Can Jamaica Show How A Phoenix Rises?

For all that is wrong in Jamaica's society and economy, is it possible that the country can show a good lead in dealing with corruption? It is too early to start beating pan and wheel rim, but the latest in the Cuban light bulb scandal suggests that a way is being opened to deal with deceitful and craven politicians (see the Gleaner report and the Observer report). This puts whole new meaning on 'taking it on the Chin'. Rodney Chin yesterday testified that he was a "front" for the politician, Kern Spencer, in setting up businesses, that the prosecution is contending were set up and used to siphon millions of dollars during the Cuban light bulb distribution project.

For a long time, Jamaica has had the odd distinction of a dysfunctional society, filled with wanton murders, especially in certain parts of the capital and Montego Bay, added to which the police force seems riddled with corruption, yet at the same time the judicial system seems to be relatively straight and functioning properly.

The roots of Jamaica's criminality have been well documented, but the scourge is there running through the veins of everyone, even if you have nothing to do with any criminal. The country has been so badly tainted that we all breathed a huge sigh of relief when our greatness came through in the form of Usain Bolt and other athletes, who showed what 'little but tallawah' really meant. But, the inevitable is always there. You cannot have such wanton criminality without it touching politics. It is just not possible. But where are the links and who is prepared to put themselves on the line to expose the 'dealings'? We will have to see how far Rodney is prepared to stick out his Chin.

Logic also says that the tentacles are unlikely to have their body connections in Jamaica. Maybe this case will not be the one that shows where the 'body' really is, but it's in a deep, dark, murky sea that is not in Jamaica.