Kelly

Not that I'm a big fan of long speeches, but even a couple of things from the whole Budget Debate banter caught my ear.

In between more sporting events on the tube, I did get the message about Dr Christopher Tufton (now known as Cassava Man) and licences for casinos from the PM.

With respect to cassava, while the minister's suggestion was (I'm sure) heartfelt and thought out, it can't possibly have had the effect he was hoping for. I've heard all kinds of jokes about possible products like cassava patties and cassava dumplings. I'll add to the madness by advocating cassava bullas! Seriously though, self-sufficiency is the name of the game, and rice is getting a bit pricey. In Liberia, the people are starting to eat more spaghetti as a substitute. Don't know if the average Jamaican is looking forward to that.

Speaking with two voices

As for casinos, well this is a roll of the dice from the PM for sure. He's been accused of speaking about God in one voice and endorsing casinos with another. But, for me, Jamaicans have been gambling for so long (pick-a-pow etc.), I'm not sure casinos would be the last straw before he brings down the brimstone on us.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't gamble. Don't have the trust fund, big bank account or the loose change. But I can appreciate that the opening of casinos would provide jobs for Jamaicans who need work and the potential revenue is hard to ignore. Not that we should make money at all costs. Far from it. But where do we consider that we've crossed the line?

No utopia now

People worry about the potential moral decay that casinos would bring. Judging by the headlines we see in the daily papers and watch on the news, I hardly think we're a utopia right now! Persons under the legal age to gamble will try to sneak into these casinos, I'm sure. But that's where proper legislation and security would come in. Use some of our very own security firms and that means even more dough for the locals.

But, by their very nature, casinos kind of deter the ordinary guy from just waltzing into them and start playing blackjack. The money jus' no deh deh. The number of those who can afford to splurge every two weeks or so is very small.

But if you're in a bind and want to try a t'ing, why not head to the casino? You might make a little something and start your own cassava bulla bakery! Yum!

All who love cassava, tell me at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com.