It never felt like the Ivory Coast had much of a chance in Sunday's match. Sven-Göran Eriksson said that, "to beat Brazil, you must be almost perfect." Well, the Ivory Coast was not perfect, but the Ivory Coast is a team a lot of folks felt was Africa's best chance in the World Cup. The Ivorians seemed very much outclassed in a game that was touted as a marquee match-up in the group phase. It may be that even if you play perfectly and Brazil play flawed, Brazil will still pretty much beat you senseless..

The partying, overindulgences, and lack of focus from Brazil 2006 have been transformed into an efficient Dunga-designed Brazilan Sparta. As routinely described by the Vickapedia, Brazil's physical preparations are meticulous and best-in-class. Their depth and quality of talent are superior to most, bar Spain and the floundering French. Further, this talent is ideal personnel to play an organized defensive counter-acting style of football. Lúcio, Maicon, and Júlio César played pivotal roles for José Mourinho's defense at Intermilan. Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo provide additional protection in front the defense and bite in the midfield. Kaká and Robinho launch counter-attacks at light-speed. And, Luis Fabiano finishes with ruthless execution. Nevertheless, there surely must be some chink in their armor?.

In the Confederations Cup final, the US nearly found a way to beat Brazil but in the end just enraged them, at least if you judge by the second half of the match. Against the Ivory Coast, Brazil's vaunted team discipline slowly eroded away under relentless hacking, dubious tackling, diving, and theatrics from the Ivorians resulting in Kaká being sent-off after two yellow cards, albeit the second from an Oscar worthy performance from Kader Keita. However, this hardly seems like a chink in the armor. Perhaps national pressure boils beneath the surface of a team that is not playing the beautiful football its country craves so much. In its place now resides an effective and at times ugly brand of football. If this pressure is rising, we have yet to see it. Searching for a significant flaw in Brazil's game may be as difficult as trying to catch a fly with chopsticks like Mr. Miyagi..

The closest thing to a flaw may well be that Brazil hasn't figured out yet how to work in Dani Alves to the staring eleven. Macion, the #1 right-back in the world is backed-up by Alves, the #2 right-back in the world. Now there's a real problem? We are grasping at straws here. Instead, let's grasp at some chopsticks. Brazil doesn't have the one person on the planet outside of Mr. Miyagi that can catch a fly with chopsticks. They don't have Lionel Messi. .

The show titled, “A Likkle Braata” coincides with the observance of Caribbean American Heritage Month and will be among several events planned for the period..

The concert will comprise the group’s young but varied repertoire including market and revival songs. It is hoped that patrons will take a stroll down memory lane as they hear old favorites with new interpretations, as well as be introduced to some new songs. To pay homage to cultural icon the Honourable Louise Bennett Coverley popularly known as “Ms Lou,” the program will include a special suite of songs reminiscent of the ‘Ring Ding’ years. According to musical director Garnet Mowatt, “A group like this would have never been possible without the pioneering work of someone like Ms. Lou. We are indebted to her and so we found it most fitting to showcase and thank her through this segment.” .

The aim is to share the richness, variety and significance of Jamaica's musical heritage with Jamaicans overseas and the wider Caribbean Diaspora. "This inaugural season is special because of the significance and importance of the group's work. There is no other consistent group in New York providing this kind of entertainment, and it is very important to the group to entertain while maintaining authenticity and keeping the traditions alive," noted Andrew Clarke. .

The multi-talented and dynamic ensemble is aided by Clarke who is the founder and doubles as artistic director with Garnet Mowatt, PhD candidate at Mississippi State University serving as musical director and Karlene Largie and Jermaine Rowe assisting with choral movement. The concert will feature Jamaican folk music by various composers, arranged by Clarke and Mowatt. .

Braata Folk Singers intends to make this an annual affair to share with Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals, through music, the values of "old Jamaica" and the need to rekindle lost values. The concert is also seen as timely as it provides positive and uplifting entertainment, given what is happening in Jamaica and the rest of the world.

For the last two weeks and for the rest of this month men all around the world will be rejoicing in the glory of that one event we wait 4 years for, and that is the world cup. The world cup is an event we have to wait for with bated breath as for the month that it goes on for, battle lines are drawn, bandwagons are ridden  and everybody becomes a football fan and a football analyst even if you dont watch football for the next 4 years. Such is the level of fanaticism that comes with the world cup. But alas since the world cup has began we the public have started to overlook a number of issues which I hope is really only a temporary thing and that we will continue to press on these issues. Issues such as:

The state of Emergency

Many of us seem to have forgotten that we are still under a state of emergency  and that our police force is currently still at war with the criminal forces in Jamaica, the state of emergency has also gone on for just about a month also which is the constitutional limit for it to continue without a parliamentary vote on the issue. While we can rejoice in the fact that this war is what has led to the recent fall in crime in our island. We still must police our government and not allow them to go act without the public backing. There is also the issue of the early operation in Tivoli Gardens and the numerous people who lost their lives as a result of the operation. We must remember that invistigations into the operation are a necessity to ensure that the police and soldiers acted well within their rights and did not violate any human rights laws or committed any blatant murders as well. This issue is far from finished and must be placed under heavy scrutiny.

The lies of our Prime Minister

This is closely related to the previous issue but it is so important that I think it deserves its own subtopic. We as a a country must not... no we cannot forget that our Prime Minister has lied to us. He has lied to us about the government's involvement in the dudus issue, he has lied to us about the inclusion of the Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips firm in the government's lobbying efforts and has probably lied about a number of other things too but which have yet to come to light. We the public should still be pushing for Bruce Golding's resignation as he has certainly lost any level of moral authority to truly lead our country.

The BP Oil Spill

I have never really written on this issue directly, as a matter of fact it was really a more of a side note in another article on the possibility of Jamaican oil being found. However We must not forget that the gulf of mexico isn't really that far from Jamaica, and all that oil that is continuously spewing out is going to spread and reach further into the caribbean, sea thus affecting... yes, you guessed it Jamaica. Maybe its about time Jamaica have a say on the issue before it reaches us, after all it has reached as far as the florida pan handle, we aren't that far off.

Dudus is still at large

Need I say more...?

**Taken from Jamaica Observer

JPS wants a rate increase again

The price of fuel has fallen in Jamaica, the exchange rate has more or less stabilized and JPS has reported a nearly 700% growth in profits... I'd like that to sink in for a moment before I state that despite all of this, the JPS is putting in a request to the Office of Utilities Regulation for an increase in the amount they get to charge for their service. Its not because of an increase in operating costs or even because of exchange rate problems... nothing at all, its really just because they can. Why can they... because it is in their contract... truly a move which can be seen as nothing more than one which is done in spite to the Jamaican public.

**Taken from Jamaica Observer

Of course there are a number of other issues as well but these are just the issues that are at the forefront of my concerns. But alas maybe a distraction from our economic problems is exactly what we need.

All the excitement of the world cup has certainly taken over much of the world, I mean even Americans who dont normally like the sport have jumped on the world cup wagon and started to express their appreciation of football (yes its football, not soccer). I guess it was bound to happen eventually, football is after all the one sport of the world. Next to athletics there is really no other sport that is more played everywhere around the world. Jamaica has always had somewhat of a football culture, a culture that peaked around 1998 when we managed to be the first english speaking caribbean island to qualify for the prestigious world cup. We have also produced alot of world class footballers including our current team captain Ricardo Gardner (currently playing for English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers), Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City former EPL team), Luton Shelton and countless other Major League Soccer stars. When you combine all of this together one has to question why it is that we have not been able to qualify for the world cup (or even reach the final CONCACAF qualifying round for that matter), since our triumph in '98, Jamaica has certainly fallen from glory.

**Taken from JFF website

I have been pondering the question for a while, the question being what is it that these other countries... - Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, etc., - Have over Jamaica in terms of football why it is that they are constantly performing at the top level and play in almost every single world cup (or in Brazil's case every world cup). It certainly isn't passion... ok to an extent it isn't passion, I mean after all there are very few countries that have the passion of places like Brazil, and England in their love of football where it becomes basically a religion. I mean in these countries people riot, cry, and even commit suicide (see 1950 world cup where Brazil lost 2-1 to Uruguay) over their football... Chances are that will not happen in Jamaica. However we are more passionate than the alot of countries that are now football giants such as the USA, but still nothing.

I've also heard the argument that money is the problem, yet again I have to disagree with that. After all we did manage to qualify in '98 with a budget that is less than it is now (anybody remember the Bora Milotinovic saga... 1 million dollars a week?), and I'm pretty sure that we are spending a decent amount of money on our football, especially since we are building a football academy and have sponsorship at levels greater than even our successful teams such as our netball team. So its obvious its not a monetary problem. I will disagree that its a matter of coaching staff as well... to an extent. I say this because in the 2nd coming of Simoes to our coaching staff, there were some obvious mistakes made by the man and he clearly did not bring our strongest team to qualify, that goes without question. However our current coach Theodore Whitmore (also a past member of the '98 world cup team) has shown the creativity and knowledge necessary to bring forth excellent performances out of our national team, so its not a coaching issue either.

So what is it?

My simple answer is that Jamaica's footballers lack the necessary discipline and professionalism to return to our previous levels of success. This is something that needs to be changed not just at the national team level, but from as low as kindergarten and primary school level. Jamaicans typically look at football as a showing of skill and as a sport for fun, unlike our counterparts everywhere else that look at football as a profession, and a means to make a living. Even our local clubs perpetuate this idea where the majority of our footballers only play football as a by the way kind of sport. I think in order to build a Jamaican football team that can put forward consistent, world class performances we need to build up this discipline.

Another thing that needs to change is our love of skilled plays. This love of wicked moves and twisting up our opponent's legs is a love that will not necessarily make us better footballers overall, after all the teams that were once minnows to us (such as the US and Japan) can right now beat us handedly without so much as a single step-over, or pile. It is because of these simple problems that we have that I hope that programs such as our partnership with F.C. Valencia will help to build up our young footballers and make even better future footballers out of us so our talent will be more better applied. Can Jamaica make it back to the world cup? I say yes, but not without advancing the sport at all levels and advancing the mentality of the players as well.

We no longer need to allow the rest of the football world to advance to levels above where we currently are. We need to do like all of those countries have done and realize our problems and come to reasonable solutions to them.

Haiti is still recovering from a deadly January 16 earthquake that killed thousands and eliminated a significant portion of the country's infrastructure. .

President and CEO of Sagicor Life Jamaica Richard Byles, presented the cheque to Dr. Jaslin Salmon. In expressing his gratitude to Sagicor, Salmon explained that more than one million people are still in temporary shelters, and there are considerable challenges in getting supplies to them. "There is no available space for erecting permanent structures because all that rubble is still there, and no place to put that even if we move it," he noted..

Dr. Salmon added that with the hurricane season being here, the relief and recovery needed to continue quickly. "Sagicor Life's donation helps us to build up the Haitian Red Cross, which will build support with the Government to help more with the relief," he noted..

The Rock Tower (ROKTOWA), an art studio and gallery in downtown Kingston which facilitates a cultural exchange between Haitian and Jamaican artistes (The Haitian Artistes Project) was also presented with a cheque from PanCaribbean by President and CEO Donovan Perkins.

Mr. Patterson used the opportunity to provide an update on the progress of the rebuilding process. He stated that considerable work still needed to be done in Haiti, as several Government institutions, records, and buildings were destroyed, thereby crippling the country's electoral process. He asserted that this was one of the most critical areas to now focus attention because there is no Government in place to make crucial decisions about rebuilding the country.

Mr. Patterson praised Sagicor Life Jamaica's donation to the Red Cross, and explained that similar contributions from other entities are needed to help rebuild infrastructure in Haiti..

"Private sector involvement is crucial at this time, billions will be needed over the next few years," he stated. Mr. Patterson also expressed his appreciation to Sagicor for keeping Haiti in the news. This was echoed by the President of the Jamaican Red Cross, Dr. Jaslin Salmon, who explained that with the hurricane season being here, the relief and recovery needed to continue quickly. "Sagicor Life's donation helps us to build up the Haitian Red Cross, which will build support with the Government to help more with the relief," he noted..

Representatives of The Haitian Artists Project also expressed their appreciation to PanCaribbean, a subsidiary of Sagicor Life Jamaica, for its donation to their project. Through this initiative, ten Haitian artists were invited to participate in a three month residency program in partnership with the University of the West Indies. During this period, twenty copies of a limited edition book titled From the Trembling Heart will be produced. The project's spokesman Hubert Neal, explained that the work is progressing smoothly and should become a historic testimonial of the overwhelming effect of the earthquake on the lives of Haitians as seen through the artistes' eyes..

Mr. Byles, announced that the funds donated were only a fraction of the company's total commitment to Haiti. .

"The Sagicor group has committed US$250,000 towards Haiti, and today we presented the Sagicor Life Jamaica portion of $5 million. Our staff of PanCaribbean and Sagicor Life had also pledged to assist. This will be donated later to another organization," he announced. .

Haiti was severely damaged by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that killed several hundred thousand people and left over one million homeless. Several nations have given support to the Caribbean nation, but relief and recovery efforts still continue.

While the original messengers and prophets of the sound of Reggae such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown and Garnet Silk and more are no longer with us, modern day musicians are taking on the mantle of spreading the sounds of Reggae..

The Uprising Roots Band, often noted as one of the real reggae roots bands in Jamaica, continues to spread the sounds and positive vibrations of reggae music through their songs and performances all over the world. .

The band is readying to release their debut album later this year, something that the entire Uprising Roots Band family is excited about. From their East Kingston studio, The Uprising Roots Band has released three singles which are enjoying regular rotation in reggae-loving regions of the Caribbean, Europe and North America. The singles, Brightest Light, Skyfiya, and Know Yourself are shining examples of what the band is all about. .

A five-piece-Rastafarian outfit, the band remains true to their love of music – which dummer and lead vocalist, Rashawn 'Blackush' McAnuff says is an integral part of their formula for success..

“Everybody in the band loves music. Just the sounds that come out of the instruments and the way we, as a group, can make that work and make those sounds into music. That for us is what everything is all about,” McAnuff says..

The Uprising Roots Band is a complement of a talented set of musicians, who are really very much in love with the many ways they can please the ear, uplift the mind, and soothe the soul with their music and creativity, which is what McAnuff thinks makes their music “real and true reggae”..

It is true that they effortlessly channel a remarkable kind of energy and meld together instruments and vocals to stamp their own style on whatever project they undertake and this makes their music especially memorable, and will continue to use as they spread the sounds of reggae with future releases.

The message was clear, the Diaspora media is important to the newly minted public relations effort. We were charged to disseminate information in clear and unambiguous terms about where we now are and where we are going; that it was critical to the integrity of the brand—Jamaica (that is), to communicate a positive message.

As we go about our business we meet people, we interact, and we deliberately or unwittingly confer on them the deep desire to visit this place from which we wonderful folk are derived. And before we can say “Jamaica”, we’ve created a tourist but a very important point to consider, seriously.

Who we are says a lot about where we’re from, so those of you “out of liners” (my words) take heed; Jamaica needs you but only with your best behavior in tow. In the words of the Minister, “the recent events are a game-changer; we cannot continue to do business as usual.” Image the Minister reiterated is important, “you are an extension of the Brand.”.

It was important the minister said, to focus on the best and brightest the island has to offer; the iconic nature of her citizens, our unassailable qualities and cultural attributes—the music, the arts, sports and the beauty and uniqueness of the island’s flora and fauna. .

The Diaspora the minister explained is the first line of defense and maybe in this case attack (my word and maybe not the most apropos), but message understood. 10% of all visitors to the Island he says come from the Diaspora. A special campaign targeting the Diaspora is in the works. That was welcome news to all especially to Patrick Buddington of Carib Zone Media, who asked, “Will there be special messaging targeting the Diaspora?”.

For those concerned about the show of force and how that played negatively to the Diaspora and main stream media, Minister Bartlett was clear, the show of force was unprecedented he declared, but the state was under attack. It is important he says that the world sees that the Government is in charge. In his introductory remarks the Director of Tourism, John Lynch, declared the state of affairs in the travel arena stabilized. This he said was based on reports from the marketplace that future bookings have begun to show improvement. In his words “last week was bad, this week is better.” He spoke to the near normalcy in Kingston as people go about their life of work and nightlife; and commended Director General in the Tourism Ministry Carole Guntley for her stellar work in manning the communication room set up at the Hilton Hotel during the crisis.

And what about the cancellations; a matter which Wayne Cummings president of the National Hotel & Tourist Association (NHTA) said was cause for concern. The minister again reiterated that the JTB’s focus was on future bookings. The role of community tourism was put into focus. Director General Guntley, laid out the blue-print for the program. The bed & breakfast model is being pursued especially along the south coast corridor. Residents with more than four rooms are being encouraged to register; communities who think they have something to offer should submit their programs. There are incentives such as micro-loans and tax-free cover for participants. The master plan she continued will include numerous attractions: The Calabash Literary Festival, Appleton Attractions, the Cockpit Country, and the Trelawny Caves, among them..

Ken Williams, radio broadcaster, urged the Minister to rely more on the Diaspora as we are the frontline in the effort to repair the country’s image. In wrapping up his presentation, the minister reemphasized that the way forward is to present the country in the best light, articulate a message against violence, and formulate a strong commitment to social programs and education, with early childhood education as the centre piece. The political will he says is there, now, the national will is being summoned..

The tourism minister was accompanied by Director of Tourism, John Lynch; Director General in the tourism ministry, Carole Brady; Deputy Director of Tourism, David L. Shields. Accompanying the team was Geneive Brown-Metzger, Jamaica's Consul General, New York.

Born Miguel Collins, Sizzla has released more than 45 solo albums and more than 15 combination albums, crossing different genres of reggae music. Sizzla is among the reggae artistes credited with leading a movement toward a re-embracement of Rastafarian values in contemporary reggae music. He has recorded material that is concerned primarily with spirituality and social consciousness, through the exploration of common Rastafarian themes, such as “Babylon's corrupting influence,” the disenfranchisement of the youth, oppression of the “black ation” and Sizzla's abiding faith in Jah and resistance against perceived agents of oppression. He owns the record company, Kalonji Records; which in a joint venture with Damon Dash Music Group and KochRecords, released the critically-acclaimed album, The Overstanding” in November 2006.

“There is very little doubt that Sizzla Kalonji is one of the most revered conscious reggae artistes,” said Faron Lawrence, chairman of the Executive Committee of the St. Kitts Music Festival. “That is why his inclusion in the 14th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival certainly was an easy decision to make, for we expect Sizzla to reinforce the fact that the St Kitts Music Festival is a spectacular musical show, which blends rich exciting music with exhilarating performances.”

The reggae legend has cemented his greatness for this generation and many generations to come with breakthrough albums like Black Woman & Child in 1997, the classic Da Real Thing in 2002, and the Rise To The Occasion in 2003 by dancehall producer Don Corleon..

He now resides in Harare, Zimbabwe after this year in May he was given a farm there, for his performance at Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe's Now in its 14th consecutive year, the festival attracts both residents and visitors alike and is known for featuring rising local talent alongside internationally-renowned acts. It features a mix of musical styles on the popular market, including R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Gospel and Contemporary, to name a few. Past artists have included such prominent acts as John Legend, T-Pain, Michael Bolton, KC & the Sunshine Band, Wyclef Jean, Ne-Yo, Air Supply, Dionne Warwick, Billy Ocean, Sean Paul, Boyz II Men, King Konris, Stephen Marley, Regina Belle, Maxi Priest, Biggie Irie and Lord Nelson.

Australia, on the other hand, will be having a hard time picking themselves up after this result. A crushing defeat in their opening game, and a straight red card shown to their talismanic midfielder Tim Cahill, means the Socceroos must be favourites to finish bottom of the group, especially with Serbia and Ghana still on the horizon..

What does it mean, though, this result for Germany? While they looked very convincing going forward, with an excellent fluidity to their play through the midfield and into the front four, they were almost completely untested at the back. Australia's formation was essentially an awfully defensive 4-6-0, and they made absolutely no impact at all going forward. Manuel Neuer, who would be third choice if Rene Adler was fit and if Robert Enke would be alive, made only one real save today. Going into the next two group games, very little may change. Serbia and Ghana will be pressed back by Germany's front four, and Schweinsteiger and Khedira in the midfield will control possession with their battling mentality and passing ability, so when will Germany be tested?.

Many consider this Germany side to have only a small chance of making a Ballack-esque 'big impact' on this tournament. After injuries to number one goalkeeper Rene Adler, Heiko Westermann, Simon Rolfes, Christian Traesch, and obviously ex-captain Michael Ballack, many football fans around the world had written Germany off. But, after today, we have seen fantastically talented younger players like Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira, Holger Badstuber, and Lukas Podolski, and while they may not yet be household names, they will certainly become that as the tournament wears on..

But I digress. Germany should take maximum points from their remaining two group games, and then will most likely play USA in the round of sixteen. The US gave England a run for their money just days ago but I doubt they will give Germany so much trouble. Germany's fluidity of passing and movement throughout midfield and through the front four should be too much for USA to handle..

Now, with Germany looking at an almost assured quarter-final spot, confidence in the German camp will be very high after what should be four exciting wins for the Nationalelf. But where are Germany's weaknesses? When will they be exposed? Are they as good as they looked against Australia?.

If you can bet on anything, you can bet on the fact that the Germans will be prepared for anything. Despite them being a very young squad on average, they have all the same characteristics of great German players like Lothar Matthaus and Michael Ballack. They are determined, they are clinical, and they know what is at stake. I don't see this German side being slowed down by any team who performs less than extraordinarily..

‘Give a man enough rope him sure fi heng himself’, is a famous Jamaican proverb I learnt from my grandmother.  I’m sure if she was still alive she would use Jamaica’s current Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce Golding as a perfect example of someone working hard to prove that proverb true. The problem is how many Jamaicans does he intend to take down with him. Obviously he never grew with his granny or she would have told him, ‘Yuh play wid puppy, puppy lick yuh face’. Translated that means you play with fire, you will get burnt.

In August 2009 the United States government made an extradition request for Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke. Since then every day we keep reading and hearing of the numerous accusations against him, yet for nine months Mr. Golding did everything in his power to shield this individual. It was only after he was cornered that he decided to allow the courts to make a decision on the extradition request. But he could not even handle that correctly. Or was it a deliberate action to give ‘Dudus’ warning of the pending arrest by making a public announcement of the arrest warrant being signed. Either way many Jamaican’s paid dearly with their lives.

To add insult to injury, the nation is now being asked to pay dearly to clean up Mr. Golding’s mess.  Money is needed to rebuild Tivoli Gardens, physically and socially. Tourism needs money to rebuild Jamaicans image. Do we have our house in order as yet, is the timing right to start an image campaign even though ‘Dudus’ is still on the loose and further flair ups is a very real possibility. Clearly the Minister of Tourism, Edmond Bartlett is going ahead regardless.

What is really frightening is the constant revelations of just how involved the current Government is with this ‘Chirstopher ‘Dudus’ Coke and how much of tax payers money he is getting through government contracts to companies connected to him and his partner, west Kingston businessman, Justin O'Gilvie. Companies such as Bulls Eye Security Services Limited that is contracted to provide security services to the St. William Grant Park and the Downtown Transportation Centre. Incomparable Enterprises Limited is another company owned by the two which has been given several government contracts. I would not be surprised if there were many more. What does surprise me is that so far I have not heard of any move to seize or freeze Coke’s assets.

 So, when will Bruce Golding make the final tightening of the noose? The opposition tried to bring a no confidence vote against him in Parliament but his party protected him. As my granny would sey, ‘Birds of a feather flock together’. But I’m confident that Mr. Golding will eventually ‘heng’ himself. After all, ‘Cock mout kill cock’, (translated that means to betray oneself with careless chatter) and Mr. Golding is master at that. Maybe then Jamaica could begin a meaningful healing process. Maybe we can form a coalition like the United Kingdom using the best from each party to form a true Jamaican Government.  

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