The Jamaican Observer had an article this week titled “No ‘Dudus’, no ambassador?”. The premise of the article was that the US government will not appoint an Ambassador to Jamaica until extradition of the reputed Tivoli Gardens don , Christopher “Dundus” Coke. The US has denied this but there seem to be many that think this is the case and think this is “blackmail”. I personally don’t see the big deal in this type of “blackmail”. It is done by countries all over the world. Look at Iran and North Korea. In fact there are some prime examples in Jamaica where past governments have used “leverage” to get either the attention or help from another country. It is also human nature to use what you have to get what you want…

So I am getting my NBA fix when I come across the story of Antoine Walker the former NBA player who played a role in getting my team (Miami Heat) a championship. It is estimated that he earned $60-65 million dollars after tax in his 10 year career. He has blown it all and has creditors knocking at his door. Hello there…can someone explain to me how you can lose that much money in 10 years. Well apparently Mr Walker had a spending habit of someone who thought money grows on trees. I guess no one told him different. See the story on his spending habits here.

Two days ago teenagers out of revenge set another teenager on fire. No this did not happen in Jamaica. It happened in America. A note to people who point at Jamaica and say we commit some of the most heinous crimes. We are not alone and it happens everywhere.

There has always been a raging debate about gun ownership in Jamaica. Many argue that crime would go down in Jamaica if all citizens were allowed to carry guns. I don’t have an opinion on this  as it is a very gray area. Trouble tends to follow guns and gun tend to deter trouble.

Well I think the debate may heat up again as there was a story in the Jamaican Observer where Manchester business men have formed their own Civil Defense Force to combat crime. Basically if I can’t get a gun why not pay for hired guns. Maybe the next step is the community having a co-op where everyone pools in for a community Civil Defense Force to patrol and keep the community safe. The next step after that maybe a non-profit organization that funds these Defense forces for communities. Where does it all end once it starts. Do we go back to all citizens having the right to own a firearm.

Today, I was reading the Miami Herald about people growing their own gardens for fruits and vegetable during this tough economic time. The caption under one of the pictures in the article showed a lady picking the flower from an Hibiscus.  She used it in her salads and deserts.  Can the Hibiscus be eaten?

I thought if anyone would know it would be older Jamaicans folks I know who grew up in the country. I asked around and got nothing. Then I did a search on yahoo and google search. In some places they eat the Hibiscus.

I can’t picture eating one of the most beautiful flowers in the world.

I watched a replay of the David Letterman monologue and it seems to have capped of a week where the entertainment industry thinks everything is a joke or not very serious. First there were the arrest of Movie Director Roman Polanski for for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old back in 1977 in Europe. Next was the backlash from Hollywood directors including Woody Allen (who I think has no credibility in a case like this) and Martin Scorsese. They have signed petitions wanting  Polanski to be released. They don’t seem to think this is serious. In fact Whoopee Globerg saying it was not “rape rape” and Debra Winger saying the art world suffers. Wake up people. How would you like your 13 year daughter to go through this.

The David Letterman monologue to me was an insult. Is this the way you admit or reveal something that is going to hurt your family, friends and ex-lovers. In a joke.

This is what the entertainment business has become…everything is a joke even when lives are destroyed…It is good for the ratings…right