being termed by the returning officer of the cluster saying it was too close for him to call.

Sista P, was not in any mood to concede a JLP victory last night due to the close tally and the citizenship issue surrounding one of the JLP's victorious candidate. And has indicated that she and her party will be seeking legal action as well as a magisterial recount. However, I just read on The Gleaner's website, that yesterday evening the PNP and its leader has conceded victory to the JLP. They will still however continue with legal action and a recount but it seems from all indications that the JLP has won the election, however narrow the margin is as The Gleaner indicated a 32-28 victory for the JLP this evening.

Eighteen years has been a long time, and although the PNP has done a lot for the country over their tenure ship, they have also done a whole lot of crap and have wasted a lot of my money...I mean tax payer's money. I guess the majority of the voting Jamaican population thinks it is time for a change and have indicated that from their votes. The JLP has made a lot of promises, and they have a tough job ahead of them to rescue this ailing country. Will they make a difference? Will jamaica be better off under the governance of the JLP? Or will things only get worse? It this the winds of change that Jamaica needs? Only time will tell, only time will tell.

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Elections Jamaican Style!

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Elections, Jamaican style is certainly here. No one can mistake this season, there isn't even any way one can try to ignore or deny it. The campaign ads have infiltrated every programme on the local TV stations and radio stations. It seems that campaign ads are the main programming and are only punctuated by a small piece of regular shows. I must admit that I find some of the ads quiet amusing, but that has now faded and have been replaced by annoyance. They are just too many ads now and too frequently! I recall driving in my card and a string of campaign ads started, so craving for some music I decided to change the station only to be slapped in the face with another string of campaign ads! I can't wait to see the end of election.

The disruptive and annoying motorcades is another piece of the Jamaican election campaigning period. An endless line of dangerously overloaded vehicles with widows blocked by protruding bodies adorned in party colours. Campaign songs ring out of speakers as the compete with the pro-party shouts of the supporters. But this is not all, the drivers of these vehicle seem to have their own interpretation of the the road rules as they have no regard for other road users, traffic signs or even stoplights. My advice to anyone is to avoid these motorcades at all costs, as having even a fender bender with one of these vehicles could end up your last. The danger is not limited to the innocent users of the road, who are going by their daily business, but also to these idiot who feel they must hang half of their bodies through the windows of these vehicles. A few weeks ago, one supporter who got killed when his head got entangled with some bamboo stalks. but this has not stopped them from protruding their bodies from the fast moving and reckless driven vehicles of the motorcades.

But the ads and motorcades are only the milder sides of elections, Jamaican style. There is a much darker, sinister side of elections. The wave of political violence that sweeps across the country like a terrible tsunami, claiming lives and leaving a trail of tears and blood. Since the announcement of the date for general elections and its subsequent postponement due to hurricane Dean political violence has certainly made itself obvious. Since then over ten lives have been claimed allegedly by the hands of political violence. And, at the rate at which these murders have been occurring, it seems as if there will definitely be more bloodshed in the few days leading to election, on election day and after the announcement of the winning party. This senseless violence always seem to be a part of Jamaican election season and it seems it will never be separated. The politicians condemn it, yet they seem to do very little to bring it to an end, but then again when the endless supply of tax payers money is at stake, it about winning at all cost.

I was hoping I wouldn't be in Jamaica for elections, I wanted to be somewhere else, but unfortunately I am stuck here. My day off is on election day and it certainly will be a day off, as I will not be leaving my house, not even opening the door to let in fresh air. I think I will watch the events unfold on my TV and hope that the violence and foolishness will die down after election day. I know some of you will be voting, or may be at work on election day, so try to be careful and stay safe whatever you do. In the meantime you can vote here on the Stunner's Election Poll below.

Stunner's Election Poll Who do you think will win the 2007 Jamaica General Elactions? The JLP The PNP Too close to call Don't give a shit! view results

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