In Russia, you do not need to attend law school to be a lawyer. There is no bar and no ethics code. A lawyer pointed this out when we asked “what action could cause a lawyer to be disbarred?”… he answered “in order to be disbarred, you would first need to be ‘barred’” lol

The generational divide is also interesting. An older attorney said there was no need for a code of ethics as the legal system is fragile and any change would “disbalance” it. When we asked him to explain what he meant by “disbalance” he stuttered for 5 minutes. The law student on the other hand thought a code of ethics would be important as it would create protections for clients. A common theme among law students was the desire to change the image of the legal profession.

On the issue of the USSR, a prominent political scientist said many of the judges are operating in a “democratic” society with a communist mind set… in cases against the government, the government almost always wins, as the concept of personal property is sometimes fuzzy among older judges.

I asked a young attorney whether the society is better under capitalism or communism… he said it’s better under capitalism, as now people have incentives to work harder because they have an opportunity to gain. I followed up by asking him to reconcile the drop in innovation (inventions in science, etc)… he was unable to respond.

I try to enter these conversations without any commitment to any particular point of view. I am skeptical of American commentary on Russia, so I try to approach each person with an open mind.

Tomorrow I will be going to the Doma… the Russian Parliament. I am particular excited because Putin is the Chair. Hopefully I will get to see him. Hillary Clinton is in town and she may be there as well.

Since Monday I’ve traveled extensively (as extensively as one can travel over 2 days) using the Moscow subway. In the process, I’ve observed many faces and conducted several interviews in an attempt to both enrich my experience as well as to gather information for my research. While I’m not yet ready to say Russians are not racist (I’ve only been here 2 days), I get the feeling that the majority of Russians are warm. While I get a few curious stares, no one has tried to dismember me because of my race.

The Moscow subway is amazing! I am slowly learning Cyrillic (Russian alphabet) but doubt I would have much of a problem even if I wasn’t able to read the most basic Russian words. The subway stations are spacious and clean, and the trains are fast. The only U.S. cities that I’ve seen with comparable stations is DC, and even then, the D.C. station may only be comparable to the worst station I’ve seen.

Yesterday after my first interview, I returned to my hotel to relax a bit. On the elevator, a lady exchanged pleasantries in English… she asked me what I was doing in Russia… after I told her, she invited a colleague and I to her floor for coffee. I was very skeptical, but we agreed to visit (thinking it may be good for her research). Later, over tea, we learned that she is the owner/CEO of the largest market research firm in Russia… her office spans 3 floors in our hotel… her operation stretches across three countries and she has a staff of 300. We will be doing lunch on Thursday.

On Monday a few chicks tried to pick me up at a university we visited in Moscow. Fun times. I’ll be meeting up with a few friends later today… to… hang out and further explore the city. Got some good news from NYC as well. Received a summer internship with a law firm there.

Oh… Moscow is extremely expensive!

I enjoyed the scenery on the way to the hotel. Good mix of old (designs and contemporary buildings… lots of Ladas and trams on the street (along with the modern vehicles one would expect to find in a major metropolitan area).

Will try to upgrade this thread if I come across anything interesting.

If those statements were true, then what is this I’m reading (in the “Latest News” section of the Gleaner) that the minister has obtained approval from Cabinet to resume borrowing from the IMF? Did the minister participate in discussions with the IMF after Wehby and the technical team returned from Washington? If not, is the Minister now making decisions based on “preliminary” information?

Also, if the minister did not participate in the IMF negotiations, and they were handled by (the very competent) Senator Wehby, what was the purpose of Mr. Shaw’s spiel? Was he concerned about the need for a “responsible Opposition” or was he trying to save face because the Opposition pointed out to the nation that the bright young Senator was the Prime Minister’s choice to represent Jamaica in these negotiations?

Why do our politicians spend so much time trying to save face (and protect political capital) instead of using their energies to address the problems at hand?

Sometime ago I was reminded that the Jamaica National Movement was having their annual dinner/dance on June 27th, and I decided to make every attempt to attend. Of course, my paltry salary didn’t allow me to buy a ticket, so I wasn’t very optimistic of my chances of being there–until I got an email last week Wednesday night. The president of the JNM reached out to me to remind me of the event and informed me that I was on the program. On Thursday, I called him and informed him that I was unable to attend, because I couldn’t find a ticket for $7.00. (I actually had $37, but figured I’d need the $30 for ground transportation to and from the airport.) The president immediately gave me the telephone number for a travel agent and told her to book my ticket, and by Friday night I was staring at the red and white of the Empire State Building!  Well, it looked red and white, but after  several bottles of Red Stripe, who  is able to tell the difference between colors. That is not to say that I was drinking beer, I’m just making a simple statement! Anyway, the JNM dinner was awesome, and I  had the pleasure of meeting the beautiful and articulate Lisa Rene Hanna. Her use of language, and her understanding of the issues facing Jamaica had me in awe, and I couldn’t help but think that I was in the company of a future Prime Minister!

Anyway, I’m trying to post more often (mainly because of the threatening letters that I’ve been receiving in my inbox–one reader told me that she “hates people who do not update their blogs!”). Also, I appreciate the avid readers–those who are bold enough to leave comments, those who send messages to my inbox, and those who read and leave silently. Much love! Special shout-outs to Alphonso and Tamix who have been there from the start)!

My Air Jamaica flight was delayed as usual. I arrived in Kingston a day ahead of my luggage. The Air Jamaica customer service representative, upon hearing my frustration, informed me that regardless of what I was feeling, she knows she will see me next year, so I should relax. “Welcome to Jamaica” I thought to myself. On my way home after picking up my luggage on the 23rd, I was stopped by a police officer who dishonestly accused us of speeding. My driver was able to change the officer’s opinion with 20 U.S. Dollars. The joys of being home.

My first three days were spent in the rustic community of Islington, St. Mary. I had the opportunity to visit family members, many of whom I hadn’t seen in years. I marvelled at how much my siblings had grown since I last saw them. My “shy little brother” informed me that I had to meet his girlfriend, and my “little sister” planned for me to spend Christmas Eve in the town with her and the love of her life. Wow!

Christmas dinner consisted of Pork, Chicken, Fish, rice & peas and vegetables. I got introduced to several new slangs; almost everything was new. Almost! Appleton Rum with pepsi tasted the same! Joy! On Boxing day, I my trip brought me home to perhaps the most beautiful parish in Jamaica; Portland! Home sweet home! Irrespective of how much I grow, I seem to have a special connection to Portland.

I spent my birthday in Kingston, between home and Prendy’s on the Beach in Hellshire, where a childhood friend treated me to lobster washed down with a few bottles of ice cold Red Stripe beer. Ahhhhh!!! I rang in New Years watching fire works on the waterfront with family and friends. As a teenager, I enjoyed the fireworks in Downtown Kingston, and was saddened by the news that they had discontinued it a few years ago. I’m happy that the government saw it fit to recontinue this event, as it is a favorite New Years eve social outlet for many Jamaicans. To complement the firework, the organizers produced a free concert with performers such as Jimmy Riley, Etana and Elephant Man. Several thousands of us jammed throughout the night, and even tolerated Elephant Man’s rendition of “we are the world.” Fun times.

March third was my favorite concert to date. Shaggy, being familliar with the challenges facing the Bustamante Children’s hospital (the only one of its kind in the Caribbean), decided to stage a pricey concert to raise funds for the institution. With quality sets by Shaggy, Etana, Sean Paul, Lady Saw, Toney Rebel, Buju Banton, Tessanne Chin among others, there were no signs of regret from the thousands of paying patrons who showed up for this worthwhile cause. Not only was I thoroughly entertained, but the event revived my belief that the solutions to Jamaica’s many problems will not come from a government which is both bankrupt of ideas and resources, but it will come from ordinary Jamaican teachers and farmers, christians and rastas, young and old, from town and country… those who have a genuine interest in the success of themselves, their children and grandchildren. Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, I salute you.

NOTE: I wrote this when I returned to school in January, but forgot to post it. It is largely unedited.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Dear Editor,
Over the past few months I’ve both been humoured and disgusted by your editorial cartoons. The press plays one of the most important roles in any democratic society, and should be used as a tool to provide objective concise information to the public. That in one week I was able to count five cartoons in your publication aimed at the Opposition over a seven-day period is both shameful and suspect.

In the past week, the editorial cartoons could have been used to depict both the perceived selfishness of Dabdoub and the lack of respect for, or ignorance of the constitution on the part of Vaz which brought West Portland into this mess. Instead, it appears that the Observer’s cartoonist is only interested in showing one side of the story. Or maybe this is what he is “incentivised” to do.

O Newell

Hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to do a good post before my exams end on the 18th of December. Please keep me in your prayers as I go through this traumatic experience.

The Editor, Sir:

The evening was amazing. A crowd of several thousands scrambled for a front seat view of history. We were a coalition of races, classes, age groups and backgrounds, united under the category of humanity, to one united message – we are greater than what divides us.

We danced to soul music, we sang the national anthem, booed Sarah Palin and cheered what may be John McCain’s most important speech. (McCain has once again shown why Americans grew to respect him. His early concession of defeat will hopefully go a far way in helping to heal the scars left by a campaign replete with vitriolic, untrue statements.)

The crowed was filled with leaders from the black community such as Jesse Jackson and Oprah Winfrey. I stood in the crowd with a feeling of pride: I played my part.

The radio interviews, voter turnout and house events were worth it. By 9 p.m. (Central Standard Time), it was clear that we had won the election. The promise of a president for the people, by the people, had been fulfilled.

When our new president graced the stage at 10 p.m., the atmosphere had the feel of a rock concert except, the crowd was a few hundred thousand strong and the headline act was the President-elect of the United States of America.

His speech did not disappoint. We left challenged and motivated that although our movement had just started, impossible is nothing if we act together. Yes we can!

I am, etc.,

OMAR NEWELL

I stood in the crowd with a feeling of pride: I played my part. The radio interviews, voter turnout and house events were worth it. Earlier in the night I was interviewed on Chicago Public Radio. Throughout the night, I fielded calls from Cliff Hughes, Nationwide News Network. My excitement could not be contained, and I was glad to be able to share it with the world.

By 9PM CST, it was clear that we had won the election. The promise of a president for the people, by the people had been fulfilled. The underdog – the common man – had won. Our collective $5, $10 and $20, defeated the unlimited spending power of Washington lobbyists and PACs.

When our president graced the stage at 10PM, the atmosphere had the feel of a rock concert; except, the crowd was a few hundred thousand strong, and the headline act was the president elect of the United States of America. His speech did not disappoint. We left challenged, and motivated that although our movement had just started, impossible is nothing if we act together. Yes we can!

At 12PM I decided to walk down Michigan Avenue. The mood was festive. People danced, sang, cheered, screamed – it was like carnival on steroids.

If you are categorized an underdog, because of race, religion, gender, financial situation or any other label or situation, this victory is for you. When you tell your kids that they can be whatever they desire, you have no reason to be cynical – you can take comfort in the fact that you witnessed history; you lived in a time when common Americans joined forces and pooled resources to take back their government! Yes we can! Yes we did!

Now, how do we replicate this in Jamaica?