…around sugar workers?
Your Eyewitness has already waded into the strike by cane cutters over at Rose Hall. After twenty of them were charged for behaving disorderly, and were placed on bail, he thought the matter was addressed – pending their appearance before a magistrate. Then he got the news that, before being released, they were taken to the Po-lice station and had their “mug shots” taken – which were released to the press. Nothing unusual…since that’s standard for the course.
But what WASN’T standard was the revelation that eighteen of them were stripped down to their bucktas for mug shots. Meaning that someone in authority felt that more than their “mugs” ought to be exposed!! Asked for the reason, the Po-lice Commander gave the extraordinary response that the stripping was for “profiling” the cane cutters!! Profiling?? Now, this term has become notorious in law enforcement circles – especially up north – and it ain’t complimentary to the po-lice. Basically, it means that, based on physical characteristics or observed behaviour, the po-lice would suspect or target a person for doing something illegal!! Surely, we’ve all heard of “racial profiling” of black drivers in America – who’re routinely pulled over and beaten – or worse – for violations they never committed!!
And a po-lice officer’s admitting that they’re “profiling” cane cutters?? What the hell?!! Now, your Eyewitness must admit that these fellas stopped cutting cane back in the last century!! They are given to drinking rum and carrying on – after they get paid on weekends. Do the Police believe that the cane cutters don’t have any reason for their protest – and were merely acting out as they’re wont to do when imbibing that Devil Drink?? From the reports, however, the po-lice didn’t even give the fellas breathalyzer tests – so it gotta be real profiling!!
But why’d they have to strip the men down to their skivvies?? Was it because they thought that, since they weren’t drunk, they may’ve been doped up – and were looking for needle marks?? Now, that’s ridiculous, ain’t it?? These fellas were barely making a couple of thousand dollars daily – which can barely buy a fry rice for two – much less hard drugs!! So your Eyewitness thinks the nation needs an explanation from the Police brass. Was it the cane cutters’ rib cages indicating their “hungry belly” propensities?? After all, there’s already the profile that “a hungry man is an angry man”!! But if they’re gonna be profiling cane cutters, we’re talking about at least four thousand persons across the country being subjected to possible arbitrary “search and seizures”!!
Some think that there mighn’t have been no profiling – but someone just trying to humiliate the workers for carrying on. If so, the Po-lice should just offer an apology so that cane cutters can breathe easier!!
…our patience
Back in 2016 – under the APNU/AFC Government – there was some talk of us not complying with the Anti Money Laundering/Financing of Terrorism international regime. Among all the banks in the free world, the Bank of America haughtily cut all linkages with our local banks. These are called “correspondent bank” activities, such as transfers of remittances, cheque payments, international trade, and the facilitation of credit card settlements for local clients. Now, for a small country like ours, this was a blow to the body politic!!
BoA blithely said that they were “derisking” – they didn’t want to be exposed to any financial hanky-panky in our banking system! But suddenly, a whole team from BoA descended on our dear mudland, saying “all is forgiven”; we’ve been good boys and they’re willing to do business with our banks again! Nonsense!! Who’d they think they’re foolin’??
The only thing that changed about our financial system is it’s now awash with oil money!! They want a piece of the action!!
…Chinese fears
Chinese electronics giant Huawei just launched their new phone, called the “Mate 60 Pro”. Now, you’d think this is shadowing the IPhone 15 and Samsung’s S23Pro Ultra. But the US is frantic about where they got the chip!!!
