concern about drugs/crime
Jan 24th, 2003, 07:11 AM
#41
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Yes, it's true... Many people's opinions of Jamaica are based on their feelings toward Marijuana. Most of the people who are terrified by the culture there are also frightened of ganja. Others find the herb there to be an interesting part of their society. It is part of their daily life, their religions, and their econemy. Perhaps this helps explain why there tends to be two "camps" when it comes to Jamaica. You either love it or you hate it...
Jan 24th, 2003, 07:47 AM
#44
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What I don't understand is why some people defend this ridiculously dysfunctional, poverty stricken, corrupt, truly sad country.<BR><BR>Look, people, the REASON that pot and all manner of other laxities are tolerated in Jamaica is the main reason the country is in shambles.<BR><BR>People who seem to defend the country because of its drug condoning attitude and devil may care lifestyle are really only helping MAINTAIN the country's problems. You're like men who pay prostitutes and by supporting their lifestyle, you keep them locked into their problems.<BR><BR>Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Jan 24th, 2003, 07:58 AM
#45
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Jan - thanks for the word from the moral minority... The general trend across America, and the rest of the world is toward legalization of marijuana. Get used to it - it's happening. Many US states have decriminalized. In New York state you will only be fined $100 dollars for an ounce or less. I suppose this means that New Yorkers will be burning in hell (with their Jamaican brothers). And, the US is behind many other countries (i.e. Canada, France, Germany, etc.) in the area...<BR><BR>Take the ganja out of Jamaica and then you will see a country fall even farther in the gutter. I'd still rather encounter a stoned Jamaican Rasta than a drunk American red-neck, any day...
Jan 24th, 2003, 08:05 AM
#46
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Ok some jerk said quit shootin off at the mouth, give facts. These are the cold hard facts: More than 1100, yes 1100, people were murdered in Jamaica last year. Already 48 in the past 23 days. And it isn't just in Kingston. (Read todays Jamaica Gleaner) Its happening in Montego Bay and other "tourist" areas. I for one don't want to be that close to that type of violence just as I wouldn't want to vacation in any area with that high of a crime rate. ESPECIALLY with children. Sugar coat and give people who don't agree with your view a hard time or whatever but safe, no problems, very cool, etc., NOT ME MON.
Jan 24th, 2003, 08:30 AM
#48
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Look Eric, you seem to have a problem grasping more than simple concepts.<BR>Pot is not the problem in Jamaica.<BR>Pot is symbolic of the larger problems in Jamaica.<BR><BR>Just like Enron. The company's accounting irregularities and the associated illegal and unethical activities of its brokers were symbolic of a SYSTEM of illegal activities in the USA which was being fostered and protected large numbers of businesses and brokerages.<BR><BR>Wake up and see the big picture.<BR><BR>NYC's crime rate has NOTHING to do with Jamaica's problems.<BR>Apples and oranges.<BR>The PER CAPITA crime rates in Jamaica far outstrip those in NYC, and please know that crime data which is reported by the Jamaican government does not reflect all crime, only that which is recorded and/or that which the government chooses to release, knowing that it may affect tourism.
Jan 24th, 2003, 09:16 AM
#50
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While cocaine is a large problem around the world, I agree that it is the constant offers of ganja that scare most tourists. Many tourists in JA are never offered cocain, while they are offered weed numerous times a day. <BR><BR>It seems as thought many people with strong feelings on this topic have never visited Jamaica...
Jan 24th, 2003, 09:35 AM
#52
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By the way - a single tourist walking the street in NYC for an hour is still more likely to experience crime than the same tourist walking the streets of Negril...<BR><BR>It ain't "apples and oranges" (no pun intended)... <BR><BR>Where would you rather be ?<BR><BR>
Jan 24th, 2003, 10:00 AM
#54
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I love these threads. This always develops when someone asks about Jamaica, or puts up a provocative title like this one.<BR>Then all the people with a need to make everyone else in the world understand (and, apparently, agree with) their point of view on the subject show up.<BR>It will start with a quiet, even civil exchange. Then someone will ramp up the rhetoric by declaiming Jamaica as a horrible place that (and here's where the tone begins to change) no one IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD EVER WANT TO GO!!!!<BR><BR>There, now, all of you who would disagree, it's obvious that you who disagree ----- and may actually like Jamaica, its people, its culture, its.....well, any of the hundreds of reasons there are to like the place----can only do so because you are OUT OF YOUR MIND (or morally indifferent, or ethically challenged, or [did I actually read this?] are the equivelant of child molesters)<BR><BR>My goodness, there's no middle ground here, is there? It reminds me of listening to some of the evangelist preachers on TV on Sunday morning. Lots of 'You're going to hell unless you repent and agree to follow our dogma!!' and similar such utterances. Usually followed by a request to send money to spread the good (!) word.<BR><BR>Well, there is room in this world for both sides of the Jamaica debate. And there's room, lots of room, for positions between the two views.<BR><BR>And just because someone disagrees with you doesn't make them a mental defective. It just means they disagree with you. <BR>Maybe you need to look at the situation from their view. They think they're right and you're the one disagreeing. What's that make you?<BR><BR>I know this won't put out any of the fires, but I feel better having expressed my opinion.<BR><BR><BR>Oh, and to John at jmarcus, I would suggest that Haiti is the answer to your question about a more corrupt and violent nation in the Caribbean.
Jan 24th, 2003, 10:43 AM
#56
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"There, now, all of you who would disagree, it's obvious that you who disagree ----- and may actually like Jamaica, its people, its culture, its.....well, any of the hundreds of reasons there are to like the place----can only do so because you are OUT OF YOUR MIND (or morally indifferent, or ethically challenged, or [did I actually read this?] are the equivelant of child molesters)<BR><BR>My goodness, there's no middle ground here, is there? It reminds me of listening to some of the evangelist preachers on TV on Sunday morning. Lots of 'You're going to hell unless you repent and agree to follow our dogma!!' and similar such utterances. "<BR><BR>Wow, an intelligent post in this topic...what a nice surprise.
Jan 24th, 2003, 12:21 PM
#57
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This is for Jan: you call Jamaica, a "ridiculously dysfunctional, corrupt, truly sad country". How interesting. Wonder what you would call the United States of America?? Please!!! And to Susan who would rather vacation in Manhattan with her children than Jamaica, what a laugh. It is obvious that you live with your head in the clouds. Trust me, your children would be safer any day in Jamaica than they would be in any most places in the US. Just think about the Elizabeth Smarts of this world - not even safe in her own home!! That is what the US is all about today. And that is what we know of, what about the other children and other persons in the US who have disappeared without a trace. Have you ever heard of that sort of thing happening in Jamaica?
Jan 24th, 2003, 12:54 PM
#59
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OK, step back everybody!!! Cat fight!!!<BR><BR>It's Susan versus the lovely Interesting. Susan is backed up by Gary Condit and the the Ranseys, David Berkowitz, Jeffery Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy. <BR>Interesting appears undermanned with only Bob Marley and Byron Lee in her corner.<BR><BR>Wow, look at that. Or them, I'm not sure if I should use singular or plural.<BR><BR>You sure don't see that in Jamaica every day.<BR><BR>Manhattan, maybe, but not Montego Bay, Mandeville, Sav-la-Mar, Falmouth, Port Antonio, or Hopewell Village.
