Daviot Kelly

I have to give it to my Jamaican people; we know how to take things to another level. The only problem is that half the things we take to a higher level needed to have remained stagnant.

Since last week when I wrote that we had all gone mad, so many things have taken place it's not funny. Where do I begin? Well, the whacking that Dr. Jephthah Ford received has to be pretty near the top. After hearing of the man's injuries, my mind went back to video clips I have seen of South African police beating youths in Soweto and Johannesburg during the days of apartheid. Regardless of what caused the beating, the goodly doctor was whipped like he killed Bob Woolmer!

Then, of course, there was the church incident in Manchester where the residents didn't take kindly to having an allegedly gay fellow being buried there. So in true mad people fashion, they proceeded to stone the church and cause an almighty ruckus; louder than when they attended the church, which I'm sure half of them don't. At least they were making joyful noises then. Now, whether the young man was 'funny' or not is not the point. Destroying the same church you are possibly going to use as a shelter the next time a hurricane strikes, is totally unnecessary. In a moment of sanity, the minister at least condemned both the 'funny guys' and thosewho were hostile towards them. Hey, at least the man isn't partial.

I cannot help but mention Bounty Killer and Mavado bigging up the Stone Crusher gang (that was real smart), at a recent show in Montego Bay. Now, fellows, while trying to stay close to 'di ghetto' is commendable, expressing any kind of admiration for an alleged criminal gang is thoroughly going to confuse people (especially children) with mixed messages.

Irrevocably stupid

A whelchair-bound Jephthah Ford as he leaves the Kingston Public Hospital on April 12 with his attorney, Patrick Bailey. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Of course, never to be left out of the loop, Minister Pickersgill said the Cricket World Cup would boost his party's chances in the next polls.

First things first. If he turns out to be right, then Jamaicans are more insane (and irrevocably stupid), than even I thought. Having said that, even if he genuinely felt that way, didn't it dawn on the honourable minister that it might not sound right once he said it out loud? His only redeeming grace is that it was far better than the "time of the month" comment.

Yes, it may be hard to believe but we've actually got more insane in the last few weeks. My only conclusion is that the psychiatrists will have plenty of work to do. As if they didn't make a bundle already. Later.

Feedback:daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com